Ballistic neck protector

Abstract

The present invention provides a neck protector for protecting zones 1 and 2 of the neck from ballistic materials which produces minimal restriction of movement of the head and neck of a user. The present invention also provides under body armour garments comprising the neck protector.

1 . Ballistic neck protector for providing protection to zones 1 and 2 of the neck of a user for use with body armour or under body armour garments comprising a soft armour material, wherein the neck protector has dimensions and a rigidity such that in use the neck protector is substantially upstanding and circumscribes the neck to delimit a gap therebetween providing minimal restriction of movement of the head and neck of the user. 
     
     
         2 . Ballistic neck protector according to  claim 1 , wherein the neck protector has a wrapover arrangement, wherein wrapover refers to the arrangement of a discontinuous substantially flat material about an object such that opposite sides of the material overlap, providing a discontinuous essentially circular neck protector, providing protection about the whole circumference of the neck of the user. 
     
     
         3 . Ballistic neck protector according to  claim 1 , wherein the gap delimited between the neck and the neck protector is between 2 cm and 5 cm. 
     
     
         4 . Ballistic neck protector according to  claim 1 , wherein the soft armour material is sandwiched between a layer of a first material at the inner surface of the neck protector and a layer of a second material at the outer surface of the neck protector. 
     
     
         5 . Ballistic neck protector according to  claim 4 , wherein the first material comprises a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         6 . Ballistic neck protector according to  claim 4 , wherein the second material comprises a fire retardant material. 
     
     
         7 . Ballistic neck protector according to  claim 4 , wherein the first material, the second material and the soft armour material are quilted together. 
     
     
         8 . Ballistic neck protector according to  claim 1 , wherein soft armour material is an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibre. 
     
     
         9 . Under body armour garment comprising the neck protector of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . Under body armour garment according to  claim 9 , wherein the garment has a torso comprised of a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         11 . Under body armour garment according to  claim 9 , wherein the garment has sleeves, and the forearm section of the sleeves are comprised of a soft armour material to protect veins and arteries. 
     
     
         12 . Under body armour garment according to  claim 11 , wherein the sleeves are comprised of a fire retardant material. 
     
     
         13 . Under body armour garment according to  claim 10 , wherein the hydrophobic material comprises polyester or nylon. 
     
     
         14 . Under body armour garment according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner layer of the neck protector and the torso comprises between 10% and 30% elastane. 
     
     
         15 . Under body armour garment according to  claim 9 , wherein the fire retardant material comprises cotton. 
     
     
         16 . Under body armour garment according to  claim 11 , wherein the sleeves and the outer layer of the neck protector comprise between 10% and 30% elastane.