Ballistic resistant fabrications

Abstract

The present invention claims a shield which is larger than 72 square inches in area and which is at least semi-rigid; not able to be easily bent with common hand or foot pressure. The invention further claims a shield which is composed of at least two layers of steel-belted tire tread material, in which preferably whole tread sections, which may have some rubber removed, in each layer are abutted and in which adjacent layers have seams which are offset or aligned at different angles. The tire tread layers may be separated by at least one layer of a penetration and/or force resistant or absorbing or dampening material. The interior layers may be substantially flat or not, and the shield itself may be substantially flat or not. The strike face of the shield is covered with a layer of fabric material. The shield may be covered with materials which enhance performance or create an aesthetic appearance.

1 . A semi-rigid composite shield, as defined in the specification, having a plurality of layers comprising:
 a. multiple layers of recycled tire treads; and   b. a strike face comprised of a fabric layer; and   c. at least one interstitial layer of a high tensile strength or penetration or force resistant material.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein multiple pieces of used tire tread sections of a substantially rectangular shape, containing rubber and steel belts, are abutted in a substantially parallel arrangement to create a layer which is at least  72  square inches in area. 
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the abutted edges of subsequent tire layers are offset or arranged at an angle differing from that of an adjacent tire tread layer. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the high tensile strength or force resistant material is a woven or non-woven fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the high tensile strength or force resistant material is a metal plate, metal mesh, or metal object. 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 5  wherein the metal plate, metal mesh, or metal object is substantially flat. 
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 5  wherein the metal plate, metal mesh, or metal object is not substantially flat. 
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the high tensile strength or force resistant material is a ceramic, gel, air entrained material, pad, foam, and/or a crushable material. 
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the high tensile strength or force resistant material is wood or plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein a bonding agent may be employed to partially or fully bond adjoining surfaces together within or between layers in the composite structure. 
     
     
         11 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein mechanical attachments are used to partially or fully join surfaces together within or between layers in the composite structure. 
     
     
         12 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein a covering of functional or aesthetic finish is added over the strike face of the panel. These materials, singly or in combination may be from the group comprising:
 a. a paint, lacquer, varnish, coloring, pattern, image; 
 b. a texture; 
 c. a chemical treatment; and/or 
 d. construction fascia material. 
 
     
     
         13 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the overall panel is substantially flat. 
     
     
         14 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the overall panel is not substantially flat. 
     
     
         15 . A semi-rigid composite shield having a plurality of layers comprising:
 a. multiple layers of recycled tire treads; and   b. a strike face comprised of a fabric layer; and   c. at least one interstitial layer of a high tensile strength or penetration or force resistant material; and   d. at least one layer of a force dampening or absorbing material.   
     
     
         16 . The panel of  claim 15  wherein the force dampening or absorbing material includes:
 a. a gel; 
 b. a foam; 
 c. an air entrained substance; 
 d. a pad; and/or 
 e. a crushable material.