U.S. patent application number 14/627616 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-25 for storage attachment for safety helmets.
This patent application is currently assigned to Troy Dorsey. The applicant listed for this patent is Troy Dorsey, Kostika Spaho. Invention is credited to Troy Dorsey, Kostika Spaho.
Application Number | 20160242483 14/627616 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56693435 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160242483 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dorsey; Troy ; et
al. |
August 25, 2016 |
STORAGE ATTACHMENT FOR SAFETY HELMETS
Abstract
Systems and methods for attaching storage to safety helmets are
presented. The systems and methods involve adding external storage
to a safety helmet by insertion of a substantially ring shaped
apparatus onto the safety helmet, which includes one or more
storage compartments, and once inserted produces a fit that is one
or more of either snug, interference, or a press fit. The addition
of further safety features such as lights and the inclusion of
safety equipment such as safety glasses, hearing protection, dust
mask, or first aid equipment are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Dorsey; Troy; (North
Plainfield, NJ) ; Spaho; Kostika; (New York,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dorsey; Troy
Spaho; Kostika |
North Plainfield
New York |
NJ
NY |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dorsey; Troy
North Plainfield
NJ
|
Family ID: |
56693435 |
Appl. No.: |
14/627616 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/0406
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/04 20060101
A42B003/04 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for attaching storage to safety helmets comprising:
A substantially ring shaped apparatus that has an interior shape
that substantially conforms to the exterior shape, above a brim, of
a safety helmet and an interior taper that substantially conforms
to the exterior taper, above the brim, of the safety helmet such
that when inserted over the safety helmet the ring form a fit that
is one or more of either snug, interference, or a press fit; and
the ring comprises one or more storage compartments.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one or more storage
compartments are sealable from the elements.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ring further comprises one
or more helmet attachments.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ring includes an attachment
for a light.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ring is a split ring.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the ring includes a locking
mechanism that spans the split.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the locking mechanism
incorporates attaching a light to the apparatus.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ring further comprises one
or ring accessories configured to allow items to be attached
externally to the ring.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ring further comprises one
or ring accessories configure to allow the ring to hung from the
ring accessory when attached to the safety helmet.
10. A method of adding storage to a safety helmet comprising:
inserting on to the top of the safety helmet a ring shaped device
that has one or more external storage compartments and has an
interior shape that substantially conforms to the exterior shape of
the safety helmet; causing a fit that is one or more of either
snug, interference, or a press fit; and the ring comprises on or
more storage compartments.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the ring further comprises one
or more attachment accessories and the method further involves
facilitating the device remaining on the helmet by attaching the
attachment accessories to the safety helmet.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the ring shaped device is a
split ring.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the ring includes a locking
mechanism that spans the split and the method includes locking the
device in place after it has been inserted on to the top of the
safety helmet in order to produce the desired fit.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the locking mechanism
incorporates attaching a light to the device.
15. The method of claim 10 further comprises storing one or more of
the following with the device: safety glasses, hearing protection,
dust mask or first aid supplies.
16. The method of claim 10 further comprises applying highly
visible colors to the device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
FIELD
[0004] The present application relates to safety helmets and
particularly to the inclusion of storage.
BACKGROUND
[0005] A safety helmet (a.k.a. hardhat) is a type of helmet
predominantly used in workplace environments such as industrial or
construction sites to protect the head from injury due to falling
objects, impact with other objects, debris, rain, and electric
shock. Within the helmet are suspension bands that help spread the
helmet's weight and distribute the force of any impact over the top
of the head in order to eliminate the build-up of force at any one
point in particular. The suspension bands provide a space of
approximately 30 mm (1.2 inch) between the helmet's shell and the
wearer's head, so that if an object strikes the shell, the impact
is less likely to be transmitted directly to the skull.
Unfortunately, many wearers of safety helmets have considered the
space between the helmet and their head a convenient place to store
items ranging from packs of cigarettes to cell phones and even
other safety items such as dust masks and earplugs. Any additional
items stored within the safety helmet pose a potential risk of
allowing the force of an impact to be transmitted directly to skull
at a single point rather than being distributed.
[0006] Unfortunately, without additional storage available to them,
wearers of safety helmets will likely continue to put themselves at
risk by storing items inside the helmet.
[0007] Therefore, there continues to be a need for additional
storage associated with safety helmets that does not compromise the
integrity of the helmet and its internal suspension system.
SUMMARY
[0008] In order to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art,
systems and methods are described herein.
[0009] One aspect of the claimed invention involves an apparatus
for attaching storage to safety helmets that is substantially ring
shaped, contains one or more storage compartments, and the
apparatus is configured such that when it is placed on top of the
safety helmet the apparatus produces a fit that it is one or more
of either snug, interference, or a press fit.
[0010] Another aspect involves a method of adding storage to a
safety helmet comprising inserting on to the top of the safety
helmet a ring shaped device that has one or more external storage
compartments and when inserted produces a fit that is one or more
of either snug, interference, or a press fit.
[0011] These and other aspects described herein present in the
claims result in features and/or can provide advantages over
current technology.
[0012] The advantages and features described herein are a few of
the many advantages and features available from representative
embodiments and are presented only to assist in understanding the
invention. It should be understood that they are not to be
considered limitations on the invention as defined by the claims,
or limitations on equivalents to the claims. For instance, some of
these advantages or features are mutually exclusive or
contradictory, in that they cannot be simultaneously present in a
single embodiment. Similarly, some advantages are applicable to one
aspect of the invention, and inapplicable to others. Thus, the
elaborated features and advantages should not be considered
dispositive in determining equivalence. Additional features and
advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following
description, from the drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1A, shows in simplified form, a representative safety
helmet;
[0014] FIG. 1B shows, in simplified form, an exemplary apparatus
for adding external storage to a safety helmet;
[0015] FIG. 1C shows, in simplified form, the apparatus inserted
onto a representative safety helmet;
[0016] FIG. 2A shows, in simplified form, the addition of a split
in the apparatus;
[0017] FIG. 2B shows, in simplified form, the split apparatus
inserted onto a representative safety helmet;
[0018] FIG. 3A shows, in simplified form, the inclusion of one or
more helmet attachments;
[0019] FIG. 3B shows, in simplified form, the split apparatus
inserted onto a representative safety helmet;
[0020] FIG. 4A shows, in simplified form, the addition of a light
to the apparatus;
[0021] FIG. 4B shows, in simplified form, the addition of a light
to the apparatus and inserted onto a representative safety
helmet;
[0022] FIG. 5A shows, in simplified form, the addition of a light
400 to a split apparatus;
[0023] FIG. 5B shows, in simplified form, the addition of a light
to the split apparatus and inserted onto a representative safety
helmet; and
[0024] FIG. 6 shows, in simplified form, the inclusion of one or
more ring accessories.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The instant devices and approach provide a way to for
attaching external storage to safety helmets, without compromising
the internal suspension system, that comprises: a substantially
ring shaped apparatus that has an interior shape that substantially
conforms to the exterior shape, above a brim, of a safety helmet
and an interior taper of the ring that substantially conforms to
the exterior taper, above the brim, of the safety helmet such that
when inserted over the safety helmet the ring forms an interference
fit with the safety helmet, when inserted onto the helmet from the
top, and included with the ring is one or more storage
compartments.
[0026] A safety helmet, or hardhat, (see FIG. 1A) is a type of
helmet predominantly used in workplace environments such as
industrial or construction sites to protect the head from injury
due to falling objects, impact with other objects, debris, rain,
and electric shock. Within the interior of the helmet, there are
suspension bands (not shown in FIG. 1A) that help spread the
helmet's weight and distribute the force of any impact over the top
of the head in order to eliminate the build-up of force at any one
point in particular. The suspension bands provide a space of
approximately 30 mm (1.2 inch) between the helmet's shell and the
wearer's head, so that if an object strikes the shell, the impact
is less likely to be transmitted directly to the skull.
Unfortunately, many wearers of safety helmets have considered the
space between the helmet and their head a convenient place to store
items ranging from packs of cigarettes to cell phones and even
other safety items such as dust masks and earplugs, which poses a
potential risk of the force of an impact being transmitted directly
to skull at a single point rather than being distributed.
[0027] In addition to the internal suspension, many safety helmets
have external features as well. FIG. 1A, shows in simplified form,
a representative safety helmet 100. The helmet 100 shown includes
several features that are typical of what can be found on many
safety helmets but designs may vary from manufacturer to
manufacturer. Shown on the helmet 100 is a brim 102 that typically
extends around the entire helmet and will often vary in the extent
that it extends outward from the main helmet surface 104. [Note: In
helmets where there is only a partial brim, for example only in the
front of the helmet, for the purposes of this document the brim is
inclusive of the outer edge of the bottom of the helmet when there
is no visible brim.
[0028] The outer surface 104 of the helmet has an external taper
105, which typically continuously varies in angle as it rises from
the brim 102 to the top of the helmet in order to produce a dome
shaped. However, in some helmets the angle may be initially fixed
as it rises from the brim 102, prior to transitioning into the
arched shape that produces the dome.
[0029] Many helmets also include a mid-line reinforcement ridge 107
to improve impact resistance, as well as one or more external
bosses 108A, 108B, which have various functional aspects, such as
for the attachment of a chin strap.
[0030] Having described the various features of a typical helmet
100, what will now be described is an exemplary apparatus for
adding external storage. FIG. 1B shows, in simplified form, an
exemplary apparatus for adding external storage to a safety
helmet.
[0031] In FIG. 1B we see a substantially ring shaped apparatus 110
that is configured to have an interior surface 114 that
substantially conforms to that of one or more of a plurality of
safety helmets. The interior surface also has an interior taper 115
that is configured to substantially conform to that of one or more
of a plurality of safety helmets. The interior taper 115 may be a
fixed angle or continuously vary such that it matches the exterior
taper of a particular safety helmet. The point being that the
combination of the interior surface 114 and the interior taper 115
of the apparatus 110 are configured to allow the apparatus to one
or more of fit snuggly, produce an interference fit, or produce a
press fit onto a safety helmet.
[0032] In order to accommodate the various external features of a
particular safety helmet the apparatus is shown configured with
several representative ring features: external extension 117,
internal recesses 118A, and through cuts 118B. Other ring features
may be necessary to accommodate particular features of a particular
safety helmet such as internal extensions. The point being not the
particular set of ring features but that the apparatus is
configured with appropriate ring features such that the combination
of the interior surface 114 (inclusive of any ring features) and
the interior taper 115 of the apparatus 110 are configured to allow
the apparatus to one or more of fit snuggly, produce an
interference fit, or produce a press fit onto a safety helmet. It
should be noted that the ring features may be individually
configured to provide either clearance around an external feature
of the safety helmet of a fit with a particular feature that is
either: snug, interference, or produce a press fit and it is the
combination of the interior surface 114, inclusive of any ring
features, and the interior taper 115 of the apparatus 110 that
produces the overall fit.
[0033] The apparatus includes one or more storage units 120, which
may include one or more of storage separators and/or a lid (or
doors) and may (or may not) be sealable from the external elements.
While it is anticipate that the storage will be most commonly
located such then when inserted onto the safety helmet it will be
located towards the back of the helmet, other configuration such as
front, side, and event storage around the entire length of the
helmet are also anticipated.
[0034] Ideally the interior surface 122 (that facing the helmet) of
the one or more storage units 120 is configured such that it fits
as closely as possible to the helmet in order to allow any added
weight to be placed into the helmet to be as close to helmet as
possible. Additionally, it is anticipated that the weight of the
apparatus may be configured such that it is balanced at the center
of the ring, either with or without a predetermined amount of
weight to be added to the storage.
[0035] FIG. 1C shows, in simplified form, the apparatus 110
inserted onto a representative safety helmet 100.
[0036] Having described a representative apparatus, various
configurations will now be described.
[0037] FIG. 2A shows, in simplified form, the addition of a split
200 in the apparatus. The apparatus 110A of FIG. 2A is represented
as being identical to the apparatus 110 of FIG. 1B, except a split
200 has been added in order to increase the flexibility of the ring
in order to facilitate not only installation but in particular
removal of the apparatus. [Note: while the split 200 is shown at
the front of the apparatus other locations are also anticipated and
by varying the location of the split 200, such as close to or
opposite the storage, various mechanical properties can be
achieved. In order to create the desired fit that is one or more of
either: snug, interference, or a press fit onto a safety
helmet.]
[0038] FIG. 2B shows, in simplified form, the split apparatus 110A
inserted onto a representative safety helmet 100.
[0039] FIG. 3A shows, in simplified form, the inclusion of one or
more helmet attachments 300, 310. The apparatus 110B of FIG. 3A is
represented as being identical to the apparatus 110 of FIG. 1B,
except one or more helmet attachments 300, 310 have been included
in order to facilitate the apparatus remaining on the helmet. The
use of one or more helmet attachments can be particularly
advantageous when the apparatus is configured to provide a snug
rather than an interference or press fit onto to a helmet. [Note:
The use of helmet attachments is also particularly advantageous
when combined with the split 200 of FIG. 2B, in which case it is
often advantageous to include a helmet attachment on each side of
the split.]
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3A the rear helmet attachment 310 is
anticipated to be fixed clip that the back of the helmet is
inserted into and, in this particular case, the apparatus is then
rotated onto the helmet using the rear helmet attachment 310 as a
pivot point. Then the front helmet attachment 300 is then snapped
over the brim of the helmet to lock it in place. While front 300
and rear 310 helmet attachments have been shown, side helmet
attachments are also anticipated, as well as alternate
configurations of the helmet attachments such as adjustable straps
or stretchable straps to accommodate various brim sizes.
[0041] In this regard, it should be understood that the helmet
attachment are representative of typical, known attachments for
purposes of understanding. It is to be understood that other
attachments, whether standard or proprietary can be used to the
same or similar effect for again, the important aspect being the
ability to secure the apparatus to the helmet and not the
particular attachment utilized.
[0042] FIG. 3B shows, in simplified form, the split apparatus 110B
inserted onto a representative safety helmet 100.
[0043] FIG. 4A shows, in simplified form, the addition of a light
400. The apparatus 110C of FIG. 4A is represented as being
identical to the apparatus 110 of FIG. 1B, except attachment
receptacles 420 have been added such that mating light attachments
410 of the light 400 allows the light 400 to be attached.
[0044] FIG. 4B shows, in simplified form, the addition of a light
400 to the apparatus 110C and inserted onto a representative safety
helmet 100.
[0045] Similarly, FIG. 5A shows, in simplified form, the addition
of a light 400 to a split apparatus 110D. The apparatus 110D of
FIG. 5A is represented as being identical to the apparatus 110A of
FIG. 2A, except attachment receptacles 520 have been added such
that mating light attachments 410 of the light 400 allow the light
to be attached and are designed to span the split 200. In this way,
if the light 400 is attached to the apparatus 110 D after it has
been inserted onto a helmet then the light can be configured to
lock the apparatus 110D onto the helmet by producing the desired
fit. In this way, the possible need for helmet attachments, as
represented in FIG. 3A, may not be necessary.
[0046] While the use of a light is shown in FIG. 5A as a means of
securing a split apparatus once it has been placed upon a helmet,
other mechanisms such as a buckle or hasp are also anticipated.
[0047] In this regard, it should be understood that the means of
locking a split apparatus are representative of typical, known
means of locking for purposes of understanding. It is to be
understood that other means of locking, whether standard or
proprietary can be used to the same or similar effect for again,
the important aspect being the ability to lock the split apparatus
and produce the desired fit after it has been inserted onto the
helmet and not the particular locking utilized.
[0048] FIG. 5B shows, in simplified form, the addition of a light
400 to the split apparatus 110D and inserted onto a representative
safety helmet 100.
[0049] FIG. 6 shows, in simplified form, the inclusion of one or
more ring accessories 600, 610, 620. The apparatus 110E of FIG. 6
is represented as being identical to the apparatus 110 of FIG. 1B,
except one or more ring accessories 600, 610, 620 have been
included in order to extend the functionality of the apparatus
110E. For example, one or more chinstrap accessory 600 have been
included to allow a chinstrap to be attached to the apparatus 110E.
One or more clip accessories 610 have been added as a convenient
way for allowing items, such as a pencil or safety glasses, to be
conveniently attached apparatus and still allow for the items quick
removal. Additionally a hanging accessory 620 is shown as included
to facilitate hanging the apparatus 110E, either with or without
the helmet 100 attached, onto a storage hook (not shown) or
alternatively items could be hung from the hanging accessory 620.
As such, the safety features of the helmet can be significantly
extended by providing a convenient means for storing necessary
safety equipment that may or may not fit in the storage compartment
120. For example, the storage compartment might include one or more
of: ear plugs (hearing protection), face mask, first aid materials
(bandages, antiseptic wipes . . . etc.) and the ring accessories
would allow the attachment of safety glasses that might not
otherwise fit in the storage compartment 120.
[0050] Additional, safety can be achieved to any of the apparatus
specified by adding reflective elements or high visibility coloring
the apparatus (either in part or in whole), such as florescent
yellow, orange, or even adding glow in the dark coloring.
[0051] By adding battery power to the apparatus additional features
such as one or more lights going around the apparatus can be added.
Additionally, a one-way or a two-way radio could be incorporated
into the apparatus that either had a microphone and/or head phones
that extended permanently over the brim to an accessible location
or were retractable. Alternatively, for a radio, sound could be
conducted into the helmet through external vibrations supplied by
the apparatus.
[0052] Finally, it is worth noting that while the above has been
discussed in relationship to safety helmets it is applicable to any
hat that has a rigid structure, e.g. a bicycle helmet.
[0053] Finally, it is to be understood that various different
variants of the invention, including representative embodiments and
extensions have been presented to assist in understanding the
invention. It should be understood that such implementations are
not to be considered limitations on either the invention or
equivalents except to the extent they are expressly in the claims.
It should therefore be understood that, for the convenience of the
reader, the above description has only focused on a representative
sample of all possible embodiments, a sample that teaches the
principles of the invention. The description has not attempted to
exhaustively enumerate all possible permutations, combinations or
variations of the invention, since others will necessarily arise
out of combining aspects of different variants described herein to
form new variants, through the use of particular hardware or
software, or through specific types of applications in which the
invention can be used. That alternate embodiments may not have been
presented for a specific portion of the description, or that
further undescribed alternate or variant embodiments may be
available for a portion of the invention, is not to be considered a
disclaimer of those alternate or variant embodiments to the extent
they also incorporate the minimum essential aspects of the
invention, as claimed in the appended claims, or an equivalent
thereof.
* * * * *