Soft Body Armor Weiche Panzerung Protection Corporelle Souple

Europäisches Patentamt *EP000511382B1* (19) European Patent Office

Office européen des brevets (11) EP 0 511 382 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.7: B32B 5/12, B32B 7/02, of the grant of the patent: F41H 5/04, D04H 3/04, 28.11.2001 Bulletin 2001/48 B32B 5/08, A47C 7/26 (21) Application number: 92905820.4 (86) International application number: PCT/US91/01403 (22) Date of filing: 28.02.1991 (87) International publication number: WO 92/06841 (30.04.1992 Gazette 1992/10)

(54) SOFT BODY ARMOR WEICHE PANZERUNG PROTECTION CORPORELLE SOUPLE

(84) Designated Contracting States: (56) References cited: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE EP-A- 0 208 499 EP-A- 0 310 199 DE-A- 2 651 238 DE-A- 3 627 485 (30) Priority: 28.02.1990 US 486387 DE-A- 3 711 837 GB-A- 1 569 322 GB-A- 2 124 887 US-A- 4 090 005 (43) Date of publication of application: US-A- 4 623 574 US-A- 4 737 402 04.11.1992 Bulletin 1992/45 US-A- 4 883 700 US-A- 4 916 000 US-A- 4 953 234 (73) Proprietor: S.P.B.A. International, Inc. Gretna, Louisiana 70053 (US) • DATABASE WPIL Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB & JP-A-1 095 297 (ASAHI CHEMICAL (72) Inventor: Zufle, T. Tyler IND. K.K.) Gretna, Louisiana 70056 (US) Remarks: (74) Representative: McCall, John Douglas et al The file contains technical information submitted W.P. THOMPSON & CO. after the application was filed and not included in this Coopers Building specification Church Street Liverpool L1 3AB (GB)

Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). EP 0 511 382 B1

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Description provide a soft body armor in a unique structural arrangement to protect the operator and/or occupants of a ve- [0001] The present invention generally relates to an hicle from ballistic attack. anti-ballistic body armor and more particularly a soft [0009] Still another significant embodiment of the in- body armor in which a combination of dissimilar materi- 5 vention is the construction of soft body armor of a plu- als is utilized to produce a synergistic result as com- rality of plies or layers of an aramid fiber and "Spectra pared to utilization of a single type of material. The su- Shield" arranged in a unique combination and arrange- perior result provides increased resistance to penetra- ment to produce a synergistic resistance to penetration tion of the soft body armor by a projectile such as a bullet by ballistic projectiles. or other ballistic projectile. The dissimilar materials are 10 [0010] According to another aspect of the present in- arranged in a plurality of layers or plies of ballistic ma- vention there is provided a soft ballistic armor for use in terial which can be utilized in various arrangements for combination with a supporting structure in protective re- protecting individuals and property from injury or dam- lation to a protected surface to prevent damage to the age from a projectile or other ballistic missile. The mul- surface by a projectile approaching the surface at a rel- tiple plies of ballistic material include multiple plies of an 15 atively high velocity, said armor comprising a plurality of aramid fiber zuch as that identified by the trademark overlying plies, said multiple plies of ballistic material in- "Kevlar" or that identified by the trademark "TWARON" cluding single outer plies of an aramid fiber and a plu- and multiple plies of non-woven ballistic material avail- rality of layers of aramid fiber and non-woven ballistic able under the trademark "Spectra shield". material with two groups of multiple plies of non-woven [0002] The present invention also includes a unique 20 ballistic material engaging the outermost single plies of arrangement of soft body armor used to protect vehicle aramid fiber and a group of a plurality of plies of aramid drivers or occupants from ballistic attack which gener- fiber between the groups of non-woven fibers, said non- ally is in the form of a rectangular seat drape which holds woven ballistic material being "Spectra Shield". and retains the soft fabric armor in place with a narrow [0011] According to yet another aspect of the present extension of the drape and armor extending up behind 25 invention there is provided a soft body armor comprising the driver's head thus providing effective protection for a plurality of layers of ballistic material, said layers in- a vehicle driver or occupant in which the dissimilar ma- cluding layers of an aramid fiber and layers of "Spectra terials provide a synergistic result. Shield" with the layers of aramid fiber and "Spectra [0003] Body armor has been developed for use by in- Shield" cooperating to provide a resistance to penetra- dividuals to protect the wearer from injury or death by 30 tion by a ballistic missile greater than the summation of ballistic attack. My prior Pat. Nos. 4,535,478 and the resistance to penetration provided by an equal 4,578,821 disclose body armor which has been devel- number of layers of each of the materials when used oped for this purpose and which include the use of "Kev- separately as a ballistic material. lar" as a ballistic material. Law enforcement personnel [0012] In order that the present invention may more and other individuals subject to ballistic attack have 35 readily be understood the following description is given, found body armor effective in significantly reducing in- merely by way of example, reference being made to the jury and death from ballistic attack. accompanying drawings wherein like numerals refer to [0004] The prior art does not disclose the use of mul- like parts throughout, and in which:- tiple plies of an aramid fiber and multiple plies of non- woven ballistic material "Spectra Shield" to produce a 40 Figure 1 is a fragmental, perspective view of one synergistic penetration resistance to soft body armor corner of the multiple plies of dissimilar material and do not disclose use of such a soft body armor to used in the body armor. protect a vehicle driver or occupant. Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the soft [0005] An object of the present invention is to provide body armor of the present invention associated with a soft body armor to produce a synergistic resistance to 45 the driver's seat of a vehicle. penetration of the body armor by ballistic projectiles Figure 3 is a fragmental, rear perspective view of thereby protecting individuals or property from injury or the driver's seat illustrating the manner in which the damage from ballistic attack. soft body armor is connected to the vehicle seat. [0006] According to the present invention there is pro- Figure 4 is a fragmental, perspective view similar to vided a soft body armor comprising multiple plies of bal- 50 Fig. 3 but illustrating the attachment strips on the listic material, said body armor comprising (i) multiple rear surface of the seat back. plies of an aramid fiber and (ii) multiple plies of non-wo- Figure 5 is a plan view of the soft body armor illus- ven ballistic material "Spectra Shield". trated in Fig. 1. [0007] One embodiment of the invention is to provide Figure 6 is a transverse, sectional view, on an en- a soft body armor in which the multiple plies or layers 55 larged scale, taken substantially upon a plane pass- are constructed of "Kevlar" or "TWARON" and "Spectra ing along section line 9-9 on Fig. 5 illustrating the Shield". specific construction and arrangement of the multi- [0008] A still further embodiment of the invention is to ple plies or layers of dissimilar materials utilized in

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the soft body armor of this invention. strip 36 is provided with a generally rectangular area 38 of the pile or loop component of a hook and pile fabric [0013] Figs. 1 and 6 illustrate an arrangement of mul- connector such as that sold under the trademark "Vel- tiple plies or layers of dissimilar materials which can be cro". The rear surface of the seat 24 is provided with a used in the structure illustrated in Figs. 2-5 but also can 5 pair of spaced strips 40 of the hook component of the be used in various types of soft body armor with the hook and pile fabric connector. When the body armor structure including spaced fabric layers 42 and 44 20 is positioned against the front of the seat, the elastic stitched together along the periphery as at 46 to form a straps 32 will hold the extension 30 in front of the head- pocket to receive the layers of dissimilar material. This rest 26 and the strips 36 will extend over the top edge arrangement may be retained in assembled condition 10 of the seat back with the pile fabric patches 38 detach- by sewing, stitching or button tack arrangements at a ably and securely engaged with the hook fabric patches plurality of points. The body armor includes outer single 40 thus securing the body armor in position in relation plies 48 and 50 of "Kevlar" or "TWARON". These outer to the vehicle seat back 24. plies act as a fireproofing device, an impact surface for [0017] The body armor 20 may be increased in width an incoming projectile and reinforcing plies to support 15 to extend completely across the front seat or rear seat button tacking as the joining mechanism. of various types of vehicles including taxi cabs, limou- [0014] Positioned inwardly of the outer ply 48 are sines and conventional passenger cars. The narrow ex- eight plies 52 of "Spectra Shield". Likewise, inwardly of tension 30 which extends up behind the driver or occu- the outer ply 50 are eight plies 54 of "Spectra Shield". pant's head includes a rigid component and may be con- Positioned between the plies 52 and 54 of "Spectra 20 structed of opaque material or clear material which can Shield" are ten plies 56 of "Kevlar" or "TWARON". The protect the driver's head and neck. The "Velcro" layers or plies of materials may be joined together by a equipped straps along with the elastic straps 32 engag- button tack arrangement in a specific pattern with the ing the headrest anchor the armor in place. Also, the resultant hybrid combination of soft armor materials pro- seat drape 28 can be elongated to cover the upper sur- viding a substantial weight reduction as compared to 25 face of the seat 22 and also extend downwardly in front current industry standards as well as a substantial re- of the seat and along the upper surface of the floor mat duction in the thickness or bulk of the material. while this or floor board and along the fire wall area as well as arrangement may be used in the vehicla occupant armor extended vertically on the side edges to cover the door as shown, it is also useful in many other adaptations re- area thus affording additional protection for the vehicle quiring protection against ballistic attack. 30 operator or occupant. This type of structure would also [0015] "Spectra Shield" material is made by utilizing serve to deflect a blast from a land mine or grenade thus a plastic film with adhesive on which closely aligned affording additional protection for the vehicle driver or strands or filaments are brought into contact and bond- occupants. In this arrangement, the concept of zoned ed thereto and two of these adhesive membrane sheets armor can be used. are then combined in the X-Y axis to form a 0°-90° sand- 35 [0018] The materials from which the soft body armor wich. is constructed are commercially available and their [0016] Referring now to Figs. 2-5, the soft body armor charactaristics are well known. The aramid fiber availa- is generally designated by reference numeral 20 and is ble under the trademark "Kevlar" is manufactured by associated with a vehicle seat 22 and seat back 24 hav- Dupont. The aramid fiber available under the trademark ing the usual headrest 26 at the upper edge thereof. The 40 "TWARON" is manufactured by Akzo. The non-woven body armor 20 includes a generally rectangular panel ballistic fabric is sold under the trademark "Spectra or seat drape 28 which is positioned against the forward Shield" and is available from Allied Chamical Company. surface of the seat back. The drape 28 includes a narrow [0019] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only central portion 30 projecting from one edge thereof of the principles of the invention. Further, since numer- which extends upwardly in front of the headrest 26 to 45 ous modifications and changes will readily occur to protect the head of the vehicle operator. The rear sur- those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the inven- face of the narrow extension 30 is provided with a pair tion to the exact construction and operation shown and of elastic straps 32 attached to the extension 30 by described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications stitching 34 at the ends thereof with the elastic straps and equivalents may be resorted to, provided that they being in spaced parallel relation to extend around the 50 fall within the scope of the claims. headrest 26 to support the head protecting extension 30 along the front surface of the headrest 26 as illustrated in Fig. 3. Alonside of but free of the extension 30, mount- Claims ing strips 36 are provided as extensions from the same edge of the seat drape 28 as the extension 30 with the 55 1. A soft body armor comprising multiple plies of bal- mounting strips being on opposite sides of the extension listic material, said body armor comprising (i) multi- 30 and being slightly shorter and also narrower than the ple plies of an aramid fiber and (ii) multiple plies of extension 30. The free end portion of each mounting non-woven ballistic material "Spectra Shield".

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2. A soft ballistic armor for use in combination with a layers of aramid fiber and "Spectra Shield" cooper- supporting structure in protective relation to a pro- ating to provide a resistance to penetration by a bal- tected surface to prevent damage to the surface by listic missile greater than the summation of the re- a projectile approaching the surface at a relatively sistance to penetration provided by an equal high velocity, said armor comprising a plurality of 5 number of layers of each of the materials when used overlying plies, said multiple plies of ballistic mate- separately as a ballistic material. rial including single outer plies of an aramid fiber and a plurality of layers of aramid fiber and non-wo- 11. A soft body armor as claimed in claim 10, wherein ven ballistic material with two groups of multiple said aramid fiber is "Kevlar" or "TWARON". plies of non-woven ballistic material engaging the 10 outermost single plies of aramid fiber and a group of a plurality of plies of aramid fiber between the Patentansprüche groups of plies of non-woven ballistic material, said non-woven ballistic material being "Spectra Shield". 1. Weicher Körperpanzer, der mehrere Lagen aus bal- 15 listischem Material aufweist, wobei der genannte 3. A ballistic armor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the Körperpanzer (i) mehrere Lagen aus einer Aramid- group of aramid fibers is "Kevlar" or "TWARON". faser und (ii) mehrere Lagen aus ungewobenem ballistischem Material "Spectra Shield" aufweist. 4. A ballistic armor as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the two groups of "Spectra Shield" includes eight 20 2. Weicher Körperpanzer zur Verwendung in Kombi- plies thereof, said group of plies of "Kevlar" or nation mit einer Haltestruktur in schützendem Ver- "TWARON" including ten plies. hältnis zu einer geschützten Oberfläche zum Ver- hindern von Beschädigung der Oberfläche durch 5. A combination of a ballistic armor as claimed in ein sich der Oberfläche bei einer relativ hohen Ge- claim 2, 3 or 4 with a vehicle seat structure, said 25 schwindigkeit annäherndes Geschoss, wobei der armor including a panel overlying a surface compo- genannte Panzer eine Mehrzahl übereinanderlie- nent of a vehicle seat to protect the occupant of the gender Lagen aufweist, wobei die genannten meh- seat. reren Lagen aus ballistischem Material einzelne Außenlagen aus einer Aramidfaser und eine Mehr- 6. A combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein said 30 zahl von Schichten aus Aramidfasern und einem panel includes an extension of narrow construction nichtgewobenen ballistischen Material umfassen, at one edge thereof with the extension extending in wobei zwei Gruppen mehrerer Lagen von nichtge- front of a headrest at the upper edge of a seat back. wobenem ballistischem Material die äußersten ein- zelnen Lagen aus Aramidfasern und eine Gruppe 7. A combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein said 35 einer Mehrzahl von Lagen aus Aramidfasern zwi- extension includes strap means securing the exten- schen den Gruppen von Lagen aus nichtgewobe- sion to the headrest at the upper edge of the seat nem ballistischem Material ergreifen, und das nicht- back. gewobene ballistische Material "Spectra Shield" darstellt. 8. A combination as claimed in claim 7, wherein said 40 panel also includes a pair of mounting strips extend- 3. Ballistischer Panzer nach Anspruch 2, bei dem die ing from the edge of the panel along each side of Gruppe von Aramidfasern "Kevlar" oder "TWA- the narrow extension extending in front of the head- RON" darstellt. rest, said mounting strips extending over the top edge of the seat back and including means securing 45 4. Ballistischer Panzer nach Anspruch 3, bei dem jede the mounting strips to the back surface of the seat der beiden Gruppen von "Spectra Shield" acht La- back to retain the panel in overlying relation to a sur- gen derselben umfasst, und die genannte Lagen- face of the vehicle seat. gruppe von "Kevlar" oder "TWARON" zehn Lagen umfasst. 9. A combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein said 50 extension oriented in front of the headrest includes 5. Kombination aus einem ballistischen Panzer nach a rigid structure to retain the extension in vertical Anspruch 2, 3 oder 4 mit einer Fahrzeugsitzstruktur, position rearwardly of the head of the occupant of wobei der genannte Panzer eine Verkleidung auf- the seat for protecting the occupant's head. weist, die eine Oberflächenkomponente eines 55 Fahrzeugsitzes zum Schutz der den Sitz besetzen- 10. A soft body armor comprising a plurality of layers of den Person umfasst. ballistic material, said layers including layers of an aramid fiber and layers of "Spectra Shield" with the 6. Kombination nach Anspruch 5, bei der die genannte

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Verkleidung eine Erweiterung schmaler Konstrukti- protégée pour empêcher qu'une surface ne soit en- on an einem Rand derselben aufweist, wobei sich dommagée par un projectile s'approchant d'elle à die Erweiterung vor einer Kopfstütze am oberen une vitesse relativement élevée, ladite protection Rand einer Sitzrückenlehne erstreckt. comprenant une pluralité de plis superposés, les- 5 dits plis multiples de matière balistique comportant 7. Kombination nach Anspruch 6, bei der die genannte des plis externes uniques d'une fibre aramide et une Erweiterung Gurtmittel umfasst, die die Erweite- pluralité de couches de fibre aramide et de matière rung an der Kopfstütze am oberen Rand der Sitz- balistique non tissée, deux groupes de plis multi- rückenlehne befestigen. ples de matière balistique non tissée engageant les 10 plis uniques les plus externes de fibre aramide et 8. Kombination nach Anspruch 7, bei der die genannte un groupe d'une pluralité de plis de fibre aramide Verkleidung weiter ein Paar Anbringungsstreifen entre les groupes de plis de matière balistique non umfasst, die von dem Rand der Verkleidung entlang tissée, ladite matière balistique non tissée étant du jeder Seite der sich vor der Kopfstütze erstrecken- "Spectra Shield". den schmalen Erweiterung verlaufen, wobei sich 15 die genannten Anbringungsstreifen über den obe- 3. Protection balistique selon la revendication 2, dans ren Rand der Sitzrückenlehne erstrecken und Mittel laquelle le groupe de fibres aramides est du "Ke- umfassen, die die Anbringungsstreifen an der vlar" ou du "TWARON". Rückfläche der Sitzrückenlehne zum Halten der Verkleidung in überlagerndem Verhältnis zu einer 20 4. Protection balistique selon la revendication 3, dans Oberfläche des Fahrzeugsitzes befestigen. laquelle chacun des deux groupes de "Spectra Shield" comporte huit plis de cette matière, ledit 9. Kombination nach Anspruch 8, bei der die genannte groupe de plis dé "Kevlar" ou de "TWARON" com- vor der Kopfstütze ausgerichtete Erweiterung eine portant dix plis. starre Struktur zum Halten der Erweiterung in einer 25 vertikalen Position nach hinten des Kopfes der den 5. Combinaison d'une protection balistique selon la re- Sitz besetzenden Person zum Schützen des Kop- vendication 2, 3 ou 4, avec une structure de siège fes der Person umfasst. de véhicule, ladite protection comportant un panneau recouvrant un composant de surface d'un siè- 10. Weicher Körperpanzer, der eine Mehrzahl von 30 ge de véhicule afin de protéger l'occupant du siège. Schichten aus ballistischem Material aufweist, wobei die genannten Schichten Schichten aus einer 6. Combinaison selon la revendication 5, dans laquel- Aramidfaser und Schichten aus "Spectra Shield" le ledit panneau comporte une extension de cons- umfassen, wobei die Schichten aus Aramidfaser truction étroite au niveau de l'un de ses bords, l'ex- und "Spectra Shield" zusammenwirken, um Wider- 35 tension s'étendant devant un appui-tête au niveau stand gegen die Eindringung durch ein ballistisches du bord supérieur d'un dossier de siège. Geschoss zu leisten, der größer als die Summie- rung des Widerstands gegen Eindringung ist, der 7. Combinaison selon la revendication 6, dans laquel- durch eine gleiche Anzahl von Schichten jedes der le ladite extension comporte un moyen de sangle Materialien geleistet wird, wenn diese getrennt als 40 fixant l'extension à l'appui-tête au niveau du bord ballistisches Material verwendet werden. supérieur du dossier de siège.

11. Weicher Körperpanzer nach Anspruch 10, bei dem 8. Combinaison selon la revendication 7, dans laquel- die genannte Aramidfaser "Kevlar" oder "TWA- le ledit panneau comporte aussi une paire de san- RON" darstellt. 45 gles de montage s'étendant depuis le bord du panneau le long de chaque côté de l'extension étroite s'étendant devant l'appui-tête, lesdites sangles de Revendications montage s'étendant pardessus le bord supérieur du dossier de siège et comportant un moyen fixant les 1. Protection souple pour le corps, comprenant des 50 sangles de montage à la surface arrière du dossier plis multiples de matière balistique, ladite protection de siège pour retenir le panneau en une relation re- pour le corps comprenant (i) des plis multiples d'une couvrante par rapport à une surface du siège de vé- fibre aramide et (ii) des plis multiples d'une matière hicule. balistique non tissée "Spectra Shield". 55 9. Combinaison selon la revendication 8, dans laquel- 2. Protection balistique souple, destinée à être utilisée le ladite extension orientée devant l'appui-tête com- en combinaison avec une structure de support en porte une structure rigide pour retenir l'extension en une relation protectrice par rapport à une surface position verticale derrière la tête de l'occupant du

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siège pour protéger la tête de l'occupant.

10. Protection souple pour le corps comprenant une pluralité de couches de matière balistique, lesdites couches comportant des couches d'une fibre ara- 5 mide et des couches de "Spectra Shield", les couches de fibre aramide et de "Spectra Shield" coo- pérant pour fournir une résistance à la pénétration par un missile balistique supérieure à la somme de la résistance à la pénétration fournie par un nombre 10 égal de couches de chacune des matières quand elles sont utilisées séparément comme matière balistique.

11. Protection souple pour le corps selon la revendica- 15 tion 10, dans laquelle ladite fibre aramide est du "Kevlar" ou du "TWARON".

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