Power Distribution System and Helmet and Method Employing the Same
First Claim
1. A helmet accessory power distribution system for providing a supply of electrical power to one or more electrical power-consuming devices attached to a helmet, the system comprising:
- a circuit layer extending across a portion of the helmet, said circuit layer defining a circuit and including a plurality of terminal pads, each of said terminal pads including two or more electrical contacts, and electrical conductors interconnecting the terminal pads;
a cover attached to the circuit layer over each terminal pad, said cover having an aperture aligned with and exposing the electrical contacts; and
one or more mechanical fasteners configured to removably and securely hold a helmet accessory in mechanical contact with the cover and in electrical contact with the exposed electrical contacts.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated accessory mounting and electrical interconnection device are provided which can be embedded or attached to the surface of a ballistic or non-ballistic helmet. The helmet system herein includes a flexible circuit substrate that may be embedded between a ballistic shell and an outer skin or shell. The helmet system and method allow a secure connection of helmet mounted accessories to the helmet without the need to penetrate any one or more layers of the ballistic shell with mounting hardware, fasteners, wiring vias, and so forth.
54 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A helmet accessory power distribution system for providing a supply of electrical power to one or more electrical power-consuming devices attached to a helmet, the system comprising:
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a circuit layer extending across a portion of the helmet, said circuit layer defining a circuit and including a plurality of terminal pads, each of said terminal pads including two or more electrical contacts, and electrical conductors interconnecting the terminal pads; a cover attached to the circuit layer over each terminal pad, said cover having an aperture aligned with and exposing the electrical contacts; and one or more mechanical fasteners configured to removably and securely hold a helmet accessory in mechanical contact with the cover and in electrical contact with the exposed electrical contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of providing a supply of electrical power to one or more electrical power-consuming devices attached to a helmet, the method comprising:
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providing a circuit layer extending across a portion of the helmet, said circuit layer defining a circuit and including a plurality of terminal pads, each of said terminal pads including two or more electrical contacts and electrical conductors interconnecting the terminal pads; attaching covers to the circuit layer over each terminal pad, the covers having an aperture aligned with and exposing the electrical contacts; securing a power supply to one of the covers and an electrical power-consuming device to another one of the covers one or more mechanical fasteners, the one or more mechanical fasteners configured to removably and securely hold the power supply and the electrical power-consuming device in mechanical contact with the cover and in electrical contact with the exposed electrical contacts; and providing power delivery from the power supply to the electrical power-consuming device through the circuit layer.
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Specification