Gentex Corporation

David James Burke

Brad L Sutter

Charles F Acker

Gregory M Monforte, Ii

Matthew Madden

Gregory M Monforte

The present application discloses a method of shaping a working material () into an article, consisting of two primary stages: (a) in the absence of added heat, consolidating and shaping the working material into a pre-form shape using a dynamic hydroforming process that employs a rigid, male-shaped tool () and a non-rigid, female-shaped tool (); and (b) in the presence of added heat, further consolidating and shaping the working material into the final shape using at least one additional rigid forming tool ().

Process for shaping or forming articles

A safety fastener for mounting fitting equipment such as suspension and retention systems onto a ballistic helmet. The nut portion of the fastener fits substantially within a grommet that is attached to a strap that forms part of the suspension or retention systems. The nut retains, rather than clamps, the grommet to the helmet. The grommet can be pulled off the nut. The pull-out force is less than the fastener fracture force. The configuration of the fastener allows ballistic threat energy to be absorbed by helmet deformation and delamination along with grommet pull-out to provide energy dissipation in stages which avoids the creation of secondary projectiles from the fastener itself.

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Carbondale, PA, United States of America

David James Burke