Protective helmet with flush pivoting ear cups

Abstract

A helmet includes a shell with an impact resistant exterior surface formed by an upper shell and a rear shell. The upper shell is shaped to protect a top portion of a wearer's head, the rear shell shaped to protect an occipital portion of the wearer's head. A headset assembly, attached to the shell, includes dual ear cups rotatable about an axis that is above the wearer's ears when the helmet is worn. The ear cups have at least the following positions: an extended position to cover the wearer's ears, and a retracted position substantially abutting both upper and rear shell to the rear of the wearer's ears. The ear cups are shaped so that they form a surface substantially flush with the exterior surface while the ear cups are in the retracted position.

1 . A helmet, comprising: 
 a shell comprising an impact resistant exterior surface formed by an upper shell and a rear shell, the upper shell shaped to protect a top portion of a wearer's head, the rear shell shaped to protect an occipital portion of the wearer's head;    a headset assembly attached to the shell, comprising: 
 dual ear cups rotatable about an axis that is above the wearer's ears when the helmet is worn, the ear cups having at least the following positions: an extended position to cover a wearer's ears, and a retracted position substantially abutting both upper and rear shell aft of the wearer's ears;  
 where the ear cups are shaped to form a surface substantially flush with the exterior surface while the ear cups are in the retracted position.  
   
   
   
       2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an electrical connector configured for detachable electrical connection to off-helmet electronics;    audio speakers installed in the ear cups, the speakers including signal inputs electrically coupled to the connector.    
   
   
       3 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first electrical connector positioned proximate the rear shell;    a second electrical connector, detachably coupled to the first electrical connector, the second electrical connector electrically attached via one or more cables to one or more electronic components located apart from the helmet;    the electronic components including one or more batteries and an audio source;    audio speakers installed in the ear cups, the speakers including signal inputs electrically coupled to the first connector.    
   
   
       4 . The helmet of  claim 3 , 
 the shell includes a rear end proximate the rear shell and a front end opposite the rear end, and the front end includes a narrowed extension providing a visor;    where the audio source includes a two-way transceiver, and the helmet further includes one or more visor-mounted microphones including signal outputs electrically coupled to the first connector.    
   
   
       5 . The helmet of  claim 1 , where: 
 the shell includes a rear end proximate the rear shell and a front end opposite the rear end, and the front end of the shell includes a narrowed extension providing a visor;    the helmet further includes: audio speakers located in the ear cups, at least one hands-free microphone attached to the visor, at least one connector to electrically couple to a transceiver, and one or more links connecting the connector with the microphone and the speakers.    
   
   
       6 . The helmet of  claim 1 , where: 
 the shell includes a rear end proximate the rear shell and a front end opposite the rear end, and the front end includes a narrowed extension providing a visor;    the helmet further includes a light assembly internal to the visor and protected by a brow lens substantially flush with the visor.    
   
   
       7 . The helmet of  claim 1 , where: 
 the shell includes a rear end proximate the rear shell and a front end opposite the rear end;    the helmet further comprises an eye shield adjacent the front end, the eye shield being slidably retractable upwardly into the helmet.    
   
   
       8 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an internal frame coupled to the upper shell and rear shell;    a headband assembly coupled to the frame;    an eye shield;    a guide connected to the frame and defining one or more slide slots to receive the eye shield and permit slidable retraction and extension of the eye shield relative to the guide;    where one of the eye shield and guide include includes a pawl and the other of the eye shield and guide includes positioning notches, the pawl and notches positioned complimentarily to provide ratcheting adjustment of the eye shield in predefined positions affixed by engagement of the pawl and notches.    
   
   
       9 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an internal frame coupled to the upper shell and rear shell;    a headband assembly coupled to the frame;    an eye shield;    guide means for facilitating slidable retraction and extension of the eye shield relative to the helmet;    means for ratcheting adjustment of the eye shield in predefined positions.    
   
   
       10 . The helmet of  claim 1 , where: 
 the upper shell and rear shell are positioned to define a gap therebetween;    the helmet further includes a rear-facing light assembly positioned to shine through the gap when illuminated, and a lens covering the gap and protecting the rear-facing light assembly.    
   
   
       11 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for securing the ear cups in the retracted position.    
   
   
       12 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an internal frame coupled to the upper shell and rear shell;    a headband assembly coupled to the frame;    where the ear cups are shaped to engage the frame while in the retracted position, the engagement sufficient to removably secure the ear cups in the retracted position.    
   
   
       13 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a switch, responsive to position of the ear cups, to provide a higher volume to speakers in the ear cups when the ear cups are retracted and a lower volume to the speakers when the ear cups are extended.    
   
   
       14 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for providing a higher volume at speakers in the ear cups when the ear cups are retracted and a lower volume when the ear cups are extended.    
   
   
       15 . The helmet of  claim 1 , where: 
 the shell includes a rear end proximate the rear shell and a front end opposite the rear end, and the front end of the shell includes a narrowed extension providing a visor;    the helmet further comprises: 
 at least one hands-free microphone attached to the visor;  
 audio speakers installed in the ear cups;  
 at least one connector to electrically couple to a transceiver;  
 one or more links coupling the connector with the microphone and the speakers,  
 adjacent the front end, an eye shield that is slidably retractable upwardly into the helmet,  
 a light assembly internal to the visor and protected by a brow lens substantially flush with the visor.  
   
   
   
       16 . A helmet, comprising: 
 a shell comprising an impact resistant exterior surface to protect top and occipital portions of a wearer's head;    a headset assembly attached to the shell, comprising: 
 dual ear cups rotatable about an axis that is substantially above the wearer's ears when the helmet is worn, the ear cups having at least the following positions: an extended position to cover a wearer's ears, and a retracted position substantially abutting both upper and rear shell aft of the wearer's ears;  
 where the ear cups form a surface substantially flush with the exterior surface while the ear cups are retracted.  
   
   
   
       17 . A helmet, comprising: 
 a headband assembly to receive a helmet wearer's head;    a frame coupled to the headband assembly;    a shell comprising an impact resistant exterior surface formed by an upper shell and a rear shell separately coupled to the frame, the upper shell shaped to protect a top portion of a wearer's head, the rear shell shaped to protect an occipital portion of the wearer's lead;    a headset assembly attached to the shell, comprising: 
 dual ear cups rotatable about an axis that is substantially above the wearer's ears when the headband assembly receives the wearer's head, the ear cups having at least the following positions: an extended position to cover a wearer's ears, and a retracted position substantially abutting both upper and rear shell aft of the wearer's ears;  
 where the ear cups are shaped so that to form a surface substantially flush with the exterior surface while the ear cups are in the retracted position.