An article is provided and includes a first ballistic particle impenetrable material, which is formable into a pack and a second material, which is formable into an enclosure for the pack, the enclosure having an interior facing surface in abutment with a substantial entirety of an exterior of the pack.

Apparatus and methods for reducing injury or damage from an explosive device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing and at least one inflator coupled to the housing. The apparatus also includes a shield coupled to the housing. The shield has a plurality of channels coupled to the at least one inflator. The shield also has a compact position and an expanded position. The plurality of channels are configured to receive a fluid from the at least one inflator and thereby at least partially advance the shield from the compact position to the expanded position.

A structure for use in a compressible resilient pad. The structure contains both axially elastomeric strands and relatively inelastic strands co-extruded in various patterns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.

Apparatus and methods for reducing injury or damage from an explosive device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing and at least one inflator coupled to the housing. The apparatus also includes a shield coupled to the housing. The shield has a plurality of channels coupled to the at least one inflator. The shield also has a compact position and an expanded position. The plurality of channels are configured to receive a fluid from the at least one inflator and thereby at least partially advance the shield from the compact position to the expanded position.

A structure for use in a compressible resilient pad. The structure contains both axially elastomeric strands and relatively inelastic strands co-extruded in various patterns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.

A structure for use in a compressible resilient pad. The structure contains both axially elastomeric strands and relatively inelastic strands co-extruded in various patterns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.

A material that is capable of stopping high-speed projectiles but yet is sufficiently flexible for use in various applications, such as to be used in footwear to protect a person's feet, especially the bottoms thereof is achieved by an enhanced ballistic material formed from interleaving layers of a ballistic material and layers of a gel matrix material that remains relatively soft and flexible. The ballistic material layer may be high tensile strength synthetic or polymeric fibers that are arranged in a mesh weave. Preferably the gel matrix material is capable of investing the ballistic material, e.g., by having the gel matrix material fill the interstices of the fibers, which may be achieved through the use of to heat and/or pressure. Furthermore, the combined material, i.e., the enhanced ballistic material, may be shaped, e.g., by molding.

A material that is capable of stopping high-speed projectiles but yet is sufficiently flexible for use in various applications, such as to be used in footwear to protect a person's feet, especially the bottoms thereof is achieved by an enhanced ballistic material formed from interleaving layers of a ballistic material and layers of a gel matrix material that remains relatively soft and flexible. The ballistic material layer may be high tensile strength synthetic or polymeric fibers that are arranged in a mesh weave. Preferably the gel matrix material is capable of investing the ballistic material, e.g., by having the gel matrix material fill the interstices of the fibers, which may be achieved through the use of heat and/or pressure. Furthermore, the combined material, i.e., the enhanced ballistic material, may be shaped, e.g., by molding.

An extraction platform helps disengage a load from a pliant surface by pumping a portion of the pliant surface out from beneath the platform. By forcibly removing portions of the pliant surface, i.e., debris, mud, snow, from beneath the platform housing, any seals, vacuums, tensile forces, or adhesive constituents are broken or disturbed sufficiently, such that the platform housing and the load disengage from the pliant surface. The platform also provides a large surface area for spreading out the weight of the load. The platform includes a mounting surface that joins with the load. A traction surface engages the pliant surface. A pump portion pumps portions of the pliant surface into an intake aperture, and out through a discharge aperture. A drive portion having sprockets and a cable drives the pump portion through momentum forces created by the platform housing, such as articulations of a walking gait.

The present disclosure relates to an item of footwear with sole protection. The footwear has an upper adapted to receive a foot of the wearer; a sole secured to the upper and adapted to be the interface between the wearer and the ground; and a puncture resistant layer embedded into the sole so as to provide the sole protection for the foot of the wearer, the puncture resistant layer having an outer edge exceeding an inner perimeter of the item of footwear defined by a junction between the upper and the sole.