IP Library Granted Patent US 9,955,049
Granted Patent B2
US 9,955,049 · App. 14/812,135 · Granted Apr 24, 2018

Helmet with integrated electronics and helmet visor controls

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,955,049
App. No.
14/812,135
Granted
Apr 24, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A helmet can include a helmet body comprising an energy-absorbing layer and an outer shell disposed over the energy-absorbing layer. An electronic device can be integrated with the helmet body. A first electrical contact can be formed at an exterior of the outer shell and adapted to be in electrical communication with the electronic device. A helmet visor can be coupled to the helmet body with at least one visor arm, the helmet visor comprising controls integrated within the visor. A second electrical contact can be formed at an inner surface of the at least one visor arm and adapted to be in electrical communication with the controls integrated within the visor. The second electrical contact can be adapted to mateably couple with the first electrical contact such that the electronic device and the controls are adapted to be in electrical contact.

Claims (26)

1. A helmet comprising:

a helmet body comprising an energy-absorbing layer and an outer shell disposed over, and coupled to, the energy-absorbing layer, wherein the energy-absorbing layer comprises expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polyurethane (EPU), or expandable polyolefin (EPO);

an electronic device integrated with the helmet body;

a first electrical contact formed at an exterior of the outer shell and adapted to be in electrical communication with the electronic device;

a helmet visor coupled to the helmet body with at least one visor arm, the helmet visor comprising controls integrated within the visor; and

a second electrical contact formed at an inner surface of the at least one visor arm and positioned such that an interface between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact is formed, the second electrical contact and the first electrical contact being in electrical communication with each other through the interface, the second electrical contact being in electrical communication with the controls integrated within the visor, the second electrical contact being mateably coupled with the first electrical contact at the interface between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact such that the electronic device and the controls integrated within the visor are in electrical contact with each other through the interface.

2. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the helmet visor is releasably coupled to the helmet body.

3. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the controls integrated within the helmet visor are formed as a plurality of buttons.

4. The helmet of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of buttons collectively comprise a unitary protective cover adapted to prevent debris from contaminating the plurality of buttons.

5. The helmet of claim 3 , wherein the controls are disposed on an underside of the helmet visor at a position that is within a field of view of the helmet, such that the controls are visible by a helmet user when the helmet is worn by the helmet user.

6. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device integrated with the helmet body comprising a video recording device with a lens disposed over the outer shell.

7. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the at least one visor arm comprises a first visor arm and a second visor arm opposite the first visor arm, the first visor arm and the second visor arm being adapted to be coupled to the helmet body near an upper corner of a helmet faceport.

8. A helmet comprising:

a helmet body comprising an outer shell;

an electronic device integrated with the helmet body;

a first electrical contact formed at an exterior of the outer shell of the helmet body and adapted to be in electrical communication with the electronic device;

a helmet visor coupled to the helmet body with at least one visor arm, the helmet visor comprising controls integrated within the visor; and

a second electrical contact formed at an inner surface of the at least one visor arm and positioned such that an interface between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact is adapted to mateably couple the first electrical contact with the second electrical contact at the interface such that the electronic device and the controls integrated within the visor are in electrical contact with each other through the first electrical contact, the second electrical contact, and the interface.

9. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein the helmet visor is releasably coupled to the helmet body.

10. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein the controls integrated within the helmet visor are formed as a plurality of buttons.

11. The helmet of claim 10 , wherein the controls are disposed on an underside of the helmet visor at a position that is within a field of view of the helmet, such that the controls are visible by a helmet user when the helmet is worn by the helmet user.

12. The helmet of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of buttons collectively comprise a unitary protective cover adapted to prevent debris from contaminating the plurality of buttons.

13. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein the electronic device integrated with the helmet body comprising a video recording device with a lens disposed over the outer shell.

14. The helmet of claim 8 , further comprising:

the at least one visor arm comprising a first visor arm and a second visor arm opposite the first visor arm, the first visor arm and the second visor arm being adapted to be coupled to the helmet body near an upper corner of a helmet faceport; and

the helmet body comprising an energy-absorbing layer including at least one of expanded polypropylene, expanded polystyrene, expanded polyurethane, or expanded polyolefin.

Assignments (14)
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Sep 17, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.
To: BELL SPORTS LLC
Reel/Frame 072908/0382 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; QUIETKAT, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; REVELYST OPERATIONS LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072238/0250 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; QUIETKAT, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; REVELYST OPERATIONS LLC
To: FORTRESS CREDIT CORP., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069817/0586 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2024
From: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES, INC.; AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 069460/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF TERM LOAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; FOX HEAD, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC
Reel/Frame 066959/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2022
From: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; QUIETKAT, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061521/0747 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2021
From: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 056033/0349 →
RELEASE OF ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2021
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL CORPORATION; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC/ARMY/PPI; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC/SWRI/IRA
Reel/Frame 055796/0690 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 25, 2019
From: GACP FINANCE CO., LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC (FKA JIMMY STYKS LLC); LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 050827/0778 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2019
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC, FORMERLY KNOWN AS JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
Reel/Frame 049725/0096 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2018
From: BEE STINGER LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
To: GACP FINANCE CO., LLC
Reel/Frame 047688/0306 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 20, 2018
From: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; C PREME LIMITED LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 047609/0001 →
TERM LOAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 19, 2018
From: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; C PREME LIMITED LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 047602/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2015
From: PRITZ, BEN D.
To: BELL SPORTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036207/0405 →