U.S. patent application number 11/862703 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-02 for kit cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to Point Blank Body Armor. Invention is credited to Ardith D. Parks.
Application Number | 20090083892 11/862703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40506526 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090083892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parks; Ardith D. |
April 2, 2009 |
KIT COVER
Abstract
A kit cover for protective garments, including a right fabric
panel. The right fabric panel includes a front edge, a back edge, a
top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to a
protective garment. A left fabric panel is also included. The left
fabric panel includes a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a
bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to the protective
garment. A first half of a first removable fastener is disposed
adjacent to the front edge of the right fabric panel. A second half
of the first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the front
edge of the left fabric panel configured to attach to the first
half of the first removable fastener.
Inventors: |
Parks; Ardith D.;
(Monticello, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP
10 ST. JAMES AVENUE, 11th Floor
BOSTON
MA
02116-3889
US
|
Assignee: |
Point Blank Body Armor
Pompano Beach
FL
|
Family ID: |
40506526 |
Appl. No.: |
11/862703 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0012
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/46 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/12 20060101
A41D027/12 |
Claims
1. A kit cover comprising: a right fabric panel comprising a front
edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge
configured to attach to a protective garment; a left fabric panel
comprising a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge,
the back edge configured to attach to the protective garment; a
first half of a first removable fastener disposed adjacent to the
front edge of the right fabric panel; and a second half of the
first removable fastener disposed adjacent to the front edge of the
left fabric panel, the second half of the first removable fastener
configured to attach to the first half of the first removable
fastener.
2. The kit cover of claim 1 further comprising: a first half of a
second removable fastener disposed adjacent to the back edge of the
right fabric panel, the first half of the second removable fastener
configured to attach to a second half of the second removable
fastener disposed on the protective garment; and a first half of a
third removable fastener disposed adjacent to the back edge of the
left fabric panel, the first half of the third removable fastener
configured to attach to a second half of the third removable
fastener disposed on the protective garment.
3. The kit cover of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
elastic strips disposed adjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of
the right fabric panel and the left fabric panel, the plurality of
elastic strips configured to cinch the right and left fabric panels
to the protective garment.
4. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein the first and second halves of
the first removable fastener are selected from the group consisting
of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper
and snaps.
5. The kit cover of claim 2 wherein the first and second halves of
the second and third removable fasteners are selected from the
group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener,
buttons, a zipper and snaps.
6. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein: the right fabric panel further
comprises at least one pocket configured to hold at least one armor
panel; and the left fabric panel further comprises at least one
pocket configured to hold at least one armor panel.
7. The kit cover of claim 6 wherein the at least one armor panel is
selected from the group consisting of a hard armor panel and a soft
armor panel.
8. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein the right and left fabric
panels are composed of a ballistic fabric.
9. A kit cover comprising: a wrap-around fabric panel having a left
end, a right end, a central region, a top edge and a bottom edge,
and configured to attach to a protective garment; a first half of a
first removable fastener disposed adjacent to the left end of the
wrap-around fabric panel; and a second half of the first removable
fastener disposed adjacent to the right end of the wrap-around
fabric panel, the second half of the first removable fastener
configured to attach to the first half of the first removable
fastener.
10. The kit cover of claim 9 further comprising a first half of at
least one central removable fastener disposed within the central
region of the wrap-around fabric panel, the first half of the at
least one central removable fastener configured to attach to a
second half of the at least one central removable fastener disposed
on the protective garment.
11. The kit cover of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of
elastic strips disposed adjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of
the wrap-around fabric panel, the plurality of elastic strips
configured to cinch the wrap-around fabric panel to the protective
garment.
12. The kit cover of claim 9 wherein the first and second halves of
the first removable fastener are selected from the group consisting
of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper
and snaps.
13. The kit cover of claim 10 wherein the first and second halves
of the at least one central removable fastener are selected from
the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop
fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.
14. The kit cover of claim 9 wherein the wrap-around fabric panel
further comprises at least one pocket configured to hold at least
one armor panel.
15. The kit cover of claim 14 wherein the at least one armor panel
is selected from the group consisting of a hard armor panel and a
soft armor panel.
16. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein the wrap-around fabric panel
is composed of a ballistic fabric.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to ballistic resistant armor
and more specifically to a kit cover for a ballistic resistant
garment.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Military and law enforcement bullet resistant and non-bullet
resistant tactical vests are equipped with different size pouches
in which a variety of mission equipment or kit is carried. The
pouches may include flaps and straps with which to retain the
various components of the kit. In most cases, the equipment carried
is rigid and has a tendency to create straight lines and square
corners on the exterior surface of the pouches. In addition, there
is often space between the pouches. Even when the pouches are
placed touching each other, the curvature of the torso forces the
outermost edges of the pouches apart, thereby creating space
between them.
[0003] The rigidity, straight edges, square corners, pouch flaps,
and straps, combined with the space between the pouches and the
additional girth created by the pouch thickness, present a snagging
hazard for wearers of the vest. There are numerous protruding
objects encountered in vehicles, aircraft cockpits, and other
confined spaces during tactical operations. In addition to creating
snagging hazards, the pouches can interfere with the manipulation
of the vehicle and aircraft controls and other duties, such as
individual and crew served weapons deployment. Further, soldiers
and law enforcement officers may be unable to emergency egress from
vehicles due to their equipment getting hung up on an object in
their exit path.
[0004] Thus, there exists a need for a kit cover configured to
prevent snagging and other obstruction due to the irregular shape
of the kit pouches, while still providing immediate access to
mission equipment carried in the pouches.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention provides a kit cover that prevents
snagging of kit pouches on objects that may interfere with the
wearer's ability to move freely, while enabling immediate access to
items carried in the pouches under the kit cover.
[0006] In general, in one aspect, the invention features a kit
cover including a right fabric panel. The right fabric panel
includes a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge,
the back edge configured to attach to a protective garment. A left
fabric panel is also included. The left fabric panel includes a
front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back
edge configured to attach to the protective garment. A first half
of a first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the front
edge of the right fabric panel. A second half of the first
removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the front edge of the
left fabric panel configured to attach to the first half of the
first removable fastener.
[0007] One or more of the following features may be included. In
some implementations, a first half of a second removable fastener
may be disposed adjacent to the back edge of the right fabric
panel. The first half of the second removable fastener may be
configured to attach to a second half of the second removable
fastener disposed on the protective garment. Similarly, a first
half of a third removable fastener may be disposed on the back edge
of the left fabric panel. The first half of the third removable
fastener may be configured to attach to a second half of the third
removable fastener disposed on the protective garment.
[0008] In some embodiments, a plurality of elastic strips may be
disposed adjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of the right
fabric panel and the left fabric panel. The plurality of elastic
strips may be configured to cinch the right and left fabric panels
to the protective vest.
[0009] The first and second halves of the first removable fastener
may be selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a
hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps. Similarly, the
first and second halves of the second and third removable fasteners
may be selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a
hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.
[0010] In some embodiments, the right fabric panel may include at
least one pocket configured to hold at least one armor panel.
Similarly, the left fabric panel may include at least one pocket
configured to hold at least one armor panel. The at least one armor
panel may be selected from the group consisting of a hard armor
panel and a soft armor panel. The right and left fabric panels may
be composed of a ballistic fabric.
[0011] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a kit
cover including a wrap-around fabric panel having a left end, a
right end, a central region, a top edge and a bottom edge, and
configured to attach to a protective garment. A first half of a
first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the left end of
the wrap-around fabric panel. A second half of the first removable
fastener is disposed adjacent to the right end of the wrap-around
fabric panel and configured to attach to the first half of the
first removable fastener.
[0012] One or more of the following features may be included. In
some implementations, a first half of at least one central
removable fastener may be disposed within the central region of the
wrap-around fabric panel. The first half of the at least one
central removable fastener may be configured to attach to a second
half of the at least one central removable fastener disposed on the
protective garment.
[0013] In some embodiments, a plurality of elastic strips may be
disposed adjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of the
wrap-around fabric panel. The plurality of elastic strips may be
configured to cinch the wrap-around fabric panel to the protective
garment.
[0014] The first and second halves of the first removable fastener
may be selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a
hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps. Similarly, the
first and second halves of the at least one central removable
fastener may be selected from the group consisting of a two piece
buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.
[0015] The wrap-around fabric panel may include at least one pocket
configured to hold at least one armor panel. The at least one armor
panel may be selected from the group consisting of a hard armor
panel and a soft armor panel. The wrap-around fabric panel may be
composed of a ballistic fabric.
[0016] Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent
from the following description, the drawings and the claims. For
example, a kit cover may help prevent snagging of the pouches,
flaps and straps associated with the kit components. A kit cover
may assist in holding equipment closer to the body, thereby
stabilizing the load and reducing the girth of the wearer.
Additionally, a kit cover may help protect equipment from harsh
environmental conditions, such as sand or rain. Further, the kit
cover can be configured to attach to existing protective garments
and configured to cover various kits. The kit cover provides all
these advantages while enabling immediate access to the items it
covers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view of a protective vest without a kit
cover.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a front view of the protective vest of FIG. 1 with
a kit cover.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary kit cover.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a front view of another exemplary kit cover.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a front view of another exemplary kit cover.
[0022] Like reference numbers and designations in the various
drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] As seen in FIG. 1, a typical protective garment, for example
a vest 2, may include various compartments, such as kit compartment
4, kit compartment 6, kit compartment 8, kit compartment 10 for
holding and carrying the equipment, or "kit", that military or law
enforcement personnel might need or want to carry. The kit
compartments create an uneven surface and present many
opportunities for the protective vest 2, and it's wearer, to get
snagged on obstacles in the wearer's path.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the protective vest 2 with the
kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10 may be fitted with a kit cover 20,
which provides a continuous, non-jagged surface over the kit
compartments, protecting the wearer from snagging hazards. Such kit
covers 20 may be made in various configurations and sizes to fit
different wearers and to cover different kit compartments. In FIG.
2, an exemplary kit cover 20 is shown attached to the protective
vest 2 of FIG. 1. The kit cover 20 may include a right fabric panel
22 and a left fabric panel 32, the right fabric panel 22 and left
fabric panel 32 configured to attach to the protective vest 2 and
form an overlapping seam 12 when the kit cover 20 is fully
assembled.
[0025] The right fabric panel 22 has a front edge 24, a back edge
26, a top edge 28 and a bottom edge 30. Similar to the right fabric
panel 22, the left fabric panel 32 has a front edge 34, a back edge
36, a top edge 38 and a bottom edge 40. Each fabric panel 22, 32
may include an inner surface 42, 44, which faces the wearer, and an
outer surface 46, 48, which faces away from the wearer. The kit
cover 20 may include plurality of elastic strips, for example
elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64, disposed in the top edge 28, 38 and
bottom edge 30, 40 of the right fabric panel 22 and the left fabric
panel 32, respectively, to cinch the kit cover 20 to the wearer.
The elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64 also enable the user to pull the
kit cover 20 away from his body to quickly gain access to the kit
compartments 4, 6, 8, 10. Access can be gained by simply sliding
his hand behind the kit cover 20 or pulling the kit cover 20 down
under the kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10.
[0026] Each fabric panel 22, 32 may be composed of a ballistic
fabric to enhance the wearer's protection from hazards such as
shrapnel and other debris. Each fabric panel 22, 32 may be
constructed in different lengths from front edge 24, 34 to back
edge 26, 36 and widths from top edge 28, 38 to bottom edge 30, 40
depending upon the type and number of kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10
to be covered and the size of the wearer. Additionally, each panel
22, 32 may be configured to be interchangeable with the other.
[0027] The kit cover 20 includes a first half of a first removable
fastener 50 disposed adjacent to the front edge 24 on the outer
surface 46 of the right fabric panel 22. A second half of the first
removable fastener 52 is disposed adjacent to the front edge 34 on
the inner surface 44 of the left fabric panel 32 and is configured
to attach to the first half of the first removable fastener 50
disposed adjacent to the front edge 24 of the right fabric panel
22. Alternatively, the first half of the first removable fastener
50 may be disposed adjacent to the front edge 24 on the inner
surface 42 of the right fabric panel and the second half of the
first removable fastener 52 may be disposed adjacent to the front
edge 34 on the outer surface 48 of the left fabric panel 32. The
two halves of the removable fastener 50, 52 also enable quick
access to the kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10 by enabling the user to
disengage the two fabric panels 22, 32 from each other.
[0028] The back edge 26 of the right fabric panel 22 and the back
edge 36 of the left fabric panel 32 may be either permanently
attached to the protective vest 2, e.g., by stitching, or it may be
removably attached. The back edge 26, 36 of each fabric panel 22,
32 may attach to the protective vest 2 at any suitable location,
e.g., on the side or back of the protective vest 2, where the kit
cover 20 may be securely attached and may cover any kit
compartments (e.g. kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10). With the back
edges 26, 36 of the right fabric panel 22 and the left fabric panel
32, respectively, securely attached to the protective vest 2, a
wearer may secure the front edge 24 of the right fabric panel 22 to
the front edge 34 of the left fabric panel 32 by mating the first
half of the first removable fastener 50 to the second half of the
first removable fastener 52. The first and second halves of the
first removable fastener 50, 52 may be a two piece buckle, a hook
and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper, snaps or any other suitable
removable fastening devices.
[0029] In embodiments where the back edges 26, 36 of the right
fabric panel 22 and the left fabric panel 32 are removably attached
to the protective vest 2, a first half of a second removable
fastener 54 may be disposed adjacent to the back edge 26 on the
inner surface 42 of the right fabric panel 22. The first half of
the second removable fastener 54 may be configured to attach to a
second half of the second removable fastener (not shown) disposed
on the protective vest 2. Similarly, a first half of a third
removable fastener 56 may be disposed on the back edge 36 on the
inner surface 44 of the left fabric panel 32. The first half of the
third removable fastener 56 may be configured to attach to a second
half of the third removable fastener (not shown) disposed on the
protective vest 2. As discussed above, the place of attachment on
the protective vest 2 where the second halves of the second and
third removable fasteners are disposed may vary across the sides
and back of the protective vest 2 depending upon the number and
placement of the kit compartments. The first and second halves of
the second and third removable fasteners 54, 56 may be a two piece
buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper, snaps or any
other suitable removable fastening devices.
[0030] A plurality of elastic strips, e.g. elastic strips 58, 60,
62, 64, may be disposed adjacent to the top edges 28, 38 and bottom
edges 30, 40 of the right fabric panel 22 and the left fabric panel
32, respectively. Elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64 may be sewn to,
adhesively attached to or disposed within (e.g. in a pocket or
within a lining) the right fabric panel 22 and the left fabric
panel 32. The plurality of elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64 may be
configured to cinch the right and left fabric panels 22, 32 to the
protective vest 2 to provide a close fit for the kit cover 20 and
to ensure that the top edges 28, 38 and bottom edges 30, 40 of the
right and left fabric panels 22, 32, respectively, do not pose a
snagging potential when worn.
[0031] Because a wearer of a protective vest may require protection
from various threats, at least one pocket 66 may be disposed on the
inner surface 42 of the right fabric panel 22 configured to hold at
least one armor panel 68. Similarly, at least one pocket 70 may be
disposed on the inner surface 44 of the left fabric panel 32
configured to hold at least one armor panel 72. Alternatively, the
pockets 66, 70 may be disposed on the outer surface of the right
and left armor panels 22, 32, respectively. In this way, the right
and left fabric panels 22, 32, respectively, may act as an armor
carrier in situations where protective armor is needed but the
protective garment itself does not include an armor carrier or an
insufficient amount of armor. The armor panel 68, 72 may be either
a hard armor panel or a soft armor panel.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in other exemplary embodiments,
the kit cover 120, 220 includes a wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180.
The wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 is configured to attach to a
protective garment, such as the protective vest 2. The wrap-around
fabric panel 80, 180 has a left end 82, 182, a right end 84, 184, a
central region 86, 186, a top edge 88, 188 and a bottom edge 90,
190. The wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may be composed of a
ballistic fabric to enhance the wearer's protection from hazards
such as shrapnel or other debris. The wrap-around fabric panel 80,
180 may be constructed in different lengths from left end 82, 182
to right end 84, 184 and widths from top edge 88, 188 to bottom
edge 90, 190, depending upon the type and number of kit
compartments to be covered and the size of the wearer. A first half
of a first removable fastener 92, 192 is disposed adjacent to the
left end 82, 182 of wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180. A second half
of the first removable fastener 94, 194 is disposed adjacent to the
right end 84, 184 of wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180. The second
half of the first removable fastener 94, 194 is configured to
attach to first half of the first removable fastener 92, 192,
thereby encircling the protective vest 2.
[0033] The central region 86, 186 of the wrap-around fabric panel
80, 180 may be either permanently attached to the protective vest
2, for example by stitching, or it may be removably attached. The
central region 86, 186 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may
attach to the protective vest 2 at any suitable location, such as
on the side or back of protective vest 2, where kit cover 120, 220
may be securely attached and may cover the kit compartments (e.g.
kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10). With the central region 86, 186 of
the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 securely attached to the
protective vest 2, a wearer may secure the left end 82, 182 of the
wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 to the right end 84, 184 of the
wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 by fastening the first half of the
first removable fastener 92, 192 to the second half of the first
removable fastener 94, 194. The first 92, 94 and second halves 192,
194 of the first removable fastener may be a two piece buckle, a
hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper, snaps or any other
suitable removable fastening devices.
[0034] In examples where the central region 86, 186 of the
wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 is removably attached to the
protective vest 2, various configurations of central removable
fasteners may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a first
half of a central removable fastener 100 may be disposed in central
region 86. However, multiple first halves of central removable
fasteners 200, 202 may also be implemented, as shown in FIG. 5. One
or more central removable fasteners and their placement on the
wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may be utilized depending upon the
number and placement of kit compartments (e.g. kit compartments 4,
6, 8, 10) on the protective vest 2. The first halves of the central
removable fasteners 100, 200, 202 may be configured to attach to
second halves of the central removable fasteners (not shown)
disposed on the protective vest 2. As discussed above, the place of
attachment on the protective vest 2 where the second halves of the
central removable fastener(s) are disposed may vary across the
sides and back of the protective vest 2 depending upon the number
and placement of the kit compartments, as well as the configuration
of the protective garment. The first and second halves of the
central removable fastener(s) may be a two piece buckle, a hook and
loop fastener, buttons, a zipper, snaps or any other suitable
removable fastening devices.
[0035] A plurality of elastic strips, e.g. elastic strips 96, 98,
196, 198, may be disposed in the top edge 88, 188 and bottom edge
90, 190 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180. The elastic strips
96, 98, 196, 198 may be sewn to, adhesively attached to or disposed
within (e.g. in a pocket or within a lining) the wrap-around fabric
panel 70. The plurality of elastic strips 96, 98, 196, 198 may be
configured to cinch the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 to the
protective vest to provide a close fit for the kit cover 120, 220
and to help ensure that the top edge 88, 188 to bottom edge 90, 190
of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 do not pose a snagging
potential when worn.
[0036] Because a wearer of a protective vest may require protection
from various threats, a pocket 104, 204 may be disposed on the
wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 configured to hold an armor panel
106, 206. In this way, the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may act
as an armor carrier in situations where protective armor is needed
but the protective vest itself does not include an armor carrier or
more protection is required than provided for by the vest. The
armor panel 106, 206 may be either a hard armor panel or a soft
armor panel or a combination of both.
[0037] It is to be understood that the foregoing description is
intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention,
which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other
embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For
example, multiple pocket for holding hard or soft armor panels may
be included. While a protective vest has been described, the kit
cover could be used over a kit on a belt, shirt, jacket or pants.
While a front edge, back edge, top edge and bottom edge have been
described, it should be understood that the kit cover could be
configured to be symmetrical such that, for example, the top edge
and bottom edge are interchangeable and the front edge and back
edge are interchangeable. Additionally, any number of removable
fasteners located in any variety of places on the kit cover and
protective garment may be used to secure the kit cover to the
protective garment.
* * * * *