Protective helmets and method of manufacture thereof

• US 20060031975A1
• Filed: 08/13/2004
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA Safety, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA Safety, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hersick, F. Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,464,362 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/5
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/227 with sun visors, e.g. peaks above face opening
• CPC Class Codes: A42C 2/00 Manufacturing helmets by processes not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material

Abstract

A protective helmet includes an outer shell having a generally dome-shaped section and a brim extending outwardly from the dome-shaped section. The dome-shaped section and the brim are formed from a thermoplastic material. The helmet further includes a brim support in operative connection with at least a portion of the brim. The brim support is formed from a material that is more heat resistant than the thermoplastic material. The brim support is sufficiently rigid to limit deformation of the brim upon exposure to high temperature. The brim support material can, for example, have a melting point above 500° F.

Claims

1. A protective helmet comprising:

an outer shell having a generally dome-shaped section;

a brim extending outwardly from the dome-shaped section, the dome-shaped section and the brim being formed from a thermoplastic material; and

a brim support in operative connection with at least a portion of the brim;

the brim support being formed from a material that is more heat resistant than the thermoplastic material.

2. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the brim support is sufficiently rigid to limit deformation of the brim upon exposure to high temperature.

3. The helmet of claim 2 wherein the brim support material has a melting point above 500°

F.

4. The helmet of claim 3 wherein the brim support conforms generally to a perimeter of the brim.

5. The helmet of claim 4 wherein the brim supports extends along a portion of the perimeter of the brim.

6. The helmet of claim 5 wherein the brim supports extends along the entire perimeter of the brim.

7. The helmet of claim 6 further comprising an edge trim that extends around the brim support and the perimeter of the brim to retain the brim support in operative connection with the brim.

8. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the brim support is molded into the brim of the helmet.

9. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the brim support is added to the helmet after the helmet is formed.

10. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the brim support is formed from a metal.

11. A method of manufacturing a protective helmet, comprising:

molding an outer shell of the helmet from a thermoplastic material, the outer shell comprising a generally dome-shaped portion and a brim extending outwardly from the dome-shaped section;

operatively connecting a brim support to the brim, the brim support being formed from a material that is more heat resistant than the thermoplastic material.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the brim support is sufficiently rigid to limit deformation of the brim upon exposure to high temperature.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the brim support is formed from a material having a melting temperature greater than 500°

F.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the brim support conforms generally to a perimeter of the brim.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the brim supports extends along a portion of the perimeter of the brim.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the brim supports extends along the entire perimeter of the brim.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the brim support is operatively connected to the brim by an edge trim that extends around the brim support and the perimeter of the brim.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the brim support is operatively connected to the brim by molding the brim support into the brim.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the brim support is operatively connected to the helmet after the helmet is formed.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein the brim support is formed from a metal.