U.S. patent application number 11/681631 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-14 for supplemental body armor component.
This patent application is currently assigned to LINEWEIGHT LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Caleb Clark Crye, Eric Owen Fehlberg, Gregg M. Thompson. Invention is credited to Caleb Clark Crye, Eric Owen Fehlberg, Gregg M. Thompson.
Application Number | 20130061362 11/681631 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47828489 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130061362 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crye; Caleb Clark ; et
al. |
March 14, 2013 |
SUPPLEMENTAL BODY ARMOR COMPONENT
Abstract
A body armor component mounts to the waist of a wearer by
attachment to a belt to protect the lower back of the wearer. The
component has a flexible fabric carrier with a front sheet which
faces the wearer, and two rear sheets sewn to the front sheet to
define two pockets opening towards each other and joined by a
connecting segment. A flexible soft ballistic armor element has a
first wing connected by a center segment to a second wing, the
ballistic armor element being concave and opening toward the
wearer, and the first wing being received within the flexible
carrier first pocket and the second wing being received within the
carrier second pocket. A covering flap is pivotable on the fabric
carrier to cover the gap between the pockets. A belt loop is
defined by an accessory segment fixed to the covering flap.
Inventors: |
Crye; Caleb Clark;
(Brooklyn, NY) ; Fehlberg; Eric Owen; (Jackson
Heights, NY) ; Thompson; Gregg M.; (Brooklyn,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Crye; Caleb Clark
Fehlberg; Eric Owen
Thompson; Gregg M. |
Brooklyn
Jackson Heights
Brooklyn |
NY
NY
NY |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
LINEWEIGHT LLC
Brooklyn
NY
|
Family ID: |
47828489 |
Appl. No.: |
11/681631 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60778566 |
Mar 2, 2006 |
|
|
|
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. (canceled)
2. A body armor component for mounting to the waist of a wearer by
attachment to a belt, the component comprising: a flexible carrier
having portions defining a first pocket spaced from a second pocket
by a connecting segment; a flexible soft ballistic armor element
having a first wing connected by a center segment to a second wing,
the ballistic armor element being concave and opening toward the
wearer, the first wing being received within the flexible carrier
first pocket and the second wing being received within the carrier
second pocket; and a covering flap mounted to the carrier and
pivotable between a first position which reveals the carrier
connecting segment to permit entry of the ballistic armor element
into the first pocket and the second pocket, and a second position
which overlies the connecting segment and the ballistic armor
element installed within the pockets.
3. The body armor component of claim 2 further comprising: an
interior pocket formed on the covering flap; and at least one
ballistic hard armor element received within the covering flap
interior pocket.
4. The body armor component of claim 2 further comprising a closure
tab extending from the covering flap, the closure tab having a
first part of a hook and loop fastener thereon to engage with a
second part of the hook and loop fastener which faces frontwardly
from the carrier, the closure tab being engageable with the carrier
to retain the covering flap in the second position.
5-6. (canceled)
7. A body armor component for mounting to the waist of a wearer by
attachment to a belt, the component comprising: a flexible carrier
having portions defining a first pocket spaced from a second pocket
by a connecting segment; a flexible soft ballistic armor element
having a first wing connected by a center segment to a second wing,
the ballistic armor element being concave and opening toward the
wearer, the first wing being received within the flexible carrier
first pocket and the second wing being received within the carrier
second pocket; portions of the carrier which define at least one
sidewardly opening belt loop to receive the belt therethrough; and
a covering flap mounted to the carrier and pivotable between a
first position which reveals the carrier connecting segment to
permit entry of the ballistic armor element into the first pocket
and the second pocket, and a second position which overlies the
connecting segment and the ballistic armor element installed within
the pockets, and wherein the at least one belt loop is defined by a
support sheet fixed to the covering flap to overlie the covering
flap in the second position to define a sleeve which allows the
belt to pass between the covering flap and the accessory flap to be
positioned rearwardly of the ballistic armor component.
8-9. (canceled)
10. A body armor component for mounting to the waist of a wearer by
attachment to a belt to protect the lower back of the wearer, the
component comprising: a flexible carrier having a front sheet which
faces the wearer, a first rear sheet sewn to the front sheet to
define a first pocket with a first opening, and second rear sheet
is sewn to the front sheet to define a second pocket having a
second opening which faces the first pocket first opening, portions
of the front sheet defining a connecting segment extending between
the first pocket and the second pocket; and a flexible soft
ballistic armor element having a first wing connected by a center
segment to a second wing, the ballistic armor element being concave
and opening toward the wearer, the first wing being received within
the flexible carrier first pocket and the second wing being
received within the carrier second pocket; portions of the carrier
which define at least one sidewardly opening belt loop to receive
the belt therethrough; and a covering flap mounted to the carrier
and pivotable between a first position which reveals the carrier
connecting segment to permit entry of the ballistic armor element
into the first pocket and the second pocket, and a second position
which overlies the connecting segment and the ballistic armor
element installed within the pockets.
11. The body armor component of claim 10 further comprising: an
interior pocket formed on the covering flap; and at least one
ballistic hard armor element received within the covering flap
interior pocket.
12. The body armor component of claim 10 further comprising a
closure tab extending from the covering flap, the closure tab
having a first part of a hook and loop fastener thereon to engage
with a second part of the hook and loop fastener which faces
frontwardly from the carrier, the closure tab being engageable with
the carrier to retain the covering flap in the second position.
13. The body armor component of claim 10 wherein the at least one
belt loop is formed on a rearwardly facing surface of the carrier
to overlie the first pocket, and further comprising at least one
second belt loop formed on a rearwardly facing surface of the
carrier to overlie the second pocket.
14. A body armor component for mounting to the waist of a wearer by
attachment to a belt to protect the lower back of the wearer, the
component comprising: a flexible carrier having a front sheet which
faces the wearer, a first rear sheet sewn to the front sheet to
define a first pocket with a first opening, and second rear sheet
is sewn to the front sheet to define a second pocket having a
second opening which faces the first pocket first opening, portions
of the front sheet defining a connecting segment extending between
the first pocket and the second pocket; and a flexible soft
ballistic armor element having a first wing connected by a center
segment to a second wing, the ballistic armor element being concave
and opening toward the wearer, the first wing being received within
the flexible carrier first pocket and the second wing being
received within the carrier second pocket; portions of the carrier
which define at least one sidewardly opening belt loop to receive
the belt therethrough; a covering flap mounted to the carrier and
pivotable between a first position which reveals the carrier
connecting segment to permit entry of the ballistic armor element
into the first pocket and the second pocket, and a second position
which overlies the connecting segment and the ballistic armor
element installed within the pockets, and wherein the at least one
belt loop is defined by a support sheet fixed to the covering flap
to overlie the covering flap in the second position to define a
sleeve which allows the belt to pass between the covering flap and
the accessory flap to be positioned rearwardly of the ballistic
armor component.
15. The body armor component of claim 14 further comprising a
plurality of hard armor elements, at least one received within each
of the first pocket and the second pocket.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This applications claims benefit from U.S. provisional app.
60/778,566, filed Mar. 2, 2006, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein.
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to ballistic body armor in
general, and to body armor for protecting the lower back in
particular from projectile threats such as rifle and handgun
bullets, and shrapnel.
[0004] Persons exposed to projectile threats, such as police
officers and soldiers, may seek a certain level of protection by
wearing armored clothing. Low velocity projectiles such as handgun
rounds, fragmentation rounds from a grenade or mortar, and
miscellaneous shrapnel may be countered by so-called "soft armor."
Soft armor is worn in the form of jackets, vests, etc. which are
composed of assemblies of ballistic fabric such as those formed
from DuPont Kevlar .RTM. fibers or of Spectra .RTM. ultra high
molecular weight polyethylene fibers from Honeywell. The soft armor
is often fabricated as flexible panels which are received within
pockets or pouches formed in fabric vests or jackets. In more
serious threat situations, where higher velocity rifle rounds and
fragments must be countered, soft armor has typically been
supplemented with hard armor fabricated of rigid plates of ceramic,
polymer, or metal.
[0005] Some conventional body armor vests have a gap or separation
in the armor material on each side under the wearer's arms. These
gaps allow for adjustment of the vest to fit different sized
wearers. However, this gap can allow the front of the vest to be
pulled down, for example by accessories or other loads attached to
the front of the vest. This downward displacement of the vest front
can result in the rear of the vest moving upwardly, thus exposing a
large area of the wearer's lower back and sides.
[0006] What is needed is a component to protect this vulnerable
area which does not excessively compromise the wearer's
mobility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The lower back and side protecting body armor component of
the present invention mounts to the waist of a wearer by attachment
to a waist encircling belt. The component has a flexible fabric
carrier with a front sheet which faces the wearer, and two rear
sheets sewn to the front sheet to define two pockets opening
towards each other and joined by a connecting segment. A flexible
soft ballistic armor element has a first wing connected by a center
segment to a second wing, the ballistic armor element being concave
and opening toward the wearer, and the first wing being received
within the flexible carrier first pocket and the second wing being
received within the carrier second pocket. A covering flap is
pivotable on the fabric carrier to cover the gap between the
pockets. A belt loop is defined by an accessory segment fixed to
the covering flap, and other belt loops may be secured to the two
rear sheets. A hard armor element may be received within a pocket
formed on the interior of the covering flap.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
ballistic armor component for the protection of the lower back and
sides of a wearer that has minimal interference with the wearer's
mobility.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
lower back protective ballistic armor component that is economical
to produce.
[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
lower back protective ballistic armor component that may be readily
modified to have protection against different levels of threat.
[0011] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a serviceman wearing
the lower back protecting body armor component of the present
invention in conjunction with a conventional armor vest.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lower back
protecting body armor component of FIG. 1 in an unassembled
configuration.
[0014] FIG. 3. Is a rear elevational view of the assembled body
armor component of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the body armor component
of FIG. 3, taken along section line 4-4, shown mounted to a
belt.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-4, wherein like
numbers refer to similar parts, a body armor component 20 for
protection of the lower back of a wearer 22 is shown. As shown in
FIG. 1, the component 20 will typically be worn together with some
type of armored vest 24. The component 20 provides armored
protection for the wearer's lower back, especially in a situation
where the vest 24 may pull up in back and fail to provide
protection.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the body armor component 20 has a fabric
armor carrier 26 which receives a soft armor ballistic element 30
and which may also be supplied with hard armor ballistic elements
32 if needed. By "ballistic element" is meant an element of soft or
hard armor, configured to resist ballistic projectiles or
fragments. The soft armor ballistic element 30 may be conventional
soft armor, i.e., assemblies of ballistic fabric such as those
formed from DuPont Kevlar.RTM. fibers, fibers of Spectra .RTM.
ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers from Honeywell, or
other ballistic material. The hard armor ballistic elements may be,
for example, fabricated of rigid plates of ceramic, polymer, or
metal.
[0018] The armor carrier 26 is narrower than it is long and wraps
around the waist of the wearer 22 to provide protection in the rear
and on the sides, and will usually not extend to the front of the
wearer, where typically the armor vest will provide protection,
although depending on user preference, the carrier may wrap around
to the wearer's front side. Although the dimensions will vary
depending on the size of the intended user, an example carrier is
about 30 inches long and about six inches tall. The armor carrier
26 has a front sheet 28 which may be of a soft material with a loop
like surface which permits it to act as the loop portion of a hook
and loop fastener, such as VELCRO .RTM. fastener manufactured by
Velcro Industries B.V. A first rear sheet 34 and a second rear
sheet 36 are sewn to the front sheet 28 to define a first pocket 38
and a second pocket 40. The rear sheets may be a heavy duty nylon,
pack-cloth, Invista's CORDURA .RTM. nylon material, or any suitable
fabric or flexible material. The rear sheets may have a camouflage
pattern applied thereto.
[0019] The pockets 38, 40 open towards each other, and are spaced
from one another by a connecting segment 42 of the first sheet 28.
The connecting segment may be about four inches wide. It should be
noted that, in order to provide a finished sewn seam on the
exterior of the armor carrier 26, the front sheet 28 and the rear
sheets 34, 36 are sewn together in an inverted condition, and then
turned inside out. The connecting segment 42 permits the armor
carrier to be readily inverted.
[0020] Two belt loops 44 are sewn to each of the first rear sheet
34 and the second rear sheet 36, the loops being sized to receive a
conventional belt 46 therethrough. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, it is
the belt 46 which supports the component and holds it in position
on the wearer 22. For added comfort, foam pads 54, 55 are adhered
to the exterior surface of the front sheet 28 of the carrier 26.
The back pad 54 is preferably formed separately and spaced from the
side pads 55. The pads may be fabricated of a conventional closed
cell compression molded foam, an open cell foam, spacer fabric or
any appropriately resilient material. Although three pads are
shown, a single pad may be used, or a greater number of smaller
pads. The pads 54, 55 may be attached to the front sheet 28 in any
conventional fashion. In a preferred embodiment the pads are backed
with the hook material of a hook and loop fastener material like
Velcro fastener, to allow the ready attachment and positioning of
the pads. The fastening material is not shown in the drawings.
[0021] The soft armor ballistic element 30, best shown in FIG. 2,
is a thin concave element, generally C-shaped, which is curved to
wrap around the sides of the wearer. The soft ballistic armor
element may be about one-half inch thick. The soft armor ballistic
element 30 has a center segment 50 with a first wing 48 which is
received within the first pocket 38 and a second wing 52 which is
received within the second pocket 40. It should be noted that the
soft ballistic element may be formed as a stack of multiple layers
of ballistic material, for example material of Kevlar .RTM. fibers,
or, for example, layers of Spectra .RTM. fiber material. The stack
may be stitched around the periphery, in a quilted pattern, or
otherwise, to form a stiffer ballistic element. Preferably
additional stiffening shape is provided to the ballistic element by
adding a stiffening plastic layer, not shown, to the layers of
ballistic material. By adding stiffness to the soft armor ballistic
element 30, the component 20 is better able to retain its shape and
support loads attached to the component. The plastic layer may be
about 1/16 to 1/32 inches thick polycarbonate such as General
Electric's Lexan .RTM. polycarbonate resin thermoplastic material,
and may be adhered or stitched to the ballistic element as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,392, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein. The soft armor ballistic element
30 preferably has an enclosing sewn fabric bag to protect it from
wear and soiling. This bag may be a lightweight nylon material.
[0022] A fabric covering flap 56 is sewn to the top edge of the
front sheet 28 of the carrier 26. The flap 56 is tall enough to
fully overlap the rear surface of the connecting segment and
portions of the two pockets 38, 40 when it is folded down. The flap
56 is about three times as wide as the connecting segment 42.
[0023] A closure tab 58 extends from the covering flap 56 and has a
patch 59 of a part of a hook and loop fastener attached thereto, in
the illustrated example the hook part, to allow the closure tab to
be folded upwardly and secured to the loop like material of the
front sheet 28. The closure tab 58 thus engages with the carrier to
retain the covering flap in a closed position. The covering flap 56
is preferably formed of an outside sheet 60 which is sewn to the
front sheet 28 of the carrier, and an inside sheet 62 which is sewn
to the outside sheet to define an armor pocket 64 therebetween. The
armor pocket 64 faces downwardly when the flap is open, and
upwardly when the flap is secured in its closed position. As shown
in FIG. 2, the armor pocket 64 provides a position to optionally
hold two hard armor ballistic elements 32.
[0024] The hard armor ballistic elements 32, may be formed having a
slight curvature about a vertical axis to better conform to the
wearer. The hard armor ballistic elements 32 are generally stiff,
and may be about three-eighths of an inch thick and about 31/2
inches on a side. Two or three hard armor ballistic elements 32 may
be inserted within each of the first pocket 38 and the second
pocket 40, the number may vary depending on the size of the
component 20.
[0025] A support sheet 66 of fabric is sewn to the outside sheet 60
of the covering flap. The support sheet 66 is sewn only along its
top margin and its bottom margin, to form a sleeve which is open to
the sides and which serves as a long belt loop through which the
belt 46 may extend. Two strips of webbing 68 are sewn with parallel
vertical seams 70 to define an array of accessory loops 72 which
can receive conventional accessory attachment belts and fasteners.
The component 20 thus allows a user to carry additional items on
the belt 46 while simultaneously providing ballistic
protection.
[0026] Once the soft armor ballistic element 30 is installed within
the carrier 26, and the hard armor plates 32 have been installed,
if desired, the covering flap 56 is folded into a position which
overlies the carrier connecting segment 42 and the soft armor
ballistic element 30 installed within the pockets, as shown in FIG.
3. The hook and loop fastener then secures the flap 56 in a closed
position.
[0027] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the
particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated
and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *