Helmet-chin mount for accessories, including cameras

• US 10,021,931 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2015
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sopro Mounts Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sopro Mounts Inc.
• Inventors: Tulley, Eric Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): QUINN, RICHALE LEE
• Application Number:
  US14/669,874
• Publication Number:
  US 20150282548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/306 Audio entertainment systems

Abstract

The conventional surveillance angle, in which activities are observed from a helmet camera mounted at the top, separates a participant of an activity, such as sports, from his immediate experience. A different point of view can be taken from the camera when it is mounted via the Y-shaped accessory mount over the apogee of the helmet chin bar. This point of view is a sousveillance in which the observation is down at a human level so as to allow a consumer of the recorded contents of the sousveillance to connect with the sportsman by vicariously undergoing the immediacy of his sporting experience.

Claims

1. A system useful for improving cinematography technology, comprising:

a helmet having a helmet chin bar with a first and second portion connected to an apogee;

a Y-shaped accessory mount being fastened to the helmet chin bar; and

a camera or a flashlight being fastened to the Y-shaped accessory mount by a removable fastener;

wherein the Y-shape accessory mount has a body on which a female member of the second removable fastener is fastened;

first and second wings, which are flexible, connected to the body;

a tail having first and second rudders, which are flexible, connected to the body; and

a strap which fastens the Y-shaped accessory mount to the first and second portions of the chin bar to cover the apogee;

wherein the body of the Y-shaped accessory mount includes a first slit located on the first wing, a second slit located on the second wing, and a third slit located on the tail, the first slit facilitating a first loop of fabric fastened to the body to protrude through the first slit to catch a first chape of a first tension lock buckle, the second slit facilitating a second loop of fabric fastened to the body to protrude through the second slit to catch a second chape of a second tension lock buckle;

wherein a first terminus of the strap is held by the first tension lock buckle;

wherein a second terminus of the strap is held by the second tension lock buckle;

wherein a portion of the strap between the first terminus and the second terminus passes through the third slit;

wherein the strap wraps around the first portion of the chin bar between the first terminus and the third slit; and

wherein the strap wraps around the second portion of the chin bar between the third slit and the second terminus.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the helmet is a full face helmet.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the helmet is an off-road helmet or a motocross helmet.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the helmet is a modular helmet or a flip-up helmet or a convertible helmet or a flip-face helmet.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the removable fastener is a quick-release buckle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera is a camera in a phone.

7. A Y-shaped accessory mount for a helmet having a chin bar, wherein the chin bar includes an apogee, a first portion, and a second portion, the Y-shaped accessory mount comprising:

a body on which a female member of a quick-release buckle is fastened;

first and second wings, which are flexible, connected to the body; and

a tail having first and second rudders, which are flexible, connected to the body;

wherein the body includes a first slit located on the first wing, a second slit located on the second wing, and a third slit located on the tail, the first slit facilitating a first loop of fabric fastened to the body to protrude through the first slit to catch a first chape of a first tension lock buckle, the second slit facilitating a second loop of fabric fastened to the body to protrude through the second slit to catch a second chape of a second tension lock buckle;

wherein a first terminus of the strap is held by the first tension lock buckle;

wherein a second terminus of the strap is held by the second tension lock buckle;

wherein a portion of the strap between the first terminus and the second terminus passes through the third slit;

wherein the strap between the first terminus and the third slit wraps around the first portion of the chin bar of the helmet; and

wherein the strap between the third slit and the second terminus wraps around the second portion of the chin bar of the helmet.

8. The Y-shaped accessory mount of claim 7, wherein the strap has a width of about ¾

of an inch.

9. The Y-shaped accessory mount of claim 7, wherein the Y-shaped accessory mount is manufactured from aluminum.

10. The Y-shaped accessory mount of claim 7, wherein the Y-shaped accessory mount has a thickness of about 0.01 to 0.035 inch.

11. The Y-shaped accessory mount of claim 7, wherein the Y-shaped accessory mount is covered with a foam.

12. The Y-shaped accessory mount of claim 10, wherein the foam has a thickness of about 1/16 of an inch to ⅛

of an inch.

13. A system comprising:

a helmet having a chin bar with a first and second portion connected to an apogee;

a Y-shaped accessory mount having a body on which a female member of a quick-release buckle is fastened;

first and second wings, which are flexible, connected to the body;

a tail having first and second rudders, which are flexible, connected to the body; and

a strap which is capable of strapping the Y-shaped accessory mount to the first and second portions of the chin bar to cover the apogee; and

an accessory hingedly coupled to a male member of the quick-release buckle;

wherein the body of the Y-shaped accessory mount includes a first slit located on the first wing, a second slit located on the second wing, and a third slit located on the tail, the first slit facilitating a first loop of fabric fastened to the body to protrude through the first slit to catch a first chape of a first tension lock buckle, the second slit facilitating a second loop of fabric fastened to the body to protrude through the second slit to catch a second chape of a second tension lock buckle;

wherein a first terminus of the strap is held by the first tension lock buckle;

wherein a second terminus of the strap is held by the second tension lock buckle;

wherein a portion of the strap between the first terminus and the second terminus passes through the third slit;

wherein the strap wraps around the first portion of the chin bar between the first terminus and the third slit; and

wherein the strap wraps around the second portion of the chin bar between the third slit and the second terminus.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the accessory is a camera, a video recorder, a video camera, a phone, or a flashlight.

15. The Y-shaped accessory mount of claim 13, wherein the Y-shaped accessory mount is manufactured from aluminum.

16. The Y-shaped accessory mount of claim 13, wherein the Y-shaped accessory mount is covered with a piece of foam.