System and method for creating a custom protective equipment item

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method for creating a customized protective equipment item having improved fit. A measuring device takes measurements of a person. The measurements are sent to a computer, which has software for translating the measurements into a custom selection of standard sized components used to assemble the custom protective equipment item. An assembly process builds the completed protective equipment item which is customized to the wearer's size requirements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for creating a custom fit protective equipment item for a person comprising:
 a measuring device for measuring the person;   a first computer for receiving and processing the measurements;   a second computer for receiving the results generated by the first computer and having software configured to translate said measurements into instructions for creation of the custom protective equipment item; and   an assembly process for assembling the custom protective equipment item.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first computer additionally comprises software configured to process said measurements into a selection of standard size pieces that assemble to create the custom protective equipment item. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the measuring device is a three dimensional scanning device. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the first computer translates the measurements into a selection of standard size components by use of an algorithm. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the first computer is connected to the second computer via the internet. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the assembly process involves an assembly line. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein:
 the assembly process is automated. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein:
 the assembly process comprises at least one robot to assemble the protective equipment item. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the protective equipment item is a helmet. 
 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the protective equipment item is any type of athletic equipment. 
 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the assembly process comprises a series of bins having a series of compartments for housing components for use in assembling the protective equipment. 
 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein:
 each of the components for the protective equipment item are sorted into each of said bins and further sorted into each of said compartments of said bin. 
 
     
     
         13 . A system for creating a custom protective equipment item for a person comprising:
 an electronic measuring device for measuring the person;   a first computer for receiving the measurements and having software capable of translating the measurements into a selection of standard size pieces that assemble to create the custom protective equipment item;   a second computer connected to the first computer via the internet, configured to receive the selection generated by the first computer and generate a series of instructions for assembly of the custom protective equipment item; and   an assembly process for assembling the selection of standard size components into the custom protective equipment item based on the instructions received by the second computer.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein:
 the assembly process is automated. 
 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein:
 the assembly process comprises at least one robot to assemble the custom protective equipment item. 
 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein:
 the assembly process comprises a series of bins having a series of compartments wherein each of the components for the custom protective equipment item are sorted by bin and further sorted by type of component into each compartment of said bin. 
 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13  wherein:
 the custom protective equipment item is a helmet. 
 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  wherein:
 the custom protective equipment item is an athletic equipment item. 
 
     
     
         19 . A method for creating a custom protective equipment item for a person comprising the steps of:
 taking a number of measurements of the person using a measuring device;   inputting said measurements into a first computer configured to receive said measurements and having software capable of translating the measurements into a selection of standard size pieces for the assembly of the custom protective equipment item;   processing said measurements into the selection of standard size components for the custom protective equipment item on the computer;   transmitting said results to a second computer configured to receive said results generated by the first computer and translate said results into assembly instructions for the custom protective equipment item; and   assembling the selection of standard size components into the custom protective equipment item.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  where:
 the custom protective equipment item is assembled with at least one standard component of a first size and a second standard component of a second size.