The present subject matter relates generally to ballistic garments, namely flexible ballistic headwear.
Firearms are a known hazard to law enforcement officers. In 2016, one hundred and forty-three law enforcement officers died in the line of duty, and sixty-six of these deaths were attributed to lethal gunshot wounds. Law enforcement officers have worn ballistic vests for decades to reduce the risk of lethal gunshot wounds, but ballistic vests have limitations. In particular, ballistic vests protect torsos while leaving other body parts vulnerable to gunshot wounds.
The head is particularly vulnerable to gunshots, and known ballistic vests offer no head protection. Gunshot wounds to the head are associated with high risk of death or grave disability due to irreversible brain tissue damage. Ballistic helmets are available that can reduce head damage from gunshot wounds. However, police departments frequently limit the use of ballistic helmets because they can appear aggressive or militaristic to the public. Thus, ballistic helmets are generally only issued to Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) units in police departments. In addition, ballistic helmets can be heavy and cumbersome for constant wear while on duty.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In an example embodiment, a ballistic garment includes a plurality of flexible ballistic sheets. Each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets defines at least one slit. Opposite edges of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets at the at least one slit are positioned in overlap such that each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets is curved. The plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are nested together, and the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are mounted together to collectively form a flexible headcap.
In a first example embodiment, the opposite edges of each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may defines an overlap joint. The plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may be nested together in a stack. The overlap joint of each the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may be offset from the overlap joint of adjacent ballistic sheets within the stack of flexible ballistic sheets.
In a second example embodiment, a thickness of the flexible headcap formed by the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may be no less than four millimeters (4 mm) and no greater than eight millimeters (8 mm).
In a third example embodiment, the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may include no less than fifteen flexible ballistic sheets.
In a fourth example embodiment, each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may include ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers.
In a fifth example embodiment, the flexible headcap may conform to the NIJ Type Ma standard.
In a sixth example embodiment, the flexible headcap formed by the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may cover anterior, lateral, and posterior skull bones when the flexible headcap is on a wearer.
In a seventh example embodiment, the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may be distributed three-hundred and sixty degrees around an interior of the flexible headcap.
In an eighth example embodiment, the flexible headcap may be sized for receipt within a hat.
In a ninth example embodiment, the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may be mounted together by adhesive or thermal bonding.
Each of the example aspects recited above may be combined with one or more of the other example aspects recited above in certain embodiments. For instance, all of the nine example aspects recited above, i.e., the first through nineth examples aspects, may be combined with one another in some embodiments. As another example, any combination of two, three, four, five, or more of the nine example aspects recited above may be combined in other embodiments. Thus, the example aspects recited above may be utilized in combination with one another in some example embodiments. Alternatively, the example aspects recited above may be individually implemented in other example embodiments. Accordingly, it will be understood that various example embodiments may be realized utilizing the example aspects recited above.
In another example embodiment, a ballistic garment includes a plurality of flexible ballistic sheets. Each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets defines at least one slit. Opposite edges of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets at the at least one slit are positioned in overlap such that each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets is curved. The plurality of flexible ballistic sheets includes no less than fifteen flexible ballistic sheets. The plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are nested together, and the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are thermally bonded together to collectively form a flexible headcap.
In a tenth example embodiment, the opposite edges of each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may define an overlap joint. The plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may be nested together in a stack. The overlap joint of each the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may be offset from the overlap joint of adjacent ballistic sheets within the stack of flexible ballistic sheets.
In an eleventh example embodiment, a thickness of the flexible headcap formed by the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may be no less than four millimeters (4 mm) and no greater than eight millimeters (8 mm).
In a twelfth example embodiment, each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may include ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers.
In a thirteenth example embodiment, the flexible headcap may conform to the NIJ Type Ma standard.
In a fourteenth example embodiment, the flexible headcap formed by the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may cover anterior, lateral, and posterior skull bones when the flexible headcap is on a wearer.
In a fifteenth example embodiment, the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets may be distributed three-hundred and sixty degrees around an interior of the flexible headcap.
In a sixteenth example embodiment, the flexible headcap may be sized for receipt within a hat.
Each of the example aspects recited above may be combined with one or more of the other example aspects recited above in certain embodiments. For instance, all of the seven example aspects recited above, i.e., the tenth through sixteenth examples aspects, may be combined with one another in some embodiments. As another example, any combination of two, three, four, five, or more of the seven example aspects recited above may be combined in other embodiments. Thus, the example aspects recited above may be utilized in combination with one another in some example embodiments. Alternatively, the example aspects recited above may be individually implemented in other example embodiments. Accordingly, it will be understood that various example embodiments may be realized utilizing the example aspects recited above.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. As used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a ten percent (10%) margin.
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Flexible ballistic sheet 10 may have a circular or oval shape in the flat configuration. For example, flexible ballistic sheet 10 may be cut from a roll of ballistic fabric to form ballistic sheet 10 from the roll of ballistic fabric. Flexible ballistic sheet 10 may also include at least one slit 14. In the example embodiment shown in
Flexible ballistic sheet 10 may be cut to form slits 14. Slits 14 may extend from an outer edge 16 of flexible ballistic sheet 10 towards a center 18 of flexible ballistic sheet 10. Thus, e.g., flexible ballistic sheet 10 may be cut at the outer edge 16 towards the center 18 of flexible ballistic sheet 10 to form slits 14. Slits 14 may be straight or curved. For instance, slits 14 may be straight or curved from the outer edge 16 towards the center 18 of flexible ballistic sheet 10. A length of slits 14, e.g., from outer edge 16 towards the center 18 of flexible ballistic sheet 10 may be no less than twenty-five millimeters (25 mm) and no greater than one hundred and fifty millimeters (150 mm), such as no less than thirty millimeters (30 mm) and no greater than one hundred and twenty-five millimeters (125 mm), such as no less than fifty millimeters (50 mm) and no greater than one hundred millimeters (100 mm).
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The stack 110 of flexible ballistic sheets 10 may include a suitable number of flexible ballistic sheets 10. In example embodiments, the stack 110 of flexible ballistic sheets 10 may include no less than ten (10) flexible ballistic sheets 10, such as no less than twelve (12) flexible ballistic sheets 10, such as no less than fifteen (15) flexible ballistic sheets 10, such as no less than seventeen (17) flexible ballistic sheets 10, such as no less than twenty (20) flexible ballistic sheets 10. In example embodiments, the stack 110 of flexible ballistic sheets 10 may include no greater than thirty (30) flexible ballistic sheets 10, such as no greater than twenty-five (25) flexible ballistic sheets 10, such as no greater than twenty-two (22) flexible ballistic sheets 10, such as no greater than twenty (20) flexible ballistic sheets 10. Such number of flexible ballistic sheets 10 within the stack 110 may advantageously assist with limiting or preventing penetration of flexible headcap 100 by projectiles, such as bullets, while also providing comfortable protection during extended wear of flexible headcap 100, e.g., within a hat.
The stack 110 may have a thickness TSS between opposite end flexible ballistic sheets 10, e.g., between an outer flexible ballistic sheet 32 at an outer surface 102 of flexible headcap 100 and an inner flexible ballistic sheet 34 at an inner surface (not shown) of flexible headcap 100. The inner surface of flexible headcap 100 may face towards a wearer of flexible headcap 100, and the outer surface 102 of flexible headcap 100 may face away from the wearer of flexible headcap 100 when flexible headcap 100 is on the wearer. The thickness TSS of stack 110 (e.g., and thus flexible headcap 100) may be no less than two millimeters (2 mm) and no greater than twenty millimeters (20 mm), such as no less than three millimeters (3 mm) and no greater than fifteen millimeters (15 mm), such as no less than four millimeters (4 mm) and no greater than eight millimeters (8 mm). Such sizing of the TSS of stack 110 may advantageously provide comfortable protection during extended wear of flexible headcap 100, e.g., within a hat.
The flexible ballistic sheets 10 may be mounted together in a suitable manner to form the flexible headcap 100. For instance, flexible ballistic sheets 10 may be mounted together by adhesive or thermal bonding, such as by heating flexible ballistic sheets 10 such that adjacent flexible ballistic sheets 10 melt together. It will be understood that flexible ballistic sheets 10 may include a film over the woven ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers and/or para-aramid fibers that may be melted together to heat bond the adjacent flexible ballistic sheets 10.
Flexible headcap 100 may be configured to protect against assaults with handguns and may also be suitable for extended daily wear. Thus, flexible headcap 100 may be worn by law enforcement officers while executing their daily duties. Flexible headcap 100 may provide three hundred and sixty degrees (360°) of head protection while also being comfortable to wear, e.g., relative to rigid helmets or other ballistic headwear.
Flexible headcap 100 may include multiple layers of strong, ballistic-resistant flexible sheets 10 that engage and deform a projectile in order to spreading a force of the projectile over a larger portion of flexible headcap 100, relative to an undeformed projectile. Flexible headcap 100 can absorb energy from the deforming projectile and stop the projectile before the projectile completely penetrates the flexible headcap 100. In certain example embodiments, flexible headcap 100 may conform to the NIJ Type Ma standard and thus protect against penetration by the bullets described in such standard. Thus, e.g., flexible headcap 100 may stop 0.357 SIG and 0.44 Magnum ammunition fired from longer barrel handguns.
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Flexible headcap 100 formed from flexible ballistic sheets 10 may be disposed within headwear in order to protect the skull and brain of a wearer. For example, as shown in
Fabric cap 200 may be constructed to match the appearance of known headwear, such as a baseball cap, a casquette, a combination cap, a boonie hat, a patrol cap, a ranger hat, etc. Thus, e.g., fabric cap 200 may be constructed of various fabric panels stitched together. Fabric cap 200 may include one or more of para-aramid fibers, polyester fibers, cotton fibers, wool fibers, etc. As may be seen from the above, fabric cap 200 may have a covert and unassuming appearance. Thus, fabric cap 200 with flexible headcap 100 therein may be worn to provide protection from brain damage due to projectiles, such as bullets, while also avoiding the aggressive or militaristic appearance of known helmets.
Within fabric cap 200, a top portion 106 of flexible headcap 100 may be positioned adjacent a top portion 202 of fabric cap 200, and a bottom edge 108 of flexible headcap 100 may be positioned adjacent a bottom portion 204 of fabric cap 200. Thus, e.g., flexible headcap 100 may be distributed in a generally semi-spherical pattern within a corresponding portion of fabric cap 200. In particular, flexible headcap 100 may be distributed three-hundred and sixty degrees (360°) around an interior of fabric cap 200, e.g., in a plane that is perpendicular to an axis between the top and bottom portions 202, 204 of fabric cap 200. In such a manner, e.g., flexible headcap 100 may be positioned in fabric cap 200 to cover anterior, lateral and posterior skull bones when fabric cap 200 on a wearer.
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This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.