Attachment System for Helmet

Abstract

An attachment system for attaching a mandible to a helmet. The system comprises a pair of attachment bases for holding a face shield to the helmet and for attaching to opposite sides of the helmet. The attachment bases each include a base plate covered by a body block. The base plate includes hooks for engaging an edge of the helmet. A strap assembly provides a pair of tightening straps, each engaging one attachment base. The tightening straps extend rearward and are connected together by a helmet band that extends over and around a portion of the helmet. The tightening straps each include a ratchet toothed strap body for adjusting a tension of the straps against the helmet.

1 . An attachment arrangement for a helmet, comprising:
 a mandible configured to protect portions of a wearer's face;   a first attachment portion including a first hook, and a second attachment portion having a second hook, said first and second attachment portions extending from opposite lateral end portions of the mandible, said first hook configured to engage a first edge portion of the helmet and said second hook configured to engage a laterally opposite, second edge portion of the helmet; and   a strap assembly having a first strap having a front end portion engaged to said first attachment portion, and a second strap having a front end portion attached to said second attachment portion, said first and second straps having respective rear end portions braced by the helmet wherein the first and second straps hold the first and second hooks against the helmet to mount the mandible to the helmet.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said first attachment portion comprises a first base plate having said first hook angled off therefrom and said second attachment portion comprises a second base plate having said second hook angled off therefrom. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said first attachment portion comprises a further first hook, spaced from said first hook to engage said first edge portion of said helmet and said second attachment portion comprises a thither second hook, spaced from said second hook to engage said second edge portion of said helmet. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein each attachment portion is a separate part from the mandible and comprises a body block for engaging the strap assembly and provides for attachment to the mandible. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said first attachment portion comprises a further first hook and an additional first hook, said first hook, said further first hook and said additional first hook spaced apart to engage said first edge portion of said helmet, and wherein said second attachment portion comprises a further second hook and an additional second hook, said second hook, said further second hook and said additional second hook spaced apart to engage said second edge portion of said helmet. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second straps each comprise a tensioning device for exerting tension between the front end portion and the rear end portion. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 6 , wherein the strap assembly comprises a helmet hand connecting the rear end portions of the first and second straps and configured to extend over a rear portion of the helmet. 
     
     
         8 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 6 , wherein each tensioning device comprises a ratchet toothed strap body for adjusting a tension of the strap against the helmet, and a latch mechanism for securing said selected tension of the strap. 
     
     
         9 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 8 , wherein the latch mechanism is selectively engagable with one of a plurality of teeth on the ratchet toothed strap body. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 6 , wherein each strap comprises a strap tension locking mechanism for securing and releasing a tension of the straps against the helmet, the strap tension locking mechanism comprising an unlocked position wherein the strap tension locking mechanism has an extended length, and a locked position wherein the strap tension locking mechanism has a reduced length to exert tension on the straps. 
     
     
         11 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein each attachment portion comprises a mount for attaching a face shield, the mount comprises a resilient detent for holding the rotational position of the face shield, the resilience of the resident detent may be overcome by applying a predefined amount of force to move the face shield pivotally between an open position, a closed position, and one or more intermediate positions. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein each said attachment portion is a separate part from the mandible and wherein each attachment portion comprises one or more attachment holes and the mandible provides corresponding attachment holes for attaching said mandible with fasteners. 
     
     
         13 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein each said attachment portion is a separate part from the mandible and provides for fastener attachment to the mandible, and each attachment portion comprises a base plate having said respective first or second hook angled off therefrom, and wherein the first and second straps each comprise a tensioning device for exerting tension between the front end portion and the rear end portion thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion comprises a signal element for emitting a signal. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein the signal element emits an inferred signal. 
     
     
         16 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 1 , comprising a visor pivotally attached to said attachment portions and a gasket attached to said attachment portions and sealingly engaged to said visor. 
     
     
         17 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the mandible comprises a rigid mandible frame and a ballistic resistant fabric attached to said frame. 
     
     
         18 . The attachment arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein said fabric hangs below said frame to protect a neck area of the wearer.