RETRACTABLE MECHANISM WITH SHOCK-ABSORBING EFFECT, WHICH INCREASES THE BALLISTIC RESISTANCE OF A SPALL LINER FIXED INSIDE AN ARMOURED VEHICLE

Abstract

 The object of the present invention is a retractable mechanism for low weight structured ballistic panels in combination with a retractable mechanism that increases the ability to resist metal fragments from land mine and artillery explosions, as well as projectiles from small arms and cannons, after they perforated the metal part of any type of vehicle. In particular, it includes an anti-shrapnel panel (spall liner) with woven and non-woven fabrics with natural, synthetic, polymeric and/or mineral fibers in combination with a retractable mechanism.

Description

[0001] In general, military and law enforcement armored vehicles for personnel transport are built solely with steel or ballistic aluminum plates.

[0002] For a few years, the needs have become more precise to reduce the total weight of new vehicles and for this purpose very high hardness steel and/or aluminum is combined with anti-shrapnel panels (fixing the two panels with glue and/or assembling the two parts with screws and screws or clamps to make a single immovable element).

[0003] Also, anti-shrapnel panels are irremovably fixed inside vehicles as an option for reconditioning and improving ballistic performance (up-grade).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION.

[0004] The object of the present invention is a structured ballistic panel mechanism of reduced weight composed of a metal plate in a sandwich with an anti-shrapnel lining panel (spall liner) pressed with multi-layer woven and non-woven fabrics with natural, synthetic, polymeric and/or mineral fibers; on which sandwich panel a series of fixing points are installed, "where the diameter, the length of the screws and the forces of the springs depend on the types of projectiles and fragments" with a retractable mechanism that increases the ability to stop the projectiles of weapons, fragments of artillery explosions and mines in general, increasing the ballistic resistance and operational capacity of any type of vehicle without impairing mobility.

[0005] The assembly of the invention comprises a shock absorber, extensible and retractable mechanism, fixed on the back of a high hardness steel, aluminum or titanium plate.

[0006] The retractable mechanism comprises a metallic and/or polymeric spring element attached to a central support axis on the metal plate or behind the anti-shrapnel panel according to the vehicle construction concept. The retractable mechanism comprises a configuration, in addition to fixing the anti-shrapnel panel well on the metal structure, it helps to transform the kinetic energy of the projectile, perforating the metal plate, into energy absorbed by the retractable shock absorber element fixed on the structured sandwich panel, increasing the absorption and dissipation of the energy of the projectile and/or the punch detaching from the metal plate.

[0007] The present invention has the objective of offering a ballistic protection solution with greater ballistic resistance to impacts from bullets and fragments of explosions, for use mainly in armored vehicles for transporting military personnel, security, police, transport of valuables and VIPs.

[0008] Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to provide an increase in the ballistic resistance capacity of the anti-shrapnel panel, composed of woven and non-woven fabrics with natural, synthetic, polymeric, and/or mineral fibers, which is fixed with a retractable shock absorber mechanism on the structured panel. When a projectile perforates the metal plate (steel and/or aluminum), the elongation / deformation of the anti-shrapnel panel allows it to absorb the energy of the projectile and/or of a metal fragment detached from the front plate. The ballistic resistance of the anti-shrapnel panel is increased by the ability to move backwards due to the retractable shock absorber mechanism.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION.

[0009] The present invention refers to an assembly of plates with different materials (sandwich panel) that makes up a structured ballistic panel in combination with a retractable shock absorber mechanism (double effect) that allows the anti-shrapnel panel (spall liner) carrying out a limited movement backwards, pushed by a projectile that perforated the frontal plate in steel and/or aluminum.

[0010] Particularly and in detail, it refers to a panel assembly that comprises a compressible member mechanism (spring) attached to a central support axis, which completely crosses the ballistic panel to transform the kinetic energy of the projectile into energy absorbed in the first part by the momentary backward movement of the anti-shrapnel panel and secondly, due to the elongation/deformation capacity with or without perforation of some layers of fabrics of the same anti-shrapnel panel (spall line ). This makes it possible to better stop, absorb and dissipate the residual energy of the projectile.

[0011] The present invention is applicable to the manufacture of ballistic panels structured with high hardness steel and/or aluminum sandwiched with anti-shrapnel panels, to produce elements with high ballistic resistance, and with less weight.

[0012] Among other advantages, the present invention can be used in a general way in the manufacture of composite plates with extended structural properties, comprehensively increasing safety for the use of protection against projectile impacts or fragments, mine and/or artillery explosions, especially in military vehicles transporting troop, law enforcement and/or large civilian vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

[0013] The current problems lay in the creation of lighter protection systems mainly for military personnel transport vehicles, to protect them against armor-piercing projectiles and explosion fragments with a substantial reduction in the total weight of the vehicle with the purpose of increasing its versatility and autonomy and operational survival. The initial solution was the use of high hardness steel plates, generally 450/500 Brinell. However, this solution is cumbersome, limiting the good mobility of the vehicle during operations.

[0014] Ballistic panel applied spring systems are known in the art. An example of this is referenced in PCT application WO2014149087 by Pepka, which describes an armor assembly including a panel, a base plate and a spring coupled between the armor panel and the base plate. This development has the purpose of absorbing an impact or projectile blast that will hit the armor assembly and deflect the armor panel and spring. The spring and armor panel absorb enough energy from the impact or projectile blast to prevent damage to the underlying structures. The spring may be solid having a desired coefficient to protect against a given shock load. This development only defines a layout configuration between the shield panel and the base plate.

[0015] Other developments with protective panel systems based on cushioning systems on ballistic panels are defined in the United States patent US4004493 by Costanza, which presents a curved bulletproof sheet consisting of an armored layer between an inner layer of nylon fabric and a layer of outer padding material, where the armored layer consists of a set of small metal plates bent into a u-shape or an n-shape and held together by small rings to form a flexible panel that allows the users to comfortably move their bodywork while metal plates resist penetration by a bullet due to a novel design in which the elasticity of the plates is used to resist the bullet. This development is not aimed at providing protection against metal fragments from explosions.

[0016] Therefore, the current art, even when it provides shock absorber mechanisms fixed on the ballistic panels composed of steel and/or aluminum plates, has not established an effective configuration that includes the attachment of an anti-shrapnel panel ( spall liner) structured with woven and non-woven fabrics with natural, synthetic, polymeric and/or mineral fibers, increasing resistance due to the movement capacity of a part of the surface of the anti-shrapnel panel (spall liner) behind a very high hardness metal plate perforated by any type of projectile, fixed with a retractable mechanism that forms the bodywork, the doors, under the chassis and the roof of any type of vehicle that increases the ability to resist projectiles, metal fragments from terrestrial mine explosions and artillery bombs, perforating the external metal plate, increasing the survival of personnel inside any type of vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES.

[0017] In order to further clarify the invention and its advantages compared to the known art, the possible forms of illustrative and non-limiting embodiments of the application of said principles are described below with the help of the attached drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a section in a first embodiment of the structured ballistic panel in combination with a retractable mechanism, according to the present invention.

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d illustrate configurations of spring members joining a ballistic panel composed of an external metal plate and on the back an anti-shrapnel panel (spall liner) according to the present invention.

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d illustrate the configuration diagrams applicable to vehicles against penetration, according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

[0018] The present invention has as its object a composition of a reduced weight structured ballistic panel in combination with a retractable mechanism that can be fixed under the chassis and behind the ballistic steel/aluminum plates that forms the structure of a bodywork increasing the capacity to resist land mine explosions and increases the ballistic resistance of any type of vehicle, after a projectile has perforated the metal part of the sandwich panel fixed under the chassis.

[0019] The present invention offers a ballistic protection solution with greater resistance to bullet impacts and explosion fragments, for use mainly in military, security, police, valuables transport and VIP vehicles. Accordingly, a substantial increase in the ballistic resistance capacity of the anti-shrapnel panel is provided, composed of woven and non-woven fabrics with natural, synthetic, polymeric, and/or mineral fibers, which is fixed with a retractable shock absorber mechanism. When a projectile perforates the metal plate (steel and/or aluminum), pushing the anti-shrapnel panel (spall liner) backwards, thus slowing down the projectile, then there is a complementary action to the elongation/deformation of the anti-shrapnel panel that allows it to absorb the energy of the projectile and/or of a metal fragment that detached from the front plate. The ballistic resistance of the anti-shrapnel panel is increased by the ability of limited backward movement due to the retractable shock-absorbing mechanism, which returns the panel or part of the panel to its initial position after dissipation of energy and until the projectile stops inside the layers of the panel fabrics.

[0020] Particularly, based on Figure 1, a first protection configuration comprises a ballistic panel 1 structured from a plate of ballistic metal 2 facing outwards superimposed on a laminated panel 3 with woven and non-woven fabrics with natural, synthetic, polymeric and/or mineral fibers in combination with a retractable mechanism 4.

[0021] The retractable shock absorber mechanism 4 comprises an elastic member 5 attached to a central support axis 6 on the ballistic metal 2 and laminated ballistic panel 3 at one end and on a circular support plate 7 at the opposite end of said center axis 6.

[0022] The configuration of the retractable mechanism comprises a support configuration that increases the transformation of the kinetic energy of the projectile into potential energy absorbed by the elastic member in combination with a structured panel to absorb and dissipate the energy of the projectile that perforates the metal structure, due to the backward movement of the anti-shrapnel panel (spall liner). In a preferred configuration, the elastic member 4 can comprise a spring and the support axis 6 is attached to each end by means of screws or the like, coupling the pieces in the middle, as the first embodiment of Figure 1 is illustrated therein.

[0023] In other embodiments, the elastic member 5 as illustrated in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d may comprise other configurations.

[0024] Based on figure 2a, the elastic member 5 is supported by the free end on a dome 8 with a central hole over which the central supporting axis 6 passes, where said dome 8 additionally surrounds and isolates the elastic member 5. At the opposite end, the central axis 6 rests on the ballistic metal 2 and the laminated anti-shrapnel panel (spall liner) 3.

[0025] Another elastic member configuration comprises a bellows 9 as illustrated in Figure 2b.

[0026] Based on Figure 2c, the elastic member may comprise a bushing 10 of elastic material such as rubber or the like with a trapezoidal configuration.

[0027] Similarly, the elastic member can be configured from s-bent sheets 11 according to Figure 2d, arranged in relation to each other in double, triple or quadruple configurations arranged towards the central support axis 6.

[0028] On the other hand, the arrangement configuration of the elastic member can also vary depending on its application. Based on Figure 3a, the inner retractable shock absorber mechanism 4 can be combined with an outer retractable shock absorber mechanism 4' with exposed position and in the middle it can comprise an internal air chamber "air gap" configured from a second outer base plate 12 arranged parallel to the ballistic metal plate 2. Under this configuration, the central support axis 6 projects to a bushing 13 that holds the outer base plate 12 to allow a backward movement of the plate (spall liner) and better absorb the kinetic energy of the projectile that perforated the impacted metal plate. For the configuration of the external retractable shock absorber mechanism 4', the bushing 13' houses the elastic member 5' attached to the external base plate 12, where said elastic member 5' rests on the central axis 6'. Under this configuration, the central support axis 6' projects until it surpasses the laminated anti-shrapnel panel (spall liner) 3.

[0029] In another embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 3b, the internal chamber composed between the base plate 12 and the ballistic metal plate 2 can house the retractable shock absorber mechanism 4 inside it.

[0030] Under another modality, based on Figure 3c, the retractable shock absorber mechanism 4 can be configured inside the base plate 12 supported on the extension of the central support axis 6.

[0031] Lastly, another modality comprises a configuration of an internal retractable shock absorber mechanism 4 combined with an external retractable shock absorber mechanism 4' with an exposed position. Under this configuration, the central support axis 6 projects until it surpasses the ballistic metal plate 2.

[0032] The ballistic panel comprises a metal plate (ballistic steel and/or aluminum plus a flexible anti-shrapnel laminated panel (soft spall liner) composed of woven and non-woven fabrics with natural, synthetic, polymeric and mineral fibers with or without decorative inserts on the external face.

[0033] The present invention has the objective of offering a ballistic protection solution, maximizing the kinetic energy absorption capacity and resistance of the anti-shrapnel panel (spall liner) to stop the shells and fragments of explosions that have perforated the front plates in ballistic metal.

[0034] Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to provide a ballistic panel composite combining high hardness metal plates with a panel structured with woven and non-woven fabrics with natural, synthetic, polymeric and/or mineral fibers in combination with a retractable mechanism.

[0035] For the conformation of the structural panel with a retractable mechanism, the thickness of each element of the armor (composite) will be determined based on the level of ballistic protection that will be required.

[0036] Only some preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated by way of example. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the construction of the structured ballistic panel assembly with woven and non-woven fabrics with natural, synthetic, polymeric and/or mineral fibers in combination with a retractable mechanism, as well as configurative arrangements can be chosen from a plurality of alternatives without departing from the spirit of the invention according to the following claims.

Claims

1. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) characterized in that it comprises:

a configuration of ballistic metal plates (2) superimposed on a flexible laminated panel (3) made from woven and non-woven fabrics with natural, synthetic, polymeric and/or mineral fibers in combination with retractable support mechanisms (4)

where said retractable support mechanism (4) comprises an elastic member (5) fastened around a central support axis (6) on the ballistic metal configuration (2) and the laminated anti-shrapnel panel (3).

2. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said retractable mechanism (4) is supported between the laminated anti-shrapnel panel (3) and on a circular support plate (7) arranged at the opposite end of said central axis (6).

3. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 1 and 2 characterized in that the elastic member (4) comprises a spring on the support axis (6) attached by means of screws or the like to each end held against the laminated anti-shrapnel panel (3).

4. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the elastic member (4) comprises a bellows (9) attached by means of screws or the like to each end attached against the laminated anti-shrapnel panel (3).

5. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the elastic member (4) comprises a bushing (10) of elastic material such as rubber or the like with a trapezoidal configuration attached by means of screws or the like at each end held against the laminated anti-shrapnel panel (3).

6. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the elastic member (4) comprises s-bent sheets (11) arranged together to form double, triple or quadruple configurations arranged towards the central support axis (6) and fastened by means of screws or the like at each end against the laminated anti-shrapnel panel (3).

7. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 characterized in that the elastic member (5) rests at the free end on a dome (8) with a central hole over which said central supporting axis (6) passes and wherein said dome (8) additionally surrounds the elastic member (5).

8. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises two or more retractable mechanisms (4) for internal support.

9. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises two or more retractable mechanisms (4) for internal and external support in alternating configuration.

10. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 8 or 9 characterized in that it further comprises an internal air chamber (empty space) configured from a second outer base plate (12) arranged parallel to the ballistic metal plate (2).

11. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 10 characterized in that the retractable mechanism (4) for internal support is configured from a central support axis (6) and projects to a bushing (13) that holds the external base metal plate (12).

12. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 11 characterized in that the retractable mechanism (4') for external support additionally comprises a bushing (13') and houses the elastic member (5') attached to the external base plate (12), where said elastic member (5') rests on the central axis (6'), where the central support axis (6') projects until it surpasses the laminated anti-shrapnel panel (3).

13. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the retractable support mechanism (4) is arranged between the base plate (12) and the ballistic metal plate (2).

14. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the inner and outer retractable shock absorber mechanisms (4, 4') are arranged alternately inwards and outwards respectively, in relation to the base metal plate (12) where each central support axis (6) projects until it surpasses said ballistic metal plate (2) and said base plate (12).

15. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the internal retractable shock absorber mechanisms (4) are arranged inward in relation to the base plate (12) where each central support axis (6) projects until it surpasses said ballistic metal plate (2) and said base plate (12).

16. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the external retractable shock absorber mechanisms (4') are arranged outward in relation to the base metal plate (12) where each central support axis (6') projects until it surpasses said ballistic metal plate (2) and said base plate (12).

17. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ballistic metal (2) is made of steel and/or ballistic aluminum.

18. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 17 characterized in that the panel (3) is laminated from woven and non-woven fabrics with natural, synthetic, polymeric and mineral fibers impregnated with resins in liquid form or in film for being sticked with or without decorative motif.

19. Retractable mechanism (4) for structured panel (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that the thickness of each armor element is determined based on the level of required ballistic protection.

Drawing