Abstract: A system includes an article of clothing, a pull cord, and a quick-release fastener. The article of clothing defines a shoulder region having a conduit. The pull cord is movably-supported upon the shoulder region. The quick-release fastener includes a peelable portion directly connected to a peelable end of the pull cord and a fixed portion directly connected to the shoulder region of the article of clothing. Another system includes a vest having a shoulder region and a waist region. A first quick-release assembly is arranged upon the shoulder region of the vest, and a second quick-release assembly arranged upon the waist region of the vest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyethylene material that has a plurality of unidirectionally oriented polyethylene monolayers cross-plied and compressed at an angle to one another, each polyethylene monolayer composed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and essentially devoid of resins. The present invention further relates to ballistic resistant articles that include or incorporate the inventive polyethylene material and to methods of preparing the material and articles incorporating same.

Abstract: A multi-layer body armor plate includes a strike plate; a mesh layer positioned over the strike plate, the mesh layer having a number of open cells; and an outer skin layer positioned over the mesh layer so as to encapsulate the open cells of the mesh layer between the strike plate and the outer skin layer. The open cells of the mesh layer may entrap air or may be filled with expandable, buoyant foam.

Abstract: Embodiments of a ballistic vest system having a ballistic vest plate carrier with a ballistic plate engaged to a ballistic ridge component disposed therein that provides protection against side spall and back face deformation caused by the impact of ballistic projectiles and shrapnel along the peripheral area of the ballistic plate and methods to manufacture such a ballistic vest systems are generally described herein. Other embodiments of a ballistic vest system may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A ballistic-resistant garment having an incrementally-adjustable fit, and methods of making and using such a ballistic-resistant garment, whereby the ballistic-resistant garment includes a front panel having a front panel pocket configured to receive a first ballistic-resistant insert; a back panel having a back panel pocket configured to receive a second ballistic-resistant insert; a front panel first fastener coupled to the front panel; and a plurality of discrete back panel first fasteners coupled in spaced apart relation to the back panel, whereby each of the discrete back panel first fasteners is configured to matably engage with the front panel first fastener to provide a first pair of releasably engaged fasteners which couple the front and back panels to fasten the ballistic-resistant garment about a torso of a wearer.

Abstract: A composite has a) a PMC layer, and b) a tile layer comprising a plurality of Ox/Ox CMC tiles each has: i) a central portion, ii) an outer portion disposed surrounding the central portion, the bottom surface of the outer portion is disposed flush with the bottom surface of the central portion, the tile layer forms a smooth continuous top surface and a smooth continuous bottom surface, and the tiles are disposed with respect to one another such that each tile is inverted with respect to an adjoining tile, and iii) one or more overlap joints formed by the overlapping of the outer portions of adjoining tiles, so that hot gases entering the smooth top surface of the tile layer between abutting outer and central periphery segments must travel laterally between the overlapping outer portions of adjoining tiles to reach the top surface of the PMC layer.

Abstract: A pre-stressed curved plate comprising a curved plate having at least one concave surface, the curved plate being enveloped and adhesively bonded with tensioned reinforcing fibers, whereby the reinforcing fibers are first wound around the plate under tension being spaced apart from the concave surface and subsequently subjected to pressure to stretch and bond the reinforcing fibers to the surfaces of the plate, where upon bonding, the tensile strain of the fiber introduces stress in the plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slash and gash resistant protective composite fabric comprising at least one layer of base fabric, wherein the base fabric is a densely woven, ballistic fabric. At least one layer of rigid fabric, each having a base layer and a hard polymer layer having a special matrix, is bonded onto the base layer, and the rigid fabric is cut into strips of material having a scale-like pattern or shape. Each of the strips of material are connected to the layer of base fabric in overlapping layers whereby the base fabric is covered. The protective composite fabric further includes a resilient elastically deformable material having at least one sensor therein for monitoring of vital signs of a wearer, the resilient elastically deformable material being connected with the at least one layer of a base fabric and the rigid fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed are body impact protection systems. The body impact protection system may comprise at least one plate element layer, such as an interconnected meshed plate element network. Another embodiment may be directed to a protection system comprising at least one plate element layer, such as an interconnected meshed plate element network overlapping and adjacent to at least one liner or gel. Further embodiments may comprise the combination of multiple body impact protection systems in a single protective garment or device. Impact protection systems may be designed to protect various body features, such as for example, the head, shoulders, elbows, arms, wrists, hands, chest, torso, thighs, knees, shins, ankles, feet, and the like. The inventive body impact protection system affords more protection from the force of an impact and comfort than conventional body impact protection systems.

Abstract: A body armor plate having an integral Molle compatible front covering that allows pouches and other Molle compatible accessories to be directly affixed to the plate. The armor plate includes a ballistic core, an integral front covering of durable fabric having a plurality of horizontal slits arranged in a Molle compatible array and a rear covering of hook or loop pile fabric material. The array of slits in the integral front cover of the armor plate allows Molle compatible pouches to be directly attached to the plate, thereby eliminating the need for a separate plate carrier or vest and greatly reduces the overall weight and bulk of the personal armor system. The hook and/or loop pile material of the integral back covering of the armor plate itself allows support straps to be connected directly to the plate without additional support or carrier apparatus needed to hold the plates to a wearer.

Abstract: A spike resistant package containing a pouch, a first grouping of spike resistant textile layers, and a slip layer. Each of the textile layers within the first grouping of textile layers contains a plurality of interwoven yarns or fibers having a tenacity of about 5 or more grams per denier. At least a portion of the spike resistant textile layers comprise about 10 wt. % or less, based on the total weight of the spike resistant textile layer, of a coating comprising a plurality of particles having a diameter of about 20 ?m or less on at least one of the surfaces of the spike resistant textile layer. The slip layer has a stiffness of less than about 0.01 N-m and a static coefficient of friction (COF) between the slip layer and the second side of the first grouping of less than about 0.40. The pouch encapsulates the grouping of textile layers and slip layer. An article containing the package is also described.

Abstract: A spike resistant package containing a pouch, a first grouping of spike resistant textile layers, and a slip layer. Each of the textile layers within the first grouping of textile layers contains a plurality of interwoven yarns or fibers having a tenacity of about 14 or more grams per denier. The slip layer has a thickness of less than about 0.1 mm, a stiffness of less than about 0.01 N-m, and a static coefficient of friction (COF) between the slip layer and the second side of the first grouping of less than about 0.40. The pouch essentially fully encapsulates the grouping of spike resistant textile layers and the slip layer and the slip layer and the inner surface of the pouch are in direct and intimate contact. An article containing the package is also described.

Abstract: A reinforced fabric is used in the making of clothes and bags and mainly includes a bulletproof cloth configured between a protective cloth attached to an inner lining cloth and an outer lining cloth opposite to the inner lining cloth, which can not only block the impact of bullets through the bulletproof cloth but facilitate blocking any slashing and stabbing of weapons with the high density of the protective cloth. The present invention can not only protect a wearer's personal safety but improve a user's wearing comfort.

Abstract: A shock absorbing helmet includes an outer shell, an inner shock absorbing liner attached to the outer shell, and multiple compressible balls coupled with the outer shell and/or the shock absorbing liner in such a way that the compressible balls are free to move, relative to the outer shell and the shock absorbing liner, when the helmet is impacted by an object. A method of manufacturing a shock absorbing helmet involves forming an outer shell of the helmet, forming a shock absorbing liner of the helmet, attaching multiple compressible balls to the outer shell and/or the shock absorbing liner in such a way that the compressible balls are free to move, relative to the outer shell and the shock absorbing liner, when the helmet is impacted by an object, and attaching the outer shell to the shock absorbing liner.

Abstract: A bulletproof protection structure comprises at least a flexible base and a reinforcing structure realized by means of at least one ballistic panel associated with the flexible base. The ballistic panel is finely divided into a plurality of elementary components, individually associated with the flexible base, structurally independent of one another and not bound to each other, so as to ensure flexibility for the structure as a whole.

Abstract: A chest armor panel (1) for female body armor vests wherein the breast cups (10A, 10B) of the armor panel are specially layered so that stitching lines (8) are offset from each other and covered by intermediary layers of non-stitched ballistic fabric or apex covers (26) to enhance the performance of the vest.

Abstract: A baseball and softball training aid is worn to prevent a batter's lead arm from extending too far backward in rotation during swing windup, thus collapsing the “box” or “barrel” referred to in batting training that exists between the batter's lead arm and chest during at least an initial portion of a swing of a bat. The training aid has a vertical stop providing a surface that is aligned vertically along a chest of the batter so that the lead arm of the batter is prevented from traveling past the vertical stop by contacting the vertical stop when the batter winds up to strike a ball and a pair of braces rigidly coupled to the vertical stop and extending across the chest of the batter to transfer energy from the vertical stop to the chest of the batter when the lead arm of the batter contacts the vertical stop.

Abstract: An armor plate damage detection and testing system is disclosed that uses an initial electrical signal to generate mechanical energy waves that travel across the armor plate and reflect off the plate surfaces, wherein the reflections of those waves are recorded and analyzed with reference to a previously stored wave reflection signature to determine if damage has occurred to the armor plate. The analyzed results are communicated to the user in real time using a display unit and can further be communicated to a remote entity through an incorporated wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A carrier system for use with a body armor garment that distributes the shoulder loads produced by equipment carried or worn by military or law enforcement personnel, away from the user's shoulders and comfortably to the hips. Heavy shoulder loads, which typically cause chronic back pain and can lead to compression of the spine, are significantly mitigated. The carrier system has a vertical back support and a belt for securing the device around the waist of the user. In addition to alleviating shoulder fatigue and spine compression, the device is light, comfortable, durable, adjustable and easy to maintain.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards a helmet adapted for use by a human being for a variety of activities. The helmet includes a shell, a plurality of FAEs, and at least one rigid component. The shell maybe configured and arranged to cover a portion of a wearer's head. The plurality of FAEs may be separately positioned adjacent to the shell's interior surface. Each FAE may include at least one disc spring that is adapted for absorbing forces. The at least one rigid component may be disposed within the shell and adjacent to the plurality of FAEs. In this way, the FAEs may be between the shell's interior surface and the at least one rigid component. When a force is applied to a location on the shell's exterior surface, it may be substantially absorbed by at least one of the FAEs positioned adjacent to the location on the shell's interior surface.

Abstract: A formable armor that resists penetration by impacting projectiles. The instant formable armor features a plurality of cylindrical ceramic barrels each having flat ends that fay with the flat surfaces of adjacent ceramic barrels. Rows of faying cylindrical barrels are disposed parallel to one another. The substantially parallel rows of cylindrical ceramic barrels are affixed to a backing layer that maintains continuous contact between adjacent cylindrical barrels.

Abstract: An Anti-Ballistic chair including a seat portion, and a first Anti-Ballistic panel removably inserted into a pocket having an opening formed within the seat portion, wherein the Anti-Ballistic panel comprises at least a first layer of Anti-Ballistic material formed from high-strength synthetic fibers extending in a first direction, and at least a second layer of Anti-Ballistic material formed from high-strength synthetic fibers extending in a second direction, different from the first direction.

Abstract: A flexible composite suitable for use in a knife, pick, bullet and fragment-resistant article comprising (i) a first zone comprising fabric but no resin, the first first zone comprising from 10 to 90 percent of the total thickness of the composite, (ii) a third zone comprising an elastomeric or thermoplastic resin but no fabric, the third zone comprising from 0 to 50 percent of the total thickness of the composite and (iii) a second zone, located between the first and third zones, comprising fabric and an elastomeric or thermoplastic resin, the second zone comprising from 10 to 90 percent of the total thickness of the composite.

Abstract: An armored shirt with contoured body armor selectively inserted into contoured armor pockets. Front and rear portions are connected along lateral edges. Shoulder portions connect upper portions of the front and rear portions, and neck and left and right arm openings are defined by the front, rear, and shoulder portions. Contoured armor pockets are formed in the front and rear portions with inner and outer layers of material joined to define a contoured edge shape while leaving a pocket opening. The contoured edge shapes of the body armor and the armor pocket correspond with both spanning from under the left arm opening to under the right arm opening. The edge shape of the pocket and the armor can include lateral inwardly arcuate upper narrowing underarm portions adjacent to the arm openings and a central inwardly arcuate upper portion therebetween bounded by the neck opening.

Abstract: A composite laminate is made by providing at least a first composite ply and a second composite ply, each having longitudinally oriented fibers in a thermoplastic matrix. The second composite ply is disposed on, and in transverse relation to, the first composite ply. Preferably, the second ply is disposed at 90° relative to the first ply. An article can be manufactured by providing a core material and applying a reinforcing material to a portion of the core material. The reinforcing material is a reinforcing composite ply or a composite laminate as described herein. Optionally, the core material is a prepreg that may be a composite laminate.

Abstract: A rigid ballistic-resistant composite includes large denier per filament (dpf) yarns. The yarns are held in place by a resin to form a rigid composite panel with improved ballistic performance. The large dpf yarns may be selected from aromatic heterocyclic co-polyamide fibers, polyester-polyarylate fibers, high modulus polypropylene (HMPP) fibers, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers, poly-diimidazo pyridinylene (dihydroxy)phenylene (PIPD) fibers, carbon fibers, and polyolefin fibers.

Abstract: A back support frame attachment system for a container, such as a backpack. A back support frame has a slot at its bottom end. A back portion of a container has a sleeve at its top end and a strap at its bottom end. The top end of the back support frame is insertable into the sleeve at the top end of the back portion and the strap is positionable through the slot in the bottom end of the back support frame. A first portion of the strap has hook material and a second portion of the strap has loop material, or vice versa. A folded middle portion of the strap is insertable through the slot at the bottom end of the back support frame such that the hook material can be attached to the loop material. The strap is operable to disconnect the bottom end of the back support frame from the bottom end of the back portion when a free end of the strap is pulled.

Abstract: A wearable container or pack that is quickly convertible into front and rear body armor without removing the pack from the torso of the wearer. The container or pack may include a bag that may be easily separated from the container or pack, and quickly dropped from the container or pack, providing supplies for another person.

Abstract: A protective, wearable carriage device and method is provided such that the device conforms more substantially to the user's body, facilitates heat dissipation and facilitates modular attachment of different shapes and configurations of armor. In one embodiment of the present invention, a substantially rigid outer frame is provided with an outer surface material and an inner surface mesh material, and the outer frame is secured to an inner frame comprising a cloth netting such that the inner frame and outer frame create a gap between the inner frame and the spacer mesh material. In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more bowing stiffeners are secured to the outer frame so as to facilitate the desirable features of the present invention.

Abstract: A plate carrier for carrying body armor has a front panel having a front connector panel, a rear panel behind the front panel, and a pair of side panels connected to the rear panel. The pair of side panels includes a right side panel and a left side panel. The right panel includes a right inside connector panel that connects to the front connector panel. The left panel includes a left inside connector panel that connects to the front connector panel. An outside flap panel extends from a lower edge of the front panel. The outside flap panel includes an inside connector panel mounted on an inside surface of the outside flap panel. The inside connector panel overlies the pair of side panels.

Abstract: Ballistic backpacks have a pouch having a back panel defining a compartment having a pouch lower edge, shoulder straps connected to the pouch, a closure flap connected to the compartment with a flap lower edge connected to the pouch at the pouch lower edge, the closure flap being movable between a closed position in which the closure flap extends up from the pouch lower edge and encloses the pouch, and a deployed position in which the closure flap depends downward from the pouch lower edge, a first ballistic panel connected to the back panel and having a first panel edge proximate the lower pouch edge, a second ballistic panel connected to the closure flap with a second panel edge proximate the lower flap edge at a level above the pouch lower edge, such that when the closure flap is in the deployed position, the first and second ballistic panels overlap.

Abstract: Composite armor and armor systems according to the invention incorporate substrates that delay and reduce compressive waves associated with impacts from reflecting off of the back surface of ceramic front face armor as tensile waves, which may damage or destroy the front face armor material. The composite armor and armor systems incorporating syntactic substrates and backed by a high strength fiber backing exhibit increased mass efficiency and reduced blunt force trauma resulting from ballistic impacts.

Abstract: Equipment (1) having a personal protection system. The equipment (1) is envisaged to be carried on a user's shoulders undercovered. To this end, the equipment has a backpack (2) containing a front ballistic package (10) mounted in a first compartment (6) of the backpack (2) with capability of being pulled out therefrom. The front ballistic package (10) comprises a pull-out grip (12) at a first end (14) and at a second end (16), two connecting members (18) connected to the backpack (2), and allowing the passage of the user's head during the extraction thereof. Furthermore, according to the invention there are provided compacting means (20) that cause that upon pulling out the front ballistic package (10) for protecting the user the first compartment (6) can modify the size thereof from an expanded to a compacted size notably reducing its size.

Abstract: A multi-paneled penetration resistant composite comprises a layered panel configuration that mitigates transmission of impact stress between adjacent, or proximate, penetration resistant composite panels. For example, areas of reduced density, provided by an intermediate stress mitigation panel positioned between adjacent composite panels and varying densities of composite layers within a composite panel, can mitigate transmission of stress between adjacent, or proximate, composite panels.

Abstract: Hard armor plate pouches incorporated in a ballistic vest carrier cover that has armor panel pockets with side openings and waist panels. The pouches are attached to the carrier cover outer layer inside the armor pockets with access through the outer layer. In one configuration, the pouch is a single fabric sheet attached to the outer layer around the sheet perimeter. In another configuration, the pouch is a bag that hangs freely in the pocket. In another configuration, the pouch is a bag that hangs in the pocket from the shoulders and neck opening of the cover. The pouch is accessed via a lateral opening or a vertical opening in the outer layer that is closed by an openable fastener, such as a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or snaps. Optionally, the waist panels have side pouches that have openings at the side or the top.

Abstract: A backpack with quick deploying body armor includes a backpack having a front compartment and rear compartment which has an opening on the top of the backpack; the opening can be closed by a flap which has open and closed positions; the flap can be locked to the top of the backpack. A rear ballistic panel is attached to the vertical face of the rear compartment. A front ballistic panel module has two connecting straps connecting to the bottom face of the rear compartment and two pulling straps. The front ballistic panel module has a storage position and deployed position. In the storage to position, the front ballistic panel is in the rear compartment and the pulling straps are attached to the shoulder straps of the backpack. In the deployed position, the front ballistic panel is out of the rear compartment and the pulling strap is fastened to the body of the wearer by connecting the end of the pulling strap.

Abstract: An armor plate is provided having a lamination of an embedded reinforcement basalt fiber mesh within a laminated cast metal alloy; and at least two layers of an aramid fiber. A process to make the armor plate can include suspending a basalt weave within a mold; heating aluminum 6061 or 7075 alloy to a molten state; pouring the molten aluminum into the mold; cooling the resultant matrixed aluminum to ambient temperature; and laminating at least two layers of ballistic fiber to the matrixed aluminum.

Abstract: A protective device and method of design to protect against multiple blast and impact events for use in any application in which a delicate target has to be protected. The protective device for mitigating the effects of blast or impact employs a first layer having a first acoustic impedance and a second layer having a second acoustic impedance. The second acoustic impedance is different than the first acoustic impedance. The second layer is proximate to the first layer. The first layer and the second layer are chosen collectively to tune the stress waves from the blast or impact events to one or more specific tuned frequencies. A third layer of a visco-elastic material is employed having a critical damping frequency that matches one or more specific tuned frequencies to dissipate the stress waves of the blast and impact event. The third layer is proximate to the second layer.

Abstract: A personal protection device including a front body armor carrier and a pack. The front body armor carrier includes a torso portion, two shoulder portions, and a handle. The torso portion has an upper portion, an opposing lower portion, a first side extending from the upper portion to the lower portion, and a second side opposing the first side and extending from the upper portion to the lower portion. The first shoulder portion extends away from the upper portion proximate the first side while the second shoulder portion extends away from the upper portion proximate the second side. The handle has two ends, each secured to the lower portion forming an opening between the handle and the lower portion. The pack is removably secured to the front body armor carrier and adapted to carry the front body armor carrier in a non-deployed configuration.

Abstract: Fabrics having fiber blends and constructions engineered to enhance the ballistic protection as well as the comfort and/or dyeability/printability of such fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible, breathable, anti-penetration fabric, made of antiballistic yarns, partially o wholly impregnated with one or more polymer resins, having a positive coefficient of expansion and hardness greater than 75 Sh D. The structure obtained by the process according to the present invention provides transpiration qualities which make the protections realized with this structure particularly comfortable.

Abstract: A bullet resistant garment is provided for in the current invention having a pliable protective insert contained within a concealed carrier shell that is integrated into an outer-garment. In certain embodiments, interconnecting seams and or darts may be incorporated into the pliable protective insert and/or carrier shell to provide a comfortable and protective three-dimensional shape to bullet resistant garment, especially for women.

Abstract: A tuning and mitigation system and method for mitigating a blast or impact event having an elastic layer having an acoustic impedance chosen to tune stress waves resulting from the blast or impact to one or more specific tuned frequencies, and a dissipative layer made of a viscoelastic material having a critical damping frequency that matches at least one or more specific tuned frequencies.

Abstract: Multilayer material sheets containing unidirectional high performance fibers are obtained by a process which includes the steps of positioning the fibers in a parallel fashion, consolidation of the fibers to obtain a monolayer, stacking at least two monolayers such that the fiber direction in one monolayer is at an angle a to the direction of the fibers in an adjacent monolayer and fixation whereby the stack of at least two monolayers is subjected to a pressure and temperature treatment for a duration of a least 2 seconds, followed by cooling the stack under pressure to a temperature of 120° C. or lower. The multilayer material sheet has a reduced uptake of liquids.

Abstract: Described is a ballistic resistant article, such as a helmet, having a double curved shell in turn has a stack of layers of an oriented anti-ballistic material, the layers having one or more plies and having a plurality of cuts, the ends of which define a central polygon and lobes extending from the polygon. The stack has at least 10 rotationally staggered layers and, for most successive layers, the orientation of the material in the or at least one of the plies is rotationally staggered relative to the orientation of the material in the or at least one of the plies of a successive layer over an angle of 90°±30°.

Abstract: An armour vest includes front and rear portions that realize or otherwise mount armour plate or soft armour pads over a wearer's vital organs. A floatation bladder is stored and deployed under the protection of the armour. The armour vest is expandable to accommodate and at least partially protect the floatation bladder when it is inflated. In either a single or multi-stage process, the armour vest's volume is increased by automatically releasing buckles that increase separation between the front and rear portions around the waist and, in an embodiment, also at the shoulders of the armour vest. In a deflated state, shoulder connectors provide a load-bearing connection between the front and rear portions of the armour vest. Inflation of the bladder, either manually actuated by pulling a webbing trigger handle or automatically with immersion, causes a different load-bearing shoulder bridge to be brought into operation at the shoulders of the amour vest.

Abstract: A tuning and mitigation system for mitigating a blast or impact event having a tuning layer assembly having an acoustic impedance chosen to tune stress waves resulting from the blast or impact to one or more specific tuned frequencies, and a dissipative layer assembly made of a viscoelastic material having a critical damping frequency that matches at least one or more specific tuned frequencies.

Abstract: Armor comprises one or more ceramic plates differentially reinforced by reinforcement applied to a face of the plate to separate regions of low reinforcement by regions of higher reinforcement.

Abstract: Personal load-carrying systems are described. Embodiments include a waist belt having a pocket within which a support panel sets. An upper portion of the support panel resides in a sleeve coupled to a backpack or ballistic garment. The support panel thus supports some of the weight of the backpack or ballistic garment and transfers the load to the waist belt. Embodiments include personal load-carrying systems in which a backpack and ballistic garment use the same waist belt and support panel, and are interchangeable thereupon. Variations include personal load-carrying systems in which a ballistic garment and backpack are worn simultaneously.

Abstract: A load-bearing garment, such as a vest, is provided having stretchable web platform on an outside surface, such as between front and back panels of the vest. The stretchable web platform includes stretchable bands that extend horizontally, and vertical webbing extending between multiple horizontal bands. Additional embodiments are directed to a mounting system in a plate carrier for a plate. Still further embodiments are directed to a handle and strap system for a vest or other garment that permits a quick rescue of a person wearing the vest.