초록 ▼

A flexible protective armor is provided with a very hard microstructure and a flexible macrostructure for flexurally deforming along smooth curves when impacted by a ballistic projectile, and then rebounding after the impact. The flexible protective armor includes an outward layer of hard geometric

A flexible protective armor is provided with a very hard microstructure and a flexible macrostructure for flexurally deforming along smooth curves when impacted by a ballistic projectile, and then rebounding after the impact. The flexible protective armor includes an outward layer of hard geometric shapes, preferably spheres, which are firmly mounted to an outward side of a flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is preferably a ballistic fabric which is formed of a sixty degree weave of ballistic fibers. The spheres have mounting portions and side engagement portions. The mounting portions of the spheres are firmly bonded to the flexible membrane by a rigid adhesive, with the spheres tightly packed to mechanically interlock the side engagement portions of adjacent ones of the spheres for rotating relative to on another, free of the rigid adhesive. The kinetic energy of a fast moving projectile is absorbed upon impact with the flexible protective armor by curving of the layer of spheres and the flexible membrane, tensioning the ballistic fibers of the flexible membrane within the elastic range of the ballistic fibers so that the flexible protective armor will rebound after impact. A fiber reinforced pliable material is disposed within the interstitial spaces between the spheres and the flexible membrane to absorb the energy of the spheres when the flexible protective armor is rebounding after impact. A flexible, impact resistant polyurethane coating extends across on outward side of the layer of spheres.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A flexible protective armor for protecting against impacts of fast moving projectiles, the flexible protective armor comprising:a first flexible membrane having a 60 degree weave of ballistic fibers;a first layer of hard spheres having mounting portions and mechanical eng

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A flexible protective armor for protecting against impacts of fast moving projectiles, the flexible protective armor comprising:a first flexible membrane having a 60 degree weave of ballistic fibers;a first layer of hard spheres having mounting portions and mechanical engagement portions, the first flexible membrane and the first layer of spheres comprising a first armor layer;adhesive fixedly bonding the first layer of the spheres to the flexible membrane, outward of the flexible membrane, with the mounting portions of the spheres being bonded to the ballistic fibers such that the spheres are tightly packed with the mechanical engagement portions of adjacent ones of the spheres in contact for rotating relative to one another, free of the adhesive;a second armor layer having a second flexible membrane and a second layer of hard spheres, the second layer of spheres being rigidly bonded to one side of the second flexible membrane and adjacent ones of the spheres disposed in contact for rotating relative to one another;a slipping attachment means for mounting the second armor layer to the first armor layer, with the second layer of spheres disposed outward of the first armor layer and the second flexible membrane; andwherein kinetic energy of the fast moving projectiles is absorbed by flexural bending of the layers of spheres and the flexible membranes, with a portion of the spheres rotating relative to adjacent spheres, stretching the ballistic fibers.