Method and Apparatus for Mounting a Vision System

Abstract

A vision system for mounting an imaging assembly to a helmet through a helmet adapter and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a receiver for removably mounting an imaging assembly. The receiver is coupled to a cross-slide assembly providing fore-aft and side-to-side movement of the imaging assembly relative to the helmet. A stow pivot/slide assembly is coupled between the cross-slide assembly and the helmet adapter for moving the imaging assembly between a stowed and a deployed position. The vertical position and tilt angle of the imaging assembly is also adjustable by the stow pivot/slide assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attachment system for securing a mount to a helmet comprising:
 a front assembly configured to be coupled to a front portion of a helmet;   a rear assembly configured to be coupled to a rear portion of a helmet;   a first elongate member having a first end coupled to said front assembly and a second end coupled to said rear assembly; and   a second elongate member coupled to said first elongate member to establish a cable channel therebetween along at least a portion of said first elongate member between said first end and said second end.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the second elongate member is an upper strap and said first elongate member is a lower strap when the attachment system is coupled to a helmet. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein said first elongate member and said second elongate members comprise textile materials. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein said front assembly comprises a helmet adapter plate, and a front hook coupled to said helmet adapter plate and configured for coupling to a front portion of a helmet; and wherein said rear assembly comprises a battery pack hub and buckle assembly and a rear hook coupled to said battery pack hub and buckle assembly, and configured for coupling to a rear portion of said helmet, said first elongate member extending between said adapter plate and said battery pack hub and buckle assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment system of  claim 4 , wherein said battery pack hub and buckle assembly is coupled to said rear hook by an adjustable strap. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment system of  claim 4 , further comprising a power cable extending from said battery pack hub and buckle assembly toward said adapter plate at least partially disposed in said cable channel. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment system of  claim 4 , further comprising a battery pack for retaining at least one battery, said battery pack hub and buckle assembly configured to provide a mechanical interface to said battery pack. 
     
     
         8 . The attachment system of  claim 4 , wherein said rear hook comprises hook and loop fasteners on at least a portion of a front and a back surface thereof, said hook and loop fastener on said back surface configured to secure said rear hook to said helmet and said hook and loop fastener on said front surface configured to secure said rear hook to a helmet liner. 
     
     
         9 . An attachment system for securing a vision system to a helmet comprising:
 a first elongate member having a first end for coupling to a feature on a front of a helmet and a second end for coupling to a feature on a rear of the helmet; and   a second elongate member coupled to the first elongate member to establish a cable channel therebetween along at least a portion of the first elongate member between the first end and the second end.   
     
     
         10 . The attachment system of  claim 9 , wherein the second elongate member is an upper strap and said first elongate member is a lower strap, the lower strap maintained in contact with a top surface of a helmet along a substantial portion of its length. 
     
     
         11 . The attachment system of  claim 9 , wherein the first elongate member and the second elongate member comprise webbings that are at least partially sewn together. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment system of  claim 9 , wherein said feature on a front of the helmet comprises a hook on the front of the helmet and said feature on a rear of the helmet comprises a hook on the rear of the helmet. 
     
     
         13 . The attachment system of  claim 12 , wherein the first end of the first elongate member is coupled to said hook on the front of the helmet through a helmet adapter plate and the second end is coupled to said hook on the rear of said helmet through a battery pack hub and buckle assembly.