Michael Alan Mcelroy

US Patent:

8313602, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Jan 12, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/005019

Inventors:

Brian H. Jones - San Gabriel CA, US
Michael James McElroy - Gilbert AZ, US
Valent Horvatich - Scottsdale AZ, US
Jeffrey A. Mears - Chandler AZ, US
Lisa Owen - Charlotte NC, US

Assignee:

BAE Systems Aerospace & Defense Group Inc. - Phoenix AZ

International Classification:

B65H 81/00

US Classification:

156189, 156184, 156186, 156187, 156193, 156194

Abstract:

Methods for manufacturing a protective helmet for the military and other uses are disclosed. Embodiments of the method include winding ballistic-tolerant tape or fibers to create a preform, placing the preform into a first mold member having an interior that defines a helmet-shaped cavity, and pressing together the first mold member against a second mold member that includes a pressurized bladder member. The method may further include pressurizing the bladder until the first and second mold members are heated and adhesives have melted or cured. The first and second mold members are cooled and the preform is removed from the first and second mold members.