Patent Publication Number: US-2022225721-A1

Title: Snowmobile Helmet

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to a protective helmet designed to protect the user from potential impacts. More particularly, this disclosure is related to a helmet having means for preventing fogging in the faceplate, means for heating the interior of the helmet, means for safety lighting on the helmet, means for clearing water from a faceplate of the helmet, and means for establishing a communication link beyond the helmet. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As is known in the art, helmets are injection-molded polycarbonate or fiberglass reinforced with Kevlar or carbon fiber shells for protection in a variety of different sports and occupations. The sports and occupations include, for example, snowmobile, motorcycle and bicycle riding, football, baseball, horse riding, ice hockey, firefighting, heavy construction, etc.  FIG. 1  is a side view illustration of a helmet of the prior art. The helmet has a molded polycarbonate or fiberglass shell  10 . In various implementations, the helmet has a faceplate  15  connected to the polycarbonate or fiberglass shell  10  through a flip-up mechanism  20 . The flip-up mechanism allows the faceplate  15  to rotate upwards to expose the face and downwards for protecting the face and eyes. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom view illustration of a helmet of the prior art. The helmet&#39;s shell looking from the bottom view, shows the protective padding  25   a ,  25   b , and  25   c  of the helmet. The protective padding  25   a ,  25   b , and  25   c  provides cushioning of the head while riding over rough terrain or receiving a shock to the helmet. 
     While the helmet provides protection from shock to the head of the helmet&#39;s wearer, the helmets as currently constructed do not provide means for heating the interior of the helmet, safety lighting on the helmet, removing water from a faceplate of the helmet, or for establishing a communication link from the helmet. 
     SUMMARY 
     An object of this disclosure is to provide a helmet that includes multiple unique components for providing safety and comfort for a person wearing the helmet. 
     Another object of this disclosure is to provide a helmet having input and output ducting channels to afford air circulation within the helmet for eliminating moisture or frost from a faceplate attached to the helmet to allow the person wearing the helmet to have improved vision through a faceplate of the helmet. In some embodiments, a heating element warms the circulating air for warmth in extremely cold weather. 
     Another object of this disclosure is to provide a battery for powering a fan for generating the air circulation and for powering heating elements for heating the interior of the helmet, and removing moisture and frost from the faceplate of the helmet. 
     Another object of this disclosure is to provide a wiper apparatus for clearing water from the faceplate&#39;s exterior surface. 
     Another object of this disclosure is providing the faceplate with a photochromic material for causing the lightening and darkening of the faceplate dependent upon the ambient light for improving the vision of the wearer of the helmet. 
     Another object of this disclosure is providing a communication system with a pair of audio headphones and a microphone mounted within the helmet and in communication with a transceiver mounted to the shell of the helmet for communication with another radio transceiver remote to the helmet for communication with other transceivers on the communication system for allowing early warning of danger to the wearer of the helmet. 
     To accomplish at least one of these objects, a helmet has a shell formed of thermoplastics such as ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), polycarbonate, or blends of the two thermoplastics. In various embodiments, the helmet has a shell formed of composite materials made of fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber, and other composite blends of fibers and resin. 
     In various embodiments, the mold forming the helmet has features that form ducting channels in the helmet&#39;s shell for air circulation, ducting channels for heating elements, or electrical wiring for other functions. The electrical wiring is connected to heating elements for heating the helmet. 
     In various other embodiments, the features for forming the ducting channels are fabricated separately and adhered to the interior or exterior surface of the helmet&#39;s shell. 
     The helmet has a fan for receiving air from at least one ducting channel formed in the helmet&#39;s shell. The fan circulates the air to a faceplate of the helmet through an exhaust ducting channel to curtail fogging of the faceplate. The fan is connected to a rechargeable battery placed at the rear of the helmet shell in a compartment formed in an area isolated from a protective foam that protects the wearer&#39;s head. 
     In various embodiments, the features formed in the molding are ducting channels with openings to the exterior of the helmet to allow the circulated air to be exhausted from the helmet. The heat from the heating element is controlled by variable resistors such as rheostats. 
     The rechargeable battery is connected to a battery charger that resides in the compartment with the rechargeable battery. The battery charger is connected to an external connector that is plugged to an external power source for power to charge the battery. 
     In various embodiments, the faceplate is formed of a transparent polycarbonate material coated with a photochromic material. The photochromic material changes the shading of the faceplate, dependent upon the ambient lighting. 
     In various embodiments, the helmet includes a red rear safety light and a white front light for illumination in reduced lighting situations. The rear safety light and the front illumination light are connected to the battery by way of a switch mounted on one side of the helmet. The switch allows the operator to selectively turn on the rear safety light and the front illumination light. 
     In various embodiments, the helmet has a wiper configured for removing precipitation from the faceplate when the person wearing the helmet is operating a snowmobile in inclement weather. 
     In various other embodiments, the helmet has a radio transceiver installed within the helmet and is in communication with an exterior radio transceiver such as a radio transceiver for communication with other transceivers on the communication system. The radio transceiver is a Bluetooth configured transceiver or any other similar radio transceiver. The radio transceiver is also in communication with a pair of speakers mounted within the helmet and a microphone mounted within the helmet to allow two-way communication with the external radio transceiver. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view illustration of a helmet of the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view illustration of a helmet of the prior art. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a left side view of a helmet showing a heating/ventilation arrangement including ducting channels connected with a series of openings for providing airflow to a fan embodying the principles of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a grouping of illustrations (FIGS.  4 A 1 - 4 A 3 ,  4 B 1 - 4 B 3 ) as cross-sectional views of  FIG. 3  showing examples of the ducting channels formed within the helmet&#39;s shell embodying the principles of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a left side view of a helmet showing an anti-fogging arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom view of a snowmobile helmet showing a faceplate anti-fogging arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of a helmet showing an embodiment of the heating arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a back view of a helmet showing an access port and connectors for a battery compartment of the helmet embodying the principles of this disclosure. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are illustrations respectively of the front and left side views of a helmet illustrating a faceplate wiper apparatus embodying the principles of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a front view of a snowmobile helmet, exemplifying a faceplate with photochromic properties for protecting the vision of the wearer, embodying the principles of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of a top view of a snowmobile exemplifying the front illumination light and rear safety light embodying the principles of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a top cross-sectional view of a helmet illustrating the interior of the helmet with a Bluetooth communication system with a microphone, a pair of headphones, and a transceiver embodying the principles of this disclosure 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic of the electrical connections for the faceplate wiper apparatus and the anti-fogging and heating arrangements of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  is a flowchart for a method of assembly of a helmet embodying the principles of this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a left side view of a helmet  100  showing a heating/ventilation arrangement including ducting channels  125  connected to a series of openings for providing airflow to a fan  135  embodying the principles of this disclosure. The helmet  100  has a helmet liner  105  covering the edge of the helmet shell  100  to provide cushioning as the helmet rests on the shoulder. The helmet has a faceplate  110  that acts as a safety shield for the wearer&#39;s eyes. 
     Above the faceplate  110  are series of openings or a grating  120  formed in the shell  100  of the helmet to act as ventilation openings  120  to allow air  115  to enter the helmet&#39;s interior. Air transmission ducting channels  125  are formed in or adhered to the shell  100  of the helmet. The air transmission ducting channels  125  allow the air  115  to be guided to the fan  135  for redistribution within the helmet. A distal end of the ducting channel  125  is placed at the opening or grating  120  formed in the shell  100 . Heating elements  130  are placed on or in at least one of the ducting channels  125 . 
       FIG. 4  is a grouping of illustrations (FIGS.  4 A 1 - 4 A 3 ,  4 B 1 - 4 B 3 ) as cross-sectional views of  FIG. 3  showing examples of the ducting channels  125  of  FIG. 3 . formed within the shell  100  of the helmet embodying the principles of this disclosure. In FIG.  4 A 1 , ducting channels  125   a  and  125   b  are formed as a semicircular shape and adhered to the interior of the shell  100 . Heating elements  130   a  and  130   b  are formed and adhered to ducting channels  125   a  and  125   b  for heating the air passing through ducting channels  125   a  and  125   b . In FIG.  4 B 1 , the ducting channels  125   c  and  125   d  are similarly formed as a semicircular shape formed as a component of the shell  100 . Heating elements  130   c  and  130   d  are formed and adhered to the ducting channels  125   c  and  125   d  for heating the air passing through the ducting channels  125   c  and  125   d.    
     In FIG.  4 A 2 , the ducting channels  125   e  and  125   f  are formed as circular tubing and adhered to the interior of the shell  100 . Heating elements  130   e  and  130   f  are assembled and attached within the ducting channels  125   e  and  125   f  for heating the air passing through the ducting channels  125   e  and  125   f . In FIG.  4 B 2 , the ducting channels  125   g  and  125   h  are similarly shaped as a rectangle with rounded ends formed as a component of the shell  100 . Heating elements  130   g  and  130   h  are formed in a tubular shape and adhered to the ducting channels  125   g  and  125   h  for heating the air passing through the ducting channels  125   c  and  125   d.    
     In FIG.  4 A 3 , the ducting channels  125   i  and  125   j  are shaped like a rectangle with rounded ends adhered to the shell  100 . Heating elements  130   i  and  130   j  are formed and placed to the ducting channels  125   i  and  125   j  for heating the air passing through the ducting channels  125   i  and  125   j . In FIG.  4 B 1 , the ducting channels  125   k  and  125   l  are shaped as a rectangle with rounded ends that are adhered within the component of the shell  100 . Heating elements  130   k  and  130   l  are formed and attached within the interior of the ducting channels  125   k  and  125   l  for heating the air passing through the ducting channels  125   k  and  125   l.    
       FIG. 5  illustrates a left side view of a helmet showing an anti-fogging arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure.  FIG. 5  shows a ducting channel  125  within the shell  100  of the helmet. The ducting channel  125  is connected to the grating  120  through which the air  115  is directed to fan  135 . The ducting channel  125 , in some embodiments, has a heating element  130  of  FIG. 3  for heating the air  115 . The air  115  (heated or not) passes through the fan  135  and flows as air  140  is forced to the front of the helmet shell  100  to eliminate the faceplate&#39;s fogging  110 . The air having stopped the faceplate  110  fogging is forced from a vent  150  situated above the faceplate  110  within the shell  100 . The air then joins a stream of air  155  that passes over the helmet shell  100 . 
     A battery  145  that is preferably a rechargeable battery is placed in a compartment at the rear portion of the helmet shell  100 . The battery charger is discussed hereinafter in  FIG. 8 . 
     A series of controls ( 160 ,  165 ,  170 , and  220 ) provide controls for the helmet&#39;s functions. The fan  135  is connected to have its speed controlled from off to full speed by the switched rheostat  160  for eliminating any fogging from the faceplate  110 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom view of a helmet showing a faceplate anti-fogging arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the ducting channels may have an intake ducting channel  125   a  and an output ducting channel  125   b . The intake ducting channel  125   a  provides external air  115  from the grating  120  of  FIGS. 3 and 5 . The air  115  passes to the rear of the fan  135  to be passed through the fan to the output ducting channel  125   b . The ducting channel  125   b  has an extension in front of the fan to capture the output air  140  and transfer it along the ducting channel  125   b  to the rear surface of the faceplate  110  for eliminating the fogging of the faceplate  110 . The output air  140  is then transferred to the exhaust vents  150  for escaping to be external air  155  flowing over the helmet&#39;s top. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of a helmet showing an embodiment of the heating arrangement of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure. In this embodiment, the interior surface of the helmet&#39;s shell  100  above the faceplate  110  has a heating element  175  added to provide more heating comfort for the helmet&#39;s interior. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a back view of a helmet showing a battery compartment  180  and a connector  190  for the battery compartment  180  of the helmet embodying the principles of this disclosure. The helmet&#39;s shell  100  of the helmet has an opening to allow passage of the battery  145  into the compartment  180  for providing power for the fan  135 , the heating element  130 , the heating element  175 , the front light  225   a , the rear light  225   b , and the wiper motor  205   c . A connector  190  is installed in the shell  100  of the helmet to accept a plug  195  connected to an AC power mains  200 . Within the compartment  180 , a battery charger  192  is connected to battery  145  for charging the battery  145 . The plug  195  is selectively plugged into the connector  190  to activate the battery charger  192 . A hatch  185  is placed in the opening of the battery compartment  180  and secured to protect the battery  145  and the battery charger  192 . In various embodiments, the battery charger  192  may be external to the helmet (not shown). The battery charger  192  is placed externally or internally to the helmet  100  is a choice determined by the design of the helmet  100 . The choice of the placement of the charger  192  could further be determined by government bodies such as the US Department of Transportation or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or any other appropriate agencies. Additionally, the type of battery  145  is selected based on weight and space available in the helmet  100 , the power requirements of the features of helmet  100 , and existing safety standards as determined by the government bodies. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are illustrations respectively of the front and left side views of a helmet illustrating a faceplate  110  wiper apparatus embodying the principles of this disclosure. The wiper apparatus has a wiper blade  205   a  connected to a wiper arm  205   b . The wiper arm  205   b  is connected to a motor shaft  205   d  of the wiper motor  205   c . The wiper motor  205   c  is mounted above the faceplate  110  and adhered to the helmet&#39;s shell  100 . Power wiring  215  is connected between the battery  145  and the wiper motor  205   c . The power wiring  215  is routed to be adhered to the helmet&#39;s shell  100  to avoid the head of the person wearing the helmet and under the helmet&#39;s protective padding. The lining is equivalent to the protective padding  25   a ,  25   b , and  25   c.    
       FIG. 10  illustrates a front view of a snowmobile helmet, exemplifying a faceplate with photochromic properties for protecting the vision of the wearer, embodying the principles of this disclosure. In various embodiments of the snowmobile helmet, the faceplate  110  is coated with a photochromic material. The photochromic material allows the faceplate to darken  215  in the presence of sunlight and to become totally transparent when the sunlight is removed. The faceplate  110  with photochromic properties enable the helmet to be used in bright sunlight and in darkness. The photochromic material&#39;s presence lightens or darkens the faceplate to allow the user better vision in intense sunlight or better ability to see as the sunlight is decreased. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a snowmobile helmet&#39;s  100  front and rear view, exemplifying the front illumination light  225   a  and rear safety light  225   b . The snowmobile helmet&#39;s front view has a white light  225   a  affixed to the shell  100  of the helmet above the faceplate  110 . The helmet&#39;s  100  rearview has a red light  225   b  affixed to the helmet&#39;s shell  100  centered above the battery compartment  180 . The lights  225   a  and  225   b  are intended for providing illumination for the safety of riding the snowmobile in reduced lighting. The front light  225   a  has a first power wire  227   a  connected to a first terminal of the battery  145 . A second power wire  227   b  is connected to the toggle switch  220  located on the right side of the helmet&#39;s shell  100 . The rear light  225   b  has a third power wire  229   a  connected to the battery&#39;s first terminal  145 . A fourth power wire  220   b  is connected to the toggle switch  220  located on the right side of the helmet&#39;s shell  100 . A fifth power wire  222  is routed from the toggle switch  220  to the battery  145 . In most embodiments, the first power wire  227   a  and the third power wire  229   a  are connected to a positive terminal of the battery  145 . The fifth power wire  222  would be a return wire to the negative terminal of the battery  145 . 
       FIG. 12  is a top cross-sectional view of a helmet illustrating the helmet interior with a Bluetooth communication system having a microphone  230   c , a pair of headphones  230   a  and  230   b , and a transceiver  235  embodying the principles of this disclosure. The headphones  230   a  and  230   b  are placed respectively on the right and left sides of the helmet&#39;s shell  100 . The microphone  230   c  is placed at the front of the helmet&#39;s shell  100  in close proximity to the wearer&#39;s mouth. A Bluetooth transceiver  235  is mounted at the top of the helmet&#39;s shell  100  and can simultaneously transmit and receive Bluetooth transmissions. The headphones  230   a  and  230   b  have a Bluetooth receiver for receiving signals from the Bluetooth transceiver  235 . The microphone  230   c  has a Bluetooth transmitter for transmitting signals to the Bluetooth transceiver  235 . The Bluetooth transceiver  235  receives signals from a cellular telephone  240  and transmits the Bluetooth signals to the cellular telephone  240 . The Bluetooth transceiver  235  is controlled by the push button switch  237 . When the push button switch  237  is activated, the cellular telephone  240  synchronizes with the Bluetooth transceiver  235 . The Bluetooth transceiver  235  then synchronizes with the headphones  230   a  and  230   b , and the microphone  230   c  to control the transmissions. The Bluetooth transceiver  235  communicating with the cellular telephone  240  allows communication with other cellular telephones on the communication system. 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic of the electrical connections for the faceplate wiper apparatus, the safety lighting arrangement, and the anti-fogging and heating arrangements of the heating/ventilation structure embodying the principles of this disclosure. The battery charger  192  is connected to the connector  190  connected through the cable  195  to the AC power mains  200  through the power cord  200  of  FIG. 8 . The battery charger  192  is mounted in the battery compartment  180  of  FIG. 8 . The battery charger  192  is connected to the positive (+) terminal of the battery  145  and connected to the battery&#39;s negative ground terminal. 
     The heating elements  130  and  175  have first terminals connected to the first terminals of the rheostats  165  and  170  mounted on the left side of the shell  100  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The rheostats  165  and  170  are controlled by knobs to adjust the current through the heating elements  130  and  175  from a zero level to a maximum current level. The rheostats  165  and  170  first terminals are connected to the positive terminal of the battery  145 . The second terminals of the heating elements  130  and  175  are connected to the negative ground terminal of the battery  145 . 
     The fan  135  has a first terminal connected to a first terminal of the rheostat  160  of  FIG. 5 . A second terminal of rheostat  160  is connected to the positive terminal of the battery  145 . A second terminal of the fan  135  is connected to the negative ground terminal of the battery  145 . The rheostat  160  provides a resistance between the battery  145  and the fan for controlling the speed of the fan  135 . 
     The front illumination light and rear safety light  225   a  and  225   b  each have first terminals connected to the switch  220  mounted on the left side of the shell  100  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The front illumination light and rear safety light  225   a  and  225   b  each have second terminals connected to the negative ground terminal of the battery  145 . A second terminal of switch  220  is connected to the positive first terminal of battery  145 . 
     A first terminal of the faceplate wiper motor  205   c  is connected to the toggle switch  205   d . A second terminal of the faceplate wiper motor  205   c  is connected to the negative ground terminal of the battery  145 . The second terminal of the toggle switch  205   d  is connected to the battery&#39;s positive first terminal  145 . The toggle switch  205   d  controls the operation of the faceplate wiper motor  205   c  to cause the wiper blade  205   a  to sweep across the faceplate to moisture from the faceplate  110 . 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  is a flowchart for a method of assembly of a helmet embodying the principles of this disclosure. The helmet shell is formed (Box  300 ) with air transmission ducting channels fashioned into or adhered to the helmet shell. An air entry opening is constructed (Box  305 ) in the helmet&#39;s shell to align with the air transmission ducting channel to allow air entry to the helmet shell. Air heater coils are installed (Box  310 ) over or in the air transmission ducting channels to allow the air to be heated in the air ducting transmission ducting channels. An air circulator such as a fan is installed (Box  315 ) such that the airflow is guided (Box  320 ) along the air transmission ducting channels to defog or defrost the faceplate. 
     Heating tape is installed (Box  325 ) at the helmet&#39;s crown for heating the helmet shell interior. The heating tape provides more heating comfort for the helmet&#39;s interior. 
     A battery compartment is formed (Box  330 ) at the rear of the helmet. The battery compartment has a latched closure for installing and removing the battery. Battery connectors are installed (Box  335 ) within the battery compartment for connecting the battery to the electrical circuits. 
     The faceplate is installed (Box  340 ) at the front of the helmet&#39;s shell. A wiper motor is installed (Box  345 ) above the faceplate at the front of the helmet&#39;s shell. The wiper blade is connected to a wiper arm, which in turn is connected (Box  350 ) to the motor shaft of the wiper motor. The wiper motor is connected (Box  355 ) to the battery. 
     The illumination and safety lights at the front and rear of the helmet are installed (Box  360 ). The lights at the front and rear of the helmet are then connected (Box  365 ) to the battery. The light switch is then installed (Box  370 ) on one side of the helmet&#39;s shell. The heating rheostat switches are then installed (Box  370 ) on one side of the helmet&#39;s shell. The air heating tapes and the helmet heating tapes are connected (Box  375 ) to the battery. 
     The left and right Bluetooth headphones, Bluetooth microphone, and Bluetooth transceiver are attached (Box  380 ) to the helmet&#39;s shell&#39;s interior wall. The left and right Bluetooth headphones, the Bluetooth microphone, and the Bluetooth transceiver are then activated (Box  385 ). The Bluetooth transceiver is activated (Box  390 ) to communicate with an exterior cellular telephone. 
     While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.