Headgear shroud assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12495853-B2
Application number	US-202418418496-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 22, 2024
Priority date	Jan 25, 2023
Publication date	Dec 16, 2025
Grant date	Dec 16, 2025

Abstract

In one aspect, a shroud assembly for headgear comprises a frame having a first side configured to face toward an exterior surface of the headgear and a second side opposite the first side and configured to face away from the headgear, the frame formed of a moldable material. An insert, which is configured for removable attachment to a helmet mount assembly, is coupled to the frame, wherein the frame is overmolded onto the insert. In further aspects, a helmet mounting system and method for the manufacture of a headgear shroud assembly are provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A shroud assembly for headgear, comprising:
a frame having a first side configured to face toward an exterior surface of the headgear and a second side opposite the first side and configured to face away from the headgear, the frame formed of a moldable material; and an insert coupled to the frame, the insert defining a complementary interface configured to detachably mate with a helmet mount assembly, wherein the frame is overmolded onto the insert; wherein the moldable material of the frame forms a first mechanical feature which is interlocking with a second mechanical feature of the insert.

2 . The shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed of an injection moldable polymer material and the insert is formed of a metal or metal alloy.

3 . The shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first side of the frame has a shape which matches a surface contour of the headgear.

4 . The shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first mechanical feature comprises one or more tongues and the second mechanical feature comprises one or more grooves.

5 . The shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes first and second spaced walls disposed on the second side of the frame on opposite sides of the insert, said first and second walls spaced a sufficient distance apart to receive the helmet mount assembly therebetween.

6 . The shroud assembly of claim 5 , further comprising any one or more of:
the first and second walls extend vertically on opposite lateral sides of the insert; the first and second walls are sufficiently flexible so as to be displaced outward when the helmet mount assembly is removably attached to the shroud assembly; one or both of the first and second walls have a tapered inward facing surface to facilitate insertion of the helmet mount assembly between the first and second walls; and the insert defining one or more receptacles configured to removably mate with a latch member of the helmet mount assembly.

7 . The shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the insert includes first and second spaced walls disposed on opposite lateral sides of the insert, said first and second walls spaced a sufficient distance apart to receive the helmet mount assembly therebetween.

8 . The shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of:
an injection moldable polymer resin; and a fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite material.

9 . The shroud assembly of claim 8 , wherein the frame comprises a polyimide material.

10 . The shroud assembly of claim 1 , further comprising one or both of:
at least one opening in the frame configured to receive a mechanical fastener for attaching the shroud assembly to the headgear; and at least one opening in the insert configured to receive a mechanical fastener for attaching the shroud assembly to the headgear.

11 . The shroud assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
first, second, and third openings in the frame, each of the first, second, and third openings configured to receive a mechanical fastener for attaching the shroud assembly to the headgear.

12 . The shroud assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first, second, and third openings are positioned in accordance with a promulgated standard for headgear drill hole patterns.

13 . The shroud assembly of claim 12 , wherein the promulgated standard is selected from the group consisting of a Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) three-hole pattern and a Naval Special Warfare Command (WARCOM) three-hole pattern.

14 . The shroud assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a backing pad removably attached to the second side of the frame.

15 . A helmet mounting system comprising:
a shroud assembly comprising a frame having a first side configured to face toward an exterior surface of a helmet and a second side opposite the first side and configured to face away from the helmet, the frame formed of a moldable material; a helmet mount assembly; and an insert coupled to the frame, the insert defining a complementary interface configured to detachably mate with the helmet mount assembly, wherein the frame is overmolded onto the insert, wherein the moldable material of the frame forms a first mechanical feature which is interlocking with a second mechanical feature of the insert.

16 . A method for the manufacture of a headgear shroud assembly, comprising:
providing an insert defining a complementary interface configured to detachably mate with a helmet mount assembly; overmolding a frame formed of a moldable material onto the insert; wherein the insert comprises one or more first mechanical features interlocking with one or more second mechanical features on the frame formed of the moldable material.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein said overmolding comprises:
positioning the insert within a mold; and directing the moldable material into the mold and about the insert to form the frame from the moldable material.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said directing the moldable material into the mold comprises injection molding.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein said injection molding is selected from the group consisting of polymer injection molding, polymer composite injection molding, and metal injection molding.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the one or more first mechanical features comprises one or more tongues and the one or more second mechanical features comprises one or more grooves.

Assignees

• Wilcox Ind Corp

Inventors

• Teetzel James W
• Lemire Gary M

Classifications

• A42B3/04

  Parts, details or accessories of helmets · CPC title

• A42B3/0406 Primary

  Accessories for helmets · CPC title