Anti-spalling body armor protection system

Abstract

An anti-spalling ballistic body armor device, usable in a vest or jacket form configured for being worn on a body, includes one or more plates made of ballistic metal material, the plate having a surface defining a strike surface for orientation away from a wearer's body in use, and having a spacing body and anti-spalling body and / or enclosure for preventing the spalling of bullets that hit the body armor device and thereby reduce bodily injury, the one or more plates also being configured with a flange portion to redirect bullet fragments away from the wearer's head and being further contoured by the formation of at least one bend in the plate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This is a non-provisional application which claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62 / 079,271, filed Nov. 13, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This disclosure relates in general to wearable personal protection devices to protect a wearer from ballistic fire, such as from small arms fire, and relates in particular to a wearable ballistic protection system that has anti-spalling capabilities and which is configured for more comfortable wearability.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0003]Wearable protection devices for protecting the wearer from bullets, small arms fire or shrapnel are known. Existing ballistic protection devices include coverings made of Kevlar or similar material. Other existing ballistic protection devices comprise ceramic or steel plates worn in a plate carrier vest of some type. Police officers, military personnel and other law enforcement personnel requ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a body armor system for attachment to a wearer's upper torso and a ballistic protection device for use in a body armor device, vest or jacket. The front torso plate has a contoured shape with at least three bends to provide better protection against ballistic fire and bullet spalling, while also being more comfortable to wear. The side armor plates are also contoured with bends to enable them to curve along the sides of the wearer's body. The ballistic protection device has a contoured metal armor plate with a strike surface, an enclosure made of material with antiballistic properties, and spacing material positioned between the plate and enclosure to prevent spalling and improve wearability.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional Kevlar or similar type coverings can deteriorate over time due to changing environmental conditions and the entire protection package must be replaced.

Frequent replacement is expensive and cumbersome.

Ceramic plates used in carrier vests also deteriorate.

Ceramic is fragile and cannot withstand constant abuse.

Dropping or bumping a ballistic jacket having ceramic plates can completely compromise the effectiveness of one or more of the ceramic plates by causing cracks or fissures in the ceramic material.

Ceramic plates are also compromised with a single bullet impact and need immediate replacement.

Ceramic plates cannot adequately protect a wearer from multiple bullet strikes.

Further, due to the fragile nature of ceramic plates, x-ray or ultrasound testing is performed to assure non-failure of the ceramic plates, which is a costly procedure.

Existing carrier vests that include steel plates are bulky.

Interference between the wearer's arms and the edges of the steel plate force the wearer to extend his elbows out away from the body, thereby limiting full range of motion and reducing the wearer's speed and flexibility.

When a bullet impacts a steel plate, spalling occurs and bullet fragments radiate uncontrollably, causing secondary damage to the wearer with potential injury to arms, legs, feet, throat, neck, head and face areas.

Spalling also occurs when bullets strike Kevlar and similar material vests, and Kevlar vests with ceramic plates, which also causes injuries to the wearer's face, arms and other body areas.

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