Motorcycle safety helmet system

• US 5,704,707 A
• Filed: 07/01/1996
• Issued: 01/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Blue Sky Research
• Original Assignee: Blue Sky Research
• Inventors: Gebelein, Rolin, Varner, Donald, Parsons, James, Snyder, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/674,317
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 362/72, 362/106, 362/276, 362/802, 340/468, 340/479
• US Class Current: 362/106
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0453 Signalling devices, e.g. auxiliary brake or indicator lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2676 Helmets
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/165 Wireless switches
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A helmet-mounted wireless frequency-modulated infrared beam-actuated auxiliary brakelight system capable of reliable operation in all ranges of ambient light while permitting the rider to turn his head from side to side over a large angle approaching 180 degrees or more. The system comprises a frequency-modulated infrared transmitter, in operative combination with a switch for detecting brake system actuation, and a helmet module, including a frequency-modulated infrared receiver and decoder in operative combination with a stop light. Brake system initiation results in switch actuation which causes the transmitter to emit a beam of frequency-modulated infrared energy towards the helmet module. When the beam is received at the helmet module, it is captured using a lens in operative combination with a novel lightpipe which ensures reception over a 180 degree angle. The infrared energy is then transmitted through a solar filter which further discriminates between solar infrared energy and the infrared beam from the transmitter, before being received at an electro-optical circuit. This circuit decodes the frequency-modulated infrared energy and activates the auxiliary brake lamp.

Claims

1. An improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system in operative combination with a vehicle having a brake system for stopping or slowing said vehicle by applying pressure to a lever mechanism disposed on said vehicle, said lever mechanism having a fixed and a movable portion, said stop lamp system further in operative combination with a safety helmet wearable by a user, said stop lamp system comprising:

switch means, in operative combination with an electrical power supply, for detecting movement of said movable portion of said lever mechanism;

coded infrared transmitter means, in operative combination with said switch means and said electrical power supply, said transmitter means, responsive to detection of movement of said movable portion of said lever mechanism by said switch means, for emitting an encoded infrared light emission;

a stop lamp attachable to said helmet;

coded infrared receiver means, further attachable to said helmet and in operative combination with said electrical power supply, for receiving said encoded infrared light emission over a large receiving angle during times of darkness as well as bright sunlight, for rejecting solar infrared energy, for decoding said emission, and, responsive to said decoding said emission, for energizing said stop lamp; and

electrical connection means for electrically connecting said switch means, said transmitter means, said receiver means, and said stop lamp to said electrical power supply.

2. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 1 wherein said electrical power supply further comprises a first and a second electrical power supply and said electrical connection means further comprises a first and a second electrical connection means, said first electrical power supply and said first electrical connection means in operative combination with said transmitter means and said proximity switch, and said second electrical power supply and said second electrical connection means in operative combination with said stop lamp and said receiver means.

3. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 1 wherein said receiver means further comprises:

a receiver lens for receiving said encoded infrared light emission; and

lightpipe means for receiving, over said large receiving angle, said encoded infrared light emission from said receiver lens, and for transmitting therefrom said encoded infrared light emission.

4. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 3 wherein said lightpipe means is a lightpipe having on least one end thereof ground diffuse.

5. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 3 wherein said lightpipe means further comprises a lightpipe having at least one end form selected from the group consisting of:

partly cylindrical and partly bifurcated.

6. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 3 wherein said lightpipe means further comprises a lightpipe having at least one end thereof ground diffuse.

7. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 3 wherein said large receiving angle is approximately 180 degrees.

8. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 1 wherein said switch means further comprises a magnetic proximity switch in operative combination with said electrical power supply and having a switching part attachable to said fixed portion of said lever mechanism and having a movable actuating magnet attachable to said movable portion of said lever mechanism.

9. The improved safety helmet mounted stop lamp system of claim 1 wherein said stop lamp and said coded infrared receiver means are integrated into a helmet module which is readily attachable to said safety helmet without altering said safety helmet.

10. The improved safety helmet mounted stop lamp system of claim 1 wherein said vehicle further includes a vehicle brakelight system, and said coded infrared transmitter means and said switch means are attachable to said vehicle without altering said vehicle brakelight system.

11. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 1 further comprising a first electro-optic circuit in operative combination with said coded infrared transmitter means for transmitting a frequency modulated infrared transmission and a second electro-optic circuit in operative combination with said coded infrared receiver means for receiving said frequency modulated infrared transmission.

12. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 1 wherein said coded infrared receiver means further comprises a sunlight rejection filter.

13. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 12 wherein said sunlight rejection filter is selected from the group consisting of interference filter and absorption filter.

14. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 13 wherein said interference filter is a multilayered film filter.

15. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 1 wherein said vehicle is a motorcycle.

16. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 15 wherein said lever mechanism is selected from the group consisting of hand brake and foot brake.

17. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 9 wherein said helmet module is attachable to said helmet using double-sided tape.

18. The improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system of claim 1 wherein said switch means is attachable to said lever mechanism using double-sided tape.