Connection assembly for adjoining a peripheral with a host wearable device

• US 9,486,027 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2016
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guardhat, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Guardhat, Inc.
• Inventors: Dey, Saikat, Reepmeyer, Gerrit, Sengupta, Anupam, Zharovonkov, Mikhail, Perumal, Senni, Friedman, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US15/087,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20160213088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 222 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/046 Means for detecting hazards or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A connection assembly for adjoining a peripheral with a host wearable device. Embodiment of the assembly can be a hardhat with an accessory connection slot allowing for both mechanical and electrical attachment of various accessories such as earphones, video display, headlamp, welder'"'"'s face shield.

Claims

1. A connection assembly for adjoining a peripheral with a host wearable device, said connection assembly comprising:

a housing secured to the host wearable device, said housing including a receptacle defining an aperture having a periphery for a portion of the peripheral to extend through said aperture, said receptacle including a side wall extending around the entire periphery of said aperture; and

an electrical contact extending through said housing into a portion of the host wearable device.

2. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a bias surface disposed along a portion of said housing to secure the peripheral to said housing.

3. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a second contact extends through a portion of the host wearable device and said receptacle to provide power to the peripheral.

4. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes an open end allowing access to said electrical contact.

5. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes a bias surface forcing a portion of the peripheral into contact with said electrical contact maintaining a closed circuit between said electrical contact and the peripheral as long as the peripheral within said receptacle.

6. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said bias surface extends at an angle with respect to said electrical contact.

7. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said electrical contact is a data interface.

8. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second contact is a power interface.

9. A hard hat assembly comprising:

a base ring encircling a head of a user;

a covering extending up from the base ring to cover and protect the head;

a connector for adjoining a peripheral to said hard hat assembly, said connector including a housing secured to said base ring, said housing defining a receptacle having four side walls that create an aperture and a bias surface disposed within said aperture for locking the peripheral to said receptacle; and

an electrical contact extending through a portion of said hard hat assembly.

10. A hard hat assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts allowing for multiple peripherals to be secured thereto.

11. A hard hat assembly as set forth in claim 10 including a control unit for controlling the plurality of peripherals secured to said hard hat assembly.