Protective helmets and method of manufacture thereof
View Patent ↗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.
1. A protective helmet comprising:
an outer shell comprising a generally dome-shaped section;
a brim extending outwardly from the dome-shaped section by at least 2.5 inches at the rear of the helmet, the dome-shaped section and the brim consisting essentially of a thermoplastic material having a heat deflection temperature at 264 psi in the range of approximately 235° F. to approximately 400° F., and a melting point of at least 500° F.;
a brim support placed adjacent the brim after formation thereof and extending adjacent at least a portion of the brim; the brim support comprising a material that is more heat resistant than the thermoplastic material and is sufficiently rigid to limit deformation of the brim upon exposure to high temperature such that the protective helmet satisfies the National Fire Protection Association 1971 standard; and
an edge trim formed of a resilient material that extends around the brim support and the perimeter of the brim to encompass the brim support and retain the brim support in operative connection with the brim.
2. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the brim support extends adjacent the entire brim.
3. The helmet of claim 2 wherein the brim support material has a melting point in the range of 500° F. to approximately 700° 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 4 wherein the brim supports extends along the entire perimeter of the brim.
7. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the edge trim is formed from an elastomeric material.
8. The helmet of claim 7 wherein the edge trim has a generally U-shaped cross-section which fits around the brim support and the perimeter of the brim.
9. The helmet of claim 8 wherein the edge trim is formed from a heat resistant thermoplastic rubber.
10. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the brim support is formed from a metal.
11. A protective helmet comprising:
an outershell comprising a generally dome-shaped section;
a brim extending outwardly from the dome-shaped section by at least 2.5 inches at the rear of the helmet, the dome-shaped section and the brim consisting essentially of a thermoplastic material that is molded to form the dome-shaped section and the brim;
a brim support placed adjacent the brim after formation thereof; the brim support being formed from a material that is more heat resistant than the thermoplastic material and being sufficiently rigid to limit deformation of the brim upon exposure to high temperature such that the protective helmet satisfies the National Fire Protection Association 1971 standard; and
an edge trim formed of a resilient material that extends around the brim support and the perimeter of the brim to encompass the brim support and retain the brim support in operative connection with the brim.
12. The helmet of claim 11 wherein the brim support extends adjacent the entire brim.
13. The helmet of claim 12 wherein the brim support material has a melting point above 500 F.
14. The helmet of claim 13 wherein the brim support conforms generally to a perimeter of the brim.
15. The helmet of claim 14 wherein the brim support extends adjacent a portion of the perimeter of the brim.
16. The helmet of claim 15 wherein the brim support extends adjacent the entire perimeter of the brim.
17. The helmet of claim 16 wherein the edge trim is formed form an elastomeric material.
18. The helmet of claim 17 wherein the edge trim has a generally U-shaped cross-section which fits around the brim support and the perimeter of the brim.
19. The helmet of claim 17 wherein the edge trim is formed from a heat resistant thermoplastic rubber.
20. The helmet of claim 11 wherein the brim support is formed from a metal.
21. The helmet of claim 18 wherein the edge trim comprises at least one U-shaped metallic support.
22. The helmet of claim 21 wherein the edge trim comprises a plurality of U-shaped metallic supports.
23. The helmet of claim 21 wherein the edge trim is formed from a heat resistant thermoplastic rubber.
24. The helmet of claim 21 wherein the brim extends generally horizontally from the dome at the rear of the helmet over at least a portion of the width of the brim.
25. The helmet of claim 8 wherein the edge trim comprises at least one U-shaped metallic support.
26. The helmet of claim 25 wherein the edge trim comprises a plurality of U-shaped metallic supports.
27. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the brim consists of the thermoplastic material.
28. The helmet of claim 11 wherein the brim consists of the thermoplastic material.