Electrical system for helmets and helmets so equipped

• US 7,905,620 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shabaka, LLC
• Original Assignee: Shabaka, LLC
• Inventors: Harris, Kerry
• Primary Examiner(s): O Shea; Sandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, DANIELLE NICOLE
• Application Number:
  US11/527,788
• Publication Number:
  US 20070019399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,631 Days
• Field of Search: 362/105, 362/106, 362/103, 362/183, 362/570, 290/6, 220/913, 455/575.2
• US Class Current: 362/105
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0406 Accessories for helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0433 Detecting, signalling or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems

Abstract

An electrical power system is described, including a distribution system configured to supply electrical power to a bicycle helmet system and a power source configured to supply power to one or more elements associated with the bicycle helmet system using the distribution system, the power source being housed within a protective element of a bicycle helmet.

Claims

1. An electrical system for a bicycle helmet, comprising:

a battery configured to provide an electrical current;

an electrical distribution system configured to provide a current path between the battery and one or more elements;

a processor configured to provide one or more control signals to control distribution of electrical power using the electrical distribution system; and

a housing configured to house the battery and a channel configured to house one or more circuits of at least one of at least a portion of the electrical distribution system and the one or more elements, wherein the housing is a cavity within a foam element configured to provide an inner lining to the bicycle helmet, the battery is disposed within the housing and the cavity is sealed from access by adhesive coupling of a shell of the bicycle helmet to the foam element.

2. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the electrical system is coupled to the bicycle helmet.

3. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the electrical system is integrated with the bicycle helmet.

4. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the battery is rechargeable.

5. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the bicycle helmet includes a light, the light being coupled to the bicycle helmet.

6. The electrical system of claim 5, wherein the light is a light emitting diode.

7. The electrical system of claim 1, further comprising a communications system.

8. The electrical system of claim 7, wherein the communications system is in data communication with a cell phone.

9. The electrical system of claim 7, wherein the communications system includes a BLUETOOTH®

module.

10. The electrical system of claim 7, wherein the communications system is configured to transmit and receive a RF signal.

11. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the channel is formed within the foam element.

12. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the battery is rechargeable using solar energy.

13. The electrical system of claim 12, wherein the battery is rechargeable using AC or DC.

14. An electrical power system disposed in a bicycle helmet, comprising:

a battery housed within a first structure comprising an element of a bicycle helmet, wherein the battery is sealed within a housing by coupling the first structure substantially within an interior of a second structure, the first structure being configured to provide an inner lining of the second structure, and the housing being a cavity formed within the first structure, the housing being sealed by adhesive coupling of the first structure to a surface on the interior of the second structure;

a processor configured to provide one or more control signals to control distribution of electrical power using an electrical distribution system; and

a circuit disposed in a channel formed in the element of the bicycle helmet and coupled to another element of the bicycle helmet, the circuit having a coupling configured to recharge the battery.

15. An electrical system disposed in a bicycle helmet, comprising:

a distribution system configured to supply electrical power to a bicycle helmet system;

a power source configured to supply power to one or more elements associated with the bicycle helmet system using the distribution system, the power source being housed within a cavity of material of a protective element of the bicycle helmet, and sealed in the cavity without access by the protective element being mated to the interior of a shell of the bicycle helmet; and

a processor configured to provide one or more control signals to control distribution of electrical power from the power source to the one or more elements using the distribution system.

16. The electrical system of claim 15, wherein the protective element is a foam element of the bicycle helmet.

17. The electrical system of claim 15, wherein the protective element is a chinbar of the bicycle helmet.