Transparent armor structure

#1. Field of the Invention

#In one aspect this invention relates to armored vehicles. In a further aspect this invention relates to a transparent armor structure useful in military and security vehicles.

#2. Prior Art

#In the accompanying drawing:

#The FIGURE is a partial side view in section of one embodiment of this invention.

#Referring to the accompanying drawing, an improved transparent armor structure according to this invention is designated generally as 10. A transparent armor composite 12 is shown with a plurality of lamella. Tempered glass lamella 14, 16 form the innermost and outermost layers of the composite. The glass lamella 14, 16 each have a layer of plastic material 18, 20 attached to their inner surface. As is common in such composites there are additional inner layers of material 22, 24. These layers will generally be additional layers of tempered glass, energy absorbing layers of plastic material or other types of strengthening material designed to provide the composite with additional penetration. The particular materials will be chosen based on the particular threat consideration. As shown, there is a final central layer 26, which again will be, chosen to maximize projectile resistance for the particular application. The materials useable are generally known in the transparent armor art and the choice will be dictated by the threat protection needed, weight allowance, optical properties and cost considerations. The innermost and outer most layers used in the present composite are tempered glass since that is without material which provides the greatest resistance to scratching and thus is the most desirable material on the outermost surfaces of the composite to preserve and maintain optical integrity. The choice of particular materials for each lamella is within the skill of the art and further description is omitted in the interest of brevity.

#The laminated transparent armor 12 is mounted in a multi-part C-shaped frame 30 attached to a vehicle, not shown. The multiplied-part frame 30 surrounds and encloses the composite's 12 edge. The C-shaped multi-part frame 30 is formed to securely mount transparent armor composite 12 in a position normally associated with a vehicle window. In the multi-part frame 30 as shown, a first leg 32 provides one side of the C-shape of the frame and extends vertically beyond the frame boundary so as to provide a flange 34. The flange 34 has a first plurality of apertures 35 that allow the flange to be attached to a portion of the vehicle's frame 36 surrounding the opening to be protected. The flange 34 is secured to the vehicle frame 36 using a first plurality of threaded fasteners 38 passing through the first plurality of apertures 35. Threaded fasteners 38 are disposed at intervals around the periphery of the vehicle opening to provide proper support. The first vertical leg 32 of frame 30 is attached to a horizontal member 40 extending orthogonally into the vehicle's interior. The first vertical leg 32 is secured to the horizontal member 40 by a second plurality of threaded fasteners 42 passing apertures 43 through the first vertical leg 32 and engaging a mating aperture in the horizontal portion. At the opposite of the horizontal member 40, distal the first vertical leg 32 is a second vertical leg 44. The second vertical leg 44 is held in place by a third plurality of threaded fasteners 46 passing through the second vertical leg 44 and engaging threaded apertures in the horizontal portion. The resulting C-shaped frame structure 30 surrounds and holds the composite 12 in position to cover the opening and protect the vehicle's interior.

#As noted before, glass while having good strength and abrasion resistance is brittle and subject to fracture and spalling. This is especially true when the edges are exposed to chipping and stressing even absent projectile incursion. Thus, to protect the edges and provide a seal for the edges of the composite 12, a shaped polymeric gasket 48 is disposed between the composite and the C-shaped frame 30 surrounding the composite's edge. The gasket 48 can be formed of various natural or synthetic polymeric sealing materials that will serve to seal the composite 12 and protect the composite within the C-shaped frame 30.