Protective fabric having high penetration resistance

• US 5,976,996 A
• Filed: 03/10/1998
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Warwick & York Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Warwick & York Incorporated
• Inventors: Howland, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): McCamish, Marion
• Assistant Examiner(s): Guarriello, John J.
• Application Number:
  US09/037,918
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 2/2.5, 428/902, 428/911, 442/189, 139/383 R
• US Class Current: 442/189
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/0041 Cut or abrasion resistant
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/0052 Antiballistic fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 11/00 Double or multi-ply fabrics not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/283 synthetic polymer-based, e.g. polyamide or polyester fibres cellulose-based artificial fibres D03D15/225
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/41 with specific twist
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/573 Tensile strength
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2321/0211 high-strength or high-molecular-weight polyethylene, e.g. ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene [UHMWPE]
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2331/021 aromatic polyamides, e.g. aramides
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2331/042 aromatic polyesters, e.g. vectran
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/062 stiff, shape retention
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/063 high strength
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/04 Outerwear; Protective garments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/902 High modulus filament or fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/911 Penetration resistant layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3065 Including strand which is of specific structural definition

Abstract

A protective fabric of high penetration resistance is formed from a plurality of layered, densely woven base fabrics, each formed by tightly weaving multifilament yarns to obtain a warp yarn "density" or "cover" in excess of 100% at the center of the fill yarn, and a fill yarn density or cover preferably also in excess of 75%. The yarns themselves preferably comprise a high modulus, high breaking strength yarn of materials such as Kevlar, Spectra, or Vectran. The resultant layered fabric offers especially high penetration resistance to weapons such as ice picks and the like. Additional resistance to penetration by sharp knives is provided by interruptedly coating the base fabric with an epoxy in such a manner as to inhibit penetration while providing drapability and breathability.

Claims

1. A protective fabric substrate comprising:

a plurality of warp yarns densely interwoven with a plurality of fill yarns;

wherein the yarns are made from at least one of liquid crystal polyesters, para-aramids, and high density polyethylenes.

2. The protective fabric substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein a warp crimp is not equal to a fill crimp.

3. The protective fabric substrate as claimed in claim 2 wherein the warp crimp is greater than the fill crimp.

4. The protective fabric substrate as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cover between adjacent yarns at the fill crossing is at least 100%.

5. A protective fabric substrate comprising:

a plurality of warp yarns densely interwoven with a plurality of fill yarns;

wherein a cover between adjacent yarns at the fill crossing is greater than 120%.