U.S. patent application number 13/641728 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-14 for scalable and modular protective garment system.
This patent application is currently assigned to ALLEN-VANGUARD CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Rob Beland, Rob Reynolds, Magda Slobozianu. Invention is credited to Rob Beland, Rob Reynolds, Magda Slobozianu.
Application Number | 20130036537 13/641728 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44860687 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130036537 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reynolds; Rob ; et
al. |
February 14, 2013 |
Scalable And Modular Protective Garment System
Abstract
A protective garment system for a user including a cummerbund
having a shoulder harness connected to a wraparound waist portion,
and at least one connector device operatively attached to the
cummerbund. The protective garment further includes one or more
upper body modular protective elements and one or more lower body
modular protective elements, with at least one of the lower body
modular protective elements to the cummerbund by the connector
device.
Inventors: |
Reynolds; Rob; (Wakefield,
CA) ; Beland; Rob; (Pickering, CA) ;
Slobozianu; Magda; (Ottawa, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Reynolds; Rob
Beland; Rob
Slobozianu; Magda |
Wakefield
Pickering
Ottawa |
|
CA
CA
CA |
|
|
Assignee: |
ALLEN-VANGUARD CORPORATION
Ottawa
ON
|
Family ID: |
44860687 |
Appl. No.: |
13/641728 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
April 27, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA10/00602 |
371 Date: |
October 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/456 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/015 20130101;
F41H 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/456 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00; F41H 1/02 20060101 F41H001/02 |
Claims
1. A protective garment system for a user comprising a cummerbund
having a shoulder harness connected to a wraparound waist portion,
and at least one connector device operatively attached to said
cummerbund; and, one or more upper body modular protective elements
and one or more lower body modular protective elements; wherein at
least one of said lower body modular protective elements is
attached to said cummerbund by said connector device.
2. A protective garment system according to claim 1, wherein said
or more upper body modular protective elements comprises a shoulder
protector.
3. A protective garment system according to claim 2, wherein said
shoulder protector comprises underarm ballistic flaps for securing
said shoulder protector to the user.
4. A protective garment system according to claim 3, wherein said
underarm ballistic flaps include an adjustable strap and buckle
system and a complimentary strap and buckle system, such that said
shoulder protector is adjustably positioned to accommodate the user
and rest tautly against a vest worn by the user over said
cummerbund.
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. A protective garment system according to claim 2, wherein said
one or more modular protective elements further comprises arm
protectors positioned over at least a portion of one or both of the
user's arms, and wherein said arm protectors are connected to said
shoulder protector; wherein said arm protectors are connected to
said shoulder protector by emergency breakaway zippers positioned
proximate each respective shoulder and an upper portion of said arm
protectors.
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. A protective garment system according claim 5, further
comprising a gusset proximate an underarm region of said arm
protector to provide protection to the underarm region of the
user.
12. A protective garment system according claim 1, wherein said arm
protectors each comprise a sleeve formed from an upper arm
protective portion and a lower arm protective portion and further
comprising corresponding buckle elements formed on said upper and
lower arm protective portions for connecting said upper arm
protective portion to said lower arm protective portion.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. A protective garment system according to claim 1, wherein said
one or more lower body modular protective elements further
comprises ballistic shorts; wherein said cummerbund includes an
adjustable waist strap; said ballistic shorts further comprising
belt loop portions; said adjustable waist strap adapted to hook
into said belt loops on said ballistic shorts to keep said shorts
secure at the waist of the user.
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. A protective garment system according to claim 1, wherein said
one or more lower body modular protective elements further
comprises a thigh protector; wherein said at least one connector
device includes a connector extending at least partially around a
waist portion of said cummerbund; said thigh protector further
comprise a complimentary connector for attaching to said connector
extending at least partially around said waist portion of said
cummerbund.
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
28. (canceled)
29. A protective garment system according to claim 23, further
comprising a knee protector connected to an underside of said thigh
protector and a lower leg protector having one or more buckles,
said thigh protector having one or more corresponding buckles for
attaching said lower leg protector to said thigh protector.
30. (canceled)
31. (canceled)
32. (canceled)
33. (canceled)
34. (canceled)
35. A protective garment system according to claim 1, wherein said
one or more upper body modular protective elements further includes
a ballistic resistant body protective element covering at least a
chest portion of the user.
36. (canceled)
37. (canceled)
38. A protective garment system according claim 35, wherein said
body protective element comprises a chest protector plate having
four buckle elements; said shoulder protector including two
corresponding buckle elements on said to attach to two of said four
buckle elements and said shoulder protector comprising two
corresponding pectoral buckle elements, positioned proximate the
pectoral region of the user, to attach to the remaining two of said
four buckle elements.
39. (canceled)
40. A protective garment system according to claim 38, wherein said
buckle elements on said ballistic flaps are adjustable; and, said
pectoral buckle elements are fixed, such that in use, said chest
protector is first buckled to said fixed buckle elements and
subsequently to said adjustable buckle elements to ensure that the
chest protector is taught against a torso region of the user.
41. (canceled)
42. A protective garment for a user comprising, in combination, a
cummerbund having a shoulder harness, at least one connector device
for attaching one or more lower body modular protective elements,
and one or more upper body modular protective elements; wherein
said one or more upper body modular protective element comprises:
i. a shoulder protector; ii. arm protectors; and said one or more
lower body modular protective elements comprises: iii. ballistic
shorts; and, iv. a thigh protector.
43. A protective garment according to claim 42, further comprising
lower leg protectors connected to said thigh protector and a blast
chest plate connected in part to underarm flaps on said shoulder
protector and in part to a pectoral region of said shoulder
protector.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to protective garments and suits, and
in particular, to a modular protective garment system for
protecting military, police and other emergency service personnel
during active service.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Military personnel often work in hazardous environments and
are frequently exposed to ballistic threats such as bullets and
fragments from explosive devices such as bombs and roadside IEDs
(improvised explosive devices). Personnel operating in these
environments may be issued with a sleeveless protective jacket for
wearing in combination with standard military uniform. The
protective jacket comprises front and rear pockets each extending
over the front and rear torso regions for receiving a ballistic
resistant plate, typically composed of a composite of multiple
layers of ballistic resistant fabric such as an aramid material and
embedded epoxy resin which are heat pressed together. The front and
rear protective plates assist in preventing bullets and fragments
penetrating the thoracic cavity and damaging vital organs.
[0003] In more dangerous conditions, typically geared towards
explosive device and bomb disposal applications, military personnel
may be provided with bomb suits including full body protective
armour. These suits typically require extensive dressing time and
are have highly restricted mobility, due to their size, weight and
bulkiness. Two-piece suits are also known in the art, for providing
separate upper and lower body protection. There is a need in the
art for a protective garment in the form of a bomb or tactical suit
that provides for one or more of enhanced mobility, versatility,
customization, and protection, among other factors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention there is disclosed a protective garment system for a user
including a cummerbund having a shoulder harness connected to a
wraparound waist portion, and at least one connector device
operatively attached to the cummerbund; and, one or more upper body
modular protective elements and one or more lower body modular
protective elements. Preferably, at least one of the lower body
modular protective elements is attached to the cummerbund by the
connector device.
[0005] According to one aspect of the first embodiment, the one or
more upper body modular protective elements is a shoulder
protector, and the at least one connector device extends from a
region of the cummerbund proximate the user's upper chest region to
interact with a corresponding connector on the shoulder protector.
Preferably, the at least one connector device are defined by
underarm ballistic flaps with an adjustable strap and buckle system
and the corresponding connector includes a complimentary strap and
buckle system, such that said shoulder protector is adjustably
positioned to accommodate the user and rest tautly against a vest
worn by the user over the cummerbund.
[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, the shoulder
protector includes an integral collar
[0007] According to another embodiment of the invention, the one or
more upper body modular protective elements are arm protectors
positioned over at least a portion of the user's arms. Preferably,
the arm protectors are connected to the shoulder protector, for
example, by emergency breakaway zippers positioned proximate each
respective shoulder on the shoulder protector and an upper portion
of the arm protectors on the arm protectors.
[0008] According to one aspect of this embodiment, the arm
protectors are arm-length arm protectors and include a bend at an
elbow portion thereof. Preferably, the protector includes an inner
portion formed from a flame, abrasion and tear resistant fabric,
and an outer portion formed in part from a flame, abrasion and tear
resistant plastic and in part from a flame, abrasion and tear
resistant fabric and/or elastomer. The arm protector of this
embodiment may further include a gusset proximate an underarm
region of said arm protector to provide protection to the underarm
region of the user.
[0009] According to another embodiment of the arm protector, the
arm protector includes a sleeve formed from an upper arm protective
portion and a lower arm protective portion. Preferably, breakaway
zippers are positioned on an upper portion of the upper arm
protective portion. According to one aspect of the invention, an
opening device, such as a zipper, is provided extending along a
length of the arm protectors to provide access to protective
inserts, for example, to facilitate removal for laundering
purposes.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the lower arm
protective portion is attached to a lower portion of the upper arm
protective portion. Preferably, corresponding buckle elements are
formed on the upper and lower arm protective portions for
connecting the upper arm protective portion to the lower arm
protective portion. Opening devices may be provided extending a
length of the upper arm protective portion and the lower arm
protective portion to facilitate placing the respective arm
protective portions over the user's arms.
[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, the one or
more lower body modular protective elements further includes
ballistic shorts. Preferably, the cummerbund includes an adjustable
waist strap; the ballistic shorts further include belt loop
portions, such that the waist straps are adapted to hook into the
belt loops on the ballistic shorts to keep the shorts secure at the
waist of the user. According to one aspect, the ballistic shorts
include an elastic material along the outer thigh thereof.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the one
one or more lower body modular protective elements further includes
a thigh protector. Preferably, the at least one connector device on
the cummerbund includes a connector extending at least partially
around a waist portion of the cummerbund, and the thigh protector
further include a complimentary connector for attaching to the
connector extending at least partially around the waist portion of
the cummerbund.
[0013] According to one aspect of this embodiment, the connector on
the cummerbund is a zipper portion and the complimentary connector
is a complimentary zipper portion. Preferably, the zipper portions
extend substantially around the waist portion of the cummerbund.
The thigh protector may further comprise an opening device, such as
a zipper, on interior portions thereof.
[0014] Preferably, the thigh protector extend from the waist of the
user to below the knees of the user. According to one aspect of
this embodiment, the thigh protector further comprise a knee
protector integral with the thigh protector. Preferably, the knee
protector is formed from a ballistic resistant material.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
protective garment system further comprises a lower leg protector
for one or both of the user's legs. Preferably, the lower leg
protector is connected to a portion of the thigh protector
proximate the knee protector. According to one aspect of this
embodiment, the portion of the thigh protector proximate the knee
protector is on an underside of the knee protector. The lower leg
protector may include one or more buckles and the thigh protector
may include one or more corresponding buckles for attaching the
lower leg protector to the thigh protector. Preferably, the lower
leg protector extends substantially over a knee region of the user
and includes a protective plate covering the knee region comprising
an impact resistant material.
[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the one or
more upper body modular protective elements further includes a
ballistic resistant body protective element, such as a blast chest
plate for covering the chest and upper body portion of the user.
The blast chest plate may further include a groin protective
portion extending over the groin region of the user. According to
another embodiment, a blast attenuation liner is positioned between
the blast chest plate and the user.
[0017] According to one aspect of this embodiment, the chest blast
plate includes two or more buckle elements, and at least one buckle
element is provided on the shoulder protector. Preferably, the
protector plate includes four buckle elements, the shoulder
protector includes two corresponding ballistic flaps having two
corresponding buckle elements to attach to two of the four buckle
elements and the shoulder protector further includes two pectoral
buckle elements to attach to the remaining two of the four buckle
elements
[0018] Preferably, the buckle elements on the ballistic flaps are
adjustable, and, the pectoral buckle elements on the shoulder
protector are fixed, such that in use, the chest protector is first
buckled to the fixed buckle elements and subsequently to the
adjustable buckle elements to ensure that the chest protector is
taught against a torso region of the user.
[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the at
least one connective device on the cummerbund may include one or
more protective devices selected from the group consisting of
straps, buckles, underarm flaps, straps extending from an underarm
flap, buckles extending from an underarm flap and zippers.
Similarly, at least one connective device on the shoulder protector
may include one or more protective devices selected from the group
consisting of straps, buckles, underarm flaps, straps extending
from an underarm flap, buckles extending from an underarm flap and
zippers.
[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, a
protective garment is disclosed, that includes, in combination, a
cummerbund having a shoulder harness, and at least one connector
device for attaching a plurality of modular protective elements to
the cummerbund; wherein the plurality of modular protective
elements comprises ballistic shorts, and, a thigh protector.
[0021] According to one aspect of this embodiment, the protective
garment further includes lower leg protectors connected to the
thigh protector and a blast chest plate connected in part to the to
the shoulder protector and in part to the underarm flaps of the
shoulder protector.
[0022] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of
the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts
and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic
of the according to the present invention, as to its structure,
organization, use and method of operation, together with further
objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from
the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of
the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is
expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying
drawings:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative cummerbund
according to the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cummerbund of FIG. 1 on
a user;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a representative protective
vest for use with the invention;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cummerbund of FIG. 1 and
the vest of FIG. 3 on a user;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a representative shoulder
protector according to the invention;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shoulder protector of
FIG. 5 as worn by a user;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a detail view as marked in FIG. 6;
[0031] FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the invention with
representative single piece arm protectors;
[0032] FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing the invention with
representative two piece arm protectors;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of representative protective
shorts according to the invention;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a user donning the
protective shorts of FIG. 9;
[0035] FIG. 11a is a perspective view of representative modular
protective elements according to the invention;
[0036] FIG. 11b is a perspective view of the modular protective
elements of FIG. 11a on a user;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of representative lower leg
protectors according to the invention;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a user donning the lower
leg protectors according to the invention;
[0039] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a user donning a
representative chest plate according to the invention;
[0040] FIG. 15 is a detail view as marked in FIG. 8A;
[0041] FIG. 16 is a detail view as marked in FIG. 8B;
[0042] FIG. 17 is a detail view as marked in FIG. 13;
[0043] FIG. 18 is a front view of another embodiment of the
invention; and,
[0044] FIG. 19 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0045] The invention discloses a protective garment system, such as
a bomb suit or a tactical personnel protection system, designed to
protect against a variety of threats posed by, for example,
explosive hazards, gunfire, fragments from explosions, and other
operational hazards that occur during the course of military,
police and other emergency service personnel missions. Unlike prior
art systems, the protective garment system of the present invention
provides a modular protective system that is readily alterable and
adaptable to providing a suitable level of protection and mobility
based on anticipated threats and operational requirements in
particular mission environments. The modular system of this
invention allows the protective garment to be worn in numerous
configurations in order to address the requirements of the
operating environment and the specific tasks that will be carried
out by the user. For clarity, the term protective garment, and
protective garment system are used throughout the description
interchangeable, and it will be understood that these terms apply
equally to a bomb suit, emergency suit, and tactical suit and other
protective garments that may be used depending on a class of
mission in which the suit is used, but generally refer to the
garment of the present invention and may be referred to
interchangeably.
[0046] Accordingly, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the
art that the various components and upper and lower body modular
protective elements of the protective garment described below may
be worn in any combination to provide a protective garment for
particular operational requirements. Each of the modular protective
elements protecting the lower body may be attached to a base
cummerbund (described further below), or to each other to
ultimately form the protective garment used Modular protective
elements protecting the upper body may be attached to a shoulder
protector, described in further detail below.
[0047] The modular protective elements described below may be
formed from any number of materials, including fabrics such as
Aramid, ballistic resistant plastics, impact resistant materials
and similar materials, such as Kevlar, and any combinations thereof
that allow for one or more flame, abrasion and ballistic
resistance. Furthermore, durable ultra-violet resistant elastomeric
rubber panels providing increased grip and wear resistance may be
incorporated into areas of the modular protective elements. It will
be understood by those skilled in the art that these material
descriptors are to aid in the understanding and description of the
invention, but the invention is not limited to such materials.
Various other materials providing protective varying degrees of
protection may be incorporated into any and all portions of the
modular protective elements of the invention.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown a representative
protective garment system 10 for a user 5, such as military, police
or other emergency services personnel. Shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
protective garment system 10 has a base cummerbund 12 having a
shoulder harness 14 and at least one connector device for
connecting one or more modular protective elements to the
cummerbund 12. Various embodiments of the at least one connector
device and the modular protective elements are described in further
detail below. The cummerbund 12 is preferably adaptable to be worn
over existing uniform or clothing such that the protective garment
system may be donned on short notice, in a quick and efficient
manner. Preferably, the cummerbund 12 is back-supportive, and in
combination with the shoulder harness 14 is designed to provide
support and decrease the stress placed on stabilizer muscles of the
back, thereby allowing for better posture and carrying of the
protective garment. This is especially critical where the
protective garment system 10 includes a number of protective
elements increasing the weight of the protective garment system 10
substantially. Furthermore, any tools, weaponry or other
accessories that may be attached to the protective garment system
10 may be added while minimizing the load borne by the user's
shoulders. Typical prior art bomb suits and protective garments
placed substantial loads on the user's shoulders. The base
cummerbund 12 according to the invention allows for the
distribution of some weight, usually carried by the shoulders, to
the user's hips. The invention is not limited to the embodiment of
the cummerbund 12 shown, as will be understood by those skilled in
the art that any cummerbund 12 having a waist supportive portion
16, connector devices 18 and the shoulder harness 14, and
variations thereof providing the same functionality is within the
scope of the invention. A protective vest 30 (shown in FIG. 3) may
be worn over the cummerbund 12 (as shown in FIG. 4), and is
optionally, independent of the protective garment system of the
invention. That is, standard protective vests 30 as are known in
the art, may be worn over the cummerbund 12, and may be user
supplied. While not illustrated in this manner, in use, it will be
understood that the protective vest 30 extends over the cummerbund
12. However, for the purposes of illustrating the invention, the
portion of vest 30 extending over the cummerbund 12 has been
removed. FIGS. 18 and 19 show a fully illustrated embodiment where
the vest extends over the cummerbund (a further description of
these Figures is below).
[0049] The cummerbund 12 may include a number of connector devices
extending from various portions of the cummerbund 12. Referring now
to FIG. 1, the cummerbund 12 is shown to include lower connector
devices 18 that may, for example, include straps, buckles, hook and
loop fasteners, and as illustrated, a zipper, and similar connector
devices as would be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
Additional wrap-around connector devices 18 may also be provided at
the waist portion 16 of the cummerbund. The cummerbund 12
preferably further includes an adjustable waist strap having lower
connector devices 18 extending therefrom. Additional upper
connector devices (not shown) may be include for attachment of
additional protective elements. These may be fixed or adjustable in
nature.
[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 7, according to one embodiment
of the invention, one of the upper body modular protective elements
is a shoulder protector 50. The shoulder protector 50 is shaped and
otherwise dimensioned to provide protection to the upper chest and
neck regions of the user. In one aspect of the invention, the
shoulder protector further includes attachment points 52 for
additional protective elements providing protection to the upper
and lower arms of the user, these are described in further detail
below. The shoulder protector 50 preferably further includes an
integral collar portion 54 for providing additional protection to
the shoulder region of the user. The integral collar portion 54 may
further include additional shoulder plates 56 formed from a hard
plastics material.
[0051] In order to don the shoulder protector 50, the shoulder
protector 50 includes a connector, preferably in the form of a
complimentary strap and buckle system 58 formed on underarm
ballistic flaps, such that the shoulder protector 50 may be
adjustably positioned to accommodate the user and rest tautly
against the vest 30 worn by the user over the cummerbund 12. In
use, the user would connect the corresponding buckle and strap 58,
60 underneath each of the underarm regions, respectively and pull
the straps 58 away from the body to thereby ensure the shoulder
protector 50 is firmly, and properly positioned.
[0052] With reference now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, according to one
aspect of the invention, the one or more upper body modular
protective elements of the protective garment system 10 may further
include arm protectors 80 positioned over at least a portion of the
user's arms. The preferred embodiments of the invention include
both a single piece arm protector 80, shown in FIG. 8A, and a two
piece arm protector 80a/80b, show in FIG. 8B.
[0053] The single piece arm protector 80 is preferably connected to
the shoulder protector 50, by means of a quick-release type
connector 150 having one portion on the shoulder protector 50 and
another portion on an upper portion 82 of the arm protector 80. The
quick-release type connector may, for example, be an emergency tear
away zipper 150. Thus, a user may doff the arm protectors 80
quickly and efficiently, and in extreme situations, where it is
preferably to doff the arm protectors 80 under stressed situations,
they may be quickly removed. The arm protector 80 of this
embodiment is preferably full arm-length and includes a bend 84 to
approximate the natural bend of a user's arm. Preferably, the arm
protector 80 includes an inner portion 86 formed from a flame,
abrasion and tear resistant fabric and an outer portion 88 formed
from a flame, abrasion and tear resistant plastics material. In
this manner, the generally exposed portions of the arm are provided
with a higher degree of protection, while the inner portions of the
user's arm are provided with a material and elements designed to
increase mobility, while still providing a high degree of
protection. The arm protector 80 preferably further includes an
opening device extending along a length of the arm protector 80 for
removal of protective inserts for laundering of outer shell 80. In
an exemplary embodiment, the opening device includes a zipper 805
extending the length of the arm, and preferably positioned at an
interface of the aforementioned plastics and fabric material.
Preferably, the zipper 805 is hidden, and completely covered during
use.
[0054] The arm protector 80 preferably further includes an integral
gusset 807 formed on an inner portion of the arm 88, proximate the
underarm region of the arm protector. The gusset 807 provides
additional protection to the underarm region of the user and
substantially ensures eliminates any gaps in protection between the
arm protector 80 and the vest 30 worn by the user. The arm
protector may further include integral pockets for accommodating
various tools and accessories.
[0055] In another embodiment of an arm protector shown in FIG. 8B,
a two-piece arm protector 80a,80b is provided including a sleeve
formed from an upper arm protective portion 80a and a lower arm
protective portion 80b. The upper arm protective portion 80a is
preferably connected to the shoulder protector 50 in a manner
similar to that described above with respect to the single piece
arm protector 80. That is, the upper arm protective portion 80a and
the shoulder protector 50 are preferably provided with
corresponding portions of emergency breakaway zippers for quick
removal of the arm protector 80a. An opening device, and materials
as described above with respect to the single piece arm protector
80 may be used on one or both of the upper arm protective portion
80a and the lower arm protective portion 80b. Preferably, the lower
arm protective portion 80b is attached to the upper arm protective
portion 80a. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the
detail of which is shown in FIG. 16, corresponding buckle elements
820, 830 are formed on the upper and lower arm protective portions
80a and 80b, respectively. Preferably, the buckle elements 820, 830
are located in the elbow region, proximate the interface between
the upper arm protective portion 80a and the lower arm protective
portion 80b and are concealed during use.
[0056] Either of the two variations of arm protectors described
above may further include additional armored components, such as
elbow plates 840, forearm armor 850, and any other additional
protection as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. As will
become apparent to one skilled in the art from the above
description, the ability to quickly don or doff the entire arm
protector, or portions of the arm protector in the two piece
embodiment is beneficial in cases where mission and combat
situations vary rapidly, or when transferring from situations where
maximum protection is required to those where high mobility is
required in a short timeframe.
[0057] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
that may not be mutually exclusive to the above described
embodiments, the one or more modular protective elements further
includes ballistic shorts 90. Representative ballistic shorts are
shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and may be used alone, or in combination
with one or more of the shoulder protector 50 and the arm
protectors 80 described above. The ballistic shorts 90 preferably
include belt loop portions 92 adapted to hook onto, or be hooked
onto, the adjustable waist strap 16 of the cummerbund 12 to keep
the shorts secure at the user's waist. In the preferred embodiment,
there are two loops positioned at respective side portions of the
waist and a third loop positioned at a back portion of the waist.
The ballistic shorts 90 are preferably formed in part, from an
elastic material at portions that overlap otherwise protected
portions of the protective garment. For example, the outside thigh
portion 94 of the ballistic shorts may be formed from an elastic
material.
[0058] According to another aspect of the invention, the one or
more modular protective elements may further include thigh
protector 100. In a preferred embodiment, the thigh protector is in
the form of protective chaps. Preferably, the thigh protector 100
extend from the waist region of the user to a region proximate the
knee of the user, and more preferably, to a region slightly below
the knee of the user. The thigh protector 100 further include a
connector 105 complimentary to the wrap-around connector device 18
formed on the cummerbund 12. In this manner, the thigh protector
100 is substantially supported and connected around the entire
waist region of the user. In the preferred embodiment, the
wrap-around connector device 18 on the cummerbund 12 forms one half
of a zipper and the complimentary connector 105 on the thigh
protector 100 forms the other half of the zipper, extending
substantially around the entire waist portion of the thigh
protector 100 and the cummerbund 12. The aforementioned zipper is
preferably an emergency breakaway zipper to facilitate quick
removal of the thigh protector. The thigh protector 100 may further
include an opening means (not shown) on an interior portion 110
thereof, for example, zippers on inside thigh portions of the user
to facilitate donning and doffing of the thigh protector 100. The
thigh protector 100 preferably further includes integral knee
protectors 112 covering substantially all of the user's knee
region. The knee protectors 112 may be formed from a ballistic
resistant material and provide additional protection to the user's
knees, and are preferably made integral with the thigh protector by
being sewn into a pocket in the thigh protector.
[0059] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
protective garment 10 further includes lower leg protectors 120
(shown in FIG. 12) connected to a portion of the thigh protector
100 proximate the knee protector 112, or proximate a region of the
user's knees. The lower leg protector 120 provides protection for
the shin region of the user and is provided separately from the
thigh protector 100 to provide for increased mobility in the
protective garment. According to the preferred embodiment, buckles
125, or similar connecting means, are provided on the lower leg
protectors 120 and one or more corresponding straps or buckles 108
are provided on the thigh protector 100 proximate an underside 114
of the knee protector 112 for attaching the lower leg protectors
120 to the thigh protector 100 (see FIG. 18). It will be apparent
to one skilled in the art that one or two lower leg protectors may
be used at any particular time.
[0060] According to another embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 14, a ballistic resistant body protective element 140 is also
provided. The ballistic resistant body protective element 140 is
preferably in the form of a blast chest plate 140, as illustrated,
and is a modular protective element that would be used for example,
in demining applications of the protective garment system. In other
applications, such as for explosive ordinance disposal, an
additional protective element in the form of a blast attenuation
layer may be included between the chest protector and the user's
chest; that is when the protective garment is to be used as bomb
suit. The blast chest plate 140 preferably covers substantially an
entire portion of the upper body region of the user. The chest
plate 140 preferably includes two or more buckle elements 142
positioned, sized and otherwise dimensioned to correspond with the
buckle elements or straps 52 on the shoulder protector 50.
Preferably, there are four buckle elements 52a-d or straps on the
shoulder protector, two of which are extension of, or are otherwise
connected to ballistic flaps 55 and two of which are on the
shoulder protector proximate the pectoral region. In a preferred
embodiment, the buckle elements 52c, 52d on the shoulder protector
50 that attach to the ballistic flaps 55 are adjustable, and the
pectoral buckle elements 52a and 52b are fixed, such that in use,
the chest protector 140 is first buckled to the fixed pectoral
buckle elements 52a, 52b and subsequently to the adjustable buckle
elements 52c, 52d, after which the user would pull the adjustment
strap 53 away from the body to thereby tighten the adjustable
buckle elements 52, 52d, and thus ensure that the chest protector
140 is taught against a torso region of the user. While only one
adjustment strap 53 is shown in FIG. 14, it will be apparent that a
corresponding adjustment strap 53 is positioned on the other side
of the user.
[0061] The invention further relates to a kit for forming a
protective garment or bomb suit, including, at least a cummerbund
as described hereinabove and one or more of the additional modular
protective elements.
[0062] It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the
invention provides for a fully scalable and modular protective
garment system, whereby the specific protective elements may be
adaptable, redesigned, or otherwise alternated depending on
specific mission requirements. In this regard, FIGS. 18 and 19 show
an alternative embodiment of the invention whereby the protective
elements are designed for substantially more dangerous situations.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 includes a base cummerbund
(not visible), shoulder protector 500, arm protectors 800,
ballistic shorts 550, thigh protectors 600, chest plate 575 and
lower leg protectors 650. Various attachment points for tools and
other accessories are shown on the suit of FIGS. 18 and 19.
Furthermore, pull straps 630 are shown, by which the chest plate
575 is tightened against the user, as described earlier. Chest
plate 575 further includes a groin protective region 580 that may
for formed unitary with the chest plate 575, or provided as an
add-on portion. FIG. 19 shows the blast attenuation liner 578
positioned between the chest plate 575 and the user. FIG. 19
further shows the two piece arm protector having upper and lower
protective portions 800a, 800b. As illustrated, the lower
protective portion 800b extends over the elbow of the user to
provide added protection when the arm is bent. It will be
understood by those skilled in the art that the connective elements
and assembly of protective elements as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is
substantially as has been previously described and reference is
made to the earlier description for describing the assembly,
connectivity, and general arrangements of the protective elements,
different embodiments of which are shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.
[0063] Other modifications and alterations may be used in the
design and manufacture of other embodiments according to the
present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention, which is limited only by the accompanying
claims.
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