US20130232653A1

US20130232653A1 - Body armor stabilization system

Info

Publication number: US20130232653A1
Application number: US13/414,664
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank J. Conca
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-03-07
Filing date: 2012-03-07
Publication date: 2013-09-12

Abstract

An armored garment stabilization system utilizing a shirt with fastening means for the stabilization of ballistic armor and ballistic armor carriers worn over the shirt.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to protective ballistic armor and more particularly to its stabilization so that its intended placement on its wearer, does not repeatedly shift and require readjustment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It can be appreciated protective ballistic armor is an important life saving tool for government law enforcement, military, and tactical operations personnel, hereinafter “law enforcement personnel.” The conventional “bullet-proof” vest is usually constructed of several panels, each assembled and connected to each other by durable fabric or elastic so that the resulting vest can be worn conformably against the upper torso of a users body. It is also common to have smaller panels or sections of bulletproof material inserted into a common “carrier” or “shell” that is then worn as the “vest.”
In the course carrying out their duties, law enforcement personnel may, in part, engage in some or all of the following: walking, running, extending outwardly to reach, bending over, stretching, entering and exiting vehicles, restraining suspects, making arrests and engaging in other physical activities.
The main problem with conventional “bulletproof” vests arrises when their user becomes physically active, the vest's position will slidably shift resulting in the need for readjustment in order to return the vest back to a proper and comfortable position on the user's body. One well-known approach, involves anchoring the bulletproof vest through the use of one or more extended fabric portions, commonly referred to as “tails.” Relying purely on frictional forces for securement, these so called tails are typically tucked underneath the user's belt or pants at the user's waste. Unfortunately, even after modest physical activity it is very common for these tails to pull up and out of their desired position, ultimately leaving the user with the need to both: fix the positioning of their body armor; and re-secure the body armor tails.
Other well-known attempts to secure body armor include various combinations of straps, fasteners, and tails. However, they do not provide the improved stabilization design of the present invention. Consequently, there is a need for a body armor stabilization system for bulletproof vests worn by for law enforcement personnel whose positional stability will persist for the entire duration of a law enforcement officer's work shift.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a garment that includes a shirt to be worn on the torso of a user with a securing region on its exterior and a protective ballistic armor having a corresponding securing region on its interior for coupling therewith.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the protective ballistic armor is enclosed in a carrier that has a corresponding securing region disposed on its interior whereby the securing regions are filled with opposing hook and loop fastening material.
In a different embodiment of the invention, instead of having a corresponding securing region disposed on the interior of the carrier, an enclosing carrier may have “cut out” regions that correspond to the securing region of the interior the protective ballistic armor, thereby allowing the fastening material located on the securing region of the protective ballistic armor to be exposed and secured directly to the shirt through the carrier.
In the present invention each securing region can be replaced by other suitable means of attachment as will be apparent to those having skill in the art. Other suitable means of attachment may include, but are certainly not limited, magnetic fasteners, buttons, clips, buckles, snaps, or any other suitable attachment means.
There has thus been outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description may be better understood, and so that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not committed in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways as will be apparent from the description herein to those having skill in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are elicited only and changes may be made into any specific construction illustrated without departing from the principles of the invention. Various other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated, as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the protective ballistic armor carrier of the present invention with a portion of the securing region shown in phantom.

FIG. 2 is front view of the shirt of the present invention with the securing region on its exterior.

FIG. 3 is a top fold out view of the protective ballistic armor of the present invention having a corresponding securing region on its interior for coupling therewith.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the protective ballistic armor carrier of the present invention having an interior region cut out thereby exposing portion of the protective ballistic armor's securing region shown in phantom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the protective ballistic armor carrier (10), comprises a securing region (12). In one example, both sides of the carrier may be held together with additional securing straps (14). In the preferred embodiment the securing region (12) has fastening material (11) disposed thereon.
Referring to FIG. 2, the shirt (20) comprises a securing region (22). In a preferred embodiment the securing region (22) is comprised of a fastening material (23). In another embodiment, a tactile region (21) of the shirt (20) has a grippingly adhesive tactile material disposed thereon, which maybe tucked into the pants of a user to provide additional stabilization along region (24). The regional line is not actually drawn on the shirt (20), it is simply illustrated in this way for convenience.
Referring to FIG. 3, the protective ballistic armor of the present invention has a corresponding securing region (32) on its interior surface. In another embodiment, both sides of the ballistic armor may be held together with additional securing straps (33). In the preferred embodiment the securing region (32) has fastening material (31) disposed thereon.
FIG. 4 shows the embodiment where the protective ballistic armor carrier has an interior region cut out (42) thereby exposing portion of the protective ballistic armor's securing region (43) so that fastening material (41) is exposed there through. This allows the fastening material (41) to secure directly to the fastening material of the shirt shown in FIG. 2.
It should be noted that the invention is not limited to only one securing region. In an alternative embodiment a plurality of securing regions may be used. Additionally, the securing regions are not limited to specific location and can appear on any portion of the invention. In yet another embodiment a plurality of tactile regions can be used to further frictionally secure various portions of the invention.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a new body armor stabilization system, where comfort and stability are increased.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A body armor stabilization system, comprising:

a stabilizing shirt to be worn on the torso of a user wherein the exterior of said shirt includes a securing region having fastening material disposed thereon; and

a protective ballistic armor configured as wearable vest, having a corresponding securing region with fastening material disposed thereon, on the interior of said protective ballistic armor for coupling to said shirt when said protective ballistic armor is worn over said shirt.

2. The body armor stabilization system of claim 1, wherein said protective ballistic armor is housed in a ballistic armor carrier having the region that corresponds with said protective ballistic armor securing region cut out, thereby exposing said protective ballistic armor's fastening material for securement to said stabilizing shirt.

3. The body armor stabilization system of claim 2, wherein said stabilizing shirt further includes a lower tactile region having tactile material disposed thereon to provide additional stabilization by allowing a user to tuck said tactile region into other clothing said user is wearing.

4. A body armor stabilization system, comprising:

a ballistic armor carrier configured as wearable vest, having a corresponding securing region with fastening material disposed thereon, on the interior of said ballistic armor carrier for coupling to said shirt when said protective ballistic armor carrier is worn over said shirt.

5. The body armor stabilization system of claim 4, wherein said stabilizing shirt further includes a lower tactile region having tactile material disposed thereon to provide additional stabilization by allowing a user to tuck said tactile region into other clothing said user is wearing.