GB1561385A - Bulletproof articles - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BULLET-PROOF ARTICLES (71) We, TIG BICORD AG, a Swiss Corporation, of CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention concerns bullet-proof articles.

U.S. Patent Specification 2,771,384 describes a bullet-proof vest in which a plurality of fabric layers are sewn together. The outermost layers of fabric form pockets into which are inserted metal strips which over lap each other. When struck by a bullet, the outer metal plate is damaged, and the residual impact from the bullet is absorbed by the multi layer cushion.

In a further known bullet-proof article described in French Specification 577,008 a plurality of metal plates are provided which overlap each other in the maanner of fishscales. Cushions of textile material are disposed both in front of and behind the metal plates.

German O.S. No. 2,146,265 describes a bullet-proof vest in which the garment itself forms a protective covering wherein padding, consisting of a plurality of parallel fabric webs, is arranged in front of a wall of metal plates which overlap each other in the manner of fish-scales. The fabric webs hang loosely in the interior of the doublewalled covering and they are intended to reduce the impact caused by a bullet before it strikes the metal plates.

Recently, extremely strong fabrics made of plastics fibres of very high tensile strength have been developed, and these have been found to offer considerable resistance of bullets striking them. Plastics fibres made of Kevlar {Registered Trade Mark) have a high tensile strength of 30,000 kg/cm2 and very great rigidity (1,340,000 kg/cm2). This material is an aromatic polyamide. If such fabrics are arranged in several superposed layers, they provide efficient protection against bullets. However, it has been found that the ability of the materials concerned to resist bullets is surprisingly greatly reduced if the fabric absorbs moisture.Since the fabric is hydroscopic there arises the considerable danger of its losing its effectiveness in providing protection against bullets if not carefully stored or after it has been in use for a fairly lengthy period.

Experience has shown that if the material is immersed in water for about 15 minutes it undergoes an increase in weight of approximately 60%. Tests have also shown that when the plastics material is damp, its resistance to bullets is reduced to about 40% of the value recorded on the dry material.

Thus, there is a need to protect the material fully against the perspiration from the body of the wearer as well as against moisture that penetrates into the protective vest from the atmosphere.

According to the invention there is provided a bullet-proof article comprising a plurality of webs of high-strength textile fabric which are mutually parallelly superposed to be bullet-proof and a moisturetight envelope in which the webs are enclosed.

In a preferred construction according to the invention, the envelope is made from a plastics material which is impervious to moisture, the envelope being of welded construction. This prevents the textile fabric from coming into contact with moisture so that it retains its advantageous properties irrespective of the degree of humidity of the surrounding air. Normally. when a bulletproof fabric material of the above-mentioned kind is struck by a bullet, its fibres do not tear. The weight of the bullet opens up the meshes at the point where it strikes the material, so that finally a hole is formed.

If the fabric has absorbed moisture, the risk 'of a bullet passing between the fibres is considerably greater than when the material is in the dry state in which the fibres form a close-meshed structure and lie close to each other.

In accordance with an advantageous feature of the invention, the envelope is enclosed in a jacket through which light cannot pass. This jacket is preferably tightly closed by stitching so that the jacket and the envelope and its contents constitute a unitary insert pad which cannot be opened without being destroyed and, normally, cannot be opened at all. The pad may be suspended or stood in a protective outer covering. With the jacket, the actual bulletproof article is constituted of bullet-proof material, the envelope and the jacket, whereas the outer covering mainly performs the function of retaining the bullet-proof article in front of the zone to be protected. The outer covering does, however, perform the function of protecting the pad contained within it. It may be made of a flame-inhibiting material which is impregnated to repel moisture.The bullet-proof textile material contained in the pad is in such case protected threefold against the effects of the atmosphere, i.e. by the envelope, by the jacket (through which light cannot pass) and by the outer covering. When used for military purposes the outer covering may be made of a camouflaging material.

The bullet-proof article in accordance with the invention is preferably in the form of a bullet-proof vest. The outer covering is in the shape of a vest in which at least one of the said insert pads is inserted. Although a bullet striking the vest would not penetrate the pad, it would however create local pressure zones where considerable hematomas could occur which in some circumstances could endanger life. The avoid such injury, and in accordance with a further feature of the invention, pockets for accommodating metal plates can be provided on the outer surface of the outer covering. The metal plates can be placed, as additional inserts, in those pockets which cover vital parts of the body. In this way, it is possible to provide a bullet-proof vest with relatively few metal plates, so that the vest is relatively light in weight and hugs the contour of the body.Preferably, the metal plates to be provided in a pocket are arranged to overlap each other in the manner of fish-scales, the several plates of which are secured relatively to each other with play between them and are disposed in a sheath, which contains all the individual plates and their fixing means, and substantially immobilizes these plates and fixing means in its interior. Such an armour unit is described and claimed in our Patent No. 1,518,446. The armour unit so formed is largely adaptable to the contours of the body. The individual plates are not displaced even when struck by a bullet, so that even in the most unfavourable cases the plate shield remains completely closed.

Below the metal plates, the superposed layers of bullet-proof textile material form a cushion so as to absorb the energy of a bullet that strikes the metal plates.

The invention is not limited to garments in its application but can also be applied in armouring vehicles, aircraft, ships and so on. For this purpose, outer jackets, in which envelopes containing the multi-layer padding of bullet-proof fabric are contained, can be hung in the interior of the space that is to be protected. Pockets, in which metal plates can be inserted, can be provided on the exterior surface of the outer covering. A vehicle equipped in this way does not need to be armoured with metal plates all the time. Instead, it suffices, prior to the use of the vehicle in dangerous conditions, to insert metal plates in the corresponding pockets which are positioned in front of the endangered zones.It is therefore not necessary to provide each vehicle with a complete armour plating, and instead all that is required is to keep a number of metal plates in stock so as to fit them in the vehicle each time that they are needed for a particular use. Vehicles and helicopters, for example, can thus be equipped with bullet-proof protection without any great expense. A further important point is that the bullet-proof protection can be readily removed again, so that the vehicle is available for normal uses.

By way of example, one embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a bullet-proof article in accordance with the invention in the form of a vest, in the spread-out position showing the outer side of the vest, Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 of the inside of the vest, and Figure 3 shows diagrammatically on a larger scale, a section on the line III--III of Figure 1.

The bullet-proof vest illustrated consists of a front portion 10 and a rear portion 11 which are interconnected by shoulder straps 12. Between the shoulder straps 12 is an opening 13 for the neck of the wearer.

When the vest is being worn, the front portion 10 protects the chest and stomach, and the rear portion 11 protects the back of the wearer. Contiguous with the rear portion 11 are proiecting side parts 14 which are passed under the armpits, wrapped around the torso and tucked under the sides of the front portion 10.

The outer covering 15 of the bullet-proof vest is double-walled over the zone of the front part 10, the rear part 11 and the side pieces 14. The undersurface of the front part and that of the rear part are each closed by a sliding clasp fastener 16 and 17 respectively, these being provided on the surface presented to the body of the wearer. Padding inserts 18 and 19 can be inserted into the outer covering 15 through the openings designed to be closed by the sliding clasp fasteners. The inserts 18 and 19 are of substantially the same shape as the front portion 10 and rear portion 11 respectively but are of slightly smaller dimensions than these, so that they can be easily inserted.

Each insert 18 and 19 comprises a fully closed jacket 20 made of a strong impregnated substantially non-inflammable fabric.

Contained in this jacket are webs 22 of textile material which are tightly welded into an envelope of a foil or film material 21. In the present case, the textile fabric is Kevlar (Registered Trade Mark) a waterabsorbing material which is also sensitive to light. In its original condition this material offers excellent resistance to penetration by bullets. In the present case, approximately twenty superposed fabric webs form the padding 22. To prevent the fabric webs from becoming displaced relatively to each other to too great an extent, they are held together by quilting stitches which form rectangles of a size roughly equal to that of the palm of the hand.

The foil or film material 21 which tightly enclose the padding 22 prevents moisture from reaching the bullet-proof material, so that the bullet-resisting properties of the vest are not adversely affected either by the perspiration from the wearer or atmospheric moisture.

Since it has been found that the bulletresisting strength of the fabric is reduced by fairly lengthy exposure to light, the sealed jacket 20 is made of a material through which light cannot pass and which, in addition, protects the film material 21 from damage. The jacket 20 may be produced for example from a strong impregnated fabric which, because of its waterrepelling properties, assists the film material 21 in providing the bullet-proof material with protection against moisture. The fabric webs 22. together with the welded-on covering of film material 21 and the jacket 20, form the insert 19. The insert 18 is formed in a similar manner.

Pockets provided on the exterior of the vest for receiving metal plates 27 can be seen in Figure 1. A large pocket 23 is provided on the front and a further large pocket 24 on the back of the vest. Also provided are three smaller pockets 25 specifically for protecting vulnerable parts of the body. Each of the attached pockets is closed bv a sliding clasp fastener 26. so that the metal plates 27 can be removed and inserted as required.

Since the bullet-proof material is are extremely sensitive to atmospheric influences, the inserts 18 and 19 can be removed prior to cleaning the vest. The inserts themselves do not require to be cleaned or washed.

Provided at the lower ends of the front portion 10 and the rear portion 11 are loosely hanging flaps 26 and 27 respectively, which do not contain paddings. The wearer of the vest can tuck these wraps under his trouser-top or belt, so that the armoured vest does not shift or ride up when the wearer sits down. The flaps can of course be omitted.

The metal plates 27 may be rigid plates.

Preferably however, a plurality of individual plates are fitted together in overlapping relationship in the manner of fish scales.

Such an arrangement of plates, which may be surrounded by a fabric jacket, then form a flexible insert which can be fitted one in each pocket and which largely adapt themselves to the contour of the body of the wearer. The plates can be secured in the jacket by belts in the manner described and illustrated in our Patent No. 1,518,446.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A bullet-proof article comprising a plurality of webs of high-strength textile fabric which are mutually parallelly superposed to be bullet-proof and a moisturetight envelope in which the webs are enclosed.

2. A bullet-proof article according to claim 1, wherein the envelope is made from a plastics material which is impervious to moisture, the envelope being of welded construction.

3. A bullet-proof artcile according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the envelope is enclosed in a jacket through which light cannot pass.

4. A bullet-proof article according to claim 3, wherein the webs of textile fabric, the envelope and the jacket form a separate insert pad which is suspended or stood in an outer covering and which is removable from the outer coverings.

5. A bullet-proof article according to claim 4, wherein pockets for receiving metal plates are provided on the outer surface of the outer covering.

6. A bullet-proof article according to either claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the outer covering has on its inner face for each insert pad a closable opening for enabling the insert pad to be removed.

7. A bullet-proof article according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the outer covering is made from an impregnated moisture-repelling, flame-inhibiting material.

8. A bullet-proof article acocrding to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the surface presented to the body of the wearer. Padding inserts 18 and 19 can be inserted into the outer covering 15 through the openings designed to be closed by the sliding clasp fasteners. The inserts 18 and 19 are of substantially the same shape as the front portion 10 and rear portion 11 respectively but are of slightly smaller dimensions than these, so that they can be easily inserted. Each insert 18 and 19 comprises a fully closed jacket 20 made of a strong impregnated substantially non-inflammable fabric. Contained in this jacket are webs 22 of textile material which are tightly welded into an envelope of a foil or film material 21. In the present case, the textile fabric is Kevlar (Registered Trade Mark) a waterabsorbing material which is also sensitive to light. In its original condition this material offers excellent resistance to penetration by bullets. In the present case, approximately twenty superposed fabric webs form the padding 22. To prevent the fabric webs from becoming displaced relatively to each other to too great an extent, they are held together by quilting stitches which form rectangles of a size roughly equal to that of the palm of the hand. The foil or film material 21 which tightly enclose the padding 22 prevents moisture from reaching the bullet-proof material, so that the bullet-resisting properties of the vest are not adversely affected either by the perspiration from the wearer or atmospheric moisture. Since it has been found that the bulletresisting strength of the fabric is reduced by fairly lengthy exposure to light, the sealed jacket 20 is made of a material through which light cannot pass and which, in addition, protects the film material 21 from damage. The jacket 20 may be produced for example from a strong impregnated fabric which, because of its waterrepelling properties, assists the film material 21 in providing the bullet-proof material with protection against moisture. The fabric webs 22. together with the welded-on covering of film material 21 and the jacket 20, form the insert 19. The insert 18 is formed in a similar manner. Pockets provided on the exterior of the vest for receiving metal plates 27 can be seen in Figure 1. A large pocket 23 is provided on the front and a further large pocket 24 on the back of the vest. Also provided are three smaller pockets 25 specifically for protecting vulnerable parts of the body. Each of the attached pockets is closed bv a sliding clasp fastener 26. so that the metal plates 27 can be removed and inserted as required. Since the bullet-proof material is are extremely sensitive to atmospheric influences, the inserts 18 and 19 can be removed prior to cleaning the vest. The inserts themselves do not require to be cleaned or washed. Provided at the lower ends of the front portion 10 and the rear portion 11 are loosely hanging flaps 26 and 27 respectively, which do not contain paddings. The wearer of the vest can tuck these wraps under his trouser-top or belt, so that the armoured vest does not shift or ride up when the wearer sits down. The flaps can of course be omitted. The metal plates 27 may be rigid plates. Preferably however, a plurality of individual plates are fitted together in overlapping relationship in the manner of fish scales. Such an arrangement of plates, which may be surrounded by a fabric jacket, then form a flexible insert which can be fitted one in each pocket and which largely adapt themselves to the contour of the body of the wearer. The plates can be secured in the jacket by belts in the manner described and illustrated in our Patent No. 1,518,446. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A bullet-proof article comprising a plurality of webs of high-strength textile fabric which are mutually parallelly superposed to be bullet-proof and a moisturetight envelope in which the webs are enclosed.

2. A bullet-proof article according to claim 1, wherein the envelope is made from a plastics material which is impervious to moisture, the envelope being of welded construction.

3. A bullet-proof artcile according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the envelope is enclosed in a jacket through which light cannot pass.

4. A bullet-proof article according to claim 3, wherein the webs of textile fabric, the envelope and the jacket form a separate insert pad which is suspended or stood in an outer covering and which is removable from the outer coverings.

5. A bullet-proof article according to claim 4, wherein pockets for receiving metal plates are provided on the outer surface of the outer covering.

6. A bullet-proof article according to either claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the outer covering has on its inner face for each insert pad a closable opening for enabling the insert pad to be removed.

7. A bullet-proof article according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the outer covering is made from an impregnated moisture-repelling, flame-inhibiting material.

8. A bullet-proof article acocrding to

any one of the preceding claims, wherein the webs of textile fabric are held together within the envelope by quilting stitches.

9. A bullet-proof article substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.