Power and data retrofit for helmet side rail system

Abstract

An apparatus for providing electrical power to and communicating data and/or control signals to a helmet accessory device includes a control module attachable to the helmet and including a processor, power supply interface, and one or more control module connectors. One or more helmet side rail assemblies have a plurality of interface slots. At least one insert includes a connector element and is adapted for operative coupling with the helmet accessory device. The processor includes a communication interface for exchanging data and/or control signals with the helmet accessory device via the insert connector element. At least one cable comprises a first connector end adapted to couple a control module connector and a second connector end configured to couple to the insert connector element. Each of the one or more helmet side rail assemblies has an internal space configured for routing at least a portion of the cable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for providing electrical power to and communicating data signals, control signals, or both to a helmet accessory device mounted on a helmet, the apparatus comprising:
 a control module attachable to the helmet, the control module comprising a processor, power supply interface configured to operably one or more power supplies to the processor, and one or more control module connectors;   one or more helmet side rail assemblies, each having a plurality of interface slots, the one or more helmet side rail assemblies configured to be secured to a surface of the helmet;   at least one insert comprising an insert connector element, the at least one insert adapted for operative coupling with the helmet accessory device, wherein the processor of the control module comprises a communication interface for exchanging data signals, control signals, or both data and control signals with the helmet accessory device via the insert connector element; and   at least one cable comprising a first connector end adapted to couple to one of the one or more control module connectors and a second connector end configured to couple to the insert connector element, wherein each of the one or more helmet side rail assemblies has an internal space configured for routing at least a portion of the at least one cable.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in combination with the one or more helmet side rail assemblies. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more helmet side rail assemblies comprises a left helmet side rail assembly configured to be secured to the helmet above the left ear of a user when the helmet is worn and a right helmet side rail assembly configured to be secured to the helmet above the right ear of the user when the helmet is worn. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second connector end is coupled to couple to the insert connector element via a connection selected from the group consisting of a hardwired connection and a selectively detachable connection. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in combination with the one or more power supplies. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more control module connectors comprises left and right connector receptacles each of the left and right connector receptacles configured to engage with a complementary plug connector. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insert further comprises a plurality of electrical contacts for transmitting power and one or both of data signals and control signals. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of electrical contacts comprises four electrical contacts, a first of which is electrically coupled to a ground/negative terminal of the power supply; a second of which is electrically coupled to a data line that carries positive signals for transmitting data between devices; a third of which is electrically coupled to a data line that carries negative signals for transmitting data between devices; and a fourth of which is electrically coupled to a voltage/positive terminal of the power supply. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each insert of the at least one insert includes a peripheral flange which is larger in at least one dimension than a corresponding dimension of a corresponding one of the plurality of interface slots. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein:
 each at least one insert further comprises at least one retention clip with an extending tab portion and a threaded fastener around which the at least one retention clip is rotatable;   a channel is defined between the at least one upper peripheral flange and the extending tab portion of the at least one retention clip; and   rotation of the retention clip around the threaded fastener allows for securing and detaching the at least one insert within a corresponding one of the plurality of interface slots.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in combination with the helmet accessory device. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11 , further comprising an input actuator module comprising a plurality of switches for controlling operation of the helmet accessory device. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein the helmet accessory device is selected from the group consisting of a headlamp, a video recorder module, and an input actuator module. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of interface slots comprises at least first, second, and third interface slots located along a longitudinal axis, the helmet accessory device comprising:
 an electrical connector element which is configured to be aligned with and facing the insert connector element of an insert of the at least one insert received within the first interface slot;   a first retention clip rotatable between a secured position configured to secure the helmet accessory device to the second interface slot; and   a second retention clip rotatable between a secured position configured to secure the helmet accessory device to the third interface slot, wherein the second and third interface slots are located on opposite sides of the first interface slot along the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control module comprises a communications interface configured to couple the control module to an external computer based information handling system. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the external computer based information handling system comprises a computer network, the computer network configured to transmit, send, or both transmit and send one or more of data signals, control signals, or both data and control signals between the computer network and the control module.