Body armor for protecting the lower body

Abstract

A soft body armor garment having an upper portion for covering at least a portion of the lower body of a user, having a lower portion located in proximity to the upper portion which is sufficiently elongated such that the lower portion wraps around to cover at least a portion of the leg of the user; the lower portion having a first and second side, the first side for wrapping around the leg of the user; the second side having an attachment mechanism for securing to the first side around the leg of the user; an attachment mechanism located at the upper portion of the garment wherein the mechanism secures the garment to the user; and at least one receptacle to hold at least one item.

1 . A garment comprising:
 a bullet-resistant soft body armor, having an upper portion for covering at least a portion of a lower body of a user, having a lower portion located in proximity to the upper portion which is sufficiently elongated such that the lower portion wraps around to cover at least a portion of a leg of the user; the lower portion having a first and second side, the first side for wrapping around the leg of the user; the second side having an attachment mechanism for securing to the first side around the leg of the user; and   an attachment mechanism located at the upper portion of the garment wherein the mechanism secures the garment to the user.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the lower body of the user is the lower torso area including at least a thigh and abdomen. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the attachment mechanism located at the upper portion of the garment is at least one strap on the upper portion of the garment that is fastened to the user's belt or pants to secure the garment on the user. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 3  wherein the strap is flexible. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the attachment mechanism for securing to the first side around the leg of the user is adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 5  wherein the attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of at least one: (a) snap; (b) zipper; (c) hook-and-loop fastener; and (d) buckle. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the lower body of the user is a calf. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the lower body of the user is a knee. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the lower body of the user is a thigh and knee. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A bullet-resistant garment comprising:
 an armor carrier having an upper portion configured to cover at least a portion of a lower body of a user and having a first attachment mechanism to secure the bullet-resistant garment to the user, and an elongated lower portion adjacent the upper portion having a first side configured to wrap around a leg of the user and a second side having a second attachment mechanism for securing the first side around the leg of the user; and   a bullet-resistant soft body armor disposed within the armor carrier.   
     
     
         17 . The bullet-resistant garment of  claim 16  further including a bullet-resistant hard armor element. 
     
     
         18 . The bullet-resistant garment of  claim 16  wherein the lower body of the user is selected from the group consisting of the lower torso, thigh, abdomen, knee, calf or any combination thereof.