Protective helmet wrap and related method of applying wrap to a protective helmet

Abstract

A wrap for covering a protective helmet having an exterior shell that allows for personalization of the helmet in an effective and cost-efficient manner. The wrap has a flexible layer removably disposed around at least a portion of the exterior shell of the protective helmet such that said flexible layer is substantially flush with the exterior shell of the protective helmet. The flexible layer of the wrap may be made of a vinyl material. The wrap may have an additional layer positioned directly over the flexible layer, wherein the additional layer is made of a plastic material.

1 . A wrap for covering a protective helmet having an exterior shell, comprising:
 a flexible layer removably disposed around at least a portion of the exterior shell of the protective helmet such that said flexible layer is substantially flush with the exterior shell of the protective helmet.   
     
     
         2 . The wrap according to  claim 1 , further comprising an additional layer positioned directly over the flexible layer. 
     
     
         3 . The wrap of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible layer is made of a vinyl material. 
     
     
         4 . The wrap of  claim 1 , wherein the additional layer is made of a plastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The wrap of  claim 1 , wherein the layers are constructed of different materials. 
     
     
         6 . The wrap of  claim 1 , further comprising a final layer constructed of the same material as the additional layer. 
     
     
         7 . The wrap of  claim 1 , wherein the wrap is positioned around substantially the entirety of the exterior shell of the protective helmet. 
     
     
         8 . A removable cover for an athletic helmet having a protective shell, comprising:
 a printable film for positioning over the protective shell of the athletic helmet; and   a laminate material for substantially covering the printable film.   
     
     
         9 . The removable cover of  claim 8 , wherein the printable film is configured to be imprinted with a logo. 
     
     
         10 . The removable cover of  claim 8 , wherein the laminate material is clear. 
     
     
         11 . The removable cover of  claim 8 , further comprising an adhesive layer attaching directly to the protective shell of the athletic helmet. 
     
     
         12 . The removable cover of  claim 8 , wherein the cover has a thickness of less than 0.10 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The removable cover of  claim 8 , wherein the cover is shaped to correspond with the shape of the protective shell of the athletic helmet. 
     
     
         14 . The removable cover of  claim 8 , wherein the laminate material has a glossy finish. 
     
     
         15 . A method of applying a removable wrap to a football helmet, comprising:
 providing a layer of vinyl material; and   transferring the layer of vinyl material directly to the football helmet.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising laminating the layer of vinyl material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the providing step includes printing a layer of vinyl material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the transferring step includes heating, stretching and sealing the layer of vinyl material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the transferring step includes adding an adhesive to the football helmet. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising after the transferring step, removing any excess vinyl from the layer of vinyl material that is not transferred directly to the football helmet.