DEVICE FOR DETECTING AND LOCATING LACERATIONS, IN PARTICULAR BULLET WOUNDS OR STAB WOUNDS

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for detecting or locating one or more tears, in particular caused by bullet or knife strikes, the device (1) comprising: a first layer (10) of fabric (2) having a first array of conductive wires defining detection strips (B1n) elongated in a first direction; a second layer (20) of fabric (2) having a second array of conductive wires that define detection strips (B2n) elongated in a second direction and forming an angle with the first direction; a control unit (3) connected to the arrays of conductive wires and configured to locate a zone (Zn) in which a tear in the fabric (2) causes the breakage of a conductive wire of the first layer (10) and a conductive wire of the second layer (20) at the intersection of two detection strips (B1n; B2n) of the two layers (10; 20); characterized in that, on each detection strip (B1n; B2n), the array has an insulated conductive wire forming a weave that is arranged across the width and along the length of the strip (B1n; B2n). The invention relates to a garment incorporating one or more devices. The invention relates to a protection system.

Claims

1. A device (1) for detecting and locating one or more tears, in particular caused by bullet or knife strikes, the device (1) comprising: a first layer (10) of fabric (2) having a first array (11) of conductive wires (12) defining detection strips (B1n) elongated in a first direction (D1); a second layer (20) of fabric (2) having a second array (21) of conductive wires (22) defining detection strips (B2n) elongated in a second direction (D2), forming an angle with the first direction (D1); a control unit (3) connected to the arrays (11, 21) of conductive wires (12, 22) and configured to locate a zone (Zn) in which a tear in the fabric (2) causes the breakage of a conductive wire (12) in the first layer (10) and of a conductive wire (22) in the second layer (20), at the intersection of two detection strips (B1n; B2n) of the two layers (10; 20); characterized in that, on each detection strip (B1n; B2n), the array (11; 21) has an insulated conductive wire (12; 22) forming a weave (15; 25) that is arranged across the width and along the length of the strip (B1n; B2n).

2. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that in each detection strip (B1n; B2n), the insulated conductive wire (12; 22) forms a maze-shaped weave (15; 25).

3. The device (1) as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that in each array (11; 12), the conductive wires (21; 22) are arranged 2 to 4 millimeters, for example 3 millimeters, apart from one another.

4. The device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in each detection strip (B1n; B2n), the weave (15; 25) has at least two elongated sections that extend along the length of the strip (B1n; B2n).

5. The device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit (3) is configured to transmit information relating to the arrays (11, 12) of conductive wires (12, 22) incorporated into the fabric (2) to a remote apparatus (5) in real time.

6. The device (1) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the control unit (3) is configured to transmit information periodically, every 1 to 30 seconds, for example every 3 seconds.

7. The device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control unit (3) is removable from the fabric (2), such that damaged fabric (2) can be changed without having to replace the control unit (3).

8. The device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises multiple portions of fabric (2) connected to the same control unit (3).

9. A garment (4), for example a jacket or t-shirt, characterized in that it incorporates one or more devices (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A protection system (100), characterized in that it comprises: one or more devices (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8; one or more garments (4) incorporating one or more devices (1); and a remote apparatus (5) configured to receive information from the one or more devices (1) in real time.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] The invention will be better understood from reading the following description which is provided solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention, the device comprising a fabric and a control unit, the device being incorporated into a garment and connected to a remote apparatus.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the device without the garment and apparatus, the device comprising two layers of fabric forming detection strips.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of the first layer of fabric.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of the second layer of fabric.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a device according to a second embodiment of the invention, the device comprising two portions of fabric connected to the control unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a device (1) according to the invention, the device comprising a fabric (2) and a control unit (3). The device (1) is designed to detect and locate one or more tears in the fabric (2), in particular caused by bullet or knife strikes, and to transmit the information to a remote apparatus (5) in real time.

[0033] The apparatus (5) is, for example, a telephone, a sensor, a radio or a computer. The apparatus (5) can be equipped with a dedicated application or with a third-party solution. The apparatus (5) can be installed in a security post and connected to different devices (1) worn by different persons.

[0034] The device (1) is incorporated into a garment (4), for example a jacket or t-shirt. The garment (4) is designed to be worn by an person liable to be exposed to gunshots or attacked with edged weapons.

[0035] The device (1), garment (4) and apparatus (5) form a complete personal protection system (100).

[0036] In practice, the system (100) can be configured to geolocate the wearer of the garment (4), process other personal information (blood type, name, identification number, etc.), and communicate with members of their team. The system (100) can have complementary physiological sensors or measurement devices. By way of non-limiting examples, the system (100) can have sensors for heart rate, breathing, body temperature, oxygen saturation and blood pressure.

[0037] The fabric (2) comprises two overlaid layers (10, 20). The first layer (10) has a first array (11) of conductive wires (12) defining detection strips (Bin) elongated in a first, horizontal direction (D1). The second layer (20) has a second array (21) of conductive wires (22) defining detection strips (B2n) elongated in a vertical direction (D2).

[0038] The first array (11) comprises an individual wire (13) connected to the unit (3) on one side, which connects to all of the strips (B1n), and multiple wires (14) connected to the unit (3) on the other side, which each connect to one particular strip (Bin). On each detection strip (Bin), an insulated conductive wire (14) forms a maze-shaped weave (15), which extends across the width and along length of this strip (Bin). The weave (15) has multiple parallel sections (16) which extend along the length of the strip (B1n). A strike on the first layer (10) will cause a conductive wire (12) on a given weave (15) to break and prevent electric current from flowing between the wire (13) on the one hand and one of the wires (14) on the other hand, thereby making it possible to identify the affected strip (B1n).

[0039] Likewise, the second array (21) comprises an individual wire (23) connected to the unit (3) on one side, which connects to all of the strips (B2n), and multiple wires (24) connected to the unit (3) on the other side, which each connect to one particular strip (B2n). On each detection strip (B2n), an insulated conductive wire (24) forming a maze-shaped weave (25) extends across the width and along the length of this strip (B2n). The weave (25) has multiple parallel sections (26) which extend along the length of the strip (B2n). A strike on the second layer (20) will cause a conductive wire (22) on a given weave (25) to break and prevent electric current from flowing between the wire (23) on the one hand and one of the wires (24) on the other hand, thereby making it possible to identify the affected strip (B2n).

[0040] The conductive wires (12, 22) are woven into the fabric (2). This facilitates their incorporation into the fabric (2) and the formation of weaves (15, 25) in desired configurations.

[0041] The control unit (3) is connected to the two arrays (11, 21) of conductive wires (12, 22), via the wires (13, 14, 23, 24). The control unit (3) is configured to locate a zone (Zn) in which a tear in the fabric (2) causes the breakage of a conductive wire (12) in the first layer (10) and of a conductive wire (22) in the second layer (20), at the intersection of two detection strips (B1n; B2n) of the two layers (10; 20). In this way, the device (1) can provide a location X, Y of the strikes. This can help in identifying the affected body part and reacting accordingly. In addition, the device (1) can detect two strikes in different zones (Zn). After one zone (Z1n) has been pierced, the other zones remain functional, and so two piercings can be clearly detected. Subsequent shots in undamaged zones will continue to be clearly registered, but not in zones that have already been pierced.

[0042] The control unit (3) is configured to transmit information relating to the arrays (11, 12) of conductive wires (12, 22) incorporated into the fabric (2) to a remote apparatus (5) in real time, in particular the location of a strike in a given zone (Zn). Communication between the unit (3) and the apparatus (5) can be achieved via Bluetooth, GSM, RF or any other suitable technology.

[0043] Preferably, the unit (3) is configured to transmit information to the apparatus (5) periodically, every 1 to 5 seconds, for example every 3 seconds. This saves the battery (3) of the unit in comparison with continuous transmission.

[0044] According to one advantageous embodiment, the device (1) can be designed so that the control unit (3) is removable from the fabric (2). In this way, damaged fabric (2) can be changed without having to replace the control unit (3).

[0045] According to one advantageous embodiment, the device (1) can be designed so that its electronic components are sealed, in particular the control unit (3). This allows the garment (4) with incorporated device (1) to be washed without risk of damage to the electronic elements of the device (1).

[0046] In each weave (15; 25), the conductive wires (21; 22) are arranged 2 to 4 millimeters, for example 3 millimeters, apart from one another. As a result, the weave (15; 25) is fine enough to allow bullet hits or knife strikes to be detected without leaving a blind spot, including small-caliber ammunition such as 22LR (5.7 mm diameter) or 5.56.

[0047] In this embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4: [0048] Each weave (15; 25) forms a maze consisting of nine elongated sections (16; 26) parallel to one another along the length of the strip (B1n, B2n), and eight transverse sections which extend across the width of the strip (B1n, B2n), formed by joining the wires (13, 14; 23, 24) coming from both sides of the array (11; 21). [0049] Each strip (B1n; B2n) has a width of about 4 centimeters. [0050] The fabric (2) has six horizontal strips (B1n) and six vertical strips (B2n), defining thirty-six detection zones (Z1n).

[0051] In practice, the configuration of the fabric (2) can be varied by modifying the number of strips (B1n, B2n), the number of wires (12, 22), their spacing, their arrangement to form the weave (15, 25), the configuration of the weave (15, 25), etc. For example, the zones (Z1n) can be dimensioned so that each covers a square of 44 centimeters, or 88 centimeters, or a rectangle of 64 centimeters.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a device (1) according to a second embodiment of the invention. For the sake of simplicity, identical elements are referred to by the same digital references, with reference to the first embodiment described above.

[0053] The device (1) comprises two portions of fabric (2) connected to the same control unit (3). In this way, the manufacture of the portions of fabric is simplified, as the portions of fabric can be individually smaller to cover the same overall area. Potentially, this means that only one portion of the fabric (2) damaged in a strike has to be replaced.

[0054] According to one preferred embodiment, the two portions of fabric (2) can be arranged on the chest and on the back of the garment (4). They can be woven together at the shoulders.

[0055] Each portion of fabric (2) has eight horizontal strips (B1n) and eight vertical strips (B2n). This allows sixty-four zones (Zn) to be covered in each portion of fabric (2).

[0056] In the event of strike, the device (1) can detect the portion of fabric (2) affected and the zone (Zn) affected within this portion of fabric (2), and then transmit this information to the apparatus (5) via the control unit (3). The device (1) allows at least two strikes to be located per portion of fabric (2), i.e. four strikes in total.

[0057] Furthermore, the device (1), garment (4) and protection system (100) can be shaped differently from FIGS. 1 to 5 without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

[0058] In particular, the dimensions of the strips (B1n, B2n) can be varied according to the desired locating accuracy. Likewise, the nature and dimensions of the fabric (2) can be varied according to the desired application. Likewise, the weaves (15, 25) can have different patterns, with at least two sections covering the width and length of the strip (B1n, B2n) and, preferably, multiple sections forming a maze. The weaves (15, 25) can be arranged differently at the collar, with curved wire sections so as to follow the contour of the collar (not shown). According to one variant not shown, derived from FIG. 5, the device (1) can have four portions of fabric (2) on the chest and four portions of fabric (2) on the front, connected to the same control unit (3).

[0059] According to some particular applications, the device (1) can be adapted to be fitted to a firefighting hose, a sail, a bag, a Zodiac-like inflatable boat, or any other conceivable device.

[0060] In addition, all or some of the technical features of the embodiments and variants mentioned above can be combined with one another. In this way, the invention can be adapted in terms of cost, functionality and performance.