U.S. patent application number 13/932077 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-02 for microphone mounting device and open-face helmet.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michio ARAI. Invention is credited to Michio ARAI.
Application Number | 20140000015 13/932077 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48651903 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140000015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ARAI; Michio |
January 2, 2014 |
MICROPHONE MOUNTING DEVICE AND OPEN-FACE HELMET
Abstract
The object of the present invention is to prevent a microphone
from misalignment or drop caused by wind and shake during driving,
and careless touch on the MIC with a hand a shoulder. There is the
mounting device mounting a microphone around the mouth of a wearer
of an open-face helmet, the mounting device having deformation
function for the wearer and formed with foamed synthetic resin
materials generating repulsive resilience against deforming stress
to cover from around the mouth to the left side part of a helmet
shell configuring the outmost layer of the open-face helmet.
Inventors: |
ARAI; Michio; (Saitama-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ARAI; Michio |
Saitama-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
48651903 |
Appl. No.: |
13/932077 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/422 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/422 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/30 20060101
A42B003/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 2, 2012 |
JP |
2012-148908 |
Claims
1. A mounting device of a microphone being to mount a microphone
around the mouth of a wearer of an open-face helmet, wherein the
mounting device is formed with a foamed synthetic resin material
having deformation function for the wearer and generating repulsive
resilience against deforming stress so as to cover from around the
mouth to one or both of the left and right sides of a helmet shell
configuring the outmost layer of the open-face helmet.
2. The mounting device of the microphone according to claim 1, the
mounting device comprising: a mounting part mounting the microphone
around the mouth; a supporting part supported at one or both of the
left and right sides of the helmet shell; and an arm part
connecting the mounting part with the supporting part, wherein the
mounting part, the supporting part and the arm part are integrally
formed.
3. A mounting device of a microphone comprising: a mounting part
mounting a microphone around the mouth of a wearer of an open-face
helmet; a supporting part supported at one or both of the left and
right sides of a helmet shell configuring the outmost layer of the
open-face helmet; and an arm part arranged between the mounting
part and the supporting part, wherein the mounting part, the
supporting part and the arm part are formed with a material
generating repulsive resilience against deforming stress and are
covered with a foamed synthetic resin material having deformation
function for the wearer and suppleness to integrate the mounting
part, the supporting part and the arm part.
4. The mounting device of the microphone according to claim 2,
wherein the supporting part is supported at a base plate, the base
plate having long holes longitudinally extending back and forth
respect to the helmet shell, supported to be slidable by a guide
axis supported about an axis at the helmet shell passing through
the long holes, and the supporting part further provides an axis
supporting part supported about an axis to be rotatable about an
axis extending back and forth of the helmet shell.
5. The mounting device of the microphone according to claim 3,
wherein the supporting part is supported at a base plate, the base
plate having long holes longitudinally extending back and forth
respect to the helmet shell, supported to be slidable by a guide
axis supported about an axis at the helmet shell passing through
the long holes, and the supporting part further provides an axis
supporting part supported about an axis to be rotatable about an
axis extending back and forth of the helmet shell.
6. An open-face helmet providing the mounting device of the
microphone according to claim 1.
7. An open-face helmet providing the mounting device of the
microphone according to claim 3.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a microphone mounting
device equipped for an open-face helmet and the open-face helmet,
worn by drivers of various types of vehicles such as automobiles
and motorcycles, vessels such as motor boats, as well as other
transportation means such as bicycles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are known in the art a microphone equipped for an
open-face helmet (Hereinafter, "MIC"), as described below in the
Patent Literature 1, comprising clips clamped to the helmet shell
of the open-face helmet, a flexible tube attached to the clips, a
MIC body attached to the flexible tube and lines inserted into the
flexible tube and wired over the MIC body and connection
terminals.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] As related art literature information relevant to the
present invention, we note Japanese laid-open Patent Publication
No. 2002-27069 [Patent literature 1].
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to the prior art in the Patent literature 1, a
helmet may equip with a MIC by clips clamped to the helmet, and
further may site the MIC body at a preferred position by deforming
a flexible tube.
[0005] However, in the prior art of the Patent literature 1, the
body may be moved out of the arranged position by displaced clips
or flexible tube by wind or shake during driving or careless touch
on the MIC with a hand or a shoulder, or MIC may not properly take
voice input because the clips slip off and the MIC drops from the
helmet.
[0006] The present invention addresses to such the issues and they
are some of the objects to be solved. Specifically, the present
invention objects to preventing a MIC from misalignment or drop
caused by wind or shake during driving or by careless touch on the
MIC with a hand or a shoulder, thereby, properly taking voice input
from MIC, and so forth.
[0007] To achieve such the objects, a mounting device of a
microphone and an open-face helmet at least comprise the following
in the present invention.
[0008] There is a mounting device to equip with a microphone around
the mouth of a wearer of an open-face helmet, the mounting device
having deformation function for the wearer and formed with foamed
synthetic resin materials generating repulsive resilience against
deforming stress to cover from around the mouth to one or both of
the left and right sides of a helmet shell configuring the outmost
layer of the open-face helmet.
[0009] Preferably, the mounting device provides a mounting part to
mount the microphone around the mouth, a supporting part supported
at one or both sides of the left and right sides of the helmet
shell and an arm part to connect the mounting part with the
supporting part, wherein the mounting part, the supporting part and
the arm part are integrally formed.
[0010] There is a mounting device of a microphone which provides a
mounting part to mount a microphone around the mouth of a wearer of
an open-face helmet, a supporting part supported at one or both
sides of the left and right sides of a helmet shell configuring the
outmost layer of the helmet and an arm part arranged between the
mounting part and the supporting part, The mounting part, the
supporting part, and the arm part are formed with materials
generating repulsive resilience against deforming stress, and
covered with foamed synthetic resin materials having deformation
function for the wearer and suppleness so as to integrate the
mounting part, supporting part and the arm part.
[0011] Preferably, the supporting part is supported by a base
plate, the base plate having long holes longitudinally extending
back and forth respect to the helmet shell, and supported to be
slidable back and forth by guide axes passing through the long
holes and supported about an axis at the helmet shell.
[0012] Preferably, the supporting part provides an axis supporting
part supported about an axis to be rotatable about an axis
extending in the right and left direction of the helmet shell.
[0013] There is an open-helmet which provides a mounting device of
the microphone.
[0014] Such the features may result in the following effects in the
present invention. Specifically, the mounting device, formed with
foamed synthetic resin materials generating repulsive resilience
against deforming stress to cover from around the mouth of a wearer
to one or both of the left and right sides of the helmet shell
configuring the outmost layer of the helmet, may prevent the MIC
from misalignment or drop caused by wind or shake during driving or
by careless touch on the MIC with a hand or a shoulder, and thereby
properly take voice input from the MIC.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of an open-face helmet which provides
a mounting device according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of the same;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line
(III)-(III) of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line (IV)-(IV)
of FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a mounting device
according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a front view of an open-face helmet which provides
a mounting device according to the third embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] An open-face helmet set forth below is one type of helmets
to cover a wearer's head and cheeks but expose the wearer's face,
and therefore half type helmets which covers only the head are not
included.
[0022] A helmet shell set forth below configures the outmost layer
of the open-face helmet, for example, molded to an open-face helmet
shape from reinforced fiber resin materials (GFRP, CFRP and so
forth) which is made by impregnating a reinforced fiber materials
(glass fiber, carbon fiber and so forth) with a thermoset resin
material (an epoxy resin material, a phenol resin material and so
forth), or a thermoplastic resin material (polycarbonate and so
forth).
[0023] The right and left set forth below means direction facing
the wearer's cheeks, and back and forth means direction facing the
wearer's back of head and face.
[0024] Foamed synthetic resin materials having deformation function
for the wearer and generating repulsive resilience against
deforming stress, and foamed synthetic resin materials having
deformation function for the wearer and suppleness, which are set
forth below, are exemplified with materials to foamed synthetic
resin materials such as polyurethane, polystyrene, polyethylene,
polypropylene, phenol resin, polyvinyl chloride, urea resin,
silicone, polyimide and melamine resin.
[0025] Deforming stress set forth below is force causing bending
deformation to the mounting device such as whip, warp and twist.
Repulsive resilience against the deforming stress is force
restoring the shape of the mounting device in original from the
bending deformation such as the whip, warp and twist.
[0026] The following is description of an open-face helmet
(hereinafter, "helmet") A which provides a mounting device 1 of the
first embodiment in the present invention referring to the
drawings, FIGS. 1-4. It should be noted that each embodiment set
forth below does not limit the scope of the present invention.
[0027] The helmet A provides an impact absorbing liner (not shown)
molded with a foamed polystyrene material or a material having
equivalent deformation function to the foamed polystyrene materials
on the inner surface of the head B1 of a helmet shell B molded to
the shape of an open-face helmet with a reinforced fiber material,
a head pad (not shown) formed with such as an urethane material
disposed inside the impact absorbing liner, cheek pads CL, CR
(refer to FIG. 2) equipped to be removable on the inner surface of
the right and left side parts BL, BR corresponding to the cheeks of
the helmet shell B respectively, and a mounting device 1 supported
about an axis at the left part BL.
[0028] In the mounting device 1, a mounting part 2 mounting the MIC
body M1 of a microphone (herein after "MIC") M around the mouth D1
of the wearer D of the helmet A, a supporting part 3 supported
about an axis by the left side part BL of the helmet shell B and an
arm part 4 connecting the mounting part 2 with the supporting part
3 are integrally formed with a foamed synthetic resin material
having deformation function for the wearer D and generating
repulsive resilience against deforming stress to act on the
mounting device 1 as well.
[0029] The mounting device 1, which supports a supporting part 3
about an axis at a base plate 5 supported to be slidable back and
forth respect to the left side part BL of helmet shell B, is
equipped to the helmet A by attaching the base plate 5 at the left
side part BL of the helmet shell B. The mounting device 1 is formed
in a shape to wrap around the supporting part 3 to the mounting
part 2 via the arm part 4 so as to site MIC body M1 around the
mouth D1 of the wearer D in state of the mounting device 1 equipped
to the helmet A.
[0030] In the mounting part 2, a mounting hole 20 embedding and
mounting the MIC body M1 of MIC M at the side of the wearer D and a
mounting groove 21 embedding and mounting a line M2 connected to
the MIC body M1 are formed.
[0031] The mounting hole 20 is formed in a shape embedding and
fitting to the MIC body M1 not to be misaligned. The mounting
groove 21 is consecutively formed adjacent to the mounting hole 20
in a shape embedding and fitting to the line M2 not to be
misaligned. The mounting groove 21 is formed from the mounting part
2 to the bottom 30 of the supporting part 3 via the arm part 4 to
take the embedded line M2 out of the mounting device 1 through the
back end 30.
[0032] MIC M comprises the line M2, the MIC body M1 connected to
the one end of the line M2 and a terminal M3 connected to the other
end of the line M2, so that the terminal M3 is connected to a
communication device.
[0033] Since an axis supporting part 6 is formed passing through in
the depth direction in the supporting part 3, the mounting device 1
is supported about an axis to be rotatable about the supporting
axis 7 respect to the base plate 5 by a supporting axis 7 passed
through the axis supporting part 6 and attached at the base plate 5
piled on the supporting part 3 in the depth direction.
[0034] The arm part 4 extends from the mounting part 2 located
around the mouth D1 of the wearer D to be formed in a bowed shape
from the supporting part 3 supported at the left side part BL via
the base plate 5 to the mounting part 2 located around the mouth D1
of the wearer D.
[0035] The base plate 5 is a plate-like body forming two, up and
down, long holes 50, 51 opened in the depth direction and an axis
supporting hole 52 opened about the same axis as of the axis
supporting part 6, and steps 54, 55 are formed at the top and
bottom edges of the base plate 5 to prevent the arm part 4 from
rotating.
[0036] The steps 54, 55 are arranged in anterior area of the base
plate 5 such that their back edges are located anterior to the
supporting axis 7, and they prevent the arm part 4 from rotating
during driving by maintaining the arm part 4 in state that the
mounting part 2 is located around the mouth D1 of the wearer D
(refer to the FIG. 1) so as to sandwich the arm part 4 at its top
and bottom as shown in the FIG. 4.
[0037] The axis of the supporting axis 7 is oriented in the right
and left direction of the helmet shell B by piling such the base
plate 5 on the left side part BL in the depth direction and
arranging the long holes 50, 51 to longitudinally extend back and
forth. Thus, the mounting part 2 may move between around the mouth
D1 of the wearer D and the head B1 of the helmet shell B by the
supporting part 3 rotating about the supporting axis 7 oriented in
such axial direction.
[0038] The supporting part 3 supporting about an axis respect to
the base plate 5 may prevent from rotating or shaking caused by
wind or shake during driving, and moreover rotational resistance
may be generated as much as the supporting part 3 rotates at
ease.
[0039] The mounting part 2 may move toward the head B1 of the
helmet shell B by rotating the supporting part 3 during bending and
deforming the arm part 4 by hand such that the mounting part 2
moves outside the helmet shell B (in the direction apart from the
helmet shell) while the supporting part 3 passes over the step 54
of the base plate 5 and further the mounting part 2 passes over the
front edge B2 of the helmet shell B.
[0040] Also, repulsive resilience acts on the bent and deformed arm
part 4 to return to the original shape when the hand releases it at
the point that the mounting part 2 reaches at the head B1 of the
helmet shell B, and the mounting part 2 is pressed against the
helmet shell B by the repulsive resilience force. Thereby, it may
prevent the mounting device 1 with the mounting part 2 located at
the head B1 of the helmet shell B from rotating and shaking caused
by wind and shake during driving.
[0041] The base plate 5 is supported about an axis by the left side
part BL to screw a screw-like guide axes 53 to the left side part
BL passing though the long holes 50, 51, and is slidable back and
forth by loosening the guide axes 53. The mounting part 2 may move
from around the mouth D1 of the wearer D toward apart from around
the mouth D1 by sliding. Further, the base plate 5 may be taken out
of the left side part BL for each mounting device 1 by taking the
guide axes 53 out of the left side part BL.
[0042] The helmet A which provides such the mounting device 1 may
prevent the MIC M from misalignment and drop caused by wind and
shake during driving because the base plate 5 supported about an
axis at the left side part BL supports the mounting device 1
mounting the MIC M about an axis.
[0043] Moreover, since the mounting device 1 is formed with a
foamed synthetic resin material generating repulsive resilience
against deforming stress acting to the mounting device 1, even if
force acts to move the mounting part 2 apart from the mouth by wind
or shake during driving or by careless touch on the mounting device
1 with a hand or a shoulder, the force may be released by bending
and deforming the mounting device 1. Thus, the mounting device 1
may be prevented from such as breakage, misalignment and drop, and
even if the mounting part 2 moves away from the mouth for a moment
to bend and deform the mounting device 1, the repulsive resilience
generated by bending and deforming moves the mounting part 1 back
to the original place.
[0044] Therefore, the mounting device 1 may be prevented from such
as breakage, misalignment and drop by bending and deforming
resulted from careless touch on the mounting device 1 with a hand
or a shoulder, and the repulsive resilience by bending and
deforming may move the mounting part 2 back to around the mouth D1
so as to properly take voice input during driving.
[0045] Further, since the base plate 5 supporting the mounting
device 1 about an axis is supported about an axis to be slidable
back and forth respect to the left side part BL, the position of
the MIC body is adjustable around the mouth D1 of the wearer D
within the area defined by where the guide axes 53 is supported
about an axis and by the length and width of the long holes 50,
51.
[0046] Further, since the mounting device 1 is supported about an
axis to be rotatable respect to the base plate 5, it allows the
mounting device 1 to move to the point where the mounting device 1
does not interrupt, e.g. the point where the mounting part 2 faces
to the helmet shell B, by rotating the mounting device 1 when the
helmet A is put on or taken off.
[0047] Further, when moving the MIC body M1 back to around the
mouth D1 of the wearer D, by moving the mounting device 1 back to
the point between the steps 54, 55 on the base plate 5 to rotate
the mounting device 1 at the same time to move it toward the
outside of the helmet shell B (apart from the helmet shell), it
allows the mounting device 1 to maintain its position adjusted
around the mouth D1 of the wearer all the time.
[0048] Further, since the mounting device 1 is formed with a foamed
synthetic resin material having deformation function for the wearer
D, even if the mounting device 1 contacts with the wearer D to
heavily bend and deform, the contact does not affect the wearer
because of the deformation function. Moreover, since the foamed
synthetic resin material is relatively light-weight and inexpensive
for its property, it allows the mounting device 1 to reduce its
weight and cost for materials. And more, since the mounting device
1 is lightweight, it allows the helmet A to suppress increase in
weight, and therefore, the wearer D may comfortably wear the helmet
A.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a configuring diagram of a mounting device 1' in
the second embodiment. Descriptions of regions overlapping to the
mounting device 1 are omitted by designating the same signs.
[0050] The mounting device 1' is formed in a shape same as of the
aforementioned mounting device 1, and a coating material 11 coats
the mounting device 1' with foamed synthetic resin materials having
deformation function for the wearer D and suppleness around a
plate-like core material 10 formed with a rigid synthetic resin
material generating the repulsive resilience against deforming
stress over the supporting part 3 to the mounting part 2 via the
arm part 4.
[0051] Such the mounting device 1' may be attached to the helmet A
via the base plate 5 similar to the mounting device 1, and the same
effects are expected as in the mounting device 1 by attaching to
the helmet A.
[0052] Further, the mounting device 1' maintains its shape by
rigidity of the core material 10 made of rigid synthetic resin
materials, so that thickness of the mounting device 1' may be
thinner than thickness of the aforementioned mounting device 1 as
illustrated in a drawing.
[0053] Also, rigidity of the core material 10 may provide excellent
durability against force by bending and deforming.
[0054] FIG. 5 is a configuring diagram of a helmet A which provides
the mounting device 1'' in the third embodiment. Descriptions of
regions overlapping to the mounting device 1 are omitted by
designating the same signs.
[0055] The mounting device 1'' is formed to be attached over the
left to right side parts BL, BR of the helmet shell B. The
supporting part 3L supported at the left side part BL via a base
plate 5L and an arm part 4L connecting the supporting part 3L with
the mounting part 2 are formed at the left side of the mounting
part 2 arranged in the center when seen from the wearer side, and a
supporting part 3R supported at the right side BR via a base plate
5R and an arm part 4R connecting the supporting part 3R with the
mounting part 2 are formed at the right side of the mounting part
2.
[0056] Also, two mounting grooves 21L, 21R are formed in the
mounting device 1'', the mounting groove 21L linked to the left of
a mounting hole 20 and the mounting groove 21R linked to the right
of the mounting hole 20. Therefore, the line M2 may be taken out of
the mounting device 1'' through either of the right and left of the
helmet shell B.
[0057] Such the mounting device 1'' may be attached to the helmet A
via base plates 5L, 5R similar to the mounting device 1, and the
same effects may be expected as in the mounting device 1 by
attaching to the helmet A.
[0058] A coating material 11 may coat the mounting device 1'' with
a foamed synthetic resin. material around a plate-like core
material 10 made of a rigid synthetic resin material as the
mounting device 1'.
[0059] The mounting devices 1, 1' and 1'' may be fixed immovable to
the helmet shell B or be directly attached to the helmet shell B
while siting the mounting part 2 around the mouth D1 of the wearer
D. Also, the mounting devices 1 and 1' may be attached at the right
side part BR.
[0060] ABS resin, hard and soft rubber materials may be exemplified
other than the foamed synthetic resin materials as materials having
deformation function for the wearer D and generating repulsive
resilience against deforming stress. Herein, ebonite rubber may be
exemplified as the hard rubber materials, and such as elastomeric
rubber, urethane rubber and silicon rubber may be exemplified as
the soft rubber materials.
[0061] Also, at least, the arm parts 4, 4L and 4R may be made of
foamed synthetic resin materials in the mounting devices 1 and 1''.
Also, though the mounting device 1' in whole is covered with foamed
synthetic resin materials, at least, the arm part 4 may be covered
with foamed synthetic resin materials.
[0062] Having described specific preferred embodiments of the
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be
appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those
precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications can
be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF SIGNS
[0063] A: helmet (open-face helmet) [0064] B: helmet shell [0065]
BL: the left side part [0066] BR: the right side part [0067] M: MIC
(microphone) [0068] 1: mounting device [0069] 1': mounting device
[0070] 1'': mounting device [0071] 2: mounting part [0072] 3:
supporting part [0073] 3L: supporting part [0074] 3R: supporting
part [0075] 4: arm part [0076] 4L: arm part [0077] 4R: arm part
[0078] 5: base plate [0079] 5L: base plate [0080] 5R: base plate
[0081] 6: axis supporting part [0082] 7: supporting axis [0083] 10:
core material [0084] 11: cover material [0085] 50: long hole [0086]
51: long hole [0087] 52: guide axis
* * * * *