U.S. patent application number 11/613919 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-28 for protective garment system with weight transfer elements.
Invention is credited to Edward R. Dovner, Gary Lesley.
Application Number | 20110179539 11/613919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39674660 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110179539 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dovner; Edward R. ; et
al. |
July 28, 2011 |
PROTECTIVE GARMENT SYSTEM WITH WEIGHT TRANSFER ELEMENTS
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a ballistic
vest, comprising: a front portion configured to protect a front of
a torso of a wearer; a rear portion configured to protect a rear of
the torso of the wearer; and a cummerbund; wherein the cummerbund
is a separate element from the front portion and the rear portion
and the cummerbund is configured to form a loop around the wearer;
and wherein at least one of the front portion and the rear portion
interface with the cummerbund to transfer weight to the cummerbund.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a ballistic
vest, comprising: a front portion configured to protect a front of
a torso of a wearer; a rear portion configured to protect a rear of
the torso of the wearer; and a shoulder pad; wherein at least one
of the front portion and the rear portion interface with the
shoulder pad to disperse weight applied by at least one of the
front portion and the rear portion over a larger area than would be
applied in the absence of the shoulder pad.
Inventors: |
Dovner; Edward R.;
(Spindale, NC) ; Lesley; Gary; (Burnsville,
MN) |
Family ID: |
39674660 |
Appl. No.: |
11/613919 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11507635 |
Aug 21, 2006 |
7814567 |
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11613919 |
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60812656 |
Jun 9, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/2.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/2.5 |
International
Class: |
F41H 1/02 20060101
F41H001/02; A41D 1/04 20060101 A41D001/04 |
Claims
1. A ballistic vest, comprising: a front portion configured to
protect a front of a torso of a wearer; a rear portion configured
to protect a rear of the torso of the wearer; and a cummerbund;
wherein the cummerbund is a separate element from the front portion
and the rear portion and the cummerbund is configured to form a
loop around the wearer; and wherein at least one of the front
portion and the rear portion interface with the cummerbund to
transfer weight to the cummerbund.
2. The vest of claim 1, wherein the front portion releasably
interfaces with the cummerbund.
3. The vest of claim 2, wherein the front portion has at least one
loop element on an interior surface of the front portion and the
front portion interfaces with the cummerbund via the cummerbund
passing through the at least one loop element.
4. The vest of claim 2, wherein the front portion interfaces with
the cummerbund via a first part of a hook and loop fastener
combination attached to an interior surface of the front portion
and a second part of the hook and loop fastener combination
attached to the cummerbund.
5. The vest of claim 2, wherein the front portion interfaces with
the cummerbund via a plurality of snaps attached to an interior
surface of the front portion and to the cummerbund.
6. The vest of claim 1, wherein the rear portion releasably
interfaces with the cummerbund.
7. The vest of claim 6, wherein the rear portion has at least one
loop element on an interior surface of the rear portion and the
rear portion interfaces with the cummerbund via the cummerbund
passing through the at least one loop element.
8. The vest of claim 6, wherein the rear portion interfaces with
the cummerbund via a first part of a hook and loop fastener
combination attached to an interior surface of the rear portion and
a second part of the hook and loop fastener combination attached to
the cummerbund.
9. The vest of claim 6, wherein the rear portion interfaces with
the cummerbund via a plurality of snaps attached to an interior
surface of the rear portion and to the cummerbund.
10. The vest of claim 1, wherein the cummerbund is worn at a lower
torso area of a wearer.
11. The vest of claim 1, wherein the cummerbund comprises at least
one pocket for holding therein a heat management device.
12. The vest of claim 11, wherein the heat management device
comprises a cooling pack.
13. The vest of claim 1, wherein the vest is selected from the
group consisting of: (a) a soft body armor ballistic vest; and (b)
a hard body armor ballistic vest.
14. A ballistic vest, comprising: a front portion configured to
protect a front of a torso of a wearer; a rear portion configured
to protect a rear of the torso of the wearer; and a shoulder pad;
wherein at least one of the front portion and the rear portion
interface with the shoulder pad to disperse weight applied by at
least one of the front portion and the rear portion over a larger
area than would be applied in the absence of the shoulder pad.
15. The vest of claim 14, wherein the front portion releasably
interfaces with the shoulder pad.
16. The vest of claim 15, wherein the front portion interfaces with
the shoulder pad via a first part of a hook and loop fastener
combination attached to an interior surface of the front portion
and a second part of the hook and loop fastener combination
attached to the shoulder pad.
17. The vest of claim 15, wherein the front portion interfaces with
the shoulder pad via a plurality of snaps attached to an interior
surface of the front portion and to the shoulder pad.
18. The vest of claim 14, wherein the rear portion releasably
interfaces with the shoulder pad.
19. The vest of claim 18, wherein the rear portion interfaces with
the shoulder pad via a first part of a hook and loop fastener
combination attached to an interior surface of the rear portion and
a second part of the hook and loop fastener combination attached to
the shoulder pad.
20. The vest of claim 18, wherein the rear portion interfaces with
the shoulder pad via a plurality of snaps attached to an interior
surface of the rear portion and to the shoulder pad.
21. The vest of claim 14, wherein the shoulder pad is held in place
on a wearer by a belt configured to: (a) pass around a chest of the
wearer; and (b) pass under the arms of the wearer.
22. The vest of claim 14, wherein the shoulder pad comprises at
least one pocket for holding therein a heat management device.
23. The vest of claim 22, wherein the heat management device
comprises a cooling pack.
24. The vest of claim 14, wherein the vest is selected from the
group consisting of: (a) a soft body armor ballistic vest; and (b)
a hard body armor ballistic vest.
Description
32CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of (and claims
priority to and the benefit of) U.S. application Ser. No.
11/507,635, filed Aug. 21, 2006, entitled "PROTECTIVE GARMENT
HAVING A QUICK RELEASE SYSTEM", which claims priority to and the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/812,656, filed
Jun. 9, 2006, entitled "SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH PROTECTIVE GARMENTS".
Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to protective garment systems
with weight transfer elements.
[0003] For the purposes of the present application the term
"ballistic garment" is intended to refer to a garment designed to
minimize the chances of a fatality or serious injury in the event
of a bullet strike, shrapnel strike, or the like (but not
necessarily to be impenetrable to all types of strikes under all
conditions).
[0004] Further, for the purposes of the present application the
term "soft body armor" is intended to refer to a garment formed of
a relatively flexible material (e.g., woven KEVLAR fibers) which
acts to provide the principal ballistic characteristics of the
garment.
[0005] Further still, for the purposes of the present application
the term "hard body armor" is intended to refer to a garment
including relatively inflexible material (e.g., one or more ceramic
plates) carried in one or more pockets in the garment. In this type
of body armor the relatively inflexible material acts to provide
the principal ballistic characteristics of the garment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Oftentimes, such as in emergency situations, protective
garments (e.g., soft body armor vests, hard body armor vests,
safety vests, and other protective outer garments) need to be
removed quickly. For example, when a soldier or law enforcement
officer is wearing a protective vest and is injured or
incapacitated, in order to provide immediate medical attention, the
protective vest typically needs to be removed as quickly as
possible. Similarly, a soldier in danger of drowning from being
weighed down by protective outer garments along with the equipment
and ammunition thereon, may save himself by quickly removing his
protective outer garments. A protective garment may also need to be
removed quickly, simply so the wearer may quickly change gear and
put on other protective outer garments.
[0007] Protective outer garments such as ballistic vests are
typically detachable at the shoulders and/or at the sides of the
vest. The attachment mechanism typically includes VELCRO fasteners,
snap fasteners, buckles or other fastening hardware. To put on or
remove the protective outer garment, a wearer must generally
manipulate several fasteners, typically one at a time. This may be
a time consuming process, or may not be possible.
[0008] Some conventional outer garments are equipped with systems
that allow a user to quickly detach, and remove these protective
outer garments. Specifically, "cutaway" vests are described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,948,188, U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,137, U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2004/0221361, and U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2002/0120973. The systems used in
connection with these vests are generally based on parachute
technology, where the emphasis is on complete deployment and not on
reassembly of the protective vest subsequent to removal. Similarly,
these systems typically emphasize an all or nothing approach, which
results in total removal and separation of the protective
garment.
[0009] Cutaway vests typically have three main components, a front
portion, a rear portion, and a cummerbund. Generally, the front and
rear portions of the vest and the cummerbund may be releasably
attached together by cables. The cables may be routed through a
series of rings and loops that are attached to the fabric of the
vest, thereby releasably interlocking the vest components together.
In operation, a wearer pulls a handle that is attached to the
cables and withdraws the cables from the vest, thereby releasing
the vest components, which may then be disengaged from the wearer.
To reassemble the cutaway vest, the cables need to be rerouted
through the entire series of rings and loops throughout the vest,
thereby interlocking the vest components together. This may be a
time consuming and tedious process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A illustrates a frontal view of a ballistic vest
equipped with a quick release system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 1B illustrates a front portion of a ballistic vest for
use in connection with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1C illustrates a rear portion of a ballistic vest for
use in connection with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a connector for use in
connection with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of components of
connectors and a sample component layout for use in connection with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates partial disengagement of the quick
release system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a pull cord configuration for use in
connection with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIGS. 6A through 6D illustrate the reassembly of a ballistic
vest having a quick release system in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0018] FIGS. 7-13 illustrate a ballistic vest according to another
embodiment of the present invention (wherein FIG. 7 illustrates the
interior of a ballistic vest with a cummerbund in a closed state;
FIG. 8 illustrates the interior of the ballistic vest with the
cummerbund in an opened; FIG. 9 illustrates the ballistic vest
partially applied to a wearer, with the cummerbund in the opened
state; FIG. 10 illustrates the ballistic vest partially applied to
a wearer, with the cummerbund in the closed state; FIG. 11
illustrates the cummerbund on its own, in the closed state; and
FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate attachment of the cummerbund to an
interior surface of the ballistic vest).
[0019] FIGS. 14-19 illustrate other embodiments utilizing an inner
yoke (wherein FIG. 14 illustrates two types of inner yokes; FIG. 15
illustrates use of a heat management mechanism; FIG. 16 illustrates
various example heat management mechanisms; and FIGS. 17-19
illustrate an inner yoke worn by a wearer.
[0020] FIG. 20 illustrates a wearer wearing a cummerbund, inner
yoke and ballistic vest (partially worn) according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0021] FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate, respectively, a front view and a
rear view of a ballistic vest according to an embodiment of the
present invention (as seen in the Figures, side flaps associated
with each of the front and rear portions may be utilized to protect
the sides of a wearer).
[0022] FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate, respectively, a front view and a
rear view of a ballistic vest according to an embodiment of the
present invention (as compared to FIGS. 21 and 22, the side flaps
in these Figures are folded-in).
[0023] FIG. 25 illustrates a side view of an inner yoke according
to an embodiment of the present invention being work by a user
(along with a side view of a ballistic vest according to an
embodiment of the present invention).
[0024] Among those benefits and improvements that have been
disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying figures. The figures constitute a part of
this specification and include illustrative embodiments of the
present invention and illustrate various objects and features
thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed
herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed
embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be
embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given
in connection with the various embodiments of the invention are
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Further, the
figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be
exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
[0026] Generally, various embodiments of the present invention
provide a protective garment, such as a soft body armor vest or a
hard body armor vest, having a quick release system for separating
the protective garment into a number of components, for example, a
front portion and rear portion. In one example, the front and rear
portions of the vest may separate at the shoulders, and at the
sides of the waist. These two portions may be held together, for
example, by four connectors, one for each shoulder and one for each
side of the waist.
[0027] With reference now to FIGS. 1A-1C, it is seen that FIG. 1A
illustrates a frontal view of a ballistic vest 100 equipped with a
quick release system in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. In one example, the ballistic vest 100 may be a
solid front, side-entry style vest with adjustable shoulders and
adjustable side closures. The ballistic vest 100 may contain, for
example, IIIA soft armor and front, rear, and side torso hard armor
(e.g., rifle plate protection) that may be inserted or removed at
will. The size of the plates may vary, but in one example may
include (but not be limited to): 6.times.8, 7.times.8, 8.times.10,
10.times.12, and other Small Arms Protective Insert (SAPI) sizes.
The ballistic vest may also accept Department of Defense (DoD)
Outer Tactical Vest (OTV) ballistic panels and enhanced protection
components.
[0028] The ballistic vest 100 may also accept, in an example,
standard military OTV additional ballistic options including (but
not limited to): groin guard, neck and throat armor, shoulder
and/or bicep protection. Full shoulder and chest friction material
may also be provided for improved weapon welds and firing
positions. The ballistic vest 100 may provide substantial
load-bearing for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment
(MOLLE), Pocket Attachment Ladder System (PALS), and Advanced
Tactical (AT) style pouches and gear options. Additional features
that may be provided, in an example, include (but not be limited
to): communication wire-routing channels, camelback hydration
compatibility, and/or rear drag strap. The ballistic vest 100 may
also be integrated with military pack assemblies, and may be
treated to be flame-resistant.
[0029] Ballistic vest 100 may have a front portion 10, a rear
portion 20, a plurality of connectors 14 for releasably attaching
the front portion 10 to the rear portion 20, and at least one pull
cord 16 associated with connectors 14. The pull cord 16 may be
attached to, and capable of disengaging at least two connectors
substantially simultaneously. In particular, pulling on the pull
cord 16 may disengage at least two of the connectors 14, and may
allow detachment (e.g., fully or partially) of the front portion 10
from the rear portion 20.
[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1C, the front portion 10 and rear
portion 20 may respectively include, in an example, torso portions
11, 21 shoulder portions 12, 22, and side portions 19, 24. Both the
front portion 10 and rear portion 20 may be made of natural or
synthetic material, e.g., leather, nylon, kevlar, etc. Both
portions 10, 20 may also include internal pockets for holding the
plates discussed above. The pockets may be located in the torso
portions 11, 21 and/or the side portions 19, 24. These pockets may
be accessed from external openings and/or from inside the ballistic
vest 100.
[0031] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
each of connectors 14 may include a releasable hook 13, and an
anchor strap 15 located on front portion 10. Each releasable hook
13 may be fastened to one end of a corresponding anchor strap 15,
with the other end of the anchor strap 15 being affixed to the
front portion 10 by, for example, stitching, gluing, and/or
fastening. It should be appreciated that other types of clasps,
clamps, fasteners, and/or snap shackles may be substituted for the
releasable hooks 13.
[0032] Each of connectors 14 may also include a ring 26, and a
strap 28, located on rear portion 20. Each ring 26 may be affixed
to an end of the strap 28, and each strap 28 may be affixed to the
rear portion 20 at its opposite end 29, for example, by stitching,
gluing, and/or fastening. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the
releasable hooks 13 may be affixed on the rear portion 20, and the
rings 26 may be affixed to the front portion 10. In one example,
the strap 28 and anchor strap 15 may be made of natural or
synthetic material.
[0033] The releasable hook 13 and ring 26 of each connector 14 when
releasably fastened together may join the front portion 10 and the
rear portion 20 together, to form the ballistic vest 100.
[0034] With reference now to FIG. 2, as noted above, each connector
14 includes a ring 26, and a releasable hook 13, wherein the ring
26 may be releasably clasped by the releasable hook 13. Each ring
26 and releasable hook 13, in an embodiment, may be made of a
variety of material including (but not limited to) metal and
plastic. Although ring 26 is depicted as a D-ring, rings having
other shapes may also (or instead) be used, such as, for example,
O-ring 26a, oval-ring 26b, or loops 26c. Similarly, although
releasable hook 13, may be depicted as a snap shackle, other
designs including clasps or fasteners may readily be used and not
deviate from the teachings of the present invention.
[0035] In one embodiment, the releasable hook 13 may include a
release knob 17, for moving the hook into an open position. The
release knob 17 may be spring loaded to permit actuation of the
releasable hook into an open position upon pulling of the knob 17.
The release knobs 17 of two or more releasable hooks 13 may be
connected together with a tether or cord 18 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1A
and 1B). The pull cord 16 may then be attached to the cord 18, such
that pulling on the pull cord 16 initiates the release knobs 17
that are interconnected by cord 18. This causes the corresponding
releasable hooks 13 to open, thereby releasing the rings 26 from
the releasable hooks 13 and disengaging the connectors 14. The
front portion 10 and rear portion 20 may then simply fall away from
a wearer.
[0036] In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 5, an
additional cord 18a may be utilized to configure cord 18 to connect
to all of the release knobs 17 on all the releasable hooks 13. This
configuration results in all of the releasable hooks 13 disengaging
essentially simultaneously, and complete detachment of the front
portion 10 from the rear portion 20 when the pull cord 16 is
pulled. Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 4, at least two release
knobs 17 on two corresponding releasable hooks 13 may be connected
by cord 18, such that pulling the pull cord 16 detaches the front
portion 10 from the rear portion 20 only on one side of the
ballistic vest 100.
[0037] In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the cord 18 may
be parachute cord and may be encased in a plastic sheath or tubing
to minimize fraying. In addition, the release knobs 17 may include
a small ring attachment to facilitate attaching cord 18 to the
release knobs 17. As a preventive measure in the event cord 18 were
to break, each releasable hook 13 may include a back-up cord 18b
that may be utilized to open the releasable hook 13.
[0038] In operation, when the ballistic vest 100 is worn, the
shoulder portions 22 of the rear portion 20 engage the shoulder
portions 12 of the front portion 10. The rings 26 may then be
inserted into the releasable hooks 13 on the front portion 10,
thereby locking the front and rear portions together at the
shoulders. Similarly, the side portions 24 of the rear portion 20
overlap with the side portions 19 of the front portion 10. Once
again, the rings 26 may then be inserted into the releasable hooks
13 on the front portion 10 at the waist, thereby locking the front
and rear portions together at the sides of the waist as well.
[0039] To release the front portion 10 from the rear portion 20 of
ballistic vest 100, pull cord 16 may be pulled to disengage at
least two connectors 14. In the configuration illustrated in FIG.
4, pulling only one of the two pull cords 16 results in two of the
connectors 14 disengaging on the same side at the shoulder and at
the waist.
[0040] Specifically, pulling the pull cord 16 causes the release
knob 17 to open each corresponding releasable hook 13, thereby
releasing the entrapped rings 26. The front portion 10 and rear
portion 20 then separate, and the ballistic vest 100 detaches on
one side. Alternatively, utilizing the cord configuration depicted
in FIG. 5, when pull cord 16 is pulled, this results in all of the
releasable hooks 13 disengaging simultaneously, and complete
detachment of the front portion 10 from the rear portion 20.
[0041] In another embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously or
independently, one after the other, release both upper or lower
release points. This may be of value, for example, for quick access
to the upper or lower torso areas of the wearer either by himself
or other personnel, while keeping the ballistic vest/carrier
otherwise attached to the wearer. In other words, various
embodiments may allow for a left side-right side release option
and/or a top half-bottom half release option and/or release of all
points (e.g., four points) simultaneously or independently.
[0042] FIGS. 6A through 6D illustrate the reassembly of a ballistic
vest having a quick release system in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6A, each ring 26 of the
rear portion 20 may engage a corresponding hook 13 of front portion
10. In an embodiment of the present invention, a covering 60, made
of a ballistic protective material, such as Kevlar, may be provided
to protect the connectors 14 (e.g., from secondary fragmentation
that may occur if a bullet were to strike a releasable hook 13 or
ring 26).
[0043] In FIG. 6B, the ring 26 and strap 28 may be passed under the
covering 60 on the front portion 10. In FIG. 6C, the releasable
hook 13 may be clasped around the ring 26, thereby locking the rear
portion 20 and front portion 10 at that shoulder, as shown in FIG.
6D. This process may be repeated for the remaining connectors at
the opposite shoulder and at both sides of the waist.
[0044] Although described primarily as being essentially
simultaneously releasable, the connectors may be individually
released as well. For example, all four connectors may be
essentially simultaneously released resulting in the complete
detachment of the front and rear portions, and rapid removal of the
entire vest. Alternatively, a shoulder and a side connector may be
detached on the same side of the body, so that a wearer may
partially remove the vest, but still be partially protected by the
vest. In addition, various embodiments of the present invention
may, due to fewer operating parts and the configuration of the
connectors (as compared to certain conventional systems), offer up
to 95% faster reassembly of a detached garment.
[0045] The present invention provides, in an embodiment, a
protective garment having a front portion, a rear portion, and a
quick release system having a plurality of connectors for
releasably attaching the front portion to the rear portion, and a
pull cord. The pull cord may be attached to, and capable of
disengaging at least two connectors, to allow detachment of the
front portion from the rear portion.
[0046] In one example, each connector may include a ring designed
to be releasably clasped by a releasable hook. The ring may be
affixed via a strap to the rear portion, and the releasable hook
may be affixed to the front portion of the garment. The pull cord
may be attached to a release knob located on the releasable hook,
so that pulling on the pull cord may cause the release knob to move
and open the releasable hook. In the open position the releasable
hook may release the ring and disengage the connector, and permit
the front and rear portions to simply fall away from a wearer.
[0047] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
protective garment having a front portion, a rear portion, a
plurality of rings and a plurality of releasable hooks for
releasably attaching the front portion to the rear portion, and a
pull cord. The pull cord may be attached to, and capable of
disengaging at least two releasable hooks of the plurality of
releasable hooks, to allow detachment of the front portion from the
rear portion.
[0048] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
method for quickly removing a garment. The method may include
wearing a protective garment that has a front portion, a rear
portion, a plurality of connectors for releasably attaching the
front portion to the rear portion, and a pull cord that may be
attached to, and capable of disengaging at least two of the
plurality of connectors to allow detachment of the front portion
from the rear portion. The method may further include the step of
pulling the pull cord on the protective garment to disconnect the
front portion from the rear portion.
[0049] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
method for quickly removing a garment. The method may include
wearing a protective garment that has a front portion, a rear
portion, a plurality of rings and a plurality of releasable hooks
for releasably attaching the front portion to the rear portion, and
a pull cord that may be attached to, and capable of disengaging at
least two releasable hooks of the plurality of releasable hooks to
allow detachment of the front portion from the rear portion. The
method may further include the step of pulling the pull cord on the
protective garment to detach the front portion from the rear
portion.
[0050] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
method for quickly removing a garment. The method may include
wearing a protective garment having a front portion and a rear
portion, both of which include respective torso portions, shoulder
portions, and side portions. The method may further include the
step of disconnecting the shoulder portions of the front portion
from the shoulder portions of the rear portion, and the side
portions of the rear portion from the side portions of the front
portion.
[0051] In another embodiment of the present invention a protective
garment is provided comprising: a front portion; a rear portion; a
plurality of connectors for releasably attaching the front portion
to the rear portion; and a pull cord coupled to, and capable of
disengaging at least two of the connectors to allow detachment of
the front portion from the rear portion.
[0052] In one example, each connector may include a ring and a
releasable hook, the ring being releasably clasped by the
releasable hook.
[0053] In another example, the ring may include one of D-rings,
O-rings, and loops.
[0054] In another example, the pull cord may be coupled to the
releasable hooks to permit detachment of the front portion from the
rear portion at the shoulders and waist of the protective
garment.
[0055] In another example, the protective garment may comprise a
ballistic vest, tactical load-bearing vest, and/or other protective
vests.
[0056] In another embodiment of the present invention a protective
garment is provided comprising: a front portion; a rear portion; a
plurality of rings and releasable hooks designed to engage one
another for releasably attaching the front portion to the rear
portion; and a pull cord coupled to at least two of the releasable
hooks, the pull cord capable of disengaging the at least two of the
releasable hooks to allow detachment of the front portion from the
rear portion.
[0057] In one example, each ring may be releasably clasped by a
corresponding releasable hook.
[0058] In another example, the plurality of rings may include one
of D-rings, O-rings, and loops.
[0059] In another example, the releasable hooks may be located on
the front portion of the protective garment.
[0060] In another example, the releasable hooks may be located on
the rear portion of the protective garment.
[0061] In another example, the pull cord may be coupled to the
releasable hooks to permit detachment of the front portion from the
rear portion at the shoulders and waist of the protective
garment
[0062] In another example, the protective garment may comprise a
ballistic vest, a load-bearing vest, and/or other protective
vests.
[0063] In another embodiment of the present invention a method for
quickly removing a garment is provided, the method comprising:
wearing a garment having a front portion, a rear portion, a
plurality of connectors releasably attaching the front portion to
the rear portion, and a pull cord attached to at least two of the
plurality of connectors; and pulling the pull cord on the garment
to disengage the connectors to allow the front portion to detach
from the rear portion.
[0064] In another embodiment of the present invention a method for
quickly removing a garment is provided, the method comprising:
wearing a garment having a front portion, a rear portion, a
plurality of rings and releasable hooks for releasably attaching
the front portion to the rear portion, and a pull cord attached to
at least two of the plurality of releasable hooks; and pulling the
pull cord on the garment to disengage the releasable hooks from the
rings to allow the front portion to detach from the rear
portion.
[0065] In another embodiment of the present invention a method for
assembling a garment is provided, the method comprising: providing
a garment having a front portion, a rear portion, a plurality of
rings and releasable hooks for releasably attaching the front
portion to the rear portion, and a pull cord attached to at least
two of the plurality of releasable hooks, and capable of
disengaging the at least two of the plurality of releasable hooks
to allow detachment of the front portion from the rear portion; and
attaching the releasable hooks through the rings to secure the
front portion to the rear portion of the garment.
[0066] As described herein, various embodiments of the present
invention may provide for release in tighter quarters where it may
be difficult if not impossible to fully remove the cord or wire
which is typically used to release a conventional cutaway-type
system.
[0067] Further, a separate pull cord to the release ring of each
releasable hook under various embodiments of the present invention
may serve as a back-up aid in the case the main tether becomes
damaged, separated and/or inaccessible.
[0068] Further still, under various embodiments of the present
invention use does not affect/change the adjusted fit to the wearer
(as use of certain conventional cut-away systems may (such cut-away
systems typically must be re-rigged in a particular fashion/manner
to insure the same fit)).
[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 7-13, ballistic vest 700 utilizing a
cummerbund 702 is shown. As seen in these Figures, cummerbund 702
may be used to transfer weight from one area of a wearer to
another. In one example, cummerbund 702 takes some of the weight of
rear portion 704 of ballistic vest 700 (wherein the weight
transferred would otherwise have been borne by the shoulders of the
wearer). In another example, cummerbund 702 takes some of the
weight of front portion 706 of ballistic vest 700 (wherein the
weight transferred would otherwise have been borne by the shoulders
of the wearer). In yet another example, cummerbund 702 takes some
of the weight of rear portion 704 and front portion 706 of
ballistic vest 700 (wherein the weight transferred would otherwise
have been borne by the shoulders of the wearer).
[0070] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-13, cummerbund 702 takes
some of the weight of rear portion 704 via an interface comprising
loops 708A and 708B (through which cummerbund 702 is passed). In
addition, Snaps 709A and 709B may be used to secure rear portion
704 and cummerbund 702 to one another (in another example,
hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO) may be used to secure
cummerbund 702 to rear portion 704). Of course cummerbund 702 may
also (or alternatively) take some of the weight from front portion
706 via a similar interface.
[0071] Of note, cummerbund 702 may be passed through loops
708A,708B by opening cummerbund 702 and passing one or both of ends
702A,702B of cummerbund 702 through loops 708A,708B. Of course, the
loops 708A,708B may also (or alternatively) open and close to
accept the cummerbund 702.
[0072] Further, ends 702A,702B of cummerbund 702 may be separated
from one another to allow a wearer to put on/take off the
cummerbund 702 (see FIG. 9 showing cummerbund 702 in an open state)
and ends 702A,702B of cummerbund 702 may be attached to one another
to hold cummerbund 702 on a wearer (see FIG. 10 showing cummerbund
702 in a closed state). In one example, the ends 702A,702B of
cummerbund 702 may have hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO) to
allow the ends 702A,702B of cummerbund 702 to be releasably
attached to one another. In another examples, the ends 702A,702B of
cummerbund 702 may have snap(s), zipper(s) and/or buttons to allow
the ends 702A,702B of cummerbund 702 to be releasably attached to
one another.
[0073] Of note, the cummerbund 702 may be a separate element from
the front portion 706 and the rear portion 704 and the cummerbund
702 may be configured to form a loop around the wearer. This may
aid in helping to achieve a good fit to the wearer as well as
helping to optimize weight transfer to the cummerbund.
[0074] Referring now to FIGS. 14-19, inner yoke 1401 and inner yoke
1402 are shown (in one example, inner yoke 1402 may provide
ballistic protection as well as provide for weight transfer, while
inner yoke 1401 may only provide for weight transfer--a user may
chose to wear whichever type of inner yoke as desired).
[0075] Of note, each of inner yokes 1401 and 1402 may be padded
(e.g., to provide comfort to the wearer).
[0076] Of further note, one or more heat management mechanisms
1403, 1405, 1407 may be placed in one or more pockets in inner
yokes 1401, 1402 (see, e.g., pocket 1401A in FIG. 15).
[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 20-25, various view of a ballistic
vest system (both on and off of a wearer) according to embodiments
of the present invention are shown.
[0078] As described above, the cummerbund and inner yoke according
to embodiments of the present invention may provide a better
ergonomic condition (e.g., referring to the general interaction
between the user and the task performed while being worn) by
mitigating some of the effect of weight carried at the shoulders.
For example, the cummerbund may transfer weight to the lower back
area (via a secure and snug fit on the wearer with reasonable
comfort, breath-ability and essentially without compromise to any
quick-donning capabilities provided via the ballistic vest system)
and the inner yoke may mitigate the effect of weight born at the
shoulders (e.g., mitigate the discomfort generated from heavy
weights, by transferring and dispersing the pressure points which
may be created by a ballistic vest system).
[0079] The cummerbund and the inner yoke may, in one example, work
alone or together with simplicity, soldier relevancy, little or no
specific knowledge required to enjoy the benefits, minimal weight
added, cleaning options, etc.
[0080] Further, the cummerbund and the inner yoke of various
embodiments may be true to the design fundamentals serving "open
architecture" and allowance for "technology insertion". This may
minimize premature obsolescence as new and emerging technologies
make themselves available.
[0081] Further, heat management mechanism(s) may be integrated into
the inner yoke and/or the cummerbund to address issues which are
desirous to mitigate or relieve. Such heat management mechanism(s)
may include (but not be limited to): cooling packs, gels and/or
advanced phase-change packs.
[0082] Further still, additional pads, etc. may be integrated into
the cummerbund (e.g., for lower back support and related benefits)
and/or integrated into the inner yoke.
[0083] Further still, the inner yoke may be used as a stand-alone
component.
[0084] Further still, the cummerbund and/or inner yoke may be
easily removable for exchange, replacement, up-grade, custom sizing
for better ergonomics, etc.
[0085] Further still, under various embodiments
absence/loss/failure of the cummerbund and/or inner or yoke will
not sacrifice ballistic protection of the wearer.
[0086] In another embodiment, a modified D-ring design may be
utilized. Such a modified D-ring design may have a bend applied to
it to better allow the D-ring to releasable hook assemble to lay
flat.
[0087] The embodiments of the present invention discussed in this
application are primarily focused on ballistic vests and other
protective vests. Of course, the present invention may
alternatively be utilized in connection with other garments
including (but not limited to): load-bearing vests, safety vests,
life preservers, harnesses, military packs, backpacks and other
garments.
[0088] While a number of embodiments of the present invention have
been described, it is understood that these embodiments are
illustrative only, and not restrictive, and that many modifications
may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For
example, while the ballistic garments of the present invention have
been described principally as bullet or shrapnel resistant, the
garments may also (or instead) be designed to be resistant to sharp
and/or blunt weapons (e.g., knives, clubs, etc.). Further, a
garment according to the present invention may be designed such
that certain components are reusable. Further still, while the
garments of the present invention have been described principally
as taking the form of a vest, any other desired form may be taken
(e.g., in the form of a shirt, in the form of a jacket, in the form
of an overcoat). Further still, garments of the present invention
may comprise any desired materials (e.g., aramid fiber; nylon;
rayon; cotton, and/or ceramic). Further still, any steps may be
performed in any desired order (and any desired steps may be added
and/or any desired steps may be deleted).
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