A body protector

Abstract

A body protector ( 2 ) is provided. The body protector comprises at least one panel ( 8 ); a cable ( 4 ) which runs at least partially around the body protector; a rotational tightening mechanism ( 6 ) comprising a hub ( 12 ) which engages the cable; and a one-way hub lock ( 16 ); wherein the rotation of the hub in a first direction tensions the cable and the hub lock maintains the tension until it is actively released.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A body protector comprising:
 at least one panel;   a cable which runs at least partially around the body protector;   
       a rotational tightening mechanism comprising a hub which engages the cable; and
 a one-way hub lock; 
 wherein rotation of the hub in a first direction tensions the cable and thereby tightens the body protector, the hub lock engaging automatically to maintain the position of the hub until the hub lock is actively released to loosen the body protector. 
 
     
     
         17 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the body protector further comprises at least one zip, configured to facilitate the removal of the body protector from a user. 
     
     
         18 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the panel overlaps at least one other panel of the body protector. 
     
     
         19 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein tensioning the cable increases the overlap of the panels. 
     
     
         20 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein releasing the hub lock decreases the overlap of the panels. 
     
     
         21 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the hub lock is released manually. 
     
     
         22 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the hub lock comprises a pawl which engages a ratchet formed on the hub. 
     
     
         23 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the ratchet comprises a toothed wheel connected to the hub. 
     
     
         24 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein an end of the cable is fixed to the hub. 
     
     
         25 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein at least one end of the cable is wound onto the hub. 
     
     
         26 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the cable extends through a bore formed in the hub. 
     
     
         27 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the hub comprises an external circumferential cable receiving track. 
     
     
         28 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the hub comprises a plurality of circumferential cable receiving tracks. 
     
     
         29 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 28 , comprising a plurality of cables, each cable being received by a respective cable receiving track. 
     
     
         30 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the tracks comprise grooves and at least two of the grooves have different diameters from one another. 
     
     
         31 . A body protector as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the tracks comprise grooves and at least two of the grooves have different diameters from one another.