Abstract: Vehicle armor includes a body panel of the vehicle having a stressed skin construction with an inside surface and an outside surface. A liner overlies the inside surface of the body panel and a particle-filled elastomer overlies the outside surface of the body panel. Thin, single-layer steel tiles overlie the elastomer layer, with the tiles each having a hardened outer side and a non-hardened inner side.

Abstract: A technique enables improved performance of oilfield service operations. A protective shield is formed with a portable stand and at least one lightweight impact panel. The one or more lightweight impact panels enable easy movement of the safety shield from one location to another at a given well site or between different well sites, thus affording protection with a minimum of labor and set up time. The safety shield can be used to provide protection during individual operations and/or to segregate and protect independent operations from each other during multiple, simultaneous operations.

Abstract: Armor for a vehicle comprises a grid of bars, at least the majority of the bars being formed from carbon fiber. The carbon fiber bars may be pultruded and some of the bars may be metallic.

Abstract: A barrier comprising a body member. The body member has a first side, a second side, a front side, a rear side, and one or more cavities within the body member. The body member further has a first overlap portion and a second overlap portion. The first overlap portion extends from the first side adjacent to the front side and spaced apart from the rear side. The second overlap portion extends from the second side adjacent to the rear side and spaced apart from the second side. The second overlap portion is shaped to mate in an overlapping manner with the first overlap portion of an adjacent body member. A barrier wall comprising two or more barriers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable checkpoint system is disclosed that incorporates a configurable freight container to intercept and inspect an approaching vehicle. The container includes a quadrilateral set of walls connectable to form a rectangular box, first and second ends of the walls, a blast plate disposed within the box, and a receptacle for mounting a device. At least one of the ends includes a door. The blast plate is disposed between two interior surfaces of the quadrilateral set of walls for absorbing shock and shrapnel, such as at an oblique angle. The mounted device is an instrument for measuring a characteristic of the vehicle. Another such device is a lamp for illuminating the vehicle. The checkpoint includes an obstacle to direct the vehicle in traffic flow, and a pair of configurable freight containers as described. The obstacle directs the vehicle towards the zone. The containers are disposed substantially parallel to each other and separated apart to form a zone that enables the vehicle to pass there-between.

Abstract: A structure or vehicle protection system including a removable frame on the structure or vehicle, and a net within the frame and spaced from the structure or vehicle and having a mesh size designed to disarm an incoming threat.

Abstract: A barrier comprising a base unit composed of a bullet resistant material and a transparent upper wall removably interconnected to the base unit and composed of a bullet resistant material. The base unit includes a front wall and two side walls extending from the front wall to provide protection to the front and sides of a person standing behind the barrier. A series of casters, preferably locking casters, are attached to the bottom edges of the side walls, and a pair of handles connected to each of the side walls permitting the barrier to be conveniently transported from one site to another.

Abstract: Armor systems for protecting against various threats, including projectiles and explosive devices. An armor system includes one or more ballistic panels, one or more wire mesh layers and a backing on a side of the armor system facing away from potential threats that helps to absorb force impacting on the first ballistic panel. The first ballistic panel includes a core that provides strength and rigidity for the first ballistic panel and that distributes and dissipates force impacting on the first ballistic panel, a grinding layer comprising grinding media situated within and positioned on at least one side of the core facing towards potential threats, and a bonding layer that encapsulates the grinding layer. The one or more wire mesh layers contain the ballistic panel, increasing the durability and re-usability of the ballistic panel.

Abstract: A hard armor composite includes a rigid facing and a ballistic fabric backing. The fabric backing is carried by the facing, and includes an array of bundled high-performance fibers. The fibers have a tensile strength greater than 7 grams per denier and a denier per filament ratio of less than 5.4.

Abstract: An improvement in an electric armor system designed to prevent, among other things, a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) from penetrating the hull of a fighting vehicle. The system includes a self-clearing electrode that will make the system less vulnerable to non-plasma objects that might otherwise short out the active armor electrodes. It optionally further allows for the early initiation of current flow at the point of penetration making it even easier to defeat incoming threats by allowing more time to break-up an incoming plasma jet.

Abstract: A protection device for an observation screen of a vehicle, wherein it is constituted by a plate of armor positioned outside of the vehicle, and pivoting arms ensuring the displacement of the armor plate from a passive position in which the field of vision is totally free and one or several protection positions.

Abstract: A portable checkpoint system is disclosed that incorporates a configurable freight container to facilitate transport and conversion for operation. The container is disposable into closed and open configurations. The closed configuration enables the container to be transported. The open configuration enables a vehicle to drive therethrough. In the closed configuration, the container forms a quadrilateral set of walls connectable in a rectangular box. A hinge joins two adjacent walls along a pivotable edge and pivots between perpendicular and coplanar positions corresponding respectively to the closed and open configurations. A joint reversibly connects two walls opposite the adjacent walls along a separable edge, disconnecting from a lock position to an unlock position that correspond respectively to the closed and open configurations. The hinge's perpendicular position disposes the two adjacent walls to be mutually perpendicular at the pivotable edge and forms the rectangular box.

Abstract: A perforating gun loading bay includes a loading area and a separate gun component storage area. The perforating gun loading area also includes racks and a table that permit an in-line loading operation such that the gun housing and loaded gun need not be moved out of a linear path from introduction to the bay to unloading from the bay. The racks and the table may be position in axial alignment and may include low friction members to permit axial sliding motion along the racks and the table. A method for using the loading bay permits in-line handling. A perforating gun loading table includes low friction members permitting axial movement of perforating gun components therealong and low friction members permitting rotational movement of perforating gun components along their long axis. The perforating gun loading table includes a control system for selecting the low friction member that is positioned to engage the perforating gun component on the table.

Abstract: An armor system comprising an armor base, an armor face on the armor base positioned as to be the first impact point of an incoming projectile, and a plurality of protrusions that extend outwardly away from the armor face. The protrusions act to affect the trajectory of an incoming projectile and divert it away from the optimum angle of attack.

Abstract: Improved composite armor designs uses optimally shaped ceramic pellets, a specific stacking geometry and a web system for patterning the pellets, improving manufacturability, and providing additional structural reinforcement. Lightweight, composite ballistic armor according to the invention may comprise an array of ceramic pellets, each pellet having a front surface, a back surface and a longitudinal centerline, and wherein the front surface of each pellet is intentionally convex. The front surface of each pellet may be hemispherical, in which case the cross-section of the pellet taken perpendicular to the centerline may be oval-shaped. Alternatively, the front surface of each pellet may be elliptical, in which case the cross-section of the pellet taken perpendicular to the centerline may be circular. In the preferred embodiment, the back surface of each pellet is formed at the same angle relative to its centerline, with the pellets being arranged with the flat surfaces lying in a plane.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to protective shields, and more particularly, to ballistic shields. For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention the term “ballistic shield” is intended to refer to a shield designed to minimize the chances of a fatality or serious injury in the event of a bullet strike, shrapnel strike, or the like (but not necessarily to be impenetrable to all types of strikes under all conditions).

Abstract: A portable shield for use by a peace officer can be carried on an officer's arm and has a curved outer surface and a relatively small overall shape, to provide better enforcement abilities. The shield supports a canister of sprayable protection material, such as pepper spray. The shield has a baton port for supporting an officer's baton during use of the baton.

Abstract: A portable protection system including a selectively collapsible truss for supporting a protection member. The truss is movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The protection member includes at least one layer of ballistic armor material for disrupting a projectile. The truss includes suitable connectors for releasably connecting the protection member to the truss, and also suitable connectors for releasably connecting the truss to an adjoining truss so as to form a protection wall.

Abstract: The invention provides a personal protection apparatus for use in vehicles comprising: a behind-the-seat ballistic shield provided with support means extending to the floor of the vehicle for distributing a weight component of the shield, and a deployable protective ballistic shield and visor articulately linked to the behind-the-seat ballistic shield for protecting the upper chest, neck and head areas of a driver and displaceable between an active deployed position in front of the driver and a storage position.

Abstract: The invention provides a composite armor plate for absorbing and dissipating kinetic energy from high-velocity projectiles, the plate comprising a single internal layer of pellets which are bound and retained in plate form the pellets being characterized by a substantially regular geometric cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area being substantially polygonal with rounded corners.

Abstract: A ballistics barrier having a multitude of vertically stacked layers. Each layer comprised of a plurality of horizontally-offset, interconnected laterally collapsible cells formed from multiple sheets of ballistics fabric. The perimeter interface between two vertically stacked layers is sealed by a skirt extending between the top of one layer and the bottom of the vertically adjacent layer.

Abstract: A mobile reconfigurable barricade having a plurality of cells comprised of multiple sheets of deformable barricading fabric. The deformable fabric permits one or more of the cells to collapse to create a bent or reconfigured barricade.

Abstract: A hard armor composite includes a rigid facing and a ballistic fabric backing. The fabric backing is carried by the facing, and includes an array of bundled high-performance fibers. The fibers have a tensile strength greater than 7 grams per denier and a denier per filament ratio of less than 5.4.

Abstract: An armor for protection against large caliber projectiles has a ceramic layer with a confinement layer on a front thereof. The ceramic layer is backed by a first metallic layer and the first metallic layer in turn is backed by a composite layer. The composite layer is backed by a second metallic layer, which in turn is backed by an anti-trauma layer. The armor is used to protect personnel, but it can also be used to protect objectives such as vehicles.

Abstract: A system for mounting armor to a structure such as a vehicle hull has a base for attachment to the structure, an adapter engaged with the base and with the armor for coupling the base to the armor, and a fastener, for example a pin or a bolt) for rigidly securing the adapter with the base. The system advantageously permits retrofitting of previously unarmored structures and/or permits replacement of damaged or obsolete armor. A kit for retrofitting a structure with armor has a base for attachment to the structure, an adapter for engagement with the base and with the armor for coupling the base to the armor, a fastener for rigidly engaging the adapter with the base, and instructions for mounting the armor on the structure using the base, the adapter and the fastener.

Abstract: An armor includes a face sheet, a spall liner, and a core disposed between the face sheet and the spall liner. The core includes a polymeric matrix and a plurality of ceramic rods disposed in the polymeric matrix. The armor further includes a first shock dissipation layer disposed between the face sheet and the core. The armor optionally includes a second shock dissipation layer disposed between the spall liner and the core.

Abstract: A system shields field-deployable equipment from effects of nearby multi-directional threats, the equipment including or being mounted in association with a sensor unit having at least one sensor operable to detect the motion of an in-flight projectile and to generate a nearby impact point determination. Shields are mounted in spaced relationship with the equipment and adapted to be moved from first position wherein the equipment is fully exposed to a second position wherein the equipment is at least partially shielded, and a control unit is coupled to the shields and is responsive to detection of an in-flight projectile prior to nearby impact for moving at least one of the shields from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A modular ballistic wall assembly incorporates a rigid frame including first and second spaced-apart uprights, and at least one cross-member extending between the uprights. A plurality of ballistic panels are carried by the frame between the first and second uprights. Each ballistic panel has top and bottom edges, opposing side edges, and opposing major surfaces. The major surfaces define respective threat and lee sides of the panel. The ballistic panels are arranged edge-to-edge, such that adjacent panels form an unprotected seam therebetween. A first ballistic seam protector is carried by the cross-member of the frame, and covers the unprotected seam on the threat-side of the ballistic panels. A second ballistic seam protector is carried by one of the first and second uprights of the frame on the threat-side of the ballistic panels. The second ballistic seam protector is adapted for covering a second unprotected seam formed between adjacent ballistic panels.

Abstract: An integral ballistic shield formed of ballistic material is provided with a central portion and side portions to provide front and partial side ballistic protection. A support extends from the backside of the shield adjacent a truncated V-groove opening through the upper edge of the shield. The support includes a handle for simultaneously grasping the grip of a long gun with one hand, enabling the individual to support the shield and the long gun by the one hand. The individual's opposite hand is free to operate the long gun. Thus, the hand that supports the shield also supports the long gun.

Abstract: A portable perimeter defense system is provided that is configured for preventing unwanted intrusions by vehicles or other heavy and fast-moving vehicles into a protected area while also providing requisite ballistic resistance capabilities. The defense system includes individual modular barriers that can be readily transported to a point of use and can be secured in place without requiring heavy equipment or power sources, such as electricity. This can be readily achieved with as few as one person. The modular barriers include a front plate configured to provide exceptional ballistic protection in the direction of impact and to provide an impact surface capable of withstanding impact. When circumstances warrant a double row portable perimeter defense system, a bracing system is provided to render parallel rows of barriers cooperative to prevent aft tilting of the impacted forward barriers.

Abstract: A modular construction system that can be used to construct a variety of structural units including armor shields for vehicles or personnel, energy generating grids, thermal insulating or transmitting structures, acoustic insulating or reflecting structures, electromagnetic shields, etc. The modular construction system uses modular discs which are configured to be coupled or connected together to form or develop any desired structure. The modular discs include substantially circular base portions, star-shaped projections extending from the upper surface of the substantially circular base portion, and cooperating connecting structures that allow for the plurality of modular discs to be connected to one another.

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: Improved composite armor designs use optimally shaped ceramic pellets and a web system for patterning the pellets, improving manufacturability, and providing additional structural reinforcement. The result is lightweight, composite hybrid structures for ballistic protection particularly suited to tactical ground vehicles. The preferred embodiment is a combination of three major components: 1) an optimally designed web system that allows armor tiles to be attached to it and that can be easily integrated with existing vehicle structures; 2) an advanced composite armor unit using a patent-pending BTR (Bio-mimetic Tendon-Reinforced) material as the supporting structure; and 3) optimally placed “waiting materials” which can provide enhanced ballistic impact resistance, energy absorption capability and structural integrity. These “waiting materials” are structural members that are not active at the beginning of the ballistic impact, but become active when needed or the active members have failed.

Abstract: A gunner protection apparatus for a tactical or armored vehicle having a turret or hatch opening that exposes crewmembers to enemy threats. The gunner protection apparatus includes a turret portion attached to the vehicle's turret, the turret portion comprising a substantially circular base plate fixed to the vehicle's turret; a plurality of vertical supports fixed to the base plate; a plurality of clamps connected to the plurality of vertical supports, respectively; and a plurality of curved glass panels having ends fixed between the clamps and the vertical supports; a gun support disposed in a bearing sleeve hole and rotatable about a vertical axis of the bearing sleeve hole; and a front shield fixed to the gun support, the front shield having a gun opening and at least one window, the front shield being rotatable with the gun support.

Abstract: An interface includes a blast plate having plate structure, the plate structure being formed to substantially conform to a certain portion of an exterior margin of a hull of a certain vehicle and being semi-permanently mounted to the hull by mounting to certain mounting devices present on the exterior margin of the hull and having mounting structure for supportively mounting a standardized add-on device, the mounting structure being designed to facilitate the add-on device being readily mountable on and demountable from the plate structure, the plate structure having structural characteristics for acting to protect the hull from effects of a blast directed at the hull. A modular assembly and a blast plate are further included.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus that can be used to contain radiation sources, explosives, and other material transported as cargo may include layers of lead, tungsten, plastic, paraffin, armor, and heat absorbing material to surround an interior portion, as well as a lockable port to provide access to the interior portion. In some embodiments, activities may include detecting various conditions associated with the layers or cargo, and impeding access to the interior portion responsive to detecting the conditions.

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 is directed toward an apparatus for tactical ballistic protection for an individual. In particular, the present invention provides a portable device for dual use as a ballistic shield and a rifle mounting stand. The invention is comprised on a ballistic blanket attached to dual ballistic resistant transparent panes. The transparent panes are attached via a vertical hinge, at which the attachment point functions as a rifle mounting stand. The invention may be attached to existing structures via a combination of straps and hooks, or the device may be used free standing.

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: The Highly Survivable Urban Utility Vehicle (HSUUV) redistributes armor in a unique way on a truck type wheeled vehicle so as to defeat Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) to include armor piercing weapons. In so doing, this approach adds significant amounts of armor where it is needed the most, and does so without a significant net weight penalty. This approach of using vehicles capable of carrying heavy side armor was previously not attempted with wheeled vehicles, now provides crew compartments with levels of protection never previously achieved on wheeled vehicles. Using the HSUUV system approach, soldiers can safely and quickly enter areas with an unprecedented amount of survivability and flexibility, allowing for better strategic force protection and tactical operations.

Abstract: A fort includes a defense, a top cover, and a plurality of shooting windows. The top cover is mounted on top of the defense. The top cover includes an inverted bowl-like top wall with an opening. The top cover further includes a peripheral wall extending along a periphery of the top wall. The peripheral wall includes a plurality of engaging holes. Each shooting window includes a plurality of engaging holes. A plurality of fasteners are extended through the engaging holes of each shooting window and the engaging holes of the top cover, thereby releasably mounting the shooting windows to the peripheral wall of the top cover. A safe fort that can be assembled/dismantled easily and rapidly is thus provided.

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 protective device for use in containing high energy debris and pressure is provided which employs a plurality of energy absorption elements disposed on an outer surface of a rigid inner sheet, where the outer surface faces away from the body being protected and toward the high energy event, such as an explosion. Each energy absorption element extends generally away from the body to permit the high energy event to first impact upon the energy absorption elements, rather than the body. Energy absorption elements are formed of laminate composite materials. As such, energy absorption elements are configured to contain or reduce high energy debris material and pressure impacting the energy absorption element through delamination and possibly penetration of the composite material.

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: A perforating gun loading bay is described for protecting adjacent areas from an accidental explosion during gun loading. The bay can be an insert-type arrangement or a stand-alone structure. The bay includes metal plate walls, a floor and a roof.

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: 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: A window cover for a military vehicle which includes both upper and lower armored plates angled away from an underlying vehicle window, an upper reflector overlying the underside of the upper armored plate, and a lower reflector, penetrable by projectiles, positioned in front of the lower armored plate. The window cover allows an occupant of the vehicle to view outside the vehicle window, as light is reflected off the lower reflector onto the upper reflector and then toward the occupant.

Abstract: An explosion protective shelter apparatus comprises a pair of spaced apart upright parallel walls without rigid structural interconnection. The walls supported by the ground surface so as to define a vehicular space between them. The walls are joined by elastic members or secured against shock absorbers. The walls are easily erected on site and placed in service where personnel may be sheltered from an exploding vehicle that is being inspected between the walls.