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This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. Nr. 60524051 filed 2003 Nov. 24 by the present inventors.
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the general art of wearing apparel, and to the particular field of protective body armor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Military body armor typically contains two protective systems: (1) a soft armor material that provides protection from small fragments, and (2) a hard armor plate that provides protection from bullets and high velocity projectiles. These ballistic plates are normally inside the vest carrier or sewn in pockets outside the ballistic carrier. Other attachments systems, such as Widder, U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,453 utilize a suspender like cage unit to hold plates on the torso but the suspender system provides no fragmentation protection.
One problem with standard military body is that the armor plate's locations are permanent and the only option the wearer has is to put in plates or not. The plate sizes are fixed therefore a soldier wishing more coverage can not put in a larger plate than the internal pocket size. If the soldier wishes to lighten his armor, placing a smaller plate in a large pocket may not provide necessary protection towards the upper part of the pocket areas.
Widder's invention attempts to solve the need for additional hard armor but does not address the need for flexible ballistic armor critically needed for military fragmentation protection.
1. Objects and Advantages
The object of our invention is to provide the military wearer the option for placing hard plate body armor externally over his existing fragmentation vest. Our invention allows the wearer to select plate size and location, and then rapidly attach plates to connectors on the fragmentation vest carrier. Our invention's advantage is allowing the user to rapidly increase area of coverage and increased protection levels based on threats or special mission with no modifications to the solder's outer tactical ballistic vest.
2. Summary
Our invention comprises at least one ballistic plate, a carrier pocket for the ballistic plate that surrounds the ballistic plate, attachment loops on the pocket, and a readily attachable and detachable mechanical attachment mechanism. The invention attaches to existing attaching points on the soldier's fragmentation vest.
FIG. 1 depicts a ballistic plate
FIG. 2 depicts the carrier pocket
FIG. 3 depicts the back of the carrier pocket depicting attaching loops
FIG. 4 depicts the attaching loop
FIG. 5 depicts the side view of carrier pocket, attaching loops and ballistic vest
FIG. 6 depicts a “C-Ring” attachment device
FIG. 7 depicts a hook and loop attachment device
FIG. 8 depicts a spring loaded lever “D Ring” attachment device
FIG. 9 depicts a spring loaded slide lock “D Ring” attachment device
FIG. 10 depicts circular snap ring
FIG. 11 depicts the carrier pocket attached to the ballistic vest using straps
FIG. 12 depicts the carrier pocket attached to the ballistic vest using “C-Rings”
FIG. 13 depicts two pocket carriers attached to the front of the ballistic vest
FIG. 14 depicts the carrier with plates orientate in an assault configuration
FIG. 15 depicts a soft ballistic material as a substitution for the hard ballistic plate
FIG. 16 depicts the attachment loop directly on the ballistic plate
Our invention comprises at least one ballistic plate 1, a carrier pocket 2 for the ballistic plate 1 that surrounds the ballistic plate, attachment loops 6 on the carrier pocket 2, and fastening devices 11, 14, 16, 17 or 18 to readily attach or detach the carrier pocket 2. The invention attaches to existing attaching points 10 on the soldier's fragmentation vest 19.
The ballistic plate 1 can be identical to the body armor's standard issued ballistic plate or several sizes smaller or larger. The ballistic plate 1 can be shaped or curved to fit comfortably as a side plate under the soldier's arm.
The carrier pocket 2 consists of durable materials such as nylon, Kevlar™, or canvass like materials. The carrier pocket has a flap 3 or opening that allows the ballistic plate 1 to be inserted and the flap 3 closes to keep the ballistic plate 1 securely inside. The flap 3 can be held closed with a hook and loop type closure system 4 or a mechanical snap, zipper, or strap arrangement. The flap 3 is normally on the side of the carrier pocket 2 to avoid the ballistic plate's 1 weight stressing the flap closing mechanism 4, 5.
The carrier pocket 2 has several attachment points 6. Each attachment point consists of a fabric strap sewn on to the carrier pocket 2 forming a loop 6 to allow the attachment mechanism 11, 14, 16, 17, or 18 to fasten to the carrier pocket 2.
The attachment mechanisms 11, 14, 16, 17, or 18 can consist of simple devices that allow quick attachment and detachment. Examples include hook. and loop straps 14, metal fasteners such as “D-Rings” 11, spring leaf-clamps, “C-Rings” 16 or ovals with locking screws, and mechanical locking hooks 18.
The ballistic plate 1 is inserted into the carrier pocket 2, the carrier pocket flap 3 is closed, and the carrier pocket 2, with ballistic plate inside the carrier pocket 2, is attached to the fragmentation vest 19 through the selected attachment mechanism 11, 14, 16, 17, or 18. To remove, the attachment mechanisms 11, 14, 16, 17, or 18 are opened and the carrier pocket 2, with ballistic plate 1 inside, is removed from the fragmentation vest 19. The user can place the carrier pocket 2 in places where he feels the greatest threats. For example, FIG. 14 depicts two carrier pockets 2 attached to the left side of the operator's fragmentation vest 19 which faces the enemy during an advance holding a rifle oriented to the operator's left. This configuration would represent an assault configuration.
1. An alternate embodiment includes replacing the ballistic plate 1 with a soft armor 20. This would allow adding armor to sections of the vest 19 where no soft armor exist or to increase protection to areas of underling armor. The system operation would be identical to the hard plate attachment and detachment process.
2. An alternate embodiment includes manufacturing loops 6 directly onto the ballistic plate 1 or soft armor 20 such that the carrier pocket 2 is not needed. The system operation would be identical to the hard plate attachment and detachment process.
The Appliqué Body Armor System provides users with simple options for increasing their protection levels. This invention will greatly increase protection over current body armor approaches and save lives.