Adapter for a modular wireless communication device

• US 20060057972A1
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wikel, Harold L., Godston, Jon
• Application Number:
  US10/940,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20060057972A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/90.300
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

A safety helmet adapter for a modular wireless communication device. The safety helmet adapter can include a base housing configured to be detachably coupled to the safety helmet, a housing cover coupled to the base housing, the housing cover having an open position and a closed position, the housing cover creating an interior housing portion when in the closed position, an audio plug fixably attached to the housing, the audio plug extending into the interior housing portion when the cover is in the closed position, a speaker coupled to the audio plug, and a microphone coupled to the audio plug.

Claims

1. A safety helmet adapter for securing a modular short range wireless communication device to a safety helmet, the safety helmet adapter comprising:

a housing configured to receive the modular short range wireless communication device;

a housing cover coupled to the housing, the housing cover having an open position and a closed position, the housing cover creating an interior housing portion when in the closed position;

an audio plug fixably attached to the housing, the audio plug extending into the interior housing portion when the cover is in the closed position;

a speaker coupled to the audio plug; and

a microphone coupled to the audio plug.

2. The safety helmet adapter according to claim 1, wherein the housing cover further comprises:

an exterior cover face;

an interior cover face, the interior cover face facing the interior housing portion when the housing cover is in the closed position; and

a pass through button including;

an exterior button surface exterior to the exterior cover face; and

an interior button section extending into the interior housing portion, the interior button section configured to engage an actuation button of the modular short range wireless communication device.

3. The safety helmet adapter according to claim 2,

wherein the pass through button comprises a first pass through button, and

wherein the housing cover further comprises:

a second pass through button configured to engage a first volume control on the modular short range wireless communication device; and

a third pass through button configured to engage a second volume control on the modular short range wireless communication device.

4. The safety helmet adapter according to claim 1, wherein the housing cover further comprises a hinge, wherein the cover is pivotably coupled to the hinge.

5. The safety helmet adapter according to claim 1, wherein the speaker is configured to be located in an interior section of the safety helmet.

6. The safety helmet adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a seal coupled to the housing, wherein the housing cover combines with the housing and the seal to create a weatherproof chamber for the modular short range wireless communication device when the housing cover is in the closed position.

7. The safety helmet adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a safety helmet adapter mount configured to secure the safety helmet adapter to a safety helmet.

8. The safety helmet adapter according to claim 7, wherein the housing further comprises

a first side interior to the interior housing portion when the housing cover is in the closed position;

a second side;

an aperture extending from the first side to the second side; and

a mounting screw extending through the aperture, the mounting screw configured to couple with the safety helmet adapter mount.

9. The safety helmet adapter according to claim 8,

wherein the housing further comprises reinforcement ribs coupled to the second side of the housing, and

wherein the safety helmet adapter mount comprises:

a threaded receiver configured to couple to the mounting screw, and

slots corresponding to the reinforcement ribs to provide adjustable alignment for the housing.

10. The safety helmet adapter according to claim 8,

wherein the mounting screw comprises a visor mount screw, and

wherein the safety helmet adapter mount comprises an anti-rotation standoff.

11. The safety helmet adapter according to claim 8, wherein the safety helmet adapter mount comprises one of an adhesive bonding area or hook and loop connection area, and a screw for securing the safety helmet adapter mount to the safety helmet.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a modular short range wireless communication device, the modular short range wireless communication device including

a female audio input and output jack;

a short range wireless transceiver; and

an actuation button;

a housing detachably coupled to the modular short range wireless communication device;

a housing cover coupled to the housing, the housing cover having an open position and a closed position, the housing cover creating an interior housing portion when in the closed position to include the modular short range wireless communication device within the interior housing portion;

an audio plug fixably attached to the housing, the audio plug extending into the interior housing portion when the cover is in the closed position, the audio plug detachably coupled to the audio input and output jack of the modular short range wireless communication device;

a speaker coupled to the audio plug; and

a microphone coupled to the audio plug.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the housing cover further comprises:

an exterior cover face;

an interior cover face, the interior cover face facing the interior housing portion when the housing cover is in the closed position; and

a pass through button including;

an exterior button surface exterior to the exterior cover face;

an interior button section extending into the interior housing portion, the interior button section configured to engage the actuation button of the modular short range wireless communication device.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13,

wherein the modular short range wireless communication device further includes a first volume control button and a second volume control button,

wherein the pass through button comprises a first pass through button, and

wherein the housing cover further comprises:

a second pass through button configured to engage the first volume control button; and

a third pass through button configured to engage the second volume control button.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a hinge coupled to the housing, wherein the housing cover is rotatably coupled to the hinge.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a seal coupled to the housing, wherein the housing cover combines with the housing and the seal to create a weatherproof chamber for the modular short range wireless communication device when the housing cover is in the closed position.

17. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a safety helmet adapter mount configured to secure the safety helmet adapter to a safety helmet.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the housing further comprises

a first side interior to the interior housing portion when the housing cover is in the closed position;

a second side;

an aperture extending from the first side to the second side; and

a mounting screw extending through the aperture, the mounting screw configured to couple with the safety helmet adapter mount.

19. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a portable telephone wirelessly coupled to the modular short range wireless communication device

20. A safety helmet adapter comprising:

a base housing configured to be detachably coupled to a safety helmet;

a housing cover coupled to the base housing, the housing cover having an open position and a closed position, the housing cover creating an interior housing portion when in the closed position;

an audio plug fixably attached to the housing, the audio plug extending into the interior housing portion when the cover is in the closed position;

a speaker coupled to the audio plug, the speaker configured to be inserted into the safety helmet; and

a microphone coupled to the audio plug.

21. The safety helmet adapter according to claim 20, wherein the housing cover further comprises:

an exterior cover face;

an interior cover face, the interior cover face facing the interior housing portion when the housing cover is in the closed position; and

a pass through button including;

an exterior button surface exterior to the exterior cover face; and

an interior button section extending into the interior housing portion.