A mandible shield comprises at least one panel having a peripheral edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The at least one panel is comprised of a ballistics material. A frame is coupled to the at least one panel and covers the peripheral edge of the at least one panel. The frame has at least one window exposing at least a portion of the outer surface of the at least one panel. The frame is configured to at least partially extend over a mandible of a user when the frame is coupled to opposing lateral sides of a helmet.

Systems and methods are provided for protective devices. A protective equipment device may include a high mass member; and a nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer disposed on the high mass member. The nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer may include a gradient nanoparticle layer including a plurality of nanoparticles of different diameters that are arranged in a gradient array; and a carbon allotrope layer disposed in proximity to the gradient nanoparticle layer, the carbon allotrope layer comprising a plurality of carbon allotrope members suspended in a matrix.

Systems and methods are provided for protective devices. A protective equipment device may include a high mass member; and a nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer disposed on the high mass member. The nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer may include a gradient nanoparticle layer including a plurality of nanoparticles of different diameters that are arranged in a gradient array; and a carbon allotrope layer disposed in proximity to the gradient nanoparticle layer, the carbon allotrope layer comprising a plurality of carbon allotrope members suspended in a matrix.

A lightweight armor system providing blast protection and ballistic protection against small arms fire, suitable for use in helmets, personnel or vehicle protection, and other armor systems. A hard substrate is coated on the front surface with a thin elastomeric polymer layer, in which hollow ceramic or metal spheres are encapsulated. The coating layer having a thin elastomeric polymer layer with encapsulated metal or ceramic hollow spheres can be stand-alone blast protection, or can be added to an underlying structure. The glass transition temperature of the polymer is preferably between negative fifty Celsius and zero Celsius.

A modular helmet interface with a mounting cleat and adhesive layer is provided. In one aspect, a mounting cleat is affixed to a helmet, such as a ballistic helmet, by an adhesive layer, the mounting cleat having a cavity filled with the adhesive used to secure the cleat to the helmet. In a further aspect, the mounting cleat has one or more annular grooves for improving the bond between the cleat and the helmet. In another aspect, a mounting cleat is secured to a helmet by way of a cleat-receiving securing member, the securing member affixed to the helmet by an adhesive layer.

A panel for absorbing mechanical impact energy includes a substrate and a multiplicity of fibers attached, by one of their ends, to the substrate with their other ends extending away from the substrate. The panel may include a thin, porous covering layer that overlies the free ends of the fibers. The porosity of the cover and the fiber density of the fibers may allow for breathability of the panel. The panels may be flexible and may be used in body protection devices such as helmets, body armor as well as in other environments. Panels may be configured in a variety of energy absorbing arrangements for differing applications.

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.

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.

A lightweight armor system providing blast protection and ballistic protection against small arms fire, suitable for use in helmets, personnel or vehicle protection, and other armor systems. A hard substrate is coated on the front surface with a thin elastomeric polymer layer, in which hollow ceramic or metal spheres are encapsulated. The coating layer having a thin elastomeric polymer layer with encapsulated metal or ceramic hollow spheres can be stand-alone blast protection, or can be added to an underlying structure. The glass transition temperature of the polymer is preferably between negative fifty Celsius and zero Celsius.

A shock wave attenuating material (100) includes a substrate layer (104). A plurality (110) of shock attenuating layers is disposed on the substrate layer (104). Each of the plurality (110) of shock attenuating layers includes a gradient nanoparticle layer (114) including a plurality of nanoparticles (120) of different diameters that are arranged in a gradient from smallest diameter to largest diameter and a graphitic layer (118) disposed adjacent to the gradient nanoparticle layer. The graphitic layer (118) includes a plurality of carbon allotrope members (128) suspended in a matrix (124).