FLEXIBLE PROTECTIVE CLADDING

Abstract: Flexible protective cladding, particularly body armour which is proof against gun shot and knife or needle-like piercing implements, includes hexagonal plates forged for example from aluminium, of which a first kind (59) has a hexagonal central region (60) and a dodecagonal flange (61) which is overlapped by a second form of hexagonal plates (63) which incorporate locating pins (65, 66) some of which loosely locate in apertures (62) in the flanges (61) and others carry a disc shaped retaining member (67) on the obverse side of the flange. This provides a flexible full covering of the protected area. Various non-hexagonal formats are also disclosed.

Description: FLEXIBLE PROTECTIVE CLADDING This invention relates to flexible protective cladding and is particularly concerned with flexible protective cladding which may be used as body armour to afford protection against gun shot and knife or needle like piercing implements or weapons. Various arrangements of flexible body armour have already been proposed which purport to give some degree of protection against gun shot. These arrangements include chain mail and devices having overlapping fish scale like plates, the components of which are capable of sliding over one another in an attempt to provide substantially continuous protective surfaces. However the known devices have not so far succeeded in preventing penetration by needle like piercing implements due mainly to the fact that in an attempt to provide good flexibility of the armour small apertures or chinks have existed between the otherwise overlapping plates. In particular, U.S Patent 4 559 251 discloses an arrangement where hexagonal hard nylon plates are connected together by means of various different shaped connectors. The nylon has its own degree of resilience and flexibility and therefore measures are not required to increase this flexibility. Moreover the device does in fact exhibit risk of penetration through having a number of chinks. The present invention is concerned with providing protective cladding making use of more rigid plates, for example of pressed metal which is more resistant to the offensive implements, while solving the problem of maintaining flexibility. Accordingly the present invention provides flexible protective cladding comprising a plurality of overlapping plate like members in which a plurality of the plate like members are of a first kind which each comprise a central body portion and a peripheral flange provided with an array of apertures and that a plurality of the plate like members are of a second kind in the form of discs carrying pin like projections, a plurality of plate like members of the second kind lying peripherally round each plate like member of the first kind so as to overlap the flange characterised in that the plate like members of the second kind are flexibly linked to those of the first kind through at least one of the pin like projections being loosely located in a respective aperture in the flange, and that the plate like members of the second kind are each retained by a disc shaped retaining member located on the obverse side of the flange of each respective plate like member of the first kind. With this arrangement the flange of each plate like member of the first kind is trapped between the plate like members of the second kind and the disc shaped retaining members on the obverse side. Thus, the various plates are flexibly liked together and can conform to a body shape and yet can be proof against attack through enabling any potential chinks to be covered either by the plate like members of the second kind or the disc shaped retaining members on the obverse side of the flange. Preferably each aperture of the peripheral flange within which a pin like projection is located is sufficiently greater in diameter than that of the pin like projection to enable adequate flexibility to be achieved. Moreover, careful selection of the dimensions of the pin like projection in relation to the aperture can ensure that the plate like members hold together under various different forms of impact load and of flexural bending. Preferably each adjacent plate like member of the second kind around the periphery of a plate like member of the first kind are all the same, i.e of a similar shape. This has advantages in manufacture as well as making adequate cover of any potential chinks easier. Preferably the flange of each plate like member of the first kind has a dished convex shape and this has the advantage of permitting flexible movement of the linked plate like members when they are curved in a body covering shape. Preferably the retaining member is retained in relation to its respective plate like member of the second kind by virtue of a centrally located pin like projection extending from the said plate like member and the retaining member is mounted on the said centrally located pin like member. This may be achieved by a spring clip washer. A convenient shape for the central body portion of each plate like member of the first kind is that of a hexagon, in which case each plate like member of the second kind may also be in the shape of a similar hexagon so that the hexagons nest together to provide a substantially continuous external surface. This not only has a pleasing external appearance but helps to ensure adequate cover of the protective area with the minimum risk of chinks existing. In order to enable the centrally located pin like projection on the plate like member of the second kind to project through, the peripheral flange of each plate like member of the first kind is preferably duodecahedral in shape to provide a central opening between adjacent plate like members of the first kind. Essentially, the duodecahedral shape is derived from the fact that the hexagon if it has its vertices clipped off becomes a duodecahedron. As mentioned, the retaining member is disc like in shape and this has the advantage that it can provide additional cover to eliminate any potential chinks in the armour. Thus, each retaining member can extend to cover the line between adjacent plate like members of the first and second kind. One minor potential area of risk arises where adjacent plate like members of the first kind are contiguous and overlapped by contiguous adjacent plate like members of the second kind. There is one small crossover point where the two lines of contact cross and where therefore a minor risk of a chink exists. This can be overcome by shaping adjacent retaining members so that they are contingent and of alternately larger and smaller dimensions so that they meet at points which are inequidistant between adjacent retaining members, i.e. they do not meet at the same crossover point as the crossover point between the plate like members of the first and second kinds as referred to. Various embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of protective cladding embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 indicated on Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a protective cladding embodying the present invention; Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 indicated on Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a protective cladding embodying the present invention; Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 indicated on Figure 5; Figure 7 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a protective cladding embodying the present invention; Figure 8 is a section taken along the line 8-8 indicated on Figure 7; Figure 9 is a plan view of a" retainer washer; Figure 10 is a cross-section through a retainer washer; Figure 11 is a section similar to that of Figure 8 showing a modification; Figure 12 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of a protective cladding embodying the present invention; Figure 13 is a section taken along the line 13-13 indicated on Figure 11; Figure 14 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment of a protective cladding embodying the present invention; Figure 15 is a section taken along the line 15-15 indicated on Figure 13; Figure 16 is a plan view of a retainer member; Figure 17 is a plan view of the underside of a seventh embodiment of a protective cladding embodying the present invention; Figure 18 is a section taken along the line 18-18 indicated in Figure 17; Figure 19 is a plan view of an eighth embodiment of a protective cladding embodying the present invention; Figure 20 is a plan view of a circular retainer member used in the embodiment of Figure 19; Figure 21 is a plan view of another retainer member used in the embodiment of Figure 19; and Figure 22 is a section taken along the line 22-22 indicated on Figure 19. The protective cladding shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a plurality of first plate-like members 10 each provided with a central body portion 11, which in this particular embodiment is of circular cross-section and is pin-like, and with a peripheral flange 12 which is provided with an array of apertures 13. The cladding also comprises a plurality of second plate-like members 14 which comprise a triangular shaped body portion 15 provided on its underside with pin-like proiections 16 and a central pin-like proiection 17. Mounted on the proiection 17 is a retainer member 18. The outer side of the head portion 15 is recessed at 19 with the depth of the recess 19 increasing to a point which lies on the axis of the proiection 17. In the assembled state the flange 12 lies under the body portion 15 of a plurality of second plate-like members 14 which are disposed with their side edges adioining one another. The flange 12 is curved in cross-section. The proiections 16 extend through the apertures 13 and are smaller in diameter than the apertures 13. Thus the second plate-like members 14 can move, i.e. tilt, relative to the first plate-like members 10. The retainer members 18 may be as shown in full line in Figure 2 or they may also fit over the ends of the proiections 16 as shown in broken lines in Figure 2. The outer end portion of each body portion 11 is provided with an end cap 20 which overlies the body portions 15 and the end cap 20 is tapered or domed. Thus any proiectile or obiect, such as a knife, striking the end cap 20 is deflected onto an adiacent body portion 15 and moves down the inclined side of the recess 19 to the bottom thereof where there is sufficient material to absorb the energy of impact. Figures 3 and 4 show an embodiment which is very similar to that described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. In -this embodiment the outer end of each body portion 11 is simply tapered and is not provided with a cap 20. Figures 5 and 6 show an embodiment which is also very similar to that described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment the outer end of each body portion 11 is domed or rounded and is not provided with a cap 20. The protective cladding shown in Figures 7 to 11 comprises a plurality of first plate-like members 21 each provided with a central body portion 22 and a peripheral flange 23 having an array of apertures 24. The cladding also comprises a plurality of second plate- like members 26 having a body portion 27 provided on its underside with a plurality of pin-like proiections 28. The body portions 22 and 27 are hexagonal in plan view, as are the flanges 23. In the assembled state the flanges 23 lie under the body portions 27 of a plurality of second plate-like members 26 and the side edges of the body portions 27 are disposed with their side edges adioining the side edges of the body portions 22. The proiections 28 extend through the apertures 24 and are engaged by retaining members 29 which are curved in cross-section as shown in Figure 10 and which can be provided with a tab 30 for use in attaching to the cladding a backing material. The proiections 28 are smaller in diameter than the apertures 24. The upper surface of the flange 23 can ' be curved as shown in Figure 8, or it can be inclined as shown in Figure 11. The bottom end of the proiections 28 can be provided with a spherical radius 31 as shown in Figure 8. The body portions 22 and 27 can be provided with recesses 32, 33 respectively on their outer face as shown in Figure 8, or alternatively the body portions 27 can have their outer face outwardly inclined as shown in Figure 11. Thus the plate-like members 21 and 26 can move, i.e. rock, relative to each other. Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a protective cladding which comprises a plurality of first plate-like members 34 each provided with a body portion 35 and a peripheral flange 36 having an array of apertures 37. The cladding also comprises a plurality of second plate-like members 38 having a body portion 39 provided on its underside with a plurality of pin-like proiections 40 and a central proiection 41. Mounted on the central proiection 41 is a retainer member 42. The side edges 43 of the body portion 39 are rounded and the side edges of the body portion 35 are provided with a radius 44. The base of each proiection 40 is provided with a spherical radius 45 and the flanges 36 are curved or provided with an upper curved surface. The body portions 39 have an outwardly extending inclined surface 46 and the body portions 35 have an inwardly extending inclined recess 47. The peripheral flanges 36 are hexagonal in plan view and a recess 48 is provided at the intersection of adjacent flat sides. In the assembled state the recesses 48 form apertures through which the central projections 41 extend. Figures 14 to 16 illustrate cladding which is very similar to that described with reference to Figures 12 and 13, and the same reference numerals have been used to denote similar parts. In this embodiment the retainer member 42 is provided with tab members 49 for securing a backing material 50 to the cladding. The backing material 50 may comprise multi-layers of the type of material sold under the registered Trade Mark "Kevlar". Figures 17 and 18 illustrate a protective cladding which comprises a plurality of first plate-like members 51 each provided with a body portion 52 having a peripheral flange 52Aprovided with an array of apertures 53. The cladding also comprises a plurality of second plate-like members 54 having a body portion 55 provided on its underside with a plurality of pin-like projections 56 and a central projection 57. Mounted on the projection 57 is a retainer member 58. The body portions 52, 55 are hexagonal in plan view and the flanges 52A a re duodecagonal in plan view and when assembled they form triangular apertures through which the projections 57 extend. The flanges 52Aare curved in cross-section. In the assembled state the plate-like members 51 and 54 can move relative to each other. The body portions 52, 55 may have their outer faces recessed or raised as previously described in connection with the other embodiments. Figures 19 to 22 illustrate a protective cladding which comprises a plurality of first plate-like members - 10 - 59 each provided with a body portion 60 which is hexagonal in plan view, and has a peripheral flange 61 which is curved and is provided with a plurality of apertures 62. The peripheral flanges 61 have twelve flat side edges. The cladding also comprises a plurality of second plate-like members 63 each having a body portion 64 provided on its underside with a plurality of pin-like projections 65 and a central projection 66. Mounted on each projection 66 is a retainer member 67. Some of the retainer members 67 are circular in plan view, as shown in Figure 20, and some of the retainer members 67 have the shape shown in Figure 21 and which have arcuate peripheral portions 68 in which in the assembled state, part of the peripheries of adjacent, members 67. are received. This ensures that they meed at points which are inequidistant between adjacent members and the crossover po b etween adjacent hexagons is adequately protected (see Fig. The retainer members 67 are each held on their respect centra l projection 66 by a spring clip washer 69. As will be seen from Figure 22, the base or underside of each body portion 64 is curved to allow greater articulation and the bores of the apertures 62 have a radius at each end. In the assembled state the central projections 66 each extend through a triangular space 70 formed by the peripheral edges of adjacent flanges 61. In all embodiments the first and second plate-like members may be formed of any suitable material. For example, they may be forged from Aluminium. In all of the described embodiments the protective cladding is flexible and can be used for forming an armoured garment which conforms to the shape of the wearer and which does not restrict movement of the wearer.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Flexible protective cladding comprising a plurality of overlapping plate like members in which a plurality of the plate like members are of a first kind (59) which each comprise a central body portion (60) and a peripheral flange (61) provided with an array of apertures (62) and that a plurality of the plate like members (63) are of a second kind in the form of discs carrying pin like projections, a plurality of plate like members of the second kind lying peripherally round each plate like member of the first kind so as to overlap the flange, characterised in that the plate like members of the second kind are flexibly linked to those of the first kind through at least one of the pin like projections (65) being loosely located in a respective aperture (62) in the flange, and that the plate like members of the second kind are each retained by a disc shaped retaining member (67) located on the obverse side of the flange of each respective plate like member of the first kind. 2. Flexible protective cladding according to claim 1 in which each aperture within which a pin like projection is located is sufficiently greater in diameter than that of the pin like projection to enable adequate flexibility to be achieved. 3. Flexible protective cladding according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which adjacent plate like members of the second kind round the periphery of a plate like member of the first kind are similar in shape. 4. Flexible protective cladding according to claim 1, 2 or claim 3 in which the flange has a dished convex shape to permit flexible movement of the linked plate like members. 5. Flexible protective cladding according to any one of the preceding claims in which each plate like member of the second kind comprises a centrally located pin like projection and the retaining member is mounted on said centrally located pin like member. 6. Flexible protective cladding according to claim 5 comprising a spring clip washer holding the retaining member in place. 7. Flexible protective cladding according to any of the preceding claims in which the central- body portion of each plate like member of the first kind is in the shape of a hexagon, and each plate like member of the second kind is in the shape of a similar hexagon so that the hexagons nest together to provide a substantially continuous external surface. 8. Flexible protective cladding according to claim 7 as appended to claim 5 in which each peripheral flange of the plate like members of the first kind are duodecahedral in shape to provide a central opening between adjacent plate like members of the first kind enabling the central pin like projection to project through for provision of the retaining member. 9. Flexible protective cladding according to any one of the preceding claims in which the shape of the retaining member is arranged to provide additional cover to eliminate chinks in the armour. 10. Flexible protective cladding according to any of the preceding claims in which adjacent retaining members are contingent and of alternately larger and smaller dimensions so that they meet at points which are inequidistant between adjacent retaining members.

Inventors: MORGAN ANTHONY ROBERT, MORGAN, ANTHONY, ROBERT
Applicants: PROTECTION PROD INT, PROTECTION PRODUCTS (INTERNATIONAL) LIMITED
Application year: 1991
Main classification: F41H5
IPC codes: F41H5