LIFE RING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

• US 20190329851A1
• Filed: 04/25/2018
• Published: 10/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taylor Made Group LLC (Nelson A. Taylor Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Taylor Made Group LLC (Nelson A. Taylor Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Yarsevich, Christopher James
• Granted Patent: US 10,526,061 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/14 the preformed part being a lining B29C44/1209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14786 Fibrous material or fibre containing material, e.g. fibre mats or fibre reinforced material
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 22/02 Inflatable articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 22/023 Air springs; Air bellows construction of fluid springs F16F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2075/00 Use of PU, i.e. polyureas or polyurethanes or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/04 cellular or porous
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2667/00 Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2677/00 Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2713/02 coated
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/082 Annular or U-shaped life-buoys intended to be thrown to persons

Abstract

A life ring includes a cover formed of a knitted back polyester fabric with a top vinyl coating, and a urethane foam core within the cover. The cover and the urethane foam core are formed into a ring shape. By using the noted cover material, the life ring can be manufactured without a painting step, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving the consistency of the finished product.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a life ring comprising:

(a) unrolling a section of a knitted back polyester fabric with a top vinyl coating;

(b) cutting the section into a ring cover with a digital cutter;

(c) securing the ring cover in a ring mold;

(d) injecting the ring mold with urethane foam and permitting the urethane foam to cure;

(e) removing the ring cover with the cured foam from the ring mold and trimming the ring cover with the cured foam; and

(f) applying attachments.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein steps (a)-(f) are conducted without painting.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (e) is practiced by trimming an outside of the ring cover with the cured foam with a band saw and a rotary table.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein step (e) is further practiced by trimming an inside of the ring cover with the cured foam with a drum sander.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (f) is practiced by applying vinyl trim banding to an outside circumference and an inside circumference of the ring cover with the cured foam.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein step (f) is further practiced by sewing beckets and rope to the ring cover with the cured foam without painting.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method consists of steps (a)-(f).

8. A method of manufacturing a life ring without painting, the method comprising:

(a) unrolling a section of a knitted back polyester fabric with a pre-colored top vinyl coating;

(b) cutting the section into a ring cover with a digital cutter;

(c) securing the ring cover in a ring mold;

(d) injecting the ring mold with urethane foam and permitting the urethane foam to cure;

(e) removing the ring cover with the cured foam from the ring mold and trimming the ring cover with the cured foam; and

(f) without painting the ring cover with the cured foam, applying attachments.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein step (e) is practiced by trimming an outside of the ring cover with the cured foam with a band saw and a rotary table.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein step (e) is further practiced by trimming an inside of the ring cover with the cured foam with a drum sander.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein step (f) is practiced by applying vinyl trim banding to an outside circumference and an inside circumference of the ring cover with the cured foam.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein step (f) is further practiced by sewing beckets and rope to the ring cover with the cured foam without painting.

13. A life ring comprising:

a cover formed of a knitted back polyester fabric with a top vinyl coating; and

a foam core within the cover,

wherein the cover and the foam core are formed into a ring shape, and wherein the cover is pre-colored such that no painting is required to manufacture the life ring.

14. A life ring according to claim 13, wherein the cover is structured and configured to pass a standardized U.S. Coast Guard puncture test.

16. A life ring according to claim 13, wherein the foam core is a urethane foam core.

15. (canceled)

17. A method of manufacturing a life ring comprising:

(a) unrolling a section of a knitted back polyester fabric with a top vinyl coating;

(b) cutting the section into a ring cover with a digital cutter;

(c) securing the ring cover in a ring mold;

(d) inserting a foam in the ring mold;

(e) removing the ring cover with the inserted foam from the ring mold and trimming the ring cover with the inserted foam; and

(f) applying attachments.