BAYONET RECEIVER FOR HELMET

Abstract

Embodiments are directed toward a helmet including a receiver for adjustably securing a mask. The mask includes a bayonet to be received by the receiver. The receiver includes a bayonet coupler and a plate pressed against the coupler. The coupler has a channel for releasably engaging the bayonet of the mask mount. The plate is fixedly secured to the helmet shell outboard of the coupler. The coupler is rotatably secured to the plate, the coupler having a pin extending outwardly therefrom through the plate and to the exterior of the helmet shell.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to oxygen mask mounting assemblies with aviation helmets and, more particularly, to mount and mask positioning.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Aviation helmets have long been equipped with mounts to secure oxygen masks to the front thereof for use by pilots and others aboard high-elevation and performance aircraft. The standard mount uses a rigid member on each side of the helmet to secure flexible straps that extend to a mask to fit over the mouth and nose of the user. The rigid members include bayonets removably secured within a receiver assembly fixed to the right and left sides of the helmet just forward of and slightly below the ear-receiving portions of the helmet. The mount is fitted to a particular user of the helmet by drilling holes in the helmet shell and using fasteners to fix the angular position of the mounts for securing the oxygen mask at the optimum position for the user. Further fine tuning of the fit can be carried out with the mask straps, however, once the holes are drilled, the macro fixation is set. If the angular position is off, new holes have to be drilled, although they cannot be too close to the old holes or the shell must be scrapped. Fitting the helmet to a new user does not generally work unless they happen to have nearly the same dimensions for head and face shape. While this generally works, it can be a costly way of fitting, especially if adjustments are needed or the helmet is to be used by another person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure sets forth a receiver securable to a helmet, specifically to a helmet shell. The receiver adjustably secures a mask having a mask mount. The receiver includes a coupler and a plate that rotate relative to each other. The coupler releasably engages the mask mount. The plate is fixedly secured to the helmet. The coupler is rotatably secured to the plate to rotate relative to the helmet.

The plate is positioned outward of the coupler, speaking in terms of inward being toward the middle of the helmet and outward being opposite inward. Thus, the coupler is positioned on the inner side of the plate. The plate is fixed to the helmet shell. As noted, the coupler is rotatable relative to the plate and helmet as it is the portion that adjusts the angular position of the mask relative to the helmet.

The coupler includes first and second members that fasten together to create a channel to receive a bayonet from the mask mount assembly. At least one of the first member and the second member has ridges on the upper and lower portions thereof. Thus, with the ridges, when the first and second members are fastened together, the members form a channel between the ridges. The channel is oriented to receive the mask mount and includes guide ramps at the mouth thereof to direct the bayonet into the channel for in-and-out adjustment of the bayonet relative to the helmet.

The fixed plate includes teeth extending in a full or partial circle. The teeth extend medially from the plate towards the coupler. The coupler also includes teeth extending in a complementary direction facing the plate (i.e., laterally). These teeth also, at least partially, form a circle. The teeth of the plate engage the teeth of the coupler to hold an angular position of the coupler relative to the plate and, thus, relative to the helmet since the plate is fixed to the helmet.

To hold the opposing teeth together, a pin extends from the coupler through the plate. The pin is fixed to the lateral side of the coupler. The plate includes a hole therein for receiving the pin, the pin being long enough to extend through the helmet shell once the receiver is secured to the helmet. The pin is keyed to a washer that is on the outer side of the plate and exposed beyond the helmet shell. The washer includes an indicator mark to track the rotation of the coupler relative to the plate and helmet. The trim on the helmet includes markings adjacent to the indicator to note the angular adjustment of the receiver and, thus, of the face mask mounting. Preferably the pin is a bolt with a threaded nut fastened to the outer end thereof. Tightening the nut secures the angular position (rotational adjustment) of the coupler relative to the plate and helmet.

Thus, the present disclosure outlines a helmet with a receiver for adjustably securing an oxygen mask. The mask mount includes a bayonet. The coupler has a channel for releasably engaging the bayonet of the mask mount. A plate or other member is fixed to the helmet shell outboard of the coupler. The coupler is rotatably secured to the plate, the coupler having a pin extending outwardly therefrom through the plate and to the exterior of the helmet shell. Teeth on at least one of the plate and the coupler are positioned between the plate and the coupler. The helmet further includes a releasable securement member, such as a bolt and nut, to press the coupler against the plate to hold the coupler from rotation relative to the plate. An indicator rotates with the coupler to indicate the angular position of the coupler relative to the helmet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet with an oxygen mask secured thereto;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the helmet and receiver assembly;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the receiver assembly;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views of the receiver parts;

FIG. 5 is an isometric assembly view of the receiver and mount apart from the helmet and mask; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of the receiver and mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure sets forth an adjustable receiver assembly for the bayonet mount to secure an oxygen mask to an aviation helmet. The assembly provides an adjustment mechanism that is secure and immovable once in a desired angular location while still providing the option of changing the angular orientation within a broad range to accommodate adjustments for a user or even adjustments to fit differing users without changing the mounting location of the receiver assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a helmet 10 may be outfitted with an oxygen mask 12 at a forward, open side thereof. The helmet may be, in many or most respects, a standard aviation helmet or it may be a highly specialized helmet. The basic aspects of the present mask receiver apply across a range of helmets. In the preferred embodiment, the helmet includes a rigid shell such as a carbon fiber composite shell with a shape to accommodate the head of a user as well as communication devices, visual devices, protection aspects, etc. Thus, the helmet includes a receiver assembly 14 for securing a bayonet mount for the oxygen mask 12. The helmet includes right and left side portions 18 as well as right and left mount portions 20.

Side portions 18 bulge outwardly from the main helmet shell to house ear pads and audio communication devices between the shell and the ears of the user. The mount portions 20 bulge outwardly from the side portions 18 at a lower, forward region of the side portions 18. In the preferred embodiment, the mount portions are an integral portion of the helmet shell and are formed therewith. For example, with a carbon composite shell the side portions 18 and mount portions 20 are molded as one.

The receiver assembly 14 for the bayonet mount 16 is fixed to and extends inboard of the mount portions 20. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the receiver assembly 14 includes a trim 22, outer fasteners 24, and indicator markings 26. The trim 22 may, in some cases, include portions of trim around the face opening of the helmet 10. The trim 22 preferably extends in a circular shape with outer fasteners 24 at upper and lower locations approximately 180 degrees apart. The indicator markings 26 are situated on a forward portion of the trim 22 between the fasteners. Again, the specifics can be changed as desired. For example, the indicator markings 26 can be on any portion of the receiver assembly 14 or even on the helmet shell, trim 20, or other portion that remains relatively fixed with regard to the main helmet portion that is stable relative to the head of the user, as long as the indicator markings 26 are readable by the person adjusting the position of the receiver assembly 14 relative to the helmet shell.

FIG. 3 provides more details regarding the construction and operation of the receiver assembly 14. The main receiver portion includes an outer receiver member 28 mated to an inner receiver member 30. The two members are fixed together to create an open channel 36 (see FIG. 4A as well) to receive the bayonet mount (shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6). The sides of outer and inner receiver members 28 and 30 that face each other form the channel 36 and the guide ramps 32 that surround the forward portion of the opening to the channel 36. Guide ramps 32 help direct the rearward insertion end of the bayonet mount 16 into the channel 36 of the receiver assembly 14 such that it may be inserted easily while the helmet is being worn by the user. FIG. 3 also shows nut 34 that is used to loosen the assembly for adjustment as will be detailed further below.

FIGS. 4A and 4B provide more details of the preferred construction of the outer and inner receiver members 28 and 30, respectively. FIG. 4A shows the side of outer receiver 28 that faces the side of inner receiver 30. The channel 36 is provided in part by outer receiver 28 and, in lesser part, by inner receiver 30. Of course, this arrangement may be switched or the two parts may be formed together or other configurations may be used. The channel is formed between upper and lower outer guide ridges 38 and inner guide ridges 40. The outer guide ridges 38 are part of outer receiver member 28, while the inner guide ridges are part of inner receiver. The outer guide ridges 38 are thicker than the inner guide ridges in the preferred embodiment as they include teeth 42 for engagement with bayonet mount 16. Locator pins 44, locater holes 46, and fasteners 48 are used to register and secure outer and inner receiver members 28, 30 together in somewhat of a clamshell fashion.

FIG. 5 shows the receiver assembly 14 removed from the helmet 10 with the bayonet mount 16 secured thereto. Bayonet receiver 16 includes a mask mount 50 that extends forwardly and inwardly from the bayonet portion received into the receiver assembly 14. The shape and surfaces of mask mount 50 are dictated by the oxygen mask straps and the need to have a stable, secure mount for the mask. Mount slots 52 are provided for secure interface with the straps from oxygen mask 12. Here again the placement and size of the slots 52 are selected to accommodate the oxygen mask 12.

Each bayonet includes a release slide 54 either standard (those commonly available) or otherwise developed for use to release the bayonet from the receiver assembly 14. The bayonet is received within bayonet receiver 14, specifically between outer and inner receiver members 28, 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the outer receiver member 28 includes an inner adjustment plate 56. A mating outer adjustment plate 58 is fixed to the shell of helmet 10 by securement with fasteners 24 to bosses 60 that project from outer adjustment plate 58. Nut 34 secures outer plate 58 to inner plate 56. Inner plate 56 is preferably an integral part of the outer face of outer receiver member 28. An indicator washer 62 is nested between nut 34 and outer plate 58, as will be better appreciated with regard to FIG. 6 and the description below. Bosses 60 preferably extend at least partially through the shell of helmet 10 whereas the helmet shell and or the trim 22 substantially or fully covers the outer face of outer plate 58 when receiver assembly 14 is secured to mount portion 20 of helmet 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The exploded view of FIG. 6 shows further details of receiver assembly 14 and bayonet mount 16. Washer 62 includes a marker 64—basically just a line on an edge of the washer—for moving with inner adjustment plate 56 to show the relative position of inner plate 56 to outer plate 58. The position is preferably shown by referring to the indicator markings 26 on trim 22, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Washer 62 includes a keyed hole 66 that non-rotatably engages with keyed bolt 68 that fixedly extends from outer receiver member 28, specifically from the center of inner adjustment plate 56.

Inner plate 56 includes a circular arrangement of rotational adjustment teeth 70a that mate with facing rotational adjustment teeth 70b projecting from outer plate 58. The mating teeth securely hold the position of the inner and outer plates relative to each other once nut 34 is tightened on keyed bolt 68. However, the assembly may be adjusted in its angular position relative to the helmet by loosening nut 34. Rotation of the inner plate also rotates indicator washer 62 such that marker 64 shows the position relative to indicator markings 26 on trim 22.

Finally in FIG. 6 the bayonet pawls are shown on bayonet mount 16. Such pawls are preferably those on standard bayonet mounts.

Thus, the receiver assembly shown and described provides the advantage of allowing a user to non-destructively adjust the position of the face mask mounting while providing a secure, stable mount once the optimum position is achieved. Such is accomplished without undue complication or mass such that the assembly is robust, reliable, and easy to use.

Claims

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21. A receiver securable to a helmet having a shell for adjustably securing a mask having a mask mount, the receiver comprising: a coupler for releasably engaging the mask mount, the coupler being positioned inside the helmet shell; anda plate for fixed securement to the helmet, the plate being positioned inside the helmet shell;wherein the coupler is rotatably secured to the plate.

22. The receiver of claim 21, wherein the plate is an outer plate relative to the coupler, the coupler being positioned on the inner side of the plate and being rotatable relative to the plate and helmet.

23. The receiver of claim 22, wherein the plate is fixed directly to the helmet shell.

24. The receiver of claim 23, wherein the plate includes at least two bosses that extend outwardly from an outer face of the plate, the bosses adapted to extend through openings in the shell and having inner openings for receiving fasteners for fixed securement to the helmet shell.

25. The receiver of claim 22, further comprising a coupler adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angular position of the coupler relative to the plate, the coupler adjustment mechanism being accessible from the outside of the helmet shell.

26. The receiver of claim 22, further comprising an adjustment angle indicator showing the position of the coupler relative to the shell.

27. The receiver of claim 26, wherein the indicator includes markings on the helmet shell.

28. The receiver of claim 22, further comprising a pin extending from the coupler through the plate, the plate having a hole therein for rotatably receiving the pin, the pin being long enough to extend through the plate and through the helmet shell once the receiver is secured to the helmet.

29. The receiver of claim 28, wherein the pin is keyed, the receiver further including a washer keyed to the pin and having an indicator marker to track the rotation of the coupler relative to the plate and helmet.

30. The receiver of claim 29, wherein the pin is a threaded bolt, the receiver further including a threaded nut rotatably secured to the threaded bolt for locking the rotational adjustment of the coupler to the plate.

31. The receiver of claim 22, further comprising a tightening member to pull the coupler towards the plate to hold the angular position of the coupler relative to the plate.

32. The receiver of claim 21, wherein the coupler includes a channel for receiving a bayonet member of the mask mount, the channel having a forward opening receiving end including guide ramps for directing the insertion of the bayonet member.

33. A helmet including a receiver for adjustably securing a mask having a mask mount including bayonets, the helmet comprising: a shell comprising: a main helmet shell;right and left side portions that bulge outwardly relative to the main helmet shell;right and left mount portions that bulge outwardly relative to the respective right and left side portions; andreceivers comprising: right and left couplers positioned inside the right and left mount portions of the helmet shell, the couplers having channels for releasably engaging the bayonets of the mask mount; andright and left plates fixedly secured to the helmet shell outboard of the respective right and left couplers;wherein the couplers are rotatably secured to the respective plates.

34. The helmet of claim 33, further comprising pins fixed to and extending outwardly from the couplers, the pins extending through the plates and to the exterior of the helmet shell.

35. The helmet of claim 34, wherein the pins comprise threaded bolts, the helmet further comprising nuts threaded to the bolts to secure the plates against the couplers.

36. The helmet of claim 33, further comprising a releasable securement members to press the couplers against the plates to hold the couplers from rotation relative to the plates.

37. The helmet of claim 34, further comprising a D-shaped washer secured to at least one of the pins to rotate therewith, the washer having an indicator marking thereon to show the position of a coupler relative to the shell.

38. The helmet of claim 33, further comprising an angular adjustment system accessible on the outside of the helmet for adjusting the angular position of the couplers relative to the helmet shell.

39. The helmet of claim 38, further comprising an indicator member position-fixed relative to the couplers to move with couplers and markings position-fixed relative to the helmet shell adjacent to the indicator.

40. The helmet of claim 39, wherein the indicator and markings are visible on the outside of the helmet shell.

41. The helmet of claim 40, further including a trim member on at least a portion of at least one of mount portions, the trim member including the markings.

42. The helmet of claim 33, wherein the plates include mounting bosses extending outwardly therefrom for engagement with the right and left mount portions of the helmet shell.