Abstract:
A safety helmet for bikers, skateboarders, rollerbladers and the like is adapted to include a standalone player such as a compact disc player and/or digital audio player mounted in or on its head-protective shell. Controls for the player are within or directly on the helmet, and earphones are suitably located at a user&#39;s ears. Music files or other information may be charged or loaded from a computer, for example in MP3 format, directly into the helmet for subsequent playback. An ambient sound sensor on a rear portion of the helmet senses traffic sounds for the user&#39;s safety. Entertainment offered by the helmet will encourage people, particularly children, to wear the helmet, thus encouraging safety and saving lives.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-in-Part of non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 10/214,539, filed on Aug. 9, 2002, the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 USC 120. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable.  
         REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING  
         [0003]    Not applicable  
         REFERENCE TO “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
         [0004]    Not applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention relates to the general art of wearing apparel, and to the particular field of protective wearing apparel and more specifically, to the field of headgear.  
           [0006]    More and more people, young and old, are using bicycles, scooters, skateboards, skates, motorcycles, ATVs, rollerblades, and the like. More and more people are also riding horses and even jogging. The popularity of these modes of transportation is nearly unprecedented. However, as is well documented, the risk of injury associated with these modes of transportation is very high.  
           [0007]    More specifically, the risk of head injuries from these activities is especially alarming. For example, literally hundreds of children die each year from biking accidents, nearly a third of those under 15 years of age. Many more suffer severe and often permanent brain damage or other disabilities. Studies indicate that 75% of deaths are from head injury, particularly since helmet use in many communities is only 5-10%. Experts say that helmets reduce the risk of death or serious injury by up to 85%.  
           [0008]    Therefore, nearly every safety rule requires some form of head protection. Many riders or runners are reluctant to wear helmets for various reasons. None of the reasons is entirely valid, but people too often avoid wearing safety helmets nonetheless.  
           [0009]    Helmets are manufactured in a wide variety of types and forms, and in general may be said to be designed as application-specific. For example, a Harley Davidson® cycle rider will expect a helmet considerably different from that desired by a rollerblader, just as a horse-riding enthusiast&#39;s safety headgear will differ considerably from helmets found on a motorcycle policeman. All such helmet types hold certain aspects or features in common.  
           [0010]    For example, all helmets include a shell shaped to protectively fit at least part of the wearer&#39;s head. All helmets exhibit an impact resistant outer shell surface backed by an inner liner for comfortable placement on the user&#39;s head, and almost always have an attachment element such as a chin strap that binds or secures them in place during use. They also must have space to accommodate the ears of the wearer. Given the above-described common attributes and characteristics of protective helmets, this invention is intended as directed to them all.  
           [0011]    Over the years, a significant number of helmet designs have included some variation of one or two-way communication devices or media player receivers interconnected through wiring or broadcast signals with devices or sources located externally of the helmet. Signal or sound-source control devices may be nearby, such as a unit worn on the user&#39;s belt or arm; alternatively, source devices may be found attached to cycle handlebars or frame, or to a saddle or seat, depending on the transportation mode. Other sources may be of the wireless transmission type, either nearby or very remote, such as FM transmitters, or certain kinds of broadcast or directed telecommunication systems.  
           [0012]    Such communication and entertainment hardware has found its way into helmets of many types, ranging from those of more massive or durable constructs typical of the helmet gear of motorcycle police and skydivers, to the more casual yet sturdy helmets worm by civilian or hobby-bikers (such as Rolling Thunder enthusiasts). Communication and entertainment devices also may be found in the smaller head-protection devices worn by bicyclists, or among the safety gear of rollerbladers, and even swimmers.  
           [0013]    Despite efforts to perfect all such helmets to make them more desirable or at least tolerable to those who decline or avoid their use, these various units still fall short by only modestly influencing users, particularly young people, toward more frequent wear of safety helmets. Product developers in the widespread field of helmet design, at this point, have missed the mark. They are, in fact, essentially out of step. The bottom line is that helmet use still is not widespread, as is apparent from the above-quoted injury statistics. A multitude of jarring news reports bear this out. Accidents—preventable accidents—especially those of the most serious type where life-threatening head injuries are encountered, continue to occur all too infrequently.  
           [0014]    Therefore, in the interest of safety, there is a growing need for helmets that provide both safety and a strong, secondary motivation for wearing them. Specifically, there now is an opportunity to take advantage of new information and music delivery technologies. Over the recent past, popular lightweight player systems have emerged that are light in weight and without moving parts. They, dependably deliver music and information under all types of conditions making them ideal for use in situations where the user is mobile or even engaging in risky activities, whether such activities are recreational or vocational. With proper design and placement, these players may be mounted on or in helmets, and even made integral with the helmet structure. The result of such application would be that users would be entertained while engaging in the activity of risk. Not only can the music be entertaining, but other information delivered to a helmet can be beneficial as well. For example, a trail biker may wish to learn from a tutorial on foreign languages or a college course lecture.  
           [0015]    Most existing protective helmets are quite restrictive in the uses that can be made of the helmet. This limits the ability of a wearer to adjust or modify the helmet to accommodate the wearer&#39;s needs or desires. If a wearer can adjust or adapt a helmet to satisfy personal needs, particularly in a way that keeps abreast of that person&#39;s current mode of media access, that person is more likely to wear the helmet. Therefore, there is a need for a helmet that, while affording protection from injury, also permits a wearer to control the environment associated with the helmet while the helmet is being worm. Further, the environmental control should be one that comports with the user&#39;s normal or preferred mode of media entertainment and communication access, as opposed to pressing him or her into an outmoded or unfamiliar system.  
           [0016]    A main object of the present invention is to provide a helmet that positively encourages a person to wear the helmet to such an extent that the wearer may well look forward to the media information and entertainment access as much as, or more than, the physical recreational activity itself. Further, with proper placement and design, a helmet equipped with an entertainment capability will be balanced and without added hazards of loose wires.  
           [0017]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a helmet that provides entertainment and/or educational opportunities to a wearer while the helmet is worm, and to do so in a way that is consistent with his or her normal or contemporary listening opportunities apart from the riding or jogging environment. In other words, for example, the entertainment media should be basically the same as that enjoyed in the user&#39;s own room, or at the mall with friends.  
           [0018]    It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a helmet that provides music or other communication capabilities to the wearer while the helmet is being worn. The helmet user or wearer will benefit from being entertained or otherwise mentally stimulated while receiving the protection typically afforded by the helmet.  
           [0019]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a helmet that provides entertainment or educational opportunities to a wearer while the helmet is worn and which permits the wearer to control the playing of the entertainment. The delivery system may be one of several optional forms, or even provide an opportunity for multiple delivery systems within a single helmet unit.  
           [0020]    A still further objective is to provide the convenience of a helmet unit that is essentially self-contained, that is, one that incorporates at least one media player unit wholly within the confines of the helmet, subject only to charging (or inputting) of media informational data and re-charging of a player power source (such as a battery or power pack).  
           [0021]    Still another object is to provide a stand-alone or self-contained helmet-player combination, with at least one internal media player entertainment delivery system. In this instance, the helmet-player may be directly charged with informational data by effecting an interconnection with a personal computer or the like. The helmet-player becomes, essentially, a media player in and of itself. A helmet so modified would require no external modules or attachments to media sources, nor any dependence on externally broadcast or projection resources. This is what is meant by stand-alone or self-contained helmet-player combination.  
           [0022]    Of course, this invention has primary objects that relate directly to safety and the saving of lives by motivating individuals to wear safety helmets. Further, the present invention goes further in providing safety by including an ambient sound receiver that will enable the wearer to hear approaching vehicles or warning sounds such as horns, even when music or information media are playing.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0023]    The above objects and still other objectives are achieved by a helmet as presented herein, which may take a number of forms or designs, all within the scope and spirit of the present inventive apparatus. The helmet in one embodiment includes a liner unit having earphones embedded therein and a strap connected to the liner unit for the purpose of securing the helmet to the users head. It further includes an outer shell unit that covers the liner unit when worn by a wearer. A compact disc player, optionally capable of playing CD&#39;s formatted in a variety of ways well known in the art, such as standard CD format, MP3 format and so on, as further discussed below, is mounted directly on or in the outer shell unit. The player has a proximate, remote control unit electrically connected to the compact disc player.  
           [0024]    In lieu of, or in addition to, the compact disc player, this invention presents the alternative inclusion of a digital audio player, sometimes known as a digital chip audio player, mounted on or within the helmet outer shell. In this context, a digital audio player is defined as including any of a growing number of digital audio players designed to accept and “play” digitally compressed audio files. Such files are generally “formatted,” compressed for storage comporting with specific standards or versions, and subsequently decompressed for play.  
           [0025]    Examples of such compressed file storage media were developed by a working group known as the Moving Picture Experts Group, or MPEG, and were identified as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4. The MPEG-1, layer  3  format became popularly known as MPEG-3 or MP3, though, technically speaking the MPEG-3 standard never really existed. This is, however, acceptable terminology, with well established meaning in the art.  
           [0026]    Other formatted files followed. Along with the MP3, other popular formats and players emerged, such as iPod, MP4, AT&amp;T, a2b, Liquid Audio, Real Audio, SDMI audio players, and the like, as defined for example in the discussion of chip based digital players presented in Buchheim&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,306. Such digital audio players are highly popular particularly among younger consumers.  
           [0027]    A digital audio player of the type utilized in the present inventive apparatus is typically portable in nature. It includes an audio chip and a memory which serves to record, store, and subsequently play the compressed digital audio information. It also is well known that an audio chip is designed to compress and decompress digital audio data in order to save memory space. Digital audio players, according to Buchheim, became feasible with the co-evolution of miniaturized high capacity digital memory devices and digital information compression technologies. For purposes of this invention, audio player need not necessarily be in the form of the well-known portable unit device, but instead may exist as digital audio player components formed within the helmet structure as to be described below.  
           [0028]    While digital audio players are usually format-specific, there are players that accept multiple formats. (At the time of filing the parent application of which this is a Continuation-in-Part, the corporation RealNetworks, Inc. had developed and released the RealOne® player capable of handling more than 50 digital formats, including those most popular of files in broad usage.)  
           [0029]    Where a compact disc player is included in the present helmet invention, control buttons are located on an access door of the compact disc player as well as on an extended, directly connected remote control unit for controlling operation of the compact disc player. Where a digital audio player is included, control buttons are placed conveniently on an outer surface or shell of the helmet. Again, an extended, directly connected remote unit can be utilized to afford convenient remote control where desired.  
           [0030]    Depending on the nature or basic design of the helmet, as required for the specific recreational or transportation activity, output speakers may be attached to or near the helmet lining at a point where they engage the ears (as is known in the art as evidenced by Lazzoroni et al. U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,525), or may be positioned along a helmet side rim above, yet adjacent, the ears (as is known and evidenced by McCormick et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,421, and Von Statten, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,105.)  
           [0031]    In every embodiment, as an additional yet related safety feature, an ambient sound sensor unit or receiver, generally in the form of a small microphone, may be embedded into, or connected to the protective shell of the helmet The sensor unit is directly wired to a player controller system, and operatively interconnected in a standard manner conventionally known, such that ambient or environmental sounds can be heard along with the player sound output. This microphone or sensor unit may be equipped with any well-known on/off switch, and is may be positioned at a rear surface of the helmet so as to avoid rushing wind noise and so that it will be discretely out of the way. With this unit, the helmet wearer will remain continuously aware of approaching vehicle sounds, auto horn warnings, warning shouts and the like, even when listening to the sounds of music or other information programs.  
           [0032]    The liner unit, which may be no more than a headband, is generally formed of soft material for comfortable placement on the user&#39;s head, and the outer shell is formed of impact-absorbing hard plastic or other synthetic or suitable natural material commonly used in safety helmets such as motorcycle helmets, as well as those differently shaped helmets worn by bicyclers and skaters, skateboarders and the like. A chin strap unit, provided in any of a number of typical designs, includes a size adjusting mechanism as is well known in the art. A known liner unit is illustrated by Von Statten, Jr. and a typical chin strap is taught by McCormick et al. both of which are referenced above.  
           [0033]    The helmet of the present invention not only protects the wearer, it encourages people to wear the helmet. The entertainment or other informational data provided by the compact disc player and/or the digital audio player located in the helmet will motivate and encourage the individual to wear the helmet thereby providing the benefits of wearing protective head gear.  
           [0034]    Many people, most especially children, enjoy listening to music while partaking in recreational activities such as biking, rollerblading, skating and the like. Also, a great number of people enjoy listening to books on tape, compact disc, digital audio storage devices and the like when horseback riding and exercising. To accommodate this desire, at the present time, these people generally must carry a playback unit on their person in a pouch, or on a belt, around an arm, or simply in their hand. Alternatively, they find it necessary to attach the device, or at least parts thereof, to their vehicle, saddle, handlebars and so on. This is inconvenient and may be cumbersome, even dangerous, particularly if it interferes with vehicle control or balance. Also, a helmet attached through a wire to the vehicle, horse or other transport mode unfortunately posses the threat of serous injury during unintentional or accidental dismount.  
           [0035]    Remotely “hardwired” connections fixedly attached, for example to the user&#39;s belt or arm, or to bike handlebars or frame, can pose certain hazards since a loosely extended wire could easily be snagged or otherwise become entangle with external elements resulting in a sudden yank or pull on the user&#39;s helmet. Application of wireless technology communication is contemplated, but would add to the complexity and expense of the helmet unit, and does not offer consistent sound of reasonable quality. The helmet embodying the present invention permits a battery powered audio playback unit of any type to be positioned at a balanced location on the helmet. For example, the player or players are substantially centered at the outer surface of said helmet shell. In such “substantially centered” position, the unit not only affords balance, but also is positioned out of harm&#39;s way with respect to external interference or dangerous snags.  
           [0036]    Where a separate (solitary) digital audio player unit is to be employed, this safety helmet invention accommodates it in alternative ways. The player may be inserted as a separate unit into a recess provided in or on the helmet shell. Alternatively, the digital audio player may be formed as a combination safety helmet and digital audio player. The combination is fabricated such that the appropriate digital components are substantially permanently, integrally formed into the helmet shell structure, itself. The helmet with its integral audio player components is further adapted to include data transfer ports (for example, female connector sockets or the like) to facilitate downloading new data files (music, information and the like) through a convenient interconnection, for example via a high speed data exchange medium such as USB (Universal Service Bus) connector, engaged directly with a personal computer (PC) or Macintosh (MAC) data source. Thus, the safety helmet itself is a wearable digital audio player unit.  
           [0037]    Music may, of course, be downloaded or charged directly into the helmet audio player component from other ancillary sources such as a computer-driven CD, laptops, or from other compatible electronic modules. The various player units in or on the helmet may be powered by batteries or battery packs. Further, as is well known, these batteries or battery packs may be rechargeable. For example, the helmet audio player component may have an additional transfer port (e.g., a female connector socket) adapted to receive power from a conventional power outlet and recharging adapter unit. The helmet, in all the described embodiments, is a wholly independent, self-contained, free-standing, personal entertainment helmet. The advantage is that the user may selectively store playing media inside said media player, then secure said helmet and the standalone media player in place on the user&#39;s head, and listen to the stored media sound while proceeding with recreational or vocational activities. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 1 and 1-A are perspective views of a helmet embodying the present invention, and illustrating for convenience, a compact disc player along with an optionally co-located digital audio player detailed in FIG. 1-A.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 2 is a detail view of a portion of the helmet shown in FIG. 1, namely a helmet liner unit portion with speaker unit.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partially cross-sectional view of a helmet embodying the present invention in place on a wearer, where placement on the wearer&#39;s head is by way of example only to show context of helmet unit and liner parts with respect to a wearer&#39;s head.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 is a schematic, rear elevation view of a helmet shown in cutaway view and embodying the present invention in place on a wearer. Again the position or placement of the helmet cross-section is by way of example to show context of player units with a wearer&#39;s head.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing an embodiment wherein a lid or door is provided to accommodate a player unit or components thereof, to be optionally controlled by an attached, remote control unit; further shown is an ambient sound sensor unit.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a helmet similar to that shown in FIG. 5, but having a shape commonly used by bikers, rollerblade enthusiasts, and the like, and including a side mounted control panel interconnected to an integral internal control unit which controls an integral internal media player. Further shown is an ambient sound sensor unit similar to that shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7 is a view of the helmet shown in FIG. 6, wherein a PC (or MAC) device and power source are shown in relation to data transfer ports and power charging transfer ports, respectively, on a surface of the helmet along with appropriate interconnection cables for effecting transfer of music, information and the like to an internal media player.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]    Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.  
         [0046]    Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a helmet  10  in the form of a helmet shell worn to protect a user&#39;s head during activities such as bicycling, skating, skateboarding, rollerblading, snow-boarding, scooter riding, horseback riding, jogging and the like. Said helmet has a helmet outer surface, a helmet front portion, two helmet side portions and a helmet rear portion, as will be discussed in more detail herebelow. Helmet  10  may include a liner unit  12  within said shell adapted to engage the head of the user, The liner unit  12  further includes a head-covering section  14 , partially shown as a Detail A in FIG. 2, having a front liner portion  16 , a rear liner portion  18  and side liner portions, such as side portion  20 , connecting the front portion  16  to the rear portion  18 .  
         [0047]    As indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4, with continued reference to liner  12 , the front liner portion  16  of the head-covering section  14  is located adjacent to the face of a wearer when the wearer is wearing liner unit  12 , the rear portion  18  of the head-covering section  14  is located adjacent to the back of the wearer&#39;s head when the wearer is wearing the liner unit  12  and the side liner portions  20  of the head-covering section  14  are located adjacent to the sides of the wearers head when the wearer is wearing the head-covering section  14 . The liner unit  12  can fit as snugly on the wearer as desired and can absorb sound as well as dampness and the like as is the case with helmet liners.  
         [0048]    Liner unit  14  further includes a liner rim  22  which includes a liner rim face portion  24  located adjacent to the face of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the liner unit  12 . Further, a liner rim rear portion  28  is located adjacent to the back of the wearer&#39;s head when the wearer is wearing the liner unit  12 . A first ear E 1  covering portion  30  covers one ear of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the liner unit  12 , and a second ear covering portion  32  covers a second ear E 2  of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the liner unit  12 .  
         [0049]    The ear covering portions  30 ,  32  help to seal out noise. A first earphone  34  may be embedded or attached in the liner unit  12  in the first ear covering portion  30  of the liner unit  12  and a second earphone  36  is embedded or attached in the liner unit  12  in the second ear covering portion  32  of the liner unit  12 . A first electrical wire  40  is electrically connected to the first earphone  34 , and a second electrical wire  42  is electrically connected to the second earphone  36 . The purpose of these electrical wires  40 ,  42  will be understood from the teaching of this disclosure. Liner unit  12  further includes an inside surface  44  which is located adjacent to the head of the wearer when the liner unit  12  is worn by the wearer and an outside surface  46 . Of course, a more simple liner may be utilized in such helmets, and might include only a minimum internal lining for helmet  10  along with an internal headband, not shown, as is well known in protective headgear devices of all types.  
         [0050]    Helmet  10  further includes a strap unit  50  for attaching or securing the helmet  10  to the wearer. Strap unit  50  includes a first end  52  fixed to a first internal surface of the helmet  10 , or to the liner rim face portion  24  adjacent to one side portion of the liner unit  12 , a second end  54  fixed to a second internal surface of helmet  10  opposite said first internal surface, or alternatively to the liner rim face portion  24  adjacent to a second side portion of the liner unit  12 . A suitable size adjusting mechanism  56  is provided on the strap unit  50 . The size adjusting mechanism  56  shown in FIG. 1 includes a loop  58  as well as hook-and-loop fastening elements  60 .  
         [0051]    Helmet  10  further includes an outer protective shell unit  70  which includes an outer shell head-covering section  72  having a helmet front portion  74 , a helmet rear portion  76  and two helmet side portions  78  and  80  connecting the front portion  74  of the outer shell head-covering section  72  to the rear portion  76  of the outer shell head-covering section  72 . The front portion  74  of the outer shell head-covering section  72  is located adjacent to the face of the wearer when the wearer is wearing the outer shell unit  70 , the rear portion  76  of the outer shell head-covering unit  72  is located adjacent to the back of the wearer&#39;s head when the wearer is wearing the outer shell unit  70  and the side portions  78 ,  80  of the outer shell head-covering section  72  being located adjacent to the sides of the wearers head when the wearer is wearing the outer shell head-covering section  72 .  
         [0052]    The outer shell unit  70  further includes an outer shell rim  82 , which includes an outer shell rim face portion  84  which is located adjacent to the wearer&#39;s face when the outer shell unit  70  is worn by the wearer, an outer shell rim rear portion  86  which is located adjacent to the back of the wearer&#39;s head when the outer shell unit  70  is worn by the wearer. The outer shell unit  70  can also include decorations, such as decoration D or the like, on the outside surface thereof. Decoration D can be a decal or the like.  
         [0053]    Outer shell unit  70  also includes a first outer shell ear portion  90  located adjacent to a first ear of the wearer when the outer shell unit  70  is worn and a second outer shell ear portion  92  located adjacent to second ear E 2  of the wearer when the outer shell unit  70  is worn. An inside surface  94  of the outer shell unit  70  is located adjacent to the wearer&#39;s head or adjacent to the outside surface of the liner unit  12  when the outer shell unit  70  is worn. Outer shell unit  70  further includes an outer surface  96 .  
         [0054]    As best viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, helmet  10  includes a compact disc player  100  and/or a digital audio player  101 , both or each located at the outer surface  96  of the outer shell unit  70 , suitably attached to or imbedded therein. It is envisioned within the scope of the present invention that the disc player and digital audio player may be included on helmet  10  either individually or as a pair, according to user preference. Compact disc player  100 , when included, may be positioned toward the rear portion of the head covering section  72  of the outer shell unit  70  and further may include a housing  102  having one portion  104  thereof positioned near the rear rim portion of the outer shell unit  70 .  
         [0055]    Compact disc player  100 , as viewed in FIGS. 1, 3 and  4 , further may include an access cover  106  pivotally or otherwise moveably mounted on the housing  102  of the compact disc player  100  to open and close the compact disc player  100 . A transparent window  108  may be located in the access cover  106 . A plurality of control buttons are located on the access cover  106  and may, for example, include a “stop” button  110 , a “play” button  112 , and a “pause” button  114 . Of course other arrangements of control buttons may be utilized and would remain within the scope and spirit of the present invention as claimed.  
         [0056]    Further, still other additional control buttons, such as “search”, “seek”, and the like can be included without departing from the scope of the present invention. Optionally, the compact disc player  100  can be a mini-disc player, a micro-disc player, and designed to play various well known formats, including MP3 and the like.  
         [0057]    The digital audio player  101 , again, may be included in the safety helmet as a solitary media player, or optionally may appear in tandem (as shown particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4) with compact disc player  100 . The digital audio player  101  may include a pivotally mounted, or otherwise moveable, access cover  111  under which may be inserted a data unit or cartridge  112  charged with a formatted music file or other information data file. Such cartridge  112  charging mode is typical of only certain models of digital audio players. Alternatively, the digital audio player  101  may be of the type directly charged with information as will be discussed in more detail below.  
         [0058]    As viewed in FIG. 4, a set of directly, manually operated buttons may be provided for player  101 , offering finger-touch control. Alternatively, this digital audio player  101  as well as the compact disc player  100  may be controlled by directly attached remote control unit  130  proximate to the helmet  10 .  
         [0059]    Instead of attaching digital audio player  101  to the helmet  10  surface, as described in FIGS. 3 and 4, it also is within the scope of the present invention where, as visually demonstrated in FIGS. 1 and 1-A, the helmet  10  may be adapted to include a recess  153  to accommodate a digital audio player  151  inserted therein. Player  151 , when inserted, is protected by a closed panel or door  151 . As indicated in FIG. 1-A, a connector cable  43  may be provided within recess  153  so as to interconnect the player  151  with wires  40  and  42  leading to earphones  34  and  32  as discussed in detail below.  
         [0060]    Returning to FIG. 4, it is seen that the first and second electrical wires  40 ,  42  of the liner unit  12  may be alternately electrically connected to the compact disc player  100  so audio from the compact disc player  100  is played or transmitted through the earphones  34 ,  36  in the manner known to those skilled in the art. A battery pack (not shown) may be located within  102  of the compact disc player  100  as is well known in the art. Alternatively, a rechargeable battery unit (not shown) may be included to power either the disc player or the digital audio player, or both. This rechargeable battery feature is discussed further herebelow with respect to another embodiment of the present helmet invention.  
         [0061]    A volume control knob  120  is optionally mounted on the outer surface of the head-covering section  72  of the outer shell unit  70  near the front portion  74  of the head covering section  72  of the outer shell unit  70 . The volume control knob  120  is electrically connected to the compact disc player  100  and/or the digital audio player  101  in a manner known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0062]    A remote control unit  130  as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 5 includes a handle section  132  which has, for example, a “play” button  134 , a “stop” button  136 , and a “pause” button  138 . The control buttons on the remote control unit  130  control the operation of the compact disc player  100  and/or the digital audio player  101  in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. An electrical wire  140  electrically connects the handle section  132  and the control buttons thereon of the remote control unit  130  to the compact disc player  100  and/or the digital audio player  101 .  
         [0063]    Handle  130  includes a fastener, such as hook-and-loop fastener  142 , which mates with hook-and-loop fastener elements  60  to store the handle  132  proximate the helmet when desired. This fastener location maintains the remote control unit adjacent the helmet rather than at an extended location where it might be a hazardous liability or may interfere with the means of transportation or other aspects of the environment.  
         [0064]    Illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, but applicable to all embodiments of the present invention, is a safety feature comprising an ambient sound sensor unit or receiver  160 , generally in the form of a small microphone or other well-known sound sensor. The ambient sound sensor pick-up unit may be embedded into, or connected to the protective shell  70  or  70 ′ of the helmet  10  or  10 ′. The sensor unit  160  is directly connected via wire  161  to a player controller unit  149  (which unit may be within, or external of, a player. The sensor and controller are operatively interconnected in a manner conventionally known, such that ambient or environmental sounds can be heard by the wearer, either along with player sound output or in a manner overriding said player sound output. In this way the user will be warned of potential dangers of nearby hazards (for example, by hearing the roar or horn of an automobile approaching from behind, where such roar or horn would otherwise be masked by a player sound output.  
         [0065]    This microphone unit carries a typical on/off switch, for example of the rocker-switch type shown as  162  such that the user may optionally render the sensor pickup unit inoperative. In other words, at times, the user may find it preferable to cancel the sound sensor capability by simply pressing the switch. As an added safety feature, the switch can have “on” as a default mode, and be configured so as to turn on after a set interval. Finally, the sensor unit is advantageously positioned at a rear portion of the helmet so as to avoid on-coming wind noise.  
         [0066]    As noted above, helmet  10  may house an internal digital audio player  150  mounted in a recess  153  within the head covering section  72  of the outer shell unit  70 . Player  150  may be adjacent to the compact disc player  100 , as illustrated in FIG. 1, or stand alone as a singular player unit to be further discussed below with respect to FIGS. 5-7. The digital audio player  150  can be connected directly via cable  43  and wires  40 ,  42  to the earphone  34  and its matching earphone  36  positioned on an opposite side of helmet  10 .  
         [0067]    If a companion compact disc player  100  is present, player  150  may be connected to the earphones via (or through) the compact disc player  100 . It also is noted that the digital audio player  150  envisioned for the present invention would encompass any of a variety of player types commonly known in the field as MP3, iPod, MP4, AT&amp;T, a2b, Liquid Audio, Real Audio, SDMI audio players, and the like.  
         [0068]    Illustrated in FIG. 6, is a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention wherein a finger-touch manual control unit  130 ′ is mounted on a side portion of helmet  10 ′, integral with, or directly connected to, head covering section  72 . Manual control unit  130 ′ connects with player controller  149  (again, either within digital audio player  150 ′ or externally connected thereto, which in turn acts to direct or control the player  150 ′.  
         [0069]    The manual control unit  130 ′ is outfitted with functional buttons operatively corresponding to those of unit  130  described above. Player  150 ′ is electrically connected via wire  42  to earphone  36 , and via wire  40  (not shown in FIG. 6 or  7 ) to its matching earphone  34 . Earphones  34  and  36  operate in the same manner as discussed hereabove, but in this case are positioned within said helmet immediately above the ears of the wearer, rather than directly against the ears. This arrangement is well known in some applications, biking helmets for example, and permits the wearer to be aware of ambient sounds. However, this embodiment also is provided with the ambient sound sensor  160  as described above.  
         [0070]    On a side of helmet  10 ′ opposite the control panel, as viewed in FIG. 7, are two electronic connectors or plug ports,  153  and  154 . Port  153  is provided for the purpose of receiving music and other data information directly from a computer output port  155 , via connector cable  156 , which may be a USB cable for high speed data exchange. The music and other data are then directed from port  153  through player controller  149  (not visible in FIG. 7) to the internal player components designated as  150 ′. Upon demand signal from control unit  130 ′ and player controller  149 , player  151 ′ plays back said data through said speakers. Music files and or other data are typically downloaded to computers  59  from the Internet or transferred from other storage media, such as a computer hard drive or a compact disc, and appropriately formatted for play in the internal player  150 ′.  
         [0071]    Port  154  is located on helmet  10 ′ for the purpose of providing current for replenishing a rechargeable battery unit  163  on board the helmet  10 ′. Such a battery unit, rechargeable or otherwise, would be suitably applied to any of the above-discussed players and helmets. A cable  157  is adapted to connect to standard electrical outlet  158  via adapter  158 A.  
         [0072]    In this latter embodiment, components such as the finger-touch manual control unit panel  130 ′, the controller unit  151 ′, the internal digital audio player  150 ′, the battery unit  163 , and the plug ports  153  and  154 , are intended to be physically balanced so as to avoid adverse impact to the comfort, balance and safety of the helmet wearer. Digital audio player  150 ′ receives and stores compressed file data from a connector cable (e.g., USB connector)  156  interconnecting PC  159  to data port  153   
         [0073]    Thus provided, from various arrangements and alternatives discussed above, is a safety helmet that both protects and attracts. In other words, this invention provides an up-to-date entertainment and informational delivery system wholly within the helmet itself. A user (or wearer) may choose to utilize the advantages of the CD player built into the back of the helmet, controlling its power on/off, track changes, volume and so forth through manipulation of buttons provided on each player, or via a proximate helmet-mounted remote controller. Alternatively, the popular digital audio player may be similarly utilized and controlled in much the same manner.  
         [0074]    As presented in FIGS. 6 and 7, a helmet wearer may utilize a digital audio player that, rather than having separate components, is substantially integral with the helmet itself. Fabricated as a single, comprehensive unit, the helmet would include a integrated player components and wiring, along with an easily reached, finger-tip control unit managing a controller that in turn operates the digital audio player. In this case, the safety helmet itself is an integrated, wearable digital audio player unit combination. The digital audio player components receive and store compressed music and information file data directly from a data file source, for example a PC. The data is directed to the controller which in turn operates the player to decompress and playback the music or information on demand signal.  
         [0075]    The present invention as just described further affords the user the advantage and convenience of downloading music or other digitally formatted data, e.g., from the Internet or computer-stored data, directly into the integrated helmet-audio player combination. In other words, for example, this improved helmet is capable of direct PC connection whereby files of thousands of songs may be downloaded directly into the helmet shell for countless hours of subsequent replay. More cost effective than current systems and having fewer costly components than helmets designed for linking remote systems for entertaining through helmet earphones, this is considered an especially attractive feature for people who partake in biking, jogging, horseback riding, rollerblading, skateboarding, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and the like. This is particularly true of children who heretofore have avoided consistent use of safety helmets for a variety of reasons, but at the same time are consumed with currently available entertainment technology. It is anticipated that this invention, by effectively incorporating entertainment technology into safety helmets, will have a remarkable life-saving impact throughout the nation.  
         [0076]    Upon careful reviewing the foregoing specification and drawings, it will be evident that this invention is susceptible of many modifications, combinations and alterations in a number of ways which may differ from those set forth. The particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of claims appended hereto and any and all equivalents thereof.