U.S. patent application number 11/571554 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-25 for armour.
Invention is credited to Andrew Hunter.
Application Number | 20070245441 11/571554 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32843519 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070245441 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hunter; Andrew |
October 25, 2007 |
Armour
Abstract
Armoured apparel is disclosed embodying a method of integrating
the structure of armour with the structure of signal transmission
means to enable that armour to be used as armoured protection for a
wearer and for the signal transmission means and/or as a platform
for conveying signals (e.g. for communication purposes or
otherwise). Armoured apparel (1) is disclosed including armour
means (5) arranged to shield a wearer of the apparel in use, and
signal conduit means (8) is incorporated within the apparel for
conveying signals therein, the signal conduit means being arranged
such that the armour means shields both the signal conduit means
and the wearer of the apparel in use.
Inventors: |
Hunter; Andrew; (Glasgow,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN & BERNER, LLP
1700 DIAGONAL ROAD, SUITE 300
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
32843519 |
Appl. No.: |
11/571554 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
July 1, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP05/53146 |
371 Date: |
January 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/2.5 ;
2/410 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/002.5 ;
002/410 |
International
Class: |
F41H 1/02 20060101
F41H001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 2, 2004 |
GB |
0414928.2 |
Claims
1. An armoured apparel comprising: armour means arranged to shield
a wearer of the apparel in use, and signal conduit means
incorporated within the armour means for conveying signals therein,
the signal conduit means being arranged such that the armour means
shields both the signal conduit means and the wearer of the apparel
in use.
2-73. (canceled)
74. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the signal
conduit means is arranged between portions of the armour means such
that the armour means shields the signal conduit means at
substantially opposite sides thereof simultaneously.
75. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the armour
means surrounds the signal conduit means thereby to shield
substantially all parts of the signal conduit means
simultaneously.
76. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the signal
conduit means is arranged between an inner portion of the armour
means which is nearmost the wearer of the apparel in use, and an
outer portion of the armour means more distant from the wearer of
the apparel in use and simultaneously overlapping the inner portion
of the armour means and the signal conduit means such that the
armour means shields the signal conduit means at substantially
opposite sides thereof simultaneously.
77. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the armour
means includes a plurality of overlapping adjacent armour portions
forming a stack of armour portions within which the signal conduit
means is incorporated so as to be located between and covered by
overlapping armour portions of the stack.
78. The armoured apparel according to claim 77 in which each armour
portion of the stack is a layer of armour which overlaps each other
layer of the stack to form a laminate within which the signal
conduit means is incorporated.
79. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 including passive
circuit components and/or active circuit components within the
armour operably connected to the signal conduit means therein.
80. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 including signal
processor means within the armour arranged to process signals
conveyed to it by the signal conduit means therein and to generate
signals for output to the signal conduit means.
81. The armoured apparel according to claim 80 in which the signal
processor means is operably connected to the signal conduit
means.
82. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the signal
conduit means includes signal transfer means arranged within the
armour to transfer signals between the signal conduit means within
the armour and signal responsive means external or internal to the
armour to permit the passage of signals therebetween.
83. The armoured apparel according to claim 82 in which the signal
transfer means includes antenna means for wirelessly passing
signals through the armour.
84. The armoured apparel according to claim 82 in which the signal
transfer means includes connector means arranged to connect the
signal conduit to signal a signal conduit external to the
armour.
85. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the signal
conduit means incorporates electrically responsive signal
transmission means.
86. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the signal
conduit means incorporates at least a part of an electrical circuit
means.
87. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the signal
conduit means incorporates optical signal transmission means.
88. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the signal
conduit means is flexible.
89. The armoured apparel according to claim 88 in which the signal
conduit means is flexed.
90. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which at least a
part of the signal conduit is mounted upon a mounting means which
itself forms at least a part of the armour of the apparel.
91. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which at least a
part of the signal conduit is embedded within a mounting means
which itself forms at least a part of the armour of the
apparel.
92. The armoured apparel according to claim 88 in which the
mounting means is a sheet having regions where passive and/or
active circuit components are located, and relatively thinner
regions where the signal conduit means is located.
93. The armoured apparel according to claim 88 in which the
mounting means is a sheet of flexible electronic circuit board.
94. The armoured apparel according to claim 88 in which the
mounting means is flexed.
95. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which at least a
part of the signal conduit is enclosed within the armour of the
apparel.
96. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 including
electromagnetic (EM) shield means arranged within the armour
thereof to shield at least a part of the signal conduit means
therein from electromagnetic radiation external to the apparel.
97. The armoured apparel according to claim 96 in which the EM
shield means is arranged to shield passive and/or active components
and said signal processor means from electromagnetic radiation
external to the apparel.
98. The armoured apparel according to claim 96 in which the EM
shield means is arranged within the apparel to such that the items
to be shielded thereby are located between the EM shield and the
wearer of the apparel.
99. The armoured apparel according to claim 96 in which the EM
shield means encloses the items it is arranged to shield.
100. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 including moisture
barrier means arranged within the armour thereof around the signal
conduit means to form a barrier to moisture.
101. The armoured apparel according to claim 100 in which the
moisture barrier means is also the EM shield means.
102. The armoured apparel according to any of claims 100 including
moisture responsive means arranged to provide a detectable response
to the presence of moisture within the moisture barrier means.
103. The armoured apparel according to claim 102 in which the
moisture responsive means is a humidity detector means arranged to
monitor humidity within the moisture barrier means and to generate
a detectable signal when the monitored humidity level exceeds a
predetermined threshold.
104. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which some or all
of the armour is The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which
some or all of the armour is rigid.
106. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the apparel
is arranged to be worn about the body of the wearer.
107. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the apparel
is arranged to be worn about the head of the wearer.
108. The armoured apparel according to claim 1 in which the armour
is ballistic armour.
109. A method of manufacturing an item of armoured apparel for
shielding a wearer of the apparel in use including providing an
item of wearable armour and an item of apparel, comprising the
steps of: (a) incorporating a signal conduit means within the item
of wearable armour for conveying signals therein; (b) arranging the
item of wearable armour in the item of apparel; wherein the signal
conduit means is arranged such that the wearable armour shields
both the signal conduit means and the wearer of the apparel in
use.
110. The method according to claim 109 including arranging the
signal conduit means to be between portions of the wearable armour
such that the armour shields the signal conduit means at
substantially opposite sides thereof simultaneously.
111. The method according to claim 109 including arranging the
signal conduit means to be surrounded by the wearable armour such
that the armour shields substantially all parts of
simultaneously.
112. The method according to claim 109 in which step (b) includes
providing an inner portion of wearable armour which is nearmost the
wearer of the apparel in use, and an outer portion of wearable
armour more distant from the wearer of the apparel in use and
simultaneously overlapping the inner portion of the armour means,
wherein step (a) includes arranging the signal conduit means to be
between and overlapped by the inner and outer armour portions such
that the armour means shields the signal conduit means at
substantially opposite sides thereof simultaneously.
113. The method according to claim 109 in which the item of
wearable armour is provided by arranging a plurality of overlapping
adjacent armour portions to form a stack of armour portions within
which the signal conduit means is incorporated so as to be located
between and covered by overlapping armour portions of the
stack.
114. The method according to claim 113 including providing said
stack by arranging a plurality of overlapping adjacent layers of
armour which overlap each other layer of the stack to form a
laminate within which the signal conduit means is incorporated.
115. The method according to claim 109 including forming the signal
conduit means upon a first item of armour, and subsequently
sandwiching the signal conduit means between the first item of
armour and a separate second item of armour thereby to form the
wearable item of armour.
116. The method according to claim 115 including sandwiching the
first item of armour between said separate second item of armour
and a separate third item of armour thereby to form the item of
wearable armour.
117. The method according to claim 109 in which step (a) includes
forming/incorporating passive circuit components and/or active
circuit components within the item of wearable armour to be
operably connected to the signal conduit means therein.
118. The method according to claim 109 in which step (a) includes
forming/incorporating signal processor means within the item of
wearable armour to process signals conveyed to it by the signal
conduit means therein and to generate signals for output to the
signal conduit means.
119. The method according to claim 118 including operably
connecting the signal processor means to the signal conduit
means.
120. The method according to claim 109 in which step (a) includes
forming the signal conduit means so as to include signal transfer
means within the armour for transferring signals between the signal
conduit means within the armour and signal responsive means
external or internal to the armour to permit the passage of signals
therebetween.
121. The method according to claim 120 in which the formation of
said signal transfer means includes the formation of antenna means
for wirelessly passing signals through the armour.
122. The method according to claim 121 including providing the
signal transfer means with connector means arranged to connect the
signal conduit to signal a signal conduit external to the
armour.
123. The method according to claim 109 in which step (a) includes
incorporating electrically responsive signal transmission means
within the signal conduit means.
124. The method according to claim 109 in which step (a) includes
incorporating at least a part of an electrical circuit means within
the signal conduit means.
125. The method according to claim 109 in which step (a) includes
incorporating optical signal transmission means into at least a
part of the signal conduit means.
126. The method according to claim 109 in which step (a) includes
forming the signal conduit means so as to be flexible.
127. The method according to claim 126 in which the item of
wearable armour is incorporated into the item of apparel with the
signal conduit means in a flexed state.
128. The method according to claim 109 in which step (a) includes
mounting at least a part of the signal conduit upon a armoured
mounting means, and step (b) includes incorporating the mounting
means within the item of apparel to form at least a part of the
armour of the apparel.
129. The method according to claim 109 in which step (a) includes
embedding at least a part of the signal conduit within armoured
mounting means, and step (b) includes incorporating the mounting
means within the item of apparel to form at least a part of the
armour of the apparel.
130. The method according to claim 109 in which step (a) includes
providing the mounting means in the form of a sheet of armoured
material with relatively thinned regions, forming the signal
conduit means at relatively thinned regions of the sheet, and
forming passive and/or active circuit components at other regions
of the sheet.
131. The method according to claim 130 including providing the
mounting means as a sheet of flexible electronic circuit board.
132. The method according to claim 109 including the additional
step of forming an electromagnetic (EM) shield means within the
item of armour to shield at least a part of the signal conduit
means therein from electromagnetic radiation external to the
apparel.
133. The method according to claim 132 including forming the EM
shield means to shield passive and/or active components and said
signal processor means from electromagnetic radiation external to
the apparel.
134. The method according to claim 133 including forming the EM
shield means within the apparel such that the items to be shielded
thereby are located between the EM shield and the wearer of the
apparel.
135. The method according to claim 133 including forming the EM
shield means to enclose the items it is arranged to shield.
136. The method according to claim 109 including forming a moisture
barrier means within the item of wearable armour around the signal
conduit means to form a barrier to moisture.
137. The method according to claims 136 in which the moisture
barrier means is also the EM shield means.
138. The method according to claims 136 including providing
moisture responsive means within the item of wearable armour to
provide a detectable response to the presence of moisture within
the moisture barrier means.
139. The method according to claim 138 which the moisture
responsive means is a humidity detector means, the method including
arranging the humidity detector to monitor humidity within the
moisture barrier means and to generate a detectable signal when the
monitored humidity level exceeds a predetermined threshold.
140. An armour incorporating signal conduit means embedded therein
for conveying signals within the armour.
141. A ballistic armour incorporating signal conduit means embedded
therein for conveying signals within the armour.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to armour, and particularly
though not exclusively to wearable armour and to items of armoured
apparel, and methods for their manufacture.
[0002] The persons most likely to wear, or be required to wear,
personal armour are typically also most likely to carry, or be
required to carry, communications equipment. Examples include
personnel of the security, police or armed services. Other items of
equipment including circuitry or circuit components may also be
required to be carried by such personnel. Often, several separate
items of equipment must be carried by such personnel in addition to
personal armour (e.g. body armour) and may, in total, constitute a
considerable burden and cause some fatigue or discomfort to the
wearer. Typically, although items of personal armour may permit
other items of equipment to be attached thereto, they are not
specifically designed with a view to accommodating the carriage of
separate items of communications or other equipment and it is often
the case that the wearing of body armour may obstruct the means by
which the additional equipment is to be attached about the person
or the wearer. Additionally, the personal armour itself typically
provides no protection for the additional equipment, nor does the
additional equipment provide any protection (e.g. ballistic
protection) to the user.
[0003] The present invention aims to provide armour which addresses
at least some of the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior
art.
[0004] At its most general, the present invention proposes
integrating the structure of armour with the structure of signal
transmission means to enable that armour to be used as armoured
protection for a wearer and for the signal transmission means
and/or as a platform for conveying signals (e.g. for communication
purposes or otherwise).
[0005] In a first of its aspects, the present invention may provide
armoured apparel including armour means arranged to shield a wearer
of the apparel in use, and signal conduit means incorporated within
the apparel for conveying signals therein, the signal conduit means
being arranged such that the armour means shields both the signal
conduit means and the wearer of the apparel in use. In this way the
armour means of the apparel, what ever form it takes (e.g. flexible
armour such as sheets of flexible armour material, armour plating
such as ceramic armour plates or the like) may be arranged within
the apparel to at least shield the signal conduit means therein to
at least some extent while simultaneously shielding the wearer of
the apparel. The shielding of the signal conduit means may be
performed by the armour means in the same way it performs shielding
of the wearer. The armour means most preferably includes
material(s) forming an area or areas resistant to penetration by
impacting (e.g. ballistic) or cutting objects (e.g. stabbing
objects) thereby to protect the wearer from such objects. The
armour may be "ballistic armour" which is to be understood to
include a reference to armour suitable for resisting and protecting
a wearer from penetration by ballistic/high-velocity projectiles
such as bullets etc.
[0006] The signal conduit means is preferably arranged between
portions of the armour means such that the armour means shields the
signal conduit means at substantially opposite sides thereof
simultaneously. For example, the armour means of the apparel may
have armour portions or parts arranged to be worn at, or to
protect, opposite sides/regions of the wearer (e.g. front and back
coverage) simultaneously. The same simultaneous protection is
thereby afforded to the signal conduit means of the apparel.
[0007] The armour means preferably surrounds (e.g. wholly surrounds
or encloses) the signal conduit means thereby to shield
substantially all parts of the signal conduit means simultaneously,
or at least at all sides of the signal conduit means.
[0008] Preferably, the signal conduit means is arranged between an
inner portion of the armour means which is nearmost the wearer of
the apparel in use, and an outer portion of the armour means more
distant from the wearer of the apparel in use and simultaneously
overlapping the inner portion of the armour means and the signal
conduit means such that the armour means shields the signal conduit
means at substantially opposite sides thereof simultaneously.
[0009] The armoured apparel according to the invention in its first
aspect preferably incorporates signal conduit means within the
armour means thereof for conveying signals therein. For example,
incorporation may be by embedding and/or encapsulating within the
armour means.
[0010] The armour means may include a plurality of overlapping
adjacent armour portions forming a stack of armour portions within
which the signal conduit means is incorporated so as to be located
between and covered by overlapping armour portions of the stack.
Each armour portion of the stack may be a layer of armour which
overlaps each other layer of the stack to form a laminate within
which the signal conduit means is incorporated.
[0011] In this way signal conduit means may be comprised and/or
formed and/or embedded within the structure and body of the armour
of the apparel as distinct from being merely surrounded by such
armour without being incorporated therein. The conduit means is
thereby robustly protected by the armour.
[0012] The armoured apparel may incorporate passive circuit
components and/or active circuit components shielded by, and
preferably incorporated within, the armour means being most
preferably operably connected to the signal conduit means
therein.
[0013] The armoured apparel may incorporate signal processor means
shielded by (e.g. incorporated within) the armour means arranged to
process signals conveyed to it e.g. by the signal conduit means
therein. Additionally, or alternatively, the signal processor means
may be arranged to generate signals for output to the signal
conduit means.
[0014] The signal processor means may be operably connected to the
signal conduit means or may be unconnected thereto but otherwise
arranged to convey signals to/from the signal conduit means (e.g.
wirelessly).
[0015] For example, the signal conduit means may include signal
transfer means shielded by, or incorporated within, the armour
means to transfer signals between the signal conduit means shielded
by, or incorporated within, the armour means and signal responsive
means external or internal to the apparel or the armour means to
permit the passage of signals therebetween. The signal transfer
means may include antenna means for wirelessly passing signals
through the armour means. Such wireless communication may be
between components incorporated for example within the apparel
(e.g. within the armour means) or may be between internal and
external communication means. Active components within the apparel
and/or armour means may, therefore, include wireless signal
generators/transmitters and/or receivers, each may be connected
operably to one or more of the antenna means.
[0016] The signal transfer means may include connector means
arranged to connect the signal conduit to signal a signal conduit
external to the apparel and/or armour means. The connector means
may pass through the armour means thereby enabling
contact/connection therewith by an external signal conduit
externally or vice versa for internal connection. The connector
means may provide signal input/output ports via which signals may
be communicated to and/or from within the apparel and/or armour
means. Power may also be conveyed to/from within the apparel and/or
armour means in this way.
[0017] The signal conduit means may incorporate electrically
responsive signal transmission means, and may incorporate at least
a part of an electrical circuit means.
[0018] A power supply means, for supplying power to the signal
conduit means and components operably connected thereto, may be
incorporated within the apparel so as to be shielded by (e.g.
incorporated within) the armour means. The power supply means may
be connected to the signal conduit means, or to passive/active or
signal processor means within the apparel and/or armour means. The
power supply means may include an inductive coupling means (e.g. an
inductor coil/loop) arranged to be responsive to an external
inductive coupling means to generate energy thereby to power
electrical components incorporated within the apparel and/or armour
means.
[0019] Additionally, or alternatively, the signal conduit means may
incorporate or include optical signal transmission means, such as
fibre-optic transmission lines. Passive or active optical or
electro/optical components may be incorporated in the armour. The
signal conduit means may incorporate/include electromagnetic signal
transmission lines such as micro-strip lines/waveguides for
conveying microwave or similar radiation.
[0020] Preferably, the signal conduit means is flexible. This
enables the conduit to be flexed in use and when worn thereby
enabling its use in armour of a curved nature. The armoured apparel
in which the signal conduit means is incorporated may be flexed,
and the signal conduit means may be in a correspondingly flexed
state.
[0021] At least a part of (preferably all of) the signal conduit
may be mounted upon, or formed within, a mounting means which
itself forms at least a part of the armour of the apparel.
Kevlar.RTM. or similar materials are suitable for this purpose
since this material is suitable for use not only as armour (e.g.
ballistic armour) but also as a mounting board for electrical
circuits (e.g. a circuit board). Other (e.g. ceramic) materials may
be used with or in place of flexible armour. For example, at least
a part of (or the whole of) the signal conduit may be embedded
within a mounting means which itself forms at least a part of the
armour means of the apparel.
[0022] The mounting means may be structured to afford strengthened
regions for mounting delicate/sensitive components thereon, and
weaker, but preferably lighter and more flexible regions for
mounting the conduit. The mounting means may be a sheet (e.g.
Kevlar (RTM), ceramic material etc) having regions where passive
and/or active circuit components are located, and relatively
thinner regions where the signal conduit means is located.
Preferably, only signal conduit means is/are located at/on the
thinner regions. Alternatively, where the material of the mounting
means is suitably flexible, the mounting means may dispense with
variations in thickness as described above.
[0023] The mounting means may be a sheet of flexible electronic
circuit board and the conduit means may be signal conduit tracks
(e.g. printed/etched conductive tracks) formed on the circuit
board. Active and/or passive components etc. may also simply be
mounted on the circuit board in a conventional manner. Kevlar.RTM.
circuit boards may be used. The mounting means may be flexed in
use.
[0024] At least a part of the signal conduit is preferably fully
enclosed (e.g. encapsulated) within the armour means of the
apparel. That is to say, the signal conduit, or at least parts of
it, may be wholly surrounded (e.g. on all sides) by the armour of
the apparel. In alternative embodiments the conduit may be within
the armour means (e.g. sandwiched therein between armour parts)
without being wholly surrounded thereby.
[0025] The armoured apparel may include electromagnetic (EM) shield
means arranged e.g. within the armour means thereof to shield at
least a part of the signal conduit means incorporated within the
armour means from electromagnetic radiation external to the
apparel. The EM shield means may comprise metallic foil extending
over (but separated from) the conduit etc, or metalised plastic
sheeting. The EM shield is particularly useful when the conduit
and/or active or passive components, and/or a signal processor
within the armour are electronic/electrical in nature.
[0026] The EM shield means is preferably also arranged to shield
passive and/or active components and said signal processor means
from electromagnetic radiation external to the apparel. This
shielding may not be required if those components are not
electrical/electronic, e.g. if they are fibre-optic etc.
[0027] Armoured apparel is preferably structured such that the EM
shield means is arranged within the apparel such that the items to
be shielded thereby are located between the EM shield and the
wearer of the apparel. This structure ensures that the EM shield is
positioned between the protected items and the outside world, which
will typically be the source of the EM radiation from which the
items are to be protected.
[0028] The EM shield means preferably encloses the items it is
arranged to shield. However, where the item of apparel
circumscribes a wearer (e.g. a vest wrapping wholly around a
wearers torso) it may be sufficient to provide EM shield material
circumscribing the wearer in use and also the items to be
protected. This would not enclose or encapsulate the items but
would provide 360.degree. EM shielding.
[0029] The armoured apparel may include moisture barrier means
arranged within the armour means thereof around the signal conduit
means (and preferably also, passive, active and signal processor
means) incorporated therein to form a barrier to moisture. The
moisture barrier means preferably fully encloses the items for
which it forms a moisture barrier. The barrier is preferably
water/moisture proof. Preferably, the moisture barrier means is
also the EM shield means. Preferably, the moisture barrier means
also fully encloses all of the armour means of the armoured
apparel. This provision is particularly useful when the armour
material and/or the mounting means is E.g. kevlar.RTM. which
rapidly loses rigidity (or becomes more easily deformable) and
thereby loses protectiveness upon contact with moisture. Water
effectively lubricates the fibres of the armour material and the
resultant effect is that the material deforms more easily. Of
course, in embodiments employing armour material not affected by
moisture in this way, a moisture barrier may be dispensed with out
detriment or risk. Moisture is also generally detrimental to the
signal conduit means and any passive/active, or signal processing
components within the armour.
[0030] The armoured apparel may include moisture responsive means
arranged to provide a detectable response to the presence of
moisture within the moisture barrier means. The moisture responsive
means is preferably a humidity detector means arranged to monitor
humidity within the moisture barrier means and to generate a
detectable signal when the monitored humidity level exceeds a
predetermined threshold. The detectable signal may be wirelessly
transmitted from within the armour means, or may be audibly
broadcast from therein, or may be displayed upon a visual display
means (e.g. LCD screen) embedded in the armour means.
[0031] Some or all of the armour means of the apparel may be rigid,
or may be flexible. A combination of hard (e.g. ceramic) armour and
soft (e.g. Kevlar.RTM.) armour may be employed.
[0032] Where the signal conduit means includes connector means,
most preferably the connector means is arranged to extend through
any EM shield and/or moisture barrier within or upon the armour
means.
[0033] Preferably the armour means of the apparel is formed as a
series of adjacent overlapping layers of armour material with the
items incorporated within the armour (e.g. signal conduit means,
passive/active components etc, EM shield, moisture barrier etc)
being sandwiched between adjacent layers of armour material.
Preferably the EM shield and/or moisture barrier is separated from
the signal conduit means (and any components/signal processors
associated therewith) by an intermediate layer of armour material.
Multiple separate EM barrier layers and/or multiple separate
moisture barrier layers may be provided in this way each being
separated from any other non-armour layer by at least one layer
(e.g. two layers) of armour material. Preferably, the signal
conduit (and associated components) is sandwiched between two such
multi-layered armour structures.
[0034] The armoured apparel is preferably arranged to be worn about
the body or head of the wearer (e.g. a helmet). In the former case,
flexible armour permits the apparel to deform to the shape of the
wearer. Tiles of hard armour may be incorporated in the apparel.
The armoured apparel may be an item of combat armour, e.g. suitable
for use by soldiers in combat for their protection, but is not
limited to this use of course. Radio transmitter and/or receiver
circuitry and/or display circuitry may be incorporated within the
armour. For example, such receiver, transmitter or display
circuitry may be arranged upon, or embedded within, an outer
layer/portion of armour which is outermost the wearer in use, the
circuitry being arranged at the inwardly-facing (i.e.
wearer-facing) side of the outer armour part. The circuitry thereby
may be sandwiched between the outer armour part and an adjacent
inner armour layer/part located nearer the wearer in use. The outer
layer is preferably hard armour material (e.g. plate) and the inner
layer is preferably flexible armour material. Preferably, the
sandwiched circuitry is sandwiched against the outward facing
surface of the inner layer.
[0035] The signal conduit means and active or passive components
and/or signal processors may be arranged over areas of least
curvature within the armour means (e.g. over the chest or back area
of an armoured vest/body armour), or may be placed in regions of
relatively high curvature (e.g. across the sides of a vest, or
across a helmet).
[0036] The armour of the apparel may be ballistic armour, or may be
non-ballistic protective armour (e.g. not bullet proof, but
"stab-proof" etc.) The invention in its first aspect provides
armoured apparel which may result from a method of manufacture of
the same according to a further aspect of this invention.
[0037] Accordingly, in a second of its aspects, the present
invention may provide a method of manufacturing an item of armoured
apparel for shielding a wearer of the apparel in use including
providing an item of wearable armour and an item of apparel, and
(in any order): (a) incorporating a signal conduit means within the
item of apparel for conveying signals therein; (b) arranging the
item of wearable armour in the item of apparel; wherein the signal
conduit means is arranged such that the wearable armour shields
both the signal conduit means and the wearer of the apparel in
use.
[0038] The method may include arranging the signal conduit means to
be between portions of the wearable armour such that the armour
shields the signal conduit means at substantially opposite sides
thereof simultaneously. The method may include arranging the signal
conduit means to be surrounded by the wearable armour such that the
armour shields substantially all parts of (or at least all sides
of) the signal conduit means simultaneously.
[0039] Step (b) may include providing an inner portion of wearable
armour which is nearmost the wearer of the apparel in use, and an
outer portion of wearable armour more distant from the wearer of
the apparel in use and simultaneously overlapping the inner portion
of the armour means, wherein step (a) preferably includes arranging
the signal conduit means to be between and overlapped by the inner
and outer armour portions such that the armour means shields the
signal conduit means at substantially opposite sides thereof
simultaneously.
[0040] Step (a) may include incorporating the signal conduit means
within the item of wearable armour.
[0041] The item of wearable armour may be provided by arranging a
plurality of overlapping adjacent armour portions to form a stack
of armour portions within which the signal conduit means is
incorporated so as to be located between and covered by overlapping
armour portions of the stack. The method may include providing the
stack by arranging a plurality of overlapping adjacent layers of
armour which overlap each other layer of the stack to form a
laminate within which the signal conduit means is incorporated.
[0042] Preferably, the method includes forming or mounting the
signal conduit means upon a first item of armour, and subsequently
sandwiching the signal conduit means between the first item of
armour and a separate second item of armour thereby to form the
wearable item of armour.
[0043] The method may include sandwiching the first item of armour
between said separate second item of armour and a separate third
item of armour thereby to form the item of wearable armour.
[0044] The method may include forming/incorporating passive circuit
components and/or active circuit components within the item of
apparel, and preferably within the item of wearable armour, to be
operably connected to the signal conduit means therein.
[0045] The method may include forming/incorporating signal
processor means within the item of apparel, and preferably within
the item of wearable armour, to process signals conveyed to it by
the signal conduit means therein and to generate signals for output
to the signal conduit means.
[0046] The method may include operably connecting the signal
processor means to the signal conduit means.
[0047] The method may include forming the signal conduit means so
as to include signal transfer means within the apparel, and
preferably within the item of wearable armour, for transferring
signals between the signal conduit means within the apparel/armour
means and signal responsive means external or internal to the
apparel/armour means to permit the passage of signals
therebetween.
[0048] In the method, the formation of said signal transfer means
may include the formation of antenna means for wirelessly passing
signals through the item of armour.
[0049] The method may include providing the signal transfer means
with connector means arranged to connect the signal conduit to
signal a signal conduit external to the apparel and/or item of
armour.
[0050] The method may include incorporating electrically responsive
signal transmission means within the signal conduit means.
[0051] The method may include incorporating at least a part of an
electrical circuit means within the signal conduit means.
[0052] The method may include incorporating optical signal
transmission means into at least a part of the signal conduit
means. The method may include forming the signal conduit means so
as to be flexible, and the item of wearable armour may be
incorporated into the item of apparel with the signal conduit means
in a flexed state.
[0053] The method may include mounting at least a part of the
signal conduit upon a armoured mounting means, and may include
incorporating the mounting means within the item of apparel to form
at least a part of the armour of the apparel.
[0054] The method may include embedding at least a part of the
signal conduit within armoured mounting means, and may include
incorporating the mounting means within the item of apparel to form
at least a part of the armour of the apparel.
[0055] The method may include providing the mounting means in the
form of a sheet of armoured material with relatively thinned
regions, forming the signal conduit means at relatively thinned
regions of the sheet, and forming passive and/or active circuit
components at other regions of the sheet.
[0056] The method may include providing the mounting means as a
sheet of flexible electronic circuit board.
[0057] The method may include the additional step of forming an
electromagnetic (EM) shield means within the item of apparel and/or
armour to shield at least a part of the signal conduit means
therein from electromagnetic radiation external to the apparel.
[0058] The method preferably includes forming the EM shield means
to shield passive and/or active components and said signal
processor means from electromagnetic radiation external to the
apparel.
[0059] The method may include forming the EM shield means within
the apparel such that the items to be shielded thereby are located
between the EM shield and the wearer of the apparel, or forming the
EM shield means to enclose the items it is arranged to shield.
[0060] A method may include forming a moisture barrier means within
the item of wearable armour around the signal conduit means to form
a barrier to moisture. Preferably, the moisture barrier means is
also the EM shield means.
[0061] A method may include providing moisture responsive means
within the item of wearable armour to provide a detectable response
to the presence of moisture within the moisture barrier means. The
moisture responsive means is preferably a humidity detector means,
the method preferably including arranging the humidity detector to
monitor humidity within the moisture barrier means and to generate
a detectable signal when the monitored humidity level exceeds a
predetermined threshold.
[0062] It is to be understood that while the foregoing, and
following, refers to an item of apparel incorporating signal
conduit means (and other items) within the armour thereof, the
present invention may also provide the armour alone, whether or not
within an item of apparel, but preferably being suitable for such
use.
[0063] Accordingly, in a third of its aspects, the present
invention may provide armour incorporating signal conduit means
embedded (e.g. encapsulated) therein for conveying signals within
the armour.
[0064] In a fourth of its aspects the present invention may provide
ballistic armour incorporating signal conduit means embedded (e.g.
encapsulated) therein for conveying signals within the armour.
[0065] FIG. 1a illustrates an item of armoured apparel in the form
of an armoured vest;
[0066] FIG. 1b illustrates a cut-away view of the body armour in
FIG. 1a and shows the armoured vest incorporating electronic
circuitry within its armour;
[0067] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of
electronic circuitry embedded and enclosed within armour material
employed within the armoured vest of FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b;
[0068] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of
the armoured apparel of FIG. 1 illustrating the multi-layered
structure thereof.
[0069] In the figures like items are assigned like reference
symbols.
[0070] FIG. 1a illustrates an item of armoured apparel (1). The
apparel in question is body armour in the form of an armoured vest
to be worn about the torso of a wearer.
[0071] FIG. 1b illustrates this vest in a schematic "cut-away" view
in which the structure of the vest, and its armour, is shown. The
armour (2,5) of the apparel is housed within an outer cosmetic
layer/structure which may be any suitable material or fabric of a
durable nature. A pocket (11) is provided in the vest for housing a
rigid armoured breast plate tile (item 7, FIG. 1b). The armoured
vest incorporates flexible ballistic armour formed from a laminate
including sheets of E.g. kevlar (RTM) or similar such material. The
laminate comprises an outer layer (5) of such armour positioned
outermost the wearer in use, and an inner layer (2) of armour
positioned nearmost the wearer in use. The inner and outer armour
layers are substantially identically shaped and positioned relative
to each other such that each wholly overlaps the other within the
laminate, with peripheral edges thereof being contiguous.
[0072] Electronic circuit components are incorporated within the
laminate being sandwiched between the inner and the outer armour
layers, and are themselves formed or mounted upon a sheet or sheets
of E.g. kevlar.RTM. flexible circuit board material (3,4) which
also provides ballistic armour/protection to the wearer. The
circuit carrying armour sheet (3,4) is formed to define relatively
thin areas of armour material (3) upon which only signal conduits
are formed, and relatively thicker areas of armour material (4)
upon which electronic components are formed or mounted. The
relatively thicker areas (4) provide greater structural support for
the electronic components which may be vulnerable to damage by
excessive flexing of the circuit board material. This is generally
not so for the signal conduit means which are flexible and formed
upon thinner and more flexible regions of the circuit board.
Regions of the circuit board intermediate adjacent electronic
components are also similarly relatively thin thereby allowing
greater flexing of the circuit board at regions in between
neighbouring electronic components. This allows a region of the
circuit board populated by a plurality of electronic components to
be flexed as a whole without subjecting its constituent electronic
components to undue flexing and stress.
[0073] The signal conduit means is formed on the relatively thin
circuit board regions (3) by direct printing or etching in a
conventional manner as would be readily apparent to a person
skilled in the art of circuit board manufacture. Alternatively, the
signal conduit means may be optical signal conduit means comprising
optical fibres, or maybe printed microstrip/waveguide line(s) for
conveying microwave or other electromagnetic signals or the
like.
[0074] The electronic components include any suitable active and/or
passive electronic/electrical circuit components (e.g. silicon
chips, resistors, inductors, capacitors etc. not shown) as would be
suitable for the purpose and function of the circuit parts
incorporated within the armour. The armour may incorporate a
complete circuit or parts of a circuit (or both). The circuit board
(3,4) may be shaped as shown in FIG. 1b to provide a number of
separate relatively expansive regions (9,10) each containing a
population/conurbation of electronic components grouped upon
adjacent thickened circuit board regions (4). Each such separate
population (9,10) may be operably connected to another such
population by means of a bridge or isthmus (8) of relatively thin
circuit board (3) upon which signal conduits are formed via which
components upon one population may communicate with those upon
another population.
[0075] Alternatively, or additionally, no such connecting bridge or
isthmus may be provided between selected separate populations
either because no such communication is required, or because
wireless communications means are provided upon the selected
population(s) and those with which they are arranged to wirelessly
communicate in use. To this extent, electronic components
incorporated within the armour may include wireless signal
transmitters and/or receivers. The signal conduit means may be
shaped to provide an antenna(s) (not shown) for wireless reception
and/or transmission of signals between circuit components within
the armour and/or for transmission and/or reception of wireless
signals to/from outside the armour. The signal conduit means may
include parts shaped to form a patch/micro-strip antenna (not
shown). Any suitable existing wireless transmission/reception means
and methods, such as will be readily apparent to the skilled
addressee, may be employed for this purpose. For example, mobile
phone technologies may be used, "Blue Tooth" wireless technologies
may be used for example.
[0076] The incorporated circuit components may simply form a part
of a larger circuit, parts of which reside outside the armour, but
which communicate with the incorporated components wirelessly
and/or by means of signal connectors. Such signal connectors (not
shown) provide a physical interface (e.g. a socket) between
incorporated components and external ones.
[0077] The incorporated circuit components preferably include a
signal processor means arranged to (e.g. programmed or hardwired)
to perform any number of desired signal processing and/or control
functions. The processor may be re-programmable and preferably
performs multiple diverse functions which would typically be
performed by multiple separate external processors in existing
arrangements.
[0078] For example, the processor may be arranged to process
external communications signals conveyed to/from the wearer of the
apparel and thereby obviate the need for an external communication
signal processor. Signals may be received and/or transmitted via
incorporated antenna means thereby also obviating the need for an
external antenna. Alternatively, or additionally, signal connector
means in the armour may permit signals to pass from the processor
incorporated within the armour to an external antenna operably
connectable to the connector means.
[0079] Many types of armour material, and particularly flexible
armour material of the E.g. kevlar (RTM) variety, operate by
providing a means for the dispersal of kinetic energy associated
with an impacting projectile along the armour material in a
direction transverse to the trajectory of the projectile. Any due
dispersal efficiency rapidly falls when such material absorbs
moisture, in a manner analogous to the loss in the ability of a
drum skin to transversely disperse the kinetic energy of an
impacting drumstick head when the drum skin becomes moist. Loss in
transverse energy dispersal efficiency leads to a greater
possibility of the armour being penetrated by a projectile.
Clearly, such a course of events would be undesirable, not least to
the wearer of the armoured apparel.
[0080] In the present example, the incorporated circuit components
include a signal processor (not shown) programmed to monitor
humidity levels within the armour laminate in which it is
incorporated. Active and passive circuit components within the
armour include humidity and/or moisture and/or temperature
detectors which provide signals to the signal processor means
indicative of detected internal humidity/moisture levels. The
signal processor is arranged to produce a signal indicative of the
presence within the armour of a moisture/humidity level exceeding a
threshold value stored within the processor. The signal is
communicated to outside the armour to the wearer (or to others)
either as a warning message/data conveyed wirelessly, or by an
audible signal or visually via a visual display means (e.g. LCD
screen, not shown) mounted upon the armour or apparel and operably
connected to, or otherwise in communication with, the signal
processor.
[0081] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of
the flexible circuit board structure upon which the signal circuit
and passive/active/processor components are mounted. The circuit
board structure comprises two sheets (18,19) of flexible E.g.
kevlar-type material upon (or embedded within) opposing faces
(16,17) of which are passive and/or active circuit components (20)
and parts of the signal conduit (21). The two sheets are bonded
together at their opposing faces to form a single laminate
circuit-carrying board with circuit components enclosed therein.
The bonded opposing faces are positioned such that selected signal
conduit portions on the one face align with and connect/contact
with opposing signal conduit parts or components on the opposing
face with which they are to communicate in use. Each of the two
opposing bonded sheets (18,19), has relatively thick parts (4)
carrying active/passive components, and relatively thin parts (3)
carrying only signal conduit parts. Thin and thick parts of one
sheet align with thin and thick parts, respectively, of the
opposing sheet, such that the laminate has correspondingly
positioned thin and thick parts.
[0082] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of
the entirety of one side (e.g. the breast-plate) of the armoured
vest (1).
[0083] The armour comprises a laminate including multiple sheets of
flexible armour material (e.g. Kevlar) between sheets of which are
sandwiched the circuit board layer (3,4) of FIG. 2, and also to
electromagnetic (EM) shielding layers (36) comprised of a metal
foil, or metalised plastic sheeting, which together wholly enclose
two flexible armour sheets (32) which themselves also enclose the
circuit board layer (3,4). A further two sheets of flexible armour
material (33,34) overlay each of the two EM shielding layers. This
nine-layer inner laminate structure is also enclosed in (and
sandwiched between) two outer vapour barrier layers each comprised
of a sheet (or sheets) of durable waterproof material such as
plastics material.
[0084] The two EM shielding layers each also serve as a moisture
barrier layer which not only protects from moisture the flexible
armour sheets (32) sandwiched between them, but also protect
circuitry in this way. Thus, an 11-layer laminate of
moisture-protected armour is provided, the layering within the
laminate being symmetrical about the circuit board layer at its
centre. Asymmetrical layering may be employed of course.
[0085] A final cosmetic layer (6) of material/fabric is provided
forming the part of the structure of the vest within which the
armour laminate is housed. The cosmetic layer may be any suitably
durable material (e.g. canvas). Referring to FIG. 1b, the vest
possesses an outer pocket (11) positioned over the chest area of
the vest within which a tile of hard ceramic ballistic armour is
housed. This hard armour tile may also incorporate an electronic
layer incorporating, for example, radio transmitters and/or
receivers and electronics for controlling an LCD computer display
terminal (not shown) mounted upon the surface of the tile providing
an interface to computing means incorporated and housed within the
tile of armour. The same or similar arrangement may also be
provided in respect of the flexible armour laminate discussed
above. It is to be appreciated that the above examples are not
intended to be limiting examples and that variants or modifications
thereof, such as would be readily apparent to the skilled person,
may be made, and are envisaged, without departing from the scope of
the invention.
* * * * *