Soft armor with spinal trauma plate

Abstract

Soft armor is disclosed. The soft armor comprises an armor structure having a threat side and an inner side inward of the threat side. The armor structure is formed from soft armor material, and the armor structure is substantially imperforable by rifle fire. A spinal trauma plate may provide added protection at the wearer's spinal region.

1 . A soft armor garment for ballistic protection, comprising:
 an armor structure configured to protect a torso of a wearer having a threat side and an inner side inward of said threat side;   said armor structure being formed from soft armor material and being constructed from layers sufficient to provide ballistic protection to the wearer; and   a spinal trauma plate situated on the soft armor garment positioned to protect the wearer's spinal region.   
     
     
         2 . The soft armor garment of  claim 1 , wherein the spinal trauma plate is constructed from the same layers forming said armor structure. 
     
     
         3 . The soft armor garment of  claim 1 , wherein the spinal trauma plate is rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The soft armor garment of  claim 1 , wherein the spinal trauma plate is fitted in a pocket on said armor structure. 
     
     
         5 . The soft armor garment of  claim 1 , wherein the spinal trauma plate is affixed to the armor structure with velcro. 
     
     
         6 . The soft armor garment of  claim 1 , wherein the spinal trauma plate comprises a plurality of synthetic fiber layers. 
     
     
         7 . The soft armor garment of  claim 1 , wherein the armor structure provides at least NIJ Type Ina protection. 
     
     
         8 . The soft armor garment of  claim 1 , wherein the armor structure provides at least NIJ Type III protection. 
     
     
         9 . The soft armor garment of  claim 1 , wherein the spinal trauma plate comprises an overbuilt section of layered materials. 
     
     
         10 . A method of providing a wearer with ballistic protection, comprising:
 providing an armor structure configured to protect a torso of a wearer having a threat side and an inner side inward of said threat side, said armor structure being formed from soft armor material and being constructed from layers sufficient to provide ballistic protection to the wearer; and   providing a spinal trauma plate situated on the soft armor garment positioned to protect the wearer's spinal region;   applying the armor structure at least partially over the torso of the wearer, with the spinal trauma plate positioned to protect the wearer's spinal region.