Helmet-attachable plug retention plate

Abstract

A helmet-attachable plug retention plate is disclosed. The plug retention plate includes a front side and a rear side opposite the front side, with the rear side configured for attachment to a helmet. At least one plug receptacle is disposed on the front side, and includes a depression defined by a raised sidewall and at least one cantilever arm. The cantilever arm is configured to deflect upon insertion of a compatible plug and includes a distal end configured to mechanically retain the compatible plug within the plug receptacle.

1 . A plug retention plate comprising:
 a front side and a rear side opposite the front side, the rear side being configured for attachment to a helmet; and   at least one plug receptacle disposed on the front side, the at least one plug receptacle comprising a depression defined by a raised sidewall and at least one cantilever arm, the at least one cantilever arm being configured to deflect upon insertion of a compatible plug and having a distal end configured to mechanically retain the compatible plug within the plug receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The plug retention plate of  claim 1 , wherein the rear side is configured for releasable attachment to an exterior surface of the helmet. 
     
     
         3 . The plug retention plate of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one plug receptacle further comprises an arch-shaped structure that defines an opening and is positioned adjacent one end of the depression. 
     
     
         4 . The plug retention plate of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cantilever arm has a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The plug retention plate of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the at least one cantilever arm includes a hook. 
     
     
         6 . The plug retention plate of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one plug receptacle comprises a pair of opposing cantilever arms that are configured to deflect away from each other during insertion of the compatible plug. 
     
     
         7 . The plug retention plate of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one plug receptacle comprises two opposing cantilever arms positioned on opposite sides of the depression and a third cantilever arm positioned at one end of the depression, wherein the two opposing cantilever arms are configured to deflect away from each other during insertion of the compatible plug. 
     
     
         8 . The plug retention plate of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one plug receptacle is made of a non-conductive material. 
     
     
         9 . A plug retention plate comprising:
 a front side and a rear side opposite the front side, the rear side being configured for attachment to a helmet;   a first plug receptacle disposed on the front side, the first plug receptacle comprising a depression defined by a raised sidewall and a pair of opposing cantilever arms, the pair of opposing cantilever arms being configured to deflect upon insertion of a first compatible plug, each cantilever arm having a distal end configured to mechanically retain the first compatible plug within the first plug receptacle; and   a second plug receptacle disposed on the front side, the second plug receptacle comprising a depression defined by a raised sidewall and a pair of opposing cantilever arms, the pair of opposing cantilever arms being configured to deflect upon insertion of a second compatible plug, each cantilever arm having a distal end configured to mechanically retain the second compatible plug within the second plug receptacle.   
     
     
         10 . The plug retention plate of  claim 9 , wherein the rear side is configured for releasable attachment to an exterior surface of the helmet. 
     
     
         11 . The plug retention plate of  claim 9 , wherein the first plug receptacle further comprises an arch-shaped structure that defines an opening and is positioned adjacent one end of the depression. 
     
     
         12 . The plug retention plate of  claim 9 , wherein each of the pair of opposing cantilever arms of the first plug receptacle has a rectangular cross-section, and each of the pair of opposing cantilever arms of the second plug receptacle has a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         13 . The plug retention plate of  claim 9 , wherein the distal end of each of the pair of opposing cantilever arms of the first plug receptacle includes a hook, and the distal end of each of the pair of opposing cantilever arms of the second plug receptacle includes a hook. 
     
     
         14 . The plug retention plate of  claim 9 , wherein the pair of opposing cantilever arms of the first plug receptacle are configured to deflect away from each other during insertion of the first compatible plug, and the pair of opposing cantilever arms of the second plug receptacle are configured to deflect away from each other during insertion of the second compatible plug. 
     
     
         15 . The plug retention plate of  claim 9 , wherein the first plug receptacle includes a third cantilever arm positioned at one end of the depression, the third cantilever arm cooperates with the pair of opposing cantilever arms to mechanically retain the first compatible plug within the first plug receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . The plug retention plate of  claim 9 , wherein the first plug receptacle is made of a non-conductive material, and the second plug receptacle is made of a non-conductive material.