Removeable helmet cover and methods of manufacture
AssigneeGame Day Skinz Inc.
InventorsConner Alan Preston, Barak Rigbi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to injection molded articles as well as methods of manufacture of the same. The injection molded article is a helmet cover for a protective helmet, and more particularly a replaceable helmet cover for enhancing the aesthetic outer appearance of a helmet used in military, construction, manufacturing, and/or contact sports such as American football, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, equestrian, skiing, snowboarding, and the like.
Claims20
A method of manufacturing a helmet cover, wherein the helmet cover comprises a unitary shell assembly comprising a receiving cavity, an interior surface, and an exterior surface, wherein the receiving cavity is configured such that the interior surface of the unitary shell assembly is configured to contact an exterior surface of a helmet and wherein the unitary shell assembly fittably and detachably covers the exterior surface of the helmet, the method comprising:
- A. providing a polymeric injection unit comprising:
- (i) a barrel-mounted screw assembly, wherein the barrel-mounted screw assembly comprises a screw mounted within a barrel;
- (ii) a processing space, wherein the processing space comprises a distal end and a proximal end;
- and
- (iii) one or more nozzles in fluid communication with the processing space, wherein the one or more nozzles are located at the distal end of the processing space;
- B. providing an injection mold tool, wherein the injection mold tool comprises a mold cavity in fluid communication with the one or more nozzles and wherein the injection mold tool is structured so as to form the helmet cover in a single piece;
- C. introducing a polymeric material into the processing space;
- D. melting the polymeric material within the processing space, wherein the melting is achieved by using the screw mounted within the barrel to mix the polymeric material and applying a heat source to bring the polymeric material to a first predefined temperature and to create a predefined backpressure;
- E. injecting a volume of the polymeric material through the one or more nozzles and into the mold cavity, wherein the volume of the polymeric material is sufficient to fill the mold cavity;
- F. cooling the polymeric material within the mold cavity to a second predefined temperature;
- and
- G. extracting the polymeric material within the mold cavity from the injection mold tool to provide the helmet cover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.