Description:A LAMINATED BALLISTIC PLATE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to designing of two or more laminated steel plates. More particularly the laminated steel plate relates to ballistic plate. 5
BACKGROUND
[0002] A laminated ballistic plate consists mainly of a strike face and back face and in between, the designer can choose to have a single monolithic material or different layers of same materials bonded by epoxy resins or composite materials 10 layup to achieve the goal of ballistic impact resistance. In case of metallic material like steel, the face could be hardened or appropriate ceramic coating/material is used to shatter and defeat the impacting projectile.
[0003] For armor piercing projectiles, it’s important that velocity to pierce the 15 target plate is as high as possible and the design of armor plate is such that the residual velocity is minimum. Monolithic and laminated armor plates made up of steel are used when cost is important and weight is secondary. Similarly, for the case of weight sensitive systems, composite materials and other metallic materials of low density are also used to achieve the goal of superior ballistic performance. Unique ideas to 20 improve the ballistic defeat capability could lead to cost-effective utilization of materials like steel.
[0004] Current state of the art for ballistic shield is to utilize monolithic and 25 laminated armor grade plate in various thickness as per NIJ standards to deploy it for specific threat levels.
[0005] Manufacturing the monolithic plates are costly affair.
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OBJECTS
[0006] The objective of the present invention is to provide a laminated ballistic plate configured to be used as ballistic shield.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide laminated ballistic plate 5 which is cost efficient.
[0008] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be performed, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of non-10 limiting example only, with reference to accompanying drawings.
[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a 15 preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0010] The present invention provides a laminated ballistic plate (100), 20 comprising:
one or more first plate with a plurality of slots and ridges on each; and
one or more second plate with a plurality of complementing slots and ridges on each to accommodate the plurality of slots and ridges of the one or more first plate for interlocking, the plurality of complementing slots and ridges and the plurality of slots 25 and ridges are further adhered with a glue.
[0011] The provision of plates with slots and ridges and complementing slots and ridges of interlocking the plate and addition of glue prior to the interlocking adds to strength of the ballistic plate. The glue herein acts as a bonding medium and being a 30
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weaker interface helps in deflection of crack and dissipation of more impact energy than is possible with monolithic or laminated conventional designs.
[0012] The one or more first plate and the one or more second plate is made up of a material from the group comprising metallic, composite and polymer materials 5 and their combinations thereof.
[0013] In an embodiment, the plurality of slots and ridges and the plurality of complementing slots and ridges are on both surfaces. 10
[0014] In another embodiment, the glue is epoxy resin.
[0015] In still another embodiment, the plurality of slots and ridges (112) and the 15 plurality of complementing slots and ridges (116) are machined by Electro discharge machining, water jet cutting, or laser.
[0016] In yet another embodiment, accommodation of the plurality of slots and ridges (112) over the plurality of complementing slots and ridges (116) is done by 20 sliding over each other from extreme ends for interlocking.
[0017] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of 25 preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
[0018] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the 30 aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
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[0019] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that 10 are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0021] Figs. 1a and 1b illustrates an isometric and an exploded view of a laminated ballistic plate respectively in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 15
[0022] Figs. 2a and 2b illustrates components of laminated ballistic plate and an edge view of the laminated ballistic plate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 20
[0023] Figs. 3a and 3b illustrates a monolithic armour plate and the laminated ballistic plate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention for comparison.
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[0024] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein. 30
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not 5 intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0026] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, 10 although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
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[0027] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further 20 understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof. 25
[0028] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts 30 involved.
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[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context 5 of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0030] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention a laminated ballistic plate (100) is shown in Figs 1a and 1b. Figs. 1a & 1b show an isometric view and 10 exploded view of laminated ballistic plate (100) respectively. The laminated ballistic plate (100) comprises one or more a first plate, a first plate (104) and one or more a second plate, a second plate (108). Here the first plate (104) is the one at the top and a second plate (108) at the bottom.
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[0031] In an embodiment, the one or more first plate (104) and the one or more second plate (108) is made up of a material from the group comprising metallic, composite, ceramic and polymer materials or any sorts of their combinations. For example, metallic and composite together, ceramic and polymer together, or metallic, 20 composite, and ceramic together, etc. In an embodiment, the first or second plate can be of armour grade.
[0032] Shown in Fig. 2a is the one or more the first plate, the first plate (104) comprising a plurality of slots and ridges (112) and the one or more a second plate, 25 the second plate (108) comprises a plurality of complementing slots and ridges (116).
[0033] The complementing slots and ridges (116) are configured to accommodate the plurality of slots and ridges (108) of the first plate (104). The first plate (104) 30 with the slots and ridges (112) is configured to be slided in the complementing slots and ridges of the second plate (108) from extreme ends (shown in Fig. 1b). This
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interlocks the two plates as shown in Fig. 1a. The plurality of the slots and ridges (112) and the complementing slots and ridges (116) and are further adhered with a glue to form the laminated ballistic plate (100).
[0034] Shown in Fig. 2b is an edge view of the laminated ballistic plate.
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[0035] The glue needs to be applied first prior to sliding the plates for interlocking.
[0036] For the sake of brevity, the embodiments of Figs 1a and 1b are shown to 10 be having the slots and ridges (112) and complementing slots and ridges (116) only at one of their surfaces of the first plate and the second plate. Whereas, in practice there can be such slots and ridges and complementing slots and ridges on both of their surfaces to accommodate more numbers of plates. That is to say, if the laminated ballistic plate (100) needs to be thicker, the embodiments allow possibility for having 15 more than two plates by allowing slots and ridges and complementing slots and ridges on one or both the surface.
[0037] It is evident that the person skilled in art can accommodate 3/4/5 or more number of plates over each other to make the laminated ballistic plate (100) thicker. 20
[0038] In an embodiment, the maximum thickness of the any plate (first or second) is 5mm and the minimum being 3 mm. These thicknesses can be varied across the cross-section as per the design considerations. The length of the ridge or 25 slot is back of the strike face, or a projectile features running pattern of slot and ridges design wherein ridges are inclined at an angle (a) of (60 degrees in case of present embodiment) to the horizontal. In another embodiment, different variations/shapes of the slots and ridges and complementing slots and ridges can be used. Also, the plates thickness can be varied as per the design considerations. 30
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[0039] The glue in an embodiment is an epoxy resin. The glue herein acts as a bonding medium and being a weaker interface helps in deflection of crack and dissipation of more impact energy than is possible with monolithic or laminated conventional designs.
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[0040] A person skilled in the art can easily recognize that the design proposed could be utilized effectively with materials other than steel and in multi-plate configurations as well for composites specifically.
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[0041] Either of the side of the first plate and the second plate may act as the back face or strike face.
[0042] The laminated ballistic plate (100) may be used for armor plate which 15 augments the toughness of the ballistic shield, diminishes delamination and imparts additional stability. Such laminated plate armor/ballistic shield can be used as protective structure also in many impact and penetration situation pertaining to external threat.
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[0043] The laminated ballistic plate is used for high impact resistance for armor piercing projectiles and more particularly to a 2-plate laminated steel armor plates with feature capable of increasing V50 compared to a monolithic or laminated target of same material.
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[0044] Shown in Figs. 3a and 3b is a conventional monolithic armour plate (120) and the laminated ballistic plate (100) respectively.
[0045] The plurality of slots and ridges and the plurality complementing of slots 30 and ridges can be machined using laser, EDM (Electro discharge machine) or water jet cutting technique depending of the type of plates. The machining method could depend upon type of material selected.
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ADVANTAGES
1. The laminated plate used for ballistic shield plate ensures a significant 5 improvement in V50 and almost 50 % improvement in backface deformation compared to monolithic armor plate designs.
2. Ballistic shield plate manufactured is based on the laminated plate relies on simplification and unification of hierarchical structure leading to simple yet effective slot and ridge design feature for quick product realization. 10
3. Ballistic shield plate manufactured based on the laminated plate can utilize the novel design feature for lightweight materials as well to augment their ballistic defeat capability.
4. Ballistic shield manufactured based on the laminated plate is easy to manufacture and simultaneously amenable to engineering design for quick product realization 15 and industrial implementation.
[0046] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless 20 departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art can choose suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0047] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing 25 particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,
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modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0048] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other 5 features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims:I/WE CLAIM:
1. A laminated ballistic plate (100), comprising:
one or more first plate (104) with a plurality of slots and ridges (112) on each; and
one or more second plate (108) with a plurality of complementing slots 5 and ridges (116) on each to accommodate the plurality of slots and ridges (112) of the one or more first plate (104) for interlocking, the plurality of complementing slots and ridges (116) and the plurality of slots and ridges (112) are further adhered with a glue.
2. The laminated ballistic plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more 10 first plate (104) and the one or more second plate (108) is made up of a material from the group comprising metallic, composite and polymer materials and their combinations thereof.
3. The laminated ballistic plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots and ridges (112) and the plurality of complementing slots and ridges (116) 15 are on both surfaces.
4. The laminated ballistic plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glue is epoxy resin.
5. The laminated ballistic plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots and ridges (112) and the plurality of complementing slots and ridges (116) 20 are machined by Electro discharge machining, water jet cutting, or laser.
6. The laminated ballistic plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein accommodation of the plurality of slots and ridges (112) over the plurality of complementing slots
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and ridges (116) is done by sliding over each other from extreme ends for interlocking.