| Method for making titanium wire face guard -> Monitor Keywords |
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  Method for making titanium wire face guardRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Guard Or Protector, For Wearer's Head, FaceThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060143765. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This is a divisional application of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/514,624, entitled TITANIUM WIRE FACE GUARD AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME, filed Feb. 28, 2000. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to face guards for sporting helmets. [0003] More particularly, this invention relates to a method for manufacturing face guard for football helmets manufactured using titanium wire. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The invention further relates to a method for producing face guards made of titanium wire in an manner that is uncomplicated and cost effective. [0005] The present invention is directed to a method of making a face mask including the steps of providing a plurality of lengths of Grade 2, commercially pure titanium wire, having a diameter of from about 0.21 to about 0.24 inches; forming each length at room temperature using rotary bending apparatus to a desired bend angle by bending the member at room temperature to a first bend angle that is from about 1.25 to about 1.35 times greater than the desired bend angle; and welding each of the thus formed lengths to at least one other of the lengths in an ambient, oxygen containing environment. [0006] The invention advantageously enables manufacture of titanium face masks in a cost-effective and uncomplicated manner. Face masks made in accordance with the invention are lighter in weight than conventional steel-based face masks and offer numerous advantages to conventional face masks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale, wherein like reference numbers, indicate like elements through the several views, and wherein; [0008] FIGS. 1a and 1b are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of a face guard in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; [0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the face guard of FIGS. 1a and 1b; [0010] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a football helmet having the face guard of FIGS. 1a-b installed thereon; [0011] FIGS. 4a-4c show steps in the manufacture of a component of the face guard of FIGS. 1a-1b and FIG. 4d is a top plan view of the finished component; [0012] FIGS. 5a-5c show steps in the manufacture of another component of the face guard of FIGS. 1a-1b and FIG. 5d is a top plan view of the finished component; [0013] FIGS. 6a-6c show steps in the manufacture of another component of the face guard of FIGS. 1a-1b and FIG. 6d is a top plan view of the finished component; [0014] FIGS. 7a-7c show steps in the manufacture of another component of the face guard of FIGS. 1a-1b and FIG. 7d is a top plan view of the finished component; [0015] FIGS. 8a and 8b show steps in the manufacture of another component of the face guard of FIGS. 1a-1b, with FIG. 8b being a side plan view of the finished component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] With reference to the drawing figures, the invention relates to a face guard or mask 10 that is particularly suitable for use with a sporting helmet, such as a football helmet 12 (FIG. 3). The mask 10 includes a plurality of interconnected members such as members 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 interconnected by welds W, as discussed in more detail below. [0017] Each of the members 14-22 is preferably provided by a length of Grade 2, commercially pure titanium wire, having a diameter of about 0.224 inches. FIGS. 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a and 8a show wires 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 which are formed into the members 14-22, respectively, and welded to provide the welds W in accordance with the method of the invention. The formed face mask is thereafter preferably coated with a bonded vinyl powder coating to a thickness of from about 0.02 to about 0.09 inches and attached to the helmet 12 using conventional mounting components and techniques. [0018] In the manufacture of the members 14-22, lengths of wire material are provided by sharing as set forth in TABLE 1: TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Wire Shear length (inches) 24 16.25 26 17.75 28 18.06 30 18.25 32 7.50 [0019] It will be understood that the foregoing lengths are for a preferred embodiment only and that the wires may be of various other lengths depending on the desired configuration and size of the mask. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method for making titanium wire face guard Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method for making titanium wire face guard patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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