Electronic module adapter for headgear

Abstract

An electronic module adapter for headgear includes a housing defining a chamber. A clip is positioned on the housing and is adapted to attach the housing to the helmet or other headgear. A cap lamp mounting bracket is optionally positioned on the housing and is adapted to attach a cap lamp to the housing. Electronic circuitry is positioned within the chamber of the housing and may include a radio frequency identification tag, a global positioning system tag and/or a gas sensor.

1 . An electronic module adapter for headgear comprising:
 a) a housing defining a chamber;   b) a clip positioned on the housing, said clip adapted to attach the housing to the headgear; and   c) electronic module circuitry positioned within the chamber of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 1  wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a radio frequency identification tag. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 1  wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a global positioning system tag. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 1  wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a gas sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 1  wherein the clip is secured to the housing by screws. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 1  wherein the clip is integrally formed with the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 1  wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a battery. 
     
     
         8 . An electronic module adapter for a helmet comprising:
 a) a housing defining a chamber;   b) a helmet mounting bracket positioned on the housing, said helmet mounting bracket adapted to attach the housing to the helmet;   c) a cap lamp mounting bracket positioned on the housing, said cap lamp mounting bracket adapted to attach a cap lamp to the housing; and   d) electronic module circuitry positioned within the chamber of the housing.   
     
     
         9 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 8  wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a radio frequency identification tag. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 8  wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a global positioning system tag. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 8  wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a gas sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 8  wherein the helmet mounting bracket includes a clip adapted to be received by a recess in the helmet. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 12  wherein the clip is secured to the housing by screws. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 12  wherein the clip is integrally formed with the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 8  wherein the cap lamp mounting bracket includes a first flange. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 15  wherein the cap lamp mounting bracket includes a second flange spaced from the first flange so that a portion of a cap lamp may be received and secured there between. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 16  wherein the flanges includes mounting holes through which screws may engage a housing of the cap lamp. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic module adapter of  claim 8  wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a battery. 
     
     
         19 . A method for mounting an electronic module to a helmet featuring a cap lamp comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a housing defining a chamber, said housing having a helmet mounting bracket and a cap lamp mounting bracket positioned thereon;   b) positioning the electronic module circuitry within the chamber of the housing;   c) attaching the housing to the helmet using the helmet mounting clip; and   d) attaching the cap lamp to the housing using the cap lamp mounting bracket.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the electronic module circuitry includes a radio frequency identification tag.