U.S. patent application number 10/599303 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for method of using a bullet proof vest.
Invention is credited to Jonas Graphenius.
Application Number | 20080148929 10/599303 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36602066 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080148929 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Graphenius; Jonas |
June 26, 2008 |
Method of Using a Bullet Proof Vest
Abstract
The method is for receiving a bullet in a bullet proof vest. A
plate structure is provided that has an airtight enclosure
enclosing high performance fiber layers, a hard layer, a textile
layer having openings defined therein and a semi-solid layer such
as bitumen. A bullet penetrates through the airtight enclosure. The
pressure inside the airtight enclosure is increased. The increased
pressure separates the layers from the hard layer and the textile
layer from the hard layer. The hard layer deforms the bullet. The
textile layer attaches to the bullet to follow the bullet. The
layer sticks to the bullet as the bullet penetrates through the
plate structure.
Inventors: |
Graphenius; Jonas; (Bromma,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FASTH LAW OFFICES (ROLF FASTH)
26 PINECREST PLAZA, SUITE 2
SOUTHERN PINES
NC
28387-4301
US
|
Family ID: |
36602066 |
Appl. No.: |
10/599303 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
December 20, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE05/02009 |
371 Date: |
September 25, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60593203 |
Dec 21, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 5/0457 20130101;
F41H 1/02 20130101; F41H 5/0478 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/36.02 |
International
Class: |
F41H 1/02 20060101
F41H001/02 |
Claims
1. A method of receiving a bullet, comprising: providing a plate
structure having an airtight enclosure enclosing high performance
fiber layers, a hard layer, a textile layer having openings defined
therein and a semi-solid layer; a bullet penetrating through the
airtight enclosure increasing a pressure and expanding a volume
inside the airtight enclosure; the increased pressure and volume
separating the layers from the hard layer and the textile layer
from the hard layer; the hard layer deforming the bullet; the
textile layer attaching to the bullet to follow the bullet; and the
semi-solid layer sticking to the bullet.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further
comprises inserting the plate structure into a pocket of a
vest.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further
comprises attaching a side plate to a lower edge of the vest.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further
comprises the increased pressure expanding the enclosure to create
room between the layers.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further
comprises providing the plate structure with a polymeric layer
having a plurality of air-bubbles.
6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the method further
comprises the polymeric layer transversely spreads out penetration
energy of the bullet.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises
placing a trauma plate behind the plate structure.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises
removably attaching a gas mask bag on a rear section of the
vest.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the
textile layer being a woven fiberglass, the woven fiberglass
attaching to the bullet and the semi-solid material.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further
comprises providing a second textile layer and a second semi-solid
layer, the layer and the layer sticking to the bullet.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a bullet proof vest.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Bullet proof vests have been used for a long time. However,
many of such vests are heavy and uncomfortable to use. Conventional
vests are often not as reliable when many shots are fired into them
and the risk of injury to the wearer of the bullet proof vest
increases. There is a need for a vest that protects against
multiple bullets without overheating that reduces the protection.
There is a need for a bullet proof vest that is comfortable and can
handle a plurality of bullets without reduced protection provided
by the vest. There is also a need for a vest that can easily be
adjusted to the specific needs of the user so that more protection
is provided in certain dangerous situations and less protection
when there is less risk of being shot at with a heavy duty
weapon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The bullet proof vest of the present invention provides a
solution to the above-mentioned problems. The method of the present
invention is for safely receiving a bullet in a bullet proof vest.
A plate structure is provided that has an airtight enclosure
enclosing high performance fiber layers, a hard layer, a textile
layer having openings defined therein and a semi-solid and sticky
layer such as bitumen or rubber. A bullet may penetrate through the
airtight enclosure. The pressure inside the airtight enclosure is
increased as a result of the energy and heat of the bullet. The
increased pressure increases the volume of the enclosure and
separates the layers from the hard layer and the textile layer from
the hard layer. The hard layer may be used to deform the bullet.
The textile layer attaches to the bullet to follow the bullet as
the bullet moves into the rubber layer. The semi-solid sticky layer
sticks to the bullet as the bullet penetrates through the plate
structure to further slow down the bullet. An air-bubble layer may
transversely distribute the bullet impact. The vest of the present
invention has convenient snap-on fasteners that make it easy to
take on and take off the vest and to remove and insert the
removable plates. More particularly, the vest has pockets defined
therein so that the user may remove the plates and replace the
plates with different plates by inserting the different plates into
the pockets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the vest of the
present invention;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a perspective back view of the vest of the present
invention;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of an
armor plate of the present invention; and
[0007] FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of an
armor plate of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] FIGS. 1-2 show a bullet proof vest 10 of the present
invention that has a front body armor section 12 with shoulder
straps 14 that have snap fasteners 16 for easy take off and
fastening of the vest 10. The front section 12 has an openable
inside pocket 18 defined therein that extends across the entire
front section 12. The pocket 18 has an armor plate 20 disposed
therein to provide bullet protection for the entire front page of
the body of the wearer. The section 12 has an openable outside
pocket 22 defined therein for holding an additional armor plate
24.
[0009] Straps 26, 28 enclose the vest 10. The straps 26, 28 have
snap fasteners 30, 32 for easy take-on and take-off of the vest.
Extra side plates 34, 36 may be disposed at the lower end of the
vest in pockets 35, 37 to provide extra protection for the kidney
and other vital organs of the wearer. Snap-on double side plates
38, 40 may extend downwardly or hang from a lower edge 42 of the
vest to protect the hip area. The plates may be attached by a snap
fastener 41.
[0010] As best shown in FIG. 2, the vest 10 also has a back body
armor section 44 that are attached to the shoulder straps 14 with
suitable fasteners 46, 48 such a Velcro. The section 44 has an
openable inside pocket 50 defined therein that extends across the
entire back section 44. The pocket 50 has an armor plate 52
disposed therein so that the armor plate is removable from and
insertable into the pocket 50.
[0011] The back section 44 may have a gas-mask bag 54 removably
attached thereto by fasteners 56 such as Velcro so that it is easy
to remove and attach the bag 54. By placing the bag 54 on the back
section 44 it is not in the way when the wearer must move quickly
in dangerous situations. The back section 44 also has an openable
pocket 58 defined therein for holding an extra armor plate 60 so
that the plate 60 may easily be removed from and inserted into the
pocket 58.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of an armor
plate 62 which could be identical to and used as the armor plates
mentioned above. The plate 62 has an outside airtight elastic
enclosure 64 that may be made of a suitable elastic polymer such as
nylon that has glue on one side. A plurality of textile layers 66,
disposed inside and glued to the enclosure 64, made of a high
strength fiber such as aramid may be used. For example, the plate
62 could use about seven textile layers or any other suitable
number of layers. A steel or polymer layer 68 may be disposed
inside the textile layers 66. Behind the layer 68 there is a
polymeric net or woven layer 70 that may be a woven fiberglass or
any other suitable material. A sticky and relatively soft rubber or
bitumen material 72 is disposed behind the layer 70. Any suitable
semisolid and sticky material may be used as the material 72.
Another layer 74, similar to the layer 70, may be disposed behind
the rubber material 72 followed by another sticky semi-solid
material 76 similar to the material 72. Another layer 78, similar
to the layers 70, 74, may be disposed behind the material 76
followed by a polymeric layer 80 that has air-bubbles 82
distributed across the layer 80. The air-bubbles not only absorb
and spread the penetration and impact forces over a bigger area but
also provide insulation against over heating when the vest is hit
by many bullets in a short period of time. High strength fiber
layers 84 such as aramid may be disposed behind the layer 80.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows an extra combination plate or trauma plate 86
that may be disposed behind the layers 84 or behind the entire
plate 62 to provide extra protection and to make sure no bullet
penetrates through the vest. The plate may have a plurality of high
impact strength fiber textile layers 88, such as aramid, and a
polymeric layer 90 with air-bubbles 92 followed by layers 94 of
high strength fiber textile, such as aramid.
[0014] In operation, a bullet hits the vest 10 and penetrates
through the airtight enclosure 64. The energy from the bullet
generates hot gases that blow up the enclosure 64 somewhat to
expand its volume and so that air gets in between the various
layers of the plate 62. Because the enclosure 64 is airtight, most
of the gases remain inside the enclosure 64 and increases the
pressure inside and the volume of the enclosure so that there is
more room for the various layers to move relative to one another.
The bullet may penetrate through the layers 66 that slow down the
bullet and hits the steel layer 68. The hard layer 68 further slows
down and also deforms the bullet. The layers 66 may catch any
ricocheting debris and other scrap parts from the bullet as the
bullet is deformed against the steel plate 68. This protects the
environment and the wearer from being injured from any ricocheting
debris. If the bullet has enough energy to penetrate through the
plate 68, the deformed bullet encounters the woven fabric or layer
70. The woven layer 70 has holes defined therein and fibers of the
layer 70 attaches to and follows the bullet as the bullet
penetrates into the elastic, sticky and relatively soft rubber
material 72. A portion of the material 72 sticks to the outer
surface of the bullet and the fibers from the layer 70 to further
slow down the velocity of the bullet. The rubber material is
deformable and allows a plurality of bullets to penetrate therein
without losing the effectiveness of the sticky rubber material
attaching to the bullets to slow down the bullets. The fact that
the bullets have been deformed by the plate 68 and the attached
woven layer 70 make it easier for the rubber material to stick to
the bullet. As the bullet penetrates the rubber material 72, the
rubber material 72 is also heated by the heat of the bullet and the
rubber material becomes stickier to further reduce the velocity of
the bullet. The additional layers of the sticky rubber materials
also stick to the already sticky outer surface of the bullet
including the fibers from the layer 70 that are also stuck to the
outer surface and rubber material on the bullet. The combination of
the sticky rubber layers and the woven textile layer makes a
substance that dramatically slows down the velocity of the bullet.
Should the bullet penetrate through the layer 78, the air bubbles
82 of the layer 80 transversely or sideways distribute and spread
out the energy and penetration forces of the bullet to further
reduce the impact of the bullet into the layers 84. The burst air
bubbles 82 create a layer of air that spreads the penetration
forces and thus minimizes the trauma effect since the penetration
is spread out over a much large areas. In this way, the penetration
forces are further weakened and the bullet is not permitted to
focus the penetration energy to a small area. The layers 84 are
then enclosed by the airtight enclosure 64.
[0015] An important feature of the present invention is that the
various layers, except the enclosure 64, are not glued to one
another to permit air to be disposed between the layers as the
enclosure 64 is gas filled by the energy of the penetrating
bullet.
[0016] While the present invention has been described in accordance
with preferred compositions and embodiments, it is to be understood
that certain substitutions and alterations may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *