PATENT OF THE WEEK – PROTECTIVE GARMENT

The Protective garment was invented by Andrew Robert England Kerr on 16^th September 2004 bearing patent number US20040177425A1.

The present invention includes a protective body garment including a vest having a body with arm holes, the vest having an internal surface and an external surface, and a front that, when worn, is adjacent to a wearer’s chest and stomach, sides that, when worn, are adjacent to the wearer’s sides, a back that, when worn, is adjacent to the wearer’s back, and a pair of shoulders that, when worn, are above the wearer’s shoulders. The garment further includes penetration resistant armour located under the external surface of the vest and an inflatable flotation bladder in the form of a bag between the inner surface of the vest and the penetration resistant armour.

The garment comprises valve means connected to said bag for limiting pressure in the bag when it is inflated. The body armour may include a metal mesh layer and may comprise padding to reduce trauma. Preferably the garment comprises automatic immersion sensitive inflation means for said bag.