TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to a protective helmet designed to protect the user from potential impacts. More particularly, this disclosure is related to a helmet having means for preventing fogging in the faceplate, means for heating the interior of the helmet, means for safety lighting on the helmet, means for clearing water from a faceplate of the helmet, and means for establishing a communication link beyond the helmet.
BACKGROUND
As is known in the art, helmets are injection-molded polycarbonate or fiberglass reinforced with Kevlar or carbon fiber shells for protection in a variety of different sports and occupations. The sports and occupations include, for example, snowmobile, motorcycle and bicycle riding, football, baseball, horse riding, ice hockey, firefighting, heavy construction, etc. FIG. 1 is a side view illustration of a helmet of the prior art. The helmet has a molded polycarbonate or fiberglass shell 10. In various implementations, the helmet has a faceplate 15 connected to the polycarbonate or fiberglass shell 10 through a flip-up mechanism 20. The flip-up mechanism allows the faceplate 15 to rotate upwards to expose the face and downwards for protecting the face and eyes.
FIG. 2 is a bottom view illustration of a helmet of the prior art. The helmet's shell looking from the bottom view, shows the protective padding 25a, 25b, and 25c of the helmet. The protective padding 25a, 25b, and 25c provides cushioning of the head while riding over rough terrain or receiving a shock to the helmet.
While the helmet provides protection from shock to the head of the helmet's wearer, the helmets as currently constructed do not provide means for heating the interior of the helmet, safety lighting on the helmet, removing water from a faceplate of the helmet, or for establishing a communication link from the helmet.
SUMMARY
An object of this disclosure is to provide a helmet that includes multiple unique components for providing safety and comfort for a person wearing the helmet.
Another object of this disclosure is to provide a helmet having input and output ducting channels to afford air circulation within the helmet for eliminating moisture or frost from a faceplate attached to the helmet to allow the person wearing the helmet to have improved vision through a faceplate of the helmet. In some embodiments, a heating element warms the circulating air for warmth in extremely cold weather.
Another object of this disclosure is to provide a battery for powering a fan for generating the air circulation and for powering heating elements for heating the interior of the helmet, and removing moisture and frost from the faceplate of the helmet.
Another object of this disclosure is to provide a wiper apparatus for clearing water from the faceplate's exterior surface.
Another object of this disclosure is providing the faceplate with a photochromic material for causing the lightening and darkening of the faceplate dependent upon the ambient light for improving the vision of the wearer of the helmet.
Another object of this disclosure is providing a communication system with a pair of audio headphones and a microphone mounted within the helmet and in communication with a transceiver mounted to the shell of the helmet for communication with another radio transceiver remote to the helmet for communication with other transceivers on the communication system for allowing early warning of danger to the wearer of the helmet.
To accomplish at least one of these objects, a helmet has a shell formed of thermoplastics such as ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), polycarbonate, or blends of the two thermoplastics. In various embodiments, the helmet has a shell formed of composite materials made of fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber, and other composite blends of fibers and resin.
In various embodiments, the mold forming the helmet has features that form ducting channels in the helmet's shell for air circulation, ducting channels for heating elements, or electrical wiring for other functions. The electrical wiring is connected to heating elements for heating the helmet.
In various other embodiments, the features for forming the ducting channels are fabricated separately and adhered to the interior or exterior surface of the helmet's shell.
The helmet has a fan for receiving air from at least one ducting channel formed in the helmet's shell. The fan circulates the air to a faceplate of the helmet through an exhaust ducting channel to curtail fogging of the faceplate. The fan is connected to a rechargeable battery placed at the rear of the helmet shell in a compartment formed in an area isolated from a protective foam that protects the wearer's head.
In various embodiments, the features formed in the molding are ducting channels with openings to the exterior of the helmet to allow the circulated air to be exhausted from the helmet. The heat from the heating element is controlled by variable resistors such as rheostats.
The rechargeable battery is connected to a battery charger that resides in the compartment with the rechargeable battery. The battery charger is connected to an external connector that is plugged to an external power source for power to charge the battery.
In various embodiments, the faceplate is formed of a transparent polycarbonate material coated with a photochromic material. The photochromic material changes the shading of the faceplate, dependent upon the ambient lighting.
In various embodiments, the helmet includes a red rear safety light and a white front light for illumination in reduced lighting situations. The rear safety light and the front illumination light are connected to the battery by way of a switch mounted on one side of the helmet. The switch allows the operator to selectively turn on the rear safety light and the front illumination light.
In various embodiments, the helmet has a wiper configured for removing precipitation from the faceplate when the person wearing the helmet is operating a snowmobile in inclement weather.
In various other embodiments, the helmet has a radio transceiver installed within the helmet and is in communication with an exterior radio transceiver such as a radio transceiver for communication with other transceivers on the communication system. The radio transceiver is a Bluetooth configured transceiver or any other similar radio transceiver. The radio transceiver is also in communication with a pair of speakers mounted within the helmet and a microphone mounted within the helmet to allow two-way communication with the external radio transceiver.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view illustration of a helmet of the prior art.
FIG. 2 is a bottom view illustration of a helmet of the prior art.
FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of a helmet showing a heating/ventilation arrangement including ducting channels connected with a series of openings for providing airflow to a fan embodying the principles of this disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a grouping of illustrations (FIGS. 4A1-4A3, 4B1-4B3) as cross-sectional views of FIG. 3 showing examples of the ducting channels formed within the helmet's shell embodying the principles of this disclosure.
FIG. 5 illustrates a left side view of a helmet showing an anti-fogging arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure.
FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of a snowmobile helmet showing a faceplate anti-fogging arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure.
FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a helmet showing an embodiment of the heating arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure.
FIG. 8 illustrates a back view of a helmet showing an access port and connectors for a battery compartment of the helmet embodying the principles of this disclosure.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrations respectively of the front and left side views of a helmet illustrating a faceplate wiper apparatus embodying the principles of this disclosure.
FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a snowmobile helmet, exemplifying a faceplate with photochromic properties for protecting the vision of the wearer, embodying the principles of this disclosure.
FIG. 11 is an illustration of a top view of a snowmobile exemplifying the front illumination light and rear safety light embodying the principles of this disclosure.
FIG. 12 is a top cross-sectional view of a helmet illustrating the interior of the helmet with a Bluetooth communication system with a microphone, a pair of headphones, and a transceiver embodying the principles of this disclosure
FIG. 13 is a schematic of the electrical connections for the faceplate wiper apparatus and the anti-fogging and heating arrangements of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure.
FIGS. 14A and 14B is a flowchart for a method of assembly of a helmet embodying the principles of this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of a helmet 100 showing a heating/ventilation arrangement including ducting channels 125 connected to a series of openings for providing airflow to a fan 135 embodying the principles of this disclosure. The helmet 100 has a helmet liner 105 covering the edge of the helmet shell 100 to provide cushioning as the helmet rests on the shoulder. The helmet has a faceplate 110 that acts as a safety shield for the wearer's eyes.
Above the faceplate 110 are series of openings or a grating 120 formed in the shell 100 of the helmet to act as ventilation openings 120 to allow air 115 to enter the helmet's interior. Air transmission ducting channels 125 are formed in or adhered to the shell 100 of the helmet. The air transmission ducting channels 125 allow the air 115 to be guided to the fan 135 for redistribution within the helmet. A distal end of the ducting channel 125 is placed at the opening or grating 120 formed in the shell 100. Heating elements 130 are placed on or in at least one of the ducting channels 125.
FIG. 4 is a grouping of illustrations (FIGS. 4A1-4A3, 4B1-4B3) as cross-sectional views of FIG. 3 showing examples of the ducting channels 125 of FIG. 3. formed within the shell 100 of the helmet embodying the principles of this disclosure. In FIG. 4A1, ducting channels 125a and 125b are formed as a semicircular shape and adhered to the interior of the shell 100. Heating elements 130a and 130b are formed and adhered to ducting channels 125a and 125b for heating the air passing through ducting channels 125a and 125b. In FIG. 4B1, the ducting channels 125c and 125d are similarly formed as a semicircular shape formed as a component of the shell 100. Heating elements 130c and 130d are formed and adhered to the ducting channels 125c and 125d for heating the air passing through the ducting channels 125c and 125d.
In FIG. 4A2, the ducting channels 125e and 125f are formed as circular tubing and adhered to the interior of the shell 100. Heating elements 130e and 130f are assembled and attached within the ducting channels 125e and 125f for heating the air passing through the ducting channels 125e and 125f. In FIG. 4B2, the ducting channels 125g and 125h are similarly shaped as a rectangle with rounded ends formed as a component of the shell 100. Heating elements 130g and 130h are formed in a tubular shape and adhered to the ducting channels 125g and 125h for heating the air passing through the ducting channels 125c and 125d.
In FIG. 4A3, the ducting channels 125i and 125j are shaped like a rectangle with rounded ends adhered to the shell 100. Heating elements 130i and 130j are formed and placed to the ducting channels 125i and 125j for heating the air passing through the ducting channels 125i and 125j. In FIG. 4B1, the ducting channels 125k and 125l are shaped as a rectangle with rounded ends that are adhered within the component of the shell 100. Heating elements 130k and 130l are formed and attached within the interior of the ducting channels 125k and 125l for heating the air passing through the ducting channels 125k and 125l.
FIG. 5 illustrates a left side view of a helmet showing an anti-fogging arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure. FIG. 5 shows a ducting channel 125 within the shell 100 of the helmet. The ducting channel 125 is connected to the grating 120 through which the air 115 is directed to fan 135. The ducting channel 125, in some embodiments, has a heating element 130 of FIG. 3 for heating the air 115. The air 115 (heated or not) passes through the fan 135 and flows as air 140 is forced to the front of the helmet shell 100 to eliminate the faceplate's fogging 110. The air having stopped the faceplate 110 fogging is forced from a vent 150 situated above the faceplate 110 within the shell 100. The air then joins a stream of air 155 that passes over the helmet shell 100.
A battery 145 that is preferably a rechargeable battery is placed in a compartment at the rear portion of the helmet shell 100. The battery charger is discussed hereinafter in FIG. 8.
A series of controls (160, 165, 170, and 220) provide controls for the helmet's functions. The fan 135 is connected to have its speed controlled from off to full speed by the switched rheostat 160 for eliminating any fogging from the faceplate 110.
FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of a helmet showing a faceplate anti-fogging arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the ducting channels may have an intake ducting channel 125a and an output ducting channel 125b. The intake ducting channel 125a provides external air 115 from the grating 120 of FIGS. 3 and 5. The air 115 passes to the rear of the fan 135 to be passed through the fan to the output ducting channel 125b. The ducting channel 125b has an extension in front of the fan to capture the output air 140 and transfer it along the ducting channel 125b to the rear surface of the faceplate 110 for eliminating the fogging of the faceplate 110. The output air 140 is then transferred to the exhaust vents 150 for escaping to be external air 155 flowing over the helmet's top.
FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a helmet showing an embodiment of the heating arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure. In this embodiment, the interior surface of the helmet's shell 100 above the faceplate 110 has a heating element 175 added to provide more heating comfort for the helmet's interior.
FIG. 8 illustrates a back view of a helmet showing a battery compartment 180 and a connector 190 for the battery compartment 180 of the helmet embodying the principles of this disclosure. The helmet's shell 100 of the helmet has an opening to allow passage of the battery 145 into the compartment 180 for providing power for the fan 135, the heating element 130, the heating element 175, the front light 225a, the rear light 225b, and the wiper motor 205c. A connector 190 is installed in the shell 100 of the helmet to accept a plug 195 connected to an AC power mains 200. Within the compartment 180, a battery charger 192 is connected to battery 145 for charging the battery 145. The plug 195 is selectively plugged into the connector 190 to activate the battery charger 192. A hatch 185 is placed in the opening of the battery compartment 180 and secured to protect the battery 145 and the battery charger 192. In various embodiments, the battery charger 192 may be external to the helmet (not shown). The battery charger 192 is placed externally or internally to the helmet 100 is a choice determined by the design of the helmet 100. The choice of the placement of the charger 192 could further be determined by government bodies such as the US Department of Transportation or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or any other appropriate agencies. Additionally, the type of battery 145 is selected based on weight and space available in the helmet 100, the power requirements of the features of helmet 100, and existing safety standards as determined by the government bodies.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrations respectively of the front and left side views of a helmet illustrating a faceplate 110 wiper apparatus embodying the principles of this disclosure. The wiper apparatus has a wiper blade 205a connected to a wiper arm 205b. The wiper arm 205b is connected to a motor shaft 205d of the wiper motor 205c. The wiper motor 205c is mounted above the faceplate 110 and adhered to the helmet's shell 100. Power wiring 215 is connected between the battery 145 and the wiper motor 205c. The power wiring 215 is routed to be adhered to the helmet's shell 100 to avoid the head of the person wearing the helmet and under the helmet's protective padding. The lining is equivalent to the protective padding 25a, 25b, and 25c.
FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a snowmobile helmet, exemplifying a faceplate with photochromic properties for protecting the vision of the wearer, embodying the principles of this disclosure. In various embodiments of the snowmobile helmet, the faceplate 110 is coated with a photochromic material. The photochromic material allows the faceplate to darken 215 in the presence of sunlight and to become totally transparent when the sunlight is removed. The faceplate 110 with photochromic properties enable the helmet to be used in bright sunlight and in darkness. The photochromic material's presence lightens or darkens the faceplate to allow the user better vision in intense sunlight or better ability to see as the sunlight is decreased.
FIG. 11 illustrates a snowmobile helmet's 100 front and rear view, exemplifying the front illumination light 225a and rear safety light 225b. The snowmobile helmet's front view has a white light 225a affixed to the shell 100 of the helmet above the faceplate 110. The helmet's 100 rearview has a red light 225b affixed to the helmet's shell 100 centered above the battery compartment 180. The lights 225a and 225b are intended for providing illumination for the safety of riding the snowmobile in reduced lighting. The front light 225a has a first power wire 227a connected to a first terminal of the battery 145. A second power wire 227b is connected to the toggle switch 220 located on the right side of the helmet's shell 100. The rear light 225b has a third power wire 229a connected to the battery's first terminal 145. A fourth power wire 220b is connected to the toggle switch 220 located on the right side of the helmet's shell 100. A fifth power wire 222 is routed from the toggle switch 220 to the battery 145. In most embodiments, the first power wire 227a and the third power wire 229a are connected to a positive terminal of the battery 145. The fifth power wire 222 would be a return wire to the negative terminal of the battery 145.
FIG. 12 is a top cross-sectional view of a helmet illustrating the helmet interior with a Bluetooth communication system having a microphone 230c, a pair of headphones 230a and 230b, and a transceiver 235 embodying the principles of this disclosure. The headphones 230a and 230b are placed respectively on the right and left sides of the helmet's shell 100. The microphone 230c is placed at the front of the helmet's shell 100 in close proximity to the wearer's mouth. A Bluetooth transceiver 235 is mounted at the top of the helmet's shell 100 and can simultaneously transmit and receive Bluetooth transmissions. The headphones 230a and 230b have a Bluetooth receiver for receiving signals from the Bluetooth transceiver 235. The microphone 230c has a Bluetooth transmitter for transmitting signals to the Bluetooth transceiver 235. The Bluetooth transceiver 235 receives signals from a cellular telephone 240 and transmits the Bluetooth signals to the cellular telephone 240. The Bluetooth transceiver 235 is controlled by the push button switch 237. When the push button switch 237 is activated, the cellular telephone 240 synchronizes with the Bluetooth transceiver 235. The Bluetooth transceiver 235 then synchronizes with the headphones 230a and 230b, and the microphone 230c to control the transmissions. The Bluetooth transceiver 235 communicating with the cellular telephone 240 allows communication with other cellular telephones on the communication system.
FIG. 13 is a schematic of the electrical connections for the faceplate wiper apparatus, the safety lighting arrangement, and the anti-fogging and heating arrangements of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure. The battery charger 192 is connected to the connector 190 connected through the cable 195 to the AC power mains 200 through the power cord 200 of FIG. 8. The battery charger 192 is mounted in the battery compartment 180 of FIG. 8. The battery charger 192 is connected to the positive (+) terminal of the battery 145 and connected to the battery's negative ground terminal.
The heating elements 130 and 175 have first terminals connected to the first terminals of the rheostats 165 and 170 mounted on the left side of the shell 100 as shown in FIG. 5. The rheostats 165 and 170 are controlled by knobs to adjust the current through the heating elements 130 and 175 from a zero level to a maximum current level. The rheostats 165 and 170 first terminals are connected to the positive terminal of the battery 145. The second terminals of the heating elements 130 and 175 are connected to the negative ground terminal of the battery 145.
The fan 135 has a first terminal connected to a first terminal of the rheostat 160 of FIG. 5. A second terminal of rheostat 160 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery 145. A second terminal of the fan 135 is connected to the negative ground terminal of the battery 145. The rheostat 160 provides a resistance between the battery 145 and the fan for controlling the speed of the fan 135.
The front illumination light and rear safety light 225a and 225b each have first terminals connected to the switch 220 mounted on the left side of the shell 100 as shown in FIG. 5. The front illumination light and rear safety light 225a and 225b each have second terminals connected to the negative ground terminal of the battery 145. A second terminal of switch 220 is connected to the positive first terminal of battery 145.
A first terminal of the faceplate wiper motor 205c is connected to the toggle switch 205d. A second terminal of the faceplate wiper motor 205c is connected to the negative ground terminal of the battery 145. The second terminal of the toggle switch 205d is connected to the battery's positive first terminal 145. The toggle switch 205d controls the operation of the faceplate wiper motor 205c to cause the wiper blade 205a to sweep across the faceplate to moisture from the faceplate 110.
FIGS. 14A and 14B is a flowchart for a method of assembly of a helmet embodying the principles of this disclosure. The helmet shell is formed (Box 300) with air transmission ducting channels fashioned into or adhered to the helmet shell. An air entry opening is constructed (Box 305) in the helmet's shell to align with the air transmission ducting channel to allow air entry to the helmet shell. Air heater coils are installed (Box 310) over or in the air transmission ducting channels to allow the air to be heated in the air ducting transmission ducting channels. An air circulator such as a fan is installed (Box 315) such that the airflow is guided (Box 320) along the air transmission ducting channels to defog or defrost the faceplate.
Heating tape is installed (Box 325) at the helmet's crown for heating the helmet shell interior. The heating tape provides more heating comfort for the helmet's interior.
A battery compartment is formed (Box 330) at the rear of the helmet. The battery compartment has a latched closure for installing and removing the battery. Battery connectors are installed (Box 335) within the battery compartment for connecting the battery to the electrical circuits.
The faceplate is installed (Box 340) at the front of the helmet's shell. A wiper motor is installed (Box 345) above the faceplate at the front of the helmet's shell. The wiper blade is connected to a wiper arm, which in turn is connected (Box 350) to the motor shaft of the wiper motor. The wiper motor is connected (Box 355) to the battery.
The illumination and safety lights at the front and rear of the helmet are installed (Box 360). The lights at the front and rear of the helmet are then connected (Box 365) to the battery. The light switch is then installed (Box 370) on one side of the helmet's shell. The heating rheostat switches are then installed (Box 370) on one side of the helmet's shell. The air heating tapes and the helmet heating tapes are connected (Box 375) to the battery.
The left and right Bluetooth headphones, Bluetooth microphone, and Bluetooth transceiver are attached (Box 380) to the helmet's shell's interior wall. The left and right Bluetooth headphones, the Bluetooth microphone, and the Bluetooth transceiver are then activated (Box 385). The Bluetooth transceiver is activated (Box 390) to communicate with an exterior cellular telephone.
While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Patent Application
20220225721
