Patent Application
20180160744
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The present invention relates to police equipment, more particularly, to outer carrier wearing of soft body armor, law enforcement duty belts and methods for suspending them.
Standard equipment for peace officers includes the wearing of an undershirt or turtleneck, a ballistic soft body armor vest, and a police uniform shirt over the vest. The body armor vest includes a carrier, two armor panels, and attachable/detachable fasteners, typically hook and loop fasteners. One armor panel fits into a front carrier through an opening in the bottom of the front carrier and the other armor panel fits into a rear carrier through an opening in the bottom of the rear carrier. The attachable/detachable fasteners attach the front and rear carriers together around the wearer's waist and over the shoulders to form the vest.
The body armor vest traps excess body heat around the torso in warm weather and is uncomfortable due to the constant compression and weight of the armor. It is also very inconvenient to remove the body armor carrier prior to the conclusion of the wearer's shift. For this reason there has been a move towards the wearing of outer carrier ballistic vests.
Most outer carrier vests are made from heavy-duty nylon or polyester materials and are fitted to a particular brand of soft body armor panels. The panels are removed from the front and rear carriers and inserted into the bottom of the carrier vest. The carrier vest has attachable/detachable, typically hook and loop, fasteners at the sides for adjustment and removal. Use of the carrier vest's fasteners rather than those supplied by the manufacturer with the body armor panels may void the armor warranty. The carrier vests are made to somewhat match the look of a uniform shirt on the outside and are typically worn over a police shirt. The carrier vest is independent from the duty belt and sits above it on the torso.
There are occasional situations where additional armor protection is desired. The additional protection can take the form of hard armor plates covering the front and rear torso. Typically, the hard armor plates are installed in a separate carrier and donned when needed. The extra bulk from the plate carrier can further restrict the movements of the wearer.
The present invention is a front pouch, a rear pouch, and optional side pouches for hard armor plates incorporated into any ballistic vest carrier cover.
Briefly, the carrier cover has a mantle that goes over the wearer's shoulders from a front panel at the front waist to rear panel at the rear waist. The mantle has a fabric outer layer, an optional interlining to protect the outer layer from abrasion from the body armor panel carriers, and a liner that is typically a polyester mesh.
The liner is attached to the outer layer to form a front pocket and a rear pocket that receive the body armor panel carriers. Side armor openings and optional lateral openings provide access to the pockets. The armor openings allow the use of the body armor waist straps that are supplied with the body armor for individual adjustment. The front and rear panel carriers are attached together at the shoulders using the body armor shoulder straps supplied with the body armor.
Waist panels extend from the lower end of the rear panel at the armor openings, over the waist straps, and detachably attach at the front panel armor openings. The waist panels are preferably composed substantially of a stretch fabric and detachably attach to the front panel any type of detachable fasteners, preferably zippers.
The present invention incorporates a front pouch and/or a rear pouch into a carrier cover of any type. The front and rear pouches are inside the front and rear armor pockets, respectively, with access from the outside of the carrier cover. The present invention also contemplates the optional incorporation of side pouches in the side panels of the carrier cover.
In one configuration, the pouch is attached to the inside of the outer layer within the pocket. The pouch is a single fabric sheet that is attached to the outer layer around the sheet perimeter. In another configuration, the pouch is a bag that hangs in the pocket. The upper edges of the bag are attached to the outer layer so that the bag hangs freely within the pocket. In another configuration, the pouch is a bag closed on top that hangs from the shoulders within the pocket. Optionally, the bottom end of the bag is tacked to the outer layer. Optionally, the front pouch has side and bottom lobes to facilitate installation of the front armor plate.
In one configuration, the top end of the pouch is accessed via a lateral opening in the outer layer. The lateral opening is closed by a openable fastener, such as a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or snaps. In another configuration, the front pouch is accessed via a vertical opening in the outer layer that is closed by an openable vertical fastener, such as a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or snaps. Optionally, the opening and fastener are hidden behind or on the edge of a placket.
In one embodiment, the pouches are sized to accept one size of armor plate so they do not slide around inside the pouches. In another embodiment, the pouches can be used with a variety of armor plates having different widths. The pouches have internal vertical sizing strips that are strips of detachable fasteners, preferably hook and loop fasteners or snaps. The sizing strips come in opposed pairs so that the armor plate is kept centered.
In another embodiment, the pouches can be used with a variety of armor plates having different thicknesses. The pouch is sized for the thickest plate and internal loop fasteners mate to a corresponding hook fastener on the thinner plates.
Optionally, there are side pouches in the waist panels for side armor plates. In one configuration, the waist panel has an outer layer and an inner layer that are attached at the top edge, bottom edge, rear edge, and the lower portion of the front edge, forming the pouch and a vertical side armor pouch opening. The lower portion extends upwardly far enough so that the side armor plate does not fall out after being installed.
In another configuration, the outer and inner layers are attached around the edges, forming the pouch. The top end of the side pouch is accessed via a lateral opening in the outer layer that is closed by an openable fastener, such as a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or snaps.
Objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following drawings and detailed description of the invention.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The present application hereby incorporate by reference in their entirety U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/015,442 and 15/372,517, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/115,341, on which this application is based.
The present invention is a front pouch, a rear pouch, and optional side pouches for hard armor plates incorporated into a ballistic vest carrier cover.
The present invention contemplates that the pouches can be incorporated into any carrier cover. One such carrier cover is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,528,112 and 8,776,262, incorporated herein by reference.
As shown in
The optional interlining 18 attached to the outer layer 17 protects the outer layer 17 from abrasion from the body armor panel carriers 40, 42, thereby providing strength and durability to the carrier 10.
The liner 19 is composed of a knit or woven material that may be wicking or non-wicking in performance. Typically, the majority of the liner 19 is a heavyweight polyester mesh.
The liner 19 is attached to the outer layer 17 at several places, as shown in
Because the outer layer 17 and liner 19 are only attached at the edges, two pockets are formed, a front pocket 44 and a rear pocket 46, between the outer layer 17 and liner 19 for receiving the body armor panel carriers 40, 42, as shown in
Optionally, and in addition to the side openings 48-51, the present invention contemplates that there may be lateral openings 76 in the liner 19 for inserting the armor panel carriers 40, 42 into the pockets 44, 46. Either the front, the rear, or both the front and rear can have a lateral opening 76. In one configuration, the waist attachments 33, 34 are zippers, hook and loop fasteners, or other openable fasteners that facilitate inserting the armor panel carriers 40, 42 into the pockets 44, 46 from the bottom. In another configuration, the lateral opening 76 is formed by overlapping edges 77, 78 of the liner 19, as in
The armor openings 48-51 allow the use of the body armor waist straps 86 that are supplied with the body armor for individual adjustment. Each waist strap fastener 88 attaches to a mating hook and loop fastener 82 on the body armor panel carrier 40, 42, while extending around the wearer's side.
Optional tunnels 52, 53 at each shoulder between the front pocket 44 and the rear pocket 46 allow fastening of the front and rear armor panel carriers 40, 42. Optional openings 54, 55 in the liner 19 at the shoulders 25 facilitate attaching the two armor panel carriers 40, 42 together at the shoulders 25 using the body armor shoulder straps 88 supplied with body armor. Each shoulder strap fastener 88 attaches to a mating hook and loop fastener 84 on the body armor panel carriers 40, 42, while extending over the wearer's shoulder.
Waist panels 74, 75 extend from the lower end of the rear panel 62 at the armor openings 50, 51. The waist panels 74, 75 allow for improved ventilation, better fit, and freer motion, and are preferably composed substantially of a stretch fabric. The amount of stretch is significantly more than what is considered a non-stretch material. The present invention considers that a material that increases in length by at least 8% when under tension is a stretch material. The waist panels 74, 75 help hide the body armor panel carriers 40, 42 and body armor straps 86 outside of the pockets 44, 46, thereby facilitating the illusion of a standard uniform shirt.
The waist panels 74, 75 removably attach to the front panel 60 by detachable panel fasteners 63, 64. Any type of detachable fasteners can be used including hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buckles, and hook and eye closures. The preferred panel fasteners 63, 64 are zippers 65, 66 because they are difficult to remove during an altercation.
Hard armor plates are well-known in the industry. They are rigid plates, typically made of coated steel, ceramic, polyethylene, or carbon composites. Front armor plates are made to cover the front torso, rear armor plates are made to cover the rear torso, and side armor plates are made to cover the side rib cage. The front and rear armor plates are generally contoured to fit the front and rear torso of a wearer and come in a range of sizes, typically from 8″×10″ to 11″×14″. They are also found in a range of thickness, ranging from ¼″ to 1¼″. Various combinations of materials and thicknesses provide for a wide range of available protection levels. Side armor plates typically have a single curve to hug the body. They come in a range of sizes from 6″×6″ to 8″×10″ and in thicknesses from ½″ to 1¼″.
The present invention incorporates a front pouch 102 and/or a rear pouch 104 into a carrier cover 10 of any type. The front pouch 102 is inside the front armor pocket 44 with access from the outside of the carrier cover 10 to facilitate quick installation of a front armor plate 92. The rear pouch 104 is inside the rear armor pocket 46 with access from the outside of the carrier cover 10 to facilitate quick installation of a rear armor plate 94.
The present invention also contemplates the optional incorporation of side pouches 106, 108 in the side panels 74, 75 of the carrier cover 10 with access from the outside of the carrier cover 10 to facilitate quick installation of side armor plates 96, 98.
One configuration of the front pouch 102 is shown in
In another configuration, shown in
In another configuration, shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
If the pouch embodiment of
In another embodiment, the front pouch 102 is accessed via a vertical front opening 134, as shown in
In the embodiment of
In most situations, the wearer will want to install the armor plates quickly without taking the carrier cover 10 off. However, with the generally rectangular front pouch 102 of
The front pouch 102 is a bag 230 that is closed at the top. The upper end 232 of the bag 230 is attached at the shoulders 25 and neck opening 16 so that the bag 230 hangs within the front pocket 44. The bottom 234 of the bag 230 has a side lobe 236 that distends the lower side of the bag 230 outwardly and a bottom lobe 238 that distends the bottom 234 of the bag 230 adjacent to the side opposite the side lobe 236 downwardly. A plate support 240 extends horizontally into the bag 230 from the side of the bag 230 opposite the side lobe 236 and is aligned with the section 250 of the bottom 234 of the bag 230 at the side lobe 236 between the side lobe 236 and the bottom lobe 238. The plate support 240 in combination with the section 250 of the bottom 234 provides a floor to support the armor plate 92, as described below.
The plate support 240 can be a single stitched line or can include other elements for strength. In
The notch 240 and, optionally, the bottom 234 of the bag 230 are sewn to the outer layer 17 so that the bag 230 does not fold or otherwise crease in a way that prevents easy installation of the front armor plate 92. Also, sewing the notch 240 to the outer layer 17 provides support for the armor plate 92, as described below.
This shape facilitates easy installation of the front armor plate 92 while wearing the carrier cover 10, as described below.
The pouch shape of
The rear pouch 104 is shown in
A lateral rear opening 150 in the outer layer 17 extends across the rear panel 62 high on the back, just below the neck opening 16. The lateral rear opening 150 is closed by an openable rear fastener 152, such as a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, or snaps.
In the embodiment of
The sheet 112, 138 or bag 118, 220 of the front and rear pouches 102, 104 are composed of a fabric material that is robust enough to handle the weight and abrasion from armor plates 92, 94. Materials include coated nylon and nylon and polyester meshes.
Optionally, the strength of the lower portion, for example, the lower third, of the bag 118, 220 is reinforced by, for example, an additional layer of material, a thicker material, a fiber-reinforced material, or a coating. The reinforcement helps prevent tears and other wear that may be caused by dropping the heavy plate 92, 94 into the bag 118, 220.
In one embodiment, the pouches 102, 104 are intended for use with a single size and thickness of armor plates 92, 94, and are sized accordingly so that the armor plates 92, 94 do not slide around inside the pouches 102, 104.
In another embodiment, the pouches 102, 104 are intended for use with a variety of armor plates 92, 94 having different widths. To prevent the armor plates 92, 94 from sliding from side to side, the pouches 102, 104 have internal vertical sizing strips 160a, 160b (collectively, 160), as shown in
In another embodiment, the pouches 102, 104 are intended for use with a variety of armor plates 92, 94 having different thicknesses. The pouches 102, 104 are sized so that the thickest plate 92, 94 fits snuggly. To prevent the thinner armor plates 92, 94 from sliding around, the pouches 102, 104 each have an internal loop fastener 162, as shown in
Optionally, each pouch 102, 104 can accept more than one armor plate 92, 94 at the same time in the event the wearer wants more protection than is available from a single plate 92, 94.
Optionally, there is a right pouch 106 in the right waist panel 74 and a left pouch 108 in the left waist panel 75 for side armor plates 96, 98, as shown in
One configuration of the side pouches 106, 108 is shown in
The present invention does contemplate, however, the opening 186 may have an openable fastener.
Another configuration of the side pouches 106, 108 is shown in
The carrier cover 10 is used in two steps. First, the armor panel carriers 40, 42 are installed into the pockets 44, 46, as in
At this point, none of the armor plates are installed. The wearer goes about his business, walking, driving, etc.
When a situation arises where the extra protection afforded by the armor plates is desired, the plates can be installed without taking the carrier cover 10 off. The front fastener 130, 136 is opened to gain access to the front pouch 102. The front armor plate 92 is inserted into the front pouch 102, as in
To install the armor plate 92 in the front pouch 102 of the shaped bag 230, the front fastener 136 is opened and the front armor plate 92 is inserted diagonally into the opening 134, as in
The rear fastener 152 is opened to gain access to the rear pouch 104. The rear armor plate 94 is inserted into the rear pouch 104 and the fastener 152 is closed, as in
If the pouches 102, 104 include sizing strips 160, the appropriate strips 160a, 160b are attached and/or detached to size the pouch 102, 104 to the armor plate 92, 94 that is being used.
If the carrier cover 10 has the preferred side pouches 106, 108 of
The present invention also contemplates that the armor plates can be installed and worn in the normal course of the day. If the armor plates are light enough, they will have only a small effect on the wearer.
Thus it has been shown and described a ballistic vest carrier cover system with pouches for hard armor panels. Since certain changes may be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter described in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62115341 | Feb 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15372517 | Dec 2016 | US |
| Child | 15816344 | US | |
| Parent | 15015442 | Feb 2016 | US |
| Child | 15372517 | US |
