Flexible protective armor

Abstract

The present application relates generally to protective body armor to be worn while engaging in sports activities for protecting against injury due to impact. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide flexible protective armor able to mitigate impacts from both small and large hard objects without deforming, while also providing adequate ventilation to the wearer. Specifically, provided is a flexible protective armor system comprised of a network of beams and spring elements for distribution and dissipation of the force from impact, and protection for the wearer from damage.

1 . A flexible protective armor comprising:
 a network of a plurality of beams and a plurality of spring elements, wherein each beam includes a spring element extending therefrom at a select angle, wherein the beams are arranged to form a select pattern throughout the network, and   whereby the network of beams and spring elements facilitates absorption and distribution of force such that each spring element absorbs a set amount of force and disperses such force to its corresponding beam and throughout the network.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer border for binding the network of beams and spring elements therein to form a select shape thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 1 , wherein each spring element has a select stiffness for distributing a select amount of force. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 3 , wherein the spring element stiffness is a function of the size and shape of the spring element. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 3 , wherein the spring element stiffness is a function of the angle the spring element extends from its corresponding beam. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 1 , wherein the beams are arranged to form a diamond pattern throughout the network. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 6 , wherein each diamond shape in the diamond pattern is bounded by four beams, each beam having a length of about 0.5 inches, a height of about 0.25 inches, and a thickness of about 0.031 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 6 , wherein each diamond shape in the diamond pattern defines a hollow area, such that each diamond shape defines an aperture therein such that air may pass freely therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 6 , wherein the size of each diamond shape in the diamond pattern is non-uniform over the surface of the network. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 1 , wherein the size and shape of each spring element is non-uniform over the surface of the network. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 1 , wherein the angle that each spring element is positioned relative to its corresponding beam is non-uniform over the surface of the network. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 1 , wherein the beams are adapted to be transversally mounted for locking a plane of movement in one direction. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 12 , wherein each beam is mounted at one end to anchor situated adjacent to a beam of the network and supported at the other end by a guide, and further includes an end stop dimensioned for engaging said guide and to inhibit movement of the beam in a given direction. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 13 , whereby applying load in one direction such that the network bends to be convex along the opposite axis to the bending force, the beam can move freely through the guide. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 13 , whereby applying load in one direction such that the network bends to be concave along the opposite axis to the bending force, the beam is put under tension and cannot move past the guide. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 1 , wherein the network is modular such that the armor may be customized to fit a person's body. 
     
     
         17 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 16 , wherein each beam includes a connector for selective adaptation of the network. 
     
     
         18 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spring elements form a network of spring elements to provide a cushioning for a person's body. 
     
     
         19 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 1 , wherein the beams are arranged to form a honeycomb throughout the network. 
     
     
         20 . A flexible protective armor comprising:
 a mesh structure defining a plurality of apertures therein, wherein the mesh structure defines a plurality of vertical channels therein to provide lateral flexibility thereof, said mesh structure further including a plurality of pillars situated at the vertex of each channel defined in the mesh structure, wherein said pillars inhibit longitudinal bending of the mesh structure,   a plurality of spring elements extending from the mesh structure at a select angle, and   whereby the mesh structure facilitates absorption and distribution of force such that each spring element absorbs a set amount of force and disperses such force to the mesh structure.   
     
     
         21 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 20 , wherein the apertures defined by the mesh structure are defined in a hexagonal shape. 
     
     
         22 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 20 , wherein each spring element has a select stiffness for distributing a set amount of force. 
     
     
         23 . The flexible protective armor of  claim 22 , wherein the spring element stiffness is a function of the size and shape of the spring element and of the angle the spring element is positioned relative to the mesh structure.