Woven multi-layer fabrics for use with ballistic threats

Abstract

A multi-layer woven fabric, including an upper woven layer having upper warp yarns and upper weft yarns that are interwoven together to form the upper woven layer. The cover factor of at least one of the layers is selected so as to inhibit penetration by non-ballistic threats.

1 . A multi-layer woven fabric, comprising:
 a first fabric assembly comprising:
 a first upper woven layer having first upper warp yarns and first upper weft yarns that are interwoven together to form the first upper woven layer; 
 a first lower woven layer having first lower warp yarns and first lower weft yarns that are interwoven together to form the first lower woven layer; and 
 a first securing yarn interwoven with at least some of the first upper yarns and some of the first lower yarns so as to secure the first upper and first lower woven layers together; and 
   a second fabric assembly layered with the fabric assembly, the second fabric assembly comprising:
 a second upper woven layer having second upper warp yarns and second upper weft yarns that are interwoven together to form the second upper woven layer; 
 a second lower woven layer having second lower warp yarns and second lower weft yarns that are interwoven together to form the second lower woven layer; and 
 a second securing yarn interwoven with at least some of the second upper yarns and some of the second lower yarns so as to secure the second upper and second lower woven layers together, wherein the second securing yarn runs in a different direction from the first securing yarn. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second securing yarns run 90 degrees to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the first fabric assembly has four pairs of warp weft yarns secured by the first securing yarns and wherein the second fabric assembly has four pairs of warp weft yarns secured by the second securing yarns. 
     
     
         4 . The fabric of  claim 3 , having six additional fabric assemblies. 
     
     
         5 . The fabric of  claim 4 , wherein each of the fabric assemblies alternate in securing yarn direction. 
     
     
         6 . The fabric of  claim 4 , wherein the fabric assemblies alternate in a two-four-two in the securing yarn direction. 
     
     
         7 . The fabric of  claim 4 , wherein the fabric assemblies alternate in a three-two-three in the securing yarn direction. 
     
     
         8 . The fabric of  claim 1  wherein at least some of the securing yarns are made of non-ballistic yarns. 
     
     
         9 . The fabric of  claim 1  wherein at least some of the securing yarns are made of ballistic yarns. 
     
     
         10 . The fabric of  claim 1  wherein at least some of the warp yarns and weft yarns are made of ballistic yarns. 
     
     
         11 . The fabric of  claim 1  wherein at least some of the warp yarns and weft yarns are made of non-ballistic yarns. 
     
     
         12 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the spacing and arrangement of weaving patterns of the fabric are selected to provide for at least some protection against non-ballistic threats. 
     
     
         13 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein after the fabric has been woven, the fabric is subjected to a treatment process that encourages the securing yarns to shrink, drawing the warp yarns and weft yarns towards each other. 
     
     
         14 . The fabric of  claim 15 , wherein the securing yarns are encouraged to shrink by up to 1%. 
     
     
         15 . The fabric of  claim 15 , wherein the securing yarns are encouraged to shrink by up to 3%. 
     
     
         16 . The fabric of  claim 15 , wherein the securing yarns are encouraged to shrink by up more than 3%. 
     
     
         17 . The fabric of  claim 15 , wherein the securing yarns are encouraged to shrink by up to 10%. 
     
     
         18 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the upper weft yarns and lower weft yarns are offset from each other so as to overlap by between 30% and 70%. 
     
     
         19 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the upper yarns and lower yarns are offset from each other so as to overlap by between 10% and 95%. 
     
     
         20 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the upper yarns and lower yarns are offset from each other so as to overlap by more than 95%. 
     
     
         21 .- 37 . (canceled)