Body armor

Abstract

Body armor comprising multiple armor elements (4) connected to one another, wherein the body armor was or can be manufactured by a process comprising the following steps: a) Providing an armor blank (2) comprising at least two armor elements (4) which are connected to each other or fixedly positioned relative to each other, b) Forming the armor blank (2) in at least one forming device such that the at least two armor elements (4) are formed, c) Separating the at least two interconnected armor elements (4) from each other and d) Articulated connection of the separate armor elements (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to body armor with several armor elements that are connected to each other.

[0002] Such body armor has been known for a long time. It exists in various forms, protecting the body against different threats. Body armor can be designed as garments, such as vests or jackets, or as fixed elements. In principle, suits of armor are also conceivable.

[0003] Modern body armor typically consists of several interconnected armor panels. These panels are articulated to allow the wearer maximum freedom of movement. However, it is essential to ensure that the intended level of protection is maintained, particularly at the connection points and in the spaces between interconnected panels.

[0004] Body armor of the type described here can be designed as stab- and blunt-resistant armor, for example in the form of stab- and / or blunt-resistant vests or jackets. In principle, bulletproof body armor is also possible.

[0005] The various armor elements consist of a material selected according to the specific threat the body armor is designed to withstand. Particularly in the case of cut- and / or stab-resistant body armor, metal plates, preferably aluminum plates, are used as armor elements. Other types of body armor may also utilize fiber-reinforced plastics, composite materials, or ceramic elements.

[0006] To ensure maximum comfort for the wearer and to minimize restrictions on their freedom of movement, the body armor elements are tailored to the human body shape. If the body armor is designed as a garment, different sizes and patterns can be developed for men and women. The armor elements are formed in various geometric contours and shapes, for example, by cutting or stamping, and are initially flat and essentially two-dimensional. They are then shaped into the specific three-dimensional form required for their use as armor elements, for example, through forming processes such as rolling or deep drawing.

[0007] A disadvantage is that as the number of armor elements required for high wearing comfort increases, the effort required to manufacture such body armor increases significantly, as a wide variety of three-dimensional shapes must be used to bring the individual armor elements into the desired shape.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the objective of improving body armor in such a way that it can be manufactured faster and more cost-effectively.

[0009] The invention solves the stated problem by providing body armor with several armor elements that are connected to each other, wherein the body armor was or can be manufactured by a method comprising the following steps: a) Providing an armor blank comprising at least two armor elements that are connected to each other or fixedly positioned relative to each other, b) Forming the armor blank in at least one forming device such that the at least two armor elements are formed, c) Separating the at least two interconnected armor elements from each other and d) Articulated connection of the separate armor elements.

[0010] The design according to the invention eliminates the need to form the individual armor elements separately and in individual forming steps. Instead, it is possible to form the armor elements, which are part of the armor blank, together. This significantly reduces the number of forming steps required, thereby lowering production time and costs. Furthermore, it ensures that the various armor elements in the final body armor are optimally adapted and aligned with one another.

[0011] In process step a), the individual armor elements are connected to each other or fixedly positioned relative to one another. This ensures that the individual armor elements are deformed in a predetermined manner in process step b). The fixed positioning of the armor elements relative to one another can be achieved, for example, by fixing the individual armor elements to or on a base. This prevents them from moving relative to each other during the forming of the armor blank. The base can have fixing elements, such as fasteners or recesses shaped like the individual armor elements, similar to a puzzle. Alternatively or additionally, the armor elements can also be attached to the base using, for example, a removable adhesive.

[0012] Advantageously, in process step d), the armor elements that were separated from each other in process step c) are articulated together. Particularly advantageously, the at least two armor elements of the armor blank are connected to each other in an arrangement in which they are also articulated together in process step d).

[0013] Advantageously, the armor blank has as many armor elements as possible, for example, four, five, six, or eight. The greater the number of armor elements connected within the armor blank, the more the number of forming steps required to manufacture the body armor is reduced. In a preferred embodiment, the armor blank already contains all the armor elements necessary for the body armor. In a body armor, the individual armor elements are articulated together in a specific arrangement. The side edges and geometric features of the adjacent armor elements are adapted to each other to maintain the desired properties, particularly in the spaces between the adjacent armor elements.In this area, the armor elements must therefore be optimally coordinated in their geometric shape and three-dimensional form to prevent, for example, in the case of stab-resistant body armor, a weapon from penetrating the gap between two armor elements and injuring the wearer. Precise coordination and careful shaping of the individual segments along their adjacent edges is therefore essential. This is ensured by forming at least two armor elements together within the armor blank, preferably as many as possible, and most preferably all armor elements of the blank.

[0014] Preferably, the at least two armor elements in the armor blank are bonded together by a material connection, in particular by welding or bonding, or formed in one piece. The armor blank is particularly preferably manufactured from a metal plate, especially an aluminum plate, before being provided, in particular by cutting or punching. Laser cutting or waterjet cutting processes can be used, as well as punching or conventional cutting processes. Preferably, the individual armor elements are cut out of a plate-shaped element, for example, the metal plate, whereby they remain connected to each other via ribs or are reconnected at these points. Particularly preferably, the connected armor elements are already joined together in the position and orientation relative to each other in which they are also joined together in the finished body armor.If the armor elements are first manufactured separately and then joined together, preferably using a material-bonded process, any resulting waste can be reduced, thus further lowering production costs in this respect. However, the subsequent joining of the armor elements to form the armor blank necessitates an additional process step.

[0015] The webs or elements that connect the armor elements within the armor blank are separated in process step c), so that the individual armor elements are detached from one another. They are then hinged together, preferably in the same orientation and arrangement.

[0016] The forming device preferably comprises a rolling unit with at least one forming roll, or is more preferably a rolling unit with at least one forming roll. The forming roll advantageously has different radii of curvature. These different radii of curvature can occur in different circumferential regions of the forming roll, so that the forming roll does not have a circular cross-section in these regions. Alternatively or additionally, the forming roll can also have different radii of curvature along its axial direction, so that a longitudinal section is not rectangular. Naturally, the two arrangements can be combined, allowing the use of very irregularly shaped forming rolls. This enables complete three-dimensional forming of the individual armor elements without the need for separate and additional forming steps.Preferably, the armor blank is formed in a single forming step. This reduces the number of steps required to a minimum and further shortens the manufacturing process.

[0017] Additionally, the forming device can include further devices, for example, at least one pressing device and / or at least one deep-drawing device and / or at least one stamping device. Preferably, only one forming step is required to achieve the desired shape of the armor blank in at least one of these devices, and preferably in all of them.

[0018] The invention thus solves the stated problem by providing body armor that can be manufactured or is manufactured according to one of the methods described herein. Advantageously, this is protective clothing, in particular a protective vest, a protective jacket, an arm protector, a leg protector, or a groin protector. Advantageously, the individual armor elements are integrated into such protective clothing and connected to one another by means of joints, so that they are not visible from the outside.

[0019] With the aid of the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below. It shows: Fig. 1 - an armor blank, Fig. 2 - the armor elements of the armor blank made of Fig. 1 in connected state, Fig. 3 - another design of an armor blank, Fig. 4 - an enlarged section from Fig. 3, Fig. 5 - the armor blank made of Fig. 3 in the transformed state, Fig. 6 - the separate armor elements of the armor blank made of Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 - two armor elements and a base.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows an armor blank 2, which has several armor elements 4 connected to each other via connecting webs 6. The armor blank 2 is made of Fig. 1 includes all armor elements 4 that are necessary in the illustrated embodiment for a shoulder element of body armor. Fig. Figure 2 shows the armor elements 4 as they are arranged in the body armor. The upper middle armor elements 4 are positioned in the same orientation and arrangement relative to each other as already shown in the Fig. The armor blank 2 shown in 1 was arranged. All armor elements 4 in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 have slots 8 arranged such that the slots 8 of each pair of adjacent armor elements 4 run parallel to each other. Connecting elements are inserted into these slots 8, forming a hinged connection between the individual armor elements 4 in the Fig. The arrangement shown in section 2 allows. Two of the armor elements are made of Fig. Each of the two armor elements 4 also has an additional connecting element 10, through which these two armor elements 4 can be connected to each other. This is shown in Fig. Figure 2 shows the two connecting elements 10 connecting the two armor elements 4 in the embodiment shown. Fig. The three armor elements shown below are indeed in the correct arrangement relative to each other, but will be in the later body armor in the Fig. The arrangement is arranged in the orientation shown in section 2, i.e., rotated by 180°. The arrangement consists of Fig. Part 1 of the armor blank 2 is chosen to reduce potential waste.

[0021] Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows another armor blank 2, which has two armor elements 4 that are again connected to each other by connecting webs 6. These can be adhesive bonded joints, welded joints, or one-piece webs made of the same material as the armor blank 2. Each of the armor elements 4 has slots 8, which in the illustrated embodiment are arranged parallel to each other. This part is described in Fig. Figure 4 shows an enlarged view. The slots 8 are already positioned as required for the subsequent connection of the separate armor elements 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting webs 6 are integrally formed with the armor elements 4, since the armor elements 4, and thus the armor blank 2, were cut from a single piece of aluminum plate.

[0022] Fig. Figure 5 shows the armor blank 2 from Fig. 3 after the transformation. It can be seen that from the two-dimensional planar design Fig. 3 a curved design in Fig. 5. This can be achieved, for example, by a forming step using a rolling device. The armor blank 2 has different radii of curvature in different areas. This, too, can be achieved in a single forming step, for example, by using a forming roll with different circumferential radii. In the next process step, the armor elements 4 are separated from each other. This is in Fig. Figure 6 shows the connecting webs 6 being removed, so that the armor elements 4 are separated from each other. The armor elements 4 are connected to each other by means of connecting elements known from the prior art in a hinged manner in order to achieve mobility of the wearer of the body armor.

[0023] Fig.Figure 7 shows two armor elements 4 and a base 10. The base 10 has two recesses 12 into which the armor elements can be inserted. Since the recesses 12 are adapted in shape and size to the armor elements 4, the armor elements 4 cannot move in the recesses 12 and, in particular, cannot shift relative to each other, so that they are firmly positioned relative to each other. Reference symbol list 2 armor blanks 4 armor element 6 connecting bridge 8 slots 10 documents 12 Recess

Claims

[1] Body armour comprising a plurality of armour elements (4) which are connected to one another, wherein the body armour has been or can be produced by a method comprising the following steps: a) providing an armour blank (2) which has at least two armour elements (4) which are connected to one another or fixedly positioned relative to one another, b) forming the armor blank (2) in at least one forming device such that the at least two armor elements (4) are formed, c) separating the at least two interconnected armour elements (4) from each other and d) Articulated connection of the separated armour elements (4). [2] Body armour according to claim 1, characterized by that in process step d) the armouring elements (4) which were separated from each other in process step c) are connected to each other in an articulated manner. [3] Body armour according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the at least two armour elements (4) of the armour blank (2) are connected to one another in an arrangement in which they are also connected to one another in an articulated manner in method step d). [4] Body armour according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least two armour elements (4) in the armour blank (2) are materially connected to one another, in particular welded or glued to one another or formed in one piece. [5] Body armour according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the armor blank (2) is produced, in particular cut or punched, from a metal plate, in particular a steel plate, before being provided. [6] Body armour according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the body armour is protective clothing, in particular a protective vest, a protective jacket, an arm protection element, a leg protection element or a groin protection element. [7] Body armour according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the armor blank has all armor elements (4) of the body armor. [8] Body armour according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the armour elements (4) are connected to each other in an articulated manner. [9] Body armour according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that side edges and geometric shape elements of adjacent armour elements (4) which point to the respective adjacent element are adapted to one another. [10] Body armour according to claim 9, characterized bythat the body armour is stab-resistant body armour, and the side edges and geometric shape elements are coordinated in their geometric shape and three-dimensional design in such a way that a stabbing weapon cannot penetrate the space between two armour elements (4). [11] Body armour according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the armour elements (4) have slots (8) into which connecting elements are inserted, which allow the articulated connection of two armour elements (8). [12] Body armour according to claim 11, characterized by that the slots (8) of two adjacent armour elements (4) run parallel. [13] Armour blank (2) for use in a manufacturing method for body armour according to any one of the preceding claims. [14] Armour blank (2) according to claim 13, characterized bythat the armor blank (2) has several interconnected armor elements (4). [15] Armour blank (2) according to claims 13 and 14, characterized by that the armor blank (2) has different radii of curvature in different areas. [16] Armour blank (2) according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by that the armouring elements (4) are integrally connected to one another, preferably formed in one piece. [17] Armour blank (2) according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized by that the armour elements (4) are connected to each other in the position and orientation in which they are to be connected in the body armour. [18] Armour blank (2) according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized by that the armor elements (4) have slots (8). [19] Armour blank (2) according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized bythat the slots (8) of two adjacent armour elements (4) run parallel. [20] Armour blank (2) according to one of claims 13 to 19, characterized by that the armor blank (2) is made of a metal plate, in particular an aluminum plate. [21] Armour blank (2) according to one of claims 13 to 20, characterized by that the armour elements (4) are connected to each other by connecting webs (6).

Images