CA2236399C - Protective suit with groin protector - Google Patents
Protective suit with groin protector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2236399C CA2236399C CA 2236399 CA2236399A CA2236399C CA 2236399 C CA2236399 C CA 2236399C CA 2236399 CA2236399 CA 2236399 CA 2236399 A CA2236399 A CA 2236399A CA 2236399 C CA2236399 C CA 2236399C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- plate
- groin
- pouch
- wearer
- groin plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
- F41H1/00—Personal protection gear
- F41H1/02—Armoured or projectile- or missile-resistant garments; Composite protection fabrics
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
Abstract
A protective suit for covering the limbs and body of an operative to shield them from the effects of explosive devices such as anti-personnel mines includes on the front thereof an upper reinforced breast plate and a lower reinforced groin plate to provide added protection to the vital organs of the wearer. In the deployed position the groin plate at its upper end overlaps the lower end of the breast plate, and the lower end of the groin plate extends in front of and below the crotch region of the wearer. The groin plate is movable upwardly to a retracted position within a pouch in front of the breast plate, and in this retracted position does not interfere with the freedom of movement of the wearer's legs.
Description
PROTECTIVE SUIT WITH GROIN PROTECTOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a new or improved groin protector for a s protective suit and to a protective suit including such groin protector.
The invention is particularly although not exclusively applicable to the types of protective suits commonly employed by personnel involved in bomb disposal and mine clearance operations.
Description of the Prior Art 1 o Protective equipment provided for individuals involved in such hazardous duties as mine clearance and bomb disposal is required to provide to the vvearer a degree of overall protection from fragmentation and blast effects.
This requires the provision of special footwear, gauntlets and head gear, as well as a :quit which offers a degree of protection to the limbs, torso, neck and head of the 15 vvearer, while also providing enhanced protection to the wearer's vital organs and :.pine. It is essential that any such suit provides an adequate level of protection vvithout unduly inhibiting the freedom of movement of the wearer, since the wearer rnust still be able to move about and perform various tasks involved in his duties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a new or improved groin protector for a s protective suit and to a protective suit including such groin protector.
The invention is particularly although not exclusively applicable to the types of protective suits commonly employed by personnel involved in bomb disposal and mine clearance operations.
Description of the Prior Art 1 o Protective equipment provided for individuals involved in such hazardous duties as mine clearance and bomb disposal is required to provide to the vvearer a degree of overall protection from fragmentation and blast effects.
This requires the provision of special footwear, gauntlets and head gear, as well as a :quit which offers a degree of protection to the limbs, torso, neck and head of the 15 vvearer, while also providing enhanced protection to the wearer's vital organs and :.pine. It is essential that any such suit provides an adequate level of protection vvithout unduly inhibiting the freedom of movement of the wearer, since the wearer rnust still be able to move about and perform various tasks involved in his duties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
2 o The invention provides a protective suit for covering the body and limbs of an operative to shield them from the effects of explosive devices such as anti-personnel mines and the like, said suit having on the front thereof a reinforced groin plate that has a deployed position wherein it is disposed in front of the groin region of the wearer and extends from the waist to below the crotch region with an 25 upper end of said groin plate being in register with the lower end of a chest f~rotector that is carried on the front of said suit, said groin plate being selectively displaceable upwardly by the wearer to a retracted position wherein it provides less inhibition to the freedom of movement of the legs of the wearer, particularly when tending down, kneeling, leaning over, etc.
3 o Preferably in the deployed position the groin plate is angled or curved rearwardly downwardly so that its lower end is in proximity to the legs of the wearer, the lower part of the groin plate tapering in width to a rounded lower end.
The groin plate may be positioned within and connected at its bottom t~~ a pouch of flexible material, the pouch extending in front of and below the breast elate, and being readily foldable to permit the groin plate to be raised upwardly from tlhe deployed position into a retracted position wherein it overlies the breast plate.
l-he groin plate can be retained in the retracted position through frictional E:ngagemr~nt with the breast plate, the pouch material, width restrictions or otherwise.
Alternatively, the arrangement can be such that some additional 1 o rneans, e.g. a force applied by the hand or arm of the wearer of the suit, may be required to retain the groin plate in the retracted position, removal of such force ~~Ilowing the groin plate to descend to the deployed position under the force of gravity.
In another possible arrangement the interengagement between the groin plate and the pouch may be selected to be such that when the pouch is tilted, as when the wearer is crouched over or leans forward, the groin plate will remain in the retracted position and when the wearer straightens up so that the groin plate is in a more upright position it can slide down to the deployed position under the force of gravity. However in some circumstances, e.g. where the suit is tight fitting, some 2 o nnanual assistance may be necessary to move the groin plate down to the fully deployed position.
Although it is preferred that the groin plate whether deployed or retracted overlaps the chest protector on the outside, it could equally well be positioned to overlap the chest protector on the rear side, i.e. to be at all times 2 s closer to the body of the wearer than is the chest protector.
The amount of overlap between the upper edge of the groin plate and the lower ends of the chest protector when the groin plate is deployed must be sufficient to prevent penetration of fragments between the two. As a practical nnatter therefore the minimum amount of overlap must be 10 mm, and while the 3 0 overlap may be as much as 50 mm, it is preferably approximately 25 mm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will further be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a protective suit that includes a K~resently preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a side view corresponding to Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the front of the ~~uit as taken on the line 3-3 in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a slightly enlarged front view of the suit in an alternative to ~~osition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the drawings, the suit 10 is seen as comprising a jacket 12 for covering the shoulders and torso and including a pair of detachable sleeves 14 and a double collar arrangement comprising a wide high outer collar 18 which is ~;omewhat scooped downwardly at the front and which is spaced around a shorter inner collar 20. The suit also includes trousers 22 which cover the legs from ankle t~o hip and each of which comprises at its lower end an ankle cover 24, a reinforced ~;hin section 26 an enlarged knee cap 28, and a thigh section 30, the suit being completed by an integrated groin protector (IGP) in the form of shorts 32 which are ~~ulled on over the trousers 22 and which extend upwardly under the lower end of the jacket 12, the shorts being adaptable to conform to the wearer by means of adjusting straps 34. The suit as described is designed to provide overall protection t~o the wearer from ankle to neck, and its components are consequently made of tough flexible material arranged in multi-layers to be resistant to penetration by 2 s flying fragments of mines, bombs and the like. The suit is furthermore protected in the regions thereof covering the vital organs (chest and groin), by the addition of reinforcement in the form of hard metal or composite plates for example in the shin ~;ections 26, thigh sections 30, and the knee caps 28.
The front of the suit is reinforced by an enlarged breast plate 36 which 3 o covers over the major portion of the width of the torso and extends from the region of the collarbone to the waist. The breast plate is of generally rectangular outline uvith rounded corners, and the upper end may be concave as seen in Figure 1 to accommodate the curvature of the outer collar 20. Since the breast plate is design~d to provide protection to the vital organs of the wearer, it is of very strong construction being fabricated in multiple layers of reinforced fiber material such as s aramid woven layers and will include rigid reinforcing layers of metal, or plastic composites or glass or polyethylene fiber and the like.
Also on the front of the suit is a further enhanced protection system comprising a groin plate 38 which is of similar construction to the breast plate 36 lout which has a shape that tapers downwardly as seen in Figure 1 to a rounded to lower end 40. In the deployed position shown in Figure 1, the groin plate extends downwardly with its lower end 40 positioned in front of the crotch region of the vvearer, and as shown in Figure 2 close to the thigh sections 30 of the trousers. In this position the upper edge 42 of the groin plate overlaps the lower marginal region of the breast plate 36 so that these two together provide continuous coverage at the 15 front of the suit from the crotch region to the neck region.
The position of the breast plate 36 is fixed in relation to the suit, the breast plate being received within a fabric pouch 44 that is stitched to the front of the jacket 12. In front of the pouch 44 is a further pouch 46 made of fabric rnaterial, this pouch extending as shown in Figure 3 from an upper end 48 which is 2 o attached near the top of the pouch 44 to a lower end 50 which as seen in Figure 3 Extends a considerable distance below the pouch 44. In the deployed condition, tlhe groin plate 38 occupies the position shown in Figure 3 and in Figures 1 and 2, and the pouch 46 is fully extended, the upper end of the groin plate 38 being rnaintained in contact with the lower marginal region of the breast plate 36 by the 2 s pouch, an utility holder and reinforcement strap 52 extending across the front of the pouch 46 being manipulated to maintain the groin plate 38 in the desired position.
l-he lower end of the groin plate 38 is attached to the lower end of the pouch 46.
~~n upper lateral reinforcement strap 54 reinforces the breast plate pouch.
In the deployed position the groin plate 38 provides a high degree of 3 0 protection to the vital groin area of the wearer. However it is comparatively bulky and greatly interferes with the freedom of movement of the wearer of the suit since
The groin plate may be positioned within and connected at its bottom t~~ a pouch of flexible material, the pouch extending in front of and below the breast elate, and being readily foldable to permit the groin plate to be raised upwardly from tlhe deployed position into a retracted position wherein it overlies the breast plate.
l-he groin plate can be retained in the retracted position through frictional E:ngagemr~nt with the breast plate, the pouch material, width restrictions or otherwise.
Alternatively, the arrangement can be such that some additional 1 o rneans, e.g. a force applied by the hand or arm of the wearer of the suit, may be required to retain the groin plate in the retracted position, removal of such force ~~Ilowing the groin plate to descend to the deployed position under the force of gravity.
In another possible arrangement the interengagement between the groin plate and the pouch may be selected to be such that when the pouch is tilted, as when the wearer is crouched over or leans forward, the groin plate will remain in the retracted position and when the wearer straightens up so that the groin plate is in a more upright position it can slide down to the deployed position under the force of gravity. However in some circumstances, e.g. where the suit is tight fitting, some 2 o nnanual assistance may be necessary to move the groin plate down to the fully deployed position.
Although it is preferred that the groin plate whether deployed or retracted overlaps the chest protector on the outside, it could equally well be positioned to overlap the chest protector on the rear side, i.e. to be at all times 2 s closer to the body of the wearer than is the chest protector.
The amount of overlap between the upper edge of the groin plate and the lower ends of the chest protector when the groin plate is deployed must be sufficient to prevent penetration of fragments between the two. As a practical nnatter therefore the minimum amount of overlap must be 10 mm, and while the 3 0 overlap may be as much as 50 mm, it is preferably approximately 25 mm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will further be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a protective suit that includes a K~resently preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a side view corresponding to Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the front of the ~~uit as taken on the line 3-3 in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a slightly enlarged front view of the suit in an alternative to ~~osition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the drawings, the suit 10 is seen as comprising a jacket 12 for covering the shoulders and torso and including a pair of detachable sleeves 14 and a double collar arrangement comprising a wide high outer collar 18 which is ~;omewhat scooped downwardly at the front and which is spaced around a shorter inner collar 20. The suit also includes trousers 22 which cover the legs from ankle t~o hip and each of which comprises at its lower end an ankle cover 24, a reinforced ~;hin section 26 an enlarged knee cap 28, and a thigh section 30, the suit being completed by an integrated groin protector (IGP) in the form of shorts 32 which are ~~ulled on over the trousers 22 and which extend upwardly under the lower end of the jacket 12, the shorts being adaptable to conform to the wearer by means of adjusting straps 34. The suit as described is designed to provide overall protection t~o the wearer from ankle to neck, and its components are consequently made of tough flexible material arranged in multi-layers to be resistant to penetration by 2 s flying fragments of mines, bombs and the like. The suit is furthermore protected in the regions thereof covering the vital organs (chest and groin), by the addition of reinforcement in the form of hard metal or composite plates for example in the shin ~;ections 26, thigh sections 30, and the knee caps 28.
The front of the suit is reinforced by an enlarged breast plate 36 which 3 o covers over the major portion of the width of the torso and extends from the region of the collarbone to the waist. The breast plate is of generally rectangular outline uvith rounded corners, and the upper end may be concave as seen in Figure 1 to accommodate the curvature of the outer collar 20. Since the breast plate is design~d to provide protection to the vital organs of the wearer, it is of very strong construction being fabricated in multiple layers of reinforced fiber material such as s aramid woven layers and will include rigid reinforcing layers of metal, or plastic composites or glass or polyethylene fiber and the like.
Also on the front of the suit is a further enhanced protection system comprising a groin plate 38 which is of similar construction to the breast plate 36 lout which has a shape that tapers downwardly as seen in Figure 1 to a rounded to lower end 40. In the deployed position shown in Figure 1, the groin plate extends downwardly with its lower end 40 positioned in front of the crotch region of the vvearer, and as shown in Figure 2 close to the thigh sections 30 of the trousers. In this position the upper edge 42 of the groin plate overlaps the lower marginal region of the breast plate 36 so that these two together provide continuous coverage at the 15 front of the suit from the crotch region to the neck region.
The position of the breast plate 36 is fixed in relation to the suit, the breast plate being received within a fabric pouch 44 that is stitched to the front of the jacket 12. In front of the pouch 44 is a further pouch 46 made of fabric rnaterial, this pouch extending as shown in Figure 3 from an upper end 48 which is 2 o attached near the top of the pouch 44 to a lower end 50 which as seen in Figure 3 Extends a considerable distance below the pouch 44. In the deployed condition, tlhe groin plate 38 occupies the position shown in Figure 3 and in Figures 1 and 2, and the pouch 46 is fully extended, the upper end of the groin plate 38 being rnaintained in contact with the lower marginal region of the breast plate 36 by the 2 s pouch, an utility holder and reinforcement strap 52 extending across the front of the pouch 46 being manipulated to maintain the groin plate 38 in the desired position.
l-he lower end of the groin plate 38 is attached to the lower end of the pouch 46.
~~n upper lateral reinforcement strap 54 reinforces the breast plate pouch.
In the deployed position the groin plate 38 provides a high degree of 3 0 protection to the vital groin area of the wearer. However it is comparatively bulky and greatly interferes with the freedom of movement of the wearer of the suit since
- 4 -ii: will constantly be impacted by the thigh portions 30 in any normal walking action of the wearer, and accordingly restricts the movement of the legs of the wearer, in particular making it more difficult for the wearer to lift either leg, e.g.
when an obstacle must be surmounted. Likewise the deployed groin plate will restrict the freedom of movement of the wearer of the suit when he wants to assume a crouched or kneeling position. To overcome this problem the groin plate 38 is arranged to be retractable, i.e. to be movable upwardly into an increasing overlapping position with respect to the breast plate 36 as indicated in by the arrow in Figure 3, so that ultimately the lower end 40 of the groin plate is located ~~ubstantially at waist level as seen in Figure 4, the pouch 46 being of flexible rnaterial assuming a folded and shirred configuration as shown in Figure 4 to accommodate upwards movement of the groin plate. In this upwardly displaced position the groin plate is retained in frictional engagement against the front of the breast plate, and no special measures are necessary otherwise to secure the groin elate in the retracted position thereof. However if desired straps or other fasteners (not shown) could be provided to retain the groin plate in its upwardly retracted position. In the position as shown in Figure 4, the lower end 40 of the groin plate is sufficiently raised such that it provides little or no impediment to normal leg rnovements of the wearer. Thus by arranging for the groin plate 38 to be 2 o retractable the convenience of using the overall protective suit is greatly enhanced.
The jacket 12 also carries a pouch 13 for carrying a battery pack or like, and includes a toggle 15 that is connected to a quick release strap 17, a similar toggle and strap arrangement 15 being provided on the back of the jacket to Enable it to be divested very quickly should this be warranted.
when an obstacle must be surmounted. Likewise the deployed groin plate will restrict the freedom of movement of the wearer of the suit when he wants to assume a crouched or kneeling position. To overcome this problem the groin plate 38 is arranged to be retractable, i.e. to be movable upwardly into an increasing overlapping position with respect to the breast plate 36 as indicated in by the arrow in Figure 3, so that ultimately the lower end 40 of the groin plate is located ~~ubstantially at waist level as seen in Figure 4, the pouch 46 being of flexible rnaterial assuming a folded and shirred configuration as shown in Figure 4 to accommodate upwards movement of the groin plate. In this upwardly displaced position the groin plate is retained in frictional engagement against the front of the breast plate, and no special measures are necessary otherwise to secure the groin elate in the retracted position thereof. However if desired straps or other fasteners (not shown) could be provided to retain the groin plate in its upwardly retracted position. In the position as shown in Figure 4, the lower end 40 of the groin plate is sufficiently raised such that it provides little or no impediment to normal leg rnovements of the wearer. Thus by arranging for the groin plate 38 to be 2 o retractable the convenience of using the overall protective suit is greatly enhanced.
The jacket 12 also carries a pouch 13 for carrying a battery pack or like, and includes a toggle 15 that is connected to a quick release strap 17, a similar toggle and strap arrangement 15 being provided on the back of the jacket to Enable it to be divested very quickly should this be warranted.
- 5 -
Claims (9)
1. A protective suit for covering the body and limbs of an operative to shield them from the effects of explosive devices such as anti-personnel mines and the like, said suit having on the front thereof a reinforced groin plate that has a deployed position wherein it is disposed in front of the groin region of the wearer and extends from the waist to below the crotch region with an upper end of said groin plate being in register with the lower end of a chest protector that is carried on the front of said suit, said groin plate being selectively displaceable upwardly by the wearer to a retracted position wherein it provides less inhibition to the freedom of movement of the legs of the wearer.
2. A protective suit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said groin plate has a lower portion that tapers downwardly in width towards the lower end thereof.
3. A protective suit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said groin plate is positioned within a pouch of flexible material, said pouch extending in front of and below said breast plate, said pouch material being readily displaced to accommodate movement of said groin plate between said deployed and said retracted positions, and in said deployed position supporting said groin plate against further downwards movement thereof.
4. A protective suit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said groin plate when retracted lies in frictional engagement with said breast plate, said engagement being sufficient to retain said groin plate in its retracted position against the force of gravity.
6. A protective suit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pouch is configured such as to maintain said groin plate, when retracted, in contact with said breast plate.
6. A protective suit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said groin plate when retracted lies in light frictional engagement with said breast plate and/or said pouch, such engagement being sufficient to retain said groin plate in its retracted position when said pouch is tilted forwardly as when the wearer assumes a bent over or crouched position, but is insufficient to retain the groin plate in the retracted position when the pouch assumes an upright orientation, whereupon the groin plate slides to its deployed position under the force of gravity.
7. A protective suit as claimed in claim 3 wherein a lower part of said groin plate is attached to said pouch material.
8. A protective suit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the groin plate when in said deployed position is angled rearwardly in the downwards direction such that the lower end of said groin plate is in close proximity to the wearer's legs.
9. A protective plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said groin plate curves rearwardly towards its lower end.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2236399 CA2236399C (en) | 1998-04-30 | 1998-04-30 | Protective suit with groin protector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2236399 CA2236399C (en) | 1998-04-30 | 1998-04-30 | Protective suit with groin protector |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2236399A1 CA2236399A1 (en) | 1999-10-30 |
| CA2236399C true CA2236399C (en) | 2005-01-04 |
Family
ID=29275630
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2236399 Expired - Lifetime CA2236399C (en) | 1998-04-30 | 1998-04-30 | Protective suit with groin protector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2236399C (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB0326144D0 (en) | 2003-11-07 | 2003-12-17 | Np Aerospace Ltd | Protective garments |
| GB0327295D0 (en) | 2003-11-24 | 2003-12-24 | Np Aerospace Ltd | Plate assembly |
| WO2006072179A1 (en) * | 2005-01-07 | 2006-07-13 | Med-Eng Systems Inc. | Protective garment |
-
1998
- 1998-04-30 CA CA 2236399 patent/CA2236399C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2236399A1 (en) | 1999-10-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20180430 |