Molded body armor panels
A custom molded body armor element is provided that is conformed directly on the end user's torso or other body part. The element contains a room-temperature vulcanizing material that is conformable until activated, and will then cure to a customized shape. A room-temperature vulcanizing body armor pouch is applied to the torso of a supine end user, or inserted in the vest pocket if creating a hard body armor plates. The pouch contains essentially three elements: a two part epoxy; a polyethylene material infused with carbon nanotubes; and nanoparticles of silicon carbon, silicon boride or similar ceramic material. The two part epoxy is activated by mixing/combining within the pouch. Once activated the pouch may be conformed to a desired shape by applying to the torso or placing into a carrier pocket of a donned the vest. After a cure time the pouch will solidify to the desired customized shape.
1 . A contoured, form-fitting flexible armor panel comprising:
a sealed flexible container; and
a room-temperature vulcanizing material that is conformable until activated and contained within said sealed flexible container, said material adapted to cure to a customized shape at an ambient temperature without application of external heat.
2 . The contoured, form-fitting flexible armor panel of claim 1 , wherein said material consists essentially of:
a two part epoxy;
a polyethylene material infused with carbon nanotubes; and
nanoparticles of ceramic material.
3 . The contoured, form-fitting flexible armor panel of claim 1 , wherein said material comprises:
a two part epoxy;
a polyethylene material infused with carbon nanotubes; and
nanoparticles of silicon carbon (SiC) or silicon boride (SiB).
4 . The contoured, form-fitting flexible armor panel of claim 2 , wherein said two part epoxy comprises a hardener and a resin that is activated by mixing/combining within the pouch.
5 . The contoured, form-fitting flexible armor panel of claim 3 , wherein said two part epoxy comprises a hardener and a resin that is activated by mixing/combining within the pouch.
6 . A method of using the armor panel of claim 1 , comprising:
obtaining a tactical vest or plate carrier;
donning the tactical vest or plate carrier; and
inserting the armor panel in an uncured state in a pocket of the tactical vest or plate carrier adapted for receiving a hard body armor plates;
activating the armor panel;
conforming the armor panel to a desired shape by applying to the torso directly on a user's body or placing into a carrier pocket of a donned the vest; and
waiting for a cure time to solidify to the armor panel to a desired customized shape.
7 . A method of using the armor panel of claim 2 , comprising:
obtaining a tactical vest or plate carrier;
donning the tactical vest or plate carrier; and
inserting the armor panel in a pocket of the tactical vest or plate carrier adapted for receiving a hard body armor plates;
activating the armor panel;
conforming the armor panel to a desired shape by applying to the torso or placing into a carrier pocket of a donned the vest; and
waiting for a cure time to solidify to the armor panel to a desired customized shape.
8 . A method of using the armor panel of claim 3 , comprising:
obtaining a tactical vest or plate carrier;
donning the tactical vest or plate carrier; and
inserting the armor panel in a pocket of the tactical vest or plate carrier adapted for receiving a hard body armor plates;
activating the armor panel;
conforming the armor panel to a desired shape by applying to the torso or placing into a carrier pocket of a donned the vest; and
waiting for a cure time to solidify to the armor panel to a desired customized shape.
9 . A method of using the armor panel of claim 4 , comprising:
obtaining a tactical vest or plate carrier;
donning the tactical vest or plate carrier; and
inserting the armor panel in a pocket of the tactical vest or plate carrier adapted for receiving a hard body armor plates;
activating the armor panel;
conforming the armor panel to a desired shape by applying to the torso or placing into a carrier pocket of a donned the vest; and
waiting for a cure time to solidify to the armor panel to a desired customized shape.
10 . A method of using the armor panel of claim 5 , comprising:
obtaining a tactical vest or plate carrier;
donning the tactical vest or plate carrier; and
inserting the armor panel in a pocket of the tactical vest or plate carrier adapted for receiving a hard body armor plates;
activating the armor panel;
conforming the armor panel to a desired shape by applying to the torso or placing into a carrier pocket of a donned the vest; and
waiting for a cure time to solidify to the armor panel to a desired customized shape.
11 . A custom contoured, form-fitting armor panel for use with a tactical vest or plate carrier comprising:
a sealed flexible container;
a room-temperature vulcanizing material that is conformable until activated and contained within said sealed flexible container, said material adapted to cure at an ambient temperature without application of external heat to a customized shape and consisting essentially of:
a two part epoxy;
a polyethylene material infused with carbon nanotubes; and
nanoparticles of ceramic material.
12 . The custom contoured, form-fitting armor panel for use with a tactical vest or plate carrier of claim 11 , wherein ceramic material comprises silicon carbon (SiC) or silicon boride (SiB).
13 . The custom contoured, form-fitting armor panel for use with a tactical vest or plate carrier of claim 11 , wherein said two part epoxy comprises a hardener and a resin that is activated by mixing/combining within the pouch.
14 . The custom contoured, form-fitting armor panel for use with a tactical vest or plate carrier of claim 12 , wherein said two part epoxy comprises a hardener and a resin that is activated by mixing/combining within the pouch.