Body Armor

Abstract

Wearable body armor with anterior and posterior panels of soft body armor and anterior and posterior hard armor arrays symmetrically secured to the panels. The hard armor arrays are disposed with plural substantially rigid arched armor segments, each having an arched shell portion between first and second ends. The arched armor segments are fixed in series and in immediate juxtaposition centered along longitudinal centerlines of the panels. Upper and lower terminal armor segments of the posterior hard armor array have quarter-spherical body portions open to adjacent arched armor segments. Upper rigid armor segments of the anterior and posterior arrays have left and right wing portions extending diagonally toward shoulder armor segments that overlie the left and right shoulder sections. Sharp-catching channels are disposed in the shoulder armor segments. Oblong protuberances are disposed on some arched shell portions while upper rigid armor segments have arched shell portions with indentations.

Claims

1. Wearable body armor for protecting a person from attack, the body armor comprising: an anterior panel of soft body armor comprising one or more layers of attack resistant material; a posterior panel of soft body armor comprising one or more layers of attack resistant material; left and right shoulder sections, each of the left and right shoulder sections with an anterior portion coupled to the anterior panel and a posterior portion coupled to the posterior panel; a neck opening bounded anteriorly and posteriorly by upper edges of the anterior and posterior panels and laterally by inner edges of the shoulder sections; left and right arm openings bounded by lateral edges of the anterior and posterior panels and outer edges of the shoulder sections; a substantially symmetrically disposed anterior hard armor array secured exteriorly to the anterior panel wherein the anterior hard armor array comprises a plurality of substantially rigid arched armor segments, each arched armor segment with first and second ends secured to the anterior panel and an arched shell portion between the first and second ends spaced from the anterior panel; and a substantially symmetrically disposed posterior hard armor array secured exteriorly to the posterior panel wherein the anterior hard armor array comprises a plurality of substantially rigid arched armor segments, each arched armor segment with first and second ends secured to the anterior panel and an arched shell portion between the first and second ends spaced from the anterior panel.

2. The wearable body armor of claim 1 wherein each of the arched armor segments of the anterior hard armor array is secured to the anterior panel by mechanical fasteners that pass through the first and second ends of the arched armor segment and into the anterior panel and wherein each of the arched armor segments of the posterior hard armor array is secured to the posterior panel by mechanical fasteners that pass through the first and second ends of the arched armor segment and into the posterior panel.

3. The wearable body armor of claim 2 wherein the anterior panel is formed with an encapsulation layer, a shell layer, and an anterior panel of attack resistant material interposed between the encapsulation layer and the shell layer.

4. The wearable body armor of claim 3 wherein the armed armor segments of the anterior hard armor array are secured to the encapsulation layer of the anterior panel by the mechanical fasteners.

5. The wearable body armor of claim 1 wherein the arched armor segments of the anterior hard armor array are fixed in series and in immediate juxtaposition substantially centered along a longitudinal centerline of the anterior panel.

6. The wearable body armor of claim 5 wherein the arched armor segments of the posterior hard armor array are fixed in series and in immediate juxtaposition substantially centered along a longitudinal centerline of the anterior panel.

7. The wearable body armor of claim 5 wherein the posterior hard armor array further comprises a substantially rigid lower terminal armor segment secured to the posterior panel in immediate juxtaposition to an adjacent lower arched armor segment of the plurality of arched armor segments wherein the lower terminal armor segment has a quarter-spherical body portion that is open to the arched shell portion of the adjacent arched armor segment.

8. The wearable body armor of claim 7 wherein the posterior hard armor array further comprises a substantially rigid upper terminal armor segment secured to the posterior panel in immediate juxtaposition to an adjacent upper arched armor segment of the plurality of arched armor segments wherein the upper terminal armor segment has a quarter-spherical body portion that is open to the arched shell portion of the adjacent upper arched armor segment.

9. The wearable body armor of claim 5 wherein the posterior hard armor array further comprises a substantially rigid upper terminal armor segment secured to the posterior panel in immediate juxtaposition to an adjacent upper arched armor segment of the plurality of arched armor segments wherein the upper terminal armor segment has a quarter-spherical body portion that is open to the arched shell portion of the adjacent upper arched armor segment.

10. The wearable body armor of claim 1 wherein the plurality of arched armor segments of the anterior hard armor array includes an upper rigid armor segment that further comprises substantially rigid left and right wing portions that extend from the arched shell portion of the upper rigid armor segment of the anterior hard armor array toward the left and right shoulder sections respectively.

11. The wearable body armor of claim 10 wherein the left and right wing portions of the upper rigid armor segment of the anterior hard armor array extend diagonally from the arched shell portion of the upper rigid armor segment of the anterior hard armor array toward the left and right shoulder sections.

12. The wearable body armor of claim 11 further comprising substantially rigid left and right shoulder armor segments secured to overlie the left and right shoulder sections respectively and wherein the left and right wing portions of the upper rigid armor segment of the anterior hard armor array are secured to the left and right shoulder armor segments respectively.

13. The wearable body armor of claim 12 further comprising plural channels disposed in each of the left and right shoulder armor segments.

14. The wearable body armor of claim 13 wherein at least some of the plural channels have longitudinal orientations along lines emanating from the neck opening.

15. The wearable body armor of claim 1 wherein the anterior hard armor array further comprises left and right substantially rigid oblique armor segments secured to outer portions of the anterior panel wherein the oblique armor segments are disposed generally diagonally across the anterior panel in relation to a longitudinal of the panel.

16. The wearable body armor of claim 1 wherein the plurality of arched armor segments of the posterior hard armor array includes an upper rigid armor segment that further comprises substantially rigid left and right wing portions that extend from the arched shell portion of the upper rigid armor segment of the posterior hard armor array toward the left and right shoulder sections respectively.

17. The wearable body armor of claim 16 wherein the left and right wing portions of the upper rigid armor segment of the posterior hard armor array extend diagonally from the arched shell portion of the upper rigid armor segment of the posterior hard armor array toward the left and right shoulder sections.

18. The wearable body armor of claim 17 further comprising substantially rigid left and right shoulder armor segments secured to overlie the left and right shoulder sections respectively and wherein the left and right wing portions of the upper rigid armor segment of the posterior hard armor array are secured to the left and right shoulder armor segments respectively.

19. The wearable body armor of claim 1 wherein the posterior hard armor array further comprises left and right substantially rigid kidney armor segments secured to outer portions of the posterior panel wherein the kidney armor segments are disposed generally diagonally across the posterior panel in relation to a longitudinal of the panel.

20. The wearable body armor of claim 1 wherein the arched shell portions of at least some of the arched armor segments of the anterior hard armor array have a protuberance that communicates longitudinally along the arched shell portion.

21. The wearable body armor of claim 18 wherein the plurality of arched armor segments of the anterior hard armor array includes an upper rigid armor segment wherein the upper rigid armor segment has an indentation that communicates longitudinally along the arched shell portion.

22. The wearable body armor of claim 1 wherein the arched armor segments of the posterior hard armor array are fixed in series and in immediate juxtaposition substantially centered along a longitudinal centerline of the posterior panel and wherein the posterior hard armor array further comprises a substantially rigid lower terminal armor segment secured to the posterior panel in immediate juxtaposition to an adjacent lower arched armor segment of the plurality of arched armor segments wherein the lower terminal armor segment has a quarter-spherical body portion that is open to the arched shell portion of the adjacent arched armor segment and further comprising a quarter-hemispherical protuberance on the quarter-spherical body portion of the lower terminal armor segment.

23. The wearable body armor of claim 1 wherein the arched armor segments of the posterior hard armor array are fixed in series and in immediate juxtaposition substantially centered along a longitudinal centerline of the posterior panel and wherein the posterior hard armor array further comprises a substantially rigid upper terminal armor segment secured to the posterior panel in immediate juxtaposition to an adjacent upper arched armor segment of the plurality of arched armor segments wherein the upper terminal armor segment has a quarter-spherical body portion that is open to the arched shell portion of the adjacent arched armor segment and further comprising a quarter-hemispherical protuberance on the quarter-spherical body portion of the upper terminal armor segment.

24. The wearable body armor of claim 1 wherein the anterior panel and the posterior panel have lateral sides and further comprising lateral coupling mechanisms operative to selectively couple the lateral sides of the anterior panel and the posterior panel.

25. The wearable body armor of claim 1 wherein the one or more layers of attack resistant material of the anterior panel and the posterior panel comprise plural layers of carbon fiber fabric.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In the accompanying drawing figures:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation of an article of hybrid body armor according to the invention disclosed herein;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a view in rear elevation of the article of hybrid body armor;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the article of hybrid body armor spread into a generally flat configuration;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation of the article of hybrid body armor in an inside-out configuration;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a view in rear elevation of the article of hybrid body armor in an inside-out configuration;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation of the article of hybrid body armor;

[0026] FIG. 7 is an amplified view in front elevation of an oblique portion of the article of hybrid body armor;

[0027] FIG. 8 is an amplified view in rear elevation of a lower portion of the article of hybrid body armor;

[0028] FIG. 9 is an amplified perspective view of an upper portion of the article of hybrid body armor;

[0029] FIG. 10 is an amplified perspective view of a shoulder portion of the article of hybrid body armor;

[0030] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an anterior panel of the article of hybrid body armor opened as to permit the insertion or removal of a panel of body armor; and

[0031] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a posterior panel of the article of hybrid body armor opened as to permit the insertion or removal of a panel of body armor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] The body armor disclosed herein is subject to a wide variety of embodiments. However, to ensure that one skilled in the art will be able to understand and, in appropriate cases, practice the present invention, certain preferred embodiments of the broader invention revealed herein are described below and shown in the accompanying drawing figures.

[0033] Looking more particularly to the drawings, an article of body armor pursuant to the disclosed invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1 through 6. There, the body armor 10 takes the form of a body armor vest 10 with an anterior panel 12 and a posterior panel 14. The anterior and posterior panels 12 and 14 are connected at upper portions thereof by shoulder sections or straps 16 and laterally by lateral coupling mechanisms, which could be selectively engaged. In this non-limiting example, the lateral coupling mechanisms comprise snap-fit buckles 18 in combination with adjustable straps 30.

[0034] Under this construction, a neck opening is formed that is bounded anteriorly and posteriorly by upper portions of the anterior and posterior panels 12 and 14 and laterally by inner edges of the shoulder sections 16. Left and right arm openings are bounded by lateral edges of the anterior and posterior panels 12 and 14 and by outer edges of the shoulder sections 16.

[0035] It will be understood that, although the present embodiment of the body armor 10 is crafted as a body armor vest, other embodiments are possible. For instance, body armor 10 according to the invention could be formed as a full upper body covering for the wearer's torso and arms or otherwise. Each such embodiment should be considered to be within the scope of the invention except as the body armor 10 may be expressly limited by the claims.

[0036] Under this construction, the body armor 10 can be applied to a wearer's body as by separating the buckles 18 as illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, and, additionally or alternatively, loosening the straps 30 as necessary and slipping the wearer's head through the neck opening created between the anterior and posterior panels 12 and 14 and the shoulder sections 16. The snap-fit buckles 18 can then be engaged as necessary, and the straps 30 can be cinched or otherwise adjusted to produce a snug fit of the body armor vest 10 on the wearer's body. With the body armor 10 so disposed, the anterior panel 12 will overlie and provide protection to the wearer's chest, abdomen, and anterior shoulder and side portions, and the posterior panel 14 will overlie and provide protection to the wearer's back and posterior shoulder and side portions.

[0037] As is shown and described herein, each of the anterior and posterior panels 12 and 14 and, potentially, the shoulder portions 16 are configured to retain, potentially in a removable and replaceable manner, layers of ballistic-resistant and, potentially, stab-resistant material. The body armor 10 will ideally provide ballistic protection to at least Ballistic Level IIA and stab protection at least to Spike Blade Level 2 as each is defined by the United States National Institute of Justice. The anterior and posterior panels 12 and 14 and, potentially, the shoulder portions 16 can retain what is commonly referred to as soft body armor, indicated at 90 in FIGS. 11 and 12, for instance. The soft body armor 90 can have plural layers of high strength, ballistic resistant and, additionally or alternatively stab-resistant fabric or other material built up to provide ballistic or stab resistance to the designed level. Non-limiting examples of such materials include fabrics formed with high strength fibers, including highly oriented high molecular weight polyolefin fibers, particularly high modulus polyethylene fibers, aramid fibers, para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers, and polybenzazole fibers, such as polybenzoxazole (PBO) and polybenzothiazole (PBT), polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polyacrylonitrile fibers, liquid crystal copolyester fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, or basalt or other mineral fibers, and rigid rod polymer fibers, and mixtures and blends thereof. The flexible armor material 90 could, for instance, comprise aramid fiber cloth materials, such as the material sold under the registered trademark KEVLAR by E.I. duPont deNemours and Co., Inc. and high molecular weight polyethylene filament materials in a flexible resin matrix, such as the material sold under the trademark SPECTRA SHIELD by Allied Signal, Inc. of Morristown, N.J. In presently preferred embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 for example, the anterior and posterior panels 12 and 14 incorporate armor 90 enveloped within a pocket formed exteriorly by one or more encapsulation layers 86 and interiorly by one or more shell layers 84. The carbon fiber fabric of the armor material 90 can have thin filaments of primarily carbon in the approximately 5 to 10 micrometer diameter range.

[0038] It will be understood that plural different resistant materials and types of materials could be employed in combination for the flexible body armor 90, the encapsulation layer 86, and the shell layer 84 depending on, for instance, the goals to be accomplished by the body armor 10. It would be possible, for instance, to include material primarily designed for ballistic resistance, material designed primarily for stab resistance, material designed for both ballistic and stab resistance, multiple layers of different types of material interleaved, plural layers of one type on top of plural layers of another type, or layers otherwise configured and retained. As used herein, attack resistant material shall be applied to include ballistic resistant material, stab resistant material, material that demonstrates combined ballistic and stab resistance, and combinations of ballistic and stab resistant material of any type that may now exist or hereafter be developed.

[0039] Looking further to FIGS. 4, 5, 11, and 12, layers of soft body armor or attack resistant material 90 in the depicted body armor vest 10 are enveloped between one or more shell layers 84 and one or more encapsulation layers 86. The shell layer or layers 84 and the encapsulation layer or layers 86 together form a pocket into which one or multiple layers of attack resistant material 90 can be selectively or fixedly retained. The encapsulation layer or layers 86 and, additionally or alternatively, the shell layer or layers 84 can also be formed from or incorporate attack resistant material. The shell layer 84 could, for instance, comprise a breathable material for added comfort, and the encapsulation layer or layers 86 may be crafted from one or more layers of tough material, preferably woven carbon fiber, to provide resistance to multiple types of weapons of attack, including sharps, stun guns, and conducted electrical weapons and to provide a durable support for the arrays of hard body armor referenced hereinbelow. Other non-limiting materials for the encapsulation layer or layers 86 include woven nylon, canvas, and any other suitably tough material or materials. The several hard body armor segments shown and described herein can be secured to the encapsulation layer or layers 86 as is additionally disclosed hereinbelow.

[0040] As FIGS. 4, 5, 11, and 12 show, an end portion, such as the lower end portion, of the shell layer 84 in this construction is selectively coupled to the encapsulation layer 86 by operation of, for example, a hook and loop combination 88. With that, layers of attack resistant material 90, namely soft body armor 90, can be selectively inserted into and removed from the pocket formed between the shell and encapsulation layers 84 and 86 thereby to permit, by way of example and not limitation, different levels of protection to be achieved based on attack resistant material selection, cleaning, and other necessary or desirable actions Further teachings in this regard may be had by reference to co-pending application Ser. No. 15/193,845 for an Armored Shirt, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0041] The anterior and posterior panels 12 and 14 additionally retain symmetrically disposed hard armor arrays that are secured exteriorly to the panels 12 and 14. The anterior hard armor array can be best perceived by reference to FIGS. 1, 6, 7, and 10. There, the anterior hard armor array is seen to include a lower terminal rigid armor segment 20, a series of medial rigid armor segments 22, and an upper terminal rigid armor segment 24, all tightly disposed in series and symmetrically aligned along a centerline of the anterior panel 12. Each of the rigid upper, lower, and medial armor segments 24, 22, and 20 has a body with a rectangular peripheral shape with first and second ends and an arched shell portion spanning therebetween. The segments 20, 22, and 24 are secured to the anterior body panel 12 centered longitudinally with the arched shell portions of the segments 20, 22, and 24 spanning across a longitudinal centerline of the panel 12. The arched shell portions are thus spaced from the surface of the anterior body panel 12 in alignment with the centerline of the wearer's chest and abdomen.

[0042] In this embodiment, the securing of the rigid armor segments 20, 22, and 24 is achieved by bolts, rivets, or other mechanical fasteners 32 and 34 that pass through the end portions of the segments 20, 22, and 24 and into, potentially through, the encapsulation layer 86 of the panel 12 as seen in FIG. 11, for instance. Here, each of the lower terminal rigid armor segment 20 and the medial rigid armor segments 22 are secured by four fasteners 32, such as rivets, one passing through each corner of the first and second ends of the segment 22 and 24. The rigid armor segments 20, 22, and 24 are secured in immediate contact within one another such that a substantially continuous surface is presented while permitting relative flexibility of the segments 20, 22, and 24.

[0043] The upper terminal rigid armor segment 24 also has a central body with first and second ends and an arched shell portion therebetween. However, the upper terminal rigid armor segment 24 further includes wing portions that extend diagonally laterally and upwardly therefrom thereby to extend from the position of the central body of the upper terminal rigid armor segment 24 overlying the upper chest and lower neck of the wearer toward the shoulder sections 16. The wing portions and the central body of the upper terminal rigid armor segment 24 are integrally formed in this embodiment thereby eliminating the possibility for sharp objects of attack piercing into the covered portion of the anterior panel 12 freely.

[0044] Substantially rigid shoulder armor segments 26 are disposed to overlie the shoulder portions 16 of the body armor vest 10. The shoulder armor segments 26 correspond in general shape and contour to the shape and contour of the shoulder portions 16 such that each segment 26 spans along an arcuate path to have a first end overlying the anterior panel 12, a second end overlying the posterior panel 14, and a body portion overlying the shoulder portions 16 of the body armor 10. The first end of the shoulder armor segment 26 overlaps the wing portion of the upper terminal armor segment 24, and the second end of the shoulder armor segment 26 overlaps a wing portion of an upper rigid armor segment 52 of the posterior hard armor array as shown, for instance, in FIG. 2.

[0045] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 11, a bolt, rivet, or other mechanical fastener 36 passes through an anterior portion of the shoulder armor segment 26, through the wing portion of the upper terminal armor segment 24, and entirely through the encapsulation layer 86 of the anterior panel 12. Additional fasteners 38 and 66 can secure the body portion of the shoulder armor segment 26 to the shoulder portion 16. Mechanical fasteners 64 also pass through a posterior portion of the shoulder armor segment 26, through a wing portion of an upper rigid armor segment 52, which is further discussed below, and into or through the encapsulation layer 86 of posterior panel 14.

[0046] The anterior hard armor array further includes left and right oblique rigid armor segments 28 that are secured to outboard portions of the anterior panel 12 to align generally with the oblique muscles of a typical wearer's abdomen. The oblique rigid armor segments 28 are disposed generally diagonally across the anterior panel 12 and are each secured by plural mechanical fasteners 45.

[0047] With the rigid armor segments 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 disposed to form the anterior hard armor array so shown and described, protection beyond that already provided by the anterior panel 12 itself is provided from the wearer's lower abdomen, through a central portion of the wearer's chest and sternum, over the wearer's clavicle region, and over the wearer's shoulder regions. Further protection by the anterior hard armor array is provided to the lateral abdominal areas by the oblique rigid armor segments 28.

[0048] The posterior hard armor array can be perceived by further reference to FIGS. 2, 6, 8, and 9. There, the posterior hard armor array includes a lower terminal rigid armor segment 48, a series of medial rigid armor segments 50, an upper rigid armor segment 52, and an upper terminal rigid armor segment 78. The segments 48, 50, 52, and 78 are tightly disposed in series, and they are symmetrically aligned along a centerline of the posterior panel 14.

[0049] Each of the rigid medial rigid armor segments 50 and the upper rigid armor segment 52 has a body with a rectangular peripheral shape with first and second ends and an arched shell portion spanning therebetween. The medial and upper segments 50 and 52 are secured to the posterior body panel 14 centered longitudinally with the arched shell portions of the segments 50 and 52 spanning across a longitudinal centerline of the panel 14. The arched shell portions are thus spaced from the surface of the body panel 14 in alignment with the wearer's spine.

[0050] The lower terminal rigid armor segment 48 and the upper terminal rigid armor segment 78 have quarter spherical body portions. The body portions are open to the medial rigid armor segments 50 and closed to areas above and below the series of rigid armor segments 48, 50, 52, and 78. The lower and upper terminal rigid armor segments 48 and 78 have flanged edges along the closed portions thereof.

[0051] Fixation of the rigid armor segments 48, 50, 52, and 78 is achieved by bolts, rivets, or other mechanical fasteners 58, 60, 62, 64 and 66 that pass through the segments 48, 50, 52, and 78 and entirely through, the encapsulation layer 86 of the panel 14 as in FIG. 12. Here, each of the medial rigid armor segments 50 is secured by four fasteners 60, one passing through each corner of the first and second ends of the segment 50. The rigid armor segments 48, 50, 52, and 78 are secured in immediate contact within one another such that a substantially continuous surface is presented while permitting relative flexibility of the segments 48, 50, 52, and 78. The upper and lower terminal rigid armor segments 48 and 78 are fixed to the posterior panel 14 by mechanical fasteners 58 passing through the flanged edges of the segments 48 and 78 and into and potentially through the encapsulation layer 86 of the posterior panel 14.

[0052] The upper rigid armor segment 52 also has a central body with first and second ends and an arched shell portion therebetween. The upper rigid armor segment 52 further includes wing portions that extend diagonally laterally and upwardly therefrom thereby to extend from the position of the central body of the upper rigid armor segment 52 overlying the upper back and posterior of the lower neck of the wearer toward the shoulder sections 16. The wing portions and the central body of the upper rigid armor segment 52 are integrally formed in this embodiment thereby eliminating the possibility for sharp objects of attack to pierce into the covered portion of the posterior panel 14 freely.

[0053] The posterior hard armor array further includes left and right kidney rigid armor segment 56 that are secured to outboard portions of the posterior panel 14 to align generally with the kidney areas of a typical wearer. The kidney rigid armor segments 56 are disposed generally diagonally across the posterior panel 14 and are each secured by plural mechanical fasteners 58.

[0054] With the rigid armor segments 48, 50, 52, and 78 disposed to form the posterior hard armor array, protection, beyond that already provided by the posterior panel 14 itself, is provided from the wearer's coccyx, over the length of the spine including the lower neck, and over the posterior portions of the wearer's shoulders. The kidney rigid armor segments 56 provide further protection to the lateral back areas.

[0055] The rigid armor segments 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 48, 50, 52, and 78 are formed from a substantially rigid material that preferably demonstrates limited resilient deflection. Possible materials include, without limitation, plastics, carbon fiber resin-based composites, and other substantially rigid materials demonstrating limited deflection under stress. Potential plastic materials include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, and urethane.

[0056] The arched portions of the rigid armor segments 20, 22, 24, 50, and 52 and the quarter spherical portions of the rigid armor segments 48 and 78 thus provide resiliently deflectable shells spaced from the surfaces of the anterior and posterior panels 12 and 14 and thus further displaced from the body of the wearer. Direct contact between the arched portions and the underlying panels 12 and 14 is eliminated. Under this construction, a force applied to the arched portions of the rigid armor segments 20, 22, 24, 50, and 52 and the quarter spherical portions of the rigid armor segments 48 and 78, which would otherwise be in line with, for example, the coccyx, spine, sternum, or lower neck of the wearer, will be applied to the end and edge portions of the segments 20, 22, 24, 50, 52, 48, and 78 outboard of those sensitive and high-risk areas. Moreover, the resilience of the arched portions will further absorb and diminish the shock and deleterious effects of impact forces.

[0057] Notably, the securing of the ends and edges of the segments 20, 22, 24, 50, 52, 48, and 78 to the respective encapsulation layers 86 of the anterior and posterior panels 12 and 14 with mechanical fasteners 32, 34, 36, 38, 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66 installs the encapsulation layers 86 of the anterior and posterior panels 12 and 14 as integral portions of a resilient structure formed by the arched portions of the rigid armor segments 20, 22, 24, 50, and 52 and the quarter spherical portions of the rigid armor segments 48 and 78 and the panels 12 and 14. The portions of the panels 12 and 14 between the fasteners 32, 34, 36, 38, 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66 act as bridges to contribute to the resilient, shock-absorbing effect of the segments 20, 22, 24, 50, 52, 48, and 78.

[0058] The several rigid armor segments 20, 22, 24, 26, 48, 50, 52, and 78 also have rigidifying and sharp catching formations build therein. More particularly, the arched portions of rigid armor segments 20, 22, and 50 have oblong protuberances 70 therealong that serve to rigidify the segments 20, 22, and 50 and to deflect and present obstacles to the smooth travel of bladed and other tools of attack. In a similar manner, the quarter hemispherical portions of the lower terminal rigid armor segment 48 and the upper terminal rigid armor segment 78 of the posterior hard armor array have quarter-hemispherical protuberances 68 and 80 thereon that tend to stiffen the segments 48 and 78 and to deflect and present obstacles to sharp tools of attack. The arched portions of the upper terminal rigid armor segment 24 and the upper rigid armor segment 52 have oblong indentations formed therein that rigidify the segments 24 and 52 but that have a greater tendency to catch bladed objects rather than to deflect the same in the sensitive areas of the neck of the wearer.

[0059] Moreover, the wing portions of the upper terminal rigid armor segment 24 and the upper rigid armor segment 52 have slots or channels 44 and 72 respectively formed therein. The channels 44 and 72 provide further capacity to catch sharp tools of attack to prevent the same from reaching the neck and soft underarm areas of the wearer. The channels 44 and 72 are generally longitudinally aligned with lines pointing toward the neck opening of the body armor 10. Similarly, the shoulder rigid armor segments 26 have anterior slots or channels 46 formed therein and posterior slots or channels 74 formed therein that communicate transversely to the shoulder rigid armor segments 26 and, accordingly, in general longitudinal alignment with lines pointing toward the neck opening of the body armor 10. Sharp objects of attack otherwise traveling toward the neck of the wearer can thus be caught and stopped upon entering one of the channels 44, 46, 72 or 74.

[0060] The oblique rigid armor segments 28 and the kidney rigid armor segments 56 additionally have slots or channels 42 and 76 respectively formed therein. The channels 42 and 76 are disposed generally orthogonal to a longitudinal centerline of the body armor 10. Under this configuration, sharp objects of attack entering the channels 42 or 76 and otherwise travelling toward or away from the center of the wearer's body, such as toward the wearer's medial or lateral abdomen, will tend to be caught and stopped.

[0061] With certain details and embodiments of the present invention for body armor disclosed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that numerous changes and additions could be made thereto without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. This is particularly true when one bears in mind that the presently preferred embodiments merely exemplify the broader invention revealed herein. Accordingly, it will be clear that those with major features of the invention in mind could craft embodiments that incorporate those major features while not incorporating all of the features included in the preferred embodiments.

[0062] Therefore, the following claims shall define the scope of protection to be afforded to the inventor. Those claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. It must be further noted that a plurality of the following claims may express certain elements as means for performing a specific function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As the law demands, any such claims shall be construed to cover not only the corresponding structure and material expressly described in this specification but also all equivalents thereof.