Safety helmet

Abstract

A safety helmet ( 100 ) for an industrial worker is provided. The safety helmet ( 100 ) comprises an inner layer ( 102 ) and an outer layer ( 104 ) spaced from the inner layer ( 102 ) and defining a cavity ( 106 ) therebetween. The safety helmet ( 100 ) also comprises an array of light-emitting elements ( 108 ) arranged in the cavity ( 106 ) and distributed over the inner layer ( 102 ). The outer layer ( 104 ) includes a diffusing element for diffusing light emitted from the array of light-emitting elements 108 through the outer layer ( 104 ). One of the inner ( 102 ) and outer ( 104 ) layers forms a protective shell for protecting a user's head while wearing the helmet ( 100 ).

1 . A safety helmet for an industrial worker, comprising:
 an inner layer;   an outer layer spaced from the inner layer and defining a cavity therebetween; and   an array of light-emitting elements arranged in the cavity and distributed over the inner layer;   wherein at least one of the inner and outer layers forms a protective shell and wherein the outer layer includes a diffusing element for diffusing light emitted from the array of light-emitting elements through the outer layer.   
     
     
         2 . The safety helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the diffusing element is translucent. 
     
     
         3 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The safety helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is generally hemispherical. 
     
     
         8 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The safety helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is spaced at least 15 mm from the inner layer. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The safety helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the array of light-emitting elements is arranged such that each light-emitting element is arranged between 20 and 30 mm from an adjacent light-emitting element. 
     
     
         14 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The safety helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer and the inner layer are sealed together such that the cavity is watertight. 
     
     
         18 . The safety helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer and the outer layer comprise air vents extending through the cavity, and wherein the cavity is watertight around the air vents. 
     
     
         19 . The safety helmet according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rim at a base of the inner layer, wherein the rim is configured to receive the outer layer and to seal the cavity. 
     
     
         20 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The safety helmet according to  claim 19 , wherein the rim comprises at least one receiving portion configured to receive a modular unit. 
     
     
         27 . The safety helmet according to  claim 26 , wherein a first modular unit comprises a power source configured to provide power to the array of light-emitting elements. 
     
     
         28 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The safety helmet according to  claim 27 , wherein the power source is configured to provide power to the plurality of receiving portions. 
     
     
         34 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . The safety helmet according to  claim 26 , wherein one of the modular units comprises a controller. 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . The safety helmet according to  claim 38 , wherein the controller is configured to control a parameter of the array of light-emitting elements. 
     
     
         41 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . The safety helmet according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor selected from: a location sensor, a motion sensor, a contact sensor, a light intensity sensor, and/or a camera. 
     
     
         46 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . The safety helmet according to  claim 26 , wherein one of the modular units comprises an output device selected from a light-emitting device, a sound-emitting device, and/or a vibration means. 
     
     
         49 . The safety helmet according to  claim 26 , wherein one of the modular units comprises a communication module configured to allow two-way communication with a central controller at a remote location. 
     
     
         50 - 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . A safety helmet for an industrial worker, comprising:
 a protective shell;   a plurality of receiving portions, each configured to receive a modular unit; and   at least two modular units, each removably mounted in one of the receiving portions;   wherein a first modular unit of the at least two modular units comprises a power source configured to provide power to the plurality of receiving portions;   wherein a second modular unit of the at least two modular units comprises an input device, an output device, and a communication module configured to allow two-way communication with a central controller at a remote location.   
     
     
         57 - 77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . A safety helmet for an industrial worker, comprising:
 an array of light-emitting elements;   a communication module configured to provide two-way communication with a central controller at a remote location; and   a local controller configured to receive instructions from the central controller via the communication module and to operate the array of light-emitting elements in response to the instructions.   
     
     
         79 . The safety helmet according to  claim 78 , wherein the operating the array of light-emitting elements comprises changing at least one of: the colour of light-emitting elements operating, the number of light-emitting elements operating, or the intensity of light-emitting elements operating. 
     
     
         80 - 81 . (canceled) 
     
     
         82 . The safety helmet according to  claim 78 , wherein the safety helmet comprises an output device, and wherein the local controller is configured to receive instructions from the central controller via the communication module and to operate the output device in response to the instructions. 
     
     
         83 - 105 . (canceled)