DESC:COUNTERWEIGHT ATTACHMENT APPARATUS

FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates generally to a helmet. Particularly, the present subject matter relates to a counterweight attachment apparatus having counterweights and battery mounted to a helmet.

BACKGROUND
[002] Headgears are used in various endeavors, such as sports, police and military applications. Typically, military and police personnel carry a variety of accessories, such as Night Vision Devices (NVD), lamps, face visors, oxygen masks, and cameras, during duet. Such accessories provide additional capability to the headgear and/or additional protection to a wearer of the headgear. One of major problems comes during mounting of said accessories, the extra weight of the accessory causes the helmet to tilt forward and cause fatigue to the user's neck.
[003] Existing solution to the above problems is given in the prior arts is that accessory battery pouch is used, to mount the battery to the helmet shell and the battery pouch is affixed to the helmet shell with the help of a hock and loop, but a soldier runs in an emergency condition the battery pouch may move or fall off.
[004] Thus, there is need to solve the above discussed problems and the solution to the above problems has been proposed in the present subject matter by mounting one or more counterweights over the helmet shell.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[005] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a counterweight attachment apparatus for mounting a plurality of counterweights and a battery pouch/box, to a helmet.
[006] Another object of the present invention is to provide the counterweight attachment apparatus with a provision for mounting at least one counterweight to the helmet shell to balance weight of mounting accessories.
[007] Another object of the present invention is to provide the counterweight attachment apparatus with a provision to mount or fix a battery pouch/box to the helmet shell.
[008] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide the counterweight attachment apparatus having a provision of a hole provided in the counterweight to mount another counterweight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[009] In accordance with a main aspect of the present invention, a counterweight attachment apparatus comprising a key way slot on first end and another on second end. Further, the counterweight attachment apparatus comprises a plurality of holes in a central section. Further, a plurality of counterweights coupled to the plurality of holes, for providing a counter balance to a multiple accessory connector assembly on a helmet shell/helmet.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the counterweight attachment apparatus equal to a radius of curvature of the helmet shell/helmet from a first end to a second end. The counterweight attachment apparatus material as metal, non -mental, polymer, elastomer, metallic alloy, composites, carbon and hybrid compounds.
[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the key way slot includes a passage/groove for a lock to couple the counterweight attachment apparatus to the multiple accessory connector assembly and provide movement along a passage/groove to counter balance the multiple accessory connector assembly. Further, the the key way slot provides coupling of a battery pouch/bag to the counterweight attachment apparatus. The lock may include screws, adhesive strips, heat welding studs, a vacuum lock, a moulding nut and bolt.
[0012] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the the plurality of counterweights comprises a counterweight head for balancing the counter weights of the multiple accessory connector assembly. Further, the plurality of counterweights comprises a screw on a proximal end of the counterweight head, for couple with the plurality of holes. Further, the plurality of counterweights comprises a central hole for a screw of the counterweight on a distal end.
[0013] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the counterweight head include a tapered corner to remove any sharp corners and allow a user to differentiate each of the counterweight. The central hole includes an internal screw thread to couple additional counterweights on top of each other. The plurality of counterweights when coupled to the additional counterweights redistribute the counter weight of the multiple accessory connector assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference features and components. Some embodiments of apparatus or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a counterweight attachment apparatus, according to an embodiment.
[0016] FIGS. 2A-C illustrates an isometric view of a counterweight for the counterweight attachment apparatus, according to an embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the counterweights attached to the counterweight attachment apparatus, according to an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the counterweight attachment apparatus mounted or attached to a multiple accessory connector assembly on a helmet shell/helmet, according to an embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a battery pouch/bag affixed to the helmet via the counterweight attachment apparatus, according to an embodiment.
[0020] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0022] Although any apparatus and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the preferred, apparatus and methods are now described. Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.
[0023] In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrations specific aspects or examples. These aspects may be combined, other aspects may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
[0024] The present subject matter relates to a counterweight attachment apparatus to provide an attachment means for a plurality of counterweights to a helmet. The plurality of counter weights is configured to provide a counter balance for a plurality of mounting accessories on the helmet. Furthermore, a key way slot may provide in the counterweight attachment apparatus for mounting to the helmet. In an embodiment, the counterweight attachment apparatus may provide a plurality of configuration of the plurality of counterweights for balancing the mounting accessories weight. In another embodiment, the counterweight attachment apparatus is configured to provide a slotted key way for coupling various size helmet.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a counterweight attachment apparatus (100), according to an embodiment. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) may be casted from a plurality of material such as metal, non -mental, polymer, elastomer, metallic alloy, composites, carbon and hybrid compounds etc. In an embodiment, the counterweight attachment apparatus (100) may be casted from a single mold or from a sheet metal. For example, the sheet metal operations may be Shearing, Blanking, Punching, Piercing, Trimming, or Drawing Operations. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) may be coupled to a rear portion of a helmet. Further, the counterweight attachment apparatus (100) may be straight or may be curved from a first end (102) to a second end (104). Thus, a radius of curvature from the first end (102) to the second end (104), may be equal to a radius of curvature of the helmet. Further, the first end (102) to the second end (104) may be trimmed as a semi circular curve or may be tapered, to remove sharp corners.
[0026] In some embodiments, the counterweight attachment apparatus (100) may comprise at least a key way slot (106) one on first end (102) and another on second end (104). The key way slot (106) may be rectangular slot having a semi-circular end. The key way slot (106) is configured to provide a passage/groove for a lock (not shown). The lock is configured to couple the counterweight attachment apparatus (100) to the helmet. The lock may be screws, adhesive strips, heat welding studs, a vacuum lock, a moulding nut and bolt etc. Further, the lock position may be adjusted along the passage of the key way slot (106) at least based on a size of the helmet. The size of the helmets may be characterized as Small, Medium, Large, and X-large. In some embodiments, the nut may be integrated into the helmet and the screw for locking may pass through the key way slot (106), to lock the counterweight attachment apparatus (100) to the helmet.
[0027] In some embodiment, the counterweight attachment apparatus (100) may be configured to move inside the key way slot (106) to adjust a counter balance of the mounting accessories weight. It may be noted that the adjustment done by moving inside the key way slot (106) may be done without adding any extra counter weight to the counterweight attachment apparatus (100).
[0028] In some embodiments, the counterweight attachment apparatus (100) may comprise a plurality of holes (108) in a central section (110). The plurality of holes (108) may be drilled or extruded along the central section (110) of the counterweight attachment apparatus (100). It may be noted that the plurality of holes (108) may be equally spaced in one embodiment or in a ratio in another embodiment. Further, the plurality of holes (108) may include screw thread on an inner surface of the holes (108) for a plurality of removable counter weights (not shown).
[0029] FIGS. 2A-C illustrates a counterweight (200) for the counterweight attachment apparatus (100), according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric view of a counterweight (200) for the counterweight attachment apparatus (100), according to an embodiment. FIG. 2B illustrates a back view of the counterweight (200) for the counterweight attachment apparatus (100), according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a counterweight (200) for the counterweight attachment apparatus (100), according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A may be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2B-2C.
[0030] In some embodiment, the counterweight (200) further comprises a counterweight head (202) having a screw (204) on a proximal end (208) and a central hole (not shown) for a screw (204) of the counterweight (200) on a distal end (210). The counterweight head (202) may be circular, triangle, rectangle or any other shape etc. The head (202) includes a weight to act as the counterweight (200). For example, the counterweight head (202) may have a defined weight such as 50 gm, 100 gm, 150 gm etc. Further, the screw (204) includes a screw thread to lock the counterweight (200) via the plurality of holes (108) on the counterweight attachment apparatus (100). The screw thread (206) is configured to tighten the counterweight (200) to the counterweight attachment apparatus (100), to counter the front weight of a multiple accessory connector assembly (not shown) on a helmet shell/helmet. For example, the screw (204) may be rotated in clockwise or anticlockwise to lock or unlock the counterweight (200) from the counterweight attachment apparatus (100). Also, the screw (204) may be aliened along a central axis of X-X and Y-Y, as shown in FIG. 2B. Furthermore, the counterweight head (202) may include a tapered corner (212) to remove any sharp corners, as shown in FIG. 2C. Also, the tapered corner (212) may provide a gap at the corners for a user to differentiate each of the counterweights (200). Further, the central hole for the screw (204) on a distal end (210), of the counterweight head (202) is configured to add at least one counterweight (200). The central hole includes an internal screw thread to couple additional counterweights on top of each other For example, the central hole includes an inner screw thread to allow coupling of the screw (204) of another counterweigh (200) by rotating in clockwise or anticlockwise to lock or unlock another counterweight (200). Also, the plurality of counterweights (200) when coupled to the additional counterweights redistribute the counter weight of the multiple accessory connector assembly (402).
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the counterweights (200) attached to the counterweight attachment apparatus (100), according to an embodiment. The counterweighs (200) may be coupled to the counterweight attachment apparatus (100), via the plurality of holes (108). Further, the counterweights may be coupled in plurality of arrangements to balance weight of the multiple accessory connector assembly on the helmet shell/helmet. In some embodiments, a central hole (302) for the screw (204) on a distal end (210), of the counterweight (200). The central hole (302) includes an inner screw thread to allow coupling of the screw (204) of another counterweigh (200) by rotating in clockwise or anticlockwise to lock or unlock another counterweight (200). In an exemplary embodiment, the counterweighs (200) are arranged at least one in each of the plurality of holes (108) and an additional counterweigh in a middle to balance weight of the multiple accessory connector assembly on the helmet shell/helmet. It may be noted that the arrangement as shown in the FIG. 3 is not limiting in nature and a variety of arrangement may be considered until the counter balanced weight configuration is achieved for multiple accessory connector assembly on the helmet shell/helmet.
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the counterweight attachment apparatus (100) mounted or attached to a multiple accessory connector assembly (402) on the helmet shell/helmet, according to an embodiment. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) may be coupled at the rear end of the multiple accessory connector assembly (402). Further, the multiple accessory connector assembly (402) may include a housing (404) for the screw (204) to lock the counterweight attachment apparatus (100). It may be noted that the counterweight attachment apparatus (100) may be moved along the lock for further adjustment of the counter weight balance with respect to multiple accessory connector assembly (402).
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a battery pouch/bag (502) affixed to a helmet (504) via the counterweight attachment apparatus (100) on multiple accessory connector assembly (402), according to an embodiment. The helmet (504) may include the multiple accessory connector assembly (402). The multiple accessory connector assembly (402) may couple to the battery pouch/bag (502) via the counterweight attachment apparatus (100). The battery pouch/bag (502) may include a strap (506) with a hook (508) at the end. The strap (506) with the hook (508) is configured to couple the battery pouch/bag (502) via the key way slot (106) to the multiple accessory connector assembly (402).
[0034] This disclosure described some embodiments of the present technology with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only some of the possible aspects were described. Other aspects can, however, be embodied in many different forms and the specific embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary aspects were provided so that this disclosure was thorough and complete and fully conveyed the scope of the other possible aspects to those skilled in the art. For example, aspects of the various embodiments disclosed herein may be modified and/or combined without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0035] Although specific aspects were described herein, the scope of the technology is not limited to those specific aspects. One skilled in the art will recognize other aspects or improvements that are within the scope and spirit of the present technology. Therefore, the specific structure, acts, or media are disclosed only as illustrative aspects. The scope of the technology is defined by the following claims and any equivalents therein.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A counterweight attachment apparatus (100) comprising:
a key way slot (106) on first end (102) and another on second end (104); and
a plurality of holes (108) in a central section (110),
wherein a plurality of counterweights (200) coupled to the plurality of holes (108), for providing a counter balance to a multiple accessory connector assembly (402) on a helmet shell/helmet (504).

2. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counterweight attachment apparatus (100)
equal to a radius of curvature of the helmet shell/helmet (504) from a first end (102) to a second end (104).

3. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counterweight attachment apparatus (100)
material as metal, non -mental, polymer, elastomer, metallic alloy, composites, carbon and hybrid compounds.

4. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key way slot (106)
include a passage/groove for a lock to couple the counterweight attachment apparatus (100) to the multiple accessory connector assembly (402); and
provide movement along a passage/groove to counter balance the multiple accessory connector assembly (402).

5. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the key way slot (106)
provide coupling of a battery pouch/bag (502) to the counterweight attachment apparatus (100).

6. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lock comprises:
screws, adhesive strips, heat welding studs, a vacuum lock, a moulding nut and bolt.

7. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of counterweights (200) comprises:
a counterweight head (202) for balancing the counter weights of the multiple accessory connector assembly (402);
a screw (204) on a proximal end (208) of the counterweight head (202), for couple with the plurality of holes (108); and
a central hole (302) for a screw (204) of the counterweight (200) on a distal end (210).

8. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the counterweight head (202)
include a tapered corner (212) to remove any sharp corners and allow a user to differentiate each of the counterweight (200).

9. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the central hole (302)
include an internal screw thread to couple additional counterweights on top of each other.

10. The counterweight attachment apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of counterweights (200) when coupled to the additional counterweights redistribute the counter weight of the multiple accessory connector assembly (402).