U.S. patent application number 10/214539 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for helmet having audio features.
Invention is credited to Rainey, Margaret A..
Application Number | 20040025230 10/214539 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31494673 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040025230 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rainey, Margaret A. |
February 12, 2004 |
Helmet having audio features
Abstract
A safety helmet which is worn by bicyclers and the like includes
a compact disc player and earphones. Audio played by the compact
disc player can be heard by a person wearing the helmet for
entertainment. The entertainment offered by the helmet will
encourage people to wear the helmet thus encouraging safety.
Inventors: |
Rainey, Margaret A.;
(Jackson, MS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Donald R. Schoonover
4211 Rolling Hills Drive
Nixa
MO
65714-8771
US
|
Family ID: |
31494673 |
Appl. No.: |
10/214539 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/422 ;
2/410 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/422 ;
2/410 |
International
Class: |
A42B 001/24 |
Claims
What is desired to be covered by Letters Patent is:
1. A helmet comprising: a) a liner unit which includes (1) a
head-covering section having a front portion, a rear portion and
side portions connecting the front portion to the rear portion, the
front portion of the head-covering section being located adjacent
to the face of a wearer when the wearer is wearing said liner unit,
the rear portion of the head-covering unit being located adjacent
to the back of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing said
liner unit and the side portions of the head-covering section being
located adjacent to the sides of the wearer's head when the wearer
is wearing the head-covering section, (2) a rim, (3) a rim face
portion which is located adjacent to the face of the wearer when
the wearer is wearing said liner unit, (4) a rim rear portion which
is located adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when the
wearer is wearing said liner unit, (5) a first ear covering portion
which covers one ear of the wearer when the wearer is wearing said
liner unit, (6) a second ear covering portion which covers a second
ear of the wearer when the wearer is wearing said liner unit, (7) a
first earphone embedded in said liner unit in the first ear
covering portion of said liner unit, (8) a second earphone embedded
in said liner unit in the second ear covering portion of said liner
unit, (9) a first electrical wire electrically connected to the
first earphone, (10) a second electrical wire electrically
connected to the second earphone, (11) an inside surface which is
located adjacent to the head of the wearer when said liner unit is
worn by the wearer, and (12) an outside surface; b) a strap unit
which includes (1) a first end fixed to the rim face portion
adjacent to one side portion of said liner unit, (2) a second end
fixed to the rim face portion adjacent to a second side portion of
said liner unit, and (3) a size adjusting mechanism on said strap
unit; c) an outer shell unit which includes (1) an outer shell
head-covering section having a front portion, a rear portion and
side portions connecting the front portion of the outer shell
head-covering portion to the rear portion of the outer shell
head-covering portion, the front portion of the outer shell
head-covering section being located adjacent to the face of the
wearer when the wearer is wearing said outer shell unit, the rear
portion of the outer shell head-covering unit being located
adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when the wearer is
wearing said outer shell unit and the side portions of the outer
shell head-covering section being located adjacent to the sides of
the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the outer shell
head-covering section, (2) an outer shell rim, (3) an outer shell
rim face portion which is located adjacent to the wearer's face
when said outer shell unit is worn by the wearer, (4) an outer
shell rim rear portion which is located adjacent to the back of the
wearer's head when said outer shell unit is worn by the wearer, (5)
a first outer shell ear portion which is located adjacent to a
first ear of the wearer when said outer shell unit is worn, (6) a
second outer shell ear portion which is located adjacent to the
second ear of the wearer when said outer shell unit is worn, (7) an
inside surface which is located adjacent to the wearer's head when
said outer shell unit is worn, (8) an outside surface; d) a compact
disc player located on the outside surface of said outer shell unit
and which is positioned near the rear portion of the head covering
section of said outer shell unit and which includes (1) a housing
having one portion positioned near the rear rim portion of said
outer shell unit, (2) an access cover pivotally mounted on the
housing of the compact disc player, (3) a transparent window in the
access cover, (4) a plurality of control buttons on the access
cover and which include a "stop" button, a "play" button and a
"pause" button, (5) the first and second electrical wires of said
liner unit being electrically connected to said compact disc
player, and (6) a battery pack in the housing of said compact disc
player; e) a volume control knob mounted on the outside surface of
the head-covering section of said outer shell unit near the front
portion of the head covering section of said outer shell unit, said
volume control knob being electrically connected to said compact
disc player; f) a remote control unit which includes (1) a handle
section having a "play" button, a "stop" button and a "pause"
button, (2) an electrical wire electrically connecting the handle
section and the buttons of the handle section of said remote
control unit to said compact disc player; and g) a digital chip
audio player mounted on the outside surface of the head covering
section of said outer shell unit adjacent to said compact disc
payer.
2. The helmet as described in claim 1 wherein the size adjusting
mechanism of the strap unit of said liner unit includes
hook-and-loop fastener elements.
3. A helmet comprising: a) a liner unit having earphones embedded
therein; b) a strap connected to said liner unit; c) an outer shell
unit that covers said liner unit when worn by a wearer; d) a
compact disc player mounted on said outer shell unit; e) a remote
control unit electrically connected to said compact disc player;
and f) a strap unit connected to said liner unit.
4. The helmet as described in claim 3 further including a digital
chip player mounted on said outer shell near said compact disc
player.
5. The helmet as described in claim 3 wherein said compact disc
player includes a housing and an access door pivotally connected to
the housing.
6. The helmet as described in claim 3 wherein said compact disc
player further includes a battery pack.
7. The helmet as described in claim 5 wherein the access door of
said compact further includes a plurality of control buttons
thereon.
8. The helmet as described in claim 7 wherein said remote control
includes a plurality of control buttons thereon.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the general art of wearing
apparel, and to the particular field of protective wearing apparel
and more specifically, to the field of headgear.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] More and more people are using bicycles, skateboards,
skates, motorcycles, ATVs, rollerblades, and the like. More and
more people are also riding horses and even jogging. The popularity
of these modes of transportation is nearly unprecedented. However,
as is well documented, the risk of injury associated with these
modes of transportation is very high. The risk of head injuries
associated with these modes of transportation is especially
alarming.
[0005] Therefore, nearly every safety rule requires some form of
head protection. Many riders of these vehicles are reluctant to
wear helmets for various reasons. None of the reasons are entirely
valid, but people avoid wearing safety helmets nonetheless.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a helmet that encourages a
person to wear the helmet when necessary.
[0007] Some protective helmets are quite restrictive in the uses
that can be made of the helmet. This limits the ability of a wearer
to adjust the helmet to meet his needs or desires. If a wearer can
adjust a helmet to meet his or her special needs, that person is
more likely to wear the helmet than if the helmet is not adaptable
to the wearer's desires.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a helmet that permits a
wearer to control the environment associated with the helmet while
the helmet is being worn.
PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is a main object of the present invention to provide a
helmet that encourages a person to wear the helmet.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
helmet that provides entertainment to a wearer while the helmet is
worn.
[0011] It is a specific object of the present invention to provide
a helmet that provides music to the wearer while the helmet is
being worn.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
helmet that provides entertainment to a wearer while the helmet is
worn and which permits the wearer to control the playing of the
entertainment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] These, and other, objects are achieved by a helmet which
comprises: a liner unit having earphones embedded therein; a strap
connected to the liner unit; an outer shell unit that covers the
liner unit when worn by a wearer; a compact disc player mounted on
the outer shell unit; a remote control unit electrically connected
to the compact disc player; and a strap unit connected to the liner
unit. A digital chip audio player can also be mounted on the outer
shell. Control buttons are located on an access door of the compact
disc player as well as on the remote control unit for controlling
operation of the compact disc player. The liner unit is generally
formed of soft material that will be comfortable to the wearer and
the outer shell is formed of impact-absorbing hard plastic type
material that is common to helmets such as motorcycle helmets as
well as helmets worn by bicyclers and skaters and skateboarders and
the like. The strap unit includes a size adjusting mechanism.
[0014] The helmet of the present invention not only protects the
wearer, it encourages people to wear the helmet. The entertainment
provided by the compact disc player of the helmet will encourage
the wearer to wear the helmet thereby providing the benefits of
wearing protective head gear.
[0015] Many people enjoy listening to music, books on tape or
compact disc, and the like when exercising. At the present time,
these people generally carry a playback unit on their person in a
pouch, or on a belt or simply in their hand. This is inconvenient
and may be cumbersome. The helmet embodying the present invention
permits this audio playback unit to be located in a position that
is out of the way, and is easily balanced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet embodying the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a detail view of a portion of the helmet shown in
FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side elevational, partially cross-sectional view
of a helmet embodying the present invention in place on a
wearer.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic, rear elevational view of a helmet
embodying the present invention in place on a wearer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed
description and the accompanying drawings.
[0021] Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the
present invention is embodied in a helmet 10 which is to be worn to
protect a user's head during activities such as bicycling, skating,
skateboarding, and the like. Helmet 10 comprises a liner unit 12
which includes a head-covering section 14, partially shown in FIG.
2, having a front portion 16, a rear portion 18 and side portions,
such as side portion 20, connecting the front portion 16 to the
rear portion 18. As indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front portion
16 of the head-covering section 14 is located adjacent to the face
of a wearer when the wearer is wearing liner unit 12, the rear
portion 18 of the head-covering section 14 is located adjacent to
the back of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the liner
unit 12 and the side portions 20 of the head-covering section 14
are located adjacent to the sides of the wearer's head when the
wearer is wearing the head-covering section 14. The liner unit 12
can fit as snugly on the wearer as desired and can absorb sound as
well as dampness and the like as is the case with helmet
liners.
[0022] Liner unit 14 further includes a rim 22 which includes a rim
face portion 24 which is located adjacent to the face of the wearer
when the wearer is wearing the liner unit 12, a rim rear portion 28
which is located adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when the
wearer is wearing the liner unit 12, a first ear E1 covering
portion 30 which covers one ear of the wearer when the wearer is
wearing the liner unit 12, a second ear covering portion 32 which
covers a second ear E2 of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the
liner unit 12. The ear covering portions 30, 32 help to seal out
noise. A first earphone 34 is embedded in the liner unit 12 in the
first ear covering portion 30 of the liner unit 12 and a second
earphone 36 is embedded in the liner unit 12 in the second ear
covering portion 32 of the liner unit 12. A first electrical wire
40 is electrically connected to the first earphone 34, and a second
electrical wire 42 is electrically connected to the second earphone
36. The purpose of these electrical wires 40, 42 will be understood
from the teaching of this disclosure. Liner unit 12 further
includes an inside surface 44 which is located adjacent to the head
of the wearer when the liner unit 12 is worn by the wearer and an
outside surface 46.
[0023] Helmet 10 further includes a strap unit 50 for attaching the
helmet 10 to the wearer. Strap unit 50 includes a first end 52
fixed to the rim face portion 24 adjacent to one side portion of
the liner unit 12, a second end 54 fixed to the rim face portion 24
adjacent to a second side portion of the liner unit 12, and a size
adjusting mechanism 56 on the strap unit 50. The size adjusting
mechanism 56 shown in FIG. 1 includes a loop 58 as well as
hook-and-loop fastening elements 60.
[0024] Helmet 10 further includes an outer shell unit 70 which
includes an outer shell head-covering section 72 having a front
portion 74, a rear portion 76 and side portions 78 and 80
connecting the front portion 74 of the outer shell head-covering
portion 72 to the rear portion 76 of the outer shell head-covering
section 72. The front portion 74 of the outer shell head-covering
section 72 is located adjacent to the face of the wearer when the
wearer is wearing the outer shell unit 70, the rear portion 76 of
the outer shell head-covering unit 72 is located adjacent to the
back of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the outer
shell unit 70 and the side portions 78, 80 of the outer shell
head-covering section 72 being located adjacent to the sides of the
wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the outer shell
head-covering section 72.
[0025] The outer shell unit 70 further includes an outer shell rim
82, which includes an outer shell rim face portion 84 which is
located adjacent to the wearer's face when the outer shell unit 70
is worn by the wearer, an outer shell rim rear portion 86 which is
located adjacent to the back of the wearer's head when the outer
shell unit 70 is worn by the wearer. The outer shell unit 70 can
also include decorations, such as decoration D or the like, on the
outside surface thereof. Decoration D can be a decal or the
like.
[0026] Outer shell unit 70 also includes a first outer shell ear
portion 90 located adjacent to a first ear of the wearer when the
outer shell unit 70 is worn and a second outer shell ear portion 92
located adjacent to second ear E2 of the wearer when the outer
shell unit 70 is worn. An inside surface 94 of the outer shell unit
70 is located adjacent to the wearer's head or adjacent to the
outside surface of the liner unit 12 when the outer shell unit 70
is worn. Outer shell unit 70 further includes an outer surface
96.
[0027] Helmet 10 includes a compact disc player 100 and/or a
digital player 101 located on the outer surface 96 of the outer
shell unit 70. Compact disc player 100 is positioned near the rear
portion of the head covering section 72 of the outer shell unit 70
and includes a housing 102 having one portion 104 thereof
positioned near the rear rim portion of the outer shell unit 70.
Compact disc player 100 further includes an access cover 106
pivotally mounted on the housing 102 of the compact disc player 100
to open and close the compact disc player 100. A transparent window
108 is located in the access cover 106. A plurality of control
buttons are located on the access cover 106 and include a "stop"
button 110, a "play" button 112, and a "pause" button 114, Other
control buttons, such as "search", "seek", and the like can be
included without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. The compact disc player 100 can be a mini-disc player,
a micro-disc player, or play standard size discs, including in MP3
format. Similarly, the digital player 101 includes a pivotally
mounted access cover 111.
[0028] The first and second electrical wires 40, 42 of the liner
unit 12 are electrically connected to the compact disc player 100
so audio from the compact disc player 100 is played through the
earphones 34, 36 in the manner known to those skilled in the art. A
battery pack 116 is located in the housing 102 of the compact disc
player 100.
[0029] A volume control knob 120 is mounted on the outer surface of
the head-covering section 72 of the outer shell unit 70 near the
front portion 74 of the head covering section 72 of the outer shell
unit 70. The volume control knob 120 is electrically connected to
the compact disc player 100 in a manner known to those skilled in
the art.
[0030] A remote control unit 130 includes a handle section 132
which has a "play" button 134, a "stop" button 136, and a "pause"
button 138. The control buttons on the remote control unit 130
control the operation of the compact disc player 100 in the manner
known to those skilled in the art. An electrical wire 140
electrically connects the handle section 132 and the control
buttons thereon of the remote control unit 130 to the compact disc
player 100. Handle 130 includes a fastener, such as hook-and-loop
fastener 142, which mates with hook-and-loop fastener elements 60
to store the handle 132 when desired.
[0031] Helmet 10 further includes a digital chip audio player 150
mounted on the outer surface of the head covering section 72 of the
outer shell unit 70 adjacent to the compact disc player 100. The
digital audio chip player 150 can be connected to the earphones 34,
36 via the compact disc player 100. It is also noted that an MP3
player or the like can be used if desired.
[0032] It is understood that while certain forms of the present
invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to
be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described
and shown.
* * * * *