Protective body modification apparatus

An armor-enhanced under-clothing system and/or article is provided that employs compression fabric as a figure conforming body suit element, padded elements throughout various selected parts of the body suit element for shape modification, and one or more static fabric material pockets, according to embodiments of the present invention. Anti-ballistic panels of suitable material and thickness can be inserted into the static fabric pocket element(s) designed to carry the panels.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to body modification clothing, and more particularly to armor-enhanced body modification under-clothing.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Military and law enforcement personnel have employed armor-enhanced under-clothing in order to protect their bodies from gunfire, shrapnel, explosive devices and other harmful ballistic objects. Even when such under-clothing is sized according to individual specifications (for example, small, medium and large), the armor-enhanced under-clothing does not generally fit well, gets bunched up, prohibits smooth movement, results in undesirable gaps between body and under-clothing, has limited contact points with the body, and even hinders the withdrawal of firearms. Such disadvantages often result in poor performance and can encourage mis-use or even non-use of these protective devices.

Actors and other professionals have also employed body shape modification suits, which are used in the film industry to modify the wearer's physical form, i.e., body appearance. Examples of such uses include Eddie Murphy in “The Nutty Professor” and Robin Williams in “Mrs. Doubtfire”. However, body shape modification suits are not suited to include armor enhancements. Nevertheless, there is a need for individuals conducting clandestine operations to utilize armor enhancements as well as body shape modification suits in order to maintain a properly protective physical cover.

The present invention addresses the current shortcomings and more. The present invention provides a customizable, armor-enhanced body modification device that conforms substantially to the user's body, providing better protection over critical body areas as selected by the user. In this way, the user can employ as much or as little of the system of the present invention as desired or needed for a given anticipated threat level. The present invention employs compression fabric as a base material in the top (e.g., shirt) and bottom (e.g., shorts) system elements, padded elements throughout various selected parts of the base material (e.g., for body form/shape modification), and further can include one or more static fabric material harnesses. The material can be provided in different forms depending upon desired characteristics (e.g., wicking, fire resistance, temperature management, anti-microbial, etc.). Anti-ballistic panels of suitable material and thickness can be inserted into the static fabric material harness or pocket designed to carry the panels while preventing any undesirable bouncing effect. In one embodiment of the present invention, the top and bottom elements are adapted to be secured to one another using hook-and-loop fasteners or similar fasteners to facilitate comfort, intended purpose and overall fit. In another embodiment of the present invention, the top and bottom sections are integrated as a single piece or article of under-clothing. The present invention can be provided in sleeveless, short sleeve and long sleeve shirts, shorts and pants, for example.

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 3, the front side14of one embodiment of a top element12of the article10of the present invention includes a suitably-sized interior pocket16within a base material or body suit element17for receiving a suitably-sized front torso ballistic panel (not shown). In various embodiments of the present invention, the body suit element17comprises a compression fabric designed to snugly fit the wearer with 100% body contact. As such, the body suit element17can be composed of a material with high tenacity stretch which provides muscles with a firm compression fit that lessons vibrations, reduces fatigue, and keeps muscles energized. The fabric can be formed in a knit construction, for example, using a series of gradient fibers with an open knit inner surface to create a moisture transfer environment. In embodiments of the present invention, the top12and/or bottom50elements of body suit element17can include padded elements23throughout various selected parts of the base material (e.g., for body shape modification). The padded elements23can be formed of a pliable cushion bead or fill, made of natural or synthetic material, for example, and can be sewn in to the top12and/or bottom50elements of the article of the present invention. Thus, the body suit element17substantially fits the actual body form of the wearer, while the padded elements23alter the body form appearance of the wearer. For instance, a wearer may have an athletic or muscular, trim build and placing the body suit element17on the wearer would result in an appearance that reflects the same athletic or muscular, trim build. However, when the padded elements23are included with the body suit element17, the wearer with the athletic or muscular, trim build can have an appearance that is changed, such as to reflect a much heavier person, for example. As embodiments of the article of the present invention are provided as under-clothing, it will be appreciated that additional clothing worn over the article of the present invention can further assist an individual in clandestine operations.

In various embodiments, the body suit element17is comprised of compression fabric material, with a front interior surface13, a front exterior surface81, a back interior surface73, a back exterior surface82, a neck portion84forming a head opening85, first86and second87shoulder portions forming first88and second89arm openings, respectively, and first61and second62leg portions forming first63and second64leg openings, respectively, wherein the body suit element17substantially fits the form of a wearer as described above.

In various embodiments, the pocket or pockets (e.g.,16,26) generally include an opening through with panels can be inserted and removed. This facilitates customization of the anti-ballistic properties of the present invention, as heavier and thicker panels may be needed for some engagements, while lighter and thinner panels may be needed for other engagements. In various embodiments of the present invention, the pocket or pockets16are constructed with panels retained therein, and then sealed so that the panels remain permanently part of the top element. The pockets can comprise a variety of materials, including compression fabric, or alternatively a static fabric material retaining greater strength and resisting movement more than compression fabric.

As shown inFIG. 4, the back side15of the top element12includes a suitably-sized interior pocket26for receiving a suitably-sized back torso ballistic panel (not shown). AsFIGS. 3 and 4show the front interior13and back interior73surfaces of the top element12, it will be appreciated that the pockets16,26are on the interior and are not generally accessible from the front exterior81or back exterior82surfaces of the top element12, which assists in the concealability and comfort of the present invention.

As shown in the embodiment of the present invention inFIGS. 3 and 4, the top element12can include epaulets30over the shoulder area, wherein the epaulets30can be provided as a two-ply material with an interior surface that forms a channel through which strap or clip members (not shown) can extend, in various embodiments of the present invention. The strap and clip members can be used to retain additional panels within or over the surface of the body suit element17. In other embodiments of the present invention, the epaulets comprise a two-ply material but not internal straps or clip members are employed. In still other embodiments of the present invention, the epaulets30are a single play material with no channel, and the epaulets30act to provide structural assistance in securing the interior pockets16,26on the front14and back15sides of the top element12. In embodiments of the present invention, the epaulets30comprise, for example, a non-compression, static material secured to and extending from the front interior surface to the back interior surface of the top element.

In embodiments of the present invention, the material of bottom element50comprises a similar material and/or the same material as the compression fabric described above with regard to top element12of the body suit element17.

In operation, a wearer of the present invention may select one of various previously constructed body modification suits to fit a particular purpose, including, for example, portraying a heavier person, a physically fit person or any of various other desired human shapes. The wearer can further select a shape with previously installed ballistic panels that have been selected and sewn in, or where ballistic panels are already inserted into pockets in the top and/or bottom elements of the present invention. Selections can be made according to the wearer's size (e.g., small, medium and large) and/or intended purpose. Alternatively, the wearer may select the top and bottom elements without any ballistic panels installed, put on the top and bottom elements, and then install appropriate ballistic elements in the available pockets as desired for an anticipated engagement. It will be appreciated that the pockets can be openable and sealable using hook and loop type fasteners, or other appropriate fasteners to enable quick assembly and dis-assembly. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a protective clothing system and/or article of underclothing with a standardized set of pockets which may or may not be fully employed for a given engagement, but which do not reduce the ergonomic design and comfortable fit, regardless of whether the pockets are filled with suitable ballistic material.

The ballistic material can comprise, for example, layers of fibers that may comprise a high molecular weight polyethylene material, an aramid fiber, a combination of high performance fibers, or a non-woven thermoplastic composite. Commercially available embodiments of the ballistic material are known as Dyneema™ and Spectrashield™, for example.

The present invention allows for ballistic or fabric inserts (e.g., as assessed by potential threat) to be sewn into or placed in a pocket or sleeve, for example. The inserts and article of various embodiments of the present invention can also protect the end user from sand, ballistic fragments, etc., as a secondary layer. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tops or bottoms in any configuration will cover areas that traditional body armor does not. As such, an end user can wear the tops or bottoms of the present invention under their traditional body armor and the tops and bottoms would have extra protection in the areas that the body armor does not cover. Optionally, there may be additional protection for the lower abdominal area, arms, under arms, upper legs, etc.

As such, the present invention can conceal the armor, keep the armor or protection in the correct place, allow it to fit a great range of people, allow for multiple overlap points for extreme comfort, provide interchangeable armor components in order to adjust for size, and allow the tops and bottoms in one size to adjust within the pocket or sleeve so that the same component can permit different thickness inserts to be employed.

With regard to pockets, the chest pocket16shown inFIG. 3can be secured at least in part to the epaulets30and further secured to the front interior surface13of the top element12, such as through sewing one or more seams. In one embodiment of the present invention, the chest pocket16is secured to the front interior surface13along the upper perimeter boundary of the chest pocket16, which is shown along seam60inFIG. 3as a substantially inverted U-shaped seam. Further, the chest pocket16can comprise a two-ply static fabric element that provides a durable and strong material for the purposes of securely retaining ballistic-resistant material as described hereinafter. In one embodiment of the present invention, the epaulets30comprise a static material that does not stretch. Such a material can be considered a “jersey mesh” material in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. By not stretching, any armor inserted into the pockets (e.g.,16,26) described herein will not be permitted to bounce around. The bouncing of armor inserts is undesirable because it can reduce effectiveness, comfort and desire for the user to employ armor. The first or back ply of the chest pocket16can be retained against the inner surface13of the top element12via seam, while the second or front ply of the chest pocket16can otherwise hang freely over a first pocket bag portion, i.e., the opening in the pocket16.

The opening, which can be found underneath edge area69in the pocket16shown inFIG. 3, can accommodate the insertion or removal of ballistic inserts. It will be appreciated that the pocket bag16can be a separable component that is not integrated with the top element12, but is rather connectable and disconnectable using a zipper-type connection, hook-and-loop type connection or other type of temporary connection.

As further shown inFIG. 4, the pocket26on the back side15of top element12can be secured to the epaulets30and further secured to the interior surface13of the back side15of top element12. In one embodiment of the present invention, the pocket26is secured to the epaulets30and the interior surface13of the top element12, and the epaulets30are secured to the interior surface13of the top element12, such as by sewing a seam, for example. In one embodiment of the present invention, the back side15and the pocket26each comprise separate two-ply constructions. In one embodiment of the present invention, the back ply portion of the second pocket bag26is integrally formed with the back ply of the back15of top element12, but the second pocket bag26is generally not secured to the top element12and hangs freely from the back15. In another embodiment of the present invention, the back ply portion of the second pocket bag26is securely retained to the interior surface13through sewing a seam. In various embodiments, a top seam90, side seams91and bottom seam92can be employed, as shown inFIG. 4. The front ply portion of the second pocket bag26can similarly hang freely while being secured along the outer perimeter to the back ply portion. In embodiments of the present invention, the pocket26has a top portion62and a bottom portion64, with the top portion62being longer then the bottom portion64, and with each of the top62and bottom64portions having the front ply secured to the back ply along multiple edges, but not being secured along adjacent edges as indicated at70. In this way, a wearer or a person assisting a wearer, can open the pocket at the adjacent edge area70to insert a ballistic panel into the top62and bottom64portions.

It will be appreciated that the pocket26can be a separable component that is not integrated with the interior portion13of the back15of the top element12, but is rather connectable and disconnectable using a zipper-type connection, hook-and-loop type connection or other type of temporary connection.

In various embodiments of the present invention, only a portion of the outer perimeter of the pocket16and/or26is secured to the interior surface13or73, respectively, of the body suit element. For example, with pocket26, the top seam90and side seams91can be provided, but at least the bottom edge98of the pocket26is not secured to the body suit element17(i.e., no seam92as inFIG. 4). In other embodiments, the top seam90is provided but side91and bottom92seams are not provided. Similarly, for pocket16inFIG. 3, the top seam60can be provided, but either no seam is provided along the side67and bottom68of the perimeter of the pocket16, or seams are only provided on a subset thereof. In this way, the pockets16and/or26can hang somewhat freely, which may be desirable in certain deployments of embodiments of the present invention.

In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more cushions23are employed and secured at different independent and non-overlapping locations101,102and103of the body suit element17, as shown inFIG. 2. In various embodiments, the cushion locations can be overlapping. Further, as shown inFIG. 3, in various embodiments, the pocket element16can lie underneath part or all of one or more of the cushion locations101,102,103. It will be appreciated thatFIG. 3shows the interior13of body suit element17, such that cushion location102is on the right side, whereasFIG. 2shows the exterior of body suit element17, such that cushion102is on the left side. Additionally, when one or more ballistic panels are inserted into the pocket16, the panel lies underneath at least a portion of one or more of the cushion locations.

It will be appreciated that the protective clothing system and/or article of the present invention thus provides a customizable armor-enhanced clothing system and/or article that conforms more substantially to the user's body, with a body modification enhancement to alter the appearance of a user's body, and with better protection over selectable body areas. The present invention further provides such an article whereby the top element comprises an outer compression fabric layer with an inner non-compression fabric pocket and/or harness element.

The present disclosure describes numerous embodiments of the present invention, and these embodiments are presented for illustrative purposes only. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it will be appreciated that other embodiments may be employed and that structural, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced with various modifications and alterations. Although particular features of the present invention can be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is thus neither a literal description of all embodiments of the invention nor a listing of features of the invention that must be present in all embodiments.