Abstract:
An emergency information system for a helmet for providing first attenders, paramedics and police emergency with emergency contact and medical information in the event a user is involved in an accident. The emergency information system includes an information carrier attachable to or inserted into a safety helmet. The information carrier can be a waterproof information card or an electronic information carrier, such as flash-memory device. With the use of an electronic information carrier a computer system is available to either read or write emergency contact and medical information or other such information to the carrier. The emergency information system further can include reflective elements to increase visibility of the wearer to other road users in low-light conditions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to personal medical information carriers for aiding emergency or medical personnel in the treating of a person bearing the medical information carrier. More particularly, relating to a personal medical information carrier for a safety helmet which can be easily accessed to quickly gain the medical information. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, an emergency information system for a helmet is provided. The primary purpose of the emergency information system is to provide emergency services with emergency contact and medical information in the event the user is involved in an accident. A secondary purpose is to provide a reflective element to the wearers helmet allowing them to be better seen by other road users in low-light conditions. 
     In general, in one aspect, the emergency information system for a helmet includes a sleeve having an open end and being affixable to an exterior surface of a helmet; an information card of dimensions such that said information card is removably slidable into and out of the sleeve through the open end, the information card being water proof and bearing emergency medical and contact information; and a decal affixable to an exterior surface of the helmet, the decal bearing indicia indicating the information card is available and a wanting, such as “Do not remove helmet until examined by EMS”. 
     In general, in another aspect, the emergency information system for a helmet includes a helmet; an information carrier being removably insertable into the helmet, the information carrier containing emergency medical and contact information; and indicia on an exterior surface of the helmet approximate the location of the information carrier, the indicia indicting the presence of the information carrier. 
     In general, in another aspect, the emergency information system for a helmet includes a helmet; an information carrier being removably insertable into the helmet, the information carrier containing emergency medical and contact information; indicia on an exterior surface of the helmet approximate the location of the information carrier, the indicia indicting the presence of the information carrier; the helmet having an exterior shell and an inner core received by the exterior shell; and wherein the information carrier is insertable into the helmet between the inner core and the exterior shell. 
     In general, in another aspect, the emergency information system for a helmet includes a helmet; an information carrier being removably insertable into the helmet, the information carrier containing emergency medical and contact information; and indicia on an exterior surface of the helmet approximate the location of the information carrier, the indicia indicating the presence of the information carrier; and wherein the information carrier is an electronic information carrier such as a flash-memory storage device or other type. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1   a  is a diagrammatic first side view of a safety helmet having attached thereto an information carrier constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1   b  is a front view of an example information carrier showing various types of information that may be carried by the information carrier; 
         FIG. 1   c  is a view the opposite side of the example information carrier shown in  FIG. 1   b , which also illustrates additional types of information that may be carried by the information carrier; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic second side view of the safety helmet shown in  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a warning decal that may include various warnings and/or instructions to bystanders and emergency and medical personnel; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic first side view of a safety helmet having attached thereto an alternate information carrier, which is formed as an integral part of the safety helmet; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along line  4   a - 4   a  in  FIG. 3  showing a lateral cross section of the information carrier of  FIG. 3  and how it is formed as an integral part of the safety helmet; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic first side view of a safety helmet having attached thereto an alternate information carrier, which is formed as part of the safety helmet; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5  showing a transverse cross section of a second alternate information carrier and how it is formed in to the safety helmet; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic first side view of a safety helmet having attached thereto an additional alternate information carrier, which is formed as part of the safety helmet; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7  showing a lateral cross section of the information carrier of  FIG. 5  and how it is formed as part of the safety helmet; and 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic view of a safety helmet having attached thereto an yet additional alternate information carrier comprising an electronic information carrier, such as flash-memory type carrier or other similar device and a computing system connected to the information carrier. 
     
    
    
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c , and  2 , a preferred embodiment of the emergency information system of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . 
     The primary purpose of the emergency information system  10  is to provided emergency services with emergency contact and medical information in the event the user is involved in an accident. 
     In  FIG. 1 , there is shown a diagrammatic view of the emergency information system  10  in use with a typical safety helmet  12 . The emergency information system  10  includes a carrier sleeve  14  shown attached to an exterior surface  16  of the safety helmet  12 . The carrier sleeve  14  is preferably attached to the safety helmet  12  by an adhesive backing. However, other methods of attaching the carrier sleeve  14  can include mating fasteners, such as a hook and loop type fastener. The carrier sleeve  14  is constructed of a durable material such as but not limited to vinyl. Preferably, the carrier sleeve  14  is flexible to conform to the exterior shape of the safety helmet  12  to which it is attached. Further, the carrier sleeve  14  may be entirely light reflective or may include only select light reflecting portions. The carrier sleeve further can include indicia  18  on an outer surface and the indicia  18  may also be light reflective. The indicia  18  provides an indication of the presence and location of an information carrier  20 . 
     Towards one end of the carrier sleeve  14  there is an carrier sleeve opening  22  which permits the removable insertion of the information carrier  20 . In this particular example, the information carrier is an information card  24 . The information card  24 , shown removed from the information sleeve, is of a flexible, durable material that is preferably water-proof. The information card  24  is of dimensions allowing the card to be inserted into the carrier sleeve  14  through the carrier sleeve opening  22 . Preferably, the information card  24  is a of a length permitting an end portion of the information card  24  to extend beyond the carrier sleeve opening  22 , thereby providing a user grasping region. 
     With references to  FIGS. 1   b  and  1   c , which shows the front and back sides of the information card  24  and exemplary medical and emergency contact information  25 . The medical and emergency information can include such information as the bear&#39;s names, blood type, doctor&#39;s name, medication, medical condition(s), emergency contact(s), date of birth, allergies, or any other information that might be vital to an emergency personnel. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , which shows the opposite side of the safety helmet  12  shown in  FIG. 1  having affixed thereto a decal  26 . The decal  26  provides warning and instructional information relating to health of the wearer of the safety helmet  12  and provides notification of the presence of the emergency information system  10 . An exemplary warning is illustrated on the decal  26 , which includes the statement “Do not remove helmet until examined by EMS”. 
     The decal  26  is shown in a preferred location on the safety helmet  12  which is the side opposite of the side bearing the information carrier  20 . The preferred location ensures that first attenders or emergency personnel are made aware of the information carrier  20  in the event the side of the safety helmet  12  bearing the emergency card is not visible due to the positioning of the wearer of the safety helmet. The decal  26  may be entirely light reflective or may include only select light reflecting portions. Further, the indicia on the decal  26  may be light reflective. Moreover, the decal  26  is constructed of a durable and flexible material. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3-8 , there is shown an alternate version of the emergency information system  10  which provides a safety helmet  12  including provisions permitting the information carrier  20  to be inserted into the safety helmet. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there is shown a safety helmet  12  including one exemplary provision permitting the information carrier  20  to be inserted into the safety helmet. In the example, the safety helmet  12  includes an exterior shell  28  and an inner core  30  inserted into the exterior shell. The exterior shell  28  may entirely cover the inner core  30  or may leave the inner core partially exposed. As shown, the information carrier  20  in the form of the information card  24 , as described above, is inserted into the safety helmet  12  at a location that is between the inner core  30  and the exterior shell  28 . The inner core  30  can include a recessed section  32  for receiving the information card  24  therein. The exterior shell  28  includes a slot  34  through which the information card  24  passed through to be inserted between the inner core  30  and the exterior shell. Preferably, the information card  24  is of length permitting an end to extend beyond the slot  34 , thereby providing a user grasping region. 
     On a surface  36  of the exterior shell  28  approximate the location of the information card  24  there is indicia  18  provided which includes information indicating the location of the information card. The indicia  18  may also include warning or instructional information in addition to or in place of the information indicating the location of the information card  24 . The indicia  18  can be in the form of a decal as shown or could be directly printed on the surface  36  of the exterior shell  28 . The indicia  18  and decal  26  may be light reflective. 
     With particular reference now to  FIGS. 5-6 , there is shown a safety helmet  12  including a second exemplary provision permitting the information carrier  20  to be inserted into the safety helmet. In this example, the safety helmet  12  is provided with a compartment  38  for removably receiving the information carrier  20 , shown as an information card  24 . A first side wall  40  and two opposed end walls  42  and  44  of the compartment  38  are defined by a surface area  46  of the exterior shell  28  being outwardly protruded and a second side wall  48  being defined by an outward surface  50  of the inner core  30 . An opening  52  is provided through one end wall permitting the insertion of the information card  24  into and out of the compartment  38 . 
     As in the previous example, preferably, the information card  24  is of length permitting an end to extend beyond the slot  34 , thereby providing a user grasping region. Further, as in the previous example, on a surface  36  of the exterior shell  28  approximate the location of the information card  24  there is indicia  18  provided which includes information indicating the location of the information card. The indicia  18  may also include waning or instructional information in addition to or in place of the information indicating the location of the information card  24 . The indicia  18  can be in the form of a decal as shown or could be directly printed on the surface  36  of the exterior shell  28 . The indicia  18  and decal  26  may be light reflective. 
     With attention now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , there is shown a safety helmet  12  including a third exemplary provision permitting the information carrier  20  to be inserted into the safety helmet. In this example, the inner core  30  is formed with an integral pocket  54  having an open end  56  for removably receiving the information carrier  20 , shown as an information card  24 . Preferably, the pocket  54  is formed within the inner core  30  at a location where the inner core is not covered by the exterior shell  28 . At the open end  56  there can be a finger recess  58  allowing a user to more easily grasp the information card  24 . 
     As in the previous two examples, preferably, the information card  24  is of length permitting an end to extend beyond the slot  34 , thereby providing a user grasping region. Further, as in the previous example, on a surface  36  of the exterior shell  28  approximate the location of the information card  24  there is indicia  18  provided which includes information indicating the location of the information card. The indicia  18  may also include warning or instructional information in addition to or in place of the information indicating the location of the information card  24 . The indicia  18  can be in the form of a decal  26  as shown or could be directly printed on the surface  36  of the exterior shell  28 . The indicia  18  and decal  26  may be light reflective. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , an alternate version of the emergency information system  10  is shown. In this version, the information carrier  20  is an electronic information carrier  60 , such as but not limited to a flash memory card, a memory stick, optical media or other such electronic information carrier. The information carrier  20  can be made integral and non-removable from the safety helmet  12  or can be removable using any one of the previous examples or in any other fashion. The electronic information carrier  60  will carry the same or similar information as carrier  20  in the above described information carrier and information card  24 . A computing system  62  either portable or at a fix location is operably interfacable to the electronic information carrier  60  to either read information from it or to write information to it. In one preferred application, the computing system  62  is portable, and can be interfaced with the electronic information  60  carrier directly through cabling  63  or through a coupling port  64 . The computing system  62  could also be interfaced with the electronic information carrier  60  through other data transfer, such as but not limited to infra red, RF, or other wireless means. A water tight seal, such as a plug insertable into the coupling port  64  could also be provided. The electronic information carrier  60  could also be fitted with a global positioning system of the type well known in the art that are used with various portable electronic devices. A location transponder could also be included to help locate the wearer in an avalanche situation. 
     A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.