Helmet with Anti-Fog System for Skydiving and Snow Skiing

Abstract

A multi-purpose helmet includes a lens for protecting the face of a user during an activity such as skydiving or selected winter sports. An air-intake hole is formed on the helmet, and an airflow deflector plate is positioned against the air-intake hole. Thus, the deflector plate directs air over the inside surface of the lens to prevent fog from forming on this surface during the activity.

Description

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/281,759, filed Oct. 26, 2011, which is currently pending. The contents of application Ser. No. 13/281,759 are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains generally to protective headgear. More particularly, the present invention pertains to multi-purpose helmets. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively useful as a skydiving or winter sports helmet having an air-intake for directing air into the helmet, and over the inside surface of the helmet's lens, to prevent the lens from fogging-up during an activity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a sport, skydiving is at once exhilarating and potentially dangerous. Suffice it to say, the sport of skydiving requires a “jumper” (skydiver) to be keenly aware of his/her situation at all times during a skydive. This is particularly so when many jumpers are simultaneously involved in a same skydiving event. Specifically, in such circumstances there is always the ever-present potential for a midair collision. For instance, a popular activity of experienced skydivers is to “join-up”, and hold hands during a skydive. As an aside, the present world record for such an endeavor has involved in excess of four hundred jumpers. In this particular example, and in other such events, situational awareness for each jumper is of the utmost importance. Moreover, situational awareness can be just as important when there are only a few jumpers, or even when there is but a single jumper.

It is not uncommon for skydivers to exit their aircraft at altitudes as great as 10,000 feet. For experienced jumpers with special equipment, altitudes around 20,000 ft. are quite common place. In the event, such a jump may last for only about 90 seconds. During this time, as the skydiver falls through the air, the outside air temperature may change by as much as 50° F. A consequence here is that the lenses being used to protect the eyes of a jumper during a skydiving event may become fogged-up.

With the above in mind, there are two considerations that are of paramount importance for the design of a skydiving helmet. First, it is necessary that the helmet protect both the head, and the face, of a skydiver against the possibility of a midair collision with another skydiver. Second, the helmet must be designed so that the lens is prevented from fogging up, in order for a jumper to acquire the situational awareness that is necessary for a successful skydive.

Winter sports also carry significant risks to a participant. A helmet can also be used to provide protection to a winter sports participant, such as a skier or snowboarder. Many of the same safety considerations are present in winter sports as are present in skydiving. One significant category of hazards for a winter sports participant is the objects, both man-made and natural, that often border the trails on which a participant skis or snowboards. Furthermore, collisions with other participants are quite common, as are falls due to the slippery nature of ice and compacted snow. In any of these cases, protecting the head and keeping the field of view of a participant unobstructed can greatly minimize the risk of injury.

In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a participant with the ability to have continuous situational awareness during any type of activity. Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose helmet that protects the head and face of a participant during an activity. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose helmet that is easy to use, is relatively simple to manufacture, and is comparatively cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a multi-purpose helmet is provided with a feature that prevents fog from forming on the inside surface of the helmet lens that covers the face of a user. Specifically, while the helmet and its lens encapsulate the head of a user during an activity, air is directed into the helmet through an air-intake hole. This air is then directed onto the inside surface of the lens to prevent fogging. An exhaust vent is also provided for the helmet which effectively directs this airflow from the air-intake hole over the entire inside surface of the lens.

Structurally, the multi-purpose helmet of the present invention includes a helmet body that is formed with an opening and has an inner surface and an outer surface. A rim of the helmet body borders this opening and the rim is dimensioned so that it surrounds the face of a user. Within this structure, the rim of the helmet has a forehead portion and a chin portion. Also, the chin portion of the helmet rim is formed with the air-intake hole.

A transparent lens, preferably made of a clear or tinted plastic, is provided to cover the opening of the helmet body. In detail, a pair of swivel mounts is positioned to hold the lens on the helmet body. Specifically, these swivel mounts are positioned on opposite sides of the helmet body, across the opening from each other, and they are each located between the forehead portion and the chin portion of the helmet rim. Further, each swivel mount includes a release button that selectively holds the lens in place over the opening. When simultaneously depressed, the release buttons allow the lens to be lifted from the opening to allow for access through the opening into the helmet body. As an additional feature, the lens itself is configured with a so-called called “quick release” mechanism for rapid removal and replacement of the lens on the helmet.

The quick release mechanism can take various forms. In one embodiment, the helmet body is formed with a deformable button formed with an inner spring, an annular rib that extends around the circumference of the button, and an annular notch that extends around the circumference of the button. This button deforms as the inner edge of apertures formed in the lens make initial contact with the lens. Once the lens passes over the rib, the lens is seated into the annular notch, with the inside surface of the lens contacting the helmet and the outside surface of the lens making contact with the rib. As this is occurring, the spring of the button urges the button back to its initial configuration. In an alternate embodiment, two holes can be formed onto the side of the helmet. These holes can be configured to receive a quick release pin. In either case, the quick release mechanism will not interfere with the structural integrity of the helmet body or the lens.

It is an important aspect of the present invention that, when the lens covers the opening on the helmet body, an exhaust vent is established between the forehead portion of the helmet body and the inside surface of the lens. To do this, a separation distance of approximately ⅛ inch is provided between the forehead portion of the helmet rim and the inside surface of the lens. Specifically, this separation distance establishes the exhaust vent. Importantly, the exhaust vent extends across the entire forehead portion of the helmet rim, and extends through an arc of approximately 100°. This arc is centered on the air-intake hole in the chin portion of the helmet rim.

In addition to the helmet body and the lens, the present invention also includes an airflow deflector plate that is positioned inside the helmet body against the air-intake hole. Structurally, this airflow deflector plate includes a base member that is formed with a scoop. When positioned against the air-intake hole, the scoop of the airflow deflector plate effectively divides the air-intake hole into an upper air-intake vent, and a lower air-intake vent. Functionally, while the lower air-intake vent provides breathing air for the user, it is the upper air-intake vent that provides the fog prevention feature of the present invention.

As indicated above, the airflow over the inside surface of the lens that prevents a fog-up on the lens starts at the air-intake hole and goes through the upper air-intake vent of the airflow deflector plate. From the airflow deflector plate, this air then fans out through an arc over the inside surface of the lens until it exits from the helmet through the exhaust vent. To assist with this fanning out, the airflow deflector plate includes a plurality of vanes that are mounted on the base member of the plate. Structurally, these vanes extend between the base member of the airflow deflector plate and the chin portion of the helmet body, to thereby establish a plurality of airways in the deflector plate. Further, the vanes are angled, relative to a common centerline that is defined by the deflector plate. Thus, the angled vanes establish the airflow pattern over the inside surface of the lens, as described above.

An alternate method of reducing fog can also be included for use with the present invention. This additional method of reducing fog is a heating unit that can be located on either the inner or outer surface of the helmet body. In order to heat the face shield, a plurality of resistive conducting strips are connected to the heating unit and are affixed onto the inside surface of the face shield in a manner that does not obstruct the view of the user. Alternatively, a plurality of very fine heating wires can be run through the plastic of the face shield during manufacture.

A further structural component of the helmet is a camera mount attached to the lens of the helmet. Structurally, the camera mount is constructed in two pieces, a mounting plate and a camera case. The mounting plate is affixed to the lens of the helmet with a plurality of screws, and the camera case is slidably engageable with the mounting plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a skydiving helmet in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the skydiving helmet as seen along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an air deflector plate as used for the skydiving helmet of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the helmet illustrating the camera mount and the location of the quick release mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the helmet with the lens in a raised position and the preferred embodiment of the heating unit;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional detail view along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 of the preferred embodiment of the quick release mechanism for the lens prior to insertion into the locking shaft;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional detail view along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 of the preferred embodiment of the quick release mechanism after insertion into the locking shaft;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional detail view along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 of an alternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism for the face shield;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional detail view along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 of the alternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism after insertion into the locking shaft;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional detail view along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 of an additional alternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism; and

FIG. 9 is a stand-alone view of the camera mount for use with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a skydiving helmet in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated 10. As shown, the skydiving helmet 10 includes a helmet body 12 which is formed with an opening 14, that is surrounded by a rim 16. Further, the helmet body 12 includes a forehead portion 18 and a chin portion 20 that are opposite from each other, across the opening 14. The chin portion 20 of the helmet body 12 is formed with an air-intake hole 22.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the helmet 10 is shown to include a transparent lens 24 that is covering the opening 14 of the helmet body 12. Referring for the moment to FIG. 2, it is seen that the lens 24 has an inside surface 26 and an outside surface 28. For purposes of the present invention, the transparent lens 24 may be either clear or tinted. Further, referring back to FIG. 1, it will also be seen that the lens 24 is mounted onto the helmet body 12 with a swivel mount 30. It is to be appreciated that another swivel mount 30 (not shown) is located on the other side of the helmet body 12. This other swivel mount 30 will thus be opposite and across the opening 14 from the swivel mount 30 that is shown in FIG. 1. As an added feature, the lens 24 can be positioned on the helmet body 12 using a so-called “quick connect” system. Further, as envisioned for the present invention, each of the above-mentioned swivel mounts 30 can be manipulated by a respective release button 32 to swivel the lens 24 on the helmet body 12. In particular, this swiveling occurs between a closed position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and an open position (not shown). More specifically, in the open position, the lens 24 is still supported by the swivel mounts 30, but it is lifted from the opening 14 to provide for access through the opening 14 and into the helmet 10.

An important structural aspect for the skydiving helmet 10 of the present invention is an exhaust vent 34. In FIG. 2, this exhaust vent 34 is shown to be created between the lens 24 and the forehead portion 18 of the helmet body 12 when the lens 24 is in its closed position (shown in FIG. 2). More specifically, the exhaust vent 34 will extend through an arc 36 that is centered on the air-intake hole 22. Importantly, this arc 36 will effectively overlie the nose and eyes of the skydiver (not shown). To do this, the arc 36 will preferably be about 100°.

A deflector plate 38 is shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the deflector plate 38 includes a base member 40 that is formed with a scoop 42, and the deflector plate 38 defines a centerline 44. A pair of lateral vanes 46a and 46b extend from the base member 40 to straddle the centerline 44, as do a pair of side vanes 48a and 48h. The lateral vanes 46a and 46b, as well as the side vanes 48a and 48b are all angled on the deflector plate 38 relative to the centerline 44. Together, these lateral vanes 46a and 46b and side vanes 48a and 48b are oriented to establish a plurality of airways. Specifically, a central airway 50 is established between the lateral vanes 46a and 46b. Additionally, a pair of lateral airways 52a and 52b is established by the deflector plate 38. In this case, the lateral airways 52a and 52b are each on opposite sides of the central airway 50. Structurally, lateral airway 52a is established between lateral vane 46a and side vane 48a. And, lateral airway 52b is established between lateral vane 46b and side vane 48b. Also, a side airway 54a is established on the deflector plate 38 by side vane 48a. As shown, this side airway 54a is located outside the side vane 48a and is separated from the lateral airway 52a by the side vane 48a. Similarly, a side airway 54h is established by the side vane 48b.

Returning to FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the deflector plate 38 is positioned inside the helmet body 12 and against its chin portion 20. More specifically, as so positioned, the scoop 42 of the deflector plate 38 effectively divides the air-intake hole 22 into an upper air-intake vent 56 and a lower air-intake vent 58. With this structure, breathing air is directed into the helmet 10 (see arrow 60) through the lower air-intake vent 58, for use by the skydiver. On the other hand, anti-fog air entering the helmet 10 through the upper air-intake vent 56 (see arrows 62) is directed by the deflector plate 38 against the inside surface 26 of the lens 24. As envisioned for the present invention, the anti-fog air (see arrows 62) is directed by the deflector plate 38 across the arc 36, and against the inside surface 26 for exit from the helmet 10 through the exhaust vent 34.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an overview of several components of the present invention can be shown and described. In particular, a camera mount 64 is shown affixed to the lens 24 of the helmet 10. For the present invention, the camera mount 64 is constructed with a mounting plate 66 and a camera case 68. In FIG. 4, the quick release mechanism 70 is also visible near the release button 32 on the lens 24. It should be understood that a second quick release mechanism 70 is provided on the opposite side of the helmet 10.

Now referring to FIG. 5, a side perspective view of the helmet 10 is shown with the lens 24 in its open position. In this view, a heating unit 72 is shown affixed to the helmet 10. Also, a heating wire 74 that runs on the outer surface of the helmet 10 is shown. This heating wire 74 interconnects the heating unit 72 to a conductive strip 76 that is formed onto the inside surface 26 of the lens 24. The pattern shown for the conductive strip 76 is exemplary, as any type of pattern can be used. Furthermore, a plurality of conductive strips 76 can also be used, and a plurality of heating wires 74 can also be incorporated for use with the present invention if required. In addition, in FIG. 5, the interaction of the camera mount 64 with the lens 24 is depicted. Here, it can be seen that the mounting plate 66 is slidably mountable onto the lens 24 of the helmet 10, with the lens 24 being received in a gap (not pictured) formed between an upper portion 78 and a lower portion 80 of the mounting plate 66.

Now referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a detailed view of the preferred embodiment of the quick release mechanism 70 is shown and described. As shown, the quick release mechanism 70 requires a quick release pin 82 having a first end 84 and a second end 66. In addition, a locking shaft 88 is provided on the helmet 10 that is configured to receive the pin 82. To use the pin 82 properly, an aperture 90 must be formed into the lens 24 that matches the diameter of the shaft 88. For an operation of the quick release mechanism 70, a plunger 92 on the first end 84 of the pin 82 is depressed. When this occurs, ball bearings 94a-b are disengaged and retract into the pin 82 to allow the pin 82 to be inserted through the aperture 90 in the lens 24 and into the shaft 88. Once the ball bearings 94a-b reach notches 96a-b, the ball bearings 94a-b become seated into the notches 96a-b to affix the lens 24 to the helmet 10. This engagement of the pin 82 with the shaft 88 is illustrated in FIG. 6B. It should be noted that an identical operation occurs on the opposite side of the helmet 10. It also should be noted that the use of the quick release mechanism 70 is designed to occur when the lens 24 is in its raised position.

For an alternate embodiment of the quick release mechanism 70, FIG. 7A shows an engagement of the pin 82 with a shaft 88, and a lens aperture 90. As shown in FIG. 7A, the pin 82 is the same as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, but the shaft 88 and the lens aperture 90 are formed to receive the pin 82 so that the pin 82 is flush with the outside surface 28 of the lens 24 (See FIG. 7B).

Now referring to FIG. 8, an alternate quick release mechanism 70 is shown. In this embodiment, a deformable button 98 is formed onto the helmet 10 near each release button 32. In further detail, the button 98 is formed with an internal spring 100, an annular notch 102, and an annular rib 104. For an operation of the quick release mechanism 70, as the lens 24 is pressed towards the helmet 10, the button 98 deforms to allow the lens 24 to pass over the annular rib 104. Once the outside surface 28 of the lens 24 has passed over the rib 104, the spring 100 urges the button 98 back into its original configuration. At this point, the lens 24 is secured to the helmet 10 and is seated between the notch 102 and the rib 104. To remove the lens 24, the lens 24 can be lifted off of the button 98.

Now referring to FIG. 9, a detailed view of the camera mount 64 is shown. It can be seen that the camera mount 64 comprises two pieces: a mounting plate 66 and a camera case 68. Referring first to the mounting plate 66, it is formed by the upper portion 78 and the lower portion 80. Between the upper portion 78 and the lower portion 80 of mounting plate 66, a gap 108 is formed for receiving the lens 24 during an engagement. While the lower portion 80 of mounting plate 66 is a piece of plastic formed to be positioned against the inside surface 26 of the lens 24, the upper portion 78 of mounting plate 66 is formed by a rectangular piece of plastic bounded by an extension member 110a-b at either end. One extension member 110b is formed with a hole through its center, and the other extension member 110a has a circular hole that extends only part way through the member 110a. Further, the upper portion 78 of mounting plate 66 is formed with a plurality of knuckles 112 that have a circular hole through the center of each to receive a locking shaft 114 that is inserted through connecting member 110b and the knuckles 112, and becomes seated in the hole in extension member 110a. This shaft 114 attaches the camera case 68 to the mounting plate 66. A final component of the upper portion 78 is a plurality of tightening screws 116a-b. These screws 116a-b are rubber-tipped at the end opposite the screw head. The purpose of these screws 116a-b is to tighten the upper portion 78 against the lens 24 to further secure the mounting plate 66 to the lens 24.

As intended for the present invention, the camera case 68 is manufactured to hold different camera styles and is preferably made of a clear plastic. To secure the case 68 to the mounting plate 66, a plurality of complementary knuckles 118 are formed on the underside of the case 68. These knuckles 118 are also formed with holes through their centers to allow the locking shaft 114 to be inserted through the holes when the knuckles 118 are mated with the knuckles 112 of the mounting plate 66. Regarding the knuckles 112 and 118, the number of knuckles shown is for exemplary purposes only. Any number of knuckles can be used for the present invention.

While the particular Helmet with Anti-Fog System for Skydiving and Snow Skiing as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose helmet with a fog prevention feature which comprises:

a helmet body having an inner surface and an outer surface and formed with an opening bordered by a helmet rim of the helmet body, wherein the helmet rim is dimensioned to surround the face of a user, and wherein the helmet rim has a forehead portion and a chin portion, with the chin portion being formed with an air-intake hole;

a transparent lens formed with a quick release mechanism, wherein the lens has an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein the lens is mounted on the helmet body to cover the opening, and to separate the inside surface of the lens from the forehead portion of the rim to create an exhaust vent therebetween; and

an airflow deflector plate positioned against the air-intake hole to establish an air-intake vent to direct air into the helmet and over the inside surface of the lens to prevent fog from forming on the inside surface during an activity by a user.

2. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 1 wherein the airflow deflector plate comprises:

a substantially flat base member having a first end and a second end;

a scoop formed at the first end of the base member, wherein the scoop is positioned across the air-intake hole to establish an upper air-intake vent and a lower air-intake vent; and

a plurality of vanes mounted on the base member to extend between the base member and the chin portion of the helmet body to create a plurality of airways in the upper air-intake vent for moving air from the air-intake hole and into the helmet body.

3. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 2 wherein the airflow deflector plate defines a centerline and each vane in the plurality is oriented at an angle relative to the centerline.

4. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 3 wherein the exhaust vent extends through an arc of approximately 100°, and is centered on the air-intake hole.

5. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 1 wherein the exhaust vent has a separation distance of approximately ⅛ inch between the inside surface of the lens and the forehead portion of the rim.

6. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a pair of swivel mounts positioned opposite each other on the helmet for engagement with the lens, to allow for a lifting movement of the lens away from the opening to permit access into the helmet body through the opening;

a pair of release buttons, with each release button being connected with a respective swivel mount to selectively hold the lens in place on the helmet body to surround the face of the user;

a camera mount positioned on the lens, wherein the camera mount is formed with a mounting plate affixed to the lens and a camera case slidably engageable with the mounting plate; and

a heating unit positioned on the outer surface of the helmet body for heating the lens and preventing fog, wherein the heating unit includes a plurality of resistive conducting strips formed onto the inner surface of the lens, and wherein the heating unit and the plurality of conducting strips are interconnected by a heating wire positioned on the outer surface of the helmet.

7. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 1 wherein the quick release mechanism comprises:

a pair of deformable buttons, each formed with an internal spring, wherein one button is formed onto either side of the helmet body, and wherein each button is formed with an annular rib and an annular notch for securing the lens to the helmet; and

a pair of quick release lens apertures formed onto opposing sides of the lens, wherein each aperture receives one button to secure the lens to the helmet.

8. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 1 wherein the quick release mechanism comprises:

at least two locking pins each having a first end and a second end and an outer surface, wherein the first end is formed with a depressible plunger, and wherein the second end is formed with a plurality of ball bearings, and wherein the ball bearings are moveable from a first configuration extending beyond the outer surface of the pin and a second configuration with the ball bearings retracted inside the pin, wherein the plunger is depressed to move the ball bearings between the first configuration and the second configuration;

at least two apertures formed onto the lens for receiving the locking pins; and

at least two locking shafts having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein each shaft is formed with a plurality of notches at the distal end, wherein each notch receives a ball bearing to produce a secure fit between the pin and the shaft.

9. A multi-purpose helmet with a fog prevention feature which comprises:

a helmet body having an inner surface and an outer surface and formed with an air-intake hole;

a transparent lens engageable via a quick release mechanism with the helmet body to protect the face of a user, wherein the lens has an inside surface and an outside surface;

an airflow deflector plate affixed to the helmet body for deflecting air into the helmet from the air-intake hole and for directing the deflected air against the inside surface of the lens during an activity; and

an exhaust vent created by a separation distance between the helmet body and the inside surface of the lens, wherein the exhaust vent is located across the lens and opposite the air-intake hole, and wherein the exhaust vent extends through an arc centered on the air-intake hole to draw air over the inside surface of the lens to prevent fog on the lens during the activity.

10. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 9 wherein the helmet body is formed with an opening bordered by a helmet rim of the helmet body, wherein the helmet rim is dimensioned to surround the face of a user, and wherein the helmet rim has a forehead portion and a chin portion, with the chin portion being formed with the air-intake hole.

11. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 10 wherein the airflow deflector plate is glued onto the chin portion of the helmet rim.

12. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 9 wherein the airflow deflector plate comprises:

a substantially flat base member having a first end and a second end;

a scoop formed at the first end of the base member, wherein the scoop is positioned across the air-intake hole to establish an upper air-intake vent and a lower air-intake vent; and

a plurality of vanes mounted on the base member to extend between the base member and the chin portion of the helmet body to create a plurality of airways in the upper air-intake vent for moving air from the air-intake hole and into the helmet body.

13. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 12 wherein the airflow deflector plate defines a centerline and each vane in the plurality is oriented at an angle relative to the centerline.

14. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 9 wherein the exhaust vent extends through an arc of approximately 100°.

15. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 9 wherein the separation distance is approximately ⅛ inch.

16. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 9 further comprising:

a pair of swivel mounts positioned opposite each other on the helmet for engagement with the lens, to allow for a lifting movement of the lens away from the opening to permit access into the helmet body through the opening;

a pair of release buttons, with each release button being connected with a respective swivel mount to selectively hold the lens in place on the helmet body to surround the face of the user;

a camera mount positioned on the lens, wherein the camera mount is formed with a mounting plate affixed to the lens and a camera case slidably engageable with the mounting plate; and

a heating unit positioned on the outer surface of the helmet body for heating the lens and preventing fog, wherein the heating unit includes a plurality of resistive conducting strips formed onto the inner surface of the lens, and wherein the heating unit and the plurality of conducting strips are interconnected by a heating wire positioned on the outer surface of the helmet.

17. A multi-purpose helmet as recited in claim 9 wherein the lens is made of a clear plastic material.

18. A method for manufacturing a multi-purpose helmet with a fog prevention feature which comprises the steps of:

providing a helmet body having an inner surface and an outer surface and formed with an opening bordered by a helmet rim of the helmet body, wherein the helmet rim is dimensioned to surround the face of a user, and wherein the helmet rim has a forehead portion and a chin portion, with the chin portion being formed with an air-intake hole:

mounting a transparent lens on the helmet body via a quick release mechanism, wherein the lens has an inside surface and an outside surface, and is mounted on the helmet body to cover the opening to separate the inside surface of the lens from the forehead portion of the rim and to create an exhaust vent therebetween:

attaching a heating unit to the outer surface of the helmet body for heating the lens and preventing fog, wherein the heating unit includes a plurality of resistive conducting strips formed onto the inner surface of the lens, and wherein the heating unit and the plurality of conducting strips are interconnected by a heating wire positioned on the outer surface of the helmet; and

positioning an airflow deflector plate against the air-intake hole to establish an air-intake vent to direct air into the helmet and over the inside surface of the lens, wherein the air deflector includes a substantially flat base member with a scoop formed thereon and positioned across the air-intake hole to establish an upper air-intake vent and a lower air-intake vent, and with a plurality of vanes mounted on the base member to extend between the base member and the chin portion of the helmet body to create a plurality of airways in the upper air-intake vent for moving air from the air-intake hole and into the helmet body to prevent fog from forming on the inside surface during an activity by the user.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the airflow deflector plate defines a centerline and each vane in the plurality is oriented at an angle relative to the centerline.

20. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the exhaust vent extends through an arc of approximately 100°, and is centered on the air-intake hole, and further wherein the exhaust vent has a separation distance of approximately ⅛ inch between the inside surface of the lens and the forehead portion of the rim.