Patent Publication Number: US-2010128468-A1

Title: Safety helmet

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to safety helmets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a warning illuminator device for safety helmets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For many sporting activities the participant requires head protection for prevention of head injury and similar occurrences. For example, head protection may be required in high-speed activities such as cycling, roller-blading, skateboarding, etc. If the activity occurs at places or periods of low illumination, such as at dusk or nighttime, the participant may potentially be unseen by others who provide potential hazards, such as being unseen by a driver of a passing vehicle when the participant is cycling or rollerblading. 
     Some conventional bike helmets include a lamp mounted to the front of the bike helmet to provide illumination for the rider of the helmet to see in front of the riding path. Such helmets are typically driven by a portable power supply such as a battery. As can be appreciated, batteries may provide the requisite power but have a limited lifespan. Batteries are also relatively expensive. Further, some of these lamps emit much of the energy as heat, wasting some of the limited energy capacity of the battery. 
     In addition, some of these lamp mounted helmets are relatively heavy and may impede the mobility and activities of the participant. 
     SUMMARY 
     It would be advantageous to provide safety helmets which address at least some of the above-noted difficulties. 
     The present application generally provides an illuminator device that attaches to a safety helmet for providing illumination when moving. 
     In one aspect, the present application provides an illuminator device for a safety helmet, the safety helmet including an exterior surface. The illuminator device includes a fiber optic cable having two ends and adapted for mounting on the safety helmet so as to illuminate an exterior of the safety helmet, a light source coupled to a light interface, the light interface connected to one end of the fiber optic cable, the light source being activateable, a power source electrically connected to the light source, and a motion detector for detecting motion or motion of a preselected type or amount and for providing a signal to activate the light source upon detection of motion or the preselected motion. 
     In another aspect, the present application provides a helmet system having a safety helmet and an illuminator device. The safety helmet includes an exterior shell having an exterior surface. The illuminator device includes a fiber optic cable having two ends and mounted on the safety helmet so as to illuminate an exterior of the safety helmet, a light source coupled to a light interface, the light interface connected to one end of the fiber optic cable, the light source being activateable, a power source electrically connected to the light source, and a motion detector for detecting motion or motion of a preselected type or amount and for providing a signal to activate the light source upon motion detection or detection of the preselected motion. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a method of illuminating a safety helmet having an exterior surface, the safety helmet having a fiber optic cable having two ends mounted thereon so as to illuminate an exterior of the safety helmet. The method includes detecting motion or motion of a preselected type or amount of the safety helmet and providing a control signal upon detection of motion or motion of the preselected type to activate a switch to an active state, and activating a light source coupled to a light interface connected to one end of the fiber optic cable, said light source being activated when said switch is in the active state. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to indicate similar features, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  shows an exploded right side view of a safety helmet system in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  shows an assembled right side view of the safety helmet system; 
         FIG. 2A  shows an exploded left-front view of the safety helmet system; 
         FIG. 2B  shows an assembled left-front view of the safety helmet system; 
         FIG. 3A  shows an exploded front view of the safety helmet system; 
         FIG. 3B  shows an assembled front view of the safety helmet system; 
         FIG. 4A  shows an exploded left-rear view of the safety helmet system; 
         FIG. 4B  shows an assembled left-rear view of the safety helmet system; 
         FIG. 5A  shows a front view of an illuminator device to be used in the safety helmet system in accordance with an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5B  shows a bottom view of the illuminator device of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  shows a rear view of the illuminator device of  FIG. 5A ; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a diagrammatic detail view of the illuminator device of  FIG. 5A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In one example embodiment, there is generally provided an illuminator device that attaches to a safety helmet for providing illumination when moving. 
     In another example embodiment, there is provided an illuminator device for a safety helmet, the safety helmet including an exterior surface. The illuminator device includes a fiber optic cable having two ends and adapted for mounting on the safety helmet so as to illuminate an exterior of the safety helmet, a light source coupled to a light interface, the light interface connected to one end of the fiber optic cable, the light source being activateable, a power source electrically connected to the light source, and a motion detector for detecting motion or motion of a preselected type or amount and for providing a signal to activate the light source upon detection of motion or the preselected motion. 
     In another example embodiment, there is provided a helmet system having a safety helmet and an illuminator device. The safety helmet includes an exterior shell having an exterior surface. The illuminator device includes a fiber optic cable having two ends and mounted on the safety helmet so as to illuminate an exterior of the safety helmet, a light source coupled to a light interface, the light interface connected to one end of the fiber optic cable, the light source being activateable, a power source electrically connected to the light source, and a motion detector for detecting motion or motion of a preselected type or amount and for providing a signal to activate the light source upon motion detection or detection of the preselected motion. 
     In another example embodiment, there is provided a method of illuminating a safety helmet having an exterior surface, the safety helmet having a fiber optic cable having two ends mounted thereon so as to illuminate an exterior of the safety helmet. The method includes, detecting motion or motion of a preselected type or amount of the safety helmet and providing a control signal upon detection of motion or motion of the preselected type to activate a switch to an active state, and activating a light source coupled to a light interface connected to one end of the fiber optic cable, said light source being activated when said switch is in the active state. 
     In another example embodiment, the signal provided by the motion detector is proportional to the speed of motion. The light source includes an optical property which responds based on the proportional signal provided by the motion detector. 
     The illustrated safety helmet system  10  generally includes a safety helmet  12  and an illuminator device  14  for attachment to the safety helmet  12 . Generally, the illuminator device  14  attaches to safety helmet  12  and provides illumination, for example for warning others when the user is moving. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the safety helmet  12  includes an exterior shell  16  and an interior shell  20 . The exterior shell  16  has an exterior surface  18  and is formed of a hard impact resistant material. The interior shell  20  is formed of a high density polystyrene foam. The shape of the interior shell  14  generally conforms to the shape of the exterior shell  16 , wherein the two shells  16 ,  20  can matingly connect with one another. Additional shells may also be provided depending on the desired structure, for example to provide additional protection. As shown, the exterior shell  16  has also defined therein a plurality of air holes  22  which allows passage of air to cool the user when using the safety helmet  12 . A chin strap (not shown) may also be connected to the exterior shell  16 , as is known in the art. 
     The illuminator device  14  attaches to the exterior surface  18  of the safety helmet  12 . The illuminator device  14  includes first and second fiber optic cables  24 ,  26  which are positioned along the exterior surface  18 . First optic cable  24  includes first end  30  and second end  32 . Similarly, the second optic cable  26  includes first end  34  and second end  36 . A casing  38  is also mounted to the safety helmet  12  and receives the first ends  30 ,  34  of the optic cables  24 ,  26 . As shown, the casing  38  is mounted generally at the rear of the safety helmet  12  and the optic cables  24 ,  26  extend along a circumference of the safety helmet  12 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , which illustrates a diagrammatic detail view of the illuminator device  14 . Housed within the casing  38  are a light source  40  coupled to a light interface  42 , a power source  44 , a switch  46 , and a motion detector  48 . The light interface  42  is connected to the first ends  30 ,  34  of the fiber optic cables  24 ,  26 . The light source  40  is activateable by way of switch  46 , which may be activated by an appropriate signal. The power source  44  is electrically connected to the light source  40 . The motion detector  48  is used for detecting motion and for providing a signal to activate the switch  46  (and thereby the light source  40 ) upon motion detection. A hard button  50  ( FIG. 5 ) is also provided on the casing  38  which is coupled to hard switch  52  for manually powering on and off of the illuminator device  14 . As shown, the hard switch  52  may be directly connected to the power source  44 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 6 , the fiber optic cable  24 ,  26  includes a plurality of individual optical fibers  60  which are bundled in a plastic or rubber tube-like casing  74 . As will be understood in the art, each optical fiber  60  acts as a cylindrical dielectric waveguide that transmits light along its axis, by the process of total internal reflection. The optical fiber  60  includes a core surrounded by a cladding layer. As can be appreciated, to confine the optical signal in the core, the refractive index of the core is greater than that of the cladding. The light interface  42  provides an appropriate entry angle for the light source  40  to allow entry of the light into the optical fibers  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in some example embodiments, each optical fiber  60  of the fiber optic cable  24 ,  26  can be what is referred to as a point-to-point optical fiber. Generally, no light emits out of the cladding of a point-to-point optical fiber. In a point-to-point optical fiber, light enters into the first end  30 ,  34  of the fiber optic cable  24 ,  26  for each optical fiber  60 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , some of the individual optical fibers  60  are positioned to have their respective light emitting ends  62  located at different positions along the length of the fiber optic cable  24 ,  26 . The light within each optical fiber  60  emits from its end  62  to provide illumination. Illumination is thereby provided at spaced apart regions along the fiber optic cable  24 ,  26 . This may for example result in 360 degree illumination of the helmet system  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the motion detector  48  detects motion or movement of the helmet system  10  when moving. The motion detector  48  includes one or more sensors which detect changes in movement, speed or acceleration. The motion detector  48  detects motion and determines that the light source  40  should be activated. Therefore, once motion is detected, the motion detector  48  provides a signal to the switch  46 . In some example embodiments, the motion detector  48  determines whether the movement exceeds a predetermined threshold of movement. For example, the motion detector  48  can include a cylinder capsule like component. Inside the capsule is a metal ball and spring. The capsule also has a two-wire connection, representing positive and negative polarity. When the motion detector  48  is not in motion, the wires are separated. When the motion detector  48  is in motion, the metal ball will slide up and down (or from one end to the other of the cylinder capsule), thereby connecting the wires together. This closes the circuit and provides the signal to the light source  40 . In some example embodiments, the motion detector  48  includes an accelerometer to provide a signal once a predetermined acceleration threshold is exceeded. In other example embodiments, the motion detector  48  provides a variable signal based on the speed of movement. In such embodiments, the motion detector  48  for example includes an optical sensor, for example an infrared sensor with a sensor face having an array of infrared sensors arranged in a spatial orientation, for example a grid-like arrangement. The array is directed externally, for example positioned to point to the ground. The sensor face receives image signals from various articles or particles (for example stone, grass, paint, etc.) at different infrared sensors in the array. This information is processed for determining any change in each infrared sensor in the array and a differential change results in a signal provided to the switch  46 . In some example embodiments, a differential amplifier is used to detect any change in a given infrared sensor, which provides an increased signal (e.g. voltage or current) in proportion to the amount of movement or speed detected. 
     The power source  44  can for example be a DC (direct current) source such as a battery. A lithium battery such as a CR-2032×2 can for example be used for its portability, weight and relatively long life. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in some example embodiments, the switch  46  can be a controller, microcontroller, logic chip, computer, electromechanical, or electrically based mechanism to receive the signal from the motion detector  48  and effect activation of the light source  40 . The switch  46  can for example be a transistor which is activated by a current signal as provided by the motion detector  48 . In some example embodiments, the switch  46  includes a variable mechanism or module for receiving a signal or control signal, and for activating a frequency of flashing of the light source  40  in proportion to the received signal. In some example embodiments, the switch  46  is not necessarily a separate component or module, and in such embodiments the motion detector  48  can include its own mechanism for driving or activating of the light source  40 . It can be appreciated that use of the switch  46  may decrease energy consumption of the power source  44  when compared to continuous illumination. 
     The light source  40  may for example be a LED (Light Emitting Diode), to provide illumination and visibility to the exterior of the safety helmet  12 . The LED can include one or more set of wavelengths. The LED can for example be a flashing LED, which provides a flashing illumination even though a constant direct current is applied for activation. In some example embodiments, as described above, the LED receives a stronger signal when there is increased motion or speed detected by the motion detector  48 . The frequency of flashing of the LED is proportional to the received signal from the motion detector  48  or switch  46 . The faster the movement, the faster the frequency of flashing. Thus, others may be aware of the general speed of the user. A microcontroller (not shown) may also be used to facilitate the signal processing and determine the flashing frequencies, as appropriate. In some example embodiments, the light source  40  includes a system having one or more flashing LEDs, which may be of different colours, and thereby provides different colours of flashing illumination. It can be appreciated that flashing may decrease energy consumption of the power source  44  when compared to continuous illumination. 
     In some example embodiments, the light source  40  can increase the intensity of illumination based on the received signal which is applied for activation of the light source  40 . The intensity of illumination of the light source  40  is proportional to the received signal from the motion detector  48  or switch  46 . The faster the movement, the greater the intensity of illumination. Thus, others may be aware of the general speed of the user by gauging the intensity of illumination. 
     In some example embodiments, the wavelength of the light source  40  increases based on the received current. The wavelength of the light source  40  is generally proportional to the received signal from the motion detector  48  or switch  46 . From example, a faster movement results in the light source  40  emitting colours in the higher wavelength spectrum, for example in the orange/red spectrum. Similarly, a slower movement results in the light source  40  emitting colours in the lower wavelength spectrum, for example in the violet/blue spectrum. In other example embodiments, the properties of spectrum may be reversed, with the faster movement resulting in the violet/blue spectrum. In some example embodiments, the light source  40  is limited to emitting specified colours, for example green, yellow, and red, to generally correspond fast, slow, and stop, respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the illuminator device  14  is attached or adapted for attachment to the safety helmet  12  with an adhesive  70 . A suitably strong adhesive tape or glue can be used. A foam insert  72  such as EVA foam may also be positioned between the illuminator device  14  and the safety helmet  12  to assist in conforming the shape of the casing  38  to the shape of the safety helmet  12 . 
     Another transparent shell (not shown) is used to cover the safety helmet system  10  for protection of the illuminator device  14  while still permitting illumination to emit from the helmet system  10 . The transparent shell generally conforms to the shape of the exterior shell  16  assembled with the illuminator device  14 . 
     Although point-to-point optical fibers have been described, it can be appreciated that other types of optical fibers may be used, such as side light optical fibers, which allows illumination through the cladding. Combinations of point-to-point and side light optical fibers can also be used. 
     It can be appreciated that the fiber optic cables are not limited to the positioning shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . For example, the fiber optic cables may be woven in and out through the air holes  22  (or other holes) of the exterior shell  16 , so long as the fiber optic cables illuminate and are viewable from the exterior of the safety helmet  12 . 
     In some example embodiments, the motion detector  48  is not contained within the casing  38  but may be held or carried by the user, or embedded in the user&#39;s apparel or sporting equipment. The motion detector  48  would transmit using a wireless control signal to the switch  46  for activation of the light source  40 . The control signal may also indicate a speed of travel to control the frequency of flashing of the light source  40 . For example, the control signal can be a digital or logical signal which includes information which indicates the speed of travel. 
     While the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing specification, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.