Connector assembly for a helmet

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11266198-B2
Application number	US-201715418095-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 27, 2017
Priority date	Jan 28, 2016
Publication date	Mar 8, 2022
Grant date	Mar 8, 2022

Abstract

A helmet has a helmet shell, a visor connected to the helmet shell, an electrical device attached to at least one of the helmet shell and the visor, and an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly has a flexible member having a first end magnetically connected to the helmet shell, which is electrically connected to the electrical device. The electrical connector assembly also has a connector connected to a second end of the flexible cord that is electrically connected to the electrical device via the flexible cord. The connector is adapted to connect to a power source.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A helmet comprising:
a helmet shell comprising an inner shell and an outer shell;
a visor pivotally attached to the helmet shell;
an electrical device attached to at least one of the helmet shell and the visor;
a receiver attached to a back of the helmet shell;
a wire electrically connecting the receiver to the electrical device, the wire passing between an inner surface of the inner shell and the outer shell; and
an electrical connector assembly comprising:
a flexible member;
a first connector connected to a first end of the flexible member,
the first connector including:
four first magnets arranged in a first square pattern, each of the four first magnets being disposed completely inside the first connector, each of the four first magnets being covered on all sides thereof by outer surfaces of the first connector,
the outer surfaces of the first connector including a first surface covering a receiver-facing side of each of the four first magnets,
four first electrically conductive pins arranged in a second square pattern, the second square pattern being angularly offset from the first square pattern such that the first magnets and the first electrically conductive pins are disposed in an alternating arrangement, the four first electrically conductive pins being electrically connected to a second connector via the flexible member,

the four first magnets of the first connector generating a magnetic force magnetically connecting the first end of the flexible member to the receiver at a position spaced from the visor,
the four first electrically conductive pins of the first connector electrically connecting the first end of the flexible member to the electrical device via the receiver and the wire,
the first surface being disposed longitudinally between the receiver and the receiver-facing side of each of the four first magnets, and
the visor being configured to pivot independently from a connection between the first connector and the receiver; and
the second connector being connected to a second end of the flexible member and electrically connected to the electrical device via the flexible member and the first connector, the second connector being adapted to connect to a power source.

2. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the electrical device is attached to the visor.

3. The helmet of claim 2 , wherein the electrical device is a heating element.

4. The helmet of claim 3 , wherein the flexible member is a flexible cord.

5. The helmet of claim 3 , wherein the first connector further comprises:
at least one projection extending outwardly in relation to the first surface.

6. The helmet of claim 5 , wherein the receiver comprises:
four first conductive elements electrically connected to the electrical device, the four first conductive elements and the four first electrically conductive pins being electrically connected when the first connector is connected to the receiver;
four second magnets generating a magnetic force for selectively connecting to the four first magnets to selectively magnetically connect the first connector to the receiver; and
at least one recess for selectively receiving the at least one projection when the first connector is connected to the receiver.

7. The helmet of claim 6 , wherein the helmet shell further comprises a signal transmitter attached to the inner shell, the signal transmitter configured to transmit a signal indicating the electrical connection between the receiver and the power source.

8. The helmet of claim 7 , wherein the signal is a light signal.

9. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein:
the receiver is a first receiver; and
the second connector comprises at least one second magnet generating a magnetic force to selectively magnetically connect the second connector to a second receiver electrically connected to the power source.

10. The helmet of claim 9 , wherein the second connector comprises:
an electrical conductive disk, the electrical conductive disk being electrically connected to the electrical device via the flexible member and the first connector; and
at least one spring loaded pin, the at least one spring loaded pin being electrically connected to the electrical device via the flexible member and the first connector.

11. The helmet of claim 10 , wherein:
the at least one spring loaded pin of the second connector is at least one second spring loaded pin;
the four first electrically conductive pins are four first spring loaded pins, the four first spring loaded pins being electrically connected to the second connector via the flexible member; and
the first receiver comprises;
four conductive elements electrically connected to the electrical device, the four conductive elements and the four first spring loaded pins being electrically connected when the first receiver is connected to the first connector; and
four third magnets generating a magnetic force for selectively connecting to the four first magnets to selectively magnetically connect the first receiver to the first connector.

12. The helmet of claim 11 , wherein the helmet shell further comprises a signal transmitter attached to the inner shell, the signal transmitter configured to transmit a signal indicating the electrical connection between the first receiver and the power source.

13. The helmet of claim 12 , wherein the signal is a light signal.

14. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the power source is a battery for a vehicle.

15. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the connection between the first connector and the receiver is at a fixed position at the back of the helmet shell.

16. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the second square pattern is rotated 45 degrees from the first square pattern.

17. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises;
four conductive elements electrically connected to the electrical device, the four conductive elements and the four electrically conductive pins being electrically connected when the receiver is connected to the first connector; and
four second magnets generating a magnetic force for selectively connecting to the four first magnets to selectively magnetically connect the first receiver to the first connector.

18. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the four first magnets are four cylindrical magnets.

Assignees

• Bombardier Recreational Products Inc

Inventors

• Demers Jerome
• Dutour Gregory
• Chenevert Francois

Classifications

• H05B3/84

  Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields · CPC title

• H01R2103/00

  Two poles · CPC title

• H01R13/6205

  Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet · CPC title

• A42B3/0446

  intended to light the way ahead · CPC title

• A42B3/0406

  Accessories for helmets · CPC title