Abstract: A system reducing blast induced vehicle floor oscillation has a hull with brackets whose shoulders face edges of the vehicle sidewalls. The hull has a first position where the shoulders form a vertical gap with these edges and a second, risen position where the shoulders hit the edges. The brackets are connected to the sidewalls so as to permit rise of the brackets and V hull when a blast occurs but hold the V hull in the first position during normal vehicle use. Mounts on the vehicle frame are compressible by a vertical distance and support the cab. Rods of the hull are at another vertical distance from the frame. The sum of the vertical distances is equal to the vertical gap. When a blast occurs, the V hull's rise creates separate force paths from the hull to the floor to reduce floor oscillation.

Abstract: A mechanism protecting vehicle occupants from floor oscillation during under-vehicle explosions comprises vehicle cab sidewalls, a cab floor, cab mounts having elastomeric bodies between the cab and vehicle frame members, a shield below the cab floor, first elastomeric isolators between the shield and frame, and second elastomeric isolators between the shield and sidewalls. The second isolators collapse by an amount equal to the combined collapse of the first isolators and cab mounts. Explosive loads to the shield follow paths to different floor zones, decreasing floor oscillation. A vehicle payload area is mounted to the frame separately from the cab. The payload area and cab move independently on the frame. The payload area mounts are stiffer and smaller than the cab mounts, so explosions under the vehicle tend to accelerate the payload area before the cab.

Abstract: An improved nut-and-bolt assembly reduces tensile stress concentration on the bolt. The assembly has a specially designed nut with a tapered region extending from the nut crown and threaded with the first several bolt threads. The cross sectional area of the tapered region decreases linearly as a function of distance from the crown whereby the tapered region has a convex profile. Each of the bolt threads engaging the tapered region take up an approximately equal amount of longitudinal stress on the bolt.

Abstract: A mechanism protecting vehicle occupants from floor oscillation during under-vehicle explosions comprises vehicle cab sidewalls, a cab floor, cab mounts having elastomeric bodies between the cab and vehicle frame members, a shield below the cab floor, first elastomeric isolators between the shield and frame, and second elastomeric isolators between the shield and sidewalls. The second isolators collapse by an amount equal to the combined collapse of the first isolators and cab mounts. Explosive loads to the shield follow paths to different floor zones, decreasing floor oscillation. A vehicle payload area is mounted to the frame separately from the cab. The payload area and cab move independently on the frame. The payload area mounts are stiffer and smaller than the cab mounts, so explosions under the vehicle tend to accelerate the payload area before the cab.

Abstract: An armor structure for a vehicle underbody. The armor structure includes an inner plate that is mounted proximate to the vehicle underbody, the inner plate having a plurality of first openings; and an outer plate that is mounted distal to the vehicle underbody, the outer plate having a plurality of second openings. The inner plate and the outer plate are substantially parallel and separated by a spacing. The inner plate and the outer plate each have substantially equal V bends at an obtuse angle, and the V bends in the inner plate and the outer plate are aligned. When an underbody blast event is encountered by the vehicle, the outer plate is forced towards, and substantially against the inner plate such that fluid communication via each of the first openings is reduced or prevented.

Abstract: An armor structure for a vehicle underbody. The armor structure includes an inner plate that is mounted proximate to the vehicle underbody, the inner plate having a plurality of first openings; and an outer plate that is mounted distal to the vehicle underbody, the outer plate having a plurality of second openings. The inner plate and the outer plate are substantially parallel and separated by a spacing. The inner plate and the outer plate each have substantially equal V bends at an obtuse angle, and the V bends in the inner plate and the outer plate are aligned. When an underbody blast event is encountered by the vehicle, the outer plate is forced towards, and substantially against the inner plate such that fluid communication via each of the first openings is reduced or prevented.

Abstract: A reactive armor that includes a tube; end caps installed on the ends of the tube; a plurality of impacters included inside of the tube; explosive included between the impacters and between the end caps and the impacters; and one or more passages, wherein the passages provide communication such that when a threat ruptures the tube, the propellant is progressively ignited from the rupture; and, except for the rupture that results from intrusion of the threat, the tube remains essentially intact.

Abstract: An armor structure for a vehicle underbody. The armor structure includes an inner plate that is mounted proximate to the vehicle underbody, the inner plate having a plurality of first openings; and an outer plate that is mounted distal to the vehicle underbody, the outer plate having a plurality of second openings. The inner plate and the outer plate are substantially parallel and separated by a spacing. The inner plate and the outer plate each have substantially equal V bends at an obtuse angle, and the V bends in the inner plate and the outer plate are aligned. The first openings and the second openings are (i) aligned across the spacing from each other, and (ii) substantially equal in area. When an underbody blast event is encountered by the vehicle, the outer plate is forced towards, and substantially against the inner plate such that there is no longer fluid communication through the first openings.

Abstract: An armor structure for a vehicle underbody. The armor structure includes an inner plate that is mounted proximate to the vehicle underbody, the inner plate having a plurality of first openings; and an outer plate that is mounted distal to the vehicle underbody, the outer plate having a plurality of second openings. The inner plate and the outer plate are substantially parallel and separated by a spacing. The inner plate and the outer plate each have substantially equal V bends at an obtuse angle, and the V bends in the inner plate and the outer plate are aligned. The first openings and the second openings are (i) aligned across the spacing from each other, and (ii) substantially equal in area. When an underbody blast event is encountered by the vehicle, the outer plate is forced towards, and substantially against the inner plate such that there is no longer fluid communication through the first openings.

Abstract: A band track for a tracked vehicle having enhanced resistance to mines includes a plurality of track pad units disposed on the bearing surface of the track band. The track pad units have extended end walls of sufficient height to distance the vulnerable portion of the band track from the shearing force of an exploding mine. These end walls are sufficiently strong to support the vehicle as it traverses terrain, but are configured to collapse in controlled manner under the force of an exploding mine. Such explosion forces a specifically configured front end wall of a trailing track pad to engage the matingly configured end wall of the leading track pad. The resulting mating juxtaposition of the adjacent end walls forms a relatively continuous physical barrier protecting the vulnerable section of the band track from shrapnel and other entrained ejecta of the explosion.

Abstract: A system for a two-piece armored cab includes an upper cab portion, a lower cab portion, and a vehicle chassis system. The upper cab portion and the lower cab portion are armored to provide protection to occupants of the cab system. The upper cab portion removably mates to the lower cab portion at a mating line that comprises a lower edge of the upper cab portion and an upper edge of the lower cab portion. The lower cab portion is mounted to the vehicle chassis system such that the vehicle chassis system is operable when the upper cab portion is removed from the lower cab portion as well as when the upper cab portion is mated to the lower cab portion.

Abstract: A band track for a tracked vehicle having enhanced resistance to mines includes a plurality of track pad units disposed on the bearing surface of the track band. The track pad units have extended end walls of sufficient height to distance the vulnerable portion of the band track from the shearing force of an exploding mine. These end walls are sufficiently strong to support the vehicle as it traverses terrain, but are configured to collapse in controlled manner under the force of an exploding mine. Such explosion forces a specifically configured front end wall of a trailing track pad to engage the matingly configured end wall of the leading track pad. The resulting mating juxtaposition of the adjacent end walls forms a relatively continuous physical barrier protecting the vulnerable section of the band track from shrapnel and other entrained ejecta of the explosion.

Abstract: A system for mitigation of induced acceleration to an occupant of a vehicle seat includes a substantially non-deforming structure having a top side with the vehicle seat mounted thereon and a bottom side forming a first portion of a floor of the vehicle, and at least one deformable bracket mounting the non-deforming structure to a second portion of the floor that is separate from the first portion of the floor. The at least one deformable bracket deforms, and the non-deforming structure extends through the floor when the vehicle is subjected to an upward force that is equal to or greater than a predetermined force that corresponds to an induced upward acceleration.

Abstract: An edge reinforcement for brittle armor plates is described and claimed herein for improving the ballistic performance of the outer peripheral margins of such plates to incoming threat projectiles. Typically, a transparent armor is positioned within a windowed opening of a security structure. Examples of contemplated security structures protected by my shields are civilian light-armored vehicles, military tactical trucks, and combat vehicles. My reinforced armor system deploys a shield of a hardened material, over and outboard of a brittle armor. Typically, this shield is positioned parallel planar to the brittle armor. If desired, my shield may extend slightly beyond the armor plate and mounting apparatuses. Fortuitously, the reinforced brittle armor plate has more strength than that of the central portion, or even exceeds it. Thereby, said plate will not be defeated merely because threat projectiles impact its weaker margins.

Abstract: An elongate ballistic protection apparatus is described and claimed herein which has minimal weight and maximum flexibility to conform to the most contorted and undulating ground surfaces. In use, it is immediately positioned below a military vehicle to protect the crew compartment positioned above said apparatus by extending transversely between the propulsive means and laterally along the direction of travel for the vehicle. The apparatus may detonate mines while operated by driven engagement over mine bearing terrains, but it will do so in a manner sufficient to defeat them without inducing unacceptable damages to either the vehicle or crew. Thereby, this invention provides a means to effectively disrupt the firing sequence of the explosive charges in these mines by contact with my minimal weight roller link chain. Beneficially, the blast gasses and ejecta of the mine simply vents through the open areas of my chain. This is a substantial improvement over devices having solid configurations or geometries.

Abstract: An elongate ballistic protection apparatus is described and claimed herein which has minimal weight and maximum flexibility to conform to the most contorted and undulating ground surfaces. In use, it is immediately positioned below a military vehicle to protect the crew compartment positioned above said apparatus by extending transversely between the propulsive means and laterally along the direction of travel for the vehicle. The apparatus may detonate mines while operated by driven engagement over mine bearing terrains, but it will do so in a manner sufficient to defeat them without inducing unacceptable damages to either the vehicle or crew. Thereby, this invention provides a means to effectively disrupt the firing sequence of the explosive charges in these mines by contact with my minimal weight roller link chain. Beneficially, the blast gasses and ejecta of the mine simply vents through the open areas of my chain. This is a substantial improvement over devices having solid configurations or geometries.

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: 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: 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 foraminated, laminated ballistic grill for armored vehicles has a hard outer layer of ballistic material with a plurality of projections having angled faces on the exposed surface. A ductile inner layer adapted to trap and contain ballistic fragments and projectiles backs the outer ballistic surface. A multiplicity of shaped foramina pass through the inner and outer layers to allow air flow into the grill, the foramina have a curved channel, wherein at least a portion of the channel is offset from the longitudinal axis of the inlet so a particle entering the inlet is forced to travel a curved tortuous path.