EP2420793A1 - Body armour - Google Patents

Body armour Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2420793A1
EP2420793A1 EP11155777A EP11155777A EP2420793A1 EP 2420793 A1 EP2420793 A1 EP 2420793A1 EP 11155777 A EP11155777 A EP 11155777A EP 11155777 A EP11155777 A EP 11155777A EP 2420793 A1 EP2420793 A1 EP 2420793A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fabric
layers
rigid
armour
region
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP11155777A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2420793B1 (en
Inventor
Roger Terence Arthur Medwell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NP Aerospace Ltd
Original Assignee
NP Aerospace Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NP Aerospace Ltd filed Critical NP Aerospace Ltd
Priority to EP20110155777 priority Critical patent/EP2420793B1/en
Publication of EP2420793A1 publication Critical patent/EP2420793A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2420793B1 publication Critical patent/EP2420793B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H1/00—Personal protection gear
    • F41H1/02—Armoured or projectile- or missile-resistant garments; Composite protection fabrics
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H5/00—Armour; Armour plates
    • F41H5/02—Plate construction
    • F41H5/04—Plate construction composed of more than one layer
    • F41H5/0414—Layered armour containing ceramic material
    • F41H5/0428—Ceramic layers in combination with additional layers made of fibres, fabrics or plastics
    • F41H5/0435—Ceramic layers in combination with additional layers made of fibres, fabrics or plastics the additional layers being only fibre- or fabric-reinforced layers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to body armour.
  • Known soft body armour is made from strong fabric, such as aramid, and is capable of stopping low-velocity fragments and soft-headed bullets.
  • a hard-faced plate is inserted into a pocket in the soft body armour.
  • the plate is usually made from a ceramic material backed by a strong fabric such as aramid.
  • the soft body armour can be in the form of a garment and can include more than one pocket, each pocket being arranged to contain a rigid plate.
  • the present invention provides body armour comprising a piece of soft, strong fabric, and at least one rigid armour plate bonded to a portion only of said piece of fabric.
  • the piece of fabric may comprise a plurality of layers, e.g. of aramid fabric. In the region in which the rigid plate is bonded thereto, said layers may be compressed together. A film of adhesive may be disposed between each two adjacent layers of fabric, at least in the region in which the rigid plate is bonded to the piece of fabric.
  • the at least one rigid armour plate may comprise ceramic material.
  • the rigid armour plate is bonded to a central region of the piece of fabric, which is arranged to cover a wearer's chest and abdomen, lateral regions of the piece of fabric being arranged to cover the wearer's sides.
  • the invention also provides a method of forming body armour, comprising the steps of: forming a piece of fabric from a plurality of layers of string fabric with layers of film adhesive interposed between at least two adjacent ones of said layers of fabric; heating said layers and compressing them together in a direction of their thickness in at least one region thereof; and bonding a rigid plate to the fabric in said at least one region.
  • Figure 1 shows a unit of body armour according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a garment incorporating two units of Figure 1 .
  • the drawing shows a protector comprising a flexible piece of fabric 1, having a central portion 2 (e.g. a chest/abdomen portion) and two side flaps 3.
  • the fabric 1 is aramid fabric formed in a plurality of layers, e.g. 10 to 30 layers.
  • film adhesive such as urethane or other suitable adhesive
  • a hard amour plate 4 is bonded.
  • Manufacture of the protector includes a step of compressing the layers of aramid fabric together in the direction of the thickness of the armour, with the application of heat, with a tool of size and shape similar to the "footprint" of the plate 4.
  • the fabric becomes rigid in this particular region.
  • the hard armour plate 4 - in this example formed of a ceramic material - is bonded to the compressed region of the fabric 1 with an adhesive such as urethane, epoxy or other suitable adhesive.
  • an adhesive such as urethane, epoxy or other suitable adhesive.
  • the compressed layers of fabric afford to the rigid plate the same rigid backing as is provided by the aramid, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, or glass backing of the known removable plate.
  • the rigid plate 4 is permanently bonded to the soft fabric 1. In some military situations, regulations prohibit such removal of the plate and in such circumstances the permanent bond may be advantageous.
  • the protector can be provided with one or more straps, zips, buttons and/or other fasteners or suspension means either for suspending it from the neck or arms or for attachment to a garment. It is intended to be worn with the rigid plate 4 on the outer side.
  • two protectors of the type depicted in Figure 1 can be attached together by means of shoulder straps 5. They then form a tabard-style garment that can be placed over the wearer's head and fastened at the sides with a fastener such hook-and-loop closures such as Velcro ® 6, optionally arranged on straps 7.
  • the plates 4 provide both front and rear protection.
  • additional hard armour plates are bonded to side regions of the fabric 1, such as the side flaps 3, for side protection.
  • Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fabric could be used instead of aramid.
  • Other modifications are feasible within the scope of the claims.
  • the body armour of the invention provides a similar ballistic performance to the known body armour, but has a reduced thickness and weight and is less expensive to manufacture.
  • the fabric is also simpler as it is not necessary to form a pocket for housing the rigid plate.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)

Abstract

Body armour formed from a piece of fabric (1) comprising a plurality of layers of strong fabric with layers of film adhesive interposed between at least two adjacent ones of said layers of fabric. The layers of fabric are compressed together in at least one region. A rigid, e.g. ceramic, plate (4) is bonded to the fabric in said at least one region.

Description

  • This invention relates to body armour.
  • Known soft body armour is made from strong fabric, such as aramid, and is capable of stopping low-velocity fragments and soft-headed bullets. In order to upgrade this soft body armour so as to stop high-velocity fragments and armour-piercing rounds, a hard-faced plate is inserted into a pocket in the soft body armour. The plate is usually made from a ceramic material backed by a strong fabric such as aramid. The soft body armour can be in the form of a garment and can include more than one pocket, each pocket being arranged to contain a rigid plate.
  • This known combination of rigid and soft armour is effective, but is relatively thick, heavy and expensive to manufacture.
  • With the aim of alleviating these disadvantages, the present invention provides body armour comprising a piece of soft, strong fabric, and at least one rigid armour plate bonded to a portion only of said piece of fabric.
  • The piece of fabric may comprise a plurality of layers, e.g. of aramid fabric. In the region in which the rigid plate is bonded thereto, said layers may be compressed together. A film of adhesive may be disposed between each two adjacent layers of fabric, at least in the region in which the rigid plate is bonded to the piece of fabric.
  • The at least one rigid armour plate may comprise ceramic material.
  • In an embodiment of the invention, the rigid armour plate is bonded to a central region of the piece of fabric, which is arranged to cover a wearer's chest and abdomen, lateral regions of the piece of fabric being arranged to cover the wearer's sides.
  • The invention also provides a method of forming body armour, comprising the steps of: forming a piece of fabric from a plurality of layers of string fabric with layers of film adhesive interposed between at least two adjacent ones of said layers of fabric; heating said layers and compressing them together in a direction of their thickness in at least one region thereof; and bonding a rigid plate to the fabric in said at least one region.
  • The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 shows a unit of body armour according to an embodiment of the invention; and
  • Figure 2 shows a garment incorporating two units of Figure 1.
  • The drawing shows a protector comprising a flexible piece of fabric 1, having a central portion 2 (e.g. a chest/abdomen portion) and two side flaps 3. In this example, the fabric 1 is aramid fabric formed in a plurality of layers, e.g. 10 to 30 layers.
  • At least in the chest/abdomen portion 1 layers of film adhesive, such as urethane or other suitable adhesive, is disposed between every two adjacent layers of aramid fabric. In this region a hard amour plate 4 is bonded.
  • Manufacture of the protector includes a step of compressing the layers of aramid fabric together in the direction of the thickness of the armour, with the application of heat, with a tool of size and shape similar to the "footprint" of the plate 4. The fabric becomes rigid in this particular region.
  • Subsequently, the hard armour plate 4 - in this example formed of a ceramic material - is bonded to the compressed region of the fabric 1 with an adhesive such as urethane, epoxy or other suitable adhesive. The compressed layers of fabric afford to the rigid plate the same rigid backing as is provided by the aramid, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, or glass backing of the known removable plate.
  • In the present invention, the rigid plate 4 is permanently bonded to the soft fabric 1. In some military situations, regulations prohibit such removal of the plate and in such circumstances the permanent bond may be advantageous.
  • The protector can be provided with one or more straps, zips, buttons and/or other fasteners or suspension means either for suspending it from the neck or arms or for attachment to a garment. It is intended to be worn with the rigid plate 4 on the outer side.
  • As shown in Figure 2, two protectors of the type depicted in Figure 1 can be attached together by means of shoulder straps 5. They then form a tabard-style garment that can be placed over the wearer's head and fastened at the sides with a fastener such hook-and-loop closures such as Velcro ® 6, optionally arranged on straps 7. The plates 4 provide both front and rear protection.
  • In a modification of the protector, additional hard armour plates are bonded to side regions of the fabric 1, such as the side flaps 3, for side protection. Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fabric could be used instead of aramid. Other modifications are feasible within the scope of the claims.
  • The body armour of the invention provides a similar ballistic performance to the known body armour, but has a reduced thickness and weight and is less expensive to manufacture. The fabric is also simpler as it is not necessary to form a pocket for housing the rigid plate.

Claims (12)

  1. Body armour comprising a piece of soft, strong fabric (1), and at least one rigid armour plate (4) bonded to a region of said piece of fabric.
  2. Body armour according to claim 1, wherein the fabric (1) is aramid or ultra- high-molecular-weight polyethylene fabric.
  3. Body armour according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the piece of fabric (1) comprises a plurality of layers.
  4. Body armour according to claim 3, wherein, in the region in which the rigid plate (4) is bonded to the fabric (1), said layers are compressed together.
  5. Body armour according to any preceding claim, wherein said region of said piece of fabric (1) is a rigid region.
  6. Body armour according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein a film of adhesive is disposed between each two adjacent layers of fabric, at least in the region in which the rigid plate is bonded to the piece of fabric (1).
  7. Body armour according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one rigid armour plate (4) comprises ceramic material.
  8. Body armour according to any preceding claim, wherein the rigid armour plate (4) is bonded to a central region (2) of the piece of fabric (1), which is arranged to cover a wearer's chest and abdomen or a wearer's back, lateral regions (3) of the piece of fabric being arranged to overlie the wearer's sides.
  9. Body armour according to claim 8, including rigid armour side plates bonded to said lateral regions.
  10. A method of forming body armour, comprising the steps of: providing a piece of fabric (1) comprising a plurality of layers of strong fabric with layers of film adhesive interposed between at least two adjacent ones of said layers of fabric; heating said layers and compressing them together in a direction of their thickness in at least one region thereof; and bonding a rigid plate (4) to the fabric (1) in said at least one region.
  11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the fabric (1) is aramid or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fabric.
  12. A method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the rigid armour plate (4) comprises ceramic material.
EP20110155777 2011-02-24 2011-02-24 Body armour Not-in-force EP2420793B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20110155777 EP2420793B1 (en) 2011-02-24 2011-02-24 Body armour

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20110155777 EP2420793B1 (en) 2011-02-24 2011-02-24 Body armour

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2420793A1 true EP2420793A1 (en) 2012-02-22
EP2420793B1 EP2420793B1 (en) 2013-04-03

Family

ID=43922449

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20110155777 Not-in-force EP2420793B1 (en) 2011-02-24 2011-02-24 Body armour

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2420793B1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3043768A1 (en) * 2015-11-16 2017-05-19 Paul Boye Tech BALISTICAL PROTECTION ELEMENT FOR BICYCLE GLOVES
FR3089284A1 (en) * 2018-11-30 2020-06-05 Gk Professional Ballistic protection element comprising a reinforced protection part and a lightened protection part

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3722355A (en) * 1965-08-03 1973-03-27 Aerojet General Co Lightweight armor material
US5198280A (en) * 1990-10-25 1993-03-30 Allied-Signal Inc. Three dimensional fiber structures having improved penetration resistance
CA2512927A1 (en) * 2005-07-22 2007-01-22 Mine Safety Appliances Company Ballistic resistant devices and systems and methods of manufacture thereof
US20090311930A1 (en) * 2008-06-12 2009-12-17 Yunzhang Wang Flexible knife resistant composite

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3722355A (en) * 1965-08-03 1973-03-27 Aerojet General Co Lightweight armor material
US5198280A (en) * 1990-10-25 1993-03-30 Allied-Signal Inc. Three dimensional fiber structures having improved penetration resistance
CA2512927A1 (en) * 2005-07-22 2007-01-22 Mine Safety Appliances Company Ballistic resistant devices and systems and methods of manufacture thereof
US20090311930A1 (en) * 2008-06-12 2009-12-17 Yunzhang Wang Flexible knife resistant composite

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3043768A1 (en) * 2015-11-16 2017-05-19 Paul Boye Tech BALISTICAL PROTECTION ELEMENT FOR BICYCLE GLOVES
WO2017085401A1 (en) * 2015-11-16 2017-05-26 Paul Boye Technologies Ballistic protection element for bulletproof vest
FR3089284A1 (en) * 2018-11-30 2020-06-05 Gk Professional Ballistic protection element comprising a reinforced protection part and a lightened protection part

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2420793B1 (en) 2013-04-03

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