WO2002041719A1

WO2002041719A1 - Device for the protection of body parts from penetrating objects and protective suit using said protection device

Info

Publication number: WO2002041719A1
Application number: PCT/AT2001/000345
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerhard Karall
Original assignee: Astron Elastomerprodukte Gesellschaft M.B.H.
Priority date: 2000-11-27
Filing date: 2001-10-24
Publication date: 2002-05-30
Also published as: AT410142B; EP1337166B1; ATA19882000A; EP1337166A1; DE50102874D1; AU2002213632A1; ATE270827T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the protection of body parts from penetrating objects, such as, for example, shots or shrapnel, with at least one support layer (1) and at least one layer (3) of protective plates (4) arranged alongside each other, with at least one energy-absorbing layer arranged in front of the support layer (1) in the direction of impact (X) of the object and protective suit using said protection device. Such a protection device, in particular serving as additional protection for ballistic shot protection and lying in front thereof and offering a security against stabbing with daggers or needles and furthermore a high degree of flexibility may be achieved, whereby at least one energy absorbing layer (2), made from a three-dimensional matrix based on polynorbornenes and the protective plates (4) are connected to the support layer (1) by means of the energy-absorbing layer (2) such that a protective layer which may be bent in one direction results. The separation of the protective plates is preferably a maximum of 0.2 mm.

Description

Device for protecting body parts from penetrating objects and protective outerwear using one

Protective device.

The invention relates to a device for protecting body parts against penetrating objects, such as e.g. Bullets or fragments, with at least one carrier layer and at least one layer of protective plates arranged next to one another, wherein at least one energy-absorbing layer is arranged in front of a carrier layer as viewed in the direction of impact of the object, and protective outer clothing using such a protective device.

Bulletproof protective vests should be mentioned in particular as the primary field of application of the protective device according to the invention. Usual constructions usually consist of several layers of particularly dense aramid fiber fabric.

A protective device of the type described is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,868,040 A, which comprises a carrier layer and an energy-absorbing layer, protective plates made of ceramic or aluminum being arranged next to one another between the layers. Due to the fact that the protective plates are embedded between the layers, there is insufficient flexibility of the protective device.

For example, US Pat. No. 5,960,470 A describes a bulletproof protective vest which has a multiplicity of fabric layers which are composed of aramid fibers which are composed of a multiplicity of filaments. An improved construction of protective clothing is described in US Pat. No. 6,000,055 A, in which layers of thermoplastic material are arranged between individual fabric or scrim layers.

Such ballistic protective vests are usually divided into so-called soft ballistic vests and hard ballistic vests depending on the deformability of the protective device. Protective devices that are stiff and therefore not deformable fall into the so-called hard ballistic area. As a rule, such facilities are also relatively heavy. Protective devices for the hard ballistics area offer much better protection, especially for harder bullet types with speeds above 500 m / s. So-called. Soft ballistic protection devices, on the other hand, are flexible and licher also lighter than hard ballistic protection devices. For this, the protective devices for the soft ballistics area only offer protection against bullet types with lower impact speeds. In essence, software

Ballistic protection vests provide effective protection against handguns, while hard ballistic protection vests also offer protection against long arms. The limit for soft floors and specially shaped floors is overlapping here.

Protective devices for the soft ballistics area are mostly based on a combination of different layers of fabric layers, e.g. Aramid fabrics or polyethylene fibers. The protection can be strengthened by specially coated fabrics or steel wire meshes and, in addition to the protection from projectiles, also a certain protection against puncturing with stabbing weapons and needles, e.g. Hypodermic needles.

US 5 179 244 A describes a protection device against high-speed projectiles, which consists of a plurality of layers of flexible material and a flexible reinforcement plate which is arranged on the inside of the protection device. This plate is made of polycarbonate, for example, and absorbs the energy of the penetrating projectile by deformation. This reduces the risk of injury. A disadvantage of such protective devices is their stiffness, which only makes limited use possible for protective outerwear.

The US -5 796 028 A describes a flexible ballistic protection device, which consists of a plurality of layers placed one above the other, such as aramid fabric layers and the like. , having.

Further ballistic protection devices are described, for example, in WO 97/38848 AI, which consists of several layers', one layer containing fibers made of thermoplastic material, which undergoes a phase change in the heat development caused by the entry of a projectile, whereby the energy originating from the projectile is transmitted through the material is picked up. Another layer contains a multitude of embedded bodies, which, due to their geometric shape, cause a deflection of the penetrating object.

US 5 824 940 A shows a ballistic protection device which contains ceramic material in the form of λron with ceramic structures sewn to a carrier layer. The security before puncture injuries is reduced by the gaps between the ceramic plates. In addition, such arrangements are relatively inflexible and relatively complex to manufacture.

In US Pat. No. 5,362,527 A, protective plates are sewn with a base layer of fabric.

To protect against puncture injuries with needle-like puncturing devices, a multilayer protective device is described according to WO 99/37969 AI, which consists of a large number of layers of araid fabric and hard material layers, into which silicon carbide particles have been introduced, which brake the penetrating object by friction ,

A further embodiment of a protective vest is described in the European patent application EP 0 499 812 AI, which, in addition to a woven or non-woven layer for absorbing the genetic energy of a projectile, contains a layer with a large number of protective bodies on glass or ceramic, which on the outside have a another layer is bridged and covered. The protective bodies are, for example, spherical and, according to one example, can be made of aluminum and have a diameter of 9.5 mm.

Another embodiment of a protective vest with platelets layered one on top of the other is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 6,035,438 A, the metal plates being enclosed and glued between two fabric layers, for example made of aramid fibers or polyethylene fibers. The plates can be made of metal or ceramic and, in addition to protection from bullets, also offer protection from frontal stitches. A disadvantage of this embodiment is the relatively complex manufacture and thus the high price associated with it.

The object of the present invention is to provide a protective device of the type specified above, by means of which a good protective effect against penetrating objects, such as projectiles, can be achieved. In particular, the present protective device is intended to provide protection for special types of projectiles, such as, for example, conical pointed projectiles, and also to offer protection against stab wounds caused by stabbing weapons and needles. Furthermore, optimal flexibility should be guaranteed so that the protective device can be used for full body protection. The manufacture of the Protective device should be as simple as possible and the disadvantages of known protective devices should be avoided or at least reduced.

The object of the invention is achieved in that at least one energy-absorbing layer consists of a three-dimensional matrix based on polynorbones and that the protective plates are connected to the carrier material via the at least one energy-absorbing layer, so that a protective layer which can be bent in one direction is produced. Such a combination of materials offers, on the one hand, optimal protection in the ballistics area and optimal protection against puncture injuries, while there is a high degree of flexibility and thus a high level of comfort. The matrix based on polynorbones is characterized by its high energy absorption capacity and corresponding elasticity. Polynorbonen has particularly good properties with regard to energy absorption and, due to its special molecular structure, is highly fillable with a wide variety of fillers, e.g. special oils, silicates etc. In contrast to rubber, for example, much better physical properties can be achieved. Due to its strength properties, the base layer prevents the object from penetrating by distributing the energy emanating from it as widely as possible. There must be no elasticity which would cause the energy to be absorbed. The combination of layers of protective plates arranged next to one another in the support layer and the at least one energy-absorbing layer increases the energy level from which the object penetrates into the material, and thus the protective effect. The only one-sided connection of the protective plates to the support layer via the energy-absorbing layer creates a protective layer which can be bent in one direction and which can be adapted accordingly to the respective body parts. As a result, a high degree of flexibility can be achieved despite a very close arrangement of the protective plates next to one another. In addition, when sharp objects penetrate between the protective plates, a clamping effect is automatically created, which also contributes to increased safety.

If the protective plates have a substantially rectangular base area and are correspondingly thin, a relatively thin protective device can be created which is better on the body. can be worn by. The size of the individual protective plates is selected in accordance with the body area to be protected and can be, for example, for ballistic vests in the order of 50x40 mm with a thickness of 1.5 mm.

So that stab wounds caused by thin objects, e.g. Needles between the protective plates can be largely prevented, the protective plates are a maximum of 0.2 mm apart.

In order to further increase puncture resistance, the individual protective plates can be arranged to overlap. The individual protective plates can be used in various ways, e.g. Glue, be joined together.

The protective plates can consist of aluminum alloys, preferably of titanium-aluminum alloys or of steel, ceramic, polycarbonate. The thickness of the protective plates is chosen according to the materials or requirements selected.

Alternatively or additionally, an energy-absorbing layer can consist of foamed elastomers, preferably of nitrile PVC foam or foamed polyolefins. Such materials show good shock-absorbing properties at low manufacturing and processing costs.

A carrier layer advantageously consists of fiber or fabric reinforced plastic. These fabrics or felts made of all kinds of fibers with the highest possible strength give the protective device the necessary dimensional stability and cause the energy penetrating objects to be distributed. Aramid fabrics are preferably used as fabrics, which expediently have the highest possible number of wefts for optimum strength. In addition, steel mesh can be used for the carrier layer.

A further improvement in the protective effect can be achieved in that, viewed in the direction of impact of the object, a plurality of carrier layers, energy-absorbing layers and layers of protective plates which are movably connected to one another are arranged alternately.

In particular if the protective plates of different layers are arranged offset from one another, a substantial security against puncturing with pointed objects is achieved, since the unsafe joint areas between protective plates are covered become. ■

To further increase the protective effect, it is provided that, viewed in the direction of impact of the object, at least one energy-distributing layer and at least one foam layer are arranged behind the last carrier layer. With such an additional arrangement, the so-called trauma, i.e. the penetration depth of the penetrating object in the direction of the body part to be protected is substantially reduced by distributing the energy and absorbing it in the foam layers and converting it into heat.

A plastic with a hardness of at least 60 Shore A is preferably used as the energy-distributing layer.

For example, a plastic film made of low density polyethylene (LDPE) is suitable for use as an energy-distributing layer. Layer thicknesses of the order of 0.5 mm are common. Plastic films made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) are also possible.

Nitrile PVC foams which have a particularly high energy-absorbing effect are particularly suitable as materials for at least one foam layer.

Furthermore, energy-absorbing, expanded elastomers are suitable for at least one foam layer. Depending on the application, however, other foam materials, such as polyolefin foams, which have a lower energy-absorbing effect, are also conceivable. Combinations of higher energy absorbing foam layers with lower energy absorbing foam layers also show a high re. reduction of the residual energy of the penetrating object and thus excellent protective properties.

The layers forming the protective device are preferably surrounded by a covering, for example made of textile material.

The covering can be connected, for example sewn, glued or the like. , become. Detachable connections in the form of Velcro fasteners are also conceivable. In particular when using the protective device in the form of a protective vest, such coverings can be formed as part of the protective vest, and the corresponding protective devices can be inserted into insertion pockets of the protective vest and the pockets can then be sewn, welded or releasably closed. The object according to the invention is also achieved by protective outer clothing, in particular a protective vest with a protective device described above. Outerwear designed in this way is characterized by a high level of protection against both bullets and pointed objects and, at the same time, high wearing comfort. In this case, depending on the zone of the body to be protected, the protective plates are designed in an appropriate size and shape so that the greatest possible wearing comfort can be achieved. For example, certain zones, such as the abdomen, require greater flexibility of the protective device, while other zones, such as the chest or back, require less flexibility.

The protective device according to the invention is preferably provided depending on the application for .zusätzlichen protection in addition ^'to the ballistic protection, the erfindungsge AEE protective device is viewed in direction of impact of the object upstream of the actual ballistic protection.

The present invention is further explained with reference to the drawings, which show various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Show in it

1 shows a cross section through a protective device according to a first embodiment,

2 is a plan view of the protective device according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 3 shows a further 'embodiment of a protective device in cross section, and

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the protective device which is expanded compared to FIG.

1 shows a protective device in cross section, consisting of at least one carrier layer 1, for example of aramid fabric, on which a layer 3 consisting of protective plates 4 arranged next to one another is arranged via an energy-absorbing layer 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the protective plates 4 can have a rectangular basic shape in various sizes. If the space between two protective plates 4 is chosen to be small, for example less than 0.2 mm, a protective device that is flexible in one direction is achieved due to the connection on one side only with the carrier layer 1, as is easily indicated in FIG. 1. The protective plates can for example have a size of 50x40 mm with a thickness of 1.5 mm and are made of solid wrought aluminum alloy. Alloys, such as titanium-aluminum alloys, have particularly high strength values with a low weight. In addition, the risk of the material fraying when an object penetrates and the subsequent backing layer being cut in is reduced, which increases the risk of injury. This danger exists, for example, when using steel for protective plates, while titanium-aluminum alloys do not show this fraying through penetrating objects. If a connection matrix is used as the energy-absorbing layer 2, preferably in an energy-absorbing elastomer, the protective plates 4 can be connected to the at least one carrier layer 1. Due to the very small clearance between the protection plate 4 upon penetration of an object in this space is caused a clamping effect can be guided by the the ^'protection plates 4 independently from each other. The size of the protective plates 4 is adjusted according to the body region to be protected. The smaller the protective plates 4 are chosen, the higher the flexibility and the smaller the bending radius of the protective device. However, this also increases the uncertainty caused by objects penetrating between the protective plates 4. In addition, a curvature of the protective plates 4 themselves is also possible for various applications.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention in cross section, two protective layers corresponding to FIG. 1 being arranged one above the other. Accordingly, protective plates 4 are arranged on a first carrier layer 1 via an energy-absorbing protective layer 2, and a further carrier layer 1 'and a further layer 3' of protective plates 4 ', which are fastened to the carrier layer 1' via an energy-absorbing layer 2 ', are arranged above them. More than two such layer combinations can also be arranged one above the other. It is essential here that the protective plates 4, 4 'of different layers 3, 3' are mutually displaced, so that the spaces between the protective plates 4 are covered by the protective plates 4 'arranged above them and thus offer absolute protection against puncturing against pointed objects. It is also possible to arrange several material combinations one above the other in a different order and number. The connection between the layers with one another can be made, for example, by gluing or, for example, by connecting elements. The carrier layers 1, 1 ', the energy-absorbing layers 2, 2' and the layers 3, 3 'are preferably arranged in an envelope 8. This covering 8 can be formed by textile material, which, depending on the application, can be designed, for example, in the form of a pocket and sewn, glued, welded or by means of a Velcro fastener or the like after the protective device has been inserted. is releasably closed.

FIG. 4 shows an expanded version compared to the embodiment according to FIG. 3. Embodiment of the protective device in which, viewed in the direction of impact of the penetrating object, at least one energy-distributing layer 6 and at least one foam layer 7 are arranged behind the layers 3 and 3 'made of movably connected protective plates 4 and 4' and the energy-absorbing layer 2 and the carrier layer 1 , A plastic with a hardness of at least 60 Shore A, for example an LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) film, is advantageously used for the energy-distributing layer 6. Suitable materials for the foam layers 7 are nitrile PVC foams, which have a high energy-absorbing effect. Depending on the application, several such. Foam layers 7 may be provided on the side of the protective device facing the body. The material layer 5 consisting of the at least one energy-distributing layer 6 and the at least one foam layer 7 serves to reduce the penetration depth of projectiles or the like in the direction of the body by absorbing the energy emanating from the penetrating object in the foam layers 7. The layers forming the protective device can be surrounded by a covering, for example made of textile material, and can be stabilized in position by gluing or sewing. This is particularly useful when using protective vests.

The present invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments: Example 1:

Backing layer 1: aramid fabric

Energy-absorbing layer 2: 0.3 mm Astrosorb ^® protective plate 4: 1.5 mm aluminum

The material used for the energy-absorbing layer 2 Astrosorb ^® based on polynorbones has the following properties:

Specific weight: 1.08 g / cm ^{3 l}

Hardness: 25 Shore A

Wear resistance: 900 mm ³

Tensile strength: 4.5 N / mm ²

Elongation at break: 490%.

Such a combination of materials, consisting of carrier layer 1, energy-absorbing layer 2 and layer 3 of movably connected protective plates 4, is preferably used in duplicate and in conjunction with 28 further layers of aramid fabric for protection against projectiles on the one hand and puncture injuries on the other hand.

If a structure of a protective device described in Example 1 is fired at, i.e. Two protective layers arranged one above the other, each consisting of a carrier layer 1, an energy-absorbing layer 2 and a protective plate layer 3 together with 28 layers of aramid fabric with a Magnum 44 partial shell with 240 grain and 500 / m / s speed, trauma occurs, i.e. a curvature of the protective device in the direction of the body of 140 mm, which would be fatal.

Example 2:

By expanding the embodiment according to Example 1 with an additional protective layer 5, consisting of:

An energy-distributing layer '6: 0.5 mm low density polyethylene (LDPE)

Foam layer 7: Consisting of 3 x 3 mm energy-absorbing, expanded Elastomer Memory ^® , the trauma was reduced to 28 mm. This would also be acceptable according to the latest guidelines NU (National Institute of Justice).

The Memory ^® foam (based on nitrile PVC foam) has the following properties:

Specific weight: 0.19 g / cm ³

Hardness: 13 'Shore A

Elasticity: 6%.

Instead of the energy-distributing layer 6 made of low density polyethylene (LDPE) described above, any other plastic with a hardness of more than 60 Shore A can also be used.

A further increase in the protective effect can be achieved by Increasing the number of protective layers can be achieved, whereby the comfort decreases.

The protective device described above is advantageously arranged in a covering 8, which consists, for example, of textile fabric and, after the protective device has been pushed in, is closed, for example glued, sewn, welded or releasably closed by means of a Velcro fastener.

With the protective device according to the invention, a particularly high level of protection against penetrating projectiles becomes on the one hand and against

Piercing with pointed objects such as needles, on the other hand achieved with high wearing comfort. The present protective device is characterized by a particularly low weight compared to known protectors.

Claims

Claims:

1.Device for protecting body parts from penetrating objects, such as Bullets or fragments, with at least one carrier layer (1) and at least one layer (3) of protective plates (4) arranged next to one another, in the direction of impact

(X) of the object, seen in front of a carrier layer (1), at least one energy-absorbing layer (2) is arranged, characterized in that at least one energy-absorbing layer

(2) consists of a three-dimensional matrix based on polynorbones and that the protective plates (4) are connected to the carrier material (1) via the at least one energy-absorbing layer (2), so that a protective layer which can be bent in one direction is produced.

2. Protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective plates (4) have a substantially rectangular base.

3. Protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective plates (4) are spaced apart by a maximum of 0.2 mm.

4. Protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective plates (4) are arranged overlapping.

5. Protection device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protective plates (4) consist of aluminum alloys, preferably of titanium-aluminum alloys.

6. Protection device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protective plates (4) consist of steel.

7. Protection device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protective plates (4) consist of ceramic.

8. Protection device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protective plates (4) consist of polycarbonate.

9. Protection device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an energy-absorbing layer (2) made of foamed elastomers, preferably of nitrile PVC foam or foamed polyolefins.

10. Protection device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a carrier layer (1) consists of fiber or fabric reinforced plastic.

11. Protective device according to claim 10, characterized in that a carrier layer (1) consists of aramid fabric.

12. Protection device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, seen in the direction of impact (X) of the object, a plurality of carrier layers (1), energy-absorbing layers (2) and layers (3) of mutually movably connected protective plates (4) are arranged ,

13. Protective device according to claim 12, characterized in that the protective plates (4, 4 ') of different layers (3, 3') are arranged offset from one another.

14. Protection device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that seen in the direction of impact (X) of the object, at least one energy-distributing layer (6) and behind it at least one foam layer (7) is arranged behind the last carrier layer (1).

15. Protection device according to claim 14, characterized in that the at least one energy-distributing layer (6) is formed from plastic with a hardness of at least 60 Shore A.

16. Protection device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that at least one energy-distributing layer (6) is formed from a film of low density polyethylene (LDPE).

17. Protection device according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that at least one foam layer (7) consists of nitrile PVC foam.

18. Protection device according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that at least one foam layer (7) consists of an energy-absorbing, expanded elastomer.

19. Protection device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that all layers (1, 2, 3, 6, 7) are surrounded by a covering.

20. Protective device according to claim 19, characterized in that the covering is constructed from textile material.

21. Protective device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the sheath is connected, for example sewn, glued or the like.

22. Protective outer clothing, in particular protective vest with a protective device according to one of claims 1 to 21.