BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to protective helmets and, in particular, to a helmet accessory mounting system and method for interchangeably attaching one or more helmet accessory devices.

Commonly, military field helmets, combat helmets, or the like, are configured with mounts, brackets, and so forth to carry one or more accessories or attachments, such as a flashlights, viewing optics and devices, such as a monocular, binoculars, monocular or binocular night vision (NVG) devices (including passive night vision devices and enhanced night vision (eNVG) devices), thermal imaging devices, cameras, friend or foe identification (IFF) systems, communications devices, power supplies, and others.

Often such fastening systems utilize fasteners that penetrate one or more layers of the shell of the helmet. This is particularly disadvantageous for helmets that are designed for ballistic protection since holes formed the helmet can compromise the ballistic integrity of the helmet.

In addition, many of the existing fastening systems are dedicated for attaching a particular helmet accessory device or type of accessory device. As the number of types of accessories available increases, it would be desirable to provide a helmet mounting system that allows the user to readily remove and attach various accessories to the helmet to accommodate different situations or mission requirements, wherein the various accessories can be attached with a system that employs common mounting hardware.

The present disclosure contemplates a new and improved helmet accessory mounting system and method which overcomes the above-referenced problems and others.

SUMMARY

A helmet mounting system comprises a helmet including a shell configured to fit over a user's head. A fastener system is provided for removably attaching one or more accessory devices to the helmet. The fastener system includes one or more cables, each of said one or more cables having a proximal portion attached to a tensioning mechanism and a distal portion. The fastener system further includes a hook attached to each distal end of said one or more cables. The hook may be directly attached to a cable. In certain embodiments, the hook is removably attached to the cable. Alternatively, the hook may be attached to a housing or enclosure of an accessory device, wherein the cable attaches to the housing or enclosure. In certain embodiments, the hooks are integrally formed with the housing or enclosure. In certain embodiments, the hooks are separately formed and attached to the respective housing or enclosure with one or more fasteners. In certain embodiments, the hooks are separately formed and adjustably attached to the respective housing or enclosure with one or more fasteners. The hook is configured to removably engage a brim portion of the shell. The tensioning mechanism includes a spool which is rotatable in a first direction to cause a winding of the cable around the spool and a second direction opposite the first direction to cause an unwinding of the cable around the spool. Rotation of the spool in the first direction is configured to increase tension in the cable for securing the accessory device to the helmet and rotation of the spool in the second direction is configured to decrease tension in the cable for releasing the accessory device from the helmet. In certain embodiments, a ratchet mechanism is provided to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction unless the ratchet pawl is manually disengaged.

One advantage of the present development is that it allows a user to customize the helmet based on mission requirements.

Another advantage of the present development is found in its modularity in that it provides the ability to swap out individual accessory components.

Another advantage of the present development resides in its ability to provide power and data connections to accessory components.

Still further advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

