U.S. patent application number 16/903296 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-01 for conversion assembly for a hard hat.
This patent application is currently assigned to Guardhat, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Guardhat, Inc.. Invention is credited to Steven Friedman, Senni Perumal, Mikhail Zhavoronkov.
Application Number | 20200305538 16/903296 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004897149 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-01 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200305538 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedman; Steven ; et
al. |
October 1, 2020 |
Conversion Assembly for a Hard Hat
Abstract
A conversion assembly is secured to a hard hat having a
protective dome cover defining a peripheral rim, and a visor. The
conversion assembly includes a compartment and a plurality of
electronic circuits housed within the compartment. A mechanical
connector removably secures the compartment to the protective dome
cover of the hard hat.
Inventors: |
Friedman; Steven; (Concord,
CA) ; Perumal; Senni; (Detroit, MI) ;
Zhavoronkov; Mikhail; (Northville, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Guardhat, Inc. |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Guardhat, Inc.
Detroit
MI
|
Family ID: |
1000004897149 |
Appl. No.: |
16/903296 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16177402 |
Oct 31, 2018 |
|
|
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16903296 |
|
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|
|
62579277 |
Oct 31, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/003 20130101;
A42B 3/30 20130101; A42B 3/0406 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/30 20060101
A42B003/30; A42B 3/00 20060101 A42B003/00; A42B 3/04 20060101
A42B003/04 |
Claims
1. A conversion assembly to be secured to a hard hat having a
protective dome cover, a visor and an underside, said conversion
assembly comprising: a plurality of compartment housings
operatively secure together; a plurality of electronic circuits,
each of said plurality of electronic circuits housed within one of
said plurality of compartment housings; and a mechanical connector
securing each of said plurality of compartments along the brim of
the hard hat.
2. A conversion assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a
periphery strap extendable around the protective dome cover.
3. A conversion assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein a portion
of said plurality of compartments are secured to said periphery
strap
4. A conversion assembly as set forth in claim 3 including a visor
compartment fixedly secured to said periphery strap and positioned
adjacent the visor of the hard hat.
5. A conversion assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
mechanical connector is a layer of adhesive extending between each
of said plurality of compartment housings and the protective dome
cover of the hard hat.
6. A conversion assembly to be secured to a hard hat having a
protective dome cover defining a peripheral rim, a visor and an
underside, such conversion assembly comprising: a compartment; a
plurality of electronic circuits housed within said compartment;
and a mechanical connector for removably securing said compartment
to the underside of the hard hat.
7. A conversion assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said a
mechanical connector removably secures said compartment to the
underside of the hard hat adjacent the peripheral rim of the hard
hat.
8. A conversion assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said
compartment extends along all of the peripheral rim of the hard
hat.
9. A conversion assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said
compartment extends along a portion of the peripheral rim of the
hard hat.
10. A conversion assembly as set forth in claim 8 including a
second compartment extending along a portion of the peripheral rim
of the hard hat.
11. A conversion assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said
compartment and said second compartment are positioned along said
peripheral rim to balance the hard hat on the head of the user.
12. A conversion assembly to be secured to a hard hat having a
protective dome cover defining a peripheral rim, a visor and an
underside, such conversion assembly comprising: a compartment; a
plurality of electronic circuits housed within said compartment;
and a mechanical connector for removably securing said compartment
to the protective dome cover of the hard hat.
13. A conversion assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said
mechanical connector is a layer of adhesive extending between said
compartment and the protective dome cover of the hard hat.
Description
[0001] This patent application is a divisional of copending patent
application having U.S. Ser. No. 16/177,402, filed Oct. 31, 2018,
which claims priority to non-provisional patent application
62/579,277, filed Oct. 31, 2017.
BACKGROUND ART
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to an assembly for converting a hard
hat into one capable of communicating remotely from the wearer of
the conversion assembly. More particularly, the invention relates
to an assembly capable of sensing various conditions and
communicating the sensed signals remotely.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] There are safety helmets or headwear with integrated
electronics to provide communication information. Typical safety
headwear may include a helmet or other safety-type hard hat used in
a variety of industries including industrial, military and
emergency. However, integrating these technologies into the
respective safety helmets of each industry, such as industrial,
military and emergency services, is very costly and requires custom
designs and various protection certifications for each industry.
Similarly, there are customer acceptance challenges because the
users are now required to adopt new and different hats than what
they are currently used to.
[0004] There is a need for smart technologies in industrial,
military, and emergency services. Moreover, there is a need for
technologies that can provide tracking, communication,
environmental sensing, etc. for users in the field. It is
preferable to have these technologies hands-free to minimize burden
and restrictions on the user. Incorporating the technologies in a
head worn device is also preferable because of the hands-free,
telecommunications nature of the device. And incorporating these
technologies into pre-existing hard hats that are designed to meet
certain specifications allows for the increased functionality of
the hard hats without redesigning or compromising the integrity of
the existing hard hat that may meet industry specifications.
[0005] Integrated electronics have been customized to helmets or
hard hats such as in: U.S. Pat. No. 9,538,801 issued Jan. 10, 2017,
U.S. Pat. No. 9,686,136 issued Jun. 20, 2017, U.S. Pat. No.
9,486,027 issued Nov. 8, 2016, and 2016/0249700 filed May 9, 2016,
all by the common inventors and assignee.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A conversion assembly is secured to a hard hat having a
protective dome cover defining a peripheral rim, and a visor. The
conversion assembly includes a compartment and a plurality of
electronic circuits housed within the compartment. A mechanical
connector removably secures the compartment to the protective dome
cover of the hard hat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as
the same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
invention secured over a hard hat, shown in phantom;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
invention; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
electronic circuits found in the third embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the
invention; and
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a conversion assembly is generally
indicated at 10. The conversion assembly 10 can be secured to
safety headwear, generally shown in phantom at 12. In this
embodiment, the hard hat 12 is a piece of protective head gear
commonly referred to as a hard hat or helmet, depending on the
industry. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
the hard hat 12 may be any type of head gear used in various
industries requiring integrated electronics, such as in the
military, industrial, or emergency environments, although not
limited thereto.
[0015] The hard hat 12 has an outer shell 14 that is rigid and
hard, commonly a plastic or polycarbonate. The outer shell 14
typically includes a protective, domed portion 16 and is designed
to cover a person's head. The hard hat 12 may also include a brim
13 that extends outwardly from the protective dome portion 16. The
outer shell 14 includes a periphery 18 that defines an opening 20
to receive the head of a wearer or host. The hard hat 12 also
includes a visor 22 extending from the domed portion 16 to help
protect the face or the operator wearing the hard hat 12.
[0016] The conversion assembly 10 includes a flexible cover 24 for
overlying the wearable device or hard hat 12. The flexible cover 24
may be mechanically secured to the hard hat by a mechanical
connector 25. The mechanical connector 25 removably secures the
conversion assembly 10 to the hard hat 12. It should be appreciated
by those skilled in the art that a non-exhaustive list of types of
mechanical connectors 25 include, but are not limited to, hooks,
snaps, adhesive or other commonly known mechanisms. In addition,
the mechanical connector 25 may be a tongue member that is
securable in an auxiliary port that may be built into the hard hat,
as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,486,027, which is of common
ownership, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein
by reference.
[0017] In the preferred embodiment, the flexible cover 24 includes
a plurality of nylon straps comprising a dome strap 26 extending
over the top or center of the domed portion 16 and a peripheral
strap 28 extending about the periphery 18 of the hard hat 12. Both
the dome strap 26 and peripheral strap 28 may be adjustable to fit
various sizes and configurations of the hard hat 12. The straps 26,
28 are shown as of a nylon material; however, it is within the
invention to use other durable material.
[0018] The conversion assembly 10 assembly also includes a
plurality of compartment housings 30. The compartment housings 30
are made of a rigid material, such as plastic or polycarbonate or
other rigid material. The compartment housings 30 may be weather
resistant if required by the industry by suitable gaskets or other
sealers as are commonly known. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
electronics housed within the compartment housings 30 are connected
wirelessly. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the electronics housed within the compartment housings 30 may
be connected to each other with a wire harness, which would extend
along the peripheral strap 28. A wire harness may be used for
power, eliminating the need for battery storage on both sides.
[0019] The compartment housing 30 may include tracking technology,
social distancing alert technology, video, telecommunications,
environmental sensors, etc. The conversion assembly 10 is designed
such that compartment housings 30 can be added or subtracted based
on the industry and user preference. Microphone jacks, an ear jack,
and USB ports, and specially designed ports, may be accessible on
the exterior surface of the compartment housings 30 to further
optimize the functionality of the conversion assembly 10.
[0020] The compartment housings 30 may include a visor housing 34
of a larger dimension to rest upon the visor 22 of a hard hat 12 to
include larger technology or technology requiring frontal views,
such as video technology. The compartment housings 30 may also
include a large compartment 36 in the rear of the conversion
assembly 10 such as to contain larger technology or a battery. The
peripheral strap 28 and dome strap 26 may support the attachment of
additional compartment housings 30 for smart technology as required
by the wearer or industry, including as shown a microphone 32 for
hands free communication.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2 with reference numerals offset by 100
representing similar elements, a second embodiment of the
conversion assembly 110 is shown with one the dome strap 26
removed. In this embodiment, the mechanical connectors 125 hold the
conversion assembly 110 to the hard hat 112 resting on an outer
brim 113 of the hard hat 112. As such, the conversion assembly 110
is held in place by the mechanical connectors 125 working together
with the outer brim 113 of the hard hat 112.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 3 with reference numerals offset by 200
representing similar elements as those in the prior two
embodiments, a third embodiment of the conversion assembly 210 is
shown. Unlike the prior two embodiments, the third embodiment of
the conversion assembly 210 does not include a flexible cover 24.
The conversion assembly 210 includes a single rigid compartment
230, which houses a plurality of electronic circuits 242 therein
(the electronics 242 are best seen in FIG. 4). The mechanical
connector 225 removably secures the compartment 230 to the
underside 240 of the hard hat 212. In this third embodiment,
nothing extends over the protective dome cover 216. All of the
conversion assembly 212 extends along the periphery 218 of the hard
hat 212. The compartment housing 230 may extend below the visor 222
or it may continue around the periphery 218 without extending out
underneath the visor 222.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, the electronics 242 are generally shown
in relation to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The electronics 242
include a printed circuit board 243 having electronics that provide
and regulate power. Tracking functionality is performed by printed
circuit board 245. A third printed circuit board 247 includes
electronics that control telemetry and communications and a fourth
printed circuit board 249 includes electronics that control sensors
housed within the compartment housing 230. Power strip connectors
251, 253, 255, 257 provide connections between their respective
printed circuit boards and a power bus 259, which extends through
much of the compartment housing 230.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 5, with reference numerals offset by 300
representing similar elements as those in the prior three
embodiments, a fourth embodiment of the conversion assembly 310 is
shown. This fourth embodiment is similar to the second embodiment
of the conversion assembly 210. In this embodiment, there are a
plurality of compartments 330 extending along the periphery 318 of
the hard hat 312. Each of the compartments 330 are secured to the
hard hat 312 using one of the mechanical connectors 325. The
electronics housed within each of the compartment housings 330 may
communicate with each other through a wired connection, a wireless
connection or they may act independently of each other and not
communicate. In the latter instance, the electronics will be chosen
a la carte allowing each hard hat 312 to have any number of
functionalities added thereto.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 6, with reference numerals offset by 400
representing similar elements as those in the prior four
embodiments, a fifth embodiment of the conversion assembly 410 is
shown. This fifth embodiment 410 is similar to the third embodiment
210, but it includes a plurality of compartment housings 430
disposed about the underside of the brim 413. A wire harness 460 is
shown to connect each of the compartment housings 430 together. In
an alternative embodiment, the compartment housings 430 could
communicate wirelessly provided each had its own power source. This
embodiment provides flexibility in which electronic functions can
be performed by selecting which compartment housings 430 the user
wants to secure to the hard hat 412 being worn.
[0026] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used,
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation.
[0027] Many modifications and variations of the invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the
scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other
than as specifically described.
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