Illumination – With wearing apparel or body support – Head covering or clamp
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-24
2001-06-12
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With wearing apparel or body support
Head covering or clamp
C362S105000, C362S183000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244721
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an illuminated helmet device and more particularly to an illuminated helmet device typically associated with cycling, sporting activities, and the like, used for protecting the head and face of an individual and inherently increasing the safety potential by offering a means of alerting surrounding persons to the user's presence. Such a lighted helmet is ideal for use by cyclists, sport enthusiasts, or the like, during times of darkness, such as the evening and during increment weather conditions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cycling, in-line skating, street hockey and the like are examples of sports which are progressively becoming more popular and widely experienced and enjoyed by the general public. Due to the ease of riding a bicycle or the thrill of skating, many individual participate, regardless of experience, age, athletic ability or manual dexterity. Cycling and other outdoor events, such as in-line skating, is not only enjoyable, but beneficial as well, by providing a means of aerobic exercise, which is notoriously known for leading a healthy life style.
As such, the sporting industry is encouraging the athlete to par-take in these beneficial activities by focusing on the comfort and safety associated with the particular sport. One means of safety is the use of a helmet, which, as a result, reduces injury to the head should an individual fall. Due to their known success, some states, such as Florida, include mandated regulations which require young cyclists to wear and utilize helmets while operating a conventional cycling device, such as a bicycle.
The high demand on adequate helmets has cause an increase in helmets including additional safety benefits. One of these benefits includes the use of a light source attached to the helmet device. Such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,736 issued to Shea, Sr. In this patent there is disclosed a self-lighted safety helmet which includes an outer shell fabricated from a phosphorescent material. This phosphorescent material provides a helmet that will inherently glow without the presence of light. Unfortunately, such a helmet may glow, but the use of the phosphorescent material may add to the costs of the helmet and may even sacrifice its structural integrity.
Yet another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,900 issued to Norman. In this patent there is disclosed an illuminated helmet having a light source exteriorly mounted thereto. Activation of this light source occurs by the use of a switch, exteriorly located on the helmet. Though this helmet is efficient at providing an illuminating means, this helmet requires the user to activate the light source. For those who are absent-minded or forgetful, such as children, they may fail to adequately activate the helmet, and thus, defeat its intended purpose.
Accordingly, it is seen that none of these previous efforts provide the benefits intended with the present invention, such as providing an illuminated helmet device that automatically illuminates upon contact with the user. As evident by the prior art, it is seen that none of these prior techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements as disclosed and claimed herein. The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objectives and advantages over the prior art device through a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements, which is simple to use, with the utilization of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, assemble, test and by employing only readily available material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an illuminated helmet device typically associated and used during sporting events, such as cycling, in-line skating, and the like. The illuminated helmet device of the present invention includes an automatic activation means for automatically activating the light when the helmet is worn.
The helmet device includes a foam layer and an outer hard shell. The foam layer is contoured and shaped like the user's head while the outer shell is secured to the foam layer. The foam layer and outer hard shell are designed and configured according to the safety standards as set forth by known safety organizations, such as the American National Standards Institute.
At least one conventional light source is secured to the exterior of the helmet. In one embodiment, the light source is activated upon securing the device to the user. In an alternative embodiment, the power used to activate the light source is re-chargeable by the use of solar energy. Both designs provide a unit that is safe and which guarantees the activation of the light source so as to provide a helmet that is useful and beneficial to the user. Activation of the light source will inherently increase the visibility of the user for alerting others of their presence.
Other components can be used with the helmet of the present invention. These added components will enhance the final product. Some of the features include, but are not limited to, the use of a reflective material secured to the shell, a strap for securing the device to the user, and air vents for permitting adequate air circulation.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide for an illuminated helmet device that will overcome the deficiencies, shortcomings, and drawbacks of prior helmets and methods thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated helmet device that will successfully provide an efficient alert means for warning other as to the presence of the user, by providing a unit which will automatically illuminate when worn or when there is an absence of light.
Still another object of the present invention, to be specifically enumerated herein, is to provide an illuminated helmet device in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that would be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.
Although there have been many inventions related to illuminated helmets, none of the inventions provide a means of automatic operation of an efficient light source for increasing the visibility of the user. Additionally, these inventions fail to be low cost and reliable enough to become commonly used. The present invention meets the requirements of the simplified design, compact size, low initial cost, low operating cost, ease of installation and maintainability, and minimal amount of training to successfully employ the invention.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and application of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5416675 (1995-05-01), Debeaux
patent: 5508900 (1996-04-01), Norman
patent: 5559680 (1996-09-01), Tabanera
patent: 5564128 (1996-10-01), Richardson
patent: 5588736 (1996-12-01), Shea, Sr.
patent: 5743621 (1998-04-01), Mantha et al.
patent: 5758947 (1998-06-01), Glatt
Rodriguez Eugenia L.
Rodriguez Mark F.
Carnes Cona & Dixon
Tso Laura K.
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