WO2012001596A1

WO2012001596A1 - Circumferential body armour system

Info

Publication number: WO2012001596A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/052781
Authority: WO
Inventors: Markku Haakana; Per Sabbasen
Original assignee: Cpe Production Oy
Priority date: 2010-06-28
Filing date: 2011-06-24
Publication date: 2012-01-05
Also published as: IL206662A0

Abstract

A circumferential body armour system (10) is disclosed. The circumferential body armour system includes a somewhat convex major plate (14), which includes flanking recesses, defining the bottom portion thereof. The circumferential body armour system further includes a first lateral plate (16A) and a second lateral plate (16B), which are partially accommodated within the flanking recesses of the major plate, forming connection joints between the major plate and the lateral plates. The circumferential body armour system further includes a first (22A) and second minor plates (22B), which are respectively disposed above the connection joints. The body armour system is characterized by that additional degrees of freedom in the translatability of between the major plate and the lateral plates are formed, thus facilitating enhanced adductional and flexional movements of the upper limbs.

Description

CIRCUMFERENTIAL BODY ARMOUR SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention generally relates to a circumferential armour system for the torso. In particular, the invention relates to a circumferential armour system for the torso that facilitates enhanced adductional and flexional movements of the upper limbs.

BACKGROUND ART

[002] Body armour systems known in the art, which in order to conform the shape the body are manufactured from several protective plates, typically include four front parts and a back part. The plates are joined by partly overlaying one on top of the other, somewhat like fish scales, whereupon the joints between the sheets are covered. A disadvantage of the body armour systems described above is that the protective plates do not lay in the same plane but rather angularly overlaying each other.

[003] State-of-the-art improvements of the aforementioned body armour systems include the bulletproof vest disclosed in PCT/FI2007/000240, which has overcome the above-described disadvantage. The bulletproof vest of PCT/FI2007/000240 is formed by protective plates that lay in the same plane, while the joints therebetween are covered by additional small plates, paralleling the plane of protective plates and overlapping the joints.

[004] Nonetheless, in the bulletproof vest described above, the butt ends of the plates, which lay in the same plane, tend to collide with each other; thus forming a somewhat cumbersome assembly, rendering certain body movements difficult. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[005] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more comprehensively from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the protective plates of a moiety of the circumferential armour system of the invention superpositioned over a torso;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an assembly of the protective plates of a moiety of the circumferential armour system of the invention;

Figs 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of an enclosure accommodating the assembly of the protective plates shown in Fig. 2 and stitches thereof;

Figs 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of the anterior moiety of the circumferential armour system of the invention and the gorget therefor;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the posterior moiety of the circumferential armour system of the invention.

[006] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[007] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with technology- or business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the effort of such a development might be complex and time- consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[008] In accordance with some preferred embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to Fig. 1 , which is a schematic diagram of protective plates arrangement 10 superpositioned over torso 12, wherein the latter shown in dashed lines. Arrangement 10 comprises major plate 14 and lateral plates 16A and 16B. The top portion of the major plate 14, extending from the clavicular to axillar areas, is dedicated for protection of the trochaic cavity. The bottom portion of the major plate 14 protects the abdominal cavity, in the instance of an anterior moiety of the circumferential armour system of the invention. The bottom edge of lateral plates 16A and 16B essentially levels the bottom edge of major plate 14.

[009] Major plate 14 is somewhat convex, so as to conform the anterior portion of torso 12. Lateral plates 16A and 16B are slightly convex as well; thereby conforming the lateral portions of torso 12. It should be acknowledged that major plate 14 and lateral plates 16A and 16B shown in Fig. 1 in a flattened conformation; whereas during the implementation lateral plates 16A and 16B are disposed somewhat perpendicularly to major plate 14, i.e. oriented into the plane of the page of Fig. 1 , namely underneath the axillae of torso 12.

[010] To elaborate regarding the structural details of the protective plates as well as constellational arrangement thereof, reference is now made to Fig. 2, showing protective plates assembly 20 of a moiety of the circumferential armour system of the invention. Assembly 20 comprises major plate 14 and lateral plates 16A and 16B, respectively, forming joints 21 A and 21 B therebetween.

[011] Major plate 14 comprises flanking recesses 14A and 14B, defining the bottom portion of major plate 14. Flanking recesses 14A and 14B in major plate 14 provide for a degree of freedom in the movement of lateral plates 16A and 16B that lay in the same plane as major plate 14; thereby facilitating enhanced adductional and flexional movements of the upper limbs, as will be elaborated infra. Major plate 14 and lateral plates 16A and 16B lay in the same plane; plane as referred herein, inter alia, includes the curvilinear circumference of the human torso, such as torso 12 shown in Fig. 1.

[012] Joints 21 A and 21 B are covered by minor plates 22A and 22B, respectively. Minor plates 22A and 22B are disposed above the joints 21 A and 21 B, i.e. laying in a plane paralleling the above-defined plane of major plate 14 and lateral plates 16A and 16B. Minor plates 22A and 22B overlap the marginal area of the bottom portion of major plate 14, adjacently to flanking recesses 14A and 14B. Minor plates 22A and 22B overlap the marginal portion of lateral plates 16A and 16B, adjacently to joints 21 A and 21 B, respectively. Minor plates 22A and 22B are preferably affixed relatively to major plate 14. Minor plates 22A and 22B preferably overlap the marginal portion of lateral plates 16A and 16B adjacent to joints 21 A and 21 B, for a larger extent than the marginal area of the bottom portion of major plate 14 adjacent to flanking recesses 14A and 14B.

[013] Lateral plates 16A and 16B are characterized by degrees of freedom in the translatability relatively to major plate 14; thereby facilitating enhanced adductional and flexional movements of the upper limbs. Since joints 21 A and 21 B are covered by minor plates 22A and 22B, lateral plates 16A and 16B are translatable relatively to major plate 14 in the directions of arrows 24A and 24B. Moreover, the chamfered edges at the top portion lateral plates 16A and 16B facing joints 21 A and 21 B and the chamfered edges at bottom of the top portion major plate 14 provide for the translatability of lateral plates 16A and 16B relatively to major plate 14 in the directions of arrows 26A and 26B. The aforesaid degrees of freedom in the translatability of lateral plates 16A and 16B relatively to major plate 14 in the directions of arrows 24A and 24B as well as in the directions of arrows 26A and 26B facilitate enhanced adductional and flexional movements of the upper limbs. The translatability of lateral plates 16A and 16B relatively to major plate 14 in the directions of arrows 24A and 24B corresponds to the flexional movements of the upper limbs, e.g. bringing the arms together; whereas translatability in the directions of arrows 26A and 26B corresponds to the adductional movements of the upper limbs, e.g. adjoining of the arms to the torso. Enhanced adductional and flexional movements of the upper limbs contribute for assuming a better shooting position, particularly beneficial in firefights combats at urban areas.

[014] Reference is now made to Figs 3A and 3B, which are schematic diagrams of an enclosure 40 accommodating the assembly of the protective plates shown in Fig. 2 and discussed supra. Enclosure 40 typically comprises two sheets of flexible polymeric material 42, interconnected by stitches at predetermined locations.

[015] The perimeter of enclosure 40 is furnished with stitches (not shown) interconnecting flexible sheets 42 along the edges thereof; thereby enclosing major plate 14 and lateral plates 16A and 16B therein. Stitches 26A and 26B are disposed in joints 21 A and 21 B. Stitches 26A and 26B confine major plate 14 adjacently to flanking recesses 14A and 14B as well as adjacently to the chamfered edges at bottom of the top portion major plate 14; thereby rendering major plate 14 essentially immovable relatively to enclosure 40.

[016] Although lateral plates 16A and 16B are accommodated within enclosure

40 having the aforementioned degrees of freedom in the translatability thereof relatively to major plate 14 in the directions of arrows 24A and 24B and in the directions of arrows 26A and 26B, shown in Fig. 2, their translatability away from major plate 14 is purposefully restricted by bands (not shown) of bendable but strong material, interconnecting lateral plates 16A and 16B to major plate 14 along joints 21 A and 21 B. The reason for restricting the translatability of lateral plates 16A and 16B in the direction away from major plate 14 is that the body armour system of the invention has to be able to sustain iterative collisions with projectiles, such as bullets. The kinetic energy released upon a collision of a projectile with a protective plate drives the plate out of the arrangement depicted in Fig. 2. Therefore in order for body armour system to be able to sustain iterative collisions, the displacement of the protective plates has to be purposefully restricted. The restriction in translatability of lateral plates 16A and 16B away from major plate 14 is achieved by bands (not shown) of bendable but strong material, such as Cordura or Kevlar, which is glued, stitched or otherwise affixed to the marginal areas of plates 16A, 16B and 14 facing joints 21A and 21 B; thereby interconnecting lateral plates 16A and 16B to major plate 14.

[017] The aforementioned bands (not shown) are disposed along joints 21 A and 21 B from the interior side of enclosure 40, i.e. facing the torso; thereby the angular translatability of lateral plates 16A and 16B in the anterior direction, namely away from the plane of the page of Fig. 3, is restricted to an extent as well, until the aforementioned bands become tightened. However the angular translatability of lateral plates 16A and 16B in the posterior direction, namely into the plane of the page of Fig. 3, is not restricted and hence lateral plates 16A and 16B can conform the lateral portions of the torso, as the aforementioned bands are bendable.

[018] Since minor plates 22A and 22B are disposed in a plane paralleling the above-defined plane of major plate 14 and lateral plates 16A and 16B, they are not accommodated in-between sheets 42. Minor plates 22A and 22B are placed, respectively, inside pouches 46A and 46B dedicated therefor. Pouches 46A and 46B are preferably affixed to the anterior sheet 42 by stitches 48A and 48B disposed along the interior edges of the former, i.e. the edges facing the centerline of plate 14. The affixing of pouches 46A and 46B merely along the interior edges thereof by stitches 48A and 48B does not restrict the angular translatability of lateral plates 16A and 16B in the anterior direction, namely away from the plane of the page of Fig. 3, which is restricted in a predetermined manner by the aforementioned bands (not shown), interconnecting lateral plates 16A and 16B to major plate 14.

[019] Reference is now made to Figs 4A and 4B, which are schematic diagrams of anterior moiety 50 of the circumferential armour system of the invention and gorget 60 therefor, respectively. Anterior moiety 50 comprises an envelope-like structure 51 , encompassing protective plates enclosure 40. Structure 51 is made of a durable and flexible polymeric material, such as nylon, and may be furnished with a camouflage coloring.

[020] Anterior moiety 50 comprises flanking straps 52A and 52B extending from the bottom portion of structure 51. Straps 52A and 52B are furnished with looped surfaces 54A and 54B, instances of which include the looped fabric of a self-adherent fastener, such hook and loop fastener, e.g. Velcro. Surfaces 54A and 54B adhere to the complimentary hooked surfaces on the respective flanking straps of the posterior moiety, for assembling the circumferential armour system, as elaborated hereafter.

[021] Anterior moiety 50 comprises shoulder straps 55A and 55B extending from the top portion of structure 51. Shoulder straps 55A and 55B comprise apertures 56A and 56B, respectively, at the terminal portions thereof, for assembling and quick dismantling the circumferential armour system. Apertures 56A and 56B are preferably furnished with rigid bushing-like elements, employed to prevent the disintegration of the terminal portions of shoulder straps 55A and 55B around apertures 56A and 56B.

[022] Anterior moiety 50 comprises evacuation sling 59 threaded into a dedicated sheath (not shown) in shoulder strap 55A. Evacuation sling 59 is implemented for a quick dismantling the circumferential armour system, as will be elaborated infra. Evacuation sling 59 is made of a thin flexible plastic material characterized by a smooth slippery surface; thereby providing for the translation thereof inside the aforementioned sheath (not shown) in shoulder strap 55A, while a substantial force is exerted on strap 55A from the top.

[023] Anterior moiety 50 comprises looped surface 57 and fasteners 58 A-C, for the connection with the respective fasteners of gorget 60. Fasteners 58A and 58B are preferably disposed on shoulder straps 55A and 55B; whereas fastener 58C is attached at the top portion of structure 51. Looped surface 57 is to adhere to the complimentary hooked surface on buffer 67 of gorget 60.

[024] Gorget 60 comprises an envelope-like structure (not shown) encompassing protective plate 62. The envelope-like structure (not shown) is made of a durable and flexible polymeric material, such as nylon, and may be furnished with a camouflage coloring. Gorget 60 further comprises protective buffer 67 and fasteners 68 A-C, for the connection with the respective fasteners on anterior moiety 50. Buffer 67 preferably comprises a slanted anterior face, forming an acute angle from the bottom edge thereof relatively to the direction towards the top of plate 62 and an obtuse angle relatively to the direction towards the bottom of plate 62. The slanted anterior face of buffer 67 and aforementioned arrangement of fasteners 58 A-C and 68 A-C provide for orienting gorget 60 somewhat away from the throat of the user; thereby allowing the inclining the head forwards and dispersing of the kinetic energy released upon a collision with a projectile before reaching the throat of the user. The anterior face of buffer 67 preferably comprises a hooked surface, which is to adhere to the complimentary looped surface 57 on anterior moiety 50; thereby affixing gorget 60 in a predetermined position.

[025] Anterior moiety 50 may further include a jockstrap-like protector for the groin area (not shown) preferably attached in a releasable manner to the bottom portion thereof. [026] Reference is now made to Fig. 5, which is a schematic diagram of posterior moiety 70 of the circumferential armour system of the invention. Posterior moiety 70 comprises an envelope-like structure 71 , encompassing protective plates enclosure 40. Structure 71 is made of a durable and flexible polymeric material, such as nylon, and may be furnished with a camouflage coloring.

[027] Posterior moiety 70 comprises flanking straps 72A and 72B, which are not form a part of structure 71 but rather are individual constituents. Straps 72A and 72B are furnished with hooked surfaces 74A and 74B, instances of which include the hooked fabric of a self-adherent fastener, such hook and loop fastener, e.g. Velcro. Surfaces 74A and 74B adhere to the respective looped surfaces 54A and 54B on straps 52A and 52B of anterior moiety 50, shown in Fig. 4A.

[028] Abdominal belt portions 73A and 73B extend from flanking straps 72A and 72B, respectively. Abdominal belt portion 73A is furnished with a hooked surface, which is to adhere to the respective looped surface on abdominal belt portion 73B; thereby engagingly encircling the pelvis of the user and thus distributing the weight of the armour system between the shoulders and the pelvis, allowing carrying the armour system even while the shoulder straps are released.

[029] Posterior straps extend from flanking straps 72A and 72B, comprising apertures 75A and 75B, at the terminal portions thereof, for a quick dismantling the circumferential armour system. Apertures 75A and 75B are preferably furnished with rigid bushing-like elements, employed to prevent the disintegration of the terminal portions of the posterior straps around apertures 75A and 75B.

[030] Posterior moiety 70 comprises shoulder straps 76A and 76B extending from the top portion of structure 71. Shoulder straps 76A and 76B underlay shoulder straps 55A and 55B of anterior moiety 50, shown in Fig. 4A. Collar protector elements 78 A-C are disposed in an overlapping manner, thereby together with gorget 60, shown in Fig. 4A, forming a circumferential protection around the neck of the user. Collar protector elements 78A and 78B are preferably disposed on shoulder straps 76A and 76B, whereas collar protector element 78C is affixed to the top portion of structure 71.

[031] Posterior moiety 70 comprises shoulder protectors 80A and 80B.

Shoulder protectors 80A and 80B are somewhat convex, so as to conform the shoulders of the user. Shoulder protectors 80A and 80B are affixed to posterior moiety 70 by fasteners 82A and 82B. Fasteners 82A preferably include three pairs of fasteners (not shown) two of which are disposed at the top portion of structure 71 and/or on shoulder straps 76A and 76B, suspending shoulder protector 80A from the top, whereas the third fastener is disposed somewhat lower structure 71 ; thereby retaining protector 80A tightened to the shoulder. The foregoing is, mutatis mutandis, applicable to fasteners 82B and shoulder protector 80B. Fasteners as referred herein include snap buckles, otherwise known as side release fasteners.

[032] Posterior moiety 70 preferably comprises cooling pocket 90, dedicated to accommodate a cooling pack. Pocket 90 is preferably made of a ventilating material, providing for an efficient dispersing of the cooled air generated by the cooling pack.

[033] To describe the method of assembling the circumferential body armour system of the invention and the quick dismantling mechanism thereof, reference is now made to Figs 4A and 5. In order to assemble the circumferential body armour system of the invention shoulder straps 76A and 76B of posterior moiety 70 are positioned to underlay shoulder straps 55A and 55B of anterior moiety 50. Apertures 56A and 56B at the terminal portions of shoulder straps 55A and 55B of anterior moiety 50 are drawn toward and positioned vis-a-vis apertures 75A and 75B at the terminal portions of posterior straps extending from flanking straps 72A and 72B of posterior moiety 70.

[034] Subsequently a looped strip (not shown) attached to structure 71 is simultaneously threaded into apertures 56A and 56B and into apertures 75A and 75B. Thereafter evacuation sling 59 is threaded throughout the aforementioned looped strip (not shown); thereby preventing the release of shoulder straps 55A and 55B of anterior moiety 50 and flanking straps 72A and 72B of posterior moiety 70, while evacuation sling 59 is threaded into the aforementioned looped strip (not shown).

[035] The user then can put the partially assembled body armour system on his shoulders and fasten abdominal belt portion 73A to abdominal belt portion 73B; thereby tightening posterior moiety 70 to the pelvis. Subsequent to that looped surfaces 54A and 54B on straps 52A and 52B are fastened to hooked surfaces 74A and 74B on flanking straps 72A and 72B of posterior moiety 70; thereby tightening anterior moiety 50 to posterior moiety 70.

[036] In order to activate the quick dismantling mechanism of the circumferential body armour system of the invention, the user pulls evacuation sling 59, thereby driving sling 59 out of looped strip (not shown). Consequently shoulder straps 55A and 55B of anterior moiety 50 and flanking straps 72A and 72B of posterior moiety 70 and the circumferential body armour system is dismantled.

[037] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Rather the scope of the invention is defined by the claims which follow:

Claims

1 . A circumferential body armour system comprising:

[a] a somewhat convex major plate; wherein said major plate comprises flanking recesses, defining the bottom portion thereof;

[b] a first lateral plate and a second lateral plate, wherein said lateral plates are partially accommodated within said flanking recesses of said major plate, forming connection joints between said major plate and said lateral plates;

[c] a first minor plate and a second minor plate; wherein said minor plates are respectively disposed above said connection joints;

said body armour system is characterized by that additional degrees of freedom in the translatability of between said major plate and said lateral plates are formed; thereby facilitating enhanced adductional and flexional movements of the upper limbs.

2. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , wherein said major plate and said lateral plates lay in the same plane.

3. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , wherein said minor plates are disposed above said connection joints, laying in a plane paralleling said plane of said major plate and said lateral plates.

4. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , wherein said minor plates overlap the marginal area of said bottom portion of said major plate, adjacently to said flanking recesses.

5. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , wherein said minor plates overlap the marginal portion of said lateral plates, adjacently to said connection joints, respectively.

6. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , wherein said minor plates are affixed above said major plate, merely along the edges of the former facing the centerline of the latter.

7. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , wherein said lateral plates comprise chamfered edges at the top portion thereof, whereas said major plate respectively comprises chamfered edges at bottom thereof.

8. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , wherein said degrees of freedom in the translatability of said lateral plates relatively away from said major plate are restricted in a predetermined manner by bands, interconnecting the former to the latter along said joints; whereby said body armour system is able to sustain iterative collisions with projectiles.

9. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 8, wherein said bands are made of Cordura or Kevlar.

10. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 8, wherein said bands are disposed along said joints from the interior side of said major plate; thereby facilitating an angular translatability of lateral plates in the posterior direction.

11. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , wherein said lateral plates and said major plate are encompassed within a flexible enclosure.

12. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , wherein said plates form an anterior moiety of said system.

13. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , further comprising a gorget therefor.

14. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 12, wherein said anterior moiety comprises flanking straps, extending from the bottom portion thereof, said flanking straps are furnished with self-adherent fasteners.

15. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 14, wherein said flanking straps, extending from the top portion thereof, further comprising shoulder straps, which comprise apertures at the terminal portions thereof, for assembling and quick dismantling of said circumferential armour system.

16. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 14, wherein said apertures at the terminal portions of said flanking straps are furnished with rigid bushing-like elements, employed to prevent the disintegration of said terminal portions.

17. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 15, further comprising an evacuation sling threaded into a dedicated sheath in at least one of said shoulder strap.

18. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 17, wherein said evacuation sling is made of a thin flexible plastic material characterized by a smooth slippery surface; thereby providing for the translation thereof inside said sheath, while a substantial force is exerted onto said strap.

19. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 13, wherein said gorget comprises a protective buffer forming an acute angle from the bottom edge thereof relatively to the direction towards the top of said major plate, thereby providing for orienting said gorget somewhat away from the throat of the user.

20. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 13, wherein said gorget comprises fasteners, providing for orienting said gorget somewhat away from the throat of the user.

21 . The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , further comprising a jockstrap-like protector for the groin area.

22. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , wherein said plates form a posterior moiety of said circumferential armour system of the invention.

23. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 22, wherein said posterior moiety further comprises flanking straps.

24. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 23, wherein said flanking straps further comprise abdominal belt portions extending therefrom; thereby engagingly encircling the pelvis of the user and thus distributing the weight of said armour system between the shoulders and the pelvis.

25. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 23, wherein flanking straps further comprise apertures, at the terminal portions thereof, for a quick dismantling said circumferential armour system.

26. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , further comprising collar protector elements, are in an overlapping manner, around the neck of the user.

27. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 26, wherein two of said collar protector elements are disposed on shoulder straps of a posterior moiety and one of said collar protector elements at the top portion of said posterior moiety.

28. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , further comprising shoulder protectors.

29. The circumferential body armour system as in claim 1 , further comprising cooling pocket, dedicated to accommodate a cooling pack.

30. A circumferential body armour system comprising:

[d] a somewhat convex major plate; wherein said major plate comprises flanking recesses, defining the bottom portion thereof;

[e] a first lateral plate and a second lateral plate, wherein said lateral plates are partially accommodated within said flanking recesses of said major plate, forming connection joints between said major plate and said lateral plates;

[f] a first minor plate and a second minor plate; wherein said minor plates are respectively disposed above said connection joints;

31 . The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said major plate and said lateral plates lay in the same plane.

32. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said minor plates are disposed above said connection joints, laying in a plane paralleling said plane of said major plate and said lateral plates.

33. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said minor plates overlap the marginal area of said bottom portion of said major plate, adjacently to said flanking recesses.

34. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said minor plates overlap the marginal portion of said lateral plates, adjacently to said connection joints, respectively.

35. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said minor plates are affixed above said major plate, merely along the edges of the former facing the centerline of the latter.

36. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said lateral plates comprise chamfered edges at the top portion thereof, whereas said major plate respectively comprises chamfered edges at bottom thereof.

37. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said degrees of freedom in the translatability of said lateral plates relatively away from said major plate are restricted in a predetermined manner by bands, interconnecting the former to the latter along said joints; whereby said body armour system is able to sustain iterative collisions with projectiles.

38. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said bands are made of Cordura or Kevlar.

39. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said bands are disposed along said joints from the interior side of said major plate; thereby facilitating an angular translatability of lateral plates in the posterior direction.

40. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said lateral plates and said major plate are encompassed within a flexible enclosure.

41. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said plates form an anterior moiety of said system.

42. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, further comprising a gorget therefor.

43. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said anterior moiety comprises flanking straps, extending from the bottom portion thereof, said flanking straps are furnished with self-adherent fasteners.

44. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said flanking straps, extending from the top portion thereof, said shoulder straps comprise apertures at the terminal portions thereof, for assembling and quick dismantling of said circumferential armour system.

45. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said apertures at the terminal portions of said flanking straps are furnished with rigid bushing-like elements, employed to prevent the disintegration of said terminal portions.

46. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said apertures at the terminal portions of said flanking straps are furnished with rigid bushing-like elements, employed to prevent the disintegration of said terminal portions.

47. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, further comprising an evacuation sling threaded into a dedicated sheath in said shoulder strap.

48. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said evacuation sling is made of a thin flexible plastic material characterized by a smooth slippery surface; thereby providing for the translation thereof inside said sheath, while a substantial force is exerted onto said strap.

49. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said gorget comprises a protective buffer forming an acute angle from the bottom edge thereof relatively to the direction towards the top of said major plate, thereby providing for orienting said gorget somewhat away from the throat of the user.

50. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said gorget comprises fasteners, providing for orienting said gorget somewhat away from the throat of the user.

51 . The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, further comprising a jockstrap-like protector for the groin area.

52. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein said plates form a posterior moiety of said circumferential armour system of the invention.

53. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, further comprising flanking straps.

54. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein flanking straps further comprise abdominal belt portions extending therefrom; thereby engagingly encircling the pelvis of the user and thus distributing the weight of said armour system between the shoulders and the pelvis.

55. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein flanking straps further comprise apertures, at the terminal portions thereof, for a quick dismantling said circumferential armour system.

56. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, further comprising collar protector elements, are in an overlapping manner, around the neck of the user.

57. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, wherein two of said collar protector elements are disposed on shoulder straps of said posterior moiety and one of said collar protector elements at the top portion of said posterior moiety.

58. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 59, further comprising shoulder protectors.

59. The circumferential body armour system as in any one of the claims 30 to 58, further comprising cooling pocket, dedicated to accommodate a cooling pack.