U.S. patent number RE34,525 [Application Number 07/784,070] was granted by the patent office on 1994-02-01 for motorcycle helmet microphone mount and plug mount.
Invention is credited to John J. Lazzaroni, Melinda K. Lazzaroni.
United States Patent |
RE34,525 |
Lazzaroni , et al. |
February 1, 1994 |
Motorcycle helmet microphone mount and plug mount
Abstract
A microphone mount and plug mount for attaching to the side of a
motorcyclist's helmet, said microphone mount adapted to secure a
microphone boom positioning a microphone proximate the
motorcyclist's mouth, the motorcycle mount characterized by a clamp
portion adapted to forcefully engage the bottom edge of the helmet
with minimum structure below the edge of the helmet, and a boom
seat to receive the boom base and passage of electrical wires from
the microphone mount. The plug mount defines a clamp portion
similarly adapted to surround the lower edge of the helmet, and a
plug seat defining a cavity adapted to receive a electrical plug
and an opening to said plug seat cavity to receive electrical wires
from said microphone mount and from a headset mounted interiorly to
said helmet, the electrical plug receiving a mating electrical plug
attached to wires connecting with audio accessories located on said
motorcycle.
Inventors: |
Lazzaroni; John J. (Tucson,
AZ), Lazzaroni; Melinda K. (Tucson, AZ) |
Family
ID: |
27370920 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/784,070 |
Filed: |
October 30, 1991 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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485901 |
Jan 25, 1990 |
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Reissue of: |
66130 |
Jun 24, 1987 |
04788724 |
Dec 6, 1988 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/422; 379/430;
381/375; 381/376; 455/351 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B
3/04 (20130101); A42B 3/30 (20130101); H04R
1/46 (20130101); H04R 1/1058 (20130101); H04R
1/1008 (20130101); H04R 1/083 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A42B
3/04 (20060101); H04R 1/00 (20060101); H04R
1/10 (20060101); H04R 1/46 (20060101); A42B
001/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;2/10,422,6,209.1
;24/335 ;248/72,231.6 ;379/430 ;381/187 ;455/89,351 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1953337 |
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Sep 1971 |
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DE |
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2921434 |
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Nov 1980 |
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DE |
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61-261543 |
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Nov 1986 |
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JP |
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2005958 |
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Apr 1979 |
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GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Crowder; Clifford D.
Assistant Examiner: Neas; Michael A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cahill, Sutton & Thomas
Parent Case Text
.Iadd.This application is a continuation of reissue application
Ser. No. 07/485,901, filed on Jan. 25, 1990 now abandoned.
.Iaddend.
Claims
We claim:
1. Helmet accessories for helmets of the type having an opening for
viewing and receiving the head of a wearer, the helmet opening
having a lower side edge with adjacent inside and outside helmet
surfaces above the lower side edge, said helmet accessories placing
a microphone attached at the end of a boom proximate the helmet
wearer's mouth, the accessories comprising:
a microphone mount for attachment to an associated helmet, said
microphone mount adapted to receive and secure an associated
microphone boom for placing the microphone proximate the wearer's
mouth; and
a plug mount for attachment to the associated helmet proximate said
microphone mount, said plug mount adapted to receive and secure an
associated electrical plug and provide for electrical connection
from the electrical plug to the microphone secured by said
microphone mount, to associated earphones located in the helmet,
and to associated audio instruments located distal to the
helmet;
both said microphone mount and said plug mount each including an
attached clamp portion engaging the lower side edge of the
associated helmet, said clamp portion comprising an outside
elongated jaw and an inside elongated jaw, each said jaws having
opposite first and second ends, each said outside jaw and inside
jaw second ends forcibly engaging the outside surface and the
inside surface of the helmet above the lower side edge of the
helmet respectively with each said outside jaw and inside jaw first
and below the side edge of the helmet, each said jaw defining an
arcuate shaped concavity situated between said first and second end
and a pair of gripping ridges in each of said concavity, and
tightening means situated at said first end of each said jaws to
force said jaws together, said tightening means comprising at least
one machine bolt and nut, said machine bolt passing through said
first ends of both said outside and inside jaw, said machine bolt
and nut operably tightening said jaws forcibly together, said
gripping ridges together with said second ends engaging and holding
said clamp portion and thus said microphone mount and said plug
mount to the helmet by tightening said jaws together whereby said
microphone mount and plug mount secure the microphone in position
and provide for electrical connections in order that the wearer may
utilize the associated microphone, earphones, and audio
instruments.
2. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 1 wherein said
microphone mount includes a microphone boom seat attached to said
outside jaw, said seat adapted to receive and secure the boom of a
microphone, and to provide means for wires associated with the
microphone to exit said seat.
3. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 2 wherein said
microphone boom seat is attached to said outside jaw proximate said
second end, said microphone boom seat thereby located proximate the
outside surface of the helmet above the helmet edge.
4. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 3 wherein said
microphone boom seat includes a removable top cap, said cap
removable to facilitate placement of the microphone boom therein
for securing, and to facilitate exiting the wires associated with
the microphone from said seat.
5. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 4 wherein said
microphone boom seat defines a separable elongated cylinder having
a pair of oppositely situated circular openings, the first of said
openings adapted to pass the microphone boom, and the second of
said openings smaller than said first opening, said second opening
comprising said means providing an exit for electrical wires
connected to the microphone to exit from said seat, said second
openings centrally situated with respect to said first opening.
6. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 1 wherein said plug
mount includes a plug seat attached to said outside jaw, said plug
seat adapted to receive and secure the associated electrical plug,
and to provide means for wires associated with the electrical plug
to exit said seat.
7. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 6 wherein said plug
seat attached to said outside jaw comprises a plug seat attached to
said outside jaw proximate said second end, said plug seat thereby
located proximate the outside surface of the helmet above the
helmet edge.
8. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 7 wherein said plug
seat includes a removable top plug holder.
9. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 8 wherein said plug
seat defines a cavity, said cavity adapted to receive the
associated electrical plug.
10. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 9 wherein said plug
mount defines a pair of openings, the first of said openings
situated in said removable top plug holder, said first opening
leading to said cavity in said plug mount, said first opening also
adapted to receive the associated electrical plug in conjunction
with said cavity, and said second opening partially in said
removable top plug holder said second opening providing .[.an.].
.Iadd.a means for wires associated with the electrical plug to
.Iaddend.exit .[.for electrical wiring.]. into and out of said
cavity formed in said plug mount.
11. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 10 wherein said plug
mount first opening includes indexing grooves, said indexing
grooves adapted to receive the associated electrical plug to secure
the electrical plug in a fixed configuration.
12. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 5 wherein said
microphone boom seat includes a plurality of circular grooves
formed interiorly to said seat, said circular grooves adapted to
receive and secure the microphone boom.
13. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 12 wherein said
microphone boom seat elongated cylinder is situated at right angles
to said outside elongated jaw.
14. The helmet accessories as defined in claim 12 wherein said
microphone boom seat elongated cylinder is situated at an angle
skewed from a right angle to said outside elongated jaw. .Iadd.
15. An accessory mount for connection to a helmet having inner and
outer surfaces and a bottom edge, said accessory mount comprising
in combination:
(a) gripping means for engaging the inner and outer surfaces of
said helmet above the bottom edge, the gripping means including a
fulcrum located below the bottom edge;
(b) a microphone boom having first and second ends;
(c) an electronic microphone connected to the first end of said
microphone boom;
(d) means for attaching the second end of said microphone boom to
said gripping means above said fulcrum and for supporting said
microphone in proximity to the mouth of a person wearing said
helmet;
(e) means for attaching an electrical plug to said gripping means
above said fulcrum;
(f) means for providing separate electrical connections between the
electrical plug and (i) said microphone, (ii) at least one speaker
in audio communication with the inner portion of the helmet, and
(iii) electronic equipment external to said helmet. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. The accessory mount of claim 15 wherein the gripping
means is detachable from the helmet, and further comprising
tightening means located between said fulcrum and said bottom edge
for closing said gripping means on said helmet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17.
A method for mounting accessories to a helmet having inner and
outer surfaces and a bottom edge, said method including the
interchangeable steps of:
(a) securing a fulcrum including gripping means to the helmet by
engaging the inner and outer surfaces thereof so that the fulcrum
is below the bottom edge;
(b) securing one end of a microphone boom to the gripping means
above said fulcrum;
(c) supporting an electronic microphone at the opposite end of the
microphone boom and in proximity to the mouth of a person wearing
the helmet;
(d) securing an electrical plug to the gripping means above said
fulcrum;
(e) providing separate electrical connections between the
electrical plug and (i) the electronic microphone, (ii) at least
one speaker in audio communication with the inside of the helmet,
and (iii) electronic equipment external to the helmet. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is accessories attaching to
motorcyclist's helmet for securing a microphone proximate the
rider's mouth.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the advent of accessories for motorcyclists, particularly in
the field of supplying audio sounds to a rider, such as a radio
receiver output, has come the inevitable desire for the motorcycle
rider to communicate, both with a passenger who may be riding with
the motorcyclist, and with other parties remote from the
motorcycle. Since most motorcyclists have adopted the wearing of
helmets, it is only natural that the accessories necessary for
bringing audio sound to the rider, and taking the sound away from
the rider should be connected with the helmet. Accordingly,
motorcycle helmets may now be fitted interiorly with padding and
with a headset or earphones for hearing the audio sounds. Because
the helmet so encompasses the head of the motorcycle rider for
safety purposes, it also provides a relatively quiet sound
environment which makes possible quite good audio hearing,
although, the helmets are designed so that sounds louder than the
environment are also heard, such as sirens from emergency vehicles
or other warning sounds.
In the past, fixtures attaching to helmets have been constructed to
place a microphone at the end of a boom in front of the motorcycle
rider's mouth, the other end of the boom attaching to the fixture.
Full face helmets, i.e., those helmets which are constructed such
as to completely surround the head, having an opening in the helmet
through which one's head is inserted and an opening for viewing, do
not utilize a microphone located on the end of a boom since the
microphone may be mounted in that portion of the helmet immediately
forward of the face. However, in 3/4 face helmet, the helmet does
not surround completely the head, but the opening through which the
person places their head into the helmet is connected with the
opening for viewing and thus there is no portion of the helmet
immediately forward of the rider's face. The 3/4 face helmets thus
do require the microphone with the attached boom in order to place
the microphone immediately forward of the rider's mouth.
In the prior art, mounting fixtures and accessories for attachment
to a helmet have been developed which do secure a microphone boom
in front of the rider's mouth, however, these microphone mounts
suffer from a number of deficiencies. Firstly, some helmet
microphone mounts are attached to the side of the helmet by
drilling holes through the mount and through the helmet and then
securing the mount to the helmet by means of rivets, bolts, nuts,
or possibly a threaded plate. This method makes for a satisfactory,
well secured mount, however, it suffers from the most obvious
shortcoming that the helmet has been modified by having to drill
holes through it, and should the microphone mount ever be removed,
one or more unsightly holes will have been left in the helmet.
Other microphone mounts in the prior art clamp to the lower edge of
the motorcycle helmet, however, they are so constructed that they
extend substantially below the lower edge of the helmet such that
when they are installed upon the helmet and the rider wearing the
helmet turns his head from side to side, the microphone mount may
strike the rider's shoulder which in turn causes discomfort and is
a constant source of aggravation. This is especially a problem when
the electrical wires, which run from the motorcycle frame to the
microphone mount, attach by means of a plug mounted to the
microphone mount such as to enlarge the portion of the mount
residing below the helmet lip and present a still larger object for
striking the helmet wearer's shoulder when his head turns.
Thus, it is obvious that there is need for helmet microphone
mounting accessories which overcomes the problems of defacing the
helmet at the point where the mount is attached to the helmet, and
avoiding the problem of having the clamp residing substantially
below the lip of the helmet so as to interfere with the comfort of
the helmeted person when such person turns their head.
These and other object needs are set out in the enclosed
specification of Applicant's invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The embodiment of the invention described consists of accessories
or fixtures attachable to a helmet worn by a motorcyclist or other
party which will support a microphone immediately in front of the
helmet wearer's mount and which provides for connection of an
electrical plug which receives the electrical wires from the
electronic audio sound apparatus mounted on the motorcycle such as
a radio receiver, two-way radio, or stereo music player, as well as
providing connection for the wires to the microphone and earphones
being worn while avoiding the modification and personal discomfort
shortcomings previously discussed.
Specifically, the subject invention provides a microphone mount and
a plug mount, the microphone mount consisting of a clamping
mechanism adapted to surround the lower edge of the helmet
proximate the face opening, to adjustably compress the lower edge
of the helmet being two jaws, and means for securing one end of a
boom having a microphone attached at the other end while also
providing for an easy exit from the mount of the electrical wires
which attach to the microphone and run through the boom. In the
microphone mount, an open-ended barrel shaped elongated boom seat
having a removable semi-circular top cap receives and secures the
microphone boom base, the seat's open end receiving the boom, and a
small opening at the other end to allow passage of electrical wires
out of the seat. Once the base end of the microphone boom is
installed interiorly to the seat with its electrical wire
protruding through the small opening in the end, the top cap is
then reinstalled and all parts held together with a proper
adhesive.
The clamp portion of the microphone mount comprises an elongated
inside and outside jaw with a arcuate shaped concavity formed in
each jaw to form somewhat an elliptical figure with a pair of
crosswise gripping ridges set in the surface of each jaw. Both
inside and outside jaw are pivoted together by means of a pair of
machine screws and nuts which pass through both jaws immediately
adjacent to one end of the clamp.
The microphone mount is installed surrounding the lower edge of the
helmet in a clamping arrangement with only that portion of the jaws
having the two holding machine screws and nuts extending below the
bottom edge of the helmet. The clamp is secured against the inside
and outside surface at the lower edge of the helmet by means of
tightening the pair of machine screws and nuts and causing the
respective jaws to close. The jaws come against the helmet from the
inside and the outside, securing it in place by forcibly contacting
the helmet at an upper lip and at the two pairs of gripping
ridges.
Situated adjacent to the microphone mount at the bottom edge of the
helmet is a similarly constructed plug mount which utilizes the
identical jaw structure to grip the outside and inside surfaces
adjacent the bottom edge of the helmet, including utilization of
the same holding machine screws and nuts, and provides a plug seat
to secure a female electrical plug while also providing a wire
outlet opening from the plug seat for wires which run to the
microphone mount and to the earphones or headset mounted interiorly
to the helmet. The female plug which is held in the plug seat is
adapted to receive a male plug at the end of the electrical wires
which connect to the electronic audio equipment attached to the
motorcycle frame.
Both the microphone mount and the plug mount are constructed such
that the microphone boom seat and the plug seat are attached to the
portion of the jaw on the outside of the helmet and opposite the
end of the portion of the jaws having the machine screws and nuts,
and thus above the lower lip of the helmet when the mounts are
attached to the helmet. By this construction, only a minimum amount
of the microphone mount and plug mount reside below the lip of the
helmet and consequently, when the helmet wearer turns his head, the
mounts do not intersect the person's shoulder and the aggravation
and discomfort previously described is avoided.
Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide a
helmet microphone mount not requiring mechanical fastenings
protruding through the body of the helmet, but in fact securing
proximate the lower edge of the helmet.
It is another object of the subject invention to provide a
motorcycle mount and plug mount which have a minimum portion of the
mount extending below the lower edge of the helmet.
It is still a further object of the subject invention to provide a
microphone mount and a plug mount wherein the seats receiving the
microphone boom and the plug are situated above the lower edge of
the helmet when the microphone mount and plug mount are attached to
a helmet.
Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in
part appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the
apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements, and
arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following
detailed disclosure and the scope of the Application of which will
be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For further understanding of the features and objects of the
subject invention, reference should be had to the following
detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the subject inventive microphone
mount;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the inside jaw;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the inside jaw;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the outside jaw and microphone boom
seat;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the outside jaw of the microphone mount and
the microphone boom seat with its top cap removed;
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the top cap of the microphone boom seat
of the microphone mount;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the plug mount;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the outside jaw and plug seat of the plug
mount;
FIG. 9 is a top view of the outside jaw of the plug seat with the
top cap removed;
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the top plug holder of the plug seat of
the plug mount;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the
microphone mount;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the microphone mount attached
to the lower edge of the helmet;
FIG. 13 is a side view of a helmeted wearer with the subject
invention attached; and
FIG. 14 is a side view of a helmeted wearer with the alternate
embodiment of the invention attached.
In various views, like index numbers refer to like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the motorcycle
helmet microphone mount 10 is shown. Microphone mount 10 comprises
two primary components, namely the clamp portion and microphone
boom seat, the clamp portion consisting of elongated inside or
lower jaw 14 and outside or upper jaw 13, and with microphone boom
seat 12 attached to the upper jaw 13. The microphone boom seat is
capped with a removable top cap 16. The lower jaw 14 is held to the
upper jaw 13 by means of the pair of machine bolts 18, the heads of
which are shown in counter-sunk recesses formed in upper jaw 3.
Machine bolts 18 extend through holes formed in both upper jaw 13
and lower jaw 14 and have receiving nuts (not shown) which also
reside in a counter-sunk recess in the bottom surface of lower jaw
14 (FIG. 3). Characteristically, the head of the machine bolts 18
shown in FIG. 1 are round and have a opening in the top face to
receive a hex wrench. The countersunk recess on the bottom of lower
jaw 14 is hexagonal in shape to receive the hexagonal nut and is of
such a size tolerance that the nut, once in the recess, is
restrained from rotating.
Also shown in FIG. 1 is the opening 20 leading into a barrel shaped
elongated cavity formed in microphone boom seat 12 and top cap 16.
This cavity comprises the seat securing the base end of the
microphone boom which extends the microphone to a position
proximate the motorcyclist's mouth as shown in FIG. 13. Top cap 16
is a removable cap forming the upper portion of the seat and is
sealed in place to the microphone boom seat 12 after the base of
the microphone boom has been placed in the cavity. Nominally an
adhesive is utilized to accomplish the seal. The microphone boom
then will extend outward of the boom seat when installed, passing
through opening 20. As will be explained in further detail in
connection with FIGS. 12 and 13, motorcycle helmet microphone mount
10 is adapted to surround the lower edge of a motorcyclist's helmet
in a clamping configuration to secure the boom of the motorcycle
rider's microphone. Extending through the opposite end of the
barrel shaped cavity formed by the microphone boom seat is a second
opening much smaller than opening 20 but which allows passage of an
electrical wire which transmits the electrical signals produced by
the microphone. This second opening, shown as numeral 21 in FIG. 4,
is substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the barrel
shaped cavity.
Referring to the clamp portion, helping to secure the motorcycle
microphone mount 10 to the edge of the motorcyclist's helmet are a
pair of transverse gripping ridges 22 on the upper jaw 13 and a
pair of transverse gripping ridges 24 on the lower jaw 4. Both
pairs of these ridges run from side to side at right angles to
longitudinal axis of the elongated upper and lower jaws which form
the clamp surrounding the lower edge of the motorcycle helmet. The
ridges are adapted to contact the sides along the edges of the
helmet and help to secure the microphone mount thereto.
The primary component parts of microphone mount 10 are individually
shown in FIGS. 2-6. FIG. 2 is a top view of lower jaw 14 rotated
approximately 180 from its relative position in FIG. 1 showing the
elongated rectangular configuration with the top gripping surface
or lip 26, transverse gripping ridges 24 and machine bolt openings
28. Lastly is shown the fulcrum 30 which will abut a similar
element in the upper jaw 13 and about which the jaws pivot. An
arcuate shaped transverse concavity forming the jaw is shown
running from the top gripping surface 26 to the ledge proximate
machine bolt openings 28, and situated upon the bottom of the
arcuate shaped concavity are the pair of gripping ridges 24. This
arcuate shaped concavity is better seen in FIG. 3 where a side view
of lower jaw 4 is detailed.
In FIG. 3, the arcuate shaped concavity securing portion of the
lower jaw 14 with the pair of gripping ridges 24 at the bottom of
the concavity is seen between the top gripping surface 26 and the
ledge penetrated by machine bolt openings 28. At the far right end
is shown the fulcrum 30. The counter-sunk hexagonal recess 15
adapted to receive the nut for the machine bolt 18 (shown for
convenience in FIG. 3) is detailed in dotted fashion.
FIG. 4 is a side view of upper jaw 13 and microphone boom seat 2
and a top cap 16 taken from the side not visible in FIG. 1. Here is
seen the opening 21 for exiting the microphone wire (not shown) and
a dotted circle representing opening 20 located at the other end,
both openings centrally located upon a cylindrical axis defined by
the cylindrical cavity formed in the boom seat. Opening 21 is
formed inside an extending boss 23, opening 21 half located in
microphone boom seat and half in top cap 16. At the left hand end
of upper jaw 13 is the counter-sunk recess receiving machine bolt
18 which, for convenience, has been shown extending completely
through the upper jaw 13 and having located at its end nut 19. At
opposite ends of upper jaw 13 is the fulcrum 31 which abuts fulcrum
30 of the lower jaw 14, and at the other end of upper jaw 13 is top
gripping surface 27 which will engage the outside of the motorcycle
helmet. In a mirror image of the arcuate shaped concavity formed in
the lower jaw 14 is the arcuate shaped concavity formed in the
upper jaw having at or near its bottom gripping ridges 22 similarly
designed to forcibly engage the sides of the motorcycle helmet to
help hold the microphone mount 10 to the helmet.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the upper jaw 13 and microphone boom seat
12 absent top cap 16. Upper jaw 13 and microphone boom seat 12 in
FIG. 5 is shown relatively slightly larger than its representation
in FIG. 1 although consistent with the size shown in FIG. 4.
Starting from the bottom, shown are the pair of circular
counter-sunk recesses adapted to receive machine bolts 18 where
within the center of the recesses are the machine bolt openings 28.
Proceeding upward, the lower half of the cavity which forms the
seat for the microphone boom is detailed, having at one end opening
20 through which the microphone boom protrudes (not shown), and at
the other end opening 21 through which the microphone wires exit
the boom seat cavity. The boss 23 previously mentioned in respect
of FIG. 4 is also shown protruding from the side of the upper clamp
portion and microphone boom seat 12. On the top of the walls of the
microphone boom seat cavity are four blind holes 34 which provide
alignment mechanisms for similarly located pins in top cap 16.
Interiorly to the half cylindrical barrel cavity of the microphone
boom seat is a circular groove 36 which operates as a securing
mechanism for the cylindrical shaped microphone boom base and
lastly, a second much larger circular groove 37 also adapted to
secure the microphone boom base. Opening 21 penetrates to first
circular groove 37.
Lastly, FIG. 6 is a bottom view of semi-circular elongated top cap
16 showing the upper half of microphone boom opening 20, boss 23,
and microphone wire opening 21. On opposite sides of the half round
cylindrical cavity formed centrally to top cap 16 are circular
grooves 36 and 37 to mate with the same circular grooves 36 and 37
in microphone boom seat 12. Also shown are alignment pins 35 which
mate with alignment blind holes 34 and thereby provide correct
alignment. When adhesive is placed upon the surrounding surfaces of
top cap 16 and microphone boom seat 12, the microphone boom base is
securely held.
Referring now to FIG. 7, plug mount 40 which works in conjunction
with microphone mount 12 is shown in a perspective view. Similarly
to microphone mount 12, plug mount 40 also comprises two major
components, namely the clamp and plug seat, and has the elongated
clamp, consisting of lower jaw 14 and upper jaw 13, in common with
.[.motorcycle.]. .Iadd.microphone .Iaddend.mount 10. Secured to
lower jaw 14 by machine bolts 18 is the upper jaw 13 and attached
plug seat 42 which, like upper jaw 13 and microphone boom seat 12
of FIG. 1, works in conjunction with lower jaw 14 to surround and
securely hold to the edge of the motorcycle helmet. Lastly,
situated atop plug seat 42 is top plug holder 46. All other aspects
of similarity to microphone mount 10 remain the same, namely the
machine bolts 18 which secure the upper jaw 3 and the lower jaw 14
together as well as the arcuate shaped concavity formed in each of
the upper jaw 13 and lower jaw 14. The resultant elliptical shaped
opening formed between the two pieces, like the same elliptical
shaped opening cavity formed in microphone mount 10, has transverse
gripping ridges 24 attached to lower jaw 14 and gripping ridges 22
attached to upper jaw 13.
Formed in the top plug holder 46 is a circular plug opening 48
which permits a female electrical plug (not shown) to reside within
the opening with the face of the plug flush or nearly flush with
the top surface of top plug holder 46. The vertical multiple
indexing grooves 50 receive indexing tags of the female electrical
plug to secure the plug in a constant orientation. Not shown in
FIG. 7, but on the side of the plug opposite the left hand side
shown is an opening which is partially in the top plug holder 46
and partially in the plug seat 42 which allows passage of
electrical wires to the microphone mount 10. Electrical wires
running from the motorcycle frame or from a radio, stereo music
player, or two-way radio mounted to the motorcycle frame attach to
a male plug which mates with the female plug held securely in plug
opening 48.
Components comprising plug mount 40 are shown in FIGS. 8-10, and
commencing with FIG. 8 shows a side view of plug mount 40 (less
lower jaw 14) from the side opposite that side illustrated in FIG.
7. Here shown residing between top plug holder 46 and plug seat 42
is wire opening 52 which, like its similar counterpart and
microphone mount 10, is surrounded by boss 53 defining the interior
opening 52. Wire opening 52 leads interiorly to the cavity formed
interiorly to plug seat 42. The plug opening 48 shown in FIG. 7
leads into the slightly larger cavity 54 shown by the dotted line
in the plug seat 42 (FIG. 8). Also shown in dotted fashion are the
sides of top plug holder opening 48.
FIG. 8 also shows the features which it has in common with
microphone mount 10, namely the arcuate shaped concavity along its
bottom portion of upper jaw 13 which is adapted to surround the
outside edge of the motorcycle helmet with protruding pointed
gripping ridges 22 adapted to engage the outside of the helmet to
hold plug mount 40 to the helmet. Also, the countersunk recess and
machine bolt opening 58 is shown proximate the left end of the
upper jaw 13. Also, similarly to the upper jaw 13 and microphone
boom seat 12 of microphone mount 10, upper jaw 13 in plug mount 40
possesses the fulcrum 31 against which the lower jaw 14 engages as
well as the top gripping surface 37 which is urged against the
outside of the motorcycle helmet.
FIG. 9 is a top view of upper jaw 13 and plug seat 42 with top plug
holder 46 removed. Here shown are the walls which constitute the
cavity 54, and the wire opening 52 leading from the interior of the
cavity 54 to the outside. Wire opening 52 is surrounded by boss 53.
Opening 52 is located partially in top plug holder 46 and partially
in plug seat 42. Additionally shown in FIG. 9 are the pair of
grooves 55 formed in the side walls of plug seat 42 surrounding
cavity 54 to permit alignment of the top plug holder 46. Lastly,
machine bolt openings 58 are shown which allow passage of the
machine bolts to hold the clamped portions together.
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the top plug holder 46 showing firstly
the circular plug opening 48, the multiple grooves 50 formed
vertically in the same direction as the axial direction of plug
opening 48, the wire opening 52 which top plug holder 46 shares
with plug seat 42 as well as boss 53 surrounding the wire opening
52. Lastly, alignment protrusions 56 adapted to mate with alignment
grooves 55 of plug seat 42 are detailed in FIG. 9. After the female
plug is situated in the cavity 54 of plug seat 42, and top plug
holder 46 set about it with the female electrical plug indexed
properly in groove 50, and the plug wires exiting through opening
52, all parts are held together with an appropriate adhesive.
Referring now to FIG. 11, a perspective view of an alternate
microphone mount 60 is illustrated. This alternate microphone mount
is adapted to secure the boom of the microphone at a different
angle. In the invention, two optional microphone booms are offered.
One option employs the microphone at the end of a steel flexible
shaft boom where the shaft is sufficiently rigid that the
microphone mount may be mounted at a point approaching
approximately mid-point of the edge of the helmet between the front
and the back. This option employs the preferred embodiment shown in
FIG. 1. The other option is to use a flexible plastic microphone
boom which is of shorter length than the flexible steel boom and as
a consequence, the microphone mount must be at a point closer to
the driver's mouth and thus is usually on the lip of the curve of
the helmet near the point where the helmet begins opening for the
face. This option employs the alternate embodiment shown in FIG.
11. These are illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 which will be
discussed presently.
The only difference between the microphone mount 10 and the
alternate microphone mount 60 of FIG. 11 is that the boom seat of
the alternate embodiment, i.e., the portion which contains the
cavity to receive the microphone boom base, has been placed at an
angle such that the longitudinal axis of the boom seat barrel or
cylindrical shaped cavity is skewed or offset from the right angle
relationship with the elongated upper jaw of microphone mount 10.
The lower jaw 14 and upper jaw 13 remain the same as in microphone
mount 10. Microphone boom seat 62 and top cap 64 of the alternate
embodiment are identical to boom seat 12 and top cap 16 of the
preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 as well as the interior cavity
thereto.
Referring now to FIG. 12, a cross-sectional view is shown of
microphone mount 10 in place surrounding the bottom edge of a
motorcyclist's helmet. For ease of illustration, the microphone
mount 10 is shown not actually engaging the helmet edge, but in a
position ready to engage the helmet. Lower or inside jaw 14, which
resides interiorly to the helmet, is held to upper or outside jaw
13 and microphone boom seat 12 by means of machine bolts 18 shown
connecting both sides. For ease of illustration, the divisional
line between the top cap 16 and the microphone boom seat 12 are
shown in the same cross hatch because the parts have been glued
together. Shown emerging from opening 20 is a cross-sectional view
of the microphone boom 70. Sandwiched between the lower jaw 14 and
upper jaw 13 is the edge of the helmet 72. To clamp the helmet in
the microphone mount 10, machine bolt 18 is tightened, and as it
tightens, the gripping ridges on the jaws on both sides of the
helmet, together with the gripping surfaces 26 and 27 of the lower
jaw 14 and upper jaw 13 respectively engage the side of the helmet
in a fixed securing manner.
Through the use of high strength plastic in the microphone mount,
and the fact that the helmets also use high strength plastic in
their construction and have a scratch resistant surface, it has
been determined that Applicant's clamp may be firmly secured to the
helmet, is easily removable by unscrewing the machine bolts, and
leaves no scars upon the helmet by its use.
Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, Applicant's invention is shown in
place on a motorcyclist's helmet. In FIG. 13, microphone mount 10
is shown attached to helmet 72 at a position 1/3 to 1/2 the
distance from the front of the bottom opening to the rear and shows
microphone boom 70 emerging from microphone mount 10. At the end of
microphone boom 70 is wind sock 74, made of soft porous plastic,
and which encompasses the microphone element (not shown). As can be
seen from FIG. 13, the microphone is in position immediately
forward of the motorcyclist's mouth. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the
only portion of microphone mount 10 which extends below the bottom
edge 76 of helmet 72 is that portion of microphone mount 10
containing the machine bolts which hold the mount in place. The
bottom edge 76 of helmet 72 is approximately three-quarters of a
circle and defines substantially a flat plane which, when the
helmet is worn by an upright rider, substantially horizontal to the
ground. Obviously discernible from FIGS. 13 and 14 is the fact that
the longitudinal direction of the microphone boom seats are
approximate parallel to the plane defined by the bottom edge of the
helmet and that the microphone boom seat of the preferred
embodiment is at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the
upper jaw.
Immediately to the rear of microphone mount 10 is plug mount 40,
plug mount 40 attached to the bottom edge 76 of helmet 72 as was
microphone mount 10, and extending no further below helmet edge 76
than does microphone mount 10. Connected to microphone mount 10 by
the electrical wire previously discussed, plug mount 40 has a
female plug mounted in the plug opening which is in turn
encompassed by an electrical male plug 79 attached to connecting
wire 78 which is then connected with the selected audio instruments
75 mounted to the motorcycle, such as the two-way radio or stereo
receiver or the like which are not shown. Further, wires 73 from
plug mount 40 dive underneath the helmet's edge and run to the
headset or earphones 71 (shown dotted) interiorly to the
helmet.
FIG. 14 details use of the alternate embodiment of the Applicant's
invention, namely microphone mount 60 which is adapted to receive
the plastic microphone boom 80 rather than the flexible metal
microphone boom 70 as shown in FIG. 13. Since the plastic
microphone boom 80 is more susceptible to flexing with incoming
wind than the steel microphone boom, the plastic microphone boom 80
is shorter and thus needed to be mounted closer to the rider's
mouth. Like illustrated in FIG. 13, the microphone is held
proximate the rider's mouth and covered with the same porous
plastic wind sock 82. Because the microphone mount 60, to be closer
to the rider's mouth, must be mounted on the curve portion of the
helmet, the reason for skewing the microphone boom seat becomes
apparent. The remainder of the helmet additions are the same,
namely plug mount 40 is still connected to helmet 72 and connects
with microphone mount 60 and interiorly located earphones by the
originally previously discussed electrical wiring shown in
connection with FIG. 13. Further, male plug 79 and connecting wire
78 connects with the female plug held by plug mount 40 and as
previously discussed.
In the discussion above, the accessories or fixtures consisting of
the microphone mount and the plug mount were discussed primarily in
connection with application to a motorcyclist's helmet, however, it
is readily apparent that the invention may be applied to helmets
worn by persons in other professions, such as pilots, sports
players, and parties that may be in noisy or contaminated
environments.
In the invention, plastic has been incorporated to construct the
elements with the exception of the machine bolts and nuts.
Advantages in utilizing a resilient plastic is that the parts may
be readily molded and, in case of an accident while the
motorcyclist is riding, the lighter weight plastic presents a less
dangerous flying object than a heavier metal part in the event the
invention should break loose.
While a preferred embodiment together with an alternate embodiment
of Applicant's invention has been shown and described, it is
appreciated that other such embodiments of the invention are
possible and that there is no intent to limit the invention by such
disclosure, but rather it is intended to cover all modifications
and alternate embodiments falling with the spirit and the scope of
the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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