WO2007146797A2

WO2007146797A2 - System for attaching ballistic plate pocket in connection with ballistic garments

Info

Publication number: WO2007146797A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/070748
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward R. Dovner; Gary Lesley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-09
Filing date: 2007-06-08
Publication date: 2007-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-09
Also published as: WO2007146797A3

Abstract

A protective garment having at least one pocket that may be releasably attached to a surface of the protective garment. An additional pocket may be disposed between an outer and inner surface of the protective garment, and may be accessed from an opening in the outer surface and the inner surface. Each pocket may be adapted to optionally receive a removable ballistic plate. The outer surface of the protective garment may be adapted to accept at least one accessory.

Description

SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING BALLISTIC PLATE POCKET IN CONNECTION

WITH BALLISTIC GARMENTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to protective garments (e.g., outer garments), and more particularly, to ballistic garments.

[0002] For the purposes of the present application the term "ballistic garment" is intended to refer to a garment designed to minimize the chances of a fatality or serious injury in the event of a bullet strike, shrapnel strike, or the like (but not necessarily to be impenetrable to all types of strikes under all conditions).

[0003] Further, for the purposes of the present application the term "soft body armor" is intended to refer to a garment formed of a relatively flexible material (e.g., woven KEVLAR fibers) which acts to provide the principal ballistic characteristics of the garment.

[0004] Further still, for the purposes of the present application the term "hard body armor" is intended to refer to a garment including relatively inflexible material (e.g., one or more ceramic plates) carried in one or more pockets in the garment. In this type of body armor the relatively inflexible material acts to provide the principal ballistic characteristics of the garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Protective garments including, for example, soft body armor vests and hard body armor vests, have saved the lives of many soldiers and law enforcement officers in recent years. Conventional protective garments are reasonably light in weight, flexible, and may provide resistance to projectile penetration. As a result, such conventional protective garments have become a standard piece of equipment for military and law enforcement personnel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a protective garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 illustrates a frontal view of the protective garment shown in Figure 1.

[0008] Figure 3 illustrates front and rear pockets for use in connection with a protective garment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0009] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate side pockets for use in connection with a protective garment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [00010] Figure 6 illustrates a series of applications utilizing a protective garment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[00011] Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures constitute a part of this specification and include illustrative embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00012] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[00013] In one embodiment, the present invention may provide a protective garment having a modular system to permit customizing of the protective garment for a particular purpose or task. In various examples, the protective garment may be a soft body armor ballistic and/or load-bearing vest, a hard body armor ballistic and/or load-bearing vest or other protective vest. The protective garment may have an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. One or both of the outer and inner surfaces may accept an accessory or pocket. The protective garment may also (or instead) include a pocket disposed between the outer and inner surface (wherein this pocket may be adapted to be accessible from the outer surface and the inner surface). Further, each of the pocket(s) may be adapted to receive a removable ballistic plate (that is, a hard armor plate).

[00014] In another embodiment, the present invention may provide a system that includes a protective garment (e.g., a soft body armor ballistic and/or load-bearing vest, a hard body armor ballistic and/or load-bearing vest or other protective vest) having at least one pocket that may be releasably attached to a surface of the protective garment. The pocket, in one example, may be designed to receive a removable ballistic plate. The protective garment may also include an additional pocket, which may be disposed between an outer and inner surface of the garment for receiving a ballistic plate. In this last example, the additional pocket may be accessed from an opening in the outer surface and/or the inner surface.

[00015] In another embodiment, a surface of the protective garment, such as the outer surface, may be adapted to accept at least one accessory, including (but not limited to): Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE), Pocket Attachment Ladder System (PALS), Advance Tactical (AT) style pouches, utility pouches, communication wire-routing channels, camelback hydration pouch, rear drag strap, adjustable side-closures and/or strap adjustments. The protective garment may also include internal shoulder attachment areas for attaching and securing an inner vest, such as a concealed hard body armor vest. The protective garment may include additional attachment areas that may be adapted to accept ballistic armor options including (but not limited to): groin guard, removable collar, neck and throat guard, lower back and kidney guard, shoulder and bicep guard, rifle bolsters, and/or a flame-resistant inner fabric lining.

[00016] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, one embodiment of the present invention provides a protective garment 10 having a modular platform to permit customizing of the garment 10. The protective garment 10, in one example, may be a tactical style load bearing vest having a jacket design with a front-zipper 12 entry. Generally, the protective garment 10 may be designed so that various accessories may be mounted thereon to customize the protective garment 10 for a particular purpose or task.

[00017] The accessories that may be attached to a surface, such as an outer surface 16, of the protective garment 10 may include (but not be limited to): MOLLE, PALS, and AT style pouches 18, utility pouches, communication wire-routing channels 24, camelbak hydration pouch, rear drag strap, adjustable side-closures 14 and/or D-ring strap adjustments 11. The protective garment 10 may also include several attachment points 19, 23, 25, for accepting standard military ballistic (hard and/or soft) armor options including (but not limited to): groin guard, removable collar, neck and throat guard, lower back and kidney guard, shoulder and/or bicep guard. Shoulder attachment points 13 may be provided for attaching and securing an inner vest, such as concealed body armor, to the protective garment 10. This feature permits the garment 10 to be utilized as an outer lining that may be worn over other protective garments. Further, the protective garment 10 may be equipped with a flame- resistant interior lining 15, and rifle bolsters 21 may be provided for improved weapon to shoulder welds and firing positions. These accessories and gear options may accommodate various tactical, military and first responder needs.

[00018] In one embodiment, the protective garment 10 may include at least one pocket 26, or pouch that may be interchangeably attached to various locations on a surface of the protective garment 10. The pocket may accept a removable rifle plate, or other ballistic material that may provide protection to a wearer.

[00019] In another embodiment discussed in detail below, and illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the protective garment 10 may have four releasably attached pockets, each of which may accept a removable rifle plate, or other ballistic material that may provide protection to a wearer. These pockets may include a front plate pocket 30 for protecting the front torso area of the wearer, a rear plate pocket 35 for protecting the rear torso of the wearer, and two side pockets 40, 50 for protecting the side-torso of the wearer. The ballistic plate pockets may be made of natural or synthetic material including (but not limited to): leather, nylon, and/or Kevlar. In one example, the front and rear plate pockets 30, 35 may accept 8x10 inch or 10x12 inch ballistic plates, and the side plate pockets 40, 50 may accept ballistic plates having sizes of 6x8, 7x8, or 8x10 inches. The protective garment 10 may be worn with or without the plates and pockets, and may be integrated with other protective garments. For example, the protective garment 10 may be worn alone, or it may be worn over other protective garments, thereby providing additional protection.

[00020] Referring now to Figure 3 an embodiment of protective garment 10 having a releasably attached front plate pocket 30 is illustrated. As shown, the front plate pocket 30 may be releasably attached to an inner surface of the protective garment 10 by a zipper 31 that runs along at least part of the length of front plate pocket 30. Zipper 31 may be utilized by a wearer to attach or remove the front plate pocket 30, so that the protective garment 10, may be worn with or without the front plate pocket 30. In other embodiments, a Velcro strip, tie cord, snaps, or other fasteners may be utilized instead (or in addition to) of zipper 31 to releasably attach the front plate pocket 30 to the protective garment 10.

[00021] The front plate pocket 30 may accept plates or other ballistic protection material, in order to provide a wearer with front torso ballistic protection. The plates or other ballistic protection material may be inserted into, and removed from the front plate pocket 30, via flap 34 that is utilized to secure an opening in front plate pocket 30, in this example, by hook-and- loop fastener (e.g., VELCRO). In other embodiments a zipper, tie cord, snaps, and/or other fasteners may be utilized to secure flap 34 to the front plate pocket 30.

[00022] In the embodiment depicted in Figure 3, the rear plate pocket 35 is not releasably attached to protective garment 10. Rather, the rear plate pocket 35 of this embodiment is disposed between the outer surface 16 and inner surface 32 of the rear portion 9 of protective garment 10. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rear plate pocket 35 may be readily configured to be releasably attached to the protective garment 10, similarly to the front plate pocket 30 discussed above.

[00023] Rear plate pocket 35 may accept plates, or other ballistic protection material to provide a wearer with rear torso ballistic protection. The plates or other ballistic protection material may be inserted into, and removed from the rear plate pocket 35 from either inside the protective garment via pocket opening 33, or from outside the protective garment 10, via a corresponding opening.

[00024] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate side plate pockets 40 and 50 respectively, which may be releasably attached to protective garment 10. In an embodiment, the side plate pockets 40, 50 may be releasably attached to an inner surface on each side of the protective garment 10 by zippers 42, 52, and by strips of hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., VELCRO) 43, 53. Each zipper 42, 52 may be located along one side of each side plate pocket 40, 50 and each strip 43, 53 may be located on the other side of each pocket 40, 50. This arrangement allows a wearer to adjust the position of each side plate pocket 40, 50 for comfort purposes, or to quickly attach or remove the side plate pockets 40, 50, so that the protective garment 10 may be worn with or without the side plate pockets 40, 50. In other embodiments, tie cords, snaps, and/or other fasteners may be utilized to releasably attach the side plate pockets 40, 50 to the protective garment 10.

[00025] The side plate pockets 40, 50 may accept plates, or other ballistic protection material to provide a wearer with side torso ballistic protection. The plates or other ballistic protection material may be inserted into, and removed from the side plate pockets 40, 50 at the option of the wearer. In an embodiment, each side plate pocket 40, 50 may include a flap 41, 51 that may cover the opening to the pocket 40, 50, in order to enclose and secure the plate or other ballistic protection within the side plate pocket 40, 50. The flaps 41, 51 may be fastened by a variety of options including (but not limited to): a zipper, hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., VELCRO), tie cord, snap button, and/or other fasteners to enclose a ballistic plate within the pocket 40.

[00026] Protective garment 10 may be worn without its releasably attached pockets 30, 35, 40, 50 (and corresponding plates) as a non-ballistic garment, or it may be worn with its releasably attached pockets 30, 35, 40, 50 (and corresponding plates) as a ballistic garment. Either way, protective garment 10 may be integrated with other protective garments (e.g., by being worn as an outer lining over other protective garments and/or to retrofit non-ballistic garments to become ballistic).

[00027] Referring now to Figure 6, this Figure illustrates an example of integrating protective garment 10 (with or without its plates) with other protective garments. View A of Figure 6 depicts an individual wearing soft-body armor. In views B-F of Figure 6 the individual puts on an additional protective garment, such as a Plate Carrier Harness (PCH)₅ which may be a tactical plate harness for wearing over concealed body armor. As shown in views D, E and F of Figure 6, the PCH may provide front, rear and side ballistic plate protection to supplement the underlying soft-body armor. Protective garment 10, which is depicted in view G of Figure 6, may be equipped with or without its pockets 30, 35, 40, 50 (and corresponding front, rear, and side plates). As shown in views H through L of Figure 6, protective garment 10 may be worn over the PCH, thereby supplementing the protection provided by the PCH and underlying soft-body armor.

[00028] As described, various embodiments of the present invention provide for integration with other protective garments (e.g., depending on the task at hand). In this regard, various embodiments of the present invention may reduce or eliminate the need for a wearer to have to switch between several protective garments in order to accomplish a desired task.

[00029] Further, various embodiments of the present invention provide a protective garment that may be configured with modifiable levels of ballistic material for varying the level of protection (such a protective garment may be utilized as a stand-alone ballistic garment, non- ballistic garment, and/or as an outer lining (e.g., to retrofit non-ballistic vests to become ballistic or to retrofit a ballistic vest to increase its level of protection).

[00030] While a number of embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrative only, and not restrictive, and that many modifications may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, while the garments of the present invention have been described principally as bullet or shrapnel resistant, the garments may also (or instead) be designed to be resistant to sharp and/or blunt weapons (e.g., knives, clubs, etc.). Further, a garment according to the present invention may be designed such that certain components are reusable. Further still, while the garments of the present invention have been described principally as taking the form of a vest, any other desired form may be taken (e.g., in the form of a shirt, in the form of a jacket, in the form of an overcoat). Further still, garments of the present invention may comprise any desired materials (e.g., aramid fiber; nylon; rayon; cotton, and/or ceramic). Further still, any steps may be performed in any desired order (and any desired steps may be added and/or any desired steps may be deleted).

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A garment system, comprising: a garment adapted to be worn by a wearer; and a first pocket adapted to receive a first removable ballistic plate; wherein the first pocket has a first edge and a second edge generally opposite the first edge; and wherein the first pocket is releasably attached to a surface of the garment by a zipper located along the first edge and by a hook and loop fastener located along the second edge,

2. The garment system of claim 1 , wherein the garment includes an outer surface and an inner surface.

3. The garment system of claim 2, wherein the first pocket is releasably attached to the inner surface of the garment at a side torso area.

4. The garment system of claim 3, further comprising a second pocket adapted to receive a second removable ballistic plate and having a first edge and a second edge generally opposite the first edge; wherein the second pocket is releasably attached to a surface of the

₍ garment by a zipper located along the first edge and by a hook and loop fastener located along the second edge; and wherein the second pocket is releasably attached to the inner surface of the garment at a side torso area opposite the side torso area at which the first pocket is releasably attached.

5. The garment system of claim 4, further comprising a third pocket disposed between the outer surface of the garment and the inner surface of the garment, wherein the third pocket is adapted to be accessible from the outer surface and from the inner surface.

6. The garment system of claim 5, wherein the third pocket disposed between the outer and inner surface is adapted to receive a third removable ballistic plate.

7. The garment system of claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the garment is adapted to accept at least one accessory.

8. The garment system of claim 7, wherein the accessory is selected from the group consisting of: a MOLLE, a PALS, an AT style pouch, a utility pouch, a communication wire- routing channel, a camelback hydration pouch, a rear drag strap, an adjustable side-closure and a strap adjustment.

9. The garment system of claim 1, wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a soft body armor ballistic vest; (b) a hard body armor ballistic vest; and (c) a load-bearing vest.

10. The garment system of claim 1 , wherein the garment includes at least one internal shoulder area attachment mechanism, wherein the internal shoulder area attachment mechanism is used to attach an inner vest,

11. The garment system of claim 1 , wherein the garment includes at least one attachment mechanism adapted to accept ballistic armor selected from the group consisting of: a groin guard, a removable collar, a neck and throat guard, a lower back and kidney guard, a shoulder and bicep guard, a rifle bolster, and a flame-resistant inner fabric lining.

12. A garment system, comprising: a garment adapted to be worn by a wearer; and a first pocket adapted to receive a first removable ballistic plate; wherein the first pocket has a first edge and a second edge generally opposite the first edge; and wherein the first pocket is releasably attached to a surface of the garment by a zipper located along the first edge and by a plurality of snaps located along the second edge.

13. The garment system of claim 12, wherein the garment includes an outer surface and an inner surface.

14. The garment system of claim 13, wherein the first pocket is releasably attached to the inner surface of the garment at a side torso area.

15. The garment system of claim 14, further comprising a second pocket adapted to receive a second removable ballistic plate and having a first edge and a second edge generally opposite the first edge; wherein the second pocket is releasably attached to a surface of the garment by a zipper located along the first edge and by a hook and loop fastener located along the second edge; and wherein the second pocket is releasably attached to the inner surface of the garment at a side torso area opposite the side torso area at which the first pocket is releasably attached.

16. The garment system of claim 15, further comprising a third pocket disposed between the outer surface of the garment and the inner surface of the garment, wherein the third pocket is adapted to be accessible from the outer surface and from the inner surface.

17. The garment system of claim 16, wherein the third pocket disposed between the outer and inner surface is adapted to receive a third removable ballistic plate.

18. The garment system of claim 13, wherein the outer surface of the garment is adapted to accept at least one accessory.

19. The garment system of claim 18, wherein the accessory is selected from the group consisting of: a MOLLE₃ a PALS, an AT style pouch, a utility pouch, a communication wire- routing channel, a camelback hydration pouch, a rear drag strap, an adjustable side-closure and a strap adjustment.

20. The garment system of claim 12, wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a soft body armor ballistic vest; (b) a hard body armor ballistic vest; and (c) a load-bearing vest.

21. The garment system of claim 12, wherein the garment includes at least one internal shoulder area attachment mechanism, wherein the internal shoulder area attachment mechanism is used to attach an inner vest.

22. The garment system of claim 12, wherein the garment includes at least one attachment mechanism adapted to accept ballistic armor selected from the group consisting of: a groin guard, a removable collar, a neck and throat guard, a lower back and kidney guard, a shoulder and bicep guard, a rifle bolster, and a flame-resistant inner fabric lining.