Abstract:
A helmet mount for electronics is provided. The helmet mount includes a clamping bracket for affixing to a helmet chin guard. In addition, the helmet mount includes an adjustable arm, swivel bracket and electronic device. A first end of the arm is rotatably attached to the clamp bracket, and a second end of the arm is rotatably attached to the slider bracket. Meanwhile, the electronic device is attached to the slider bracket that allows it to slide in an arcuate manner. Preferably, the clamp bracket includes a first clamping member and second clamping member which are both movable and rotatable relative to one another.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/933,667 filed on Jan. 30, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to mounts for helmets. More specifically, the invention relates to helmet mounts for mounting electric lights or other electronic devices including cellular telephones, radios, and night vision displays to a helmet. 
         [0003]    Snow machines, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and other small off-road vehicles are used extensively to travel off-road locations. These vehicles allow for access to back country locations which do not provide for local light sources such a street lights. Most of these recreational vehicles include head lamps that allow the use of the vehicles at night. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, vehicle head lamps are limited. They may illuminate the trail immediately in front of the vehicle, but they do not provide for illumination to areas to the left or right where a driver may be viewing. To overcome this problem, devices have been created to mount a light source to a helmet so that when a driver looks left or right, the light can be turned in that direction. 
         [0005]    More recently, persons engaging in mountain biking, off-road motorcycle riding, downhill skiing, snowmobiling, auto racing and other sports have become interested in making and viewing video recordings of their participation in sporting activities. Previously such recordings were made by other parties capturing the participant on video tape. However, such recordings lack the thrill factor experienced by the participant. For this reason, mounts have recently been introduced for mounting cameras to a helmet. 
         [0006]    It has also been desirable to provide two-way communications to a person in a helmet engaged in recreational activities. For these reasons, helmets have been developed which integrate cellphone or walkie-talkie communication devices into the helmet casing. Still other constructions provide for mounting a microphone to a recreational helmet. The radio electronics may be mounted to the exterior of the helmet or elsewhere within the vehicle and connected by an electrical cable or a radio frequency (RF) connection such as Bluetooth™. 
         [0007]    Clearly, more and more electronics are mounted to helmets. Unfortunately, current mounting systems do not enable the helmet wearer to adjust the electronic device so as to be positioned as desired. Accordingly, there is a significant need for a helmet mount which provides adjustability such that the user can affix the electronics in a desired position, but also allows the wearer to adjust the position quickly and easily. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The helmet mount of the present invention includes three primary structural components for mounting an electronic device such as a light source, video camera, microphone, etc. The helmet mount&#39;s first structure component is a clamping bracket for affixing to the traditional chin protector of a helmet. The clamping bracket includes at least one lower finger and at least one upper finger which are adjustable to clamp down on the helmet&#39;s chin protector. A preferred clamping bracket includes two upper fingers and a single lower finger which can be clamped together utilizing a bolt and nut fastener. 
         [0009]    The helmet mount further includes an adjustment arm. The adjustment arm preferably has an arcuate profile for conforming to the curved shape of a helmet. At one end, the adjustment arm rotatably attaches to the clamping bracket by a pivotal attachment. To this end, preferably the adjustment arm includes a circular recess for receiving a circular projection formed upon the clamping bracket. Again, preferably the adjustment arm rotatably affixes to the helmet bracket utilizing a bolt and nut fastener. Preferably, the adjustment arm&#39;s recess and clamping bracket&#39;s circular projection include mating teeth for rotatably locking these components together when the bolt and nut are tightened. 
         [0010]    The helmet mount&#39;s third structural component is a slider bracket. The slider bracket rotatably affixes to the adjustment arm in similar manner that the adjustment arm affixes to the helmet bracket. Specifically, preferably the slider bracket includes a circular recess for receiving a circular projection formed upon the adjustment arm. Again, the adjustment arm&#39;s circular projection and the slider bracket&#39;s circular recess may include mating teeth so as to lock the rotational alignment of these components when pressed together by a bolt and nut fastener. 
         [0011]    The slider bracket includes an arcuate structure for affixing to an electronic device. More specifically, preferably the slider bracket includes opposed arcuate channels for slidably receiving outwardly projecting arcuate edges provided upon the electronic device. Though the electronic device is slidable in an arcuate path relative to the slider bracket, preferably the electronic device can be locked in place to the slider bracket by providing the slider bracket with teeth for receiving a flexible tab projecting from the electronic device. 
         [0012]    The helmet mount enables the wearer of the helmet to adjust the position of an electronic device and its alignment in a wide variety of configurations. The pivot connections allow the adjustment arm to project upward, downward, rearward, or forward, while simultaneously allowing the electronic device to point in each of these directions. Meanwhile, the slider bracket permits the electronic device to rotate inward or outward with respect to the helmet approximately 60°. 
         [0013]    Advantageously, the helmet mounting system enables a helmet wearer to adjust the electronic device so as to be positioned as desired. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, the helmet mount provides adjustability such that a user can affix electronics in a desired position, but also allows the wearer to adjust the position of the helmet quickly and easily. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the helmet mount of the present invention mounting a light source; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective exploded view of the helmet mount of the present invention illustrated with a light source; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective exploded view of the helmet mount of the present invention illustrated with a light source; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the helmet mount of the present invention illustrated mounting a light source; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a close up side view of the helmet mount of the present invention mounted to a helmet as illustrated in  FIG. 4  wherein the light source has been rotated to a second position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a close up side view of the helmet mount of the present invention mounted to a helmet as illustrated in  FIG. 4  wherein the light source has been rotated to a third position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a close up side view of the helmet mount of the present invention mounted to a helmet as illustrated in  FIG. 4  wherein the light source has been rotated to a fourth position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the helmet mount of the present invention with a light source; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the helmet mount of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 8  wherein the light source has been rotated approximately 30° outward; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the helmet mount of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 8  wherein the light source has been rotated approximately 60° outward. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, as shown in the drawings, hereinafter will be described the presently preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and it is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-10 , the present invention is directed to a helmet mount, and more particularly to a helmet mount for mounting electronics  63  to a helmet  3 . For purposes herein, the electronics are primarily described and illustrated as being a light source. However, the electronics may be any type as may be mounted to a helmet such as a camera, GPS tracker, microphone, night vision display, etc. 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4-10 , the helmet mount  1  is intended to mount to a helmet&#39;s chin protector  5 . To affix the helmet mount  1  to the helmet chin protector  5 , the helmet  1  includes a clamping bracket  9 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the clamp bracket  9  includes a first clamping member  11  and a second clamping member  23 . Each of the clamping members include at least one curved finger  13  for wrapping around an upper or lower edge of the helmet&#39;s chin protector  5 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 , the upper clamping member  11  has two fingers  13  while the lower clamping member  23  has only a single finger  13 . The respective clamping members  11  and  23  are adjustable so as to move inward or outward relative to each other so as to clamp and affix to a helmet chin protector. In a preferred embodiment, the first clamping member  11  includes a cylindrical bore  15  for slidably and rotatably receiving a cylindrical extension  25  projecting from the second clamping member  23 . The second clamping member&#39;s cylindrical projection  25  includes a central bore  27  for receiving a male threaded fastener  31  which telescopically extends through the second clamping member&#39;s bore  27  to threadably engage a female threaded recess (not shown) formed within the first clamping member&#39;s bore  15 . 
         [0028]    As would be understood by those skilled in the art, tightening the male threaded fastener  31  forces the first and second clamping members together while loosening the male threaded fastener  31  allows the clamping members to retract apart. Advantageously, because the first clamping member&#39;s projection  25  is cylindrical, the second clamping member is capable of rotating relative to the first clamping member about a first axis defined by the axis of the male threaded fastener  31 . The second clamping member  23  does not need to rotate 360° relative to the first clamping member  11 . However, some relative rotation is advantageous because the upper edge and lower edge of a helmet chin protector are not always perfectly parallel. Thus, some relative rotation provides better engagement for the clamp bracket  9  upon the helmet&#39;s chin protector  5 . 
         [0029]    The helmet mount  1  further includes an arm  37  having a first end  39  and a second end  41 . Preferably the arm  37  extends in an arcuate profile for at least partially conforming to the curved shape of a helmet. The arcuate profile does not need to be substantial. However, it is preferred that the arm  37  curve at least 1°, and more preferably at least 5°. 
         [0030]    The arm&#39;s first end  39  rotatably attaches to the clamp bracket  9  so as to rotate about a second axis  49 . The arm&#39;s first end  39  may be affixed to the clamp bracket  9  by various constructions known to those skilled in the art including rivets, snap-fit arrangements, press-fit arrangements, etc. For example, the clamp bracket  9  or arm&#39;s first end may be constructed to include a nubbed post to fit through a simple hole formed in the mating arm or clamp bracket. However, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the arm&#39;s first end  39  is affixed to the clamp bracket&#39;s first clamping member  11  by a bolt  69  and nut  71 . The first clamping member  11  includes a hole  17  and the arm&#39;s first end  39  includes a hole  43  for receiving the bolt  69 . Preferably, the first clamping member further includes a circular projection  19  for entering a circular recess  47  formed with the arm&#39;s first end. Loosening the bolt  69  and nut  71  allows one to rotate the arm  37  about the second axis  49  defined by the direction of the bolt  69 . By tightening the bolt and nut, one affixes the arm  37  to the clamp bracket  9  so as to prevent their relative rotation. Preferably, the meeting surfaces of the clamp bracket  9  and arm  37  include mating teeth so as to lock these components together. 
         [0031]    The helmet mount  1  further includes a slider bracket  51  which rotatably attaches to the arm&#39;s second end  41 . Again, the slider bracket  51  and arm&#39;s second end  41  may be rotatably affixed together by various constructions known to those skilled in the art such as those described above. However, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 , it is preferred that the slider bracket  51  rotatably affixes to the arm&#39;s second end  41  in the same manner that the arm&#39;s first end  39  affixes to the clamp bracket  9 . To this end, it is preferred that the helmet mount  1  includes an additional bolt  69  and nut  71  which passes through a hole  45  formed in the arm&#39;s second end  41  and a hole formed through the slider bracket  51 . The bolt  69  provides a third axis  59  around which the slider bracket  51  rotates relative to the arm  37 . Also preferable, the slider bracket includes a circular recess  47  for receiving and engaging a circular projection  19  which extends from the arm&#39;s second end  41 . Furthermore, it is preferred that the mating surfaces of the arm&#39;s second end  41  and slider bracket  51  include mating teeth for inhibiting relative rotation of these components when the bolt  69  and nut  71  are tightened. 
         [0032]    The helmet mount further includes an electronic device  63  to be mounted to the helmet  3 . The electronic device  63  is affixed to the slider mount  51  in a manner that allows the electronic device  63  to slide in an arcuate path and be locked in the desired position. More specifically, the electronic device is not rotatably affixed to the slider mount  51  in the manner that the arm  37  is mounted to the clamp bracket  9  or in the manner that the slider bracket  51  is affixed to the arm  37 . Instead, the electronic device is affixed to the slider bracket so as to be able to travel in a curved path so as to point in different desired directions. 
         [0033]    The electronic device  63  may be mounted to the slider bracket by various constructions known to those skilled in the art. However, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 , preferably the slider mount includes opposed arcuate channels  57  for receiving edges  65  which extend outwardly from one another from the back of the electronic device  63 . The arcuate channels  57  slidably receive the electronic device&#39;s edges  65  so as to allow the electronic device to slide in an arcuate path defined by the direction of the channels  57 . Preferably, the slider bracket&#39;s channels  57  are constructed to allow the electronic device to slidably move in an arcuate path at least 30°, even more preferably at least 45°, and still even more preferably about 60°. Preferably, the helmet mount is capable of locking the electronic device at a desired position upon the slider mount. To this end, it is preferred that the slider mount include an arcuate tooth surface  53  for engaging a flexible tab  67  extending from the back of the electronic device  63 . In operation, the flexible tab  67  is manually biased away from the slider mount surface  53  so as to allow the electronic device to slide in an arcuate path. However, when properly positioned, the tab  67  is allowed to spring back in place so as to engage the slider mount&#39;s teeth  53  so as to prevent the electronic device  63  from moving relative to the slider mount  51 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4-10 , the helmet mount of the present invention allows the wearer to adjust the position and alignment of an electronic device  63 . For example,  FIGS. 4-7  illustrate how the helmet mount&#39;s arm  37  can be rotated relative to the helmet mount&#39;s clamp bracket  9  so as to move an electronic device forward, backward, up or down. In each of these positions, the electronic device can be pointed in any direction including up, down, forward, or backward, or anywhere in between. Meanwhile, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 , the helmet mount&#39;s slider bracket  51  allows one to adjust the electronic device  63  to be adjusted to face inward or outward, or anywhere in between. 
         [0035]    The various components of the helmet mount can be made by various materials known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the components are primarily made of high strength plastic to provide light weight and durability. However, it is preferred that the male threaded fastener  31 , bolt  69  and nut  71  be made of light weight metals. Other materials including carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium and other alloys would also be acceptable. Furthermore, it is preferred that any conspicuously visible threaded fasteners be covered such as by a decal cover  73 . 
         [0036]    While several particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it would be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is not intended that the invention be limited except by the following claims. Having described my invention in such terms as to enable a person skilled in the art to understand the invention, recreate the invention and practice, and having presently identified the presently preferred embodiments thereof,