Night vision imaging system adapted for helmet mounting

Abstract

There is disclosed a night vision imaging system for mounting on a helmet. The helmet contains a visor having a slot into which is inserted a helmet mount assembly which can be vertically adjusted within the slot by means of a control mechanism including a rotatable knob. The mount assembly is an arcuate planar member conforming to the surface of the helmet and contains two 'U' shaped receptacles for receiving two pivots located on a central fork support frame. The fork frame has two adjacent tines which are secured within two slots contained in a gear box. Coupled to the gear box are right and left carriage assemblies which interface with the gear box by means of a first threaded shaft to afford eye relief adjustment and a second rod assembly to afford tilt adjustment. Each carriage assembly is symmetrically positioned on the right and left sides of the gear box assembly and are coupled to a first and a second unity power image intensifier telescope housing containing an image intensifier tube. The carriage assembly is coupled to the tube housing to move in a horizontal plane for eye relief by contacting either a right or left knob coupled to the threaded shaft at right and left sides. The gear box, carriage assemblies, and intensifier housing as supported by the fork frame, can be 'flipped-up' and away from the eyes of a user when the night vision system is not in use or can be 'flipped-down' in front of the user's eyes when in use.