OPERATIONAL MODE SENSING SWITCH SYSTEM AND MULTI-ORIENTED MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR A HELMET MOUNTED NIGHT VISION DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a helmet mounting assembly for enhanced night vision goggles, and more particularly to a flip-up helmet mount (2) designed to allow for automatic shutoff of an attached ENVG (8) when stowed, and automatic activation of an ENVG when returned to the in-use position. An automatic shutdown assembly including a magnet module (26) and a magnetically-responsive sensor (36) wherein the magnet module comprising a magnet (28) that emits the necessary magnetic field (34) which influences the magnetically-responsive sensor when in the stowed position in order to turn the ENVG off.

Claims

1. A flip-up helmet mount for a night vision goggle (NVG) such as an enhanced night vision goggle (ENVG), comprising: (i) a helmet block adapted to secure the flip-up helmet mount to a helmet; (ii) a bracket member coupled to the helmet block and comprising an automatic shutoff mechanism; (iii) a carriage chassis coupled to the bracket member, wherein the carriage chassis is adapted to receive an NVG; and (iv) a hinged pivot assembly associated with the carriage chassis; wherein the bracket member provides for rotational coupling between the carriage chassis and the helmet block, wherein the hinged pivot assembly enables the NVG to be moved from a stowed position to an in-use position.

2. The flip-up helmet mount of claim 1, wherein the automatic shutoff mechanism includes a mechanical switch.

3. The flip-up helmet mount of claim 2, wherein the switch is depressed when the NVG is moved from the stowed position to an in-use position to actuate the NVG.

4. The flip-up helmet mount of claim 1, wherein the automatic shutoff mechanism includes a light sensor or a Bowden cable.

5. The flip-up helmet mount of claim 1, further including a motor for moving the NVG between the stowed position and the in-use position.

6. The flip-up helmet mount of claim 6, further including a wireless receiver for receiving signals to control the motor from a remote controller.

7. The flip-up helmet mount of claim 1, further including a time of flight sensor for monitoring the time the helmet mount is airborne and/or a camera for capturing images.

8. A portable combat system including a remote controller for controlling the helmet mount and/or other devices.

9. A portable combat system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the controller is borne by a weapon and or is Bluetooth enabled.

10. A portable combat system as claimed in claim 8, wherein changing of the NVG between the stowed position and the in-use position can be actioned by pressing a button located on the controller 100, or using another means such as voice or gesture activation.

11. A portable combat system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the controller is programmable and includes a keyboard or joystick.

12. A portable combat system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the controller can control a Light, Torch, Camera, NVG, Thermal Device, SOS, Radio, HUD, BMS, of the portable combat system.

13. The flip-up helmet mount of claim 1, wherein the automatic shutoff mechanism comprises a magnet module.

14. The flip-up helmet mount of claim 13, wherein the automatic shutoff mechanism further comprises a magnetically-responsive sensor.

15. The flip-up helmet mount of claim 14, wherein the magnetically-responsive sensor is positioned adjacent to the magnet module, such that the NVG is switched off when the magnetically-responsive sensor is under the influence of a sufficient magnetic field from a magnet associated with the magnet module, and the NVG is switch on when the magnetically-responsive sensor is no longer under the influence of sufficient magnetic field from a magnet associated with the magnet module.

16. The flip-up helmet mount of claim 15, wherein as the NVG is rotated between an in-use position and a stowed position, the magnetically-responsive sensor is rotated, such that the magnet provides sufficient magnetic field required to turn the NVG off.

17. A flip-up helmet mount for a night vision goggle (NGV) such as an enhanced night vision goggle (ENVG) comprising: (i) a helmet block adapted to secure the flip-up helmet mount to a helmet; (ii) a bracket member coupled to the helmet block; (iii) a carriage chassis coupled to the bracket member; (iv) a hinged pivot assembly associated with the carriage chassis; and (v) a bridge assembly coupled to the carriage chassis, wherein the bracket member provides for rotational coupling between the carriage chassis and the helmet block, wherein the hinged pivot assembly enables the NVG to be moved from a stowed position to an in-use position, and wherein the coupling between the bridge assembly and the carriage chassis enables a monocular NVG to be attached for either right eye or left eye viewing.

18. A flip-up helmet mount as claimed in claim 17, further including a hinge that allows the NVG to be flipped sideways out of view, and another detection switch to switch the NVG off when flipped sideways.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangement of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

[0037] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a helmet with an associated ENVG device using a helmet mount system according to an embodiment of the invention wherein the ENVG is in the in-use position.

[0039] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the helmet mount system shown in FIG. 1 wherein the helmet is not shown and the system is in the in-use position.

[0040] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the helmet mount system shown in FIG. 2 in the in-use position.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a helmet mount system according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position, wherein the helmet is not shown.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic side view of a helmet mount system according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the in-use position.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position.

[0046] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the in-use position.

[0047] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position.

[0048] FIG. 11 is a perspective schematic view of a helmet with an associated monocular ENVG device using a helmet mount system according to an embodiment of the invention wherein the ENVG is in a position for viewing with the right eye of a user.

[0049] FIG. 12 is a perspective schematic view of a helmet with an associated monocular ENVG device using a helmet mount system according to an embodiment of the invention wherein the ENVG is in a position for viewing with the left eye of a user.

[0050] FIG. 13 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the helmet mounting system and ENVG shown in FIG. 12.

[0051] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the helmet mount system and ENVG shown in FIG. 11 wherein the helmet is not shown.

[0052] FIG. 15 is a schematic top view of a helmet mount system and ENVG according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0053] FIG. 16 is a schematic front view of a helmet mount system and ENVG according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0054] FIG. 17 is a schematic top view of a dual sided dovetail plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0055] FIG. 18 is a schematic bottom view of a dual sided dovetail plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0056] FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of a dual sided dovetail plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0057] FIG. 20 is a schematic side perspective view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the in-use position.

[0058] FIG. 21 is a schematic side view of helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the in-use position.

[0059] FIG. 22 is a schematic side perspective view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position.

[0060] FIG. 23 is a schematic side view of a helmet mount system with an automatic shutdown assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in the stowed position.

[0061] FIG. 24 shows a combat system in accordance with an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, an embodiment of a flip-up helmet mount 2 according to the present invention is shown. The flip-up helmet mount 2 is shown in use with a standard composite helmet with a Visual Augmentation System (VAS) shroud 4. The flip-up helmet mount 2 is attached to the helmet 4 by a helmet block 6. A pair of enhanced night vision goggles (ENVG) 8 are secured to the helmet 4 by use of the flip-up helmet mount 2. Each ENVG 8 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that includes a single objective lens 10, a ENVG housing 12, and an eye-piece 14. The ENVG 8 is attached individually to the helmet mount 2 by a carriage chassis 18, which is mounted to a bracket member 16. The bracket member 16 comprises a bracket member upper 20 and a bracket member lower 22 which can rotate around the bracket member hinge 24. To use the ENVG 8, the operator places it in the position depicted in FIG. 1 and looks into the eye-pieces 14 to see an enhanced image representative of the low-level light from a night scene which has entered the objective lens 10.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 1, the ENVG 8 is positioned to be in front of the operator's eyes so that the operator may look through the eye-pieces 14 of the ENVG 8. This position is referred to as the “in-use” position. However, the flip-up helmet mount 2 also allows the operator to rotate the bracket member lower 22 around the bracket member hinge 24, allowing the operator to stow the ENVG 8 completely above the line of sight of the operator, to permit normal, unobstructed vision as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. This position is referred to as the “stowed” position.

[0064] Automatic Shut Down Assembly

[0065] The flip-up helmet mount 2 provides for automatic shutdown of the ENVG 8 when in the stowed position. More particularly, the flip-up helmet mount 2 provides for reliable and automatic shutdown of the night vision device 8. Accordingly, the flip-up helmet mount 2 provides for automatic activation of the ENVG 8 when in the in-use position. Furthermore, the flip-up helmet mount 2 provides for maintenance and servicing of the automatic shutdown assembly in the field.

[0066] As is well known in the art, the night vision goggle 8 includes a power supply in the form of a battery pack (not shown) internal to the housing 12 or remotely on the rear of the helmet 4. A power supply circuit provides power to an image intensifier tube (not shown), which supplies an intensified image in phosphor yellow/green light of the scene viewed by the objective lens 10 to the eye-pieces 14.

[0067] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the flip-up helmet mount includes a magnet module 26 located on the bracket member upper 20. The magnet module 26 comprises a magnet 28 held in a magnet cavity 30 by a magnet cover 32 (FIG. 6). The magnet 28 emits a magnetic field 34 (FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0068] The ENVG 8 also includes a magnetically-responsive sensor 36 inside the ENVG housing 12. The magnetically-responsive sensor 36 removes electrical power to the ENVG 8 when a magnetic field 34 of sufficient strength is supplied to the magnetically-responsive sensor 36. An automatic shutdown assembly is essential when using a flip-up helmet mount 2, since, as best seen in FIG. 5, should the user forget to turn off the night vision goggle before moving it to the stowed position, the phosphor yellow/green light emitted from the eye-pieces 14 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 goggle to those in front of the user.

[0069] Accordingly, the flip-up helmet mount 2 includes an automatic shutdown assembly to provide the necessary magnetic field 34 to the magnetically-responsive sensor 36 when the night vision device 8 is in the stowed position, while at the same time ensuring that the magnetic field is removed from the magnetically-responsive sensor 36 when the night vision goggle 8 is pivoted to the in-use position.

[0070] One of the advantages of the automatic shutdown assembly provided for in the flip-up helmet mount 2 is that it is more reliable than the assemblies provided for in the prior art. This reliability of the shutdown assembly is due an understanding of the absolute position between the bracket member upper 20 and bracket member lower 22 and therefore operational mode of the ENVG 2. Advantageously, the absolute position of the bracket member 16 is irrespective of the user's head position and is not altered by gravity or other outside circumstances.

[0071] When using the flip-up helmet mount 2, the operator can adjust the position of the eye-pieces 14 in relation to the operator's eyes, to optimize the viewing conditions of the ENVG 8. The magnet module 26 may also require some positional adjustment to ensure that the magnetically-responsive sensor 36 can optimally sense the magnetic field 34 produced by the magnet 28 when in the stowed position, and not when in the in-use position.

[0072] The magnet module 26 can be repositioned using a magnet adjustment assembly 38 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The magnet adjustment assembly 38 can be geared or coupled with the bracket member hinge 24, such that when the bracket member lower 22 is rotated towards the bracket member upper 20, the magnet adjustment assembly 38 pivots towards the bracket member upper 20, ensuring the magnet 28 is in proximity to the magnetically-responsive sensor 36. Other adjustment methods can be utilised to adjust the proximity of the magnet 28 and magnetically-responsive sensor 36 when in the stowed and in-use positions, providing for optimisation of the magnetically controlled automatic shutdown of the ENVG.

[0073] Alternatively, the magnet module 26 can be positioned inside the ENVG housing 12 and the magnetically-responsive sensor 36 can be placed on the bracket member upper 20, helmet block 6, or helmet 4.

[0074] Multi Orientated Mounting System

[0075] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, an embodiment of a flip-up helmet mount 2 according to the present invention is show where only a single ENVG 8 is attached the flip-up helmet mount 2 providing a monocular system that provides an eye-piece 14 to only one of the operator's eyes.

[0076] In the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the ENVG 8 is removable from the carriage chassis 18 for storage purposes. As shown in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16, the ENVG 8 is attached to the carriage chassis 18 through a bridge assembly 40. The bridge assembly 40 includes a slidable dovetail plate 42 that is received by the carriage chassis dovetail receiver slot 54 in the carriage chassis 18. The ENVG 8 includes a Picatinny rail 46 which is a military standard rail interface system used by many manufacturers. The Picatinny rail 46 is received by a Picatinny clamp 48 located on the bridge assembly 40.

[0077] The bridge assembly 40 can be removed from the carriage chassis 18 and rotated horizontally and re-attached to the carriage chassis 18 allowing the operator to swap the monocular ENVG system 8 from the left eye to the right eye and vice versa.

[0078] Similarly, the Picatinny rail 46 and Picatinny clamp 48 allow the operator to rotate the ENVG 8 horizontally and reattach it to the Picatinny clamp 48. This ensures the eye-piece 14 is up against the operator's eye, irrespective of whether the bridge assembly 40 is positioned on the left or right side.

[0079] Turning now to FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, there is shown an embodiment wherein the ENVG 8 is secured to the slidable dovetail plate 42 through dovetail locating holes 50. The slidable dovetail plate 42 includes several dovetail tapered faces 52 that interface with the carriage chassis dovetail receiver slot 54 ensuring the slidable dovetail plate 42 and attached ENVG 8 are secured firmly. This firm interface is important as it reduces the amount of movement of the ENVG 8 relative to the user's eye(s).

[0080] The slidable dovetail plate 42 includes a dovetail locking face 56. In some embodiments this face is shared with the dovetail tapered face 52. The carriage chassis dovetail receiver 44 includes a dovetail locking ball 58 (not shown) or similar mechanism that pushes against the dovetail locking face 56 and ensures the slidable dovetail plate 42 cannot be removed until the dovetail release button 60 (not shown) is actuated.

[0081] In a particular embodiment, the slidable dovetail plate 42 includes dovetail tapered faces 52 and dovetail locking face 56 which are symmetrical around the slidable dovetail plate's 42 mid-point. The symmetrical dovetail tapered faces 52 allow the slidable dovetail plate to be inserted into the carriage chassis dovetail receiver slot 54 from multiple directions allowing an operator to affix the ENVG 8 to the bridge assembly 40 in multiple orientations without the need to remove the slidable dovetail plate 42 from the ENVG 8. The symmetrical dovetail locking face 56 allows the dovetail locking ball 58 (not shown) to secure the slidable dovetail plate 42 to the bridge assembly 40 from any orientation.

[0082] Automatic Shut Down Assembly—Bowden Cable

[0083] Referring now to FIGS. 20, 21, 22 and 23, the flip-up helmet mount includes a magnet 62 at one end of a Bowden cable 64 as part of an automatic shutdown assembly. Moving the ENVG from the in-use position of FIGS. 20 and 21 to the stowed position of FIGS. 22 and 23, as indicated by the dashed arrows 66 in FIG. 21, results in activating shutdown of the ENVG. Dependent on where the magnetically-responsive sensor (not shown) is positioned relative to the magnet 62, moving the ENVG to a stowed position either removes the magnet 62 from the magnetically-responsive sensor to activate shutdown of the ENVG, or positions the magnet within range of the magnetically-responsive sensor to activate shutdown of the ENVG.

[0084] Conversely, moving the ENVG from the stowed position of FIGS. 22 and 23 to the in-use position of FIGS. 20 and 21, as indicated by the dashed arrows 66 in FIG. 23, results in activating shutdown of the ENVG. Dependent on where the magnetically-responsive Hall effect sensor (not shown) is positioned relative to the magnet 62, moving the ENVG to an in-use position either removes the magnet 62 from the magnetically-responsive sensor to activate the ENVG, or positions the magnet within range of the magnetically-responsive sensor to activate the ENVG.

[0085] The helmet mount 2 can include a motor for actuating the bracket member hinge 24 to move the ENVG between the stowed position and the in-use position. The helmet mount 2 further includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless receiver for receiving signals to control the motor from a BLE enabled remote controller 100 borne by a weapon 102 as shown in FIG. 24. Motorising this functionality would enable the user to keep both hands free for mission critical tasks. The changing of the ENVG between the stowed position and the in-use position can be actioned by pressing a button located on the controller 100 on the user's weapon, or using another means such as voice or gesture activation.

[0086] The BLE enabled remote controller 102 can act as a programmable controller to control various devices such as the Helmet mount 2 or a BMS (Battle Management System). The controller 102 is programmable and includes a keyboard or joystick. Mode selection switches of the controller 102 enable the user to switch between controlling numerous different devices, or the device buttons can be assigned to functions of each device. The controller 102 can control a Light, Torch, Camera, NVG, Thermal Device, SOS, Radio, HUD, BMS, of the portable combat system.

[0087] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0088] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0089] In one embodiment, the automatic shutdown assembly may also include a Light/Photo sensor that can be setup to determine the absolute position of the ENVG 8, each mounted on respective upper and lower bracket members 20, 22 of the hinged bracket member 16.

[0090] In another embodiment, the automatic shutdown assembly mechanism includes a mechanical switch. The switch is depressed (or not depressed) when the ENVG is moved from the stowed position to an in-use position to actuate the ENVG 8. The mechanical switch coupled to the hinged bracket member 16 can communicate wirelessly with a controller located at the attachment point to the ENVG 8.

[0091] In one embodiment, the helmet mount 2 further includes a time of flight sensor measuring the distance between itself and another part of the mount to determine the absolute portion of the NVG 8.

[0092] With regard to the monocular system shown in FIG. 13, the bridge assembly 40 can also have one or more hinges that allow the NVG's 8 to be flipped sideways (laterally) out of direct view. Another detection switch is provided on the hinged bridge assembly 40 to switch the NVG 8 off when flipped sideways and out of direct view, in a similar manner to the switch on the main hinged bracket member 16 when the NVG 8 is flipped up to stow on the helmet.

[0093] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.