Patent · US Expired

Helmet with high performance head and face protection utilizing molded composite materials and method

US5857215A · kind A · utility

50Cited by
32References
65Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 12, 1996
Grant dateJan 12, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 12, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29C66/73941
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A welding helmet having high structual integrity is formed of a single sheet of composite material, such as Kevlar fabric impregnated with a phenolic thermoset resin; a viewing port in the front of the helmet includes a welding lens is either of fixed or automatically darkening type; and curves, bends, folds and steps in the composite material and trim pieces in the viewing port area and about the peripheral rim of the helmet shell provide additional stiffening for the helmet. A method of making a welding helmet of a single sheet of composite material includes pre-forming the composite material to a shape similar to that of the finished molding helmet shape, and placing the pre-shaped composite material in a compression mold and closing the mold to mold the composite material to shape while curing the composite material by applying heat other otherwise assisting in the curing of the composite material; and mounting a welding lens in a viewing port of the welding helmet.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.