# US 11,112,218 B2 · Modular armor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,112,218 B2 - Document ID: US11112218B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/682,864 - Filed: 2019-11-13 - Published: 2021-03-04 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-13 - Applicants: John York; James Eckstein - Inventors: John York; James Eckstein - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11112218B2 ## CPC - F41H 1/02: Armoured or projectile- or missile-resistant garments; Composite protection fabrics {(F41H5/04 takes precedence)} - F41H 5/013: Mounting or securing armour plates - F41H 5/023: {Armour plate, or auxiliary armour plate mounted at a distance of the main armour plate, having cavities at its outer impact surface, or holes, for deflecting the projectile} - F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular armor of claim 1, wherein the front side of each armor module is oblique relative to a plane of the support plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modular armor of claim 1, wherein the front side of each armor module comprises a domed, convex shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The modular armor apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the support plate comprises a front surface and a back surface; the plurality of receptacles comprises a plurality of pass-through apertures extending through the support plate from the front surface to the back surface; and the back surface of the support plate defines a plurality of indentations corresponding to the plurality of pass-through apertures. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The modular armor apparatus of claim 4, wherein each indentation of the plurality of indentations surrounds and circumscribes a respective pass-through aperture of the plurality of pass-through apertures. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The modular armor apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of indentations comprises indentations of different sizes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The modular armor apparatus of claim 5, wherein a cross-sectional size of each indentation is proportional to a cross-sectional size of the respective pass-through aperture. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The modular armor apparatus of claim 7, wherein a shape of a perimeter of each indentation is different than a cross-sectional shape of the respective pass-through aperture. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The modular armor apparatus of claim 5, wherein: 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The modular armor apparatus of claim 9, wherein a portion the stud comprises a non-circular cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The modular armor apparatus of claim 10, wherein the non-circular cross-sectional shape matches a cross-sectional shape of the respective pass-through aperture such that each armor module is positioned in a desired orientation relative to the support plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The modular armor apparatus of claim 11, wherein the portion of the stud is a first portion, wherein the stud further comprises a second portion comprising a circular cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The modular armor apparatus of claim 13, wherein: a first portion the stud comprises a non-circular cross-sectional shape; the non-circular cross-sectional shape matches a cross-sectional shape of the respective pass-through aperture such that each armor module is positioned in a desired orientation relative to the support plate; and a second portion of the stud comprises a circular cross-sectional shape configured to be coupled to the locking nut. ### Claim 15 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein engaging the second locking feature with the first locking feature comprises inserting a stud of the replacement armor module into the pass-through aperture. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein engaging the second locking feature with the first locking feature comprises coupling a locking nut to the stud of the replacement armor module after inserting the stud through the pass-through aperture forming the first locking feature.