Wearable body armor

Abstract

The present invention provides a wearable body armor suit, comprising a plurality of body armor components that are connected together by an impact-resistant material, wherein the impact-resistant material comprises Vectran™ or woven chain mail, and wherein the body armor components are formed of carbon fiber or liquid crystal polymer fiber that is woven or formed into a platen. The platen is molded or curved to accommodate the shape of a body part being covered by the body armor component, for localized and directed protection of strategically important body parts.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 155,888 filed on Feb. 26, 2009, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates generally to body armor, and more particularly to body armor that is shaped and interconnected with articulation points to cover and protect strategically important parts of the body of a wearer, while providing flexibility and comfort.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0003]Most active wear clothing, fabrics, garments, and accessories are generally of minimal effectiveness and of limited comfort. Garments and accessories made of conventional materials that are touted as puncture, laceration, abrasion and / or impact resistant are nearly unwearable, or at least suffer from bulkiness, denseness, rigidity, and, most importantly, ineffectiveness.[0004]Conventional body armor is bulky, cumbersome, and uncomfortable to...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention is directed toward a wearable body armor suit that provides a wearer near-complete coverage and protection from threatening objects.

[0007]One embodiment of the invention provides a wearable body armor suit, comprising a plurality of body armor components that are connected together by an impact-resistant material, wherein the impact-resistant material comprises Vectran™ or woven chain mail, and wherein the body armor components are formed of carbon fiber or liquid crystal polymer fiber that is woven or formed into a platen. The platen is molded or curved to accommodate the shape of a body part being covered by the body armor component, for localized and directed protection of strategically important body parts.

Problems solved by technology

Most active wear clothing, fabrics, garments, and accessories are generally of minimal effectiveness and of limited comfort.

Garments and accessories made of conventional materials that are touted as puncture, laceration, abrasion and / or impact resistant are nearly unwearable, or at least suffer from bulkiness, denseness, rigidity, and, most importantly, ineffectiveness.

Conventional body armor is bulky, cumbersome, and uncomfortable to wear.

In some cases, conventional body armor is tailored to stop blunt-force objects such as bullets, but may be ineffective against other threats such as needles, knives, teeth, glass or other objects.

Further, conventional body armor is not well adapted to strategically important parts of the body other than the chest of the wearer.

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