Accessory Platform for a Helmet

Abstract

An accessory platform is provided for use with a helmet and a helmet accessory having a first accessory power contact and a second accessory power contact. The accessory platform includes a base for attachment to the helmet and a rail coupled to the base and configured to mechanically engage the helmet accessory. The rail further includes first and second projections extending laterally in substantially opposite directions, a first groove formed in the first projection, and a second groove formed in the second projection. A first rail terminal formed of an electrically conductive material is disposed in the first groove and positioned to engage the first accessory power contact of the helmet accessory, and a second rail terminal formed of an electrically conductive material is disposed in the second groove and positioned to engage the second accessory power contact of the helmet accessory. A power source is coupled to the base and electrically communicates with the first and second rail terminals.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An accessory platform adapted for use with a helmet and a helmet accessory having a first accessory power contact and a second accessory power contact, the accessory platform comprising:
 a base configured to mechanically engage the helmet;   a rail coupled to the base and configured to mechanically engage the helmet accessory;   a first electrically powered rail terminal coupled to the rail and positioned to engage the first accessory power contact of the helmet accessory; and   a second electrically powered rail terminal coupled to the rail and positioned to engage the second accessory power contact of the helmet accessory.   
     
     
         2 . The accessory platform of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source electrically communicating with the first and second electrically powered rail terminals. 
     
     
         3 . The accessory platform of  claim 2 , in which the power source is removably coupled to the base. 
     
     
         4 . The accessory platform of  claim 3 , in which:
 the base defines a socket having a first socket power terminal electrically communicating with the first electrically powered rail terminal and a second socket power terminal electrically communicating with the second electrically powered rail terminal; and   the power source comprises a battery pack having a contact end configured for insertion into the socket, a first battery power contact positioned to engage the first socket power terminal, and a second battery power contact positioned to engage the second socket power terminal.   
     
     
         5 . The accessory platform of  claim 4 , in which the base includes a retaining tab disposed adjacent the socket and configured to selectively engage the battery pack. 
     
     
         6 . The accessory platform of  claim 2 , in which the power source comprises a power storage cell disposed in a water tight housing. 
     
     
         7 . The accessory platform of  claim 6 , in which the power storage cell comprises at least one of a lithium polymer cell, a lithium ion cell, a lithium ion ion cell, a nickel metal hydride cell, nickel-zinc cell, zinc-air cell, silver-oxide cell, alkaline cell, zinc-chloride cell, and a fuel cell. 
     
     
         8 . The accessory platform of  claim 2 , further comprising a light system including a task light coupled to the base and electrically communicating with the power source. 
     
     
         9 . The accessory platform of  claim 1 , in which the rail comprises:
 a pedestal;   first and second projections extending laterally from the pedestal in substantially opposite directions;   a first groove formed in the first projection and configured to receive the first electrically powered rail terminal; and   a second groove formed in the second projection and configured to receive the second electrically powered rail terminal.   
     
     
         10 . The accessory platform of  claim 9 , further comprising a first resilient member disposed between the first groove and the first electrically powered rail terminal, and a second resilient member disposed between the second groove and the second electrically powered rail terminal. 
     
     
         11 . The accessory platform of  claim 1 , in which the rail has a length sufficient to receive multiple accessories, and in which the first and second electrically powered rail terminals extend substantially the length of the rail. 
     
     
         12 . An accessory platform adapted for use with a helmet and a helmet accessory having a first accessory power contact and a second accessory power contact, the accessory platform comprising:
 a base including a first wall configured to mechanically engage the helmet;   a rail coupled to the base and configured to mechanically engage the helmet accessory, the rail having a length extending along a longitudinal axis and including:
 first and second projections extending laterally in substantially opposite directions along substantially the length of the rail; 
 a first groove formed in the first projection; and 
 a second groove formed in the second projection; 
   a first rail terminal formed of an electrically conductive material disposed in the first groove and positioned to engage the first accessory power contact of the helmet accessory;   a second rail terminal formed of an electrically conductive material disposed in the second groove and positioned to engage the second accessory power contact of the helmet accessory;   a power source coupled to the base and electrically communicating with the first and second rail terminals.   
     
     
         13 . The accessory platform of  claim 12 , in which:
 the base defines a socket having a first socket power terminal electrically communicating with the first rail terminal and a second socket power terminal electrically communicating with the second rail terminal.   
     
     
         14 . The accessory platform of  claim 13 , in which the power source includes:
 a water tight housing having a contact end configured for removable insertion into the socket;   a power storage cell disposed in the housing;   a first battery power contact disposed on the housing contact end and electrically communicating with the power storage cell, the first battery power contact being positioned to engage the first socket power terminal when the housing contact end is inserted into the socket; and   a second battery power contact disposed on the housing contact end and electrically communicating with the power storage cell, the second battery power contact being positioned to engage the second socket power terminal when the housing contact end is inserted into the socket.   
     
     
         15 . The accessory platform of  claim 12 , further comprising a first resilient member disposed between the first groove and the first rail terminal, and a second resilient member disposed between the second groove and the second rail terminal. 
     
     
         16 . The accessory platform of  claim 12 , in which the rail has a length sufficient to receive multiple accessories, and in which the first and second rail terminals extend substantially the length of the rail. 
     
     
         17 . An accessory platform adapted for use with a helmet and a helmet accessory having a first accessory power contact and a second accessory power contact, the accessory platform comprising:
 a base including:
 a first wall configured to mechanically engage the helmet; 
 a socket; 
 a first socket power terminal disposed in the socket; and 
 a second socket power terminal disposed in the socket 
   a rail coupled to the base and configured to mechanically engage the helmet accessory;   a first rail terminal coupled to the rail and electrically communicating with the first socket power terminal, the first rail terminal being positioned to engage the first accessory power contact of the helmet accessory;   a second rail terminal coupled to the rail and electrically communicating with the second socket power terminal, the second rail terminal being positioned to engage the second accessory power contact of the helmet accessory; and   a power source including:
 a water tight housing having a contact end configured for removable insertion into the socket; 
 a power storage cell disposed in the housing; 
 a first battery power contact disposed on the housing contact end and electrically communicating with the power storage cell, the first battery power contact being positioned to engage the first socket power terminal when the housing contact end is inserted into the socket; and 
 a second battery power contact disposed on the housing contact end and electrically communicating with the power storage cell, the second battery power contact being positioned to engage the second socket power terminal when the housing contact end is inserted into the socket. 
   
     
     
         18 . The accessory platform of  claim 17 , in which the rail comprises:
 a pedestal;   first and second projections extending laterally from the pedestal in substantially opposite directions;   a first groove formed in the first projection and configured to receive the first rail terminal; and   a second groove formed in the second projection and configured to receive the second rail terminal.   
     
     
         19 . The accessory platform of  claim 18 , further comprising a first resilient member disposed between the first groove and the first rail terminal, and a second resilient member disposed between the second groove and the second rail terminal. 
     
     
         20 . The accessory platform of  claim 17 , in which the rail has a length sufficient to receive multiple accessories, and in which the first and second rail terminals extend substantially the length of the rail.