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
  • F41H5/0471—Layered armour containing fibre- or fabric-reinforced layers
  • F41H5/0485—Layered armour containing fibre- or fabric-reinforced layers all the layers being only fibre- or fabric-reinforced layers

Definitions

• the present invention is in the field of personal protective clothing, intended to protect an upper body of an individual, more specifically its trunk. More particularly, the invention relates to a ballistic protection element, of the type intended to be integrated into a bulletproof vest, for the protection of the torso and / or the back of an individual.
• the bulletproof vest includes a flexible ballistic protection element which is integrated in the ventral part of the vest, usually inside a waterproof cover.
• This ballistic protection element is in the form of a stack of flexible protective layers.
• Each of these layers is generally formed of a set of unidirectional sheets of ultra-strong fibers such as very high or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, or para-aramid fibers, which are superimposed on each other and maintained in a matrix of an organic binder preferably of the thermoplastic type, or, optionally, of thermosetting type.
• Such vests provide satisfactory protection against aggression carried out with handguns.
• NU National Institute of Justice
• they meet the NIA level, that is to say that they are able to stop ammunition 9 mm FMJ RN (for Full Metal Jacket Round Nose) with a nominal mass of 8.0 g (124 grit) and a maximum velocity of 436 m / s ⁇ 9.14 m / s, and ammunition of 44 Magnum SJHP (for English Semi Jacketed Hollow Point) with a nominal mass of 15.6 g (240 grit) and a maximum velocity of 436 m / s ⁇ 9.14 m / s.
• NU National Institute of Justice
• bullet-proof vests do not provide sufficient protection against projectiles fired by so-called shoulder weapons, which require superior or equal strength performance.
• level III according to NU standards (standards 01 01 .04 and 0101 .06), ie an ability to stop ammunition of 7.62 mm NATO FMJ (for English Full Metal Jacket) of a mass nominal 9.6 g (147 grains) and a maximum velocity of 838 m / s ⁇ 9.14 m / s.
• the bulletproof vests are conventionally provided with pockets for the reception of a rigid additional ballistic protection plate. Depending on the needs, the user thus chooses to equip or not his bulletproof vest of such additional protection plate.
• US 5,935,678 discloses a ballistic protection element comprising two separate panels each formed of a plurality of superimposed laminated structure sheets, each laminated structure consisting of two layers of fiber bundles bonded to one another by a thermoplastic film. Each of these panels is intended to be placed in a pocket of a ballistic protection garment, according to the particular protection needs of the user. Again, such a system requires logistic management operations by the user.
• the present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of bulletproof vests proposed by the prior art, including those described above, by providing a ballistic protection element, intended to be integrated into a bulletproof vest, which constitutes it alone protects against projectiles fired by handguns and missiles fired by long guns, thus making the bulletproof vest that integrates it quite easy to use. Additional objects of the invention are that the bulletproof vest incorporating this ballistic protection element is ergonomic and comfortable to wear, and that the ballistic protection element is easy and quick to manufacture. For this purpose, it is proposed by the present invention a ballistic protection element for the protection of the torso and / or back of an individual, this element having a rear face, intended to be arranged opposite the body of the individual, and an opposite front face.
• This protection element comprises, in a conventional manner in itself, in its thickness, a stack, said first stack, of a plurality of fiber-based layers of surface dimensions adapted to substantially cover the torso or back of the body. 'individual.
• the surface dimensions are here defined as the dimensions measured substantially in the plane of the front and rear faces of the protection element.
• These fibers are chosen in particular from high or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers and aramid fibers, in particular para-aramid fibers, or any other type of fibers having properties making them suitable for use for protection. ballistic.
• composition of the layers, as well as the number of layers, forming the first stack are preferably chosen, in combination with one another, so that the first stack meets the NIA level of the NU standards, in particular the 0101 standards. .04 and 0101 .06, that is to say, as explained above, that it is able to stop at least 9 mm FMJ RN ammunition with a nominal mass of 8.0 g and a maximum velocity of 436 m / s ⁇ 9.14 m / s, and ammunition of 44 Magnum SJHP with a nominal mass of 15.6 g and a maximum velocity of 436 m / s ⁇ 9.14 m / s s.
• the ballistic protection element according to the invention further comprises a second stack of a plurality of layers based on fibers, in particular fibers selected from polyethylene fibers of high or ultra high molecular weight and aramid fibers, especially para-aramid, or any other type of fibers having properties making them suitable for use for ballistic protection.
• This second stack has surface dimensions less than the surface dimensions of the first stack, and it is superimposed on the first stack at a central portion of the protection element, which portion is intended to be disposed at the torso, and the where appropriate the abdomen, the individual, or at the level of the central part of the back of the individual, depending on whether the protective element is implemented for the protection of the torso or the back of the individual.
• the second stack thus forms an extra thickness in the central part of the protection element.
• the set of layers of the first stack and the second stack are bonded to each other in a matrix of binder, in particular of polymeric binder, at least in the central part of the protective element.
• a matrix of binder in particular of polymeric binder, at least in the central part of the protective element.
• the layers of the first stack and the second stack are all bonded to each other in the same binder matrix.
• each layer whether it is a layer of the first stack or a layer of second stack, is bonded to the adjacent layers by a binder.
• the layers of the first stack are linked to each other, the layers of the second stack are linked to each other, and the layer of the first stack and the layer of the second stack superimposed on each other are also related to each other. to one another, by a binder.
• the binder matrix is preferably continuous, so that the central portion of the protective member is in the form of a block.
• the binder forming the matrix is preferably of the thermoplastic type. However, it may otherwise be of the thermosetting type.
• the binder can consist of a single compound, or a plurality of different compounds, these different compounds can then be mixed with each other, and / or form separate blocks, mixing mainly with level of their respective interfaces.
• the fibers used for forming the layers of the first stack and the layers of the second stack preferably have one or more, preferably all, of the following properties, making them particularly suitable for use for ballistic protection:
• Bulletproof vests equipped with a ballistic protection element according to the invention are particularly practical to use, since they do not require, to provide a high level of ballistic protection, no particular management of an additional protection plate.
• the composition of the layers of the second stack, and the number of layers of this second stack are chosen jointly so that the central part of the protection element meets level III of the standards of the NU, in particular standards. 0101 .04 and 0101 .06, that is to say, as explained above, that this central part is able to stop at least 7.62 mm NATO FMJ ammunition with a nominal mass of 9.6 g and with a maximum velocity of 838 m / s ⁇ 9.14 m / s, and, in addition, it is also capable of stopping 7.62 x 39 MSC ammunition from the Kalachnikov AK47 assault rifle.
• the ballistic protection element according to the invention is advantageously able to stop, by itself, the main types of ammunition against which the security forces must protect themselves.
• the central part of the protective element is more particularly dedicated to protection against aggression to long guns, while the peripheral part of the element, which surrounds it, consists of a number of layers based on less important fiber, is more specifically adapted to the protection against the assault with handguns.
• Such a configuration advantageously makes it possible to obtain optimal protection of the areas of the body generally targeted by each type of aggression, while ensuring maximum lightness to the protection element.
• this protective performance is advantageously obtained by a protective element in one piece, which is therefore much more comfortable to wear than the systems provided by the prior art for the same protection efficiency.
• the protection element according to the invention can be shaped according to the desired shape, in particular to better fit the contours of the body of the individual, whereas in the systems of the prior art, the protective element and the additional rigid plate have different shapes, and thus together form a less ergonomic system.
• the protection element according to the invention also has, in particular for the same reasons, a gain in volume compared to the systems of the prior art.
• the bulletproof vest according to the invention is particularly suitable for use by municipal police officers, but also by the police and national police officers, since it constitutes in itself a comprehensive protection system adapted to the risks to which are exposed members of these services during their most common interventions.
• each layer of the first stack and / or the second stack is formed from at least one, preferably a plurality, of fiber webs embedded in a matrix of binder, preferably thermoplastic binder.
• each fiber-based layer of the protection element is formed of at least one layer of fibers embedded in a matrix of binder preferably thermoplastic binder.
• the binder can then be the same for the two stacks, or be different for the first stack and for the second stack. It is the same of the fibers used for the constitution of the layers.
• the protection element preferably comprises:
• a first stack of a plurality of layers each of these layers being formed of a layer of fibers or of several layers of fibers superimposed on each other and embedded in a matrix of binder;
• each of these layers being formed of a layer of fibers or of several layers of fibers superimposed on each other and embedded in a matrix of binder.
• each layer is formed of a plurality of layers of fibers superimposed on each other, and embedded in a matrix of binder, preferably of thermoplastic binder, which ensures the cohesion between the different layers of each layer.
• binder preferably of thermoplastic binder
• These fiber sheets may in particular be unidirectional, and stacked crosswise relative to each other, that is to say arranged relative to each other so that the fibers of a sheet are substantially perpendicular to the fibers of the sheet. each adjacent tablecloth.
• the fibers may otherwise be arranged in fabrics of different grammages and weavings, for example taffeta, twill, satin, etc., used alone or in combination.
• the fibers used according to the invention preferably have a high resistance.
• the fibers used in the constitution of the layers of the first stack, and / or the fibers forming the layers of the second stack are chosen from:
• polyethylene fibers such as the fibers marketed under the names Dyneema® by DSM, Tensylon® by DuPont®, Endumax® by Teijin, Spectra by Honeywell, and aramid fibers, more particularly para-aramid (poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide), such as the fibers marketed under the names Kevlar® by DuPont®, Twaron® or Technora by Teijin, or Gold Flex® by Honeywell.
• Dyneema® by DSM the fibers marketed under the names Dyneema® by DSM, Tensylon® by DuPont®, Endumax® by Teijin, Spectra by Honeywell
• aramid fibers more particularly para-aramid (poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide), such as the fibers marketed under the names Kevlar® by DuPont®, Twaron® or Technora by Teijin, or Gold Flex® by Honeywell.
• Such high Young's modulus fibers are advantageously ultra-resistant.
• the binder can be chosen from polyurethanes and polyolefins, latices, or any of their mixtures.
• the fiber-based layers forming part of the protective element according to the invention are bonded to each other, in the binder matrix, preferably thermoplastic binder, only in the central portion of the first stack, and preferably on the entire surface of the second stack.
• the binder matrix preferably thermoplastic binder
• Such an embodiment is quite advantageous from the point of view of the comfort of use of a vest incorporating the protection element according to the invention.
• the central part of the protective element is more rigid, because of the connection of the different successive layers to each other, its peripheral portion, in which the different layers of the first stack are not related to each other. to others, is more flexible, and thus adapts better to the movements of the user.
• the various layers forming part of the protective element according to the invention can be bonded to each other substantially over the entire surface of the first stack, that is to say on all or almost all -of the protection element, only the layers of the first stack being bonded to each other in the peripheral portion of the protection element.
• Such an embodiment is less comfortable to use, but has the advantage of a simplified manufacturing process.
• the fiber-based layers forming part of the protective element are clamped more tightly against one another in the central part of the protection element than in its peripheral part surrounding the central part.
• the central part of the protective element is thus in the form of a compact block, of high strength and a space requirement advantageously reduced.
• the second stack is superimposed on the first stack at the front face of the protection element, so that the extra thickness generated by the second stack is disposed opposite the body of the individual in the normal position of the use of the ballistic protection element. This advantageously increases the comfort of use of the protection element according to the invention.
• the protection element according to the invention may as well have a generally flat shape, a simple curvature or even a double curvature, or even a multi-curvature.
• the protection element has a curved shape adapted to substantially match the shape of the torso or the shape of the back of an individual.
• the ballistic protection element according to the invention may further comprise a shielding plate, in particular a ceramic plate.
• a shielding plate capable of stopping the piercing ammunition, makes it possible to confer on the protection element according to the invention even higher protection performance, making it particularly suitable for use in the military field.
• This shielding plate is preferably fixed on the front face of the protection element, on the second stack, superimposed on the second stack, such a fixing being advantageously enabled by the high mechanical rigidity of the central part of the element of protection.
• the ballistic protection element according to the invention incorporating a shielding plate, is then preferably configured so that at its central part, in which are superimposed the first stack, the second stack and the armor plate , it is at least compliant with level IV according to the standards of the NU (standards 0101 .04 and 0101 .06), that is to say it has the ability to stop ammunition 30.06 mm FMJ AP M2 (for English Full Metal Jacket Armor Piercing) with a nominal mass of 10.8 g (166 grit) and a maximum velocity of 878 m / s ⁇ 9.14 m / s.
• the fixing of the shielding plate on the front face of the protection element is preferably carried out in a removable manner, for example by clipping, by strap, by cooperating fastening means of the type with loops and hooks, such as strips. Velcro® cooperating, by a system of magnets, etc.
• the protection element according to the invention may in particular be contained in a waterproof protective cover, and preferably also to ultraviolet radiation.
• a waterproof protective cover can be made of any type of material, in particular coated polyamide fabric, flexible plastic film, etc., or else be obtained by overmolding by injection or spraying with an organic polymer, or any other conventional means in it. - even for the skilled person.
• an anti-trauma system to limit the trauma generated by the projectiles in the body, by a phenomenon commonly referred to as the "rear effect".
• Any conventional anti-trauma system itself can be implemented within the scope of the invention, for example foam-based, gel-like polymer, felt, tissue-based systems. coated techniques, etc.
• the present invention relates to a bulletproof vest incorporating a ballistic protection element according to the invention corresponding to one or more of the features described above and / or below.
• the ballistic protection element can be integrated in the ventral portion of the bulletproof vest, to come in protection of the torso of the individual wearing the vest, or in its back portion, to come to protect the back of the individual.
• the bulletproof vest may incorporate two ballistic protection elements according to the invention, including a first element in its ventral part, and a second element in its dorsal part.
• the two elements according to the invention can then be both identical and different, in their shape, their composition and / or their dimensions.
• Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a ballistic protection element according to the invention, responding to one or more of the characteristics described above and / or below. This process comprises steps of:
• thermocompression operation may vary according to the materials used, and in particular the binder, in particular the thermoplastic binder, as regards the thermocompression temperature.
• the temperature used is preferably greater than or equal to the highest softening temperature of these compounds.
• the pressure can in particular vary from 10 to 300 bar.
• each fiber-based layer of the protection element that is to say each layer of the first stack and each layer of the second stack, is formed of at least one layer of fibers embedded in a matrix of binder
• the method according to the invention may not require the addition of additional binder, the binder or binders constituting the layers may be sufficient to form together a binder matrix for binding all the layers to each other.
• the fiber-based layers forming part of the protective element are initially in the form of a layer (s) of fibers embedded in a binder matrix, especially thermoplastic binder, the binder is softened during the thermocompression step, to form after cooling the overall matrix connecting the different layers to each other.
• the compound (s) used for the constitution of the layers of the first stack, and the compound (s) used for the constitution of the layers of the second stack are different, these compounds together form the matrix of global binder, encompassing both the layers of the first stack and the layers of the second stack.
• the element obtained has a central portion thicker and stiffer than the peripheral portion of the element, which remains relatively flexible.
• the central part is also thicker and more rigid than the peripheral part of the element, but the difference in rigidity is less important than in the previous case, the thermocompressed peripheral part having lost a part of its flexibility.
• the manufacturing method of the ballistic protection element comprises, after the superposition step of the first stack of layers and the second stack of layers at the central portion of the first stack of layers, a heat treatment step of the assembly thus formed, in particular in an autoclave, at a temperature greater than or equal to the softening temperature of the binder.
• the different fiber-based layers forming part of the protective element are then fixed to each other over the entire surface of the protection element.
• FIGS. 1 to 5 are in no way limiting, represented in FIGS. 1 to 5, in which:
• FIG. 1 shows a front view of a ballistic protection element according to a particular embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 2 shows the rear face of the ballistic protection element of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 shows the ballistic protection element of FIG. 1, seen from below;
• FIG. 4 schematically represents the two stacks of layers used for the manufacture of the ballistic protection element of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 5 shows a ballistic protection element according to the invention, provided with an additional armor plate.
• a ballistic protection element 10 according to a particular embodiment of the invention, intended for protecting the torso of a individual, is shown in Figure 1.
• This protective element 10 has a general shape adapted to cover the chest, abdomen and shoulders of an individual. It has an upper notch 101, of shape adapted to the shape of the neck, and two lateral notches 102, generally following the contour of the arms.
• the protective element 10 comprises a so-called front face 103, intended to be arranged, in operation, opposite the body of the individual, and a so-called opposite rear face 104, visible in Figure 2, and intended to be arranged opposite the body of the individual.
• the protective element 10 has a curved shape adapted to conform to the contours of the torso of an individual.
• the protective element 10 further comprises, in its thickness, and over its entire surface, a first stack 13 of a plurality of fiber-based layers 14. As can be seen in Figure 1, in the whole part 12, the various layers 14 are not integral with each other, but free moving relative to each other.
• the fibers used are chosen to be adapted to form a ballistic protection. It is preferably polyethylene fibers of high or ultra high molecular weight, or para-aramid fibers.
• the central portion 1 1 of the protection element 10 has a thickness greater than that of the peripheral portion 12.
• the protection element 10 comprises a second stack 15 of a plurality of layers based on fibers, superimposed on the first stack 13 at the front face 103 of the protective element 10.
• the second stack 15 has surface dimensions smaller than the surface dimensions of the first stack 13. These surface dimensions advantageously correspond substantially with surface dimensions adapted to the protection of vital organs of an individual wearing the ballistic protection element adequately.
• the fibers of the second stack 15 are also chosen to be adapted to form a ballistic protection. It is preferably polyethylene fibers of high or ultra-high molecular weight, or para-aramid fibers.
• the layers of the first stack 13 and the second stack 15 are bonded to each other in a matrix of binder, more particularly of thermoplastic binder, conferring on the central part 1 1 greater rigidity and impact resistance than those of the peripheral portion 12.
• the different fiber-based layers of the first stack 13 and the second stack 15 are further compressed against each other at the central portion 1 1, thus forming a compact block of small footprint.
• the protection element 10 has a substantially flat surface, the central portion 11 being distinguished from the peripheral portion 12 only by a difference in visual appearance and touch, but not creating extra thickness. This advantageously results in a good user comfort for the individual wearing the protective element against his body.
• the first stack 13 of fiber-based layers 14 is clearly seen, these layers being free from each other in the peripheral portion 12 of the protection element 10, as well as the central part 1 1 more rigid and more compact, in which all the layers based on fibers are secured to each other by the thermoplastic binder matrix.
• a ballistic protection element 10 can be constituted as follows.
• the fibers used, both for the first stack of layers 13 only for the second stack of layers 15, are ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers (UHMW-PE).
• UHMW-PE ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers
• Each layer is formed of a superposition of 4 layers of unidirectional fibers, crossed at 90 degrees relative to each other and embedded in a matrix of thermoplastic polymer binder, especially polyurethane.
• the same type of binder is used for the layers 14 of the first stack 15 and the layers of the second stack 15, but the grade of the particular polymer binder can differ between the first stack 13 and the second stack 15.
• the first stack 13 comprises for example 36 layers 14 superimposed on each other, and the second stack 15 has 96 layers superimposed on each other.
• a method of manufacturing the protection element 10 described above comprises a first superposition step of the first stack 14 and the second stack 15, shown separated from each other in FIG. 4, at the level of the part central of the first stack.
• This step may advantageously be carried out by depositing the second stack 15 at the bottom of a mold having the shape and surface dimensions desired for the central portion 1 1 of the protection element 10, this shape and these surface dimensions preferably coinciding substantially with those of the second stack 15, so that the latter occupies substantially the entire surface of the bottom of the mold.
• the first stack 13 is then deposited on the second stack 15, its central portion being disposed in the mold, in coincidence with the second stack 15, and its peripheral portion overflowing outside the mold.
• Thermocompression treatment is then performed, exerting pressure on the layers contained in the mold, towards the bottom of the latter, at a temperature above the softening temperature of the thermoplastic binder, for example, when the binder is a polyurethane at a temperature of about 125 ° C.
• the protective element 10 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.
• this protection element 10 may comprise an additional ceramic plate 16, fixed against its front face 103, at the central portion 1 1, against the second stack 15 , as shown in FIG. 5.
• the ballistic protection element 10 according to the invention can be integrated into a conventional bulletproof vest itself, both in the ventral part and in the dorsal part of the latter.
• the vest obtained is advantageously easy and comfortable to use, and it provides protection against the projectiles fired both by handguns, over the entire surface of the protective element 10, that at the central portion of extra thickness 1 1, by NU III standard long guns, including the AK47 7.62 x 39 MSC ammunition, and the NU IV standard when the protection element 10 includes the additional ceramic plate 16.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

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Citations (7)

• 2015
  • 2015-11-16 FR FR1560939A patent/FR3043768B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2016
  • 2016-11-16 WO PCT/FR2016/052969 patent/WO2017085401A1/fr unknown
  • 2016-11-16 EP EP16812987.2A patent/EP3377841B1/de active Active
  • 2016-11-16 ES ES16812987T patent/ES2757249T3/es active Active

Patent Citations (7)

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