US20020120979A1 - Helmet mount for night vision device - Google Patents

Abstract

A helmet mount for a night vision device with a goggle horn for attachment to the helmet mount is disclosed. The helmet mount includes an adjustable socket assembly for mounting goggle horns with varying dimensions therein, and a break away latch assembly in the lower socket that allows a goggle horn to be removed if a certain predetermined force is applied to the night vision device. Additionally, the helmet mount includes a vertical adjustment system for changing the vertical position of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes. The vertical movement can be achieved by either a rack/pin system or a gear drive system. Also provided is a locking mechanism that allows the night vision device to be easily changed from the stowed or in use position by compressing an activation button that disengages the locking mechanism and allows the night vision to be flipped up or down. The vertical adjustment systems and locking mechanism are designed to allow for one-handed operation by the user of the night vision device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates generally to mounting assemblies for night vision devices, and more particularly to a flip-up helmet mount for night vision devices that includes an adjustable socket assembly for mounting the goggles to the helmet mount, a break away latch assembly, automatic shutdown assemblies, position adjustment, tilt adjustment, focal adjustment, vertical adjustment, and a locking mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanisms are designed to allow for one-handed operation by the user of the night vision device.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Night vision devices are commonly used by military personnel for conducting operations in low light or night conditions. The night vision devices utilized by the military typically include image intensifier tubes and associated optics that convert infrared and near infrared light into viewable images. A common night vision device currently being used in the U.S. Army is the PVS7 night vision device, manufactured by ITT Corporation in Roanoke, Va.[0002]
• Assemblies for mounting night vision devices to a helmet are well known in the art. These mounting assemblies allow a user's hands to remain free while viewing a scene through the night vision device. Prior art mounting assemblies typically include one or more of the following features: positional adjustment of the night vision device between a use and stowed position; tilt angle adjustment of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes; focal adjustment of the location of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes; and automatic shutdown of the night vision device when not in the use position.[0003]
• A known mounting assembly for night vision devices encompasses a flip-up helmet mount that attempts to provide all of the features identified above. However, that device is believed to be deficient in its operational aspects because, among other reasons, the flip-up helmet mount is not designed for one-handed operation. More particularly, the tilt adjustment means disclosed requires a user to loosen a locking knob with one hand, while at the same time repositioning the night vision device with the other hand. Obviously, given the conditions under which night vision devices are typically used, it is undesirable and potentially unsafe for adjustment of the night vision device to occupy both hands of the operator. If both hands of the operator are required to adjust the night vision device, then the operator will be unable to continue carrying a weapon or other equipment in one of his hands. It can certainly be appreciated that having to put down one's weapon in order to adjust the night vision device may expose the operator of the night vision device to certain unnecessary risks.[0004]
• Known flip-up helmet mounts are also deficient in operational aspects because of jamming susceptibility of the automatic shutdown assembly. The automatic shutdown assembly includes a magnet housing having an S-shape or question-mark shape. A combination of an S-shaped cavity for movement of a relatively long, narrow bar magnet within results in an automatic shutdown assembly with questionable reliability.[0005]
• Specifically, the long, narrow bar magnet can easily become askew within the S-shaped cavity as the magnet moves within the cavity. When the magnet becomes askew within the cavity, the automatic shutdown assembly becomes jammed and the night vision device does not automatically turn off when rotated into the stowed position. This is obviously undesirable since the phosphor yellow/green light emitted from the night vision device would then be visible to possibly hostile personnel in front of the operator.[0006]
• Known flip-up helmet mounts are inadequate for the conditions in which the night vision devices are typically used. For example, when the helmet mount is moved from one position to another, the magnet in the automatic shutdown assembly produces a significant amount of noise upon contacting the end of the cavity. Obviously, excessive noise can draw unwanted attention to the operator of the night vision device. It is also important that the automatic shutdown assembly not intermittently turn the goggles off in use or on while not in use due to inadvertent movement of the magnet caused by movement of a person wearing the goggles. In another known flip-up helmet mount, a significant amount of noise is produced by a rib that is received into one of two grooves for retaining the night vision device in either the use or the stowed position.[0007]
• Further, the focal adjustment assembly of the known mount requires the operator of the night vision device to apply force inwardly to a pair of release buttons in order to adjust the location of the night vision device relative to his eyes. It is believed that this requires a rather awkward movement of the hand or hands of the operator that makes focal adjustment relatively difficult. In addition, the known helmet mounts fail to provide a simple means for adjusting the vertical position of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes. The performance of the night vision device is diminished is the user is unable to vertically align the device in a position in front of the eyes that enables a complete and steady view through the goggles.[0008]
• Night vision devices and helmet mounts are often manufactured by different manufacturers. So that the parts will fit together, they are manufactured to certain specifications but having dimension variations of up to {fraction (10/1000)}″. The fit of the goggles into the helmet mount chassis is difficult with such variances. The fit should not be too loose, as noise emitting from jiggling contact between the goggles and the chassis (for instance, when the user is in motion) should be avoided. Moreover, jiggling of the goggles in the mount makes it more difficult to see clearly through the goggles. Yet, the fit of the goggles should not be so tight that it is difficult for the goggles to be connected with the helmet mount, or disconnected therefrom. A snug fit of the goggles into the helmet mount is desired with a minimum amount of force required to insert the goggles into the helmet mount. Moreover, it would be desirable to prevent the night vision device from being damaged if a certain force, such as an impact by a tree branch, is applied to the night vision device. A means for allowing the connection between the helmet mount and the night vision device to be disconnected when a certain force is encountered would prevent such unnecessary damage.[0009]
• An additional problem encountered with current helmet mounts is the night vision device unintentionally moving from the stowed or in use position. For example, if the user has the night vision device in the stowed position it could be dangerous for the device to be inadvertently bumped or jolted into the use position. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a locking mechanism that retains the night vision device in either the stowed or in use position until certain deliberate actions are taken by the user.[0010]
• These and other problems exist with the flip-up helmet mounts for night vision devices disclosed in the prior art. Consequently, a need exists for an improved flip-up helmet mount.[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention, therefore, provides an improved flip-up helmet mount for night vision devices. More particularly, the flip-up helmet mount according to the present invention is designed to allow for a substantially quiet automatic shut-off night vision device that operates only when intended, and to allow for a snug fit of night vision devices into the helmet mount. In addition, the flip-up helmet mount is designed to allow for one-handed adjustment of the position, tilt, and focus of the night vision device.[0012]
• The flip-up helmet mount includes a helmet block for securing the night vision device to a helmet, and a chassis for receiving the night vision device. The chassis is rotationally coupled to the helmet block by a bracket member extending between the helmet block and the chassis.[0013]
• In a presently preferred embodiment, a goggle horn of the night vision device is secured into an adjustable socket assembly having an upper socket and a lower socket coupled to the upper socket. The lower and upper sockets have a goggle horn receiving area that substantially corresponds to the wedge-shaped goggle horn. However, the goggle horn receiving area is dimensioned to be slightly smaller than the smallest possible horn given the allowed tolerances.[0014]
• Preferably, lower socket is capable of moving {fraction (20/1000)}″ in a direction away from the upper socket while still being coupled thereto. Screws that provide the connection between the upper and lower sockets are placed through smooth holes in the lower socket, the holes with a counterbore spaced from the head of the screws, and connected to threaded holes in the upper socket. A spring is provided around each screw in the lower socket that biases the lower socket toward the upper socket. However, the counterbore allows the lower socket to be moved away from the upper socket against the spring force. Because the screws have a threaded connection to the upper socket, the upper socket and the screws maintain their positions relative to one another. As a result, the upper socket and the lower socket may separate while accommodating a goggle horn into the goggle horn receiving area.[0015]
• The goggle horn slides over a detent in the goggle horn receiving area until the detent is received into an aperture in the goggle horn. When the detent is received into the goggle horn, the spring is biased to the original position thereby pulling the lower socket closer to the upper socket. Because of the dimensions of the goggle horn receiving area, a horn will always be under spring pressure while in the receiving area with the upper and lower sockets spread at least some distance apart. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the lower socket has a break away latch assembly instead of the fixed detent, which allows the goggle horn to be removed from the socket assembly when a certain force is applied to the night vision device. The break away latch assembly makes use of at least one spring that pushes against a latch that is pivotally secured in the lower socket.[0016]
• A position adjustment assembly is provided within the helmet block for adjusting the night vision device between a use position, in front of the user's eyes, and a stowed position, out of the line-of-sight of the user. The flip-up helmet device includes an automatic shutdown assembly for automatically shutting down the night vision device when it is not in the use position. Further, in a presently preferred embodiment, the automatic shutdown assembly includes a magnet module having a vertically extending cavity with a substantially oval-shaped profile. A cylindrical bar magnet is slidably received within the cavity to move in response to movement of the night vision device between the use and stowed position. The automatic shutdown assembly automatically shuts down the night vision device whenever it is not in the use position. The shape of the cavity and the dimensions of the bar magnet combine to produce a reliable automatic shutdown assembly that is essentially jam proof. Placed in the cavity with the magnet is a damping fluid that has sufficient viscosity to slow the velocity of the magnet when the positions are being changes, so that noise emitted from contact of the magnet with the cavity sides is substantially eliminated. The fluid also reduces the possibility of inadvertent operation.[0017]
• In a presently preferred embodiment, the position adjustment assembly includes a spring-biased ball and detent system, wherein a plurality of balls are biased by springs toward a shaft, rotationally received in a transverse bore in the helmet block, that includes a pair of transverse detents extending along the length of the shaft, corresponding to the use and stowed position of the night vision device. The spring-biased ball and detent system provides for extremely quiet operation of the flip-up helmet mount.[0018]
• A tilt adjustment assembly is additionally provided for adjusting the tilt angle of the chassis relative to the bracket member, and thus the night vision device relative to the user's eyes. The tilt adjustment assembly includes a cam system, wherein rotation of a cam knob produces rotation of the chassis relative to the bracket member. The cam based tilt adjustment assembly provides for one-handed adjustment of the tilt angle of the night vision device. Moreover, the cam based assembly permits substantially infinite adjustment of the tilt angle within a predetermined range.[0019]
• Additionally, in a presently preferred embodiment, a focal adjustment assembly is provided for adjusting the location of the night vision device relative to the chassis. The focal adjustment assembly includes a hinged release lever that is biased by a return spring to engage one of a plurality of notches on one of a pair of racks of the chassis. The night vision device is slidably received on the racks of the chassis. Application of a downward force on the release lever disengages the release lever from the notch and permits adjustment of the location of the night vision device relative to the chassis. The single release-lever provides for one-handed adjustment of the location of the night vision device and is believed to be ergonomically superior to prior art systems.[0020]
• Vertical adjustment of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes is also provided for in a presently preferred embodiment. A rack/pin system achieves vertical movement of the chassis by moving a front plate that is slidably coupled to a back plate, wherein the chassis is adjustably coupled to the front plate. Additionally, a pin system is provided that uses a spring actuated button and gripping means to move up and down within a plurality of grooves that are machined into the back plate. Alternatively, vertical movement of the night vision device can be achieved by a gear drive system. The gear drive system moves the chassis up and down by rotational movement of a lever mounted to the front plate which is fixedly connected by a shaft to a gear disposed within a housing in the back plate, wherein rotation of the lever rotates the gear, thus causing the gear to move within the gear housing.[0021]
• Additionally, a locking mechanism is provided in an alternative preferred embodiment which allows the night vision device to be moved from the stowed position to the use position, or vice versa, by compressing an activation button protruding from the helmet block. When the activation button is compressed, a shaft that is integrally connected to the activation button and disposed within the helmet block is pressed against a spring. The spring is mounted between the shaft and the helmet block, and when compressed a lock that is pressing against the shaft changes position, thereby disengaging the locking mechanism. A pivot sleeve is also disposed in the helmet block that is engaged by a side of the lock that is opposite the side pressing against the shaft, and when the activation button is compressed the pivot sleeve is able to rotate, thus allowing the position of the night vision device to be changed by the user.[0022]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following Detailed Description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:[0023]
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flip-up helmet mount provided for in the present invention secured to a helmet, wherein the night vision device is in a use position;[0024]
• FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the flip-up helmet of FIG. 1, removed from the helmet;[0025]
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the flip-up helmet mount of FIG. 1 in a stowed position.[0026]
• FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the flip-up helmet mount of FIG. 2;[0027]
• FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of one of the racks of the chassis of the flip-up helmet mount of FIG. 2;[0028]
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the helmet block;[0029]
• FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the automatic shutdown assembly, with the night vision device in the use position;[0030]
• FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the automatic shutdown assembly, with the night vision device in the stowed position;[0031]
• FIG. 9[0032]ais an expanded perspective view of the night vision device with a goggle horn that is receivable into an adjustable socket assembly;
• FIG. 9[0033]bis a front view of the adjustable socket assembly of FIG. 9a;
• FIGS. 10[0034]a,10b, and10care back, top, and front views respectively of the lower socket of the adjustable socket assembly of FIG. 9a;
• FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a screw placed through one of the holes in the lower socket as shown in FIG. 10[0035]b;
• FIGS. 12[0036]aand12bare front and bottom views respectively of the upper socket of the adjustable socket assembly of FIG. 9a;
• FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnet module assembly;[0037]
• FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the magnet module assembly of FIG. 13 when the night vision device is in the use position;[0038]
• FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the magnet module assembly of FIG. 13 when the night vision device is in the stowed position; and[0039]
• FIG. 16[0040]ais a top view of a cap of the magnet module assembly of FIG. 13;
• FIG. 16[0041]bis a side view of a plug of the magnet module assembly of FIG. 13;
• FIG. 16[0042]cis a top view of a screen of the magnet module assembly of FIG. 13;
• FIG. 16[0043]dis a side view of the screen of FIG. 16c;
• FIG. 17[0044]ais a partial cross-sectional side view of a rack/pin system in an up position;
• FIG. 17[0045]bis a partial cross-sectional side view of the rack/pin system in a down position;
• FIG. 18 is a top cut away cross-sectional view of the rack/pin system of FIG. 17[0046]a, where the release button is not compressed;
• FIG. 19 is a top cut away cross-sectional view of the rack/pin system of FIG. 17[0047]a, where the release button is compressed;
• FIG. 20 is an exploded cross-section of the pin system of the rack/pin system shown in FIG. 17[0048]a;
• FIG. 21 is a bottom elevation view of the bottom plate of the rack/pin system of FIG. 17[0049]a;
• FIG. 22[0050]ais a partial cross-sectional side view of a gear drive system in an up position;
• FIG. 22[0051]bis is a partial cross-sectional side view of the gear drive system in a down position;
• FIG. 23[0052]ais a bottom elevation view of the lever of the gear drive system shown in FIG. 22a;
• FIG. 23[0053]bis a partial cross-sectional side view of the lever with a shaft partially disposed within the lever;
• FIG. 23[0054]cis an elevation view of the gear of the gear drive system;
• FIG. 24[0055]ais a bottom elevation view of the gear drive system showing in phantom the movement of the gear;
• FIG. 24[0056]bis an elevation view of the cover plate that covers the gear housing of the gear drive system;
• FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism showing phantom movement of the shaft and spring;[0057]
• FIG. 26[0058]ais a cross-sectional side view of the lock showing the angled face that contacts the pivot sleeve;
• FIG. 26[0059]bis a cross-sectional front view of the lock showing the protruding bearing surface that contacts the shaft;
• FIG. 26[0060]cis a cross-sectional view of the pivot sleeve showing the detents;
• FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional side view of the helmet block showing the locking mechanism of FIG. 25;[0061]
• FIG. 28[0062]ais a cross-sectional side view of the latch of a break away latch assembly;
• FIG. 28[0063]bis a cross-sectional side view of the break away latch assembly showing phantom movement of the latch and spring;
• FIG. 29[0064]ais a top elevation view of the lower socket of the break away latch assembly;
• FIG. 29[0065]bis a front elevation view of the lower socket of the break away latch assembly;
• FIG. 30[0066]ais a cross-sectional view of the latch of an alternative break away latch assembly;
• FIG. 30[0067]bis a cross-sectional view of the alternative break away latch assembly showing phantom movement of the latch and spring;
• FIG. 31[0068]ais a top elevation view of the lower socket of the alternative break away latch assembly; and
• FIG. 31[0069]bis a front elevation view of the lower socket of the alternative break away latch assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Referring now to FIG. 1, a presently preferred embodiment of a flip-up[0070]helmet mount10 according to the present invention is shown. The flip-uphelmet mount10 is shown in use with a standard U.S. Army Kevlarcomposite helmet12. Anight vision device14 is secured to thehelmet12 by use of the flip-uphelmet mount10. Thenight vision device14 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that includes a singleobjective lens16, ahousing18, and a pair ofeye pieces20. To use the night vision device, the operator places it in the position depicted in FIG. 1 and looks into theeye pieces20 to see an enhanced image representative of the low-level light from a night scene which has entered the objective lens. Many of the embodiments disclosed herein are similar to those found in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/538,828, filed on Mar. 30, 2000, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
• The flip-up[0071]helmet mount10 may be secured to the helmet in any of the ways well known in the art. FIG. 1 shows the flip-up helmet mount secured to the helmet by means of a quickrelease mechanism assembly22. The quick release mechanism assembly includes abrace plate24 having a broad basedhook member26. Thehook member26 includes a pair of laterally spaced apart hookportions28, which engage under abrim13 of the helmet. The quick release mechanism may be secured to the helmet by astrap30 that includes ratchet means for adjusting the strap relative to the helmet to ensure a sung fit on various sizes of helmets. Alternatively, fasteners may be used to secure the quick release mechanism assembly directly to the helmet.
• The flip-up[0072]helmet mount10 includes ahelmet block40, which is releasably secured to the quick release mechanism assembly. Arear surface42 of the helmet block (see FIG. 6) engages thebrace plate24 of the quick release mechanism assembly when the flip-up helmet mount is secured to the helmet. As can be seen in FIG. 1, a front surface44 of the helmet block40 (see FIG. 2) defines atransverse boss46 having atransverse bore48 therein. As will be described in more detail below, the night vision device is rotationally coupled with the helmet block to allow the user to pivot the night vision device between a use and a stowed position.
• The flip-up[0073]helmet mount10 also includes achassis50 slidably coupled with asocket assembly52. Thenight vision device14 is coupled withsocket assembly52. The socket assembly is slidably adjustable relative to the chassis to allow focal adjustment of the night vision device. The chassis is also coupled with the helmet block by an upright, orbracket member60. The chassis is rotationally coupled with the bracket member at a proximal end of the bracket member to allow for tilt angle adjustment of the night vision device as described in more detail below.
• In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 9[0074]a,9b, anight vision device314 is removably secured into anadjustable socket assembly352. The adjustable socket assembly has anupper socket353 and alower socket354 coupled to the upper socket by screws360 (FIG. 11). The upper socket has a contactingsurface359. The lower socket has a contactingsurface357 that abuts contactingsurface359 when the upper socket and lower socket are coupled.
• As shown in FIGS. 10[0075]a,10band10c, the lower socket has one side of a gogglehorn receiving area357aformed by a tapered recess located centrally across the width of the socket in between contactingsurfaces357. In addition, the lower socket hascylindrical holes358 that extend from the bottom of the lower socket through contactingsurface357 as shown in FIG. 11.Holes358 are provided for receipt ofscrews360. In a preferred embodiment, there are four holes, with two holes on each side of the goggle horn receiving area.
• At an entrance area in the hole is an inwardly sloping entrance or counterbore[0076]358bthat is substantially conical-shaped. At the other end of the hole is an area of reducedcross-section358ahaving smooth walls. In between the two ends of the hole is a main cylindrical section of the hole having smooth walls. The diameter of the hole near contactingsurface357 is smaller than the diameter throughout the main section. The smaller diameter section of the hole corresponds closely to the outer diameter ofscrew360 placed therethrough for reasons described below. However, the screw is able to slide freely relative to the hole.
• Each[0077]screw360 has a main cylindrical body. At one end of the main cylindrical body is a threadedtip361. At an opposite end of the main cylindrical body is a conical-shapedenlarged head362 that corresponds to inwardly sloping entrance358b. When the screw is placed throughhole358 and fastened into the upper socket as described below, the top head is spaced from the inwardly sloping entrance about {fraction (20/1000)}″.
• Wrapped around the cylindrical main body of the screw is a[0078]spring363. Inhole358, the spring is limited on one end by conical shapedenlarged head362, and on the other end by the area of reduced cross-section in the hole. The spring biases the screw outwardly in the hole, such that the screw head will normally remain spaced from the hole and hold the upper socket against the lower socket such that the contacting surfaces abut.
• In a preferred embodiment the spring is made from 316 stainless steel. The passivation process to neutralize the material of the spring so as to avoid corrosion is controlled by government specification no. QQ-P-35C. The set length of the spring is 0.250 inch. The diameter of the wire is 0.024 inch. The diameter of the spring is 0.170 inch. The pitch of the spring is 0.050 inch. The ends of the spring are closed and ground, and the spring is set solid. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the spring is manufactured by C&F Wire, Buena Park, Calif., part no. 1555055.[0079]
• As shown in FIGS. 12[0080]aand12b, a recess extending centrally across the width of theupper socket353 in between contactingsurfaces359 forms the other side of a goggle horn receiving area359a. In addition, through contactingsurfaces359 of the upper socket are threadedholes364 for receipt of and threaded connection to threadedtips361 of the screws. There are four holes, with two holes on each side of the goggle horn receiving area. Each of these threadedholes364 correspond to one of the holes of the lower socket.
• Along inside surfaces of the recesses extending across the upper and lower sockets are sloping[0081]inner walls356 that taper from a larger aperture on a front side of the socket assembly to a smaller aperture on a back side of the socket assembly. As shown in FIGS. 10ato10c, on a bottom inner wall of the lower socket is adetent355 used to securely connect the helmet mount with the night vision device.Detent355 has a front surface that slopes back toward the back side of the socket assembly. The detent further has a back surface that hooks into the night vision device for secure assembly. The night vision device is removable from the socket assembly through use a lever provided in the night vision device.
• As shown in FIG. 9[0082]a, the night vision device has agoggle horn315 that is slidable into the adjustable socket assembly in between the upper and lower sockets. The goggle horn is manufactured to a certain specification within certain allowable tolerance levels. Generally, the tolerance levels are {fraction (10/1000)}″. The goggle horn is wedge-shaped such that it has a larger front area that tapers down to a smaller back area. The sloping inner walls of the recesses in the upper and lower sockets that taper from the front side of the socket assembly to the back side generally correspond to the wedge-shape of the goggle horn.
• The goggle horn has an aperture on a bottom side (not shown) for receipt of the detent.[0083]
• The goggle horn slides over[0084]detent355 until the detent is received into the aperture of the goggle horn. With contactingsurfaces357,359 of the lower and upper sockets adjoining, the screws each with the surrounding spring are slid throughholes358 in the lower socket and then fastened into corresponding threadedholes364 of the upper socket. The threaded end of the screw fastens into the threaded hole of the upper socket a limited distance such that there is a small distance (e.g. {fraction (20/1000)}″) between the top head of the screw and the tapered entrance of the smooth hole.
• When fastened together with the spring connection, the lower and upper sockets are capable of separating up to {fraction (20/1000)}″ apart as the goggle horn slides into the socket assembly. In the case where the specification and the tolerances are at or near a maximum dimension for the goggle horn, the goggle horn that is placed into the front aperture of the socket assembly forces the upper and lower sockets apart until the detent is received into the goggle horn. Threaded[0085]bottom361 of the screw remains in the upper socket so that the screw remains fixed relative to the upper socket and is pulled upward in the hole as the upper and lower sockets are moved apart until the top head of the screw abuts inwardly sloping entrance358b. The distance between the top head of the screw and inwardly sloping entrance358bis about {fraction (20/1000)}″, which allows the lower and upper sockets to separate that distance.
• When the detent is received into the goggle horn, the spring biases the sockets to their original positions thereby pulling the lower socket closer to the upper socket, and pushing[0086]top head362 away from inwardly sloping entrance358b.
• Automatic Shut Down Assembly[0087]
• The flip-up[0088]helmet mount10 enables an operator to adjustnight vision device14 between a use or operation position, shown in FIG. 1, and a non-use or stowed position, shown in FIG. 3. The flip-up helmet mount automatically shuts down the night vision device when in the stowed position. More particularly, the flip-up helmet mount provides for reliable, substantially quiet and essentially jam proof, automatic shutdown of the night vision device.
• The night vision device includes a power supply in the form of a battery pack (not shown) internal to[0089]housing18. A power supply circuit provides power to an image intensifier tube (not shown), which supplies toeye pieces20 an intensified image in phosphor yellow/green light of the scene viewed byobjective lens16. The power supply circuit also includes a magnetically-responsive switch, schematically indicated as138 in FIG. 2. Theswitch138 maintains electrical power supply to the night vision device once it is turned on by the user only so long as a magnetic field of sufficient strength is supplied to switch138. An automatic shutdown assembly is practically essential when using a flip-up helmet mount, because if the user forgets to turn off the night vision device before moving it to the stowed position, the phosphor yellow/green light emitted fromeye pieces20 would be visible to possibly hostile personnel in front of the user. The phosphor yellow/green light would appear as a pair of small spot lights and may be visible at great distances at night, indicating the position of the user of the night vision device to those in front of the user.
• Accordingly, the flip-up helmet mount includes an[0090]automatic shutdown assembly140 to provide the necessary magnetic flux to switch138 when the night vision device is in the use position, while at the same time insuring that the magnetic field is removed from the switch when the night vision device is pivoted to the stowed position. The automatic shutdown assembly includes amagnet module142 insocket assembly52.Magnet module142 is located at arear section144 of the socket assembly, immediately above magneticallyresponsive switch138 of the night vision device.Module142 has a vertically extendingcavity146, having a substantially oval-shaped profile, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.Cavity146 includes two ends, ause end148 adjacent to switch138, and astowed end150opposite switch138.
• Slidably received within the[0091]cavity146 is a cylindricalbar magnet member162.Bar magnet162 provides sufficient magnetic flux to switch138 to keep the night vision device turned on so long asmagnet162 is in, or immediately adjacent to, useend148 ofcavity146. As can be seen from FIG. 6,magnet162 is in this position when the night vision device is in the use position. By way of contrast, however, when the user flips-up the night vision device into the stowed position, gravity acts on the bar magnet to move the magnet away fromuse end148 of the cavity toward stowedend150 ofcavity146. The bar magnet is sufficiently far enough from the magnetically responsive switch when it is in the stowed end of the cavity that the night vision device is automatically turned off.
• In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS.[0092]13-16, amagnet module assembly342 under construction has acavity346 opened up to atop surface321 of the magnet module assembly. The cavity is oval-shaped with eachend348,350 of the cavity being rounded. Through the open top surface of the magnet module assembly342 amagnet362 is inserted into thecavity346. The magnet is cylindrical and has a generally square shaped cross-section when cut lengthwise as shown in FIG. 13.
• A[0093]screen312 is fit into the magnet module assembly over top of the magnet. The screen is oval-shaped to correspond with the shape of the cavity. As shown in FIGS. 16cand16dthe screen has ahole313athrough one end of the screen, and a circular protrusion313bon another end. The damping fluid is inserted with a syringe intohole313aof the screen. When the cavity is filled with the damping fluid, aplug311 is inserted intohole313a. When inserted inhole313a, the plug corresponds in shape to the circular protrusion on the screen. A cap is then fit over the plug and circular protrusion flush withtop surface321 of the magnet module assembly and then sealed with an adhesive.
• The damping[0094]fluid320 is placed incavity346 around and over the magnet to dampen the movement of the magnet and to eliminate noise from the magnet contacting the magnet module assembly. Further, when the user of the night vision device is in motion, the damping fluid substantially maintains the magnet in the use or stowed position. Thus, in order to turn the night vision device light on and off, there is required a deliberate rotational motion between positions shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.
• FIGS. 14 and 15 disclose cut away top views of the[0095]magnet module assembly342 with the magnet placed incavity346 to assist in showing its relative position in the cavity. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the magnet is movable from a first position in onecavity end348 that operates the night vision device to a second position in anopposite cavity end350 that shuts off the night vision device operation.
• In a preferred embodiment, damping[0096]fluid320 is a viscous liquid which is free from suspended matter and sediment. The fluid has a viscosity in the range of 5 cs to 15 cs, and a specific gravity at 77° F. in the range of 0.85 to 0.95. The viscosity of the damping liquid is preferably stable over the temperature range of −60° F. to 158° F. The damping fluid is preferably inert and has low air entrapment. These features are preferred so that the damping effect of the fluid remains relatively the same over time with use and during use in different surrounding environments.
• Preferably, the fluid is a dimethyl silicone fluid. More preferably, the damping fluid is a polymethylsiloxane polymer manufactured to yield essentially linear polymers with an average kinematic viscosity of about 10 cs. A preferred damping fluid may be obtained from Dow Corning, Midland, Mich., product no. 200 Fluid, 10 cs.[0097]
• One of the important advantages of[0098]automatic shutdown assembly140 provided for in the flip-up helmet mount is that it is more reliable than the assemblies provided for in the prior
• art. The reliability of the shutdown assembly is due in part to the substantially straight cavity and the dimensions of the bar magnet, specifically the length-to-diameter ratio of the magnet. In a presently preferred embodiment, the magnet is a ¼ inch long, ¼ inch diameter cylindrical bar. Preferably, the length to diameter ratio of the bar magnet is about 1:1.[0099]
• In use of the flip-up helmet mount, the operator first secures the quick release mechanism assembly to the helmet and then secures the flip-up mount to the quick release mechanism assembly. Once the flip-up mount is secured to the helmet, the night vision device may be secured to the socket assembly and adjusted into its use position seen in FIG. 1. As so positioned, the bar magnet member is positioned such that the night vision device remains on once the operator switches it on. In this position, the operator is able to adjust the tilt and focus of the goggle using a single hand, allowing the operator to optimize the viewing conditions of the goggle without occupying both of his hands during the adjustment process. When the operator flips the goggle up to its stowed position, the goggle is automatically turned off, as explained above.[0100]
• Position Adjustment[0101]
• In FIG. 1, the night vision device is positioned in front of the operator's eyes so that the operator may look through the[0102]eye pieces20 of the night vision device. However, the flip-up helmet mount also allows the operator to flip the night vision device into a stowed position, completely above the line of sight of the operator, to permit normal, unobstructed vision.
• In order to enable the operator to adjust the position of the night vision device, the night vision device is rotationally coupled with[0103]helmet block40. Acylindrical shaft70 is rotationally received withintransverse bore48 of the helmet block. Coupled with and carried byshaft70 isbracket member60. The bracket member includes a pair of spaced apartflange portions72, which are coupled together by a transverse web portion74. Proximal ends offlange portions76,78 of the bracket member are coupled with respective ends ofcylindrical shaft80,82. Additionally, distal ends offlange portions84,86 of the bracket member are coupled with a respective side of the chassis88,90.Chassis50 is coupled withbracket member60 to allow some rotation of the chassis relative to the bracket member. The coupling ofshaft70 tobracket member60, the bracket member to the chassis, and the night vision device to the chassis results in the night vision device being rotationally coupled withhelmet block40.
• Additionally, in order to provide retention of the night vision device in either of its operation or stowed position, the flip-up helmet mount includes a spring-biased ball and[0104]detent system92 within the helmet block as shown in FIG. 6. A plurality ofbores94 are provided within the helmet block for receiving a plurality of spring-biased ball plungers96. Aspring98 extends through each of the plurality ofbores94. One end97 of each spring is pinned or fixed, and the other end99 of each spring bears against asmooth ball plunger96. The bores are located within the helmet block so that the spring pressure biases the ball plungers againstcylindrical shaft70. Additionally, the bores are located within the helmet block so that the ball plungers are aligned parallel to axis of rotation71 of the shaft.
• A pair of[0105]transverse detents102 extend along the length ofshaft70. The detents receive the spring-biasedball plungers96 to releasably retain the night vision device in either the use or stowed position.Detents102 are angularly located onshaft70 to correspond, respectively, to the use and stowed position of the night vision device. Generally speaking, the detents are located about 180 degrees apart on the shaft. More particularly,shaft70 is located withintransverse bore48 ofhelmet block40 such that when the night vision device is in the use position,ball plungers96 are biased by spring pressure into the use detent (not shown). Conversely, when the night vision device is in the stowed position,ball plungers96 are biased by spring pressure into stoweddetent102. As the user adjusts the night vision device from the use to the stowed position, the spring-biased ball plungers are released from the use detent, and eventually engage the stowed detent, once the goggle has been rotated out of the user's line of sight and into the stowed position.
• Preferably, the spring pressure is such that the friction between the balls and the shaft is sufficient to retain the night vision device in a selected position even if the night vision device has not been fully rotated into the use or stowed position. In other words, the spring pressure should be sufficient to prevent a pivotal free fall of the night vision device should the user not detent the system in its stowed position.[0106]
• It should be obvious to one skilled in the art that the force required to adjust the night vision device from the use to the stowed position will depend on a number of factors, including, the number of spring-biased plungers, the size of the spring-biased plungers, the strength of the springs, the depth of the detents, etc. In a presently preferred embodiment, these and other variables have been selected to satisfy the current specifications of the United States Army with respect to helmet mount assemblies, and in particular, the requirements of QAP No. A3260927. In order to satisfy these requirements, in a presently preferred embodiment, three spring-biased {fraction (3/16)}th inch smooth ball plungers are adapted to engage an use detent having a depth of about 0.05 inches, and a stowed detent, having a depth of about 0.075 inches. Obviously, however, the specifics of any of these variables may vary with the requirements of the application for which the flip-up mount is being used.[0107]
• One of the important advantages of the spring-biased ball and detent assembly is that it provides for extremely quiet operation of the flip-up helmet mount as the night vision device is adjusted between the use and stowed position. Additionally, the spring-biased ball and detent assembly allows for simple, one-handed adjustment of the night vision device between the use and stowed position.[0108]
• Preferably, the helmet block and the spring-biased ball and detent system are designed to optimize the durability of the flip-up helmet mount. In particular, in a presently preferred embodiment, the helmet block is designed without any stops on the body of the helmet block corresponding to the stowed position. Prior art flip-up helmet mounts typically include at least one stop on a side of the helmet block to prevent the flip-up helmet mount from over rotating when stowed. The flip-up mount may over rotate if an excessive amount of force is applied to the mount, for example, when the flip-up mount is attached to the helmet and the helmet is dropped on the flip-up mount. In attempting to prevent over rotation of the flip-up mounts, the stops often exert an excessive force on a small section of the flip-up mount that may result in failure of the structure. Therefore, it is believed that removing the stops corresponding to the stowed position of the helmet will increase the durability of the flip-up mount. In particular, removing the stops will cause the night vision device to first contact the helmet if the flip-up mount over rotates. Additionally, the spring-biased ball and detent system will act as a buffer to absorb some of the energy and momentum of the night vision device as it begins to over rotate.[0109]
• Tilt Adjustment[0110]
• In addition to allowing for adjustment of the position of the night vision device, the flip-up helmet mount also allows for adjustment of the tilt of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes. In a presently preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a[0111]cam system104 is provided to permit tilt angle adjustment ofchassis50. Thecam system104 includes acam knob106 located adjacent the distal end one of the flanges ofbracket member60. Rotation of thecam knob106 causes rotation of acam108 and of ashaft110.Shaft110 rotationally couples thechassis50 to the bracket member. Therefore, rotation ofcam knob106 results in rotation of the chassis, and thus tilting of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes. In a presently preferred embodiment, the cam system includes a friction washer51 on the back side of the cam, which produces enough friction such that the chassis will not slip under normal operating conditions.
• One of the important advantages of the cam operated[0112]tilt adjustment assembly104 is that it allows for simple, one-handed tilt angle adjustment of the night vision device. As can be appreciated from FIG. 2, tilt adjustment can be accomplished by using only one hand to turn the cam knob. The design of the cam operated tilt adjustment assembly allows for real-time adjustment of the tilt angle of the night vision device. Moreover, the cam operated tilt adjustment assembly allows for substantially infinite adjustment of the tilt angle within a predetermined range, rather than limiting the tilt angle adjustment to one of a plurality of predetermined levels.
• Focal Adjustment[0113]
• The flip-up helmet also allows for focal adjustment of the location of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes. As described above, the night vision device is coupled with the[0114]socket assembly52 on the chassis. As shown in FIG. 3, the chassis includes a pair ofside members112,114, connected by a central member. Each side member has afront depending segment118 and arear depending segment120. A pair ofracks122,124 extend between the front and rear depending segments.Socket assembly52 has a pair ofholes126,128 on opposite ends of the socket assembly. Throughholes126,128, the socket assembly is slidably received onracks122,124. As a result, when the night vision device is in the use position, the location ofsocket assembly52 may be adjusted relative to the chassis along theracks122,124, resulting in adjustment of the location of thenight vision device14 relative to the user's eyes.
• In order to provide for retention of the[0115]night vision device14 once focal adjustment is complete, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of notches130 are provided on one ofracks122 for engagement of arelease lever132.Release lever132 is biased under spring pressure to engage one of the notches in therack122, essentially locking the night vision device in a selected position relative to the user's eyes. In order to adjust the position of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes, it is simply necessary to apply a downward force to therelease lever132. The downward force causes the release lever to pivot around a pin, disengaging the lever from notch130. Once the release lever has been disengaged from the notch, the position of thenight vision device14 may be adjusted by moving thesocket assembly52 forward or backward alongracks122,124 of thechassis50. When the night vision device has been positioned as desired, the user may release the lever, which will be biased into one of the notches by a return spring.
• Again, one of the important advantages of the focal adjustment assembly provided for in the flip-up helmet mount is that it allows for simple, one-handed focal adjustment of the night vision device. As can be appreciated from FIG. 4, focal adjustment can be accomplished by using only one hand to push downward on[0116]release lever132. Moreover, the use of a single release lever requiring the application of a downward force to permit focal adjustment is believed to be ergonomically superior to the designs disclosed in the prior art.
• It should be noted that in a presently preferred embodiment, a number of the components of the flip-up helmet mount are made from aluminum. Prior art helmet mounts were generally made from plastic. The novel design of the flip-up helmet mount provided for in the present invention, permits the use of aluminum for a number of components, providing added strength and stability to the structure, while not increasing the overall weight of the flip-up helmet mount when compared to the plastic versions disclosed in the prior art. Specifically, in the presently preferred embodiment where only the helmet block and the magnet module remain plastic, the flip-up helmet mount is approximately 10% lighter than most of the prior art plastic flip-up mounts.[0117]
• Vertical Adjustment with Rack/Pin System[0118]
• The flip-up helmet mount may also allow for vertical adjustment of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes. In one preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 17[0119]aand17b, a rack/pin system400 is provided to allow vertical adjustment of thechassis50. In describing the vertical adjustment achieved by the rack/pin system400, thehelmet block40 will be considered proximal to the rack/pin system400, and thechassis50 will be considered distal to the rack/pin system400. Moreover, vertical movement in the proximal direction will be considered up, while movement in the distal direction will be considered down. Accordingly, FIG. 17ashows the rack/pin system in the up position, while FIG. 17bshows the rack/pin system in the down position.
• The rack/[0120]pin system400 comprises arack410 that attaches to thehelmet block40. The rack has afront plate420 and aback plate430. When the rack/pin system is incorporated into a fully assembledhelmet mount10, thefront plate420 andback plate430 are slidably connected to each other, while theback plate430 is rotatably coupled to the helmet block and thefront plate420 is adjustably coupled to the chassis.
• As shown in FIG. 18, the[0121]front plate420 andback plate430 of therack410 are connected in a dovetail type interface. In a preferred embodiment, the connection is a double dovetail type interface. Specifically, thefront plate420 andback plate430 are slidably engaged by aligning a pair of parallel protrudingridges422 extending vertically across anengaging surface424 of thefront plate420 with a pair ofrecesses432 that have been machined into anengaging surface434 of theback plate430. Dovetail alignment of the protrudingridges422 of the front plate with therecesses432 of the back plate engages the front and back plates in such a way that the plates of therack410 only move relative to one another by precisely sliding vertically up and down.
• The[0122]back plate430 couples to the helmet block in much the same way as thebracket member60 of the earlier described embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Namely, thecylindrical shaft70 passes through a pair ofapertures431 in a proximal end of theback plate430 and is received within the transverse bore48 of thehelmet block40, thereby coupling theback plate430 to the helmet block. Theback plate430 is still rotatably coupled to thehelmet block40 so as to allow the night vision device to be moved from either the stowed or use position.
• The[0123]front plate420 is connected to thechassis50 in such a way that continues to allow for tilt adjustment of thechassis50, as discussed above. Namely, as shown in FIG. 2, the front plate is coupled to the chassis through a pair of apertures in a distal end of the front plate and through a single aperture in the front plate where thecam knob106 of thecam system104 is positioned.
• Once the[0124]back plate430 has been coupled to the helmet block and thefront plate420 has been coupled to the chassis, and the front plate and back plate are slidably engaged by dovetail alignment of their respective ridges and recesses, therack410 provides adjustable movement between the helmet block and the chassis. Normally, the helmet block is considered to be fixed or stationary, as when it is mounted to a helmet. Therefore, when the night vision device is in the use position, as opposed to the stowed position, theback plate430 is normally considered stationary for purposes of the vertical adjustment of the night vision device with respect to the user's eyes. Consequently, the vertical adjustment of the night vision device is accomplished by vertical movement of thefront plate420, which is coupled to thechassis50 and in turn the night vision device. Therefore, thefront plate420 moves up or down while it is slidably engaged with thestationary back plate430.
• The vertical movement of the[0125]front plate420 in the embodiment of FIGS.17-21 is regulated by apin system500. As shown in FIGS.18-20, thepin system500 comprises arelease button510, acoil actuator spring520, aspring pin530, anactuator540, and adowel pin550. Generally, the assembledpin system500 is disposed through anaperture421 in thefront plate420 and an elongated aperture436 (FIG. 21) in theback plate430. The pin system remains fixed to the front plate and moves vertically up and down with the front plate along theelongated aperture436 in theback plate430, where the pin system can be locked into any one of a plurality ofgrooves437 that are machined into aback surface438 of theback plate430.
• Prior to using the[0126]pin system500 to vertically adjust the night vision device, the pin system is assembled and installed into thehelmet mount10. The assembly of the pin system begins with therelease button510. The generallycylindrical release button510 has a closedconvex face511 at a first enlarged end that is adapted for being pushed by the user's hand and anopen interior512 opening at a second end oppositeface511, for receiving theactuator540 andcoil actuator spring520. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, theentire release button510 is positioned over afront surface426 of thefront plate420.
• Referring to FIG. 20, the[0127]actuator540 is inserted into theopen interior512 of therelease button510. Theactuator540 has a generally cylindrical shape with atop portion542, abody portion544, and abottom portion546. Thetop portion542 of the actuator is adapted to be inserted into arecess513 at the top of the open interior of therelease button510. The top portion of the actuator has a throughhole543 that is designed to be aligned with a pair ofapertures514, located opposite one another along the side of the enlarged end of therelease button510, when the actuator is disposed within the release button. After the hole and the apertures in thetop portion542 of the actuator and therelease button510 have been aligned, aspring pin530 is disposed through the hole and apertures to couple the actuator and release button. Thespring pin530 preferably is hollow with a slit along its length, and may also be referred to as a rolled pin. The spring pin preferably is a {fraction (1/16)} inch diameter pin that is compressed upon insertion into the hole and apertures and then expands outwardly to create friction with the hole and apertures, and thus fixedly couple theactuator540 andrelease button510.
• The next step in assembling the[0128]pin system500 is to dispose theactuator spring520 around theactuator540 until the actuator spring is positioned adjacent, or slightly within, theopen interior512 of therelease button510. Theactuator spring520 rests between therelease button510 and thefront surface426 of thefront plate420, and is preferably disposed around thebody portion544 of theactuator540. Theactuator540 is disposed through thefront plate420 andback plate430, and at least part of thebottom portion546 of the actuator extends through theback surface438 of theback plate430.
• The[0129]bottom portion546 of theactuator540 has a second throughhole548 that is aligned in the same horizontal direction as the through hole in thetop portion542 of the actuator. Further, the second through hole in thebottom portion546 of the actuator is intended to extend beyond theback surface438 of theback plate430 when thepin system500 is assembled in the helmet mount. More specifically, the assembly of thepin system500 is completed by applying a force to theface surface511 of therelease button510, which is coupled to theactuator540, which in turn compresses theactuator spring520, thereby causing the second through hole in thebottom portion546 of the actuator to extend beyond theback surface438 of the back plate. Then adowel pin550 is inserted with a light interference fit into the second through hole in thebottom portion546 of the actuator until centered therein, wherein thedowel pin550 will engage theback surface438 of the back plate on either side ofelongated aperture436 when the force is removed from theface surface511 of therelease button510. In other words, thedowel pin550 preventsbottom portion546 of the actuator from being pulled back towards therelease button510 when theactuator spring520 is no longer compressed.
• Once the[0130]dowel pin550 is inserted through the bottom portion ofactuator540, thepin system500 is completely assembled and prepared for use. As noted above, theentire pin system500 is fixed to thefront plate420 and moves vertically with that plate. The only movement within the pin system itself occurs in a horizontal direction when therelease button510 is compressed, thereby compressing theactuator spring520 and extending the bottom portion of theactuator540 beyond theback surface438 of theback plate430. This is shown in FIG. 19, where the release button has been compressed, thus compressing the actuator spring and extending the dowel pin beyond the back surface of the back plate. Thus, by compressing therelease button510 and moving theactuator540 anddowel pin550 in a horizontal direction, thefront plate420 can be moved up and down. When therelease button510 is no longer compressed, or released, thedowel pin550 will once again rest against theback surface438 of the back plate in one of the grooves, thereby holding the front plate and therefore the night vision device against vertical movement. This is shown in FIG. 18, where the release button has not been compressed and dowel pin is resting in one of the grooves in the back plate.
• The specific location that the[0131]dowel pin550 rests against the back surface of the back plate is determined by the user, and facilitated by the plurality ofgrooves437 that are machined into theback surface438 of theback plate430. Thedowel pin550 preferably has a cylindrical shape and has a length and diameter slightly smaller than the length and depth of thegrooves437. As shown in FIG. 21, thegrooves437 preferably have a curved surface with a length and depth that are adapted to allow thedowel pin550 to rest within any one of thegrooves437. Moreover, thegrooves437 should have a depth that will retain thedowel pin550 if a force is applied to thefront plate420 or backplate430 in any direction. In other words, thedowel pin550 should not be displaced from any one of the grooves unless thepin system500 has been activated by compressing therelease button510 and then moving thefront plate420 up or down. In addition, theactuator spring520 should have a spring force that prevents the release button from being compressed by a user's ordinary movement while wearing the helmet mount. The actuator spring preferably has a spring force that allows the release button to be compressed by a single hand of the user, while not being compressed by inadvertent contact to the release button which may occur during use of the helmet mount.
• Preferably the[0132]grooves437 have a depth approximately equal to the radius of thedowel pin550. Accordingly, it is also desirable that compression of the release button will only extend the actuator and dowel pin a distance that is sufficient to extend thedowel pin550 beyond the grooves and backsurface438.
• It is also preferred that the[0133]elongated aperture436 in theback plate430 have a width only slightly greater than a width of thebottom portion546 of theactuator540. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 20, it is preferred that the surfaces of thebottom portion546 of the actuator where the second through hole is contained have at least one flat and preferably twoflats546a, with one on each side. Theflats546ahave a flat surface, as compared to curved. A flat can be on either one or both sides of the bottom portion of the actuator. Likewise, theelongated aperture436 in the back plate preferably has relatively flat sides along the vertical walls of the aperture. By having thebottom portion546 of the actuator and the width of theelongated aperture436 nearly the same, and having both with relatively flat surfaces that are adjacent to each other, theactuator540 should be prevented from rotating within theelongated aperture436 so that the dowel pin remains aligned with the grooves.
• The number of[0134]grooves437 machined along the length of theelongated aperture436 in theback plate430 can vary depending on how much vertical adjustment of the night vision device is desired. In one preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, theelongated aperture436 has a length of approximately one inch and there are sixgrooves437. It is also preferred that each of the parts of the rack/pin system400, except for the spring pin, actuator spring, and dowel pin be made from aluminum. Preferably the spring pin, actuator spring, and dowel pin are made from a 300 series stainless steel. However, each of the materials used to make the present invention can be varied, so long as the substituted materials exhibit the necessary properties to sustain the demands of the desired function. For instance, it is preferred that each of the parts of the rack/pin system400 be made from a material that is strong, non-magnetic, and relatively corrosion resistant. Thus, in addition to using a 300 series stainless steel, one skilled in the art could select other suitable materials, such as a 17/4 stainless steel. Moreover, because the sizing and proportions of many of the parts can be varied while still achieving the same purpose, many design choices will be available when implementing the rack/pin system.
• Vertical Adjustment with Gear Drive System[0135]
• An alternative preferred embodiment of the flip-up helmet mount allows for vertical adjustment of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes by use of a[0136]gear drive system600. Thegear drive system600, shown in FIGS.22-24, can be used in place of the rack/pin system400 described above to achieve vertical adjustment of thechassis50. Nonetheless, many of the features and concepts of the rack/pin system400 are relevant to understanding thegear drive system600. Particularly, thegear drive system600 also uses arack610 comprising afront plate620 andback plate630 that are very similar to therack410 used in the rack/pin system.
• The connections between the[0137]front plate620 and thehelmet block40, and theback plate630 and thechassis50 are the same as described above for the rack/pin system, and therefore are not described again in detail. Moreover, the discussion above that explains the parameters for determining movement and direction are the same. Therefore, only the differences between thegear drive system600 and the rack/pin system400 are discussed in this section.
• As shown in FIGS. 22[0138]aand22b, thegear drive system600 comprises arack610 having afront plate620 andback plate630 that are slidably engaged in a dovetail interface, alever640, a cylindrical shaft650 (FIG. 23b), and a partially toothed gear660 (FIG. 23c). FIG. 22ashows the gear drive system in a up position, while FIG. 22bshows the gear drive system in a down position. Thefront plate620 preferably has anintegral bushing622 machined onto afront surface626 of the front plate. Theintegral bushing622 has an aperture through its center that extends through thefront plate620. Theshaft650 is horizontally disposed through the aperture in theintegral bushing622 andfront plate620, and extends through an elongated aperture636 (FIG. 24a) in theback plate630. As shown in FIG. 23b, theshaft650 has a splinedtop portion652, a smoothwalled body portion654, and asplined bottom portion656.
• When the shaft is disposed in the front plate, the top[0139]splined portion652 extends out from theintegral bushing622 of the front plate and is adapted for thelever640 to be disposed over the top splined portion. As shown in FIG. 23a, thelever640 has abore642 in its bottom surface. The bore allows the topsplined portion652 of the shaft to be inserted into thebore642, as shown in FIG. 23b, thereby creating an interference fit and fixedly coupling the lever to the shaft. The smoothwalled body portion654 of the shaft extends through the integral bushing andfront plate620 and into a portion of theback plate630. The bottom splined portion of the shaft preferably extends through the back plate to a point substantially flush with aback surface638 of the back plate.
• [0140]Lever640 has a lowerdomed portion644surrounding bore642. The upper surface of this domed portion transitions into atransverse wing member646 with opposed grippingsurfaces648. Preferably the wing member is longer to one side of the domed portion so that the gripping surfaces can be more easily manipulated to rotateshaft650 about its central axis.
• As shown in FIG. 24[0141]a, theback surface638 of theback plate630 has agear housing639 that is adapted to retain thegear660. Thegear housing639 is a recess in the back plate that unlike theelongated aperture636 does not extend through theback plate630 as an aperture. The perimeter of theelongated aperture636 can instead be seen as a base or floor of thegear housing639 that thegear660 rests on. Thegear660 preferably has a generally circular shape wherein its width is much larger than its thickness, and the gear has a throughhole664 in its center. The gear also has a plurality ofteeth662 that outwardly protrude from the perimeter and center. Theteeth662 are adapted to engage a plurality ofgrooves639athat are machined into thegear housing639. Preferably, theback surface638 also has athin recess639bthat surrounds the perimeter of thegear housing639 and has a depth less than the gear housing so that acover plate670, as shown in FIG. 24b, can be placed over thegear housing639 to prevent debris or other objects from entering the gear housing and obstructing the movement of thegear660.
• The through[0142]hole664 of the gear allows the bottomsplined portion656 of theshaft650 to be forcibly inserted therein to create an interference fit and fixedly couple thegear660 to theshaft650. When the gear and shaft are coupled, thegear660 can be rotated to move up and down within thegear housing639, through engagement of the teeth with the grooves, by rotating thelever640, which is likewise coupled to theshaft650. Preferably thegear660 will have a rotational range of approximately 120 degrees and vertical travel of approximately 0.6 inches. The movement of the gear within the gear housing is shown in FIG. 24a. The gear in phantom, shown towards the right of the figure, represents the gear in a vertically upward position, while the solid gear towards the left represents the gear in a vertically downward position.
• A user of the night vision device can adjust the vertical placement of the night vision device by gripping and turning the opposed gripping surfaces of[0143]lever640 mounted to thefront plate620, which in turn rotates theshaft650 that is coupled to thegear660. When theshaft650 rotates thegear660 rotates which causes theteeth664 of the gear to engage thegrooves639aof thegear housing639, which results in thegear660 moving up and down within thegear housing639. Therefore, the up and down movement of thegear660 within thegear housing639 means that the vertical position offront plate620, thechassis50 and night vision device are all adjusted when the user turns or rotates thelever640. An advantage of this embodiment is the wide range of vertical positions available for the user to select by rotating the lever. Unlike vertical adjustment achieved by the rack/pin system, which has a fixed number of grooves within which the dowel pin can be positioned, the gear drive system has an infinite number of adjustment points within its range.
• The gear preferably has seven[0144]teeth662, while the gear housing has sevengrooves639a. It is desirable to place a lubricant, such as an oil, within the gear housing to facilitate a fluid movement of the gear within the gear housing when the lever is rotated. Enough friction, however, should be provided between the gear and gear housing to prevent inadvertent movement and undesired change in vertical position of the night vision device due to ordinary use forces applied to the night vision device, such as those encountered when a user jumps or runs briskly. The gear is preferably made from a 6/6 nylon, but can be made from any other material such as a metal, e.g. bronze, brass, stainless steel or alloys thereof, or possibly another plastic that has a sufficient shear strength to prevent the teeth from breaking off when the night vision device is jolted or bumped. In addition, as noted above, the materials used to make each of the parts, as well as their sizing, can be varied while still achieving the same purpose. Nonetheless, it is preferred that the parts of the gear drive system be made of aluminum, except for the nylon gear and the shaft, which is preferably made from a 300 series stainless steel.
• Locking Flip Up/Flip Down Mechanism[0145]
• Another preferred embodiment of this invention includes a[0146]locking mechanism700 that allows the night vision device to be locked in either the stowed position or the use position, but still be easily moved from the stowed position to the use position by activating the locking mechanism. Such a mechanism is useful to avoid inadvertent activation or deactivation of the night vision device during rough use. As shown in FIGS.25-27, thelocking mechanism700 is generally positioned inside thehelmet block40, and has anactivation button710 at an end of ashaft720 that protrudes horizontally outward from a side of the helmet block.
• The[0147]activation button710 is preferably an integral part of ashaft720 which is disposed within ablind aperture43 in the helmet block. Thus, pushing and moving inward theactivation button710 causes theshaft720 to move an equal distance inside the helmet block. Theshaft720 has a generally cylindrical shape with aninterior bore722 extending partially down its length from an end opposite theactivation button710. Aspring730 is partially disposed within the interior bore of the shaft and rests between an inside wall of the helmet block at the blind end of the aperture and the end wall of the interior bore of the shaft. As shown in FIG. 25, pushing in theactivation button710 towards thehelmet block40 compresses thespring730 in the blind aperture thereby causing a greater portion of theshaft720 to become disposed within the helmet block.
• A[0148]lock740 and apivot sleeve750 are also disposed within the helmet block.
• The[0149]lock740 is positioned between theshaft720 and thepivot sleeve750 and has a generally rectangular shape. The lock has with arear surface742 that faces theshaft720, and awedge surface744 that contacts thepivot sleeve750. As shown in FIGS. 26aand26b, therear surface742 of the lock preferably has a roundedprotruding bearing surface743 that contacts the shaft, while thewedge surface744 preferably has a protrudingangled face745.
• The[0150]lock740 is designed to move up and down between theshaft720 and thepivot sleeve750, depending on how the bearingsurface743 andwedge surface744 are positioned along the shaft and pivot sleeve. More particularly, the position of thelock740 changes in response to the activation button andshaft720 being pushed in, and depending on how thepivot sleeve750 is rotated.
• The night vision device will normally be in one of three positions at any given time: (1) stowed, (2) in use, or (3) in between stowed and in use. When the night vision device is in either the stowed or in use position, the[0151]shaft720 is preferred to be in a locked position. When the night vision device is neither stowed nor in use, but rather in between one of those positions, the shaft is preferred to be in an unlocked position. Accordingly, when theshaft720 is in the locked position thelock740 should be engaged, while when theshaft720 is in the unlocked position thelock740 should be disengaged. Therefore, the night vision device will move freely between being flipped up or down from the stowed or in use positions when theshaft720 is in the unlocked position and thelock740 is disengaged. However, once theshaft720 is in the locked position, i.e. in either the stowed or use positions, theshaft720 will not move, but can be changed to the unlocked position by pressing in theactivation button710.
• Referring to FIG. 25, the protruding[0152]bearing surface743 of the lock remains in contact with theshaft720 throughout the locking and unlocking transition. What changes, however, is the precise position on theshaft120 where protruding bearingsurface743 makes contact. The portion of the shaft between the activation button and the end wall of the interior bore, which is disposed within the helmet block, has an outer surface that varies in diameter along the length that contacts the protruding bearing surface of the lock. Moving away from the activation button down the length of the shaft, the shaft transitions from having a cylindrical outer surface at a diameter just less than that of the blind aperture to an inwardly curvingconcave surface721 dimensioned to receive the bearing surface of the lock. The shaft then transitions to an outwardlytapered surface724 until it again reaches its outer cylindrical diameter over the interior bore. When the shaft has not been moved inward by pressing the activation button, and thus the shaft is biased to the locked position by thespring730, the protrudingbearing surface743 rests against the outwardlytapered surface724 of the shaft. When theshaft720 is pressed in against thespring730, however, the narrow diameterconcave surface721 becomes the position where the protruding bearing surface of the lock makes contact with the shaft.
• When the protruding[0153]bearing surface743 makes contact with the outwardlytapered surface724 of the shaft, the result is that thelock740 raises its vertical position with respect to thepivot sleeve750, which in turn increases the amount of friction between thepivot sleeve750 and thelock740. That is, the force of thespring730 is transmitted through the tapered surface to press the wedge surface of the lock against the outer surface of the pivot sleeve. More particularly, referring to FIG. 27, thepivot sleeve750 has a pair ofdetents752 in its outer surface that are preferably separated by about 180 degrees on the cylindrical body of the pivot sleeve. When thelock740 is engaged, theangled face745 of the lock may be engaged in one of thedetents752 which have a configuration adapted to receive the angled face of the lock by rotating the night vision device and therefore the pivot sleeve. Once in such a position, the pivot sleeve is prevented from rotating. The engagement between the angled face of the lock and thedetents752 results in thepivot sleeve750 being locked in place and the protruding bearing surface of the lock pressing against the outwardly tapered surface of the shaft, wherein the night vision device will not freely move from the stowed or in use position. Accordingly, the ability to change the position of the night vision device requires that theshaft720 be compressed inward, that the protrudingbearing surface743 of thelock740 be lowered into theconcave surface721 of the shaft, which in turn causes theangled face745 of the lock to be removed from one of thedetents752 of thepivot sleeve750, so that the pivot sleeve is free to rotate when the user attempts to change the night vision device from either the stowed or in use position.
• Once the[0154]shaft720 has been compressed in and the angled face of the lock is in contact with a surface of the pivot sleeve other than thedetents752, theactivation button710 of the shaft will remain pushed in and remain in the unlocked position. The protrudingbearing surface743 of the lock holds the activation button and the shaft in the compressed position because the protruding bearing surface is held down in the concave surface by the lock pressing against the outer surface of the pivot sleeve, which prevents thespring730 from forcing theshaft720 back out from the compressed position. The outer surface of the pivot sleeve will continue to hold the shaft in the compressed position until the angled face of the lock again engages one of the detents of the pivot sleeve. When the angled face is not engaging adetent752 it is pressing against a non-detent surface of thepivot sleeve750, which causes the lock to apply a greater force against theshaft720. Therefore, it is only after the night vision device has been rotated to either the stowed or in use position that the angled face of thelock740 will again move into one of thedetents752, which allows the lock to move vertically toward the pivot sleeve and away from the shaft, which decreases the amount of pressure the protrudingbearing surface743 of the lock is applying to theshaft720, thereby allowing thespring730 to press out the shaft andactivation button710.
• The shaft is retained in the helmet block during all positions of the night vision device by the lock. Even when the angled face of the lock is engaged in a detent of the pivot sleeve, the protruding bearing surface of the lock applies pressure against the shaft. The diameter beyond the outwardly tapered surface of the shaft, which is the same diameter as the portion of the shaft where the interior bore is positioned, is great enough that the shaft could not pass the protruding bearing surface if the activation button were pulled outward away from the helmet block. Therefore, the position of the[0155]shaft720 with respect to the protruding bearing surface is either having the protruding bearing surface within theconcave surface721 or having the protruding bearing surface against the outwardlytapered surface724. In either position, theshaft720 will be retained within the helmet block.
• In constructing the locking mechanism, the preferred method of assembly includes first inserting the lock into a blind bore[0156]741 (FIG. 27) in the helmet mount that is designed to receive thelock740. Next, the spring is placed partially within the interior bore722 of the shaft, and the shaft and spring are inserted into the helmet block at a position that is below the lock. At this point the protruding bearing surface of the lock is facing the shaft. Next, the activation button and shaft are compressed, thereby allowing the protruding bearing surface of the lock to drop into theconcave surface721 of the shaft. While continuing to compress the activation button and shaft, so that the lock remains in a lowered vertical position, the pivot sleeve is inserted into the helmet block at a position above the lock. The pivot sleeve is then rotated until one of the detents of the pivot sleeve engages the angled face of the lock, which allows the spring to press the shaft and activation button outward, thereby resulting in the protruding bearing surface of the lock resting against the outwardlytapered surface724 of the shaft. The assembly of the locking mechanism is then complete, having the activation button and shaft in the locked position and the lock engaged.
• As with the other embodiments of this invention, the sizing and materials used to construct the locking mechanism can be varied, while still achieving the same purpose. The preferred material for each of the parts is aluminum, with the exception of the spring which is preferably made from a 300 series stainless steel.[0157]
• Lower Socket with Break Away Latch[0158]
• As mentioned above, the[0159]upper socket353 andlower socket354 form an adjustable socket assembly for mounting the night vision device to the helmet mount. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9aand9b, thegoggle horn315 is slidable into the adjustable socket assembly and locks over thedetent355 of the lower socket. The night vision device has a lever for removing the device from the socket assembly. An additional embodiment of this invention, however, provides for a break awaylatch assembly370 that allows the night vision device to separate from the socket assembly when certain forces are applied to the night vision device.
• The features of the[0160]lower socket354 are generally the same as those described above and shown in FIGS. 9a,9b,10a-10c,11,12aand12b. The structure of the lower socket with respect to the contactingsurface357, the slopinginner walls356,cylindrical holes358, gogglehorn receiving area357aand the tapered recess formed between the upper and lower sockets are the same for this embodiment as described above. The difference is that thedetent355 is replaced with a break awaylatch assembly370, and therefore only these features and the modifications to the lower socket needed to accommodate the new assembly are discussed in this section of the description.
• Referring to FIGS. 28[0161]aand28b, the break awaylatch assembly370 comprises alatch372, apivot pin374, aspring376, and an adjustingscrew378. Thelatch372 is partially disposed within the bottom inner wall of the lower socket, wherein the latch has a protrudingdetent surface372athat appears to be identical to thedetent355 discussed above. However, unlike thedetent355, thelatch372 and therebydetent surface372ais adapted to pivot, or unlatch. When thedetent355 is used in the lower socket, the night vision device is locked into the socket assembly, and if a great enough force is applied to the night vision device, the night vision device will break away from thegoggle horn315. When this occurs, the night vision device cannot be easily placed back onto the helmet mount because the goggle horn is broken. Therefore, the break awaylatch assembly370 allows thegoggle horn315 to break away from the socket assembly so that the night vision device and goggle horn are still coupled and capable of being re-mounted to the helmet mount.
• In addition to the upwardly extending[0162]detent portion372a,latch372 has acentral body portion372cand a downwardly extendingactivator portion372b. As shown in FIGS. 29aand29b, thelatch372 is pivotally disposed in an upright position within arecess359 in the bottom inner wall of the lower socket, and is retained therein by thepivot pin374 that is positioned with an interference fit in a through hole in aside surface380 of the lower socket. The side surface is adjacent and perpendicular to the contacting and bottom surfaces of the lower socket. The through hole in the side surface is machined at a position that is approximately in the middle of the side wall between the twocylindrical holes358 positioned at each end of the lower socket, and the through hole runs perpendicular to theholes358 such that thepivot pin374 when received in the hole will extend substantially underneath and across the contactingsurface357. It will also align and have a noninterference fit with ahole373 extending through the central body portion of thelatch372 when the latch is received inrecess359. Referring to FIG. 29b, the pivot pin is positioned below slopinginner walls356 and retains the latch within the lower socket at a point below atop surface372aof the latch detent. Thepivot pin374 could either be a solid pin or a roll pin, and is preferably made of stainless steel. As thehole373 of the latch has a diameter slightly larger than that of the pivot pin, the latch is able to pivot about the pivot pin.
• Referring to FIG. 28[0163]b, ablind bore355cextends inwardly from the front surface of the lower socket below the sloping inner wall. It intersects and goes beyondrecess359 but stops before it reaches theback surface355bof the lower socket. Acoil spring376 is received in the portion of the blind bore beyond the recess. The spring rests between theactivator portion372bof the latch and aback surface355bof the lower socket. The spring is adapted to compress when the latch is subjected to a force that causes the latch to pivot around thepivot pin374. Generally, the latch is in a latched position, wherein thedetent surface372aof the latch has an approximately 90 degree vertical position in relation to the bottom of the lower socket. The latch is designed to be able to pivot or unlatch against the force of the spring, and when doing so, the vertical position of the detent surface moves approximately 2 to 10 degrees toward afront surface355aof the lower socket, which is also toward the night vision device. This pivotal movement of the latch is shown by the phantom designation of the latch and spring. When the latch moves to the unlatched position thegoggle horn315 will be separated from the socket assembly.
• The spring is preferably selected so that the latch will only become unlatched when a force is applied to the night vision device that is just below that which would otherwise cause the goggle horn to break away from the night vision device. As mentioned, without the break away[0164]latch assembly370, the goggle horn would remain in the socket assembly if the night vision device is subject to such an impact that causes the device to break away from the goggle horn. Accordingly, the latch will not unlatch if the impact to the night vision device was minor or of a type encountered during typical use of the night vision device. For example, inadvertent bumping by the user's arm would not typically break the goggle horn away from the night vision device in the previous embodiment, and thus also should not unlatch thelatch assembly370.
• The break away[0165]latch assembly370 is designed to have the goggle horn and night vision device break away, and thus unlatch the latch, at approximately 80% to 90% of a pre-determined impact that would typically break the night vision device from the goggle horn. At 80% to 90% of such an impact, the goggle horn will force the latch to pivot from the latched position to the unlatched position, and the goggle horn will be removed from the socket assembly. Thus, before the night vision device breaks away from the goggle horn due to an impact to the night vision device, the break awaylatch assembly370 will allow the goggle horn and night vision device to remain intact by exiting the lower socket. The user of the night vision device can then re-insert the goggle horn into the socket assembly. This break awaylatch system370 of the lower socket not only prevents the night vision device form breaking, but also helps prevent the user from being injured. Because the night vision device is mounted to the user's helmet, it is desirable for the night vision device to separate from the helmet at a pre-determined impact rather than forcing the user's neck and head to absorb the shock impact that is required to actually break the goggle horn away from the night vision device.
• Moreover, the position of the[0166]latch372 within the tapered recess formed between the lower socket and upper socket can be adjusted by rotating an adjustingscrew378. Adjusting the position of the latch changes the precise fit between the goggle horn that is being placed over the extendingdetent portion372aof the latch. The adjusting screw preferably is able to change the position of the latch by {fraction (20/1000)} of an inch. As shown in FIGS. 28band29b, the adjustingscrew378 is preferably disposed through thefront surface355aof the lower socket into a threaded front portion ofblind bore355c, and is designed to press against a portion of the latch that is positioned below the bottom inner wall of the lower socket and thereby change the position of the detent surface. Should alignment in of the latch by a user in the field not be desired, the adjusting screw can be locked in position by an adhesive or by using a self-locking screw that maintains its position.
• An alternative embodiment to the break away[0167]latch system370 is shown in FIGS. 30a,30b,31aand31b. The alternative embodiment makes use of twosprings376, as opposed to the single spring design, and eliminates altogether an adjustment screw. When using a double spring design, there is no adjustingscrew378 disposed through the front surface of the lower socket. Instead, as shown in FIG. 31b, twosprings376 are inserted through the back surface of the lower socket. As shown in FIG. 30b, the twosprings376 are retained within the lower socket by aspring retaining pin376a, which runs parallel to thepivot pin374 in a hole machined along theback surface355bof the lower socket. It has an interference fit in the hole. The use of twosprings376 is the presently preferred embodiment because it allows for a greater pre-determined impact needed to pivot thelatch372 and thus allow the goggle horn to break away from the socket assembly.
• While various embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concept herein. For example, although the adjustment assemblies have been illustrated on one side of the helmet mount, it should be realized that the assemblies could easily be located on either side of the helmet mount. In other words, the helmet mount could be designed for one-handed operation by either the right or left hand of the user. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.[0168]

Claims (9)

What is claimed is:

1. A helmet mount for a night vision device comprising:

a helmet block adapted to secure the helmet mount to a helmet;

a chassis adapted to receive the night vision device;

a rack system adapted to extend between the helmet block and the chassis; and

means for adjusting a vertical position of the night vision device relative to a user's eyes, wherein the chassis moves vertically on the rack system relative to the helmet block.

2. The helmet mount ofclaim 1 wherein the means for adjusting the vertical position of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes comprises:

a pin system mounted to the rack system, wherein the pin system has a release button positioned adjacent to a front surface of the rack system and a dowel pin positioned adjacent to a back surface of the rack system that is adapted to engage the back surface to keep the chassis stationary, wherein compressing the release button extends the dowel pin away from the back surface so that the chassis can be moved vertically relative to the helmet block.

3. The helmet mount ofclaim 1 wherein the means for adjusting the vertical position of the night vision device relative to the user's eyes comprises:

a gear drive system mounted to the rack system, wherein the gear drive system has a lever positioned adjacent to a front surface of the rack system and a gear positioned within a back surface of the rack system, wherein rotating the lever rotates the gear so that the vertical position of the chassis is changed.

4. A helmet mount for a night vision device comprising:

means for securing the helmet mount to a helmet;

means for receiving the night vision device within the helmet mount;

means for vertically adjusting the night vision device relative to a user's eyes while the helmet mount is secured to the helmet and the night vision device is received in the helmet mount.

5. The helmet mount ofclaim 4 wherein

the means for securing the helmet mount to the helmet is a helmet block;

the means for receiving the night vision device within the helmet mount is a chassis mounted to a rack system; and

the means for vertically adjusting the night vision device relative to the user's eyes comprises:

the rack system having a front plate and a back plate that are slidably connected, wherein the front plate is coupled to the chassis and the back plate is coupled to the helmet mount; and

a pin system having a release button positioned adjacent to a front surface of the front plate and a dowel pin positioned adjacent to a back surface of the back plate, wherein the dowel pin is adapted to engage the back surface in order to keep the chassis stationary, wherein compressing the release button extends the dowel pin away from the back surface so that the chassis can be moved vertically relative to the helmet block.

6. The helmet mount ofclaim 4 wherein

the means for securing the helmet mount to the helmet is a helmet block;

the means for receiving the night vision device within the helmet mount is a chassis mounted to a rack system; and

the means for vertically adjusting the night vision device relative to the user's eyes comprises:

the rack system having a front plate and a back plate that are slidably connected, wherein the front plate is coupled to the chassis and the back plate is coupled to the helmet mount; and

a gear drive system having a lever positioned adjacent to a front surface of the front plate and a gear positioned within a back surface of the back plate, wherein rotating the lever rotates the gear so that the vertical position of the chassis is changed relative to the helmet block.

7. A flip-up helmet mount for a night vision device, the flip-up helmet mount comprising:

a helmet block adapted to be secure the flip-up helmet mount to a helmet;

a chassis adapted to receive the night vision device;

a bracket adapted to extend between the helmet block and the chassis, and rotatably couple the chassis to the helmet block; and

a locking mechanism to adjust the night vision device from a stowed position to a use position, wherein the locking mechanism comprises

an activation button protruding from an outer surface of the helmet block and integrally coupled to a shaft disposed within the helmet block, wherein pushing the activation button compresses a spring resting between the shaft and an inside wall of the helmet block, which disengages a lock so that the night vision device can be moved from either the stowed position or the use position.

8. An adjustable socket assembly for mounting a night vision device comprising:

an upper socket and a lower socket adapted to be coupled together and mounted to a chassis for receiving the night vision device;

a recess formed between the upper socket and the lower socket for receiving a goggle horn coupled to the night vision device; and

a break away latch assembly mounted within the lower socket that allows the goggle horn to be removed from the socket assembly when a certain force is applied to the night vision device.

9. The adjustable socket assembly ofclaim 8 wherein the break away latch assembly further comprises:

a latch pivotally secured within the lower socket and protruding from a bottom wall of the lower socket towards the upper socket, wherein the latch is adapted to engage the goggle horn; and

at least one spring mounted within the lower socket which presses against the latch so that the latch pivotally moves when a pre-determined impact is applied to the night vision device, which disengages the goggle horn from the latch and socket assembly.

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