US 5,704,707 AGranted

Motorcycle safety helmet system

AssigneeBlue Sky Research

InventorsRolin Gebelein, Donald Varner, James J. Snyder, James Parsons

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Abstract

A helmet-mounted wireless frequency-modulated infrared beam-actuated auxiliary brakelight system capable of reliable operation in all ranges of ambient light while permitting the rider to turn his head from side to side over a large angle approaching 180 degrees or more. The system comprises a frequency-modulated infrared transmitter, in operative combination with a switch for detecting brake system actuation, and a helmet module, including a frequency-modulated infrared receiver and decoder in operative combination with a stop light. Brake system initiation results in switch actuation which causes the transmitter to emit a beam of frequency-modulated infrared energy towards the helmet module. When the beam is received at the helmet module, it is captured using a lens in operative combination with a novel lightpipe which ensures reception over a 180 degree angle. The infrared energy is then transmitted through a solar filter which further discriminates between solar infrared energy and the infrared beam from the transmitter, before being received at an electro-optical circuit. This circuit decodes the frequency-modulated infrared energy and activates the auxiliary brake lamp.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An improved safety helmet-mounted stop lamp system in operative combination with a vehicle having a brake system for stopping or slowing said vehicle by applying pressure to a lever mechanism disposed on said vehicle, said lever mechanism having a fixed and a movable portion, said stop lamp system further in operative combination with a safety helmet wearable by a user, said stop lamp system comprising:

switch means, in operative combination with an electrical power supply, for detecting movement of said movable portion of said lever mechanism;
coded infrared transmitter means, in operative combination with said switch means and said electrical power supply, said transmitter means, responsive to detection of movement of said movable portion of said lever mechanism by said switch means, for emitting an encoded infrared light emission;
a stop lamp attachable to said helmet;
coded infrared receiver means, further attachable to said helmet and in operative combination with said electrical power supply, for receiving said encoded infrared light emission over a large receiving angle during times of darkness as well as bright sunlight, for rejecting solar infrared energy, for decoding said emission, and, responsive to said decoding said emission, for energizing said stop lamp;
and
electrical connection means for electrically connecting said switch means, said transmitter means, said receiver means, and said stop lamp to said electrical power supply.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.