Device and method to insure integrity to body armor or other ballistic protection apparatus

• US 7,878,140 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2010
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: His Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hisco, Inc. (South Korea) (Specialty Tools, Inc.)
• Inventors: Merriman, Paul Mark, Steele, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; R. A.
• Application Number:
  US12/769,301
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 116/203, 73/351.4, 734/92
• US Class Current: 116/203
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 1/02 Armoured or projectile- or missile-resistant garments; Composite protection fabrics F41H5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/0414 Layered armour containing ceramic material
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/06 using members subjected to a permanent deformation

Abstract

A device and method to insure protection of a ballistic protection apparatus using a microtube indicator for alerting a user to inspect the ballistic protection apparatus for flaws, cracks and gaps. The device can include microtubes adapted to function as accelerometers. The microtubes can include a color containing component, a non-color containing component, and a frangible separating portion. The device can include a housing with a top surface, a window, a message, a bottom surface, parallel cuts, and an adhesive for securing the housing to the ballistic protection apparatus. A G-force impact that exceeds a preset limit can cause the color containing component to flow to the non-color containing component, thereby indicating that an excessive G-force event has occurred and that an inspection of the ballistic protection apparatus is required.

Claims

1. A device to insure integrity of a ballistic protection apparatus which prevents penetration from bullets, shrapnel, debris, and other lethal missiles, wherein the device comprises:

a. a ballistic protection device comprising at least one ceramic ballistic component;

b. at least two microtube cavities, wherein each microtube cavity contains a disposable microtube that is adapted to function as an accelerometer, wherein each disposable microtube comprises a color containing component, a non-color containing component, and a frangible separating portion disposed between the color containing component and the non-color containing component, and wherein the frangible separating portion is adapted to collapse upon a G-force impact that exceeds a preset limit; and

c. a housing comprising;

i. a top surface comprising an ultraviolet radiation inhibitor disposed thereon and a window for displaying each non-color containing component, and wherein the top surface is adapted for supporting at least one message;

ii. a bottom surface for supporting each disposable microtube between the bottom surface and the top surface, wherein the bottom surface comprises an inner side and an outer side;

iii. two pairs of parallel cuts disposed on opposite sides of the top surface to allow for up to five degrees of conforming flexibility in the top surface and the bottom surface; and

iv. a flexible adhesive disposed on the outer side of the bottom surface for removably securing the housing to the ballistic protection apparatus, and wherein upon application of the G-force impact that exceeds the preset limit, the color containing component flows to the non-color containing component, thereby indicating that an excessive G-force event has occurred and that an inspection of the ballistic protection apparatus is required.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the color containing component further comprises microspheres of color that upon the application of the G-force impact that exceeds the preset limit the microspheres of color flow into the non-color containing component upon the frangible separating portion fracturing.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein each microtube further comprises an additional inner microtube containing the color containing component within the non-color containing component, wherein the inner microtube fractures upon application of the G-force impact that exceeds the preset limit allowing the microspheres of color in the color containing component to enter the non-color containing component, and wherein the non-color containing component is coated and oriented to be viewable through the window.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one message comprises a member of the group consisting of:

a. human readable text;

b. a paint or ink coating;

c. a bar code;

d. a 2D matrix code (QR);

e. a non-reflective material; and

f. combinations thereof.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is one and one half inches wide and less than one inch long.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible adhesive is a flexible acrylic adhesive resistant to degradation or reduced bonding in the presence of hydrocarbons, other harsh materials, harsh environmental conditions, or combinations thereof.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one ceramic ballistic component is a ceramic ballistic tile, a ceramic metal matrix composite, a ceramic composite, or combinations thereof.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the disposable microtubes monitor G-force impacts from any direction.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is an integral component of the top surface, and wherein the bottom surface further comprises a plurality of raised ridges interconnected with the top surface to provide an increased surface area for the flexible adhesive, thereby providing a secure bond between the housing and the ballistic protection apparatus.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the top surface is rounded to prevent the housing from dislodging from the ballistic protection apparatus when impacted by another article.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible adhesive enables the housing to be removable and replaced on the ballistic protection apparatus while in the field.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the window is of a size that enables a viewer to perceive a color in the non-color containing component in less than 3 seconds under multiple lighting conditions.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the window and top surface are an integral one-piece material, thereby ensuring a watertight seal around each disposable microtube and providing encapsulation of each disposable microtube.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the microspheres of color comprise a pigment adaptable to be viewed by night vision equipment, and usable in night conditions, day conditions, foggy conditions, twilight conditions, cloudy conditions, bright sunlight conditions, or combinations thereof.

15. A device to insure integrity of a ballistic protection apparatus which prevents penetration from bullets, shrapnel, debris, and other lethal missiles, wherein the device comprises:

a. a ballistic protection device comprising at least one ceramic ballistic component;

b. at least one microtube adapted to function as an accelerometer, wherein each microtube comprises;

i. a color containing component;

ii. a non-color containing component;

iii. a separating portion disposed between the color containing component and the non-color containing component, wherein the separating portion is adapted to collapse upon a G-force impact that exceeds a preset limit; and

c. a housing secured to the ballistic protection apparatus, the housing comprising;

i. a top surface comprising a window for displaying each non-color containing component;

ii. a bottom surface for supporting each microtube;

iii. at least one cavity for containing the at least one microtube; and

iv. at least one cut disposed on the top surface to allow for flexibility of the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein upon application of the G-force impact that exceeds the preset limit the color containing component flows to the non-color containing component, thereby providing an indication that an excessive G-force event has occurred and that an inspection of the ballistic protection apparatus is required.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the color containing component further comprises microspheres of color that upon the application of the G-force impact that exceeds the preset limit the microspheres of color flow into the non-color containing component upon the separating portion fracturing.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the at least one ceramic ballistic component is a ceramic ballistic tile, a ceramic metal matrix composite, a ceramic composite, or combinations thereof.

18. A device to insure integrity of a ballistic protection apparatus which prevents penetration from bullets, shrapnel, debris, and other lethal missiles, wherein the device comprises:

a. a ballistic protection device comprising at least one ceramic ballistic component;

b. at least one microtube adapted to function as an accelerometer, wherein each microtube comprises;

i. an outer microtube comprising a non-color containing component; and

ii. an inner microtube comprising a color component, wherein the inner microtube is disposed within the outer microtube, wherein the inner microtube is adapted to fracture upon application of a G-force impact that exceeds a preset limit, thereby allowing the color component to enter the non-color containing component and providing an indication that an excessive G-force event has occurred and that an inspection of the ballistic protection apparatus is required; and

c. a housing secured to the ballistic protection apparatus, the housing comprising;

i. a top surface comprising a window for displaying each non-color containing component;

ii. a bottom surface for supporting each microtube;

iii. at least one cavity for containing the at least one microtube; and

iv. at least one cut disposed on the top surface to allow for flexibility of the top surface and the bottom surface.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one ceramic ballistic component is a ceramic ballistic tile, a ceramic metal matrix composite, a ceramic composite, or combinations thereof.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the color component comprises a pigment.