Conversion Assembly for a Hard Hat

Abstract

A conversion assembly is secured to a hard hat having a protective dome cover and a visor. The conversion assembly includes a plurality of compartment housings operatively secured together. A plurality of electronic circuits is housed within the plurality of compartment housings. A mechanical connector removably secures the conversion assembly to the hard hat when functions performed by the plurality of electronic circuits are required for a person wearing the hard hat. The invention provides enhanced functionality to an already existing hard hat, helmet or other protective head gear.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A conversion assembly to be secured to a hard hat having a protective dome cover and a visor, said conversion assembly comprising:
 a plurality of compartment housings operatively secure together;   a plurality of electronic circuits, each of the plurality of electronic circuits housed within one of said plurality of compartment housings; and   a mechanical connector for removably securing said conversion assembly to the hard hat.   
     
     
         2 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 1  including a cover to flexibly extend over the protective dome cover of the hard hat. 
     
     
         3 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said cover includes a dome strap extendable over the protective dome cover. 
     
     
         4 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said cover includes a periphery strap extendable around the protective dome cover. 
     
     
         5 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein a portion of said plurality of compartments are secured to said periphery strap. 
     
     
         6 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 4  including a visor compartment fixedly secured to said periphery strap and positioned adjacent the visor of the hard hat. 
     
     
         7 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 6  including a wire harness connected to said dome strap and said periphery strap and electrically connecting said plurality of electronic circuits together. 
     
     
         8 . A conversion assembly to be secured to a hard hat having a protective dome cover, a visor and an underside, said conversion assembly comprising:
 a plurality of compartment housings operatively secure together;   a plurality of electronic circuits, each of said plurality of electronic circuits housed within one of said plurality of compartment housings; and   a mechanical connector securing each of said plurality of compartments along the brim of the hard hat.   
     
     
         9 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 8  including a periphery strap extendable around the protective dome cover. 
     
     
         10 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein a portion of said plurality of compartments are secured to said periphery strap 
     
     
         11 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 10  including a visor compartment fixedly secured to said periphery strap and positioned adjacent the visor of the hard hat. 
     
     
         12 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 11  including a wire harness connected to said dome strap and said periphery strap and electrically connecting said plurality of electronic circuits together. 
     
     
         13 . A conversion assembly to be secured to a hard hat having a protect dome cover defining a peripheral rim, a visor and an underside, such conversion assembly comprising:
 a compartment;   a plurality of electronic circuits housed within said compartment; and   a mechanical connector for removably securing said compartment to the underside of the hard hat.   
     
     
         14 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said a mechanical connector removably secures said compartment to the underside of the hard hat adjacent the peripheral rim of the hard hat. 
     
     
         15 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said compartment extends along all of the peripheral rim of the hard hat. 
     
     
         16 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said compartment extends along a portion of the peripheral rim of the hard hat. 
     
     
         17 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 16  including a second compartment extending along a portion of the peripheral rim of the hard hat. 
     
     
         18 . A conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said compartment and said second compartment are positioned along said peripheral rim to balance the hard hat on the head of the user.