Flexible Ballistic Headwear

Abstract

A ballistic garment includes a plurality of flexible ballistic sheets. Each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets defines at least one slit. Opposite edges of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets at the at least one slit are positioned in overlap such that each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets is curved. The plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are nested together, and the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are mounted together to collectively form a flexible headcap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ballistic garment, comprising:
 a plurality of flexible ballistic sheets, each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets defining at least one slit, opposite edges of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets at the at least one slit positioned in overlap such that each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets is curved,   wherein the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are nested together, and the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are mounted together to collectively form a flexible headcap.   
     
     
         2 . The ballistic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the opposite edges of each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets defines an overlap joint, the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are nested together in a stack, and the overlap joint of each the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets is offset from the overlap joint of adjacent ballistic sheets within the stack of flexible ballistic sheets. 
     
     
         3 . The ballistic garment of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the flexible headcap formed by the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets is no less than four millimeters and no greater than eight millimeters. 
     
     
         4 . The ballistic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets comprises no less than fifteen flexible ballistic sheets. 
     
     
         5 . The ballistic garment of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets comprises ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The ballistic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible headcap conforms to the NIJ Type Ma standard. 
     
     
         7 . The ballistic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible headcap formed by the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets covers anterior, lateral, and posterior skull bones when the flexible headcap is on a wearer. 
     
     
         8 . The ballistic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are distributed three-hundred and sixty degrees around an interior of the flexible headcap. 
     
     
         9 . The ballistic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible headcap is sized for receipt within a hat. 
     
     
         10 . The ballistic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are mounted together by adhesive or thermal bonding. 
     
     
         11 . A ballistic garment, comprising:
 a plurality of flexible ballistic sheets, each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets defining at least one slit, opposite edges of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets at the at least one slit positioned in overlap such that each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets is curved,   wherein the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets comprises no less than fifteen flexible ballistic sheets, the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are nested together, and the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are thermally bonded together to collectively form a flexible headcap.   
     
     
         12 . The ballistic garment of  claim 11 , wherein the opposite edges of each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets defines an overlap joint, the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are nested together in a stack, and the overlap joint of each the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets is offset from the overlap joint of adjacent ballistic sheets within the stack of flexible ballistic sheets. 
     
     
         13 . The ballistic garment of  claim 11 , wherein a thickness of the flexible headcap formed by the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets is no less than four millimeters and no greater than eight millimeters. 
     
     
         14 . The ballistic garment of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets comprises ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers. 
     
     
         15 . The ballistic garment of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible headcap conforms to the NIJ Type Ma standard. 
     
     
         16 . The ballistic garment of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible headcap formed by the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets covers anterior, lateral, and posterior skull bones when the flexible headcap is on a wearer. 
     
     
         17 . The ballistic garment of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of flexible ballistic sheets are distributed three-hundred and sixty degrees around an interior of the flexible headcap. 
     
     
         18 . The ballistic garment of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible headcap is sized for receipt within a hat.