Vision Augmentation System

Abstract

A platform for attachment to a helmet having front chin strap mounting holes on opposite sides of the helmet has a center section adapted to support one or more items such as a headlamp or goggles. The platform also includes two side arms extending rearward from the center section and disposed along the opposite sides of the helmet when the platform is mounted on the helmet. The side arms of the platform are adjustable in length. The platform also includes a universal mounting plate for attachment to the platform center section and adapted to support either of two different types of night vision goggles. The platform may be mounted on different helmets having different front mounting hole configurations.

1 . Apparatus for attachment to a helmet having front chin strap mounting holes on opposite sides of the helmet, comprising:
 a platform including a center section adapted to support one or more items such as a headlamp or goggles, the platform also including two side arms extending rearward from the center section and disposed along the opposite sides of the helmet when the platform is mounted on the helmet;   the side arms of the platform being adjustable in length.   
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each side arm includes a fixed arm portion and a movable arm portion that is selectively lockable in different positions along the length of the fixed arm portion, the movable arm portion receiving a fastener into a front chin strap mounting hole of the helmet to secure the movable arm portion to the helmet thereby to secure the fixed arm portion to the helmet. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the fixed arm portion of the platform has a series of locking teeth and the movable arm portion has an engagement member selectively engageable at different positions along the series of locking teeth thereby to lockably position the movable arm portion on the fixed arm portion at a selected position thereby to adjust the length of the side arm of the platform. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the platform has a plurality of press fit nuts for supporting a plurality of different items at a plurality of different locations on the platform. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the platform center section has openings adapted to receive items to be supported on the platform in a snap fit manner. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus for attachment to a helmet, comprising:
 a platform including a center section adapted to support one or more items such as a headlamp or goggles, the platform also including two side arms extending rearward from the center section and disposed along the sides of the helmet when the platform is mounted on the helmet; and   a universal mounting plate for attachment to the platform center section and adapted to support either of two different types of night vision goggles.   
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the plate has first and second opposite major side surfaces, a first type of night vision goggle being securable on the first major side surface of the plate when the plate is attached to the platform center section, and a differently configured second type of night vision goggle being securable on the second major side surface of the plate when the plate is attached to the platform center section. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the plate is reversible and is adapted to support a first type of night vision goggle on the platform center section when the plate is in a first orientation relative to the platform center section and is adapted to support a differently configured second type of night vision goggle on the platform center section when the plate is in a second orientation relative to the platform center section. 
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the platform center section has a plate mounting portion including tracks adapted to slidably receive the plate in either one of first and second different orientations depending on whether the center section is to support a first type of night vision goggle or a second type of night vision goggle. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the side arms include portions having fastener openings for receiving fasteners to secure the platform to front chin strap mounting holes of the helmet, the side arms being adjustable in length. 
   
   
       11 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the plate includes fastener openings for receiving fasteners to secure a night vision goggles to the plate. 
   
   
       12 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the platform has a plurality of press fit nuts for supporting a plurality of different items at a plurality of different locations on the platform. 
   
   
       13 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the platform center section has openings adapted to receive items to be supported on the platform in a snap fit manner. 
   
   
       14 . Apparatus for attachment either to a first helmet having a first front mounting hole configuration or to a second helmet having a different second front mounting hole configuration, or to a third helmet having no front mounting holes, each helmet also having front chin strap mounting holes, the apparatus comprising:
 a platform including a center section adapted to support one or more items such as a headlamp or goggles on the selected helmet, the platform also including two side arms extending rearward from the center section and disposed along the sides of the helmet when the platform is mounted on the a helmet, the side arms adapted to be secured to the front chin strap mounting holes of the selected helmet;   the platform including a first slot in the platform center section for receiving a fastener through the first slot into the front mounting hole of the first helmet when the platform is to be mounted on the first helmet;   the platform including a second slot in the platform center section spaced from the first slot for receiving a fastener through the second slot into the front mounting hole of the second helmet when the platform is to be mounted on the second helmet; and   the platform center section including a strap attachment portion for attaching a strap to extend from the platform center section across the top of the third helmet to the rear brim of the third helmet when the platform is to be mounted on the third helmet.   
   
   
       15 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the first slot is spaced vertically from the second slot on the platform center section. 
   
   
       16 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the platform center section further includes a portion adapted to enable attachment of the platform center section to the front brim of the helmet to cooperate with the strap to help to secure the platform to the third helmet. 
   
   
       17 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the side arms include portions having fastener openings for receiving fasteners to secure the platform to front chin strap mounting holes of the helmet, the side arms being adjustable in length. 
   
   
       18 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the platform has a plurality of press fit nuts for supporting a plurality of different items at a plurality of different locations on the platform. 
   
   
       19 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the platform center section has openings adapted to receive items to be supported on the platform in a snap fit manner.