20 are formed of flexible material such as expanded polyethylene and are constructed such that they may be sewn or interlocked together forming a single impact resistant unit as shown in fig5 7 each plate 20 includes two outwardly projecting marginal tab parts 28 and two marginal recessed openings 32 tabs 28 are constructed to be fitted into openings 32 of corresponding adjacent plates 20 to allow outward flexure of the plates in conforming to the user 39 s body configuration and to interlock and resist inward flexing movement the interlock of plates 20 in this manner allows the plates to form a rigid shock absorbing network upon projectile contact this network through the non flexing locking of plates 20 serves to distribute the force of a projectile coming into contact with vest 10 over a wide area overlying plates 20 is an intermediate covering layer 18 which may be of a nylon material a layer of ballistic material 16 and an overlying deflector shield 22 are located between covering layers 14 and 18 preferably fitted within pockets in the layers ballistic material 16 is flexible and is preferably of the interwoven fiber type in multiple overlying layers material 16 has the capability of resisting and slowing movement of a bullet or similar projectile preferably without the bullet penetrating the material such materials are formed of aramid fibers with one such type of material being sold under the trademark 34 kevlar 34 deflector shield 22 is formed of a hard material such as polycarbonate or ceramics and includes numerous raised projections shown as pyramids 24.