Improvements in Body Armour.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 10th Mar., 1900
Improvements in Body Armour.
I, NORVAL COBBS VAUGHAN, Physician and Surgeon, of 409, Pike Opera House,
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, State of Ohio, United States of America, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to an armour to be worn for the purpose of protecting
certain parts of the human body against accidental or intentional injury, but
more particularly against the latter and where such may be inflicted by fire-arms
or cutting implements. It is intended for use by officials and such persons in
civil or army service which in the legitimate exercise of their certain duties are
exposed to such dangers, and it is particularly designed to protect the chest or
the abdomen, or both.
The features of the invention are, in addition to the required resistance, suffi-
cient to prevent penetration by bullet or knife, great lightness, perfect pliability
whereby it adapts itself readily to all formations of the body as well as any motions
and changes of position, and convenience in attachment and removal.
In the following specification, and particularly pointed out in the claims at
the end thereof, is found a full description of my invention together with its
manner of use, parts and construction, which latter is also illustrated in the
accompanying drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a front view of a part of a human figure with the armour attached
in its intended position.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure, and-
Fig. 3 is an edge view of the preceding figure. The armour consists substan-
tially of a collection of metal plates 5, assembled and arranged edgewise and
connected by links 6, passing through perforations 7, near the contiguous edges
of adjoining plates.
As to shape, these latter are quadrangular and by preference rectangular and
they are arranged in parallel rows, both horizontally as well as vertically, so that
the entire connected collection may readily yield and bend at any point and to
any extent; that is, clear across in a certain direction from edge to edge, or only
partly so.
Links 6, are circular, which shape permits the greatest degree of pliability and
renders the structure flexible to an extent which permits the same to be folded
or doubled up when not in use (see Fig. 3).
The armour is supported like a bib or apron by suitable straps; one, 8, passing
over the shoulders and back of the neck, the other, 9, passing around the body at
about the waist line. It is worn above a nether garment but should always be
below and covered by one of the outer garments, like a coat or vest, whereby the
resistance of the armour is greatly increased and by which it is held snugly against
the body.
;
The straps are fitted to proper length to suit the size of the wearer, which may
be done by buckles, and they are attached to the edge of the armor by suitable
catch-devices like snon-books for instance.

page_text: After once adjusted, the buckles need not be opened any more on taking the
armour on or off, it only being necessary to disconnect, at most, one end of a
strap from the edge of the armour, to which it is held by a snap-hook. In most
cases no detachment whatever may be required for the upper strap which may be
slipped in and out over the head."
As a material, I have found the No. 20 spring steel (English standard) pro-
perly tempered in oil, of sufficient resistance for the intended purpose. When
so made, the structure of a size of 14 by 20 inches weighs only about 35 ounces.
Links 6, do not project sufficiently (see Figs. 2 & 3 of the drawing), to cause any
inconvenience to the wearer and for which reason I require no padding of any kind
the underclothing alone being sufficient for all such purposes. The device may
be covered by paint, enamel or lacquer, or otherwise treated in a manner to pre-
vent oxidation."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:
1. An armour for the purpose described, consisting of a collection of metallic
plates of equal size assembled edgewise to form rows, perforations near their
edges, circular links connecting adjoining rows or plates by passing through their
perforations to form a sheet sufficiently pliable to permit folding up and means
to hold this latter in position.
2. An armour for the purpose described, consisting of metallic plates of equal
size which are assembled in parallel rows, circular links whereby they are all
connected edge-wise to form a pliable sheet substantially rectangular which may
be folded, straps whereby this latter is held in position and catch-devices at the
ends thereof, whereby the straps are detachably connected to the armour.
1 1941 of Nach
1 T 1000
NORVAL C. VAUGHAN.
By Herbert Haddan & Co..
Agents to Applicant. 18, Buckingham Street. Strand, London, W.C.