Method for making titanium wire face guard

Abstract

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 to a desired bend angle by bending the member at room temperature using rotary bending apparatus 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.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . A helmet, comprising a helmet shell and a face mask attachable to the shell, the face mask comprising: plurality of titanium wire members positioned in a desired configuration and interconnected to one another by a plurality of welds, each weld being a resistance spot weld formed in an ambient, oxygen containing environment and having suitable weld strength such that the face mask complies with the Standard Method of Impact and Performance Requirements of the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (Jul. 14, 1987, Revised Jul. 10, 1990).  
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 7 , wherein the titanium wire members comprise Grade 2, commercially pure titanium wire.  
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 7 , wherein the titanium wire members have a diameter of from about 0.21 to about 0.24 inches.