US4457985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ballistic-resistant article
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1983-02-18
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Granted: 1984-07-03
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Expires: 2003-02-18
Abstract
Abstract Articles such as vests, helmets and structural elements containing a network of ultrahigh molecular weight, high strength, high modulus polyethylene or polypropylene fibers. The fibers, and especially polyethylene fibers of 15, 20, 25, 30 or more g/denier tenacity, and 300, 500, 1,000, 1,500 or more g/denier tensile modulus impart exceptional ballistic resistance to the articles in spite of the melting points, e.g. 145 DEG -151 DEG C. for the polyethylene fibers and 168 DEG -171 DEG C. for the polypropylene fibers, which are high for these polymers, but substantially lower than the 200 DEG C. or more melting point previously thought necessary for good ballistic resistance.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary A. Harpell
- 👤 Sheldon Kavesh
- 👤 Igor Palley
- 👤 Dusan C. Prevorsek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:20
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/26; A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/06; A42B3/062; B32B27/00; B32B27/32; F; F41; F41H; F41H5/00; F41H5/02; F41H5/04; F41H5/0471; F41H5/0478; F41H5/0485; B32B2255/00; B32B2255/02; B32B2255/26; B32B2262/00; B32B2262/02; B32B2262/0253; B32B2571/00; B32B2571/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/911; Y10T; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/30; Y10T442/3976
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A ballistic-resistant article of manufacture comprising a flexible network of polyolefin fibers having, in the case of polyethylene fibers, a weight average molecular weight of at least about 500,000, a tensile modulus of at least about 300 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier, and in the case of polypropylene fibers, a weight average molecular weight of at least about 750,000, a tensile modulus of at least about 160 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 8 g/denier, said fibers being formed into a network of sufficient thickness to absorb the energy of a projectile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A ballistic-resistant article of manufacture comprising a flexible network of polyolefin fibers having, in the case of polyethylene fibers, a weight average molecular weight of at least about 500,000, a tensile modulus of at least about 300 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier, and in the case of polypropylene fibers, a weight average molecular weight of at least about 750,000, a tensile modulus of at least about 160 g/denier and a tenacity of at least about 8 g/denier, said fibers being formed into a network of sufficient thickness to absorb the energy of a projectile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 1 wherein said polyethylene fibers have a tenacity of at least about 25 g/denier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 2 wherein said polyethylene fibers have a tenacity of at least about 30 g/denier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 2 wherein said polyethylene fibers have a tensile modulus of at least about 1,000 g/denier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ballistic-resistant articles of claim 2 wherein said polyethylene fibers have a tensile modulus of at least about 1,500 g/denier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
9 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 1 comprising a fabric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 6 wherein said fabric has been heat set.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 6 wherein said fabric has been subjected to heat and pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 1 wherein said ballistic-resistant article is a flexible network of said polyethylene fibers that has been subjected to heat and pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 1 consisting essentially of a flexible network of said polyolefin fibers that has been subjected to heat and pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
9 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 1 comprising a fabric.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 11 wherein said fabric has been subjected to heat and pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 1 wherein said ballistic-resistant article is a flexible network of said polyethylene fibers that has been subjected to heat and pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ballistic-resistant article claim 13 wherein said polyethylene fibers have a tenacity of at least about 15 g/denier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 14 wherein said polyethylene fibers have tenacity of at least about 30 g/denier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ballistic-resistant article of claim 14 wherein said polyethylene fibers have a tensile modulus of at least about 1,000 g/denier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4403012A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-03 | 1988-01-02 | 1988-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-03 | 1992-01-02 | 1992-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-03 | 1996-01-02 | 1996-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |