Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 90.djvu/546

 If Helmets^ Are Good, Why Not Armor?

��A suit of mail and a little steel fort all in one — a combination invented by an ingenious American

���NO one suspected, years ago, that least part of a med val knight's equipment would prove serviceable in modern battles. Yet all the fighting nations, following the example set by the French, have supplied their men with steel hel- mets. Since the helmets have unques- tionably proved their merit, particularly as a defense against burst- ing shrapnel, why not go a step farther? Why protect only the head? Why not the whole body? Otis L. Boucher, an Ameri- can inventor, believes this perfectly practicable, and he has devised a suit of steel which covers practically the whole of the front of the body. Each one of its seven parts is formed by two steel plates which hinge sharply together at the front. It is seen at once, therefore, that since the plates are placed at an angle the bullets of an enemy are more likely to be deflected than to kill.

The main part of the armor protects the head and body. It is made in three pieces held closely together by a clever

���arrangement of catches. The three pieces are kept in position against the body by a pair of lugs which are built in the inner side of the central piece. These lugs, when brought down over the shoulder, prevent the armor from sliding off. The head part or helmet is made of lighter steel than the rest, and it is padded in- side for comfort. The helmet is hinged to the central piece so that it can be raised and thrown back when- ever it is desirable, — and sufficiently safe. Each of the leg

��The parts of the armor can be de- tached and the three larger pieces of the body folded along the edges

Details of the armor. The head and body part can be lifted off with a single swift movement

��PIVOTED SHUTTER WITH SHALL OPENING

��LARGE OPENING HITTING USE OF FIELD GLASSES'

PADDED SUPPORT; OF BREAST PLATE ON SHOULDER

SHUTTER HANDLEi SHUTTER

��BELT SUPPORTS THIGH SHIELD

��PIVOT STEEL CAP PREVENTS EX-I POSUREOFKNEEAS SHIELDS SEPARATE WHILE' ADVANCING

LOWER LIMB SHIELD

��PIVOTED HELMET ^MAY BE THROWN BACK

���pieces is made in two parts, and each is hinged at the knee and strapped in place. The pivot-joint allows the knee to be bent to provide for perfect freedom of action in crouching or crawling.

�� �