Abstract: A soft armor panel is provided by work softening a panel formed of a ballistic material. The panel also includes slip planes between adjacent ply groups, the adjacent ply groups remaining unconnected or substantially unconnected at the slip plane. The soft, or conformable, body armor, is resistant to various projectile threats, in which the panel is made by work-softening an otherwise rigid panel. The soft armor panel includes a work softened lamination of a plurality of ply groups. Each ply group comprises one or more layers, each layer comprising a composite material of fibers embedded in a matrix material. A slip plane is disposed between at least one set of adjacent ply groups, such that the adjacent ply groups remain unconnected or substantially unconnected at the slip plane. The softened ballistic panel retains significant ballistic properties, is light weight and can be readily conformed to various torso configurations.

Abstract: A device to protect a structural member against a cutting threat, such as a saw blade or thermal cutting device, is provided. The device provides a substrate having a cavity disposed therein. A cutting resistant element is disposed within the cavity to impede cutting of a cutting device, such as a saw blade or thermal cutting device, into the cutting resistant element.

Abstract: A window insert assembly providing ballistic protection for a window opening of a vehicle side door. The window insert assembly includes a window insert formed from a ballistic-resistant material and a wedge assembly to wedge the window insert within a window frame of the vehicle door. A method of providing ballistic protection for the window opening.

Abstract: A device to protect a structural member against a cutting threat, such as a saw blade or thermal cutting device, is provided. The device provides a substrate having a cavity disposed therein. A cutting resistant element is disposed within the cavity to impede cutting of a cutting device, such as a saw blade or thermal cutting device, into the cutting resistant element.

Abstract: A window insert assembly providing ballistic protection for a window opening of a vehicle side door. The window insert assembly includes a window insert formed from a ballistic-resistant material and a wedge assembly to wedge the window insert within a window frame of the vehicle door. A method of providing ballistic protection for the window opening.

Abstract: A window insert assembly providing ballistic protection for a window of a vehicle side door. The window insert assembly includes a window insert formed from a ballistic-resistant material and a wedge assembly to wedge the window insert within a window frame of the vehicle door. A method of providing ballistic protection for the window and a method of manufacturing the window insert assembly.

Abstract: A soft armor panel is provided by work softening a panel formed of a ballistic material. The panel also includes slip planes between adjacent ply groups, the adjacent ply groups remaining unconnected or substantially unconnected at the slip plane. The soft, or conformable, body armor, is resistant to various projectile threats, in which the panel is made by work-softening an otherwise rigid panel. The soft armor panel includes a work softened lamination of a plurality of ply groups. Each ply group comprises one or more layers, each layer comprising a composite material of fibers embedded in a matrix material. A slip plane is disposed between at least one set of adjacent ply groups, such that the adjacent ply groups remain unconnected or substantially unconnected at the slip plane. The softened ballistic panel retains significant ballistic properties, is light weight and can be readily conformed to various torso configurations.

Abstract: A window insert assembly providing ballistic protection for a window of a vehicle side door. The window insert assembly includes a window insert formed from a ballistic-resistant material and a wedge assembly to wedge the window insert within a window frame of the vehicle door. A method of providing ballistic protection for the window.

Abstract: A window insert assembly for providing ballistic protection to a window of a vehicle side door is provided. The window insert assembly includes a window insert formed from a ballistic-resistant material and a wedge assembly to wedge the window insert within a window frame of the vehicle door. A method of providing ballistic protection of a vehicle window and a method of manufacturing a window insert assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A window insert assembly for providing ballistic protection to a window of a vehicle side door is provided. The window insert assembly includes a window insert formed from a ballistic-resistant material and a wedge assembly to wedge the window insert within a window frame of the vehicle door. A method of providing ballistic protection of a vehicle window and a method of manufacturing a window insert assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicular armor system to prevent ballistic projectiles from penetrating a vehicle includes a panel having a perimeter defining an area sized to cover at least a portion of an exterior vehicular surface, generally a door, and having a contour within the perimeter configured to generally conform to the portion of the vehicular surface. The panel includes a layered arrangement including a protection layer comprised of a ballistic material and an outer cosmetic layer on which color and/or graphic matter can be applied. The panel is mounted to the vehicle, such as with a removable magnetic mounting system. The panel can also be configured for use as a personal shield when removed from the vehicle. A method of manufacturing the armor system is also provided.

Abstract: An armored door panel includes a planar device having a layered arrangement including a protection layer comprised of a ballistic material and an outer surface layer arranged on the outer side of the protection layer. The planar device is affixed to an existing door to prevent ballistic projectile from penetrating the door.

Abstract: A vehicular armor system to prevent ballistic projectiles from penetrating a vehicle includes a panel having a perimeter defining an area sized to cover at least a portion of an exterior vehicular surface, generally a door, and having a contour within the perimeter configured to generally conform to the portion of the vehicular surface. The panel includes a layered arrangement including a protection layer comprised of a ballistic material and an outer cosmetic layer on which color and/or graphic matter can be applied. The panel is mounted to the vehicle, such as with a removable magnetic mounting system. The panel can also be configured for use as a personal shield when removed from the vehicle. A method of manufacturing the armor system is also provided.

Abstract: An armored door panel includes a planar device having a layered arrangement including a protection layer comprised of a ballistic material and an outer surface layer arranged on the outer side of the protection layer. The planar device is affixed to an existing door to prevent ballistic projectile from penetrating the door.

Abstract: An armored door panel includes a planar device having a layered arrangement including a protection layer comprised of a ballistic material and an outer surface layer arranged on the outer side of the protection layer. The planar device is affixed to an existing door to prevent ballistic projectile from penetrating the door.

Abstract: An armored door panel includes a planar device having a layered arrangement including a protection layer comprised of a ballistic material and an outer surface layer arranged on the outer side of the protection layer. The planar device is affixed to an existing door to prevent ballistic projectile from penetrating the door.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system for blast mitigation is provided for a suspended support element, such as a gunner seat or medical stretcher, in a vehicle. An energy absorbing element is located in series within at least one suspension element of the seat or stretcher. The energy absorbing element includes an extensible section having a contracted, folded configuration and an extended configuration. A retention element, such as stitching or entangled interlocking fibers, retains the energy absorbing element in the contracted configuration. The retention element remains intact when the energy absorbing element supports a load from the person on the seat or stretcher and fails over a period of time when an explosive force is applied to the vehicle from underneath, causing the vehicle to move upwardly, the extensible section thereby extending in length and absorbing energy. Injury to the person can thereby be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention's composite-to-metal attachment methodology—bolt-free and adhesive-free—features the implementation of an intermediary structure containing metallic fibrous material. The intermediary structure couples a first adherend (which contains nonmetallic fibrous material) with a second adherend (which contains metallic nonfibrous material). The intermediary structure's fibrous attribute is availed of for effecting its co-cure attachment to the first adherend. The intermediary structure's metallic attribute is availed of for effecting its weld attachment to the second adherend. According to typical inventive practice, respective panels of the first adherend and the intermediary structure are arranged and connected so as to describe a stepped configuration at the interface between the first adherend and the intermediary structure. The first adherend and a first portion of the intermediary structure are co-impregnated with a uniform resinous system and are co-cured.

Abstract: A reinforcing structure designed for handling compression stress states when the structure is molded into a composite. The structure, specifically a wrapped cord with metallic filaments contained therein, is suitable for both compression and tension load forces. The reinforcing structure has a core comprising a plurality of essentially straight, nested filaments arranged in parallel, the filaments forming a line of contact with adjacent filaments that extends along the length of the filaments. Wrapped about the core is at least one helically wound wire.

Abstract: Large composite structures are produced using a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process incorporating a resin distribution network. The resin distribution network is provided by a textured sheet of metal formed as an integral vacuum bag and mold. The texture is formed by upraised portions on one side of the sheet which correspond with depressions on the other side. Valleys between the upraised portions form the resin distribution network. A fiber lay up is placed against the textural sheet with the upraised portions facing the lay up. Main feeder grooves are also formed directly in the sheet. Resin is supplied under vacuum to the main feeder grooves, from where it travels through the valleys of the textured sheet to impregnate the lay up.