Abstract:
Digital device screen apparatus for use with a motorcycle helmet or like. In one example, apparatus includes a screen and means of connection. The device is attachable or attached to a rearward facing portion of a helmet ( 5 ) to display a picture, image or video source. In one example, a front mount camera is connected to a viewing screen mounted on the back of a helmet. In one example, the screen mount is configurable to house a variety of screens and sizes and types. In another example, a video display apparatus interfaces to the motorcycle with either a conventional breakaway cable, wirelessly via Blue Tooth, R.F. Radio Frequency or other means of wireless transmission. The apparatus can be integrated or added as an aftermarket accessory to a helmet.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/554,404, which was filed on Nov. 1, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments relate to motorcycle helmets and, more particularly but not exclusively, to motorcycle helmets incorporating viewing devices. Furthermore, embodiments relate to viewing devices for helmets. Also, embodiments relate to mounts for attaching viewing devices to motorcycle helmets. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Helmet lighting systems are commonly known in the field. The systems are designed to make a rider more visible to fellow motorists. These devices include some sort of light source secured to a helmet to achieve this. With this embodiment we are addressing a different problem. Many types of signaling devices have been applied and or made for helmets to help make a rider better seen and therefore safer. All of these systems mount a single filament style light to a helmet. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to one aspect, a motorcycle helmet apparatus is provided. The apparatus may comprise a motorcycle helmet including a digital device screen mount on the helmet for attaching a digital device screen to a rearward facing portion of the helmet such that, when the helmet is worn by a driver of the motorcycle, a motorcycle passenger seated behind the driver is able to view an image or use computer aspects of the digital device. 
         [0005]    According to another aspect, an apparatus for a motorcycle helmet is provided. The apparatus may comprise a motorcycle helmet digital device screen mount configured for attaching a digital device screen rearward facing on a motorcycle helmet such that, when the helmet is worn by a driver of the motorcycle, a motorcycle passenger seated behind the driver is able to view an image or use computer aspects of the digital device. 
         [0006]    According to yet another aspect, an apparatus for a motorcycle helmet is provided. The apparatus may comprise a motorcycle helmet digital device screen including a mount for attaching the digital device screen rearward facing on a motorcycle helmet such that, when the helmet is worn by a driver of the motorcycle, a motorcycle passenger seated behind the driver is able to view an image or use computer aspects of the digital device. 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0007]    Accordingly several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: to provide an apparatus that would attach a viewing screen to the back of a helmet. In one non-limiting example, the apparatus is light, strong, and easily manufactured. The apparatus would allow the passenger of a motorcycle to view an image on the back of the driver&#39;s helmet. In one embodiment, this apparatus is coupled with a standard forward facing camera. This would allow the passenger an image of the road ahead of them, not a helmet. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from the consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetical suffixes. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of a helmet with an apparatus attached and a means of electrically coupling with a motorcycle according to an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of a helmet with an apparatus with a means of electrically interconnecting the vehicles electrical power according to an embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows the rearward facing portion of an apparatus with a video screen and a means for electrically connecting the video screen to the system of the motorcycle. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of a helmet with an apparatus with a wireless means of interconnecting. 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   Drawings- Reference Numerals 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                     
                    5 helmet 
                   10 an embodiment 
                 
                 
                     
                   15 video screen 
                   19 multi-conductor cable 
                 
                 
                     
                   30 multi conductor fitting 
                   31 multi conductor coupler 
                 
                 
                     
                   40 weather proof enclosure 
                   41 multi-conductor receptacle 
                 
                 
                     
                   50 power input wire 
                   51 electrical power tap 
                 
                 
                     
                   52 eye loop connector 
                   53 rca video input connector 
                 
                 
                     
                   55 power out cable 
                   91 solar cell 
                 
                 
                     
                   92 battery 
                   93 on/off switch 
                 
                 
                     
                   94 wireless receiver 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    In preparation for the explaining the details of the present inventive disclosure, it is to be understood by the reader that the invention is not limited to the presented details of the construction, materials and embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as the invention concepts are clearly capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in realized in various ways by applying the disclosure herein. 
         [0014]    Technical features described in this application can be used to construct various embodiments of apparatus for motorcycle helmets. In one approach, the apparatus is a motorcycle helmet includes a digital device screen mount on the helmet for attaching a digital device screen rearward facing on the helmet such that, when the helmet is worn by a driver of the motorcycle, a motorcycle passenger seated behind the driver is able to view an image or use computer aspects of the digital device. In another approach, a digital screen mount is configured for attaching the digital screen rearward facing on a motorcycle helmet. In yet another approach, a digital screen includes the digital screen mount for attaching the digital screen rearward facing on a motorcycle helmet. 
         [0015]    Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the various elements of embodiments will be given numerical designations and in which embodiments will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. 
         [0016]    Specific reference to components, process steps, and other elements are not intended to be limiting. Further, it is understood that like parts bear the same reference numerals, when referring to alternate Figures. It will be further noted that the Figures are schematic and provided for guidance to the skilled reader and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Rather, the various drawing scales, aspect ratios, and numbers of components shown in the Figures may be purposely distorted to make certain features or relationships easier to understand. 
         [0000]    The disadvantages to known helmet signaling devices are: 
         [0017]    (a) The devices do not address the visual need of the passenger 
         [0018]    (b) Their lights are restricted to a limited number of colors and shades. 
         [0019]    (c) The devices offer a small surface area of light. 
         [0020]    (d) People don&#39;t use them. 
         [0021]    (e) They can&#39;t entertain. 
         [0022]    One of the issues we are addressing is that arises when the driver of the motorcycle is in front. The driver is wearing a helmet, blocking the view of the road ahead. The passenger gets stuck looking at the back of a helmet. This embodiment allows for a screen or likes to be attached to the rear of the helmet. Configured with a forward facing camera would give the passenger a view of the road ahead. 
         [0023]    In one non-limiting example, the apparatus is a mount for a viewing screen and a means of interconnecting the viewing screen to a video source such as a forward facing camera, DVD, or other media device wired or wireless. This example is designed to aid the passenger of the motorcycle to see an image from the source. A forward facing camera coupled with this example gives the passenger view of the road ahead. A view that was blocked before using this example through a motorcycle helmet in front of them. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a motorcycle helmet  5  provided with the video apparatus  10  in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein. The motorcycle helmet  5  is a protective helmet as typically worn on the head of a motorcycle rider. The helmet  5  has a rearward facing portion. On to which the apparatus is secured. The apparatus  10  includes a video screen: LCD or LED style screen  20  secured onto the rear portion of the helmet. The screen  20  is operable through the cord  19  attached to the motorcycle electrical and a forward facing camera. (Not shown) 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  depicts a top view of a motorcycle helmet  5  provided with the video apparatus including a multi-conductor wire pigtail  19  for connecting the video display apparatus to the electrical of the motorcycle and forward facing camera (not shown) 
       Detailed Description—FIGS.  1 - 2  First Embodiment 
       [0026]    One embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  shows a motorcycle helmet  5  coupled with the first embodiment of the invention  10  the first embodiment is made of a strong helmet like material such as fiberglass how ever the embodiment can be made of other materials such as, carbon fiber, plastics, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, nylon, rubber, laminates, carbonates, cardboard, various plasticized materials, etc. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIG. 2  the embodiment  10  is attached to a helmet that&#39;s fitted with a screen  15  and is electrically interconnected through a multi conductor cable  19  the cable will be terminated with multi conductor ends or connectors  30  and attached to a coupler or breakaway  31  the cable can then be routed as to the riders preference through the multi conductor cable  19  to the multi conductor receptacle  41  and there in the enclosure  40  coupled to an rca video input  53  power output  50  for the camera or other digital device(not shown) attached to the motorcycle (not shown) power is supplied to the units through cable  50  and terminated with a tap style connector  52  and an eye loop connector  52 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 3  the embodiment  10  is fitted with a screen  15  and is electrically interconnected through a multi conductor cable  19  the cable can be disregarded for a wireless interconnection. The wireless embodiment includes a solar cell  91  connected to a battery  92  and wired to an on/off switch  93  which provide power for the screen  15 . A wireless receiver  94  is used to receive a signal. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 4  the embodiment  10  is fitted with a screen  15  and is wirelessly interconnected. The wireless embodiment includes a solar cell  91  connected to a battery  92  and wired to an on/off switch  93  which provide power for the screen  15  and the wireless receiver  94 . 
       Operation—FIGS.  1 - 2   
       [0030]    In one non-limiting example, the manner of using the device after attaching it to the rider&#39;s helmet is as follows: the user puts their helmet on and grasp the phone style connecter  19  from the motorcycle and connect it to phone style connector coming from the embodiment  19  via the multi conductor coupler  31  the motorcycle is theoretically on and the power is connected through the multi-conductor wire. The device is on and ready to display the users defined digital device such as a forward facing camera. 
       FIGS.  3 - 4 —Alternate Embodiments 
       [0031]    There are various possibilities with regard to the present disposition of the interconnections. There can be a wirelessly interconnected version shown in both  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3   
       Alternative Embodiments 
       [0032]    There are various possibilities with regards to the materials used to make the mount. The materials depending on need can be adjusted and are discussed above. The coupler directly below the device is a safety or breakaway if you will but is fully changeable depending on the needs. The basis is the same of getting power and video to the embodiment. Alternatively the power could be used off of a battery and charger system and an on-off switch. Alternately the video or data can be made wirelessly. Blue tooth and Radio Frequency and/or both used to wirelessly transfer information. This would make for a wireless embodiment. The connector box could also be changed depending on needs. But the need to send a signal remains the same. 
       Advantages 
       [0033]    From the description above, a number of advantages of one or more alternate embodiments of our video screen mount become evident:
       (a) A passenger will be able to display different images depending on the video source. An exemplary embodiment included a forward facing camera. The user can attach a DVD player or digital device and the passenger can watch a movie.   (b) The user can attach a digital device to display an image or movie.   (c) The video screen mount can mount all sizes and shape of video display devices. Such as liquid crystal display screen known as LCD, light emitting diode screen known as LED screens, or other type of devices tablet style devices can also be attached to this as well. Allowing a passenger to watch a video or use the computer aspects of the device.       
 
         [0037]    Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. For example, the embodiment can be made of other materials. Of other materials such as, carbon fiber, plastics, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, nylon, rubber, laminates, carbonates, cardboard, various plasticized materials, etc. The embodiment can be made different shapes for various needs. 
         [0038]    The screen can be changed to other type of viewing screen. Such as a raw style LCD screen, or a tablet style screen. The wire connecting the helmet to the motorcycle could use 4, 6, or 8 conductor wire or others. The cord could be swapped between coiled and straight cords. The use of couplers can be used for safety breakaways. And then the Wire can be ditched all together. For a wireless version a rechargeable battery and solar cell charging system can be utilized. Video would be transmitted wirelessly via blue tooth or radio frequency transmitters. This would eliminate the need for any cables. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, a device used to attach a video screen to the rearward facing portion of a motorcycle helmet or like comprises the following:
       a. A structure of sufficient size to accommodate a video screen for attachment to the rear of said motorcycle helmet.   b. Said video display can be a LCD or LED style screen used to display said image on said helmet.   c. Means for interconnecting       
 
         [0043]    It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. For example, in one or more other embodiments, the mount may be fixed to, or protrude from, a portion of the helmet other than a rearward portion of the helmet but be configured for attaching the display screen rearwardly facing on the helmet.