Quick release coupling apparatus and method for a helmet mounted night vision goggle arrangement
US5542627A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B23/125
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A quick release coupling apparatus and method used to connect and quickly disengage a night vision assembly from a pilot's helmet. The quick release coupling apparatus includes a locking element disposed on a pilot's helmet. An aperture is disposed on the night vision assembly to be attached to the pilot's helmet. The locking element of the pilot's helmet is passed into the aperture of the night vision assembly wherein the locking element is engaged and retained by a collet. The collet is biased against the locking element by a wire that is wrapped around the collet. As such, the collet engages the locking element and prevents the locking element from being withdrawn out of the night vision assembly, thereby firmly joining the night vision assembly to the pilot's helmet. Springs or similar repelling elements are disposed between the night vision assembly and the pilot's helmet. The springs act to bias the night vision assembly and pilot's helmet away from each other but the bias is checked by the presence of the locking element in the collet. To quickly separate the night vision assembly from the pilot's helmet, current is passed through the wire surrounding the collet until the st…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.