Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for helmet used in tactical operation, and more particularly, to a retrofit apparatus for mounting accessories on the helmet.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART
Helmets are personal protective equipment used by combatants. Their materials and construction became more advanced as weapons became more and more powerful. Modern helmets have good non-ballistic protective qualities against threats, such as concussive shock waves from explosions.
In modern warfare, the helmet is no longer simply a device to prevent injury from fragments and impact. The helmets are widely recognized as a means to enhance the survivability capabilities of the soldier by integrating modular functionality in helmets, in which different devices can be attached to the helmet.
Modern combat operations require the use of advanced equipment that help military personnel to perform task more efficiently. For instance, use of cameras, video recorders, Night Vision Goggles (NVG) and monocular Night Vision Devices (NVD) are quite common in modern warfare.
Nowadays, modern combat helmets are modified and means for mounting these accessories are inserted into the helmets. For instance, combat helmets are modified to fit VAS shroud that can be used for mounting Night vision goggles or night vision devices. Similarly, SATANG rails are fitted on to helmets that act as a platform for mounting cameras, video cameras and other accessories, such as boom microphone and headsets.
A tactical communications system is a communications system that is used within, or in direct support of tactical forces and is designed to meet the requirements of changing tactical situations and varying environmental conditions, provides securable communications, such as voice, data, and video, among mobile users to facilitate command and control within, and in support of tactical forces. The communication system usually requires extremely short installation times, usually on the order of hours, in order to meet the requirements of frequent relocation.
In conventional design of rails all accessories must be fitted only over the V-rails or Shroud in Front as there is no additional provision for tactical visor fitting and counterweight system fitting. The conventional design of rails on the helmet allows a limited number of devices with standard design to be mounted on the rails. The present invention overcomes the aforementioned limitation by providing a Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (TRAX) that allows a wide range of device to be mounted on the tracked retrofit accessories exoskeleton and a Tracked Universal Block (TUB) assembly for mounting standard device on the tracked retrofit accessories exoskeleton.
The TRAX system has sliding underground tunnel to fit multiple accessories without occupying the space of the standard accessories. There is less limitation to fit multiple accessories simultaneously so track in TRAX is different and non-comparable with the standard rail systems.
The Tunnel in TRAX is designed such a way to Install and Uninstall the VISOR assembly /Mandible assembly in front and counterweight system in Back quickly in few seconds with instant Locking Spring Loaded Mechanism , space at Upper and lower ground locations under TUB .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus that facilitates mounting of accessories on a helmet is provided. The apparatus is an elongated ribbed exoskeleton structure 13 comprising a plurality of arms 14 radiating form opposite ends towards center; wherein the apparatus comprises one or more mounting member 17 elongated from the ribbed structure and meant to accept a complementary engagement member; wherein the mounting member comprises two elongated walls 21 running parallel and includes a recessed groove 22 on the outer face of the wall 21 to slide the complementary engagement member; wherein the apparatus is fitted on the helmet using a fastener or a screw.
In another aspect of the present invention, the complementary engagement member comprises two parallel walls 27 at the bottom of the complementary engagement member 24 corresponding to the parallel walls of the mounting member 21; wherein from the side of the parallel walls 27, a V-shaped elongated extension 28 runs at an angle, thereby creating a groove 29 between the parallel walls and the V-shaped elongated extension; wherein the V-shaped elongated extension 28 fits into the groove 22 at the outer face running along the walls 21 of the mounting member 17. A lock 30 is fixed at the bottom of complementary engagement member 24 using a screw 31, wherein the lock 30 has an extension slab 32 that gets fixed into the slot present in the mounting member 17.
In another aspect, the complementary engagement member is a Tracked Universal Block having top surface complementary to a PICA tiny Rial or a Standard rail.
In another aspect, the complementary engagement member is a visor Tracked Universal Block used to mount a visor on the apparatus; wherein the visor Tracked Universal Block comprises a button 35 at the top that works as a latch to open or close a spring 36 based lock mechanism; wherein the visor legs 34 are inserted into the space between the mounting member 17 and the visor tub 33, and get locked into it through the spring 36 based lock mechanism.
In another aspect, the complementary engagement member is a communication Tracked universal block to house a communication device, wherein the communication Tracked Universal Block comprises a base unit 44 which is complementary engagement unit for mounting on the mounting member 17 of the TRAX 13 assembly; and a supporting unit 45 is present at the top surface 46 of the base unit, said supporting unit 45 provides a housing for accommodating a pair of legs 47 that can be retract sideward to release or hold the ear device; a top cover 48 is fixed to the supporting unit using a screw to cover the housing unit.
The ribbed exoskeleton of the Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (apparatus) is preferably fabricated from nylon, polypropylene, or other synthetic plastic using injection molding processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The preferred embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, wherein like designation denote like element and in which:
Figure 1A and 1B illustrates a Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (TRAX) and a Tracked Universal Block (TUB) mounted on a helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a locking mechanism for locking the Tracked Universal Block (TUB) on the Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (TRAX), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3A and 3B illustrates mounting of a Tracked Universal Block (TUB) for mounting accessories designed for a standard rail, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4A and 4B illustrated mounting of a PICA type Tracked Universal Block for mounting accessories designed for a Pica tiny rail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 and figure 6 illustrates mounting of a visor or a mandible on the Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (TRAX) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates cross sectional view of a vandle TUB for mounting the visor or mandible on the Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (TRAX) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 illustrates a communication Tracked universal Block (Tub) for mounting a communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 illustrates exploded view of the communication Tracked universal Block (Tub) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 illustrates cross-sectional view of the communication Tracked universal Block (Tub) mounted on the Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (TRAX) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11A and figure 11B illustrates helmet with Tracked Universal Block (TUB) for mounting counterweight in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
Figure 12 illustrates a helmet with the Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (TRAX) mounted with the communication TUB, Visor and mandible mounted on the visor Tub, a shroud mounted on the helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment of invention. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in art that the embodiments of invention may be practiced with or without these specific details. In other instances well known methods, procedures and components have not been described in details, so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the invention.
Furthermore, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In order to overcome the disadvantage associated with prior art, the present invention provides a Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (TRAX) for retrofitting onto helmets used in military, tactical and combat operation. The TRAX system differs from the conventional rails wherein grooves for sliding the accessories are inside out as opposed to conventional rails where the grooves are outside in. The TRAX is fitted on to the helmets using fasteners and accessories can be mounted over the TRAX by sliding.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a Tracked Universal Block that slides over the Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (TRAX). The upper portion of the Tracked universal Block can be designed differently to resemble the structure of any known rail types, such as dovetail rail, the Weaver rail, and the Pica tinny rail, SOPMOD or SATNAG. The Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton enable the accessories compatible with any rail pattern to be mounted on the helmet.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides multiple shape of Tracked Universal Block for mounting different type of accessories on the Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a Vandle TUB assembly for mounting visor and mandible on the helmet.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a Com. TUB assembly for mounting a communication device on the Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton.
Referring to Figure 1A and 1B, a helmet 12 with a Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (TRAX) 13 is illustrated. The TRAX 13 is a ribbed armored exoskeleton structure comprises a plurality of arms 14 radiating form opposite ends towards center, the ribbed exoskeleton is preferably fabricated from nylon, polypropylene, or other synthetic plastic using injection molding processes. The TRAX 13 is positioned at the side wall of the helmet extending from the front of the side wall to the back. The TRAX 13 conforms to the shape of helmet 12 and stretched form the front to the back of the helmet in a continuous manner. The front portion 15 of the TRAX 13 runs parallel to the base of the helmet 12 from the front to the center of the side wall and at the center of the side wall near the ear potion, the TRAX 13 bent at an obtuse angle 16 and radiate towards the back of the helmet 12. The TRAX comprises one or mounting member 17 elongated from the ribbed structure which accepts a complementary engagement member. Figure 1A and 1B shows a first mounting member 18 present on the front portion 15 of the TRAX 13 and a second mounting member 19 present on the back portion 20 of the TRAX assembly 13. The mounting member 17 comprises two elongated wall 21 that run with parallel boundaries. The mounting member 17 includes a recessed groove 22 having both end open or at least one end open to slide the complementary engagement member. The parallel elongated walls 21 of the mounting member has a groove 22 on the outer face and running along the walls 21. The complementary engagement member with groove at the inside portion will engage the mounting member 17 at the outer face and slide over the mounting member 17. The Tracked retrofit accessories exoskeleton 13 is fitted on the helmet 12 using one or more fasteners and bolts 23.
Figure 2 illustrates the structure of Tracked Universal Block (TUB) 24 and a locking mechanism to lock the TUB 24 over the mounting member of the TRAX 13. The bottom of Tracked Universal Block 24 has two parallel walls 27 corresponding to the parallel walls of the mounting member 21. Form the side of the parallel walls 27, a V-shaped elongated extension 28 runs at an angle, thereby creating a groove 29 between the parallel walls and the V-shaped elongated extension. The V-shaped elongated extension 28 fits into the groove 22 at the outer face running along the walls 21 of the mounting member 17. A lock 30 is fixed at the bottom of TUB assembly 24 using a screw 31. The lock 30 has an extension slab 32 that gets fixed into the slot present in the mounting member 17 that prevents the slippage of the TUB 24 over the TRAX 13.
Referring to figure 3A – 3B and 4A - 4B, the complementary engagement members are shown engaging with the mounting member 17 on the TRAX 13. The complementary engagement members are Tracked Universal Block (TUB) 24 that slides over the mounting member 17 and lock with the Tracked retrofit accessories exoskeleton (TRAX) 13. Figure 2A and 2B shows the engagement of a standard Tracked Universal Block (TUB) 25 and figure 3A and 3B shows the engagement of a Pica tiny Tracked Universal Block (TUB) 26 over the TRAX 13. The standard TUB 25, Picatiny Tub 26 and other type of TUB engagement member can be mounted on the TRAX 13 assembly to match the compatible accessories. The Tracked Universal Block 25 is slided over the TRAX 13, and between them a space is created in which the extension arms of mounting member can rest, so that the extension arms does not create any hindrance to mounting of another TUB assembly. In the conventional rails, the extension arm of mounting member took the space of rail and thus prevents mounting of other assembly.
Referring to figure 5 and figure 6, it illustrates a visor TUB 33 for mounting a visor on Tracked retrofit accessories exoskeleton 13 unit fitted on a helmet 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The visor TUB 33 has a structure similar to the standard TUB 25 and the Pica TUB 26 at the bottom for sliding over the mounting member 17 of the TRAX 13 assembly. The visor legs 34 get slide into the visor TUB 33 and gets locked into the visor TUB 33. The visor TUB 33 has a button 35 at the top that works as a latch to open or close a spring 36 based lock mechanism. After sliding the visor TUB 33 over the mounting member 17, the visor TUB 33 is stationed on the mounting member 17. The visor legs 34 are inserted into the space between the mounting member 17 and the visor tub 33, and get locked into it through the spring 36 based lock mechanism. A gas pin mask 37 is inserted into the grooves of the Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton 13.
Referring to figure 6, the visor TUB 33 is put in position over the mounting member 17, the visor legs 34 are slided into the visor TUB 33. The visor legs 34 when inserted into the visor TUB 33, passed into the space between the visor TUB 33 and the mounting member 17. The mounting member 17 connects to the engagement member from outside, therefore the visor leg 34 between the visor TUB 33 and mounting member 17 does not act against the mounting of other mounting accessories.
Referring to Figure 7, a cross-section of the visor TUB 33 is shown to illustrate the locking mechanism of the visor legs 34 into the visor TUB 33 assembly. The TRAX 13 is fitted on the side wall of the helmet 12. The visor TUB 33 is mounted on the mounting member 17 of the TRAX 13 assembly and the visor 38 is mounted on the helmet 12 wherein the legs 34 of the visor is locked into the visor TUB 33. The cross-section of the visor TUB at plane B-B is shown. The v-shaped grooves of the visor TUB 29 gets fitted over the parallel walls 27 of the mounting member 17 and inner surface of the v-shaped groove slide over the outer surface of the parallel wall. The visor TUB 33 has a round button 35 at the top, the button 35 is extended downward in a continuous manner towards the bottom face. The bottom of the visor TUB 33 has a supporting member 39 through which the other end of the button passes and pressed on the supporting surface 40 of the mounting member 17. A spring 36 is present between the supporting member 39 and the top surface of the visor tub 33. The spring 36 support the button 35 and in relaxed state, presses the bottom leg 41 of the button 35 over the supporting surface 40 of the mounting member 17. The button 35 is pulled to retract the spring 36 and forcing the bottom leg 41 away from the supporting surface 40 of the mounting member 17. The legs 34 of the visor 38 is passed between the supporting surface 40 of the mounting member and bottom leg 41 of the button, when the button 35 is pulled upward to retract the spring. The button 35 is then released to release the tension in the spring 36 thereby pushing the bottom leg 41 of the button over the supporting surface 40 of the mounting member, thus locking the visor legs 34 in the visor TUB 33.
Referring to figure 8, 9 and 10, a communication TUB 42 on the TRAX 13 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of present invention. Referring to figure 8, a helmet 12 with the TRAX 13 fitted on the sidewall is shown. The TRAX 13 is mounted with the visor TUB 33 on which the visor 38 and a mandible 43 is snapped into. The communication TUB 42 for mounting accessories for communication purpose can be slided on the mounting member 17 of the TRAX 13. The communication TUB 42 has complementary engagement member at the bottom side which slides over the groves 22 on the mounting member 17 and gets fixed.
Figure 9 illustrates exploded view of the communication Tracked Universal Block (TUB) 42 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The communication TUB 42 comprises a base unit 44 which is complementary engagement unit for mounting on the mounting member 17 of the TRAX 13 assembly. The bottom of the base unit 44 has a structure complementary to the mounting member 17 with grooves for sliding over the mounting member. A supporting unit 45 is present at the top surface 46 of the base unit. The supporting unit 45 provides a housing for accommodating a pair of legs 47 that can be retract sideward to release or hold the ear device. A top cover 48 is fixed to the supporting unit using a screw to cover the housing unit.
Figure 10 shows the cross-section of the communication TUB 42 mounted on the TRAX 13 at plane C-C. The bottom of the base unit 44 is engaged with the mounting member 17 of the TRAX. The pair of legs 47 can be rotated in outward direction to release the headphones meant for communication purpose, whereas inside rotation hold the headphone against the user ear.
Figure 11A and figure 11B illustrates helmet with Tracked Universal Block (TUB) for mounting counterweight in accordance with an embodiment of present invention. In order to compensate for the weights of accessories mounted over front part of the helmet, counterweights are added at the back side of the helmet. For mounting Tracked Universal Block (TUB) 61 for counterweight, the lower part of the second mounting member is used. The TUB 61 is slided over the second mounting member and locked at the lower portion of the second mounting member. An extension arm 62 is inserted into the TUB 61 and locked into the TUB 61. The extension arm 62 comprises groove for fixing strap 63 into the extension arm 62. The strap 63 is attached to counterweight 64. The TUB is fixed on the lower arm of the second mounting member, therefore, upper portion of the second mounting member is free to use for other accessories.
Figure 12 illustrates a TRAX assembly mounted with a visor, a communication TUB, a gas mask pin and a shroud unit. The helmet 12 has a Tracked Retrofit Accessories Exoskeleton (TRAX) 13 fixed on the side of the helmet. The communication TUB 42 (Tracked Universal Block) is mounted on the TRAX 13 by sliding from the right end. The visor TUB 33 is mounted on the front side of the TRAX 13 by sliding over the mounting member of the TRAX. The visor legs 34 are inserted into the visor TUB 33, and the mandible 43 is fixed to the visor TUB 33 through screw 49. At the front of the helmet, a shroud 50 is fitted through screw for mounting other accessories. The gas pin mask 37 is inserted into the groves of TRAX.
, Claims:1. A apparatus that facilitates mounting of accessories on a helmet comprising:
an elongated ribbed exoskeleton structure 13 comprising a plurality of arms 14 radiating form opposite ends towards center;
wherein the apparatus comprises one or more mounting member 17 elongated from the ribbed structure and meant to accept a complementary engagement member;
wherein the mounting member comprises two elongated walls 21 running parallel and includes a recessed groove 22 on the outer face of the wall 21 to slide the complementary engagement member;
wherein the apparatus is fitted on the helmet using a fastener or a screw.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the complementary engagement member comprises two parallel walls 27 at the bottom of the complementary engagement member 24 corresponding to the parallel walls of the mounting member 21; wherein from the side of the parallel walls 27, a V-shaped elongated extension 28 runs at an angle, thereby creating a groove 29 between the parallel walls and the V-shaped elongated extension.;
wherein the V-shaped elongated extension 28 fits into the groove 22 at the outer face running along the walls 21 of the mounting member 17.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a lock 30 is fixed at the bottom of complementary engagement member 24 using a screw 31, wherein the lock 30 has an extension slab 32 that gets fixed into the slot present in the mounting member 17.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the complementary engagement member is a Tracked Universal Block having top surface complementary to a PICA tiny Rial or a Standard rail.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the complementary engagement member is a visor Tracked Universal Block used to mount a visor on the apparatus;
wherein the visor Tracked Universal Block comprises a button 35 at the top that works as a latch to open or close a spring 36 based lock mechanism;
wherein the visor legs 34 are inserted into the space between the mounting member 17 and the visor tub 33, and get locked into it through the spring 36 based lock mechanism
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the complementary engagement member is a communication Tracked universal block to house a communication device, wherein the communication Tracked Universal Block comprises a base unit 44 which is complementary engagement unit for mounting on the mounting member 17 of the TRAX 13 assembly; and a supporting unit 45 is present at the top surface 46 of the base unit, said supporting unit 45 provides a housing for accommodating a pair of legs 47 that can be retract sideward to release or hold the ear device; a top cover 48 is fixed to the supporting unit using a screw to cover the housing unit.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ribbed exoskeleton is preferably fabricated from nylon, polypropylene, or other synthetic plastic using injection molding processes.