US 4,449,787 A · Night vision imaging system adapted for helmet mounting

Abstract

There is disclosed a night vision imaging system for mounting on a helmet. The helmet contains a visor having a slot into which is inserted a helmet mount assembly which can be vertically adjusted within the slot by means of a control mechanism including a rotatable knob. The mount assembly is an arcuate planar member conforming to the surface of the helmet and contains two "U" shaped receptacles for receiving two pivots located on a central fork support frame. The fork frame has two adjacent tines which are secured within two slots contained in a gear box. Coupled to the gear box are right and left carriage assemblies which interface with the gear box by means of a first threaded shaft to afford eye relief adjustment and a second rod assembly to afford tilt adjustment. Each carriage assembly is symmetrically positioned on the right and left sides of the gear box assembly and are coupled to a first and a second unity power image intensifier telescope housing containing an image intensifier tube. The carriage assembly is coupled to the tube housing to move in a horizontal plane for eye relief by contacting either a right or left knob coupled to the threaded shaft at right and left sides. The gear box, carriage assemblies, and intensifier housing as supported by the fork frame, can be "flipped-up" and away from the eyes of a user when the night vision system is not in use or can be "flipped-down" in front of the user's eyes when in use.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A night vision imaging apparatus for mounting on a helmet comprising:

a helmet mount assembly secured to said helmet at a front surface above the position of the eyes of a user when said helmet is being worn, said assembly containing a first pivot receptacle positioned on said assembly closest to the eyes of said user,
an image intensifier assembly having a first and a second tubular housing each containing a night vision imaging optical system and spaced apart according to the separation of the eyes of said user, said assembly including a central support arm centrally positioned between said tubular housings and having a second pivot means for engaging said first pivot receptacle and including locking means for enabling said intensifier assembly to be "flipped-up" and locked in position away from the eyes of said user and to maintain said position and to be "flipped-down" by said user from said locked position to cause said tubular housings to be respectively positioned in front of said user's eyes,
said first pivot receptacle comprising a "U" shaped receptacle, and said second pivot means comprising a pivot rod coupled to the top of said central support arm and transverse thereto for coacting with said "U" shaped receptacle, and at least one locking shoulder positioned beneath said rod and adapted to coact with said "U" shaped receptacle when said intensifier assembly is positioned in the "flipped-up" mode.

A night vision imaging system for mounting on a helmet or similar article comprising:

a helmet mount assembly having a relative planar surface of a curvature corresponding to the curvature of said helmet and secured to said helmet at a front surface above the position of the eyes of a user when said helmet is worn, said mount assembly containing a "U" shaped receptacle positioned on said assembly closest to the eyes of said user,
an image intensifier assembly having a first tubular housing for containing an intensifier tube and associated with a first eye of said user and a second tubular housing for containing an intensifier tube and associated with a second eye of said user, a central housing assembly positioned between said first and second tubular housings, said central housing including a right and a left carriage assembly with said right assembly coupled to said first tubular housing and said left assembly coupled to said second tubular housing, an arcuate support frame coupled to said central housing at one end and having pivot means at said other end adapted for insertion into said "U" shaped receptacle, to enable said intensifier assembly to pivot upwards manifesting a non-operative position to permit said user to achieve an unobstructed view, said support frame including means for locking said intensifier assembly in said position, and to pivot downwards under the control of said user to position said first and second tubular housings in front of the eyes of said user when said helmet is accommodated on the head of said user.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Night vision imaging system adapted for helmet mounting

Life of this patent

Night vision imaging system adapted for helmet mounting

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25