Communications system for a helmet
First Claim
1. A communications system for a helmet that includes vent openings formed in an outer shell thereof comprising:
- a main communications module that is configured to be attached to an exterior of the outer shell of the helmet;
a first audio component that is formed of an elongated body that has a flexible base portion and a speaker, wherein the base portion includes;
(a) a first mechanical attachment member for securely, yet releasably, attaching the first audio component to an inside of the helmet proximate one ear of a user so as to the speaker to hover relative to the one ear but not be in contact therewith when the helmet is worn, and (b) a flexible elongated portion that attaches the speaker to the first mechanical attachment member and is configured to bend to assume a desired position in which the speaker hovers relative to the one ear, while the first mechanical attachment member remains attached to the inside of the helmet, the first audio component being in communication with but spaced from the main communication module; and
a second audio component that is formed of an elongated body that has a flexible base portion and a speaker and microphone formed, wherein the base portion includes;
(a) a second mechanical attachment member for securely, yet releasably, attaching the second audio component to the inside of the helmet proximate the other ear and mouth so as to permit the speaker to hover relative to the other ear but not be in contact therewith when the helmet is worn, and (b) a flexible elongated portion that attaches the speaker to the second mechanical attachment member and is configured to bend to assume a desired position in which the speaker hovers relative to the other ear, while the second mechanical attachment member remains attached to the inside of the helmet, the second audio component being in communication with but spaced from the main communication module.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communications system is configured to attach to a helmet that includes vent openings formed in an outer shell of the helmet. Components of the system are configured to extend through the openings of the helmet for detachably coupling the components to the helmet. The system can include a main communications module that includes electronic components and a control panel and the system can further include other audio components that include speakers and a microphone. The system also provides the ability to communicate with and/or operate as a digital media player, a radio tuner, a telephone, or a global positioning system (GPS) or another device using Bluetooth technology.
15 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A communications system for a helmet that includes vent openings formed in an outer shell thereof comprising:
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a main communications module that is configured to be attached to an exterior of the outer shell of the helmet; a first audio component that is formed of an elongated body that has a flexible base portion and a speaker, wherein the base portion includes;
(a) a first mechanical attachment member for securely, yet releasably, attaching the first audio component to an inside of the helmet proximate one ear of a user so as to the speaker to hover relative to the one ear but not be in contact therewith when the helmet is worn, and (b) a flexible elongated portion that attaches the speaker to the first mechanical attachment member and is configured to bend to assume a desired position in which the speaker hovers relative to the one ear, while the first mechanical attachment member remains attached to the inside of the helmet, the first audio component being in communication with but spaced from the main communication module; anda second audio component that is formed of an elongated body that has a flexible base portion and a speaker and microphone formed, wherein the base portion includes;
(a) a second mechanical attachment member for securely, yet releasably, attaching the second audio component to the inside of the helmet proximate the other ear and mouth so as to permit the speaker to hover relative to the other ear but not be in contact therewith when the helmet is worn, and (b) a flexible elongated portion that attaches the speaker to the second mechanical attachment member and is configured to bend to assume a desired position in which the speaker hovers relative to the other ear, while the second mechanical attachment member remains attached to the inside of the helmet, the second audio component being in communication with but spaced from the main communication module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A communications system in combination with a helmet that includes vent openings formed in an outer shell thereof comprising:
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a main communications module that is configured to be attached to an exterior of the outer shell of the helmet, the main communications module including a base portion that contains the electronics and another separate part that is mounted to the helmet by being passed through openings of the outer shell, the base portion being removably attached to the separate part that is mounted to the helmet, the base portion being attached to the separate part such that a location of the base portion can be adjusted relative to the separate part; a first audio component that is formed of an elongated body that has a flexible base portion and a speaker that extends outwardly from the base portion, wherein the base portion includes a first mechanical attachment member for securely, yet releasably, attaching the first audio component to a second mechanical attachment member located inside of the outer shell of the helmet proximate one ear of a user, the first audio component being in communication with the main communication module; and a second audio component that is formed of an elongated body that has a flexible base portion and a speaker and microphone that extend outwardly from the base portion, wherein the base portion includes a third mechanical attachment member for securely, yet releasably, attaching the second audio component to a fourth mechanical attachment member located inside of the outer shell of the helmet proximate the other ear, the second audio component being in communication with the main communication module; wherein the first, second, third and fourth mechanical attachment members permit a location of the first and second audio components within the inside of the outer shell to be readily changed, thereby allowing a user to adjust the first and second audio components based on user preference; wherein the first and second audio components are electronically connected to the main communications module by wires that extend along the interior of the helmet and terminate in a common first connector that extends through one opening formed in the outer shell and is fixedly held within the cradle to allow the first connector to mate with a second connector that is part of the main communications module so as to form an electrical connection therebetween when the main communications module is inserted into and mated with the cradle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A communications system for a helmet that includes vent openings formed in an outer shell thereof comprising:
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a main communications module that is configured to be attached to an exterior of the outer shell of the helmet; a first audio component that is formed of an elongated body that has a flexible base portion and a speaker, wherein the base portion includes;
(a) a first mechanical attachment member for securely, yet releasably, attaching the first audio component to the helmet proximate one ear of a user so as to the speaker to hover relative to the one ear but not be in contact therewith when the helmet is worn, and (b) a flexible elongated portion that attaches the speaker to the first mechanical attachment member and is configured to bend to assume a desired position in which the speaker hovers relative to the one ear, while the first mechanical attachment member remains attached to the helmet, the first audio component being in communication with but spaced from the main communication module; anda second audio component that is formed of an elongated body that has a flexible base portion and a speaker and microphone formed, wherein the base portion includes;
(a) a second mechanical attachment member for securely, yet releasably, attaching the second audio component to the helmet proximate the other ear and mouth so as to permit the speaker to hover relative to the other ear but not be in contact therewith when the helmet is worn, and (b) a flexible elongated portion that attaches the speaker to the second mechanical attachment member and is configured to bend to assume a desired position in which the speaker hovers relative to the other ear, while the second mechanical attachment member remains attached to the helmet, the second audio component being in communication with but spaced from the main communication module. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification