HELMET

• US 20080256687A1
• Filed: 04/17/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Brycen L. Spencer
• Original Assignee: Brycen L. Spencer
• Inventors: Spencer, Brycen L.
• Application Number:
  US12/104,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20080256687A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/425
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/046 Means for detecting hazards or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0466 Means for detecting that the user is wearing a helmet

Abstract

A helmet includes a shell configured to be worn on a head of a user and a sensor coupled to the shell. The sensor is configured to detect deceleration of the shell below a predetermined threshold rate of deceleration and to generate a signal. The helmet further includes a communication module coupled to the shell and the sensor. The communication module is configured to receive the signal from the sensor when the sensor detects a deceleration of the shell below a predetermined threshold rate of deceleration and to generate a signal to a rescue assistance center after a predetermined time period. Other embodiments and methods are disclosed.

Claims

1. A helmet comprising:

a shell configured to be worn on a head of a user;

a sensor coupled to the shell, the sensor being configured to detect deceleration of the shell below a predetermined threshold rate of deceleration and to generate a signal; and

a communication module coupled to the shell and the sensor, the communication module being configured to receive the signal from the sensor when the sensor detects a deceleration of the shell below a predetermined threshold rate of deceleration and to generate a signal to a rescue assistance center after a predetermined time period.

2. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising a control module coupled to the shell, the sensor and the communication module, the control module being configured to process the signal generated by the sensor.

3. The helmet of claim 2, further comprising a power supply coupled to the sensor and the control module, the power supply being configured to supply power to the control module.

4. The helmet of claim 3, further comprising a strap coupled to the shell and the power supply, the strap comprising at least one strap portion configured to be secured under the chin of the user, the arrangement being such that the at least one strap portion, when secured, activates the power supply.

5. The helmet of claim 2, wherein the control module further comprises a notification device, the notification device being configured to generate an audible signal to the user when the sensor detects the deceleration of the shell.

6. The helmet of claim 5, wherein the control module further comprises a switching device, the switching device being configured to deactivate the communication module when manipulated by the user.

7. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer configured to generate a signal when detecting a deceleration of the shell below a predetermined threshold rate of deceleration.

8. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the communication module includes a global positioning system and is further configured to provide a location signal to locate the user.

9. The helmet of claim 8, wherein the communication module is configured to provide a location signal to locate the user.

10. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a signal when the shell is stationary for a predetermined period of time.

11. A helmet comprising:

a shell configured to be worn on a head of a user;

a control module coupled to the shell;

a strap coupled to the shell and the control module, the strap comprising at least one strap portion configured to be secured under the chin of the user, the arrangement being such that the at least one strap portion, when secured, activates the control module;

a sensor coupled to the shell and the control module, the sensor being configured to detect an event affecting the shell and to generate a signal; and

a communication module coupled to the shell and the control module, the communication module being configured to receive the signal from the control module when the sensor detects an event.

12. The helmet of claim 11, wherein the control module further comprises a notification device, the notification device being configured to generate an audible signal to the user when the sensor detects the deceleration of the shell.

13. The helmet of claim 12, wherein the control module further comprises a switching device, the switching device being configured to deactivate the communication module when manipulated by the user.

14. The helmet of claim 11, wherein the communication module is further configured to generate a signal to a rescue assistance center after a predetermined time period.

15. The helmet of claim 11, further comprising a power supply coupled to shell and the strap, the power supply being configured to supply power to the control module.

16. The helmet of claim 11, wherein the communication module includes a global positioning system and is further configured to provide a location signal to locate the user.

17. A helmet comprising:

a shell configured to be worn on a head of a user;

a sensor coupled to the shell, the sensor being configured to detect an event affecting the shell and to generate a signal;

a control module coupled to the shell and the sensor, the control module including a notification device configured to generate an audible signal to the user when the sensor detects an event; and

a communication module coupled to the shell and the control module, the communication module being configured to receive the signal from the control module when the sensor detects an event.

18. The helmet of claim 17, wherein the control module further comprises a switching device, the switching device being configured to deactivate the communication module when manipulated by the user.

19. The helmet of claim 17, wherein the communication module is further configured to generate a signal to a rescue assistance center after a predetermined time period.

20. The helmet of claim 17, further comprising a power supply coupled to shell and the control module, the power supply being configured to supply power to the control module.

21. A method of detecting an event and transmitting a signal upon detecting the event, the method comprises:

donning a helmet on a head of a user;

wearing the helmet during an activity involving movement at a rate of speed;

detecting a deceleration of the helmet below a predetermined threshold rate of deceleration;

generating a signal upon detecting the deceleration after a predetermined time period; and

providing a response to the signal.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein donning the helmet includes fastening at least one strap portion under a chin of the user to activate components of a system capable of detecting the deceleration and generating the signal.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising detecting inactivity of the helmet for a predetermined period of time and generating a signal upon detecting the inactivity.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising generating an audible signal to the user when detecting the deceleration of the shell.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising activating a switch to cease the generation of the signal.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein providing a response includes locating a position of the user.

27. A method of detecting an event and transmitting a signal upon detecting the event, the method comprises:

donning a helmet on a head of a user by fastening at least one strap portion under a chin of the user to activate components of a system capable of detecting an event;

wearing the helmet during an activity involving movement at a rate of speed;

detecting an event;

generating a signal upon detecting the event; and

providing a response to the signal.

28. A method of detecting an event and transmitting a signal upon detecting the event, the method comprises:

donning a helmet on a head of a user to activate components of a system capable of detecting an event;

wearing the helmet during an activity involving movement at a rate of speed;

detecting an event and generating an audible signal to notify the user of the event;

generating a signal upon detecting the event if the user does not respond in a predetermined manner; and

providing a response to the signal.