AU2008203236B2

AU2008203236B2 - Eletronic module adapter for headgear

Info

Publication number: AU2008203236B2
Application number: AU2008203236A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Joseph Bobbin; John Devaney; Mark Dirsa
Original assignee: Koehler Bright Star LLC
Current assignee: Koehler Bright Star LLC
Priority date: 2007-07-20
Filing date: 2008-07-21
Publication date: 2013-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-21
Also published as: EP2016845A2; PE20091506A1; CN101361605A; CA2638109A1; EP2016845A3; AU2008203236A1; MX2008009351A; US20090038056A1

Abstract

ELECTRONIC MODULE ADAPTER FOR HEADGEAR Abstract An electronic module adapter (23) for headgear includes a housing (24) defining a chamber. A clip (32) is positioned on the housing (24) and is adapted to attach the 5 housing (24) to the helmet or other headgear. A cap lamp mounting bracket is optionally positioned on the housing (24) and is adapted to attach a cap lamp to the housing (24). Electronic circuitry is positioned within the chamber (43) of the housing (24) and may include a radio frequency identification tag, a global positioning system tag and/or a gas sensor. CIIGOI\31243219 1 ------------. i4' -

Description

S&F Ref: 869505 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Koehler-Bright Star, Inc., of 380 Stewart Road, Hanover of Applicant: Township, Pennsylvania, 18706, United States of America Actual Inventor(s): Joseph Bobbin John Devaney Mark Dirsa Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Electronic module adapter for headgear The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(1 327634_1) ELECTRONIC MODULE ADAPTER FOR HEADGEAR CLAIM OF PRIORITY 100011 This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/961,627, filed July 20, 2007. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [00021 The present invention relates to accessories for protective headgear and, more particularly, to an electronic module adapter that mounts on a helmet or other headgear. BACKGROUND 100031 Different types of protective headgear, such as helmets and hard hats, are typically worn by fire fighters, rescue personnel and in industries where protection of the head from falling debris or the like is necessary. Such industries include, but are not limited to construction and mining. 100041 Oftentimes it is desirable to attach electronic modules, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, global positioning system (GPS) tags, and natural gas sensor tags to protective headgear. For example, modern day mines often include a miner tracking system so that the location of miners may be tracked for safety purposes. Such systems often include sensors positioned throughout the mine shafts. A miner wears an RFID tag which broadcasts a signal including the identity of the miner wearing the RFID tag. When the miner passes a miner tracking system sensor, the sensor receives the signal from the RFID tag. The sensors communicate with a central computer which tracks the location of miners wearing the RFID tags based on which sensors have received signals from the miners' RFID tags. 100051 Like the other types of electronic modules, RFID tags must receive electrical power to operate. Mining cap lamps are typically mounted on helmets worm by miners to provide illumination in underground mine shafts. Such cap lamps are well known in the mining equipment industry and provide illumination while the miner's hands remain free to perform CHGO31243219.1 } 2 tasks. A cap lamp typically receives power from a battery power pack secured to the user's waist. Electrical wiring delivers power from the power pack to the lamp on the helmet. Traditionally, wires have been soldered to the battery terminals of the cap lamp power pack and to the RFID tags so that the RFID tags receive power from the battery of the cap lamp power pack. A problem with such an arrangement, however, is that such modifications are time consuming and inconvenient. In addition, and more importantly, the quality of the soldered connections is often inconsistent which leads to reliability issues, especially in the harsh mining environment. The exposed wires of such a power takeoff are also exposed which makes them even more vulnerable to damage. Object of the Invention 100061 It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or to at least provide a useful alternative. Summary of the Invention [0006a] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic module adapter for retrofitting a helmet and a cap lamp having a cap lamp housing, the electronic module adapter comprising: an adapter housing defining a chamber that houses an electronic module circuit board, the adapter housing having a back side and a front side; a helmet mounting bracket positioned on the back side of the adapter housing, said helmet mounting bracket adapted to removably attach the adapter to the helmet; and a cap lamp mounting bracket formed on the front side of the adapter housing, said cap lamp mounting bracket adapted to removably attach the cap lamp to the adapter so that the adapter secures the cap lamp to the helmet and is sandwiched between the helmet and the cap lamp. 10006b] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is a method for retrofitting a helmet and a cap lamp having a cap lamp housing, the method comprising the steps of: providing an adapter having an adapter housing defining a chamber, said adapter housing having a back side and a front side with a helmet mounting bracket positioned on the back side and a cap lamp mounting bracket formed on the front side; 3 positioning an electronic module circuit board within the chamber of the adapter housing; removably attaching the adapter to the helmet using the helmet mounting bracket; and removably attaching the cap lamp to the adapter using the cap lamp mounting bracket so that the adapter secures the cap lamp to the helmet and is sandwiched between the helmet and the cap lamp. Brief Description of the Drawings 10006c] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 100071 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet with a cap lamp secured thereto by an embodiment of the electronic module adapter of the present invention; 100081 Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the front portion of the helmet, the cap lamp ad the electronic module adapter of Fig. 1; 100091 Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective exploded views of the helmet, cap lamp and electronic modular adapter of Figs. I and 2; 100101 Fig. 5 is an enlarged bottom and back perspective view of the electronic modular adapter of Figs. 1-4 with the housing lid removed; [00111 Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic module adapter of Fig. 5 taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5; 100121 Fig. 7 is a top and front perspective view of the electronic module adapter of Fig. 5 with the housing lid attached; 100131 Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic module adapter of Fig. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [00141 While the invention is described below in terms of use with a helmet, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and cap lamp for mining, it is to be understood that it may be applied to other types of headgear and electronic modules. Such electronic modules may include, for example, global positioning system (GPS) tags, and natural gas sensor tags. [00151 A helmet, such as used in mining, is indicated at 12 in Figs. 1-4. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the helmet includes a front panel 14 and a visor 16. A cap lamp is indicated at 18 in Figs. 1-4. As an example only, the cap lamp may be a model LI-16 cap lamp sold by Koehler-Bright Star, Inc. of Hanover Township, PA. As is known in the art, the cap lamp receives power via a power cord, indicated at 22 in Figs. I and 2, from a battery pack (not shown) typically worn strapped to the waist of the miner or in another location. The cap lamp 18 is typically mounted to the front panel 14 of the helmet by a clip positioned on the back side of the cap lamp. This clip typically engages a slot, such as the one indicated at 19 in Fig. 3. As a result, the cap lamp may be removed from the helmet for recharging or servicing. 10016] In accordance with the present invention, the helmet clip normally used to mount the cap lamp to the helmet is removed from the cap lamp. An electronic module adapter, indicated in general at 23 in Figs. 1-7, includes a housing 24 that, as explained in greater detail below, defines a chamber which houses electronic module circuitry and batteries. For example, the electronic module circuitry may be a self powered RFID tag (printed circuit board with three coin cell batteries). Alternatively, the electronic module adapter may act as a mounting point (like a docking station) or power source, with batteries present in the electronic module adapter, for a variety of interchangeable electronic devices. Instead of batteries, the electronic module adapter may receive power from the power cord 22 (Fig. 1). [00171 As indicated in Figs. 1-4, the electronic module adapter housing 24 mounts to the cap lamp with two screws 26a and 26b via a cap lamp mounting bracket. The cap lamp mounting bracket features a pair of flanges 28a and 28b (Figs. 3-5 and 7) formed on the front side of the housing. The flanges 28a and 28b include mounting holes, indicated at 30a and 30b in Figs. 3 and 7, through which the screws 26a and 26b pass. The cap lamp mounting bracket may feature CHGOI\31243219.1 4 an alternative arrangement, such as a clip that engages the cap lamp or a recess that receives a clip mounted on the cap lamp. 100181 As illustrated in Figs. 5-8, a headgear mounting bracket in the form of helmet clip 32 is attached to the back side of the electronic module adapter housing 24. More specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 8, the clip 32, which in the illustrated embodiment is made of metal, is secured to the housing via screws 34a and 34b, which engage openings 36a and 36b (not shown) formed in the housing 24. Alternatively, the clip 32 may be formed of plastic and either attached to or integrally molded with the housing 24: The housing 24 may also be constructed of metal with the clip 32 attached to it or integrally formed with the housing. [00191 As illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the helmet clip 32 (headgear mounting bracket) of the electronic module adapter 23 attaches to the front panel 14 of the helmet 12 and takes the place of the original cap lamp helmet clip. As a result, the helmet clip of the electronic module adapter is used to mount the whole assembly (including the electronic module adapter and cap lamp) to the helmet. The headgear mounting bracket may take a variety of alternative forms as long as it engages the helmet so as to secure the electronic module adapter housing thereto. 100201 As illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 8, electronic module circuitry in the form of a circular circuit board 40 has mounted thereon a stack of battery coin cells 42, which provide power to the circuit board 40. The electronic module circuitry circuit board may be for a variety of electronic functions, including, but not limited to, an RFID tag, a GPS tag and/or a natural gas sensor. As illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 8, the circuit board and batteries are inserted into the chamber 43 defined by the electronic module adapter housing 24 and the bottom is closed with bottom lid 44 (Figs. 7 and 8), which may be sealed to keep dust and dirt out of the interior of the electronic module adapter. As noted previously, the batteries 42 may be omitted if the circuit board instead receives power from the cap lamp power cord 22 (Fig. 1). [00211 The circuit board and batteries may be secured within the chamber 43 by adhesive, screws or other fastening arrangements known in the art. The bottom lid 44 may be attached to the housing 24 by adhesive, screws or other fastening arrangements known in the art. CIIGO I\31243219.1 5 6 [0022] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

2. The electronic module adapter of claim 1, wherein the function of the electronic module circuit board includes a radio requency identification tag.
3. The electronic module adapter of claim 1, wherein the function of the electronic module circuit board includes a global positioning system tag.
4. The electronic module adapter of claim 1, wherein the function of the electronic module circuit board includes a gas sensor.
5. The electronic module adapter of claim 1, wherein the helmet mounting bracket includes a clip adapted to be received by a recess in the helmet.
6. The electronic module adapter of claim 5, wherein the clip is secured to the adapter housing by screws.
7. The electronic module adapter of claim 5, wherein the clip is integrally formed with the adapter housing.
8. The electronic module adapter of claim 1, wherein the cap lamp mounting bracket includes a first flange. 8
9. The electronic module adapter of claim 8, wherein the cap lamp mounting bracket includes a second flange spaced from the first flange so that a portion of a cap lamp may be received and secured therebetween.
10. The electronic module adapter of claim 9, wherein the flanges include mounting holes through which screws may engage the cap lamp housing.
11. The electronic module adapter of claim 1, wherein the chamber defined by the adapter housing further houses batteries that provide power to the circuit board.
12. A method for retrofitting a helmet and a cap lamp having a cap lamp housing, the method comprising the steps of: providing an adapter having an adapter housing defining a chamber, said adapter housing having a back side and a front side with a helmet mounting bracket positioned on the back side and a cap lamp mounting bracket formed on the front side; positioning an electronic module circuit board within the chamber of the adapter housing; removably attaching the adapter to the helmet using the helmet mounting bracket; and removably attaching the cap lamp to the adapter using the cap lamp mounting bracket so that the adapter secures the cap lamp to the helmet and is sandwiched between the helmet and the cap lamp.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the function of the electronic module circuit board includes a radio frequency identification tag.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the function of the electronic module circuit board includes a global positioning system tag.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the function of the electronic module circuit board includes a gas sensor.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising a step of closing a bottom of the chamber with a bottom lid. 9
17. An electronic module adapter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Koehler-Bright Star, Inc. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON