Back to results
US 11,452,328 B2Granted
Helmet accessory mounting system
AssigneeGentex Corporation
InventorsMichael Lawrence Franzino, Stephen Bourque, Scott W. James, Daniel Berry, Ross Fade Barber, Zoltan S. Brutler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A helmet accessory mounting system includes a mounting device configured to couple to an outer surface of a side of a helmet. The mounting device includes a plurality of mounting locations configured to removeably couple to at least one accessory. A plurality of the plurality of mounting locations each includes an electrical node. A power supply is coupled to the mounting device. An electrical supply line electrically couples the power supply to each of the electrical nodes and the electrical supply line is contained at least partially within the mounting device.
Claims21
A helmet accessory mounting system comprising:
- a mounting device configured to couple to an outer surface of a side of a helmet, the mounting device including a plurality of mounting locations configured to releasably couple to at least one accessory, a plurality of the plurality of mounting locations each including an electrical node;
- a power source mount coupled to the mounting device;
- a power supply removeably coupled to the power source mount;
- and
- an electrical supply line electrically coupling the power supply to each of the electrical nodes, the electrical supply line contained at least partially within the mounting device,
- wherein the power source mount includes a hot shoe configured to electrically couple the power supply to the mounting device, the hot shoe including a plurality of contacts including a plurality of power supply contacts configured to transfer power from the power source to the at least one accessory and a plurality of data contacts configured to transfer data between a controller at the power source and a controller at the at least one accessory.
3 more elements
A helmet system comprising:
- a helmet having an outer surface, the outer surface having a first side and a second side opposed to the first side and a rear surface between the first side and second side;
- a power source;
- an accessory mounting assembly comprising:
- a first mounting device coupled to the first side of the outer surface of the helmet and including a plurality of first mounting locations for removeably coupling to at least one accessory of a plurality of accessories, a plurality of the plurality of first mounting locations each including a first electrical node;
- a second mounting device coupled to the second side of the outer surface of the helmet and including a plurality of second mounting locations for removeably coupling to at least one accessory of the plurality of accessories, a plurality of the plurality of second mounting locations each including a second electrical node;
- and
- a power source mount coupled to the outer surface of the helmet, the power source mount having a concaved inner surface configured to correspond to a curvature of the rear surface of the outer surface of the helmet, the power source mount including at least one mounting location, wherein the corresponding first mounting device and second mounting device are each adjustably coupled to the power source mount by an adjustable fastener, each of the adjustable fasteners configured to move the first mounting device and second mounting device relative to the power source mount to adjust the accessory mounting assembly to a size of the helmet,
- wherein the power source is removeably coupled to the at least one mounting location of the power source mount, wherein the power source is configured to provide power to each of the first and second electrical nodes, wherein the power source includes a controller configured to exchange data with each of the first and second electrical nodes,
- wherein a bottom edge of the first mounting device, second mounting device, and power source mount are each disposed on the outer surface of the helmet above a bottom edge of the helmet,
- wherein each of the first and second electrical nodes includes a positive electrical contact, a negative electrical contact, and at least one data contact each having a contact surface exposed through an outer surface of the corresponding first mounting device and second mounting device, each of the first and second electrical nodes configured to couple to corresponding pins from the at least one accessory of the plurality of accessories.
7 more elements
A helmet accessory mounting system comprising:
- a first mounting device configured to couple to an outer surface of a side of a helmet, the mounting device including a plurality of mounting locations configured to releasably couple to at least one accessory, and a first recessed retaining groove configured to slidably, adjustably, and simultaneously receive a plurality of the at least one accessory thereon, and a second recessed retaining groove configured to receive at least one of the at least one accessory, the second retaining groove being at an oblique angle relative to the first retaining groove, two or more mounting locations of the plurality of mounting locations each including an electrical node;
- a power supply coupled to the mounting device;
- and
- an electrical supply line electrically coupling the power supply to each of the electrical nodes, the electrical supply line contained at least partially within the mounting device,
- wherein a top surface of the mounting device between a top edge of the mounting device and the first recessed retaining groove includes at least one mounting location of the plurality of mounting locations, the at least one mounting location including at least one of the electrical nodes,
- wherein the first recessed retaining groove is configured to receive the at least one accessory in at least a first location and a second location along a length of the first recessed retaining groove, the at least one accessory configured to be coupled to the electrical node to electrically connect the at least one accessory to the electrical supply line when the at least one accessory is in the first location and the accessory is configured to not be coupled to the electrical node and electrically disconnected from the electrical supply line when the accessory is in the second location.
3 more elements
A helmet accessory mounting system comprising:
- a mounting device configured to couple to an outer surface of a side of a helmet, the mounting device including a plurality of mounting locations configured to releasably couple to at least one accessory, a plurality of the plurality of mounting locations each including an electrical node;
- a power supply coupled to the mounting device;
- and
- an electrical supply line electrically coupling the power supply to each of the electrical nodes, the electrical supply line contained at least partially within the mounting device,
- wherein the mounting device includes a recessed retaining groove configured to slidably, adjustably, and simultaneously receive a plurality of the at least one accessory thereon, and
- wherein the recessed retaining groove is a first retaining groove, the mounting device including a second retaining groove configured to receive at least one of the at least one accessory, the second retaining groove being at an oblique angle relative to the first retaining groove.
3 more elements
A helmet accessory mounting system comprising:
- a mounting device configured to couple to an outer surface of a side of a helmet, the mounting device including a plurality of mounting locations configured to releasably couple to at least one accessory, a plurality of the plurality of mounting locations each including an electrical node;
- a power supply coupled to the mounting device;
- and
- an electrical supply line electrically coupling the power supply to each of the electrical nodes, the electrical supply line contained at least partially within the mounting device,
- wherein the power supply comprises:
- a first series-connected battery set including at least one battery cell connectable in series electrical communication;
- a second series-connected battery set including at least one battery cell connectable in series electrical communication, the second series-connected battery set connected in parallel electrical communication with the first series-connected battery set;
- and
- a first modular battery circuit in series electrical communication with the first series-connected battery set and a second modular battery circuit in series electrical communication with the second series-connected battery set, the first modular battery circuit and the second modular battery circuit being configured to prevent battery cell balancing.
6 more elements
A helmet accessory mounting system comprising:
- a mounting device configured to couple to an outer surface of a side of a helmet, the mounting device including a plurality of mounting locations configured to releasably couple to at least one accessory, a plurality of the plurality of mounting locations each including an electrical node;
- a power supply coupled to the mounting device;
- and
- an electrical supply line electrically coupling the power supply to each of the electrical nodes, the electrical supply line contained at least partially within the mounting device,
- wherein the mounting device includes a recessed retaining groove configured to slidably, adjustably, and simultaneously receive a plurality of the at least one accessory thereon, and
- wherein the recessed retaining groove is configured to receive the at least one accessory in at least a first location and a second location along a length of the retaining groove, the at least one accessory configured to be coupled to the electrical node to electrically connect the at least one accessory to the electrical supply line when the at least one accessory is in the first location and the accessory is configured to not be coupled to the electrical node and electrically disconnected from the electrical supply line when the accessory is in the second location.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.