U.S. patent application number 11/308462 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for mount for digitally enhanced night vision device.
This patent application is currently assigned to LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.. Invention is credited to Loig E. BOURREE, William McMAHAN, John MURPHY, James D. PRUET.
Application Number | 20070067894 11/308462 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37054058 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070067894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BOURREE; Loig E. ; et
al. |
March 29, 2007 |
MOUNT FOR DIGITALLY ENHANCED NIGHT VISION DEVICE
Abstract
A system (M) for removably mounting a device (D) that is
viewable by a user (U) to an essentially rigid headgear (H)
includes a removable strap assembly (10) extending about the
headgear (H). The strap assembly (10) includes a strap (18) with a
first end (20) having a first securing means (24) to engage a first
edge (26) of the head gear (H.) A second securing means (28)
secures the strap (18) to a second edge (20). A mounting assembly
(32) extends from the strap assembly (10) in proximity to a first
end (14) of the strap assembly (10) for controllably positioning
the device (D) in an ocular axis (34) of the user (U). The mounting
assembly (32) controllably adjusts the device (D) along a forward
and backward axis (A1), a vertical axis (A4), and a horizontal axis
(A2) of the viewer (U).
Inventors: |
BOURREE; Loig E.; (Garland,
TX) ; MURPHY; John; (Garland, TX) ; PRUET;
James D.; (Garland, TX) ; McMAHAN; William;
(Garland, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSTELLER & ASSOCIATES, P. C.
P. O. BOX 803302
DALLAS
TX
75380-3302
US
|
Assignee: |
LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.
1840 Century Park East
Los Angeles
CA
|
Family ID: |
37054058 |
Appl. No.: |
11/308462 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60594339 |
Mar 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/422 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 27/0176 20130101;
F41H 1/04 20130101; G02B 2027/0138 20130101; G02B 23/125 20130101;
F41G 1/32 20130101; G02B 7/002 20130101; G02B 2027/0156
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/422 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/24 20060101
A42B001/24 |
Claims
1. A system for removably mounting a device that is viewable by a
user to an essentially rigid headgear worn by the user, the
invention comprising: a removable strap assembly extending about an
outer surface of the headgear and having a first end and a second
end; the strap assembly further including a strap having a first
end and a second end, a first securing means affixed to the first
end of the strap for a removably securing the first end of the
strap to a first edge of the head gear, and a second securing means
affixed to the second end of the strap for a removably securing the
second end of the strap to an opposing second edge of the headgear;
and a mounting assembly unit extending from the strap assembly in
proximity to the first end of the strap assembly for controllably
positioning the device in an ocular axis of the user; the mounting
assembly controllably adjusting the position of the device to be
viewed along a horizontal axis of the user, along a vertical axis
of the user, and along a forward and backward axis in relation to
the viewer.
2. The invention of claim 1 further including pivoting means for
pivoting the device about at least one of the axis of movement with
the mounting assembly unit.
3. The invention of claim 1 further including adapter means for
selectively positioning the device to be viewed in front of a
desired eye of the user.
4. The invention of claim 3 further including means for
communicating electrical signals with the device to be viewed.
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first securing means
includes aJ shaped element to engage the first edge of the head
gear.
6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the second securing means
includes aJ shaped element to engage the second edge of the head
gear.
7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the device to be viewed is
movably supported by an adjustable carrier coupled to a rail system
extendible substantially parallel to the ocular axis of the
user.
8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the adjustable carrier includes
controlling means to controllably move the device to be viewed
along at least one axis substantially perpendicular to the rail
system.
9. The invention of claim 7 wherein the mounting assembly unit is
demountable from the removable strap assembly.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/594,339, filed Mar. 30, 2005, entitled
MOUNT FOR DIGITALLY ENHANCED NIGHT VISION DEVICE.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The invention relates to the field of helmet mounts for
viewing devices, and more particularly to helmet mounts for night
viewer devices that attached to a helmet of a user of the
device.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Conventional viewing devices, such as night viewers and the
like, are known which removably attach to a support structure
secured to a helmet or face mask. These conventional viewer devices
are relatively movable by manipulation of the support structure to
align at least one eye piece of the viewer device with at least one
eye of the user.
[0006] Night vision systems are commonly used by military and law
enforcement personnel for conducting operations in low light or
night conditions. These systems intensify the ambient light to
produce an output image which is visible to the human eye. Such
night vision systems either take the form of binoculars, having
separate eye pieces for each eye, or monoculars, having only a
single eye piece.
[0007] Additionally, the support structure and viewer device are
possibly provided with cooperating structural features which insure
that the viewer device may be electrically deactivated when it is
removed from the support structure.
[0008] Helmet mounting assemblies for viewer devices are available
for securing viewing devices to an operator's helmet. Helmet
mounting assemblies of this kind are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,446,585, issued 29 Aug. 1995, to Roland M. Morley, et al.; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,471,678, issued 5 Dec. 1995, to Amotz Dor; and, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,506,730, issued 9 Apr. 1996, to Roland M. Morley et al.,
among others.
[0009] It frequently becomes necessary for the operator of a night
vision system or other viewing device to adjust its operational
position in order that the operator can optimize the position of
the viewing device along an ocular axis of the user. Thus, it would
be desirable to provide a mount for a night vision system or other
viewing device that enables the system to be easily adjustable in a
plurality of axis relative to the user.
[0010] While the above cited references introduce and disclose a
number of noteworthy advances and technological improvements within
the art, none completely fulfills the specific objectives achieved
by this invention.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, a system for
removably mounting a device that is viewable by a user to an
essentially rigid headgear worn by the user includes a removable
strap assembly that extends about an outer surface of the headgear.
The strap assembly has a first end and a second end. The strap
assembly further includes a strap with a first end and a second
end. A first means for securing is affixed to the first end of the
strap for removably securing the first end of the strap to a first
edge of the head gear. A second securing means is affixed to the
second end of the strap for removably securing the second end of
the strap to an opposing second edge of the headgear. A mounting
assembly unit extends from the strap assembly in proximity to the
first end of the strap assembly for controllably positioning the
device in an ocular axis of the user. The mounting assembly
controllably adjusts the position of the device to be viewed
generally along a horizontal axis of the user, along a vertical
axis of the user, and along a forward and backward axis in relation
to the viewer.
[0012] The present mounting system optionally includes a pivot
point about which the user may pivot the device about at least one
of the axis of movement with the mounting assembly unit.
[0013] These and other objects, advantages and features of this
invention will be apparent from the following description taken
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] A more particular description of the invention briefly
summarized above is available from the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the drawings and discussed in further detail below.
Through this reference, it can be seen how the above cited
features, as well as others that will become apparent, are obtained
and can be understood in detail. The drawings nevertheless
illustrate only typical, preferred embodiments of the invention and
are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may
admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view of the mount of the
present invention affixed to a ballistic type helmet with a
multi-spectral viewing device attached and positioned in a normal
viewing position for a user.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a right front isomeric view of the present
invention affixed to a ballistic type helmet with the
multi-spectral viewing device in a stowed position.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a left front isomeric view of the multi-spectral
viewing device in a stowed position over a user's right eye.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a lower right front isomeric view of the rail unit
of the mount.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the rail unit of
the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a frontal view of the rail unit.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the rail unit.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a right side elevational view of the rail
unit.
[0023] FIG. 9a is a frontal view of the transfer bar assembly
adapted to mount the multi-spectral viewing device over a user's
left eye.
[0024] FIG. 9b is a frontal view of the transfer bar assembly
adapted to mount the multi-spectral viewing device over a user's
right eye.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the strap assembly of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] So that the manner in which the above recited features,
advantages, and objects of the present invention are attained can
be understood in detail, more particular description of the
invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the
embodiment thereof that is illustrated in the appended drawings. In
all the drawings, identical numbers represent the same
elements.
[0027] A system M for removably mounting a device D that is
viewable by a user U to an essentially rigid headgear H worn by the
user U includes a removable strap assembly 10 that extends about an
outer surface 12 of the headgear H. The strap assembly 10 has a
first end 14 and a second end 16. The strap assembly 10 further
includes a strap 18 with a first end 20 and a second end 22. A
first means 24 for securing is affixed to the first end 20 of the
strap 18 for removably securing the first end 20 of the strap 18 to
a first edge 26 of the head gear H. A second securing means 28 is
affixed to the second end 22 of the strap 18 for removably securing
the second end 22 of the strap 18 to an opposing second edge 20 of
the headgear H.
[0028] A mounting assembly unit 32 extends from the strap assembly
10 in proximity to the first end 14 of the strap assembly 10 for
controllably positioning the device D in an ocular axis 34 of the
user U. The mounting assembly 32 controllably adjusts the position
of the device D to be viewed generally along a forward and backward
axis A1 relative to the user U, along a vertical axis A4 of the
user, and along a horizontal axis A2 in relation to the viewer
U.
[0029] The strap assembly 10 may be secured to the ballistic type
helmet H by using a screw system 23 to increase the tension
extending between the first end 14 and the second end 16 of the
strap 18.
[0030] The first securing means 24 optionally includes a J shaped
element to engage the first edge 26 of the head gear H. Similarly,
the second securing means 28 also optionally may include a J shaped
element to engage the second edge 30 of the head gear H.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment the device D to be viewed is
movably supported by the mounting assembly 32 that includes an
adjustable carrier unit 40 coupled to a rail unit R having a system
of at least one rod or rail 60 extendible substantially parallel to
the ocular axis 34 of the user U. The adjustable carrier unit 40
includes at least one controlling element 62 to controllably move
the device D to be viewed along at least one axis substantially
perpendicular to the rail system 60.
[0032] The viewing device D may be secured to the carrier unit 40
using holes 90 formed in bottom mounting plate or surface 88 of the
carrier 40.
[0033] The present mounting system M optionally includes a pivot
point 36 in a pivot block 46 about which the user U may pivot the
device D about at least one of the axis A3 of movement with the
mounting assembly unit 32.
[0034] The mounting assembly unit 32 may be removable from the
strap assembly unit 10 by detaching the mount base plate 68 from
the strap assembly 10.
[0035] The rail unit 32 may include one or more housing rails 54
along which the carrier unit 40 slides or moves fore or aft along
the axis A1. The housing rails 54 are supported by one or more
frame rails 52 that are attached to the base plate 68 through the
pivot block 46.
[0036] The carrier unit 40 may optionally include an adjustment
member or screw control 78 to permit lateral movement or adjustment
of the device D along a horizontal axis A2. The adjustment screw 78
may be used to adjust for the inter-pupilary distance of the user
U.
[0037] A tilt or pivot rod 76 extends through the carrier unit 40
to permit the tilt or pivot of the device mounting plate 88
relative to the housing rails 54. A tilt plate 72 cooperates with
tilt housing 56 and the tilt or pivot rod 76 of the carrier unit 40
to permit fine adjustment of the axis for viewing the device D
about at least one axis A1 through A4 as desired. Likewise, a tilt
cam 50 may be used in the adjustment of the tilt of the device D. A
pivot locking pin 58 may be used for tilting or stowing of the
device D.
[0038] One or more optional controls 60 may be included with the
carrier unit 40. Such controls 60 may include an assembly lock
button 42 to lock the elements of the carrier assembly 40 in a
selected location for optimal viewing of the device D. An assembly
lock button 44 is desirably included to secure the carrier unit
against additional fore and aft adjustment or movements along the
rail 54. A hinge button 48 may be used to release the rail assembly
R to be pivoted into or out of position in front of the user's
desired eye 38.
[0039] The mounting assembly 32 of the mounting system M preferably
includes an adapter unit for selectively positioning the device D
to be viewed in front of a desired eye 38 of the user U.
[0040] Referring particularly to FIGS. 9a and 9b, the mounting
assembly 32 of the mounting system M optionally includes a transfer
bar assembly T adapted to extend from the first end 14 of the strap
assembly 10 and with a T shaped transfer bar 84 for the mount may
extend from the first end 14 of the strap assembly 10. A mount base
plate 68 of the mounting assembly 32 is adapted to be secured or
attached to the transfer bar 84. Alignment points or protrusions 92
(FIG. 5) may be formed with an outer face of the base plate 68 to
align the mounting assembly in front of one eye 38 of the user U at
complementary secure points or holes 94a formed in transfer bar 84,
or alignment points 92 may be mated with an alternative set of
secure points 92b to align the device D in front of the other eye
38 of the user U.
[0041] A "J" shaped transfer connector bar 80 with an electrical
connector 82 for communicating electrical signals with the device D
to be viewed and an optional electronics interface module or
package E may be secured to the mounting system M. A known
electrical ribbon cable 86 may be used to communicate the
electrical signals and extend between the connector 82 and the
device D. The optional electronics interface module may include one
or more exposed control knobs 96 to adjust the operation or control
of the device D.
[0042] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention
are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in
the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the
illustrated construction may be made without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *