Safety Helmet and Method of Manufacture

Abstract

Provided is a safety helmet that exhibits more than one color. Methods of manufacturing such safety helmets are also provided.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A safety helmet comprising
 a shell; and   a brim encompassing an entire perimeter of the shell, the brim including an underside and top side,   wherein the underside or top side or both the underside and top side of the brim are at least partially covered with a band,   wherein the band includes a thickness such that the band does not rise above an outer surface of the brim, and   wherein the band is a different color from the shell.   
     
     
         2 . The safety helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the band is not removable from the brim. 
     
     
         3 . The safety helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the band comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The safety helmet of  claim 3 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer forms a bond with the brim such that no primer or adhesive is required. 
     
     
         5 . The safety helmet of  claim 3 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of styrenic block copolymers, polyolefin blends, elastomeric alloys, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic copolyester, and thermoplastic polyamides. 
     
     
         6 . The safety helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises high density polyethylene. The safety helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the band exhibits a high visibility color. 
     
     
         8 . The safety helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the band, shell, or a combination thereof is formed by an injection molding process. 
     
     
         9 . The safety helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the injection molding process is a multi-shot injection molding process. 
     
     
         10 . The safety helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the injection molding is carried out via overmolding a thermoplastic elastomer onto the brim. 
     
     
         11 . The safety helmet of  claim 10 , wherein the overmolding is carried out by insert molding. 
     
     
         12 . The safety helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the safety helmet meets or exceeds ANSI/SEA 107-2010.