U.S. patent application number 12/272277 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-19 for armor carrier and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Armorsmith Company. Invention is credited to Massimo Alexandro Gallo.
Application Number | 20120180178 12/272277 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46489545 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120180178 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gallo; Massimo Alexandro |
July 19, 2012 |
ARMOR CARRIER AND METHOD
Abstract
An armor apparatus is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the
armor apparatus is in the form of a vest or carrier including, in
several exemplary embodiments, one or more armor plates.
Inventors: |
Gallo; Massimo Alexandro;
(Dallas, TX) |
Assignee: |
Armorsmith Company
Dallas
TX
|
Family ID: |
46489545 |
Appl. No.: |
12/272277 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2008 |
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 |
Claims
1. A carrier comprising: a front assembly; a back assembly adapted
to be removably coupled to the front assembly, wherein at least one
of the front and back assemblies comprises a first armor plate; and
a cord comprising: a first position in which the front assembly is
removably coupled to the back assembly; and a second position in
which the front assembly is decoupled from the back assembly.
2. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising: first and second side
assemblies; wherein, when the cord is in the first position, each
of the first and second side assemblies is removably coupled to
each of the front and back assemblies so that the front assembly is
removably coupled to the back assembly; and wherein, when the cord
is in the second position, each of the first and second side
assemblies is decoupled from at least one of the front and back
assemblies so that the front assembly is decoupled from the back
assembly.
3. The carrier of claim 2 wherein the back assembly comprises a
first loop; wherein the first and second side assemblies comprise
first and second shoulder straps, respectively, each of the first
and second shoulder straps comprising: a first end portion at which
the strap is adapted to be removably coupled to the front assembly;
a second end portion comprising a hole formed therethrough; and
wherein, when the cord is in the first position, the first loop
extends through each of the respective holes of the first and
second shoulder straps, and the cord extends through the first
loop.
4. The carrier of claim 2 wherein the back assembly further
comprises a second loop; wherein the first and second side
assemblies comprise first and second side portions, respectively,
each of the first and second side portions comprising: a first end
portion at which the side portion is adapted to be removably
coupled to the front assembly; and a second end portion comprising
a first tab and a hole formed through the first tab; and wherein,
when the cord is in the first position, the second loop extends
through each of the respective holes of the first and second side
portions, and the cord extends through the second loop.
5. The carrier of claim 2 wherein the back assembly comprises first
and second loops; wherein the first side assembly comprises: a
first side portion, and a first shoulder strap coupled to the first
side portion; wherein the second side assembly comprises: a second
side portion, and a second shoulder strap coupled to the second
side portion; wherein each of the first and second side portions
comprises: a first end portion at which the side portion is adapted
to be removably coupled to the front assembly; and a second end
portion comprising a first tab and a hole formed through the first
tab; wherein each of the first and second shoulder straps
comprises: a first end portion at which the strap is adapted to be
removably coupled to the front assembly; a second end portion
comprising a hole formed therethrough; and a third end portion at
which the strap is coupled to the corresponding side portion; and
wherein, when the cord is in the first position, the first loop
extends through each of the respective holes of the first and
second shoulder straps, the cord extends through the first loop,
the second loop extends through each of the respective holes of the
first and second side portions, and the cord extends through the
second loop.
6. The carrier of claim 5 wherein the cord comprises a first end
portion, a second end portion opposing the first end portion, and a
middle portion extending between the first and second end portions;
wherein the back assembly defines one or more sleeves; wherein at
least one of the first and second shoulder straps defines a
passage; and wherein, when the cord is in the first position, at
least a portion of the second end portion of the cord is disposed
in the one or more sleeves, and at least a portion of the middle
portion of the cord extends through the passage defined by the at
least one of the first and second shoulder straps.
7. The carrier of claim 6 wherein the front assembly comprises: a
jacket defining a region in which the first armor plate is adapted
to be disposed; wherein the carrier further comprises: a closed
configuration in which: the cord is in the first position, the
respective first end portions of the first and second side portions
of the first and second side assemblies are removably coupled to
the jacket of the front assembly, and the respective second end
portions of the first and second shoulder straps of the first and
second side assemblies are removably coupled to the jacket of the
front assembly; and a front-opening configuration in which: the
cord is in the first position, the first end portion of the side
portion of one of the first and second side assemblies is decoupled
from the jacket of the front assembly, and the second end portion
of the shoulder strap of the one of the first and second side
assemblies is decoupled from the jacket of the front assembly,
thereby providing a gap between the front assembly and the one of
the first and second side assemblies.
8. The carrier of claim 6 wherein the back assembly comprises: a
first jacket defining a first region in which the first armor plate
is disposed, the first region defining an upper internal surface of
the first jacket; a first flap extending within the first region
and over the first armor plate in a first direction; a second flap
removably coupled to first flap and extending over the first armor
plate in a second direction that is generally opposite the first
direction; and a third flap removably coupled to at least one of
the first and second flaps and extending over the first armor plate
in a third direction that is generally perpendicular to each of the
first and second directions; wherein the removably coupling between
the first and second flaps defines a first gap between
corresponding portions of the first and second flaps that is sized
to correspond to a first dimension of the first armor plate; and
wherein the removably coupling between the third flap and the at
least one of the first and second flaps defines a second gap
between the upper internal surface of the first jacket and the
third flap that is sized to correspond to a second dimension of the
first armor plate, the second dimension being generally
perpendicular to the first dimension; wherein the front assembly
comprises: a second jacket defining a second region in which a
second armor plate is adapted to be disposed, the second region
defining an upper internal surface of the second jacket; a fourth
flap extending within the second region and adapted to extend over
the second armor plate in a fourth direction; a fifth flap adapted
to be removably coupled to fourth flap and extend over the second
armor plate in a fifth direction that is generally opposite the
fourth direction; and a sixth flap adapted to be removably coupled
to at least one of the fourth and fifth flaps and extend over the
second armor plate in a sixth direction that is generally
perpendicular to each of the fourth and fifth directions; and
wherein the carrier further comprises: a first configuration in
which the first armor plate is disposed in the first region and the
second armor plate is not disposed in the second region; and a
second configuration in which: the first and second armor plates
are disposed in the first and second regions, respectively; the
fourth flap extends over the second armor plate in the fourth
direction; the fifth flap is removably coupled to the fourth flap
and extends over the second armor plate in the fifth direction that
is generally opposite the fourth direction; the sixth flap is
removably coupled to the at least one of the fourth and fifth flaps
and extends over the second armor plate in the sixth direction that
is generally perpendicular to each of the fourth and fifth
directions; wherein the removably coupling between the fourth and
fifth flaps defines a third gap between corresponding portions of
the fourth and fifth flaps that is sized to correspond to a first
dimension of the second armor plate; and wherein the removably
coupling between the sixth flap and the at least one of the fourth
and fifth flaps defines a fourth gap between the upper internal
surface of the second jacket and the sixth flap that is sized to
correspond to a second dimension of the second armor plate, the
second dimension of the second armor plate being generally
perpendicular to the first dimension of the second armor plate.
9. The carrier of claim 6 wherein the carrier is adapted to be worn
by an operator; wherein the back assembly comprises a jacket
defining a region in which the first armor plate is disposed, and
the back assembly defines an exterior side and an interior side,
the interior side adapted to be proximate the operator when the
operator wears the carrier; wherein the carrier further comprises:
a handle assembly coupled to the back assembly, the handle assembly
comprising: first and second handle straps, each of the first and
second handle straps comprising first and second end portions, the
first end portion being coupled to the jacket of the back assembly;
a sleeve extending between, and coupled to, the respective second
end portions of the first and second handle straps, the sleeve
defining a passage; a support disposed in the sleeve; a first
configuration in which the sleeve is removably coupled to the back
assembly while the respective first end portions of the first and
second handle straps are coupled to the jacket of the back
assembly; and a second configuration in which the sleeve is
decoupled from the back assembly while the respective first end
portions of the first and second handle straps are coupled to the
jacket of the back assembly, thereby permitting a gap to be defined
between the sleeve and the jacket of the back assembly; a plate
insert disposed in the region defined by the jacket of the back
assembly, the plate insert being positioned between the first armor
plate and the interior side of the back assembly; wherein, when the
carrier is worn by the operator, the plate insert distributes point
forces applied by the first armor plate against the operator.
10. The carrier of claim 6 wherein each of the first and second
side portions of the first and second side assemblies,
respectively, comprises a middle portion extending between the
first and second end portions; wherein the second end portion of
each of the first and second side assemblies further comprises: a
first plurality of tabs comprising respective holes formed
therethrough, wherein the first tab is one of the tabs in the first
plurality of tabs; a second plurality of tabs; a lace assembly
coupling the first plurality of tabs to the second plurality of
tabs; an anti-sag strap coupled to the first tab and adapted to
extend across the lace assembly and be removably coupled to the
middle portion; and wherein the carrier comprises a configuration
in which: a dimension is defined across the lace assembly and
between the first and second pluralities of tabs, the anti-sag
strap extends across the lace assembly and is removably coupled to
the middle portion; and the removable coupling between the anti-sag
strap and the middle portion resists any variation in the dimension
between the first and second pluralities of tabs.
11. A method comprising: providing a carrier comprising front and
back assemblies, at least one of the front and back assemblies
comprising an armor plate; removably coupling the front assembly to
the back assembly, comprising placing a cord in a first position
relative to the front and back assemblies; and decoupling the front
assembly from the back assembly, comprising moving the cord from
the first position to a second position relative to the front and
back assemblies.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the carrier further comprises
first and second side assemblies comprising first and second
shoulder straps, respectively, and first and second side portions
coupled thereto, respectively; and wherein removably coupling the
front assembly to the back assembly further comprises: removably
coupling the first and second side portions to the back assembly;
removably coupling the first and second side portions to the front
assembly; removably coupling the first and second shoulder straps
to the back assembly; and removably coupling the first and second
shoulder straps to the front assembly.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein decoupling the front assembly
from the back assembly further comprises: decoupling the first and
second side portions from the back assembly in response to moving
the cord from the first position to the second position relative to
the front and back assemblies; and decoupling the first and second
shoulder straps from the back assembly in response to moving the
cord from the first position to the second position relative to the
front and back assemblies.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: placing the carrier
in a front-opening configuration in which a gap between the front
assembly and one of the first and second side assemblies is
provided, comprising: decoupling the shoulder strap of the one of
the first and second side assemblies from the front assembly; and
decoupling the side portion of the one of the first and second side
assemblies from the front assembly.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the back assembly comprises: a
jacket defining a region in which the armor plate is disposed, the
region defining an upper internal surface of the jacket; and first,
second and third flaps extending within the region; wherein the
armor plate defines a first dimension and a second dimension
generally perpendicular thereto; and wherein the method further
comprises: securing the armor plate within the region, comprising:
extending the first and second flaps over the first armor plate;
removably coupling the second flap to the first flap to thereby
define a first gap between corresponding portions of the first and
second flaps that is sized to correspond to the first dimension of
the armor plate; extending the third flap over the armor plate; and
removably coupling the third flap to at least one of the first and
second flaps to thereby define a second gap between the upper
internal surface of the jacket and the third flap that is sized to
correspond to the second dimension of the armor plate.
16. The method of claim 13 further comprising: removably coupling a
handle assembly to the back assembly, the handle assembly
comprising a support; and selectively providing a gap between the
back assembly and the support of the handle assembly.
17. The method of claim 13 further comprising: loading the carrier,
wherein the armor plate applies one or more point forces in
response to loading the carrier; and distributing the one or more
point forces applied in response to loading the carrier.
18. The method of claim 13 further comprising: loading the carrier;
and resisting the degree to which the first and second side
portions of the first and second side assemblies, respectively, sag
in response to loading the carrier.
19. A system comprising: means for providing a carrier comprising
front and back assemblies, at least one of the front and back
assemblies comprising an armor plate; means for removably coupling
the front assembly to the back assembly, comprising means for
placing a cord in a first position relative to the front and back
assemblies; and means for decoupling the front assembly from the
back assembly, comprising means for moving the cord from the first
position to a second position relative to the front and back
assemblies.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein the carrier further comprises
first and second side assemblies comprising first and second
shoulder straps, respectively, and first and second side portions
coupled thereto, respectively; and wherein means for removably
coupling the front assembly to the back assembly further comprises:
means for removably coupling the first and second side portions to
the back assembly; means for removably coupling the first and
second side portions to the front assembly; means for removably
coupling the first and second shoulder straps to the back assembly;
and means for removably coupling the first and second shoulder
straps to the front assembly.
21. The system of claim 20 wherein means for decoupling the front
assembly from the back assembly further comprises: means for
decoupling the first and second side portions from the back
assembly in response to moving the cord from the first position to
the second position relative to the front and back assemblies; and
means for decoupling the first and second shoulder straps from the
back assembly in response to moving the cord from the first
position to the second position relative to the front and back
assemblies.
22. The system of claim 21 further comprising: means for placing
the carrier in a front-opening configuration in which a gap between
the front assembly and one of the first and second side assemblies
is provided, comprising: means for decoupling the shoulder strap of
the one of the first and second side assemblies from the front
assembly; and means for decoupling the side portion of the one of
the first and second side assemblies from the front assembly.
23. The system of claim 21 wherein the back assembly comprises: a
jacket defining a region in which the armor plate is disposed, the
region defining an upper internal surface of the jacket; and first,
second and third flaps extending within the region; wherein the
armor plate defines a first dimension and a second dimension
generally perpendicular thereto; and wherein the system further
comprises: means for securing the armor plate within the region,
comprising: means for extending the first and second flaps over the
first armor plate; means for removably coupling the second flap to
the first flap to thereby define a first gap between corresponding
portions of the first and second flaps that is sized to correspond
to the first dimension of the armor plate; means for extending the
third flap over the armor plate; and means for removably coupling
the third flap to at least one of the first and second flaps to
thereby define a second gap between the upper internal surface of
the jacket and the third flap that is sized to correspond to the
second dimension of the armor plate.
24. The system of claim 21 further comprising: means for removably
coupling a handle assembly to the back assembly, the handle
assembly comprising a support; and means for selectively providing
a gap between the back assembly and the support of the handle
assembly.
25. The system of claim 21 further comprising: means for loading
the carrier, wherein the armor plate applies one or more point
forces in response to loading the carrier; and means for
distributing the one or more point forces applied in response to
loading the carrier.
26. The system of claim 21 further comprising: means for loading
the carrier; and means for resisting the degree to which the first
and second side portions of the first and second side assemblies,
respectively, sag in response to loading the carrier.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates in general to armor, and in
particular to an armor apparatus in the form of, for example, a
vest or carrier including, in several exemplary embodiments, one or
more armor plates.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier according to an
exemplary embodiment, the carrier being in a configuration and
including a front assembly, a back assembly, a right side assembly,
a left side assembly, and a cord, according to respective exemplary
embodiments.
[0003] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the carrier of FIG. 1.
[0004] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the front assembly of FIGS.
1 and 2, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0005] FIG. 3B is another perspective view of the front assembly of
FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an exemplary embodiment, with a portion
of the front assembly cut away to depict the interior thereof.
[0006] FIG. 3C is a partially exploded view of the front assembly
of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the back assembly of FIGS.
1 and 2, according to an exemplary embodiment, with a portion of
the back assembly cut away to depict the interior thereof.
[0008] FIG. 4B is an elevational view of the back assembly of FIGS.
1 and 2, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 4C is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
back assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4D is a view similar to that of FIG. 4C but depicting
the portion in another operational mode, according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 4E is another enlarged perspective view of the portion
of the back assembly shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D.
[0012] FIG. 4F is a partially exploded view of the back assembly of
FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the left side assembly of
FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 5B is an elevational view of a portion of the left side
assembly of FIG. 5A, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 6A is another perspective view of the carrier of FIGS.
1 and 2 in an assembled condition, according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 6B is an elevational view of the carrier of FIGS. 1 and
2 in the assembled condition of FIG. 6A, according to an exemplary
embodiment, the carrier including at least two anti-sag straps, and
at least two flaps, according to respective exemplary
embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 6C is a view similar to that of FIG. 6B, but depicting
the two flaps removably coupled to one another, according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIGS. 1 and 2
in another configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6B, but depicting
one of the anti-sag straps in another configuration, according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of an armor plate of the back
assembly of the carrier of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 9B is a perspective view of an armor plate and a plate
insert of the back assembly of the carrier of FIGS. 1 and 2,
according to respective exemplary embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 10A is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but depicting
the carrier in another operational mode, according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0023] FIGS. 10B and 10C are elevational views of the carrier of
FIGS. 1 and 2, but depicting the carrier in different operational
modes, according to respective exemplary embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 10D is a view similar to that of FIG. 10A, but
depicting the carrier in yet another operational mode, according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a side pouch assembly
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the side pouch assembly of
FIG. 11 removably coupled to the left side assembly of FIGS. 1 and
2, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a carrier according to
another exemplary embodiment, the carrier including a front
assembly, a back assembly, a right side assembly, a left side
assembly, and a cord, according to respective exemplary
embodiments.
[0028] FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the carrier of FIG. 13 in
an assembled condition, according to an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,
an armor apparatus, in the form of a vest or carrier, is generally
referred to by the reference numeral 10 and includes a front
assembly 12, a back assembly 14, a left side assembly 16, a right
side assembly 18, and cord 19. The front assembly 12 is removably
coupled to each of the side assemblies 16 and 18, which, in turn,
are each removably coupled to the back assembly 14. As shown in
FIG. 2, the cord 19 includes opposing end portions 19a and 19b, a
middle portion 19c extending between the end portions 19a and 19b,
and a loop 19d formed at the end portion 19a. In several exemplary
embodiments, an operator wears the carrier 10 as a vest, with the
front assembly 12 covering at least a portion of the operator's
chest, the back assembly 14 covering at least a portion of the
operator's back, the left side assembly 16 covering at least a
portion of the operator's left side, and the right side assembly 18
covering at least a portion of the operator's right side, thereby
providing armor protection to the operator, as will be described
detail below.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B
and 3C with continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front
assembly 12 defines an exterior side 20 and a body, or interior,
side 22, and includes a jacket 24, an upwardly-extending flap 26
coupled to the jacket 24 on the exterior side 20, and a pair of
downwardly-extending flaps 28a and 28b coupled to the jacket 24 on
the exterior side 20. The flap 26 defines a surface 26a, and a
fastening element, such as a Velcro hook element 26b, is coupled to
the distal end portion of the surface 26a. The flaps 28a and 28b
define surfaces 28aa and 28ba, respectively, to which respective
fastening elements, such as respective Velcro hook elements 28ab
and 28bb, are coupled. Snap-buckle elements 30a and 30b are coupled
to the jacket 24 on the exterior side 20. A fastening element, such
as a Velcro loop element 32, is coupled to the upper portion of the
jacket 24 on the exterior side 20. Fastening elements, such as
Velcro loop elements 34a and 34b, are coupled to the lower half of
the jacket 24 on the exterior side 20. The hook element 26b is
adapted to be removably coupled to the loop element 32 to thereby
removably couple the flap 26 to the jacket 24 and cover at least
respective portions of the snap-buckle elements 30a and 30b, under
conditions to be described below. A top flap 35 is coupled to the
jacket 24, and includes pull tabs 35a and 35b, and a fastening
element, such as a Velcro hook element 35c, coupled to a surface
35d. The hook element 35c is adapted to be removably coupled to a
fastener, such as a Velcro loop element, coupled to a surface of
the flap 26, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0031] The front assembly 12 further includes an upwardly-extending
flap 36 coupled to the jacket 24 on the body side 22, and a
fastening element, such as a Velcro loop element 38, coupled to the
upper portion of the jacket 24 on the body side 22. The flap 36
defines a surface 36a, and a fastening element, such as a Velcro
hook element 36b, is coupled to the distal end portion of the
surface 36a. The hook element 36b is adapted to be removably
coupled to the loop element 38 to thereby removably couple the flap
36 to the jacket 24 and cover, and/or secure in place, at least a
portion of the loop 19d of the cord 19, under conditions to be
described below.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3B, an internal region 40 is defined by the
jacket 24, and an opening 42 is formed in the lower end of the
jacket 24, via which access to the internal region 40 is permitted.
An armor plate 44 is disposed in the region 40, and defines a
vertical or height dimension 44a and a horizontal or width
dimension 44b that is generally perpendicular to the dimension 44a.
In an exemplary embodiment, the armor plate 44 is, includes, and/or
is a part of, an enhanced small arms protective insert (ESAPI)
and/or XSAPI. In several exemplary embodiments, the armor plate 44
is substantially similar to, in whole or in part, and/or includes
components of, one or more armor plates, insert assemblies, armor
elements, and/or insert elements disclosed in one or more of the
following: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/450,221, filed
on Jun. 9, 2006; (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/586,170,
filed on Oct. 25, 2006; and (3) U.S. application Ser. No.
11/771,621, filed on Jun. 29, 2007, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference. In several exemplary embodiments,
the armor plate 44 meets at least the Type IV ballistic performance
requirement as described in NIJ-Standard-0101.04.
[0033] A flap 45 defining a surface 45a and including a fastening
element, such as a Velcro loop element 45b, coupled to the surface
45a, is coupled to the internal surface of the jacket 24 defined by
the region 40 and proximate the exterior side 20. From its coupling
to the interior surface of the jacket 24, the flap 45 extends in a
direction opposing an arrow 46, then wraps around the right side of
the armor plate 44 (as viewed in FIG. 3B), and then extends over
the armor plate 44 in the direction indicated by the arrow 46. A
flap 48 defining a surface 48a and including a fastening element,
such as a Velcro hook element 48b, coupled to the surface 48a, is
also coupled to the internal surface of the jacket 24 defined by
the region 40 and proximate the exterior side 20. The flap 48
further defines a surface 48c, to which a fastening element, such
as a Velcro loop element 48d, is coupled. From its coupling to the
interior surface of the jacket 24, the flap 48 extends in a
direction opposing an arrow 50, then wraps around the left side of
the armor plate 44 (as viewed in FIG. 3B), and then extends over
the armor plate 44 in the direction indicated by the arrow 50,
which direction is generally opposite the direction indicated by
the arrow 46. The hook element 48b is removably coupled to the loop
element 45b, thereby removably coupling the flap 48 to the flap 45.
As a result, the flaps 45 and 48 extend over the armor plate 44,
and a gap is defined between the corresponding wrapped or curved
portions of the flaps 45 and 48, which gap is sized to correspond
to the width dimension 44b of the armor plate 44. As a result, the
armor plate 44 is secured within the region 40 of the jacket 24,
and centered in a side-to-side direction, as viewed in FIG. 3B.
[0034] In several exemplary embodiments, the width dimension 44b of
the armor plate 44 is varied, and the flaps 45 and 48 accommodate
the variation in the width dimension 44b. More particularly, if the
width dimension 44b of the armor plate 44 is decreased, the flaps
45 and 48 extend over the armor plate 44, and overlap, to a greater
degree, and the size of the gap defined between the corresponding
wrapped or curved portions of the flaps 45 and 48 decreases to
correspond to the decrease in the width dimension 44b. As a result,
the armor plate 44 continues to be secured within the region 40 of
the jacket 24, and centered in a side-to-side direction as viewed
in FIG. 3B, notwithstanding the decrease in the width dimension
44b. If the width dimension 44b of the armor plate 44 is increased,
the flaps 45 and 48 extend over the armor plate 44, and overlap, to
a lesser degree, and the size of the gap defined between the
corresponding wrapped or curved portions of the flaps 45 and 48
increases to correspond to the increase in the width dimension 44b.
As a result, the armor plate 44 continues to be secured within the
region 40 of the jacket 24, and centered in a side-to-side
direction as viewed in FIG. 3B, notwithstanding the increase in the
width dimension 44b.
[0035] A flap 52 defining a surface 52a and including a fastening
element, such as Velcro hook element 52b, coupled to the surface
52a, is also coupled to the internal surface of the jacket 24
defined by the region 40 and proximate the exterior side 20. From
its coupling to the interior surface of the jacket 24, the flap 52
extends in a direction opposing an arrow 54, then wraps around the
bottom end of the armor plate 44 (as viewed in FIG. 3B), and then
extends over the armor plate 44 in the direction indicated by the
arrow 54, which direction is generally perpendicular to each of the
respective directions indicated by the arrows 46 and 50. The hook
element 52b is removably coupled to the loop element 48d, thereby
removably coupling the flap 52 to the flap 48. As a result, a gap
is defined between the upper interior surface of the jacket 24
defined by the region 40 and the wrapped or curved portion of the
flap 52, which gap is sized to correspond to the height dimension
44a of the armor plate 44. As a result, the armor plate 44 is
secured within the region 40 of the jacket 24, and positionally
biased in an upward direction, as viewed in FIG. 3B.
[0036] In several exemplary embodiments, the height dimension 44a
of the armor plate 44 is varied, and the flap 52 accommodates the
variation in the height dimension 44a. More particularly, if the
height dimension 44a of the armor plate 44 is decreased, the flap
52 extends over the armor plate 44 to a greater degree, and the
size of the gap defined between the wrapped or curved portion of
the flap 52 and the upper internal surface of the jacket 24 defined
by the region 40 decreases to correspond to the decrease in the
height dimension 44a. As a result, the armor plate 44 continues to
be secured within the region 40 of the jacket 24, and positionally
biased in an upward direction as viewed in FIG. 3B, notwithstanding
the decrease in the height dimension 44a. If the height dimension
44a of the armor plate 44 is increased, the flap 52 extends over
the armor plate 44 to a lesser degree, and the size of the gap
defined between the wrapped or curved portion of the flap 52 and
the upper internal surface of the jacket 24 defined by the region
40 increases to correspond to the increase in the height dimension
44a. As a result, the armor plate 44 continues to be secured within
the region 40 of the jacket 24, and positionally biased in an
upward direction as viewed in FIG. 3B, notwithstanding the increase
in the height dimension 44a.
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, in view of the foregoing, it is
clear that the carrier 10 is scalable in that, for example, at
least the front assembly 12 is configured to accommodate a wide
range of sizes of armor plates.
[0038] A textile or fabric layer 56 is disposed in the region 40 of
the jacket 24, and is positioned between the flap 52 and the
interior surface of the jacket 24 defined by the region 40 and
proximate the body side 22. The fabric layer 56 is disposed between
the armor plate 44 and the body side 22. The fabric layer 56
contacts the armor plate 44 and the interior surface of the jacket
defined by the region 40 and proximate the body side 22. In an
exemplary embodiment, the fabric layer 56 is composed of Kevlar,
titanium, high-modulus-polyethylene (HMPE) fiber, and/or any
combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the fabric layer
56 is composed of a plurality of fabric layers. In an exemplary
embodiment, the fabric layer 56 is substantially similar to, in
whole or in part, and/or includes components of, textile or fabric
layers disclosed in one or more of the following: (1) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/450,221, filed on Jun. 9, 2006; (2) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/586,170, filed on Oct. 25, 2006; and
(3) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/771,621, filed on Jun. 29, 2007,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0039] As noted above, the opening 42 is formed in, and runs along,
the bottom end of the jacket 24, and permits access to the region
40 for, for example, installing the armor plate 44 within the
region 40 in accordance with the foregoing, adjusting the armor
plate 44, removing the armor plate 44 from the region 40, replacing
the armor plate 44 with one or more other armor plates, disposing
one or more additional armor plates in the region 40, installing
the fabric layer 56, adjusting the fabric layer 56, replacing the
fabric layer 56 with one or more other fabric layers, disposing one
or more additional fabric layers in the region 40, etc. A fastening
element, such as a Velcro loop element 58, is coupled to, and runs
along, the lower end portion of the jacket 24 on the body side 22.
A flap 60 defining a surface 60a and including a fastening element,
such as a Velcro hook element 60b, coupled to the surface 60a,
extends downward from lower end of the jacket 24 on the exterior
side 20, wraps around the lower end of the jacket 24, and then
extends upward on the body side 22 of the jacket 24, thereby
covering the opening 42. Although not shown in FIG. 3B, the hook
element 60b is normally removably coupled to the loop element 58,
thereby removably coupling the flap 60 to the body side 22 of the
jacket 24, thereby securing the covering of the opening 42 by the
flap 60.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and
4B with continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B, the back
assembly 14 defines an exterior side 62 and a body, or interior,
side 64, and includes a jacket 66. An internal region 68 is defined
by the jacket 66, and an opening 70 is formed in the lower end of
the jacket 66, via which access to the internal region 68 is
permitted. An armor plate 72 is disposed in the region 68, and
defines a vertical or height dimension 72a and a horizontal or
width dimension 72b that is generally perpendicular to the
dimension 72a. In an exemplary embodiment, the armor plate 72 is,
includes, and/or is a part of, an enhanced small arms protective
insert (ESAPI) and/or XSAPI. In several exemplary embodiments, the
armor plate 72 is substantially similar to, in whole or in part,
and/or includes components of, one or more armor plates, insert
assemblies, armor elements, and/or insert elements disclosed in one
or more of the following: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/450,221, filed on Jun. 9, 2006; (2) U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/586,170, filed on Oct. 25, 2006; and (3) U.S. application
Ser. No. 11/771,621, filed on Jun. 29, 2007, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference. In several exemplary
embodiments, the armor plate 72 meets at least the Type IV
ballistic performance requirement as described in
NIJ-Standard-0101.04.
[0041] A flap 74 defining a surface 74a and including a fastening
element, such as a Velcro loop element 74b, coupled to the surface
74a, is coupled to the internal surface of the jacket 66 defined by
the region 68 and proximate the exterior side 62. From its coupling
to the interior surface of the jacket 66, the flap 74 extends in a
direction opposing an arrow 76, then wraps around the right side of
the armor plate 72 (as viewed in FIG. 4A), and then extends over
the armor plate 72 in the direction indicated by the arrow 76. A
flap 78 defining a surface 78a and including a fastening element,
such as a Velcro hook element 78b, coupled to the surface 78a, is
also coupled to the internal surface of the jacket 66 defined by
the region 68 and proximate the exterior side 62. The flap 78
further defines a surface 78c, to which a fastening element, such
as a Velcro loop element 78d, is coupled. From its coupling to the
interior surface of the jacket 66, the flap 78 extends in a
direction opposing an arrow 80, then wraps around the left side of
the armor plate 72 (as viewed in FIG. 4A), and then extends over
the armor plate 72 in the direction indicated by the arrow 80,
which direction is generally opposite the direction indicated by
the arrow 76. The hook element 78b is removably coupled to the loop
element 74b, thereby removably coupling the flap 78 to the flap 74.
As a result, the flaps 74 and 78 extend over the armor plate 72,
and a gap is defined between the corresponding wrapped or curved
portions of the flaps 74 and 78, which gap is sized to correspond
to the width dimension 72b of the armor plate 72. As a result, the
armor plate 72 is secured within the region 68 of the jacket 66,
and centered in a side-to-side direction, as viewed in FIG. 4A.
[0042] In several exemplary embodiments, the width dimension 72b of
the armor plate 72 is varied, and the flaps 74 and 78 accommodate
the variation in the width dimension 72b. More particularly, if the
width dimension 72b of the armor plate 72 is decreased, the flaps
74 and 78 extend over the armor plate 72, and overlap, to a greater
degree, and the size of the gap defined between the corresponding
wrapped or curved portions of the flaps 74 and 78 decreases to
correspond to the decrease in the width dimension 72b. As a result,
the armor plate 72 continues to be secured within the region 68 of
the jacket 66, and centered in a side-to-side direction as viewed
in FIG. 4A, notwithstanding the decrease in the width dimension
72b. If the width dimension 72b of the armor plate 72 is increased,
the flaps 74 and 78 extend over the armor plate 72, and overlap, to
a lesser degree, and the size of the gap defined between the
corresponding wrapped or curved portions of the flaps 74 and 78
increases to correspond to the increase in the width dimension 72b.
As a result, the armor plate 72 continues to be secured within the
region 68 of the jacket 66, and centered in a side-to-side
direction as viewed in FIG. 4A, notwithstanding the increase in the
width dimension 72b.
[0043] A flap 82 defining a surface 82a and including a fastening
element, such as Velcro hook element 82b, coupled to the surface
82a, is also coupled to the internal surface of the jacket 66
defined by the region 68 and proximate the exterior side 62. From
its coupling to the interior surface of the jacket 66, the flap 82
extends in a direction opposing an arrow 84, then wraps around the
bottom end of the armor plate 72 (as viewed in FIG. 4A), and then
extends over the armor plate 72 in the direction indicated by the
arrow 84, which direction is generally perpendicular to each of the
respective directions indicated by the arrows 76 and 80. The hook
element 82b is removably coupled to the loop element 78d, thereby
removably coupling the flap 82 to the flap 78. As a result, a gap
is defined between the upper interior surface of the jacket 66
defined by the region 68 and the wrapped or curved portion of the
flap 82, which gap is sized to correspond to the height dimension
72a of the armor plate 72. As a result, the armor plate 72 is
secured within the region 68 of the jacket 66, and positionally
biased in an upward direction, as viewed in FIG. 4A.
[0044] In several exemplary embodiments, the height dimension 72a
of the armor plate 72 is varied, and the flap 82 accommodates the
variation in the height dimension 72a. More particularly, if the
height dimension 72a of the armor plate 72 is decreased, the flap
82 extends over the armor plate 72 to a greater degree, and the
size of the gap defined between the wrapped or curved portion of
the flap 82 and the upper internal surface of the jacket 66 defined
by the region 68 decreases to correspond to the decrease in the
height dimension 72a. As a result, the armor plate 72 continues to
be secured within the region 68 of the jacket 66, and positionally
biased in an upward direction as viewed in FIG. 4A, notwithstanding
the decrease in the height dimension 72a. If the height dimension
72a of the armor plate 72 is increased, the flap 82 extends over
the armor plate 72 to a lesser degree, and the size of the gap
defined between the wrapped or curved portion of the flap 82 and
the upper internal surface of the jacket 66 defined by the region
68 increases to correspond to the increase in the height dimension
72a. As a result, the armor plate 72 continues to be secured within
the region 68 of the jacket 66, and positionally biased in an
upward direction as viewed in FIG. 4A, notwithstanding the increase
in the height dimension 72a.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, in view of the foregoing, it is
clear that the carrier 10 is scalable in that, for example, at
least the back assembly 14 is configured to accommodate a wide
range of sizes of armor plates.
[0046] A plate insert 86 is disposed in the region 68 of the jacket
66, and is positioned between the flap 82 and the interior surface
of the jacket 66 defined by the region 68 and proximate the body
side 64. The plate insert 86 is disposed between the armor plate 72
and the body side 64. The plate insert 86 contacts the armor plate
72. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate insert 86 is, or
includes, a nylon insert. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate
insert 86 is in the form of a flexible sheet. In an exemplary
embodiment, the plate insert 86 is in the form of a flexible
plate.
[0047] A textile or fabric layer 88 is disposed in the region 68 of
the jacket 66, and is positioned between the plate insert 86 and
the interior surface of the jacket 66 defined by the region 68 and
proximate the body side 64. The fabric layer 88 is disposed between
the armor plate insert 86 and the body side 64. The fabric layer 88
contacts the plate insert 86 and the interior surface of the jacket
66 defined by the region 68 and proximate the body side 64. In an
exemplary embodiment, the fabric layer 88 is composed of Kevlar,
titanium, high-modulus-polyethylene (HMPE) fiber, and/or any
combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the fabric layer
88 includes a rayon jacket in which one or more textile or fabric
layers are disposed. In an exemplary embodiment, the fabric layer
88 is composed of a plurality of fabric layers. In an exemplary
embodiment, the fabric layer 88 is substantially similar to, in
whole or in part, and/or includes components of, textile or fabric
layers disclosed in one or more of the following: (1) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/450,221, filed on Jun. 9, 2006; (2) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/586,170, filed on Oct. 25, 2006; and
(3) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/771,621, filed on Jun. 29, 2007,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0048] As noted above, the opening 70 is formed in, and runs along,
the bottom end of the jacket 66, and permits access to the region
68 for, for example, installing the armor plate 72 within the
region 68 in accordance with the foregoing, adjusting the armor
plate 72, removing the armor plate 72 from the region 68, replacing
the armor plate 72 with one or more other armor plates, disposing
one or more additional armor plates in the region 68, installing
the plate insert 86, adjusting the plate insert 86, replacing the
plate insert 86 with one or more other plate inserts, disposing one
or more additional plate inserts in the region 68, installing the
fabric layer 88 within the region 68 in accordance with the
foregoing, adjusting the fabric layer 88, removing the fabric layer
88 from the region 68, replacing the fabric layer 88 with one or
more other fabric layers, disposing one or more additional fabric
layers in the region 68, etc. A fastening element, such as a Velcro
loop element 88a, is coupled to, and runs along, the lower end
portion of the jacket 66 on the body side 64. A flap 89b defining a
surface 89ba and including a fastening element, such as a Velcro
hook element 89bb, coupled to the surface 89ba, extends downward
from lower end of the jacket 66 on the exterior side 62, wraps
around the lower end of the jacket 66, and then extends upward on
the body side 64 of the jacket 66, thereby covering the opening 70.
Although not shown in FIG. 4A, the hook element 89bb is normally
removably coupled to the loop element 89a, thereby removably
coupling the flap 89b to the body side 64 of the jacket 66, thereby
securing the covering of the opening 70 by the flap 89b.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 4B, a fabric or textile panel 90 extends
horizontally across the jacket 66 on the side 62, and is coupled to
the jacket 66 on either side thereof, thereby defining a space (not
shown) between the panel 90 and the jacket 66. A
downwardly-extending flap 92 extends from the lower end portion of
the panel 90, and defines a surface 92a, and includes snap
fasteners 92b and 92c (the snap fastener 92c is depicted in FIG.
6C) coupled thereto at its distal end portion, and further includes
a fastening element, such as a Velcro hook element 92d, coupled to
the surface 92a. An upwardly-extending flap 94 extends from the
lower end portion of the jacket 66, and defines a surface 94a, and
includes snap fasteners 94b and 94c (the snap fastener 94c is
depicted in FIG. 6C) coupled thereto at its proximal end portion,
and further includes a fastening element, such as a Velcro loop
element 94d, coupled to the surface 94a.
[0050] A vertically-extending strip 96 is coupled to jacket 66
along its vertical centerline and on the exterior side 62.
Vertically-spaced holes 98a, 98b, 98c, 98d, 98e and 98f are formed
in the strip 96, and a plurality of loops 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d,
100e and 100f are coupled to the jacket 66, extending through the
holes 98a, 98b, 98c, 98d, 98e and 98f, respectively, and away from
the jacket 66. A generally L-shaped sleeve 102, which includes a
horizontally-extending portion 103 and a vertically-extending
portion 104, is coupled to the jacket 66 on the exterior side 62,
with an end of the portion 103 being positioned at or near the
bottom end portion of the jacket 66 and proximate the loop 100f,
and with the portion 104 being positioned on the left side of the
jacket 66, as viewed in FIG. 4B. A fastening element, such as a
Velcro loop element 105, is coupled to the upper end portion of the
jacket 66 on the exterior side 62. The flap 94 extends upward and
between a portion of the strip 96 and the flap 92, which extends
downwards and covers at least respective portions of the strip 96
and the flap 94. The snap fasteners 92b and 92c of the flap 92 are
removably coupled to the snap fasteners 94b and 94c, respectively,
of the flap 94, and the hook element 92d of the flap 92 is
removably coupled to the loop element 94d of the flap 94, thereby
removably coupling the flap 92 to the flap 94 and covering at least
respective portions of the strip 96, the holes 98a, 98b, 98c, 98d,
98e and 98f, and the loops 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e and
100f.
[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B,
4C, 4D, 4E and 4F with continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B
and 3C, a drag handle assembly 106 is coupled to the upper portion
of the jacket 66 on the exterior side 62, and includes handle
straps 106a and 106b, corresponding ends of which are coupled to
the jacket 66 on the exterior side 62, and a sleeve 106c extending
between, and coupled to, the respective ends of the handle straps
106a and 106b opposing the respective ends thereof coupled to the
jacket 66. A support 106d is disposed within the sleeve 106c. In
several exemplary embodiments, the support 106d is, or includes, a
rod, a tubular member, and/or any combination thereof. In an
exemplary embodiment, the support 106d is, or includes, a carbon
fiber rod. In an exemplary embodiment, the support 106d is, or
includes, a PVC pipe. A fastening element, such as a Velcro hook
element 106e (FIG. 4E), is coupled to the side of the exterior of
the sleeve 106c that faces the jacket 66.
[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4C, the hook
element 106e is removably coupled to the loop element 105, thereby
removably coupling the sleeve 106c, and thus the support 106d, to
the jacket 66 of the back assembly 14. As a result, the sleeve 106c
and the support 106d of the handle assembly 106 are secured to the
jacket 66, reducing the risk that the handle assembly 106 will
interfere with the normal operation of the carrier 10, and/or with
an operator wearing the carrier 10 as a vest.
[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4D, the hook
element 106e is decoupled from the loop element 105, thereby
decoupling the sleeve 106c, and thus the support 106d, from the
jacket 66 of the back assembly 14. As a result, a gap is defined
between the sleeve 106c and the jacket 66, which gap permits a hand
or other article to be positioned therein to facilitate the
grasping of, or latching to, the sleeve 106c and thus the support
106d. When the gap is defined, if necessary, the support 106d is
used as a drag handle, and the operator wearing the carrier 10, or
only the carrier 10 itself, is dragged by the handle assembly 106.
The support 106d strengthens the handle assembly 106, enabling the
handle assembly 106 to withstand the loading applied thereto when
the operator wearing the carrier 10, or only the carrier 10 itself,
is dragged by the handle assembly 106.
[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and
5B with continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C,
4D, 4E and 4F, the left side assembly 16 includes a shoulder strap
108 and a side portion 110 coupled thereto. The shoulder strap 108
includes an end portion 108a having a snap-buckle receiver 108b
coupled thereto, an end portion 108c that is coupled to the side
portion 110, and an end portion 108d having a hole 108e formed
therethrough. A middle portion 108f extends between the end portion
108d and the end portion 108a, and defines an internal passage 108g
through which at least a portion of the cord 19 is adapted to
extend, under conditions to be described below. A pad 108h is
wrapped around the middle portion 108f of the shoulder strap 108.
In an exemplary embodiment, anti-slip material is coupled to the
middle portion 108f. In an exemplary embodiment, anti-slip material
is coupled to the middle portion 108f and is positioned between the
end 108a and the pad 108h. An end portion 108fa of the middle
portion 108f extends through a ring 108i, and folds back onto
itself. A fastening element, such as a Velcro hook element 108j, is
coupled to a surface 108faa defined by the end portion 108fa, and a
fastening element, such as a Velcro loop element 108k, is also
coupled to the surface 108faa. The hook element 108j is removably
coupled to the loop element 108k, thereby removably coupling the
surface 108faa of the end portion 108fa to itself. The length of
extension of the middle portion 108f between the end portion 108d
and the end portion 108a, and thus the length of the shoulder strap
108, is adjusted by decoupling the hook element 108j from the loop
element 108k, adjusting the degree to which the end portion 108fa
extends through the ring 108i, and then again removably coupling
the hook element 108j to the loop element 108k.
[0055] The side portion 110 of the left side assembly 16 includes
an end portion 112, an end portion 114, and a middle portion 116
extending therebetween. The end portion 112 is adapted to be
removably coupled to the front assembly 12, as will be described
below, and includes flaps 118 and 120, which share a pivot axis
122. The flap 120 defines a surface 120a to which a fastening
element, such as a Velcro hook element 120b, is coupled, and
further defines a surface 120c, to which a fastening element, such
as a Velcro loop element 120d, is coupled. A stiffening strip 123
is inserted in a region defined within the side portion 110,
extending along the top of the side portion 110, as viewed in FIG.
5A. In an exemplary embodiment, the strip 123 is composed of a
plastic material.
[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more armor plates are
inserted in regions defined within the side portion 110, and/or are
coupled to the side portion 110, with each of such armor plates
being, in several exemplary embodiments, an enhanced small arms
protective insert (ESAPI) and/or XSAPI, and/or substantially
similar to, in whole or in part, and/or including components of,
one or more armor plates, insert assemblies, armor elements, and/or
insert elements disclosed in one or more of the following: (1) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/450,221, filed on Jun. 9, 2006; (2)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/586,170, filed on Oct. 25,
2006; and (3) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/771,621, filed on Jun.
29, 2007, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0057] The end portion 114 of the side portion 110 includes a
vertically-extending strip 124, and a plurality of tabs 126a, 126b,
126c, 126d and 126e coupled thereto. At least a portion of each of
the tabs 126a, 126b, 126c, 126d and 126e is folded back over onto
itself, thereby forming a loop portion on its left side, as viewed
in FIG. 5B. Holes 128a, 128b, 128c, 128d and 128e are formed
through the strip 124 and the tabs 126a, 126b, 126c, 126d and 126e,
respectively. A plurality of tabs 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d and 130e
extend from the right end of the middle portion 116 of the side
portion 110, as viewed in FIG. 5B. The tabs 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d
and 130e are vertically aligned with the tabs 126a, 126b, 126c,
126d and 126e, respectively. At least a portion of each of the tabs
130a, 130b, 130c, 130d and 130e is folded back over onto itself,
thereby forming a loop portion on its right side, as viewed in FIG.
5B. A lace assembly 132 couples the tabs 126a, 126b, 126c, 126d and
126e to the tabs 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d and 130e, respectively.
More particularly, the lace assembly 132 includes a line 132a
having opposing end portions 132aa and 132ab, and a locking element
132b coupled to the opposing end portions 132aa and 132ab. The line
132a is interlockingly laced through the respective loop portions
of the tabs 126a, 126b, 126c, 126d, 126e, 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d
and 130e, so that the end portions 132aa and 132ab are proximate
the tabs 126e and 130e. The locking element 132b locks the position
of a portion of the end portion 132aa relative to a corresponding
portion of the end portion 132ab, and vice versa, thereby
preventing or at least resisting movement of the line 132a through
the locking element 132b. The locking element 132b is adjustable,
and its locking feature is releasable to selectively permit
movement of the line 132a through the locking element 132b to
tighten or loosen the lacing of the line 132a. In an exemplary
embodiment, the line 132a is a dynamic line. In an exemplary
embodiment, the line 132a is a flexible line. A fastening element,
such as a Velcro loop element 134, is coupled to the middle portion
116 and is vertically aligned with the tabs 126a and 130a, as
viewed in FIG. 5B. An anti-sag strap 136 defining a surface 136a
and including a fastening element, such as a Velcro hook element
136b, coupled to the surface 136a, is coupled to the tab 126a. The
hook element 136b is adapted to be removably coupled to the loop
element 134 to thereby removably couple the anti-sag strap 136 to
the middle portion 116, under conditions to be described below. The
hook element 136b includes an extension tab 136c, which extends
from the distal end of the strap 136 and thus does not include a
backing. The tab 136c is adapted to resist any peeling of the strap
136 off of the middle portion 116 when the strap 136 is removably
coupled to the middle portion 116, thereby facilitating keeping the
strap 136 removably coupled to the middle portion 116.
[0058] The right side assembly 18 is substantially similar to the
left side assembly 16; the right side assembly 18 and the left side
assembly 16 are symmetric about a vertically-extending plane that
is generally perpendicular to the front assembly 12 and the back
assembly 14, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the right side
assembly 18 includes components and couplings that are
substantially identical to the above-described components and
couplings of the left side assembly 16. Therefore, the right side
assembly 18 will not be described in detail, and reference numerals
used to refer to components of the right side assembly 18 that are
substantially identical to the components of the left side assembly
16 will correspond to the reference numeral s used to refer to the
components of the left side assembly 16, except that the reference
numerals for the right side assembly 18 will be given a prime (')
designation.
[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B
and 6C with continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B,
4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 5A and 5B, when the carrier 10 is an assembled
condition, the front assembly 12 is removably coupled to each of
the left side assembly 16 and the right side assembly 18. More
particularly, the snap-buckle elements 30a and 30b are removably
coupled to the snap-buckle receivers 108b' and 108b, respectively,
thereby removably coupling the shoulder strap 108' of the right
side assembly 18 to the front assembly 12, and removably coupling
the shoulder strap 108 of the left side assembly 16 to the front
assembly 12. The hook element 26b is removably coupled to the loop
element 32, thereby removably coupling the flap 26 to the jacket 24
and covering at least respective portions of the snap-buckle
elements 30a and 30b, and the snap-buckle receivers 108b' and 108b.
The flap 120' of the right side assembly 18 is disposed between the
loop element 34a and the flap 28a of the front assembly 12, the
hook element 120b' of the flap 120' is removably coupled to the
loop element 34a, the hook element 28ab of the flap 28a is
removably coupled to the loop element 120d' of the flap 120', and
the flap 118' is disposed against the body side 22 of the jacket 24
so that the jacket 24 is disposed between the flaps 118' and 120'
of the right side assembly 18. As a result, the side portion 110'
of the right side assembly 18 is removably coupled to the front
assembly 12. Likewise, the flap 120 of the left side assembly 16 is
disposed between the loop element 34b and the flap 28b of the front
assembly 12, the hook element 120b of the flap 120 of the left side
assembly 16 is removably coupled to the loop element 34b, the hook
element 28bb of the flap 28b is removably coupled to the loop
element 120d of the flap 120, and the flap 118 of the left side
assembly 16 is disposed against the body side 22 of the jacket 24
so that the jacket 24 is disposed between the flaps 118 and 120 of
the left side assembly 16. As a result, the side portion 110 of the
left side assembly 16 is removably coupled to the front assembly
12.
[0060] As noted above, the cord 19 extends through the internal
passage 108g of the middle portion 108f of the shoulder strap 108
of the left side assembly 16. The hook element 36b is removably
coupled to the loop element 38, thereby removably coupling the flap
36 to the jacket 24 on the body side 22. At least a portion of the
loop 19d of the cord 19 is disposed between the flap 36 and the
jacket 24 on the body side 22, with the flap 36 covering, and/or
securing in place, at least a portion of the loop 19d of the cord
19.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 6B, when the carrier 10 is an assembled
condition, the end portion 108d' of the shoulder strap 108' of the
right side assembly 18 overlaps the end portion 108d of the
shoulder strap 108 of the left side assembly 16, the hole 108e of
the shoulder strap 108 of the left side assembly 16 is axially
aligned with the hole 108e' of the shoulder strap 108' of the right
side assembly 18, and the loop 100a extends through the holes 108e
and 108e'. The strip 124' of the right side assembly 18 overlaps
the strip 124 of the left side assembly 16. The tabs 126a', 126b',
126c', 126d' and 126e' of the right side assembly 18 overlap the
tabs 126a, 126b, 126c, 126d and 126e, respectively, of the left
side assembly 16. The holes 128a', 128b', 128c', 128d' and 128e' of
the right side assembly 18 are axially aligned with the holes 128a,
128b, 128c, 128d and 128e, respectively, of the left side assembly
16. The loop 100b extends through the axially-aligned holes 128a'
and 128a, the loop 100c extends through the axially-aligned holes
128b' and 128b, the loop 100d extends through the axially-aligned
holes 128c' and 128c, the loop 100e extends through the
axially-aligned holes 128d' and 128d, and the loop 100f extends
through the axially-aligned holes 128e' and 128e. In an exemplary
embodiment, instead of the foregoing, the shoulder strap 108 of the
left side assembly 16 overlaps the shoulder strap 108' of the right
side assembly 18, and/or the strip 124 of the left side assembly 16
overlaps the strip 124' of the right side assembly 124.
[0062] The cord 19 extends from the internal passage 108g and
through the loop 100a so that the cord 19 is positioned between a
portion of the loop 100a and the end portion 108d' of the shoulder
strap 108' of the right side assembly 18. The cord 19 further
extends through the loops 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e and 100f so that
the cord 19 is positioned between respective portions of the loops
and the tabs 126a', 126b', 126c', 126d' and 126e'. The cord 19
further extends from the loop 100f and into the sleeve 102. As a
result of the extension of the cord 19, the left side assembly 16
and the right side assembly 18 are each removably coupled to the
back assembly 14. More particularly, as a result of the extension
of the cord 19, the shoulder strap 108 of the left side assembly 16
is removably coupled to the back assembly 14, the shoulder strap
108' of the right side assembly 18 is removably coupled to the back
assembly 14, the side portion 110 of the left side assembly 16 is
removably coupled to the back assembly 14, and the side portion
110' of the right side assembly 18 is removably coupled to the back
assembly 14. Moreover, the anti-sag strap 136 is removably coupled
to the middle portion 116 of the side portion 110 of the left side
assembly 16 via the removable coupling between the hook element
136b and the loop element 134. Similarly, the anti-sag strap 136'
of the right side assembly 18 is removably coupled to the middle
portion 116' of the side portion 110' of the right side assembly
18.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 6C, when the carrier 10 is an assembled
condition, the end portions 108d' and 108d of the shoulder straps
108' and 108, respectively, of the side assemblies 16 and 18,
respectively, and the loop 100a, are covered by the panel 90, and
thus are disposed between the jacket 66 and the panel 90. The flap
94 extends upwards, and the flap 92 extends downwards and covers at
least a portion of the flap 94. The snap fasteners 92b and 92c of
the flap 92 are removably coupled to the snap fasteners 94b and
94c, respectively, of the flap 94, and the hook element 92d of the
flap 92 is removably coupled to the loop element 94d of the flap
94, thereby removably coupling the flap 92 to the flap 94 and
covering at least respective portions of the strip 96, the holes
98a, 98b, 98c, 98d, 98e and 98f, the loops 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d,
100e and 100f, the cord 19, the end portion 114 of the left side
assembly 16, and the end portion 114' of the right side assembly
18.
[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, in operation, the carrier 10
provides an armor system that protects against a wide variety of
single and multi-hit threats of high and/or low velocities. In an
exemplary embodiment, the carrier 10 provides protection against a
threat having a threat level that is equal to or greater than the
threat level of National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Standard
0101.04 Level IV Protection, which is equivalent to the threat
level of a .30 caliber bullet traveling at 878 m/s, or an M2
armor-piercing (AP) bullet traveling at 2880 ft/s. In an exemplary
embodiment, the carrier 10 provides protection against a threat
having a threat level that is equal to or greater than the threat
level of NIJ Level III Protection, which is equivalent to the
threat level of a 7.62 mm NATO bullet traveling at 847 m/s.
[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, in operation, the carrier 10
provides protection from blast threats including, but not limited
to, shrapnel, fragmentation heat, overpressure, acceleration force
and deceleration force. Moreover, the carrier 10 provides
protection against deflection threats such as cut, stab and/or
blunt attacks.
[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier 10 is used during
mounted operation, such as, for example, a transportation
operation, during which the operator wearing the carrier 10 removes
the armor plate 44 from the front assembly 12 by decoupling the
flap 60 from the jacket 24 and removing the armor plate 44 from the
region 40 via the opening 42, in accordance with the foregoing. In
an exemplary embodiment, the carrier 10 is used during unmounted
operation, such as, for example, an operation requiring foot
travel, during which the operator wearing the carrier 10 inserts
the armor plate 44 into the front assembly 12 by decoupling the
flap 60 from the jacket 24, inserting the armor plate 44 into the
region 40 via the opening 42, and removably coupling the flap 60 to
the jacket 24, in accordance with the foregoing. In an exemplary
embodiment, in view of the foregoing, it is clear that the carrier
10 is scalable in that, for example, at least the number of armor
plates inserted in the carrier 10 can be varied based on, for
example, the specific operation during which the carrier 10 is
used. In an exemplary embodiment, in view of the foregoing, it is
clear that the carrier 10 is scalable in that, for example, at
least the insertion location or locations (front, back, left side,
right side, etc.) of the armor plate or plates can be varied based
on, for example, the specific operation during which the carrier 10
is used.
[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the modular construction of the
carrier 10 permits the selective disposal of one or more armor
plates in one or more of the front assembly 12, the back assembly
14, and the side assemblies 16 and 18. In an exemplary embodiment,
the modular construction of the carrier 10 permits the selective
coupling of one or more armor plates to one or more of the front
assembly 12, the back assembly 14, and the side assemblies 16 and
18.
[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7 with
continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E,
4F, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B and 6C, the carrier 10 is placed in a
front-opening configuration by decoupling the flap 28a of the front
assembly 12 from the flap 120' of the right side assembly 18,
decoupling the flap 120' from the jacket 24 of the front assembly
12, decoupling the snap-buckle receiver 108b' from the snap-buckle
element 30a, and then separating the right side assembly 18 from
the front assembly 12, thereby providing a gap between the right
side assembly 18 and the front assembly 12 which is suitable for
the removal of the carrier 10 from the operator. As a result, the
removal of carrier 10 from the operator is greatly facilitated and
there is no need to remove the carrier 10 from the operator by
pulling the carrier 10 up over the head of the operator. In an
exemplary embodiment, the carrier 10 is placed in a front-opening
configuration by decoupling the left side assembly 16 from the
front assembly 12 in a manner substantially similar to the
above-described manner by which the right side assembly 18 is
decoupled from the front assembly 12. In an exemplary embodiment,
after placing the carrier 10 in the front-opening configuration,
the operator puts on the carrier 10 in the same manner as if the
operator was putting on a vest, and then the carrier 10 is placed
in the closed configuration depicted in FIG. 6A by again removably
coupling the right side assembly 18 to the front assembly 12 in
accordance with the foregoing, and/or removably coupling the right
side assembly 16 to the front assembly 12, in accordance with the
foregoing. In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier 10 is a front
opening plate carrier.
[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8 with
continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E,
4F, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C and 7, after an operator has put on the
carrier 10, the lace assembly 132 is adjusted to accommodate the
body size of the operator by releasing the locking element 132b and
tightening and/or loosening the line 132. As a result of the lace
assembly 132 being adjusted as desired, a dimension 138 between the
tab 126a and the tab 130a is set. In an exemplary embodiment,
during the operation of the carrier 10, the side portion 110
undergoes loading from, for example, the weight of the side portion
110, the coupling of components such as a firearm, one or more
armor plates, or ammunition to the side portion 110, and/or any
combination thereof, which loading causes the side portion 110 to
begin to sag. However, the anti-sag strap 136, and its coupling to
the middle portion 116 of the side portion 110, maintains the
dimension 138 or at least resists the degree to which the dimension
138 varies, thereby resisting the degree to which the side portion
110 sags. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 8 for the purpose of
example, if the strap 136' of the right side assembly 18 is
decoupled from the middle portion 116' of the side portion 110' of
the right side assembly 18, then the dimension between the tab
126a' and the tab 130a' increases and the side portion 110' of the
right side assembly 18 sags to an appreciable degree. In an
exemplary embodiment, the strip 123 of the left side assembly 16
also facilitates keeping any ammunition and armor plates coupled to
the side portion 110 from sagging, while still allowing for
movement because the strip 123 is not the full height of the side
portion 110.
[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and
9B with continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C,
4D, 4E, 4F, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7 and 8, during operation, the
carrier 10 undergoes loading from, for example, the weight of the
armor plates 44 and/or 72, the weight of other components carried
by the carrier 10, the weight of the carrier 10 itself, and/or any
combination thereof. In response to this loading, the armor plate
72 applies point forces, or at least highly concentrated forces
140a, 140b, 140c, 140d, 140e and 140f against the plate insert 86.
In response, the plate insert 86 distributes the point forces 140a,
140b, 140c, 140d, 140e and 140f, and thereby applies respective
force distributions 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142e and 142f against
the back of the operator wearing the carrier 10, or, in other
exemplary embodiments, against whatever object or objects the back
assembly 14 contacts. As a result, in an exemplary embodiment, the
point forces or highly concentrated forces 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d,
140e and 140f are not applied directly against the operator wearing
the carrier 10, thereby reducing the amount of discomfort
experienced by the operator when wearing the carrier 10.
[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A,
10B, 10C and 10D with continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B,
3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7, 8, 9A and 9B,
during operation, the operator wearing the carrier 10 desires to
quickly release the carrier 10 from the body of the operator. That
is, it is desired to quickly separate the carrier 10 from the
operator wearing the carrier 10. To this end, as shown in FIG. 10A,
the operator grabs the loop 19d of the cord 19, which is secured in
place between the flap 36 and the jacket 24 of the front assembly
12 on the body side 22, and quickly pulls the loop 19d away from
the internal passage 108g defined by the shoulder strap 108 of the
side assembly 16. In response to the movement of the cord 19
relative to the remainder of the carrier 10, the side assemblies 16
and 18 are each decoupled from the back assembly 14, thereby
decoupling the front assembly 12 from the back assembly 14.
[0072] More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 100, in
response to the movement of the loop 19d of the cord 19 away from
the internal passage 108g of the shoulder strap 108, the end
portion 19b of the cord 19 travels downward through the portion 104
of the sleeve 102, then travels horizontally through the portion
103 of the sleeve 102, and then exits the sleeve 102, as viewed in
FIG. 10B. The end portion 19b of the cord 19 then travels through
and out of the loops 100f, 100e, 100d, 100c, 100b and 100e, as
shown in FIG. 100. As a result, since the cord 19 no longer extends
through any of the loops 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e and 100f of the
back assembly 14, the side portion 110 of the left side assembly 16
is decoupled from the back assembly 14. Moreover, since the cord 19
no longer extends through the loop 100a, the shoulder strap 108 is
decoupled from the back assembly 14. Therefore, the left side
assembly 16 is decoupled from the back assembly 14. Similarly, the
side portion 110' of the right side assembly 18 is decoupled from
the back assembly 14, and the shoulder strap 108' of the right side
assembly 18 is decoupled from the back assembly 14. Therefore, the
right side assembly 18 is decoupled from the back assembly 14.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 10D, in an exemplary embodiment, after the
side assemblies 16 and 18 are decoupled from the back assembly 14,
the weight of the back assembly 14 causes it to immediately fall
away from the side assemblies 16 and 18 and the body of the
operator. Similarly, the weight of the front assembly 12 causes it
to immediately fall away from the body of the operator. Since the
side assemblies 16 and 18 are still coupled to the front assembly
12, the side assemblies fall along with the front assembly 12. As a
result, the carrier 10 is quickly and safely released from the body
of the operator. In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier 10 is a
releasable plate carrier.
[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11 with
continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E,
4F, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7, 8, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 100 and 10D, a side
pouch assembly is generally referred to by the reference numeral
144 and includes a jacket 146 having a closed bottom end 146a, a
top end 146b, and an opening 146c formed in the top end 146b. An
internal region 147 is defined by the jacket 146. The side pouch
assembly 144 defines an exterior side 148 and a body, or interior,
side 150. A vertically-extending flap 152 is coupled to the jacket
146 on the inside surface thereof on the body side 150. The flap
152 defines a surface 152a, and a fastening element, such as a
Velcro hook element 152b, is coupled to the surface 152a. A flap
154 extends upward from the jacket 146 on the exterior side 148,
the flap 154 defining a surface 154a and including a fastening
element, such as a Velcro hook element 154b, coupled to the surface
154a. A flap 156 extends downward from the jacket 146 on the
exterior side 148, the flap 156 defining a surface 156a and
including a fastening element, such as a Velcro hook element 156b,
coupled to the surface 156b. An armor plate 158 is disposed in the
region 147 and is adapted to be inserted into the region 147 via
the opening 146c. In an exemplary embodiment, the armor plate 158
is, includes, and/or is a part of, an enhanced small arms
protective insert (ESAPI) and/or XSAPI. In several exemplary
embodiments, the armor plate 158 is substantially similar to, in
whole or in part, and/or includes components of, one or more armor
plates, insert assemblies, armor elements, and/or insert elements
disclosed in one or more of the following: (1) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/450,221, filed on Jun. 9, 2006; (2) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/586,170, filed on Oct. 25, 2006; and
(3) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/771,621, filed on Jun. 29, 2007,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In
several exemplary embodiments, the armor plate 158 meets at least
the Type IV ballistic performance requirement as described in
NIJ-Standard-0101.04. In an exemplary embodiment, to assemble the
side pouch assembly 144, the armor plate 158 is inserted into the
region 147 via the opening 146c, and the flap 152 is folded over
the top of the armor plate 158 and disposed in the region 147, with
the flap 152 being disposed between the armor plate 158 and the
inside surface of the jacket 146 on the exterior side 148. In an
exemplary embodiment, the hook element 152b is coupled to a Velcro
hoop element coupled to the inside surface of the jacket 146 on the
exterior side. In an exemplary embodiment, the flap 152 is
removably coupled to one or more straps and/or flaps disposed in
the region 147 and coupled to the jacket 146, and/or to the jacket
146 directly. In an exemplary embodiment, the degree to which the
flap 152 extends over the armor plate 158 varies in response to any
variance in the height of the armor plate 158, with the degree of
extension increasing if the height of the armor plate 158
decreases, and vice versa. In an exemplary embodiment, in view of
the foregoing, it is clear that the carrier 10 is scalable in that,
for example, at least the side pouch assembly 144 is configured to
accommodate a wide range of sizes of armor plates.
[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12 with
continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E,
4F, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7, 8, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 100, 10D and 11, an
inside surface 116a is defined by the middle portion 116 of the
side portion 110 of the left side assembly 16, and a fastening
element, such as a Velcro loop element 116b, is coupled to the
surface 116a. The side pouch assembly 144 is removably coupled to
the middle portion 116 by positioning the jacket 146 on the side of
the middle portion 116 opposing the surface 116a, folding the flap
156 over the bottom edge of the middle portion 116 and back up so
that the hook element 156b is removably coupled to the loop element
116b, and folding the flap 154 over the top edge of the middle
portion 116 and back down so that the hook element 154b is
removably coupled to the loop element 116b. Since the flaps 154 and
156 are removably coupled to the inside surface 116a, and thus are
disposed between the body of the operator and the middle portion
116 when the operator wears the carrier 10, the flaps 154 and 156
are not permitted to catch on any external object during
operation.
[0076] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of, or in addition to
removably coupling the side pouch assembly 144 to the left side
assembly 16, one or more other side pouch assemblies that are
substantially similar to the side pouch assembly 144 are removably
coupled to the right side assembly 18 and/or the left side assembly
16. In several exemplary embodiments, instead of, or in addition to
the side pouch assembly 144, one or more other side pouch
assemblies are removably coupled to the left side assembly 16
and/or the right side assembly 18, which assemblies are wider
and/or taller than the assembly 144 to accommodate larger-sized
armor plates. In several exemplary embodiments, instead of, or in
addition to the side pouch assembly 144, one or more other side
pouch assemblies are removably coupled to the left side assembly 16
and/or the right side assembly 18, which assemblies are less wide
and/or shorter than the assembly 144 to accommodate smaller-sized
armor plates.
[0077] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and
14 with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-12, a carrier is generally
referred to by the reference numeral 160 and includes the front
assembly 12, a back assembly 162, a left side assembly 164, a right
side assembly 166, and the cord 19. The front assembly 12 is
removably coupled to each of the side assemblies 164 and 166 in a
manner substantially identical to the above-described manner by
which the front assembly 12 is removably coupled to each of the
side assemblies 16 and 18 in the carrier 10. The side assemblies
164 and 166 are removably coupled to the back assembly 162 in a
manner substantially identical to the above-described manner by
which the side assemblies 16 and 18 are removably coupled to the
back assembly 14 in the carrier 10.
[0078] The back assembly 162 of the carrier 160 includes a jacket
168, which is substantially similar to the jacket 66 of the back
assembly 14 of the carrier 10, except that the shape of the jacket
168 is substantially similar to the shape of the jacket 24 of the
front assembly 12. Moreover, the back assembly 162 of the carrier
160 includes an armor plate, plate insert, and textile or fabric
layer (not shown) disposed within the jacket 168 and substantially
similar to the armor plate 72, the plate insert 86, and the fabric
layer 88, respectively, of the back assembly 14 of the carrier 10,
except that the respective shapes of the armor plate, plate insert,
and fabric layer disposed in the jacket 168 of the back assembly
162 are similar to the respective shapes of the jacket 168 of the
back assembly 162, the jacket 24 of the front assembly 12, the
armor plate 44 of the front assembly 12, and the fabric layer 56 of
the front assembly 12. In several exemplary embodiments, the armor
plate disposed in the jacket 168 of the back assembly 162 is
substantially identical to the armor plate 72 of the front assembly
12. In several exemplary embodiments, the fabric layer disposed in
the jacket 168 of the back assembly 162 is substantially identical
to the fabric layer 88 of the front assembly 12. The remainder of
the back assembly 162 of the carrier 160 is substantially identical
to the back assembly 14 of the carrier 10 and therefore the
remainder of the back assembly 162 will not be described in further
detail.
[0079] The left side assembly 164 includes a shoulder strap 170,
which, in turn, includes an end portion 170a having a snap-buckle
receiver 170b coupled thereto, an end portion 170c, and an end
portion 170d having a hole 170e formed therethrough. A middle
portion 170f extends between the end portion 170d and the end
portion 170a, and defines an internal passage 170g through which at
least a portion of the cord 19 is adapted to extend. A pad 170h is
wrapped around the middle portion 170f of the shoulder strap 170.
In an exemplary embodiment, anti-slip material is coupled to the
middle portion 170f. In an exemplary embodiment, anti-slip material
is coupled to the middle portion 170f and is positioned between the
end 170a and the pad 170h. The middle portion 170f includes a loop
portion 170i, which extends through a ring 170j coupled to the end
portion 170d. A buckle 170k defines the loop portion 170i, and is
adapted to be slidably adjusted, towards or away from the ring
170j, so that the maximum inside diameter of the loop portion 170i
is adjusted and thus the length of the middle portion 170f is
adjusted, thereby adjusting the overall length of the shoulder
strap 170. A free end 170l of the loop portion 170i extends from
the buckle 170k. In an exemplary embodiment, when the carrier 160
is an assembled condition in which, inter alia, the side assemblies
164 and 166 are removably coupled to the back assembly 162, the
length of the middle portion 170f and thus the overall length of
the shoulder strap 170 is adjusted by sliding the buckle 170i
towards or away from the ring 170j; the carrier 160 does not need
to be disassembled in whole or in part to effect this adjustment.
In an exemplary embodiment, when the carrier 160 is an assembled
condition in which, inter alia, the side assemblies 164 and 166 are
removably coupled to the back assembly 162, the length of the
middle portion 170f and thus the overall length of the shoulder
strap 170 is decreased by pulling the free end 170l and thus
causing the buckle 170k to slide towards the ring 170j; the carrier
160 does not need to be disassembled in whole or in part to effect
this decrease in the length of the shoulder strap 170. In an
exemplary embodiment, when the carrier 160 is an assembled
condition in which, inter alia, the side assemblies 164 and 166 are
removably coupled to the back assembly 162, the length of the
middle portion 170f and thus the overall length of the shoulder
strap 170 is increased by sliding the buckle 170k away from the
ring 170j; the carrier 160 does not need to be disassembled in
whole or in part to effect this increase in the length of the
shoulder strap 170. The remainder of the left side assembly 164 is
substantially similar to the left side assembly 16 of the carrier
10 and therefore the remainder of the left side assembly 164 will
not be described in further detail.
[0080] The right side assembly 166 is substantially similar to the
left side assembly 164; the right side assembly 166 and the left
side assembly 164 are symmetric about a vertically-extending plane
that is generally perpendicular to the front assembly 12 and the
back assembly 162, as viewed in FIG. 13, and the right side
assembly 166 includes components and couplings that are
substantially identical to the above-described components and
couplings of the left side assembly 164. Therefore, the right side
assembly 166 will not be described in further detail.
[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, with the exception of the manner
by which the respective lengths of the shoulder straps of the side
assemblies 164 and 166 are adjusted, the placement of the carrier
160 in its assembled condition is substantially similar to the
placement of the carrier 10 in its assembled condition and
therefore the placement of the carrier 160 in its assembled
condition will not be described in further detail.
[0082] In an exemplary embodiment, the operation of the carrier 160
is substantially similar to the operation of the carrier 10 and
therefore the operation of the carrier 160 will not be described in
further detail.
[0083] In several exemplary embodiments, instead of, or in addition
to the Velcro hook and loop portions described above, other
fastening elements, fasteners, and/or fastening systems are
included in the carrier 10 and/or one or more of the assemblies 12,
14, 16 and 18, such as, for example, clips, snap buckles, other
types of buckles, tape, snap fasteners, other types of fasteners,
and/or any combination thereof, to thereby provide, for example,
one or more of the removable couplings described above.
[0084] In several exemplary embodiments, the carrier 10 is a front
opening releasable scalable plate carrier.
[0085] A carrier has been described that includes a front assembly;
a back assembly adapted to be removably coupled to the front
assembly, wherein at least one of the front and back assemblies
comprises a first armor plate; and a cord comprising a first
position in which the front assembly is removably coupled to the
back assembly; and a second position in which the front assembly is
decoupled from the back assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the
carrier comprises first and second side assemblies; wherein, when
the cord is in the first position, each of the first and second
side assemblies is removably coupled to each of the front and back
assemblies so that the front assembly is removably coupled to the
back assembly; and wherein, when the cord is in the second
position, each of the first and second side assemblies is decoupled
from at least one of the front and back assemblies so that the
front assembly is decoupled from the back assembly. In an exemplary
embodiment, the back assembly comprises a first loop; wherein the
first and second side assemblies comprise first and second shoulder
straps, respectively, each of the first and second shoulder straps
comprising a first end portion at which the strap is adapted to be
removably coupled to the front assembly; a second end portion
comprising a hole formed therethrough; and wherein, when the cord
is in the first position, the first loop extends through each of
the respective holes of the first and second shoulder straps, and
the cord extends through the first loop. In an exemplary
embodiment, the back assembly further comprises a second loop;
wherein the first and second side assemblies comprise first and
second side portions, respectively, each of the first and second
side portions comprising a first end portion at which the side
portion is adapted to be removably coupled to the front assembly;
and a second end portion comprising a first tab and a hole formed
through the first tab; and wherein, when the cord is in the first
position, the second loop extends through each of the respective
holes of the first and second side portions, and the cord extends
through the second loop. In an exemplary embodiment, the back
assembly comprises first and second loops; wherein the first side
assembly comprises a first side portion, and a first shoulder strap
coupled to the first side portion; wherein the second side assembly
comprises a second side portion, and a second shoulder strap
coupled to the second side portion; wherein each of the first and
second side portions comprises a first end portion at which the
side portion is adapted to be removably coupled to the front
assembly; and a second end portion comprising a first tab and a
hole formed through the first tab; wherein each of the first and
second shoulder straps comprises a first end portion at which the
strap is adapted to be removably coupled to the front assembly; a
second end portion comprising a hole formed therethrough; and a
third end portion at which the strap is coupled to the
corresponding side portion; and wherein, when the cord is in the
first position, the first loop extends through each of the
respective holes of the first and second shoulder straps, the cord
extends through the first loop, the second loop extends through
each of the respective holes of the first and second side portions,
and the cord extends through the second loop. In an exemplary
embodiment, the cord comprises a first end portion, a second end
portion opposing the first end portion, and a middle portion
extending between the first and second end portions; wherein the
back assembly defines one or more sleeves; wherein at least one of
the first and second shoulder straps defines a passage; and
wherein, when the cord is in the first position, at least a portion
of the second end portion of the cord is disposed in the one or
more sleeves, and at least a portion of the middle portion of the
cord extends through the passage defined by the at least one of the
first and second shoulder straps. In an exemplary embodiment, the
front assembly comprises a jacket defining a region in which the
first armor plate is adapted to be disposed; wherein the carrier
further comprises a closed configuration in which the cord is in
the first position, the respective first end portions of the first
and second side portions of the first and second side assemblies
are removably coupled to the jacket of the front assembly, and the
respective second end portions of the first and second shoulder
straps of the first and second side assemblies are removably
coupled to the jacket of the front assembly; and a front-opening
configuration in which the cord is in the first position, the first
end portion of the side portion of one of the first and second side
assemblies is decoupled from the jacket of the front assembly, and
the second end portion of the shoulder strap of the one of the
first and second side assemblies is decoupled from the jacket of
the front assembly, thereby providing a gap between the front
assembly and the one of the first and second side assemblies. In an
exemplary embodiment, the back assembly comprises a first jacket
defining a first region in which the first armor plate is disposed,
the first region defining an upper internal surface of the first
jacket; a first flap extending within the first region and over the
first armor plate in a first direction; a second flap removably
coupled to first flap and extending over the first armor plate in a
second direction that is generally opposite the first direction;
and a third flap removably coupled to at least one of the first and
second flaps and extending over the first armor plate in a third
direction that is generally perpendicular to each of the first and
second directions; wherein the removably coupling between the first
and second flaps defines a first gap between corresponding portions
of the first and second flaps that is sized to correspond to a
first dimension of the first armor plate; and wherein the removably
coupling between the third flap and the at least one of the first
and second flaps defines a second gap between the upper internal
surface of the first jacket and the third flap that is sized to
correspond to a second dimension of the first armor plate, the
second dimension being generally perpendicular to the first
dimension; wherein the front assembly comprises a second jacket
defining a second region in which a second armor plate is adapted
to be disposed, the second region defining an upper internal
surface of the second jacket; a fourth flap extending within the
second region and adapted to extend over the second armor plate in
a fourth direction; a fifth flap adapted to be removably coupled to
fourth flap and extend over the second armor plate in a fifth
direction that is generally opposite the fourth direction; and a
sixth flap adapted to be removably coupled to at least one of the
fourth and fifth flaps and extend over the second armor plate in a
sixth direction that is generally perpendicular to each of the
fourth and fifth directions; and wherein the carrier further
comprises a first configuration in which the first armor plate is
disposed in the first region and the second armor plate is not
disposed in the second region; and a second configuration in which
the first and second armor plates are disposed in the first and
second regions, respectively; the fourth flap extends over the
second armor plate in the fourth direction; the fifth flap is
removably coupled to the fourth flap and extends over the second
armor plate in the fifth direction that is generally opposite the
fourth direction; the sixth flap is removably coupled to the at
least one of the fourth and fifth flaps and extends over the second
armor plate in the sixth direction that is generally perpendicular
to each of the fourth and fifth directions; wherein the removably
coupling between the fourth and fifth flaps defines a third gap
between corresponding portions of the fourth and fifth flaps that
is sized to correspond to a first dimension of the second armor
plate; and wherein the removably coupling between the sixth flap
and the at least one of the fourth and fifth flaps defines a fourth
gap between the upper internal surface of the second jacket and the
sixth flap that is sized to correspond to a second dimension of the
second armor plate, the second dimension of the second armor plate
being generally perpendicular to the first dimension of the second
armor plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier is adapted to
be worn by an operator; wherein the back assembly comprises a
jacket defining a region in which the first armor plate is
disposed, and the back assembly defines an exterior side and an
interior side, the interior side adapted to be proximate the
operator when the operator wears the carrier; wherein the carrier
further comprises a handle assembly coupled to the back assembly,
the handle assembly comprising first and second handle straps, each
of the first and second handle straps comprising first and second
end portions, the first end portion being coupled to the jacket of
the back assembly; a sleeve extending between, and coupled to, the
respective second end portions of the first and second handle
straps, the sleeve defining a passage; a support disposed in the
sleeve; a first configuration in which the sleeve is removably
coupled to the back assembly while the respective first end
portions of the first and second handle straps are coupled to the
jacket of the back assembly; and a second configuration in which
the sleeve is decoupled from the back assembly while the respective
first end portions of the first and second handle straps are
coupled to the jacket of the back assembly, thereby permitting a
gap to be defined between the sleeve and the jacket of the back
assembly; a plate insert disposed in the region defined by the
jacket of the back assembly, the plate insert being positioned
between the first armor plate and the interior side of the back
assembly; wherein, when the carrier is worn by the operator, the
plate insert distributes point forces applied by the first armor
plate against the operator. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the
first and second side portions of the first and second side
assemblies, respectively, comprises a middle portion extending
between the first and second end portions; wherein the second end
portion of each of the first and second side assemblies further
comprises a first plurality of tabs comprising respective holes
formed therethrough, wherein the first tab is one of the tabs in
the first plurality of tabs; a second plurality of tabs; a lace
assembly coupling the first plurality of tabs to the second
plurality of tabs; an anti-sag strap coupled to the first tab and
adapted to extend across the lace assembly and be removably coupled
to the middle portion; and wherein the carrier comprises a
configuration in which a dimension is defined across the lace
assembly and between the first and second pluralities of tabs, the
anti-sag strap extends across the lace assembly and is removably
coupled to the middle portion; and the removable coupling between
the anti-sag strap and the middle portion resists any variation in
the dimension between the first and second pluralities of tabs.
[0086] A method has been described that includes providing a
carrier comprising front and back assemblies, at least one of the
front and back assemblies comprising an armor plate; removably
coupling the front assembly to the back assembly, comprising
placing a cord in a first position relative to the front and back
assemblies; and decoupling the front assembly from the back
assembly, comprising moving the cord from the first position to a
second position relative to the front and back assemblies. In an
exemplary embodiment, the carrier comprises first and second side
assemblies comprising first and second shoulder straps,
respectively, and first and second side portions coupled thereto,
respectively; and wherein removably coupling the front assembly to
the back assembly further comprises removably coupling the first
and second side portions to the back assembly; removably coupling
the first and second side portions to the front assembly; removably
coupling the first and second shoulder straps to the back assembly;
and removably coupling the first and second shoulder straps to the
front assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, decoupling the front
assembly from the back assembly further comprises decoupling the
first and second side portions from the back assembly in response
to moving the cord from the first position to the second position
relative to the front and back assemblies; and decoupling the first
and second shoulder straps from the back assembly in response to
moving the cord from the first position to the second position
relative to the front and back assemblies. In an exemplary
embodiment, the method comprises placing the carrier in a
front-opening configuration in which a gap between the front
assembly and one of the first and second side assemblies is
provided, comprising decoupling the shoulder strap of the one of
the first and second side assemblies from the front assembly; and
decoupling the side portion of the one of the first and second side
assemblies from the front assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the
back assembly comprises a jacket defining a region in which the
armor plate is disposed, the region defining an upper internal
surface of the jacket; and first, second and third flaps extending
within the region; wherein the armor plate defines a first
dimension and a second dimension generally perpendicular thereto;
and wherein the method further comprises securing the armor plate
within the region, comprising extending the first and second flaps
over the first armor plate; removably coupling the second flap to
the first flap to thereby define a first gap between corresponding
portions of the first and second flaps that is sized to correspond
to the first dimension of the armor plate; extending the third flap
over the armor plate; and removably coupling the third flap to at
least one of the first and second flaps to thereby define a second
gap between the upper internal surface of the jacket and the third
flap that is sized to correspond to the second dimension of the
armor plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises
removably coupling a handle assembly to the back assembly, the
handle assembly comprising a support; and selectively providing a
gap between the back assembly and the support of the handle
assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises loading
the carrier, wherein the armor plate applies one or more point
forces in response to loading the carrier; and distributing the one
or more point forces applied in response to loading the carrier. In
an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises loading the carrier;
and resisting the degree to which the first and second side
portions of the first and second side assemblies, respectively, sag
in response to loading the carrier.
[0087] A system has been described that includes means for
providing a carrier comprising front and back assemblies, at least
one of the front and back assemblies comprising an armor plate;
means for removably coupling the front assembly to the back
assembly, comprising means for placing a cord in a first position
relative to the front and back assemblies; and means for decoupling
the front assembly from the back assembly, comprising means for
moving the cord from the first position to a second position
relative to the front and back assemblies. In an exemplary
embodiment, the carrier further comprises first and second side
assemblies comprising first and second shoulder straps,
respectively, and first and second side portions coupled thereto,
respectively; and wherein means for removably coupling the front
assembly to the back assembly further comprises means for removably
coupling the first and second side portions to the back assembly;
means for removably coupling the first and second side portions to
the front assembly; means for removably coupling the first and
second shoulder straps to the back assembly; and means for
removably coupling the first and second shoulder straps to the
front assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, means for decoupling
the front assembly from the back assembly further comprises means
for decoupling the first and second side portions from the back
assembly in response to moving the cord from the first position to
the second position relative to the front and back assemblies; and
means for decoupling the first and second shoulder straps from the
back assembly in response to moving the cord from the first
position to the second position relative to the front and back
assemblies. In an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises means
for placing the carrier in a front-opening configuration in which a
gap between the front assembly and one of the first and second side
assemblies is provided, comprising means for decoupling the
shoulder strap of the one of the first and second side assemblies
from the front assembly; and means for decoupling the side portion
of the one of the first and second side assemblies from the front
assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the back assembly comprises a
jacket defining a region in which the armor plate is disposed, the
region defining an upper internal surface of the jacket; and first,
second and third flaps extending within the region; wherein the
armor plate defines a first dimension and a second dimension
generally perpendicular thereto; and wherein the system further
comprises means for securing the armor plate within the region,
comprising means for extending the first and second flaps over the
first armor plate; means for removably coupling the second flap to
the first flap to thereby define a first gap between corresponding
portions of the first and second flaps that is sized to correspond
to the first dimension of the armor plate; means for extending the
third flap over the armor plate; and means for removably coupling
the third flap to at least one of the first and second flaps to
thereby define a second gap between the upper internal surface of
the jacket and the third flap that is sized to correspond to the
second dimension of the armor plate. In an exemplary embodiment,
the system comprises means for removably coupling a handle assembly
to the back assembly, the handle assembly comprising a support; and
means for selectively providing a gap between the back assembly and
the support of the handle assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the
system comprises means for loading the carrier, wherein the armor
plate applies one or more point forces in response to loading the
carrier; and means for distributing the one or more point forces
applied in response to loading the carrier. In an exemplary
embodiment, the system comprises means for loading the carrier; and
means for resisting the degree to which the first and second side
portions of the first and second side assemblies, respectively, sag
in response to loading the carrier.
[0088] It is understood that variations may be made in the
foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For
example, instead of the shoulder strap 108 of the left side
assembly 16, the cord 19 may be disposed in an internal passage
defined by the shoulder strap 108' of the right side assembly
18.
[0089] In several exemplary embodiments, the elements and teachings
of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be combined
in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative exemplary
embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings
of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be omitted,
at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or
more of the other elements and teachings of the various
illustrative embodiments.
[0090] In several exemplary embodiments, any one or more of the
above-described embodiments and/or variations may be composed of
any one or more of the above-described materials, and/or any
combination thereof. In several exemplary embodiments, any one or
more of the above-described embodiments and/or variations may be in
the form of any one or more of the above-described forms, and/or
any combination thereof. In several exemplary embodiments, any one
or more of the above-described embodiments and/or variations may
have any one or more of the above-described surface structures,
and/or any combination thereof. In several exemplary embodiments,
any one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or
variations may have any one or more of the above-described shapes,
and/or any combination thereof.
[0091] Any spatial references such as, for example, "upper,"
"lower," "above," "below," "between," "bottom," "vertical,"
"horizontal," "angular," "upwards," "downwards," "side-to-side,"
"left-to-right," "left," "right," "right-to-left," "top-to-bottom,"
"bottom-to-top," "top," "bottom," "bottom-up," "top-down," etc.,
are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the
specific orientation or location of the structure described
above.
[0092] In several exemplary embodiments, while different steps,
processes, and procedures are described as appearing as distinct
acts, one or more of the steps, one or more of the processes,
and/or one or more of the procedures may also be performed in
different orders, simultaneously and/or sequentially. In several
exemplary embodiments, the steps, processes and/or procedures may
be merged into one or more steps, processes and/or procedures.
[0093] In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the
operational steps in each embodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in
some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be
employed without a corresponding use of the other features.
Moreover, one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or
variations may be combined in whole or in part with any one or more
of the other above-described embodiments and/or variations.
[0094] Although several exemplary embodiments have been described
in detail above, the embodiments described are exemplary only and
are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that many other modifications, changes and/or
substitutions are possible in the exemplary embodiments without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the
present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes
and/or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope
of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the
claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the
structures described herein as performing the recited function and
not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent
structures.
* * * * *