A flexible, fibrous energy managing composite panel includes multiple flocked energy absorbing material (FEAM) layers separated by dividers. The FEAM layers can be single side or double side and can be fabricated from monofilament fibers having different properties (e.g., length and denier) flocked onto various substrates. The dividers can include sheets, fabrics, films, foam, spacer fabrics to separate the flock fibers in adjacent layers. The composite panels can be processed for breathability and flexibility. Other embodiments include piezoelectric FEAM layers and dividers for electronic sensing applications, and application of composite panels to body armor and the outer shells of helmets.

A fiber reinforced resin composite for ballistic protection comprising a plurality of first and second plies wherein the first and second plies further comprise a woven fabric and a polymeric resin. The fabric has a Russell tightness factor of from 0.2 to 0.7 and a cover factor of at least 0.45, The fabric is impregnated with the resin, the resin comprising from 5 to 30 weight percent of the total weight of fabric plus resin. The fabric of each first and second ply comprises regions wherein the fabric is distorted from an orthogonal woven state by a distortion angle of least 30 degrees. The composite may further comprising a third ply having a surface area no greater than 50% of the surface area of a first and second ply. The ratio of the number of first plus second plies to the number of third plies is from 2:1 to 12:1.

A fiber reinforced resin composite for ballistic protection comprising a plurality of first and second plies wherein the first and second plies further comprise a woven fabric and a polymeric resin. The fabric has a Russell tightness factor of from 0.2 to 0.7 and a cover factor of at least 0.45, The fabric is impregnated with the resin, the resin comprising from 5 to 30 weight percent of the total weight of fabric plus resin. The fabric of each first and second ply comprises regions wherein the fabric is distorted from an orthogonal woven state by a distortion angle of least 30 degrees. The composite may further comprising a third ply having a surface area no greater than 50% of the surface area of a first and second ply. The ratio of the number of first plus second plies to the number of third plies is from 2:1 to 12:1.

Garments made from a composite, protective fabric are disclosed. The composite fabric has textile layers placed in proximity to metallic mesh layers of woven stainless steel mesh. The metal mesh layers formed from any metal which forms suitable fibers. The textile layers are fabric formed with well-known fabric fibers selected from those including para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, polyethylene terephthalate fibers, cellulose fibers, polyamide fibers, a mixture of para-aramid fibers and meta-aramid fibers, and a mixture of para-aramid fibers and carbon fibers. Forming the non-metal textile layers is by any suitable method for interlacing yarns including weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting, or felting, or combinations thereof. The garments made using the fabric include gloves, bullet proof vests and chain-saw resistant trousers.

The disclosure provides a ballistic helmet and a method of assembling a ballistic helmet that includes a helmet shell and a harness connected to the helmet shell. The helmet shell includes a front portion and a rear portion. The harness includes a nape pad, a tensioner disposed on the nape pad, a plurality of securement straps, and a tension cable. The plurality of securement straps are connected to the nape pad and are configured to fasten to the rear portion of the helmet shell. The tension cable is selectively adjustable by the tensioner and is configured to fasten to the front portion of the helmet shell.

A nape pad for use with a helmet, the nape pad comprising: a base comprised of a rigid material and having an outer surface and an inner surface, a left side and a right side, and a top edge and a bottom edge, the outer surface being generally convex from the left side to the right side and having an upper portion proximate the top edge and a lower portion proximate the bottom edge, the upper portion being generally smooth and configured to extend into and slide along an inner surface of the helmet, the inner surface of the base being generally concave from the left side to the right side; a fastener coupled to the lower portion of the base and configured to releasably couple to a retention system of the helmet; and at least one compressible comfort pad coupled to the inner surface of the base.

A rigid ballistic-resistant composite includes large denier per filament (dpf) yarns. The yarns are held in place by a resin to form a rigid composite panel with improved ballistic performance. The large dpf yarns may be selected from aromatic heterocyclic co-polyamide fibers, polyester-polyarylate fibers, high modulus polypropylene (HMPP) fibers, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers, poly-diimidazo pyridinylene (dihydroxy) phenylene (PIPD) fibers, carbon fibers, and polyolefin fibers.

A rigid ballistic-resistant composite includes large denier per filament (dpf) yarns. The yarns are held in place by a resin to form a rigid composite panel with improved ballistic performance. The large dpf yarns may be selected from aromatic heterocyclic co-polyamide fibers, polyester-polyarylate fibers, high modulus polypropylene (HMPP) fibers, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers, poly-diimidazo pyridinylene (dihydroxy) phenylene (PIPD) fibers, carbon fibers, and polyolefin fibers.

The present invention provides a protective circular band assembly for helmets. The assembly includes a front portion, two side portions and one back portion as a single structure, wherein the front portion and back portion are curved from a top surface to form a curve wherein the two side portions are configured adjust circumference of the assembly for different size helmets.

The present invention provides a protective circular band assembly for helmets. The assembly includes a front portion, two side portions and one back portion as a single structure, wherein the front portion and back portion are curved from a top surface to form a curve wherein the two side portions are configured adjust circumference of the assembly for different size helmets.