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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. Combination head-protective helmet and voice communication system for
providing generally hands-free voice communication between a journeyman
and a group leader, comprising:
(a) a plurality of combination head-protective helmets and voice
communication systems, each combination including:
(i) a head-protective helmet and flexible flame retardant earflap mounted
to said helmet and extending downwardly from said helmet, said earflap for
covering and protecting at least the ears of said wearer of said helmet
from heat and flames, and said earflap including an extension portion for
being fastened under the chin of the wearer of said helmet;
(ii) a transceiver for transmitting and receiving voice communication, said
transceiver including interconnected transceiver circuitry, a speaker, a
throat microphone and an antenna;
(iii) first and second mounting means;
(iv) housing means for receiving said transceiver circuitry and said
speaker;
(v) said first mounting means for mounting said housing on said earflap to
place said speaker adjacent to and in voice communication with an ear of
the wearer of said helmet and said second mounting means for mounting said
throat microphone on said extension portion of said earflap and upon said
extension portion of said earflap being fastened under the chin of the
wearer of said helmet said microphone being placed adjacent to and in
voice communication with the throat of the wearer; and
(vi) said antenna residing within said helmet;
(b) one of said combination head-protective helmet and voice communication
systems for being worn by the journeyman and another one of said
combination head-protective helmet and voice communication systems for
being worn by the group leader;
(c) said voice communication systems for transmitting and receiving voice
communications between the journeyman and group leader on a first
frequency;
(d) said voice communication system in combination with said helmet worn by
the group leader including a switch having first and second positions;
(e) a second transceiver for being mounted on the group leader and for
transmitting and receiving voice communications on a second frequency
between the group leader and a distant voice communication station;
(f) conductor means interconnecting said second transceiver with said voice
communication system in combination with said helmet worn by the group
leader; and
(g) upon said switch being in said first position voice communication is
transmitted and received between the group leader and the journeyman on
said first frequency using said voice communication systems in combination
with the head-protective helmets worn by the journeyman and the group
leader and upon said switch being in said second position voice
communication is transmitted and received between the group leader and
said distant voice communication station on said second frequency using
said second transceiver mounted on the group leader.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein upon said switch being in
said first position for transmitting and receiving voice communication
between the group leader and the journeyman on said first frequency said
voice communication system in combination with said helmet worn by the
group leader also permitting the group leader to receive voice
communication from said distant voice communication station over said
second frequency.
3. Combination head-protective helmet and voice communication system for
providing generally hands-free voice communication between a journeyman
and another person provided with means for receiving transmit audio
signals, comprising:
a head-protective helmet for being worn by the journeyman and a flexible
flame-retardant earflap mounted to said helmet and extending downwardly
from said helmet, said earflap for covering and protecting at least the
ears of the journeyman from heat and flames, and said earflap including an
extension portion for being fastened under the chin of the journeyman;
a transceiver for transmitting and receiving voice communication, said
transceiver including interconnected transceiver circuitry, a speaker, a
throat microphone and an antenna;
first and second mounting means;
housing means for receiving said transceiver circuitry and said speaker;
said first mounting means for mounting said housing on said earflap to
place said speaker adjacent to and in voice communication with an ear of
the journeyman and said second mounting means for mounting said throat
microphone on said extension portion of said earflap and upon said
extension portion of said earflap being fastened under the chin of the
journeyman said microphone being placed adjacent to and in voice
communication with the throat of the journeyman;
said antenna residing within said helmet;
said transceiver circuitry comprising a control channel, a transmit channel
and a receive channel including an FM receiver and wherein each channel
has an input and an output, wherein said transceiver circuitry further
comprises an FM transmitter having an output, wherein said inputs of said
control channel and said transmit channel are connected in common with
said microphone, wherein said outputs of said control channel and said
transmit channel are connected to said FM transmitter, wherein said output
of said FM transmitter and said input of said receive channel are
connected in common with said antenna, wherein the output of said receive
channel is connected to said speaker, wherein upon the journeyman
transmitting voice communication to said microphone, said microphone
producing transmit audio signals communicated to said control channel and
to said transmit channel and wherein said transmit audio signals
communicated to said control channel activate said FM receiver whereby
transmit audio signals communicated to said control channel are
transmitted by said FM transmitter to and broadcast by said antenna to the
another person, and wherein said transmit audio signals transmitted by
said FM transmitter are also communicated to said FM receiver and to said
speaker permitting the journeyman to hear his voice communication
transmitted to said speaker and thereby be assured that his voice
communication system is operable, and wherein upon receive audio signals
being received by said antenna, said received audio signals are
communicated to said receive channel, to said FM receiver and to said
speaker which produces voice communication received by the journeyman.
4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein the receive channel further
includes a comparator having an output and a variable resistor, said
output of said comparator connected to said FM receiver to provide said FM
receiver with squelch control and said output of said comparator also
connected to said FM transmitter to render said FM transmitter inoperable
upon voice communication being received by said FM receiver.
5. Combination head-protective helmet and voice communication system for
providing generally hands-free voice communication between a group leader
and a journeyman provided with means for receiving audio signals,
comprising:
a head-protective helmet for being worn by the group leader and a flexible
flame-retardant earflap mounted to said helmet and extending downwardly
from said helmet, said earflap for covering and protecting at least the
ears of the group leader from heat and flames, and said earflap including
an extension portion for being fastened under the chin of the group
leader;
a transceiver for transmitting and receiving voice communication, said
transceiver including interconnected transceiver circuitry, a speaker, a
throat microphone and an antenna;
first and second mounting means;
housing means for receiving said transceiver circuitry and said speaker;
said first mounting means for mounting said housing on said earflap to
place said speaker adjacent to and in voice communication with an ear of
the group leader and said second mounting means for mounting said throat
microphone on said extension portion of said earflap and upon said
extension portion of said earflap being fastened under the chin of the
group leader said microphone being placed adjacent to and in voice
communication with the throat of the group leader;
said antenna residing within said helmet;
said transceiver circuitry comprising a control channel, a transmit channel
and a receive channel including an FM receiver and wherein each channel
has an input and an output, wherein said transceiver circuitry further
comprises a switch having a first position including a first terminal and
a second position including a second terminal and an FM transmitter having
an output, wherein said inputs of said control channel and said transmit
channel are connected in common with said microphone, wherein said output
of said control channel is connected to said switch, and wherein said
first contact and said output of said transmit channel are connected to
said FM transmitter, wherein said output of said FM transmitter and said
input of said receive channel are connected in common with said antenna,
wherein the output of said receive channel is connected to said speaker,
wherein upon said switch being in said first position and the group leader
transmitting voice communication to said microphone, said microphone
producing transmit audio signals communicated to said control channel and
to said transmit channel and wherein said transmit audio signals
communicated to said control channel activate said FM receiver whereby
transmit audio signals communicated to said control channel are
transmitted by said FM transmitter to and broadcast by said antenna to
said journeyman, and wherein said transmit audio signals transmitted by
said FM transmitter are also communicated to said FM receiver and
transmitted to said speaker permitting the group leader to hear his voice
communication transmitted to said speaker and thereby be assured that his
voice communication system is operable, and wherein upon receive audio
signals being received by said antenna, said received audio signals are
communicated to said receive channel, to said FM receiver and to said
speaker which produces voice communication received by the group leader.
6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said voice communications
transmitted and received between the group leader and the journeyman are
transmitted and received on a first frequency, and wherein said voice
communication system in combination with said helmet worn by the group
leader further comprises a second transceiver for being mounted on the
group leader and for transmitting and receiving voice communications on a
second frequency between the group leader and a distant voice
communication station, wherein said combination further comprises
conductor means interconnecting said second transceiver with said voice
communication system in combination with said helmet worn by the group
leader and wherein upon said switch being in said first position voice
communication is transmitted and received between the group leader and the
journeyman on said first frequency using said voice communication systems
in combination with the head-protective helmets worn by the group leader
and the journeyman and wherein upon said switch being in said second
position voice communication is transmitted and received between the group
leader and said distant voice communication station on said second
frequency using said second transceiver mounted on the group leader.
7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said second transceiver
includes a press to talk connection, a speaker input, a microphone input
and an internal ground connection, wherein said conductor means includes
first, second, third and fourth conductors, wherein said first conductor
connects said press to talk connection to said second terminal of said
switch, wherein said second conductor connects said speaker input to said
speaker, wherein said third conductor connects said microphone input to
said transmit channel, wherein said transceiver circuitry has a common
ground and-wherein said fourth conductor connects said internal ground
conductor to said common ground.
8. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the receive channel further
includes a comparator having an output and a variable resistor, said
output of said comparator connected to said FM receiver to provide said FM
receiver with squelch control and said output of said comparator also
connected to said FM transmitter to render said FM transmitter inoperable
upon voice communication being received by said FM receiver.
9. The combination according to claim 1, 3 or 5 wherein said extension
portion of said earflap has an inner surface and wherein said second
mounting means comprise a strap secured to said inner surface and wherein
said throat microphone is secured to said strap, and wherein said first
mounting means comprise a pocket formed in said earflap for receiving said
housing.
10. The combination according to claim 1, 3 or 5 wherein said first
mounting means comprise a pocket formed in said earflap which pocket opens
into the interior of said earflap.
11. Combination head gear and voice communication system for providing
generally hands-free voice communications between the wearer and others,
comprising:
head-protective helmet for providing head protection to the head of the
wearer of said helmet, said helmet including an external shell, an
internal impact cap for being mounted internally of said external shell, a
suspension system mounted to said internal impact cap and for suspending
said internal impact cap and said external shell above the head of said
wearer, said suspension system including a generally circular mounting
member residing in a generally circular external groove provided in said
internal impact cap and a plurality of straps residing internally of said
impact cap and connected thereto by said circular mounting member, said
straps for being engaged by the head of said wearer, said suspension
system and said internal impact cap spaced apart to provide a space
therebetween, and said impact cap provided with a recess;
transceiver means for transmitting and receiving voice communications, said
transceiver means including interconnected transceiver circuitry, an
antenna, a bone conduction microphone, and a speaker;
a battery residing in said recess and for providing energy to said
transceiver means;
an ear cup, said bone conduction microphone and said speaker mounted on
said ear cup;
said antenna residing internally of said helmet;
said transceiver circuitry mounted to the underside of said internal cap
and residing in said space between said internal cap and said suspension
system; and
a bracket mounted to said circular mounting member, a hinge pin mounted to
said bracket, and said ear cup mounted pivotally on said hinge pin, and a
torsion spring surrounding said hinge pin and spring biasing said ear cup
inwardly to cause said microphone to engage and be placed in voice
communication with a head bone of said wearer and to place said speaker in
voice communication with an ear of said wearer of said helmet.
12. The combination apparatus of claim 11 wherein said apparatus comprises
a plurality of combination headgear and communications systems as defined
by claim 11, wherein one of said combination headgear and communications
systems is for being worn by a journeyman and another one of said
combination headgear and communications systems is for being worn by a
group leader, wherein the transceiver mounted on said headgear worn by
said journeyman is for transmitting and receiving voice communications on
a first frequency and wherein said transceiver mounted on said headgear
worn by said group leader is for receiving and transmitting voice
communications on a second frequency; and wherein said apparatus further
comprises module means including a first module transceiver and a second
module transceiver, said first module transceiver for receiving and
transmitting voice communications on said first frequency and said second
module transceiver for receiving and transmitting voice communications on
said second frequency, said module means further including switching means
for automatically transferring voice communications from said journeyman
received on said first module transceiver at said first frequency to said
second module transceiver for retransmission to said group leader at said
second frequency and for transferring voice communications from said group
leader received by said second module transceiver at said second frequency
to said first module transceiver for retransmission to said journeyman at
said first frequency thereby enabling hands-free voice communications
between said journeyman and said group leader.
13. The combination according to claim 12 wherein the communications
provided by said combination are relatively short-range communications and
wherein said combination further includes a relatively long-range
transceiver for transmitting and receiving communications at a third
frequency to and from a distant communications center, said long-range
transceiver for being worn by said group leader and for being connected to
said module means, said module means including further switching means for
automatically transferring voice communications from said group leader
received by said second module transceiver at said second frequency to
said long-range transceiver for retransmission to said distant
communications center at said third frequency and for automatically
transferring voice communications from said distant communications center
received by said long-range transceiver at said third frequency to said
second module transceiver for retransmission to said group leader at said
second frequency to enable hands-free relatively long-range communications
between said group leader and said distant communications center. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the combination of a head-protective
helmet and a relatively short range voice communications system mounted
thereon for generally hands-free use by personnel in the fields, for
example, of firefighting, police, military, industrial and hazardous
material handling, wherein the environment or type of work requires
enhanced voice communications between such personnel in the immediate
area, and preferably wireless hands-free voice communications. This
invention also relates to enhanced hands-free relatively long-range voice
communications between, for example, a group leader of such personnel and
a distant communications center such as, for example, a relatively distant
fire engine or distant fire company base station or repeater.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Short-range communications in the areas noted above are normally performed
without any augmentation; however, if a facepiece or mask is required for
respiratory protection voice communication is severely hindered by the
mask. Most manufacturers of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA's)
provide a speech diaphragm in the facepiece, which typically is a thin
metal foil or plastic film which mechanically oscillates when acted upon
by the sound waves inside the mask. The effectiveness of such a speech
diaphragm in providing intelligible voice communication is generally poor.
Some manufacturers of SCBA's supply a voice amplifier which consists of a
microphone inside the facepiece or mask and an amplifier and speaker
normally worn on the front of the wearer's clothing because their size and
weight hinder mounting on the mask; the amplifier and speaker are usually
connected to the facepiece by wires. Although these improve voice
communication, they have not been popular due, apparently, to complexity
of use and cost, and because their effectiveness is reduced in noise
environments such as for example the noise environment present at a fire.
A two-way portable radio can provide long-range communication in the
described field of use. Drawbacks of the portable radio for use by all
individuals are its cost and the fact that it requires a free hand for
operation. Additionally, if relatively long-range systems were used for
conversations among many individuals, for example at the scene of a fire,
the air waves would be filled with conflicting conversations. The two-way
portable radio is practical when used by only one member of a group,
typically the group leader, in a situation where many individuals are
involved.
Hands-free operation of a two-way portable radio is made possible by use of
a voice-operated transmitter (VOX), coupled to a speaker and microphone
worn on the head, and an adapter which connects to the input and output
plugs of the radio. Systems of this type are made by the David Clark
Company, of 360 Franklin Street, Box 15054, Worcester, Mass. 01615-0054 (a
headset and microphone work under the helmet, not for use with breathing
apparatus) and Interspiro of 11 Business Park Drive, Branford, Conn. 06405
(a radio interface for use with a breathing apparatus, but not without
it). All known existing systems of this type are bulky, expensive, complex
and awkward to use because of the wires which connect the head gear to the
belt-mounted or clothing-mounted radio.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF TEE INVENTION
There are eight general objects of the present invention; these are:
(a) to provide a protective-helmet mounted relatively short-range,
multi-user voice communications network for all individuals involved in
hazardous operations such as firefighting;
(b) to mount the relatively short-range voice communications system
completely on the user's helmet where it is always available since head
protection is virtually always worn by personnel in such hazardous
operations;
(c) to provide a short-range voice communications system which does not
cause short-range individual, tactical conversations to interfere with
strategic, long-range communications;
(d) to produce a short-range voice communications system which is
completely wireless, having no connections between the helmet and any
other part of the wearer's equipment;
(e) to provide a voice communications system which is completely hands-free
allowing complete freedom of the hands for work without hindrance;
(f) to provide a voice communications system which is not hindered by noise
in the surrounding environment as is a problem with the above-noted voice
amplifier;
(g) to provide a relatively short-range voice communications system which
can be connected to a relatively long-range voice communications system in
a wireless manner;
(h) to provide wireless voice communication between the group leader and
his relatively long-range portable two-way radio on a first frequency, and
in addition to provide wireless voice communication between the group
leader and other members of the group on a different radio frequency.
Apparatus satisfying these objects and embodying the present invention may
include, in combination, a head-protective helmet and a relatively
short-range communications system mounted thereon including a transceiver
mounted on the helmet for transmitting and receiving voice communications,
an antenna connected to the transceiver and residing within the helmet, a
microphone mounted on the helmet in a position for receiving voice
communication from the wearer of the helmet, and a speaker mounted on the
helmet in a position to transmit voice commmunication to the wearer of the
helmet; such combination providing generally hands-free voice
communication between members of a group wearing such combination as well
as head protection to each group member. In a further embodiment of the
invention generally hands-free voice communications are provided between
the group leader of the members to and through a relatively long-range
portable two-way radio, e.g. the "walkie-talkie," to a relatively distant
communications center such as a fire engine or distant fire company base
station or repeater.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical illustration of the combination protective
helmet and communication system of the present invention and the function
thereof;
FIG. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of the combination protective
helmet and communication system mounted thereon of the present invention
shown worn by a firefighter;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 3--3 in
FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 4 is a side view of an ear cup showing the mounting of a speaker and
microphone included in the communication system of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a partial view illustrating the mounting of the ear cup shown in
FIGS. 2 and 4 and the manner of spring biasing the ear cup toward a head
bone, e.g. jawbone, of the wearer of the head-protective helmet to place
the microphone into communication with such head bone;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram primarily of a group leader's module of the
hands-free, or wireless, communications system of the present invention;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are circuit diagrams of circuitry contained within a portion
of the module shown in FIG. 6;
FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the combination
protective helmet and communications system mounted thereon of the present
invention;
FIG. 12 illustrates a still further alternate embodiment of the combination
protective helmet (only the ear flap thereof being shown) and
communications system mounted thereon of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a diagrammatical illustration of an alternate embodiment of the
combination protective helmet and communications system of the present
invention and the function thereof;
FIG. 14 is a view looking inwardly into a combination head-protective
helmet and flame retardant earflap provided with an alternate embodiment
of a voice communications system of the present invention;
FIG. 14A is a partial view taken generally from FIG. 14 showing a portion
of the earflap provided with a pocket for receiving a housing in which is
mounted transceiver circuitry, a speaker, and a battery;
FIG. 15 is a view in perspective of a housing in which is mounted
transceiver circuitry, a speaker, and a battery and which housing resides
in the pocket shown in FIG. 14A;
FIGS. 16 and 17 are top and side views illustrating in detail the manner of
mounting a throat microphone shown in FIG. 14;
FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram of the throat microphone, speaker and
transceiver circuitry of the voice communications system mounted on the
combination head-protective helmet and flame retardant earflap of the
journeymen shown in FIG. 13;
FIG. 19 is a diagram of the microphone, speaker, and transceiver circuitry
of the voice communications system mounted on the combination
head-protective helmet and flame retardant earflap of the group leader
shown in FIG. 13;
FIG. 20 illustrates, diagrammatically, a further alternate embodiment of
the present invention including the flexible flame retardant hood shown
therein and on which is mounted a microphone, speaker, transceiver
circuitry and antenna of a voice communications system with the hood being
in combination with a head-protective helmet of the type shown in FIGS. 2,
3 and 14;
FIGS. 21-25 illustrate, diagrammatically, a still further embodiment of the
present invention including the rigid flame retardant shroud shown in FIG.
21 on which is mounted a speaker and transceiver circuitry and which
shroud is shown in combination with a head-protective helmet in FIG. 24;
FIG. 22 is a partial view of the interior of the shroud shown in FIG. 21,
taken generally along the line B--B in FIG. 23, and showing the mounting
of the speaker; FIG. 23 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view taken
generally along the line A--A in FIG. 20; and FIG. 25 is a view in
perspective showing a cradle of straps whose lower ends are wrapped around
and connected to a generally circular resilient mounting member, and chin
straps.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated diagrammatically a combination
head-protective helmet 20 and voice communications system 22 mounted on
the helmet which combination is the first embodiment of the present
invention and which combination is for providing hands-free relatively
short-range communications (e.g. reliable range of about fifty feet),
between a plurality of journeymen 10, 11 and 12 and a group leader 14; the
journeymen and group leader may be, for example, fighting a fire inside a
building. In general it will be understood that each journeyman 10, 11 and
12 and group leader 14 is illustrated diagrammatically wearing the
combination head-protective helmet 20 and voice communications system 22
mounted thereon of the present invention. It will be further understood
that each voice communications system 22 includes, inter alia, a
transceiver (not shown), and that the transceivers mounted on the helmets
worn by the journeymen 10, 11 and 12 receive and transmit voice
communications on a first frequency f.sub.A and that the transceiver (not
shown) mounted on the helmet worn by the group leader 14 transmits and
receives voice communications on a second frequency f.sub.B for reasons
set forth below with regard to further embodiments of combinations of the
present invention.
Referring still to FIG. 1, and to a further embodiment of the present
invention illustrated diagrammatically therein, the further embodiment may
include the combination head-protective helmet 20 and communications
system 22 mounted thereon described generally above and, in further
combination, a module indicated by general numerical designation 26 which
module may be worn by the group leader 14 by being mounted, for example,
on a belt 28 worn by the group leader; the group leader 14 is also
provided with a belt antenna 35 which may be mounted on the module 26 and
connected thereto. Generally it will be understood that the module 26
includes a first module transceiver 31 for receiving and transmitting
voice communications on the first frequency f.sub.A, a second module
transceiver 32 for receiving and transmitting voice communications on the
second frequency f.sub.B, and switch 33 for automatically transferring
voice communications from one of of the journeyman 10, 11, 12 received on
the first module transceiver 31 at the first frequency f.sub.A to the
second module transceiver 32 for retransmission to the group leader 14 at
the second frequency f.sub.B, and the switch 33 is also for transferring
voice communications from the group leader 14 received by the second
module transceiver 32 at the second frequency f.sub.B to the first module
transceiver 31 for retransmission simultaneously to all of the journeymen
10, 11 and 12 at the first frequency f.sub.A to provide or enable
relatively short-range, hands-free wireless voice communications between
the journeymen 10, 11 and 12 and the group leader 14 thereby facilitating
their work activities, such as firefighting, in a wireless hands-free
manner. Relatively short range voice communications are provided at all
times between the journeymen 10, 11 and 12 by the voice communications
systems 22 mounted on their helmets 20 since the transceivers thereof all
transmit and receive on the first frequency f.sub.A.
A still further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated
diagramatically in FIG. 1, and which further embodiment includes the
above-noted first and second embodiments, and further includes a
relatively long-range transceiver 34 which may be worn by the group leader
14 by being mounted on his belt 28. It will be understood that the long
range transceiver 34 is for receiving and transmitting relatively
long-range communications at a third frequency f.sub.E to provide
relatively long-range communications between the group leader 14 and one
or more distant communications centers such as, for example, fire engine
16 and/or a distant fire company base station or repeater 18. It will be
generally understood that the long range transceiver 34 is connected to
the module means 26 to permit, once enabled as taught below, wireless,
hands-free relatively long range communications between the group leader
14 and the distant communications center. Further generally, it will be
understood that the switch 33 is for automatically transferring voice
communications from the group leader 14 received by the second module
transceiver 32 at the second frequency f.sub.B to the long-range
transceiver 34 for retransmission to the distant communications center at
the third frequency f.sub.E and for automatically transferring voice
communications from the distant communications center received by the long
range transceiver 34 at the third frequency f.sub.E to the second module
transceiver 32 for retransmission to the group leader at the second
frequency f.sub.B to enable wireless hands-free relatively long-range
communications between the group leader 14 and the distant communications
center.
Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, and particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, an
embodiment of the combination head-protective helmet 20 and communications
system 22 referred to above and shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, is shown
in greater detail with the protective helmet 20 being indicated in FIGS. 2
and 3 by general numerical designation 20. The head-protective helmet 20
may be of the type known to the art and may include a suitable external
shell 41 of the type known to the art, an internal impact cap 42 and a
suspension system indicated by general numerical designation 43 in FIG. 3
and which suspension system 43 is for being engaged by the head of a
wearer, such as for example the firefighter indicated by general numerical
designation 44 in FIG. 2, for suspending or supporting the helmet 20 on
the head of the firefighter 44. The internal impact cap 42, as may be
better understood from FIG. 5, may include rigid plastic shell 45 filled
with a suitable impact absorbing plastic foam 46. The suspension system
43, FIGS. 3 and 5, may include a generally circular mounting member 48
residing in a generally circular groove (not shown) provided in the outer
lower portion of the internal impact cap 42 and a plurality of straps,
straps 49 shown in FIG. 3, whose lower strap ends are wrapped around and
suitably connected to the generally circular mounting member 48 to connect
the straps 49 to the generally circular mounting member and thereby to the
internal impact cap 42. It will be noted from FIG. 3 that a space 51 is
provided between the inner surface of the internal impact cap 42 and the
straps 49.
It will be understood, generally, that the communications system 22
referred to above and illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1 may include a
transceiver 52, transceiver circuitry, shown in FIG. 3 residing in the
space 51 and suitably fastened to the inner surface of the internal impact
cap 42, a bone conduction microphone 54 and speaker 55 shown in FIGS. 2
and 4 as being mounted on an ear cup indicated by general numerical
designation 56 and a suitable antenna 53 residing internally of the helmet
20 between the external shell 41 and the internal impact cap 42 as may be
best understood by referring to FIG. 2.
The ear cup 56, FIGS. 4 and 5, may include a suitable rigid outer shell 57
and a suitable plastic foam ring 58 residing interiorly of and suitably
secured to the inner surface of the outer shell 57. It will be understood
generally from FIG. 3 that the ear cup 56, and thereby the microphone 54
and speaker 55, are mounted to the helmet 20, particularly the internal
impact cap 42, and spring biased, as indicated by the arrow 59 in FIG. 3,
towards the side of the face of the firefighter 44 (FIG. 2) to place the
bone conduction microphone 54 in conduction or communication with the jaw
bone of the firefighter and the speaker 55 in voice communication with the
ear of the firefighter. Such mounting and spring biasing of the ear cup 56
may be provided, as shown in FIG. 5, by the bracket 61, hinge pin 63, and
torsion spring 64. As may be noted from FIG. 5, the upper portion of the
bracket 61 is mounted to the internal impact cap 42 by having its upper
portion partially encircle the generally circular mounting member 48. The
hinge pin 63, in the manner known to the art, is encircled by the lower
portion of the bracket 61 and the upper portion of the outer shell 57 of
the ear cup 56 encircles the hinge pin 63. The torsion spring 64 also
encircles the hinge pin and engages both the bracket 61 and outer shell 57
of the ear cup 56 to bias the ear cup toward the side of the face of the
firefighter as described above and indicated by the arrow 59 in FIG. 5.
The plastic foam ring 58, FIG. 4, provides insulation and impact absorbing
mounting for the bone conduction microphone 54 and speaker 55. The bone
conduction microphone 54 and speaker 55, FIGS. 3 and 4, are suitably
connected to the transceiver 52, transceiver circuitry, (FIG. 3) by
suitable leads 66 and 67. As may be understood from FIG. 3, the
communications system 22 may further include a suitable battery 68
residing in a recess formed in the outer portion of the impact absorbing
plastic foam 46 of the internal impact cap 42; battery 68 may be suitably
connected to the transceiver 52 by leads, not shown, to provide energy to
the transceiver 52, bone conduction microphone 54 and speaker 55.
Referring now to FIG. 6, in addition to the journeymen 10, 11 and 12 and
group leader 14, and their respective combination head-protective helmets
20 and voice communications systems 22, there is illustrated
diagramatically and shown in block diagram the module 26 (shown in FIG. 1
as being mounted on the group leader's belt) and the long range
transceiver 34 and the group leader's belt antenna 35 (both shown in FIG.
1 as being mounted on the group leader's belt 18). It will be generally
understood that the module 26 includes a first module transceiver 70 for
receiving and transmitting voice communications on the first frequency
f.sub.A, a second module transceiver 72 for receiving and transmitting
voice communications on the second frequency f.sub.B and an audio
processing switching matrix squelch operated switching matrix 74.
Generally it will be understood that the audio processing switching matrix
squelch operated switching matrix 74 is for receiving voice communications
at the first frequency f.sub.A from the journe | | |
