Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A protective vest to protect the user from traumatic blows and thrusts from sharp objects to the upper body and stomach area, comprising: a. an inner body formed of a bendable foamed material extending from the lower neck to the waist of the wearer and encircling the torso, the vest providing a single front vertical opening communicating with an opening for the wearer's neck, and two openings for the wearer's arms spaced laterally from the neck opening; b. at least one first hardened armor plate panel affixed to the vest body outer surface and covering at least the upper chest, shoulders, and upper back portions of the vest body; c. at least one second hardened armor plate panel affixed to the vest body outer surface below and spaced from the first armor plate panel and extending substantially around the vest body terminating circumferentially at the vertical opening and located below the first panel upper plates and at the lower edge of the vest body so that the second panel protects the lower back and stomach areas and can flex relative to the first panel in response to movement of the wearer's body; and d. armored closure means extending across at least the lower portion of the vertical opening for holding the vest in a closed position, and protecting the stomach area from sharp objects penetrating the vertical opening, the closure means being releasably connected to the vest on at least one side of the vertical opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A protective vest to protect the user from traumatic blows and thrusts from sharp objects to the upper body and stomach area, comprising: a. an inner body formed of a bendable foamed material extending from the lower neck to the waist of the wearer and encircling the torso, the vest providing a single front vertical opening communicating with an opening for the wearer's neck, and two openings for the wearer's arms spaced laterally from the neck opening; b. at least one first hardened armor plate panel affixed to the vest body outer surface and covering at least the upper chest, shoulders, and upper back portions of the vest body; c. at least one second hardened armor plate panel affixed to the vest body outer surface below and spaced from the first armor plate panel and extending substantially around the vest body terminating circumferentially at the vertical opening and located below the first panel upper plates and at the lower edge of the vest body so that the second panel protects the lower back and stomach areas and can flex relative to the first panel in response to movement of the wearer's body; and d. armored closure means extending across at least the lower portion of the vertical opening for holding the vest in a closed position, and protecting the stomach area from sharp objects penetrating the vertical opening, the closure means being releasably connected to the vest on at least one side of the vertical opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vest apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vest body is closed cell foam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vest apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upper armor plates, said belt plate and said belly plate are Acronitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vest apparatus of claim 3 wherein said plates are bonded to said vest body by glueing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vest apparatus of claim 4 wherein said plates are bonded to said vest body by glueing with methyl ethyl keytone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vest apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pair of bilaterally symmetrical shoulder pads each flexibly attached to said vest body at the shoulder portion thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vest apparatus of claim 6 wherein each shoulder pad is attached to the vest body with flexible strap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vest apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of the shoulder pads is provided with an arm strap for attaching each of the pads to the associated arm of the wearer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vest apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a raised collar affixed to the vest body at the neck opening portion thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vest of claim 1, wherein the closure means is hingedly connected on one side of the vertical opening, and buckle means for releasably connecting the closure means to the vest on the other side of the vertical opening.