This disclosure relates to implementations of a combined backpack and body armor carrier. In particular, the present invention is directed to a backpack configured to be converted into a protective vest. In some implementations, the backpack may include a detachable container configured for use as a ballistic shield.
Modern body armor, such as ballistic vests and ballistic plate carrier systems, are designed to absorb the impact and stop (or reduce) the penetration of projectiles fired by a firearm. While body armor was historically used to protect military personal, it is now used by police, security guards and private citizens.
Ballistic vests are made of layers of woven or laminated fibers (e.g., poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide), and rated to protect the wearer from specified handgun and shotgun projectiles. Some ballistic vests can be augmented with one or more ballistic plate inserts. Ballistic plate carrier systems typically hold one or more removable ballistic plate inserts that may be used in conjunction with soft armor backers. In this way, while the ballistic plate carrier system is being worn, a ballistic plate insert is positioned over, at least, the chest and back of the wearer.
Unfortunately, modern body armor is also heavy, bulky, and difficult to transport when not being worn. As such, civilians rarely choose to purchase body armor for their own safety because it is impractical for them to wear and/or carry the body armor on a regular basis. As a result, these individuals are left unprotected if caught in an active shooter incident.
In recent years, the number of active shooter incidents has increased throughout the United States and other parts of the world. Most active shooters use firearms and select their victims at random. The majority of active shooter incidents occur at locations, often referred to as “soft targets” (e.g., schools, stadiums, etc.), that have limited security measures to protect members of the public. Civilians, and off duty members of the military and police, caught in these situations often have no way to protect themselves.
In view of the forgoing, there is a need to provide individuals with a convenient way to transport and deploy a protective vest that can be used during an active shooter incident, or other dangerous situation.
Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for the combined backpack and body armor carrier disclosed herein. It is to the provision of a combined backpack and body armor carrier configured to address these needs, and others, that the present invention is primarily directed.
Implementations of a combined backpack and body armor carrier are provided. In a first configuration, the backpack may be used to store and transport items. When confronted with an imminent threat (e.g., an active shooter), the backpack can be converted to a second configuration that serves as a protective vest configured to provide ballistic protection for the wearer's chest and back (i.e., body armor). The backpack does not need to be removed from the wearer's torso when being converted to the protective vest configuration. The protective vest is configured to contain at least one ballistic armor insert in both the front and rear panel sections thereof. The backpack includes a container that is detachable therefrom. This detachable container may be configured to contain at least one ballistic armor insert and for use as a ballistic shield.
In some implementations, the backpack comprises a pair of shoulder straps, a central compartment that conceals the front and rear panel sections of the protective vest, and a detachable container constructed and arranged to store and transport items. The front and rear panel sections each include an internal pocket configured to receive at least one ballistic armor insert. The central compartment is disposed between the detachable container and a back panel of the backpack. The pair of shoulder straps and the front panel section of the protective vest are secured to the back panel of the backpack. When converting the backpack into the protective vest configuration, the detachable container can be completely separated from the backpack. This exposes the front and rear panel sections of the protective vest and allows the rear panel section to be positioned over the back of the wearer.
In some implementations, the detachable container comprises an internal pocket configured to receive at least one ballistic armor insert, and enarme that allow the detachable container to be used as a shield.
Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
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In some implementations, the front panel section 120 and the rear panel section 130 of the backpack 100 each include an internal pocket configured to receive at least one ballistic armor insert therein (e.g., a ballistic plate, a flexible ballistic insert, or a combination thereof). In this way, the front and rear panel sections can be used to provide ballistic protection for the thoracic region of the wearer. A ballistic armor insert may be a rigid ballistic plate (e.g., steel, ceramic, or plastic resin composite plate) or a flexible ballistic insert (e.g., Kevlar® inserts), both of which are well known in the prior art and will not be described in detail herein.
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Although not shown, in some implementations, the backpack 100 may further comprise a groin protector that depends from a bottom edge of the front panel section 120. The groin protector may be secured to the bottom edge of the front panel section 120 by hook-and-loop fasteners, snap connectors, or any other suitable fastener(s) known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some implementations, the groin protector provides ballistic protection for the abdomen and groin area of the wearer. In some implementations, the groin protector may be configured to serve as a container (or pouch) for a rigid ballistic plate, a flexible ballistic insert, or a combination thereof.
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In some implementations, the detachable container 140 may be transported using the carry handle 108.
In some implementations, the detachable container 140 may include several storage compartments (e.g., 142, 144, 146) for holding items selected by the wearer. The storage compartments may include any number of pockets or receptacles that are constructed and arranged for accommodating various items. In some implementations, the storage compartments (e.g., 142, 144, 146) of the detachable container 140 can be sealed and unsealed with corresponding fasteners. In this implementation, the fasteners are zippers. However, any suitable fastener (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners, snap connectors, etc.) may be utilized to seal and unseal a storage compartment of the detachable container 140.
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The various components of the backpack 100 may be assembled using any suitable method known to those of ordinary sill in the art (e.g., stitching). The various portions of the backpack 100 may be made of any suitable material, or combination of materials (e.g., nylon, cotton, polyester, etc.).
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Once the wearer elects to convert the backpack 100 into the protective vest configuration, the wearer removes a first arm from a first shoulder strap (e.g., 106a) and rotates the backpack 100 so that the back-facing portion thereof is positioned against their chest. While the backpack 100 is being rotated about the torso, the second arm is removed from a second shoulder strap (e.g., 106b) while the first arm is inserted therein. The second arm is then inserted into the first shoulder strap (e.g., 106a). In this way, the backpack 100 may be positioned on the wearer's chest (see, e.g.,
Next, the fastener 112 for accessing the central compartment 110 is used to separate the detachable container 140 from the backpack 100 (see, e.g.,
Then, the rear panel section 130 of the protective vest is pulled up and over the wearer's head so that the straps 126a, 126b connecting it to the front panel section 120 are resting on the wearer's shoulders. While the rear panel portion 130 is being pulled over the wearer's head; the second arm of the wearer may be inserted between the first shoulder strap 126a and the first lower strap 136a, and the first arm of the wearer may be inserted between the second shoulder strap 126b and the second lower strap 136b (see, e.g.,
Next, the ring 134a, 134b on the distal end of each lower strap 136a, 136b is pulled in a downward direction to tighten the lower straps 136a, 136b around the sides of the wearer's lower torso (see, e.g.,
In this way, the front and rear panel sections 120, 130 of the protective vest are positioned on the chest and back, respectively, of a wearer (see, e.g.,
If the detachable container 140 includes a ballistic armor insert (e.g., insert 152), the user may opt to don it using the provided enarme 146, 150. To don the detachable container 140 as a ballistic shield, the wearer inserts a first hand through an opening defined by the first enarme 146 and grasps the second enarme 150 (see, e.g.,
Alternatively, the wearer may leave the detachable container 140 where it falls or transport it using the provided carry handle 108.
Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.
The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.
While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/686,428, which was filed on Jun. 18, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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