IP Library Granted Patent US 10,806,204
Granted Patent B2
US 10,806,204 · App. 15/945,583 · Granted Oct 20, 2020

Helmet with integrated electronics and helmet visor controls

Inventor: Ben D. Pritz (Santa Cruz, CA)
Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.
A42B3/227A42B3/22A42B3/042
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,806,204
App. No.
15/945,583
Granted
Oct 20, 2020
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 (24)

1. A helmet comprising:

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

a helmet visor coupled to the helmet body with at least one visor arm;

an electronic device integrated with the helmet body and comprising electrical contacts adapted to be in electrical communication with the electronic device and accessible from an exterior of the outer shell; and

electronic controls integrated with the helmet visor and comprising electrical contacts adapted to be in electrical communication with the electronic controls and the electronic controls located on at least one visor arm of the helmet visor;

wherein the electrical contacts of the helmet visor are adapted to couple with the electrical contacts of the helmet body by the helmet visor coupling to the helmet body through the at least one visor arm such that the electronic device and the electronic controls are in electrical contact with each other through coupling the electrical contacts of the helmet body with the electrical contacts of the helmet visor.

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 with the helmet visor are formed as a plurality of buttons.

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

5. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the electronic 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 adjacent 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 each being adapted to be coupled to the helmet body near opposing upper corners of a helmet faceport.

8. A helmet comprising:

a helmet body comprising an outer shell;

an electronic device integrated with the helmet body, and comprising a first electrical contact formed at an exterior of the outer shell and in electrically conductive communication with the electronic device;

a helmet visor coupled to the helmet body with at least one visor arm;

visor controls integrated with the helmet visor, and comprising a second electrical contact formed on the at least one visor arm of the helmet visor and in electrically conductive communication with the visor controls;

wherein coupling the helmet visor to the helmet body conductively engages the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact such that the visor controls are adapted to be in electrical communication with the electronic device.

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 visor controls integrated with the helmet visor are formed as a plurality of buttons.

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

12. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein the visor 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 visor controls are visible by a helmet user when the helmet is worn by the helmet user.

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

14. The helmet of claim 8 , 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 respective opposing upper corners of a helmet faceport of the helmet.

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 Apr 4, 2018
From: PRITZ, BEN D.
To: BELL SPORTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 045439/0360 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 14812135 · Jul 29, 2015
Provisional Application 62031536 · Jul 31, 2014
Related Publication 20180227468A1 · Aug 9, 2018
Cited By (1)
US 12,290,129