Protective helmet with a system allowing for attachment of interchangeable accessories

Abstract

A protective helmet with a system allowing for attachment of interchangeable accessories includes interfaces secured to the helmet and capable of receiving various pairs of brackets, each pair of brackets being used to secure a different accessory to the protective helmet. Although the interfaces are located at predetermined locations, the brackets are of varying lengths to ensure a proper pivot axis for the chosen accessory.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A protective helmet with a system allowing for attachment of interchangeable accessories, comprising: 
 at least two interfaces secured to an interior surface of the helmet, each such interface defining a slot; and    at least two pairs of brackets, each pair of brackets for attaching a different accessory to the protective helmet, each bracket having a mating end adapted to be received in said slot, and each bracket having a pivot point end, the pivot point end for each of one pair of brackets being a first length for establishing a first pivotal axis for one of the accessories and the pivot point end for each of a second pair of brackets being a second length for establishing a second pivotal axis for a second of the accessories.    
     
     
         2 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the interfaces are secured to opposite sides of the protective helmet substantially midway between a front and a rear of the helmet.  
     
     
         3 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the first pivotal axis is substantially midway between the front and the rear of the helmet.  
     
     
         4 . The protective helmet of  claim 3 , wherein the second pivotal axis is more forward relative to the first pivotal axis.  
     
     
         5 . The protective helmet of  claim 3 , wherein the second pivotal axis is more rearward relative to the first pivotal axis.  
     
     
         6 . The protective helmet of  claim 5 , wherein the first of the accessories is a faceshield and the second of the accessories is goggles.  
     
     
         7 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the mating end of each bracket includes a prong with a essentially wedge-shaped tab, said prong flexing when the bracket is inserted into one of the slots defined by said interfaces, and then returning from its flexed state when the wedge-shaped tab emerges through said slot, securing the bracket to said interface.  
     
     
         8 . A protective helmet with a system for attaching interchangeable accessories, comprising: 
 a pair of interfaces secured to an interior surface of the helmet;    a first pair of brackets, each bracket having a mating end adapted to be secured to one interface of said pair of interfaces and a pivot point end secured to a first accessory and establishing a first pivotal axis for the first accessory relative to the helmet; and    a second pair of brackets, each bracket having a mating end adapted to be secured to one interface of said pair of interfaces, and a pivot point end secured to a second accessory and establishing a second pivotal axis for the second accessory relative to the helmet;    wherein said first pivotal axis and said second pivotal axis are at different locations relative to the helmet.    
     
     
         9 . A protective helmet with a system allowing for attachment of interchangeable accessories, comprising: 
 at least two interfaces secured to an interior surface of the helmet; and    at least two pairs of brackets, each pair of brackets being adapted to be received and retained by the interfaces to attach an accessory to the protective helmet,    wherein each bracket includes a pivot point end, the pivot point ends of one pair of brackets being a first length for establishing a first pivotal axis for one accessory, and the pivot point ends of a second pair of brackets being a second length for establishing a second pivotal axis for a second accessory; and    wherein said first pivotal axis and said second pivotal axis are at different locations relative to the helmet.