US20140123373A1

US20140123373A1 - Apparatus for Use with a Helmet to Mitigate Condensation of Breath on a Visor

Info

Publication number: US20140123373A1
Application number: US13/669,264
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen Harriman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-11-05
Filing date: 2012-11-05
Publication date: 2014-05-08

Abstract

An apparatus for use with a helmet having a visor portion comprises a mouth piece portion being configured to be retainable in a mouth of a user. The mouth piece is further configured to be operable for passing a breath of the user. A telescoping duct portion is joined to the mouth piece portion. The duct portion is configured to be operable for passing the breath. A tubular portion is joined to the duct portion. The tubular portion is configured to be operable for passing the breath from the duct portion to an exterior of the helmet to mitigate condensation of the breath on an interior surface of the visor portion.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to headgear. More particularly, one or more embodiments of the invention relate to releasing vapor from headgear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that a helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head for protection from injuries. Helmets attempt to protect the user's head by absorbing mechanical energy and protecting against penetration. Helmets are often worn while riding motorcycles or high speed vehicles. Helmets often include visors for providing vision and protecting a rider's eyes.
Typically, a vapor is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical point. Vapor can build up inside the helmet when the rider is breathing.
Condensation is the change of the vapor to a liquid. One can expect that the vapor converts to condensation when the outside of the helmet is cooler than the inside of the helmet.
In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary headgear vapor exhaust assembly positioned inside an exemplary headgear, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary mouthpiece portion joined with an exemplary telescoping duct, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary headgear vapor exhaust assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.
Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.
References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.
Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of the foregoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed and additional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/or hardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method steps described in the present application that can be carried out on a computing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriately configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
There are various types of headgear vapor exhaust assemblies that may be provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the headgear vapor exhaust assembly 100 may transmit vapors from the interior portion of a headgear to an exterior portion of the headgear. In this manner, the vapors might not obstruct the view through a headgear visor portion, or cause discomfort to a user. In one embodiment of the present invention, the headgear vapor exhaust assembly may include a mouthpiece portion that is configured to be operable to position inside a user's mouth. The mouthpiece portion may be configured to receive vapors and gases from the user.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a telescoping duct may extend from the mouthpiece portion. The telescoping duct may provide a tubular extension that carries the vapors outwardly from the mouthpiece portion. The telescoping duct may extend or retract, and include an L-shaped configuration designed to minimize the utilization of space inside the headgear. A seal may create an airtight bond between the telescoping duct and the mouthpiece portion. In some embodiments, a fastener may position on the telescoping duct to join the telescoping duct with a headgear chin guard.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a tubular portion may carry the vapors from the telescoping duct in the inner portion of the headgear to the exterior portion of the headgear. The tubular portion may include a proximal end that joins with the telescoping duct. The telescoping portion may further include a distal end that extends from the headgear and disperses the vapors. In some embodiments, the tubular portion may pass through an aperture positioned in the headgear visor portion. However, in other embodiments, the tubular portion may pass through an aperture positioned in the headgear chin guard. In some embodiments, at least one tubular fastener may securely join the tubular portion to the headgear. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the headgear may be utilized while riding a motorcycle, whereby securing the tubular portion to the headgear may enhance the dispersal of the vapors from the distal end.
FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary headgear vapor exhaust assembly positioned inside an exemplary headgear, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the headgear vapor exhaust assembly 100 may transmit vapors from the interior portion 116 of the headgear 114 to the exterior portion 118 of the headgear 114. In this manner, the vapors might not obstruct the view through the headgear visor portion 120, or cause discomfort to a user. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that a user may exhale warm vapors throughout the interior of the headgear while breathing. The warm vapors may build up and condense within the interior portion of the headgear, especially when the exterior of the headgear is cooler than the interior of the headgear. Because the warm vapors do not have an exhaust or release point to disperse from the interior portion, the warm vapors may accumulate on the visor portion and hinder the user's vision. The headgear may include, without limitation, a motorcycle helmet, a racing car helmet, a crash test helmet, and a contact sport helmet. Suitable materials for the headgear may include, without limitation, fiberglass, polycarbonate plastic, plastic, silicone, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, wood, and metal.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the headgear vapor exhaust assembly may include a mouthpiece portion 102 that is configured to be operable to position inside a user 128. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece portion may position between a set of teeth in the mouth. However, in one alternative embodiment, the mouthpiece may be configured to be operable to position into any orifice of a body though apertures in clothing. The mouthpiece portion may join with the telescoping duct 104. The telescoping duct may carry the vapors outwardly from the mouthpiece portion. The telescoping duct may extend and retract, joining with the proximal end 108 of the tubular portion. In some embodiments, at least one duct fastener 134 may be positioned on the telescoping duct to join the telescoping duct with a headgear chin guard.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the tubular portion 106 may join with the telescoping duct to carry the vapors from the telescoping duct in the inner portion of the headgear to the exterior portion of the headgear. The tubular portion may position from the interior portion of the head gear to the distal end 110. The distal end may extend outwardly to the exterior portion of the headgear. In one embodiment, the distal end may emerge from the aperture 126 in the headgear chin guard 124, or the headgear visor portion. In some embodiments, at least one tubular fastener 112 may securely join the tubular portion to the headgear.
FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary mouthpiece portion joined with an exemplary telescoping duct, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the headgear vapor exhaust assembly may include a mouthpiece portion 202 that is configured to be operable to position inside a user mouth. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece portion may be rectangular and curved to fit in the mouth. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece portion may position between a set of teeth in the mouth. The mouthpiece portion may be configured to receive vapors and gases from the user. The mouthpiece portion may include a mouthpiece aperture 203 sized and dimensioned to enable vapor from the user to at least partially enter. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece may be sized and dimensioned to accommodate different users. Suitable materials for the mouthpiece portion may include, without limitation, plastic, silicone, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, wood, and metal. The mouthpiece portion may be sized and dimensioned to allow the user to breathe normally while inhaling gases and exhaling vapors. In yet another alternative embodiment, the mouthpiece portion may include various flavors, including, without limitation, strawberry, banana, chocolate, and cinnamon.
FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary headgear vapor exhaust assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the telescoping duct 304 may extend from the mouthpiece portion 302. The telescoping duct may provide a tubular extension that carries the vapors outwardly from the mouthpiece portion 302. In some embodiments, the telescoping duct may include two separate portions. A linear first portion 330 may extend a few inches from the mouthpiece portion, and a second portion 332 may extend perpendicularly from the first portion. In one embodiment, the second portion may extend and retract from the mouthpiece portion. The telescoping duct may extend or retract, and include an L-shaped configuration designed to minimize the utilization of space inside the headgear. In one alternative embodiment, a motor may attach to the telescoping duct to allow the user to remotely operate the extension and retraction of the telescoping duct. A seal may create an airtight bond between the telescoping duct and the mouthpiece portion.
In some embodiments, at least one duct fastener 334 may position on the telescoping duct to join the telescoping duct with a headgear chin guard. However, in other embodiments, the at least one duct fastener may secure the telescoping duct to any part of the interior portion of the headgear. Each duct fastener may include without limitation, hook and loop, a magnet, a strap, a button, and an adhesive.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the tubular portion 306 may carry the vapors from the telescoping duct in the inner portion of the headgear to the exterior portion of the headgear. The tubular portion may include the proximal end 308 that joins with the telescoping duct at a port. The telescoping portion may further include the distal end 310 that extends from the headgear and disperses the vapors. In some embodiments, the tubular portion may pass through an aperture positioned in the headgear visor portion. However, in other embodiments, the tubular portion may pass through an aperture positioned in the headgear chin guard. In some embodiments, at least one tubular fastener 312 may securely join the tubular portion to the headgear. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the headgear may be utilized while riding a motorcycle, whereby securing the tubular portion to the headgear enhances the dispersal of the vapors from the distal end.
The fasteners may extend along a longitudinal axis of the tubular portion to secure the tubular portion to various areas of the headgear. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the headgear may be utilized in rigorous activities including, without limitation, riding a motorcycle, riding a bull, riding a vehicle, and playing a contact sport. The tubular portion functions may be enhanced if secured to the headgear. The fasteners may include, without limitation, clips, straps, magnets, and adhesives. In some embodiments, the fasteners may join to the lower portion of the helmet shell as shown in FIG. 1.
In one alternative embodiment, the tubular portion may disperse the vapors along the longitudinal axis, and from the distal end. In yet another alternative embodiment, the headgear vapor exhaust assembly may include a cooling device for cooling the interior portion of the headgear. In yet another alternative embodiment, the tubular portion may provide a dual purpose of dispersing the vapors from the interior of the headgear, and providing a liquid beverage to the user through the mouthpiece portion.
All the features or embodiment components disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, unless expressly stated otherwise, may be replaced by alternative features or components serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose as known by those skilled in the art to achieve the same, equivalent, suitable, or similar results by such alternative feature(s) or component(s) providing a similar function by virtue of their having known suitable properties for the intended purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent, or suitable, or similar features known or knowable to those skilled in the art without requiring undue experimentation.
Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a vapor release assembly inside enclosed headgear according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the vapor release assembly inside enclosed headgear may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the vapor release assembly inside enclosed headgear, described in the foregoing, were principally directed to a tube that extends from the mouth of a rider to the outside of a helmet implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to vapor release inside any enclosed area, such as tight clothes, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.
Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for use with a helmet having a visor portion, the apparatus comprising:

a mouth piece portion being configured to be retainable in a mouth of a user, said mouth piece being further configured to be operable for passing a breath of the user;

a telescoping duct portion being joined to said mouth piece portion, said duct portion being configured to be operable for passing the breath; and

a tubular portion being joined to said duct portion, said tubular portion being configured to be operable for passing the breath from said duct portion to an exterior of the helmet to mitigate condensation of the breath on an interior surface of the visor portion.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one duct fastener being configured to be operable for joining said duct portion to an interior surface of the helmet.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one tubular fastener being configured to be operable for joining said tubular portion to the helmet.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said telescoping duct portion comprises an L-shape.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, in which said telescoping duct portion is extensible from said mouth portion.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, in which said duct portion is joinable to a chin guard.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, in which said tubular portion is joinable to a lower portion of the helmet.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising at least one additional tubular fastener being configured to be operable for joining said tubular portion to the lower portion of the helmet

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said mouth piece is further configured to be retainable between the user's teeth.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said mouth piece comprises a first portion having a generally rectangular shape that is curved to fit the user's mouth, and a second portion having a generally rectangular shape that is straight to extend from the user's mouth.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, in which said telescoping duct portion comprises a first portion having a generally rectangular shape for joining to said second portion of said mouth piece, and a second portion extending downward from said first portion and having a generally rectangular shape, closed bottom, and a port for joining to said tubular portion.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, in which said port is disposed proximate said closed bottom.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, in which said at least one duct fastener comprises a hook and loop type fastener.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, in which said at least one tubular fastener and said at least one additional tubular fastener comprise clips being configured to join to a bottom edge of the helmet.

15. An apparatus for use with a helmet having a visor portion, the apparatus comprising:

means being configured to be retainable in a mouth of a user for passing a breath of the user;

means being joined to said passing means for passing the breath downward; and

means being joined to said downward passing means for passing the breath to an exterior of the helmet to mitigate condensation of the breath on an interior surface of the visor portion.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, further comprising means being configured to be operable for joining said downward passing means to an interior surface of the helmet.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, further comprising means being configured to be operable for joining said exterior passing means to the helmet.

18. An apparatus for use with a helmet having a visor portion, the apparatus comprising:

a mouth piece portion being configured to be retained in a mouth of a user and to be operable for passing a breath of the user, said mouth piece comprising a first portion having a generally rectangular shape that is curved to fit the user's mouth, and a second portion having a generally rectangular shape that is straight to extend from the user's mouth;

a telescoping duct portion being joined to said mouth piece portion, said duct portion being configured to be operable for passing the breath, said telescoping duct portion comprising an L-shape having a first portion having a generally rectangular shape for joining to said second portion of said mouth piece, and a second portion extending downward from said first portion and having a generally rectangular shape, closed bottom, and a port disposed proximate said closed bottom;

at least one duct fastener being configured to be operable for joining said second portion of said duct portion to an interior surface of the helmet proximate a chin guard;

a tubular portion being joined to said port, said tubular portion being configured to be operable for passing the breath from said duct portion to an exterior of the helmet to mitigate condensation of the breath on an interior surface of the visor portion; and

a plurality of tubular fasteners being configured to be operable for joining said tubular portion to the helmet, said plurality of tubular fasteners comprising clips being configured to join to a bottom edge of the helmet.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, in which said telescoping duct portion is extensible from said mouth portion.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, in which said mouth piece is further configured to be retained between the user's teeth.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, in which said at least one duct fastener comprises a hook and loop type fastener.