Ballistic armor having a flexible load distribution system

Abstract

A flexible protective armor is provided with a very hard microstructure and a flexible macrostructure for flexurally deforming along smooth curves when impacted by a ballistic projectile, and then rebounding after the impact. The flexible protective armor includes an outward layer of hard geometric shapes, preferably spheres, which are firmly mounted to an outward side of a flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is preferably a ballistic fabric which is formed of a sixty degree weave of ballistic fibers. The spheres have mounting portions and side engagement portions. The mounting portions of the spheres are firmly bonded to the flexible membrane by a rigid adhesive, with the spheres tightly packed to mechanically interlock the side engagement portions of adjacent ones of the spheres for rotating relative to on another, free of the rigid adhesive. The kinetic energy of a fast moving projectile is absorbed upon impact with the flexible protective armor by curving of the layer of spheres and the flexible membrane, tensioning the ballistic fibers of the flexible membrane within the elastic range of the ballistic fibers so that the flexible protective armor will rebound after impact. A fiber reinforced pliable material is disposed within the interstitial spaces between the spheres and the flexible membrane to absorb the energy of the spheres when the flexible protective armor is rebounding after impact. A flexible, impact resistant polyurethane coating extends across on outward side of the layer of spheres.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.