Modular armor
OwnerJohn York, James Ecksteininventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular armor apparatus includes a support plate and a plurality of replaceable armor modules coupled to the support plate. The armor modules may be detachably/reversibly coupled to the support plate to enable the armor modules to be replaced. In various embodiments, the support plate defines a plurality of first locking features, each armor module of the plurality of armor modules comprises a second locking feature, and the second locking feature of each armor module is configured to be reversibly interlocked with a respective first locking feature of the plurality of first locking features of the support plate.
Claims17
A modular armor apparatus comprising:
- a support plate defining a plurality of first locking features;
- and
- a plurality of replaceable armor modules coupled to the support plate;
- wherein
- each armor module of the plurality of armor modules comprises a back side and a front side opposite the back side;
- each armor module of the plurality of armor modules comprises a second locking feature;
- the second locking feature of each armor module is configured to be reversibly interlocked with a respective first locking feature of the plurality of first locking features of the support plate;
- the plurality of first locking features comprises a plurality of receptacles defined in the support plate;
- the second locking feature of each armor module comprises a stud extending from the back side;
- and
- the stud of each armor module is reversibly retained within a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles of the support plate.
A modular armor apparatus comprising:
- a support plate comprising a front surface, a back surface, and a plurality of first locking features;
- and
- a plurality of armor modules detachably coupled to the support plate, wherein each armor module of the plurality of armor modules comprises a second locking feature configured to reversibly interlocked with a respective first locking feature of the plurality of first locking features of the support plate;
- wherein:
- the plurality of first locking features comprises a plurality of pass-through apertures extending the support plate from the front surface to the back surface;
- the back surface of the support plate defines a plurality of indentations corresponding to the plurality of pass-through apertures;
- each armor module comprises a back side and a front side opposite the back side;
- the second locking feature of each armor module comprises a stud extending from the back side;
- the stud is configured to extend through a respective pass-through aperture of the plurality of pass-through apertures such that the back side each armor module engages the front surface of the support plate;
- and
- a locking nut is configured to be coupled to the stud and to be seated within a respective indentation of the plurality of indentations.
A method of repairing body armor, the method comprising:
- decoupling any remaining portions of a broken armor module from a first locking feature of a support plate;
- and
- engaging a second locking feature of a replacement armor module with the first locking feature;
- wherein:
- the replacement armor module comprises a back side and a front side opposite the back side;
- the second locking feature of the replacement armor module is configured to be reversibly interlocked with the first locking feature of the support plate;
- the support plate comprises a front surface and a back surface;
- the first locking feature comprises a pass-through aperture extending through the support plate from the front surface to the back surface;
- and
- the back surface of the support plate defines an indentation corresponding to the pass-through aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.