Patent Publication Number: US-6701537-B1

Title: Heated visor system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to heated visor systems and more particularly pertains to a new heated visor system for providing a user with a visor that will not fog up when used in cold weather. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of heated visor systems is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,953 describes a device having a transparent visor that has a heating mechanism for eliminating the buildup of ice, condensation and fog. Another type of heated visor system is U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,929 describes electrically heated ski goggles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,007 describes defogging and deicing shield structure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,444 describes an anti-fogging sports goggle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,721 describes a device for use in helmet for preventing fogging by electric heating. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 351,685 describes an ornamental design for a helmet. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a system that includes a heated visor system that can be sold with a helmet or attached to an existing helmet that has a cordless heating system that also provides balance to the helmet for reducing neck strain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new heated visor system that would be cordless to prevent the user from being bothered by a power cord extended between the visor and the machine. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new heated visor system that has power sources positioned on each side of the visor to maintain balance in the helmet to prevent neck strain. 
     To this end, the present invention generally comprises a helmet that has an opening. A visor is coupled to the helmet for covering the opening. A heating element is coupled to an interior face of the visor for heating the visor to prevent fogging of the visor during use of the helmet in cold weather. A power source is for the heating element. The power source is coupled to the visor whereby the visor, heating element, and power source are removable from the helmet. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a new heated visor system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new heated visor system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the heated visor system  10  generally comprises a helmet  12  that has an opening  14 . A means for coupling the helmet to a head of a user such that the opening is aligned with a face of the user. A substantially transparent visor  16  is coupled to the helmet  12  for covering the opening  14  such that the user can see through the visor  16 . 
     A first heating element  18  is coupled to an interior face  20  of the visor  16  for heating the visor  16  to prevent fogging of the visor  16  during use of the helmet  12  in cold weather. The first heating element  18  is positioned to extend along a top edge  22  of the opening  14  when the visor  16  is positioned to cover the opening  14 . 
     A second heating element  24  operationally coupled to the power source  26 . The second heating element  24  is coupled to the interior face  20  of the visor  16  for preventing fogging of the visor  16  during use of the helmet  12  in cold weather. The second heating element  24  is positioned to extend along a lower edge  28  of the opening  14  when the visor  16  is positioned to cover the opening  14 . 
     A pair of power sources  26  is for the first  18  and second  24  heating elements. Each of the power sources  26  is coupled to an associated side of the visor  16  such that the visor  16 , first  18  and second  24  heating elements, and power sources  26  are removable from the helmet  12  each the power sources  26  including a respective battery  30 . Each of the power sources  26  includes a respective battery housing  32  that has a connection port  34  in electrical communication with the respective battery  30 . Each of the heating elements is couplable to each of the connection ports  34  whereby each the battery  30  provides power to each the heating elements. 
     The visor  16  includes a means for coupling  36  each the battery housing  32  to the visor. Each of the battery housing  32  includes a means for releasing  38  the battery housing  32  from the visor  16 . Each of the power sources  26  has a respective on/off switch  40  coupled to the battery housing  32 . The on/off switch  40  is operationally coupled between the battery  30  and the connection port  34  of each the power source  26  for permitting selective activation of the heating elements when each the battery housing  32  is coupled to the visor  16 . A battery charger  42 , each of the batteries  30  is operationally couplable to the battery charger  42  for recharging each the battery  30 . 
     In use, the helmet would be applied and the visor heating system turned on. While riding, the visor would remain free of fogging and ice/snow accumulations so the rider can maintain the optimum view to the trail. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.