# US 2013/0239305 A1 · Helmet Stabilization Apparatus

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- Number: US 2013/0239305 A1
- Document ID: US20130239305A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/889,303
- Filed: 2013-05-07
- Published: 2013-09-19
- Earliest claimed: 2008-12-11
- Assignees: Shrike Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Joe Rivas, III; Timothy Langan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130239305A1

## CPC

- A42B 3/042: {Optical devices (night vision goggles G02B23/12)}
- A42B 3/0406: {Accessories for helmets}
- A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00)

## Abstract

The helmet stabilization apparatus includes a helmet adapted to be worn by a user, a night vision goggle unit attached to a front portion of the helmet, and a removable counterweight attached to a rear portion of the helmet that balances with the weight of the night vision goggle unit, wherein said removable counterweight can be connected in a variety of manners, such as a magnetic means of connection, a hook and loop connection, or a mechanical means of connection. Furthermore, the helmet may provide staggered connections, such that the removable counterweight may be positioned on the helmet at the user's desired orientation. This allows the user to move the center of mass of the system such that it is self-stabilizing on the user's head. Moreover, the removable counterweight may be formed such that when it is removed, it may be coupled with an attachable handle to form a plurality of tools or weapons. This is beneficial in that it provides a collection of tools while only one object need be carried.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of balancing a helmet assembly with respect to a central axis of a user comprising the steps of:
providing a helmet, a night vision goggle unit, and a counterweight having a curved edge and an overall shape that forms a shovel head;
removably securing the night vision goggle unit to the helmet at a first position;
removably securing the counterweight to the helmet at a second position that counterbalances the night vision goggle unit with respect to the central axis; and
wherein the counterweight has (i) a first curvature that mates with a first curvature of the helmet, and (ii) a second curvature that mates with a second curvature of the helmet.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the counterweight to the helmet includes the steps of:
attaching a first hook and loop connector to a back surface of the helmet;
attaching a second hook and loop connector to a surface of the counterweight, wherein the first and second hook and loop connectors are configured to removably engage one another; and
removably securing the counterweight to the helmet via the first and second hook and loop fasteners.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the counterweight has a first mechanical attachment port.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:
removing the counterweight from the helmet; and
attaching a handle to the first mechanical attachment port.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of using the counterweight and handle as a shovel.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the first mechanical attachment port comprises a threaded connector.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the counterweight further comprises a second mechanical attachment port.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the first mechanical attachment port is disposed on a facial portion of the counterweight and the second mechanical attachment port is disposed on an apical portion of the counterweight.

### Claim 9 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of removably securing a second counterweight to the first mechanical attachment port.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the counterweight has a first magnetic attachment port

### Claim 11

A helmet stabilization apparatus, comprising:
a helmet adapted to be worn by a user, wherein the helmet has a first curvature and a second curvature;
a night vision goggle unit configured to removably attach to a portion of the helmet;
a shovel head counterweight having a first fastener that removably and repositionably attaches to the helmet at a first position and a second fastener that removably attaches with a handle;
wherein the shovel head counterweight has (i) a first curvature that mates with the first curvature of the helmet and (ii) a second curvature that mates with the second curvature of the helmet; and
wherein the shovel head counterweight has a mass that balances a mass of the night vision goggle unit with respect to a central axis of the user.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The helmet stabilization apparatus of claim 11, wherein the shovel head counterweight further comprises a third fastener that removably attaches with the handle.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The helmet stabilization apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second fastener is disposed on an apical surface of the shovel head counterweight and the third fastener is disposed on a facial surface of the shovel head counterweight.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The helmet stabilization apparatus of claim 11, wherein the handle has a threaded end.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The helmet stabilization apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second fastener of the shovel head counterweight comprises a threaded port configured to mate with the threaded end of the handle.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The helmet stabilization apparatus of claim 11, wherein the shovel head counterweight is made of a material that provides ballistic and impact protection.