Patent Publication Number: US-10779604-B2

Title: Earphone and helmet with earphone

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Military and law personnel, first responders, athletes, and other users wear protective headgear such as a helmet. Earphones and/or microphones may be used with a helmet to aid the helmet wearer with communication. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a helmet and earphone assembly includes a helmet including a helmet connector portion positioned on an inner portion of the helmet. The assembly also includes an earphone including an earphone connector portion removably attachable to the helmet connector portion. 
     According to another embodiment, a helmet and earphone assembly includes a helmet including a first helmet electrical contact, and an earphone. The earphone includes a first earphone electrical contact, and the earphone is removably securable to the helmet via a connector such that translation of the earphone relative to the helmet shell is substantially prevented when the earphone is secured to the helmet via the connector. The connector, the first helmet electrical contact, and the first earphone electrical contact are arranged such that securement of the earphone to the helmet via the connector brings the first earphone support electrical contact into contact with the first helmet electrical contact. 
     According to a further embodiment, an earphone assembly includes first and second earphones, each having an earphone electrical contact. The assembly also includes first and second strap holders, each having a strap holder electrical contact. A strap assembly is configured to hold the earphones on a wearer&#39;s head when the strap assembly is attached to the first and second strap holders. The first earphone is removably attachable to the first strap holder, and the second earphone is removably attachable to the second strap holder. Attachment of the first earphone to the first strap holder results in contact of the electrical contact of the first earphone with the electric contact of the first strap holder. Attachment of the second earphone to the second strap holder results in contact of the electrical contact of the second earphone with the electric contact of the second strap holder. 
     According to another embodiment, an earphone and helmet assembly includes a helmet having an outer shell, and first and second earphones removably attached to a helmet such that the earphones are adjacently lateral to, or in contact with, a wearer&#39;s ears when the helmet is worn by the wearer and the earphones are attached to the helmet. First and second portions of the outer shell are laterally adjacent the first and second earphones, respectively, when the earphones are attached to the helmet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a helmet and earphone assembly according to one aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the helmet and earphone assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an earphone assembly being attached to a helmet; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a helmet, helmet connector portion, and earphone assembly including an earphone connector portion; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of an earphone and earphone connector portion; 
         FIG. 6  shows two helmet connector portions and an earphone connector portion; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a dovetail connection of an earphone connector portion to a helmet connector portion; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of a helmet including helmet connector portions; 
         FIG. 9  shows a bottom view of a helmet with helmet connector portions, and a helmet suspension and strap assembly; 
         FIG. 10  shows an earphone attached to a strap holder adapter, and a strap assembly to support earphones on a wearer&#39;s head without the use of a helmet; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an earphone attached to a strap holder adapter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Protective helmets are known in which speakers are permanently mounted on the inside of the helmet. Noise-attenuating earphones are known to be pivotally attached to the exterior of helmets so that the earphones can be placed in a use or non-use position according the wearer&#39;s needs. 
     Applicant has appreciated that when wearing a helmet, it can be advantageous for a wearer to be able to easily remove earphones, especially when using earphones which substantially cover the wearer&#39;s ears. In some cases, it can be helpful to be able to remove the earphones without removing the helmet. Similarly, convenient re-donning of the earphones can be helpful—in some cases while still wearing the helmet. Many conventional headphones are supported on the wearer&#39;s head by straps going over the wearer&#39;s head or behind the wearer&#39;s neck. To attach or remove the earphones with such headphones, the helmet typically has to be removed. With embodiments disclosed herein, headphones can be attached or removed to a helmet while the helmet is being worn so that the wearer does not have to remove the helmet. 
     To further simplify the attachment process, the helmet and earphone assembly may be arranged such that the act of physically securing the earphones to the helmet results in an electrical attachment of the earphone to the helmet in some embodiments. 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, earphones are attachable on the interior of a helmet. The earphones may be part of an earphone assembly which includes a microphone and/or other accessories. The earphone assembly may be attachable and removable by the wearer without removing the helmet in some embodiments. 
     When earphones are attached to the exterior of a helmet, the helmet exposes the ear of the wearer so that the earphones can reach the wearer&#39;s ears. With embodiments disclosed herein, the helmet can extend partially or entirely over the ear regions of the wearer, which provides additional ballistic or other protection for the wearer. 
     By providing an arrangement where the earphones are mounted to the interior of the helmet, electrical contacts can be exposed on the helmet to receive corresponding electrical contacts of the earphone assembly when the earphones are attached. The interior placement of the helmet electrical contacts limits the risk of fouling or damage from weather or other external elements. 
     Applicant also has appreciated that use of the same earphones as a standalone unit without the helmet may be desirable in certain situations. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the earphones are removably attachable to a strap holder adapter, which in turn holds straps that allow wearing of the earphones without the helmet. The strap holder adapter includes a power source and/or electronic components in some embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a helmet assembly  100  including a helmet  101  and an attached headset assembly  102  with two earphones  104  and a microphone  106 . The helmet  101  has an exterior  108  and an interior  110 . 
     The earphones are attached to the helmet interior  110  and protrude partially below ear cover regions  112  of the helmet. In some embodiments, most, or all of the earphones may extend below a lowest portion  114  of lower rim  116  of the helmet, while in other embodiments, most, or all of the earphones may be covered by ear cover regions of the helmet. 
     The perspective view of  FIG. 2  shows the same helmet assembly  100  with biometric sensors  202  visible near the earphones. Biometric sensors  202  may be used to measure heart rate, body temperature, and/or other biometric data of the wearer. Biometric sensors are not required in all embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments of the present disclosure, more than half of the outer-facing surface of the earphones may be protected by laterally adjacent portions of the helmet shell. In this manner, the shell may provide more ballistic protection than helmet which leave the ear regions of the wearer&#39;s head exposed to permit the wearing of earphones. The helmet may cover less than all of the outer-facing surface of the earphones in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the helmet covers between 40% and 80% of the outer-facing surface of the earphones. In some embodiments, the helmet covers between 50% and 60% of the outer-facing surface of the earphones. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the earphones contact the wearer as ear cushions are positioned to contact the wearer&#39;s head around the ears. In other embodiments, the earphones may be arranged to be removably attachable to be laterally adjacent the wearer&#39;s ears without contacting the wearer. 
     One embodiment of a connector  302  for removably securing earphone  104  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Connector  302  includes an earphone connector portion  304  and a helmet connector portion  306 . Connector  302  is configured such that movement of the earphone connector portion  304  in the direction of Arrows A engages an insert  307  of the helmet connector portion with a channel  308  of the earphone connector portion. As shown in  FIG. 6  and discussed further below, the connector  302  may include a cantilever snap-fit arrangement such that once the earphone connector portion reaches a certain position, a tab enters a recess and resists disconnection of the connector portions. 
     The snap-fit arrangement may be constructed such that the earphone is disconnectable by pulling on the earphone in a direction opposite to the direction of arrows A with at least a threshold force. In other embodiments, a pushbutton, release lever, or other actuator may require actuation before the earphone can be disconnected from the helmet. 
     A vertical adjustment assembly is included in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Loosening a nut  314  allows the earphone to slide vertically relative to the he earphone connector portion. Once set at a desired height, the nut may be tightened to secure the height setting. Once secured, the earphone may be attached to the helmet. This adjustment assembly is one embodiment of an adjustment lock. Nut  314  may be used to lock and unlock the adjustment lock. The earphone may be translatable relative to the helmet while secured to the helmet by releasing an adjustment lock to permit translation of the earphone relative to the earphone connector portion of the connector. 
     The adjustment assembly may include a number of discrete set points, for example through the provision of ridges on a surface of the earphone. A plate attached to the nut  314  may include corresponding ridges which engage with the ridges on the earphone. In other embodiments, two flat plates without ridges may engage, or other configurations may be provided in which continuous adjustability is permitted. 
     Other adjustability arrangements may be used. For example, in some embodiments, a horizontal adjustment assembly may be included to permit adjustment forwardly and backwardly within the helmet. Or an adjustment assembly may allow adjustment of the earphone toward or away from the wearer&#39;s ears. In some embodiments, no adjustment assemblies are included. 
     A schematic representation of an electric contact pad  318  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The pad may include a one or more electrical contacts in any suitable form. In some embodiments, the electrical contacts are spring-biased pins which engage with complementary conductive pads present on the helmet connector portion. The electrical contacts may transfer electric power from a helmet-mounted battery to the earphone in some embodiments. Data and sound, whether digital or analog, also may be transmitted via the electrical contacts. 
     A schematic representation of a corresponding helmet electric contact pad  402  is shown in  FIG. 4 . Another helmet electric contact pad may be present on the opposed helmet connector portion  306 . The electric contact pads  402  are formed as part of the helmet connector portion assemblies, but may be separately attached to the helmet in some embodiments. The helmet connector portion are shown separated from the helmet in  FIG. 4  for purposes of illustration, but the assemblies may be permanently attached to the helmet in some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, the earphones do not electrically connect to the helmet. Instead, the earphone may be attached via cables to a radio or other communication or information device. In some embodiments, the physically attaching the earphones to the helmet does not result in an electrical connection. Instead, a separate electric connection may be made to the helmet, or to a device attached to the helmet, via electric wires which are attached separately from the physical attachment of the earphones to the helmet. 
       FIG. 5  is a close-up view of earphone  104 , earphone connector portion  304 , and microphone  106 . An ear cushion  502  surrounds the wearer&#39;s ear when the earphone is attached to the helmet and the helmet is worn. In some embodiments, no cushion may be present. 
     Further detail regarding the electrical connection and physical connection of the earphones to the helmet is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an earphone  104  includes earphone connector portion  304 . The earphone connector portion includes a recess  602  to receive a tab  604  located on helmet connection portion  106 . Channel  308  slides over insert  307  slides until tab  604  snaps into recess  602 . Note that in  FIG. 6 , earphone connector portion  304  and helmet connector portion  306  are shown with the tab  604  and recess  602  facing in the same direction. When engaging the two portions, one of the connector portions is flipped over so that the two portions can engage. Tab  604  is able to move outwardly when upper edge  608  of channel  308  passes over tab  604  because it is positioned on insert  307  which is cantilevered to helmet connector portion  106 . 
     The component positions may be reversed in some embodiments such that tab  604  may be positioned earphone connector portion  304 , with recess  602  positioned on helmet connector portion  306 . 
     Electrical contact pad  318  on the earphone connector portion  304  may include one or more spring-biased pins  610  which are arranged to contact one more corresponding electric contact pads  612  located on electric pad  402  of the helmet connector portion  106 . Other types of suitable electrical contacts may be used. 
     A cross-sectional view of one particular mechanical arrangement of the physical connection of the earphone connector portion to the helmet connector portion is shown in  FIG. 7 . Insert  307  and channel  308  form a dovetail arrangement such that removal of the insert  307  from the channel  308  in a direction transverse to their relative sliding motion is prevented. Other connection arrangements may be used in some embodiments, including inserts and recesses having different cross-sectional shapes than the shape illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Connection arrangements which do not include an insert and channel which slide relative to one another may be used in some embodiments. 
     Rails  802  or other assemblies for attaching helmet accessories to the exterior of the helmet may be present on the helmet in various embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  also shows the wearer&#39;s left side of the helmet with the earphone removed, revealing the helmet connector portion  306 , with its associated electric contact pad  402 , attached to the helmet. The right side earphone  104  is attached to the helmet in  FIG. 8 . 
     A battery or other power source may be included on or within the helmet. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , a module  804  is attached to a rear of the helmet and includes battery. Other electronics or components may be included the rear module or elsewhere on the helmet. In some embodiments, a wireless transmitter and/or receiver is include on the helmet. In some embodiments, one or both of the earphones includes a wireless transmitter. The earphone connector portions may include a wireless transmitter and/or receiver. 
     Helmet  101  is shown outfitted with a suspension system in  FIG. 9 . The suspension system includes a mesh  902  which rests on a wearer&#39;s head. Internal padding  904  is attached to the inside of the helmet. A strap assembly  906  is attached to the mesh  902  and may include adjustable straps to secure the helmet to the wearer. 
     A wearer may wish to use headphones both with and without a helmet. A strap holder adapter  1002  is shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , and provides a method of using headphones  104  without helmet  100 . Strap holder adapter  1002  includes a connector portion that is similar to the helmet connector portion  306  shown in  FIG. 6 . As such, earphone  104  can be attached strap holder adapter  1002  in a manner similar to how the earphone is attached to the helmet. That is, recess  308  of earphone  104  can be slid relative to insert  307  on the strap holder adapter  1002 , and a snap-fit arrangement can lock the earphone into place relative to the strap holder adapter. Other connector arrangements may be used, and in some embodiments, a first connector arrangement may be used to attach the earphone to the helmet, and a second, different connector arrangement may be used to attach the earphone to the strap adapter. 
     Strap holder adapter  1002  includes openings  1004 ,  1006 , and  1008  through which straps  1010  of a strap assembly  1012  are passed. Strap assembly  1012  includes a mesh  1014  to support the overall assembly on the wearer&#39;s head. 
     Strap holder  1002  may include a battery and a wireless transmitter and/or receiver. Further electronic components, including a microprocessor, may be included. 
     For purposes herein, the terms “connect”, “connected”, “connection”, “couple”, “coupled”, “attach”, “attached” and “attachment” refer to: direct connections, couplings, and attachments; indirect connections, couplings, and attachments; and operative connections, couplings, and attachments. Also for purposes herein, the terms “connectable”, “attachable”, “removable”, etc. refer both to components which can be connected, attached, removed, etc., and also refer to components which are connected, attached and removed. 
     While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.