US20180283827A1

US20180283827A1 - Ballistic body armor

Info

Publication number: US20180283827A1
Application number: US15/853,033
Authority: US
Inventors: Onno Rudolf 't Hart; Ingo Bornemann
Original assignee: Rheinmetall Ballistic Protection GmbH
Current assignee: Rheinmetall Ballistic Protection GmbH
Priority date: 2017-03-28
Filing date: 2017-12-22
Publication date: 2018-10-04
Also published as: WO2018178179A1

Abstract

Protective equipment is proposed as ballistic body armor, which equipment has at least one chest protection plate and has slits through which a carrying system can be pulled, which can include at least two shoulder straps. The shoulder straps have a fastener in the end area which can be connected to a fastener on the chest plate. Further preferred is the integration of a back protection plate into the protective equipment, which also has slits through which the carrying system and optionally the side straps can be guided and the chest protection plate and optionally the back protection plate can be connected to one another.

Description

This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to European Patent Application No. 17163352.2, which was filed in Europe on Mar. 28, 2017, and to German Patent Application No. 20 2017 101 793 U1, which was filed on Mar. 28, 2017, and which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to ballistic body armor for protecting persons from terrorist attacks in particular.

Description of the Background Art

Conventional protective vests are known for protecting persons from ballistic threats. The typical structure of a protection system of this type is a textile substrate (shell) with integrated pouches for receiving the ballistic armor. This has a strictly flexible variant against first weapons and of solid protective plates against long firearms (e.g., AK-47). The textile shells are designed for police and military usage scenarios and comprise a very high level of wearing comfort. In addition, there are attachment points for, e.g., ammunition and other items.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,354,023 B1 discloses an assembly intended for removably mounting armor on a user's body in a protective orientation with a base having an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion is structured such that an armor plate is substantially retained in relation to the user's body, wherein the outer portion is disposed in an overlying position corresponding to the armor. Preferably, the base is formed of a rigid material. An attachment assembly is connected to the base and structured to facilitate the operative and removable mounting of the base in a predetermined protective orientation. The attachment assembly may also include a plurality of connectors and a common release mechanism, wherein the base and the armor can be quickly and easily removed.
A plate carrier wearable by a user for housing an armor plate is disclosed in US 2016/0003581 A1. The plate carrier comprises a plurality of hinges that connect a front portion of the plate carrier and a back portion of the plate carrier at the bottom. An attachment mechanism is disposed near the top of the plate carrier and configured to adjustably secure the armor plate inside the plate carrier.
The problem underlying these protective vests is the high manufacturing cost of these specialized advanced body protection solutions. The high purchasing cost is associated with this. In addition, the demand and need for ballistic body armor are also growing for other occupations and private individuals.
CN 201093944 Y refers to a self-defense armor with a hidden chamber, mainly with two plate bodies, which are connected by a connection belt and can be worn on the front and back of the body. The plate bodies of the armor are provided with a compartment and a discharging valve located outside the compartment. Therefore, when the armor is used, the buffer action of the armor can be enhanced to ensure personal safety protection.
CN 103126126 A refers to a detachable health care and protection multifunctional casual clothes which comprise a casual clothes body and a plurality of holding pockets. The casual clothing consists of a front part and a back part. The plurality of holding pockets are arranged on the casual clothes body. A pocket opening of each holding pocket is formed in the surface of the casual clothes body. A protective plate that can be pulled and replaced through each pocket opening is contained in each holding pocket. Each protective plate is formed by combining an abrasion-resistant layer having flexibility, a polycarbonate layer, and a buffer layer sequentially in a stacking mode, wherein the thickness of the polycarbonate layer can be increased and decreased according to the change in the safety levels. The buffer layer can be attached to a body of a wearer and is flexible. The protective plates can differ in the thickness of the polycarbonate layer, which greatly reduces the weight and also improves the comfort.
A protective shield that can be worn by a person is described in GB 2 210 773 A. It is made of two penetration-resistant plates (front, back). The plates have a reinforced zone which has enhanced penetration resistance and is located over a high risk area of the wearer's body. The plates may be a polycarbonate sheet and the reinforced zone may be formed by a thickened area of the plate or by an attached section of reinforcing material. Individual reinforcing plates may instead be inserted in pockets in a jacket or other garment. The plates are connected by straps whose length is adjustable via buckles. The straps are in turn attached to the plates.
Although it is also pointed out that these solutions are cost-saving, this last solution in particular cannot guarantee sufficient protection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cost-minimized protective equipment for anyone.
The invention is based, in an exemplary embodiment, on the idea of providing a protective plate system which is substantially reduced to the essentials in wearing comfort and which realizes sufficient protection at an affordable price. The protective equipment should also be put on only when needed. The protective equipment is in turn not designed for a specific tactical type but conceived as strictly temporary ballistic armor. In addition, a focus particular focus is from a threat from long firearms.
The protective equipment has at least one protective plate of a material that breaks and/or intercepts a projectile. The material can be, for example, armor steel and fiber composites, steel plates and steel fiber composites, polyethylene, ceramic composite material (ceramic and fiber composite), or titanium, etc. These have a special coating. The protective plate(s) is/are preferably flat, but may be made with a single or double curvature. The special coating can be a robust shrapnel-absorbing layer (PU-polyurethane), which is applied to the protective plate.
The protective equipment has at least a chest protection plate as front body protection (chest protection plate). A back protection plate does increase the weight of the protective equipment, but at the same also the protection of the person from behind as a back body protection plate.
A carrying system is integrated into the protective plate or into the protective plates. For this purpose, the particular protective plate in particular at the outer edges/sides has openings/slits through which the carrying system is guided or pulled. Preferably elastic belts or belt systems, bands, straps, etc., with known opening and closing systems, such as hook and loop fasteners, buckles (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 9,354,023 B1, which is incorporated herein by reference), etc., can be used as a carrying system. This carrying system is used for direct wearing of the body protection plate(s) by a person. Preferably, a catch against unintentional loosening of the shoulder strap in particular is provided. In a simplest embodiment, this may be a section which widens in the end area of the straps/belts and which cannot slip through openings/slits on its own. Alternatives are not ruled out. The strap/belt catch prevents the protective equipment from falling off, even if it is deliberately removed.
Further protective plates, e.g., for the abdomen and/or for the sides, can be easily adapted to the equipment by identical openings/slits introduced into the corresponding sections of the body protection plates.
A shock-absorbing material may be attached in addition on the body-facing side of the protective plate. In particular, several small pads are suitable here, which are integrated at least into the protective plate sections that could cause pressure points in a person. These pads in a small as well as large assembly also serve to dissipate the shock wave initiated by a projectile (reduction of trauma). The material of the pads may be rubber, e.g., foam rubber, cellular rubber, e.g., closed-cell, foam, trauma liner, etc. The materials should preferably be self-adhesive.
As in the apparel industry, the protective equipment can be offered in a number of sizes. Standardized plates are preferably used for this purpose.
In a continuation of the inventive idea, a concept associated with this idea includes storing this equipment in a central location as so-called emergency or shelter stations, similar to lifejackets on a ship or in an airplane. The stations are set up or established at critical points, which would include, for example, embassies, schools, airports, sports events and other mass events, etc. Rooms in these places can also serve as stations. This will ensure that adequate protective equipment is accessible when needed. According to this concept, therefore, not every person, whether in the private sector or in social life, needs to have their own protective equipment.
Further, people can also be informed via known digital media about where the nearest emergency station is which in case of danger can direct the person so that he is able to protect himself, similar to the already known emergency information and news app. In this case, the amount of protective equipment available at the particular emergency station and its distribution to persons are taken into account. If necessary, efforts can be made to redistribute protective equipment from other emergency stations that are not needed to the emergency stations in the danger area, if the provision of protective equipment is insufficient.
If buyers of the protective equipment are, inter alia, private individuals as well, they can, for example, purchase a web-based or app application with the purchase of the protective equipment. Such digital media can be used to be able to connect the persons with other wearers (persons) of the protective equipment and/or a central office in order to be able to communicate directly and quickly information and alert messages, e.g., about a current terrorist threat, behavioral rules, etc.
Proposed as ballistic body armor, therefore, is protective equipment which has at least one chest protection plate and has slits through which at least one carrying system can be pulled. The carrying system can have at least two shoulder straps. The shoulder straps have a fastener in the end area, which can be connected to a fastener on the chest plate. Preferred further is the integration of a back protection plate into the protective equipment, which also has slits through which the carrying system and optionally side straps can be guided. The chest protection plate and optionally the back protection plate are connected to each other by the carrying system and optionally the side straps.
The advantage of the proposed protective equipment is its convenience and its simplicity with sufficient protection. A textile shell, etc., with pockets is no longer needed. The protective equipment supports disaster protection and other safety-related situations.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes, combinations, and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawing which is given by way of illustration only, and thus, is not limitive of the present invention, and wherein the sole figure illustrates an example embodiment, showing a cross-sectional view of an adjustment fitting with sealing of an eccentric receiving space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The single figure shows protective equipment 1 with a chest protection plate 2 and a back protection plate 3. Chest protection plate 2 and back protection plate 3 have slits 4, which are introduced substantially at their outer edges at the top and on the side. For abdominal protection, further slits 4 can be integrated at the lower edge of chest protection plate 2 and the upper edge of an abdominal protection plate 5. For side protection, side protection plates 16 may be provided. Chest and back protection plate 2, 3 are preferably coated on their outer surface 10, 11 with a shock-absorbing layer.
Standardized plates are preferably used as chest or back protection. The thickness for a ballistic steel plate should be between 3 and 10 mm and for a steel fiber composite between 4 and 20 mm. In contrast, a plate made of polyethylene or a ceramic composite solution may have a thickness between 5 and 25 mm. If titanium is used, it may be sufficient here to choose the thickness between 3 and 15 mm. When selecting the material and the thickness, the carried total weight of protective equipment 1 should always be taken into account. The above values are therefore to be regarded as approximate values.
Chest and back protection plates 2, 3 are connected to one another via shoulder straps 6 and side straps 7. In particular, shoulder straps 6 form a carrying system 8 of protective equipment 1. Preferably, slits 4 of protective plates 2, 3 or 2, 5 are aligned with each other so that a good connectivity of protective plates 2, 3, 5 is ensured to form a protective equipment 1. Slits 4 should also be finished so that neither shoulder straps 6 nor side straps 7 are torn during use.
Shoulder straps 6 as well as side straps 7 are preferably elastic and have at least one hook and loop fastener 9 at least in the end area. For a stepwise adjustment of the length of shoulder straps 6 and side straps 7, more than one hook and loop fastener 9 can be placed or fastened in the end area. Flaps 12 are placed on outer surface 10 or 11 of chest and back protection plates 2, 3. Hook and loop fasteners 9 can be pressed onto these and attached thereby. Different heights, body builds, etc., of the persons wearing protective equipment 1 can be addressed by a variable length of shoulder straps 6 and side straps 7.
If side protection plates 16 are desired, these, as well as abdominal protection plate 5, can also be incorporated subsequently into protective equipment 1. The connection between chest protection plate 2 and abdominal protection plate 5 can be created in the described manner by belt straps. Side protection plates 16 can in turn be fixed by side straps 7 by being pulled through at least one slit 4 of side protection plates 16 and by being fastened to chest protection plate 2/back protection plate 3. More slits 4 can also be integrated into side protection plate 16.
In order to be able to provide a certain level of wearing comfort, it may be provided to attach at least one shock-absorbing pad 15 in addition on inner sides 13, 14 of chest or back protection plate 2, 3. This serves as cushioning in the case of a threat and creates a softer wearing comfort.
The protective equipment 1 may also be formed of chest protection plate 2. Shoulder straps 6 are then crossed over the person's back and pulled through, for example, side slits 4 and fastened to respective flap 12.
Protective equipment 1 of this type can be stocked and stored as so-called emergency or shelter stations at a central location/point. These stations are preferably placed at critical points, e.g., in embassies, schools, airports, sports events and other mass events, etc.
In the case of danger, people can be informed by a web-based or app application of where the nearest station with the stocked protective equipment 1 is located, and can then quickly seek them. This information can be output as SMS or the like.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Protective equipment as ballistic body armor comprising:

at least one chest protection plate having slits; and

a carrying system formed at least from two shoulder straps, the shoulder straps having a fastener in an end area, which is adapted to be connected to a fastener on the chest protection plate,

wherein the shoulder straps are adapted to be pulled through the slits.

2. The protective equipment according to claim 1, further comprising a back protection plate that has slits and is connectable to the chest protection plate via the carrying system.

3. The protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein the chest protection plate or the back protection plate have a shock-absorbing coating on their outer surface.

4. The protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein at least two side straps are provided between the chest protection plate and the back protection plate.

5. The protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein an abdominal protection plate or side protection plates are incorporated, which have at least one slit.

6. The protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein the protective plates are formed of armor steel and fiber composites, steel plates and steel fiber composites, polyethylene, ceramic composite material, or titanium.

7. The protective equipment according to claim 6, wherein a thickness for a ballistic steel plate is between 3 and 10 mm, for a steel fiber composite between 4 and 20 mm, for a polyethylene or ceramic composite plate between 5 and 25 mm, and for titanium between 3 and 15 mm.

8. The protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein a fastener at an end area of the shoulder straps and at an end area of the side straps is a hook and loop fastener, and wherein the fastener to the outer surface of the protective plates is a flap or adjustable buckles.

9. The protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein a stepwise adjustment of the length of the shoulder straps and the side straps is performed by a plurality of loop and hook fasteners in the end area.

10. The protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein a catch against unintentional loosening of the shoulder straps and/or the side straps is provided.

11. The protective equipment according to claim 10, wherein the catch is a section that widens in an end area of the straps.

12. The protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein at least one shock-absorbing pad is attached to an inner side of the chest or back protection plate.

13. The protective equipment according to claim 12, wherein the at least one shock-absorbing pad is rubber, foam rubber, cellular rubber, foam, or trauma liner.

14. The protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein at least one protective equipment is stored at critical locations or at critical points, including embassies, schools, airports, sports events, or other mass events for the protection of persons.

15. The protection equipment according to claim 14, wherein a web-based or app application by which in the event of danger, individuals are informed of where the nearest point with stored protective equipment is located.

16. The protection equipment according to claim 15, wherein a web-based or app application connects the person of the protective equipment with a central office and/or with other persons with protective equipment in order to exchange and/or receive information about terrorist threats and/or alert messages.