Electronic helmet

• US 20060277666A1
• Filed: 05/26/2005
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oxystrap Intl., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jeffery H. Gertsch
• Inventors: Gertsch, Ronaold L., Williams, David L., Gehrisch, Christopher L., Swanson, William E., Smilo, Sheldon A., Gehrisch, Matthew B., Abad, Benjamin G., Mann, Justin K., Gertsch, Jeffrey H., McCune, Martin D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,001,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/424
• 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 3/0433 Detecting, signalling or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/044 Lighting devices, e.g. helmets with lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/06 Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems

Abstract

An electronic helmet is provided that includes a helmet body and an integrated electronic system disposed in the helmet body. In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic system provides the user with a number of convenient functions and is operable from a wireless remote control. The components of the electronic system are sufficiently small and rugged for use in the helmet, ensuring that the helmet is lightweight and durable. Moreover, the components are spaced about the helmet to provide even weight distribution to promote overall balance and safety. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the helmet body has a hard outer shell and a hard inner shell mounted to the outer shell such that a cavity is defined between the outer and the inner shells. The inner shell includes suitable material to provide the user effective RF shielding from the electronic system. For example, the inner shell can include nickel-plated carbon fiber to provide RF shielding. The helmet body further includes a shock-absorbent structure disposed between the inner shell and the head of a user, when the helmet is worn.

Claims

1. An electronic helmet, comprising:

a helmet body having

(i) a hard outer shell,

(ii) a hard inner shell mounted to the outer shell such that a cavity is defined between the outer and the inner shells, the inner shell including suitable material configured to provide RF shielding, and

(iii) shock-absorbent structure disposed between the inner shell and the head of a user, when the helmet is worn; and

an integrated electronic system including components disposed in the cavity defined between the outer and the inner shells.

2. A helmet as defined in claim 1, further comprising a wireless remote control configured to operate a subsystem of the electronic system.

3. A helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein the inner shell includes nickel-plated carbon fiber configured to provide RF shielding.

4. A helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein selected components of the electronic system are disposed in a housing secured within the cavity defined between the outer and the inner shells.

5. A helmet as defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of housings disposed within and spaced about the cavity defined between the outer and the inner shells, each housing configured to secure corresponding components of the electronic system.

6. A helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein the electronic system includes a digital image subsystem disposed in the cavity between the outer and the inner shells, the digital image recording subsystem having a camera mounted with a field of view projecting from a front side of the helmet and having an image recording device in communication with the camera, the image recording device mounted in a back side of the cavity.

7. A helmet as defined in claim 6, wherein the digital image subsystem further includes an image transmitter in communication with the camera and mounted in a back side of the cavity.

8. A helmet as defined in claim 7, wherein the electronic system is configured to transmit image data, audio data, and position data in real-time via the image-transmitter.

9. An electronic helmet, comprising:

a helmet body having

(i) a hard outer shell,

(ii) a hard inner shell mounted to the outer shell such that a cavity is defined between the outer and the inner shells, and

(iii) shock-absorbent structure disposed between the inner shell and the head of a user, when the helmet is worn; and

an integrated electronic system, having a microphone and a speaker, including

(i) a digital image subsystem disposed in the cavity between the outer and the inner shells, the digital image recording subsystem having a camera mounted with a field of view projecting from a front side of the helmet and having an image recording device in communication with the camera, the image recording device mounted in a back side of the cavity,

(ii) a rechargeable battery disposed in the cavity between the outer and the inner shells,

(iii) an audio subsystem disposed in the cavity between the outer and the inner shells,

(iv) a global positioning system disposed in the cavity between the outer and the inner shells,

(v) a mobile communications device disposed in the cavity between the outer and the inner shells such that the head of the user is effectively shielded from transmissions by the inner shell, and

(vi) a headlamp oriented to emit light in front of the user, when the helmet is worn.

10. A helmet as defined in claim 9, further comprising a separate central controller for integrating functionality of each of the plurality of systems.

11. A helmet as defined in claim 9, further comprising a wireless remote control configured to operate a subsystem of the electronic system.

12. A helmet as defined in claim 9, wherein the inner shell includes nickel-plated carbon fiber configured to provide RF shielding.

13. An electronic helmet, comprising:

a helmet body; and

an integrated electronic system, having a microphone and a speaker, including

(i) a digital image subsystem mounted to the helmet body, the image subsystem having a camera mounted with a field of view projecting from a front side of the helmet, the image subsystem further having an image recording device in communication with the camera,

(ii) a rechargeable battery mounted to the helmet body,

(iii) an audio subsystem mounted to the helmet body and configured to provide audio output to the speaker,

(iv) a positioning subsystem mounted to the helmet body and configured to provide position data, and

(v) a communications subsystem mounted to the helmet body.

14. A helmet as defined in claim 13, further comprising a wireless remote control configured to operate a subsystem of the electronic system.

15. A helmet as defined in claim 13, wherein selected components of the electronic system are disposed in a housing mounted to the helmet body.

16. A helmet as defined in claim 13, further comprising a plurality of housings mounted to the helmet body, each housing configured to secure corresponding components of the electronic system.

17. A helmet as defined in claim 13, wherein the digital image subsystem further includes an image transmitter in communication with the camera and mounted in a back side of the cavity.

18. A helmet as defined in claim 15, wherein the electronic system is configured to transmit image data., audio data, and position data in real-time via the image-transmitter.

19. A helmet as defined in claim 13, wherein the helmet body includes suitable material configured to provide RF shielding for the user.

20. A helmet as defined in claim 19, wherein the helmet body includes nickel-plated carbon fiber configured to provide RF shielding for the user.