Ballistic and impact protective military helmet assembly

Abstract

A helmet assembly is provided including a front mount configured to attach to the front of the helmet above a brim of the helmet, a mandible for protecting a portion of the user's face, a lower edge rim mounting portion such as a halo attached along the lower edge of the helmet for securing the mandible to a helmet and providing power and data conduits. The front mount provides a center top mounting arrangement that operatively connects a center top location of the face shield to a center front mount on the helmet. The mount provides frontal bracket portions for mounting accessories. The helmet assembly provides a helmet shell with a curved shape having a surrounding reinforcing ridge. A reeling system is provided for adjusting front and lower chin straps. Other improvements in helmet assemblies are also disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A helmet assembly including a helmet for placing over a wearer's head and a mandible, connectable to the helmet, wherein the mandible comprises right and left cheek protecting portions connected at the front by a mouth protecting portion; the mouth protecting portion having a front cover that is openable, wherein the front cover is pivotally connected to the mouth protecting portion.