Helmet Rail Assembly for Non-Penetrating Accessory Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective helmets suffer from reduced protective effectiveness due to fastening elements like screws or bolts penetrating the helmet shell, which can become secondary projectiles and cause injuries, and lack stable attachment methods for accessories such as night vision devices, cameras, and cameras, leading to potential safety and functionality issues.

Innovation Solution

An external system comprising first and second lateral rails with hooks that engage the helmet shell without penetrating elements, using cross-connecting elements to provide a stable and rigid attachment for accessories, including a front bracket and longitudinal element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fastening elements like screws or bolts are used to attach accessories to the helmet shell, then a stable and rigid connection is achieved, but the protective effect of the helmet is reduced due to the risk of secondary projectiles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidsecondary projectile risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the harmful fastening elements (screws, bolts) that penetrate the helmet shell and replaces them with a non-penetrating attachment system. The external system uses hooks that engage with the helmet shell's outer surface and cross-connecting elements that link the lateral rails without penetrating the shell, thereby eliminating the secondary projectile risk while maintaining accessory attachment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary attachment system consisting of lateral rails with hooks and cross-connecting elements. This intermediary structure mediates between the helmet shell and the accessories, providing a stable connection without requiring direct penetration of the helmet shell. The hooks engage the shell's outer surface, and the cross-connecting elements provide rigid linkage, achieving both stability and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If no penetrating fastening elements are used to attach accessories, then the helmet's protective effect is maintained, but the stability and rigidity of accessory attachment is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective effectVSAvoidaccessory attachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple non-penetrating components (lateral rails with hooks, cross-connecting elements, and accessory interfaces) into an integrated external system. This merged system works together to provide rigid and stable accessory attachment without penetrating the helmet shell. The hooks engage the shell, the cross-connecting elements link the rails, and the accessory interfaces secure the attachments, achieving cumulative stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional penetration approach (screws/bolts going through the shell) to a multi-dimensional surface engagement approach. The hooks engage the helmet shell's outer surface, the cross-connecting elements span between lateral rails, and the system distributes attachment forces across multiple points and dimensions, achieving stability without penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If multiple individual fastening elements are used to attach accessories, then secure attachment is achieved, but the number of parts and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the external system with universal, multi-functional components. The lateral rails serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, contain hooks for shell engagement, offer mounting surfaces for accessories, and connect via cross-connecting elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized fastening elements for each function, thereby reducing overall part count while maintaining attachment security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4305989B1External system for a protective helmet
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 ULBRICHTS GMBH
  • EP4305989B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4305989B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4305989B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an external system 11 for a protective helmet 1. The external system comprises a first lateral rail 21 and a second lateral rail 22, which is arranged opposite the first lateral rail 21 when the external system 11 is mounted on the protective helmet 1. The first lateral rail 21 and the second lateral rail 22 each have at least one hook 38, 39. Furthermore, the external system 11 comprises at least one cross-connecting element 31, 32, 33, wherein the at least one cross-connecting element 31, 32, 33 detachably connects the first lateral rail 21 to the second lateral rail 22 when the external system 11 is mounted on the protective helmet 1.