Illumination – With wearing apparel or body support – Head covering or clamp
Reexamination Certificate
1996-05-21
2001-12-04
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With wearing apparel or body support
Head covering or clamp
C362S806000, C362S184000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325521
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a circuit on a curved surface, such as on a helmet, and to a method of forming a portion of the circuit, and more particularly, to a circuit on a curved surface including at least one conductive path integral with the curved surface, and to a method of forming a conductive path on, and integral with, a curved surface.
Presently, circuits are provided only on flat surfaces. This is due to the fact that it has been very difficult to trace and form conductive paths on curved surfaces. Therefore, circuits on curved surfaces typically include a flat circuit board in close proximity to the curved surface. Circuit elements such as light emitting diodes are generally mounted on the curved surface, and the flat circuit board is wired to the circuit elements. Additionally, a battery is typically provided near, and is wired to, the flat circuit board. Wiring from the battery to the flat circuit board, and from the flat circuit board to the circuit elements, enables the flat circuit board to power and operate the circuit elements in a pattern dictated by the circuitry on the flat circuit board.
While these circuits do provide curved surfaces with circuit elements thereon, these circuits are inadequate in many respects. For example, because the circuitry is on a flat circuit board which is not integral with the curved surface, it is necessary to handle the curved surface gently so that the wiring does not disconnect from the circuit elements, the flat circuit board, or the battery. If the curved surface is, in fact, a helmet, such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,079, it is necessary to gently place the helmet over the head and gently remove the helmet from the head in order to prevent the wiring from disconnecting. Furthermore, if the helmet is worn while riding a bicycle, it is possible for the vibrations from the bicycle to cause the wiring to disconnect from the circuit elements, the flat circuit board, or the battery. Of course, if the wiring disconnects, this typically results in a circuit which fails to function properly.
Moreover, these circuits make it necessary to provide or reserve space for the flat circuit board, the battery, and the wiring. For example, if the curved surface is a helmet as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,079, it is necessary to reserve space within the helmet to accommodate the flat circuit board, the battery, and the wiring therebetween. Therefore, the helmet cannot be designed to precisely fit the head, but instead must be oversized. Not only does oversizing the helmet result in a waste of material, but not designing the helmet to precisely fit the head may result in a helmet which is less effective at protecting the head. Furthermore, the flat circuit board, battery, and wiring within the helmet can injure the wearer of the helmet if the helmet is subjected to impact such as if the helmet is worn while riding a bicycle or motorcycle. Also, the presence of the flat circuit board, battery, and wiring therebetween within the helmet results in the helmet being uncomfortable to the wearer.
The difficulties encountered in the prior art hereinabove are substantially eliminated by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit on a curved surface including a conductive path on, and integral with, the curved surface.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a circuit on a surface of a helmet including a conductive path on, and integral with, the surface.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a circuit on a curved surface where the circuit conforms to the curved surface.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a circuit on a helmet where the circuit is durable and is able to effectively withstand vibrations.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a light system on a bicycle helmet where the circuitry for the light system is on the exterior surface of the helmet.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a light system on a helmet where the light system changes its lighting pattern in response to a received signal such as a signal indicating that a bicycle brake has been applied.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a light system on a curved surface where light emitting elements emit light one pair at a time resulting in bright emission of light and long battery life.
Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide a light system on a helmet where the light system is not susceptible to moisture such as rain.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming a conductive path on a curved surface, such as on a helmet.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing a computer to form a conductive path on a curved surface, such as on a helmet.
These, and other objects of the invention, will become apparent upon reference to the following specification, drawings, and claims.
By the present invention, it is proposed to overcome the difficulties encountered heretofore. To this end, a circuit on a curved surface is provided where the circuit includes at least one circuit element on the curved surface, at least one conductive path on the curved surface and connected to the circuit element, and means for supplying power along the conductive path to the circuit element.
In a preferred embodiment, the curved surface is a helmet, in which case a plurality of pairs of light emitting elements are provided where the pairs emit light sequentially one pair at a time in order to maximize the brightness of the light emitted and maximize battery life. Also, means for receiving an infrared or ultrasonic signal is provided such that the light emitting elements emit light in a certain manner as a result of the signal being received.
Also provided is a method of forming at least one conductive path on a curved surface, such as on a helmet, where the method comprises aiming a beam of light to the curved surface, providing relative movement between the beam of light and the curved surface causing the beam of light to form a path on the curved surface, and laying conductive material on the path. The beam of light may be aimed at a mirror which bends the beam of the light to the curved surface, and the mirror may be moved by a stepper motor controlled by a computer. In addition, the curved surface may be moved by a stepper motor controlled by the computer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2705751 (1955-04-01), Harris et al.
patent: 4231079 (1980-10-01), Heminover
patent: 4559516 (1985-12-01), Schott et al.
patent: 4862331 (1989-08-01), Hanabusa
patent: 4901210 (1990-02-01), Hanabusa
patent: 4901211 (1990-02-01), Shen
patent: 4956752 (1990-09-01), Foglietti
patent: 5040099 (1991-08-01), Harris
patent: 5111366 (1992-05-01), Rife et al.
patent: 5207500 (1993-05-01), Rios et al.
patent: 5353008 (1994-10-01), Eikenberry et al.
patent: 5357409 (1994-10-01), Glatt
patent: 5508900 (1996-04-01), Norman
patent: 5544027 (1996-08-01), Orsano
patent: 5559680 (1996-09-01), Tabanera
patent: 5575554 (1996-11-01), Guritz
patent: 5621922 (1997-04-01), Rush, III
patent: 5674595 (1997-10-01), Busacco et al.
patent: 5758947 (1998-06-01), Glatt
patent: 5871271 (1999-02-01), Chien
Gregg Kent
Wells, Jr. Edwin
Laurenzo Brian J.
Sember Thomas M.
Vietzke Lance L.
LandOfFree
Circuit on a curved, or otherwise irregularly shaped,... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Circuit on a curved, or otherwise irregularly shaped,..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Circuit on a curved, or otherwise irregularly shaped,... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2556156