Patent Publication Number: US-2021161239-A1

Title: Light-emitting beacon

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/968,173, filed on May 1, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,918,152. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/968,173 also claims priority of a commonly assigned U.S. provisional application assigned the Ser. No. 62/492,542 filed on May 1, 2017. All documents above are incorporated herein in their entirely by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a light-emitting beacon. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a beacon for mounting on a helmet. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Small portable light emitting beacons are used to identify people and objects in a variety of applications, in particular in identify friend-or-foe (IFF) applications where distinguishing between friendlies and adversaries quickly and correctly plays an important role both strategically and for increased safety. In some applications light-emitting beacons are mounted onto helmets or the like. On drawback of these beacons is that as the beacons are not flush with the surface of the helmet, they become easily snagged on paracord or the like, which either fouls the correct deployment of the parachute or leads to the beacon being inadvertently removed from the helmet. One other disadvantage is that, as the beacon is often positioned out of the wearers field of view, correct operation of the beacon via its control switches is difficult. An additional disadvantage is that, given the low profile of the beacon and the relatively large size of the battery used to power the beacon, the battery often occludes light emitted from different angles making it generally only visible from above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to overcome the above and other drawbacks there is provided a light-emitting beacon for attachment to a helmet comprising a convex outer surface. The beacon comprises a beacon body comprising a translucent elongate carapace and a base wherein the carapace is generally dome like, wherein the carapace and base together define a hollow space therebetween and further wherein an outer surface of the base is concave and configured to receive the convex outer surface of the helmet, a power source comprising a battery positioned within the hollow space adjacent the base, and a printed circuit board assembly arranged within the hollow space between the carapace and the battery such that a first surface of the circuit board assembly faces the power source and a second surface of the circuit board assembly faces the carapace, the circuit board assembly further comprising a plurality of LEDs arranged on the second surface wherein a first of the LEDs emits a first light such that the first light is visible from a first lateral side of the carapace and a second of the LEDs emits a second light such that the second light is visible from a second lateral side of the carapace. 
     There is also provided a light-activated beacon comprising a beacon body comprising a translucent elongate carapace and a base wherein the carapace is generally dome like, wherein the carapace and base together define a hollow space therebetween, a power source comprising a battery positioned within the hollow space adjacent the base, and a printed circuit board assembly comprising at least one printed circuit board arranged within the hollow space between the carapace and the battery such that an inner surface of the at least one printed circuit board faces the power source and an outer surface of the at least one printed circuit board faces the carapace, the at least one printed circuit board further comprising at least one LED activated or deactivated in response to light sensed by at least one of a plurality of photosensors arranged on the outer surface, wherein a first of the photosensors senses light shining on a first lateral side of the carapace and a second of the photosensors senses light shining on a second lateral side of the carapace. 
     Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the appended drawings: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  provide respectfully a left raised front perspective view and a right raised rear perspective view of a light emitting beacon in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  provides a rear left perspective view with the battery removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  provide opposed raised side views of a beacon in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  provides an exploded view of a beacon without the carapace and in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  provides a sectional view along  1 VB- 1 VB in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  provides a side plan view of a beacon mounted on a helmet and in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  provides an embodiment of a mounting plate for use with the beacon and in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  a light-emitting beacon, generally referred to by the reference numeral  10 , will now be described. The beacon  10  comprises a translucent or transparent carapace  12  secured to a base  14  and, as will be discussed in more detail below, light emitting elements (not shown) are housed. The light emitting elements are controlled via a combination of buttons  16 ,  18  and sliding actuators  20 ,  22 . In this regard, a first of the buttons  16  is positioned in a first recess  24  on one side of the carapace  12  and a second of the buttons  18  is positioned in a second recess  26  on an opposite side of the carapace  12 . In this regard, the buttons  16 ,  18  can be actuated simultaneously used together (for example using a thumb and an index finger, both not shown). The sliding actuators  22 ,  24  in respective recesses  28 ,  30  on opposite sides of the carapace  12  from each other. Each sliding actuator  22 ,  24  is positioned in a respective collar  32 ,  34  and such that it can slide generally in parallel to the length of the beacon  10 . A lateral bore  36  is provided towards a forward end of the carapace  12  to receive para cord or rope or the like (not shown). An additional retaining strap receiving passage  38  is provided towards the rearward end of the carapace  12 . A recess  40  is also provided in the rearward end of the carapace  12  which receives a threaded battery compartment cap  42  and such that the threaded cap  42  is below or substantially flush with an outer surface  44  of the carapace  12 . The threaded cap  42  comprises a serrated outer surface  46  to improve gripping. Additionally, a groove  48  is formed in the end of the cap which is suitable for receiving a coin, screw driver, or knife blade or the like (not shown) to aid in opening and closing the threaded cap  42 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a series of raised features  50  are molded in the outer surface  46  of the carapace  12  adjacent each button  16 ,  18  and adjacent predetermined positions of the sliders  20 ,  22 , to aid a user of the beacon  10  in correctly operating the beacon  10  when it is not readily visible, for example in conditions of low light or when the beacon  10  is positioned out of the user&#39;s field of view (for example on the user&#39;s head) and provide a recognizable tactile feedback as to the position one or other of the sliders  20 ,  22  is in. Additionally, a series of indentations  52  are molded in the outer surface  46  of the carapace  12  for, as will be discussed in more detail below, removeably engaging with an adaptor plate (not shown). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the threaded cap  42  covers a threaded opening  54  to a battery compartment  56  in the carapace  12 . Removal of the threaded cap  42  allows a battery  58 , illustratively an alkaline battery such as an AA type battery to be inserted via the threaded opening  54  into the battery compartment  56 . In other embodiments the threaded opening  54  and battery compartment  56  can dimensioned to receive other types of alkaline batteries, such as an AAA type battery, or lithium batteries such as a CR123 type battery and their rechargeable variants, or other battery packs or rechargeable batteries of differing dimensions. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , as discussed above, in order to enable and control the beacon  10  a pair of buttons  16 ,  18  and sliding actuators  20 ,  22  are provided. Advantageously, as the first button  16  is located on a side of the carapace  12  opposite from the second button  18 , the first button  16  can be used in combination with the second button  18  to provide additional inputs or limit inadvertent activation or deactivation. For example, in one embodiment the first button  16  and the second button  18  must be depressed simultaneously in order to activate or deactivate the beacon  10 . In another embodiment the first button  16  and the second button  18  are depressed simultaneously in order to change the wavelength of light emitted from light in the visible spectrum to light in a non-visible spectrum such as infrared or the like, and vice-versa. In still another embodiment the first button  16  and the second button  18  are depressed simultaneously in order to change the light emitted by the beacon from steady state to flashing. In still another embodiment the first button  16  and the second button  18  are depressed simultaneously for a period one (1) second will place the device in IR mode, two (2) seconds will place the device in visual mode and four (4) seconds or above will place the device in programming mode. In still another embodiment depressing the first button  16  alone increases an output intensity of the emitted light or IR and depressing the second button  18  alone decreases an output intensity of the emitted light or IR. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the first button  16  is positioned within the first recess  24  and covered using a first overmoulded flexible covering  60 , or boot, of a soft malleable plastic or the like. The bottom of the recess  24  defines a first aperture  62  and such that the first button  16  is actuatable via the flexible boot  60 . Similarly, the second button  18  is positioned within a second aperture  66  defined by the second recess  26  and protected using a second overmoulded covering  68 , also of a soft flexible malleable plastic or the like. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3A , as discussed above the sliding actuators  20 ,  22  are secured within their respective recesses  28 ,  30  formed in the side of the carapace  12  adjacent the first button  16  by a respective one of a pair of collars  32 ,  34 . In one embodiment, each collar  32 ,  34  comprises two opposed guides  70  which are profiled thereby providing tactile feedback and ensuring the slide actuators  20 ,  22  may be positioned in one of a plurality of discrete positions, illustratively three (3). The two opposed guides  70  are received in an annular ring  72  formed in each sliding actuator  20 ,  22  and such that each sliding actuator  20 ,  22  is able to slide along their respective opposed guides  70  along the length of their respective collars  32 ,  34 . In order to interact with electronics (not shown) housed within the carapace  12 , a magnet  74  is held within each of the sliding actuators  20 ,  22  for movement therewith and such that the magnetic field generated by the magnet  74  penetrates the carapace  12 . The collars  32 ,  34  are retained within their respective recesses  28 ,  30  by pairs of self-tapping screws or the like  76  which are received via respective bores  78  in each collar  32 ,  34  into respective threaded holes  80 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the carapace  12  houses a plurality of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)  82  onto which electronics  84  are mounted, for example using solder, connectors, semi-flex circuit or flex circuit, or the like, and interconnected by a plurality of traces  86 . The electronics may comprise inter alia one or more of microprocessors  88 , microcontrollers  90 , light emitting devices LEDs  92  and photosensors  93 . Electronics  84  on one of the PCBs  82  are interconnected with electronics  84  on the other PCBs  82  via the traces  86  and ribbon cables  94  or the like. In one embodiment the photosensors  93  provide a convenient means to introduce a customized sequence into the beacon  10 , for example using an external light source or the like, and such that the LEDs  92  subsequently emit light according to the programmed sequence. This could be, for example, a particular sequence in Morse code, such as an SOS or the like. In another embodiment the photosensors  93  allow the beacon  10  to receive and react in response to an IFF type signal, for example as provided by a laser or the like (not shown) directed at the beacon  10 , for example by directing the LEDs  92  to emit light in a predictable and confirmatory fashion on reception of the IFF type signal by the photosensors  93 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the base  14  together with a semi-tubular structure  96  forms a compartment for receiving the battery  58  therein as well as a support for the PCBs  82 . The semi-tubular structure  96  comprises a plurality of legs  98  each comprising a slot  100  which engages a respective tab  102  on the base  14  and such that the semi-tubular structure  96  can be snap-fit to the base  14 . In this regard the base  14  comprises a pair of opposed raised panels  104  the facing surfaces of which align with the inner surface  106  of the semi-tubular structure  96  to form the battery compartment when assembled. A closed end of the battery compartment formed by the semi-tubular structure  96  and the opposed raised panels  104  comprises a seat  108  which receives a conductive spring  110  and against which a first end  112  of the battery  58  is in contact during normal operation. In an alternative embodiment the spring  110  could be replaced by a conductive annular plate with a raised flexible tab (not shown). A first conductive rail  114  interconnects the conductive spring  110 , and therefore the battery  58  with at least one (illustratively positive) trace on the PCBs  82 . On assembly, the PCBs  82  are arranged over the battery compartment formed by the semi-tubular structure  96  and the opposed raised panels  104  and interconnected with the first conductive rail  112  and a second conductive rail  116 . In this manner, light emitted by the LEDs  92  mounted on the PCBs  82  are not obscured by the battery  58 . A cushioning spacer  118  is also provided between the central one of the PCBs  82  and an upper surface of the semi-tubular structure  96 . 
     An open end of the battery compartment formed by the semi-tubular structure  96  and the opposed raised panels  104  comprises a collar  120  molded into the carapace  12  and comprising an outer thread  122 . The collar  120  receives the battery compartment cap  42  which engages a mating inner thread  124  thereof. A conductive assembly comprising a conductive spring  126  and a conductive annular plate  128  is positioned within the cap  42  and such that on assembly it comes into contact with a second end  130  of the battery  58 . In a particular embodiment the spring  126  and annular plate  128  could be replaced by an annular plate with flexible tab, not shown. A first end  132  of the second conductive rail  116  is in contact with at least one (illustratively negative) trace  86  on the PCBs  82  while a second end  134  laps over an outer edge  136  of the threaded collar  120  and such that, when the cap  42  is threaded snugly onto the collar  120 , the second conductive rail  116  comes into contact with the conductive annular plate  128  thereby interconnecting the second end  130  of the battery  58  with the PCBs  82 . An O-ring  138  is also provided about the collar  120  such that on assembly, the battery compartment is sealed thereby preventing the egress of dirt and moisture and the like. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the lower edges  140  of the two opposed PCBs  82  are held in place by raised tabs  142 . Additionally, a plurality of posts  144  are provided that during assembly are bonded within respective holes (not shown) in the carapace  12 . In a particular embodiment, an indentation  146  is provided in the base  14  for receiving a small motor  148 , for example, which can be actuated to cause the beacon  10  to vibrate to provide haptic feedback. For example, in response to a change in mode or function, vibrating feedback can be provided, with the number or duration of vibrations indicative of a particular mode, or to indicate a low battery power or the like. Similarly, vibrating feedback can be provided in response to detection of a signal at one or other of the photo sensors  93 , for example and IFF type signal as discussed above. An underside  150  of the base  14  is generally concave and such that it will sit snugly against a similarly curved surface. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , in some embodiments the carapace  12  and base  14  are manufactured from the same relatively hard material such as polycarbonate or the like. Portions of the material may be translucent or opaque as required to achieve a desired illumination. For example, a translucent or transparent polycarbonate may be used to manufacture both the carapace  12  and base  14  and portions of the carapace  12  and base  14  covered with an opaque paint to achieve a desired illumination. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , as the assembly may be subject to considerable impact or shock during use, for example when attached to the helmet of a paratrooper, in a particular embodiment the carapace  12  is manufactured from a relatively hard material such as polycarbonate or the like having a shore hardness of greater than about D80 and a flexural modulus at 23° C. according to ISO 178 of greater than about 2400 MPa. In a particular embodiment a clear polycarbonate is used to manufacture the carapace  12 . In one embodiment the base  14  is manufactured from a softer shock absorbing material such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or the like having a shore hardness of less than about D70 and a flexural modulus at 23° C. according to ISO 178 of less than about 540 MPa. In a particular embodiment a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is used to manufacture the base  14 . One particular advantage of some thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers is their ability to maintain elasticity in extreme cold, for example down to −90° C. or the like. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , provision of a softer material between the relatively hard carapace  12  and, for example, a hard helmet provides an improved cushioning sandwich structure that absorbs shock, vibration and impact with the additional advantage that the flexibility of the base  14  allows the base  14  to conform to better fit the shape of the helmet. This reduces, for example breaking or fracturing on impact which is prevalent with previous designs. In both cases the carapace  12  may be joined to the base  14  in a hermetic seal using an ultrasonic welding procedure or adhesive or the like. 
     As discussed above, the beacon  10  can be secured to a helmet or the like using the lateral bore  36  and/or the retaining strap receiving passage  38 . As the base  14  can be subject to considerable stress when attached to a helmet or the like, one additional advantage of using a softer elastomer is that the base  14  is able to give somewhat in response to such stresses. This provides for less wear on cord as well as reducing breakage of the base  14 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , additionally, or alternatively, the base  14  may be overmoulded with a soft flexible skirt (not shown) manufactured from a flexible plastic or silicon rubber or the like, to fill in any residual gaps between the beacon  10  and the helmet. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , as discussed above, one advantage of providing a plurality if PCBs  82  as disclosed is that the battery  58  does not occlude at least one of the LEDs  92  and such that at least one of the LEDs  92  is visible on either side of the battery  58 , as well as above the battery  58 . Similarly, the battery  58  does not occlude at least one of the photo sensors  93  and such that at least one of the photo sensors  93  is visible on either side of the battery  58 , as well as above the battery  58 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the beacon  10  is suitable for mounting to a helmet  152  or the like. As discussed above, the underside  150  of the base  14  is generally concave and such that the curved outer surface  154  of the helmet  152  is received snugly against the underside  150 . A flexible skirt (not shown) may also be provided that serves to seal the outer edge of the device  10  and provide a smooth transition between the helmet  152  and the device  10 . As discussed above, the device  10  may be mounted using zip ties or paracord  158  which are engaged in respective ones of the lateral bores  36 ,  38 . Together with the recessed battery compartment cap  42 , this configuration helps ensure that the underside  150  of a suitably mounted device  10  will not snag on rope or paracords and the like, and such that, for example, the device  10  is inadvertently removed from the helmet  152 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6  in addition to  FIG. 1 , an accessory mounting plate  160  is shown. The mounting plate  160  comprises a base  162  which can be securely mounted to a variety of objects. In this regard, the base comprises a pair of tapered apertures  164 , for example for accepting tapered head bolts (not shown) or the like. Additionally, there is provided a pair of keyhole apertures  166 , for example for releasable securing the mounting plate  160  to a wall or tree or the like. Also, there is provided a pair of slots  168  through which a belt or collar can be fed. The mounting plate  160  further comprises a trio of flexible grips  170  which engage respective one of the indentations  52  molded in the outer surface  46  of the carapace  12 . As will now be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the device  10  may be snapped onto the mounting plate  160  between the three flexible grips  162 . 
     Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of specific embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the claims.