Retrofit sensor module for a protective head top

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9848666-B1
Application number	US-201615190310-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jun 23, 2016
Priority date	Jun 23, 2016
Publication date	Dec 26, 2017
Grant date	Dec 26, 2017

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a retrofit sensor module for use with a protective head top with a helmet and a visor. The sensor module includes a sensor housing and an attachment mechanism. The sensor housing encloses a head presence sensor to sense when the protective head top is being worn. The sensor housing also encloses a position sensor to sense the position of the visor relative to the helmet. The retrofit sensor module further comprises an attachment mechanism secured to the housing. The attachment mechanism mates with a first hinge component of a hinge assembly in the protective head top to removably install the sensor module into the protective head top, wherein the hinge assembly allows the visor to move relative to the helmet.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A retrofit sensor module for use with a protective head top with a helmet and a visor, the sensor module comprising:
a sensor housing, the sensor housing enclosing:
a head presence sensor to sense when the protective head top is being worn; and
a position sensor to sense the position of the visor relative to the helmet;

an attachment mechanism secured to the housing, wherein the attachment mechanism mates with a first hinge component of a hinge assembly in the protective head top to removably install the sensor module into the protective head top, wherein the hinge assembly allows the visor to move relative to the helmet.

2. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor housing further encloses a battery.

3. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor housing further encloses a temperature sensor to sense ambient temperature in the interior of the protective head top.

4. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor housing further encloses an accelerometer to sense movement of the head of an individual wearing the head top.

5. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor housing further encloses an audio transducer.

6. The sensor module of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises at least one LED.

7. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the hinge assembly further includes a second hinge component and the attachment mechanism replaces the second hinge component.

8. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module does not replace any components of the hinge assembly when installed in the protective head top.

9. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module can be installed without using any tools.

10. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module fits in the interior of the visor of the protective head top when the sensor module is installed in the protective head top and when the visor is in a down position.

11. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module does not impair the performance of the hinge assembly when it is installed in the protective head top.

12. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is removably secured to the sensor housing.

13. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is an integral part of or permanently secured to the sensor housing.

14. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the battery can be replaced without the use of any tools while the sensor module is installed in the protective head top.

15. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module has an Ingress Protection (IP) rating.

16. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor housing further comprises a Bluetooth communication component.

17. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the head presence sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

18. A kit comprising the sensor module of claim 16 and a personal communication hub, wherein the sensor module communicates with the personal communication hub using Bluetooth.

19. A kit comprising the sensor module of claim 1 and the protective head top.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Egeland Marc A
• Awiszus Steven T
• Jents Charles P
• Johnson Benjamin A
• Kanukurthy Kiran S
• Nash James E
• Oien-Rochat Milo G

Classifications

• H04W4/80

  Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication · CPC title

• A42B3/0433 Primary

  Detecting, signalling or lighting devices · CPC title

• A62B18/082

  Assembling eyepieces, lenses or vision-correction means in or on gas-masks · CPC title

• A62B18/04

  Gas helmets · CPC title

• A42B3/225

  with full face protection, e.g. for industrial safety applications · CPC title