Enhanced side closure body armor systems

Abstract

A bullet-resistant vest has a vest-front and a vest-back with side panels able to join and fasten about the sides of a torso of the user. The side panels have a thickness of about half of that of the vest-front and vest-back. When the side panels are overlapped and fastened at the sides, the total thickness of the conjoined side panels equal that of the vest-front or vest back. In this way, the fastening system advantageously provides a wearable vest which has a consistent thickness all about the torso of the user which does not unnecessarily bulge at the sides or create an impediment to movement of the user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates generally to the field of apparel of existing art and more specifically relates to soft body armor.RELATED ART[0003]Developments in modern body armor having resulted in armoring systems and apparel which provide extraordinary advantages in both convenience and protection. Various tiers of ballistic protection are available in commercial armor, allowing a wearer to select a balance between wearability and protection. For example, an individual requiring covertness or maximum wearability may select a low-tier soft-body armor which may be comfortably worn under normal clothes...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure provides a new armor with improved comfort features and a method of use. The armor has side panels that can be joined and fastened around the user's torso, creating a consistent thickness across the entire torus. This design helps to prevent the armor from bulging at the sides or getting in the way of the user's movement. Overall, this new armor offers better comfort and protection while still being effective at stopping bullets.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, fitment of the armor becomes a significant concern.

Unfortunately, many soft body armors do not optimize the fitment of side fastening systems.

Problematically, fastening elements of the armor are often layered, causing excessive thickness at the sides of the armor.

This may cause discomfort for a wearer.

In the case that the armor is concealed, the excessive thickness is counterproductive to covertness.

Perhaps most significantly, drawing a weapon from a hip holster becomes extremely inconvenient when the user is burdened by this excessive side thickness, often requiring the wearer to cant or perform other gymnastic maneuvers to draw the weapon.

Images