The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 06, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 17, 1994
ITT Corporation, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
A quick release coupling apparatus and method used to connect and quickly disengage a night vision assembly from a pilot's helmet. The quick release coupling apparatus includes a locking element disposed on a pilot's helmet. An aperture is disposed on the night vision assembly to be attached to the pilot's helmet. The locking element of the pilot's helmet is passed into the aperture of the night vision assembly wherein the locking element is engaged and retained by a collet. The collet is biased against the locking element by a wire that is wrapped around the collet. As such, the collet engages the locking element and prevents the locking element from being withdrawn out of the night vision assembly, thereby firmly joining the night vision assembly to the pilot's helmet. Springs or similar repelling elements are disposed between the night vision assembly and the pilot's helmet. The springs act to bias the night vision assembly and pilot's helmet away from each other but the bias is checked by the presence of the locking element in the collet. To quickly separate the night vision assembly from the pilot's helmet, current is passed through the wire surrounding the collet until the structural integrity of the wire fails. With the wire broken, the collet is not biased against the locking element and the locking element no longer counter acts the force of the springs. Consequently, the springs quickly separate the night vision assembly from the pilot's helmet and propel the night vision assembly away from the pilot's helmet.