# US 2017/0280807 A1 · Hinged Attachment of Headgear to a Helmet > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0280807 A1 - Document ID: US20170280807A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/631,668 - Filed: 2017-06-23 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2005-06-17 - Assignees: Gentex Corporation - Applicants: Gentex Corporation - Inventors: David C. Rogers; Charles H. Rogers; Darwin Keith-Lucas; Duco W. Noordzij - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170280807A1 ## CPC - A42B 3/0406: {Accessories for helmets} - A42B 3/04: Parts, details or accessories of helmets - G02B 23/12: with means for image conversion or intensification - A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A hinge mechanism for attaching ear accessories to a helmet allows an accessory to be attached at a point outside the helmet shell utilizing, for example, a slidable mounting rail, and to reach under the edge of the helmet shell so that the accessory is supported in contact with the wearer's head. The hinge mechanism is well suited for use in connection with military helmets that have a “bulge” or protrusion over the ear. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mounting facility for a safety helmet of the type having a bulge or protrusion on a side thereof to form a cavity therein, the cavity extending to a terminal edge of the helmet and overlying a wearer's ear, the mounting facility comprising: a. a fixture configured for attachment to the helmet above the bulge; and b. attached to the fixture, an articulating arm assembly for receiving an ear accessory, the arm assembly facilitating insertion of the ear accessory into the cavity and its removal therefrom around the terminal edge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mounting facility of claim 1 wherein the fixture has a plurality of apertures aligning with existing through-holes in the helmet shell for facilitating affixation thereto. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The mounting facility of claim 1 wherein the fixture comprises a rail for slidably receiving an end of the articulating arm assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The mounting facility of claim 1 wherein the articulating arm assembly includes a joint mechanism facilitating rotational downward and inward movement of the ear accessory relative to the terminal edge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The mounting facility of claim 4 wherein the joint mechanism comprises first and second hinges. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The mounting facility of claim 4 wherein the articulating arm assembly comprises a flexible member that resists outward movement of the ear accessory relative to the wearer's head, thereby holding the ear accessory in contact with the wearer's head. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The mounting facility of claim 1 further comprising means facilitating rotation of the articulating arm to place the ear accessory behind the helmet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mounting facility of claim 1 wherein the articulating arm assembly comprises means for adjusting a distance between the ear accessory and the terminal edge of the helmet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The mounting facility of claim 5 further comprising means for adjustably limiting rotation of at least one of the hinges. ### Claim 10 An articulating arm assembly for use with a safety helmet of the type that has a bulge or protrusion on a side thereof to form a cavity therein, the cavity extending to a terminal edge of the helmet and overlying a wearer's ear, the arm assembly comprising: a. means for engaging an ear accessory; and b. means facilitating insertion of the ear accessory into the cavity and its removal therefrom around the terminal edge. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The arm assembly of claim 10 wherein the insertion-facilitating means includes a joint mechanism facilitating rotational downward and inward movement of the ear accessory relative to the terminal edge. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The arm assembly of claim 11 wherein the joint mechanism comprises first and second hinges. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The arm assembly of claim 10 wherein the insertion-facilitating means includes a a flexible member that resists outward movement of the ear accessory relative to the wearer's head, thereby holding the ear accessory in contact with the wearer's head. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The arm assembly of claim 10 further comprising means facilitating rotation to place the ear accessory behind the helmet. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The arm assembly of claim 10 further comprising means for adjusting a distance between the ear accessory and the terminal edge of the helmet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The arm assembly of claim 12 further comprising means for adjustably limiting rotation of at least one of the hinges. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The arm assembly of claim 10 further comprising a headband affixed to the insertion-facilitating means, the headband permitting use of the ear accessory without a helmet. ### Claim 18 A safety helmet comprising: a. a bulge or protrusion on a side thereof to form a cavity therein, the cavity extending to a terminal edge of the helmet and overlying a wearer's ear; b. a fixture attached to the helmet above the bulge; and c. attached to the fixture, an articulating arm assembly for receiving an ear accessory, the arm assembly facilitating insertion of the ear accessory into the cavity and its removal therefrom around the terminal edge. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The helmet of claim 18 wherein the fixture comprises a rail for slidably receiving an end of the articulating arm assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The helmet of claim 18 wherein the articulating arm assembly includes a joint mechanism facilitating rotational downward and inward movement of the ear accessory relative to the terminal edge. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The helmet of claim 20 wherein the joint mechanism comprises first and second hinges. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The helmet of claim 20 wherein the articulating arm assembly comprises a flexible member that resists outward movement of the ear accessory relative to the wearer's head, thereby holding the ear accessory in contact with the wearer's head. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The helmet of claim 18 further comprising means facilitating rotation of the articulating arm to place the ear accessory behind the helmet. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The helmet of claim 18 wherein the articulating arm assembly comprises means for adjusting a distance between the ear accessory and the terminal edge of the helmet. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The helmet of claim 21 further comprising means for adjustably limiting rotation of at least one of the hinges.