Hat Patents (Class 362/106)
  • Patent number: 5680718
    Abstract: The front end of a body portion on a hat (e.g. cap) may be continuous and the rear end may have separable sections. The hat may have a visor to form a cap defined by two (2) cloth layers separated by a backing member (e.g. cardboard). The backing member and the visor lower layer may have matching apertures to receive a module defined by a container and a cover pivotable on the container between open and closed positions. A switch, a battery and a printed circuit board may be disposed in the container. The switch may be manually closed, with the container closed, to energize electrical circuitry on the board. Such energizing may illuminate a member (e.g. LED) preferably disposed on the body portion and optically coupled to a display member to illuminate an individual design on the display member. The display member may be attached to the continuous front external surface of the body portion. Alternatively, the hat may have a band on the internal surface of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: First Choice Trading Limited
    Inventors: William R. Ratcliffe, William Blake Ratcliffe, Erik Loose
  • Patent number: 5676449
    Abstract: A head covering and lamp system comprising a head covering having a central section formed as a strip of fabric with a pocket formed therein. The head covering has a rear section formed with two strips to allow for the positioning on a wearer's head. The head covering also has a relatively stiff forward section constituting a bill extending forwardly for shielding purposes. A lamp has a housing with a forward end and a rearward end including a bulb to project light. A bracket assembly is provided for coupling the lamp to the head covering comprising an interior member formed generally in the shape of a C with upwardly directed free ends and axially aligned cylindrical first members with bearing plates radially disposed teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lee Newsome
  • Patent number: 5667292
    Abstract: A portable light that is hands-free, out of the way, adjustable, and automatically directed to the user's line of sight by virtue of his head movement. This is accomplished by taking a topless hat, commonly known as the visor, and building around it to form a portable light that is worn on the head. Said visor would have battery casing molded at the base of the brim closest to the forehead to minimize the downward pull of the battery's weight. The bulb assembly housing unit is attached to the front of the brim by means to allow pivotal movement thus allowing for the light to he directed forward or downward, or at any angle in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: Valentin C. Sabalvaro, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5667294
    Abstract: A strip sport light including a center strip and two arm strips with multiple electrical light sources for illumination and blinking. Each arm strip has one or more distributed electrical energy sources each enclosed in an aerodynamic housing, and multiple electrical light sources distributed along the length of the arm strip. The center strip contains an electronic printed circuit board, a three-step push button switch, and multiple electrical light sources. The strip sport light may be mounted on a bicycle helmet or worn on a user's head or waist for enhanced safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: Robin Lo
  • Patent number: 5664868
    Abstract: A helmet rigid flashlight bracket that is replaceably and securingly attachable to a portion of a brim of a helmet that is wearable by a user and replaceably and securingly receives a flashlight of a variety of different flashlights each of which has a handle portion and a light emitting portion that emits a light beam that points substantially at eye level in a forward direction of the user that includes a face plate, flashlight maintaining apparatus, a substantially C-shaped channel, and face plate clamping apparatus. The face plate has a lower portion. The flashlight maintaining apparatus is disposed on the face plate and replaceably and securingly maintains the handle portion of the flashlight of the variety of different flashlights to the face plate. The substantially C-shaped channel is disposed on the lower portion of the face plate in an orientation so as to be parallel to the light beam that emits from the light emitting portion of the flashlight of the variety of different flashlights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventors: David Montalbano, Michael Goldman
  • Patent number: 5660460
    Abstract: A portable lighting system of the type attachable to an article of clothing of a user is provided. The lighting system includes: a housing attachable to an article of clothing of a user having a light source mounted within a reflector for projecting a light beam; a focusing assembly mounted within the housing and connected to the reflector for allowing the user to focus the projected light beam to a desired sharpness; a battery pack attachable to an article of clothing of a user containing a plurality of battery sets; a power cord in connection between the battery pack and the light source; and a switch electrically connected between the battery sets and the light source for allowing the user to separately, select any one of the battery sets to power the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Inventor: Edward Stephen McLeod, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5658065
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a flashlight holder for protective helmets, hardhats or the like comprising a carrier element adapted to accommodate within its inner walls a standard flashlight, an adjustment means connected to the carrier element and provided to adjust the carrier holding the flashlight in the position required by the protective helmet wearer. A mounting adaptor means is connected to the carrier element by the adjustment means and provided to releasably attach the holder to the protective helmet. The holder is attached to the side of the helmet and adjustment means are located at the lower extremity of the carrier element. Those adjustment mean comprises a swivel ball-socket arrangement. Another embodiment comprises a carrier integrally connected to an outer wall or casing of the flashlight element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventor: Jim Jamieson
  • Patent number: 5608919
    Abstract: A web type mounting pad for a mini-flashlight is removably secured to a helmet with elastic straps having hooks that clip to the helmet rim. In one embodiment three straps (two long one short) secure the mounting pad. In another embodiment a slidable mounting pad slides on one or more elastic straps. In another embodiment a snap on Velcro band holds a removable Velcro mounting pad, and a tether secures the hand held flashlight to the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Richard N. Case
  • Patent number: 5588736
    Abstract: A self-lighted safety helmet, comprising a helmet body with a phosphorescent outer shell member; and a radiation source providing radiation to the outer shell capable of inducing phosphorescence of the outer shell, to project luminescence from the helmet to increase helmet visibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Raymond E. Shea, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5570946
    Abstract: A protective headwear such as a helmet or hard hat includes a hard outer layer to which is attached a thin lighting element such as an electro-luminescent or photoluminescent element. The super-thin lighting element may be positioned inside the outer layer so as to be protected thereby, the outer layer being provided with an opening or window through which the lighting element is visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventor: Tseng L. Chien
  • Patent number: 5567039
    Abstract: A baseball type cap for holding a pair of flashlights. The cap having a crown portion and a forwardly extending bill. The cap having flashlight attachment means secured to each side of the crown portion of the cap; whereby, the flashlight attachment means, alone or in combination with the forwardly extending bill of the cap, secure the flashlights to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: B. Kelly Sims
  • Patent number: 5567038
    Abstract: The present invention pertains, generally, to the lighting of darkened areas. More particularly, it pertains to a light removably affixed to a cap worn on the head which permits the wearer to see and perform functions in the dark with both hands free. More particularly, it is a fluorescent light on a cap which light is detachable for placement to another site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Banning G. Lary
  • Patent number: 5559680
    Abstract: A bicycle helmet is provided having (a) a structural foam liner, (b) a plastic shell overlay the liner and having a transparent zone and an opaque zone, (c) an electroluminescent lamp film located between the liner and the shell and positioned to emit light from the transparent window, (d) a battery and (e) an inverter. The battery and inverter are housed in pockets on opposite sides (left, right) of the helmet for providing a weight balanced helmet. The battery is an electrical communication with the inverter for supplying direct current thereto. The inverter converts the direct current to alternating current and is in electrical communication with the film for causing light to be emitted therefrom. The cover units for the pockets are preferably shaped for desirable aerodynamic, structural and aethestic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Dennis A. Tabanera
  • Patent number: 5541816
    Abstract: A clip light source constructed to be mountable onto a brim of a hat includes a light source housing for housing a light source and a battery housing electrically coupled to the light source housing. The light source housing and the battery housing are mounted to the brim of the hat such that the brim is intermediate the light source housing and the battery housing when mounted thereon. The light source housing can rotate 360.degree. about a plane parallel to the brim of the hat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Nicholas G. Miserendino
  • Patent number: 5510961
    Abstract: A cap structure with sound recording and generating means and warning lights includes digitalized sound recording and releasing means and light emitting diodes on a visor. A battery set and a circuit board are installed on the visor. The light emitting diodes may also be arranged on the ring of a crownless cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Yu-Lin Peng
  • Patent number: 5508900
    Abstract: A bicycle helmet for protecting the head and face of an individual and for alerting surrounding persons to a presence of such individual. The inventive device includes an exterior shell having a pair of signal lights mounted in a forward portion thereof. The signal lights can be selectively operated to attract attention of motor vehicle drivers or the like to a presence of the individual during nighttime conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: Charles H. Norman
  • Patent number: 5485358
    Abstract: A lighting arrangement for head-wear is made up of several light emitting diodes mounted on a flexible plate. The flexible plate is one of the straps of the length-adjustable belt conventional provided at the rear of a cap. The strap on which the LED is mounted may be stitched to the rear of the cap in conventional fashion and used for length adjustment purposes or may alternatively by stitched to the side of the cap to be used solely as a mounting for the lighting arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Inventor: Tseng L. Chien
  • Patent number: 5467992
    Abstract: A method for using a light spot projecting aid to observe head movements during a golf swing and to provide a golfer with an explanation (i.e., cause) of the effect manifested as the light spot being moved. The aid includes a light source, such as a laser, that is mounted to a person's head by fastening the light source to a hat. The light source projects a light spot into a hitting area to provide a continuous visual indication of head movement during the swing. The observed path of the light spot movement is compared with a set of cause and effect relations relating swing mechanics to areas covered by portions of the observed path, thereby aiding diagnosis of golf swing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Dynalaser Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Harkness
  • Patent number: 5463538
    Abstract: A portable light source is disclosed which is mountable on a hat or cap and includes a light source, a reflector lens, an adjustable mounting bracket, an electrical connector and a portable power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Robert C. Womack
  • Patent number: 5438494
    Abstract: A head-gear-light holder has a leaf-spring strap that is sized and shaped cylindrically to be wrapped circumferentially around a cylindrical outside periphery of a flashlight body. Opposite circumferential ends of the leaf-spring strap are extended perpendicularly to an axis of a cylindrical shape of the leaf-spring strap at circumferential positions between which a gap having a select width is provided for drawing the opposite circumferential ends of the leaf-spring strap together in the gap to tighten a cylindrical inside periphery of the leaf-spring strap against an outside periphery of the flashlight body in a grasping relationship. At least one fastener orifice is provided in each of the opposite circumferential ends of the leaf-spring strap. A threaded end of a fastener shaft is inserted through a fastener orifice in each of the opposite circumferential ends of the leaf-spring strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Benjamin L. Harlan
  • Patent number: 5416675
    Abstract: An automatically operated, moving illuminated display for a helmet, disposed upon the rear thereof. The display is mounted on a module which adheres to the exterior of the helmet, as by hook and loop fastener. The illuminated display is provided by a series or matrix of light emitting diodes mounted to the module. Controlling electronic circuitry, a battery cell, and one of two actuating switches are also disposed upon the module. One actuating switch, located within the helmet and connected to the module by a cable, is a contact responsive switch which is tripped when the user dons the helmet. The other switch, mounted to the module, is a light sensor, which is exposed to ambient light and is responsive to fading daylight. At a predetermined ambient light level, and when the helmet is donned, power is supplied to the controller. The controller sequentially illuminates the LED display in stages, thus creating the visual impression of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Robert J. DeBeaux
  • Patent number: 5404593
    Abstract: A headwear piece having a crown defining a receptacle for the head of a wearer and illumination structure on the crown for projecting an unfocused light as an adornment to the crown to be visible from externally of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: American Needle
    Inventor: Robert A. Kronenberger
  • Patent number: 5363291
    Abstract: There is disclosed a two-piece portable light assembly adapted for illuminating and attention focusing with respect to a logo or other design, consisting of a base formed by a housing for accommodating a power source and appropriate leads from the power source extending therefrom. The housing includes a pair of stakes which are interconnected with the power source leads, the stakes extending laterally outwardly from the housing in parallel relation. The portable light assembly is completed by a light carrying ledge which is provided with a rear wall having a pair of stake apertures formed in the rear wall, and a light bulb positioned in a light bulb aperture formed in the ledge wall extending outwardly from the rear wall. The light bulb has a pair of leads which extend into the stake apertures, such that when the stakes from the housing are inserted into the stake apertures, the circuitry between the power source and the light bulb is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: New Erra Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Steiner
  • Patent number: 5355285
    Abstract: A surgeons headlight system which comprises a short arc xenon lamp in optical communication with a proximal end of a light pipe. The light pipe having beam shaping optics located at a distal end thereof. The light pipe also having a first long section which is fixed in an elevated manner and a second tethered section which defines, at least in part, an umbilical. The distal end of the light pipe which comprises the beam shaping optics being supported solely by the surgeons cap. The headlight system delivering illumination of not less than 2500 foot candles over a three inch diameter circle, and causing less than 10 grams of pull to the surgeons cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: John W. Hicks
  • Patent number: 5353205
    Abstract: A lightweight, compact lighting device, which may be detachably, rotatably attached to an earpiece of a pilot's earphone headset or to a military pilot's helmet, is primarily designed for use by pilots in the event of a blackout in the cockpit of an aircraft. The search and survival light is convenient to switch off and on by simply rotating a switch activator near the front of the device. The lighting device may be constructed separately for attachment to an earphone or it may be manufactured as an integral portion of a headphone earpiece. In another embodiment, a bracket is included for holding a compass and the device includes a fibre optic cable to light to the compass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventor: H. John Hudak
  • Patent number: 5329637
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved fireman's helmet which includes a surrounding wall structure that defines a head receiving area therein. Mounted within the head receiving area and recessed in the wall structure are front and rear light assemblies as well as a battery pack and control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Joseph W. Walker
  • Patent number: 5283911
    Abstract: The including of an engagable flange with an article of human wearing apparel, such as a cap, that has a specific exterior ornamental configuration. An elongated, illuminatable, plastic, light tube, which includes an elongated resilient gap, is to be snapped onto the flange formed on the wearing apparel and is to be snugly retained thereon. The light tube is to be flexible so as to accommodate to the specific shape of flange. The illuminatable tube includes a liquid which is to be activatable which will cause the tube to glow for a period of time. Also, the body of the tube will contain a separate light activatable substance which can be used to cause the tube to emit light after expiration of the light from the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 5207500
    Abstract: An illuminated motorcycle helmet is provided for an operator of a motorcycle having a lighting system, which consists of a head covering of hard material, worn to protect the head of the operator of the motorcycle. An auxiliary lighting system is built into the head covering. A mechanism is for detachably connecting an electric circuit from the lighting system in the motorcycle to the auxiliary lighting system. When the operator activates the lighting system in the motorcycle, the auxiliary lighting system will simultaneously be activated on the head covering, which will be more visually seen from all angles about the motorcycle for added safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventors: Obdulio Rios, George Spector
  • Patent number: 5199780
    Abstract: An improved flashlight hat attachment device comprising attachment means engagable with the edge of a hat to attach the device to the hat and having a first support member engagable with the users head to firmly position said device and a flashlight support member projecting outwardly from said first support member and carrying a plurality of flashlight gripping fingers curved to releasably retain a flashlight between said fingers to support said flashlight in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: John M. Ekman
  • Patent number: 5147129
    Abstract: The visual attractiveness of a variety of otherwise-autonomous articles may be significantly enhanced through the inclusion of an apertured, internally light-transmissive, peripherally light-intrareflective panel which is edge-illuminated and energized by elements self-contained within the article body. Article apertures of distributed area, point size or both may be thusly illuminated. Distributed-area display effects may be enhanced through aperture-aligned light-concentrative discontinuities formed in the panel. Enhancement of point-display effects may similarly be achieved through point-aperture-aligned, light-concentrative point discontinuities likewise formed in the panel. Point effects may also be enhanced through the employment of an end-illuminated, aperture-aligned, point-discontinuous optical fiber in conjunction with a subject apertured panel. Bi-directional display effects in subject autonomous articles may be achieved by means of a layered panel having oppositely-projective surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Tradebest International Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-ho Ku
  • Patent number: 5128844
    Abstract: A signal helmet for use by individuals of limited physical and sensory capacity, such as loss of vision and hearing, is provided to include a padded helmet shell formed with a strobe thereon. A modification of the invention includes translucent reflector blades rotatably mounted adjacent the strobe light to effect illumination to enhance strobe effect, wherein further use of the blades includes a plurality of mirror blades mounted coaxially and above the translucent blades to further enhance strobe effect for a signalling procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Inventor: Andre M. Landais
  • Patent number: 5111366
    Abstract: A cap for displaying information on the front thereof, this cap comprising a crown portion adapted to be worn on the head of the user and having a front section, with the front section having an opening therein. Adjacent this opening is a panel-supporting arrangement, with this panel-supporting arrangement being configured to receive a panel of transparent material and to support same adjacent the opening. The transparent panel is illuminated from its edge, with a battery supplying the power for the illumination arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Gift Asylum, Inc.
    Inventors: Guerin D. Rife, W. Preston Willingham
  • Patent number: 5107180
    Abstract: Provided in a portable lamp is a cathode-heatable fluorescent bulb which is supplied from a rechargeable battery. For the purpose of charging, the lamp is coupled with a charging device situated in a region which is not at risk. The charging device is provided with separate connections for the charging voltage and for the application of a heating and starting voltage. At the beginning of the recharging phase, the battery current supply circuit for the bulb is interrupted. When removing the lamp the battery current supply circuit is closed, a heating voltage made available from the charging device and applied to the cathode of the bulb. Thereafter, the starting voltage is developed in a starting device and applied to the bulb electrodes. Only after striking of the bulb is the lamp electrically decoupled from the charging device. Starting with preheating is thus effected by means of the charging device. The lamp includes an incandescent bulb with a separate reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Ruhrkohle Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegfried Ormanns, Rainald Greve
  • Patent number: 5040099
    Abstract: A riders helmet for a motorcycle or the like having a rearward facing auxiliary brake lamp secured thereto spaced from and connected by an optic or sonic link to the brake light operating system of the motorcycle. The auxiliary lamp is caused to illuminate with the illumination of the brake lamp of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventor: Garry Harris
  • Patent number: 4991068
    Abstract: In combination, a baseball style cap has a crown portion, a bill portion, and a portion for mounting a high intensity lamp to the bill portion. The mounting portion comprises a relatively stiff steel support rod having a first end bent so as to be located in a plane parallel to the bill of the hat for attachment thereto. Another portion of the support extends in an upwardly angled direction from the first end, and a second end extends substantially normal to a plane defined by the first end. The portion of the support bent in an upwardly angled direction and the connection portion are attached to an outer surface of the lamp for receiving the second end of the lamp support. The connection portion comprises an outer non-resilient tube bonded to the lamp and an inner resilient tube inserted into the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Scott A. Mickey
  • Patent number: 4958264
    Abstract: A lamp is provided for use with a protective helmet (20) having a visor (21) mounted thereon by means of pivots (22). The lamp comprises a band (1) adapted to extend around the back of the helmet (20) and securing means (4,5) whereby the ends of the band (1) can be releasably secured to the pivots (22) of the visor (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Jean J. Evendon
    Inventor: Jean J. Evendon
  • Patent number: 4951180
    Abstract: A miner's cap lamp includes a reflector having a substantially parabolic reflecting surface having a gradient variation from that of a true parabola curve Y.sup.2 =4MX along at least one line towards the outer edge of the reflector, wherein the gradient along the line has a value equal to that of a true parabola at the maximum value of X for the reflector but has a value greater than the gradient of a parabolic surface for a modified region located nearer the pole of the curve, the gradient variation varying continuously over the modified region, such that the gradient variation is a minimum at the maximum value of X of the modified region and the gradient variation is a maximum at the minimum value of X of the modified region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Oldham Crompton Batteries
    Inventor: Geoffrey W. Purdy
  • Patent number: 4945458
    Abstract: The present invention entails a fireman's helmet which includes a surrounding wall structure that defines a head receiving area therein. Formed within the surrounding wall structure is an integral front and rear light assembly. A battery pack is mounted internally within the head receiving area. A switch panel is also secured to the helmet and operatively interconnected between the battery pack and the front and rear light assemblies for controlling the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventors: Felix M. Batts, Joseph W. Walker
  • Patent number: 4916594
    Abstract: One or more circuit-breakers (20 and 32) are installed into power pack circuitry 10 to prevent fire and destruction of the power supply 12 and circuits as a result of shorted components. One or more additional circuits 30 allow simultaneous use of more than one device or provide for a backup device should the first circuit fail. The circuit-breaker (20 or 32) permits quick recovery of the circuitry in dangerous situations such as mining or hunting activities. Batteries 12 of a power supply are attached to a specially designed adjustable belt 40 that allows the weight of the power supply to be positioned over the hips of a user thereby reducing back strain and discomfort. The weight of the power pack is further distributed over the user's body by means of a shoulder harness 70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventor: Robert W. Headley
  • Patent number: 4911166
    Abstract: A device for delivering high intensity light to a patient's eyes for treating seasonal affective disorder and the like uses a point source of light such as a high intensity halogen or other incandescent bulb, and directs a large fraction of the light from the bulb directly into the patient's eyes without focusing the light in such a way as to cause damage to the eye or discomfort to the patient. This is accomplished by the use of a positive lens which focuses the light from the high intensity bulb directly in front of the patient's eyes. The light appears to the patient to be coming from an area much larger than the actual point source, and hence is more comfortable for the patient. The patient is assured of receiving a significant dosage of light no matter which way he is directing his gaze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Stephen B. Leighton, Norman E. Rosenthal, Thomas A. Wehr
  • Patent number: 4901210
    Abstract: A device for use with a motorcycle helmet is disclosed which directs a safety light rearward from the lower back portion of the helmet. The light is removably mounted onto the helmet with a variety of mounting apparatus, each of which allows the light to be quickly and conveniently installed and removed from the helmet. The light, which is entirely self-contained, is mounted onto the helmet in a way allowing the light to detach itself during an accident to avoid inflicting serious head or neck injury on the rider due to the light becoming snagged during the accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Akira Hanabusa
  • Patent number: 4901211
    Abstract: A hat structure is provided for displaying indicia illuminated by a light mounted to the hat structure. Indicia in the form of text or advertising figures may be displayed by an illuminating light and the hat structure may be unitarily formed in molded construction. A groove (11) is formed within a portion of a visor (1) with the groove (11) being used for insert of a board member (2). Fence walls (12) are provided on a lower surface of the visor (1) with an arcuate board cover member (3) being insertable within the groove (11) for constraining indicia bearing board member (2). The arcuate board cover member (3) includes a boss plate (33) to which is rotatably mounted a switch body (4) having a housing containing a power board (43) electrically coupled to printed circuitboard member (2) for controlling illumination of the indicia, text or advertisements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Wayne Shen
  • Patent number: 4862331
    Abstract: A device for use with a motorcycle helment is disclosed which directs a safety light rearward from the lower back portion of the helmet. The light is removably mounted onto the helmet with a variety of mounting apparatus, each of which allows the light to be quickly and conveniently installed and removed from the helmet. The light, which is entirely self-contained, is mounted onto the helmet in a way allowing the light to detach itself during an accident to avoid inflicting serious head or neck injury on the rider due to the light becoming snagged during the accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: Akira Hanabusa
  • Patent number: 4827384
    Abstract: Headwear in the form of a cap has a hemispherical crown, a crescent-shaped visor and a shield connecting the outer surface of the crown to the upper surface of the visor to form a pocket which opens onto the underside of the visor. The shield has an upper edge extending along a semi-circular section of the crown, a lower edge extending in elliptical fashion between the forward and rearward edges of the visor, and side edges extending along lines between the visor corners and the peak of the cap. In one embodiment, especially suited for night fishing, the visor has an upwardly crested central portion, and snap means is provided to removably hold a flashlight in the pocket so that the light beam is directed downwardly ahead of the user, but lateral light scattering is obstructed. In another embodiment, the pocket has a snap closure for use in retaining articles, such as a fishing license, therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventor: Hans Von Schlemmer
  • Patent number: 4817212
    Abstract: A new type of watersports equipment that allows sports participants the opportunity to engage in their particular watersport at night. The sports participant wears a headpiece made of rubber, plastic or some other suitable material to which may be affixed any number of suitably sized waterproof lights. The lights can either be attached directly and permanently to the headpiece or can be housed in an enclosure with the lens or lenses showing through.The headpiece can be firmly attached to the wearer's head by different combinations of straps and fasteners. If necessary the invention can have an auxiliary power source carried by the wearer. The nighttime watersports illuminator can be used in a number of different watersports. It can increase the duration of the wearer's available time of participation in his or her particular sport by allowing the activity to be conducted after dark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Inventor: Edward J. Benoit
  • Patent number: 4793007
    Abstract: An adjustable connector for attaching a light to a safety helmet, the connector enabling adjustment of the position of the light is selectively illuminate a work area for the helmet's wearer; the connector being suitable to retrofit typical existing safety helmet and light combinations. The connector has two members hinged together with one member inserted into a slot on the helmet and the other member engaging a tongue on the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: Elben R. Barnett
  • Patent number: 4760373
    Abstract: A safety helmet to be worn by motorcyclists is provided which contains a backward facing warning light which shines when the motorcycle's brake pedal is depressed. To avoid using a wired connection between the motorcycle and the helmet a transmitter is attached to the motorcycle and a receiver which activates the light is installed inside the helmet. A transmitter encoder and a receiver decoder prevent spurious sources of radio frequency from activating the receiver. A code card is used to guarantee that both the encoder settings and the decoder switch settings are identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Inventor: Richard M. Reilly
  • Patent number: 4665568
    Abstract: Safety nighttime headgear consisting of a soft cap with a visor and a molded plastic unit which supports two antenna like protrusions, each including three light emitting diodes, incorporated into the soft cap. A single safety light is centered in the molded plastic unit in the front of the cap. The light emitting diodes are powered by an electrical system molded directly into the molded plastic unit and powered by a three volt lithium battery. The electrical system is activated by an on/off switch via a button located a the top of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Inventor: Rolin K. Stutes
  • Patent number: 4667274
    Abstract: A cap mounted self-illuminating patch which includes a reflector unit mounted to extend partially through the front surface of the cap. The reflector unit includes a screen supporting surface which defines the open side of a light chamber, and a light diffusion screen is mounted on the screen supporting surface to extend across the open side of the light chamber. The screen supporting surface and the screen are configured so that the screen substantially conforms in shape to the front surface of the cap, and a mounting structure is provided to space the screen outwardly from the front surface of the cap. Indicia or figures to be illuminated are provided on the screen, and light from a single point light source within the light chamber is substantially evenly distributed across the screen by a back reflector extending outwardly from the screen supporting surface away from the screen to define the light chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Inventor: Maurice Daniel
  • Patent number: 4638410
    Abstract: A helmet has features that provide better illumination and allow it to be used for both snorkling and scuba diving. The helmut has a watertight cavity located in the top portion. A lamp is mounted in this cavity. The lamp can be oriented to various directions with respect to the helmet by rotating the lamp housing. The battery is also mounted in the cavity. The switch connected between the battery and the lamp is located in a recess formed in the exterior of the helmet. A flexible liner is releasably secured inside the interior of the helmet. The liner can be removed, if a diver's hood is used, such as in cold water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Inventor: Randall R. Barker