ANSI approved rechargeable, lighted, blue tooth hardhat

Abstract

A hardhat that is rechargeable with controlled lighting and Bluetooth. The hardhat itself can be designed many ways while comprised of, but not limited to, High impact resistant plastic, Fiberglass, and or carbon fiber. The hardhat includes a sub-shell in which the front LED lights, rear LED strobe lights, blue tooth system, speakers, microphone, ear bud jack, magnetic ear bud holders, and controls for the lighting and blue tooth. The hardhat's Front LED lights have one or more lenses for selective optimal lighting. The embodiment also has an upper strobe light that works in tandem with the rear red strobe lights intermittently. The hard hat meets ANSI safety requirements. A charging device such as, but not limited to, a wireless charging station, wall mounted, integrated hat rack. Ear buds or ear muffs engineered to limit construction noise, and permit sound travel from speaker to ear. A retrofit unit comprising: a sub-shell, front LED lights, rear strobe lights, blue tooth system, speakers, ear bud jacks, magnetic ear bud holders, controls for lighting and blue tooth, top LED strobe light with High Impact Resistant Plastic. Retrofit unit also supports, and is not limited to, the engineered ear buds, ear muffs, and or the wireless charging station. The retrofit unit can be installed permanently with many popular style hard hats being used.

Claims

1. An ANSI Approved Rechargeable, Lighted, Bluetooth Hardhat comprising: A. a protective shell, said shell can consist of, but not limited to, fiberglass, carbon fiber, high impact resistant plastic, and or another substantially comparable material; B. at least, but not limited to, one set of Lithium Ion rechargeable batteries, and charging device; C. a LED strobe light at the top of the hard hat, wherein said LED strobe light has a protective high impact resistant cover over the LED and hardhat structure; D. ear buds and or ear muffs designed to limit construction noise; E. a sub-shell formed on the bottom of the hardhat, whereas said sub-shell comprises of: controls for the lighting and Bluetooth system; Bluetooth system components; front LED lights, wherein said LED lights have lenses and a reflective housing to direct light efficiently; rear red strobe LED lights, that are located only in the rear.

2. The device in claim 1 in which said Lithium Ion rechargeable batteries shall conform to each different protective shell design of the hard hat itself, wherein said rechargeable battery locations, differ from design to design, shall not be notably detected the whereabouts of the exact location from a distance until further closer observation. That each location shall be within the said protective shell or said sub-shell.

3. The device in claim 2 in which said Lithium Ion rechargeable batteries can comprise of an integrated removable battery pack configured in respect to the design of the hardhat, wherein said removable battery pack shall have a separate charging device while multiple battery packs can be utilized.

4. The device in claim 1 in which said charging device can also be wireless, said wireless charger can be a tablet set on top of desks or incorporate a hat rack and mount on the wall. Said wireless hat rack could be larger for a multiple hard hat charging station.

5. The device in claim 1 in which said sub-shell is a molded image of the said protective shell, creating impeccable cohesion, wherein said sub-shell thickness is that to which allow the integrated components comprised of; front LED lights, rear red strobe LED lights, Bluetooth components, speakers, microphone, USB charging port, ear bud holders, ear bud jacks, controls for lighting and Bluetooth system.

6. The device in claim 5 in which said ear bud holders employ magnets within a specific location which clip the ear bud in place while not in use.

7. The device in claim 5 in which said integrated components create under brim lighting and sound, whereas, lighting closer to the line of sight, and sound closer to the ears, generate superior lighting and sound quality, focusing the light and sound where needed, and remaining protected from the elements or physical damage by the said protective shell.

8. The device in claim 5 in which said integrated components are mounted with considerable distance between that of the outer edge of the said controls for lighting and Bluetooth system that solid plastic or similar materials be placed within said sub-shell, establishing an extension for precise switch depressions.

9. The device in claim 5 in which said sub-shell is flexible for ease in pushing said controls and yet firm to hold form and integrity, wherein said sub-shell can consist of but not limited to rubber, silicone, and or substantially comparable material.

10. The device in claim 8 in which said controls for lighting and Bluetooth system have an elevated surface wherein discernment between said controls can be established while wearing gloves.

11. The device in claim 10 in which said controls for lighting and Bluetooth system comprise of: an on/off switch for front LED, an on/off switch for the top and red rear strobe LED's, an on/off switch for Bluetooth system, play/pause button, forward/reverse buttons, volume controls and talk button.

12. The device in claim 1 in which said rear red strobe lights and said top strobe light work in conjunction with one another whereas a couple short strobe bursts of light from one set of strobe lights then a few short strobe bursts from the other and then repeat the cycle.

13. The device in claim 1 in which said ear buds spherical in shape uses hearing protection ear plugs with a hollowed out shaft within the center line of the axis producing a pathway for sound to travel from speakers to ear.

14. The device in claim 1 in which said ear muffs are specifically designed to attach to hard hat and plug into ear bud jacks while blocking out unwanted construction decibel noise and clear unobstructed sounds travel from speakers within.

15. A retrofit unit for retrofitting an existing hard hat to include LED lights and Bluetooth system, said retrofit unit comprising; a sub-shell that is formed to attach to other popular designed and used hardhats, wherein said sub-shell thickness is that to which allow the integrated components comprised of; Front LED lights, rear red LED strobe lights, rechargeable batteries, speakers, ear bud jack connection, magnetic ear bud holders, USB charging port, and controls for the lighting and Bluetooth system; a LED strobe light can be applied to the top of the hardhat, said LED strobe light has a protective high impact resistant cover, specifically molded for said popular designed and used hardhats, that can be installed over the LED and hardhat structure; ear buds and or ear muffs engineered to limit construction noise; and a charging device.

16. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 15 in which said front LED lights have lenses and a reflective housing to direct light efficiently.

17. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 15 in which said rechargeable batteries comprising of; at least but not limited to, one set of Lithium Ion rechargeable batteries, shall conform to each different protective shell design of the said existing hard hat itself, wherein rechargeable battery locations, differ from design to design, shall not be notably detected the whereabouts of the exact location from a distance until further closer observation. That each location shall be within the said sub-shell.

18. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 17 in which said Lithium Ion rechargeable batteries can comprise of an integrated removable battery pack configured in respect to the design of the hardhat, wherein said removable battery pack shall have a separate charging device where multiple battery packs can be utilized.

19. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 15 in which said integrated components create under brim lighting and sound, whereas, lighting closer to the line of sight, and sound closer to the ears, generate superior lighting and sound quality, focusing the light and sound where needed, and remaining protected from the elements or physical damage by the said protective shell.

20. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 15 in which said integrated components are mounted with considerable distance between that of the outer edge of the said controls for lighting and Bluetooth system that solid plastic or similar materials be placed within said sub-shell, establishing an extension for precise switch depressions.

21. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 15 in which said sub-shell is flexible for ease in pushing said controls and yet firm to hold form and integrity, wherein said sub-shell can consist of but not limited to rubber, silicone, and or substantially comparable material.

22. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 15 in which said controls for lighting and Bluetooth system have an elevated surface wherein discernment between said controls can be established while wearing gloves.

23. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 22 in which said controls for lighting and Bluetooth system comprise of: an on/off switch for front LED, an on/off switch for the top and red rear strobe LED's, an on/off switch for Bluetooth system, play/pause button, forward/reverse buttons, volume controls and talk button.

24. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 15 in which said rear red strobe lights and said top strobe light work in conjunction with one another whereas a couple short strobe bursts of light from one set of strobe lights then a few short strobe bursts from the other and then repeat the cycle.

25. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 15 in which said charging device can also be wireless, said wireless charger can be a tablet set on top of desks or incorporate a hat rack and mount on the wall. Said wireless hat rack could be larger for a multiple hard hat charging station.

26. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 15 in which said ear buds spherical in shape uses hearing protection ear plugs with a hollowed out shaft within the center line of the axis producing a pathway for sound to travel from speakers to ear.

27. The retrofit unit as defined in claim 15 in which said ear muffs are specifically designed to attach to hard hat and plug into ear bud jacks while blocking out unwanted construction decibel noise and clear unobstructed sounds travel from speakers within.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0029] NOTE: hard hats are typically worn with the front bill towards the front of the head also known as front facing forward type. There are individuals that wear the hard hat reversed so the bill is towards the back, which then is referred to a rear facing forward type. The present invention has, but is not limited to, three front LED lights; therefore how the lights and controls are integrated depict which way the hardhat is used (front facing forward or rear facing forward) . . . . Additionally among the following designs the batteries are located differently depending on shell design.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a top view of a heavy duty shell design

[0031] FIG. 2 is a side view capturing the front of a heavy duty shell design that is a rear facing forward type

[0032] FIG. 3 is a side view capturing the rear of a heavy duty shell design that is a rear facing forward type

[0033] FIG. 4 is a top view of a heavy duty shell showing internal components that is a rear facing forward type

[0034] FIG. 5 is a side view capturing the front of a full brimmed hard hat

[0035] FIG. 6 is an underside view showing the controls and internal components of a full brimmed hardhat

[0036] FIG. 7 is a side view capturing the rear of a smooth top design of a rear facing forward type

[0037] FIG. 8 is a side view capturing the front of a smooth top design of a rear facing forward type

[0038] FIG. 9 is an underside view of a smooth top design, rear facing forward, showing components within

[0039] FIG. 10 is a top view of a smooth top design

[0040] FIG. 11 is a front facing forward type with a heavy duty shell design, internal components shown

[0041] FIG. 12 is an underside view of a front facing forward type with a smooth shell design, internal components shown.

[0042] FIG. 13 is a section view of the top strobe LED

[0043] FIG. 14 is a retrofit version, components shown

[0044] FIG. 15 is a removable battery pack

[0045] FIG. 16 is a set of ear buds specially designed to block construction noise while enabling sound to travel from speaker to ear

[0046] FIG. 17 is a front view of hardhat with hearing protection ear muffs with speakers to block out construction noise but enable sound to heard from speaker

[0047] FIG. 18 is an ear plug for noise protection designed with the ability to enable sound to travel within

[0048] FIG. 19 is a wireless charging hat rack station shown with present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] For the purposes of clarity, these expressed details in the following will avoid going on tangents, clouding up the body of this disclosure of the present invention, limiting the description only to that of the present invention 30 and will not digress in each and every part of its content, since someone with the knowledge of such devices will know that clearly the present invention could limit one or more such details within the following descriptions and still keep the essence and functions of its intended purpose of this invention.

[0050] In the following detailed descriptive guidelines, someone who is familiar with manufacturing such parts and or pieces would be pleased to discover that this present invention, and all of its relevant parts, is not limited solely to that of construction protective helmets. Perhaps the sleek design that also incorporates the power source, powerful lighting and strobe lights with the sub-shell design, ear buds or even the wireless charging hat racks, could be provided in other aspects, such as but not limited to bicycle helmets, or firefighters helmets. Clearly, without any doubts, the sleek protective shell, lighting capabilities with sub-shell design could be useful. Whereas the wireless charging hat rack (FIG. 19) would be irreplaceable in a firefighters lifestyle needs. To be able to wirelessly charge your protective hat and when that emergency arises to grab your protective hat and head out to work without losing or unplugging wires or adapters. Let it be known that truly this present invention 30 and all of its content is quite adaptable in variety of ways.

[0051] The shell 25 of the hardhat is not limited to any one particular design. The three designs drawn are the heavy duty design (FIGS. 1-4 and 11), a smooth top design (FIGS. 7-10, 12, and 15), and a full brimmed hard hat design (FIGS. 5 and 6). All designs are sleek and contain the lights, batteries, and Bluetooth within its initial shape. Different shell designs have different locations for batteries, USB charging port 1, and possibly any other item necessary to maintain a structurally sound hard hat without bulky boxes or lights protruding out of the hardhat itself

[0052] The sub-shell 2 is made out of but not limited to rubber, silicone or the substantially comparable material in which its rugged shape can withstand normal jobsite abuse. The integrated components are a considerable distance from the outer edge of the sub-shell 2 that plastic pieces shaped like the controls are inserted into the said sub-shell 2. The plastic pieces or similar material act as an extension of the individual switches while elevating the surface, making the raised button symbols FIG. 9 protrude outwardly enough that an individual can feel the differences in the buttons while wearing gloves, and the sub-shell 2 has enough flexibility to permit the use of the buttons with ease. The sub-shell 2 thickness permits the capacity to house the integrated components comprised of: front LED lights 3, the rear red LED strobe lights 4, the Bluetooth system, the controls for the lighting and Bluetooth, the ear bud jack connection 8, ear bud magnetic holders 9, speakers 10.

[0053] The controls are molded within the sub-shell 2 and control the lights and blue tooth functions.

[0054] The controls (FIG. 9) for the strobe lights are a push button on/off switch 14. Strobe lights consist of, but are not limited to, two rear red strobe lights 4 and one white strobe at the top 16. Two LED strobe lights are at the rear or the hat 4, molded within the sub-shell and are in connection with the LED strobe light at the top 16. The rear strobe LED 4 make a few quick bursts of light before sequentially lighting the top LED strobe 16, which then makes a few quick bursts before starting back to the beginning of the cycle.

[0055] The front LED lights 3 have, but not limited to, three high powered LED lights. The center one has a different lens than the outside two, which creates different lighting options. The front LED push button switch 15 functions in sequence: center LED, then two outside LED's, then all three LED's, and then off position.

[0056] The Bluetooth system contained in the sub-shell 2 contains the controls, microphone, speakers 10, ear bud jack connections 8, magnetic ear bud holders 9, and blue tooth. The blue tooth has an on/off switch 5. The blue tooth can be paired with any blue tooth enabled smart phone. The controls (FIG. 9) consist of a play/pause button 19, forward/reverse button 20, volume controls 21, and a talk button for phone calls 22. The speakers 10 are defaulted unless other ear buds 11 or head phones 24 are being used. The ear buds 11 can be inserted into the jacks connectors 8 and then it will bypass the speakers 10. The ear buds 11 have a magnet within its shell to magnetically grab hold of its mate, ear bud magnetic holders 9, located in the sub-shell 2.

[0057] Ear Buds 11 are engineered to protect from high decibel construction noise while enabling sound to travel from ear bud to ear through a hollowed shaft 27 within ear buds 11.

[0058] Ear muffs 24 are from the same concept, integrated to coincide and used with the hardhat the ear muffs 24 protect from high decibel noise and permit sound at moderate levels to be heard from speakers within.

[0059] The power supply consists of, but not limited to, lithium ion rechargeable batteries 12. Some designs permit a removable battery pack 13 while others have a designated location relating to its design and can be recharged by a USB port 1, or substantially similar connection. The battery pack 13 will have a separate charger to charge one pack while another is being used. The rechargeable batteries 12 have access to be changed in the future if needed.

[0060] Charging devices can be, but not limited to, wireless. Wireless charging devices 29 whether used on a desktop or wall mounted hat racks with hooks 31 will increase productivity, cleanliness and efficiency on jobsite. The wireless charging hat rack station 29 shown with present invention 30 hanging on hooks 31 either overnight or during a jobsite meeting. (FIG. 19)

[0061] The retrofit unit (FIG. 14) is designed for popular hardhats typically being used so that the sub-shell 2 and high impact resistant plastic 26 conforms to the particular hardhat. The retrofit unit (FIG. 14) consists of the sub-shell 2 which contains; blue tooth system, controls for Bluetooth and lighting, front LED lights 3, rear red strobe lights 4, speakers 10, ear bud jack connections 8 and ear bud magnetic holders 9. Top LED strobe 16 can be installed to an existing hardhat with an integrated High impact resistant plastic 26 for each individual hard hat.

[0062] The descriptive details expressed hereby inform one who is relatively skilled and knowledgeable in such devices that one or more elements in this disclosure can be replaced by other materials or deviated from said details and still stay within its capacity and essence of this present invention.

[0063] The extent of these descriptions shall be explained only in the context of the appended claims hereby disclosing the inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.