Protective body armor having a front opening

Abstract

A protective equipment item comprising at least one dorsal portion designed for covering at least a portion of the back of a user, and at least two lateral portions, which extend forward to the front from either side of the dorsal portion and each of which defining an arm hole together with the dorsal portion. There is also at least two front portions, with each front portion being fastened respectively to one of the lateral portions, and being provided with releasable fastening means for being fastened in a releasable manner to the other front portion such that the front portions cover at least a portion of the torso of the user when fastened to one another.

1 . A protective equipment item, such as a protective body armour vest designed to cover at least a portion of the torso and the back of a user, the said protective equipment item including at least one dorsal portion, provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, designed for covering at least a portion of the back of the user, and at least two lateral portions, which extend forward to the front from either side of the dorsal portion and each of which defining an arm hole together with the dorsal portion, wherein the protective equipment item further comprises at least two front portions, each provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, with each front portion being fastened respectively to one of the lateral portions, each front portion being provided with releasable fastening means for being fastened in a releasable manner to the other front portion in a manner such that the said front portions cover at least a portion of the torso of the user when these portions are fastened to one another. 
     
     
         2 . A protective equipment item according to  claim 1 , wherein the releasable fastening means of the front portions comprise of a zip fastener, of which each guide tape is attached respectively to one of the front portions. 
     
     
         3 . A protective equipment item according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one protective panel fastened in a releasable manner to one of the portions of the vest, the said protective panel being interchangeable with another type of protective panel offering different mechanical characteristics. 
     
     
         4 . A protective equipment item according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pectoral panel, provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, the said pectoral panel extending over the reverse side of the front portions, at least to be facing the end portions of the front portions that extend so as to each be facing the other when the said portions are fastened to one another. 
     
     
         5 . A protective equipment item according to  claim 4 , wherein the pectoral panel is fastened in a releasable manner to at least one of the front portions in such fashion as to be interchangeable with another type of pectoral panel. 
     
     
         6 . A protective equipment item according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pelvic panel, provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, said pelvic panel extending under the front portions and being designed to cover the pelvis of the user. 
     
     
         7 . A protective equipment item according to  claim 4 , further comprising at least one pelvic panel, provided with at least one pad made of a resiliently compressible material, said pelvic panel extending under the front portions and being designed to cover the pelvis of the user, and wherein the pelvic panel is fastened in a releasable manner to the pectoral panel in such fashion as to be interchangeable with another type of pelvic panel. 
     
     
         8 . A protective equipment item according to  claim 6 , wherein the pelvic panel is provided with releasable fastening means for being fastened in a releasable manner to the dorsal portion. 
     
     
         9 . A protective equipment item according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the lateral portions is provided with fit adjustment means for adjusting the fit of the equipment item around the user. 
     
     
         10 . A protective equipment item according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the front portions or dorsal portions is provided with releasable fastening means on the external surface of the said portion thereby making it possible to attach at least one additional protective element. 
     
     
         11 . A protective equipment item according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one external shell made out of a rigid material, the said shell extending so as to be facing at least one part of one of the portions of the protective equipment item in such fashion as to cover the said part.