Appliance Mounting Device and System for Head Gear

Abstract

An appliance mounting device 10 that is adapted for securement to head gear 12. The device 10 has an elongated guide 14 that is adapted for removable attachment to the head gear 12 such that a lengthwise dimension of the elongated guide 14 is at least generally coincident with a sagittal plane 16. An appliance holder 20 supports an appliance 18 and can engage the elongated guide 14 to allow for adjustment of the position of the appliance 18 along the elongated guide 14.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An appliance mounting device that comprises:
 (a) an elongated guide that is adapted for removable securement to head gear such that when secured thereto a lengthwise dimension of the elongated guide is at least generally coincident with a sagittal plane of the head gear;   (b) an appliance; and   (c) an appliance holder that supports the appliance and that can engage the first elongated guide to allow for adjustment of the position of the first appliance along the lengthwise dimension of the first elongated guide.   
     
     
         2 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance holder allows for incremental adjustment of the position of the first appliance along the first appliance mount. 
     
     
         3 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance holder is removably attachable to the elongated guide. 
     
     
         4 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 3 , wherein the appliance holder can be attached to a second elongated guide that is adapted for attachment to the same head gear. 
     
     
         5 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated guide comprises first and second rails. 
     
     
         6 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 5 , wherein a second appliance holder can be attached to a second elongated guide that is adapted for attachment to the same head gear. 
     
     
         7 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 6 , wherein the second elongated guide comprises first and second rails spaced similar to the first and second rails of the first elongated guide. 
     
     
         8 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated guide is flexible to allow it to be adapted to the shape of one or more different head gear. 
     
     
         9 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a light, a camera, a sensor, a communication device, or a gps device. 
     
     
         10 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second appliance that is supported by a second appliance holder, the second appliance holder being able to engage the elongated guide to allow for adjustment of the position of the second appliance along the elongated guide. 
     
     
         11 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 10 , wherein the second appliance is a light, a camera, a sensor, a communication device, or a gps device. 
     
     
         12 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 10 , wherein both the first and second appliances are flashlights. 
     
     
         13 . The appliance mounting device of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is integrally attached to the appliance holder. 
     
     
         14 . An article of head gear, which article comprises a helmet and the appliance mounting device of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . An appliance system suitable for use with head gear, the appliance system comprising:
 (a) a first elongated guide that is arcuate and attachable to head gear at a first location;   (b) a first appliance;   (c) a first appliance holder that supports the first appliance and that can engage the first elongated guide to allow for adjustment of the position of the first appliance along the lengthwise dimension of the first elongated guide;   (d) a second elongated guide that can be attached to the head gear at a second location;   (e) a second appliance; and   (f) a second appliance holder that supports the second appliance and that can engage the second elongated guide to allow for adjustment of the position of the second appliance along the lengthwise dimension of the second elongated guide.   
     
     
         16 . The appliance system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first and second elongated guides are removably attachable to a hardhat such that a lengthwise dimension of the at least one of the elongated guides is at least generally coincident with a sagittal plane of the hardhat. 
     
     
         17 . The appliance system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first and second appliance holders allows for incremental adjustment of the position of the first appliance along the first appliance mount. 
     
     
         18 . The appliance system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first and second appliances is integral to the appliance holder. 
     
     
         19 . The appliance system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the appliance holders is removably attachable to the elongated guide. 
     
     
         20 . An article of head gear, which article comprises the appliance system of  claim 15 . 
     
     
         21 . An appliance mounting device that comprises:
 an elongated guide that is adapted for removable securement to head gear such that when secured thereto a lengthwise dimension of the elongated guide is at least generally coincident with a sagittal plane of the head gear, wherein the elongated guide comprises a front attachment bracket that is adapted to be fitted onto a front brim of the head gear and removably secure the elongated guide to the head gear;   an appliance; and   an appliance holder that supports the appliance and that can engage the elongated guide to allow for adjustment of the position of the appliance along the lengthwise dimension of the elongated guide.