# US 9,775,395 B2 · Headgear shroud assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,775,395 B2 - Document ID: US9775395B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/483,471 - Filed: 2014-09-11 - Published: 2015-03-19 - Granted: 2017-10-03 - Earliest claimed: 2013-09-17 - Assignees: Wilcox Industries Corp. - Applicants: Wilcox Industries Corp. - Inventors: James W. Teetzel; Justin D. Harris - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9775395B2 ## CPC - A42B 3/042: {Optical devices (night vision goggles G02B23/12)} - A42B 3/04: Parts, details or accessories of helmets - A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00) ## Abstract In one aspect, a shroud assembly for headgear includes a frame formed of a polymer material having a shape that matches a contour of the headgear. An insert is formed of metal or metal alloy and is attached to a front side of the frame. The insert is configured for removable attachment to a mounting assembly. The frame includes first and second spaced flexible walls disposed on the front side of the frame on opposite sides of the insert. The first and second flexible walls are spaced a sufficient distance apart to provide an interference fit between the mounting assembly and the first and second flexible walls. In another embodiment, the shroud assembly further includes a friction pad disposed on a rear surface of the frame for increasing friction between the shroud assembly and the headgear. In another aspect, a method for attaching a mounting assembly to headgear is provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A shroud assembly for headgear, comprising: a frame having a shape that matches a contour of the headgear; an insert attached to a front side of the frame, the insert configured for removable attachment to a mounting assembly; the frame including first and second spaced flexible walls disposed on the front side of the frame on opposite sides of the insert, said first and second flexible walls spaced a sufficient distance apart to provide an interference fit between the mounting assembly and the first and second flexible walls; a friction pad disposed on a rear surface of the frame for increasing friction between the shroud assembly and the headgear; and a first opening in the insert, a second opening in the frame, and a third opening in the friction pad, wherein the first, second, and third openings are aligned with an opening in the headgear for receiving a mechanical fastener attaching the shroud assembly to the headgear. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second walls extend vertically on opposite lateral sides of the insert. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second walls are configured to be displaced outward when the mounting assembly is removably attached to the insert. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second walls have a tapered inward facing surface to facilitate insertion of the mounting system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, further comprising: said insert defining one or more receptacles configured to removably mate with a latch member of the mounting assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, wherein the insert is formed of a metal or metal alloy. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of an injection moldable thermoplastic resin, a fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite material, and a glass fiber reinforced polyimide matrix composite material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one opening in the frame configured to receive a mechanical fastener for attaching the shroud assembly to the headgear. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The shroud assembly of claim 8, wherein said at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings positioned in accordance with a promulgated standard for headgear drill hole patterns. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The shroud assembly of claim 9, wherein the promulgated standard is the MARSOC/WARCOM three-hole pattern. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, wherein the position of the first opening corresponds to a military standard headgear single drill hole pattern. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one boss protruding from the friction pad and extending through a complementary opening in the frame. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, further comprising: fourth, fifth, and sixth openings in the frame; seventh, eight, and ninth openings in the friction pad, the seventh, eight, and ninth openings aligned with the fourth, fifth, and sixth openings, respectively; and a removable plug received in each of the seventh, eight, and ninth openings. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, further comprising the mounting assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The shroud assembly of claim 14, wherein the mounting assembly is a night vision device mounting assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The shroud assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed of a polymer material. ### Claim 17 A shroud assembly for headgear, comprising: a frame having a shape that matches a contour of the headgear; an insert attached to a front side of the frame, the insert configured for removable attachment to a mounting assembly; the frame including first and second spaced flexible walls disposed on the front side of the frame on opposite sides of the insert, said first and second flexible walls spaced a sufficient distance apart to provide an interference fit between the mounting assembly and the first and second flexible walls; a friction pad disposed on a rear surface of the frame for increasing friction between the shroud assembly and the headgear; and at least one boss protruding from the friction pad and extending through a complementary opening in the frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The shroud assembly of claim 17, wherein the first and second walls extend vertically on opposite lateral sides of the insert. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The shroud assembly of claim 17, wherein the first and second walls are configured to be displaced outward when the mounting assembly is removably attached to the insert. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The shroud assembly of claim 17, wherein each of the first and second walls have a tapered inward facing surface to facilitate insertion of the mounting system. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The shroud assembly of claim 17, further comprising: said insert defining one or more receptacles configured to removably mate with a latch member of the mounting assembly. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The shroud assembly of claim 17, wherein the insert is formed of a metal or metal alloy. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The shroud assembly of claim 17, wherein the frame is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of an injection moldable thermoplastic resin, a fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite material, and a glass fiber reinforced polyimide matrix composite material. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The shroud assembly of claim 17, further comprising: at least one opening in the frame configured to receive a mechanical fastener for attaching the shroud assembly to the headgear. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The shroud assembly of claim 24, wherein said at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings positioned in accordance with a promulgated standard for headgear drill hole patterns. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The shroud assembly of claim 25, wherein the promulgated standard is the MARSOC/WARCOM three-hole pattern. ### Claim 27 (depends on 17) The shroud assembly of claim 17, wherein the position of the first opening corresponds to a military standard headgear single drill hole pattern. ### Claim 28 (depends on 17) The shroud assembly of claim 17, further comprising the mounting assembly. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The shroud assembly of claim 28, wherein the mounting assembly is a night vision device mounting assembly. ### Claim 30 (depends on 17) The shroud assembly of claim 17, wherein the frame is formed of a polymer material. ### Claim 31 A shroud assembly for headgear, comprising: a frame having a shape that matches a contour of the headgear; an insert attached to a front side of the frame, the insert configured for removable attachment to a mounting assembly; the frame including first and second spaced flexible walls disposed on the front side of the frame on opposite sides of the insert, said first and second flexible walls spaced a sufficient distance apart to provide an interference fit between the mounting assembly and the first and second flexible walls; a friction pad disposed on a rear surface of the frame for increasing friction between the shroud assembly and the headgear; first, second, and third openings in the frame; fourth, fifth, and sixth openings in the friction pad, the fourth, fifth, and sixth openings aligned with the first, second, and third openings, respectively; and a removable plug received in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth openings. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The shroud assembly of claim 31, wherein each plug has a protrusion extending into a respective one of the fourth, fifth, and sixth openings in the frame. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) The shroud assembly of claim 31, wherein the fourth, fifth, and sixth openings in the frame are positioned in accordance with a standard headgear drill hole pattern.