Helmet attachment system

Abstract

Various helmet systems as well as their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a helmet system includes an anchor and a carrier that include corresponding interlocking features that interact to support and maintain an orientation of the carrier relative to the helmet shell when mounted thereon. In another embodiment, a helmet system includes a carrier connected to a helmet shell, and an accessory attachment mount that is selectively connected to the carrier. In yet another embodiment, a helmet system includes a connection and corresponding alignment features between a helmet shell and an accessory attachment mount to both support and maintain an alignment of the accessory attachment mount when it is attached to the helmet shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A helmet system comprising:
 a helmet shell;   an anchor connected to the helmet shell; and   a carrier that selectively attaches one or more accessories to the helmet shell, wherein a first interlocking feature associated with the anchor and a corresponding second interlocking feature associated with the carrier interact to support the carrier and maintain an orientation of the carrier relative to the helmet shell when mounted thereon, wherein the interlocking feature of the carrier and interlocking feature of the anchor are engagable with one another when the carrier is mounted on the helmet shell with the anchor already connected to the helmet shell.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the anchor and the carrier are boltlessly connected to the helmet shell. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the anchor and the carrier are integrally formed with the helmet shell. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second interlocking features include a tab and an indentation correspondingly sized and shaped relative to the tab. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is received in an opening in the carrier. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the anchor and the carrier include a first portion of a connector that selectively attaches an accessory attachment mount. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet system of  claim 1 , wherein the connection includes a hook and a slot. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet system of  claim 1 , wherein the first interlocking feature is located on a lateral side of the anchor, and the second interlocking feature is located on a lateral side of the carrier. 
     
     
         9 . A helmet system comprising:
 a helmet shell;   a carrier connected to the helmet shell; and   an accessory attachment mount selectively connectable to the carrier, wherein the selective connection between the accessory attachment mount and the carrier does not include a bolt passing through the helmet shell, and wherein the accessory attachment mount is also selectively connectable to one or more accessories, wherein an alignment feature associated with the carrier interacts with an alignment feature on the accessory attachment to maintain an orientation of the accessory attachment mount relative to the helmet shell.   
     
     
         10 . The helmet system of  claim 9 , wherein the accessory attachment mount includes a receptacle that selectively attaches an accessory to the accessory attachment mount. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet system of  claim 9 , wherein the carrier is boltlessly connected to the helmet shell. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet system of  claim 9 , wherein the selective connection between the carrier and the accessory attachment mount includes a clip connection. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet system of  claim 9 , wherein the alignment feature associated with the carrier includes at least one of a groove, slot, lip, pin, hole, tab, indentation, recess, projection, and an arrangement of magnetic materials. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet system of  claim 9 , wherein the alignment feature associated with the carrier is located on a lateral side of the carrier, and the alignment feature on the accessory attachment is located on a lateral side of the accessory attachment. 
     
     
         15 . A helmet system comprising:
 a helmet shell;   a first portion of a connection disposed on the helmet shell;   a first alignment feature disposed on the helmet shell; and   an accessory attachment mount including a second portion of the connection and a second alignment feature, wherein the first and second portions of the connection are selectively connectable to attach the accessory attachment mount to the helmet shell and the first and second alignment features interact to maintain an orientation of the accessory attachment mount relative to the helmet shell when the accessory attachment mount is attached thereto.   
     
     
         16 . The helmet system of  claim 15 , wherein the accessory attachment mount includes a receptacle that selectively attaches an accessory to the accessory attachment mount. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet system of  claim 15 , further comprising a carrier connected to the helmet shell, wherein the carrier includes the first portion of the connection. 
     
     
         18 . The home system of  claim 17 , wherein the carrier includes the first alignment feature. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet system of  claim 17 , wherein the carrier is boltlessly connected to the helmet shell. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet system of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second alignment features include at least one of a groove, slot, lip, pin, hole, tab, indentation, recess, projection, and an arrangement of magnetic materials. 
     
     
         21 . The helmet system of  claim 15 , wherein the connection is a clip connection. 
     
     
         22 . The helmet system of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second portions of the clip connection include a hook and slot. 
     
     
         23 . The helmet system of  claim 15 , wherein the first alignment feature is located on an anchor attached to the helmet shell, and the first alignment feature is located on lateral side of the anchor. 
     
     
         24 . The helmet system of  claim 23 , wherein the second alignment feature is located on a lateral side of the accessory attachment mount. 
     
     
         25 . A method for assembling a helmet system, the method comprising:
 connecting an anchor to a helmet shell;   mounting a carrier to the helmet shell, wherein the carrier selectively attaches one or more accessories;   engaging a first interlocking feature associated with the anchor to a corresponding second interlocking feature associated with the carrier when the carrier is mounted on the helmet shell with the anchor already connected to the helmet shell, wherein the first and second interlocking features interact to support the carrier and maintain an orientation of the carrier relative to the helmet shell when mounted thereon.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein connecting the anchor to the helmet shell further comprises boltlessly connecting the anchor to the helmet shell. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein mounting the carrier to the helmet shell further comprises boltlessly mounting the carrier to the helmet shell. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first interlocking feature is located on a lateral side of the anchor.