Fireman's helmet with integral front and rear lights

The present invention relates to an improved fireman's helmet which includes a surrounding wall structure that defines a head receiving area therein. Mounted within the head receiving area and recessed in the wall structure are front and rear light assemblies as well as a battery pack and control panel.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
This application is an improvement over application No. 314,163, filed on 
Feb. 23, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,458 which is a continuation-in-part 
of serial No. 156,410, filed on Feb. 16, 1988, now abandoned. 
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a fireman's helmet provided with 
integrally formed front and rear light assemblies. The improved helmet is 
much safer and compact than the helmet disclosed in the above-mentioned 
patent. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
One object of the present invention is to provide a fireman's helmet with 
front and rear light assemblies which can easily be controlled by the 
fireman while wearing the helmet. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a helmet with light 
assemblies which may be controlled from a remote location. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fireman's helmet 
with integral light assemblies which are built into the helmet and do not 
extend outwardly of the helmet in an obtrusive manner. 
Another object is to provide a helmet in which all batteries and wiring 
used to power the light assemblies fit into recesses and grooves made 
integral with the helmet. 
Another object is to provide a helmet that incorporates a signaling or 
communications system. 
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily 
apparent upon further review of the following specifications and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention is a fireman's helmet generally designated in the 
drawings as numeral 10. It can be seen that the helmet includes a 
surrounding wall structure 12 that defines a head receiving area therein. 
Wall structure 12 has a front opening 16 and a rear opening 18. A front 
flange 20 extends outwardly around the circumference of front opening 16. 
A rear flange 22 extends outwardly around the circumference of rear 
opening 18. 
A front light assembly 24 is integrally formed within wall structure 12 
about the front area and opening 16. Light assembly 24 includes a lens 26 
and a housing structure 28. Secured within housing 28 are double light 
bulbs 30 and 32. Note that housing 28 fits in a recess 25 in wall 
structure 12. Lens 26 is transparent and generally lies closely adjacent 
the surrounding wall structure 12. Connecting wires 34 connect to light 
bulbs 30 and 32 and extend from housing 28. The wires 34 fit into grooves 
45 molded on the inside surface of wall structure 12. 
A rear light assembly 36 is constructed about the rear portion of wall 
structure 12. The assembly 36 includes a red reflector type lens 38, 
housing 40 and bulb 42. A set of wires 44 are connected to bulb 42 and 
extend from assembly 36. Wires 44 also fit into molded grooves 45. 
To power front light assembly 24 and rear light assembly 36 the helmet is 
provided with a battery pack 46 recessed into wall structure 12. Battery 
pack 46 includes two rechargeable lithium batteries. The battery pack 46 
is wired so that when the voltage of one battery falls below a 
predetermined value, the second battery automatically takes over. 
To control front and rear light assemblies 24 and 36 there is provided a 
switch panel 48 that is operatively interconnected between light 
assemblies 24 and 36 and the battery pack 46. In addition, there is 
provided a watch panel 48 and front light assembly 24. Switch panel 48 
includes a series of switches 52,54,56 that control the front and rear 
light assemblies 24 and 36. As seen in the schematic, the front and rear 
light assemblies 24 and 36 can be actuated to assume the "on" position at 
the same time or they each can be operated independently. Switch 52 simply 
actuates front light assembly 24. Switch 54 actuates front light assembly 
24. Switch 54 actuates front light 24 through the flasher 50. In order for 
the flasher to be effective, switch 52 must be in the "off" position. 
Switch 56 is a three position switch. In one position, switch 56 is 
operative to actuate front light 24. In a second position switch 56 
actuates light 36. Finally switch 56 includes an "off" position. 
It is desirable for a fire chief or some other individual associated with 
the fire department to have the capability of remotely actuating and 
controlling the front and rear light assemblies 24 and 36. Therefore, the 
present invention provides actuating and control transmitter 58 that is 
designed to actuate a receiver 60 which is operatively connected in the 
circuit shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, an individual stationed outside a 
burning structure can actuate the lights on a fireman's helmet who is 
inside a burning building. This obviously would aid in locating a fireman 
in trouble. 
As shown in FIG. 5, the flasher 50 gives the helmet communications 
capability, especially when considered with transmitter 58 and receiver 
60. For example, if the fire chief sees that one or more fireman are in 
imminent danger, he can actuate flasher 50 causing light 24 to flash on a 
helmet being worn by firemen. It can be predetermined that this is a 
signal of danger and a command or advisory to fireman involved to move 
away from the point of imminent danger. A fireman wearing the helmet may 
actuate flasher 50 to signal the fire chief if he is in trouble. Thus, the 
fireman's helmet of the present invention incorporates communication and 
signaling capabilities. 
Now turning to 6, a second embodiment for the helmet 10 is shown. This 
helmet is essentially the same as the previously discussed helmet; 
however, there are new design features or elements which are claimed. 
It can be seen that the second embodiment in FIG. 6 includes a battery 
compartment 70 recessed in wall structure 12. Access is gained to 
compartment 70 through panel 72 secured within an opening formed about the 
surface of the helmet 10. This allows the batteries to be easily changed. 
As shown in FIG. 8, operatively connected to the battery is an alarm device 
116 that indicates to the user that effective battery power has dropped 
below a predetermined safe level. The alarm emits an audible signal at 
least 15 minutes prior to the battery reaching a power level that would be 
inadequate for safety purposes. 
Also, in addition, helmet 10 is provided with a clock 76 mounted behind 
lens 38. Clock 76 is preferably a digital readout clock and is 
interconnected within the electrical circuit of the front and rear light 
assemblies and would be actuated once the fireman has actuated either or 
both light assemblies in a flashing mode. If a fireman is rescued in an 
emergency situation, a medical team would know the approximate time that 
the fireman has been subjected to the problem. The clock 76 would also 
have a reset mechanism that would enable it to be automatically turned 
back to a time "0" situation. 
Also, the helmet is provided with an antenna 74. The antenna 74 is embedded 
within the surrounding rim of helmet 10 and is part of the communications 
system previously described. The antenna is a small flexible wire. 
FIG. 7 shows an alternate control panel 82 for controlling the front and 
rear light assemblies. The panel includes two switches 84 and 86. Each 
switch is designed to move through three positions. Switch 86 has 
positions 1, 2, and 3, and switch 84 has positions 4, 5, and 6. Extending 
from switch 86 are lines 100, 102 that connect with rear light 36 and 
front light 24, respectively. Extending from switch 84 are lines 104 and 
106 and there is provided a cross connecting line 108 that extends between 
lines 104 and 106. Connected in line 104 is a time or stop watch type 
clock 76 and a flasher 110. In addition, connected in lines 104 and 106 is 
a pair of diodes 112 and 114. Completing the circuit is a conventional 
battery alarm 116 and a battery pack 118. 
In operation, first assume that switch 84 is in the "off" or number 5 
position. With switch 84 switched to the number 1 "on" position, then only 
rear light 36 would be activated and it would be activated continuously. 
By switching 86 to the number 3 "on" position, then the front lights 24 
would be activated and would burn continuously. 
Now switching 84 to the number 4 "on" position with switch 86 in the "off" 
or number 2 position would result in both front and rear lights 24 and 36 
being flashed. At the same time, clock 76 would be activated and start 
counting time. With switch 84 in the number 4 "on" position and switch 86 
in the number 1 position, rear light 36 would burn continuously while 
light 24 would flash. By switching 86 to the number 3 "on" position and 
maintaining switch 84 in the number 4 "on" position, front lights 24 would 
burn continuously while rear light 36 would flash. 
Both embodiments of the fireman's helmet may be provided with an impact 
switch 49 fitted in a recess in the top underside of the helmet. The 
impact switch is electrically connected to the flasher on the helmet and 
would be activated in response to a certain amount of predetermined force 
or pressure on the helmet. At the same time, a remote signal is sent back 
to either the control device 58 or a central receiving station to indicate 
that a fireman may be unconscious. Also, communication between control 
device 58 and locator 62 allows a fireman to be located. 
Additionally, the helmet includes an impact liner 47 made from foam impact 
material and secured to the helmet by Velcro fasteners. 
From the foregoing specification and discussion, it can be appreciated that 
because all wires are placed in molded grooves and all other components 
fitted in recesses in the wall structure of the helmet, no structure 
extends outwardly in an obtrusive manner. 
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the 
embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments 
within the scope of the following claims.