EDW Vest Insert

Abstract

A ballistic protection garment for a wearer includes a carrier, a ballistic armor panel supported on the carrier, and an EDW insert supported on the carrier for protecting the wearer against an electrical discharge weapon. The insert includes an outer electrically conductive layer, an inner electrically conductive layer, and a central non-conductive layer disposed between the inner and outer electrically conductive layers.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/383,010 filed Sep. 15, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a garment or insert that is designed to defeat penetrating EDW (electric discharge weapon) darts. In a specific embodiment, this invention relates to an insert, for placement in a pocket of a ballistic vest that is designed to defeat penetrating EDW darts.

Schultz U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,280 discloses an EDW panel, designed to be sewn to a garment, and including three layers—an outer non-conductive layer, a central conductive layer, and an inner non-conductive layer. The conductive layer can discharge the electrical current from the prongs of a stun gun, or from the darts of an EDW weapon.

Baldwin U.S. Pat. No. 7,712,149 discloses an EDW garment having separate panels (e.g., sleeve, torso, legs) of low-resistance electrically conductive material, which are joined by conductive bridges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ballistic vest including an EDW insert in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the vest without the carrier and in a partially opened condition to expose the insert;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the arrangement of the insert and a ballistic panel inside the carrier; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a garment or insert that is designed to defeat penetrating EDW (electric discharge weapon) darts. The invention is applicable to garments or inserts of various different constructions. As representative of the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates an insert 10 that is a first embodiment of the invention, as part of or associated with a ballistic vest 12.

The ballistic vest 12 is a garment that includes a carrier 14 and, supported in the carrier, a front ballistic panel 16 and a back ballistic panel 17. The front ballistic panel 16 is supported in a pocket 18 of the carrier 14. Each one of the front and back ballistic panels 16 and 17 includes ballistic material for helping to stop bullets fired at the wearer of the vest 12. The insert 10, described below in detail, is attached via hook and loop fasteners shown schematically at 20 to the front ballistic panel 16, which is then inserted into the pocket 18 in the carrier 14.

The insert 10 of the present invention is shown in the attached drawings as including, first, a sleeve or cover 22, and second, an EDW panel 24 that is loosely enclosed in the cover. The cover 22 of the insert 10 is designed to protect the EDW panel 24 and is preferably made from fabric. One suitable material is Antron ripstop nylon. The cover 22 is preferably made by ultrasonically welding three sides of two cover layers together, leaving one side open.

The EDW panel 24, which is contained within the cover 22 as described below, is flexible and includes three layers that are preferably joined to each other (secured by sewing or bonding, for example) to prevent relative movement between them. The three layers include an outer, electrically conductive layer 26; a central non-conductive layer 28; and an inner, electrically conductive layer 30. The conductive layers 26 and 30 are preferably made from 70D NI/Cu/poly taffeta, gold, available from Marktek Inc. of Chesterfield, Mo. under vendor number NCPT2-52. The non-conductive layer 28 is preferably made from 600D Polyester, black, available from Top Value Fabrics of Carmel, Ind. under vendor number FAB-06000BKA-8. Other materials are, of course, suitable.

The three layers 26, 28 and 30 of the panel 24 are preferably sewn together. The EDW panel 24 is then placed into the cover 22, and the cover is sealed shut along its remaining open side.

The completed insert 10, including the cover 22 and the EDW panel 24, is preferably fastened by hook and loop fasteners, such as those shown schematically at 20, to the front ballistic panel 16. The insert 10 is preferably placed on the body side of the ballistic panel 16 rather than on the strike side, for better EDW-defeating performance. Alternatively, the insert 10 may be placed in the same pocket of the carrier 14 as the front ballistic panel 16, adjacent to the front ballistic panel but without being connected to it. An insert 10 can be used on the back of the vest 12, also, or elsewhere on a garment.

The insert 10 is preferably not sewn into the carrier 14 or otherwise securely affixed to the carrier. This enables the insert to be removable from the vest. This also enables use of the insert on an existing carrier 14, without modification of the existing carrier. Alternatively, the insert 10 could be a sewn-in (or otherwise secured) panel that forms part of a completed garment such as a vest.

The insert 10 is operative to discharge an energy pulse from a penetrating EDW weapon, when both darts of the weapon engage and at least partially penetrate the insert. The electrical charge between the two darts, which seeks the path of least electrical resistance, flows through one or both of the electrically conductive layers 26 and 28 of the insert 10, rather than through the higher resistance path provided by contact with the wearer's skin. In this way, the wearer of the ballistic vest 12 is protected not only from projectiles and blunt impact, but also from penetrating EDW weapons.

The insert 10 is also operative to discharge an energy pulse from a non-penetrating EDW weapon (“stun gun”). Such a weapon has two exposed electrical contacts and does not project darts. The weapon is pressed into direct physical engagement with whatever clothing the target is wearing, and activated. If the target is wearing a vest or other garment that includes an EDW insert in accordance with the present invention, the EDW insert protects the target against the charge from the stun gun, drawing away the electrical charge. Of course, the electrical contacts on the EDW weapon must be in close proximity to the EDW garment in order to draw away and dissipate the electrical charge. For example, if the EDW weapon contacts are activated while touching a target's leg, and the target is wearing a vest with an EDW insert, the target will still absorb the full shock in the leg.

The use of two conductive layers 26 and 30 in the insert 10 is advantageous as compared to using only one conductive layer. Specifically, the presence of two conductive layers 26 and 30 makes it more likely that a good electrical connection will be made between a dart and the insert 10. The materials of the insert 10, including the conductive layers 26 and 30, are selected also for durability and tumble resistance.

The materials and thicknesses of the insert layers 26, 28 and 30 are selected to ensure that a typical EDW dart, when fired from a normal range (up to 10 feet, for example), will penetrate the outer conductive layer 26, will penetrate the central non-conductive layer 28, and will engage and/or penetrate the inner conductive layer 30. This configuration ensures that the dart will maintain contact with at least one of the two conductive layers 26 and 30, to drain electrical current from the dart.

The panel layers 26, 28 and 30 cooperate to maintain the darts in contact with one or both of the conductive layers even if the darts penetrate to the wearer's skin. The EDW panel 24 thereby remains operative to discharge the electrical current. The central non-conductive layer 28 provides stiffening and support to the conductive layers 26 and 30.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ballistic protection garment for a wearer, comprising:

a carrier, a ballistic armor panel supported on the carrier, and an EDW insert supported on the carrier for protecting the wearer against an electrical discharge weapon;

the insert comprising an outer electrically conductive layer, an inner electrically conductive layer, and a central non-conductive layer disposed between the inner and outer electrically conductive layers.

2. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the three layers of the insert are joined to each other to form an EDW panel, the insert further comprising a cover, the EDW panel being enclosed in the cover.

3. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 2 wherein the three layers of the insert are permanently joined to each other to form the EDW panel and the EDW panel is loosely enclosed in the cover.

4. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 2 wherein the three layers of the insert are joined to each other by an adhesive material to form the EDW panel.

5. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 2 wherein the three layers of the insert are joined to each other by sewing to form the EDW panel.

6. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the conductive layers of the insert are made from 70D NI/Cu/poly taffeta, and the non-conductive layer is made from 600D Polyester.

7. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the three layers of the insert form an EDW panel that is secured to a completed garment such as a vest.

8. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the insert is connected for movement with the ballistic armor panel and the combined insert and armor panel are located within a pocket in the carrier.

9. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein both the EDW insert and the ballistic armor panel are located within a pocket in the carrier but the insert is not secured to the ballistic armor panel.

10. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the three layers of the insert are permanently joined to each other to form an EDW panel; the insert further comprises a cover, the EDW panel being loosely enclosed in the cover; and the insert is connected for movement with the ballistic armor panel and the combined insert and armor panel are located within a pocket in the carrier.

11. An insert for use with a garment for a wearer and for protecting the wearer against an electrical discharge weapon, the insert comprising an outer electrically conductive layer, a central non-conductive layer, and an inner electrically conductive layer.

12. An insert as set forth in claim 11 wherein the three layers of the insert are joined to each other to form an EDW panel, the insert further comprising a cover, the EDW panel being enclosed in the cover.

13. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 12 wherein the three layers of the insert are permanently joined to each other to form the EDW panel and the EDW panel is loosely enclosed in the cover.

14. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 12 wherein the three layers of the insert are joined to each other by an adhesive material to form the EDW panel.

15. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 12 wherein the three layers of the insert are joined to each other by sewing to form the EDW panel.

16. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 11 wherein the conductive layers of the insert are made from 70D NI/Cu/poly taffeta, and the non-conductive layer is made from 600D Polyester.

17. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 11 wherein the three layers of the insert form an EDW panel that is secured to a completed garment such as a vest.

18. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 11 wherein the insert is connected for movement with the ballistic armor panel and the combined insert and armor panel are located within a pocket in the carrier.

19. A ballistic protection garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein both the EDW insert and the ballistic armor panel are located within a pocket in the carrier but the insert is not secured to the ballistic armor panel.