Helmet radio control package

• US 4,607,395 A
• Filed: 02/06/1984
• Issued: 08/19/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bell Helmets Incorporated Norwalk CA
• Original Assignee: Bell Helmets Incorporated (Easton-Bell Sports Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sundahl, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bookbinder, Marc E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Telesz, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US06/577,588
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 455/351, 455/89, 455/90, 455/95, 455/100, 338/68, 338/163, 338/164, 338/199, 338/160, 179/156 R, 179/182 R, 179/182 A, 381/86, 381/109, 74/55, 74/10.6
• US Class Current: 455/351
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/276 for mounting on helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/088 with parts of the receiver detachable or collapsible

Abstract

A radio attachable to a cyclist'"'"'s helmet comprises:

(a) a receptacle having a generally annular side wall and a bottom wall, the receptacle attachable to a helmet surface with said bottom wall facing said surface,

(b) radio circuitry within the receptacle, and

(c) a large radio control knob fitted to the receptacle and rotatable thereon, to control said circuitry, whereby the cyclist may manually reach to the vicinity of his helmet to turn said knob.

Claims

1. In a radio attachable to a cyclist'"'"'s helmet, the combination comprising

(a) a receptacle having a generally annular side wall and a bottom wall, the receptacle attachable to a helmet surface with said bottom wall facing said surface,

(b) radio circuitry within the receptacle, and

(c) a large radio control knob fitted to the receptacle and rotatable thereon, to control said circuitry whereby the cyclist may manually reach to the vicinity of his helmet to turn said knob,

(d) said radio circuitry comprising FM circuitry having an adjustable component for controlling the power level of FM transmission, said knob operatively connected with said component to adjust same as the knob is rotated,

(e) the knob having two track sections, which are circularly spaced about an axis of rotation defined by the knob, one section controllably adjusting said component when the knob is rotated clockwise, and the other section controllably adjusting said component when the knob is rotated counterclockwise.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said sections are generally symmetrical.

3. The combination of claim 1 including a radio circuitry ON-OFF control activated to ON condition when the knob is rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise from a center position.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said track sections merge at a radially widened track portion to receive a component arm in a range of radial positions, and corresponding to a removal position of the knob off the receptacle, the track having camming surfaces to cam said arm into narrowed track region as the knob is rotated.

5. The combination of claim 1 including an antenna electrically connected to said circuitry, and carried by the receptacle outside the helmet, whereby the receptacle, knob and antenna may be removed as a unit from the helmet.

6. The combination of claim 1 including a cushion layer extending proximate said receptacle bottom wall and having a concave side to approximately fit a convex contour of the helmet surface.

7. The combination of claim 1 including an adhesive layer associated with said receptacle bottom wall.

8. The combination of any one of claims 5, 6 and 7 including said helmet to which the radio is attached.

9. The combination of claim 5 wherein said component comprises a potentiometer.