Projectile proof vest
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a vest having bullet or similar projectile-stopping capabilities. 
     Heretofore, vests with projectile-stopping capabilities have been constructed of material capable of stopping projectiles, such as bullets. Vests of this type are utilized mostly by police and riot control groups, as well as by the military. The problem with using prior art vests is that the sudden stoppage of the speeding projectile effects a massive transfer of kinetic energy to the vest and its user, causing a significant blunt trauma force to be transferred to the user. 
     In this invention, a combination of components serves to provide for a gradual slowing down and eventual stoppage of a projectile moving at high speed. The combination consists preferably of an outer deflector shield made of rigid material, such as polycarbonate, having raised pyramids protruding from its face, an inner layer of flexible ballistic material, and a set of impact-absorbing plates lying over the ballistic material. When a projectile is fired into a vest utilizing this combination, each unit plays a part in stopping the projectile and spreading out the kinetic energy force transferred while the bullet is slowing to a stop. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide for a vest which has the capability of stopping projectiles such as bullets without harming the user of the vest. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide for a vest which effectively distributes the blunt trauma force of a stopped projectile over a wide area, minimizing its effect on the vest user. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a projectile-proof vest which is of lightweight construction and comfortable to wear. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a projectile-proof vest which can be utilized for military and police work. 
     Still other objects of this invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment has been chosen to best illustrate the principles of the invention wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the vest of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the vest with selected components cut away for purposes of illustration. 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 4. 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detailed front view of the vest components. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the plate components of the vest shown as flexed immediately following projectile impact, as seen from line 5--5 of FIG. 6. 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary end view of the plate components of the vest. 
     FIG. 7 is a rear view of the plate components of the vest, as seen from line 7--7 of FIG. 6. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen to describe or to best explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention. 
     The vest 10 of this invention includes an inner covering layer 12 and an outer covering layer 14. Layers 12, 14 are preferably formed of flexible material, such as nylon. The shape of vest 10 may be contoured to fit most any body configuration, such as the chest configuration shown. 
     Fitted between layers 12, 14 and next to layer 12 is a set of impact absorbing plates 20. Plates 20 are formed of flexible material, such as expanded polyethylene, and are constructed such that they may be sewn or interlocked together, forming a single impact-resistant unit. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, each plate 20 includes two outwardly projecting marginal tab parts 28 and two marginal recessed openings 32. Tabs 28 are constructed to be fitted into openings 32 of corresponding adjacent plates 20 to allow outward flexure of the plates in conforming to the user&#39;s body configuration and to interlock and resist inward flexing movement. The interlock of plates 20 in this manner allows the plates to form a rigid shock-absorbing network upon projectile contact. This network, through the non-flexing locking of plates 20, serves to distribute the force of a projectile coming into contact with vest 10 over a wide area. 
     Overlying plates 20 is an intermediate covering layer 18 which may be of a nylon material. A layer of ballistic material 16 and an overlying deflector shield 22 are located between covering layers 14 and 18, preferably fitted within pockets in the layers. Ballistic material 16 is flexible and is preferably of the interwoven fiber type in multiple overlying layers. Material 16 has the capability of resisting and slowing movement of a bullet or similar projectile, preferably without the bullet penetrating the material. Such materials are formed of aramid fibers with one such type of material being sold under the trademark &#34;KEVLAR.&#34; 
     Deflector shield 22 is formed of a hard material, such as polycarbonate or ceramics, and includes numerous raised projections, shown as pyramids 24, which extend outwardly. When a projectile strikes shield 22 it is slowed and usually turned upon deflecting contact with a sloping side of a pyramid 24 before reaching ballistic material 16. In this manner the projectile strikes the ballistic material at an angle which reduces the penetration of the projectile. 
     If desired, the tops of pyramids 24 may be blunted and multiple shields 22 may be utilized. This structure would allow the areas between individual pyramids 24 to be offset between shields, thereby minimizing the chance of a projectile passing between pyramids and generally unobstructed through a single used shield 22. Shield 22 can be used optimally with plates 20. Where less projectile penetration capability is needed, or a lighter weight vest desired, shield 22 would not be used in conjunction with plates 20. 
     It is to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the details above given, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.