Riot gear

Abstract

A body protection system comprising multiple protective assemblies that permits adjustability of the multiple assemblies in respect to one another thereby permitting a complete body protection system that is usable across different size personnel. The multiple protective assemblies may be separately adjusted permitting a one-size-fits-most capability for the different sized personnel. The body protection system permits reuse among different sized people thereby reducing overall costs associated with protecting members of law enforcement, military or other organizations. The body protection system may include a unique adjustable neck protectors that provides enhanced protection for the neck area. The various multiple protective assemblies may suspend directly or indirectly from the shoulder pad assemblies providing a common comprehensive suspension system for a wearer.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A body protection system, comprising:
 at least one shoulder pad assembly;   a torso assembly comprising a front torso assembly and a rear torso assembly both the front torso assembly and a rear torso assembly adjustably connectable to the at least one shoulder pad assembly;   at least one thigh protector assembly adjustably connectable to the torso assembly; and   at least one leg protector assembly adjustably connectable to the at least one thigh protector assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The body protection system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one foot protector adjustably connectable to the at least one leg protector assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The body protection system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a front neck protector connected to the front torso assembly; and   a rear neck protector adjustably connectable to the rear torso assembly and the at least one shoulder pad assembly.   
     
     
         4 . The body protection system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one upper arm protector adjustably connectable to the at least one shoulder pad assembly; and   at least one lower arm protection assembly adjustably connectable to the at least one upper arm protector.   
     
     
         5 . The body protection system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one shoulder pad assembly comprises two shoulder pad assemblies and the at least one upper arm protector comprises two upper arm protectors adjustably connectable to the two shoulder pad assemblies, and the at least one lower arm protection assembly comprises two lower arm protection assemblies connectable to a respective one of the two upper arm protectors. 
     
     
         6 . The body protection system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one lower arm protection assembly comprises:
 an elbow protector adjustably connectable to the at least one upper arm protector;   an outer plate attached to an outer pad, the outer plate and outer pad configured to be adjustably connectable to the elbow protector, the outer plate positionable for protecting an outer portion of a forearm; and   an inner plate attached to an inner pad, the inner plate positionable for protecting an inner portion of a forearm,   wherein the inner plate and the outer plate are adjustably connectable to one another for permitting for a wide range of forearm circumferences.   
     
     
         7 . The body protection system of  claim 6 , wherein the elbow protector is configured to form a concave cavity for receiving an elbow therewithin, wherein the elbow protector comprises:
 an elbow liner configured with a concave cavity and comprising a solid foam material; and   a flexible elbow hammock positionable adjacent the elbow liner and configured to be adjustably attachable to a wearer by a plurality of adjustable straps, the plurality of adjustable straps also passing through the elbow liner.   
     
     
         8 . The body protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder pad assembly comprises a shoulder plate permanently attached to a shoulder pad, the shoulder plate comprising an elevated portion proximate a neck end for additional protection to the neck area. 
     
     
         9 . The body protection system of  claim 8 , wherein the shoulder pad assembly further comprises an adjustable attaching mechanism for attaching at least one rear neck protector. 
     
     
         10 . The body protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one thigh protector assembly comprises:
 an upper portion comprising two straps for attaching the at least one thigh protector to a belt, the two straps defining a space therebetween for permitting attaching of a hip pad or holster to the belt through the defined space;   a lower portion comprising a plurality of thigh plates attached to a thigh pad, the plurality of thigh plates defining a hinge area therebetween configured to permit the at least one thigh protector to be opened and placed about a thigh of a wearer.   
     
     
         11 . The body protection system of  claim 10 , wherein the hinge permits opening and placing of the thigh protector about a wide range of thigh circumferences. 
     
     
         12 . The body protection system of  claim 10 , wherein the lower portion comprises at least one rib extending laterally from a face of one of the thigh plates for receiving and supporting a shield thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The body protection system of  claim 12 , wherein at least one rib comprises at least one post extending vertically from a top of the at least one rib for assisting in keeping a shield in place on the at least one rib. 
     
     
         14 . The body protection system of  claim 10 , wherein the lower portion comprises at least one notch formed in a top edge of one of the thigh plates for assisting in keeping a shield in place on the at least one thigh protector assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The body protection system of  claim 10 , further comprising an adjustable securing mechanism for closing the lower portion about a thigh of a wearer. 
     
     
         16 . The body protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leg protector assembly comprises:
 a knee guard adjustably connectable to the at least one thigh protector assembly;   a shin guard plate adjustably connectable to the knee guard, the shin guard plate comprising:
 an upper leg pad permanently attached to the shin guard plate; 
 a lower leg pad removably attachable to the upper leg pad, the lower leg pad configured to be repositionable along a lower leg of a wearer; and 
 an adjustable securing mechanism configured to secure the shin guard plate and upper leg pad about a leg of a wearer. 
   
     
     
         17 . The body protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the front torso assembly comprises:
 a chest pad adjustably connectable to the at least one shoulder pad assembly;   an adjustable plate pocket adjustably connected to the chest pad for receiving a plate therewithin; and   a lower abdominal pad configured with a recess along a top of the lower abdominal pad for receiving a belt therewithin, the lower abdominal pad releasably connectable to an inner side of the chest pad.   
     
     
         18 . The body protection system of  claim 17 , wherein the front torso assembly further comprises:
 one or more adjustable arm pads releasably connectable to the chest pad, the one or more adjustable arm pads for protecting the rib area of a wearer;   the plate insertable in the adjustable plate pocket;   a flap secured to an inner side of the chest pad for adjustably securing the plate within the adjustable plate pocket; and   at least one adjustable connecting strap configured to connect the chest pad to a back pad.   
     
     
         19 . The body protection system of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustable plate pocket includes a plurality of anchor points for attachment of MOLLE-compatible accessories to the adjustable plate pocket, the plurality of anchor points arranged at about 90 degree angles to one another thereby permitting easier access to any attached MOLLE-compatible accessories. 
     
     
         20 . The body protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the back torso assembly comprises:
 a back pad adjustably connectable to the at least one shoulder pad assembly;   an adjustable plate pocket adjustably connected to the back pad for receiving a plate therewithin;   a lower back pad configured with a recess along a top of the lower back pad for receiving a belt therewithin, the lower back pad releasably connectable to an inner side of the back pad; and   at least one adjustable connecting strap to connect the back pad to the front torso assembly.   
     
     
         21 . The body protection system of  claim 20 , wherein the back torso assembly further comprises a plurality of handles permanently attached to the rear torso protector assembly at a plurality of locations for easier lifting of a downed individual. 
     
     
         22 . The body protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the front torso assembly further comprises a plurality of rescue straps permanently attached to the front torso protector assembly at a plurality of locations for easier lifting of a downed individual. 
     
     
         23 . A method of providing body protection, comprising:
 providing two shoulder pad assemblies, each shoulder pad assembly comprising a shoulder plate, the shoulder plate configured with a raised portion at one end for protecting a neck area;   providing a torso assembly comprising a front torso assembly and a rear torso assembly, both the front torso assembly and a rear torso assembly adjustably connectable to the two shoulder pad assemblies, the front torso assembly and the rear torso assembly each comprising an adjustable plate pocket for receiving a plate therewithin, the rear torso assembly and the front torso assembly comprising a plurality of handles permanently attached at a plurality of locations to the rear torso protector assembly and the front torso assembly for easier lifting of a downed individual;   providing a plurality of thigh protector assemblies each adjustably connectable to the torso assembly;   providing a plurality of leg protector assemblies adjustably connectable to the plurality of thigh protector assemblies;   providing a plurality of foot protectors adjustably connectable to the plurality of leg protector assemblies;   providing a front neck protector connectable to the front torso assembly and a rear neck protector adjustably connectable to the rear torso assembly;   providing a plurality of upper arm protectors adjustably connectable to the two shoulder pad assemblies; and   providing a plurality of lower arm protection assemblies adjustably connectable to the plurality of upper arm protectors.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the plate comprises a ballistic plate.