Body armour

Abstract

Body armour is disclosed, comprising a front panel, a back panel, a central release mechanism and at least two local connectors each having interconnecting parts that can be engaged or released to releasably-connect the front panel with the back panel. The central release mechanism is functionally coupled to the local connectors and operable to cause release of the local connectors.The central release mechanism comprises a central user actuator, preferably located on the front panel and a position of the central release mechanism user actuator on body armour is reconfigurable.

Description

Body ArmourTechnical Field

[0001] The invention relates to body armour, in particular to body armour for the human torso that can be centrally released and easily donned thereafter.Background

[0002] Historically, armour has been used as a means of protection for all or any parts of the body, including breast plates, greaves, shoulder guards, helmets, etc. Today, body armour is widely used by law enforcement officers, military personnel, security guards, emergency services, etc. Such body armour typically includes a front panel to cover a part of the torso from the front and a back panel to cover a part of the back of an user. The front panel may be shaped and / or positioned such that it covers the torso of the user from the front. The front panel may at least cover the chest region and at least a part of the abdomen of the user. Optionally in some embodiments, the front panel may also extend to wrap around the sides of the torso and / or a part of the shoulder of the user. Likewise, the back panel may be shaped and / or positioned to cover a part of the back of the user. The back panel may extend over the lower back and at least a part of the upper back. Analogous to the front panel, a part of the back panel may also extend over a part of the shoulder and / or a part of the back panel may extend around the waist of the user.

[0003] Conventionally, the front panel and the back panel are fastened to each other by means of one or two shoulder straps that connect the front panel and back panel. The shoulder straps go over the shoulders of the user allowing the body armour to hang off the user’s shoulders. Additionally, the body armour may have fasteners at the waist to fasten the front panel and the back panel around the torso. Hence, a typical body armour may have two connectors at the shoulders and two connectors at the waist. The shoulder connection supports the weight of the body armour while the waist connection secures the distal ends away from the shoulder to the torso of the user. Further variants of body armour may also have additional fasteners to secure the body armour to the user’s torso. The different fasteners may be adjustable for fastening the body armour to the bodies of different users or for variation in clothing layers. This may allow a user to tighten the body armour after application but may also make donning and removing the body armour cumbersome.

[0004] Body armour can be broadly classified into hard and soft armour. The modern body armour may be configurable with different material types depending on the application. For instance, body armour may be of the hard armour type which comprises plates such as ceramic, metal or composite plates. This type of armour may be suited to protect against high-velocity projectiles fired from relatively larger calibre weapons or against explosives. The plates may shatter or otherwise deform upon absorbing the impact. Different plates may be employed according to the expected threat. Alternatively, body armour may be of the soft armour type which comprise layers of penetration resistant or impact absorptive material such as Kevlar, Twaron, Spectra, etc. This typeof armour may be layered and more suited to preventing stabbing or stopping low-velocity projectiles such as handguns or shrapnel. Furthermore, soft body armour may favour mobility and flexibility.

[0005] At present, body armour is widely used in the field by law enforcement officers, military personnel, security guards, emergency services, etc. Owing to the unpredictability of the situations that arise in these professions, it is generally desirable to have body armour that may be removed quickly if required. This may be the case in an emergency situation such as when medical personnel need to intervene and remove outer layers of clothing. In other situations an individual may need to release themselves or another from body armour that has become entangled or caught. Easy release is also desirable in non-emergency situations, especially when the armour has to be frequently donned and removed or when a user has limited mobility e.g. due to bulky clothing and equipment or for entering a vehicle or passing through a narrow or restricted opening.

[0006] Quick release body armour is known in the art. For instance US2010313392A1 describes a quick release buckle assembly having a male portion and a female portion. The male portion is inserted into the female portion to lock the buckle assembly together. The male buckle portion is connected to a cable. Pulling the cable with sufficient force causes the male portion to release from the female portion. Several buckle assemblies can be simultaneously released if the cables are connected to a single handle. Pulling on the handle then releases all of the male portions at once.

[0007] In addition to quick release of the body armour, it is desirable that the body armour can be re-assembled to a functional state with relative ease. Especially for armour having four or more local connectors, donning the armour after central release of all four local buckles may involve considerable effort. In certain cases, the cables between the central release mechanism and the local connectors may first need to be rethreaded beneath or through the armour. Once local connectors are aligned and inserted, the armour may need to be tightened or adjusted.

[0008] Additionally, for use in the field, the mechanisms configured to quickly disassemble and assemble the body armour must be robust. While it may be important to assemble and disassemble the body armour quickly, it is just as important to prevent accidental disassembly of the body armour during use. Features to this end are also desired.

[0009] Hence, it would be desirable to provide body armour that is an improvement over existing body armour.Summary of Invention

[0010] In a first aspect, the invention provides body armour comprising a front panel, a back panel, a central release mechanism and at least two local connectors each having interconnecting parts that can be engaged or released to releasably-connect the front panel with the back panel, the central release mechanism being functionally coupled to the at least two local connectors andoperable to cause release of the local connectors wherein the central release mechanism comprises a user actuator to cause release of the local connectors.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the position of the user actuator is reconfigurable. That is, the user actuator may be relocatable by a user in the field i.e. during use. This allows the user actuator to be positioned at an easily accessible location for the user. For instance, the user may be left-handed and would have a preference for positioning the user actuator at the right side of the user’s torso. Or in another instance, the user actuator may be relocated to avoid being caught on any equipment straps or backpack straps. Furthermore, the user actuator is not limited to only be translated, the reconfigurability of the user actuator may also relate to rotating the user actuator with respect to the front panel to facilitate easier access to it. For instance, the user actuator positioned on the left side of the torso may be more accessible when partially rotated. Here, the reconfigurability of the user actuator also prevents accidental central release by moving the user actuator away from other pieces of equipment. The term ‘reconfigurable’ is not intended to encompass variations of a position of the user actuator or central release mechanism during manufacture, repair or maintenance.

[0012] Professionals may be required to carry additional equipment on their person or attached to or over their body armour. The reconfigurability of the position of the central user actuator or handle provides the advantage of positioning the central user actuator such that it is not obstructed by the additional equipment. The position and orientation may also be chosen to prevent or avoid inadvertent actuation of the central user actuator when adjusting or removing such additional equipment or when interacting with other equipment such as getting in and out of a vehicle. Moreover, owing to variations in height and girth, the preferred location of the central user actuator may vary for different users.

[0013] Central release here refers to causing the release of the multiple local connectors simultaneously using the central release mechanism such that the front panel is separated from the back panel. According to the invention, the central release mechanism is functionally coupled to the at least two local connectors, such that the operation of the central release mechanism causes release of the local connectors. The central release mechanism is operated by operating the user actuator. Hence, the central release mechanism may facilitate central release of the at least two local connectors, providing the benefit of releasing the front panel from the back panel at multiple points simultaneously. This allows the body armour to be released easily and relatively quickly.

[0014] A distinction has to be made between the central release mechanism and the user actuator. The central release mechanism is a centralized system / unit comprising the user actuator and connecting means to functionally couple the user actuator to the at least two local connectors. The local connectors are individually or collectively connected to the user actuator and the position of the user actuator is reconfigurable while still being functionally coupled to the at least two local connectors. In this context, the term user actuator is not to be construed as in any way limiting onthe method of actuation and is merely intended to denote a user actuated element as will be detailed further below.

[0015] The local connector may comprise at least a first interconnecting part attached to the front panel and at least a second interconnecting part attached to the back panel. The first and the second interconnecting part may be engaged such that the first interconnecting part and the second interconnecting part cannot be pulled apart. In other words, the interconnecting parts of the local connector may be joined to facilitate the connecting of the front panel to the back panel. In addition, the first interconnecting part and the second interconnecting part can also be released to allow the first interconnecting part and the second interconnecting part to be separated. In this way, the at least two local connectors (each having interconnecting parts) may be engaged or released to releasably-connect the front panel and the back panel.

[0016] It will be apparent to the skilled person that the user actuator may be placed in a plurality of different locations on the body armour. For instance, the skilled person may position the user actuator on the front panel, the back panel, the shoulder, the arm, etc. in view of a convenient location for the user to operate the user actuator. Typically, the front panel is most accessible, which motivates positioning the user actuator on the front panel as opposed to the back panel. Positioning the user actuator on the front panel provides the benefit of the ease of routing a connection to each of the at least two local connectors via the front panel. This may be difficult if the user actuator was placed on the arm or the shoulder as the connection would have to be routed across the body armour to either a left side or a right side of the user’s body. Additionally, positioning the user actuator on the front panel provides the benefit of easy accessibility to the user who may have a backpack or a rifle slung over their back and shoulder. Although, it is not excluded that the user actuator could be located on e.g. one of the shoulders or elsewhere that was deemed suitable for the intended use or user.

[0017] As mentioned above, the position of the user actuator may be reconfigured to any suitable position on the body armour. In this context, position is also intended to include orientation and in certain embodiments, it may be desirable to rotate the user actuator to a particular orientation e.g. to facilitate actuation of the user actuator in a desired direction. Reconfiguration may be achieved in various different ways but it will be understood that achieving such variation in position may increase the complexity of the device. In a simple embodiment, the position of the user actuator on the front panel is adjustable by a translation of the user actuator along a surface of the front panel. Here, the translation of the user actuator may be along a rectilinear trajectory. Preferably, the position of the user actuator may be reconfigured between a left side of the front panel and a right side of the front panel. The most easily accessible position of the torso of the user may be a position on the chest region of the torso, where the user may easily access the user actuator with their arm bent at the elbow. Hence, it may be particularly advantageous to reconfigure the position of the user actuator by translating the user actuator between the left side of the front panel and the right side of the front panel. In this configuration, the user may reconfigure the position of the user actuatorfor left or right-handed use, while avoiding a central position at which a rifle strap crosses the chest.

[0018] The skilled person will be aware of various possibilities by which a relative movement of the user actuator can be achieved with respect to the remainder of the armour. These may comprise designated locations at which an external part of the user actuator can be plugged into a receiving socket. Alternatively, the user actuator may be flexibly connected to the local connectors by wires or cables. In an embodiment, the front panel may comprise at least a track and the user actuator may comprise at least a complementary element. Here, the track may be a guideway along which the complementary element may slide. Using such a track provides the benefit that the position of the user actuator may be varied over a region on the front panel as opposed to fixed predetermined positions.

[0019] The track may take any appropriate form and may be straight or curved, with or without branches. It may be configured using one or more parallel slots, rails, rods, wires or guides. In one embodiment it may comprise a groove or slot within which a part of the complementary element may fit. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the track may comprise an elongated protrusion on the front panel and the complementary element may have features that hold or engage the track. In such an embodiment, the complimentary element may slide along the track but may not be pulled away or out of the track.

[0020] In a specific embodiment, the user actuator may comprise a base plate on which an operating element such as a button or a lever may be mounted. The base plate may act as the complementary element and may comprise protrusions that engage within a slot in, on or provided by the front panel. The protrusions may be integrally formed with the base plate or may comprise screws, bolts, rivets or the like engaged therewith. Here, the protrusions will preferably have heads that are wider than a width of the slot such that the heads may not be pulled out of the slot, preventing removal of the user actuator. Furthermore, friction between the base plate and the front panel can be adapted to offer resistance to translation along the slot, facilitating retaining the position of the user actuator once adjusted by the user. This friction may be adapted by the choice of the materials of the engaging surfaces and also by the ability to tighten or loosen the engagement between the track and the complementary element.

[0021] As mentioned above, the position of the central release mechanism may be reconfigurable to any suitable position. In this context however, it is intended to at least exclude minor flexibility of the central release mechanism, which is not intended to be termed as reconfiguration. For instance, the central release mechanism may be reconfigured over a region having an area of at least 5% of the total area of the front panel. Alternatively, it may also be possible to reconfigure the position of the central release mechanism over nearly the entirety of the front panel, such as a region with an area of at least 95% of the total area of the front panel. In general, it may be sufficient for most purposes that the central release mechanism can be moved across at least 25%, such as at least 30%, especially at least 50% of the maximum width of the front panel.Such movement may be sufficient to achieve the intended advantages of the reconfigurable central release mechanism, while avoiding constructional complications.

[0022] The central release mechanism may be functionally coupled to at least two local connectors in any suitable manner. The skilled person will be aware of various possibilities to achieve this functionality, for example using mechanical, hydraulic or electrical force transmission, including interconnected elements, electrical actuators, chains, wires, etc. In an embodiment, the central release mechanism comprises a flexible connection and the user actuator may be functionally coupled to the local connectors by means of the flexible connection.

[0023] In one preferred embodiment, the flexible connection comprises a cable-in-tube connector. A cable-in-tube connector comprises a cable that is routed through a tube or “sheath” such that the cable may be pushed or pulled through the tube. Typically, one end of the sheath may be attached to the user actuator and the other end of the sheath may be attached to the local connector. Here, the cable-in-tube acts as a force transmitter, whereby a force exerted on one end of the cable is transmitted to the other end of the cable. Thus, one end of the cable may be attached to the local connector and the other end of the cable attached to the operating element of the user actuator. An advantage of the cable-in-tube connector is that the position of the cable relative to the sheath is maintained when the cable-in-tube connector is moved, bent, or deformed. By using the cable-in-tube connector, the local connector remains attached to the central user actuator even as the position of the central user actuator is reconfigured. An example of the cable-in-tube connector may be a Bowden cable.

[0024] It may be apparent to the skilled person that the flexible connectors may be routed in any convenient manner about the body armour, such as around the back, the front, or over the shoulders. However, as mentioned before, the user may carry additional equipment, backpacks, rifles, etc. Such elements have the risk of getting caught or tangled with the flexible connectors. Hence, it may be desired to not expose the flexible connectors. In an embodiment, the front panel may comprise an inner part and an outer cover. The inner part may comprise the protective armour layer. The outer cover may be an additional layer that is attached over the inner part. In this embodiment, the flexible connectors may be routed through a space between the inner part and the outer cover. The outer cover may be a relatively planar surface that prevents external access to the flexible connectors, preventing the flexible connectors from becoming caught on other equipment. Preferably, the flexible connectors are routed between the inner part and the outer cover such that at least 90%, such as at least 95%, especially at least 98% of the flexible connection is not exposed.

[0025] As mentioned above, the central release mechanism may be functionally coupled to at least two local connectors. The skilled person would be aware that it may be sufficient to only release two local connectors, e.g. two connectors on the same side of the torso in order to remove the body armour. Hence, in some embodiments, it may be sufficient to only release two localconnectors by operating the central release mechanism. However, in certain situations, the body armour may have to be removed by someone other than the user, such as a medical professional. Or alternatively, the user may have to manoeuvre in a confined space where it may be difficult to remove the body armour by releasing only two local connectors. Typically, the body armour may have four local connectors, e.g., two local connectors located at the shoulders and two local connectors located at the waist. Hence, in a further embodiment, the body armour comprises four local connectors, all functionally connected to the central release mechanism. This provides the benefit of completely separating the front panel from the back panel at four points allowing easy and complete disassembly of the body armour. The user actuator may be arranged to only release all local connectors together or may alternatively be embodied to allow selective release of either the left side local connectors or the right side local connectors or both.

[0026] Typically, the body armour may comprise two shoulder flaps and two waist flaps. The part of the front panel or the part of the back panel extending over the shoulder of the user may be referred to as the shoulder flap. Similarly, the part of the front panel or the part of the back panel extending around the sides of the torso of the user may be referred to as the waist flap. In embodiments of the invention, one or more of the following may apply: (i) only the front panel has the shoulder flap, (ii) only the back panel has the shoulder flap, and (iii) both the front panel and the back panel have the shoulder flap. Analogously, one or more of the following may apply: (i) only the front panel has the waist flap, (ii) only the back panel has the waist flap, and (iii) both the front panel and the back panel have the waist flap. Hence, many variations of the front panel and the back panel may be possible. It will be apparent to the skilled person that the front panel and the back panel may be selected such that the front panel and the back panel adequately cover the torso of the user. Furthermore, the front panel may be releasably-connected to the back panel via a local connector configured at a distal end of each shoulder flap and a distal end of each waist flap such that the local connectors can be engaged or released to releasably-connect the front panel with the back panel at the two shoulder flaps and the two waist flaps.

[0027] It may be desired to adjust the body armourto fit the specifications of the user, for instance to be able to adjust the armour for different users and / or for layers of clothing worn under the body armour. Moreover, with hard armour, the body armour may have to be readjusted once plates are configured in the body armour. While it may be advantageous to have adjustable features in the body armour, it is still desired to quickly and easily release or assemble the body armour. To this end, it may be desirable that the local connectors do not comprise any adjustable features. This provides the benefit that the engagement and disengagement of the local connectors does not alter any prior adjustments made elsewhere to the armour. That is, the user may adjust the body armour to fit their torso. Once adjusted, the body armour maintains this configuration and the engagement or release of the front panel and the back panel does not alter this configuration. In this way, the body armour may be easily disconnected or reconnected without altering the fit-related specifications made by the user. This configuration, in particular in combination with central and local connectors is believed to be innovative even in the case that the central release mechanismis not reconfigurable.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the back panel may comprise a back sheath with at least a sideopening at a side of the back panel. At least part of the waist flap may be adjustably received in the back sheath via the side-opening to define an extension of the waist flaps away from the back panel. Especially, the waist flap may comprise a waist flap insert which may be inserted into the sideopening of the back panel. In this way, the waist flap may be inserted into or extended out of the back sheath via the side opening. Once the waist flap has been adjusted to the specifications of the user, the specifications of the body armour need not be further adjusted during use. Adjustment may be achieved by any convenient means. In one embodiment, the lower part of the back panel and the waist flap insert may form a hook and loop connection. The side of the waist flap insert in contact with the back panel may comprise a hook element and the lower part of the back panel may comprise a loop element, or vice versa. The hook and loop connection may facilitate extending the waist flap away from the back panel. Yet further, the back panel may comprise a fold-over flap extending away from the lower part of the back panel away in a direction perpendicular to the waist flap. The fold-over flap may be folded back over the lower part of the back panel such that the fold- over flap completely covers the waist flap inserts. The fold-over flap may comprise hook and / or loop elements and may form a hook and loop connection with the waist flap inserts and the lower part of the back panel. This may provide the benefit of further supporting the connection between the waist flap and the back panel. Further, this prevents accidental separation of the waist flap from the back panel by limiting access to the hook and loop fasteners.

[0029] It will be apparent to the skilled person that the local connectors may be any suitable connector capable of being functionally coupled to a central release mechanism. For instance, the local connectors may be engageable clasp connectors, D-ring connector, buckles, etc. However, after the release of the front panel from the back panel, it is desired that the front panel and the back panel are reconnected together quickly and easily. Hence, in an embodiment, the local connectors may comprise magnetic engagement mechanisms between their interconnecting parts to facilitate their alignment and connection. In this embodiment, at least one of the interconnecting parts of the local connector may comprise a magnet and the other interconnecting part may either comprise a magnet or a ferromagnetic metal. The mutual attraction of the interconnecting parts makes it easier to establish a connection between the interconnecting parts when the interconnecting parts are brought into proximity to one another. In a further embodiment, the interconnecting parts may comprise guiding features that facilitate easily engaging the interconnecting parts to establish the local connection. This provides the benefit that the user may be able to connect the interconnecting parts by simply bringing them close together even without looking at the local connectors or consciously aligning the interconnecting parts. In particular, armour configured with such magnetically engaged local connectors that combine both central and local release mechanisms is believed to be innovative even in the case that the central releasemechanism is not reconfigurable.

[0030] While the operation of the central release mechanism may cause central release of the at least two local connectors, it may be desired to only release one local connector without causing a central release. There may also be situations where the central release mechanism is unable to operate e.g. due to damage or obstruction. In an embodiment, the at least two local connectors each further comprise a local release that can be operated to cause release of the respective local connector. In further embodiments, each local connector may comprise an individual local release. Thus a user has at least two possible ways to release the local connectors, by local or central release.

[0031] It will be apparent to the skilled person that the user actuator may be any suitable type of actuator. In embodiments, the user actuator may be selected from the group of a pull cord, a push button, a rocker switch, a slide switch and a rotary actuator. The user may have to be mobile and manoeuvre obstacles while wearing the body armour in addition to other pieces of equipment. Hence, it may be desired to prevent accidental operation of the user actuator during use of the body armour. In an embodiment, the user actuator comprises a lever pivotably mounted on a base plate to pivot on operation from a first position to a second position in which release of the local connectors occurs. Preferably, the user actuator is biased away from the release position i.e. towards the first position. In such an embodiment, the lever may preferably be inclined downwards, i.e., the lever has to be rotated or pivoted in an upward direction to cause release. Thus, the first position may be the position where the lever is inclined downwards and the second position may be the position where the lever is lifted upwards. Methods of biasing such a lever are known in the art and the skilled person will be aware of how to facilitate this.

[0032] Alternatively and / or additionally, accidental operation of the user actuator may be prevented by limiting access to the user actuator. In an embodiment, the body armour may further comprise a cover configured to enclose the user actuator on at least two sides such that the central release mechanism is not operable when the user actuator is enclosed by the cover. Here, the term enclose may refer to covering the user actuator on at least two sides, for example by placing a strip of fabric over the user actuator. The cover may be attached to either side of the user actuator. In this way, the user may remove the cover to operate the user actuator and replace the cover over the user actuator to prevent accidental operation of the user actuator. In a further embodiment, the cover may be configured to be attached over the user actuator to prevent reconfiguration of the position of the user actuator. That is, the user actuator may be immobilised by the cover. In this way, the user may reconfigure the position of the user actuator as desired and subsequently use the cover to both securely fasten the user actuator in the desired position and also prevent accidental operation of the user actuator.

[0033] It will be apparent to the skilled person that the body armour is not in any way limited to a torso protector. The simplest embodiment of the invention relates to a torso protector or vest.However, it does not exclude the possibility of configuring additional armour elements in further embodiments. As already mentioned above, the body armour may be of a soft or hard armour type. In an embodiment, the front panel and / or back panel comprise pockets for receiving hardened armour plates or soft panels. Furthermore, depending on the situation, it may be desired to attach or remove auxiliary pieces of armour to the body armour. In a further embodiment, the front panel and / or the back panel may comprise further local connectors for attaching additional armour elements. Furthermore, analogous to the front panel and the back panel, said additional armour elements may comprise further local connectors functionally coupled to the central release mechanism such that operating the user actuator causes release of the further local connectors.Brief Description of Drawings

[0034] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts.

[0035] Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of the body armour;

[0036] Fig. 2A-2C schematically show the front panel and the back panel of the body armour of Fig 1 ;

[0037] Fig. 3A-3D show detailed views of the central release mechanism of Fig 2A;

[0038] Fig. 4 schematically shows the central release mechanism and the local connectors;

[0039] Fig. 5A-5B schematically show the interconnecting parts of a local connector;

[0040] Fig. 6A-6B schematically show the interconnecting parts of another local connector; and

[0041] Fig. 7A-7D schematically show different configurations of a user actuator on the front panel.

[0042] The depicted figures are schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and do not serve as restriction of the scope or the protection laid down by the claims. The figures are intended to provide an illustration only, and are not necessarily to scale.Detailed Description of Drawings

[0043] The following is a description of certain embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the figures.

[0044] Fig. 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of the body armour 1 . The body armour 1 is configured to be worn on the torso of the user. In the depicted embodiment, the body armour 1 comprises a front panel 10 that is placed over the front of the torso of the user. Likewise, the bodyarmour 1 comprises a back panel 20 that is placed over the back of the user. The body armour 1 comprises four local connectors 40. The front panel 10 is releasably connected to the back panel 20 by means of the four local connectors 40. Two local connectors 40a, 40b are located on the right shoulder and the left shoulder, respectively. Similarly, two local connectors 40c, 40d are located at the left side of the waist and the right side of the waist, respectively. The body armour 1 comprises a central release mechanism 30 which further comprises a user actuator 31 . The user actuator 31 is located on the front panel 10 in the chest region of the torso.

[0045] Fig. 2A-2C schematically depict the front panel 10 and the back panel 20 of the body armour 1 respectively, separated from each other.. As can be seen, each local connector 40 comprises interconnecting parts, wherein a first interconnecting part 41 is associated with the front panel 10 and a second interconnecting part 42 is associated with the back panel 20. Particularly, in this embodiment having four local connectors 40, there is a right shoulder interconnecting part 41 a, a left shoulder interconnecting part 41 b, a right waist interconnecting part 41 d, a left waist interconnecting part 41 c located at the distal ends of the front panel 10 at the left shoulder, the right shoulder, the left waist and the right waist, respectively.

[0046] The local connectors 40 are functionally coupled to the user actuator 31 by means of flexible connections 32. On the front panel 10, there is a right shoulder flexible connection 32a, a left shoulder flexible connection 32b, a right waist flexible connection 32d and a left waist flexible connection 32c each connected to the right shoulder first interconnecting part 41 a, the left shoulder first interconnecting part 41 b, the right waist first interconnecting part 41 d and the left waist first interconnecting part 41 c, respectively. In the depicted embodiment, only a part of the flexible connections 32 are visible as the remainder is integrated within the front panel 10

[0047] The position of the user actuator 31 on the body armour 1 is reconfigurable over a translation zone 18. The outer cover 15b of the front panel 10 comprises an upper slot 1 1 a and a lower slot 11 b formed through the translation zone. The user actuator 31 has a base plate 34 that slides along the slots 11 a,11 b. Additionally, there is a third slot 11 c located above the upper slot 11 a by which the flexible connections 32 connect to the upper side of the user actuator 31 .

[0048] In addition to the central release mechanism 30, each of the local connectors 40 has a local release mechanism in the form of a pull-cord 43 a-d. The local connectors 40 can be individually released by pulling the pull-cord 43 of the respective local connector 40. It will be understood that alternative local release mechanisms may be employed, including buttons and levers and that different local release mechanisms may be present on different local connectors.

[0049] Fig. 2B schematically depicts the back panel 20 of the body armour 1 viewed from the back. As mentioned before, the front panel 10 is releasably connected to the back panel 20 by means of the local connectors 40. The back panel 20 comprises a left waist flap 21 b and a right waist flap 21 a extending on either side of the back panel 20 from a lower portion of the back panel 20. Likewise, the back panel 20 comprises a left shoulder strap 22a and a right shoulder strap 22blocated at the top left and top right part of the back panel 20. A left shoulder second interconnecting part 42b, a right shoulder second interconnecting part 42a, a left waist second interconnecting part 42c and a right waist second interconnecting part 42d are configured at a distal end of the left shoulder strap 22a, the right shoulder strap 22b, the left waist flap 21 b and the right waist flap 21 a, respectively. The aforementioned second interconnecting parts 42a-d connect with the first interconnecting parts 41 a-d to releasably-connect the front panel 10 and the back panel 20.

[0050] The back panel 20 further comprises a fold-over flap 25 located at the lower part 26 of the back panel 20. The fold-over flap 25 is rectangular in shape and is attached to the back panel 20 at the upper edge of the fold-over flap 25, such that the fold-over flap 25 may be flipped upwards. The other edges of the fold-over flap 25 are detachably attached to the back panel 20 with hook and loop connecting material. The left waist flap 21 b and the right waist flap 21 a comprise left attachment part 24a and right attachment part 24b, which extend beneath the fold-over flap 25.

[0051] Fig. 2C schematically depicts a cross-section of the back panel 20 along the axis B. The back panel 20 in the depicted embodiment comprises a plurality of layers. A first layer 23a is closest to the back of the user and together with a second layer 23b, defines a cavity 29 for accommodating hardened armour plates or soft panels. The back panel 20 has a base flap 28 that may be folded and connected to the first layer 23a by means of hook and loop fasteners. The base flap 28 closes a bottom opening of the cavity 29.

[0052] The fold-over flap 25 is located at the lower part 26 of the back panel 20 and is configured over the second layer 23b. As indicated in Fig. 2C, the upper side of the fold-over flap 25 is permanently attached to the second layer 23b by stitching and the lower side of the fold-over flap 25 is connectable to the second layer 23b by means of hook and loop fasteners. The left attachment part 24a is visible beneath the fold-over flap. The waist flaps 21 a,b may be adjusted laterally around the waist and secured in place by means of the hook and loop fasteners. The fold-over flap 25 covers the attachment parts 24a, b to secure them in place and to avoid accidental detachment of the waist flaps during use.

[0053] Fig. 3A schematically shows a cross-sectional view in the direction Ill-Ill along the axis AA’ of the user actuator 31 . As can be seen in this view, the front panel 10 is layered and comprises an inner part 15a and an outer cover 15b. The inner part 15a is located at the back surface of the front panel 10 and the outer cover 15b is placed over and covering the inner part 15a. Additional armour layers in the interior of the armour 1 have been omitted and the skilled person will understand that the number, structure and arrangement of such inner layers will vary according to the intended use. The flexible connections 32 are routed between the inner part 15a and the outer cover 15b. In this way, the major portion of the flexible connections 32 is not exposed to the exterior of the armour 1. The translation zone 18 comprises loop material and lies on the outermost front surface of the outer cover 15b.

[0054] The user actuator 31 is located on the base plate 34 and further comprises a friction plate 36. In Figure 3A, it can be observed that there is space between the outer cover 15b and the inner part 15a, where the friction plate 36 is placed. The user actuator 31 further comprises a lever 33 pivotally connected to the base plate 34. The user actuator 31 is located over the translation zone 18 such that the outer cover 15b and translation zone 18 are sandwiched between the friction plate 36 and base plate 34. The friction plate 36 is attached to the base plate 34 of the user actuator 31 by rivets 27, which extend through the space between the inner part 15a and the outer part 15b via the slots 11 a,b. In this embodiment, two rivets 27 are configured in the upper slot 11 a and two rivets 27 are configured in the lower slot 11 b, to attach the base plate 34 to the friction plate 36. The rivets 27 facilitate sliding the user actuator 31 along the slots 11 a,11 b, whereby the ease of sliding is determined by the degree of clamping of the outer cover 15b and translation zone 18 between the friction plate 36 and the base plate 34 and the roughness of their respective surfaces.

[0055] In Figure 3A, it can also be observed that the flexible connection 32 is routed between the inner part 15a and the outer cover 15b. The flexible connection 32 is connected to the lever 33 of the user actuator 31 via the third slot 11 c located above the upper slot 11 a.

[0056] Fig. 3B and Fig 3C schematically show further cross-sections of the user actuator 31 in a first position and a second position, respectively. The lever 31 attached to the base plate 34 at a pivot 51 .The flexible connection 32 is attached to the base plate by a frame 52. As mentioned above, the flexible connection 32 is a cable-in-tube connection. Here, the tube 32a of the flexible connection 32 is connected to the frame 52 and the cable 32b is connected to the lever 33. Upon pivoting the lever 33 in an upward direction from the first position shown in Fig. 3B to the second position shown in Fig. 3C, the cable 32b is pulled through the tube 32a, thus engaging the local connectors 40 by means of the flexible connection 32.

[0057] Fig. 3D is a front view of part of the body armour 1 showing the user actuator 31 including an actuator cover 17. The actuator cover 17 comprises hook material on its rear face and is releasably attached to the loop material of the translation zone 18. The actuator cover 17 further immobilises the user actuator 31 from movement once it has been adjusted to a desired location on the front panel 10. Additionally, it covers the lever 33, thus preventing it from being caught or snagged and accidentally lifted. The actuation cover is sufficiently lightly connected that a user can rip it away in a single action when central release of the body armour 1 is required.

[0058] Fig. 4 schematically shows the central release mechanism 30. As mentioned above, the central release mechanism 30 comprises four flexible connections 32 and the user actuator 31 . The flexible connections 32 in this embodiment comprise cable-in-tube connectors. The four flexible connections 32 are connected to the four local connectors 40 on one end and the other ends of the flexible connections 32 are connected to the user actuator 31 . The local connectors are placed on the body armour 1 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2A.

[0059] Fig. 5A-5B schematically show the local connector 40a located at the right shoulder in further detail. It will be understood that the left shoulder local connector 40b will be identical. Fig. 5A shows the first interconnecting part 41 a that is located at a distal end of the front panel 10 and Figure 5B shows the second interconnecting part 42a that is located on the right shoulder strap 22a of the back panel 20. The first interconnecting part 41a and the second interconnecting part 42a comprise complementary features that facilitate their connection. The first interconnecting part 41 a comprises a cylindrical inset 45a. The second interconnecting part 42a comprises a cylindrical protrusion 44a to fit in the cylindrical inset 45a of the first interconnecting part 41 a. The cylindrical inset 45a allows the first interconnecting part 41 a to swivel relative to the second interconnecting part 42a about the cylindrical protrusion 44a.

[0060] The first interconnecting part 41 a and / or the second interconnecting part 42a comprises a magnet. The attractive force between the first interconnecting part 41 a and the second interconnecting part 42a facilitates easy alignment and connection of the interconnecting parts. Furthermore, the first interconnecting part 41 a comprises a locking element 46a that extends into the cylindrical inset 45a. The cylindrical protrusion 44a of the second interconnecting part 42a is undercut to accommodate the locking element 46a. Upon establishing a connection between the interconnecting parts41 , 42, the locking element 46a slides under the protrusion 44a preventing a disengagement of the two interconnecting parts. The flexible connection 32a is connected to the first interconnecting part 41 . Also shown is the pull-cord 43a that allows local release of the local connector 40a. The locking element 46a may be actuated by pulling the pull-cord 43a or by lifting the lever 33 on the front panel 10. Upon actuating the local connector 40a, the locking element 46a slides out of the protrusion 44a allowing the disengagement of the first interconnecting part 41 a from the second interconnecting part 42a.

[0061] Fig. 6A-6B schematically show the local connector 40d configured at the right waist of the user in further detail. It will be understood that the left waist local connector 40c will be identical. Fig. 6A shows the first interconnecting part 41 d of the local connector 40d located on the right side of the front panel 10 and Fig. 6B shows the second interconnecting part 42d of the local connector 40d located on the distal end of the right waist flap 21 a. The right waist flap 21 a extends from the lower part 26 of back panel 20 and is configured to be connected to the front panel 10 by means of the local connector 40d.

[0062] The second interconnecting part 42d comprises a rectangular protrusion 44d and the first interconnecting part 41 d comprises a rectangular inset 45d to accommodate the rectangular protrusion 44d. Further, there is a spring loaded locking element 46d configured within the rectangular inset 45d. When connecting the two interconnecting parts, the rectangular locking element 46d slides under the protrusion 44d preventing disengagement of the two interconnecting parts. The interconnecting parts can be disengaged by pulling the pull-cord 43d or by lifting the lever 33 on the front panel, which unlocks the locking element 46d and disengages the two interconnecting parts 41d, 42d.

[0063] The first interconnecting part 41 d and the second interconnecting part 42d comprise complementary or guiding features that facilitate connecting them easily. Further, the first interconnecting part comprises additional insets 55a, 55b to accommodate protrusions 54a, 54b of the second interconnecting part 42d. The additional insets 55a, 55b, the rectangular inset 45d, the protrusions 54a, 54b and the rectangular protrusion 44d comprise magnets to easily align the interconnecting parts when connecting the two interconnecting parts.

[0064] The body armour 1 is configured to be releasably-connected. Especially, the front panel 10 and the back panel 20 can be separated from one another (and also reassembled). Here below, the operation of the various features of body armour 1 are explained in further detail.

[0065] The front panel 10 and the back panel 20 are connected to one another by means of the four local connectors 40, located at the shoulders and the waist. These local connectors 40 may be released by operating the user actuator 31. As mentioned above, the user actuator is functionally coupled to the local connectors 40, such that the operation of the user actuator 31 causes a central release. The user actuator 31 is connected to the four local connectors using four flexible connections 32. One end of each flexible connection 32 is connected to one of the local connectors 40 and the other end is connected to the user actuator 31 . The user actuator 31 is configured for central release, where the operation of the user actuator 31 by pivoting the lever 33 in an upward direction causes the release of the four local connectors 40 simultaneously, thereby releasing the front panel 10 from the back panel 20. Here, the upward motion of the lever 33 further prevents accidental central release when a rifle strap or a piece of equipment is caught on the lever 33.

[0066] Additionally, the actuator cover 17 is attached to the front panel as shown in Fig. 4D. The actuator cover 17 prevents access to the user actuator 31 and thereby also prevents accidental release. Furthermore, the actuator cover 17 immobilizes the user actuator 31 preventing accidental reconfiguration of the position of the user actuator 31 .

[0067] The user actuator 31 in this embodiment is located on the front panel 10 and a feature of the body armour 1 is that the position of the user actuator 31 is reconfigurable. In Fig. 3A, it can be observed that the user actuator 31 is riveted to a friction plate 36 using four rivets 27 at the four corners of the base plate 34 of the user actuator 31. Two rivets pass through the upper slot 11 a and two rivets pass through the lower slot 11 b. In this way, the user may translate or slide the user actuator 31 from a left part to a right part of the front panel 10.

[0068] The back panel 20 offers the functionality of adjusting the body armour 1 to fit the specifications of the user. Referring to Fig. 2B, the back panel 20 comprises the right waist flap 21 b and the left waist flap 21 a that extend away in a perpendicular direction from a central axis BB’ of the back panel 20. The left waist flap 21 a has a left waist flap insert and a right waist flap insert (indicated using dashed lines) which are positioned at the lower part 26 of the back panel 20. The left waist flap 21 a and the right waist flap 21 b can be extended away from the back panel 20 by moving the left waist flap insert and the right waist flap insert relative to the axis BB’. Here, the leftwaist flap 21 a and the right waist flap 21 b may both be extended individually and to different extents as desired by the user.

[0069] The adjustability of the waist flaps 21 are facilitated by means of a hook and loop fastener, where either the left waist flap insert has the hook element and the lower part 26 of the back panel20 has the loop element of the hook and loop fastener, or vice versa. Similarly, either the right waist flap insert has the hook element and the lower part 26 of the back panel 20 has the loop element of the hook and loop fastener, or vice versa. Once the waist flaps 21 are adjusted to the desired specifications, they may be fixed / attached to the back panel 20 using the hook and loop fastener. Additionally, the depicted embodiment has a foldover flap 25 that may be folded over the waist flaps21 after the waist flaps 21 have been adjusted to the desired specifications. The foldover flap 25 may further comprise hook or loop fasteners to facilitate a hook and loop connection with the waist flap inserts. In this way, the foldover flap 25 prevents access to the waist flap inserts, preventing the waist flap inserts from accidentally coming undone (or detached). This provides the additional benefit that the waist flaps 21 can be adjusted to the desired specifications of the user and said adjustment is not altered when releasing or connecting the front panel 10 and the back panel 20.

[0070] The local connectors 40 in the depicted embodiment are magnetic connectors. The magnetic connectors facilitate the ease of connecting the interconnecting parts of the local connector 40. Further, the depicted embodiment has alignment features on the interconnecting parts that facilitate guiding the interconnecting parts as they are brought in contact. In this way, even if the interconnecting parts are not perfectly aligned, the magnetic attraction in combination with the guiding or aligning features of the interconnecting parts facilitate directing the relative motion of the two parts until the connection is established. This provides the advantage that the user may facilitate a connection quickly and without paying too much attention to the alignment of the interconnecting parts. Furthermore, all of the local connectors 40 each comprises a local release mechanism e.g. in the form of a pull-cord 43 that facilitates releasing a specific local connector 40 as opposed to a central release of the four local connectors 40. In this way, even if the central release 31 is damaged, the front panel 10 and the back panel 20 may be released by individually releasing each local connector 40 by means of the local release mechanism.

[0071] In the depicted embodiment, the user actuator 31 can be translated from the left side of the front panel 10 to the right side of the front panel 10. However, in further embodiments, the reconfiguration of the user actuator 31 may also be facilitated alternatively.

[0072] Fig. 7A-7D schematically show alternative reconfiguration arrangements. Fig. 7A (I) shows a part of the front panel 10 comprising a single slot 11 a and Fig. 7A (II) shows the user actuator 31 with a single rivet attached to the friction plate 36 such that the user actuator 31 can slide in the single slot 11 a. In Fig. 7B (I) the friction plate 36 is riveted to the base plate 34 in the same way as shown in Fig. 7A (II). Here, the mobility of the user actuator 31 on the front panel 10may be further varied by using two slots 11 a,11 b that cross one another diagonally, providing reconfiguration along two different directions.

[0073] Further, the sturdiness or robustness of the reconfiguration of the position of the user actuator 31 may be improved by adding additional guidance. For instance, Fig. 7C (I) shows a front panel 10 comprising three slots, the upper slot 11 d, the middle slot 11 a and the lower slot 11 b. Fig. 7C (II) shows the user actuator 31 that may be configured with the aforementioned three rails. This user actuator 31 has three rivets configured in the three slots connected to the friction plate 36.

[0074] Of course, it will be apparent to the skilled person that the reconfiguration of the position of the user actuator 31 may be facilitated by means other than slots. In particular, rails, wires or other forms of track may be configured for translation in a line or arc across the translation zone. Fig. 7D (I) shows the front cover 10 comprising five sockets 1401 a-e. Fig. 7D (II) shows the user actuator 31 comprising a complementary plug 1402. Here, the position of the central user actuator 31 may be reconfigured by removing the user actuator 31 from one socket 1401 b and replacing it in another socket 1401 b.

[0075] In further embodiments, the skilled person may also use other means of reconfiguring the position of the user actuator 31 on the front panel 10. For example, the back of the user actuator 31 and the front panel 10 may comprise a hook element and a loop element, respectively, or vice versa. Hence, the user actuator 31 may be removed from a first location on the surface of the front panel 10 and be attached at a second location on the surface of the front panel 10.

[0076] The invention has been described with reference to some embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims1 . Body armour comprising a front panel, a back panel, a central release mechanism and at least two local connectors each having interconnecting parts that can be engaged or released to releasably-connect the front panel with the back panel, the central release mechanism being functionally coupled to the at least two local connectors and operable to cause release of the local connectors wherein the central release mechanism comprises a user actuator and a position of the user actuator on the body armour is reconfigurable.

2. The body armour according to claim 1 , wherein the user actuator is located on the front panel and a position of the user actuator on the front panel is adjustable by a translation of the user actuator along a surface of the front panel, preferably between a left side of the front panel and a right side of the front panel.

3. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel comprises at least a track and the user actuator comprises at least a complementary element to facilitate sliding the user actuator along the track.

4. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user actuator can be moved across at least 25% of the maximum width of the front panel.

5. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central release mechanism comprises a flexible connection and the user actuator is functionally coupled to the at least two local connectors by the flexible connection.

6. The body armour according to claim 5, wherein the flexible connection comprises a cable-in- tube connector.

7. The body armour according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the front panel further comprises an inner part and an outer cover and the user actuator is functionally coupled to the at least two local connectors through a space between the inner part and the outer cover such that at least 90% of the flexible connection is concealed.

8. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body armour comprises four local connectors, all functionally connected to the central release mechanism.

9. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back panel comprises two shoulder flaps and two waist flaps extending away from the back panel, wherein the front panel is releasably-connected to the back panel via a local connector configured at a distal end of each shoulder flap and a distal end of each waist flap such that the local connectors can beengaged or released to releasably-connect the front panel with the back panel at the two shoulder flaps and the two waist flaps.

10. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back panel comprises a back sheath with at least a side-opening at a side of the back panel, wherein at least part of the waist flap is adjustably received in the back sheath via the side-opening to define an extension of the waist flaps away from the back panel.

11. The body armour according to claim 10, wherein the back panel comprises a fold-over flap, wherein at least a part of the back panel, the waist flap and the fold-over flap form a hook and loop fastener to facilitate adjusting the extension of the waist flaps away from the back panel.

12. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the local connectors comprise a magnetic engagement mechanism between their interconnecting parts to facilitate their alignment and connection.

13. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two local connectors each further comprise a local release that can be operated to cause release of the respective local connector.

14. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user actuator comprises a lever, pivotably mounted on a base plate to pivot on operation from a first position to a second position and, preferably, being biased towards the first position.

15. The body armour according to claim 14, wherein in the first position, the lever is inclined downwards and the user actuator is operable by lifting the lever upwards to the second position.

16. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a user actuator cover configured to also enclose the user actuator on at least two sides such that the user actuator is not operable when the user actuator is enclosed by the user actuator cover.

17. The body armour according to claim 16, wherein the user actuator is immobilised when the user actuator is enclosed by the user actuator cover.

18. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel and / or back panel comprise pockets for receiving hardened plates.

19. The body armour according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel and / or the back panel comprise further local connectors for attaching additional armour elements.

20. The body armour according to claim 19, wherein the central release mechanism is functionally coupled to the further local connectors, wherein the central release mechanism causes release of the further local connectors.

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