Armoured glass panel rigidly connected to a body without a frame by means of brackets and through-pins

Abstract

The invention relates to a ballistic unit (1) consisting of a laminated glass panel of 4 to 10 sheets of mineral glass with thicknesses between 4 and 12 mm, with adhesive interlayers of thicknesses between 0.1 and 6 mm, of length between 400 and 2000 mm, width between 150 and 500 mm and thickness between 40 and 100 mm; the unit (1) comprises through-bores (2) of diameters between 1 / 10 and 1 / 3 of the thickness thereof, the bores (2) are aligned and regularly spaced along three of the four sides of the unit (1), their centres being at a distance from said side of at least twice their diameters, and the sum of the diameters of the bores (2) on each side does not exceed ¼ of the length thereof. The invention also relates to a kit and assembly comprising said unit, and to use of said unit as a glass panel for an armoured vehicle.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Armored glazing, attached to a bodywork in the absence of a frame, by means of brackets and through-bolts

[0001] Land armored vehicles are equipped with thick glazing whose main property, apart from transparency, is to offer protection against ballistic threats such as munitions and mortar fragments.

[0002] This type of transparent solution requires ensuring protection against increasingly severe threats, while limiting the increase in mass and thickness.

[0003] The most commonly manufactured and marketed transparent armored solutions are laminates using the same material bank: sheets of glass glued two by two consecutive by viscoelastic interlayers forming a front block with a thickness of ~100mm, and shatterproof film on the back face.

[0004] This type of assembly allows the mobilization of three main mechanisms for dissipating energy upon impact: - by brittle fracture of the glass, - by viscoelastic deformation of the interlayers, - by delamination at the glass / interlayer interfaces.

[0005] It is possible to weight the relative contribution of these three mechanisms by the individual properties of the constituents, or their coupling: the glass via the type of reinforcement, the interlayers via their nature and / or formulation, their glass transition temperature, and the interfaces via their functionalization by chemical agents.

[0006] Ultimately, with a fairly limited material bank and equally limited customization options, the solutions offered by bulletproof glass suppliers now have almost identical masses and thicknesses, within 10%. This alignment corresponds to the extreme reliability limits of the impact resistance of the aforementioned assemblies.

[0007] More marginally, document WO 2009 / 150380 A2 describes other solutions employing materials with a higher Young's modulus, such as the Ceramics and sapphire (crystalline alumina) (-500 MPa vs -50 MPa for glass). But these solutions, despite being developed for one to two decades, have not found a market due to their high costs.

[0008] Another area of ​​innovation for these solutions is the way they are framed to achieve gains in ease of implementation, installation or replacement of a solution on the complete system, in modularity and adaptability of the framework, and in lightness.

[0009] Faced with increasingly severe threats, and in the absence of a break with the above-described glass / interlayer technology, there is no other choice but to thicken the compositions.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide armored glazing of relatively large dimensions, offering a reduction in the effects of the destructive longitudinal wave mode by minimizing the waveguide effect of the frame. The inventor conceived of eliminating the frame to maximize the lateral edges' direct contact with the environment outside the armored vehicle, thereby freeing up and promoting the propagation of transverse shock wave modes. To this end, the invention relates to a ballistic block essentially composed of laminated glazing made up of 4 to 10 sheets of mineral glass with thicknesses between 4 and 12 mm, bonded in consecutive pairs by an interlayer adhesive layer with a thickness between 0.1 and 6 mm, characterized in that the length of the two main faces of each of said mineral glass sheets is between 400 and 2000 mm and their width between 150 and 500 mm.The thickness of the ballistic block is between 40 and 100 mm, in that the ballistic block includes through bores in the direction of its thickness, in that the diameter of the bores is between 1 / 10 and 1 / 3 of the thickness of the ballistic block and between 4 and 33 mm, and in that the bores are positioned along three of the four sides or edges of the two principal faces of each said mineral glass sheet, so that their centers are at a distance of at least twice their diameters from said corresponding side or edge, and in that the bores are aligned, regularly spaced from one another, and in such a number that the sum of the diameters of the bores aligned along said side or edge does not exceed the length of said side or edge.

[0011] As will be seen in more detail below, the bores correspond to the ballistic block's mounting points, and the side of the block without bores is intended to be the lower side in the mounting position. This arrangement aims to secure the ballistic block only by its sides that are not subject to weight-induced stress, namely its right, left, and upper sides. This is not the case for the fourth, lower side, which is not equipped with bores, and by which the ballistic block is intended to be supported by brackets, as we will see later.

[0012] The structure of the ballistic block in laminated glass according to the invention does not preclude its main face intended to be in contact with the interior volume of the vehicle or building, in the mounting position, from being made of a shatterproof sheet, for example of polycarbonate (PC) 6 mm thick, bonded to the laminated structure by a layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0013] On the other hand, the sum of the diameters of the bores on a side or edge cannot exceed the length of that side or edge, so as not to weaken the structure of the ballistic block too much.

[0014] The ballistic block according to the invention provides high ballistic resistance for a relatively large transparent surface.

[0015] Preferably, each said mineral glass sheet is made of soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate, borosilicate or similar, as floated, chemically strengthened, thermally tempered, hardened or not.

[0016] Preferably, each of said adhesive interlayer layers is selected from a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyurethane (PU), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polycarbonate (PC), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), casting resin or ionomer resin, or a combination of several of these layers.

[0017] Preferably, as already mentioned previously, the main face of the ballistic block located on the side opposite to that from which an impact is expected, i.e. in contact with the interior of a vehicle or building in mounting position, is made of a shatter-resistant polycarbonate (PC) sheet.

[0018] Preferably, the thickness of the ballistic block is at least 60 mm.

[0019] The invention also relates to a kit comprising a ballistic block as described above, through-pins each intended to participate in fixing the ballistic block through its mounting environment and through each said bore, through-pins each consisting of a screw, an elastomer sleeve, a spring and a nut, to fix the ballistic block securely to its mounting environment.

[0020] Preferably, each elastomer sleeve has a length equal to the thickness of the ballistic block.

[0021] Preferably, each elastomer sleeve has an outer envelope of identical geometry to that of the bore of the ballistic block into which it is intended to be inserted.

[0022] Preferably, each elastomer sleeve has a cylindrical hollow with an inner diameter equal to the diameter of its associated fixing screw.

[0023] Preferably, at least one elastomer sleeve has a conical outer shell with its smaller cross-section facing the frame. The cylindrical hollow of the elastomer sleeve is coaxial with the conical shell. This conical profile allows for better balancing between the force exerted by the screw and sleeve assembly, which holds the glazing (ballistic block) in position on the frame, and the force exerted by the spring, which tends to push the glazing away from the frame.

[0024] Preferably, at least one screw should have a hexagonal head. This is preferable for better control of the tightening torque, and indirectly of the degree of spring tension at the end of installation.

[0025] The invention also relates to an assembly with increased resistance to bullets and / or shrapnel and / or other high-energy projectiles, comprising a ballistic block, elements for its attachment to a mounting environment, and this mounting environment, wherein one face of said ballistic block intended to be in contact with the external atmosphere is defined as the front face, the opposite face intended to be in contact with the internal volume of the mounting environment is defined as the rear face, and all faces perpendicular to the front and rear faces are lateral faces of the ballistic block, the rear face of the ballistic block having dimensions greater than those of an opening in the wall of the mounting environment, in front of which said ballistic block is intended to be fixed, said wall constitutes a frame having a front or outer face and a rear or inner face, the front face of the frame constitutes a retaining and locking element for said rear face of the ballistic block, characterized in that said assembly comprises an outer frame structure which consists of brackets integral with the frame projecting from its front face, which include at least two brackets supporting the ballistic block by its lower lateral face, and almost all of its weight, fixing the ballistic block in its vertical position, and at least two brackets in right and left positions relative to the ballistic block, so as to fix it in its horizontal position, in that said elements for fixing the ballistic block include through pins which are each made up of a screw,of an elastomer sleeve, a spring and a nut, for fixing the ballistic block securely to the frame, in that each screw is inserted into an elastomer sleeve, in that the assembly of screws and elastomer sleeves passes through the ballistic block via bores drilled in it, in that each nut is in contact with the inner face of the frame, opposite a bore in it, in that each spring is placed between the outer face of the frame and the rear face of the ballistic block, and in that, in the fixed position of the ballistic block, each screw is secured to a nut, and each spring is constrained to a length between 50 and 100% of its unstretched length (i.e., not stretched, or only slightly stretched).

[0026] If there are at least three brackets supporting the ballistic block by its lower lateral face, they are equidistant so as to distribute the weight of the ballistic block evenly between them.

[0027] Substituting the classic frame with a system of point attachments leads to a significant reduction of the longitudinal mode induced by the waveguide effect of the above-described frame.

[0028] Furthermore, the springs positioned between the glazing and the frame must allow for the non-destructive dissipation of vibration modes induced by the vehicle's movement on rough terrain, and during an impact. an object such as a mortar shard, and part of the momentum transferred from said shard to the glazing on the other hand.

[0029] The number of through-bolts in the ballistic block, their profiles and dimensions, particularly their diameter, depend on the dimensions of the ballistic block: the thicker, and therefore heavier, the ballistic block requires larger diameters for the bores drilled into the block and the outer casing of the elastomer sleeves. Specialists can easily optimize the diameter (or thickness, cross-sectional area) of the through-bolts and their number to ensure the required attachment while avoiding excessive reduction of the transparent area for direct vision. Similarly, the number of through-bolts must be sufficient to secure the block to the frame, without exceeding what is necessary to avoid introducing an excessive bore into the block, which could drastically reduce the field of vision (transparency) for a vehicle passenger.

[0030] The number of support brackets may be dictated by simple aesthetic considerations of vehicle design and / or ergonomics.

[0031] Preferably, each bracket is in contact with a lateral face of the ballistic block via an elastomer pad.

[0032] Another object of the invention is the use of a ballistic block described above as glazing with increased resistance to bullets and / or shrapnel and / or other high-energy projectiles, particularly as side glazing for armored vehicles. Examples include the Bastion, Sherpa, and VAB armored land vehicles marketed by Arquus, and the Griffon and Titus vehicles marketed by Nexter. It is noteworthy that this glazing can have a relatively large surface area.

[0033] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description of the attached drawings in which

[0034] [Fig. 1] is a schematic perspective representation of an assembly according to the invention, close to an external reinforcement structure with brackets and bores for receiving the assembly;

[0035] [Fig. 2] is a schematic perspective representation of the whole of figure 1, positioned in the reinforcement structure before installation of the through-anchor system;

[0036] [Fig. 3] is a schematic side view of the through-dowel system prior to installation; and

[0037] [Fig. 4] is a schematic side view of the through-anchor system with a tapered profile sleeve, after fixing an assembly according to the invention.

[0038] With reference to Figure 1, the body wall of an armored land vehicle constitutes an external reinforcement structure 10, seen here from outside the vehicle.

[0039] The transparent ballistic block 1 has all the characteristics of the invention described above. It is intended to be fixed against the front face of the frame 10, opposite an opening 11 in the frame 10. The surface area of ​​the ballistic block 1 is larger than that of the opening 1, so that the ballistic block 1 can completely cover this opening 11, with an overhang. On the one hand, it is through this overhang of the ballistic block 1 that it is fixed to the frame 10, as detailed below; on the other hand, in the fixed position of the ballistic block 1, it abuts against the front or outer face of the frame 10.

[0040] An external reinforcement structure consists of brackets attached to the reinforcement 10 and projecting from its front face 10. These brackets include at least two brackets 13 designed to support the ballistic block 1 by its lower lateral face and almost its entire weight, thus fixing the ballistic block 1 in its vertical position, and at least two brackets 14 positioned to the right and left of the ballistic block 1 to fix it in its horizontal position. When the ballistic block 1 is fixed in this position, its contact with each bracket 13, 14 is achieved via an elastomer pad 15.

[0041] The ballistic block 1 includes bores 2 intended to receive through pins not shown and which, in the fixing position of the ballistic block 1, are each opposite a corresponding bore 12 in the frame 10.

[0042] With reference to figure 2, the ballistic block is positioned in its fixing position, with support and locking by the front face of the frame 10, and the brackets 13, 14.

[0043] With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3, each pair of bores 2, 12 cooperates with a through pin consisting of a screw 21, an elastomer sleeve 22, a spring 23 and a nut 24, to help fix the ballistic block 1 securely to the frame 10. The elastomer sleeve 22 has external dimensions identical to the dimensions of the bore 2, including a sleeve length 22 identical to the thickness of the ballistic block 1. In the ballistic block 1 fixing position, the elastomer sleeve 22 is inserted into the bore 2, and the screw 21 is inserted externally into the hollow cylindrical volume internal to the elastomer sleeve 22, so as to pass through the thickness of the ballistic block 1 and that of the frame 10 and to be screwed into a nut 24 in contact with the rear or inner face of the frame 10.A spring 23 is positioned between the rear or inner face of the ballistic block 1 and the front or outer face of the frame 10, so as to be constrained to a length between 50 and 100% of its unstretched length.

[0044] Referring to Figure 4, the elastomer sleeve 22 has a conical outer shell, the smaller section of which is oriented towards the frame 10. The cylindrical hollow of the elastomer sleeve 22 is coaxial with the conical shell. This conical profile allows for better balancing between the force exerted by the screw assembly 21 + sleeve 22, which holds the glazing (ballistic block 1) in position on the frame 10, and the force exerted by the spring 23, which tends to push the glazing 1 away from the frame 10.

[0045] Screw 21 has a hexagonal head. This is preferable for better control of the tightening torque, and indirectly of the degree of tension on spring 23 at the end of installation.

[0046]

[0047]

Claims

Demands 1. Ballistic block (1) essentially consisting of laminated glass made of 4 to 10 sheets of mineral glass with thicknesses between 4 and 12 mm, bonded in consecutive pairs by an interlayer adhesive layer with a thickness between 0.1 and 6 mm, characterized in that the length of the two principal faces of each said sheet of mineral glass is between 400 and 2000 mm and their width between 150 and 500 mm, the thickness of the ballistic block (1) is between 40 and 100 mm, in that the ballistic block (1) comprises through bores (2) in the direction of its thickness, in that the diameter of the bores (2) is between 1 / 10 and 1 / 3 of the thickness of the ballistic block (1) and between 4 and 33 mm, and in that the bores (2) are positioned along three of the four sides or edges of the two faces main components of each of said mineral glass sheets,so that their centers are at a distance from said corresponding side or edge of at least twice their diameters, and in that the bores (2) are aligned, regularly spaced from each other and in such a number that the sum of the diameters of the bores (2) aligned along said side or edge does not exceed the length of said side or edge.

2. Ballistic block (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each said mineral glass sheet is made of soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate, borosilicate or similar, as floated, is chemically strengthened, thermally tempered, hardened or not.

3. Ballistic block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said interlayer adhesive layer is selected from a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyurethane (PU), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polycarbonate (PC), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), casting resin or ionomer resin, or a combination of several of these layers.

4. Ballistic block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its principal face on the side opposite to that from which an impact is expected, i.e. in contact with the interior of a vehicle or building in mounting position, is made of a shatterproof polycarbonate (PC) sheet.

5. Ballistic block (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its thickness is at least equal to 60 mm.

6. Kit comprising a ballistic block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, through pins each intended to participate in fixing the ballistic block (1) through its mounting environment and through each said bore (2), through pins each consisting of a screw (21), an elastomer sleeve (22), a spring (23) and a nut (24), for fixing the ballistic block (1) securely to its mounting environment.

7. Kit according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each elastomer sleeve (22) has a length equal to the thickness of the ballistic block (1).

8. Kit according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that each elastomer sleeve (22) has an outer envelope of geometry identical to that of the bore (2) of the ballistic block (1), into which it is intended to be introduced.

9. Kit according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that each elastomer sleeve (22) has a cylindrical hollow with an inner diameter equal to the diameter of its associated fixing screw (21).

10. Kit according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that at least one elastomer sleeve (22) has a conical outer sheath whose small section is oriented towards the reinforcement (10). 1 1. Kit according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that at least one screw (21) has a hexagonal head.

12. Assembly with increased resistance to bullets and / or shrapnel and / or other high-energy projectiles, comprising a ballistic block (1), elements for its attachment to a mounting environment, and said mounting environment, in which one face of said ballistic block (1) intended to be in contact with the external atmosphere is defined as the front face, the opposite face intended to be in contact with the internal volume of the mounting environment is defined as the rear face, and all faces perpendicular to the front and rear faces are lateral faces of the ballistic block (1), the rear face of the ballistic block (1) is larger than the dimensions of an opening (11) in the wall of the mounting environment, in front of which said ballistic block (1) is intended to be fixed, said wall constitutes a frame (10) having a front or outer face and a rear or inner face, the front face of the frame (10) constitutes a retaining and locking element for said rear face of the ballistic block (1), characterized in that said assembly comprises an external frame structure which consists of brackets integral with the frame (10) projecting from its front face (10), which include at least two brackets (13) supporting the ballistic block (1) by its lower lateral face, and almost all of its weight, fixing the ballistic block (1) in its vertical position,and at least two brackets (14) in right and left positions relative to the ballistic block (1), so as to fix it in its horizontal position, in that said elements for fixing the ballistic block (1) comprise through pins, each consisting of a screw (21), an elastomer sleeve (22), a spring (23) and a nut (24), for fixing the ballistic block (1) securely to the frame (10), in that each screw (21) is inserted into an elastomer sleeve (22), in that the assembly of screws (21) and elastomer sleeves (22) passes through the ballistic block (1) via bores (2) drilled in it (1), in that each nut (24) is in contact with the inner face of the frame (10), opposite a bore (12) in this (10), in that each spring (23) is placed between the outer face of the frame (10) and the rear face of the ballistic block (1), and in that, in the fixed position of the ballistic block (1),Each screw (21) is secured to a nut (24), and each spring (23) is compressed to a length between 50 and 100% of its unstretched length. The assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each bracket (13, 14) is in contact with a lateral face of the ballistic block (1) via an elastomer pad (15). Use of a ballistic block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, as glazing with increased resistance to bullets and / or shrapnel and / or other high-energy projectiles. Use according to claim 14 as side glazing for an armored vehicle.

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