Mount for digitally enhanced night vision device

Abstract

A system (M) for removably mounting a device (D) that is viewable by a user (U) to an essentially rigid headgear (H) includes a removable strap assembly ( 10 ) extending about the headgear (H). The strap assembly ( 10 ) includes a strap ( 18 ) with a first end ( 20 ) having a first securing means ( 24 ) to engage a first edge ( 26 ) of the head gear (H.) A second securing means ( 28 ) secures the strap ( 18 ) to a second edge ( 20 ). A mounting assembly ( 32 ) extends from the strap assembly ( 10 ) in proximity to a first end ( 14 ) of the strap assembly ( 10 ) for controllably positioning the device (D) in an ocular axis ( 34 ) of the user (U). The mounting assembly ( 32 ) controllably adjusts the device (D) along a forward and backward axis (A 1 ), a vertical axis (A 4 ), and a horizontal axis (A 2 ) of the viewer (U).

1 . A system for removably mounting a device that is viewable by a user to an essentially rigid headgear worn by the user, the invention comprising: 
 a removable strap assembly extending about an outer surface of the headgear and having a first end and a second end; the strap assembly further including a strap having a first end and a second end, a first securing means affixed to the first end of the strap for a removably securing the first end of the strap to a first edge of the head gear, and a second securing means affixed to the second end of the strap for a removably securing the second end of the strap to an opposing second edge of the headgear; and    a mounting assembly unit extending from the strap assembly in proximity to the first end of the strap assembly for controllably positioning the device in an ocular axis of the user; the mounting assembly controllably adjusting the position of the device to be viewed along a horizontal axis of the user, along a vertical axis of the user, and along a forward and backward axis in relation to the viewer.    
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1  further including pivoting means for pivoting the device about at least one of the axis of movement with the mounting assembly unit.  
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 1  further including adapter means for selectively positioning the device to be viewed in front of a desired eye of the user.  
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 3  further including means for communicating electrical signals with the device to be viewed.  
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the first securing means includes aJ shaped element to engage the first edge of the head gear.  
     
     
         6 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the second securing means includes aJ shaped element to engage the second edge of the head gear.  
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the device to be viewed is movably supported by an adjustable carrier coupled to a rail system extendible substantially parallel to the ocular axis of the user.  
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 7  wherein the adjustable carrier includes controlling means to controllably move the device to be viewed along at least one axis substantially perpendicular to the rail system.  
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 7  wherein the mounting assembly unit is demountable from the removable strap assembly.