Woven bullet resistant fabric

Abstract

A unique new group of “Faux-Sateen, Quasi-Unidirectional(UD)” woven anti-ballistic fabrics is disclosed. Novel and unexpected improvements in ballistic penetration resistance result. After appropriate lamination of at least two layers, ballistic resistance is either maintained or further enhanced, while blunt trauma resistance is improved. Fabric handling during vest fabrication is also greatly improved and significantly less stitching is required. Wearability is also improved.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Modern soft body armor was invented in 1972 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,449, R. C. Davis, Second Chance Body Armor), initially using high strength woven ballistic nylon. Early concealable vests were fairly heavy, thick and covered only a small portion of the torso. In addition, vest capabilities were limited to stopping low energy handgun bullets. Since 1972, police and military body armor technologies have rapidly evolved as improved fibers, materials and production methods have resulted in higher performing, more protective, lighter, thinner and more wearable vests, offering greater areas of protective coverage. Armor standards have also become more stringent as police and military ballistic threats have increased, and will continue to do so.[0002]Currently, the soft body armor industry utilizes high strength aromatic polyamide (aramid, or para-aramid) fibers, most often composed of poly(p-phenlylene terepthalimide) (PPD-T). DuPont's Kevlar®, Teijin-Twaro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026]The field of the present invention is soft body armor. The objective of the present invention is to provide novel, unique woven anti-ballistic materials that have superior capability to entangle and ensnare handgun bullets and disperse their energy more laterally, thus providing improved pound-for-pound ballistic penetration resistance. A further objective of the invention is to improve the blunt trauma resistance and manufacturability of these fabrics in a manner that minimizes stiffness and maximizes fiber mobility. This has been accomplished by development of a novel new family of woven fabrics that are both faux-sateen and quasi-unidirectional fabrics, with random-like woven interlace points not previously known or expected to be effective in stopping bullets. With carefully chosen lamination techniques, said fabrics provide unexpectedly high ballistic penetration resistance. Blunt trauma resistance is also improved in an unanticipated manner. Unlike prior art that utilizes either low fiber and / or low fabric densities, with or without low filament densities, this invention uses relatively high fiber and fabric densities that effectively function at surprisingly high ballistic resistance levels. These fabrics contribute to vest wearability, as they facilitate the design of lighter, softer, more flexible and potentially moisture vapor breathable personal body armor.

[0027]The penetration resistance and blunt trauma performance of all currently available anti-ballistic fibers appear able to be improved by use of this invention. There is every reason to believe that future high tensile anti-ballistic fibers will also enjoy similar benefits.

[0028]Ballistic materials produced using the fabric design, production and lamination techniques described are most effective when used as a strike face over more traditional ballistic materials. Penetration resistance is enhanced as handgun bullets are more effectively cushioned, trapped and ensnared on or very near the strike face of the ballistic pack. Energy is dispersed more widely and more evenly.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, vest capabilities were limited to stopping low energy handgun bullets.

It is also well known that using more layers of lower denier, lighter fabrics improves penetration resistance, but usually at higher expense and increased blunt trauma.

It is not known if this has been commercialized anywhere, as woven UHMPE fabrics are not commonly used in soft body armor.

Recently, a few satin and twill weaves have also been explored for use in soft body armor, with fairly limited success.

These extremely loose fabrics are very difficult to handle and need stabilization with resins or other means, to keep them from literally falling apart in handling.

Issued in July, 2008 and implemented in January, 2009 its many changes have cumulatively resulted in the greatest increase in test difficulty in history.

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