Abstract: A folding, retractable dome for protecting a feature, such as a docking mechanism, a hatch or other equipment at an exterior surface of a space vehicle, includes a plurality of arcuate ribs, each having opposite ends respectively pinioned at opposite sides of the feature at the surface of the vehicle for rotational movement about an axis of rotation extending through the opposite ends and through an arcuate path of revolution extending over the feature, and a flexible cover attached to each of the ribs such that, in a deployed configuration of the dome, in which adjacent ribs are rotated apart from each other at a maximum relative angle therebetween, the cover is stretched generally tangentially between the adjacent ribs to form a generally arcuate shield over the feature, and in a retracted position of the dome, in which adjacent ribs are rotated together at a minimum relative angle therebetween, the cover is collapsed to define folded pleats between the adjacent ribs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a shield to protect a surface from the impact of hyper-velocity projectiles. The apparatus comprises a foam material that is configured to cover the surface to be protected and is attached directly to that surface. A coating material is typically disposed on the outer surface of the foam material and may penetrate the foam material to a predetermined depth. The foam material and the coating material are selected to form a composite having predetermined values of sonic velocity, toughness, and thermal conductivity. The composite of foam material and coating material can be significantly lighter in weight than a metal shield having equivalent protective characteristics.

Abstract: A modular bullet resistant safe room constructed of a plurality of panels and having external seam covers connected to selected panels to cover the seam where joined to adjacent panels. Top panels are oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction of the room, and are of the same width as side panels. In this manner the room may be easily lengthened or shortened by adding or removing top and side panels.

Abstract: A passive barrier (10, 10?, 10?) configured to mitigate blast waves and decelerate incident material to reduce the risk of a sympathetic explosion of a nearby explosive and/or damage to nearby objects. The barrier redirects the force of an incident blast wave and the incident materials. The barrier can be erected near to explosive devices, inside vehicles transporting such devices or even exterior to the vehicle to protect it or personnel. The barrier can be configured to interlock with one or more barriers and can be formed with a foot or placed in a holder to increase its stability.

Abstract: In various embodiments, explosive objects or objects suspected of being explosive may be substantially contained. A protective device for the confinement of explosive objects or objects suspected to of being explosive may include a sleeve. The axial ends of the sleeve may be open. The sleeve may include a layer of blasting-mat material, splinter-proof material, and/or fire-resistant material. The sleeve may be designed to be placed in a position and remain upright to substantially enclose a suspect object resting on a surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pre-packaged kit and a method for creating unique multi-toned custom patterns or camouflage on a surface, and in particular the surfaces of a firearm. The multi-toned custom patterns or camouflage are created by separating or peeling off pre-cut stencil/templates from sheet or roll stock adhesive backed masking material and applying the stencil/templates to a surface. The surface is subsequently sprayed with coatings, finishers and sealants. Additional layers of stencil/templates are then added and sprayed with various colors or tones of coatings, finishers and sealants to complete the desired effect on the firearm surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated vehicle and personal ballistic protection system providing a combination of space utilization, portability and increased personal safety. Also disclosed are kits for up-fitting the shield to an existing installed partition, and a kit for the trunk. The embodiment s depicted and suggested include a vehicle partition integrated with a hand-carry, quickly deployable, self-supporting, ballistic shield including a handle, and shaped to cooperate with a vehicle security partition and is part of the partition when temporarily stowed. An additional optional design feature of the shield is a shape that cooperates with removable mounting hardware for stowing on the underside of the trunk lid, under the rear deck, or on the trunk floor. A benefit of unitary construction, is that governmental safety forces can issue the same shield for cruisers and unmarked detective vehicles.

Abstract: A ballistic composite comprises multiple layers of a fabric having unidirectional ballistic resistant yarns in at least two layers and a resin layer between each pair of such multiple layers adhered to the ballistic resistant yarns but not encapsulation the same and not penetrating the layer of fabric. The ballistic yarn layers are at 90°±5° with respect to each other and the ballistic resistant yarns are stabilized by being woven in a second fabric. The second fabric is formed of yarns having a substantially lower tenacity and tensile modulus than the ballistic resistant yarn. The ballistic resistant yarns have a tenacity of at least about 15 grams per denier and a modulus of at least about 40 grams per denier. The resin in the resin layer has a modulus of at least about 7000 psi.

Abstract: A separable structure includes composite material that is separated or severed by a reactive pyrotechnic material. According to one embodiment, the structure includes a pair of composite laminate structural portions, each including multiple layers of composite material. The portions each extend into an overlap region, within which the composite layers of the two structural portions may be alternately placed, overlapping one another. A reactive material is also placed within this overlap region, for instance being in layers between pairs of the composite material layers. The reactive material may be ignited to cause destruction of the pyrotechnic material, and a matrix or resin material of the composite materials layers in the overlap region. This causes the structure to sever or separate along a line of separation within the overlap region. The separation may occur without need to sever fibers of the composite material.

Abstract: The invention provides a composite armor plate for absorbing and dissipating kinetic energy from high velocity, armor-piercing projectiles, as well as from soft-nosed projectiles, the plate comprising a single internal layer of pellets which are bound and retained in plate form by an elastic material, substantially internally within the elastic material, such that the pellets are bound in a plurality of rows and columns providing mutual lateral support, the pellets being made of ceramic material, wherein a majority of each of the pellets is substantially in contact with at least three adjacent pellets and at least a majority of the pellets are substantially cylindrical in shape with at least one convexly-curved end face, further characterized in that spaces formed between the adjacent cylindrical pellets are only partially filled with a material for preventing the flow of soft metal from impacting projectiles through the spaces, the flow-preventing material being in the form of an insert which is in contact w

Abstract: The present invention provides elements for making a protective reactive armor to be fitted on the outside of an enclosure liable to be exposed to attack by shaped-charge warheads and other threats, such as kinetic energy projectiles and fragments, to thereby enhance survivability of the enclosure and its contents. The invention further provides a non-explosive energetic material useful for such reactive armor elements.

Abstract: There is provided a shield for self-defense provided with a spray device capable of securing safety by always and reliably supporting the shield so as to eject a spray with a simple operation while using the a hand gripping the shield.

Abstract: The present invention provides elements for making a protective reactive armor to be fitted on the outside of an enclosure liable to be exposed to attack by shaped-charge warheads and other threats, such as kinetic energy projectiles and fragments, to thereby enhance survivability of the enclosure and its contents. The invention further provides a non-explosive energetic material useful for such reactive armor elements.

Abstract: An armor structure includes first and second layers individually containing a plurality of i-beams. Individual i-beams have a pair of longitudinal flanges interconnected by a longitudinal crosspiece and defining opposing longitudinal channels between the pair of flanges. The i-beams within individual of the first and second layers run parallel. The laterally outermost faces of the flanges of adjacent i-beams face one another. One of the longitudinal channels in each of the first and second layers faces one of the longitudinal channels in the other of the first and second layers. The channels of the first layer run parallel with the channels of the second layer. The flanges of the first and second layers overlap with the crosspieces of the other of the first and second layers, and portions of said flanges are received within the facing channels of the i-beams of the other of the first and second layers.

Abstract: A missile launcher that combines the functionality of a gas management system and an anti-fratricide shield is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of gas-uptake ducts are arranged on a boundary that surrounds a missile, thereby providing a barrier to the propagation of blast energy and/or fragments across the boundary.

Abstract: An article is disclosed to protect a wearer from spike and ballistic threats that is made from a spike resistant panel and a ballistic resistant panel. Each panel is made from flexible fabric layers. The fabrics in the spike resistant panel are made from first yarns having a linear density of from 50 to 600, with a plurality of filaments. There are 40 to 100 first yarns per inch in both the warp and fill directions. The fabrics in the ballistic resistant panel are made from second yarns having a linear density of from 100 to no more than 840 denier with a plurality of filaments, which provide from 20,000,000 to no more than 90,000,000 filament crossovers per square inch.

Abstract: A composite body produced by a reactive infiltration process that possesses high mechanical strength, high hardness and high stiffness has applications in such diverse industries as precision equipment and ballistic armor. Specifically, the composite material features a boron carbide filler or reinforcement phase, and a silicon component with a porous mass having a carbonaceous component. Potential deleterious reaction of the boron carbide with silicon during infiltration is suppressed by alloying or dissolving boron into the silicon prior to contact of the silicon infiltrant with the boron carbide. In a preferred embodiment of the invention related specifically to armor, good ballistic performance can be advanced by loading the porous mass or preform to be infiltrated to a high degree with one or more hard fillers such as boron carbide, and by limiting the size of the largest particles making up the mass.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronically scanned array includes a plurality of armor segments interspersed between a plurality of transmit/receive integrated microwave modules (TRIMMs), and a clamping element compressing the armor segments.

Abstract: A light-weight armor system for retrofitting onto light vehicles, such as HMMWVs, trucks, or helicopters, or incorporating into a vehicle to protect against HEAT or high explosive warheads. The armor system comprises multiple layers of a thin metal film. The front side of the thin metal sheet facing away from the vehicle is coated with a layer of zirconium nanoparticles and imprinted with a network of hollow packets filled with water and sealed. The back side of the thin metal sheet is coated with a layer of potassium bicarbonate powder. The multiple layers of metal film are imbedded in a matrix of composite foam to form a honeycomb structure that can be retrofitted onto light vehicles or used in new designs.

Abstract: A rapidly deployable barrier is constructed from one or more rows of tubes that are wound from fiber materials. The tubes are arranged in parallel side-by-side relation abutting one another so as to form a wall. A tube in accordance with one embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of layers of flexible fiber materials wound one upon another about an axis and adhered together to form the tube. The layers include one or more relatively low-penetration-resistant fiber layers and one or more relatively high-penetration-resistant fabric layers formed from fibers selected from the group consisting of polymer fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, natural fibers, and mixtures thereof. The tube can also include one or more resilient foam layers. The tube can be filled with concrete, sand, steel bar stock, or the like.

Abstract: Armor includes a projectile impermeable material layer and a shock stiffening layer. The shock stiffening layer has opposing shock stiffening sublayers wherein each shock stiffening sublayer has a plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements. The plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers are interdigitated. The armor includes a foam layer wherein the shock stiffening layer is positioned between the foam layer and the projectile impermeable material layer. The plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers may momentarily or permanently fuse in response to a projectile's impact. The shock stiffening layer spreads the energy laterally, thereby effectively mitigating the transfer of kinetic energy from a ballistic projectile directly to a region to be protected.

Abstract: A ballistic shield has a handle to allow for one arm deployment. The shield also includes an integral window and a firearm mounted to the shield that may be dischargeably operated in its mounted position. Optionally, a second firearm at a different orientation from the first firearm, and/or other weapons or accessories may be mounted to the shield.

Abstract: Protection against blast and ballistic damage is improved by encapsulating or sandwiching rigid inclusions (for example, tiles) or a rigid plate by a high-strain rate hardening elastomer. Typical high-strain rate hardening elastomers include polyurea and polyurethane. If desired, the inclusion or plate may be wrapped in a cloth and/or fabric before encapsulation/sandwiching. The armor may be used independently of a substrate or may be attached by any means to a substrate that it is intended to protect.

Abstract: A safety panel is attachable to the grip of a handgun that stores rounds in the grip and that has at least one opening in the frame of the grip through which hot gases and shrapnel may pass in a blowout. The safety panel is a plate that completely covers the openings and that has no apertures through it in a portion that is over an opening. The plate may have screw holes through it for attaching it to the frame. It also may have indentations in its periphery for an ambidextrous thumb safety, a mainspring housing pin, and a magazine release clearance. The safety panel is attached to the grip of the gun by removing the grip cover, inserting the safety panel in between the frame and the grip cover, and re-fastening the grip cover to the frame.

Abstract: Flexible body armor formed from flexible composites which have improved knife-stab resistance. The body armor is formed from composites which include layers of a fabric base, formed from high tenacity fibers, and a rubber layer bonded to the fabric base. A thermoplastic bonding layer may be used to bond the fabric and rubber layers together. To provide ballistic resistance, the body armor may also include a ballistic resistant composite of a network of high tenacity fibers.

Abstract: Structure, methodology and performance involving and utilizing body armor strand material which includes an elongate strand body possessing elongate brittle ceramic surface structure, elongate ductile core structure disposed within that surface structure, and elongate brittle/ductile transition structure operatively interposed and joining the surface and core structures. Methodology includes the steps of preparing a defined mass of elongate ceramic-surfaced, ductile-cored strand elements, each including, along the outside of its length, elongate, sharp-angular edges, and placing that mass in the impact path of such a projectile in a manner whereby edges in the strands face the projectile impact path.

Abstract: Soft armor is disclosed. The soft armor comprises an armor structure having a threat side and an inner side inward of the threat side. The armor structure is formed from soft armor material, and the armor structure is substantially imperforable by rifle fire.

Abstract: An improved joint utilizes a facing strip which is configured to extend away from a pair of plates held by the facing strip as one moves toward the middle of the facing strip. When the steel plates are disposed at an angle to one another, the facing strip is preferably straight. When the steel plates are parallel, the facing strip is preferably bent to extend toward the plates as one moves out from the middle of the facing strip and toward the lateral edges.

Abstract: An armor system is provided for installation in a vehicle having a body structure. The armor system includes frame members joined to form a framework having openings. The framework is joined to the inside of the body structure of the vehicle. Brackets are joined to the frame members. A number of armor plates are provided, which are configured to cover the openings of the framework. Each plate is joined to at least one of the brackets, so that gaps between the armor plates are overlapped by the frame members.

Abstract: A blast protection structure is formed of one or more bags, generally shown as (1) in FIG. 2. Such bags comprise an upper and lower compartment, with the lower compartment having a reinforcing layer (2), preferably formed of an impact reactant structure such as Kevlar®. The upper surface (3) of the upper compartment, has a non-slip coating to provide improved stacking of bags. Such bags can be used to provide blast protection structures to minimize the risk of damage from an explosion.

Abstract: An armor assembly for protecting a body disposed behind said armor assembly, wherein the armor assembly comprises at least one layer of material made of an essentially brittle material, said layer extending slanted relative the expected trajectory of an oncoming firearm projectile.

Abstract: A defensive shield for a ship has a support arm, pivotally mounted to a ship, and a shield pivotally mounted to one end of the support arm. The support arm is movable between a retracted position and a plurality of deployed defensive positions. In the deployed positions, the shield is outwardly spaced from the ship and angled to defend against attacks, such as aerial attacks and underwater attacks.

Abstract: A ballistic laminate structure includes a first high-performance unifabric composite. The unifabric composite incorporates an array of unidirectionally-oriented fiber bundles carried on a fiber-stabilizing scrim and having a tensile strength greater than 7 grams per denier. A second high-performance unifabric composite includes an array of high performance, unidirectionally-oriented fiber bundles. The fiber bundles of the second composite are carried on a fiber-stabilizing scrim and have a tensile strength greater than 7 grams per denier. The first and second unifabric composites are cross-plied at an angle and bonded together to form the ballistic laminate structure.

Abstract: A bullet-resistant defensive device is disclosed made up of layers of bullet resistant material layered together and connected along their peripheral edge on a frame to form a planar shield. The shield so formed works such that a bullet striking the shield causes the layered bullet resistant material to flex thereby dissipating the force of the bullet, the material when it stretches transfers the force of the bullet from a shear mode to a tensile mode. One preferred embodiment incorporates the invention into a clipboard box for use by police officers for protecting against head, neck and hand wounds from handguns fired at close range from vehicles. The hand-held, bullet resistant clipboard box holds documents and writing implements, and the bullet-resistant material is located within the clipboard box interior cavity and configured for catching a fired bullet before it can pass through the entire clipboard.

Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle having a door window defined by a retractable transparent panel which is guided into a receiving frame, the safety apparatus comprising a window insert formed of a sheet of material; a window frame including a transparent panel, the window frame having inside and outside surfaces; a lower mounting bracket for receiving the sheet, with an edge defined to be releasably inserted in the frame; an upper mounting bracket for receiving the sheet, the upper mounting bracket attached to the inside surface of the window frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to the area of armor and in particular to multilayer armor having a composite layer containing a first material made of a metal or an alloy and a second material where the second material is porous and in that the metal or metal alloy is infiltrated into some or all of the pores of the second material and characterized in that a cage made of plates having openings contains the first and second materials and in that the cage is itself coated, at least partly, with the infiltration metal or alloy, the melting point of the cage material being higher than that of the infiltration metal or alloy.

Abstract: A multi-hit transparent armor system is described and claimed herein for improving the resistance of transparent armor to incoming projectiles. Typically, the transparent armor is framed within a window opening of a security structure. An exemplary, contemplated structure is an armored combat vehicle. My system includes a sheet of tempered glass that is also positioned within said window, but is deployed outboard of said transparent armor and is also parallel planar thereto. Positioned below said sheet of tempered glass, and coaxial thereto, is an opaque armor panel that is more efficient and effective against multiple projectiles than either the tempered glass or transparent armor alone. The tempered glass sheet and the opaque armor are typically loaded under compression by a spring assembly. An incoming projectile, launched from a position outboard and also remote from said structure, will first strike the tempered glass before hitting my transparent armor.

Abstract: A protective device for a field apparatus includes first and second lateral plates, each plate having a top end and a bottom end. The first and second lateral plates are opposingly situated to mutually support each other in an A-shaped structure. In this A-shaped structure, the top ends are coupled together by at least one coupling device substantially at the apex of the “A”, and the bottom ends are coupled together by a fastening assembly. The bottom fastening assembly acts to restrain the rending of the A-shaped structure by a force generated from debris striking the first or second lateral plate. Each lateral plate also has a handle positioned in proximity to the top end. When a user grabs both handles, the A-shaped structure collapses for storage. The protective device further includes a transmission line and a device for transmitting and receiving radio waves to an electromagnetic field apparatus.

Abstract: Adaptive modification of surface properties such as color, temperature and reflective properties by adjustably varying the temperature of a surface perceived by an observer, utilizing Peltier devices at the surface for temperature adjustment.

Abstract: Several ceramic armour systems are provided herein. One such system is a ceramic armour system for personnel. Such system includes an integral ceramic plate, or a plurality of interconnected ceramic components providing an integral plate. The ceramic has a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface. A front spall layer is bonded to the front surface of the ceramic plate. A shock-absorbing layer is bonded to the rear surface of ceramic plate. A backing is bonded to the exposed face of the shock-absorbing layer. A second such system is a ceramic armour system for vehicles. Such system also includes an integral ceramic plate, or a plurality of interconnected ceramic components providing an integral plate. The ceramic plate has a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface. A front spall layer is bonded to the front surface of the ceramic plate. A shock-absorbing layer is bonded to the rear surface of the ceramic plate.

Abstract: A blast fragment and oxygen fire safety barrier comprising a corrugated impact panel connected to and spanning a pair of columns designed by directly impacting the barrier with a fragment of specified weight at a specified velocity to obtain test values for use in determining whether the barrier is capable of absorbing impact kinetic energy (KE) without exceeding predetermined maximum allowable ductability and maximum allowable deflection to span ratios, and dissipating strain energy at such maximum allowable deflection, and whether connectors have sufficient shear strength considering the lesser of maximum dynamic shear capacity of said column and a maximum dynamic shear force based on measured peak reaction during direct fragment impact on the column, includes an oxygen fire resistant panel on the non-blast side of the impact panel spaced from said impact panel a distance in excess of the maximum allowable deflection of said impact panel.

Abstract: The cockpit door has a hinge on one side and a latch device on the other side that can be operated only from the cockpit side. To the inner side of the door panel is mounted a reinforcement member 100 having a body formed by laminating layers of aromatic polyamide fiber sheets and thermoplastic adhesive and subjecting the same to hot pressing to form an integral member. Mounting portions 150 and 160 are formed to the rim portion of the reinforcement member body 110, and rivet inserting holes 180 are machined to the portions. The mounting portions are bent by 90 degrees, and fixed to a frame using rivets.

Abstract: An improved transparent armor structure for use in a vehicle includes a first sheet of transparent armor composite comprising at least one layer of polymeric material and at least one layer of tempered silica glass bonded to form a laminated bullet resisting structure and also having a bracket member adapted to hold a second transparent spall resisting layer parallel to and slightly spaced from the inner surface of the first transparent composite layer. A spacing means between the first and second layers forms a chamber between the first and second panels and a desiccant is located within the chamber to minimize the amount of condensation on the surface of the transparent armor surfaces.

Abstract: A rapidly deployable portable convertible blast effects shield/ballistic shield includes a set two or more telescoping cylindrical rings operably connected to each other to convert between a telescopically-collapsed configuration for storage and transport, and a telescopically-extended upright configuration forming an expanded inner volume. In a first embodiment, the upright configuration provides blast effects shielding, such as against blast pressures, shrapnel, and/or fire balls. And in a second embodiment, the upright configuration provides ballistic shielding, such as against incoming weapons fire, shrapnel, etc. Each ring has a high-strength material construction, such as a composite fiber and matrix material, capable of substantially inhibiting blast effects and impinging projectiles from passing through the shield. And the set of rings are releasably securable to each other in the telescopically-extended upright configuration, such as by click locks.

Abstract: A seating unit in a combat vehicle that is protected against mines is provided. The vehicle has a hull that is disposed on the chassis and that has at least one hatch in its roof plate that can be closed off by a hatch cover. The seating unit, which is disposed in the hull in the region below the hatch, is provided with a base on which is disposed a seat and that is suspended on the front or side wall and/or the roof plate of the hull via a tubular construction in such a way that the base is not at less than a prescribed spacing relative to the base of the hull. The tubular construction can comprise two guide tubes that extend parallel to one another and upwardly at an angle. The upper ends of the tubes are connected with the front wall, and the lower ends are suspended on the roof plate via connecting tubes. The base is displaceably disposed on the guide tubes via holding devices.

Abstract: Silicon infiltration technology is used to produce ceramic bodies having utility as ballistic armor. In a first aspect of the invention, the ballistic armor includes a reaction-bonded silicon carbide body (RBSC). Good ballistic performance can be advanced by loading the permeable mass or preform to be infiltrated to a high degree with one or more hard fillers, and by limiting the size of the largest particles making up the mass. In a second aspect, the silicon infiltration technology, e.g., siliconizing or reaction-bonding, is used to bond silicon carbide fibers to at least the back surface of a ceramic armor body, thereby enhancing ballistic stopping power. A third aspect of the invention pertains to the ability to engineer RBSC bodies such that there is little dimensional change during processing, thereby permitting high dimensional reproducibility in large-scale production.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bullet protective shield for mounting to the interior of a motor vehicle, said shield including a bullet protective viewing window to provide a driveable view therethrough. Said shield be rotable between a stored position adjacent the interior roof of the vehicle and a deployed position extending vertically downward between the vehicle passengers and the vehicle windshield.

Abstract: A reinforced window system for mounting within an opening in a wall, the window system comprising a first frame corresponding with an out-side of the wall and a second frame fixed behind the first frame and corresponding with an in-side of the wall. At least the first frame supports a reinforced window pane. The first frame bears against the second frame such that forces applied to the first frame in a direction normal to the pane are at least partially absorbed and dampened by the second frame.

Abstract: The invention provides an array of blast-resistant partitions arranged to subdivide a predetermined space into a multiplicity of interconnected subspaces and thereby to substantially confine an explosive blast to one or more of the subspaces while protecting the remaining subspaces in the predetermined space.

Abstract: A personal protective shield, which comprises a central panel; at least two lateral panels; and hinged connections between the central panel and the lateral panels. The protective shield has a folded configuration for carrying it and for attaching to it other equipment, in which the aforementioned lateral panels are folded against the central panel, and an expanded configuration for carrying out its protective function, in which the aforementioned lateral panels are angularly set off from the central panel. The central panel and the lateral panels are made of bulletproof plate materials. The central panel may have a curved configuration adapted to fit the back of the user, and the lateral panels may have curved configurations matching that of the central panel.