Armored, Projectile Or Missile Resistant Garment (epo) Patents (Class 89/922)
  • Patent number: 8985002
    Abstract: A method of designing a wearable air blast wave energy protection device includes computer modeling at least two candidate reflective materials for a first human-protective and primarily reflective response to a specified incident air blast wave energy. The method includes selecting a layer of a first material from the at least two candidate reflective materials based at least partially on the computer modeling of the at least two candidate reflective materials. The method includes computer modeling at least two candidate attenuative materials for a second human-protective and primarily attenuative response to the specified incident air blast wave energy transmitted through the selected layer of the first material. The method includes selecting a layer of a second material from at least two candidate attenuative materials and electronically maintaining informational data corresponding to the selected layer of the first material and the selected layer of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Philip Andrew Eckhoff, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8893606
    Abstract: An armor element configured to be employed within the armor module, the armor element being formed with a base portion and a claw portion. The armor element has a longitudinal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the base portion, the claw portion comprising two or more claw members extending from the base portion generally along a longitudinal direction defined by the longitudinal axis. Each claw member has a rear end associated with the base portion and a front end spaced from the base portion. The claw members are tapered with respect to the longitudinal axis so that the distance between the corresponding front ends of the two or more claw members is greater than the distance between the rear ends of the two or more claw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Plasan Sasa Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Gavish, Amit Viesel, Shmuel Genihovich, Amir Ben Shoshan
  • Patent number: 8752469
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, device and method. A described device includes a layer of a first material configured to reflect a substantial portion of a specified incident air blast wave energy. The layer of the first material has an acoustic impedance substantially mismatched to air's acoustic impedance, and a thickness less than about 3 mm. The device includes a layer of a second material configured to attenuate a substantial portion of the specified incident air blast wave energy utilizing an inelastic response. At least a portion of a back surface of the first material is proximate to at least a portion of a front surface of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Philip A. Eckhoff, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8746123
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, device and method. A described device includes a first material configured to reflect a substantial portion of a specified incident air blast wave energy. The first material includes a first reflective-region having a first acoustic impedance substantially mismatched to air's acoustic impedance. The first material includes a second reflective-region having a second acoustic impedance substantially less than the first acoustic impedance. The device includes a second material configured to attenuate the specified incident air blast wave energy utilizing an inelastic response. The second material is configured for wearing proximate to a human body. At least a portion of a back surface of the first material is proximate to a front surface of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Philip A. Eckhoff, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8601930
    Abstract: A bullet-resistant armor element for use as a tessellation in a flexible armor matrix has a hard main body and a facing over said main body, such as layer of polymeric or polymer matrix composite material, wherein the facing has an acoustic impedance which is substantially lower than the acoustic impedance of the main body. Groups of said elements tessellate to form an aperture between the adjacent elements, and a cover element is arranged to cover said aperture. Limit stops restrict the degree of articulation between the adjacent elements. The elements include a deflector for deflecting bullet splash and traps for collecting bullet splash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Defence Materials Limited
    Inventor: Colin Roberson
  • Patent number: 8534178
    Abstract: A flexible armor system includes a rigid panel of a stiffness calculated to resist penetration by a known ballistic object, made from multiple layers of Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly-Ethylene fibers or other high tenacity fibers, which is then pre-flexed beyond its elastic bending limit to create a distributed pattern of surface buckling, with localized areas of interior delamination, which together function as bending or hinge lines to provide flexibility to the otherwise rigid panel and thereby lower its overall stiffness to less than that calculated for the rigid panel to resist the ballistic object. The areas of delamination have a width of less than one half the diameter of the ballistic object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Warwick Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A Howland, Andrew Woodward
  • Publication number: 20130228067
    Abstract: A lightweight armor system utilizing a face section having a multiplicity of monoliths embedded in a matrix supported on low density foam. The face section is supported with a strong stiff backing plate. The backing plate is mounted on a spall plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Michael W. McElfresh, Scott E. Groves, Mtichell L. Moffet, Louis P. Martin
  • Publication number: 20130133130
    Abstract: A concealable armored vest is provided. The armored vest can include a ballistic insert and a contoured member that overlies the ballistic insert to obscure the outline of the ballistic insert from view. The foam insert can include tapered end portions that flatten as they extend laterally outward of the ballistic insert. The armored vest can also include a downwardly extending retention panel having a retention member to limit vertical movement of the vest. The retention panel can be tucked into a lower body garment, and the retention member can be oversized to inhibit the sliding retraction of the retention panel from the lower body garment. The retention member can include a longitudinal foam element generally parallel to the waistline and generally coextensive with the lowermost portion of the retention panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: LINEWEIGHT LLC
    Inventors: Caleb Clark Crye, Matthew Aaron Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120312151
    Abstract: Described are protective and/or ballistic resistant articles made from one or more layers of fabric bound to one or more layers of a machine direction oriented film. The described articles exhibit excellent abrasion resistance. The articles include those made using woven and/or non-woven fabrics such as unidirectional fabrics. Methods for producing ballistic-resistant articles using woven and/or non-woven fabrics and machine direction oriented film are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Chinkalben Patel
  • Publication number: 20120297965
    Abstract: In one embodiment, hybrid body armor includes a ballistic fabric and a plurality of small ballistic plates arranged in a tightly packed array over the ballistic fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Daniel Jeffrey Miller, Autar Krishen Kaw
  • Publication number: 20120291617
    Abstract: An article is provided and includes a first ballistic particle impenetrable material, which is formable into a pack and a second material, which is formable into an enclosure for the pack, the enclosure having an interior facing surface in abutment with a substantial entirety of an exterior of the pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: VIBRAM SP.A.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Favreau, Linda B. McGinley, Zenon Smotrycz
  • Publication number: 20120285316
    Abstract: Protective armor panels comprising a grid formed of a plurality of strips of material having a front edge, a back edge, and side surfaces and a sheet of material secured to the front surface of the grid are disclosed. The strips of material can be contoured to form an armor panel having virtually any arbitrary shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Charles F. Pepka
  • Publication number: 20120255429
    Abstract: An electrically conductive apron and a removable ground strap worn as an electric stun device misuse countermeasure made from metal coated fabrics, that effectively short circuits the electric stun device to itself and/or to an electrically ground floor when the stun voltage is applied to the electrically conductive apron. The electrically conductive apron is lightweight, does not decrease mobility, readily concealable, can be worn under or over street clothes, has an option of padding elements and is easily manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: John Louis Kotos
  • Publication number: 20120174753
    Abstract: Body armor, in particular soft body armor, which has improved properties, and in particular enhanced abrasion resistance. The soft body armor and flexible composite materials useful for such body armor include at least one woven fabric layer, at least one second fabric layer comprising high tenacity fibers having a tenacity of at least about 7 g/d, and at least one first separator layer positioned between the woven fabric layer and the second fabric layer. The first separator layer is a lightweight, thin and flexible layer having an areal density of less than or equal to about 150 g/m2. The first separator layer is not laminated to either of the woven fabric layers or the second fabric layers such that the two layers are free to move relative to each other. Preferably the woven fabric layer is in the form of at least one stack of woven fabric layers and the second fabric layer is in the form of at least one stack of second fabric layers, with the separator layer being positioned between the stacks of layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Lori L. Wagner, Harold Lindley Murray, JR., Brian H. Waring, David A. Steenkamer
  • Publication number: 20120174750
    Abstract: An armor material, body armor articles, and methods of manufacturing the armor material are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, the armor material includes a first plate, a second plate, and a powder material. The first plate includes a layer comprising a metallic material. The second plate is spaced apart from the first plate and includes a layer comprising a ceramic material. The powder material is disposed between the first and the second plates, and comprises loose powder including at least one of a plurality of ceramic particles and a plurality of metallic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Reza Oboodi, Derek Raybould, Thomas E. Strangman
  • Publication number: 20120174748
    Abstract: Ballistic resistant armor material and assembly including a thin, rigid armor component for stopping and capturing ballistic projectiles, backed by a resilient component formed of thermoplastic elastomeric honeycomb material for absorbing projectile strike energy and reducing impact noise and/or blunt trauma injury. The armor component includes multiple layers of high tensile strength aramid fabric or the like sandwiched between front and back plates made of multiple layers of woven carbon cloth impregnated with an epoxy resin or the like. The several layers of the armor component are formed and compressed to provide a rigid outer shell that can advantageously be configured as planar or shaped to suit particular applications. The resilient component is affixed to the inside surface of the armor component and may include one or more layers of flexible honeycomb material having cells that are open, hermetically sealed, or perforated to provide fluid circulation therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Supracor, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis L. Landi
  • Publication number: 20120174274
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a multi-layered armor. The multi-layered armor includes a stack of layers, each layer including a mesh of fibers of first polymer molecules, surfaces of the fibers being functionalized by at least one of hydroxyl, ketone, and amine groups. The multilayered armor also includes second polymer molecules being hydrogen bonded to the fiber surfaces, some of the second polymer molecules having hydroxyl, ketone, amine or carboxylic acid groups. The multilayered armor further includes a composition of third polymer molecules molded over the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Ashok J. Maliakal
  • Publication number: 20120144989
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air hardenable high-hardness steel for armouring applications, such as armour plate for use in light armoured vehicles and body armour, and having a high level of ballistic performance relative to its plate thickness. In particular, the invention concerns a high ballistic strength martensitic armour steel which, in an air cooled and untempered condition, has a strength coefficient (s0) of higher than 2500 MPa; a flow parameter (P) of higher than 8.0, preferably higher than 18.0; and a manganese content of 1.8 to 3.6% by weight of manganese, preferably 2.8 to 3.1% by weight of manganese. The armour steel also includes retained austenite at a volume fraction of at least 1%, and preferably a volume fraction of 4 to 20%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Deon Francoise Du Plessis, Jacob Johannes Wessels, Percy Phillip Adams, Roelof Johannes Mostert, Waldo Edmund Stumpf
  • Patent number: 8176831
    Abstract: An armor plate transforms projectile energy into solid-state lattice waves and facilitates absorption of these waves at different wavelengths. For high frequency lattice waves, dopants are used for absorbing the lattice waves and converting them to thermal energy. Heavy dopants and layered materials can also be use for reflecting lattice waves to facilitate attenuation through absorption. A spreading layer can also be used for dispersing non-absorbed lattice waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignees: Nova Research, Inc., The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Yan R. Kucherov, Graham K. Hubler
  • Publication number: 20120060681
    Abstract: A flexible, multi-functional, multi-ply material mix and device, capable of providing ballistic protection are herein presented. The device and material herein presented provide multiple electronic and ballistic functionality integrated into a soft body armor that is lighter in weight and more comfortable to wear than previously available alternatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Eric C. Hoenes
  • Patent number: 8132494
    Abstract: An impact resistant rigid composite article comprising a fibrous layer comprising a network of filaments dispersed in a rigid matrix comprising one or more thermosetting resins and one or more thermoplastic resins which preferably include one or more initiating/compatibilization agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Huy X. Nguyen, Leroy C. Lin, Dennis C. Lang
  • Publication number: 20110214560
    Abstract: A ceramic amour plate (1,41,50,70) having auxetic reinforcement (2,40,51,71). The auxetic reinforcement may be provided utilising auxetic fibres, auxetic knits or weaves, or lay-ups exhibiting auxetic behaviour. The auxetic reinforcement reduces cracking of the ceramic plate to improve multi-hit performance. The reinforcement may be provided as a layer (2,40, 51) bonded to the surface of the ceramic plate (1,41,50) or as an integral part (71) of the ceramic plate (70).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: GLOBAL COMPOSITES GROUP LIMITED
    Inventor: David Skertchly
  • Patent number: 7958812
    Abstract: A flexible spike and ballistics panel having a strike surface and a rear surface. The panel contains a strike face grouping and a rear face grouping, where the normalized stiffness of each strike face layer is about 3 to 50 times greater than the normalized stiffness of each textile layer. The strike face grouping contains at least two strike face layers, each strike face layer having resin and high tenacity yarns, where the high tenacity yarns are in an amount of at least 50% by weight in each layer, where the high tenacity yarns have a tenacity of at least 5 grams per denier, and where the strike face grouping forms the strike surface of the panel. The rear face grouping contains at least ten layers of a spike resistant textile layer, each textile layer having a plurality of interwoven yarns or fibers having a tenacity of about 5 or more grams per denier, where at least one of the surfaces of the spike resistant textile layer contains about 10 wt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Yunzhang Wang, Thomas Mabe
  • Patent number: 7954416
    Abstract: Self-protection structure, comprising a first inner layer (2) made form a material having high resistant to the impact of a bullet (4), and at least a second outer pierceable layer (3) having a melting temperature relatively low so as to melt upon the arrival of the bullet (4) and to retain the latter by preventing the bounce thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Cosimo Cioffi
  • Publication number: 20110057500
    Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a vest and a restraint incorporated into the vest. The vest includes a front panel, a back panel, and left and right shoulder portions extending between the front panel and the back panel. The vest has an inner face and an outer face. The restraint includes a front latch fixed to the vest front panel and a back latch fixed to the vest back panel. The restraint includes webbing portions extending in a force-transmitting relationship between the front latch and the back latch, within the front panel and the shoulder portions and the back panel of the vest, so as to extend at least partially around the torso of a occupant wearing the vest. The front panel of the vest includes a front armor pocket and the back panel of the vest includes a back armor pocket, for receiving and supporting panels of body armor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew Walker, Marianne Kump, Ron Grilliot
  • Publication number: 20110023695
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, there is provided a ballistic-resistant composite including a plurality of large denier per filament (dpf) yarns. The large dpf yarns may have a “Composite-Armor dpf factor” (CA•dpf) of greater than or equal to 6.9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: BARRDAY INC.
    Inventor: Jason Aaron van Heerden
  • Publication number: 20100218666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a trauma pack comprising at least one panel of a plastic material and at least one textile fabric layer affixed to the panel and made of yarns with fibres having a tensile strength of at least 900 MPa, wherein the plastic material of the panel is a self-reinforced thermoplastic material made of filaments, fibres, tapes or strips of a polyolefin polymer, and wherein at least one textile fabric layer is bonded over its entire surface to the self-reinforced thermoplastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Christian Böttger, Achirn Fels, Eckhard Wanscheer
  • Publication number: 20100212485
    Abstract: A ballistic arm guard is provided and includes a pliable outer shell or housing that encompasses inner ballistic cores which are housed or contained within an inner shell or housing. Secured to exterior portions of the ballistic arm guard are a series of attaching straps and buckles that facilitates the securing of the ballistic arm guard to the wearer's upper limb. Secured to and incorporated into an upper portion of the ballistic arm guard is a tourniquet. In one design, the interior ballistic cores comprise high performance fibers such as an aramid fiber, high molecular weight polyethylene, a combination of these, or other high performance fibers types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Carter
  • Publication number: 20100095832
    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 an 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 absorbing elements are configured with a base and a cap and 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Gabrys
  • Publication number: 20100011950
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Collins White