Protective sports helmet with speakers, helmet retrofit kit and method

• US 5,465,421 A
• Filed: 06/14/1993
• Issued: 11/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keith M. Mccormick, Lee A. Mccormick
• Original Assignee: Keith M. Mccormick, Lee A. Mccormick
• Inventors: McCormick, Lee A., McCormick, Keith M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Application Number:
  US08/077,127
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 455/344, 455/345, 455/346, 455/347, 455/348, 455/349, 455/350, 455/351, 381/25, 381/86, 381/187, 381/188, 381/205, 2/5, 2/6
• US Class Current: 455/344
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/023 Transducers incorporated in garment, rucksacks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

A sports helmet with portable audio sound producing capabilities is disclosed for use on a wearer'"'"'s head during physical exercise or sports activities at which head injuries are to be protected against. There is a protective shell head covering composed of impact absorbing material which has downwardly facing rim portions terminating above the wearer'"'"'s ear canals. Straps are provided for removably fastening the protective shell on a wearer'"'"'s head. A sound speaker is attached at the downwardly facing rim portions above the wearer'"'"'s ear canal. The speaker is spaced away from the ears so that the ear canals are not shielded. The speaker is aimed so that sound emitted therefrom is primarily directed downwardly past the wearer'"'"'s ear canal. Other sounds, warnings, or communications from the surroundings can also be heard. A portable sound signal producing device communicates signals to the speaker for causing desirable sounds to be emitted from the speakers during physical exercise or sports activity. Two speakers may be similarly provided, one on each side, for stereo sound.

Claims

1. A kit for converting an existing sports helmet for portable audio sound producing capabilities for use on a wearer'"'"'s head during physical exercise or sports activities at which head injuries are to be protected against and wherein said existing sports helmet has a protective shell and a lower rim with portions thereof terminating above the wearer'"'"'s ear canals, said kit comprising:

(a) attachment means attachable to at least one of said portions of said lower rim terminating above the wearer'"'"'s ear canals so that said ear canals are not shielded, wherein said attachment means for attaching said speaker comprises;

(i) a plurality of prongs insertable into said helmet shell flush with said rim and having an internal orifice;

(ii) a short projection fastened to said speaker having a male portion of said clip device, which short projection is removably insertable into said internal orifice of one of said plurality of short prongs for secure engagement within said orifice; and

(iii) a plurality of wire holding eyelets, each having a shaft and a male portion of said clip device attached, which shaft is removably insertable into an internal orifice of another one of said plurality of prongs for secure engagement within said internal orifice;

(b) at least one speaker attachable to said sports helmet through said attachment means so that said at least one speaker does not shield said ear canals and is aimed to emit sound therefrom primarily directed downwardly past said wearer'"'"'s ear canal and so that other sounds, earnings, or communications from the surroundings can also be heard;

(c) a portable sound signal producing device for being carried by said wearer of said sports helmet;

(d) means for operatively connecting said at least one speaker, attached to said sports helmet, with said portable sound signal producing device such that signals from said sound producing device are communicated to and said at least one speaker for causing desirable sounds to be emitted therefrom during physical exercise or sports activities by the wearer of said sports helmet.