Helmet Accessory Mount With Flexible Locking Grips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment systems for wearable protective gear, such as helmets, are difficult to manufacture and do not facilitate easy attachment or removal of accessories with different mounting arrangements, limiting the range of compatible accessories.
Innovation Solution
An attachment system featuring a flexible member with grips that deform to move engaging elements between locked and unlocked positions, allowing for secure attachment and removal of adapter plates with varying connector arrangements, enabling the use of diverse accessories on wearable articles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing attachment systems are used for wearable protective gear, then accessories can be attached to the gear, but the attachment systems are difficult to manufacture and do not facilitate easy attachment or removal of accessories with different mounting arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate components: an attachment base with engagement features and an attachment plate with corresponding engagement elements. This segmentation allows independent manufacturing of each component, simplifying production while enabling easy assembly and disassembly through the engagement/disengagement of the separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment plate includes a flexible member that can deform to transition engagement elements between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic flexibility allows the rigid engagement elements to be moved between locked and unlocked positions, facilitating easy attachment and removal while maintaining secure engagement when attached.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing attachment systems are used for wearable protective gear, then accessories can be attached to the gear, but they limit the range of compatible accessories due to fixed mounting arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment base and attachment plate are designed with universal engagement features that can accommodate multiple mounting arrangements. The flexible member with deformable engagement elements can interface with various accessory mounting configurations, allowing a single attachment system to support diverse accessories without requiring complex specialized mounting mechanisms for each type.
3Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is used, then accessories are firmly fixed to the wearable article, but the attachment and removal process becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state of the flexible member between deformed and recovered states to control engagement. When the flexible member is deformed, engagement elements are positioned for easy insertion or removal. When recovered, the engagement elements are securely locked. This parameter change allows the same mechanism to provide both secure attachment and easy operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible member automatically transitions engagement elements between locked and unlocked positions through its deformation and recovery. The elastic properties of the flexible member provide self-acting engagement and disengagement without requiring additional actuators or complex mechanisms, maintaining security while enabling easy operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for easy and secure attachment of accessories with different mounting systems to wearable articles, expanding compatibility and simplifying the manufacturing process by using a flexible member and grip mechanism to facilitate movement between locked and unlocked configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible member extending in a direction from a first side of the attachment plate toward a second side of the attachment plate opposite the first side
Data Source
AI summary
Attachment systems for releasably securing an accessory to an article, such as a helmet, are disclosed. In one embodiment, an attachment system (100) includes an attachment plate (102) that includes engaging features (108, 110) which engage corresponding engagement features on an attachment base (104). At least one of the engaging features (110) on the attachment plate is associated with a flexible member (112), and is movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration via deformation of the flexible member. A pair of grips (114) are provided on opposing ends of the flexible member, and the grips are pressed toward one another to move the movable engaging feature between the locked and unlocked configurations.