Bullet proof vest

Abstract

A flexible bullet proof vest configured to absorb and dissipate the energy from a projectile and percussion waves is provided. In one embodiment, the bullet proof vest includes a gel substrate panel having a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface, and a plurality of ballistic-grade sheets stacked on the front surface of the gel substrate gel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article configured to absorb and dissipate the energy from a projectile and percussion waves, the article comprising:
 a gel substrate panel having a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface; and   a plurality of ballistic-grade sheets stacked on the front surface of the gel substrate panel.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of ballistic-grade sheets comprises ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fibers. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 2 , wherein the UHMwPE fibers are selected from the group consisting of unidirectional fibers and a micro-weave of interconnected longitudinal fibers and transverse fibers. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises forty ballistic-grade sheets. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the gel substrate panel comprises polyurethane and a catalyst. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a front panel; and   a rear panel, wherein the front and rear panels are coupled together around the gel substrate and the plurality of ballistic-grade sheets.   
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the front and rear panels comprise polyvinylchloride (PVC). 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the gel substrate panel has a thickness of approximately ⅜ inch. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 8 , wherein the gel substrate panel is configured to provide a sound pressure level reduction of approximately 166 decibels. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein, when the article is struck with a .22 caliber projectile at a velocity of approximately 1430 feet per second, the article experiences a maximum g-force of approximately 90.5 g. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein, when the article is struck with a .44 Magnum semi-jacketed hollow point projectile at a velocity of approximately 1430 feet per second, the article is configured to yield a back-face deformation of less than approximately 38 mm. 
     
     
         12 . A bullet proof vest comprising:
 a carrier configured to be worn by a user; and   an insert configured to be received in the carrier, the insert comprising:
 a gel substrate panel having a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface; and 
 a plurality of ballistic-grade sheets stacked on the front surface of the gel substrate panel. 
   
     
     
         13 . The bullet proof vest of  claim 12 , wherein the insert further comprises:
 a front panel; and   a rear panel, wherein the front and rear panels are coupled together around the gel substrate and the at least one ballistic-grade sheet.   
     
     
         14 . The bullet proof vest of  claim 12 , wherein the gel substrate panel is configured to provide a sound pressure level reduction of approximately 166 decibels. 
     
     
         15 . The bullet proof vest of  claim 12 , wherein, when the bullet proof vest is struck with a .44 Magnum semi jacketed hollow point projectile at a velocity of approximately 1430 feet per second, the bullet proof vest is configured to yield a back-face deformation of less than approximately 38 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The bullet proof vest of  claim 12 , wherein, when the bullet proof vest is struck with a .22 caliber projectile at a velocity of approximately 1430 feet per second, the bullet proof vest experiences a maximum g-force of approximately 90.5 G. 
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a bullet proof vest, the method comprising:
 cutting a roll of ballistic-grade fabric into a plurality of ballistic-grade sheets;   providing a gel panel having a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface; and   stacking the plurality of ballistic-grade sheets on the front surface of the gel panel.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 providing a front panel;   providing a rear panel; and   coupling the front and rear panels together around the plurality of sheets and the gel panel to define a composite insert.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein coupling the front and rear panels comprises radio frequency welding the front and rear panels together. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of sheets comprises ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fibers. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 providing a carrier configured to be worn by a user; and   inserting the composite insert into the carrier.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the gel panel is hydrophobic.