ELECTRONIC MODULE ADAPTER FOR HEADGEAR

• US 20090038056A1
• Filed: 07/20/2008
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koehler-Bright Star Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Koehler-Bright Star Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bobbin, Joseph, Devaney, John, Dirsa, Mark
• Application Number:
  US12/176,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20090038056A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/422
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/044 Lighting devices, e.g. helmets with lamps

Abstract

An electronic module adapter for headgear includes a housing defining a chamber. A clip is positioned on the housing and is adapted to attach the housing to the helmet or other headgear. A cap lamp mounting bracket is optionally positioned on the housing and is adapted to attach a cap lamp to the housing. Electronic circuitry is positioned within the chamber of the housing and may include a radio frequency identification tag, a global positioning system tag and/or a gas sensor.

Claims

1. An electronic module adapter for headgear comprising:

a) a housing defining a chamber;

b) a clip positioned on the housing, said clip adapted to attach the housing to the headgear; and

c) electronic module circuitry positioned within the chamber of the housing.

2. The electronic module adapter of claim 1 wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a radio frequency identification tag.

3. The electronic module adapter of claim 1 wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a global positioning system tag.

4. The electronic module adapter of claim 1 wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a gas sensor.

5. The electronic module adapter of claim 1 wherein the clip is secured to the housing by screws.

6. The electronic module adapter of claim 1 wherein the clip is integrally formed with the housing.

7. The electronic module adapter of claim 1 wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a battery.

8. An electronic module adapter for a helmet comprising:

a) a housing defining a chamber;

b) a helmet mounting bracket positioned on the housing, said helmet mounting bracket adapted to attach the housing to the helmet;

c) a cap lamp mounting bracket positioned on the housing, said cap lamp mounting bracket adapted to attach a cap lamp to the housing; and

d) electronic module circuitry positioned within the chamber of the housing.

9. The electronic module adapter of claim 8 wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a radio frequency identification tag.

10. The electronic module adapter of claim 8 wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a global positioning system tag.

11. The electronic module adapter of claim 8 wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a gas sensor.

12. The electronic module adapter of claim 8 wherein the helmet mounting bracket includes a clip adapted to be received by a recess in the helmet.

13. The electronic module adapter of claim 12 wherein the clip is secured to the housing by screws.

14. The electronic module adapter of claim 12 wherein the clip is integrally formed with the housing.

15. The electronic module adapter of claim 8 wherein the cap lamp mounting bracket includes a first flange.

16. The electronic module adapter of claim 15 wherein the cap lamp mounting bracket includes a second flange spaced from the first flange so that a portion of a cap lamp may be received and secured there between.

17. The electronic module adapter of claim 16 wherein the flanges includes mounting holes through which screws may engage a housing of the cap lamp.

18. The electronic module adapter of claim 8 wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a battery.

19. A method for mounting an electronic module to a helmet featuring a cap lamp comprising the steps of:

a) providing a housing defining a chamber, said housing having a helmet mounting bracket and a cap lamp mounting bracket positioned thereon;

b) positioning the electronic module circuitry within the chamber of the housing;

c) attaching the housing to the helmet using the helmet mounting clip; and

d) attaching the cap lamp to the housing using the cap lamp mounting bracket.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a radio frequency identification tag.