Improvements in Bullet Proof Fabrics.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1897-Accepted, 3rd Apr., 1897
Improvements in Bullet Proof Fabrics.
I, CASIMIR ZEGLEN, of the corner of Noble and Ingraham Streets, in the City
of Chicago, County of Cook and State of Illinois, United States of America,
Sexton and Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained,
in and by the following statement :-
be
worn,
without serious
This invention relates to bullet proof shields and more especially to an improved
composite elastic fabric adapted to resist penetration of projectiles by cushioning
or absorbing the impact of the same. The object of the invention is to provide a
relatively light and more or less flexible fabric which may
inconvenience, to protect the body of a person, and which may also be used for
various other purposes. The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described
and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It will be readily
comprehended by reference to the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 of the drawing represents any suitable style of garment, such as a vest,
constructed of my improved fabric :
Figure 2 represents in a perspective view enlarged a section of a fabric con-
structed in accordance with my invention.
Figure 3 is a similar view of a modification of my invention.
Referring to the drawing, A designates the outermost layer of the fabric, or
that against which the projectile strikes, said outer layer or covering consisting of
two or more plies or thicknesses of a closely woven, relatively heavy, strong fabric,
such, for example, as canvas. After experimentation I have ascertained that the
most satisfactory results are obtained by making this outer covering of linen
canvas of a quality commonly known as Aberdeen canvas, and hence while I
recommend the same I do not desire to be limited thereto.
Next inside of the canvas cover A, I provide a layer B of fine strong animal
hair which is either naturally straight or which may be combed, so that the fibres
thereof lie substantially parallel with each other and thus very compactly. This
layer B is relatively a thick layer, as shown, and may be composed of various
kinds of hair. I have obtained the best results, however, by the use of hair, or as
it is more commonly called, the wool of the Angora goat; the hair of this animal
having the desirable characteristics of strength, straightness and fineness of staple,
and being, therefore, susceptible of being formed into a very compact mass.
Next to the layer of hair B I provide a plurality of layers of strong, flexible
cords, threads or strands C, C¹; the cords or strands of each layer being laid side
by side or parallel with each other, and directly in contact with each other. The
several layers C, C₁ of parallel arranged strands, are superposed one upon each
other in such position that the several strands of one layer will lie in a direction
transversely to or diagonally to the direction of the strands of the other layer, that
is at an angle to each other, as clearly shown in the drawing. In practice I have
found that these woven inner layers are best constructed of silk cord, which owing
to the fineness of the fibre and its relatively great strength, and also, doubtless, to
the peculiar characteristics of silk, afford the most satisfactory results, although I
do not desire to be limited thereto.
The several layers thus formed are arranged, as shown, very compactly, and are
secured together preferably by through and through stitching silk thread, as

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indicated at a, a, so that the whole becomes a relatively hard and exceedingly
compact mass having peculiar characteristics.
The fabric constructed as above to successfully resist the penetration of bullets
fired from revolvers and other small arms, and is also admirably adapted to resist
the penetration of edged implements such as a knife, bayonet, dagger or the like.
I have found, however, that in order to resist the penetration of the small calibre
projectiles of the modern rifles, such as the Krag-Jorgensen and the like, as well
as the larger projectiles of other modern hand weapons, such as the Springfield
and Winchester rifles, it is necessary to provide a re-enforcement to the fabric,
which re-enforcement also has the effect of sufficiently cushioning the impact of the
projectile to prevent any serious shock to the wearer.
Next inside the layer or layers C, C¹, 1 place a layer or re-enforcement D, of
pasteboard or analogous firm yet, yielding material, and inside of the re-
enforcement D and next to it I place a cushioning or relatively thick layer of
felt E. The re-enforcements or layers D, E, are secured in position in any suitable
manner, but commonly, and as shown in the drawings, by tacking or stitching d, d,
extending through the whole fabric.
The composite fabric thus formed I may make into jackets or shields since it
possesses sufficient flexibility for that purpose and is of such weight as to permit it
to be worn without serious discomfort. Preferably when the fabric is made into
jackets, shields or other forms of wearing apparel, it will be covered or lined with
any suitable cloth, in order that it may have a more presentable appearance, but as
this is obviously a non-essential feature I have not seen fit to illustrate it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is :-
1. As a new article of manufacture, a bullet proof fabric, consisting of an outer
layer or covering of closely woven strong fabric, a relatively thick layer of straight
unwoven hair or wool, a layer of strong cords or strands laid side by side com-
pactly together, and a second layer of cords laid transversely of the first layer, the
whole being bound together by stitching, substantially as described.
2. A bullet proof fabric consisting of an outer layer of canvas, a relatively thick
layer of straight staple unwoven hair, an inner layer of silk cords laid compactly
together and parallel with each other, and a second layer of silk cords parallel to
each other, but laid transversely of the first layer, the whole being bound by
stitching, substantially as described.
3. A bullet proof fabric consisting of an outer covering of canvas, a layer of
unwoven hair or wool, and a plurality of inner layers, each composed of strong
strands or cords laid side by side compactly together, the cords of the different
layers being arranged at an angle to each other, the whole fabric being compactly
bound together by stitching, substantially as described.
4. As a new article of manufacture the bullet proof fabric comprising an outer
layer of closely woven strong fabric, a relatively thick layer of straight staple
unwoven hair, an inner layer of strong parallel cords or strands laid compactly
together, a re-enforcement of pasteboard laid next said layer of cords, and an inner
cushioning of felt, the whole being suitably secured together, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
accubus day of July 1030.
CASIMIR ZEGLEN.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant,