This invention relates to protective vests. In military combat and other scenarios, it is often required for personnel, and especially dismounted personnel, to wear a protective vest. Such a vest may be required to provide ballistic protection and/or stab and spike protection, whilst providing as little restriction as possible to a wearer's capabilities. Existing vests have tended to significantly reduce the freedom of movement and comfort of a wearer.

Such vests may include rigid armour which will hereinafter be referred to as hard armour, and flexible armour which hereinafter will be referred to as soft armour. Different grades of armour will be chosen for different situations, and different required levels of protection.

According to the present invention there is provided a protective vest, the vest comprising front and rear parts which are selectively mountable together to form a vest to be worn by a person, the front part including a locating part to receive protective armour, with a plurality of discrete padded panels being provided on the inner side of the vest to space the locating part from a wearer.

The rear part may include a locating part to receive protective armour. The rear part may include a plurality of discrete padded panels on an inner side thereof to space the locating part from a wearer.

The protective vest may include side parts connectable between the front and rear parts to locate below a wearer's armpit. The side parts may include a plurality of discrete padded panels on an inner side thereof. Attachment means may be provided on the front part which are selectively engageable with cooperating attachment means on the rear and/or side parts. The attachment means may be in the form of buckles. Two attachment means may be provided on the top of the front part, one on each side thereof, and two corresponding attachment means may be provided on the rear part. Two attachment means may be provided on the sides of the front part towards the lower end thereof, engageable with attachment means on the side parts.

Some of the attachment means may be provided on adjustable length straps.

Inner and outer locating parts may be provided on the front part to for instance receive respectively soft and hard armour.

The vest may be configured so as to conceal the profile of the outer locating part in the front part. A cover member may be provided on the outer side of the front part outer locating part.

Inner and outer locating parts may be provided on the rear part to for instance receive respectively soft and hard armour.

The side members may extend from the rear part to be selectively connectable to the front part.

Two padded panels may be provided on each side part, eatable respectively substantially one on either side of a wearer's floating ribs.

The side parts may include a locating part to receive protective armour. The armour locating parts may be in the form of compartments formed from fabric. An opening is provided for the compartments, and a closure arrangement may be provided for each opening. The closure arrangement may be in the form of a sliding hook fastener.

For at least the outer compartments intended to receive hard armour, the opening may be provided on a side edge thereof.

Mounting means may be provided on lower ends of the front and rear parts to permit mounting thereto of an external perineal protector. The vest may include a selectively removable external perineal protector.

The or a locating part of the rear part may be shaped so as to be able to locate protective armour profiled to the contour of a wearer's back.

The rear part may include shoulder straps which can be attached to the front part. The shoulder straps may include locating parts to receive protective armour. A profiled member or members may be provided on the shoulder strap to receive the butt of a rifle during use, the profiled member or members being shaped to retain the rifle butt in position during use.

The rear part may be configured to substantially cover the paraplegic zone of a wearer. The rear part when a profiled hard armour is located in a locating part, may be configured to be operable as a stretcher when used in combination with an elongate member or members.

The padded panels on the front part may be spaced from each other. The padded panels on the front panel may be symmetrical about a central line. Two or more padded panels may be eatable over the sternum of a wearer. A plurality of panels may be eatable over the ribcage on each side of a wearer.

The padded panels on the rear part may be substantially symmetrical about a central line. The padded panels may be arranged to provide a central unpadded channel arranged in use to locate over a wearer's spine. The padded panels may be provided in corresponding pairs either side of a central line.

The padded panels may be between 10 and 60mm thick, and for example between 20 and 50mm thick.

An upper part of the vest may permit mounting thereto of additional neck and throat protection for a wearer. An upper part of the vest may permit mounting thereto of shoulder protection for a wearer.

A lower part of the vest may include attachment means to permit a belt, and in particular a MOLLE belt, to be mounted thereto. A plurality of spaced attachment means may be provided, which may be in the form of buckles.

The protective vest may include a quick release mechanism which permits some or all of the attachment means to be substantially simultaneously released. A line means may extend from a release part towards the attachment means. The line means may extend within the front part, with the release part extending out of an opening in the front part to permit actuation thereof. The opening may be provided in an upper, lower or side part of the front part The attachment means may include buckles with female members engageable with male members, with the female members spring urged to a closed position to retain a male member therein. The quick release line means may be actuable against the spring urging to release a male member from a female member. The female members may be configured to spring urge a male member therefrom when the line means is actuated.

The quick release mechanism may be provided on the inner side of the front part cover member. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic outside view of part of a first protective vest according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic outside view of a further part of the vest of Fig.

1 ;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic inside view of the part shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic inside view of the part shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic first side view of the part shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic opposite side view of the part shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another part of the vest of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic front view of part of a second protective vest in an attached condition; Fig. 9 is a similar view to Fig. 8 but in an unattached condition;

Fig. 10 is a rear view which is otherwise similar to Fig. 8;

Fig. 1 1 is a similar view to Fig. 8 but of an alternative configuration in an unattached condition; and

Fig. 12 is a similar view to Fig. 2 but showing an additional component on the vest of Fig. 1 . Figs. 1 to 7 show a first protective vest 10. The vest 10 has a front part

12, rear part 14 and side parts 16 extending from either side of the rear part 14. The side parts 16 extend from a lower part of a rear part of either side thereof. The front part 12 is mountable to the rear and side parts 14, 16 by female buckle parts 18 on the ends of adjustable straps 20 extending from the front part 12 engageable with corresponding male buckle parts 22 provided on the rear and side parts 14, 16.

Two of the straps 20 extend upwardly from near the bottom of the front part 12 and engage with male parts 22 at the top end of shoulder straps 25 at the top of the rear part 14. Two further straps 20 extend sideways from a lower part of the front part 12, and the female parts 18 thereon are engageable with male parts 22 provided on the side parts 16.

A further adjustable strap 26 mounting a male buckle part 28 is provided on the outside of one of the side parts 16, which is engagable with a corresponding female part 30 provided on a strap 27 on the other side part 16. An anti-twist webbing device 29 connects with the straps 26, 27 on each side part 16.

Three downwardly facing spaced female buckle parts 31 are provided respectively one on each side part 16, and one on the rear part 14. The buckle parts 31 are spaced above the lower end of the vest, and permit mounting of a MOLLE belt thereto. This enables the weight of the MOLLE belt, which if a significant load is being carried can be quite considerable, to be borne by the weight distribution sytem provided by the vest 10.

A pair of mounting loops 32 are provided at the lower end of each of the front and rear part 14, and a pair of female buckles 100 are provided at the lower end of the front part 12, to enable an external perineal protector to extend therebetween. Fig. 7 shows an external perineal protector 102 in the form of a padded strip 104, incorporating soft armour. A pair of straps 106 are provided on each end of the strip 102. A front pair 106 mount male buckles 108 for selective engagement with the female buckles 100. A rear pair 106 are connectable to the mounting loops 32. The external perineal protector 100 adds to the overall support and comfort, as well as enhancing the fit of the vest 10. A plurality of straps 34 often known as MOLLE or PALS bands are provided on the outside of the vest 10 to permit items to be mounted thereon.

Inner and outer pockets to receive armour plates are provided on both the front and rear parts 12, 14. On the front part 12, a shaped outer pocket 35 is provided with a narrower top section and a broader bottom section. A sliding hook fastener (zip) 36 is provided along the left hand side of the pocket 35 as viewed from the front of the front part 12 as shown in Fig. 1 . The pocket 35 can selectively receive a shaped piece of a required armour, and particularly hard armour. The front part 12 includes a front cover piece 33 of fabric which conceals the profile of the outer pocket 35 and hence of any armour therein.

The front part 12 also includes an inner pocket 37 which extends across substantially the whole width thereof and has a sliding hook fastener (zip) 38 extending along substantially the whole right hand side thereof as shown in Fig. 1 . The lower end of the inner pocket 37 is spaced from the lower end of the front part 12, to enable a wearer to sit for instance in a vehicle. The inner pocket 37 is particularly intended to receive a plate of a required grade of soft armour.

The rear part 14 includes an outer pocket 39 which can be accessed by a sliding hook fastener (zip) 40 extending down the left hand side of the rear part as shown from the rear as in Fig. 2 with the fastener 40 located behind a flap 41 . The pocket 39 extends from the top of the rear part 14 for approximately two thirds of the height of the rear part 14 and can receive as required an armour plate, and particularly a hard armour plate.

A further outer pocket 45 is provided on the rear part 14 which extends on the inner side of the pocket 39, and extends for substantially the whole height of the rear part 14. Access to the further outer pocket is provided by an opening with a sliding hook fastener (zip) 41 which is protected by a flap 42. The further outer pocket may receive a shaped armour plate, profiled to the contour of a wearer's back.

The rear part 14 also includes a rear cover piece 33 of fabric which conceals the profile of the outer pocket 39 and hence of any armour therein. An inner pocket 47 is provided on the rear part 14 which is accessed by a central sliding hook fastener (zip) 43 which is covered by a flap 44 and is visible in Fig. 4. It is particularly intended that soft armour may be located in the inner pocket. Pockets are also provided in the side parts 16, and access to the pockets in the side parts 16 is via sliding hook fasteners (zips) 46 extending along the top of the side parts 16, and protected by flaps 48. The pockets in the side part 16 can receive body armour and particularly soft armour as required.

Pockets are also provided in the shoulder straps 24 which may receive a shaped soft armour as part of the back soft armour, which can be accessed through the zip 43, which is visible in Fig. 4.

A plurality of padded panels are provided on the inside of the front, rear and side parts 12, 14, 16. On the front part 12 a central upper pair of panels is provided with an upper one 54 tapering inwardly downwardly and a lower one 56 tapering inwardly upwardly, the panels 54, 56 being eatable over a wearer's sternum.

A pair of padded panels 58 is located towards the side edges of the inner panel, either side of the connection between the upper pair of panels 54, 56, to locate over a wearer's ribs.

A smaller padded panel 60 is provided centrally below the two upper panels 54, 56, with two side panels 62 either side thereof, and two lower larger panels 64. All of the panels 54 - 64 are symmetrical about a central vertical line, and in the instance of an impact for instance against the outer hard armour, the force will be dissipated across the panels, and generally borne on a person's sternum and ribs. The panels 54 - 64 may be made of any appropriate material and for instance comprise three layers, with a soft upper layer for contacting a wearer, and a firmer lower layer to provide additional support. Each panel is between 10 and 60mm thick, and in this instance each panel is approximately 35mm thick. Discrete spaces are provided between the panels to permit compression and flexing thereof. On the inside of the rear part 14 six main panels are provided with three pairs 66, 68, 70 either side of a central gap 72 which will locate over a wearer's spine. The lowermost panels 70 are larger than the middle pair of panels 68 which are larger than the uppermost pair of panels 66. A pair of smaller panels 74 are provided adjacent the top end of the rear part 14 to prevent chafing of the top end.

A pair of elongate gently curved panels 76 are provided on each side part 16, separated by a gap, with the panels 76 intended to locate either side of a person's floating ribs. The underside of the shoulder straps 24 is provided with a plurality of adjacent padded areas 78.

In use the various padded panels will help to dissipate and spread any impact on the vest. This can help to reduce the possibility of blunt trauma injury which can occur with conventional arrangements. Furthermore the panels allow for ventilation beneath the vest and also for instance expansion of the chest during strenuous activities such as running. The panels also direct to which part of a body any forces will be best borne, such as the sternum and ribcage for a front impact, and avoiding impact to the spine for a rear impact.

The spacing between the body armour and the wearer means that the body armour can be engineered for particular situations. Furthermore this spacing provides further room for the body armour to work in absorbing the kinetic energy of any impact thereagainst, thereby enhancing survivability.

The front part 12 will overlap the side parts 16, which prevents there being an opening through which for instance a bullet could enter, especially when size adjustments are made to the vest 10. The lower edge of the rear panel 14 is contoured to cover a wearer's paraplegic zone.

Providing side openings to the outer pockets 35 and 39, means that for example in the event of an explosion caused by a mine, bomb or otherwise, the armour in the outer pockets 35, 39 cannot be forced upwardly through an upper fastener which has occurred on other vests. Such an event can cause serious injury to a wearer by the upward motion of the hard armour plates. Fig. 12 shows the vest 1 0 with a profiled butt rest 23 of an appropriate material, on each of the shoulder straps 25. The butt rests 23 are positioned and profiled to receive the butt of the rifle during use, and retain the rifle butt in a required position. This prevents the rifle slipping out of a required position, and perhaps slipping off a user's shoulder during use, which otherwise can often occur

Figs. 8 to 10 show part of a second vest 1 10 which is similar in many respects to the vest 10, except that the vest 1 10 incorporates a quick release mechanism 130. The quick release mechanism 130 will generally be provided on the inner side of the front cover piece of a vest, but is shown diagrammatically in these drawings.

The quick release mechanism 130 includes four female buckle members 134. Two female buckle members 134 are provided on each side of the vest, and are connected by a respective release line means 136. If either line means 136 is pulled, for instance if a wearer is injured, this causes release of the respective female members 134, and release of all the buckle members 134, as shown in Fig. 9. This arrangement means that just two members 134 could be released and the front part pulled open whilst remaining connected on the other side to the respective side part and the rear part of the vest. Fig. 1 1 shows a similar quick release mechanism but in this instance a transverse line means 138 extends between the two line means 136. With this arrangement if one of the line means 136 is pulled this will cause the other line means 136 to also be pulled, by virtue of the transverse line means 138, thereby causing simultaneous release of all of the female buckle members 134.

On conventional vests the different parts are generally held together with a fleece and hook fastener, such that a not insignificant force is required to be applied to release these, which can cause added trauma to an injured wearer. This is in contrast to the above described quick release mechanisms where the force is against the female buckle members. Therefore in the event of a casualty, the vest can readily be opened to permit medical assistance, but it can also be readily reattached to permit the wearer to be transported away or protected whilst in situ.

There are thus described protective vests which provide for a number of advantageous features in providing enhanced protection and comfort to a wearer, and also making it easier to attend to casulties if necessary.

It is to be realised that a wide range of modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example different buckle arrangements and/or quick release arrangements can be used. The quick release arrangements could operate only on some of the buckle arrangements. Where male and female members are shown in the examples, it could be that male and female members are provided the other way round respectively on the various components. Different straps can be used. A different pattern and/or number of padded panels can be provided for protecting particular parts of the body.

An upper part of the vest may be configured, and could for instance include appropriate attachments or attachment points, to enable additional neck and throat protection to be mounted to the vest. Also the shoulder area of the vest could be configured, and could include appropriate attachments or attachment points, to receive additional shoulder protection. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.