Multi-paneled protective undergarment

Abstract

A protective undergarment ( 10 ), shown in the form of shorts, includes integrally formed protective panels ( 22, 26, 30 ) that exhibit slash-proof properties. The protective areas ( 22, 26, 30 ) are made from a flexible Kevlar® knit or the like, and extend to cover the groin, crotch, substantial areas of the buttocks and the inner thigh regions of both legs. The protective panels ( 22, 26, 30 ) are externally snitched to a low thermal burden material ( 18, 20 ), such as a polyester mesh, that provides elasticity and completes the structure of the shorts ( 10 ). The Kevlar® knit is flexible and preferably lies directly against the skin of a user to provide blast wave and ballistic fragment deflection whilst permitting mobility in a lightweight arrangement. Varying thickness of the Kevlar® knit can be used in the protective areas ( 22, 26, 30 ) selectively to enhance protection against blast wave and fragment penetration. The shorts ( 10 ) find particular application in battlefield theatres where military personnel are exposed to bomb threats.

1 . A protective undergarment incorporating at least one ballistic resistant protective panel selectively located and integrated into the undergarment to cover, in use, at least one body region selected from the group consisting of:
 the lower abdomen;   the crotch;   the upper groin;   the genitalia;   the lower belly;   inside regions of the upper thighs; and   the buttocks;   wherein said at least one ballistic resistant protective panel presents an area of relatively high thermal burden within the undergarment and wherein the undergarment further includes a relatively low thermal burden material providing structure to the undergarment and wherein at least one area of relatively low thermal burden material does not enjoy anti-ballistic protection afforded by said at least one ballistic resistant protective panel.   
     
     
         2 . The protective undergarment of  claim 1 , wherein the ballistic resistant protective panel is knitted Kevlar®. 
     
     
         3 . The protective undergarment of  claim 2 , including multiple protective panels. 
     
     
         4 . The protective undergarment of  claim 3 , wherein the low thermal burden material is selected from the group consisting of:
 a polyester mesh;   a nylon-Lycra® mix; and   silk.   
     
     
         5 . The protective undergarment of  claim 1 , wherein the ballistic resistant protective panel complies with BS EN 388-6.2 blade cut level 2. 
     
     
         6 . The protective undergarment of  claim 1 , wherein the ballistic resistant protective panel and the low thermal burden material are silk based, the resistant protective panel realized by relatively thick with a gsm weight that is at least double that of the low thermal burden material. 
     
     
         7 . The protective undergarment of  claim 2 , wherein the Kevlar has a covering. 
     
     
         8 . The protective undergarment of  claim 2 , wherein the ballistic-resistant protective panel is stitched to the undergarment. 
     
     
         9 . A protective undergarment incorporating at least one ballistic resistant protective panel selectively located and structurally integrated into the undergarment to protect, in use, one or more body regions selected from the group consisting of:
 the lower abdomen;   the crotch;   the upper groin;   the genitalia;   the lower belly;   inside regions of the upper thighs; and   the buttocks;   wherein said at least one ballistic resistant protective panel presents an area of relatively high thermal burden within the undergarment and wherein the undergarment further includes a relatively low thermal burden material covering at least one area that does not enjoy anti-ballistic protection afforded by said at least one integrated ballistic-resistant protective panel.   
     
     
         10 . The protective undergarment of  claim 9 , wherein the ballistic resistant protective panel is knitted Kevlar®. 
     
     
         11 . The protective undergarment of  claim 10 , including multiple protective panels. 
     
     
         12 . The protective undergarment of  claim 11 , wherein the low thermal burden material is selected from the group consisting of:
 a polyester mesh;   a nylon-Lycra® mix; and   silk.   
     
     
         13 . The protective undergarment of  claim 9 , wherein the ballistic resistant protective panel and the low thermal burden material are silk based, the resistant protective panel realized by relatively thick with a gsm weight that is at least double that of the low thermal burden material. 
     
     
         14 . The protective undergarment of  claim 10 , wherein the Kevlar has a material cover. 
     
     
         15 . The protective undergarment of  claim 10 , wherein the ballistic-resistant protective panel is non-removable from the undergarment. 
     
     
         16 . A protective undergarment incorporating at least one ballistic resistant protective panel selectively located and integrated into the undergarment to cover, in use, at least one body region selected from the group consisting of:
 the lower abdomen;   the crotch;   the upper groin;   the genitalia;   the lower belly;   inside regions of the upper thighs; and   the buttocks;   wherein said at least one ballistic resistant protective panel is non-removably attached or bonded to cloth support material that together, in combination, thereby form the undergarment and wherein at least one area of cloth support material in the undergarment is not layered with the said ballistic resistant protective paneling.   
     
     
         17 . The protective undergarment of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one ballistic resistant protective panel is knitted Kevlar®.