US20150211829A1

US20150211829A1 - Modular concealable armored garment and system

Info

Publication number: US20150211829A1
Application number: US14/594,597
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael E. Cole; Marcus Treiber
Original assignee: FirstSpear LLC
Current assignee: FirstSpear LLC
Priority date: 2014-01-10
Filing date: 2015-01-12
Publication date: 2015-07-30

Abstract

A modular concealable armored garment and system to be worn under shirts, blouses, tunics, and the like, can include an armored front or chest panel, an armored rear or back panel, and two side panels, all of which panels can be individually selected by size and/or shape from a supply of interchangeable ones of the panels having different dimensions, to provide a custom fit, and the side panels connecting to the chest and back panels with ends of the side panels concealed, while allowing relative movement of the panels for comfort and range of motion. As one manner of concealment, the ends of the side panels are rounded, and overlapped by the associated chest or back panel, and connect to the associated chest or back panel in a manner to provide relative movement while maintaining the overlap, to provide mobility and flexibility.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/926,171, filed Jan. 10, 2014.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to concealable armored garments, such as, vests to be worn under shirts, blouses, tunics, etc., and more particularly, to a garment and a system which is modular comprising in a preferred configuration, an armored front or chest panel, an armored rear or back panel, and two side panels, all of which panels can be individually selected by size and/or shape from a supply of interchangeable ones of the panels having different dimensions, to provide a custom fit, and the side panels connecting to the chest and back panels with ends of the side panels concealed, while allowing relative movement of the panels for comfort and range of motion.

BACKGROUND ART

U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/926,171, filed Jan. 10, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference in its entireties.
Presently available known concealable armored garments are custom sized and shaped for the wearer, and typically include a front or chest armored panel and a rear or back armored panel, each contained in a fabric cover and joined at the top by shoulder straps, and one of which includes side armored extensions that extend outwardly from the lower side edges of the panel to overlap the other panel, or both of which panels include side extensions that overlap at the side of the person.
When the garment is worn, the shoulder straps extend over the wearers shoulders, and the side extensions on each side are joined together in overlapping relation using any of a variety of fasteners, e.g., hook and loop type fasteners.
Observed problems with the known garments, include an obvious presence of the vest, by virtue of the overlapping extensions on the sides, which typically protrude or misshape the overlying garment. Another problem is fit. If the person for whom the vest was custom fitted grows or otherwise changes in one or more dimensions, the armored garment will not longer properly fit, and may be more easily visible or provide inadequate protection. Typically, when this occurs the garment must be completely replaced, at substantial cost.
What is sought is a concealable armored garment and/or system, that achieves one or more of the advantages, and overcomes one or more of the problems and shortcomings, set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is disclosed is a modular concealable armored garment and/or system, that achieves one or more of the advantages, and overcomes one or more of the problems and shortcomings, set forth above.
According to a preferred aspect of the invention, a concealable armored garment and system of the invention include a front or chest panel of an armored material, configured to be worn in covering relation to a person's chest, including a lower portion configured to cover and provide forwardly facing ballistic protection for the person's stomach or front abdomen region, the lower portion having generally forwardly facing first and second forward side portions including first connecting elements, respectively. The garment and system include a rear or back panel of an armored material, configured to be worn in covering relation to the person's back, including a lower portion configured to cover and provide rearwardly facing ballistic protection for the person's lower back region, the lower portion having generally rearwardly facing first and second rear side portions including second connecting elements, respectively. The garment and system has two side panels, each having an elongate shape terminating at opposite rounded ends. The side panels each have third and fourth connecting elements connected thereto spaced from the opposite rounded ends, respectively. The third and fourth connecting elements are configured to be positioned over the opposite rounded ends, respectively, and to connect to the first and second connecting elements, respectively, on each side, to connect the side panels to the chest and back panels with the rounded ends at least substantially concealed by the side portions, respectively.
As another optional preferred aspect of the invention, the connecting elements comprise hook and loop fasteners, although alternatives such as various mechanical fasteners such as buttons, clasps, snaps, zippers, laces, or other fasteners, and adhesives panels or patches, can be used for one or more of the connections between the panels. As another optional preferred aspect, the third and fourth connecting elements are resiliently connected to the side panels to allow resilient relative movements of the chest and back panels and the side panels, with the rounded ends of the side panels remaining at least substantially concealed to accommodate natural body movements without revealing the presence of the garment. As a non-limiting example, the connecting elements can be connected to the side panels by elastic strips or panels stretchable and flexible to a limited extent, sufficient to provide the desired body movements, while still retaining the panels in desired covering and conforming relation to the associated side body region, namely, the side of the abdomen or lower torso. This is advantageous, as it resiliently holds and pulls or snugs the panels in generally conforming relation to the covered region of the person's body so as to follow the shape and contours of it to facilitate concealment under an overlaying garment, such as a shirt, blouse, tunic, jacket, etc. The elastic strips or panels can be attached directly to a side, chest, and/or back panel, or can include a suitable fastener connection such as discussed above, to allow removal, reconnection, etc., for donning, doffing, interchanging, replacing of panels, and the like. The upper ends of the panels can be suitably connected, for instance, using shoulder straps, which can be integrated into one or both chest and back panels or can be separate, as desired or required for a particular application. The shoulder straps also can be of a resilient flexible material such as an elastic material, so as to conform to the underlying shoulders in a concealing manner.
As a preferred optional aspect of the invention, the side panels are of an armored material, but alternatively, can be of fabric or other non-armored material.
As still another optional preferred aspect of the invention, at least one, and most preferably both, of the chest and back panels can be selected from a set or kit of a plurality of the panels having different characteristics, particularly, different dimensions and shapes configured for better protecting different bodies. In particular, each of the different panels can have a different height dimension for persons of different torso heights; different widths for persons of different width torsos; and/or different shapes, for persons with larger upper bodies, persons with larger lower bodies, different genders such as for accommodating female body shapes, etc. In this regard, as a non-limiting example, the panels can have side edges that taper convergingly upwardly or downward, a barrel shape, or other shape generally following a human body profile shape. As a result, the armored garment can be quickly created that is custom fit to an individual person's body, and allowing replacement of any of the panels with a panel of a different size as the person's body changes in dimensions, taper, etc., all without requiring custom cutting and fitting of the panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a modular concealable armored garment and system of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing aspects of a modular concealable armored garment system of the invention, including interchangeable armored panels of different sizes and shapes combinable to provide customized armored garments for a range of potential wearers having different body sizes and shapes;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a concealable armored garment of the invention, illustrating a manner of attachment of a side panel thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a concealable armored garment of the invention, illustrating with arrows how the garment can be donned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, various embodiments of a modular concealable armored garment 20, and system 22 of the invention are shown, comprising a front or chest panel 24 of an armored material, configured to be worn in covering relation to a person's chest 26, including a lower portion 28 configured to cover and provide forwardly facing ballistic protection for the person's front abdomen or stomach region 30, the lower portion 28 having generally forwardly facing first and second forward side portions 32, 34 including first connecting elements 36, respectively.
Garment 20 and system 22 comprises a rear or back panel 38 of an armored material, configured to be worn in covering relation to the person's back 40, including a lower portion 42 configured to cover and provide rearwardly facing ballistic protection for the person's lower back region 44, the lower portion 42 having generally rearwardly facing first and second rear side portions 46, 48, including second connecting elements 50, respectively.
Garment 20 and system 22 has two side panels 52, each having an elongate shape terminating at opposite rounded ends 54. The side panels 52 each have third and fourth connecting elements 56, 58 connected thereto spaced from the opposite rounded ends 54, respectively. The third and fourth connecting elements 56, 58 being configured to be positioned over the opposite rounded ends 54, respectively and to connect to the first and second connecting elements 36, 38, respectively, on each side, to connect the side panels 52 to the chest and back panels 24, 38, with the rounded ends 54 at least substantially concealed by the side portions 32, 34, 46, and 48 thereof, respectively.
The side panels 52 are of an armored material, but alternatively, can be of fabric or other non-armored material.
The connecting elements 36, 50, 56, and 58 here comprise hook and loop fasteners. The third and fourth connecting elements 56, 58 are resiliently connected to the side panels 52, to allow resilient relative movements of the chest and back panels 24, 38, and the side panels 52, with the rounded ends 54 of the side panels 52 remaining at least substantially concealed, as illustrated by arrows in FIG. 1, to accommodate natural body movements without revealing the presence of the garment. As a non-limiting example, the connecting elements are connected to the side panels 52, by elastic strips 64, stretchable and flexible to a limited extent, sufficient to provide the desired body movements, while still retaining the panels in conforming relation. This is advantageous, as it resiliently holds and pulls or snugs the panels in generally conforming relation to the person's body so as to follow the shape and contours of it to facilitate concealment under an overlaying garment, such as a shirt, blouse, tunic, jacket, etc. The upper ends of the panels can be suitably connected, for instance, using shoulder straps 60, which can be integrated into one or both panels 24, 38, or separate, as illustrated, as desired or required for a particular application, and which also can be of a resilient flexible material such as an elastic, so as to conform to the underlying shoulders in a concealing manner.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, chest and back panels 24, 38 are selected from a kit comprising a plurality of panels 24, 38 having different dimensions. In particular, each of the different panels 24, 38, can have a different height dimension H, and/or a different width dimension W, and/or a different shape, such as side edges that taper convergingly upwardly or downward, a barrel shape, or other shape generally following a human body profile shape. Illustrated as a non-limiting example, is a fitting kit 60 including different interchangeable panels having different height dimensions H1, H2, H3, . . ., Hn, and different width dimensions W1, W2, W3, . . . , Wn; and optionally different shapes, e.g., taper, etc., and dimensioned and/or shaped side panels 52 having, for instance, different heights H and widths W, allowing creating a garment 20 that is custom fit to an individual person's body, and allowing replacement of any of the panels with a panel of a different size as the person's body changes in dimensions H, W, taper, etc. As another non-limiting example, it is contemplated that a sizing kit for a military or law enforcement unit could have 10 to 20 or more different sizes for each of the chest, back, and side panels of a system of the invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, it can be observed that the garment 20 is easily donned, by connecting the side panels 52 first to the back panel 38, then placing the garment over the person's head, and attaching the side panels to the chest panel. The rounded ends 54 will be tucked behind the associated chest or back panel, so as to be concealed, and held in position by the elasticity of the elastic strips 64 (FIGS. 1-3).
In light of all the foregoing, it should thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that there has been shown and described a MODULAR CONCEALABLE ARMORED GARMENT AND SYSTEM. However, it should also be apparent that, within the principles and scope of the invention, many changes are possible and contemplated, including in the details, materials, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention. Thus, while the foregoing description and discussion addresses certain preferred embodiments or elements of the invention, it should further be understood that concepts of the invention, as based upon the foregoing description and discussion, may be readily incorporated into or employed in other embodiments and constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown, and all changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A concealable armored garment, comprising:

a chest panel of an armored material, configured to be worn in covering relation to a person's chest, including a lower portion configured to cover and provide forwardly facing ballistic protection for the person's stomach region, the lower portion having generally forwardly facing first and second forward side portions including first connecting elements, respectively;

a back panel of an armored material, configured to be worn in covering relation to the person's back, including a lower portion configured to cover and provide rearwardly facing ballistic protection for the person's lower back region, the lower portion having generally rearwardly facing first and second rear side portions including second connecting elements, respectively; and

at least one side panel, having an elongate shape terminating at opposite rounded ends, the side panel having third and fourth connecting elements connected thereto spaced from the opposite rounded ends, respectively, the third and fourth connecting elements being configured to be positioned over the opposite ends, respectively and to connect to the first and second connecting elements, to connect the side panel to the chest and back panels with the rounded ends at least substantially concealed by the side portions thereof, respectively.

2. The concealable armored garment of claim 1, wherein the side panel is of an armored material.

3. The concealable armored garment of claim 1, comprising two of the side panels.

4. The third and fourth connecting elements connected thereto spaced from the opposite rounded ends.

5. The concealable armored garment of claim 1, wherein the connecting elements comprise hook and loop fasteners.

6. The concealable armored garment of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth connecting elements are resiliently connected to the side panel, to allow resilient relative movements of the chest and back panels, and the side panel, with the rounded ends of the side panels remaining at least substantially concealed.

7. The concealable armored garment of claim 1, wherein at least one of the chest and back panels are selected from a plurality of panels having different dimensions.

8. The concealable armored garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is modular, to allow disconnection and replacement of any of the panels with a panel of a different size.

9. A modular concealable armored garment system, comprising:

a plurality of armored chest panels of different sizes, the chest panels being configured to be interchangeably worn in covering relation to a person's chest, each of the chest panels including a lower portion configured to cover and provide forwardly facing ballistic protection for the person's stomach region, the lower portion having generally forwardly facing first and second forward side portions including first connecting elements, respectively;

a plurality of armored back panels of different sizes, each of the back panels being configured to be interchangeably worn in covering relation to the person's back, each of the back panels including a lower portion configured to cover and provide rearwardly facing ballistic protection for the person's lower back region, the lower portion having generally rearwardly facing first and second rear side portions including second connecting elements, respectively;

at least one side panel, having an elongate shape terminating at opposite rounded ends, the side panel having third and fourth connecting elements connected thereto spaced from the opposite rounded ends, respectively, the third and fourth connecting elements being configured to be positioned over the opposite ends, respectively and to connect to the first and second connecting elements of a selected one of the chest panels and a selected one of the back panels, to connect the side panel to the selected chest and back panels with the rounded ends at least substantially concealed by the side portions thereof, respectively, and;

wherein the selected one of the chest panels and the selected one of the back panels have been selected to fit dimensions of the person's body, and can be replaced by others of the chest and back panels, respectively, if the dimensions change.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the side panel is of an armored material.

11. The system of claim 9, comprising two of the side panels.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the third and fourth connecting elements are connected to the side panel by a stretchable elastic material stretchable to allow relative movements of the panels when connected.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the connecting elements comprise hook and loop fasteners.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the third and fourth connecting elements are resiliently connected to the side panel, to allow resilient relative movements of the chest and back panels, and the side panel, with the rounded ends of the side panels remaining at least substantially concealed.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one side panel is selected from a plurality of side panels having different dimensions.