Abstract:
A body armor accessory adds protection to unguarded areas of conventional body armor. The removable accessory comprises an axillary panel having a coverage area and is made of material that impedes the penetration of a foreign object. The accessory can be worn on either the left or right side of the wearer. The coverage area to the deltoid and flank areas of the wearer provided by the axillary panel is greater than that provided by the vest without the panel. A deltoid panel provides added protection to the deltoid area of the wearer.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/027,281, filed Dec. 30, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to body armor, and more specifically to improvements to protection for the axillary and other vulnerable regions of the body. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Body armor has been used for centuries to protect areas of the body vulnerable to combative blows and projectiles. While the armor is intended to minimize injuries and fatalities that would otherwise result from such harmful events, the armor must also not interfere with the wearer&#39;s ability to carry out his duties with sufficient mobility and dexterity as may be required. 
     Traditionally body armor has been designed to assist in surviving attacks of known direction and source. For example, the Interceptor Multi-Threat Body Armor System went into production in 1999 and is made by Point Blank Body Armor of Oakland Park, Fla. The Interceptor, among other things, seeks to protect the major body organs from projectiles originating from sources in front or behind the wearer. 
     Threats to individual soldiers are developing from non-traditional sources. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) often are called “homemade” devices that are designed to cause death or injury primarily by use of explosives. IEDs can be produced in varying sizes, functioning methods, containers, and delivery methods. IEDs can utilize homemade explosives, or military ordnance and ordnance components. In the current conflict in Iraq, IEDs are accounting for a significant percentage of trauma cases and resulting causalities to coalition forces. The methods to counteract IEDs include eliminating the insurgents or terrorists that create the IEDs, improving the means for detecting and eliminating IEDs prior to detonation, altering the environment where IEDS may be located by, for example, increasing the armor protection of vehicles that may encounter IEDs, and improving the body armor that exposed individuals may wear. 
     Improvements to the body armor would minimize the effects of IEDs that may detonate, in spite of efforts to eliminate their creation. Injuries from IEDs can occur to the axillary, flank and deltoid body regions. Current body armor designs do not protect these exposed areas sufficiently to minimize the harm caused by IEDs and other threats. There is a need therefore for improved body armor that will protect exposed and vulnerable areas of the body from IEDs and other injury-causing projectiles, while retaining the requisite degree of mobility and dexterity that may be required. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a removable body armor accessory adds protection to areas that conventional body armor leaves substantially unprotected. The accessory comprises an axillary panel having a coverage area and is made of material that impedes the penetration of a foreign object. The coverage area to the deltoid and flank areas of the wearer provided by the axillary panel is greater than that provided by the vest without the panel. A deltoid panel provides added protection to the deltoid area of the wearer. Both panels can be worn on either the left or right side of the wearer. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiments, when considered in conjunction with the drawings. It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a body armor. 
         FIG. 2  shows a rear view of a body armor, with the wearer&#39;s arms in the outward, horizontal position. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of a body armor. 
         FIG. 4  is a deltoid panel. 
         FIG. 5  is an axillary panel. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  show a body armor vest in an open position, with accessory panels attached thereto. 
         FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of a deltoid panel attached to an axillary panel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The body armor of this invention is shown and described in preferred embodiments in the description below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  2 ,  6 A and  6 B, traditional body armor can comprise a Kevlar®-lined or other appropriated outfitted vest  10 . One such vest, known as the Interceptor Multi-Threat Body Armor System, is made up of two main modular components: the outer tactical vest  10  and the small-arms protective inserts (not shown). The inserts provide for additional protection, and fit within pockets (not shown) affixed to the vest  10 . The vest has arm holes  20  and a neck opening  30 . A plurality of loops and fasteners, such as shoulder loops  14  and interior loops  24 , can be provided for the attachment of various gear and equipment. A modular load bearing webbing system  12  can be included, as well as an emergency extraction strap  16 . Optional throat/neck and groin protectors (not shown) also are available. The Interceptor and other traditional body armor provide protection to anterior and posterior directed projectiles, and are credited with saving countless lives. 
     In embodiments of this invention, deltoid and axillary protector (DAP™) devices are provided that augment the traditional body armor by providing protection to previously under-protected areas of the body. The embodiment can consist of two modular panels or components; namely, a deltoid panel  100  and an axillary panel  200 . These panels provide protection but still allow the wearer free use of their arms and torso. Both panels preferably are made of soft, pliable materials capable of conforming to the natural shape of a wearer&#39;s shoulder and axillary regions. The panels also can be adaptable for wearing on the left or right side of the wearer. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the deltoid panel  100  can help protect the shoulder area from blast fragments and other foreign objects. The deltoid panel  100  is attached to the wearer&#39;s vest by way of any suitable connector. In an embodiment, the panel  100  is attached to the vest by attaching the strap  110  to the shoulder epaulet or shoulder loops  14  and by securing the strap  130  to the wearer&#39;s upper arm. The deltoid panel  100  attaches to the vest  10  by attaching the strap  110  to the vest by any suitable means. Preferably, strap  110  is routed through the outer shoulder loop  14  of the vest  10 , and then secures to itself as shown in  FIG. 1 . Hook and loop fasteners, e.g., Velcro®, can be used, in positions  112  and  116 , respectively, on the strap to also allow for various positioning and self-tightening upon the shoulder of the wearer. 
     Alternatively, strap  110  can be positioned under and around the vest shoulder  17  as shown in  FIG. 6B . Velcro® fasteners  18  can be used under the shoulder section of the vest to help position and secure the strap  110 , before the strap  110  is looped around the shoulder portion  17  of the vest  10  as shown in  FIG. 6B . 
     The securing strap  130  can also be positioned upon the deltoid panel to allow for placement around the arm nearer the bicep and elbow, and hence fitted to the desired arm girth. The deltoid panel should be large enough to cover a substantial portion of the deltoid, but also should be capable of securing around the arm snugly to avoid snagging on environmental objects while the wearer is in close quarters. 
     Although other fastening means can be used, a preferred embodiment shows again the use of hook and loop fasteners, e.g., Velcro®, to provide hooks  136  and pile  132  to accomplish fastening and sizing. Preferably, the deltoid panel weighs approximately 5 pounds or less. Alternatively, securing snaps (not shown) can be used to attach strap  110  to mating snaps on the shoulder portion of the vest. The deltoid panel  100  can be made of level II Kevlar, or any other suitable body armor material. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5  and  6 A, an axillary panel  200  protects the axillary and flank regions by, in one embodiment, underlapping an area of the vest  10 . The axillary panel  200  can be secured to the inside shoulder of the vest  10  through any suitable connector, and worn under the arm. In a preferred embodiment, the axillary panel  200  can be secured to the vest using bands  210 . Bands  210  can attach to interior vest loops  24 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Hooks  212  and piles  216  can allow the bands to pass through the loops  24 , and attach upon the piles  216  on the panel for a secure fit. The bands can be adjustable in length by having long straps  210 , large surface area hook portions  212  and large surface area pile portions  216 . The axillary panel  200  can be made of Type IIIa Kevlar panel or other suitable protective armor. At the upper portion  215  of the axillary panel, the panel is shaped in an arcuate fashion in order to fit under the arm of the wearer, and provide some degree of both axillary  202  and flank  208  protection, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of this invention whereby a deltoid panel  101  and axillary panel  201  appear in modified shapes and are connected to one another by use, for example, of an adjustable supporting strap  180  and strips  190 , all of which can be elastic. A retaining strap  290  attaches the axillary panel  200  to the vest  10  to an interior loop (not shown). The wearer&#39;s arm slips through opening  195 , allowing the deltoid panel to sit atop the shoulder, and axillary panel  201  to cover the underarm and flank regions. 
     During use, the axillary panel fits under the vest  10 , and helps protect the underarm  202  and flank  208  regions of the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the axillary protector  200  underlaps the vest  10  to ensure a good fit and avoid snagging the exposed panel on objects. Nevertheless, the benefits of this invention also will result if the panel overlaps the vest  10 . In use, the axillary panel protects the wearer&#39;s axillary regions when his or her arms are approximately horizontal as shown in  FIG. 3  raised or lifted upwards. These are common positions, for example, for a turret gunner when in the travel position and for a driver. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the axillary panel and/or the deltoid panel can be integral to the vest, but expandable in such a way that the coverage area for the axillary or deltoid areas are covered by use, for example, of an accordion or pleated panel that is part of the vest itself. 
     This invention offers mobility, and universal fit. The invention also is simple to demonstrate, and easily is removed and attached by soldiers in the field to either their right or left sides. If preferred, multiple sets can be used on both arms and shoulders. The invention does not encumber the user from engaging in a firing position, and other combat ready positions and maneuvers required in the field. It is lightweight, weighing approximately 5 pounds per panel in a preferred embodiment. The panels could be made in any suitable colors required by the usage, such as desert or woodland camouflage patterns. 
     Many personnel can benefit from the added protection provided by this invention. Drivers and passengers (included mounted troops) of armored and unarmored vehicles can benefit from these improvements to body armor. Turret gunners in armored and unarmored vehicles will appreciate the added protection. Occupants of boats, helicopters, tanks, light armor vehicles, and even dismounted troops will benefit from this invention. Non-military personnel, including contract personnel, law enforcement, corrections officers, tactical and private security forces also will benefit from the protection offered by this invention. Further usages include explosive ordinance disposal, athletic activities, and animal training and detaining. 
     During the development and testing of this invention in Iraq, the axillary panel successfully stopped a fragment from entering a wearer&#39;s chest cavity. This wearer was in the gunner position on a Light-Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV). Upon detonation of an IED placed by hostile forces, the vehicle cab sustained major damage. The gunner was wearing the standard issue Interceptor Body Armor vest, augmented by the axillary panel. Approximately a 1 inch metal shrapnel was stopped by the axillary panel, after the shrapnel penetrated an existing layer of the Interceptor vest. A fragment of this size is sufficient to sever major arteries in and around the heart and lungs, causing permanent injury and possibly death. The gunner was able to avoid serious injury and possible death, and returned to active duty following the incident. 
     The panels described herein can be comprised of an outer shell layer that enclose an insert containing one or more sheets of ballistic resistant materials, as are well known in the art. The materials comprising the outer layer and ballistic sheets can be of any suitable materials given the desired usage conditions and environments. Additional hooks, loops and reflectors can be added as desired. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the present invention are included within the scope and spirit thereof. Thus, the embodiments depicted are presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the present invention. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in this art that the present invention is not limited thereto since many modifications can be made. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the literal or equivalent scope of the appended claims.