Safety helmet with directional and break signals having AM/FM and two-way communication capability

• US 6,157,298 A
• Filed: 08/05/1999
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitchell D. Garfinkel, Phil Bart
• Original Assignee: Mitchell D. Garfinkel, Phil Bart
• Inventors: Bart, Phil, Garfinkel, Mitchell D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US09/369,128
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 340/427, 340/479, 340/473, 340/463, 340/464, 340/468, 340/475, 340/465, 340/467, 340/469, 340/470, 340/471
• US Class Current: 340/479
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0453 Signalling devices, e.g. auxiliary brake or indicator lights
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0466 Means for detecting that the user is wearing a helmet
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/08 Chin straps or similar retention devices
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2676 Helmets

Abstract

A one or two-piece safety helmet to be used while biking, skating, rollerblading or while performing other recreational activities using non-motorized vehicles, wherein in one configuration, the helmet is comprised of an inner and outer shell secured together via VELCRO™ or snaps, wherein both shells meet appropriate helmet safety standards. The helmet features a chin-strap, directional signals, a break light, an AM/FM radio, and two-way communication capabilities. The directional signals and break light allows a user to warn others when the user is turning or slowing down. Pre-recorded warning messages in the form of a voice message or a warning signal may be stored on a chip embedded within a electronics module situated in the rear of the outer shell of the helmet. The messages or warning signals alert the user when the chin-strap is not secured or the helmet is not being properly used. Illumination means, via the use of a headlight, are provided on the front portion of the helmet'"'"'s outer shell to provide illumination in the user'"'"'s field of vision. A two-way communication system and AM/FM capabilities are features of the helmet which allow the user to converse with others or enjoy audio entertainment.

Claims

1. A two-piece safety helmet with directional and communication capabilities comprising:

a shock-absorbent inner shell adapted to fit comfortably upon a user'"'"'s head;

an outer shell having front and rear portions, and opposing side portions defining a recess, wherein said recess is adapted to receive said inner shell and is affixed thereto via securing means;

a plurality of directional signals situated on the surface of said outer shell wherein said directional signals are activated via activation means;

a brake light which indicates when a helmet user is preparing to stop, wherein said brake light is situated on the surface of said outer shell and is illuminated via illumination means;

a removable electronics control module situated within said outer shell wherein said module houses a transceiver having transmission and receiving modes wherein said transceiver includes a switch designed to activate and deactivate said transmission and said receiver mode; and

power means to supply power to said control module.

2. The safety helmet of claim 1 further comprising a communications module affixed to said outer shell wherein said communications module comprises an earphone assembly proximate to said user'"'"'s ear.

3. The helmet of claim 2 further comprising an audio override system wherein ambient sounds above a predetermined decibel level override sound emanating from said earphone assembly.

4. The safety helmet of claim 1 wherein said directional signal activation means comprises a button within said user'"'"'s reach and situated upon the outer surface of said outer shell to be manually depressed by said user thereby activating switching means.

5. The safety helmet of claim 4 where said switching means comprises a momentary contact switch.

6. The helmet of claim 1 further comprising a headlight assembly affixed to said front portion of said outer shell to provide illumination in the user'"'"'s field of vision.

7. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said plurality of directional signals are situated on each side portion of said outer shell.

8. The helmet of claim 7 wherein said plurality of directional signals further include rear directional signals in the form of directional arrows situated on said rear portion of said outer shell substantially adjacent said brake light.

9. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said power means comprises one or more removable batteries.

10. A two-piece safety helmet with directional and communication capabilities comprising:

a shock-absorbent inner shell adapted to fit comfortably upon a user'"'"'s head;

an outer shell comprised of a vacuum molded, single piece contiguous material, wherein said outer shell has front and rear portions, and opposing side portions defining a recess, wherein said recess is adapted to receive said inner shell and is affixed thereto via a hook and loop-type fastener strip or a snap situated along the periphery of both the inner surface of said outer shell and the outer surface of said inner shell;

a plurality of directional signals situated on each side portion of said outer shell wherein said directional signals are activated via the manual touching of a button within said user'"'"'s reach and situated upon the outer surface of said outer shell thereby activating one or more momentary contact switches;

a brake light which indicates when a helmet user is preparing to stop, wherein said brake light is situated on the surface of said outer shell and is illuminated via illumination means comprising an inertia-switch which actuates said brake light upon the deceleration of said user;

a removable electronics control module situated within said outer shell wherein said module houses a transceiver having transmission and receiving modes wherein said transceiver includes a switch designed to activate and deactivate said transmission and said receiver mode;

one or more removable and disposable batteries to supply power to said control module;

a communications module affixed to a side portion of said outer shell wherein said communications module comprises an earphone assembly proximate said user'"'"'s ear and a microphone module proximate said user'"'"'s mouth;

selection means to select one of a plurality of channels in order to receive and transmit audio signals;

volume control means to increase or decrease the volume of said received audio signals;

an automatic squelch circuit to eliminate unwanted ambient noise when said transceiver is in said receiver mode;

an audio override system wherein ambient sounds above a predetermined decibel level override sound emanating from said earphone assembly;

means for cellular telephone communications;

means for pager communications;

an antenna affixed to the outer surface of said outer shell and having transmitting means to transmit a high frequency signal in the form of electromagnetic waves, and receiving means for receiving electromagnetic waves from a remote transmitter;

a helmet-securing chin strap;

a sound-emitting device situated within said electronics module wherein said sound-emitting device contains one or more pre-recorded voice messages or warning signals to alert said user if said chin strap is not fastened or is fastened incorrectly, or if said helmet is situated upon said helmet user'"'"'s head in an unsafe manner;

a headlight assembly affixed to said front portion of said outer shell to provide illumination in said user'"'"'s field of vision;

said plurality of directional signals include rear directional signals in the form of directional arrows situated on said rear portion of said outer shell substantially adjacent said brake light; and

a horn removably affixed to said outer shell.

11. A safety helmet with directional and communication capabilities comprising:

a shock-absorbent shell adapted to fit comfortably upon a user'"'"'s head, said shell having front and rear portions, and opposing side portions defining a recess;

a plurality of directional signals situated on the surface of said shell wherein said directional signals are activated via activation means;

a brake light which indicates when a helmet user is preparing to stop, wherein said brake light is situated on the surface of said shell and is illuminated via illumination means;

a removable electronics control module situated within said shell wherein said module houses a transceiver having transmission and receiving modes wherein said transceiver includes a switch designed to activate and deactivate said transmission and said receiver mode; and

power means to supply power to said control module.

12. A safety helmet with directional and communication capabilities comprising:

a shock-absorbent shell adapted to fit comfortably upon a user'"'"'s head, said shell comprised of a vacuum molded, single piece contiguous material, wherein said shell has front and rear portions, and opposing side portions defining a recess;

a plurality of directional signals situated on each side portion of said shell wherein said directional signals are activated via the manual touching of a button within said user'"'"'s reach and situated upon the outer surface of said shell thereby activating one or more momentary contact switches;

a brake light which indicates when a helmet user is preparing to stop, wherein said brake light is situated on the surface of said shell and is illuminated via illumination means comprising an inertia-switch which actuates said brake light upon the deceleration of said user;

a removable electronics control module situated within said shell wherein said module houses a transceiver having transmission and receiving modes wherein said transceiver includes a switch designed to activate and deactivate said transmission and said receiver mode;

one or more removable batteries to supply power to said control module;

a communications module affixed to a side portion of said shell wherein said communications module comprises an earphone assembly proximate said user'"'"'s ear and a microphone module proximate said user'"'"'s mouth;

selection means to select one of a plurality of channels in order to receive and transmit audio signals;

volume control means to increase or decrease the volume of said received audio signals;

an automatic squelch circuit to eliminate unwanted ambient noise when said transceiver is in said receiver mode;

an audio override system wherein ambient sounds above a predetermined decibel level override sound emanating from said earphone assembly;

means for cellular telephone communications;

means for pager communications;

an antenna affixed to the outer surface of said shell and having transmitting means to transmit a high frequency signal in the form of electromagnetic waves, and receiving means for receiving electromagnetic waves from a remote transmitter;

a helmet-securing chin strap;

a sound-emitting device situated within said electronics module wherein said sound-emitting device contains one or more pre-recorded voice messages or warning signals to alert said user if said chin strap is not fastened or is fastened incorrectly, or if said helmet is situated upon said helmet user'"'"'s head in an unsafe manner;

a headlight assembly affixed to said front portion of said shell to provide illumination in said user'"'"'s field of vision;

said plurality of directional signals include rear directional signals in the form of directional arrows situated on said rear portion of said shell substantially adjacent said brake light; and

a horn removably affixed to said shell.

13. A two-piece safety helmet with directional and communication capabilities comprising:

a shock-absorbent inner shell adapted to fit comfortably upon a user'"'"'s head;

an outer shell having front and rear portions, and opposing side portions defining at least one recess, wherein said recess is adapted to receive said inner shell and is affixed thereto via securing means;

a chin strap affixed to said helmet;

at least one directional signal situated on the surface of said outer shell which is activated via a means for activating;

a brake light which indicates when a helmet user is preparing to stop, wherein said brake light is situated on the surface of said outer shell and is illuminated via a means for illuminating;

a removable electronics control module situated within said outer shell wherein said module houses a transceiver having transmission and receiving modes wherein said transceiver includes a switch designed to activate and deactivate said transmission and said receiver mode;

said electronics control module further having a sound-emitting device, said sound-emitting device capable of emitting one or more warning signals to alert said user if said chin strap is not fastened or is fastened incorrectly, or if said helmet is situated upon said helmet user'"'"'s head in an unsafe manner; and

,

means for supplying power to said control module.

14. A two-piece safety helmet with directional and communication capabilities comprising:

a shock-absorbent inner shell adapted to fit comfortably upon a user'"'"'s head;

an outer shell having front and rear portions, and opposing side portions defining at least one a recess, wherein said recess is adapted to receive said inner shell and is affixed thereto via securing means;

a removable electronics control module situated within said outer shell wherein said module houses a radio-frequency receiver;

a speaker assembly electrically connected to said electronics control module, said speaker assembly being positioned proximate to said user'"'"'s ear when the user is wearing the helmet;

means for overriding said speaker when ambient sounds exceed a predetermined decibel level; and

,

means for supplying power to said control module.

15. A two-piece safety helmet with directional and communication capabilities comprising:

a shock-absorbent inner shell adapted to fit comfortably upon a user'"'"'s head;

an outer shell having front and rear portions, and opposing side portions defining at least one a recess, wherein said recess is adapted to receive said inner shell and is affixed thereto via securing means;

a chin strap affixed to said helmet;

said electronics control module further having a sound-emitting device, said sound-emitting device capable of emitting one or more warning signals to alert said user if said chin strap is not fastened or is fastened incorrectly, or if said helmet is situated upon said helmet user'"'"'s head in an unsafe manner; and

,

means for supplying power to said control module.