BOLTLESS HELMET SHROUD SYSTEM

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/722035 filed Nov. 18, 2024. The aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to protective helmets and, in particular, to a boltless helmet accessory mounting system and method for interchangeably attaching one or more helmet accessory devices.

Commonly, military field helmets, combat helmets, or the like, are configured with mounts, brackets, and so forth to carry one or more accessories or attachments, such as a flashlights, viewing optics and devices, such as a monocular, binoculars, monocular or binocular night vision (NVG) devices (including passive night vision devices and enhanced night vision (eNVG) devices), thermal imaging devices, cameras, friend or foe identification (IFF) systems, communications devices, power supplies, and others.

Often such fastening systems utilize fasteners that penetrate one or more layers of the shell of the helmet. This is particularly disadvantageous for helmets that are designed for ballistic protection since holes formed the helmet can compromise the ballistic integrity of the helmet.

In addition, many of the existing fastening systems are dedicated for attaching a particular helmet accessory device or type of accessory device. As the number of types of accessories available increases, it would be desirable to provide a helmet mounting system that allows the user to readily remove and attach various accessories to the helmet to accommodate different situations or mission requirements, wherein the various accessories can be attached with a system that employs common mounting hardware.

The present disclosure contemplates a new and improved helmet accessory mounting system and method which overcomes the above-referenced problems and others.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a helmet accessory attachment system comprises a first ear bracket assembly configured for attachment to a first side of a helmet and a second ear bracket assembly configured for attachment to a second side of the helmet. A center shroud assembly is configured for attachment along a centerline of the helmet. Each of the first and second ear bracket assemblies comprise an ear bracket housing having a front end, a rear end, and an accessory interface portion therebetween. The center shroud assembly comprises a pulley housing portion receiving a center pulley assembly comprising a plurality of central pulleys, a ratchet housing portion receiving a ratchet assembly, and a front shroud portion configured for detachable coupling of a viewing device. The front end of each ear bracket housing has a side hook assembly attached thereto, each side hook assembly being configured to engage a brim of the helmet. The rear end of each ear bracket housing has a rear hook assembly attached thereto, each rear hook assembly being configured to engage the brim of the helmet. The front shroud portion has a front hook assembly configured to engage the brim of the helmet. Each side hook assembly and rear hook assembly is configured to attach to a helmet suspension system which is attachable to the helmet. The ratchet assembly comprises a rotatable spool and a ratcheting mechanism. Each side hook assembly and rear hook assembly comprises a peripheral pulley. A tensioning cable has first and second ends secured to the spool, wherein the cable passes along a tensioning path around the plurality of central pulleys and each of the peripheral pulleys, wherein rotation of the spool in a first direction causes a portion of the tensioning cable to be taken up onto the spool and thereby causes a drawing together of the first ear bracket assembly and second ear bracket assembly toward the center shroud assembly.

Various advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a helmet employing a helmet shroud system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken generally from the front and right side.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the helmet shroud system appearing in FIG. 1, taken generally from the front and right side, with the helmet removed.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the helmet and shroud system appearing in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the cable tensioning system appearing in FIGS. 1 and 3, with the helmet and the front and side shrouds members removed.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cable tensioning system appearing in FIG. 4, with the pulley assembly cover plate removed.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged isometric view of the center tensioning hook assembly taken generally from the front and right side.

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the center tensioning hook assembly taken generally from the right side.

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the ratcheting assembly taken generally from the rear and side.

FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of the left ear bracket assembly, the right ear bracket assembly being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 10 is an isometric assembly view, illustrating the manner of attaching the left and right ear brackets to a helmet suspension system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present inventive concept in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the present development. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open transition). The term “coupled” or “operatively coupled,” as used herein, is defined as indirectly or directly connected.

As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “left,” “right,” and other orientation descriptors are intended to facilitate the description of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention and are not intended to limit the structure thereof to any particular position or orientation.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to depict like or analogous components throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a helmet 100 employing a boltless helmet mounting system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The helmet 100 may be military or tactical helmet, such as an Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) helmet, including a Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH), Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH), or other protective helmet.

The helmet 100 includes a shell portion 104 configured to fit over a user's head and having a peripheral edge or brim 108. The shell 104 may be formed of any material used for protective headgear, including metal, polymer, and composite materials. In certain embodiments, the shell is formed of multiple plies of a fiber reinforced polymer composite material. In certain embodiments, the fibers are aramid (e.g., KEVLAR®) fibers. In certain embodiments, the shell is of a type having anti-ballistic properties. In certain embodiments, the shell 104 is formed of a polyolefin such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) such as DYNEEMA™ or SPECTRA™. In certain embodiments, the shell is formed of a polyolefin material in combination with fiber reinforcement layers, such as aramid, carbon, glass, or combinations thereof. The shell 104 may include an outer layer to provide the shell with a desired finished appearance. Likewise, the brim 108 may include an edge trim material covering the raw or unfinished peripheral edge of the shell.

The helmet 100 further includes a helmet suspension system 112 coupled to the shell portion 104. The illustrated suspension system 112 includes a chin strap or cup 116 and left and right retention straps or bands 120 which engage a rear retention system 124 which, during use, is disposed at the back of the wearer's head. The straps 120 may be formed of a flexible material such as a synthetic polymer webbing material, such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or the like. The rear retention system 124 may comprise a nape strap, occipital stabilizer, or the like, any may include an adjustment mechanism for loosening or tightening the fit of the helmet such as a ratcheting dial mechanism or an adjustable hoop and loop strap system. It will be recognized that other helmet suspension systems 112 for retaining the helmet 100 on a wearer's head may be employed and may include adjustable straps, bands, pads, harnesses, impact or energy absorbing components, and so forth.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 and 9, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, there appears a boltless helmet accessory mounting system 130, which includes left and right ear bracket assemblies or shrouds 132 and a center/front shroud assembly 136, which are coupled with a tensioning serpentine cable 140, which provides a rigid helmet accessory mount platform and suspension harness attachment without requiring any holes in the helmet shell 104. The cable 140 may be formed of a metal cable or rope, such as a nylon coated stainless steel wire rope.

The left and right ear brackets 132 each include a main housing 138 which may be formed of a molded polymeric or composite material. A forward end of each main housing 138 includes a side helmet interface hook 144a and a rear helmet interface hook 144b. Each of the hooks 144a and 144b have a generally J-shaped profile and define a generally U-shaped channel 148 configured to receive the brim 108 of the helmet 100. In certain embodiments, the hooks 144a, 144b are formed of a metal or metal alloy, such as aluminum. In embodiments, an elastomeric grommet 152 may be secured within the base of channels to provide a vibration dampening and/or tensioning effect.

The main housings 138 also each include a middle accessory attachment region 150 configured to secure a helmet accessory device. Exemplary devices include audio communications components such as headsets, microphones, speakers, or the like, ear protection accessories, such as active or passive hearing protection devices, ear muffs, or the like, cameras or video recording devices, illumination devices, such as tactical or safety lights, head lamps, flashlights, and active or passive friend-or-foe identification (IFF) markers.

In the illustrated embodiment, the middle accessory attachment region 150 includes one or more slots 152 configured for mounting one or more accessories to the ear brackets 132. The slots 152 may be dimensioned and configured for compatibility with an M-LOK™ mounting interface (Magpul Industries Corp., Austin, TX), or similar slot interface system.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 9, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the main housings 138 of the left and right ear bracket assemblies 132 further include a rear accessory attachment region 160 comprising one or more interface slots 156. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, there appear Picatinny rail sections 164a and 164b detachably coupled to the slot interface slots 156 in the middle and rear accessory attachment regions 150, 160, respectively. In embodiments, the rail sections 164a and 164b are in accordance with MIL-STD-1913 or the NATO equivalent (STANAG 4694) as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. In alternative embodiments, the middle attachment region 150 includes an integral Picatinny rail in place of the illustrated slot interface.

In the illustrated embodiment, the forward end of each main housing 138 further includes a lanyard interface cup 170 configured to detachably and pivotally couple to a lanyard assembly 172. The lanyard assembly 172 may be of a type having a retractable cable 176 received within a housing 180 enclosing a spring loaded spool mechanism as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. In embodiments, the cable 176 is configured to secure devices such as night vision goggles (NVGs) (not shown) to the helmet 100. At the end of the cable 176 is an attachment clip 184 for detachably fastening the cable 176 to the device. In embodiments, the lanyard assembly 172 is a Wilcox NVG lanyard available from Wilcox Industries Corp. of Newington, New Hampshire.

The lanyard interface cup 170 is received within a complementary cavity or receptacle 188 formed in the housing 138. In embodiments, the cup 170 includes a mounting boss 192 extending from its base. In embodiments, boss 192 engages a complementary opening in the floor of the receptacle 188. In embodiments, the boss 192 and complementary opening are noncylindrical to prevent rotational movement between the boss 192 and the receptacle 188. In the illustrated embodiment, the boss 192 is illustrated as a flatted cylinder although other geometric configurations are also contemplated.

A threaded fastener 196 passes through a clearance opening 200 in the housing 138 which is coaxial with the receptacle 188. The threaded fastener 196 engages a tapped opening 204 in the boss 192. As used herein, the term “tapped opening” refers to an opening that is configured to engage a threaded fastener, including openings that are pre-tapped as well as openings that are configured to be tapped in situ by a self-tapping fastener. In embodiments, the opening 200 includes a counterbore or countersink for receiving the head of the fastener 196 to allow the housing to lie flush against the helmet 100.

As best seen in FIG. 9, each of the side and rear hooks, 144a and 144b include a generally vertical outer wall 208 and a generally vertical inner wall 212. The inner wall 212 is configured to engage an interior surface of the helmet brim 108. The outer and inner walls 208, 212 are joined at their bottom ends by a base 216 which forms a base of the channel 148. The grommet 152 includes a post 220 having a generally conical or barbed end, which engages an opening 224 in the base, wherein the barbed nature of the post allows it to be readily inserted through the opening 224 while resisting removal, thereby securing the grommet 152 in place.

The outer wall 208 includes an opening 228 configured to receive an aligned hook mounting boss 232 formed on the housing 138. In embodiments, the boss 232 and opening 228 are complementary and noncircular to resist rotation of the hooks 144a and 144b relative to the housing 138. In the illustrated embodiment, the hooks 144a, 144b are secured with a pair of threaded fasteners 236 to further resist rotation of the hooks relative to the housing 138. The threaded fasteners 236 pass through corresponding openings 240 in a hook retaining member 244 and threadably engage threaded openings in respective helical inserts helical inserts 248. The helical inserts 248, in turn, are received within corresponding openings 250 in the boss 232. In embodiments, the inserts helical inserts 248 are formed of stainless steel or other durable material.

Each of the hook outer walls 208 includes an upper end 252 configured to engage and secure a pulley assembly 256. Each pulley assembly 256 includes a pulley housing or frame 260 which rotatably receives a pulley wheel 264 having includes a peripheral groove, e.g., a V-shaped groove, for engaging the tensioning cable 140. Notches 266a and 266b are formed in the housing 138 to allow the cable 140 to pass into and out of the housing 138.

A threaded fastener 268 defines an axis of rotation of the pulley wheel 264 and threadably engages internal threads on a threaded insert 272. The threaded insert 272 is received within an opening 276 in the upper end 252 of the hook outer wall 208. The threaded insert 272 may be formed of stainless steel or other durable material. The threaded fastener 268 passes through openings 278 in the pulley housing 260 and a central opening 280 in the pulley wheel. In embodiments, the pulley wheel 264 is supported on bearings for smooth rotation and reduced friction. The bearings may be integrated into the pully wheel 264 or pulley housing 260. In embodiments, the pulley wheel 264 includes an integral ball bearing assembly, such as a sealed bearing cartridge. Other types of bearings, such as sleeve bearings are also contemplated. In embodiments, a locating pin 284 protrudes from the pulley housing 260 and engages an aligned opening 288 in the upper end 252 of the outer wall 208 to prevent rotation of the pulley assembly 256 in relation to the respective hook 144a, 144b.

The hooks 144a, 144b each include a helmet suspension mounting tab 290 extending from the hook inner wall 212. A threaded boss 292 is received through a complementary opening 296 formed in the helmet suspension mounting tab 290. In embodiments, the threaded boss 292 is formed of stainless steel or other durable material.

Referring now to FIG. 10, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-5 and 9, the manner of attaching the left and right ear bracket assemblies 132 to the helmet suspension system 112 is illustrated. Each of the straps 120 have a proximal end 300 coupled to the rear retention system 124 and a distal end 304 coupled to the chin strap 116. The proximal end 300 of each strap 120 is further coupled to a rear vertical strap 308. The distal end 304 of each strap 120 is further coupled to a front vertical strap 312. The front and rear vertical straps 312, 308 have fixed ends that are fastened to the straps 120 by stitching or any other suitable method.

Each of the front and rear vertical straps 312, 308 are further coupled to a suspension attachment tab 316. In embodiments, the tabs 316 are formed of a molded material. The distal end of each attachment tab 316 includes a clearance opening 320. The proximal end of each attachment tab 316 includes a buckle member 324, such as a tension locking ladder lock slider buckle. In embodiments, a strap keeper or retention loop 328 may be provided to retain the free end of each of the vertical suspension straps 308, 312.

The threaded boss 292 passes through the opening 296 in the helmet suspension mounting tab 290 (see FIG. 9). The boss 292 includes a flange to prevent it from passing entirely through the opening 290. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange is hexagonal in shape to allow the boss to be engaged by a tool for installation, adjustment, or removal. A threaded fastener 332 passes through the opening 296 in each of the tabs 290 and threadably engages internal threads of the respective threaded boss 292 to thereby secure the suspension system 112 to the left and right ear bracket assemblies 132.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, 9, and 10, the front shroud assembly 136 includes a pulley housing portion 336, a ratchet housing portion 340, and a front shroud housing portion 344. The pulley housing portion 336 comprises an upper housing shell portion 348 and a lower housing shell portion 352. A center shroud pulley assembly 356 is received within the pulley housing portion 336 and includes a pulley assembly housing 360 and a plurality of pulley wheels 364. The center shroud pulley assembly 356 is secured to the lower housing shell portion 352 via threaded fasteners 368 which pass through clearance openings 372 and engage threaded openings 376 in the center shroud pulley housing 360. One or more cable guide features 380 may be provided along the base of the pulley housing lower shell 352 to reduce friction and guide the cable into and out of the center shroud pulley assembly 356. A plurality of roll pins or spring pins 384 engage openings 388 in the upper housing shell 348 and aligned openings 392 in the lower housing shell 352 to secure the housing shells 348, 352 together.

The front shroud housing portion 344 includes an integral front shroud housing or frame 400 which receives an optic mount interface plate 404. The interface plate 404, in turn, is configured to detachably secure a helmet mount assembly configured for attaching a viewing device as would be understood in the art. Exemplary viewing devices include optical, optoelectronic, and digital viewing devices such as binoculars, night vision devices (NVDs) and enhanced NVDs, thermal imaging devices, augmented reality (AR) and head up displays (HUDs), and the like.

The interface plate 404 is secured to the frame 400 via threaded fasteners 408a and 408b which pass through clearance openings 412 in the frame 400 and threadably engage aligned threaded openings (not shown) on the rear side of the interface plate 404. In embodiments, the interface plate 404 is a Wilcox L4 optic mount interface manufactured by Wilcox Industries Corp. of Newington, New Hampshire. In embodiments, the interface plate may be as described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,775,395 and 10,264,840, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As best seen in FIG. 7, a front interface hook 416 includes first and second prongs 420, each comprising an outer wall 424 and an inner wall 428. The front interface hook 416 is configured to engage the front portion of the helmet brim 108. The outer and inner walls 424, 428 are joined at their bottom ends by a base 432 which forms a base of a channel 436. Each base 432 includes an opening 440 receiving a post 220 of a grommet 152, as described above.

The first and second prongs 420 are coupled to an interface plate portion 444. In embodiments, the interface plate portion 444 has an opening 448 which is configured to receive an aligned front hook mounting boss 452 (shown in phantom) formed on the rearward side of the frame 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded fasteners 408b further pass through aligned clearance openings 456 in the front hook interface plate 444.

The ratchet housing portion 340 includes a recessed area or receptacle 460 which receives a ratcheting assembly 464. The ratcheting assembly 464 is secured to the housing portion 340 via threaded fasteners 468 which pass through clearance openings 472 in the ratcheting assembly 464 and threadably engage aligned threaded openings 476 in the recess 460.

Referring now to FIG. 8, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-7, 9, and 10, the ratcheting assembly 464 includes upper and lower housing plates 480 and 484, respectively. The upper and lower housing plates 480, 484 are secured together via threaded fasteners 488 which pass through clearance openings 492 in the lower housing plate 484 and threadably engage aligned threaded openings 496 in the upper housing plate 480.

A manually actuatable tensioning knob 500 is disposed on the forward side of the upper ratcheting assembly housing plate 480 and includes a keyed post 504 extending through a central opening 508 in the upper ratcheting assembly housing plate 480. The post 500 passes through a complementary keyed central opening 516 in a ratchet spur gear 512 and a complementary keyed central opening 524 in a double entrance tensioning spool 520.

A flanged alignment bushing 528 passes through a central opening 532 in the lower ratcheting assembly housing plate 484. A threaded fastener 536 passes through a bore of the flanged alignment bushing 528, the opening 524 in the tensioning spool 520, the opening 516 in the ratchet spur gear 512, and the opening 508 in the upper ratcheting assembly housing plate 480 to threadably engage a threaded opening 540 in the keyed post 504. First and second anti-rotation pins 544 engage aligned openings 548 in the tensioning knob 500, aligned openings 552 in the ratchet spur gear 512, and aligned openings (not shown) in the tensioning spool 520 to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

The upper ratcheting assembly housing plate 480 includes a recess 556 defining an interior cavity of the ratcheting assembly. A ratchet gear lock member 560 is received within the recess 556. The ratchet gear lock member 560 includes a locking tooth or pawl 564 on a first arm 566, the locking tooth 564 configured to interlockingly engage with teeth on the ratchet spur gear 512 to prevent rotation of the tensioning spool 520 in the loosening direction, while permitting rotation of the tensioning spool 520 in the tightening direction

The ratchet gear lock member 560 is pivotal about a pivot pin 568 which passes through an opening 572 in the ratchet gear lock member 560 and engages an opening 576 in the upper ratcheting assembly housing plate 480. The ratchet gear lock member 560 includes a second arm 580 having a spring retaining portion 584 thereon. The spring retaining portion 584 receives a coil spring 588. A secondary recess 592 is formed in the base of the interior cavity 556 for accommodating the spring 588 and defines an upper edge or shoulder 596 that the upper end of the spring 588 bears against. A corresponding recess is provided in the lower ratcheting assembly housing plate 484 to similarly accommodate and provide a bearing surface for the spring 588, mirroring the recess 592 in the upper ratcheting assembly housing plate 480.

In operation, the upper end of the spring 588 bears against the edge 596 to urge the spring retaining portion 584 downward, which in turn biases the locking tooth 564 into engagement with the ratchet gear lock member 560. The locking tooth 564 and spur gear 512 are configured to allow the teeth of the spur gear 512 to move past the locking tooth 564 when the knob 500 is rotated in the tightening direction, compressing the spring 588 slightly, to thereby allow the cable tension to be tightened manually by rotating the knob 500 in the tightening direction while resisting rotation of the knob 500 in the loosening direction to keep the cable 140 tensioned.

The ratchet gear lock member 560 includes a second arm 600 which includes an actuator portion 604 which is pressable against the urging of the spring 588 to disengage the tooth 564 from the ratchet spur gear 512 to allow the tensioning knob 500 and spool 520 to be freely rotated. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of aligned channels 606a and 606b are formed in the upper and lower ratcheting assembly housing plates, respectively, which cooperate to define an access opening for receiving a tool to apply pressure against the actuator portion 604 to disengage the pawl 564 from the spur gear 512 when it is desired to de-tension the ratchet mechanism, e.g., for removal of the shroud system 130 from the helmet 100 or for other adjustment.

Openings or channels 608 formed in the lower ratcheting assembly housing plate 484 allow the ends of the tensioning cable 140 to pass into the interior cavity or recess 556 where they are secured to the tensioning spool 520. It will be recognized that other tensioning ratchet mechanisms are also contemplated, such as a knob having a pull up mechanism to manually disengage the locking mechanism or a ratcheting locking mechanism as described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 11,419,382 issued Aug. 23, 2022, and entitled “Modular Helmet System,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-3 and 6-10, a first end of the cable 140 is fixedly secured to the spool 520 within the ratcheting assembly 464. The cable 140 extends through a first opening 608 of the ratcheting assembly 464 and passes into the center shroud pulley assembly 356 and around a first center shroud pulley wheel 364a positioned within the center shroud pulley assembly housing 360. The cable 140 then passes out of the pulley assembly housing 360 and into the right side pulley assembly 256 where it passes around the right side pulley wheel 264. The cable 140 then passes out of the right side pulley assembly housing 264 and back into the center shroud pulley assembly housing 360 where it passes around second and third center shroud pulley wheels 364b and 364c. The cable 140 then passes back out of the pulley assembly housing 360 and into the right rear pulley assembly 256 where it passes around the right rear pulley wheel 264. The cable 140 then passes out of the right side pulley assembly housing 264 and back into the center shroud pulley assembly housing 360. The cable 140 then exits center shroud pulley assembly housing 360 on the opposite transverse side and passes into the left rear pulley assembly 256 where it passes around the left rear pulley wheel 264. The cable 140 then passes out of the left rear pulley assembly housing 264 and back into the center shroud pulley assembly housing 360 where it passes around fourth and fifth center shroud pulley wheels 364d and 364e. The cable 140 then passes back out of the pulley assembly housing 360 and into the left side pulley assembly 256 where it passes around the left side pulley wheel 264. The cable 140 then passes out of the pulley assembly housing 360 and through the second opening 608 into the ratcheting assembly 464, where the second end of the cable 140 is fixedly secured to the spool 520. When the adjustment knob 500 is rotated in a tightening direction, the spool is rotated to wind the cable 140 thereon, drawing the side helmet interface hooks 144a and rear helmet interface hooks 144b together, thereby tightening the boltless helmet shroud system 130 onto the helmet 100.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS FOUND IN THE DRAWINGS

• • 100 helmet
  • 104 shell
  • 108 brim
  • 112 helmet suspension system
  • 116 chin strap or cup
  • 120 retention strap or band
  • 124 rear retention system
  • 128 reserved
  • 130 boltless helmet shroud system
  • 132 left and right ear bracket assemblies
  • 136 center/front shroud assembly
  • 138 ear bracket housing
  • 140 tensioning serpentine cable
  • 144a side helmet interface hook
  • 144b rear helmet interface hook
  • 148 hook channel
  • 150 middle accessory attachment region
  • 152 grommet
  • 156 slots
  • 160 rear accessory attachment region
  • 164a rear Picatinny rail segment
  • 164b middle Picatinny rail segment
  • 170 lanyard interface cup
  • 172 lanyard assembly
  • 176 lanyard cable
  • 180 lanyard housing
  • 184 lanyard attachment clip
  • 188 lanyard housing receptacle
  • 192 lanyard cup mounting boss
  • 196 threaded fastener
  • 200 clearance opening
  • 204 tapped opening
  • 208 hook outer wall
  • 212 hook inner wall
  • 216 hook base
  • 220 grommet post
  • 224 hole in base
  • 228 opening in hook outer wall
  • 232 hook mounting boss
  • 236 threaded fasteners
  • 240 hook retainer
  • 244 hook retainer clearance openings
  • 248 helical inserts
  • 250 tapped openings in the hook mounting boss
  • 252 upper end of hook outer wall
  • 256 pulley assembly
  • 260 pully housing
  • 264 pulley wheel
  • 268 threaded fastener
  • 272 threaded insert
  • 276 pulley assembly attachment opening
  • 278 pulley housing openings
  • 280 central opening in pulley wheel
  • 284 locating pin
  • 288 opening receiving locating pin
  • 290 helmet suspension mounting tab
  • 292 threaded boss
  • 296 opening in helmet suspension mounting tab
  • 300 suspension strap proximal end
  • 304 suspension strap distal end
  • 308 rear vertical strap
  • 312 front vertical strap
  • 316 suspension attachment tabs
  • 320 attachment tab clearance opening
  • 324 attachment tab buckle
  • 328 keeper loop
  • 332 threaded fastener
  • 336 pulley housing portion
  • 340 ratchet housing portion
  • 344 front shroud housing portion
  • 348 pulley housing upper shell portion
  • 352 pulley housing lower shell portion
  • 356 center shroud pulley assembly
  • 360 center shroud pulley assembly housing
  • 364 center shroud pulley wheels
  • 368 threaded fasteners
  • 372 clearance openings
  • 376 threaded openings
  • 380 cable guide features
  • 384 roll pins
  • 388 openings in pulley housing portion upper housing shell
  • 392 openings in pulley housing portion lower housing shell
  • 400 integral front shroud frame
  • 404 optic mount interface plate
  • 408a threaded fasteners
  • 408b threaded fasteners
  • 412 clearance openings in integral front shroud frame
  • 416 front helmet interface hook
  • 420 first and second prongs
  • 424 outer wall
  • 428 inner wall
  • 432 base
  • 436 channel
  • 440 opening
  • 444 front hook interface plate
  • 448 opening in front hook interface plate
  • 452 front hook mounting boss
  • 456 clearance openings in front hook interface plate
  • 460 housing recess for ratcheting assembly
  • 464 ratcheting assembly
  • 468 threaded fasteners
  • 472 clearance openings in ratcheting assembly
  • 476 threaded openings in ratcheting housing portion recess
  • 480 upper ratcheting assembly housing plate
  • 484 lower ratcheting assembly housing plate
  • 488 threaded fasteners
  • 492 clearance openings in the lower ratcheting assembly housing plate
  • 496 threaded openings in the upper ratcheting assembly housing plate
  • 500 tensioning knob
  • 504 keyed post
  • 508 central opening in upper ratcheting assembly housing plate
  • 512 ratchet spur gear
  • 516 keyed opening in ratchet spur gear
  • 520 double entrance tensioning spool
  • 524 keyed opening in tensioning spool
  • 528 flanged alignment bushing
  • 532 central opening in the lower ratcheting assembly housing plate
  • 536 threaded fastener
  • 540 threaded opening in keyed post
  • 544 anti-rotation pins
  • 548 pin-receiving openings in the tensioning knob
  • 552 pin-receiving openings in the ratchet spur gear
  • 556 interior cavity/recess of ratcheting assembly
  • 560 ratchet gear lock member
  • 564 locking tooth
  • 566 first arm
  • 568 pivot pin
  • 572 pivot pin opening in ratchet gear lock member
  • 576 pivot pin-receiving opening in the upper ratcheting assembly housing plate
  • 580 second arm
  • 584 spring retaining portion
  • 588 coil spring
  • 592 secondary recess
  • 596 upper edge or shoulder of secondary recess
  • 600 ratchet gear lock member second arm
  • 604 ratchet gear lock member actuator portion
  • 606a recess in upper ratcheting assembly housing plate
  • 606b recess in lower ratcheting assembly housing plate
  • 608 openings in lower ratcheting assembly housing plate