Connection assembly for adjoining a peripheral with a host wearable device
A connection assembly for adjoining a peripheral with a host wearable device. Embodiment of the assembly can be a hardhat with an accessory connection slot allowing for both mechanical and electrical attachment of various accessories such as earphones, video display, headlamp, welder's face shield.
1. A connection assembly for adjoining a peripheral with a host wearable device, said connection assembly comprising:
a housing secured to the host wearable device, said housing including a receptacle defining an aperture having a periphery for a portion of the peripheral to extend through said aperture, said receptacle including a side wall extending around the entire periphery of said aperture; and
an electrical contact extending through said housing into a portion of the host wearable device.
2. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a bias surface disposed along a portion of said housing to secure the peripheral to said housing.
3. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a second contact extends through a portion of the host wearable device and said receptacle to provide power to the peripheral.
4. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes an open end allowing access to said electrical contact.
5. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes a bias surface forcing a portion of the peripheral into contact with said electrical contact maintaining a closed circuit between said electrical contact and the peripheral as long as the peripheral within said receptacle.
6. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said bias surface extends at an angle with respect to said electrical contact.
7. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said electrical contact is a data interface.
8. A connection assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second contact is a power interface.
9. A hard hat assembly comprising:
a base ring encircling a head of a user;
a covering extending up from the base ring to cover and protect the head;
a connector for adjoining a peripheral to said hard hat assembly, said connector including a housing secured to said base ring, said housing defining a receptacle having four side walls that create an aperture and a bias surface disposed within said aperture for locking the peripheral to said receptacle; and
an electrical contact extending through a portion of said hard hat assembly.
10. A hard hat assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts allowing for multiple peripherals to be secured thereto.
11. A hard hat assembly as set forth in claim 10 including a control unit for controlling the plurality of peripherals secured to said hard hat assembly.