Headgear position and impact sensor

Abstract

A protective headgear position and impact sensor is described for use with hard hats, helmets, or other headgear. Proximity sensors are used to detect whether the headgear is being worn by the user. In some versions of the invention, additional features determine the nature of a head impact and store data related to wear of the headgear by the user. Yet other features may allow the headgear to serve as a security device, allowing entry into a facility only if the headgear is in position and if it is properly associated with an authorized individual who is wearing the headgear

1 . A headgear, comprising:
 a head-covering portion configured to cover at least a portion of the head of a user, the head-covering portion having an interior side and an exterior side; and   one or more proximity sensors positioned on the head-covering portion and configured to detect whether the head-covering portion is positioned atop the head of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The headgear of  claim 1 , wherein the head-covering portion is a hard-hat. 
     
     
         3 . The headgear of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the proximity sensors is secured within the interior side of the hard-hat. 
     
     
         4 . The headgear of  claim 3 , wherein the headgear further comprises a suspension attached within the interior of the hard-hat, and further wherein at least one of the proximity sensors is attached to the suspension. 
     
     
         5 . The headgear of  claim 2  wherein the proximity sensors comprise sensors of two or more different types. 
     
     
         6 . The headgear of  claim 2 , wherein the proximity sensors comprise at least one capacitive sensor and at least one optical sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The headgear of  claim 2 , further comprising a user input device mounted on the headgear, the user input device being configured to receive an input identifying the user. 
     
     
         8 . The headgear of  claim 7 , wherein the user input device is a keypad. 
     
     
         9 . The headgear of  claim 7 , further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a code indicating that the headgear is in position atop the head of the user, as a function of an input received by the one or more proximity sensors. 
     
     
         10 . The headgear of  claim 9 , wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a code identifying the user. 
     
     
         11 . The headgear of  claim 2 , further comprising a processor and a memory in communication with the one or more proximity sensors, the memory being configured to store an indication of the times during which the headgear is in position atop the head of the user as a function of an input received by the one or more proximity sensors. 
     
     
         12 . The headgear of  claim 2 , further comprising one or more impact sensors. 
     
     
         13 . The headgear of  claim 12 , further comprising a processor and a memory in communication with the one or more proximity sensors and the one or more impact sensors, the memory being configured to store an indication of the times during which the headgear is in position atop the head of the user as a function of an input received by the one or more proximity sensors, the memory further being configured to store an indication of the times during which the headgear experienced an impact event, as a function of an input received by the one or more impact sensors. 
     
     
         14 . The headgear of  claim 1 , wherein the head-covering portion is a sports helmet. 
     
     
         15 . The headgear of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the proximity sensors is secured within the interior side of the helmet. 
     
     
         16 . The headgear of  claim 15 , wherein the headgear further comprises padding attached within the interior of the helmet, and further wherein at least one of the proximity sensors is attached to the padding. 
     
     
         17 . The headgear of  claim 15  wherein the proximity sensors comprise sensors of two or more different types. 
     
     
         18 . The headgear of  claim 15 , wherein the proximity sensors comprise at least one capacitive sensor and at least one optical sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The headgear of  claim 15 , further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a code indicating that the headgear is in position atop the head of the user, as a function of an input received by the one or more proximity sensors. 
     
     
         20 . The headgear of  claim 15 , further comprising one or more impact sensors.