Patent Application
20140093331
The present invention relates generally to fasteners, and in specific though non-limiting embodiment, to a ballistic resistant bolt used to secure straps to a ballistic resistant helmet.
Military combat helmets are currently made out of Kevlar® brand material, an aramid fibrous material made from a nylon-like polymer, for example, poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide. Such helmets are designed to be ballistic resistant. A consistent, unsolvable problem has been the design of a ballistic resistant bolt that extends from the outside of the helmet to the inside of the helmet in order to secure the helmet's straps.
Although fastener systems intended to be used in conjunction with ballistic proof and armored panels are known, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,438,908 and 5,600,084, such systems lack fasteners wherein the bolt itself is ballistic resistant. U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,921, for example, discloses and claims a ballistic cap nut, which is distinguishable from the ballistic resistant bolt disclosed and claimed herein.
Embodiments include a ballistic resistant fastening member that comprises a bolt head that has a generally circular shape. The bolt head further comprises a top surface and an underside surface disposed opposite the top surface. Some embodiments of the bolt head further comprise a side surface disposed along the edge of the top surface and along the edge of the underside surface. Typical embodiments of the side surface have a height of less than about 0.066 inches.
In one embodiment, the ballistic resistant fastening member further comprises a shaft that extends from the underside surface of the bolt head and has a minimum length of 0.40 inches. Further embodiments of the shaft comprise a top having an outwardly tapered radius. In some embodiments, the top is mechanically disposed with the underside surface and a bottom end distal from the top.
The fastening member further comprises a bore that extends from the bottom end of the shaft into the shaft. Some embodiments of the fastening member further comprise a slot disposed on the top surface of the bolt head. Embodiments of the slot have a length less than that of the diameter of the bolt head.
In one embodiment, the bore accommodates 6-32-2B threads. In yet another embodiment, the bore has a diameter between about 50% and about 73% of the diameter of the bottom end of the shaft.
The description that follows includes exemplary systems, methods, and techniques that embody techniques of the presently inventive subject matter. However, it is understood that the described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known manufacturing equipment, protocols, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order to avoid obfuscation in the description.
Embodiments of the inventive subject matter utilize a ballistic resistant bolt in a fastener system for securing the straps of a security helmet. Embodiments of the bolt's design provide additional protection to the ballistic resistant surface of a military combat helmet. In some embodiments, the uniquely designed bolt extends from the outside of a military combat helmet to the inside of the helmet.
Referring now to
In further embodiments, an elongated shaft 14 is attached to bolt head 10 and extends from the underside surface 12 and terminates at an end surface 16. Typical embodiments of the elongated shaft 14 have a minimum length of at least 0.40 inches. The embodiment depicted in
In one example embodiment, shaft 14 has a common central axis with an apex of round bolt head 10. In other embodiments, shaft 14 is cylindrical in shape, having a diameter 18 which is typically less than the diameter of bolt head 10. In still further embodiments, a bore, or internal barrel, 22 is disposed within elongated shaft 14 along a central axis of elongated shaft 14. Typical embodiments of internal barrel 22 extend from end surface 16 toward bolt head 10, thereby forming an internal barrel. In many embodiments, at least a portion of the internal barrel 22 comprises internal threads therein.
In one particular embodiment, the shaft 14 comprises a chamfer 15 disposed along the bottom end of shaft 14. In some embodiments, chamfer 15 has an inwardly tapered radius. In still other embodiments, internal barrel 22 extends through the chamfer 15.
Referring now to
Referring now to the example embodiments depicted in
In many embodiments, the ratio of the diameter of bolt head 10 to the diameter of shaft 14 is maintained within a tolerance range between approximately 1.3 to 1 and 2.1 to 1. Preferred embodiments typically comprise a bolt head diameter that prevents aperture-entry failure while concurrently providing resistance to shear failure between the bolt head and shaft. In one preferred though non-limiting embodiment, ratios are maintained within a tolerance range of 1.65 to 1. In further embodiments, the bolt head 10 diameter measures between approximately 0.35 inches and approximately 0.5 inches. In the example embodiment depicted in
The shaft diameter often varies in proportion to the bolt head diameter. In some embodiments, the shaft diameter ranges between approximately 0.228 inches and approximately 0.310 inches. In the example embodiment depicted in
Referring now to the embodiments depicted in
Typical embodiments comprise a side surface 24 to eliminate possible weak points in the bolt head 10 and create desirable ballistic resistant properties. In one specific though non-limiting embodiment, side surface 24 of bolt head 10 is approximately 0.065 inches thick and has an approximate diameter of between 0.35 to 0.5 inches. In typical embodiments, side surface 24 has a thickness of between 0.06 and 0.08.
Continuing with the example embodiments illustrated in
In still further embodiments, a sufficient portion of bolt head 10 and/or shaft 14 remains disposed between slot 8 and internal barrel 22 so as to prevent communication between slot 8 and internal barrel 22. In many example embodiments, the exact dimensions of slot 8 can be conformed to specific applications or needs.
Referring still to the example embodiments depicted in
Ratios approximate to the above ratio provide sufficient adequate engagement of a second fastening member to the shaft while concurrently providing sufficient resistance to shear failure between the bolt head and shaft. For shaft diameters between approximately 0.228 inches and 0.310 inches, this represents a barrel diameter sufficient to accommodate 6-32, 8-32, 10-24, or 10-32 threads. In typical embodiments, the diameter of the internal barrel to the diameter of the shaft is preferably maintained within a tolerance range of approximately 55% to approximately 65%. For some embodiments comprising shaft diameters between approximately 0.22 inches and 0.23 inches, the internal barrel 22 diameter is sufficient to accommodate 6-32 threads.
Referring still to the example embodiments depicted in
In the embodiment depicted in
In typical embodiments, helmet 26 and chinstrap 28 are positioned such that apertures included in each are approximately aligned. In a preferred embodiment, a single bolt 6 extends through both apertures and would be secured in position using fastening element 34. In one embodiment, bolt 6 is adjusted using slot 8. Adjustment can be accomplished with any solid tool or article that is able to fit within slot 8, such as a flat head screwdriver, a token or coin, etc. Thus, the user is not forced to carry a specialized tool in order to adjust bolt 6, thereby reducing weight requirements in the field.
While the inventive subject matter is well adapted for use with helmets, the fastener assembly can also be utilized with little or no modification in virtually any mobile device where security and ballistic resistant properties are important considerations. Additionally, the inventive subject matter may also be implemented in any stationary structure where ballistic resistant is a concern.
In addition to the embodiments described above, the present ballistic resistant fastener is also capable of serving as a housing for a variety of tracking devices. In one embodiment, a hollowed out portion of the fastener shaft, or alternatively, an extended portion of the shaft, can be equipped with a receiver and/or transmitter and disposed in communication with a global positioning system or another monitoring system. Such embodiments can allow users, such as military, security personnel, etc., employing devices equipped with an embodiment of a fastener to be tracked or located should they become lost or injured. In other embodiments, ballistic resistant fastener can be equipped with infrared and radio frequency applications. In some embodiments, infrared and frequency type applications facilitate communications between users employing devices equipped with an embodiment of a fastener. In other embodiments, the package serves as a scrambler or blocker of other signals that might otherwise be used by a hostile force to locate or track the wearer. In still other embodiments, the claimed fastener houses an illumination means so that the wearer can be equipped with an infrared light or light of another spectrum to assist the visual aspects of a search or patrol mission, for example.
In short, any type of electronics package can be inserted into a void space formed in the fastener, or within or upon an extension of the fastener shaft (or even an annular, washer-like device disposed beneath the head of the fastener), the only functional limitation being that the package housing must conform generally to the existing shape and contours of the ballistic resistant fastener claimed herein.
The foregoing specification is provided for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to describe all possible aspects of the present invention. Moreover, while the embodiments are described with reference to various implementations and exploitations, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subject matter is not limited thereby. In general, embodiments of a ballistic resistant bolt used to secure straps to a ballistic resistant helmet as described herein may be implemented using methods, facilities, and devices consistent with any appropriate structural or mechanical systems. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are also possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed.
For example, plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. Boundaries between various components, operations and functionality are depicted somewhat arbitrarily, and particular operations are illustrated within the context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and will also fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may also fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/495,317 filed Jun. 30, 2009, still pending, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/974,324 filed Oct. 12, 2007, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/447,000 filed Jun. 5, 2006, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/757,651, filed Jan. 10, 2006.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60757651 | Jan 2006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12495317 | Jun 2009 | US |
| Child | 13848590 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11974324 | Oct 2007 | US |
| Child | 12495317 | US | |
| Parent | 11447000 | Jun 2006 | US |
| Child | 11974324 | US |
