HELMET WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS

• US 20190208854A1
• Filed: 01/08/2019
• Published: 07/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
• Original Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
• Inventors: Teetzel, James W., Bousquet, John P., Lemire, Gary M.
• Granted Patent: US 11,612,207 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 3/0446 intended to light the way ahead
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 1/04 Protection helmets crash helmets A42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers

Abstract

A ballistic helmet system having an integrated circuit layer electrically coupled to one or more powered devices, where the ballistic helmet is configured to operate and control the powered devices. The ballistic helmet system comprises a base layer configured to retain the circuit layer. The circuit layer comprises one or more circuit substrates, which may be formed of a flexible material capable of withstanding elevated temperatures that may result from the bonding and curing process of the helmet components.

Claims

1. An integrated helmet system comprising:

a base layer defining a helmet portion;

a circuit layer, wherein the circuit layer is attached to the helmet portion; and

at least one powered device, wherein the at least one powered device is electrically connected to the circuit layer.

2. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, wherein the circuit layer further comprises one or more circuit substrates.

3. The integrated helmet system of claim 2, wherein the at least one circuit substrates is formed of a flexible material.

4. The integrated helmet system of claim 3, wherein the flexible material is capable of withstanding high temperatures.

5. The integrated helmet system of claim 2, wherein each of the one or more circuit substrates further comprises one or more conductive pathways for transmitting power, control, and data signals to the one or more powered devices.

6. The integrated helmet system of claim 2, wherein each of the one or more circuit substrates further comprises one or more antennas, wherein the one or more antennas are electrically coupled to a communications device.

7. The integrated helmet system of claim 6, wherein the one or more antennas are selected from the group consisting of radio-frequency identification (RFID) antennas for coupling to an RFID device and global positioning system (GPS) antennas for coupling to a navigation system.

8. The integrated helmet system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the one or more circuit substrates further comprises a video controller.

9. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, wherein the helmet portion further comprises an outer layer.

10. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, wherein the one or more powered devices are selected from the group consisting of flashlights, illumination devices, passive night vision devices, enhanced night vision devices, thermal imaging devices, cameras, video recorders, and friend or foe identification (IFF) devices.

11. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, wherein the helmet portion further comprises a housing portion having a control means for the at least one powered device, wherein the control means is selected from the group consisting of one or more push buttons disposed on the housing, a keypad associated with the at least one powered device, and an on screen interface displayed on a display screen associated with the at least one powered device.

12. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, wherein the one or more powered devices is a positioning system.

13. The integrated helmet system of claim 12, wherein the positioning system is selected from the group consisting of celestial camera systems, digital compasses, and telemetry devices.

14. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, further comprising one or more motion sensors positioned around the helmet portion.

15. The integrated helmet system of claim 14, wherein the one or more motion sensors are operatively coupled with one or more cameras, wherein detection of an outside motion by the one or more motion sensors activates transmission of images from the one or more cameras to a user-viewable display screen.

16. The integrated helmet system of claim 14, wherein the one or more motion sensors are operatively coupled with one or more audio speakers, wherein detection of an outside motion by the one or more motion sensors activates an aural alert.

17. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, further comprising a mounting assembly for mounting an accessory device, wherein said mounting assembly is removably attached to the helmet portion.

18. The integrated helmet system of claim 17, wherein the accessory device is selected from the group consisting of camera systems, night vision goggle devices, thermal imaging devices, infrared imaging devices, and head mounted displays.

19. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, further comprising an acoustical ring having at least one microphone for detecting directional sound.

20. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, further comprising one or more body sensors communicatively coupled to the helmet portion.

21. The integrated helmet system of claim 20, wherein at least one of the one or more body sensors is configured to monitor impact.

22. The integrated helmet system of claim 20, wherein at least one of the one or more body sensors if configured to monitor vital signs of a user.

23. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency (RF) antenna coupled to an RF transceiver received in the helmet portion.

24. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, wherein the helmet portion is formed of a ballistic-resistant material.

25. The integrated helmet system of claim 1, further comprising a power source.