Articulating protective system for resisting mechanical loads
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsChristine Ortiz, Mary C. Boyce, Juha Song, Steffen H. Reichert
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Abstract
Articulating protective systems for resisting mechanical loads and related methods are generally described. The protective structures described herein can incorporate one or more features that enhance the ability of the structure to resist an applied force while remaining sufficiently flexible to allow for movement of the object or person the structure is designed to protect.
Claims55
A non-naturally occurring protective article for resisting a mechanical load, comprising:
- a plurality of load-resistant units arranged to form a plurality of rows, wherein:
- at least one row contains a first unit comprising a peg which, when viewed from an exposed side of the protective article, extends from an edge of the first unit, the peg housed within a socket in an edge of a first adjacent unit within the row to form a peg and socket connection, wherein the peg is tapered from a base of the peg to a tip of the peg such that the base of the peg is thicker than the tip of the peg, and wherein the peg and socket connection allows for the first unit to move relative to the first adjacent unit, and
- the at least one row at least partially overlaps an adjacent row.
A non-naturally occurring protective article for resisting a mechanical load, comprising:
- a plurality of load-resistant units arranged to form a plurality of rows, wherein:
- at least one row contains a first unit comprising a peg which, when viewed from an exposed side of the protective article, extends from an edge of the first unit, the peg housed within a socket in an edge of a first adjacent unit within the row to form a peg and socket connection,
- the at least one row at least partially overlaps an adjacent row,
- the protective article comprises a first axis substantially parallel to the rows of units and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the rows of units, and
- the protective article is more flexible along the second axis than along the first axis.
A non-naturally occurring protective article for resisting a mechanical load, comprising:
- a plurality of load-resistant units arranged to form a plurality of rows, wherein:
- at least one row contains a first unit comprising a peg which, when viewed from an exposed side of the protective article, extends from an edge of the first unit, the peg housed within a socket in an edge of a first adjacent unit within the row to form a peg and socket connection,
- the at least one row at least partially overlaps an adjacent row,
- the load-resistant units are substantially different in size and/or shape, and
- the size and/or shape of the load-resistant units are configured to impart a desired flexibility to at least a portion of the protective article.
A non-naturally occurring protective article for resisting a mechanical load, comprising:
- a plurality of load-resistant units arranged to form a plurality of rows, wherein:
- at least one row contains a first unit comprising a peg which, when viewed from an exposed side of the protective article, extends from an edge of the first unit, the peg housed within a socket in an edge of a first adjacent unit within the row to form a peg and socket connection, and
- the at least one row at least partially overlaps an adjacent row;
- a sheet of material connecting at least a portion of the units within the at least one row and the adjacent row;
- and
- an interior side, wherein the surfaces of at least a portion of the units defining the interior side are connected by the sheet of material.
A non-naturally occurring protective article for resisting a mechanical load, comprising:
- a plurality of load-resistant units arranged to form a plurality of rows, wherein:
- at least one row contains a first unit comprising a peg which, when viewed from an exposed side of the protective article, extends from an edge of the first unit, the peg housed within a socket in an edge of a first adjacent unit within the row to form a peg and socket connection,
- the at least one row at least partially overlaps an adjacent row, and
- a thickness of the first unit in the region from which the peg extends is thicker than thicknesses of remaining portions of the first unit.
A non-naturally occurring protective article for resisting a mechanical load, comprising:
- a plurality of load-resistant units arranged to form a plurality of rows, wherein:
- at least one row contains a first unit comprising a peg which, when viewed from an exposed side of the protective article, extends from an edge of the first unit, the peg housed within a socket in an edge of a first adjacent unit within the row to form a peg and socket connection,
- the at least one row at least partially overlaps an adjacent row, and
- the first unit comprises a convex ridge having a longitudinal axis extending along the load-resistant unit in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the peg.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.