Patent Publication Number: US-6698024-B2

Title: Modular front opening body armor

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/311,640 filed on Aug. 10, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of body armor for protecting a user from penetration. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Throughout recorded history various types of materials have been used by people to protect themselves from injury in combat and other dangerous situations. At first, protective clothing and shields were made from animal skins. As human technology advanced these protective garments became more advanced and were made of thin metal plates inserted into panels in a vest or sewn into densely woven materials, such as Loden cloth woven underwater to contract the fibers during the weaving process. In the early centuries the typical soldier at the infantry level wore a quilted jacket reinforced with pieces of metal, bone or leather. As civilizations became more advanced, wooden shields and then metal shields came into use. 
     In the 8th century, chain mail appeared in the equipment of Norsemen. Mail remained the standard protection for more than 400 years. Eventually, metal was also used as “clothing”, in what we now refer to as the suit of armor associated with the knights of the Middle Ages. By the 15th century suits of arms composed entirely of metal plate armor were in general use for mounted knights. Such suits weighed about 60 pounds (27 Kgs). As weapons improved, the knight correspondingly increased the weight of his armor and subsequently lost more of his mobility. 
     With the advent of firearms, most of the traditional protective devices were no longer effective. In fact, the only real protection available against firearms were constructed barriers, such as stone or masonry walls, as well as natural barriers such as rocks, trees, and ditches. Among the items sent from London, England to Jamestown, Va. in 1622 were armored jackets called brigantines. However, during the 17th century reinforced armor became increasingly ineffectual and additionally unbearable to wear for any length of time and was discarded piece by piece. 
     One of the first recorded instances of the use of soft armor was by the medieval Japanese, who used armor manufactured from silk. Although the first United States Law Enforcement Officer to lose his life in the line of duty, U.S. Marshall Robert Forsyth, was shot and killed in 1794, it was not until the late 19th century that the first use of soft armor in the United States was recorded. At that time, the military explored the possibility of using soft armor manufactured from silk. The project even attracted congressional attention after the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901. But while the garments were shown to be effective against low-velocity bullets, traveling at 400 feet per second or less, they did not offer protection against the new generation of handgun ammunition being introduced, at that time that traveled at velocities of more than 600 feet per second. This along with the prohibitive cost of manufacturing the garment made the concept unacceptable. Armor of this type was said to have been worn by Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria when he was shot in the head, thereby precipitating World War I. 
     The bullet-proof vest was popularized during the prohibition era by FBI crime fighters and publicized by the newly emerging film industry of the 1920&#39;s and 1930&#39;s. One of the first documented instances where a bullet-proof vest was demonstrated for use by law enforcement officers is detailed in the Apr. 2, 1931 edition of the Washington, D.C., Evening Star, where a vest was demonstrated to members of the Metropolitan Police Department. However, none of these designs proved entirely effective or feasible for law enforcement or correction use. 
     The next generation of ballistic vests was introduced during World War II. The “flak jacket”, constructed of ballistic nylon, provided protection primarily from low velocity munitions fragments and was ineffective against most pistol and rifle threats. These vests were also very cumbersome and bulky, and were restricted primarily to military use. 
     It was not until the late 1960&#39;s that new fibers were discovered that made today&#39;s modern generation of concealable body armor possible. Concurrently, the 1960&#39;s witnessed a dramatic rise in fatalities of law enforcement officers in the US. From 1966 to 1971, the number of law enforcement officers killed each year in the line of duty more than doubled, from 57 to 129. Concerned by this rapid increase in officer fatalities and recognizing that a majority of the homicides were inflicted with handguns, the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, predecessor of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), initiated a research program to investigate development of a lightweight body armor that on-duty police could wear full time. 
     This investigation readily identified new materials that could be woven into a lightweight fabric with excellent ballistic-resistant properties. Following initial laboratory research, the agency concluded that the objective of producing body armor suitable for full-time police use was achievable. In a parallel effort, the National Bureau of Standards developed a performance standard that defined ballistic-resistant requirements for police body armor. The National Bureau of Standards was a part of the NIJ Technology Assessment Program, which today is known as the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC). 
     Since the 1960&#39;s, when concealable body armor was introduced, the technology for ballistic materials has improved considerably to the high standards of modern day soft body armor demanded by today&#39;s crime fighters. Of all the equipment developed and evaluated in the 1970&#39;s by NIJ, one of its most significant achievements was the development of body armor that employed DuPont&#39;s Kevlar® ballistic fabric. 
     The evolution of powerful, high capacity semi-automatic weapons has created an increased need for state-of-the-art body armor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a modular front opening body armor that allows attachment of various pieces of protective equipment to protect a user from penetration by blades, sharp objects, and ballistic weapons. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an illustration of ballistic material comprising woven ballistic fibers; 
     FIG. 2 is an illustration of a non-woven ballistic material; 
     FIG. 3 is a drawing of the front of the modular front opening body armor in the open position; 
     FIG. 4 is a drawing of the back of the modular front opening body armor; 
     FIG. 5 is a drawing of a side of the vest in the open position; and, 
     FIG. 6 is a drawing of the modular front opening body armor having a collar, shoulder pads, groin protector, and arm pads have been added. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Even as crime rates decline, ballistic threats facing law enforcement officers, corrections professionals, and individuals involved in tactical operations is increasing everyday. With this increase in threat comes a greater need for individuals to wear superior body armor protection. 
     The present invention is a modular front opening body armor designed in a variety of styles including a jacket, coat, shirt and vest style, opening down the front, with straps, and hooks and loops on the sides for adjustability. The ballistic material in the present invention protects the user against spike and edged blade weapons at various levels, as determined by the type and quantity of materials secured on the interior of the front opening body armor, by preventing blade from penetrating the modular front opening body armor and reaching the user. Additionally, the ability to prevent the penetration of low speed sharp objects, such as knives and edged weapons, can also have applications in hazardous work environments were sharp objects and flying objects can be encountered. 
     Additionally, the body armor protects the user from ballistic threats by stopping bullet penetration; and minimizing blunt trauma to the body. A ballistic threat being a projectile, such as a bullet, fired at the user. Blunt trauma is the transfer of the kinetic energy from the bullet to the body, when the bullet is stopped by the body armor. 
     The ballistic materials described herein defeats the ballistic threat by causing the projectile, or bullet, to deform and thus spread its kinetic energy over a larger surface area of the material than the original diameter of the bullet. This deformation results in the bullet not being able to penetrate the ballistic material. The dissipation of the mass and kinetic energy of the bullet results in a reduction of blunt force trauma to the individual. The larger the area over which the energy of the bullet is distributed, the less blunt trauma will be transferred to the user at the point of impact, and increased protection to the user will be provided by the body armor. Additionally, because of its construction, the blunt force of the bullet is absorbed and distributed throughout the body armor. 
     Furthermore, reducing blunt trauma to a user save lives, since it not only prevents internal injury, but also minimizes incapacitation during the initial hit, thereby allowing the user to respond immediately in a high-threat situation. 
     Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown one embodiment of a ballistic material  12  comprising ballistic fibers  10  woven into material used in the present invention. It can be seen that the ballistic fibers  10  are composed of ballistic filament  14  where the ballistic filaments are twisted like a spring in the ballistic fiber  10 . Similar to a spring, the ballistic filaments  14  have an amount of “give” when they are impacted by a bullet. The ballistic fibers  10  are aligned next to each other and additional ballistic fibers  10  are woven at approximately a right angle. All the ballistic fibers  10  are held in place by a flexible resin. The ballistic material  12  is typically laminated between two thin sheets of film (not shown). When impacted by a projectile such as a bullet, this orientation of the ballistic fibers  10  provides for uniform energy dispersion throughout the material using the tensile strength of the ballistic fibers  10 . Additionally, this construction greatly reduces back face deformation caused by stopping a bullet, thereby reducing the effects of blunt trauma on the user. This technology is especially effective against full metal jacketed rounds. Additional layers of fibers can be added to provide additional levels of protection. 
     Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown another embodiment of ballistic material. In this embodiment the ballistic fibers  10  are aligned in a first ballistic sheet  20  and secured in place such as with resin. A second ballistic sheet  22  comprising aligned ballistic fibers  10  secured such as with resin is orientated at approximately 90° to the first ballistic sheet  20 . The resin in the ballistic fibers  10  prevents a bullet from pushing the fibers aside and penetrating the material. The ballistic sheets are typically laminated between two film sheets  24 . While the figure shows a material with two ballistic sheets  20 ,  22  and two film layers  24 , multiple layers of ballistic sheets and film sheets can be used to provide additional levels of protection. 
     Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown one embodiment of the modular front opening body armor  30  worn by a user  32 . The modular front opening body armor  30  contains a ballistic material disposed between an exterior material  49  and a lining (not shown) of the vest  34 . In a preferred embodiment, one of the ballistic materials as described above is used. However, the present invention is equally well suited for use with other ballistic materials depending on the environment that the user may expect to encounter. In one embodiment, the material is impervious to penetration by a knife or similar sharp weapon, and/or to ballistic impact such as a bullet. 
     A vest  34  has side sections  44 , and a left front panel  35  and a right front panel  37  with respective shoulder areas  41  of front panels  35 ,  37  attached to a shoulder section (not shown) of a back panel (not shown) of the vest  34 . The front panels  35 ,  37  have a front edge  39  and a side edge  43 . A front opening  36  is defined as a space between the front edges  39  of the left and right front panels  35 ,  37 . The front opening  36  is closed by the use of a front closure mechanism  38 . In a preferred embodiment, the front closure mechanism  38  is a zipper, but the mechanism is equally well suited for any other device that can secure the front panels  35 ,  37  together, such as not limited to magnets, buttons, hook and loop system, or snaps as well as other devices known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the front opening  36  of the vest  34  is constructed such that there is a protective flap  48  directly behind the front closure mechanism  38  when the vest  34  is closed. The vest  34  has a flap  40  that conceals the front closure mechanism  38  from view. In one embodiment there is a hook and loop closure system on the interior of the flap  40 , and a hook and loop seal  42  attached to the exterior material  49  of the vest  34 , such as Velcro®. The hook and loop seal  42  hold the flap  40  closed to protect the front closure mechanism  38 . Any system that secures the flap  40  to the exterior material  49  of the vest  34  can be used and would include, but not be limited to, zippers, buttons, magnets, or snaps. 
     The front opening  36  is designed to deceive a potential attacker camouflaging the actual functionality of the device. If an attacker opens the flap  40  and attempts to stab the a user  32  diagonally based on the perceived weak spot in the front opening  36 , protection is provides by the protective flap  48 . The flap  40  is attached in the opposite direction of the protective panel  48  overlap. The flap  40  gives the perception to a potential attacker that by stabbing or shooting in a specific direction they will injure or kill the user  32 . In fact the design of the front opening  36  of the vest  34  provides for the highest level of protection in the perceived vulnerable area. Additionally, the vest  34  has snaps  46 , or other suitable attachment mechanism to allow for the attachment of additional protective components. Embodiments of the coupling mechanism include, but are not limited to, a mechanical apparatus or magnetic device, whereas the mechanical apparatus includes, but is not limited to, embodiments such as a zipper, hook and loop system, snaps, strap and buckle, and buttons. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4 where can be seen a back view of the vest  34 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the back closure area  50  is on the exterior material  49  of the back panel  51  of the vest  34  as shown. The side sections  44  are shown attach to the back closure area  50 . The back closure area  50  could also be positioned on the lining (not shown) at the back of the vest  34 , additionally while the figure depicts two side sections  44  that can be opened, an alternate embodiment only has one side section  44  of the vest  34  which could open. While the figure shows a preferred embodiment of a hook and loop system, other devices such as magnets, snaps, zippers, or buttons could be used to adjustably attach the side  44  to the back. Also shown is a collar  52  that provides protection to the neck area of the user  32 . The collar  52  contains ballistic material and can be attached to the vest  34  using any appropriate attachment mechanism. An alternate embodiment of the modular front opening body armor  30  is the incorporation of shoulder pads  54  to the shoulder area of the vest  34 . The shoulder pads  54  contain ballistic material and provide protection to the shoulder area of the user  32 . While the shoulder pads  54  are shown attached to the vest  34  by snaps  46 , many other means for holding shoulder pads  54  to a vest  34  are equally well suitable for attaching the shoulder pads  54 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5 there can be seen a side view of the vest  34  with the side section  44  open. In one embodiment of the modular front opening body armor  30  both side sections  44  of the vest  34  can open. The side opening  60  is defined as the space between the side edge  43  of the front panel  35  and the back edge  62  of the back panel  49  of the vest  34 . The side opening  60  is closed by a side closing mechanism  64 , which can be hook and latch, buttons, zippers, buckles, snaps magnets as well as other devices known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment of the present invention the side opening  60  is on both the left and right side of the vest  34 , however, the present invention is equally well suited for use with only one side opening  60  or with multiple side openings  60 . In one embodiment, the vest  34  uses hook and latch closure system for the side closing mechanism  64 . The closure system can also be a zipper, strap and buckle, snaps, magnets and buttons as well as other devices known to those skilled in the art. The side sections  44  are held closed by the back closure area  50  located on the exterior material  49  on the back of the vest  34 . Multiple alternatives exist for a side closing mechanism  64  as long as it securely closes the side section  44  of the vest  34 , provides that the front panel  35 ,  37  overlaps the back panel  49 , and provides protection for the user  32 . The vest  34  is held securely to the user  32  by a strap  66  that attaches to a front panel  35 ,  37  of the vest  34  and the back panel  49  of the vest  34 . 
     Some of the advantages of the present design of the modular front opening body armor  30  include: the vest  34  does not have to be slipped on (pulled over) over the user&#39;s head; the vest  34  can be donned and doffed more expediently; the vest  34  allows for easy removal in case of a medical emergency or emergency care of the user  32 , without having to move or roll over the user  32 ; the vest  34  can be removed by another individual without moving the user  32 ; rapid removal of the vest  34  can be accomplished during exigent circumstances by opening the front opening  36  and releasing the Velcro® on the side sections  44 ; and, the vest  34  can be removed by the user  32  with various mobility techniques. 
     Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown the front of the modular front opening body armor  30  with additional protective attachments. In addition to the collar  52  and shoulder pad  54 , the modular front opening body armor  30  can be equipped with other features such as arm pads  70  containing ballistic material that provide protection to the arms of the user  32 , a groin protector  72  that contains ballistic material, as well as other extension. The various pieces of protective equipment are attached to the vest  34  with a coupling mechanism. Embodiments of the coupling mechanism include, but are not limited to, a mechanical apparatus or magnetic device, whereas the mechanical apparatus includes, but is not limited to, embodiments such as a zipper, hook and loop system, snaps, strap and buckle, and buttons. 
     When selecting body armor for full-time routine use by an officer, comfort is a very major factor. Body armor that is set aside or relegated to the trunk of a police cruiser is of no benefit to the user. Two implicit fundamental factors in comfort are fit and heat discomfort. Fit being defined as mobility and weight distribution of the body armor. Due to the present invention&#39;s design that allows different pieces to be added or removed, a user can easily attach only those pieces that are essential under the circumstances. This unique ability minimizes the amount of weight being carried by the user, while maximizing mobility and flexibility. Tests conducted by law enforcement officers during normal shifts identified characteristics and features that have improved the comfort of the present invention&#39;s design. Additionally, the modular feature of the modular front opening body armor  30  allows the user  32  to remove unnecessary components and maximize the amount of skin exposed for heat dissipation. Furthermore, since the side sections  44  can be attached to the back of the vest  34  in a continuous range of positions, the user  32  can adjust the side sections  44  so that optimal and comfortable fit is achieved. As the side sections  44  and the back of the vest  34  contain ballistic material, a user will not sacrifice protection by adjusting the vest  32  for optimal comfort and fit. 
     The design of the modular front opening body armor  30  allows for increased flexibility and mobility of the user which in turn allows the user  32  to perform additional and more finite movements than are currently allowed in the Tactical Style Vests which are traditionally made of Titanium, Steel Alloys, and/or other metallic substances. 
     In addition to those features listed above the modular front opening body armor  30  is modular and convertible from a Tactical Style to a Concealable Style simply by removing sections such as the arm pads  70 , groin protector  72 , collar  52 , and shoulder pads  54 . The different protective components can be worn in different combinations depending on the threat that the user expects to encounter. 
     Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best modes of carrying out the invention. Details of the structure may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of all modifications, which will come within the scope of the appended claims, is reserved.