Safety helmet to be used by a person in low light conditions and monitoring procedure associated

Abstract

A safety helmet to be used by a person in low light conditions, includes: a cap, to cover the person's head; a wing, which surrounds the entire perimeter of the bottom of the cap; and a visor, which corresponds to a projection of the wing on the front of the cap. The cap also includes a belt, which surrounds the perimeter of the lower part of the cap, over the wing and the visor, which in turn includes at least one front lighting module; at least one rear lighting module; at least two side lighting modules, arranged on each side of the rear lighting module; at least one accelerometer; at least one controller element, which controls the operation of the front, rear and side lighting modules and the accelerometer; and at least one button to control the operation of the front, rear and side lighting modules.

Claims

1. A helmet to be used by a person in low light conditions, which allows detecting and alerting automatically in real time accidents and situations of alert and/or emergency, wherein the helmet comprises: a cap, to cover the person's head; a wing, which surrounds an entire perimeter of a bottom of the cap; and a visor, which corresponds to a projection of the wing on a front of the cap; wherein the cap also comprises a belt which in turn comprises: at least one front lighting module; at least two side lighting modules, arranged on each side of the front lighting module; at least one accelerometer; a controller element, configured to control an operation of the front and side lighting modules and the accelerometer; and at least one button configured to facilitate control, by the person, of the operation of the front and side lighting modules; wherein the belt surrounds the entire perimeter of the bottom of the cap, over the wing and the visor; wherein the belt further comprises at least one rear lighting module, which comprises at least two additional side lighting modules arranged on each side of the rear lighting module; wherein the controller element is further configured to control an operation of the rear lighting module and the additional side lighting modules; wherein the at least one button is further configured to facilitate controlling, by the person, of the operation of the rear lighting module and the additional side lighting modules; and wherein the belt further comprises an audible alarm, which is activated when the accelerometer detects an impact or hit by the helmet against a surface.

2. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the cap and the belt are arranged as one single piece of two layers of material.

3. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the front, rear and side lighting modules illuminate through LED, incandescent, fluorescent bulbs, a combination of them or through any type of bulb providing illumination; wherein the the front, rear and side lighting modules are of the same color or of different colors; and wherein the front and rear lighting modules, in conjunction with the side lighting modules, provide a 360 illumination range.

4. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the front, rear and side lighting modules, the accelerometer, the controller element and the at least one button are airtight, waterproof and modular components, capable of being arranged in or removed from the helmet independently.

5. The helmet according claim 1, wherein the helmet also comprises a data storage element configured to store data concerning an operation of the helmet or obtained through the controller element and/or the accelerometer; wherein the data storage element is an airtight, waterproof and modular component, capable of being arranged in or removed from the helmet independently.

6. The helmet according to claim 5, wherein it further comprises an energy storage element configured to energize the front, rear and side lighting modules, the controller element, the accelerometer and the data storage element; wherein the energy storage element is an airtight, waterproof and modular component, capable of being arranged in or removed from the helmet independently.

7. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein the audible alarm is arranged in the rear lighting module; wherein the audible alarm is configured to be operated independently or in combination with one or more of the front, rear or side lighting modules; wherein the controller element and the at least one button are configured to control and operate, by the person, the function of the audible alarm respectively; wherein the energy storage element and the data storage element are configured to energize the audible alarm and store information concerning its operation respectively; and wherein the audible alarm is an airtight, waterproof and modular component, capable of being arranged in or removed from the helmet independently.

8. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein it also comprises a location-tracking element configured to establish the exact location of the helmet's user; wherein the controller element is configured to control an operation of the location-tracking element; wherein the energy storage element and the data storage element are configured to energize the location-tracking element and store information concerning its operation respectively; and wherein the location tracking element is an airtight, waterproof and modular component, capable of being arranged in or removed from the helmet independently.

9. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein the helmet additionally comprises at least one sensor capable of measuring a physical variable in relation to the helmet or to its environment; wherein the controller element controls an operation of the at least one sensor; wherein the energy storage element and the data storage element are configured to energize the at least one sensor and store information concerning operation thereof respectively; and wherein the at least one sensor is airtight, waterproof and modular, capable of being arranged in or removed from the helmet independently.

10. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein the helmet additionally comprises an input port configured to facilitate a connection of additional external devices or sensors to the helmet; wherein the controller element is configured to control an operation of the input port; wherein the energy storage element and the data storage element are configured to energize the input port and store information concerning its operation respectively; wherein the input port is an airtight, waterproof and modular component, capable of being arranged in or removed from the helmet independently; wherein the input port is a port capable of receiving any device or sensor using Plug and Play (PnP) means for its connection or other type of connection means allowing interaction between two devices; wherein the input port is arranged in the rear lighting module; and wherein the data storage element stores data obtained through devices and/or sensors connected to it by means of the input port.

11. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the cap has a harness on an inner part which allows it to be molded and adjusted to a shape of the user's head by means of an adjustment mechanism; wherein the harness comprises a sweatband and a neck cover; wherein the cap also includes a chinstrap, placed on sides of the cap, on a lower part of wing; and wherein the cap also comprises two hooks, placed on the sides of the cap, on the belt, to insert safety earmuffs.

12. A procedure to control a helmet by a person, according to claim 1, which allows detecting and alerting automatically in real time accidents and situations of alert and/or emergency, wherein the procedure comprises the following modes of operation by manipulating the at least one button on the helmet: a) from a state of non-operation or turning off of the helmet, by holding down the at least one button for a period of time, turning on lights at their maximum intensity in the front, rear and side lighting modules of the helmet; b) from the mode described in a), by holding down the at least one button for a period of time, or in case an energy level in an energy storage element is reduced, keeping the lights on at their maximum intensity in the front and rear lighting modules and decreasing the intensity of the lights in the side lighting modules; c) from the mode described in b), by holding down the at least one button for a period of time, returning to the mode described in a); d) from the mode described in a) or b), by pressing the at least one button a number of times, switch off the lights on the side lighting modules, keeping the lights on at their maximum intensity on the rear lighting module and keeping the lights on at their maximum intensity on the front lighting module for a period of time, and then switch them off for the same period of time, repeating this cycle for a set time, and then returning to mode a) or b); e) from the mode described in a), b) or d), by pressing the at least one button a number of times or in case the accelerometer detects an impact, keeping the lights on at their maximum intensity on the front lighting module in one color, keeping the lights on at their maximum intensity on the rear lighting modules and the side lighting modules in a different color from those of the front lighting module, and turn on the audible alarm periodically; f) from the mode described in e), by pressing the at least one button a number of times, return to the mode described in a); g) from mode a), b) or e), in case the energy level in the energy storage element is reduced and lower than in the mode described in b), keeping the lights on at their maximum intensity in the front and rear modules, turning them off and on again immediately and periodically, in conjunction with the audible alarm, and keeping the lights on the side lighting modules off; h) from mode a), b), d), e) or g), by keeping the at least one button pressed for a period of time, turning off the lights of the front, rear and side lighting modules and the audible alarm if it is on.

13. The procedure to control a helmet according to claim 12, wherein in mode a), the period of time is in a range from 0 to 10 seconds, preferably in a range from 2 to 4 seconds.

14. The procedure to control a helmet according toclaim 12, wherein in mode b), the period of time is in a range from 0 to 10 seconds, preferably in a range from 1 to 3 seconds; wherein in mode b), a level of energy remaining in the energy storage element allows an operation, according to embodiment a), in a range between 30 minutes and 5 hours, preferably in a range between 1 and 3 hours; and wherein in mode b), an intensity of the lights in the side lighting modules decreases by a percentage in a range between 20% and 80%, preferably between 40% and 60%.

15. The procedure to control a helmet according to claim 12, wherein in mode c), the period of time is in a range between 0 and 10 seconds, preferably in a range between 1 and 3 seconds.

16. The procedure to control a helmet according to claim 12, wherein in mode d), the period of time is in a range between 0 to 10 seconds, preferably in a range between 1 and 3 seconds; wherein the set time in which mode d) is performed is in a range between 0 and 60 seconds, preferably in a range between 5 and 15 seconds.

17. The procedure to control a helmet according toclaim 12, wherein in mode e), the number of times the at least one button is pressed is in a range between 1 and 10 times, preferably in a range between 2 and 4 times; wherein in mode e), a period of time in which the audible alarm is turned on is in a range between 0 and 30 seconds, preferably in a range between 4 and 10 seconds.

18. The procedure to control a helmet according toclaim 12, wherein in mode f), the number of times the at least one button is pressed is in a range between 1 and 10 times, preferably in a range between 2 and 4 times.

19. The procedure to control a helmet according to claim 12, wherein in mode g), a level of energy remaining in the energy storage element allows an operation, according to embodiment a), between 1 minute and 2 hours, preferably in a range between 10 and 30 minutes; wherein in mode g), a period of time in which the lights of the front and rear lighting modules are switched off and on again, in conjunction with the audible alarm is in a range between 0 and 30 seconds, preferably in a range between 5 and 15 seconds.

20. The procedure to control a helmet according toclaim 12, wherein in mode h), the period of time is in a range between 0 and 20 seconds, preferably in a range between 3 and 10 seconds.

21. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the belt is arranged as one removable-by-pressure piece from the cap.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the helmet of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the helmet of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the helmet of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the helmet of the present invention

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the helmet of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the helmet belt of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 illustrates in detail the front lighting module and its components.

(8) FIG. 8 illustrates in detail the rear lighting module and its components.

(9) FIG. 9 illustrates in detail the controller element and its components.

(10) FIG. 10 illustrates the operation of the audible alarm of the helmet of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 11 illustrates a user making use of the helmet of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 12 illustrates a user in an emergency situation and the behavior of the helmet of the present invention in such situation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(13) According to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the present invention consists of a helmet (1), which consists of a cap (10) of rigid material, such as some type of plastic, with a smooth finish of hemispherical shape and formed by two layers. From the lower part of the cap (10), a section is projected around the entire perimeter of the helmet forming a wing (11), whose width is enlarged in the frontal area of the helmet, to form a visor (12).

(14) In the front area and on the visor (12), the helmet (1) includes a front protrusion or front lighting module (21), formed by the closure of the two layers, which protrudes from the surface of the cap (10) and extending towards the upper vertex of the helmet (1). On the front of the cap (10) and on each side of the front lighting module (21) there are two elongated projections that form lateral lighting modules (25), which extend diagonally towards the rear face of the helmet.

(15) In the same way, in the rear area of the helmet (1), on the wing (11), there is a rear lighting module (22) consisting of a ledge with two openings or stripes, through which the light passes, which can be of different colors, preferably red, in order to alert the helmet wearer's environment that he is on his back. This ledge extends across the whole width of the back of the helmet (1), and comprises, like the front lighting module (21), a side lighting module (25) on each side. The set formed by all the lighting modules (21, 22, 25) form a belt (20) which keeps them communicated. This belt (20) can be an integral part of the helmet (1), as mentioned above, or be a detachable part of the helmet (1).

(16) FIGS. 4 and 5 show other elements of the helmet (1) such as a harness (13) to cushion the wearer's head so that it is not in direct contact with the cap (10). This harness (13) is adjusted by means of an adjustment mechanism (14), such as a screwed or elastic mechanism, or by means of snaps or velcro, or by any other mechanism allowing the harness to be adjusted firmly and comfortably to the user's head, and it having a neck cover (15) on its rear part for greater comfort for the user. The helmet (1) also has hooks (17), arranged on the sides of the cap (10), which serve to place safety earmuffs (16), to protect the user from possible noise in the place of operation.

(17) According to FIG. 6, an exploded view of the belt (20) can be seen, where both the front and rear lighting modules (21, 22) and the side lighting modules (25), formed by the layers that make up the helmet (1), consist of hollow ledges with a border around their entire perimeter and a transparent material in the center, such as transparent acrylic that covers and at the same time keeps isolated from the environment a panel of lights, such as LED lights distributed along the lighting modules (21, 22, 25). This material, in preferred configurations can be opaque, diffused or of any degree of translucency, according to the needs of the user.

(18) In addition, it can be seen that the lights of the side lighting modules (25) are provided by two strips (29), which are located on the sides of the belt (20). On the other hand, the front and rear lighting modules (21, 22) have independent lights, which are arranged inside each of them, where the rear lighting module (22) also includes the controller element (23).

(19) FIGS. 6 and 7 show in detail the front and rear lighting modules (21, 22), as well as the location of their components. The front lighting module (21) consists of an oval wall ledge configured to house a high intensity spotlight, which is activated by the button (24) on the top of the module, which is also responsible for activating the different operating modes of the helmet (1). The light beam emitted by the spotlight is projected through a recessed opening located in the central part of the front lighting module, which has a transparent surface and an element to allow the focus and direction of the beam of light, which can be a magnifying glass, a prism or any other element that allows a light beam to be directed. According to the embodiment illustrated, this recess has an octagonal shape, where the frontal lighting module (21) is integrated to the belt (20), as shown in the previous figures. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the front lighting module (21) is connected to the belt (20) in a removable manner. For this purpose, the belt (20) includes in its front part a means of attachment, in which the front lighting module (21) is arranged under pressure.

(20) The edges of the front lighting module (21) are shaped to match the profile of the central ledge of the cap (10) and the visor (12). In addition, the upper part of the rear face of the front lighting module (21) has a rear attachment which allows the front lighting module (21) to be attached to the front attachment of the helmet. To do this, the rear attachment consists of a pair of parallel L-shaped rear rails in opposite configuration to a pair of front rails on the front ledge and a rectangular section rear connector ledge located between and perpendicular to the rear rails.

(21) The configuration described above allows the connection of the front lighting module (21) to the front ledge of the helmet (1), by attaching and sliding the rear rails of the front module to the front rails of the front ledge, ensuring this connection by means of the hook between the front connector ledge and the rear connector ledge. This ensures that both elements are firmly fixed to each other, while providing a watertight joint between the edges of the front lighting module (21) with the front face of the cap (10) and with the top face of the visor (12), to protect the elements located inside the front lighting module (21).

(22) By means of the reverse operation it is also possible to disconnect the front lighting module (21) from the front ledge for maintenance and replacement of the lighting elements.

(23) In relation to the rear lighting module (22), in FIG. 8 it can be seen that it has a similar construction to the front lighting module (21), with the difference that it has two lighting strips inside, preferably arranged with red lights, located in such a way that the light beams pass through the openings arranged in the rear module without any problem. In addition, the rear lighting module (22) houses the controller element (23), which has a plurality of components and allow the execution of the actions corresponding to each of the operating modes of the helmet (1).

(24) In addition, the exterior housing of the rear lighting module (22) has two slots through which the light from the spotlight passes, which, in its preferred configuration corresponds to a red light, to indicate that the user of the helmet (1) is on his back.

(25) On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows in detail the controller element (23), which has the ability to operate a plurality of helmet (1) components, such as the audible alarm (26), the input port (27) and the microcontroller (28). In relation to the input port (27), it has the function of being able to connect to the helmet (1) any kind of external device or apparatus, which can perform some additional function to those it normally performs, and also serves to connect a data processing device, such as a computer, to rescue and analyze all the information stored by the data storage element, for further analysis.

(26) The controller element (23) can also contain various sensors, which allow measurements to be made of parameters of importance in the tasks performed by the helmet (1) user, information that can be stored by the data storage element.

(27) FIG. 10 shows in detail the back of the helmet (1), where the waves drawn simulate the sound waves emitted by the audible alarm (26), which is arranged inside the rear lighting module (22).

(28) In relation to the degree of protection that the different components of the helmet have, such as the front, rear and side lighting modules (21, 22, 25), the accelerometer, the controller element (23), the button (24), the data storage element, the energy storage element, the audible alarm (26), the tracking element, the input port (27), as well as the different sensors for measuring physical variables, each one of them corresponds to elements of tight and watertight nature, offering this way a high degree of safety to the user of the helmet, since the possibilities of entry of dust, water or any component from the environment to some of the mentioned elements are reduced to the minimum, preventing this way any risk of fault in the helmet or of electrocution in the user.

(29) These characteristics in terms of tightness and waterproofing are achieved preferably through a system of seals, easily placed and minimally invasive for the elements to be protected.

(30) Additionally, FIG. 11 shows the user using the helmet (1) and bringing his hand towards the button (24) to configure the helmet (1) in one of its modes of operation.

(31) Finally, FIG. 12 shows a user who has suffered an accident, a situation that the helmet (1) is able to detect thanks to an accelerometer (not shown in the figures, but located in the controller element (23)). When the accelerometer detects a crash or hit by the helmet (1) against a surface, it actuates an emergency mode, which activates the audible alarm (26), as well as all the helmet lights arranged in the lighting modules (21, 22, 25), in the color configured by the employer for emergency situations. In addition, it is possible to locate the user's location by means of a tracking element (not shown in the figures), such as a GPS or any other element that makes it possible to determine the position of an object or person, also arranged in the controller element (23).

NUMERICAL REFERENCES

(32) 1 Safety helmet 10 Cap 11 Wing 12 Visor 13 Harness 14 Adjustment mechanism 15 Neck cover 16 Safety Earmuffs 20 Belt 21 Front Lighting Module 22 Rear light module 23 Controller element 24 Button 25 Lateral Lighting Module 26 Audible alarm 27 Input port 28 Microcontroller