Mounting bracket including impact release safety mechanism

• US 7,004,439 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jet Recreation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jet Lites, LLC
• Inventors: LaDuca, Paul, Schultz, Michael Daniel, Taylor, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Anita M.
• Application Number:
  US10/402,886
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 248/548, 248/900, 248/909, 248/291.1, 248/309.2, 248/505, 248/499, 362/105, 362/106
• US Class Current: 248/548
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/044 Lighting devices, e.g. helmets with lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/084 Head fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/145 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/909 Frangible component, e.g. having a score line or groove

Abstract

A mounting bracket including an impact release mechanism for use in connection with helmet-mount lights and other devices. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket is a two-piece assembly comprising a base plate, an upright bracket configured to detach from the base plate upon a sufficient impact or force. In one embodiment, the impact release mechanism is configured to allow the upright bracket to break away from the base plate without affecting the subsequent utility of the mounting bracket. After the upright bracket detaches from the base plate, the mounting bracket can be reassembled by pressing the base plate and upright bracket together to engage the features associated with the impact release mechanism. Other embodiments of the present invention feature a one-use mounting bracket wherein the upright bracket is integrally formed to the base plate at predefined failure points that allow the upright bracket to break away from the base plate upon sufficient impact.

Claims

1. A mounting bracket, comprising

a base plate configured for attachment to a helmet, and

an upright bracket attached to the base plate and configured to release from the base plate upon application of sufficient force;

and wherein the upright bracket comprises first and second u-shaped arms, wherein the first and second u-shaped arms each include an apex, and an axle extending between the respective apexes of the first and second u-shaped arms; and

wherein the ends of the first and second u-shaped arms abut against the base plate.

2. The mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein the base plate includes first and second slots along opposing lateral sides thereof.

3. The mounting bracket of claim 1 further comprising a paddle attached to and rotatable about the axle, and a light body attached to the paddle.

4. The mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein the base plate and the upright bracket attach at at least one stress point adapted to break away, thereby releasing the upright bracket from the base plate, upon application of sufficient force.

5. The mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein the base plate comprises at least one push pin extending therefrom;

wherein the upright bracket includes at least one hole aligned with the at least one push pin; and

wherein the at least one push pin and the at least one hole are configured to release the upright bracket from the base plate upon application of sufficient force.

6. A mounting bracket, comprising

a base plate configured to be attached to a helmet,

said base plate including a cavity having an overhanging edge extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the cavity;

an upright bracket comprising first and second arms and first and second bar members extending between respective ends of the first and second arms, wherein the bar members are configured to fit within the cavity of the base plate and releasably engage the overhanging edge.

7. The mounting bracket of claim 6 wherein the first and second bar members each comprise at least one wedge-shaped member extending outwardly therefrom to engage the overhanging edge of the cavity.

8. The mounting bracket of claim 6 wherein the first and second arms are u-shaped.

9. The mounting bracket of claim 8 wherein the first and second u-shaped arms each include an apex, and wherein the mounting bracket further comprises an axle extending between the respective apexes of the first and second u-shaped arms.

10. The mounting bracket of claim 9 further comprising a paddle attached to and rotatable about the axle, and a light body attached to the paddle.

11. The mounting bracket of claim 9 further comprising a paddle attached to the axle and allows for rotation of a light body about the axle along axis thereof.

12. The mounting bracket of claim 6 wherein the base plate includes first and second slots along opposing lateral sides thereof.

13. A mounting bracket, comprising

a base plate configured for attachment to a helmet, and

an upright bracket attached to the base plate and configured to release from the base plate upon application of sufficient force;

wherein the upright bracket comprises first and second lateral arms, wherein the first and second lateral arms each include an apex, and wherein the ends of the first and second lateral arms abut against the base plate; and

an axle extending between the respective apexes of the first and second lateral arms.

14. The mounting bracket of claim 13 further comprising a paddle attached to and rotatable about the axle, and a light body attached to the paddle.

15. A mounting bracket, comprising

a base plate configured for attachment to a helmet,

said base plate including a cavity having an overhanging edge extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the cavity;

and

an upright bracket having a lower portion configured to fit within the cavity of the base plate and releasably engage the overhanging edge, wherein the lower portion of the upright bracket comprises first and second bar members each including at least one wedge-shaped member extending outwardly therefrom to engage the overhanging edge of the cavity;

an axle attached and extending between upper portions of the upright bracket; and

a light body pivotally attached to the axle.

16. A mounting bracket, comprising

a base plate configured for attachment to a helmet,

said base plate including a cavity having an overhanging edge extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the cavity;

and

an upright bracket having a lower portion configured to fit within and engage the overhanging edge of the cavity of the base plate and releasably disengage the overhanging edge upon application of sufficient force, and wherein the upright bracket comprises first and second u-shaped arms.

17. The mounting bracket of claim 16 wherein the first and second u-shaped arms each include an apex, and wherein the mounting bracket further comprises an axle extending between the respective apexes of the first and second u-shaped arms.

18. The mounting bracket of claim 17 further comprising a paddle attached to and rotatable about the axle, and a light body attached to the paddle.