Helmet lighting system
View Patent ↗A helmet including a lighting system integrated into said helmet, the lighting system comprising a first layer; light emitting means mounted to said first layer; controller means mounted to said first layer for controlling said light emitting means; wiring means for linking said light emitting means to said controller means; a second layer fixably attached to said first layer thereby providing an area between said first and second layer for said light emitting means, controller means, and wiring means; power means fixably attached to said second layer for powering said controller and light emitting means; and operating means functionally linked to said controller means for operating said controller means. The application also discloses lighting system contained in a shell that that can be attached to an existing helmet. This application also discloses a lighting system contained in a flexible material that can be fitted onto an existing helmet.
1. A helmet having a lighting system, comprising:
a first layer constructed of a crash resistant material;
a plurality of light emitting devices, wherein at least a portion of the light emitting devices are arranged within a plurality of strips, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices are located on each of a forward portion and a rearward portion of the helmet;
a second layer coupled to the first layer, wherein a space is provided between the first layer and the second layer that accommodates at least a portion of the plurality of light emitting devices;
a circuit board mounted to the first layer, the circuit board configured to operate the light emitting devices;
a power source configured to provide power to the light emitting devices;
wherein the circuit board is configured to operate a first portion of the light emitting devices to display a right turn signal or a second portion of the light emitting devices to display a left turn signal in response to a turn instruction signal provided by a signaling mechanism associated with a vehicle being ridden by a wearer of the helmet, wherein the circuit board is configured to operate a third portion the light emitting devices to display a stop signal in response to slowing of the vehicle ridden by a wearer of the helmet, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices further comprises a fourth portion that are not included in the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion.
2. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the signaling mechanism is a remote control.
3. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the signaling mechanism is wirelessly connected to the circuit board.
4. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the power source and the circuit board overlap with one another relative to an outer surface of the helmet.
5. The helmet of claim 4 , wherein the power source and the circuit board are located on a rear portion of the helmet.
6. The helmet of claim 5 , further comprising a compartment that houses the power source.
7. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the first layer and the second layer define a plurality of ventilation openings.
8. The helmet of claim 1 , further comprising a motion sensor.
9. A helmet having a lighting system, comprising:
a first layer constructed of a crash resistant material;
a plurality of light emitting devices;
a second layer coupled to the first layer, wherein a space is provided between the first layer and the second layer that accommodates the plurality of light emitting devices;
a circuit board mounted to the first layer, the circuit board configured to operate the light emitting devices;
a power source configured to provide power to the light emitting devices;
wherein the helmet comprises an upper portion comprising an upper shell, which forms at least a portion of the second layer, wherein the helmet further comprises a lower portion located below the upper shell, wherein the power source and the circuit board are located on a rearward-facing portion of the lower portion of the helmet in an overlapping arrangement with one another.
10. The helmet of claim 9 , further comprising a compartment that houses the power source.
11. The helmet of claim 10 , wherein the circuit board is configured to operate the light emitting devices to display a stop signal.
12. The helmet of claim 9 , wherein the first layer and the second layer define a plurality of ventilation openings.
13. The helmet of claim 9 , wherein the circuit board is configured to operate the light emitting devices to display a stop signal.
14. The helmet of claim 9 , further comprising a motion sensor.
15. A helmet having a lighting system, comprising:
a first layer constructed of a crash resistant material;
a plurality of light emitting devices, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices are located on each of a forward portion and a rearward portion of the helmet;
a second layer coupled to the first layer, wherein a space is provided between the first layer and the second layer that accommodates the plurality of light emitting devices;
a circuit board mounted to the first layer, the circuit board configured to operate the light emitting devices;
a power source configured to provide power to the light emitting devices, wherein the helmet comprises an upper portion comprising an upper shell, which forms at least a portion of the second layer, wherein the helmet further comprises a lower portion located below the upper shell, wherein the power source and the circuit board are located on a rearward-facing portion of the lower portion of the helmet in an overlapping arrangement with one another;
a motion sensor configured to detect movement of the helmet;
wherein the circuit board is configured to operate the light emitting devices to display a stop signal in response to slowing of a vehicle ridden by a wearer of the helmet.
16. The helmet of claim 15 , further comprising a remote control wirelessly connected to the circuit board.
17. The helmet of claim 16 , wherein the remote control is configured to send an instruction signal to operate the light emitting devices.
18. The helmet of claim 17 , wherein the instruction signal is configured to instruct the light emitting devices to display a turn signal.
19. The helmet of claim 15 , wherein the power source and the circuit board are located on a rear portion of the helmet.
20. The helmet of claim 19 , further comprising a compartment that houses the power source.
21. The helmet of claim 15 , wherein the first layer and the second layer define a plurality of ventilation openings.
22. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the fourth portion of the plurality of light emitting devices are located on the forward portion of the helmet.
23. The helmet of claim 22 , wherein one or more of the plurality of strips extend in a forward-rearward direction of the helmet.
24. The helmet of claim 23 , wherein a portion of the plurality of light emitting devices are located on each of an upper portion and a lower portion of the helmet.
25. The helmet of claim 24 , wherein the upper portion comprises an upper shell, which forms at least a portion of the second layer, wherein the helmet further comprises a lower portion located below the upper shell.
26. The helmet of claim 25 , further comprising a lower shell, which forms at least a portion of the second layer.