Patent Application
20250092580
The invention is related to lightweight, tear resistant ripstop fabrics for combat uniforms that can be combined with reinforcing fabric layers that are strategically integrated into combat uniforms to protect lower extremities and soft tissues from high-velocity fragments and debris, such as those occurring in blast-related events.
Existing combat uniform fabrics are designed to protect wearers from the natural elements and some specific hazards, but not necessarily from some of the threats associated with buried blasts and blast-related events, which include a large number of high-velocity fragments and secondary debris ejected over a prolonged but finite duration.
Therefore, there exists a need for lightweight, flexible, tear resistant ripstop fabrics and fabric constructs that include a reinforcing layer or layers of fabric, such that the ripstop fabric and/or fabric constructs made with these ripstop fabrics can be integrated into a combat uniform garment that resists damage from high-velocity fragments and debris in buried blast events and that can otherwise cause injuries.
Buried blasts and blast-related events can cause severe injuries to nearby personnel, in part from the large number of high-velocity fragments and secondary debris being ejected over a prolonged but finite duration. While existing combat uniform fabrics are designed to protect wearers from the natural elements and some exceptional hazards, these fabrics are not specifically designed to protect wearers from high-velocity fragments and debris, leaving wearers vulnerable to these threats, particularly in the lower extremities and areas of soft tissues not covered by additional protective gear.
There is a need for lightweight, flexible, tear resistant fabrics that can be made into combat uniform garments and help reduce the risk of injury associated with these threats. Additionally, these resistant fabrics can be reinforced with a backing layer or layers of a second fabric, such that this fabric construct made with these ripstop fabrics can be strategically integrated into combat uniform garments that are lightweight, unbulky, and that can resist damage from the threats from high-velocity metallic and non-metallic fragments and debris that can otherwise cause injuries in buried blasts events. In both cases, garments made by these ripstop fabrics and garments made by integrating these ripstop fabrics and fabric constructs also have to maintain the functional properties of environmental protection, comfort, and wearer agility/mobility required of current combat uniforms.
The present disclosure features some embodiments that may include tear resistant fabrics that are made with a ripstop structure using lightweight, high-strength materials. These ripstop fabrics show enhanced resistance to damage by high-velocity projectiles and fragments and debris, such as observed in outdoor buried shallow buried blast tests with a detonable charge, to increase wearer protection.
The lightweight ripstop fabric may include ribs or other support elements that include one or more continuous multi-filament yarns made of para-aramid or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and that are spaced at regular intervals of a woven ripstop fabric. The ribs may be woven into a cloth or fabric with various spun yarns as the body yarns of the fabric, to generate lightweight, flexible, cost-effective ripstop fabrics that are able to resist tearing and/or other types of damage from high-velocity fragments and debris in blast-related events.
The present disclosure features some embodiments that may include a fabric construct including one layer of tear resistant ripstop fabric made using lightweight, high-strength materials and an attached backing layer or layers including a second fabric. This fabric construct shows enhanced resistance to damage by high-velocity projectiles and fragments and debris, as observed in outdoor buried shallow buried blast tests with a detonable charge, to increase wearer protection.
The fabric construct made with one layer of tear-resistant ripstop fabric may include one or more backing layers of a woven, knit, or non-woven cloth or fabric including para-aramid or UHMWPE. The backing layer or layers of the fabric construct may include sewing/stitching, or other means to attach the backing layer or layers to the layer of tear resistant ripstop fabric. The resultant fabric construct is lightweight, flexible, low-bulk, cost-effective, and able to resist tearing and/or other types of damage occurring from high-velocity fragments and debris occurring in blast-related events.
The present disclosure features some embodiments that may include a garment having a single layer of ripstop fabric. The present disclosure also features some embodiments that may include a garment consisting of a single layer of ripstop fabric integrated with a reinforcing backing layer or layers in specific areas of the garment, particularly to increase wearer protection in areas vulnerable to threats of high-velocity fragments and debris that may occur in buried blast events. The specific areas in the garment integrating a single layer of ripstop fabric with an attached backing layer or layers may correspond to the lower extremities or pelvic area. The resulting integrated lightweight, flexible, low-bulkiness, cost-effective reinforced garment is able to resist tearing and/or other types of damage in buried blast events and protect wearers from injuries that may otherwise occur.
The novel features of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments are illustrated in the following drawings.
The following detailed description describes currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of some embodiments, as the scope of the disclosure is best defined by the appended claims.
The textiles used in current military uniforms and gear are designed to provide wearers with durable protection from the natural environment (e.g., waterproofing, thermal regulation, and microbial and insect protection), protection from exceptional hazards and threats (e.g., camouflage, flame resistance, stain repellant), and measurable levels of comfort (e.g., breathability, moisture vapor transmission, moisture-wicking), while also allowing for maximum agility, range-of-motion, and mobility in complex terrains and landscapes in extreme conditions. Various industrial fiber and fabric processing technologies, including the use of functional coatings and finishes and other textile technologies, are implemented to construct fabrics and uniforms that meet these requirements. For example, to provide camouflage and prevent detection in operational environments or by night-vision devices, uniforms have to be printed/dyed in specific color shades that do not readily fade or run from environmental exposure or laundering. Similarly, to provide flame resistant (FR) properties, uniform fabrics are made from a fiber blend that includes para-aramid.
Para-aramids and UHMWPE have been implemented in textiles for uniform fabrics and gear to provide lightweight solutions to address specific threats or challenge for firefighters, law enforcement, and the military (vest, body armor, face masks, and helmets). Para-aramids and UHMWPE are synthetic polymers that are converted into high-strength fibers with exceptional properties. Para-aramid fibers show exceptional tensile strength (particularly tensile strength-to-weight ratio), Young's modulus, and stability toward thermal or mechanical degradation. The use of UHMWPE fibers have become widespread in the fields of composite reinforcements and soft armor.
To meet the challenges of serious burns occurring as a result of buried blast events, uniform fabrics were developed using para-aramid fibers that are inherently FR. These FR uniforms achieved the goal of reducing the incidence of serious burn injuries in these instances. To address the challenges of buried blast events relating to the release of high-velocity fragments and debris, protective undergarments (PUGs) were developed as a separate garment that is worn under the uniform to protect lower extremities and soft tissues from serious injuries. PUGs are designed to include knit and woven para-aramid fabrics and to be breathable and moisture-wicking. Additionally, a protective outer-garment (POG) and Blast Pelvic Protector (BPP) have been developed to be worn over the uniform and protect the wearer's pelvic area.
One factor to consider in addressing the threats from blast debris is the type of soil and its composition, in which the buried blast event takes place. For example, in desert environments, the debris field will consist largely of sand, gravel, and rock fragments. In tropical locations, wet soil masses and small rocks will likely make up the blast debris. In urban and subterranean settings, the debris will likely consist of different sizes of irregular-shaped fragments and chards of manmade construction materials, such as concrete, glass, pavement, masonry, and other stonework, as well as soil, dirt, and rocks. Protection is needed from the different types of high velocity projectiles and composition of blast debris, that may occur in diverse operational environments, damage protective gear through different mechanisms, and cause a spectrum of injuries (abrasion, infection, penetrations, blunt trauma), particularly in the lower extremities and pelvic area.
There is a need for lightweight, flexible, high strength, tear resistant fabrics that can be made into combat uniform garments, and there is a need for lightweight, flexible, tear resistant fabrics that can be integrated with a backing layer or layers to make unbulky combat uniform garments, that help reduce the risk of injury, particularly to the groin area and lower extremities, that may result from the large number of high-velocity metallic and non-metallic fragments and secondary debris that are ejected over a prolonged but finite duration in buried blasts and blast-related events.
The present disclosure includes reinforced ripstop fabrics with ribs or support elements that include continuous multi-filament yarns made of para-aramid or UHMWPE. Garments may be constructed with this ripstop fabric, such that the garment provides enhanced resistance to blast debris, as observed in outdoor buried blast tests with a detonable charge, without compromising the myriad textile and multi-functional properties of the uniform, comfort, and wearability for the movement, agility, and mobility of the wearer.
The present disclosure includes fabric constructs that include one layer of ripstop fabric with ribs that include continuous multi-filament yarns made of para-aramid or UHMWPE that are reinforced by attachment to one or more backing layers of woven, knit, or non-woven fabric made of para-aramid or UHMWPE, such that the resultant fabric construct provides enhanced resistance to blast debris, as observed in outdoor buried blast tests with a detonable charge, without compromising the myriad textile and multi-functional properties of the uniform, comfort, and wearability for the movement, agility, and mobility of the wearer.
The present disclosure includes a protective garment that includes one layer of ripstop fabric with ribs that include continuous multi-filament yarns made of para-aramid or UHMWPE, to provide enhanced resistance to blast debris to protect the lower extremities and pelvic area without compromising the myriad textile and multi-functional properties of the uniform, comfort, and wearability for the movement, agility, and mobility of the wearer.
The present disclosure includes a protective garment that includes one layer of ripstop fabric made with continuous multi-filament para-aramid or UHMWPE yarns as ribs and integrated with areas that include one or more backing layers of woven, knit, or non-woven fabric made of para-aramid or UHMWPE, such that the protective garment includes ripstop fabrics and fabric constructs strategically integrated to provide enhanced resistance to blast debris to protect the lower extremities and pelvic area without compromising the myriad textile and multi-functional properties of the uniform, comfort, and wearability for the movement, agility, and mobility of the wearer.
Various features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. Broadly, some embodiments generally provide ripstop fabrics that may include continuous multi-filament yarns of the high-strength materials para-aramid or UHMWPE. The continuous multi-filament yarns may form ribs or reinforcing structural support elements that may be distributed throughout a fabric with other continuous filament yarns and/or staple yarns. Some embodiments generally provide ripstop fabrics that may include continuous multi-filament yarns as ribs, and that also may include one or more backing layers of woven, knit, or non-woven fabrics made of high-strength materials as a fabric construct or strategically integrated into a garment for protection of particularly sensitive areas.
The section of ripstop fabric 100 may include a repeating pattern of ribs 130 with respect to a weft axis 140 and a warp axis 150. In this example, there are nineteen staple yarns 110 between every rib 130 along the weft axis 140, and there are ten staple yarns 110 between every rib 130 along the warp axis 150. This pattern of ribs 130 in the ripstop fabric may be referred to as a nineteen-by-ten (19×10) array. Other example arrays include twenty-by-ten (20×10), ten-by-five (10×5), six-by-three (6×3), and six-by-two (6×2).
Different embodiments of the ripstop fabric may include different reinforced structures arranged in various different patterns. For instance, ribs 130 may be spaced closer together than a nineteen-by-ten array or a twenty-by-ten array, such as a ten-by-five array, six-by-three array, or six-by-two array, in order to increase stability for protection, or spaced farther apart to increase comfort or flexibility.
The continuous multi-filament yarns 120 of the ripstop reinforcing structure may be separated by staple yarns 110 woven into the cloth. The ribs 130 may include continuous multi-filament yarns 120 that may be repeated at regularly spaced intervals (e.g., a nineteen-by-ten, twenty-by-ten, ten-by-five, or seven-by-three array). Continuous multi-filament yarns 120 may be four hundred, five hundred denier, six hundred denier, or eight hundred denier para-aramid or UHMWPE. Ribs 130 may include, for example, one or two four hundred denier continuous multi-filament yarns 120 space throughout a reinforcing ripstop structure. The ribs 130 may be spaced at regular intervals with staple yarns 110 intervening between the ribs 130, for example, as a nineteen-by-ten, twenty-by-ten, ten-by-five, or seven-by-three array.
As shown, trouser garment 300 may include reinforced sections of ripstop fabric 320 in some association with sensitive areas, such as the lower extremities and pelvic region, and/or areas of expected high usage or wear-and-tear, such as knee pads. The layer of ripstop fabric 310 and/or the reinforcing layers associated with reinforced sections of ripstop fabric 320 may include a woven fabric that includes staple yarns 110 interwoven with a ripstop structure that includes continuous multi-filament yarns 120 that may form a set of ribs 130 as structural support. The woven ripstop fabric 310 may include ribs 130 including continuous filament yarns 120 spaced at regular intervals, as shown. Each multi-filament yarn 120 may include materials such as para-aramid, UHMWPE, and/or other appropriate materials. Each continuous multi-filament yarn may be in the range of two hundred Denier to eight hundred Denier yarns, most preferably in the range of about four hundred Denier to six hundred Denier yarns.
Each staple yarn 110 may include various appropriate types of natural fibers (e.g., wool, cotton, silk, etc.) and/or types of synthetic fibers (rayon, spandex, polyester, nylon, para-aramid, UHMWPE, etc.). The staple yarns 110 may include FR fiber blends, such as those used in an FR Army Combat Uniform (FRACU).
Trouser garment 300 may include sections with one or more layers of reinforcing backing fabric 320 in some embodiments. For example, the trouser garment 300 may include sections of ripstop fabric 310 integrated with one or more additional layers of reinforcing fabric 320 in sensitive areas (e.g., pelvic region, lower extremities, etc.). In some embodiments, trouser garment 300 may include ripstop fabric integrated with sections of reinforcement with one or more backing layers of fabric 320 including woven or knit para-aramid or UHMWPE fabrics. Trouser garment 300 may include any number of other elements, such as fasteners (e.g., buttons, snaps, zippers, etc.) and/or other appropriate elements (e.g., those associated with a combat uniform).
Buried blast events and/or fragmenting munitions or other similar blast-related occurrences may eject high velocity small metallic and non-metallic fragments, natural materials such as soils, gravel, and rocks, and manmade construction materials such as broken concrete, rock, or masonry shards, metal, glass, pavement, etc. The trouser garment 300 including the ripstop fabric 310 may include sections with one or more backing layers of fabric 320 for reinforcement and may be better able to resist various types of damage (e.g., tears, penetrations) from high velocity projectiles and blast debris and/or otherwise maintain the structural integrity of the trouser garment 300 and/or otherwise minimize the effects of such damage that may cause injuries in buried blast or blast-related events.
No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. An instance of the use of the term “and,” as used herein, does not necessarily preclude the interpretation that the phrase “and/or” was intended in that instance. Similarly, an instance of the use of the term “or,” as used herein, does not necessarily preclude the interpretation that the phrase “and/or” was intended in that instance. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with the phrase “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the terms “one,” “single,” “only,” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.
The foregoing relates to illustrative details of exemplary embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the possible implementations of the disclosure. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. For instance, although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one other claim, the disclosure of the possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.
The invention described herein may be manufactured, used and licensed by or for the U.S. Government.
