Patent Document

[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/281,759, filed Oct. 26, 2011, which is currently pending. The contents of application Ser. No. 13/281,759 are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains generally to protective headgear. More particularly, the present invention pertains to multi-purpose helmets. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively useful as a skydiving or winter sports helmet having an air-intake for directing air into the helmet, and over the inside surface of the helmet&#39;s lens, to prevent the lens from fogging-up during an activity. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As a sport, skydiving is at once exhilarating and potentially dangerous. Suffice it to say, the sport of skydiving requires a “jumper” (skydiver) to be keenly aware of his/her situation at all times during a skydive. This is particularly so when many jumpers are simultaneously involved in a same skydiving event. Specifically, in such circumstances there is always the ever-present potential for a midair collision. For instance, a popular activity of experienced skydivers is to “join-up”, and hold hands during a skydive. As an aside, the present world record for such an endeavor has involved in excess of four hundred jumpers. In this particular example, and in other such events, situational awareness for each jumper is of the utmost importance. Moreover, situational awareness can be just as important when there are only a few jumpers, or even when there is but a single jumper. 
         [0004]    It is not uncommon for skydivers to exit their aircraft at altitudes as great as 10,000 feet. For experienced jumpers with special equipment, altitudes around 20,000 ft. are quite common place. In the event, such a jump may last for only about 90 seconds. During this time, as the skydiver falls through the air, the outside air temperature may change by as much as 50° F. A consequence here is that the lenses being used to protect the eyes of a jumper during a skydiving event may become fogged-up. 
         [0005]    With the above in mind, there are two considerations that are of paramount importance for the design of a skydiving helmet. First, it is necessary that the helmet protect both the head, and the face, of a skydiver against the possibility of a midair collision with another skydiver. Second, the helmet must be designed so that the lens is prevented from fogging up, in order for a jumper to acquire the situational awareness that is necessary for a successful skydive. 
         [0006]    Winter sports also carry significant risks to a participant. A helmet can also be used to provide protection to a winter sports participant, such as a skier or snowboarder. Many of the same safety considerations are present in winter sports as are present in skydiving. One significant category of hazards for a winter sports participant is the objects, both man-made and natural, that often border the trails on which a participant skis or snowboards. Furthermore, collisions with other participants are quite common, as are falls due to the slippery nature of ice and compacted snow. In any of these cases, protecting the head and keeping the field of view of a participant unobstructed can greatly minimize the risk of injury. 
         [0007]    In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a participant with the ability to have continuous situational awareness during any type of activity. Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose helmet that protects the head and face of a participant during an activity. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose helmet that is easy to use, is relatively simple to manufacture, and is comparatively cost effective. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, a multi-purpose helmet is provided with a feature that prevents fog from forming on the inside surface of the helmet lens that covers the face of a user. Specifically, while the helmet and its lens encapsulate the head of a user during an activity, air is directed into the helmet through an air-intake hole. This air is then directed onto the inside surface of the lens to prevent fogging. An exhaust vent is also provided for the helmet which effectively directs this airflow from the air-intake hole over the entire inside surface of the lens. 
         [0009]    Structurally, the multi-purpose helmet of the present invention includes a helmet body that is formed with an opening and has an inner surface and an outer surface. A rim of the helmet body borders this opening and the rim is dimensioned so that it surrounds the face of a user. Within this structure, the rim of the helmet has a forehead portion and a chin portion. Also, the chin portion of the helmet rim is formed with the air-intake hole. 
         [0010]    A transparent lens, preferably made of a clear or tinted plastic, is provided to cover the opening of the helmet body. In detail, a pair of swivel mounts is positioned to hold the lens on the helmet body. Specifically, these swivel mounts are positioned on opposite sides of the helmet body, across the opening from each other, and they are each located between the forehead portion and the chin portion of the helmet rim. Further, each swivel mount includes a release button that selectively holds the lens in place over the opening. When simultaneously depressed, the release buttons allow the lens to be lifted from the opening to allow for access through the opening into the helmet body. As an additional feature, the lens itself is configured with a so-called called “quick release” mechanism for rapid removal and replacement of the lens on the helmet. 
         [0011]    The quick release mechanism can take various forms. In one embodiment, the helmet body is formed with a deformable button formed with an inner spring, an annular rib that extends around the circumference of the button, and an annular notch that extends around the circumference of the button. This button deforms as the inner edge of apertures formed in the lens make initial contact with the lens. Once the lens passes over the rib, the lens is seated into the annular notch, with the inside surface of the lens contacting the helmet and the outside surface of the lens making contact with the rib. As this is occurring, the spring of the button urges the button back to its initial configuration. In an alternate embodiment, two holes can be formed onto the side of the helmet. These holes can be configured to receive a quick release pin. In either case, the quick release mechanism will not interfere with the structural integrity of the helmet body or the lens. 
         [0012]    It is an important aspect of the present invention that, when the lens covers the opening on the helmet body, an exhaust vent is established between the forehead portion of the helmet body and the inside surface of the lens. To do this, a separation distance of approximately ⅛ inch is provided between the forehead portion of the helmet rim and the inside surface of the lens. Specifically, this separation distance establishes the exhaust vent. Importantly, the exhaust vent extends across the entire forehead portion of the helmet rim, and extends through an arc of approximately 100°. This arc is centered on the air-intake hole in the chin portion of the helmet rim. 
         [0013]    In addition to the helmet body and the lens, the present invention also includes an airflow deflector plate that is positioned inside the helmet body against the air-intake hole. Structurally, this airflow deflector plate includes a base member that is formed with a scoop. When positioned against the air-intake hole, the scoop of the airflow deflector plate effectively divides the air-intake hole into an upper air-intake vent, and a lower air-intake vent. Functionally, while the lower air-intake vent provides breathing air for the user, it is the upper air-intake vent that provides the fog prevention feature of the present invention. 
         [0014]    As indicated above, the airflow over the inside surface of the lens that prevents a fog-up on the lens starts at the air-intake hole and goes through the upper air-intake vent of the airflow deflector plate. From the airflow deflector plate, this air then fans out through an arc over the inside surface of the lens until it exits from the helmet through the exhaust vent. To assist with this fanning out, the airflow deflector plate includes a plurality of vanes that are mounted on the base member of the plate. Structurally, these vanes extend between the base member of the airflow deflector plate and the chin portion of the helmet body, to thereby establish a plurality of airways in the deflector plate. Further, the vanes are angled, relative to a common centerline that is defined by the deflector plate. Thus, the angled vanes establish the airflow pattern over the inside surface of the lens, as described above. 
         [0015]    An alternate method of reducing fog can also be included for use with the present invention. This additional method of reducing fog is a heating unit that can be located on either the inner or outer surface of the helmet body. In order to heat the face shield, a plurality of resistive conducting strips are connected to the heating unit and are affixed onto the inside surface of the face shield in a manner that does not obstruct the view of the user. Alternatively, a plurality of very fine heating wires can be run through the plastic of the face shield during manufacture. 
         [0016]    A further structural component of the helmet is a camera mount attached to the lens of the helmet. Structurally, the camera mount is constructed in two pieces, a mounting plate and a camera case. The mounting plate is affixed to the lens of the helmet with a plurality of screws, and the camera case is slidably engageable with the mounting plate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a skydiving helmet in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the skydiving helmet as seen along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an air deflector plate as used for the skydiving helmet of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the helmet illustrating the camera mount and the location of the quick release mechanism; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the helmet with the lens in a raised position and the preferred embodiment of the heating unit; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional detail view along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4  of the preferred embodiment of the quick release mechanism for the lens prior to insertion into the locking shaft; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional detail view along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4  of the preferred embodiment of the quick release mechanism after insertion into the locking shaft; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional detail view along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4  of an alternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism for the face shield; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional detail view along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4  of the alternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism after insertion into the locking shaft; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional detail view along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4  of an additional alternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a stand-alone view of the camera mount for use with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a skydiving helmet in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated  10 . As shown, the skydiving helmet  10  includes a helmet body  12  which is formed with an opening  14 , that is surrounded by a rim  16 . Further, the helmet body  12  includes a forehead portion  18  and a chin portion  20  that are opposite from each other, across the opening  14 . The chin portion  20  of the helmet body  12  is formed with an air-intake hole  22 . 
         [0030]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the helmet  10  is shown to include a transparent lens  24  that is covering the opening  14  of the helmet body  12 . Referring for the moment to  FIG. 2 , it is seen that the lens  24  has an inside surface  26  and an outside surface  28 . For purposes of the present invention, the transparent lens  24  may be either clear or tinted. Further, referring back to  FIG. 1 , it will also be seen that the lens  24  is mounted onto the helmet body  12  with a swivel mount  30 . It is to be appreciated that another swivel mount  30  (not shown) is located on the other side of the helmet body  12 . This other swivel mount  30  will thus be opposite and across the opening  14  from the swivel mount  30  that is shown in  FIG. 1 . As an added feature, the lens  24  can be positioned on the helmet body  12  using a so-called “quick connect” system. Further, as envisioned for the present invention, each of the above-mentioned swivel mounts  30  can be manipulated by a respective release button  32  to swivel the lens  24  on the helmet body  12 . In particular, this swiveling occurs between a closed position (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and an open position (not shown). More specifically, in the open position, the lens  24  is still supported by the swivel mounts  30 , but it is lifted from the opening  14  to provide for access through the opening  14  and into the helmet  10 . 
         [0031]    An important structural aspect for the skydiving helmet  10  of the present invention is an exhaust vent  34 . In  FIG. 2 , this exhaust vent  34  is shown to be created between the lens  24  and the forehead portion  18  of the helmet body  12  when the lens  24  is in its closed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ). More specifically, the exhaust vent  34  will extend through an arc  36  that is centered on the air-intake hole  22 . Importantly, this arc  36  will effectively overlie the nose and eyes of the skydiver (not shown). To do this, the arc  36  will preferably be about 100°. 
         [0032]    A deflector plate  38  is shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown, the deflector plate  38  includes a base member  40  that is formed with a scoop  42 , and the deflector plate  38  defines a centerline  44 . A pair of lateral vanes  46   a  and  46   b  extend from the base member  40  to straddle the centerline  44 , as do a pair of side vanes  48   a  and  48   h . The lateral vanes  46   a  and  46   b , as well as the side vanes  48   a  and  48   b  are all angled on the deflector plate  38  relative to the centerline  44 . Together, these lateral vanes  46   a  and  46   b  and side vanes  48   a  and  48   b  are oriented to establish a plurality of airways. Specifically, a central airway  50  is established between the lateral vanes  46   a  and  46   b . Additionally, a pair of lateral airways  52   a  and  52   b  is established by the deflector plate  38 . In this case, the lateral airways  52   a  and  52   b  are each on opposite sides of the central airway  50 . Structurally, lateral airway  52   a  is established between lateral vane  46   a  and side vane  48   a . And, lateral airway  52   b  is established between lateral vane  46   b  and side vane  48   b . Also, a side airway  54   a  is established on the deflector plate  38  by side vane  48   a . As shown, this side airway  54   a  is located outside the side vane  48   a  and is separated from the lateral airway  52   a  by the side vane  48   a . Similarly, a side airway  54   h  is established by the side vane  48   b.    
         [0033]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , it will be appreciated that the deflector plate  38  is positioned inside the helmet body  12  and against its chin portion  20 . More specifically, as so positioned, the scoop  42  of the deflector plate  38  effectively divides the air-intake hole  22  into an upper air-intake vent  56  and a lower air-intake vent  58 . With this structure, breathing air is directed into the helmet  10  (see arrow  60 ) through the lower air-intake vent  58 , for use by the skydiver. On the other hand, anti-fog air entering the helmet  10  through the upper air-intake vent  56  (see arrows  62 ) is directed by the deflector plate  38  against the inside surface  26  of the lens  24 . As envisioned for the present invention, the anti-fog air (see arrows  62 ) is directed by the deflector plate  38  across the arc  36 , and against the inside surface  26  for exit from the helmet  10  through the exhaust vent  34 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an overview of several components of the present invention can be shown and described. In particular, a camera mount  64  is shown affixed to the lens  24  of the helmet  10 . For the present invention, the camera mount  64  is constructed with a mounting plate  66  and a camera case  68 . In  FIG. 4 , the quick release mechanism  70  is also visible near the release button  32  on the lens  24 . It should be understood that a second quick release mechanism  70  is provided on the opposite side of the helmet  10 . 
         [0035]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , a side perspective view of the helmet  10  is shown with the lens  24  in its open position. In this view, a heating unit  72  is shown affixed to the helmet  10 . Also, a heating wire  74  that runs on the outer surface of the helmet  10  is shown. This heating wire  74  interconnects the heating unit  72  to a conductive strip  76  that is formed onto the inside surface  26  of the lens  24 . The pattern shown for the conductive strip  76  is exemplary, as any type of pattern can be used. Furthermore, a plurality of conductive strips  76  can also be used, and a plurality of heating wires  74  can also be incorporated for use with the present invention if required. In addition, in  FIG. 5 , the interaction of the camera mount  64  with the lens  24  is depicted. Here, it can be seen that the mounting plate  66  is slidably mountable onto the lens  24  of the helmet  10 , with the lens  24  being received in a gap (not pictured) formed between an upper portion  78  and a lower portion  80  of the mounting plate  66 . 
         [0036]    Now referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a detailed view of the preferred embodiment of the quick release mechanism  70  is shown and described. As shown, the quick release mechanism  70  requires a quick release pin  82  having a first end  84  and a second end  66 . In addition, a locking shaft  88  is provided on the helmet  10  that is configured to receive the pin  82 . To use the pin  82  properly, an aperture  90  must be formed into the lens  24  that matches the diameter of the shaft  88 . For an operation of the quick release mechanism  70 , a plunger  92  on the first end  84  of the pin  82  is depressed. When this occurs, ball bearings  94   a - b  are disengaged and retract into the pin  82  to allow the pin  82  to be inserted through the aperture  90  in the lens  24  and into the shaft  88 . Once the ball bearings  94   a - b  reach notches  96   a - b , the ball bearings  94   a - b  become seated into the notches  96   a - b  to affix the lens  24  to the helmet  10 . This engagement of the pin  82  with the shaft  88  is illustrated in  FIG. 6B . It should be noted that an identical operation occurs on the opposite side of the helmet  10 . It also should be noted that the use of the quick release mechanism  70  is designed to occur when the lens  24  is in its raised position. 
         [0037]    For an alternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism  70 ,  FIG. 7A  shows an engagement of the pin  82  with a shaft  88 , and a lens aperture  90 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , the pin  82  is the same as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , but the shaft  88  and the lens aperture  90  are formed to receive the pin  82  so that the pin  82  is flush with the outside surface  28  of the lens  24  (See  FIG. 7B ). 
         [0038]    Now referring to  FIG. 8 , an alternate quick release mechanism  70  is shown. In this embodiment, a deformable button  98  is formed onto the helmet  10  near each release button  32 . In further detail, the button  98  is formed with an internal spring  100 , an annular notch  102 , and an annular rib  104 . For an operation of the quick release mechanism  70 , as the lens  24  is pressed towards the helmet  10 , the button  98  deforms to allow the lens  24  to pass over the annular rib  104 . Once the outside surface  28  of the lens  24  has passed over the rib  104 , the spring  100  urges the button  98  back into its original configuration. At this point, the lens  24  is secured to the helmet  10  and is seated between the notch  102  and the rib  104 . To remove the lens  24 , the lens  24  can be lifted off of the button  98 . 
         [0039]    Now referring to  FIG. 9 , a detailed view of the camera mount  64  is shown. It can be seen that the camera mount  64  comprises two pieces: a mounting plate  66  and a camera case  68 . Referring first to the mounting plate  66 , it is formed by the upper portion  78  and the lower portion  80 . Between the upper portion  78  and the lower portion  80  of mounting plate  66 , a gap  108  is formed for receiving the lens  24  during an engagement. While the lower portion  80  of mounting plate  66  is a piece of plastic formed to be positioned against the inside surface  26  of the lens  24 , the upper portion  78  of mounting plate  66  is formed by a rectangular piece of plastic bounded by an extension member  110   a - b  at either end. One extension member  110   b  is formed with a hole through its center, and the other extension member  110   a  has a circular hole that extends only part way through the member  110   a . Further, the upper portion  78  of mounting plate  66  is formed with a plurality of knuckles  112  that have a circular hole through the center of each to receive a locking shaft  114  that is inserted through connecting member  110   b  and the knuckles  112 , and becomes seated in the hole in extension member  110   a . This shaft  114  attaches the camera case  68  to the mounting plate  66 . A final component of the upper portion  78  is a plurality of tightening screws  116   a - b . These screws  116   a - b  are rubber-tipped at the end opposite the screw head. The purpose of these screws  116   a - b  is to tighten the upper portion  78  against the lens  24  to further secure the mounting plate  66  to the lens  24 . 
         [0040]    As intended for the present invention, the camera case  68  is manufactured to hold different camera styles and is preferably made of a clear plastic. To secure the case  68  to the mounting plate  66 , a plurality of complementary knuckles  118  are formed on the underside of the case  68 . These knuckles  118  are also formed with holes through their centers to allow the locking shaft  114  to be inserted through the holes when the knuckles  118  are mated with the knuckles  112  of the mounting plate  66 . Regarding the knuckles  112  and  118 , the number of knuckles shown is for exemplary purposes only. Any number of knuckles can be used for the present invention. 
         [0041]    While the particular Helmet with Anti-Fog System for Skydiving and Snow Skiing as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1