Projectile resistant armor

Abstract

A body armor assembly includes a plurality of rigid tiles that are supported in a manner to provide movement and flexibility while still providing the protection of rigid armor. In a disclosed example, a tile holder maintains a plurality of tiles in a selected alignment. The tile holder maintains a minimum overlap dimension between adjacent tiles. Some of the tiles are maintained by the tile holder in a manner that allows for the overlap dimension to increase beyond the minimum overlap dimension. In a disclosed example, at least two rigid layers have at least one ballistic material layer between them to provide a rigid armor material composition.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention generally relates to armor. More particularly, this invention relates to multilayer armor that can be incorporated into a flexible body armor assembly, for example.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0002]A variety of configurations of projectile-resistant armor are known. Some are used on vehicles while others are specifically intended to protect an individual. Some materials or material combinations have proven useful for either application.[0003]Body armor for protecting an individual's vital organs, for example, usually comprises a ballistic material. Known materials for such purposes include those sold under the trade names KEVLAR, DYNEEMA, SPECTRA and TWARON. Such ballistic materials typically are fabric-like and provide protection while maintaining flexibility. Multiple layers of such fabrics are known to be useful for body armor that provides protection against low or moderate velocity projectile threats.[0004]One shortcoming of such arr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes an armor assembly that includes a plurality of tiles held together by a flexible holder. The holder allows the tiles to have some overlap, which increases their strength. The tiles can be arranged in rows, and the holder ensures that the tiles in each row have the same overlap. This unique arrangement and support allows the armor to have complex curvatures, providing both the protection of rigid body armor and the flexibility and freedom of movement associated with flexible body armor.

Problems solved by technology

Increased weight and reduced flexibility decrease an individual's freedom of movement.

A significant disadvantage with typical arrangements is that a solid plate extending over the majority of an individual's thoracic and abdominal regions tends to be uncomfortable and limits the individual's freedom of movement.

Such arrangements have not proven to be widely accepted or to perform in a manner that has satisfied the needs of the military or law enforcement agencies, for example.

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