Abstract:
A headphone system for use with an existing protective sports helmet and connection with a portable sound producing device. The headphone system is attached to the exterior surface of the sports helmet and extends from the sides of the sports helmet rearwards around the back of the sports helmet and forward to the second side of the sports helmet. The headphone system is removably attachable to the sports helmet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to protective headgear for sports activities, and more specifically to headphone systems for use with such protective headgear. 
     2. Background Information 
     Outdoor mobile recreation, whether it be by bicycle, in-line skates or other means, is an increasingly popular recreation. Many times these recreations, for reasons of safety, necessitate the wearing of a protective helmet or headgear. 
     Many people, when doing such activities, prefer to listen to music, however, these people often find that traditional helmets are not compatible with traditional audio headphone systems. For instance, most headphone systems are designed to extend over the top of a wearer&#39;s head, a relative impossibility when the wearer is wearing a helmet. 
     There are many patented devices showing the use of protective head gear and speakers. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 1,085,916 to Hutchison discloses an intercommunicating telephonic apparatus. Essentially, Hutchison shows a headphone system with microphone that attaches to a cap. The Hutchison device wraps around the front and back of the cap. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,904,645 to Sarles discloses a helmet radio, including a transistor amplifier. However, the Sarles device is designed to go inside of a helmet, and appears to be integrally attached to the helmet. 
     Another patent is U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,376 to Aileo which discloses a support for a head engaging device. The Aileo device is integral with the helmet, and the attachment band of this device extends over the crown of the head. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,400,406 to Aileo discloses a positioning means for sound attenuating ear cups on safety helmets. This headphone system is integrated into the helmet as well. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,430,261 to Benner discloses a sound attenuator attachment for a protective helmet. The Benner device is a set of sound attenuating ear pieces attached to the side of a helmet which are able to swing upwards and downwards to protect the ears. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,747 to Taesler discloses a protective communications helmet. The headphone system in Taesler extends from what appears to be the nape of the neck upwards towards the ears. The Taesler device appears to be integral with the helmet itself as well. 
     Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,700 to Reed discloses a protective helmet containing an integral transceiver. The Reed device is a transceiver system located inside the helmet. 
     Another patent is U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,420 to Byrne, Jr. Byrne, Jr. discloses earmuffs for use with headphones. These earmuffs snap on to a pre-existing set of headphones. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,702 to Jackson discloses a bicycle helmet communication device. The Jackson device includes a helmet and attaches to the side of this helmet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,421 to McCormick et al., discloses a protective sports helmet with speakers, helmet retrofit kit and method. The McCormick device is made from components which are separately installed inside the helmet. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,514 to Landis discloses a rearward sound enhancing apparatus. The Landis device comprises a headphone set strung across the top of a wearer&#39;s head inside a helmet. This headphone set then is connected to a microphone for enhancing rearward sounds. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is a headphone system which can be added by a user to an existing sports safety helmet, wherein this headphone system extends from the area next to the user&#39;s first ear around the back of the user&#39;s head, and to the user&#39;s other ear. This keeps the headphone completely out of the way of the user. The headphone system would preferably be able to be affixed to the helmet so that the user can remove the helmet and put the helmet back on without having to remove or readjust the headphone system itself. The headphone system should also be removably attached to the helmet. The headphone system should have either a built-in sound signal producing device or be able to easily electronically join to one carried by or on the user. The speakers themselves should be able to be pivoted away from the user&#39;s ears, so that the user may hear better in certain conditions, such as when in traffic or when talking to another individual. The present invention solves these needs. 
     Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description as follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These objects are achieved in a headphone system in which the invented headphone system comprises a C-shaped band which resiliently fits the helmet. Attachment is assisted through an attachment means, such as snaps or Velcro®, for securely holding the band on the exterior surface of the helmet. Extending from the ends of this C-shaped band are support means for support of and positioning of speakers. These ends and support means hold the speakers generally near the user&#39;s ears so that the user may hear music or other sounds emanating therefrom. The headphone system either has a built-in sound producing device, such as a radio, or is able to connect electrically with a sound producing device. This sound producing device can be either battery or other powered, including solar means. Volume and other controls may also be located on the head band or support means for allowing the user to, for instance, increase volume or switch between connected devices. Preferably, the speakers will be able to be pivoted, rotated or slid out of the way, so that the user may move the speaker away from his or her ear, thereby enabling the user to better hear the traffic, or to have a conversation with another person. In the embodiments in which the sound producing device is not integrated into the headphone system, the sound producing device may be carried or worn by the user of the system. In such a case, an electrical connection will need to be made between the headphone system and the sound producing device. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical connection will extend out of the center section of the band, which will be attached to the rear of the helmet as worn, so that the cord does not interfere with the wearer&#39;s activities. In such a case, the electrical connection may be wiring that would extend down from the back of the helmet out of the band center section down the back of the wearer and terminating in a plug which is inserted into a receptacle in the sound-producing device. There are miscellaneous plugs and electrical connections/wires that can be made to achieve this purpose. Other embodiments include the use of ear warmers to keep the wearer&#39;s ears warm, and the inclusion of a microphone allowing the wearer to communicate, either by mobile radio or other device, with other individuals. 
     In use, the headphone system is affixed to the exterior surface of an existing sports protective helmet through use of the attachment means. Such attachment is done toward the center section of the band at a location near the rear of the helmet. The ends of the band are respectively located on the sides of the helmet near the location of the user&#39;s ears if the user was wearing the helmet. If the sound producing device is not integrated into the helmet, then the user would have to electrically connect the headphone system to the sound producing device. Then, when the sound producing device is turned on, sound will be emitted from the speakers and the user will be able to hear the sound. It is preferred that the attachment means allow for quick and easy removal of the headphone set from the helmet. This allows the wearer to choose whether or not to wear the headphone system with the helmet. 
     Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3A is a side view of one embodiment of the apparatus showing a sliding embodiment of the support means. 
     FIG. 3B is a side view of the support means of another embodiment showing a hinged attachment of the support means. 
     FIG. 3C is a side view of another embodiment of a support means. 
     FIG. 4A is a partial side view of an embodiment showing wiring extending directly out of the center section of the invention. 
     FIG. 4B is a partial side view showing the wiring&#39;s attachment to the center section of the device through use of a right angled jack. 
     FIG. 4C is a partial side view showing another embodiment of a wiring connection. 
     FIG. 5 shows a side view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an external headphone system for attachment to a standard protective sports helmet in accordance with the present invention. The headphone system  10  includes a C-shaped attachment band  28  extending from a first end  30  and curving through a center section  34  and back towards a second end  32  (not shown). 
     The standard sports helmet  12  to which the present invention is attached when in use comprises an exterior surface  14  having a crown  16  and a rim  18 . The helmet  12  has a left side ear notch (not shown) in said rim  18 , and a right side ear notch  22  in said rim  18 . The helmet  12  further has a front side  24  and a rear side  26 . The preferred helmet used is any sports helmet used for the protection of a bicycler, skateboarder, in-line skater or other sports enthusiast&#39;s head. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, attaching to the ends  30 ,  32  of the headphone system  10  are support means  38  for support and positioning of audio speakers  40 . In such an arrangement, each of the support means  38  holds in position a speaker  40  in the general vicinity of a user&#39;s ear, directed towards the user&#39;s ears. 
     The present invention further comprises attachment means  36  for attaching the attachment band  28  to the helmet  12  exterior surface  14 , as shown in FIG.  1 . This is done with the C-shaped band wrapping from the first end  30  positioned near the right side of ear notch  22  around the back  26  of the helmet to the second end  32  positioned near the left side of ear notch. It is envisioned that the band  28  be resilient thereby allowing it to accommodate various helmet sizes and shapes. The attachment means  36  can be any means of attaching the bands  28  to the helmet  12 , but in the preferred embodiment the attachment means  36  comprises Velcro® fasteners attached to the interior surface  44  of the band  28  and the exterior surface  14  of the helmet. 
     The preferred embodiment comprises the use of three separate attachment points, one located near the left side ear notch, one located near the right side ear notch  22 , and one located near the rear side  26  of the helmet outer surface  14 . Any attachment means placement on the exterior surface  14  of the helmet would be operable so long as the attachment band  28  can be securely held so that the attached audio speakers  40  can be held near the user&#39;s ears. As such, the first  30  and second  32  ends respectively, are positioned adjacent to said right ear notches  22  and left ear notches in said helmet rim  28 , and the center section  34  is positioned adjacent to the helmet&#39;s rim  18  at the rear side  26  of the helmet  12 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 3A,  3 B and  3 C, embodiments of the support means  38  can be attached to the band  28  in a variety of ways, other than the rigid attachment shown in FIG.  1 . FIG. 3A shows an attachment allowing for upward or downward movement of the support means  38  relative to the band  28 . In this embodiment a small pin  50  is located on the outer surface  68  near the first end  30  of the band. This pin  50  is received into a pin hole  52  located within the support means  38 . This allows the support means  38  to be pivoted or slid upwards or downwards. Any such other sliding attachment would also work with this application. This allows the user to slide the support means  38  which is attached to the speakers  40 , thereby sliding the speakers  40  upwards and away from the user&#39;s ears. This permits the user to have unobstructed hearing when in a location with which his or her hearing must be unimpaired, such as while riding a bicycle in traffic. Another pin  50 , would be located on the second end  32  (now shown) and a likewise attachment would be present. 
     FIG. 3B shows another embodiment. In this embodiment, a hinge  48  is used to allow the support means  38  to pivot outwards and upwards away from the ear, or downwards and inwards toward the ear. This hinge  48  attaches preferably near the first end  30  of the bands  28 , and attaches the support means  38  to the band  28 . Any other means of hinged or pivotal movement would also be appropriate. Another hinge  48 , would be located on the second end  32  (now shown) and a likewise attachment would be present. 
     Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 3C which discloses a rotatable attachment. In this embodiment, a pin  50  is located near the first end  30  of the band  28 . The support means  38  has a pin hole  52  for receiving said pin  50 . When so attached, the support means is allowed to pivot towards the front side  24  of the device when installed on the helmet  12 , or towards the rear side  26  of the device when installed on the helmet. All other rotatable attachment means are also envisioned. Another pin  50 , would be located on the second end  32  (now shown) and a likewise attachment would be present. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, it is envisioned that the audio speakers  40  will be electrically connected to a portable sound producing device  42 . The portable sound producing device  42  will generate an audio signal and will transmit that audio signal to the speakers  40 . There will be an electrical connection  60  between the audio speakers  40  and the portable sound producing device  42 , and the portable sound producing device  42  will be powered by a power source  62 . It is also envisioned that the portable sound signal producing device  42  may be built within the attachment band, as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     The portable sound signal producing device  42  can be a radio frequency receiver, a CD player, or any other type of similar audio electronic device. Referring again to FIGS. 4A-4C, in embodiments where the portable sound signal producing device  42  is not built into the attachment band, the electrical connection  60  will extend preferably out of the center section  34  of the headphone set or system  10  and downwards to the portable sound producing device  42  being worn or held by the user. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical connection  60  further comprises wiring  54  extending to a plug  56  for insertion and electrical connection with a jack  58  located in the portable sound producing device  42 . Another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, includes the use of a jack  58  built within the center section  34  of the band  28 . In this embodiment, the wiring  54  would have a plug  56  located at both of its ends. Another embodiment of such an arrangement is shown in FIG.  4 C. 
     Referring back to FIG. 2, where the headphone system  10  includes an integrated portable sound producing device  42 , various controls  46  for controlling the power, the volume, the tuning, or any other controls may be located within the band  44  or, the support means  38  of the band  44 . It is also envisioned that in such an embodiment the power source  62  will be located within or upon the band  28 . Such power source  62  may include batteries or a solar power source located on the surface of the headphone system  10  itself. The power source  12  may be located within one support means  38 , while the sound producing device  42  could be located in the other. 
     The electrical circuitry and components comprising the portable sound producing device are those obvious as necessary by those skilled in the art. Generally, the portable sound-producing device  42  will be powered by power source  62 , such as a battery. This portable sound-producing device will produce an audio signal which will be transmitted by the electrical connection  60  to each one of the speakers  40 . These speakers will then transmit or convert this audio signal into audio waves to be heard by a wearer. 
     In use, the headphone system  10  is attached using the attachment means  36  to the external surface  14  of the sports helmet  12 . Such attachment is done so that the audio speakers  40  are in the vicinity of the user&#39;s ears, so that the user will be able to hear audio generated by the headphone system  10 . It is preferred that such attachment means  36  be able to be easily detached, thereby allowing the user to attach/detach the headphone system  10  from the sports helmet  12  when the headphone system  10  is not in use. 
     It is also envisioned that the support means  38  will further comprise a set of earwarmers  64 , as shown in FIG. 5, said ear warmers  64  for keeping a wearer&#39;s ears warm when the weather outside is cold. 
     It is also envisioned that the system will be water resistant, thereby allowing the user to operate said device in the rain or other circumstances where the system  10  may become wet. 
     Also shown in FIG. 5, is also envisioned that the headphone system  10  may comprise a microphone  66 . This microphone  66  can be located anywhere on the headphone system and would allow the user to communicate with another person if the portable sound producing device  42  is a radio transceiver, mobile radio, cellular phone, or other device. 
     The electrical connection may further comprise controls  46  for switching between multiple portable sound producing devices. For instance, switching between the radio frequency receiver built in to the band  28  and a cassette tape carrier being carried by the wearer on the wearer&#39;s body and electrically connected to the band  28  through an electrical connection  60 . 
     While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.