CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.

No. 61/306,033 filed February 19, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

[0002] This invention was made with Government support under Contract No.

W91CRB-10-C-0175 awarded by the United States Department of the Army. The

Government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates generally to body armor systems and specifically to plate carrier devices and systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Military and police use many different types and styles of body armor systems. One such system is a plate carrier. A plate carrier is worn around the torso and over the shoulders and houses armor plates, ballistic packs, and other forms of soft armor protection. This armor within the plate carrier provides ballistic and fragmentation protection to the wearer.

[0005] While modern technology has developed new materials for armor plates, the armor plates remain the heaviest component of the plate carrier. Even with the advantages provided through use of aramid fiber, such as Kevlar®, ceramic, and other ballistic grade

- 1 -

1 361 80.001 02/2201 971 v.l materials to manufacture the armor plates, the wearer must still bear the physical weight of the armor plates while maintaining combat effectiveness.

[0006] Further, modern plate carriers do not allow users to quickly and easily remove armor. Removal of armor can be of particular importance to a wearer that has entered a body of water or needs to flee an area quickly.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a present need for a plate carrier that provides added comfort and allows for quick and easy removal of armor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides plate carrier devices and systems that provide a wearer added comfort and allow for the quick and easy removal of armor. The carrier may include a front portion, a rear portion, and side panels, each of which can include pockets for holding armor plates. The side panels and shoulder straps may connect the front portion to the rear portion. The carrier may also include a carrier release mechanism for removal of the carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings certain embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements, dimensions, and instruments shown. In the drawings:

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an armor carrier as worn by a wearer, the armor carrier comprising a plurality of buckles and waist straps, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 shows a front view of the armor carrier, wherein the carrier has been removed from the wearer and the buckles are opened, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the armor carrier and buckles of the armor carrier, wherein the armor carrier has been removed from the wearer and the buckles are opened, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the armor carrier, wherein the carrier has been removed from the wearer and the buckles are secured, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 7 shows an inside view of the armor carrier, wherein the armor carrier has been removed from the wearer and the buckles are opened, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 8 shows a closer view of a shoulder strap of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 9 shows a closer view of a rear end of the shoulder strap, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIGS. 10 shows a front-side view of the armor carrier, wherein the buckles are in a secured position, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIGS. 1 1 shows a front-side view of the armor carrier, wherein the buckles are opened, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 1 1A shows a detailed view of the waist straps and the buckles of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 12 shows an inside view of a side panel of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0023] FIG. 13 shows a rear-side view of the armor carrier when worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 14 shows an inside of a rear portion of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 15 shows another view of the inside of the rear portion, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 16 shows an inside of a front portion of the armor carrier, including a carrier release mechanism, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 17 shows a pocket and opening for an armor plate for the front portion, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0028] FIG. 18 shows another view of the pocket and opening for an armor plate for the front portion, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by consideration of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention in the accompanying written description and figures. It is to be understood that the figures have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention. Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein.

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide devices and systems for providing a wearer the ability to carry and wear armor and quickly and easily remove such armor when needed. An exemplary embodiment of such devices and systems comprises an armor carrier which provides a wearer added comfort while still allowing for the quick and easy removal of armor. The armor carrier may include a front portion, a rear portion, and side panels, each of which may include pockets for holding armor plates. The armor carrier may further include shoulder straps, which together with the side panels, connect the front portion to the rear portion of the armor carrier. The armor carrier may also include a carrier release mechanism for quick removal of the armor carrier by and from the wearer.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an exemplary front view of an exemplary embodiment of the armor carrier, generally designated as 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates the armor carrier 100 as worn by a wearer 10. The armor carrier 100 comprises a front panel or portion 102 and a pair of side panels 150. The armor carrier 100 further comprises a bottom end 108, a top end 106, a head opening 308, and shoulder straps 300 adjacent to the top end 106 of the armor carrier 100.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the armor carrier 100 includes a plurality of buckles

408 which secure the armor carrier 100 to the wearer 10. The buckles 408 may be opened by the wearer 10 to remove the armor carrier 100 from the wearer 10. FIG. 1 also shows that the armor carrier 100 may include a release pull strap 504. The release pull strap 504 is any device capable of being pulled by the wearer 10 of the armor carrier 100. The release pull strap 504 forms part of a carrier release mechanism 500 for quickly removing the armor carrier 100. The carrier release mechanism 500 is described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 16.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an exemplary rear view of the armor carrier 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The rear view shows that the armor carrier 100 further comprises a rear panel or portion 104. In an exemplary alternative embodiment of the armor carrier 100, secured to the rear portion 104 is a rear handle 1 10, which allows for pulling the wearer 10 when he has become immobilized. The rear handle 1 10 may be any device capable of being grabbed by a hand while remaining attached to the rear portion 104 while the wearer 10 is pulled.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an exemplary side view of the armor carrier 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The side view shows that the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104 are connected to one another by one of the side panels 150. It is to be understood that each of the pair of side panels 150 connect opposite sides of the front portion 102 to respective opposite sides of the rear portion 104. Each side panel 150 is releasably connected to the front portion 102 by a pair of the buckles 408. FIG. 3 illustrates the buckles 408 in their closed positions securing the side panels 150 to the front portion 102. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the buckles 408 is a side release buckle comprising a male buckle member (a hook end) and a female buckle member (a catch end).

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a further exemplary front view of the armor carrier 100 showing the carrier 100 as it has been removed from the wearer 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates that the buckles 408 are opened and that the front portion 102 is connected to the rear portion 104 by the shoulder straps 300.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a further exemplary rear view of the armor carrier 100 showing the carrier 100 as it has been removed from the wearer 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates that the buckles 408 are opened and that the armor carrier 100 further includes a plurality of waist straps 402. An end of each of the waist straps 402 is anchored to the rear portion 104 to connect a side panel 150 to the rear portion 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the waist straps 402 span the side panels 150 and form respective portions of MOLLE webbing along the side panels 150. In such exemplary embodiment, the waist straps 402 span across an entire width of the side panels 150 in parallel, and an end of each waist straps 402 opposite its anchored end is coupled to one of the buckles 408. In the exemplary embodiment in which the buckles 408 are side release buckles, the male buckle member of each side release buckle is coupled to the end of each waist strap 402 opposite its anchored end for connection to a respective female buckle member connected to the front portion 102.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an exemplary top view of the armor carrier 100 as it has been removed from the wearer 10 but with the buckles 408 secured, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This figure further shows that the shoulder portions 300 connect the front portion 102 to the rear portion 104. Also illustrated in the figure is a top view of the release pull strap 504 and the rear handle 1 10.

[0038] FIG. 7 shows an inside view of the armor carrier 100 as it has been removed from the wearer 10 and with the buckles 408 opened, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows that the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104 include openings for receiving armor, and that the armor may be positioned between inner and outer layers of the material forming the armor carrier 100.

[0039] The armor used with the armor carrier 100 may comprise a range of soft armor packs and armor plates and, optionally, an armor plate used in conjunction with a soft armor pack. For example, a soft armor pack can comply with NIJ Standard 0101.04, Ballistic Resistance of Personal Body Armor Systems; NIJ 2005 Interim Requirements for Bullet Resistant Body Armor; or NIJ Standard 0101.06, Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor. The protection level of the soft armor pack can comply with NIJ Level II or IIIA standards, or the ballistic panel may comply with other promulgated standards. In other embodiments, the soft armor may comprise US Military specification soft armor to specifications such as, for example, US Army FO/PD 07-05.

[0040] The armor plate can offer protection from high caliber and velocity rounds that, under some circumstances, would not be stopped by a soft armor pack alone. The armor plate can be a standard issue armor plate. It can be a metal or ceramic based armor plate, and can be selected from a variety of standard sizes, such as 8 inches by 11 inches, 10 inches by 12 inches, or other dimensions, and can be planar or of varying degrees of curvature. An armor plate can offer ballistic protection certified to NIJ Level III or NIJ Level IV on its own. Alternatively, NIJ Level III or NIJ Level IV ballistic protection may be accomplished through using a soft armor pack with an armor plate.

[0041] As shown in the exemplary view illustrated in FIG. 7, the carrier 100 includes

(a) an opening 220 for a rear portion armor plate pocket 218, (b) an opening 208 for a rear portion soft armor pocket 206, which opening 208 is accessed by opening a flap 708 secured to the body of the rear portion 104 by hook and loop fasteners, (c) an opening 204 for a front portion soft armor pocket 202, and (d) an opening 216 for a front portion armor plate pocket 214, which opening 216 is accessed by opening a flap 709. The functioning of the pockets will be discussed in greater detail below.

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a closer view of a shoulder strap 300, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows a front end 302 and a rear end 304 of the shoulder strap 300. The front end 302 of the shoulder strap 300 attaches to the front portion 102 of the carrier 100. FIG. 8 also shows that the shoulder strap 300 attaches to the rear portion 104 by hook and loop fasteners 810. [0043] FIG. 9 shows a closer view of the rear end 304 of the shoulder strap 300, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 9 shows that, adjacent to the rear end 304, the shoulder strap 300 may attach to a slide 306, and the slide 306 may attach to the rear portion 104 of the carrier 100. The slide 306 allows the wearer 10 to adjust the distance between the top end of the front portion 102 of the carrier 100 and the slide 306, and thereby adjust the size of the head opening 308 for the wearer 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the slide is a tri-slide.

[0044] FIGS. 10-1 1 show an exemplary front-side view of the carrier 100 when worn by the wearer 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows the buckles 408 in the secured position, thereby connecting the side panels 150 to the front portion 102. FIG. 11 shows the buckles 408 when opened. FIGS. 10-1 1 show that each waist strap 402 can form part of the connection between the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104, as described above with respect to FIG. 5. In the exemplary embodiment in which the buckles 408 are side release buckles, the male buckle member of each side release buckle is connected to one of the side panels 150, and the female buckle member of each side release buckle is connected to the front portion 102.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 1 1A, there is illustrated a closer view of the waist straps

402 and buckles 408, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 11A, each waist strap 402 ends in a loop 419, which is connected to a front waist strap slide 418; each front waist strap slide 418 is connected to a front securement strap 409; and each front securement strap 409 is connected to one of the buckles 408. These components enable adjustment of the distance between the front portion 102 and the side panels 150. For example, the wearer 10 could tighten the fit of the carrier 100 by pulling the securement straps 409 through the front waist strap slides 418. In an exemplary embodiment, the front waist strap slides 408 are tri-slides. In the exemplary embodiment in which the buckles 408 are side release buckles, the male buckle member of each side release buckle is connected to one of the securement straps 409.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated an exemplary inside view of one of the side panels 150, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 illustrates that the side panel 150 may include a pocket 210 for holding armor, and an opening 212 for accessing the pocket 210. Armor may be inserted through the opening 212 and into the pocket 210 to dispose and seat the armor within the side panel armor pocket 210. As with the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104, the armor for the side panel 150 may be of any type appropriate, such as those described above for protecting the wearer 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the armor disposed within each pocket 210 of the side panels 150 is a soft armor pack as described above. FIG. 12 also shows that the opening 212 can be secured in the closed position by hook 1210 and loop 1220 fasteners, such as Velcro®.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 13, there is illustrated an exemplary rear-side view of the carrier 100 when worn by the user 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in the figure, each waist strap 402 forms part of the connection between the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104. Specifically, each waist strap connects the rear portion 104 to one of the side panels 150.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier 100 includes a pair of back straps

414 further connecting the rear portion 104 to respective ones of the pair of side panels 150. The back straps 414 may include slides 416 for adjusting the distance between the side panels 150 and the rear portion 104. While both the back straps 414 and the waist straps 402 can adjust the horizontal distance between a side panel 150 and the rear portion 104, the back straps 414 also provide for adjusting the vertical distance between the bottom of the side panel 150 and the bottom of the rear portion 104. Working together, the back straps 414 and the waist straps 402 allow the wearer 10 to adjust the placement of the side panels 150 relative to the rear portion 104 to successfully accommodate the build the wearer 10.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 14, there is illustrated an inside of the rear portion 104, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The view illustrated in FIG. 14 is that of the opening 220 opened to expose the internal armor plate pocket 218 within the rear portion 104 and other structural elements within the rear portion 104.

[0050] As seen in the figure, within the rear portion 104 is a plurality of strap slides

420. This figure shows that each waist strap 402 is connected to a rear waist strap slide 420, that each rear waist strap slide 420 is connected to a rear securement strap 422, and that each rear securement strap 422 can be connected to the rear portion 104 of the carrier 100. These elements of the carrier 100 enable adjustment of the distance between the rear portion 104 and the side panels 150. For example, the wearer 10 may pull on the waist straps 402 to decrease the distance between the rear portion 104 and the side panels 150. In an exemplary embodiment, each rear securement strap 422 is connected to the rear portion 104 of the carrier 100 by a loop 424 fixed at one end to the rear portion 104 of the carrier 100.

[0051] FIG. 14 also shows the pocket 218 for holding armor. As stated above, in an exemplary embodiment, the pocket 218 is configured to hold an armor plate. The opening 220 for this pocket 218 can be secured in the closed position by the flap 708 illustrated in FIG. 7. The flap 708 is removably attached to the body of the rear portion 104 by hook and loop fastener near the bottom end 108 of the rear portion 104.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 15, there is illustrated another view of the inside of the rear portion 104, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This view shows that the rear portion 104 may include an additional pocket 206 for holding a soft armor pack, and an opening 208 for accessing the pocket 206. The soft armor pack may be inserted through the opening 208 and into the pocket 206 to disposed and seat the soft armor pack within the rear portion 104. This view also shows that the opening 208 for the rear portion soft armor pocket 206 can be secured in the closed position by hook and loop fasteners 1510 near the bottom end of the rear portion 104. FIG. 15 also illustrates the loop fasteners 1520 to which the flap 708 is removably attached to secure the opening 220 in a closed position.

[0053] FIG. 16 shows an inside of the front portion 102 of the carrier 100, including a carrier release mechanism 500 for enabling quick and easy removal of the carrier 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The carrier release mechanism 500 includes a pull strap 504 (illustrated in FIG. 1) connected to a release cord 502. The release cord 502 may be any cord, string, strap, or similar device to run along the front portion 102 of the carrier 100. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, the cord 502 runs between an inner and outer material of the front portion 102.

[0054] Each buckle 408 is connected to a buckle strap 410, and each buckle strap 410 passes through a release loop 506 fixed at one end to the front portion 102 of the carrier 100. The release cord 502 passes through an opening 412 in the buckle strap 410 such that the presence of the release cord 502 within the buckle strap 410 prevents the buckle strap 410 from exiting the fixed release loop 506. Each release cord continues through the opening 412 and terminates at a release cord pocket 508 configured to receive an end of the release cord 502. [0055] The wearer 10 if wishing to quickly remove the carrier 100 may simply pull on the pull strap 504, thereby pulling the release cords 502 out of the release cord pockets 508 and out of the openings 412 in the buckle straps 410. Once the release cords 502 are no longer present within the buckle straps 410, the buckle straps 410 may exit the fixed release loops 506, and the front portion 102 then separates from the side panels 150, even while the buckles 408 remain secured. At this point, the wearer 10 may easily remove the carrier 100 by lifting the carrier 100 over his head.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 17, there is illustrated an inside of the front portion 102, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The view illustrated in FIG. 17 is that of the opening 216 opened to expose the internal armor plate pocket 214 within the rear portion 102 and other structural elements within the rear portion 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the pocket 214 is configured to hold an armor plate. The opening 216 for this pocket 214 can be secured in the closed position by the flap 709 illustrated in FIG. 7. The flap 709 is removably attached to the body of the front portion 102 by hook 1730 and loop 1710 fasteners near the bottom end 108 of the front portion 102.

[0057] Also illustrated in FIG. 17 is a center strap 1720 which secures the opening

204 for the pocket 202. FIG. 18 shows another view of the center strap 1720, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 18, the center strap 1720 is detached from a loop fastener 1740 and pulled down to expose the pocket 202 and opening 204 for the front portion soft armor. The center strap 1720 includes hook fasteners for attaching to the loop fastener 1740.

[0058] Hook and loop fasteners are described throughout description and shown throughout the figures as a means to secure parts of the armor carrier 100 together. An example of hook and loop fasteners is Velcro®. Alternative forms of removable attachments may be used, including but not limited to, buttons, snaps, or other suitable forms of attachment.

[0059] The armor carrier 100 may be formed from one or more layers of fabric, for example, a 500 Denier Nylon Cordura or other durable fabric material. The buckles described herein may be formed from plastic or other suitable forms of material for attachment. Other suitable forms of connectors may be used, such as the side release buckles described herein. The loops, slides, rings, and strap connectors described herein may be formed from plastic, metal, or other suitable forms of material for creating static and dynamic connections.

[0060] The present invention may be used in connection with back packs and alternative types of plate carriers and armor carriers. The armor carrier 100 may have additional straps, such as the MOLLE straps illustrated in the figures, attached along various aspects of its surface for holding packs, grenades, carabineers, and other devices and materials used in the battlefield environment.

[0061] Modifications can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. Having described exemplary

embodiments of the invention, additional embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements will be apparent to those skilled in the art. These and other embodiments will be understood to be within the scope of the appended claims and apparent to those skilled in the art.