EP1719968B1 - Bullet resistant vest with abdomen protection. - Google Patents

Abstract

The vest has an outer shell, which has at least one front upper body piece and a front lower body piece connected to each other, with common pouch. It has a bullet-proof inlay (32) made of a layered stack consisting of several layers of a shot-resistant material. The bullet-proof inlay has upper (34) and lower (36) body protection areas connected of a piece together. Their dimensions enable the inlay to be placed in the common pouch of upper and lower body pieces and for it to extend into the whole pouch. At least some of the layers of the stack extend over the whole bullet-proof inlay.

Description

The present invention relates to a ballistic underwear protective vest with abdominal protection.

Ballistic protective vests serve to protect the persons carrying them against ballistic threats, such as soft core bullets or even hard core bullets. They are used, for example, by police and federal police forces and also in the military sector. They usually consist of an outer shell with one or more pockets and inserted into the pockets ballistic deposits. Depending on the desired field of application, the protective vests are equipped with corresponding ballistic inserts of different protection classes (see eg GB 1 561 385 which forms the basis for claim 1).

In ballistic protective vests, a distinction is further made between underwear protective vests which are concealed under an outer garment for the viewer, and over-protective vests, which are worn on the outside visibly for the viewer. Especially for underwear protective vests while the wearing comfort is an essential criterion.

In addition to the protection of the upper body by a front part and a back part of the protection of the abdomen is increasingly required. Various protective embodiments are already known in the field of protective suits, in which a separate abdominal protection element by means of Velcro (see, eg DE 75 29 537 U and DE 200 17 238 U1 ) or zipper (see eg DE 85 03 968 U1 ) can be releasably attached to the lower end of the front part.

A disadvantage of these conventional cover protective vests in the case of attachment by means of Velcro Materialaufdopplung, which leads to the restriction of freedom of movement. Such a solution is therefore impractical for underwear protective vests worn under the outerwear. In the case of Fastening by means of a zipper, on the other hand, provides an unprotected ballistic weak point between the abdominal protection and the upper body protection, which is undesirable in any case.

Due to the above-mentioned problem so far no underwear protective vests with abdominal protection are known. As for example in the pamphlets DE 76 04 756 U . DE 93 11 653 U1 and DE 44 00 850 A1 discloses there are only under-vest that have at its lower end an extension of the (ballistically ineffective) fabric outer shell in the form of trouser flaps. These trouser flaps are put into the trousers of the wearer when wearing the underwear protective vests, so that the overall protection vest is better fixed. A protective effect does not come with these trouser flaps.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ballistic underwear protective vest with abdominal protection, which provides in addition to the ballistic protection of the upper body and a ballistic protection of the abdomen. It is another object of the present invention to provide a ballistic undergarment vest with abdomen protection with increased comfort. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a ballistic underwear vest with vestibule which avoids a weak point of ballistic protection between abdominal protection and upper body protection.

This object is achieved by a ballistic protective vest having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The ballistic underwear protective vest includes an outer cover which can be applied to the body of a person wearing the ballistic vest and which has at least a front upper part and a lower part which are connected to each other and have a common pocket, and a ballistic insert made of a layer packet containing several having interconnected layers of a bullet-resistant material, wherein the ballistic insert a torso protection area and an abdominal area which is integrally connected to each other and dimensioned so that the ballistic insert is insertable into the common pocket of the front upper body part and the front abdominal part and extends substantially over the entire pocket, and wherein at least some of the layers of the layer package on extend the entire ballistic insert.

Due to the one-piece design of the ballistic insert with upper body protection area and lower abdomen area over common layers of the layer package, a complete protection of upper body and abdomen is achieved, i. The above-mentioned ballistic weaknesses at the transition between upper body protection area and abdominal area are avoided. At the same time omitted at this transition Materialaufdplplungen, whereby the wearing comfort of the underwear protective vest is substantially increased.

In one embodiment of the invention, the ply package of the ballistic insert comprises first plies that extend substantially across the torso protection area and second plies that extend substantially across the upper body and abdomen areas. In the upper body protection area more bullet-resistant layers are thus available, so there is a higher ballistic protection, while for the abdominal area with less bullet-resistant layers a compromise between comfort and protection performance is achieved.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, all the layers of the layer package of the ballistic insert extend essentially over the entire upper body and abdomen protection area, so that the same protection class is given over the entire ballistic insert.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the layer package of the ballistic insert comprises first layers that extend substantially across the torso protection area, second layers that extend substantially across the upper body and abdomen areas, and third layers that extend in the Extend substantially over the abdominal area. In this construction, for example, the same protection class as in the upper body protection area can be achieved in the abdominal protection area; At the same time, however, a high level of wearing comfort is ensured due to the lower number of layers at the transition between upper body and lower abdomen protection area.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ballistic insert is provided at the transition between the upper body protection area and the abdominal area with a lateral constriction. This constriction facilitates the kinking of the abdominal area against the upper body protection area of the insert, for example, in a sitting posture of the wearer, so that the comfort of the underwear protective vest is further improved.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the ballistic underwear protective vest is possible in which the front lower part of the outer shell extends over the thighs to over the knee of a person wearing the vest, the common pocket in the front abdominal part also extends over the thighs to over the knee and the abdominal protection area of the ballistic pad has an extended thigh protection area that also extends above the thighs to above the knees so that the ballistic protection of the abdomen is extended to the knee area (including kneecap) of the wearer.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the abdominal protection area of the ballistic insert can be folded onto the upper body protection area, so that the front abdomen part of the underwear protection vest can be folded up against the inside of the front upper body part of the underwear protection vest. This results in various advantages that the abdomen protection can be carried by the wearer and must be used only when needed, which increases the freedom of movement of the wearer, as long as an abdominal protection is not considered necessary. In addition, the protection class of the upper body part increases significantly in the carrying of the underwear protective vest with folded abdomen part.

To improve this latter effect, the undergarment protective vest may further comprise an additional ballistic protection element which can be fastened between a thigh protection region of the abdominal protection region and the underwear protection vest with the front abdominal part folded up in order to achieve a consistently increased protection class in the upper body region.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the layers of the ballistic insert of a bullet-resistant fiber material, preferably made of an aramid fiber, an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (UHMWPE, HPPE) or an isotropic crystalline polymer fiber (PBO) are formed. The several layers of the ballistic insert are preferably quilted with each other. In order to achieve different protection classes in the upper body protection area and in the abdominal area, the first and second layers or the first, second and third layers may each have a different titer.

Fig. 1

eine beispielhafte Darstellung einer Außenhülle einer ballistischen Unterzieh-Schutzweste gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 2

eine beispielhafte Draufsicht einer ballistischen Einlage einer ballistischen Unterzieh-Schutzweste gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 3

eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Details X von Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine stark vereinfachte und schematisierte Perspektivansicht eines Lagenpakets einer ballistischen Einlage für eine ballistische Unterzieh-Schutzweste gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Draufsicht des Lagenpakets von Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer ballistischen Einlage von Fig. 2 mit hochgeklapptem Unterleibschutzbereich aus Sicht des Trägers; und

Fig. 7

eine Modifikation der ballistischen Einlage von Fig. 2.

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show:

Fig. 1

an exemplary representation of an outer shell of a ballistic underwear protective vest according to the present invention;

Fig. 2

an exemplary plan view of a ballistic insert of a ballistic underwear protective vest according to the present invention;

Fig. 3

an enlarged view of the detail X of Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

a highly simplified and schematic perspective view of a layer package of a ballistic insert for a ballistic underwear protective vest according to the present invention;

Fig. 5

a schematic plan view of the layer package of Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of a ballistic insert of Fig. 2 with the abdomen protected from the perspective of the wearer; and

Fig. 7

a modification of the ballistic insert of Fig. 2 ,

With reference to the accompanying drawings, various embodiments of a vest underwear will be explained in more detail below. The same elements are provided throughout with the same reference numerals.

It should be noted that the present invention is basically applicable to a protective cover vest.

The ballistic underwear protective vest has, in particular, a flexible outer shell 10 of, for example, fabric as shown in FIG Fig. 1 is illustrated. The outer shell 10 comprises a front upper body part (front part) 12 and a rear upper body part (back part) 14, which are connected to each other via shoulder pieces 16, between which a neck opening 18 is left free. Alternatively, the front part 12 and the back part 14 may also be formed separately and releasably connected to each other (eg via Velcro straps, straps and the like).

At the lower end of the front upper body part 12, a front abdominal part 20 connects, and the rear upper body part 14 may be followed by a rear abdominal part 22.

Provided in the front upper body part 12 and the front lower abdomen part 20 is a common pocket 24 (indicated by dashed lines), which extends substantially over the entire front upper body and lower abdomen part 12, 20. Further, in the back part 14, a pocket 26 (indicated by dashed lines) is provided which does not extend into the rear abdominal part 22. In the pockets 24 and 26 ballistic inserts are used, of which the ballistic insert 32 for the common Pocket 24 of the front of the protective vest is described in detail below. For insertion of the deposits in the pockets 24, 26, these are each provided with access openings 28, 30, which can be closed, for example, by means of a zipper, Velcro or snaps.

It will now be based on the Fig. 2 to 7 the construction of a ballistic insert 32 for the common pocket 24 of the front upper body part 12 and the front abdomen part 20 of the outer shell 10 of the ballistic protective vest explained.

The ballistic insert 32 consists of a torso protection region 34 and an abdominal protection region 36, which are formed integrally with each other and dimensioned such that the insert 32 fits into the common pocket 24 of the outer shell 10. In particular, the upper body protection region 34 of the insert 32 substantially corresponds to the front upper body part 12 of the protective vest, and the abdominal protection region 36 substantially corresponds to the lower body part 20. The abdominal protection region 36 also has a thigh protection region 38 which extends a short distance to the thighs of the protective vest carrying person extends. In a modification of the protective vest, as in Fig. 7 can also be provided, an extended thigh protection area 38 'can be provided, which extends over the thighs to over the knees (including the patella) of the protective vest wearer to protect the entire thighs to the knee area.

As in Fig. 2 2, the ballistic insert 32 is provided at the transition 39 between the upper body protection region 34 and the abdominal protection region 36 with a lateral constriction 48 on both sides. The transition 39 corresponds approximately to the hip or pelvic area of the person wearing the underwear protective vest. The lateral constrictions 48 significantly increase the wearing comfort of the underwear vest, particularly in the case of a wearer's sitting posture, since they substantially facilitate the kinking of the ballistic insert 32 and thus the entire undergrowth vest and reduce wrinkling in this area.

The formation of the lateral constriction 48 is in Fig. 3 shown enlarged. Starting from a lower corner point 50 of the upper body protection region 34, the contour of the abdominal protection region 36 initially extends obliquely inwards and then turns outward in an approximately S-shaped arc until the maximum width of the abdominal protection region 36 or its thigh protection region 38, 38 'is reached. This in Fig. 3 indicated constriction 52 is preferably about 8% to 15% of the width of the upper body protection area 34th

As in Fig. 4 shown schematically, the ballistic insert 32 from a layer package consisting of a plurality of layers 40, 42 constructed. In the example shown, the ballistic pad 32 includes first layers 40 that extend substantially across the torso protection area 34 and second layers 42 that extend integrally across the upper body and lower body areas 34 and 36. In this case, the first and second layers 40, 42, for example, alternately stacked on each other, as in Fig. 4 implied, without the invention being limited to this layer arrangement.

Although in Fig. 4 For ease of illustration, only a few first and second layers 40, 42 are shown, it is known to those skilled in the art that the layer package of the ballistic insert generally includes a plurality of such layers 40, 42. For example, depending on the required degree of protection, the upper body protection area 34 includes between 25 and 40 layers 40, 42. Also, the numbers of the layers 40 and 42 of the upper body protection area 34 and the lower abdomen area 36 need not necessarily be in the ratio of about 1: 1 as in the example of FIG Fig. 4 be provided, but can be freely adapted to the respective desired protection classes.

Since a portion of the ply package, ie, the second layers 42 extend integrally over both the upper body protection region 34 and the abdominal protection region 36, there is no ballistic weakness at the transition 39 between these two regions 34 and 36. Due to the one-piece design of the ballistic insert 32 omitted Any Materialaufdplugungen in the area of the transition 39, whereby the wearing comfort of the under-vest is significantly improved. This is especially true for a sitting posture of the wearer of the vest.

In the in Fig. 4 1, the abdominal protection region 36 of the ballistic insert 32 comprises fewer layers, ie only the second layers 42, than the upper body protection region 34 with the first and second layers 40, 42, so that a compromise between ballistic protection performance and wearing comfort of the underwear protective vest is achieved in the abdominal protection region 36 becomes.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), all the layers 40 may extend over both the upper body protection region 34 and the lower abdomen protection region 36. This leads to a uniform protection class of the protective vest in the upper body and abdomen area.

It is also conceivable, although not shown, that the ballistic insert 32 in addition to the in Fig. 4 illustrated layer arrangement still contains third layers which extend only over the abdominal area 36 and are stacked there, for example, alternately with the second layers 42. The number of first layers 40 and those of the third layers need not necessarily be the same in this case. The advantage of such a layer package is that even in the abdomen area, a relatively high degree of protection can be achieved, but at the same time a slight kinking of the ballistic insert at the transition 39 due to the there alone lower number of layers is possible.

Although not shown here, the layer package of the ballistic insert 32 is usually wrapped in a protective cover in order to protect the ballistic insert 32 from environmental influences, in particular UV radiation and moisture.

The individual layers each consist of a bullet-inhibiting material, for example a bullet-resistant fiber material (woven or fiber-laid fabric). Currently, depending on the desired strength of the yarns, preferably an aromatic polyamide fiber, ie aramid (for example, Kevlar® by DuPont), is an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMPWE, HPPE) fiber (e.g. Example Dyneema® from DSM Dyneema BV Netherlands, or Spectra® from Honeywell) or an isotropic crystalline polymer (PBO) fiber (for example Zylon® from Toyobo Co., Ltd. Japan). These layers 40, 42 of bullet-resistant fiber material are preferably quilted in the case of a fabric, as in Fig. 5 represented, or fixed in the case of a fiber fabric, for example between two sheets.

The desertification of the layers 40, 42 of the ballistic insert 32 includes a peripheral edge seam 44 and a plurality of inner seams 46-1, 46-2, 46-3. The desertification is preferably carried out such that the stitching 44, 46-1, 46-2, 46-3 are arranged substantially knot-free, as for example in the DE 203 14 504 U1 is described. As in Fig. 5 indicated, the inner stitching 46-1, 46-2, 46-3 also extend in each case substantially meandering in their respective zones. In each case, the longer seam sections extend substantially parallel to a main bending axis in the respective zone, so that the ballistic insert 32 acquires greater flexibility and thus the wearing comfort of the protective vest is improved.

Furthermore, the first, second and possibly third layers of the layer package of the ballistic insert 32 can have different titers (degrees of fineness of the yarn) in order to be able to individually set the protection classes of the upper body protection region 34 and the abdominal protection region 36.

Referring to Fig. 6 Now, another feature of a preferred embodiment of the undergarment protective vest according to the invention will be described.

The ballistic insert 32 is designed such that its abdominal protection region 36 is collapsible onto the upper body protection region 34, so that the front abdomen part 20 of the underwear protective vest can be folded up against the inside of the front upper body part 12 of the protective vest. Fig. 6 shows the ballistic insert 6 of Fig. 2 with a folded-up abdominal protection area 36 from the perspective of the person wearing the underwear protective vest.

How out Fig. 6 can be seen by the folded abdomen protection area 36 reinforcements of the upper body protection area 34 by superimposing the bullet-resistant layers 40, 42 is formed. To fill the gap with less ballistic protection between the thigh protection areas 38, 38 'of the abdominal protection area 36, an additional protection element 54 is provided for the protective vest which can be fastened to the underwear protective vest in this area in order to build up a seamless double protection area. For this purpose, for example, a pocket may be provided on the front upper body part 12 of the outer shell 10.

In this embodiment, the abdominal area 36 is advantageously constantly carried by the wearer and can be applied at any time. As long as the abdomen protection is not considered necessary by the wearer, a greater freedom of movement is given despite underwear protective vest. It also increases at the in Fig. 6 illustrated support the ballistic protection in the upper body area clearly.

The abdominal area 36 of the ballistic insert 32 is preferably foldable up to the inner side of the upper body protection area 34 facing the wearer. In this way, the kinetic energy of a projectile hitting the undergrowth vestigial is first largely absorbed by the outer, higher-level outer body protector region 34. If the protection class of the upper body protection region 34 is insufficient, the residual energy of the projectile can be absorbed by the bullet-inhibiting layers 42 of the abdominal protection region 36 lying behind it.

Furthermore, the ballistic underwear protective vest can be equipped in a manner known to those skilled in the art in addition to the ballistic insert with a shock absorber and / or additional puncture protection.

Furthermore, the underwear protective vest is preferably provided in a known manner with a belt element or the like, through which the upper body region - optionally with folded abdomen part - is pulled to the wearer. With that The contours created by the underwear protective vest adapted to the body shape of the wearer, so that the underwear protective vest can be worn concealed.

REFERENCE NUMBER LIST

10

outer shell

1 2

front upper body part

14

back upper body part

16

Pauldrons

18

neck opening

20

front abdomen part

22

rear abdomen part

24

Bag in 12 and 20

26

Bag in 14th

28

lockable access opening of 24

30

lockable access opening of 26

32

ballistic insert

34

Upper body protection area

36

Groin protection area

38

Thigh protection area

38 '

extended thigh protection area

39

Transition between 34 and 36

40

first layers for 34

42

second layers for 34 + 36

44

fillet

46

seams

48

constriction

50

lower corner of 34

52

Einschnürmaß

54

Additional protection element

Claims (12)

1. Concealable ballistic protective vest, comprising
   an outer shell (10) to be applied to a person wearing the ballistic protective vest including at least a front upper-body portion (12) and a front abdominal portion (20) which are joined to each other; and
   a ballistic insert (32) composed of a layer pack having a plurality of layers (40, 42) of a shot-inhibiting material joined to one another, wherein
   the front upper-body portion (12) and the front abdominal portion (20) have a common pocket (24);
   the ballistic insert (32) has an upper-body protection region (34) and an abdominal protection region (36) which are connected to each other in one piece and are so dimensioned that the ballistic insert (32) can be inserted into the common pocket (24) of the front upper-body portion (12) and the front abdominal portion (20) and extends substantially over the entire pocket (24); and
   at least some of the layers (42) of the layer pack extend over the entire ballistic insert (32).
2. Concealable ballistic protective vest according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the layer pack of the ballistic insert (32) comprises first layers (40), which extend substantially over the upper-body protection region (34), and second layers (42), which extend substantially over the upper-body and abdominal protection regions (34, 36).
3. Concealable ballistic protective vest according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   all the layers (40, 42) of the layer pack of the ballistic insert (32) extend substantially over the upper-body and abdominal protection regions (34, 36).
4. Concealable ballistic protective vest according to claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the layer pack of the ballistic insert (32) further comprises third layers, which extend substantially over the abdominal protection region (36).
5. Concealable ballistic protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the ballistic insert (32) is provided with a lateral reduction in area (48) at the junction (39) between the upper-body protection region (34) and the abdominal protection region (36).
6. Concealable ballistic protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the front abdominal portion (20) of the outer shell (10) extends over the thigh up to and over the knee of a person wearing the protective vest;
   the common pocket (24) in the front abdominal portion (20) also extends over the thigh up to and over the knee; and
   the abdominal protection region (36) of the ballistic insert (32) has an extended thigh-protection region (38') which also extends over the thigh up to and over the knee.
7. Concealable ballistic protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the abdominal protection region (36) of the ballistic insert (32) can be folded onto the upper-body protection region (34), so that the front abdominal portion (20) of the concealable protective vest can be folded up against the inside of the front upper-body portion (12) of the concealable protective vest.
8. Concealable ballistic protective vest according to claim 7,
   characterised in that
   the concealable protective vest further comprises a ballistic accessory protection element (54) which can be fastened between a thigh-protection region (38, 38') of the abdominal protection region (36) and to the concealable protective vest with the front abdominal portion (20) folded up.
9. Concealable ballistic protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the layers (40, 42) of the ballistic insert (32) are formed from a shot-inhibiting fibre material.
10. Concealable ballistic protective vest according to claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the shot-inhibiting layers (40, 42) of the ballistic insert (32) are formed from an aramide fibre, an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibre or an isotropic crystalline polymer fibre.
11. Concealable ballistic protective vest according to claim 9 or 10,
    characterised in that
    the plurality of layers (40, 42) of the ballistic insert (32) are quilted to one another.
12. Concealable ballistic protective vest according to claim 2 or 4 and any one of claims 9 to 11,
    characterised in that
    the first layers (40) and the second layers (42) or, as the case may be, the first layers (40), the second layers (42) and the third layers each have a different yarn count.

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