WO2006004796A2

WO2006004796A2 - Headset for motorcycle helmet and control arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2006004796A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/023017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Abraham Glezerman
Original assignee: Cardo Systems Inc.
Priority date: 2004-06-25
Filing date: 2005-06-27
Publication date: 2006-01-12
Also published as: WO2006004796A3

Abstract

A communication headset for attachment to the inside of a protective helmet includes a resiliently flexible member extending between first and second ends and an earphone supported by the member proximate to the first end. The flexible member has a biased state in which there is a loaded distance (D-loaded) between the first and second ends and an unbiased state in which there is an unloaded distance (d-unloaded) between the first and second ends. The loaded distance is less than the unloaded distance so that the flexible member can be biased for loading within the protective helmet, with release of the loaded (flexed) member permitting the first and second ends to move toward the unbiased state within the protective helmet and engage the interior of the protective helmet.

Description

HEADSET FORMOTORCYCLE HELMET AND CONTROL

ARRANGEMENT

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application no. 60/582,856 filed June 25, 2004 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an implantable headset for use with protective helmets and, more particularly, to a self-contained headset configured for mounting inside helmets, such as those used by motorcyclists, racecar drivers, pilots, athletes and any other profession or application where there is a need for an operator of a machine or vehicle to retrofit his or her preexisting helmet with a communication headset.

Background of the Invention

Two-way communication headsets incorporated into protective helmets are known in the art. These communication headsets can be mounted within a helmet or fastened to the outside of the helmet. Conventionally, to be mounted within a helmet, modifications or removal of padding are required on the inside of the helmet before the helmet can receive and house the headset. It is generally not practical to wear a conventional headset within a helmet due to the space constraints and resulting discomfort to the wearer. An improvement in the art would be a communication headset of low profile design that can seat directly within a conventional helmet at a position which permits use by the wearer upon putting on the helmet. The present invention addresses this and other changes in the art

Summary of the Invention

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a self contained communication headset component which can be removably mounted within an existing protective helmet without altering the helmet. Quite obviously such helmets must serve their primary duty without interference from any disparate components or equipment. The communication headset component and system of the present invention accomplishes this by seating atop and among existing protective padding within the helmet shell.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a communication headset component is configured for attachment to the inside of a protective helmet. The headset component comprises a resiliently flexible member extending between first and second ends. An earphone supported by the member proximate to the first end. The flexible member has a biased state in which there is a loaded distance (D-loaded) between the first and second ends and an unbiased state in which there is an unloaded distance (d-unloaded) between the first and second ends. The loaded and unloaded distances are related, mathematically, in that the loaded distance is less than the unloaded distance. In this way, the flexible member can be biased for loading within the protective helmet, with release of the loaded (flexed) member permitting the first and second ends to move toward the unbiased state within the protective helmet. The flexible member engages the interior of the protective helmet prior to the first and second ends returning to the unloaded distance. A communication headset system includes the foregoing headset component as well as a microphone, transceiver circuitry, and a controller. The controller can be part of a communicative device, or can be a device that connects to a communicative device (such as a cellular telephone). In accordance with another aspect, a method for installing a communication headset within a protective helmet is described. The helmet can be of conventional construction, having a head-opening sized to receive a wearer's head and side portions that are proximate the wearer's ears when the protective helmet is received on the wearer's head. The method includes providing a communication headset having a flexible member extending between first and second ends which supports an earphone proximate to the first end. The first and second ends are compressed toward one another until a distance between the first and second ends is less than a diameter of the head-opening in the protective helmet. The flexible member is then inserted through the head-opening. The flexible member is oriented within the protective helmet so that the earphone is aligned with one of the side portions and faces the other of the side portions. The flexible member is then permitted to decompress within the protective helmet and to extend outwardly into engagement with the side portions such that the earphone of the first end abuts one of the side portions.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages can be better appreciated from the accompanying detailed description and drawing figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view, drawn translucent, of a helmet and illustrates a headset mounted therein constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the communication headset of FIG. 1 illustrating certain components thereof.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the communication headset of FIG. 1 shown in an unbiased (relaxed) state; FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the communication headset of FIG. 1 in a loaded

(flexed) state in which the distal ends have been forced inward; and

FIGS. 5 A, 5B and 5C provide a perspective view of the steps of installing the communication headset of FIG. 1 within a protective helmet.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The communication headset 10 of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 is adapted to fit securely against the inner wall of a protective helmet 12 and provide two-way wireless communication to a remote party. Headset 10 is configured to operate on its own power source (not shown) and is able to transmit and receive audio signals by means of a wireless transceiver unit 26, microphone 14 and earphones 18.

Helmet 12 is a conventional protective helmet comprising an outer shell 20 and appropriate padding or cushioning material 22 adjacent the shell's inner surface which may encase the helmet including extending opposite the ear location of a wearer. Shell 20 may also be provided with openings for unobstructed ear access and a lower face guard element 24 disposed in a plane proximate that of the wearer's mouth. The specific configuration of helmet 12 including any such face guard, ear openings and padding may vary from that as shown in the drawings and it will be understood that headset 10 described herein is operable for installation in all helmets including those with varying shell and inner padding configurations, hi a preferred application, the headset 10 is combined with the helmet 12. The wireless two-way communication capability of headset 10 is provided by a wireless transceiver unit 26 connected between one of earphones 18 and microphone 14. Headset 10 can be used with any cellular telephone and with a conventional cellular service provided by a cellular service provider. Headset 10 can also be used with a cellular telephone employing Bluetooth, Wifi, or other wireless technology and, in this case, headset 10 communicates directly with the wireless communication chip in the phone. Bluetooth wireless technology is presently the preferred protocol for wireless communication between the cellular phone and the headset 10. Alternatively, the headset 10 can be used with cellular phones that are not equipped with Bluetooth circuitry by interposing an adapter between the phone and the headset. Such adapters are known in the art and therefore their description herein has been omitted.

Electrical wiring in support of earphones 18 and microphone 14, as well as other wiring to support further components to be described, is included. In certain embodiments, such as illustrated in which there are multiple earphones 18, a portion of the electrical wiring is preferably contained below a cover 28 (FIG. 2), e.g., within a tube or passage 39. It should be realized that although headset 10 is shown in the diagrams as including two earphones 18 (right and left), in the event headset 10 is configured to operate only one earphone 18, the cover 28 and/or the passage 39 may be omitted.

Headset component 10 is configured to securely engage the helmet 12 and position earphones 18 adjacent a user's ears and microphone 14 in position proximate a user's mouth when the helmet is worn. The headset component presses outwardly against the interior of the helmet and away from the cavity that receives the wearer's head, toward an unloaded state. Securing headset 10 in such a fashion is accomplished on a basis that is opposite that of a conventional headset which secures itself against a user's head and/or ears. Unlike conventional communication headsets, headset 10 has an unloaded state in which the distance between the opposing ends of a resilient or shape-retaining, flexible member 30 are farther than when the flexible member is deflected for insertion into the helmet. The composition of flexible member 30, as shown in FIG. 2, provides headset 10 the ability to attach itself to the inner surface of helmet 12 without the use of adhesives or fasteners. Cover 28 includes a flexible yet shape-retaining (i.e., resilient) member 30 which can be bent, deflected or compressed into an arcuate shape (a "loaded" state in which the flexible member 30 stores potential energy which is released or lessened when the load is removed or decreased, respectively) to bendably fit within helmet 12 and against any cushioning material 22. If installed in a helmet that does not contain cushioning material 22, headset 10 can be attached directly adjacent the inner surface of shell 20.

Two states of headset 10 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Referring to FIG. 3, without any applied forces, the flexible member 30 can be substantially flat (unbent) or curved (arcuate) such that the distance between ends 30a, 30b in this unbiased state defines an unloaded-distance. Applying an inward force will deflect flexible member 30 (and consequently cover 28, if provided) such that the flexible member bows as shown in FIG. 4 with the center of cover/flexible member 28/30 acting as an apex. In this biased state, the ends 30a, 30b are closer than in the unbiased state and the loaded-distance is less than the unloaded distance. Preferably, a minimum prescribed degree of force must be provided to bow cover/flexible member 28/30. m the bowed state, the opposing earphones 18 can lie in plains parallel to each other, in certain embodiments, where the distance between each earphone is less than the diameter of the head-opening in helmet 12. The bending of flexible member 30 results in a loading or biasing force stored in the flexible member, which exhibits an outwardly directed return force 37, as flexible member 30 tries to return to the unbiased state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Force 37 created by bowing flexible member 30 at its ends allows a user of headset 10 to position the headset within helmet 12. Upon releasing opposing ends the outward force will hold the headset in place against the interior surface of helmet 12.

Either the cover 28 or the flexible member 30 preferably includes structure that permits sliding adjustment of the position of extension members 42. As illustrated, rack and pinion type pins and notches join cover 28 and extension members 42 so as to permit the distance between the ends of the band (those comprising earphones 18) to be adjusted. Each end of cover 28 includes a hollow sleeve 51 extending inward a predetermined distance from the end of cover 28. At each end of the cover, an extension member 42 is permanently secured and slidably connected with each hollow sleeve 51. A plurality of raised pins 22 protrude through the wall of each extension member with an exterior visible portion and an interior nonvisible portion to engage notches 26 in hollow sleeve 51 of band 28 (FIG. 3). Each extension band is permanently secured and fits slidably within its respective sleeve 51. To adjust the distance between a earphone 18 and cover 28, a pin 22 engages one of the notches 26 along an inner surface of sleeve 51 to secure the headphone at a desired length of insertion within the sleeve. The headphone may then be instantly adjusted with no tools by forcedly overcoming the pin and notch connection and sliding the extension band until a different pin contacts with a different notch 26. Other adjustable means for securing the headphones to the cover or flexible member may be substituted.

A switch means 50 suitable to control the operation of headset component 10 is mounted to transceiver unit 26 so as to expose a surface of a switch 50 inside helmet 12. In this manner, the user need merely reach up and with their thumb or index finger manipulate the switch. Any suitable switch may be utilized, preferably a two-way switch operable to turn the communication headset 10 on and off and provide for volume control. According to a preferred embodiment, switch means 50 is remotely located and headset 10 is remotely controlled thereby. Switch 50 is fixedly positioned on a handlebar or other motorcycle surface, e.g., to a gas tank, within a user's grasp using magnets, a clamp, Velcro™ or other attachments to ease removal and repositioning of the control unit. As discussed above, control unit 50 preferably includes controls for turning headset 10 on and off and controlling the volume. According to an alternative arrangement, control unit 50 is operable to accept and process voice commands from the user, i.e., "dial", "end call", etc.

It should be appreciated that the flexible member 30 can extend to the earphone.

By "earphone" it is meant any speaker or structure that can convey a signal that can be perceived as audible sound at the ear of the helmet wearer.

The foregoing description is of a preferred embodiment and method for installing a communication headset, but the invention is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A communication headset component for attachment to the inside of a protective helmet, comprising: a resiliently flexible member extending between first and second ends, the flexible member having a biased state with a loaded distance (D-loaded) between the first and second ends and an unbiased state with an unloaded distance (d-unloaded) between the first and second ends, wherein

D-loaded < d-unloaded; an earphone supported by the flexible member proximate to the first end, whereby the flexible member is biasable for loading within the protective helmet and release toward the unbiased state within the protective helmet.

2. The communication headset component of claim 1, further comprising: an extension member slidably mounted to the member and connected to the earphone, wherein movement of the extension member adjusts a position of the earphone relative to the first end.

3. The communication headset component of claim 1, further comprising a microphone and an RF transceiver electrically connected to the earphone and to the microphone.

4. The communication headset component of claim 3, further comprising wires extending between the RF transceiver and the microphone, wherein at least one of the wires is deformable and has a stiffness sufficient to support a weight of the microphone thereby permitting relative placement of the microphone through deformation of the at least one of the wires.

5. The communication headset component of claim 3, further comprising a controller in operative communication with the RF transceiver so as to adjust a volume of the earphone.

6. The communication headset component of claim 5, wherein the controller further includes an attachment means for attaching the controller to an object.

7. The communication headset component of claim 6, wherein the attachment means is a magnet.

8. The communication headset component of claim 1 , further comprising a second earphone supported by the member proximate to the second end, wherein the earphone and the second earphone are in a plain that is parallel to an orthogonal centerline passing through the center of the member.

9. The communication headset component of claim 8, further comprising a pair of wires extending the length of the flexible member to respective attachments at the second earphone and a cover disposed at least partially about the flexible member and the pair of wires.

10. A method for installing a communication headset within a protective helmet having a head-opening sized to receive a wearer's head and side portions that are proximate the wearer's ears when the protective helmet is received on the wearer's head, comprising the steps of: providing the communication headset having a flexible member extending between first and second ends and supporting an earphone proximate to the first end; compressing the first and second ends of the flexible member toward one another until a distance between the first and second ends is less than a diameter of the head-opening in the protective helmet; inserting the flexible member through the head-opening; orienting the flexible member so that the earphone is aligned with one of the side portions and faces the other of the side portions; and permitting the flexible member to decompress within the protective helmet and to extend outwardly into engagement with the side portions such that the earphone of the first end abuts one of the side portions.