HELMET WITH INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

• US 20140189937A1
• Filed: 01/02/2014
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bell Sports Incorporated (Easton-Bell Sports Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bell Sports Incorporated (Easton-Bell Sports Incorporated)
• Inventors: TOMASCHESKI, Joseph D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,549,583 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/411
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/062 with reinforcing means

Abstract

A helmet that can comprise a helmet body comprising an energy absorption layer and an outer shell. A first opening can be formed through the outer shell and extend into the energy absorbing layer, the first opening comprising a perimeter. A first sleeve can be disposed at least partially within the first opening, the first sleeve comprising a first end comprising a first flange coupled to the outer shell and extending beyond the perimeter of the first opening, and a second end opposite the first end comprising a base disposed over the energy absorption layer. A camera can be coupled to the first sleeve and exposed through the first opening. The helmet can further comprise the first sleeve comprising a depth greater than a width or a length. The first flange can be directly coupled to an outer surface or an inner of the outer shell.

Claims

1. A helmet comprising:

a helmet body comprising an energy absorption layer and an outer shell;

a first opening formed through the outer shell and extending into the energy absorbing layer, the first opening comprising a perimeter;

a first sleeve disposed at least partially within the first opening, the first sleeve comprising;

a first end comprising a first flange coupled to the outer shell and extending beyond the perimeter of the first opening, and

a second end opposite the first end comprising a base disposed over the energy absorption layer; and

a camera coupled to the first sleeve and exposed through the first opening.

2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the first sleeve comprises a depth greater than a width or a length.

3. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the first flange is directly coupled to an outer surface or an inner of the outer shell.

4. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the outer shell and the first sleeve are formed of a single integrally formed piece.

5. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the first sleeve is configured to dissipate energy from an impact sustained by the camera, the first sleeve comprising an outer surface configured to be in contact with an area of the energy absorbing layer, a size and a shape of the area selected to dissipate the energy from the impact by deforming the energy absorption layer without the outer surface of the first sleeve breaking through the energy absorbing layer.

6. The helmet of claim 5, wherein the energy absorbing layer comprises a thickness in a range of 10-50 millimeters.

7. The helmet of claim 5, wherein the outer surface of the first sleeve comprises a second flange embedded in the energy absorbing layer.

8. A helmet comprising:

a helmet body;

a first opening comprising a perimeter formed in the helmet body;

a first sleeve disposed at least partially within the first opening, the first sleeve comprising a first flange coupled to the helmet body and extending beyond the perimeter of the first opening; and

a first electronic module coupled to the first sleeve and exposed through the first opening.

9. The helmet of claim 8, wherein the first sleeve comprises a depth greater than a width or a length.

10. The helmet of claim 8, wherein the first sleeve is configured to dissipate energy from an impact sustained by the first electronic module, the first sleeve comprising an outer surface configured to be in contact with an area of the helmet body, a size and a shape of the area selected to dissipate the energy from the impact by deforming an energy absorption layer of the helmet body without the outer surface of the first sleeve breaking through the energy absorbing layer.

11. The helmet of claim 8, wherein the helmet body comprises an outer shell comprising a thickness in a range of 0.7-15 millimeters.

12. The helmet of claim 8, wherein the first flange extends beyond the perimeter of the first opening and overlaps the outer shell by a distance in a range of 0.5-30 millimeters.

13. The helmet of claim 8, further comprising:

a second opening formed through the outer shell;

a second sleeve disposed at least partially within the second opening; and

a second electronic module disposed within the second sleeve and configured to be in communication with the camera.

14. A helmet comprising:

a helmet body;

an opening formed in the helmet body;

a sleeve disposed at least partially within the opening, the sleeve comprising a depth greater than a length or width and a flange coupled to the helmet body; and

a camera disposed within the sleeve and exposed through the first opening.

15. The helmet of claim 14, wherein the helmet body comprises an outer shell and an energy absorption layer, wherein both the flange and a base of the sleeve contact the energy absorption layer.

16. The helmet of claim 14, wherein the sleeve is configured to dissipate energy from an impact sustained by the camera, the sleeve comprising an outer surface configured to be in contact with an area of the helmet body, a size and a shape of the area selected to dissipate the energy from the impact by deforming an energy absorption layer of the helmet body without the outer surface of the sleeve breaking through the energy absorbing layer.

17. The helmet of claim 15, wherein the energy absorbing layer comprises a thickness in a range of 10-50 millimeters.

18. The helmet of claim 16, wherein the outer surface of the sleeve comprises an additional flange embedded in the energy absorbing layer.

19. The helmet of claim 14, wherein the flange is coupled to an outer shell of the helmet body.

20. The helmet of claim 19, wherein the flange extends beyond a perimeter of the opening and overlaps the outer shell by a distance in a range of 0.5-30 millimeters.