Some ballistic vests are constructed as a set of ballistic panels (soft armor) supported in a carrier. Many of these ballistic vests are relatively inflexible, unaccommodating to movement of the user, and thus uncomfortable. A vest that is constructed in accordance with the present invention can help to overcome those deficiencies.
Features of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains from a reading of the following description together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention relates to a ballistic vest. The invention is applicable to vest of different constructions. As representative of the invention,
One major component of the vest 10 is a carrier 12. The other main component of the vest 10 is a plurality of ballistic panels or ballistic inserts (soft armor). In the particular vest 10 that is illustrated, there are four ballistic panels: a front ballistic panel 14, a back ballistic panel 16, a left side ballistic panel 18, and a right side ballistic panel 20. Other vests in accordance with the invention might have more than four ballistic panels or fewer than four ballistic panels. As described below, the ballistic panels 14-20 are inserted into the carrier 12 after the carrier is itself assembled; thereafter, the vest 10 can be donned by the user.
The carrier 12 in the illustrated embodiment includes as its two major components a carrier outer layer 30 and a carrier inner layer 60. One or both of the carrier layers 30 and 60 may be made from a number of individual fabric panels that are joined together, preferably by sewing.
Assembly of the carrier 12 preferably starts with the carrier outer layer 30 (
Each fabric panel of the carrier panel can utilize stretch knits or woven fabrics of varying weights and elasticity/stretch. Some fabric panels may have more elasticity/stretch than others. The fabrics may incorporate wicking, antimicrobial and/or cooling features throughout the carrier, or such features may be incorporated in strategic panel locations. One material that has been found to be suitable is the type of material that is used for cycling jerseys.
Some fabric panels of the carrier 12 are preferably, but not necessarily, made from a different fabric than others. For example, some fabric panels may be made from a higher compression material to help keep the ballistic panels in place during movement; others may be made from a material that has less compression for ease of movement and comfort. The goal is to balance these aspects to achieve the right amount of compression to stabilize the ballistic panels while still providing a high degree of movement and comfort.
The carrier outer layer 30 (
A right section 44 of a front zipper 45 is secured to the right side edge 40 of the outer layer 30, and a left section 46 of the zipper 45 is secured to the left side edge 38 of the outer layer. One preferred type of zipper that has been utilized is a separating coil zipper. Coil type zippers are known for their ability to operate under high degrees of horizontal strength, are very flexible and are the least likely to become misaligned. However, the invention contemplates that other types of zippers, and other closure technologies, may be utilized.
One step in assembly of the carrier 12 is the addition of the front panel flap 50 to the outer layer 30 (
After the front panel flap 50 is secured to the outer layer 30, the inner carrier layer 60 (
Two arm holes 70r and 701 in the inner layer 60 overlie the armholes 42r and 421, respectively, in the outer layer 30, forming vest armholes 72r and 721 in the completed carrier 12. The inner layer 60 is sewn to the outer layer 30 around the periphery of the vest armholes 72r and 721, to secure the two carrier layers together at those locations.
The carrier 12 at this point in the assembly process has two layers of fabric at the areas where the inner layer 60 overlies the outer layer 30. Because those two layers of fabric, the inner carrier layer 60 and the outer carrier layer 30, are joined only along their respective upper and lower edges, a panel volume or panel space, designated 80 in the drawings, is formed between the inner layer and the outer layer. The panel space 80 is bounded generally by the top edges 67 and 34 of the inner and outer carrier panels 60 and 30; the right and left vest armholes 72r and 721, and the bottom edge 68 of the inner carrier panel. The inner layer 60 can be pulled away from the outer layer 30 to receive and support the front and back ballistic panels 14 and 16, respectively, in the panel space 80, in a manner as described below.
In a further assembly step (
When the carrier 12 is thus fully assembled, there are a number of openings or gaps through which the various ballistic panels can be placed into the pockets. Some of these openings or gaps are illustrated in
The arrow 88 illustrates an opening into which the right side ballistic panel 20 can be inserted into the right side pocket 82. The arrow 90 illustrates an opening into which the left side ballistic panel 18 can be inserted into the left side pocket 84. The arrow 92 illustrates an opening into which the back ballistic panel 16 can be inserted upwardly into the panel space 80. Also shown is an opening 94 at the left zipper section 46 into which the front panel flap 50 can be inserted, into the panel space 80 between the inner layer 60 and the outer layer 30.
The ballistic panels can be inserted into the carrier 12 in any selected order. One preferred order of steps is shown in
The fixation point 95 is primarily to hold the front panel 14 in place in the carrier, in the event of a bullet impacting that area of the vest 10. Primarily, though, the front panel 14 is substantially held in position in the panel space 80 by a close fit within the carrier as described above, and by the bottom seam 68.
The back ballistic panel 16 is inserted upward through the opening 92 into the panel space 80 between the inner layer 60 and the outer layer 30. The back ballistic panel 16 is secured (suspended) in the carrier 12 at two fixation points 91 and 93. This fixation may occur via a hook and loop connection, or otherwise. These fixation points 91 and 93 are located in the panel space 80, at or near the top edge of the carrier 12. Again, the fixation points 91 and 93 are primarily to hold the back panel 16 in place in the carrier, in the event of a bullet impacting that area of the vest 10.
The left side ballistic panel 18 is placed through the opening 90 into the left side panel pocket 84. The right side ballistic panel 20 is placed through the opening 88 into the right side panel pocket 82. The side panel pockets 82 and 84 are closed with their fasteners.
As shown in
The user can then don the vest 10, in a manner as illustrated in
The second lateral section 14b of the front ballistic panel 14 (the projecting upper edge portion 14c) is then secured (suspended) in the carrier 12 at a fixation point 96. This fixation may occur via a hook and loop connection, or otherwise. This fixation point 96 is located in the panel space 80, at or near the top edge of the vest.
The zipper 45 is zipped up, drawing the left side of the carrier 12 together with the right side of the carrier 12. In this condition, the front ballistic panel 14 extends across the upper torso area of the user. This is a continuous placement, extending across the front zipper opening of the vest 10, thus providing complete front protection. The left side ballistic panel 18 overlies the left side of the user's torso. The right side ballistic panel 20 overlies the right side of the user's torso. The back ballistic panel 16 overlies the upper back of the user's torso.
An upper section 102 of the back panel 16 is disposed within the panel space 80 in the carrier 12, above an imaginary line 100 (
In contrast, the part of the panel space 80 that is below the imaginary line 100 and above the bottom edge 68 of the inner carrier panel 60, can be considered as being a tunnel 110, being open from side to side with no significant lateral obstructions. A lower section 104 of the back panel 16 extends downward from the upper section 102 into this tunnel 110, below the imaginary line 100 and below the bottom edge of the left and right armholes 721 and 72r. The lower section 104 of the back panel 16 is supported in the tunnel 110 only by the upper section 102 of the back panel. The back panel lower section 104 is thus substantially freer to move laterally in the tunnel portion 110 of the panel space 80 than is the upper section 102, as it is substantially less constrained laterally.
In the tunnel 110, the back panel lower section 104 at least partially overlaps the left and right ballistic side panels 18 and 20. The back panel lower section 104 is movable laterally relative to the left and right ballistic side panels 18 and 20
In a similar manner, a lower section 112 of the front panel 14, disposed in the tunnel 110, at least partially overlaps the left and right ballistic side panels. The front panel lower section 112 is movable laterally relative to the left and right ballistic side panels 18 and 20. The front panel lower section 112 and the back panel lower section 104 are also movable laterally relative to each other.
As thus constructed, the vest 10 provides numerous benefits when being worn by the user. The ability of the front panel lower section 112 and the back panel lower section 104 to move laterally within the tunnel portion 110 of the carrier panel space 80, provides a very significant benefit. With the carrier itself being a snug fit on the user's torso, this feature allows for increased movement of the front and back ballistic panels 14 and 16 with respect to the user's torso.
The vest 10 adjusts itself to the user's torso. The ballistic panels to some extent “self center” when the vest 10 is donned, because of the flexible fabric and the ability of the lower portions of the front and back panels 14 and 16 to move within the carrier 12. The ballistic panels 14 and 16 can move, or float, as the body moves. The dimensions of the various parts of the vest 10 are selected so that the parts can move or articulate relative to one another, while staying in generally the right location as needed for protection. As a result, the vest 10 of the present invention is both protective and comfortable.
The lower portions of the front and back panels 114 and 16 are constrained laterally only by the compression of the vest 10 on the torso, the armhole blockage (the width of the carrier), and the dimensions of the various parts. The dimensions of each element, and their placement, are selected to enable this limited amount of freedom of movement (articulation) in the tunnel area, which is located at the waist of the user where it is most needed.
The elasticity of the fabric material of the carrier 12, especially the outer layer 30 and the inner layer 60, also allows for some movement or articulation of the various ballistic panels relative to each other. Because the carrier fabric material is quite thin, the ballistic panels can lie closely against the user's torso. This structure, as a whole, compares very favorably to a typical vest 10 that is rigid and heavy and non-conforming.
As a result, the vest 10 as a whole is not a rigid structure but is rather a flexible structure overall that includes relatively hard areas at the locations of the ballistic panels—with at least several inches of movement possible in many locations and in many directions. This makes the vest 10 much more comfortable.
As an analogy, It might be considered that the side panels 18 and 20 are like the rib cage—fixed, relatively stationary—while the front and back panels 14 and 16 are like the shoulder blades—held in place generally by tendons and muscles, but able to move around somewhat relative to the rib cage. Just as the shoulder blades can move around over the rib cage, so too can the front and back panels 14 and 16 move around over the side panels 18 and 20.
Another benefit of the vest 10 lies in the area of load distribution. Specifically, a ballistic vest can be relatively heavy for a law enforcement officer to wear, especially for an extended period of time such as an all-day shift. Also, the load (weight) of a vest is typically carried primarily by the shoulder straps of the vest, bearing down on the officer's shoulders. Together, these factors can create discomfort or pain, and can tire the wearer.
In accordance with the present invention, the vest 10 is preferably configured and sized appropriately for the user, so that there is a snug fit on the user's torso. The material for the outer and inner carrier layers 30 and 60 is significantly stretchable and elastic. The resulting elasticity of the carrier 12 tends to hold the vest 10 in place on the user's torso, thus resisting downward movement of the vest along the torso of the user. In addition, the carrier 12 is made from a light weight, relatively inexpensive fabric and therefore can feasibly be made in a variety of sizes to fit different sized users. Thus, the desired snug fit can readily be obtained, while still allowing for the panel articulation described above. As a result, some of the load of the vest 10 is transferred onto the core of the user. This load distribution reduces the apparent load on the shoulder and collarbone area of the user, making it more comfortable to wear the vest 10 for a longer period of time without tiring.
The dimensions of the carrier are designed for the individual user (different sizes), to be tight along the core and thus press the ballistic panels snugly against the core of the user's body. When this occurs, some of the load (weight) of the vest is borne by the user's core rather than the shoulders, making wearing of the vest for an extended period of time more comfortable. The ballistic panels are in their proper places for protection, when the user stands up straight. When the user bends over, the overall configuration of the carrier fabric deforms as it moves to a different position on the body. The ability of the panels to articulate (move within the carrier) enables the vest to remain comfortable, as compared to a situation in which the panels would be pushed or pulled by the carrier fabric when it moves to a different position on the body. The panels will self center or auto center as the user comes back to a standing position. Because the panels are loose, the carrier can stay snug on the user's waist and core, thus maintaining the effectiveness of this load bearing feature.
In the first embodiment of the invention illustrated and described above, four ballistic panels are provided. The front panel and the back panel overlap each other and also overlap the side panels (see
Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
63276314 | Nov 2021 | US |