Visual display and helmet assembly

US5856811A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• DELCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION · US
• HUGHES ELECTRONICS LIMITED · US
• Bell Sports, Inc. · US

Inventors

• I-Fu Shih · Henry's Drive, US
• Ning Wu · Shanghai, CN
• David E. Schnelker · Craydon Court, US
• Jerome Robert Laskowski · Newbury Park, US
• Ronald Kent Reger · Noblesville, US
• Francine Harriet Landau · Los Angeles, US
• Eddie Rothrock · Whittier, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 31, 1996
• Grant date: Jan 5, 1999
• Expiry date: Jan 31, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G09B9/307
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A visual display and helmet assembly is configured to function in the presence of a harsh environment, e.g., high wind, vibration and shock and strong ambient light. The visual display preferably includes a transmissive liquid-crystal display to reduce the display's size and to enhance the intensity of a virtual image. In addition, the display is preferably reconfigurable so that different display indicia can be programmed as desired. To reduce probability of injury to a user, the visual display is carried on the exterior of the helmet with its center of mass positioned substantially on the midsagittal plane of the user. In addition, a mount permits the visual display to detach from the helmet when it is subjected to forces above a predetermined threshold. The mount is also permits yielding movement between the visual display and the helmet to enhance viewing of the image.