Helmet mounting systems

Abstract

Pivoting helmet mounts for an optical device are provided. In one aspect, a breakaway connector which is selectively configurable between breakaway and nonbreakaway configurations is provided. In a further aspect, a strap mount system for securing the helmet mount to the helmet employs a rotating ratchet assembly to adjust tension in the strap. In another aspect, a helmet mount for an optical device comprises a track assembly attached to a helmet to allow stowing of the optical device in a further retracted position. The track mount system may further include electrical connectors for attaching a power supply and an electronic device. In another aspect, a mounting bracket allows helmet-mounted optics to be shared with a weapon accessory mount. In a further aspect, a optical sighting device for a weapon combines a reflex sight a night vision goggle to allow targeting at night or in other low-light conditions.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A mounting bracket for mounting a night vision device to a weapon, comprising:
 a first attachment member including a first fastener configured to removably attach to a rail interface of the weapon; and   a second attachment member attached to the first attachment member, the second attachment member including a second fastener configured to removably attach to a coupling member of the night vision device and support the night vision device in alignment with a barrel of the weapon.   
     
     
         22 . The mounting bracket of  claim 21 , wherein the first fastener is an accessory rail clamp. 
     
     
         23 . The mounting bracket of  claim 22 , wherein the rail clamp includes a floating rail grabber and a threaded fastener rotatably attached to the floating rail grabber, the threaded fastener configured to selectively move the floating rail grabber toward and away from the rail interface responsive to rotation of the threaded fastener in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, respectively. 
     
     
         24 . The mounting bracket of  claim 23 , further comprising a locator pin attached to the first attachment member for selectively engaging a recoil groove in the rail interface. 
     
     
         25 . The mounting bracket of  claim 22 , wherein the accessory rail claim is configured to removably attach to a Picatinny accessory rail. 
     
     
         26 . The mounting bracket of  claim 21 , wherein the second fastener includes a generally trapezoidal receptacle removably and slidably receiving a complimentary mounting foot on the night vision device. 
     
     
         27 . The mounting bracket of  claim 26 , wherein the trapezoidal receptacle includes a resilient locking member configured to removably engage a complementary recess of the mounting foot. 
     
     
         28 . The mounting bracket of  claim 27 , further comprising a spring resiliently biasing the locking member towards the complementary recess. 
     
     
         29 . The mounting bracket of  claim 28 , further comprising an unlocking lever attached to the locking member, said unlocking lever manually actuatable to move the locking member from the complementary recess. 
     
     
         30 . The mounting bracket of  claim 26 , wherein the trapezoidal receptacle has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the second and wider than the first and, wherein the second and is disposed away from the operator of the weapon when the mounting bracket is attached to the rail interface of the weapon. 
     
     
         31 . A sighting system, comprising:
 a mounting bracket comprising a first attachment member including a first fastener configured to removably attach to a rail interface of a weapon, and a second attachment member attached to the first attachment member, the second attachment member including a second fastener configured to removably attach to a coupling member of a night vision device and support the night vision device in alignment with a barrel of the weapon; and   a reflex sight removably mountable to the weapon for projecting a target designator for use in aiming the weapon, the target designator viewable along a sighting axis; and   a night vision device removably mountable to the weapon in optical alignment with said reflex sight for generating a human-viewable image in low light conditions of a target scene taken along the sighting axis, wherein said target designator is superimposed on said human-viewable image.   
     
     
         32 . The sighting system of  claim 31 , wherein the first fastener is an accessory rail clamp. 
     
     
         33 . The sighting system of  claim 32 , wherein the rail clamp includes a floating rail grabber and a threaded fastener rotatably attached to the floating rail grabber, the threaded fastener configured to selectively move the floating rail grabber toward and away from the rail interface responsive to rotation of the threaded fastener in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, respectively. 
     
     
         34 . The sighting system of  claim 33 , further comprising a locator pin attached to the first attachment member for selectively engaging a recoil groove in the rail interface. 
     
     
         35 . The sighting system of  claim 32 , wherein the accessory rail claim is configured to removably attach to a Picatinny accessory rail. 
     
     
         36 . The sighting system of  claim 31 , wherein the second fastener includes a generally trapezoidal receptacle removably and slidably receiving a complimentary mounting foot on the night vision device. 
     
     
         37 . The sighting system of  claim 36 , wherein the trapezoidal receptacle includes a resilient locking member configured to removably engage a complementary recess of the mounting foot. 
     
     
         38 . The sighting system of  claim 37 , further comprising a spring resiliently biasing the locking member towards the complementary recess and an unlocking lever attached to the locking member, said unlocking lever manually actuatable to move the locking member from the complementary recess. 
     
     
         39 . The sighting system of  claim 36 , wherein the trapezoidal receptacle has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the second and wider than the first and, wherein the second and is disposed away from the operator of the weapon when the mounting bracket is attached to the rail interface of the weapon. 
     
     
         40 . The sighting system of  claim 31 , further comprising a pivoting helmet mount configured to removably attach the night vision device to a helmet, wherein said mounting bracket is configured to be interchangeably and alternatively mounted to said pivoting helmet mount and said mounting bracket.