US20230221098A1 - Plate carrier apparatus and method - Google Patents
Plate carrier apparatus and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20230221098A1 US20230221098A1 US17/960,100 US202217960100A US2023221098A1 US 20230221098 A1 US20230221098 A1 US 20230221098A1 US 202217960100 A US202217960100 A US 202217960100A US 2023221098 A1 US2023221098 A1 US 2023221098A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- plate
- frame
- plate frame
- chest
- rigid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
- F41H1/00—Personal protection gear
- F41H1/02—Armoured or projectile- or missile-resistant garments; Composite protection fabrics
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/0518—Chest
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
Definitions
- Embodiments generally relate to the mounting of wearable ballistic body armor plates and accessories to military and law enforcement personnel and other individual people.
- tactical vest designs that have a modular attachment system, which adds unnecessary material and bulk to the tactical vest.
- tactical vests are all sewn pieces of nylon material, which must wrap the armor plates and have a closure flap to prevent the plate from falling out.
- the materials sewn are also not resistant to the absorption of liquids and chemicals. Once these materials become impregnated with a liquid that is harmful, they are considered useless and disposed of promptly. If the same tactical nylon material is immersed in water, it absorbs a substantial amount of water and takes on that unnecessary weight until it can be dried out.
- Some embodiments generally provide an integrated light weight streamlined armor carrier.
- Some embodiments generally provide an armor carrier which is resistant to liquid and chemicals.
- Embodiments generally include a plate frame assembly wearable by a user to provide ballistic protection to the user, comprising a rigid plate frame; and one or more ballistic body armor plates, the one or more body armor plates at least partially housed in the rigid plate frame and held in a fixed position with respect to the rigid plate frame by the plate frame, the rigid plate frame having one or more built-in features for securing tactical equipment thereto.
- Other embodiments generally include a method of forming a plate frame assembly, comprising providing an integrated rigid plate frame assembly having one or more holes therethrough for securing tactical equipment thereto; providing a ballistic body armor plate, the ballistic body armor plate for providing ballistic protection to a user; holding the body armor plate in a fixed position with respect to the integrated rigid plate frame using the plate frame; and providing one or more shoulder supporting members through the plate frame to support the plate frame assembly from the user’s shoulders.
- a plate frame assembly wearable by a user to provide ballistic protection to the user comprising a rigid plate frame; and one or more ballistic body armor plates, the one or more body armor plates attached to the rigid plate frame and held in a fixed position with respect to the rigid plate frame by the plate frame, the rigid plate frame having one or more built-in features for securing tactical equipment, one or more pockets, or one or more pouches thereto.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plate frame of embodiments.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plate frame of embodiments.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a body armor plate of embodiments.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a body armor plate in a plate frame of embodiments.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of attachment straps of embodiments.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of attachment straps on a plate frame assembly of embodiments.
- FIG. 7 shows multiple views of examples of how a plate frame assembly may be worn on a user’s torso in embodiments.
- FIG. 8 shows multiple views of accessories attached to a plate frame assembly worn on a user’s torso in embodiments.
- FIG. 9 A is a section view of a bladder of embodiments.
- FIG. 9 B is a front view of a first embodiment of a bladder which may be used with the plate frame assembly of embodiments.
- FIG. 9 C is a front view of a first embodiment of a bladder which may be used with the plate frame assembly of embodiments.
- FIG. 9 D shows to view of a second embodiment of a bladder which may be used with the plate frame assembly of embodiments.
- FIG. 10 A is a front view of an embodiment of an inflatable bladder attached to a plate frame with a body armor plate.
- FIG. 10 B is a perspective view of the bladder attached to the plate frame with a body armor plate of FIG. 10 A .
- FIG. 10 C is a side perspective view of the bladder attached to the plate frame with a body armor plate of FIG. 10 A .
- FIG. 11 is front view of a second embodiment of a plate frame assembly with a cummerbund strap detached.
- FIG. 12 is a left side perspective view of the plate frame assembly of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 13 is a right side perspective view of the plate frame assembly of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 14 is a left side exploded, cross-sectional view of a front tab assembly of the plate frame assembly of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 15 is a left side perspective, exploded view of a front tab assembly of FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 16 is a left side cross-sectional view of the front tab assembly of FIG. 14 with a front tab inserted into a front slot.
- FIG. 17 is a left side view of the front tab assembly of FIG. 16 with the front tab inserted into the front slot.
- FIG. 18 is a front side perspective view of a third embodiment of a plate frame assembly with a cummerbund strap detached.
- FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the plate frame assembly of FIG. 18 .
- FIG. 20 is a section view of a shoulder strap assembly of the plate frame assembly of FIG. 18 .
- Embodiments may include an integrated, generally rigid plate frame or plate carrier designed to hold ballistic armor plates in a fixed position with a decreased amount of surface material, weight and bulk compared to current vest designs.
- Embodiments may include a non-sewn, soft material formed and fused to provide one or more pouches, straps and/or cummerbund.
- one or more inflatable and/or non-inflatable bladders may be attached to an armor frame and cummerbund to increase buoyancy and comfort in the plate carrier.
- the bladder serves as a thin padding between the armor carrier and upper torso of the user.
- the integrated hard frame, cummerbund (which may be made of a soft material), pouch material, and inflatable/non-inflatable bladder(s) are resistant to absorption of liquids and chemicals.
- This frame 10 has features that allow the ballistic armor plate 20 to be attached to a user’s body by one or more attachment straps such as attachment straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ).
- the plate frame 10 also has built in features (e.g., holes therethrough) that allow tactical equipment to be attached to the plate frame 10 .
- the plate frame 10 or plate carrier in some embodiments, is a rigid piece of material that securely grabs and retains a ballistic body armor plate 20 .
- the plate frame 10 acts as a carrier of the body armor plate 20 and may frame the body armor plate 20 .
- the plate frame 10 has unnecessary material removed to decrease the weight that is loaded on the user.
- the plate frame 10 could for example be made out of plastic, metal, and/or any other non-porous rigid material. By making the plate frame 10 out of these types of material, the plate frame is liquid, chemical, and biohazard resistant. These types of material can be easily decontaminated. Forming the plate frame from these types of material also eliminates any extra weight being added to the material when the plate frame is submerged in water.
- the body armor plate 20 which is also a rigid piece of material in some embodiments, provides ballistic protection to the wearer.
- the body armor plate 20 may include any type or material of body armor plate which provides ballistic protection to the wearer known to those skilled in the art.
- the level of protection of the body armor plate is typically specified by the armor manufacturer and could range from protection from low velocity projectiles to protection from high velocity bullets.
- One example of materials which the body armor plate may be constructed from includes a formed, rigid ceramic plate with a soft woven Kevlar backing, the ceramic plate and backing sandwiched together into one singular plate.
- the plate frame 10 may include a first plate frame portion 10 A and a second plate frame portion 10 B, the first and second plate frame portions 10 A and 10 B releasably connectible to one another via one or more attachment straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B.
- the body armor plate 20 may include a first body armor portion 20 A and a second body armor portion 20 B.
- the first body armor plate portion 20 A may be secured to the first plate frame portion 10 A by one or more plate frame extensions 12 which extend from the first plate frame portion 10 A and wrap around the first body armor portion 20 A to hold it in place with respect to the first plate frame portion 10 A.
- the second body armor plate portion 20 B may be secured to the second plate frame portion 10 B by one or more plate frame extensions 14 which extend from the second plate frame portion 10 B and wrap around the second body armor plate portion 20 B to hold it in place with respect to the second plate frame portion 10 B.
- the first body armor plate portion 20 A and the second body armor plate portion 20 B may be of generally the same size, shape, and configuration. As shown in FIG. 3 , each body armor plate portion 20 A, 20 B may be generally curved around in shape to conform generally to the curves of a front and back of a person’s torso. The curvature of the body armor plate portions 20 A, 20 B and the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B may generally the same as or similar to standard curvatures of body armor plates in the industry, known to those skilled in the art. The body armor plate portions 20 A, 20 B may be mirror images of one another in their curvature and in their dimensions when placed with the inside of the curve of the body armor portions 20 A, 20 B facing one another.
- Approximately the lower half of a length of the body armor portions 20 A, 20 B may be generally equal in width, and approximately the upper half of the length of the body armor portions 20 A, 20 B may decrease in width gradually until the top of the body armor portions 20 A, 20 B is reached. This decrease in width of the upper half and uniform width of the lower half may be the same on each side of each respective body armor portion 20 A, 20 B, so that each body armor portion is symmetric over its length.
- the decrease in width at the upper half of the body plate portion 20 B may be accomplished by an inward slope in the width of the upper half of the body plate portion 20 B, forming an angle A1 of the body armor portion and an angle on the other side of the body armor portion which may be the same as angle A1 (a similar width decrease may be present in the body armor plate portion 20 A).
- the body armor portions 20 A, 20 B are not mirror images of one another and do not have the same dimensions, curvature, etc. as one another. It is also within the scope of embodiments that the body armor portions 20 A, 20 B are of different lengths, widths, curvatures, angles, etc.
- the plate frame 10 generally corresponds to the size, shape, and curvature of the body armor plate 20 .
- the first plate frame portion 10 A generally corresponds to the size, shape, and curvature of the first body armor plate portion 20 A
- the second plate frame portion 10 B generally corresponds to the size, shape, and curvature of the second body armor plate portion 20 B.
- the first plate frame portion 10 A and the second plate frame portion 10 B may be mirror images of one another in their curvature and dimensions (as defined by the outer edges of the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B).
- Approximately the lower half of a length of the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B may be generally equal in width, and approximately the upper half of the length of the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B may decrease in width gradually until the top of the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B is reached. This decrease in width of the upper half and uniform width of the lower half may be the same on each side of each respective plate frame portion 10 A, 10 B, so that each plate frame portion is symmetric over its length.
- An angle of the plate frame portion which corresponds with the angle A1 when the plate frame portion and body armor plate frame 20 are assembled together may be approximately the same as the angle A1 of the body armor plate frame 20 .
- the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B are not mirror images of one another and do not have the same dimensions, curvature, etc. as one another. It is also within the scope of embodiments that the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B are of different lengths, widths, etc.
- the plate frame 10 may include a number of holes therein of different sizes and shapes for performing various purposes, including for inserting the attachment straps therethrough and for attaching various equipment (e.g., tactical equipment such as pockets, pouches, backpacks, etc.) to the plate frame 10 .
- the plate frame 10 may be designed as shown in the figures so that the holes therein are shaped to allow attaching of specific tactical equipment, pockets, pouches, backpacks, etc. to the holes.
- the one or more pouches may have tabs that extend through the holes in the plate frame 10 and then wrap around the plate frame 10 back onto themselves, and the portions of the tabs which overlap themselves may be attached to one another using, for example one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) or what is referred to as a “tuck-tab.”
- the first plate frame portion 10 A may include first and second shoulder strap attachment holes 6 A, 6 B through a top portion of the first plate frame portion 10 A
- the second plate frame portion 10 B may include third and fourth strap attachment holes 7 A, 7 B through a top portion of the second plate frame portion 10 B.
- the first strap attachment hole 6 A and the third strap attachment hole 7 A correspond to one another and are generally in line with one another
- the second strap attachment hole 6 B and the fourth strap attachment hole 7 B correspond to one another and are generally in line with one another.
- the hole 6 A may be disposed at a first position on the first plate frame portion 10 A to generally correspond with a position of the right shoulder of the user when the plate frame 10 is placed on the user
- the hole 7 A may likewise be disposed at a first position on the second plate frame portion 10 B to generally correspond with a position of the right shoulder of the user when the plate frame 10 is placed on the user.
- the hole 6 B may be disposed at a second position on the plate frame portion 10 A to generally correspond with the left shoulder of the user when the plate frame 10 is placed on the user, and the hole 7 B may be disposed at a second position on the second plate frame portion 10 B to generally correspond with a position of the left shoulder of the user when the plate frame 10 is placed on the user.
- holes 6 A, 6 B, 7 A, 7 B may be used for threading attachment straps 35 A, 35 B therethrough to support the plate frame 10 and any other connections to the plate frame 10 (body armor plate 20 , other attachment straps, and/or any equipment attached to the plate frame) on the shoulders of a user’s body (see FIGS. 7 and 8 ).
- These holes 6 A, 6 B, 7 A, 7 B in some embodiments are sufficient in length and width to allow the attachment straps 35 A, 35 B to thread therethrough as shown in FIGS. 6 - 8 .
- the holes 6 A, 6 B, 7 A, 7 B in some embodiments may either be generally rectangular or oblong or oval shaped, for example as shown in FIGS. 1 - 2 .
- the width or smaller diameter of the holes 6 A, 6 B, 7 A, 7 B as measured at their central axes should be larger than the thickness of the attachment straps 35 A, 35 B, and the length or larger diameter of the holes 6 A, 6 B, 7 A, 7 B as measured at their central axes should be larger than the width of the attachment straps 35 A, 35 B to ensure that the attachment straps 35 A, 35 B may be inserted therethrough.
- the attachment straps 35 A, 35 B may each be approximately 1.5 inches wide, and the holes 6 A, 6 B, 7 A, 7 B may correspond to those dimensions to provide a loose fit in order to allow the attachment straps 35 A, 35 B to slip through the holes easily.
- the holes are slanted on the plate frame 10 , to generally correspond with the sloping of a user’s shoulders so that the shoulder attachment straps 35 A, 35 B ultimately may slant downward.
- the first plate frame portion 10 A may also include one or more cummerbund strap attachment holes, including in some embodiments first cummerbund strap attachment hole 8 A and second cummerbund strap attachment hole 8 B spaced apart from one another on a first side of the first plate frame portion 10 A and third cummerbund strap attachment hole 8 C and fourth cummerbund strap attachment hole 8 D spaced apart from one another on a second side of the first plate frame portion 10 A.
- the second plate frame portion 10 B may also include one or more cummerbund strap attachment holes, including in some embodiments fifth cummerbund strap attachment hole 9 A on one side and sixth cummerbund strap attachment hole 9 B on the other side of the second plate frame portion.
- Embodiments are not limited to the number of holes on each side of the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B, but any number of holes through the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B which allow threading of cummerbund attachments straps 30 A and 30 B or other similar attachment straps therethrough are within the scope of embodiments (likewise, any number of holes through the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B which allow threading of the shoulder attachment straps 35 A, 35 B therethrough is also within the scope of embodiments).
- the first and second holes 8 A and 8 B may be instead just one continuous hole, and the third and fourth holes 8 C and 8 D may instead be just one continuous hole similar to the holes 9 A, 9 B.
- the holes 9 A and 9 B may be split up into two holes on each side, similar to the holes 8 A, 8 B and 8 C, 8 D.
- the holes 8 A, 8 B, 8 C, 8 D, 9 A, and 9 B may be positioned at or near a waist area of a user when the user has the plate frame 10 disposed on his or her body properly to support and position the plate frame 10 and any other connections to the plate frame 10 (body armor plate 20 , other attachment straps, and/or any equipment attached to the plate frame) with respect to a waist area of a user’s body (see FIGS. 7 and 8 ).
- the first and second cummerbund strap attachment holes 8 A and 8 B and the first cummerbund strap attachment hole 9 A correspond to one another and are generally in line with one another
- the third and fourth cummerbund strap attachment holes 8 C and 8 D and the second cummerbund strap attachment hole 9 B correspond to one another and are generally in line with one another.
- These holes 8 A, 8 B, 8 C, 8 D, 9 A, and 9 B in some embodiments are sufficient in length and width to allow the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B to thread therethrough as shown in FIGS. 6 - 8 .
- the holes 8 A, 8 B, 8 C, 8 D, 9 A, and 9 B in some embodiments may either be generally rectangular or oblong or oval shaped, for example as shown in FIGS. 1 - 2 .
- the width or smaller diameter of the holes 8 A, 8 B, 8 C, 8 D, 9 A, and 9 B as measured at their central axes should be larger than the thickness of the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B being threaded through the particular hole, and the length or larger diameter of the holes 8 A, 8 B, 8 C, 8 D, 9 A, and 9 B as measured at their central axes should be larger than the width of the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B portion being threaded through the particular hole to ensure that the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B may be inserted therethrough.
- Example dimensions (which are not limiting of embodiments) include the following: the width W3 may be approximately 1.250 inches, and the width W1 may be approximately 2.750 inches.
- FIG. 5 shows the attachment straps 35 A and 35 B as well as the attachment straps 30 A and 30 B
- FIGS. 6 - 8 illustrate an embodiment of the plate frame 10 with the attachment straps disposed through their respective holes in the plate frame 10
- the attachment straps 35 A and 35 B may each be a generally flexible band or strap having a length, width, and thickness. In some examples which are not limiting of embodiments, each of the straps 35 A, 35 B may be approximately 1.5 inches wide and approximately 24 inches long.
- the attachment straps 30 A and 30 B may each include a first end 31 and a second end 32 .
- a first attachment strap portion 33 A extending from the first end 31 to a first location on the attachment strap 30 A, 30 B may be of a first width W1 and may be single attachment strap as shown in FIG. 5 .
- a second attachment strap portion 33 B may be of a second width W2 and also a single attachment strap as shown in FIG. 5 .
- a third attachment strap portion 33 C may include two straps 34 A, 34 B spaced apart from one another, each strap having a width W3. The two straps 34 A, 34 B may extend to the second end 32 .
- the width may taper gradually, in one example at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.
- the first width W1 is smaller than the second width W2, and the third width W3 may be smaller than the first width W1.
- the combined width of the third width W3 of both straps 34 A, 34 B as well as the space between the two straps 34 A, 34 B may be approximately the same as the width W2.
- the width W1 may be approximately 2.75 inches
- the width W2 may be approximately 5 inches
- the width W3 may be approximately 1.25 inches
- the space between straps 34 A and 34 B may be approximately 2 inches
- the length of first attachment strap portion 33 A may be approximately 11.5 inches
- the length of second attachment strap portion 33 B may be approximately 11 inches
- the length of third attachment strap portion 33 C may be approximately 5 inches.
- the first portion 31 may be sized to fit through the holes 9 A, 9 B through the second plate frame portion 10 B, and the third portion 33 C straps 32 may be sized so that each of the two straps 32 may fit through the holes 8 A, 8 B, 8 C, and 8 D through the first plate frame portion 10 A. Additionally, the space S between the two straps 32 is sized so that the straps 32 may fit through the holes 8 A and 8 B or 8 C and 8 D (in other words, the space S—or the distance between the straps 32 —generally corresponds with the distance of the holes 8 A and 8 B from one another or the distance of the holes 8 C and 8 D from one another.
- the different widths W1 and W2 of the attachment straps 30 A and 30 B may act as a stop at the width W2 for the attachment straps 30 A and 30 B through their respective holes in the plate frame 10 .
- the portion of the width W2 between the space S may also act as a stop for the other end of the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B through their respective holes in the plate frame 10 .
- the second portion 33 B of each attachment strap 30 A, 30 B may include one or more holes therethrough which allow attaching of tactical equipment or other accessories to one or more of the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B.
- the one or more holes include four holes 36 A, 36 B, 36 C, and 36 D, with two in the first row (holes 36 A and 36 B) and two in the second row (holes 36 C and 36 D).
- any number of holes in any configuration may be included on the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B and may be included on any portion of the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B to permit attachment of tactical equipment or other accessories to the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B.
- the first, second, and third portions 33 A, 33 B, 33 C may be made of one unitary piece or may be attached or fused to one another, e.g., via welding when made of a weldable material. Other attachment methods known to those skilled in the art for attaching strap portions or other similar materials to one another are also within the scope of embodiments.
- the material used to make the one or more shoulder attachment straps 35 A, 35 B, the one or more cummerbund attachment straps 30 A, 30 B, and any other accessories or attachments (see FIG. 8 and description below) for the plate frame 10 could, for example, be a non porous, liquid and chemical resistant fabric.
- the one or more attachment straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B and any accessories or attachments could, for example, be formed and fused out of weldable material to alleviate any machine or hand sewing.
- Forming the one or more attachment straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B and any accessories or attachments out of these types of materials also eliminates any extra weight being added to the material when the plate frame 10 and associated components are submerged in water.
- each body armor plate portion 20 A, 20 B is placed in its respective plate frame portion 10 A, 10 B, and the one or more tabs 12 , 14 of the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B clamp around the outer edges of the body armor plate portions 20 A, 20 B to retain each body armor plate portion 20 A, 20 B with (and in some embodiments, within) its corresponding plate frame portion 10 A, 10 B.
- Each body armor plate section 20 A, 20 B may be at least partially housed within its respective plate frame portion 10 A, 10 B.
- the tabs 12 , 14 may bend back to allow each body plate portion 20 A, 20 B to be inserted in the tabs 12 , 14 of its respective plate frame portion 10 A, 10 B and housed between the tabs 12 , 14 and the inside of the plate frame portion 10 A, 10 B so that the tabs 12 , 14 , which may also be termed “hooks,” may hook each body plate portion 20 A, 20 B to its respective plate frame portion 10 A, 10 B or may wrap around each body plate portion 20 A, 20 B to connect the body plate portions 20 A, 20 B to their respective plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B.
- FIG. 4 shows the body plate 20 attached (e.g., hooked or clamped) to the plate frame 10 via extensions or tabs 12 , 14 .
- the tabs 12 , 14 may be spaced apart along the outer perimeter of the plate frame 10 to distribute the attachment points along the plate frame 10 and body plate 20 , thus more securely attaching the components to one another and distributing the force exerted on the plate frame 10 and body plate 20 along the components.
- the body plate 20 and plate frame 10 When the body plate 20 and plate frame 10 are attached to one another, for example as shown in FIG. 4 , the body plate 20 provides the ballistic protection, while the plate frame 10 holds the body plate 20 in general position on the user’s body and allows the attachment of accessories and tactical equipment to the plate frame 10 and body plate 20 .
- the holes in the plate frame 10 allow attachment of one or more accessories and/or tactical equipment to the assembly of the body plate 20 and plate frame 10 , while the body plate 20 provides ballistic protection at the locations of the plate frame 10 holes.
- the plate frame assembly 50 includes the shoulder attachment straps 35 A, 35 B, the plate frame 10 , and the body armor plate 20 .
- the shoulder attachment straps 35 A and 35 B are threaded through their respective holes 6 A, 7 A and 6 B, 7 B in the plate frame 10 and the cummerbund attachment straps 30 A and 30 B are threaded through their respective holes 8 A, 8 B, 9 A and 8 C, 8 D, and 9 B, the plate frame assembly 50 may be used as protection for the user as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the plate frame assembly 50 which could be a rigid plate frame assembly, may optionally include one or more inflatable or non-inflatable bladders or other similar padding devices or padding members known to those skilled in the art.
- FIGS. 9 B and 9 C show an exemplary bladder 40 which may be used as padding for the plate frame assembly 50
- FIG. 9 A shows a strap or a first section 41 which may be included with the bladder 40 of FIG. 9 B
- FIG. 9 D shows a second embodiment of a bladder 45 which may be used as padding for the plate frame assembly 50 .
- the bladder 40 may include a first section 41 and a second section 42 .
- the first section 41 may be used to secure the bladder 40 to the plate frame 10 and body plate 20 and may be a strap for strapping the bladder 40 to the body plate 20 .
- One bladder 40 may be used in conjunction with the first plate frame portion 10 A and first body armor plate portion 20 A assembly 50 A, and another bladder 40 may be used in conjunction with the second plate frame portion 10 B and second body armor plate portion 20 B assembly 50 B.
- FIGS. 10 A, 10 B, and 10 C show the bladder 40 connected to the second plate frame portion 10 B and second body plate portion 20 B, with the second plate frame portion 10 B and second body armor plate portion 20 B attached to one another.
- the second body plate portion 20 B and the bladder 40 may be manipulated so that the second body armor plate portion 20 B is disposed between the first section 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40 .
- the first section 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40 may be attached to one another at connection points 43 A, 43 B, and 43 C, the connection points acting as stops for the bladder 40 with respect to the second plate frame assembly 50 B.
- connection point 43 C keeps the bladder 40 in vertical position to prevent its riding up on second plate frame assembly 50 B
- connection points 43 A and 43 B keep it in horizontal position to prevent its moving horizontally with respect to the second plate frame assembly 50 B.
- connection points 43 A and 43 B may rest on a tab portion 44 (e.g., one of the tabs 14 ) of the second plate frame portion to keep the bladder 40 in a vertical position to prevent its downward movement with respect to the second plate frame assembly 50 B.
- the connection points 43 A, 43 B, 43 C may result from the first section 41 and second section 42 being attached to one another, or instead the entire bladder may be made from one unitary piece of material so that connection points 43 A, 43 B, 43 C are actually stops for the bladder 40 with respect to the second plate frame assembly 50 B but not connection points between two pieces of material.
- the first section 41 of the bladder 40 which may be a strap, may be generally triangular-shaped to allow for triangulating stops for the bladder 40 with respect to the body plate 20 .
- the first section 41 may also include a triangular-shaped cutout therein.
- the second section 42 of the bladder 40 may be shaped generally the same as the body armor plate portions 20 A, 20 B (with respect to the perimeter of the body plate portions 20 A, 20 B) to provide padding for the entire portion of the body plate 20 facing the user’s body, which body plate 20 portion would be in contact with the user’s body without presence of the bladder 40 .
- the contour and curvature of the bladder 40 also generally conform to the contour and curvature of the body plate 20 .
- bladder(s) 40 may be padded internally with foam and/or air (and/or other similar internal padding substance known to those skilled in the art), e.g., with the second section 42 acting as the housing for the foam or other padding or as an air chamber.
- the bladder 40 may include one or more valves 46 which allow air or other fluid to enter and/or exit the inside of the bladder 40 to increase or decrease padding for the user.
- the padding may be adjustable (e.g., by adding or removing air from the inside of the bladder through valve(s)) to increase or decrease padding to the user as needed or desired.
- a separate bladder 40 may be placed on each plate frame assembly portion 50 A and 50 B to protect the front and back of the user, respectively.
- the bladder 40 configuration and operation may be the same when used in conjunction with the plate frame assembly portion 50 A as described herein with respect to the plate frame assembly portion 50 B.
- FIG. 9 D illustrates a second embodiment of a bladder 45 for use with the plate frame assembly 50 of embodiments.
- This bladder 45 may be used to provide padding for both the front and back of the user between the body plate portions 20 A, 20 B and the user’s body.
- the bladder 45 may include a first section 41 A at one end and a first section 41 B at the other end of the bladder 45 , the sections 41 A and 41 B the same in configuration and operation as the first section 41 described with respect to the bladder 40 .
- the bladder 45 may also include a second section 47 connected to each first section 41 A, 41 B at the three triangular attachment points 43 A, 43 B, 43 C as described with respect to the second section 42 of the bladder 40 .
- the first sections 41 A, 41 B and second section 47 may instead of being two separated, connected pieces be made of one unitary piece of material, and the connection points 43 A, 43 B, 43 C may instead just function as stops.
- the second section 47 of the bladder 45 may include one piece that extends over the shoulders of the user and over the front and back of the user’s torso. In this way, the bladder 45 may also pad the shoulders of the user, in addition to padding the front and back of the user’s torso between the body armor plate 20 and the user’s body.
- the second section 47 of the bladder 45 may include a first portion 47 C and second portion 47 D, the first and second portions each similar in shape and configuration to the second section 42 of the bladder 40 . Extending between the first and second portions 47 C and 47 D is a third portion which includes shoulder padding portions 47 A and 47 B.
- the shoulder padding portions 47 A and 47 B are formed by a cutout 48 through the bladder 47 .
- the cutout 48 allows a person’s head to be inserted therethrough so that the shoulder padding portions 47 A and 47 B rest on the person’s shoulders between the shoulder attachment straps 35 A, 35 B and the user’s shoulders.
- the shoulder padding portions 47 A and 47 B may act as the shoulder attachment straps, possibly eliminating the need for the shoulder attachment straps 35 A, 35 B.
- the bladder 45 may include one or more valves 46 for adding and removing air or other fluid from the bladder 45 to increase or decrease padding of the bladder 45 , as described with respect to the bladder 40 .
- the bladder 45 may be added to the plate frame assembly 50 in much the same way as the bladder 40 may be added to the plate frame assembly, except that one of the portions 47 C or 47 D is used to pad the body plate portion 20 A and the other of the portions 47 C or 47 D is used to pad the body plate portion 20 B, with the shoulder padding portions 47 A and 47 B over the right and left shoulders of the user.
- the bladder portion 47 C may be secured to the first plate frame assembly 50 A by the first section 41 A being sandwiched between the plate frame portion 10 A and the body plate portion 20 A and the bladder portion 47 C disposed between the body plate portion 20 A and the user’s body.
- the bladder portion 47 D may be secured to the plate frame assembly portion 50 B by the first section 41 B being sandwiched between the plate frame portion 10 B and the body plate portion 20 B and the bladder portion 47 D disposed between the body plate portion 20 A and the user’s body.
- the either of the first sections 47 C, 47 D may be used in either the plate frame assembly portion 50 A or the plate frame assembly portion 50 B.
- the bladder 47 including bladder portions 47 A, 47 B, 47 C, and 47 D, in one embodiment may act as one single housing for the foam or other padding or act as a single air chamber.
- the valve(s) 46 for the bladder(s) 40 , 45 are optional.
- an air or fluid source such as an air pump may be hooked up to the valve, and air may be pumped into the inside of the bladder 40 , 45 through the valve 46 to the desired inflate level.
- the valve may be opened to let air/fluid out of the inside of the bladder 40 , 45 .
- the bladder(s) 40 , 45 may be sealed and made of a non-porous material. This bladder 40 , 45 provides a pad between the rigid armor frame and the user’s body to provide comfort. The air trapped in the bladder 40 , 45 also helps float the armor should it become submerged in water.
- the bladder 40 , 45 may be made of a non-porous material that is liquid, chemical and biohazard resistant. The bladder material may, for example, be made of any material meeting these requirements which is used for inflatable or non-inflatable bladders by those skilled in the art. These types of material can be easily decontaminated. Making the bladder(s) 40 , 45 of this type of material also eliminates any extra weight being added to the material and thus to the plate frame assembly 50 when the plate frame assembly 50 is submerged in water.
- the one or more attachment straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B, the one or more bladders 40 , 45 , and the one or more accessory pouches or other accessories may, for example, be made of a polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) coated nylon, a vinyl-coated polyester or cordura or ripstop fabric, a two-way or four-way stretch nylon and Spandex blend, and/or a polyester mesh.
- PVC polyvinyl chloride
- the material used to make the one or more attachment straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B, the one or more bladders 40 , 45 , and the one or more accessory pouches or other accessories could, for example, be a non porous, liquid and chemical resistant fabric.
- These components could, for example, be formed and fused out of weldable material to alleviate any machine or hand sewing.
- embodiments are liquid, chemical, and biohazard resistant.
- welding the materials together instead of sewing you eliminate the sewn seams where bio-contaminants and chemicals can easily get trapped, thus making embodiments more easily decontaminated.
- Forming these components out of these types of materials also eliminates any extra weight being added to the material when the plate frame 10 and associated components are submerged in water.
- FIG. 8 shows various accessories or attachments attached to the plate frame assembly 50 or plate carrier assembly.
- the attachment may include pouches or pockets 64 A, 64 B, 64 C. Any number of pouches or pockets may be attached to the plate frame assembly 50 , including one or more than one pouch or pocket.
- the attachment may, for example, be an ammunition of magazine pouch 60 having three pockets or pouches 64 A, 64 B, 64 C for holding one or more accessories such as magazine 63 , magazine 62 , and/or magazine 61 (carry bullets/ammunition).
- the attachment may be attached to the front plate frame assembly portion 50 A, as shown in FIG. 8 .
- One or more accessories or attachments may also be attached to the back plate frame assembly portion 50 B, such as a backpack 67 or pouch for carrying water or other fluid.
- the one or more attachments or accessories may be connected to the plate carrier 10 by attachment of the one or more attachments or accessories or straps extending therefrom to one or more attachment straps 35 A, 35 B which are thread through holes in the plate frame 10 , through threading straps extending from the one or more attachments or accessories through one or more holes in the plate frame, and/or through snapping a portion of the attachments or accessories (e.g., an extension from the attachment or accessories) into one or more of the holes through the plate frame 10 .
- the one or more attachments or accessories while securely fastened to the plate frame 10 , may also be easily removed from the plate frame 10 .
- a method of forming the plate frame assembly 50 or plate carrier assembly includes attaching the plate frame 10 and body plate 20 to one another. To attach the plate frame 10 and body plate 20 to one another, the first plate frame portion 10 A and the first body plate portion 20 A are connected to one another, and the second plate frame portion 10 B and the second body plate portion 20 B are connected to one another.
- the first body plate portion 20 A is placed in the inward curve of the first plate frame portion 10 A via movement of the extensions 12 or tabs extending from the first plate frame portion 10 , the extensions 12 or tabs moving in a direction away from the first plate frame portion 10 A via applied force to allow the first body plate portion 20 A to be housed at least partially within the inward curve of the inside of the first plate frame portion 10 A.
- the extensions 12 or tabs move in a direction toward the first plate frame portion 10 A upon the absence of the application of force (e.g., they are biased closed) to retain the first body armor plate portion 20 A in place with respect to the first plate frame portion 10 A when the first body plate portion 20 A is in place, housed in the first plate frame portion 10 A.
- the extensions 12 or tabs may also clamp the first body plate portion 20 A in place with respect to the first plate frame portion.
- the second body plate portion 20 B is connected to the second plate frame portion 10 B in the same manner as described herein with respect to the first body plate portion 20 A and the first plate frame portion 10 A, with extensions 14 or tabs being used instead of extensions 12 or tabs.
- FIG. 4 shows the first body plate portion 20 A connected to the first plate frame portion 10 A as well as the second body plate portion 20 B connected to the second plate frame portion 10 B.
- the shoulder attachment strap 35 A is disposed through the hole 6 A in the first plate frame portion 10 A and through the hole 7 A in the second plate frame portion 10 B so that a first end of the shoulder attachment strap 35 A extends through the first hole 6 A and a second end of the shoulder attachment strap 35 A extends through the second hole 7 A.
- the shoulder strap 35 A portions which extend from the holes 6 A, 7 A may then be attached to the shoulder strap portion which they overlap (the strap may be attached to itself) (see FIG.
- the shoulder attachment strap 35 A may in one embodiment have one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) welded or fused to the shoulder attachment strap 35 A to allow attaching the shoulder attachment strap 35 A at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of the shoulder attachment strap 35 A via placing cooperating hook and loop fasteners in contact with one another as known to those skilled in the art (attach the attachment strap 35 A back onto itself).
- the shoulder attachment strap 35 A may be welded or fused at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of the shoulder attachment strap 35 A (welded or fused onto itself).
- the shoulder attachment strap 35 B is disposed through the hole 6 B in the first plate frame portion 10 A and through the hole 7 B in the second plate frame portion 10 B so that a first end of the shoulder attachment strap 35 B extends through the first hole 6 B and a second end of the shoulder attachment strap 35 B extends through the second hole 7 B.
- the shoulder strap 35 B portions which extend from the holes 6 B, 7 B may then be attached to the shoulder strap portion which they overlap (the strap may be attached to itself) (see FIG.
- the shoulder attachment strap 35 B may in one embodiment be welded or fused at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of the shoulder attachment strap 35 B (welded or fused onto itself).
- the shoulder attachment strap 35 B may have one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) welded or fused to the shoulder attachment strap 35 B to allow attaching the shoulder attachment strap 35 B at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of the shoulder attachment strap 35 B via placing cooperating hook and loop fasteners in contact with one another as known to those skilled in the art (attach the attachment strap 35 B back onto itself).
- hook and loop fasteners e.g., Velcro®
- the cummerbund attachment strap 30 A is disposed through the holes 8 A and 8 B in the first plate frame portion 10 A and through the hole 9 A in the second plate frame portion 10 B so that first ends 32 of the cummerbund attachment strap 30 A extend through the first holes 8 A and 8 B and the second end 31 of the cummerbund attachment strap 30 A extends through the second hole 9 A.
- the cummerbund attachment strap 30 A portions which extend from the holes 8 A and 8 B may then be attached to the cummerbund strap portion which they overlap (the strap may be attached to itself) (see FIG.
- the cummerbund attachment strap 30 A may in one embodiment be welded or fused at or near its ends 31 , 32 to the overlapping portions of the cummerbund attachment strap 30 A (welded or fused onto itself).
- the cummerbund attachment strap 30 A may have one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) welded or fused to the cummerbund attachment strap 30 A to allow attaching the cummerbund attachment strap 30 A at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of the cummerbund attachment strap 30 A via placing cooperating hook and loop fasteners in contact with one another as known to those skilled in the art (attach the attachment strap 30 A back onto itself).
- hook and loop fasteners e.g., Velcro®
- the cummerbund attachment strap 30 B is disposed through the holes 8 C and 8 D in the first plate frame portion 10 A and through the hole 9 B in the second plate frame portion 10 B so that first ends 32 of the cummerbund attachment strap 30 B extend through the first holes 8 C and 8 D and the second end 31 of the cummerbund attachment strap 30 A extends through the second hole 9 B.
- the cummerbund attachment strap 30 B portions which extend from the holes 8 C and 8 D may then be attached to the cummerbund strap portion which they overlap (the strap may be attached to itself) (see FIG.
- the cummerbund attachment strap 30 B may in one embodiment be welded or fused at or near its ends 31 , 32 to the overlapping portions of the cummerbund attachment strap 30 B (welded onto itself).
- the cummerbund attachment strap 30 B may have one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) welded or fused to the cummerbund attachment strap 30 B to allow attaching the cummerbund attachment strap 30 B at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of the cummerbund attachment strap 30 B via placing cooperating hook and loop fasteners in contact with one another as known to those skilled in the art (attach the attachment strap 30 B back onto itself).
- hook and loop fasteners e.g., Velcro®
- attachment straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B may be threaded through any holes in the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B and that the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B may be connected to the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B using any attachment method known to those skilled in the art.
- Embodiments also are not limited to attaching the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B to their overlapping portions at the ends of the straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B, but the attachment (e.g., by welding, by fusing, or by connecting cooperating hook and loop fasteners secured to the attachment strap 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B by welding or fusing) may be accomplished at any overlapping portions of the straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B when the straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B are inserted through their respective holes in the plate frame 10 .
- the attachment e.g., by welding, by fusing, or by connecting cooperating hook and loop fasteners secured to the attachment strap 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B by welding or fusing
- the attachment may be accomplished at any overlapping portions of the straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B when the straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B are inserted through their respective holes in
- a bladder 40 may be disposed on the first body plate portion 20 A so that the first body plate portion 20 A is located between the first section 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40 , as shown in FIGS. 10 A, 10 B, and 10 C .
- the first body plate portion 20 A is sandwiched between the first section 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40 , and the attachment point 43 C of the bladder 40 acts as a stop for the bladder 40 .
- the first plate frame portion 10 A may then be “snapped” on the first body plate portion 20 A as described herein, and the first section 41 of the bladder 40 , which acts as a strap to secure the bladder 40 to the first body plate portion 20 A, is housed between the first body plate portion 20 A and the first plate frame portion 10 A as shown in FIGS. 10 A-C .
- the second section 42 of the bladder 40 is located on the inside surface of the first body armor plate 20 A, as shown in FIGS. 10 A-C , to provide padding between the user’s body and the first body armor plate 20 A.
- the first and second attachment points 43 A and 43 B may rest on one of the extensions/tabs 12 of the first plate frame portion 10 A to stabilize the position of the bladder 40 with respect to the first plate frame assembly.
- Another bladder 40 may be disposed on the second body plate portion 20 B so that the second body plate portion 20 B is located between the first section 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40 , as shown in FIGS. 10 A-C .
- the second body plate portion 20 B is sandwiched between the first section 41 and second section 42 of the bladder 40 , and the attachment point 43 C of the bladder 40 acts as a stop for the bladder 40 .
- the second plate frame portion 10 B may then be “snapped” on the second body plate portion 20 B as described herein, and the first section 41 of the bladder 40 , which acts as a strap to secure the bladder 40 to the second body plate portion 20 B, is housed between the second body plate portion 20 B and the second plate frame portion 10 B as shown in FIGS.
- the second section 42 of the bladder 40 is located on the inside surface of the second body armor plate portion 20 B, as shown in FIGS. 10 A-C , to provide padding between the user’s body and the second body armor plate portion 20 B.
- the first and second attachment points 43 A and 43 B may rest on one of the extensions/tabs 14 of the second plate frame portion 10 B to stabilize the position of the bladder 40 with respect to the second plate frame assembly.
- the first body plate portion 20 A is inserted in between the sections of one end of the bladder 45
- the second body plate portion 20 B is inserted in between the sections of the other end of the bladder 45 .
- the first body plate portion 20 A is inserted between the section 41 A and the section 47 D
- the second body plate portion 20 B is inserted between the section 41 B and the section 47 C.
- the body plate portions 20 A and 20 B are ultimately housed between the bladder portion 47 and the bladder portions 41 A and 41 B, respectively.
- the body plate portion 20 A is sandwiched between the bladder sections 41 A and 47 D, while the body plate portion 20 B is sandwiched between the bladder sections 42 A and 47 C.
- the attachment points 43 A, 43 B, and 43 C act as stops for the bladder 45 ends.
- the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B which correspond with the body armor plate portions 20 A, 20 B may then be “snapped” onto the body armor plate portions 20 A, 20 B as described herein.
- the shoulder straps 35 A, 35 B and the cummerbund straps 30 A, 30 B may then be attached to the plate frame 10 as described herein.
- attachment straps 30 A, 30 B, 35 A, 35 B may be attached to the plate frame 10 at any point in the method, including prior to the attachment of the body plate 20 to the plate frame 10 and/or bladder(s) 40 , 45 to the plate frame assembly 50 .
- the plate frame assembly 50 may be worn on the user as shown in FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 7 shows the plate frame assembly 50 worn without the bladders 40 , 45 , but the plate frame assembly 50 with the bladders 40 , 45 would be worn in much the same way.
- the plate frame assembly 50 may be placed over the head of the user after it is assembled, or a portion of the plate frame assembly 50 (e.g., the two plate frame assembly portions 50 A, 50 B) may be placed on the user during the assembly of the plate frame assembly 50 (e.g., prior to the adding of the shoulder straps 35 A, 35 B and/or cummerbund straps 30 A, 30 B to the plate frame assembly portions 50 A, 50 B).
- the bladders 40 , 45 are inflatable, they may be inflated at any time during the method, or air or other inflating substance may be added or removed at any point in the method, and they may also be inflated or the inflating substance added or removed when the user is wearing the plate frame assembly 50 .
- the bladders 40 , 45 may optionally be attached to the cummerbund attachment straps 30 A, 30 B.
- the cummerbund attachment straps 30 A, 30 B are not limited to being worn around the waist area or typical cummerbund coverage area of the user, but may be worn around the user at any location.
- the shoulder support straps 35 A, 35 B are merely examples of a shoulder supporting member for the plate frame assembly. Instead of the shoulder support straps 35 A, 35 B, any type of shoulder supporting member which allows the plate frame assembly 50 to be supported by the shoulders of a user may be utilized with the plate frame assembly 50 , and the shoulder supporting member is not limited to straps.
- the plate frame assembly 150 may include first and second plate frame portions 110 A and 110 B and first and second body armor portions 120 A and 120 B, the first plate frame portion 110 A for retaining the first body armor portion 120 A and the second plate frame portion 110 A for retaining the second body armor portion 120 B.
- the first plate frame portion 110 A may at least partially house the first body armor portion 120 A therein
- the second plate frame portion 110 B may at least partially house the second body armor portion 120 B therein.
- the plate frame assembly 150 is very similar in function and operation to the plate frame assembly 50 shown and described in relation to FIGS.
- the tabs of the embodiment of FIGS. 11 - 17 may be adjustable and/or interchangeable tabs 112 A-G and 114 A-G.
- the adjustable tabs 112 A-G and 114 A-G may be adjustable to fit body armor plates of various widths, lengths, and thicknesses.
- the tabs 112 A-G and 114 A-G may be insertable in corresponding holes in the plate frame portions 110 A and 110 B, respectively. Holes in the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B through which the tabs 112 A-G, 114 A-G are insertable may be raised portions (e.g., raised portion 191 shown in FIG. 15 ) of the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B with holes (e.g., hole 180 shown in FIG.
- the raised portions 191 may instead be separate pieces attached to the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B).
- the tabs 112 A-G and 114 A-G may be swapped out for tabs of different sizes to fit different sizes of body armor plates 120 A, 120 B and connect the body armor plates 120 A, 120 B of various sizes to the plate frames 110 A, 110 B.
- the tabs 112 A-G and 114 A-G may be adjusted within the holes 180 outward from and inward towards the plate frame portions 110 A and 110 B in which they are disposed (and locked into place once they are in the desired position) to allow different widths and lengths of body armor plates 120 A, 120 B to be attached to the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B via the adjustable tabs 112 A-G, 114 A-G.
- the different tabs 112 A-G and 114 A-G may be attached to the holes in the plate frame portions 10 A, 10 B, respectively, by any attachment mechanism known to those skilled in the art for attaching removable or adjustable tabs to a frame.
- the tabs 112 A-G and 114 A-G may be insertable into their corresponding holes in the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B and locked therein by the attachment mechanism, but remain detachable and removable from the holes as desired or needed by the user.
- An example attachment mechanism may be a flexible tooth over an opposing tooth (much like a ziptie).
- FIGS. 14 - 17 One example is shown in FIGS. 14 - 17 , including an example adjustable tab 112 with its corresponding hole 180 in the plate frame portion 110 A (only a section of the plate frame portion 110 A is shown in FIGS. 14 - 17 ), e.g., a hole 180 in the raised portion 191 of the plate frame portion 110 A.
- the adjustable tab 112 may have teeth 181 , and the hole 180 may have corresponding teeth 182 so that when the teeth 181 and 182 are positioned in line with one another so that corresponding teeth 181 , 182 are in contact with one another, the teeth 182 are housed in divots 183 between the teeth 181 while the teeth 181 are housed in divots 184 between teeth 182 , as shown in FIG. 16 .
- the teeth 181 , 182 when in engagement with one another, prevent the tab 112 from becoming dislodged from the hole 180 and ultimately allow the tab 112 to securely hold the body plate portion 120 A with the plate frame portion 110 A.
- the hole 180 in the raised portion 191 may, for example, be generally rectangular or box-shaped, but it may instead be any shape which allows the tab 112 to connect to the plate frame portion 110 A using the hole 180 .
- the “top” of the raised portion 191 e.g., the top of the box, may include a partially cut-out portion at least partially surrounding the teeth 182 forming a tongue 190 , the partially cut-out portion being three sides of a rectangle or box in one embodiment shown in FIG. 15 .
- the tongue 190 remains biased closed until acted upon by an opposing force to permit disengagement of the tab 112 from the plate frame portion 110 A.
- an end of the tab 112 is inserted into the hole 180 in the plate frame portion 110 A, and the tab 112 is moved with respect to the hole 180 until the teeth 181 , 182 engage one another appropriately, for example as shown in FIG. 16 when the teeth 181 are disposed within the hole 180 .
- the tongue 190 may be levered or raised (e.g., by the user pulling on the tongue 190 with an opposing force), and to lock the tab 112 into place within the hole 180 , the tongue 190 opposing force may be released.
- the locked, engaged teeth 181 , 182 (disposed within divots 184 , 183 respectively) prevent the tab 112 from moving within the hole 180 with respect to the plate frame portion 110 A.
- the tab 112 may be adjusted within the hole 180 by also levering or raising the tongue 190 and moving the tab 112 with respect to the hole 180 to a different position, and then releasing the opposing force on the tongue 190 to again lock the adjusted tab 112 into place.
- the tongue is levered, e.g., an opposing force is exerted on the tongue 190 to counteract the bias force of the tongue 190 (e.g., by the user pulling on the tongue), the teeth 182 are raised with respect to the teeth 181 thereby disengaging the teeth 181 , 182 from one another, and the tab 112 may be moved or pulled out of the hole 180 .
- Another tab which may be of a different size than tab 112 (to allow for attachment of a different body armor plate to the plate frame portion) may then be inserted into the hole 180 and locked into place as described above.
- the other tabs 112 , 114 and holes in the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B may be configured and operate in the same way as shown and described with respect to the tab 112 and hole 180 of FIGS. 14 - 17 .
- the attachment mechanism shown in FIGS. 14 - 17 may be a low profile design without any snag hazards (corners of the raised portion 191 are smooth to prevent their catching on anything) or any chance to accidentally release the tab. Any other attachment mechanism used in lieu of the example attachment mechanism shown in FIGS. 14 - 17 may also include a low profile design without any snag hazards or any chance to accidentally release the tab.
- tabs 112 , 114 may be adjusted without swapping them out by manipulating the appropriate tongue 190 , moving the tab 112 and/or 114 to the appropriate location with respect to the hole 180 , and locking the tab 112 and/or 114 into place at some location where at least some of the teeth 181 , 182 are engaged with one another by allowing the biasing force to force the tongue 190 into the direction of the tab 112 or 114 .
- the width and length of the body plates 120 A, 120 B may be adjusted for without the need for complete removal and replacement of the tabs 112 , 114 .
- the plate frame assembly 150 also may include one or more attachment straps 135 A, 135 B similar in structure and function to the shoulder straps 35 A, 35 B described herein with respect to the plate frame assembly 50 .
- the shoulder straps 135 A, 135 B may be threaded through holes 106 A, 106 B (which are similar in structure and function to holes 6 A, 6 B described with respect to the plate frame assembly 50 ) in the plate frame portion 110 A as well as corresponding holes (not shown, but similar in structure and function to holes 7 A, 7 B described with respect to the plate frame assembly 50 ) in the plate frame portion 110 B.
- an end of the shoulder attachment strap 135 A is disposed through the hole 106 A and an other end of the shoulder attachment strap 135 A is disposed through the corresponding hole 107 A in the plate frame portion 110 B
- an end of the shoulder attachment strap 135 B is disposed through the hole 106 B and an other end of the shoulder attachment strap 135 B is disposed through the corresponding hole 107 B in the plate frame portion 110 B.
- the ends of each attachment strap 135 A, 135 B may be looped through their respective holes as shown in FIGS.
- attachment strap 135 A, 135 B 11 - 13 and attached to an overlapping portion of the attachment strap 135 A, 135 B, e.g., via welding the straps 135 A, 135 B to themselves, welding or fusing one or more hook and loop fasteners to the attachment straps 135 A, 135 B and attaching the hook and loop fasteners to one another as known to those skilled in the art, or fusing the straps 135 A, 135 B to themselves (as described with respect to the attachment straps 35 A, 35 B).
- the plate frame assembly 150 may also include one or more cummerbund attachment straps 130 A, 130 B similar in structure and function to the cummerbund attachment straps 30 A, 30 B described herein with respect to the plate frame assembly 50 .
- the tabs 112 C and 112 F on the bottom sides of the first plate frame portion 110 A, as well as the tabs 114 C and 114 F on the bottom sides of the second plate frame portion 110 B may each include one or more holes therein for looping the end of the cummerbund straps 130 A, 130 B therethrough, similar to the way that the cummerbund straps 30 A, 30 B are looped through the holes 8 A, 8 B, 9 A, 9 B in the plate frame portions 50 A, 50 B of the plate frame assembly 50 .
- an end of the cummerbund attachment strap 130 A is disposed through the hole(s) associated with the tab 112 F and an other end of the cummerbund attachment strap 130 A is disposed through the corresponding hole(s) associated with the tab 114 F
- an end of the cummerbund attachment strap 130 B is disposed through the hole(s) associated with the tab 112 C and an other end of the cummerbund attachment strap 130 B is disposed through the corresponding hole(s) associated with tab 114 C.
- each attachment strap 130 A, 130 B may be looped through their respective holes and attached to an overlapping portion of themselves, e.g., via welding the straps 130 A, 130 B to themselves, welding one or more hook and loop fasteners to the attachment straps 130 A, 130 B and attaching the hook and loop fasteners to one another as known to those skilled in the art, or fusing the straps 130 A, 130 B to themselves (as described with respect to the attachment straps 30 A, 30 B).
- each body plate portion 120 A, 120 B may be attached to its respective plate frame portion 110 A, 110 B using the appropriately sized tab 112 A-G, 114 A-G for securely holding the body plate portion 120 A, 120 B in place with respect to the appropriate plate frame portion 110 A, 110 B.
- the appropriate body plate 120 A, 120 B may be selected and placed in position with respect to its respective plate frame portion 110 A, 110 B for attachment thereto.
- the appropriately-sized tabs 112 , 114 which allow secure, fixed engagement of the body plate portions 120 A, 120 B with respect to the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B may then be inserted into the appropriate holes in the plate frame portion 110 A, 110 B until the teeth 181 , 182 engage one another to lock the tabs 112 , 114 into position with respect to the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B and thereby lock the body plate portions 120 A, 120 B in place with respect to their respective plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B.
- some of the tabs 112 , 114 may be placed into locking engagement with the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B prior to placing the body plate portions 120 A, 120 B into position with respect to the body plate portions 120 A, 120 B, and some of the tabs 112 , 114 may be placed into locking engagement with the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B after the body plate portions 120 A, 120 B are placed in position with respect to the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B (e.g., only the tabs 112 D-E, 114 D-E on the bottom of the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B may be placed in locking engagement with the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B, the body plate portions 120 A, 120 B may then be positioned with respect to their respective plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B, and then the remaining tabs 112 A-C, 112 F-G, 114 A-C, and 114 F-G may be placed in locking engagement with the appropriate holes in the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B).
- the cummerbund attachment straps 130 A, 130 B may be threaded through the appropriate holes in the tabs 112 F, 114 F, 112 C, 114 C as described above, and the shoulder attachment straps 135 A, 135 B may be threaded through the appropriate holes in the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B as also described above.
- any or all of the straps 130 A, 130 B, 135 A, 135 B may be threaded through its/their intended hole(s) and secured prior to the addition of the tabs 112 , 114 to the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B and/or prior to the attachment of the body plate portions 120 A, 120 B to the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B.)
- the straps 130 A, 130 B, 135 A, 135 B may each be secured to themselves at their overlapping portions via welding, welding or fusing hook and loop fasteners to the straps 130 A, 130 B, 135 A, 135 B and attaching the hook and loop fasteners to one another as known to those skilled in the art, or fusing as described in relation to the strap attachment of the plate frame assembly 50 of FIGS. 4 - 8 .
- the plate frame assembly 150 may be worn on the user as shown and described in relation to FIG. 7 with respect to the plate frame assembly 50 .
- Equipment such as tactical equipment, pouches, pockets, etc. (any of the equipment shown and described in relation to attachment to the plate frame assembly 50 ) may be attached to the plate frame assembly 150 at one or more of its plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B (e.g., via the holes in the plate frame portions 110 A, 110 B) in much the same manner as shown and described in FIG. 8 in relation to the plate frame assembly 50 .
- the plate frame assembly 150 and its associated components may be made from the same types of material as described herein in relation to the plate frame assembly 50 and its associated components, and the components of the plate frame assembly 150 may be attached to one another in much the same way as components described in relation to the plate frame assembly 50 .
- the one or more bladders 40 , 45 may be incorporated in and used with the plate frame assembly 150 in the same way as described in relation to the plate frame assembly 50 .
- the ability to switch out and adjust the tabs/extensions/hooks of the plate frame 110 gives modularity to different body armor plates.
- the tabs/extensions/hooks are generally not flexible and may in one example be made of rigid plastic.
- connection member and method such as, but not limited to, but not limited to, but not limited to, but not limited to, but not limited to, but not limited to, but not limited to, but not limited to, but not limited to, a connection member and method (teeth), it is within the scope of embodiments that any connection or fastening method or members known to those skilled in the art which allow the plate frame and extensions/tabs/hooks to connect to one another in a stable, fixed manner and snap or lock into place and also permit the extensions/tabs/hooks to slide back and forth with respect to the plate frame and adjust may be utilized in embodiments in lieu of or in addition to the teeth connection method/members described herein.
- the cummerbund attachment straps 130 A, 130 B are not limited to being worn around the waist area or typical cummerbund coverage area of the user, but may be worn around the user at any location.
- the shoulder support straps 135 A, 135 B are merely examples of a shoulder supporting member for the plate frame assembly. Instead of the shoulder support straps 135 A, 135 B, any type of shoulder supporting member which allows the plate frame assembly 150 to be supported by the shoulders of a user may be utilized with the plate frame assembly 150 , and the shoulder supporting member is not limited to straps.
- FIGS. 18 , 19 , and 20 show a third embodiment of the plate frame assembly.
- This third embodiment includes one or more optional shoulder strap supplementing members 210 A and 210 B.
- Each shoulder strap supplementing member 210 A, 210 B includes an elongated body having a longitudinal hole running therethrough for inserting its respective shoulder attachment strap 35 A or 35 B therethrough, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 .
- the shoulder strap supplementing member 210 A acts as a sleeve for the shoulder attachment strap 35 A
- the shoulder strap supplementing member 210 B acts as a sleeve for the shoulder attachment strap 35 B.
- the shoulder strap supplementing members 210 A, 210 B may each have a hole width which is larger than the width of the shoulder supporting member 210 A, 210 B which will run therethrough, but small enough to prevent the shoulder supporting member 210 A or 210 B from slipping relative to the shoulder attachment strap 35 A or 35 B.
- the shoulder strap supplementing members 210 A, 210 B may each be padding members for padding the shoulders of the user and in some examples which are not limiting of embodiments may include a coated foam pad (and may include material surrounding the foam pad which is similar or the same as the material forming the shoulder attachment straps and/or cummerbund attachment straps described herein).
- the shoulder strap supplementing members 210 A, 210 B may include one or more holes 220 A, 220 B, respectively, through the top portions thereof, as shown in FIGS. 18 , 19 , and 20 . These holes 220 A, 220 B may rest on the top of the shoulder supporting straps as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 (but it is also within the scope of embodiments that they may be formed in other locations on the shoulder strap supporting members 210 A, 210 B).
- the one or more holes 220 A, 220 B through the top portions of the shoulder strap supplementing members 210 A, 210 B may serve as stabilizing forces and/or as routing members for certain attachments to the plate frame assembly 50 .
- one or more tubes, wires, or cables from a hydration system may be run through the one or more holes 220 A, 220 B (and holes 225 A, 225 B as shown and described in relation to FIG. 20 ) through the top of the shoulder strap supplementing members 210 A, 210 B.
- a hydration system e.g., the backpack 67 shown in FIG. 8
- a radio or from any other accessories or attachments to the plate frame assembly 50 or its associated components
- a tube for delivering water from a hydration system or backpack 67 to the user may be threaded through the hole 220 A or 220 B (or both or a plurality of the holes) (and through 225 A, 225 B as shown and described in relation to FIG. 20 ) for easy and directable delivery of the water-delivering portion of the tube to the user.
- FIG. 20 illustrates a portion of the shoulder attachment strap 35 A with the shoulder strap supplementing member 210 A partially wrapped around it.
- the shoulder strap supplementing member 210 A is shown in the open position to depict a method of placement of the shoulder attachment strap 35 A in the shoulder strap supplementing member 210 A.
- the shoulder strap supplementing member 210 A may be attached to itself at its overlapping portions when it is wrapped around the shoulder attachment strap 35 A, e.g. by one or more hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® attached to the mating surfaces of the shoulder strap supplementing member 210 A. As shown in FIG.
- the shoulder strap supplementing member 210 A may include one or more holes 220 A in one end and one or more holes 225 A in its other end which overlap and line up with one another when the shoulder strap supplementing member 210 A is wrapped around the shoulder attachment strap 35 A and the overlapping portions of the shoulder strap supplementing member 210 A are appropriately positioned and connected to one another (this aligned and connected position is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 , where side flaps 215 A, 215 B are placed in contact with the other sides of the respective shoulder strap supplementing members 210 A, 210 B).
- FIG. 20 shows only one shoulder attachment strap 35 A and only one shoulder strap supplementing member 210 A, the other shoulder attachment strap 35 B and shoulder strap supplementing member 210 B are configured and act in the same manner as described in relation to FIG. 20 ).
- FIG. 18 shows the optional hook and loop fasteners which may be located on at least a portion of at least one side of the shoulder attachment strap(s) 35 A, 35 B, indicated by the dots, to attach the straps 35 A, 35 B at their overlapping portions.
- the shoulder strap supplementing members 210 A, 210 B and other features depicted in FIGS. 18 - 20 may also be integrated with and used in the same manner with the plate frame assembly 150 shown and described herein in relation to FIGS. 11 - 17 .
- Embodiments disclosed herein provide a plate frame which holds body armor, is lighter, and is more streamlined than prior art vests.
- the plate frame is capable of holding accessory pouches and providing access to accessory pouches and other attachments to the plate frame.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
- Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
Abstract
Embodiments include a method and apparatus for mounting wearable ballistic body armor plates and accessories to a user. Embodiments may include a plate frame assembly comprising one or more plate frames and one or more ballistic body armor plates. The one or more plate frames may at least partially house the one or more ballistic body armor plates and hold them in position with respect to the one or more plate frames. A method of embodiments may include providing one or more plate frames and one or more ballistic body armor plates and using the one or more plate frames to hold the one or more ballistic armor plates in a fixed position with respect to the body armor plates. In some embodiments, the plate frame assembly is resistant to the absorption and/or accumulation of liquids and chemicals.
Description
- This application is a continuation application of U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 13/506,182, filed Apr. 2, 2012, entitled “Plate Carrier Apparatus and Method,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,777,997, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Pat. Application Ser. No. 29/395,765, filed Mar. 27, 2012, now U.S. Design Patent No. D677433, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. Application Ser. No. 61/626,784, filed Oct. 3, 2011, entitled “Plate Carrier Apparatus and Method,” the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- Embodiments generally relate to the mounting of wearable ballistic body armor plates and accessories to military and law enforcement personnel and other individual people.
- People in current military and law enforcement units are required to wear hard ballistic armor plates and flexible soft armor plates. In addition, the people in these units must also be able to carry extra equipment to allow them to accomplish their mission. Most of these extra pieces of equipment are typically carried by pouches worn by the individual person. These pouches plus the hard and soft armor pieces are attached to the upper torso of an individual via a soft material sewn in such a fashion that it carries these pieces. The resulting vest is typically referred to as a load bearing vest or tactical vest.
- In an attempt to meet the demands of carrying a variety of tactical equipment, manufacturers must make tactical vest designs that have a modular attachment system, which adds unnecessary material and bulk to the tactical vest. These tactical vests are all sewn pieces of nylon material, which must wrap the armor plates and have a closure flap to prevent the plate from falling out.
- The materials sewn are also not resistant to the absorption of liquids and chemicals. Once these materials become impregnated with a liquid that is harmful, they are considered useless and disposed of promptly. If the same tactical nylon material is immersed in water, it absorbs a substantial amount of water and takes on that unnecessary weight until it can be dried out.
- As the demand increases to decrease the overall weight of this equipment and provide resistance to liquids and chemicals, the need exists to provide military and law enforcement units and other individuals an integrated light weight streamlined armor carrier.
- Some embodiments generally provide an integrated light weight streamlined armor carrier.
- Some embodiments generally provide an armor carrier which is resistant to liquid and chemicals.
- Embodiments generally include a plate frame assembly wearable by a user to provide ballistic protection to the user, comprising a rigid plate frame; and one or more ballistic body armor plates, the one or more body armor plates at least partially housed in the rigid plate frame and held in a fixed position with respect to the rigid plate frame by the plate frame, the rigid plate frame having one or more built-in features for securing tactical equipment thereto.
- Other embodiments generally include a method of forming a plate frame assembly, comprising providing an integrated rigid plate frame assembly having one or more holes therethrough for securing tactical equipment thereto; providing a ballistic body armor plate, the ballistic body armor plate for providing ballistic protection to a user; holding the body armor plate in a fixed position with respect to the integrated rigid plate frame using the plate frame; and providing one or more shoulder supporting members through the plate frame to support the plate frame assembly from the user’s shoulders.
- Other embodiments generally include a plate frame assembly wearable by a user to provide ballistic protection to the user, comprising a rigid plate frame; and one or more ballistic body armor plates, the one or more body armor plates attached to the rigid plate frame and held in a fixed position with respect to the rigid plate frame by the plate frame, the rigid plate frame having one or more built-in features for securing tactical equipment, one or more pockets, or one or more pouches thereto.
- So that the manner in which the above-recited features of embodiments of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plate frame of embodiments. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plate frame of embodiments. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a body armor plate of embodiments. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a body armor plate in a plate frame of embodiments. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of attachment straps of embodiments. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of attachment straps on a plate frame assembly of embodiments. -
FIG. 7 shows multiple views of examples of how a plate frame assembly may be worn on a user’s torso in embodiments. -
FIG. 8 shows multiple views of accessories attached to a plate frame assembly worn on a user’s torso in embodiments. -
FIG. 9A is a section view of a bladder of embodiments. -
FIG. 9B is a front view of a first embodiment of a bladder which may be used with the plate frame assembly of embodiments. -
FIG. 9C is a front view of a first embodiment of a bladder which may be used with the plate frame assembly of embodiments. -
FIG. 9D shows to view of a second embodiment of a bladder which may be used with the plate frame assembly of embodiments. -
FIG. 10A is a front view of an embodiment of an inflatable bladder attached to a plate frame with a body armor plate. -
FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the bladder attached to the plate frame with a body armor plate ofFIG. 10A . -
FIG. 10C is a side perspective view of the bladder attached to the plate frame with a body armor plate ofFIG. 10A . -
FIG. 11 is front view of a second embodiment of a plate frame assembly with a cummerbund strap detached. -
FIG. 12 is a left side perspective view of the plate frame assembly ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 13 is a right side perspective view of the plate frame assembly ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 14 is a left side exploded, cross-sectional view of a front tab assembly of the plate frame assembly ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 15 is a left side perspective, exploded view of a front tab assembly ofFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 16 is a left side cross-sectional view of the front tab assembly ofFIG. 14 with a front tab inserted into a front slot. -
FIG. 17 is a left side view of the front tab assembly ofFIG. 16 with the front tab inserted into the front slot. -
FIG. 18 is a front side perspective view of a third embodiment of a plate frame assembly with a cummerbund strap detached. -
FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the plate frame assembly ofFIG. 18 . -
FIG. 20 is a section view of a shoulder strap assembly of the plate frame assembly ofFIG. 18 . - Embodiments may include an integrated, generally rigid plate frame or plate carrier designed to hold ballistic armor plates in a fixed position with a decreased amount of surface material, weight and bulk compared to current vest designs.
- Embodiments may include a non-sewn, soft material formed and fused to provide one or more pouches, straps and/or cummerbund.
- In embodiments, one or more inflatable and/or non-inflatable bladders may be attached to an armor frame and cummerbund to increase buoyancy and comfort in the plate carrier. The bladder serves as a thin padding between the armor carrier and upper torso of the user.
- In some embodiments, the integrated hard frame, cummerbund (which may be made of a soft material), pouch material, and inflatable/non-inflatable bladder(s) are resistant to absorption of liquids and chemicals.
- This
frame 10 has features that allow theballistic armor plate 20 to be attached to a user’s body by one or more attachment straps such as attachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B (seeFIGS. 5 and 6 ). Theplate frame 10 also has built in features (e.g., holes therethrough) that allow tactical equipment to be attached to theplate frame 10. -
Plate Frame 10 or Plate Carrier (seeFIGS. 1-3 and 4 ) - The
plate frame 10 or plate carrier, in some embodiments, is a rigid piece of material that securely grabs and retains a ballisticbody armor plate 20. Theplate frame 10 acts as a carrier of thebody armor plate 20 and may frame thebody armor plate 20. Theplate frame 10 has unnecessary material removed to decrease the weight that is loaded on the user. Theplate frame 10 could for example be made out of plastic, metal, and/or any other non-porous rigid material. By making theplate frame 10 out of these types of material, the plate frame is liquid, chemical, and biohazard resistant. These types of material can be easily decontaminated. Forming the plate frame from these types of material also eliminates any extra weight being added to the material when the plate frame is submerged in water. - The
body armor plate 20, which is also a rigid piece of material in some embodiments, provides ballistic protection to the wearer. Thebody armor plate 20 may include any type or material of body armor plate which provides ballistic protection to the wearer known to those skilled in the art. The level of protection of the body armor plate is typically specified by the armor manufacturer and could range from protection from low velocity projectiles to protection from high velocity bullets. One example of materials which the body armor plate may be constructed from includes a formed, rigid ceramic plate with a soft woven Kevlar backing, the ceramic plate and backing sandwiched together into one singular plate. - The
plate frame 10 may include a firstplate frame portion 10A and a secondplate frame portion 10B, the first and secondplate frame portions body armor plate 20 may include a firstbody armor portion 20A and a secondbody armor portion 20B. The first bodyarmor plate portion 20A may be secured to the firstplate frame portion 10A by one or moreplate frame extensions 12 which extend from the firstplate frame portion 10A and wrap around the firstbody armor portion 20A to hold it in place with respect to the firstplate frame portion 10A. Likewise, the second bodyarmor plate portion 20B may be secured to the secondplate frame portion 10B by one or moreplate frame extensions 14 which extend from the secondplate frame portion 10B and wrap around the second bodyarmor plate portion 20B to hold it in place with respect to the secondplate frame portion 10B. - The first body
armor plate portion 20A and the second bodyarmor plate portion 20B may be of generally the same size, shape, and configuration. As shown inFIG. 3 , each bodyarmor plate portion armor plate portions plate frame portions armor plate portions body armor portions body armor portions body armor portions body armor portions body armor portion body plate portion 20B may be accomplished by an inward slope in the width of the upper half of thebody plate portion 20B, forming an angle A1 of the body armor portion and an angle on the other side of the body armor portion which may be the same as angle A1 (a similar width decrease may be present in the bodyarmor plate portion 20A). Of course, it is within the scope of embodiments that thebody armor portions body armor portions - The
plate frame 10 generally corresponds to the size, shape, and curvature of thebody armor plate 20. In this regard, the firstplate frame portion 10A generally corresponds to the size, shape, and curvature of the first bodyarmor plate portion 20A, and the secondplate frame portion 10B generally corresponds to the size, shape, and curvature of the second bodyarmor plate portion 20B. The firstplate frame portion 10A and the secondplate frame portion 10B may be mirror images of one another in their curvature and dimensions (as defined by the outer edges of theplate frame portions plate frame portions plate frame portions plate frame portions plate frame portion armor plate frame 20 are assembled together may be approximately the same as the angle A1 of the bodyarmor plate frame 20. Of course, it is within the scope of embodiments that theplate frame portions plate frame portions - The
plate frame 10 may include a number of holes therein of different sizes and shapes for performing various purposes, including for inserting the attachment straps therethrough and for attaching various equipment (e.g., tactical equipment such as pockets, pouches, backpacks, etc.) to theplate frame 10. Theplate frame 10 may be designed as shown in the figures so that the holes therein are shaped to allow attaching of specific tactical equipment, pockets, pouches, backpacks, etc. to the holes. In one example which is not limiting of embodiments, the one or more pouches may have tabs that extend through the holes in theplate frame 10 and then wrap around theplate frame 10 back onto themselves, and the portions of the tabs which overlap themselves may be attached to one another using, for example one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) or what is referred to as a “tuck-tab.” The firstplate frame portion 10A may include first and second shoulder strap attachment holes 6A, 6B through a top portion of the firstplate frame portion 10A, and the secondplate frame portion 10B may include third and fourth strap attachment holes 7A, 7B through a top portion of the secondplate frame portion 10B. In some embodiments, when the inside of the firstplate frame portion 10A and the inside of the secondplate frame portion 10B are facing one another, the firststrap attachment hole 6A and the thirdstrap attachment hole 7A correspond to one another and are generally in line with one another, and the secondstrap attachment hole 6B and the fourthstrap attachment hole 7B correspond to one another and are generally in line with one another. To this end, thehole 6A may be disposed at a first position on the firstplate frame portion 10A to generally correspond with a position of the right shoulder of the user when theplate frame 10 is placed on the user, and thehole 7A may likewise be disposed at a first position on the secondplate frame portion 10B to generally correspond with a position of the right shoulder of the user when theplate frame 10 is placed on the user. Thehole 6B may be disposed at a second position on theplate frame portion 10A to generally correspond with the left shoulder of the user when theplate frame 10 is placed on the user, and thehole 7B may be disposed at a second position on the secondplate frame portion 10B to generally correspond with a position of the left shoulder of the user when theplate frame 10 is placed on the user. - These
holes plate frame 10 and any other connections to the plate frame 10 (body armor plate 20, other attachment straps, and/or any equipment attached to the plate frame) on the shoulders of a user’s body (seeFIGS. 7 and 8 ). Theseholes FIGS. 6-8 . Theholes FIGS. 1-2 . The width or smaller diameter of theholes holes holes plate frame 10, to generally correspond with the sloping of a user’s shoulders so that the shoulder attachment straps 35A, 35B ultimately may slant downward. - The first
plate frame portion 10A may also include one or more cummerbund strap attachment holes, including in some embodiments first cummerbundstrap attachment hole 8A and second cummerbundstrap attachment hole 8B spaced apart from one another on a first side of the firstplate frame portion 10A and third cummerbundstrap attachment hole 8C and fourth cummerbundstrap attachment hole 8D spaced apart from one another on a second side of the firstplate frame portion 10A. The secondplate frame portion 10B may also include one or more cummerbund strap attachment holes, including in some embodiments fifth cummerbundstrap attachment hole 9A on one side and sixth cummerbundstrap attachment hole 9B on the other side of the second plate frame portion. Embodiments are not limited to the number of holes on each side of theplate frame portions plate frame portions plate frame portions second holes fourth holes holes holes holes - The
holes plate frame 10 disposed on his or her body properly to support and position theplate frame 10 and any other connections to the plate frame 10 (body armor plate 20, other attachment straps, and/or any equipment attached to the plate frame) with respect to a waist area of a user’s body (seeFIGS. 7 and 8 ). - In some embodiments, when the inside of the first
plate frame portion 10A and the inside of the secondplate frame portion 10B are facing one another, the first and second cummerbund strap attachment holes 8A and 8B and the first cummerbundstrap attachment hole 9A correspond to one another and are generally in line with one another, and the third and fourth cummerbund strap attachment holes 8C and 8D and the second cummerbundstrap attachment hole 9B correspond to one another and are generally in line with one another. Theseholes FIGS. 6-8 . Theholes FIGS. 1-2 . The width or smaller diameter of theholes holes -
FIG. 5 shows the attachment straps 35A and 35B as well as the attachment straps 30A and 30B, andFIGS. 6-8 illustrate an embodiment of theplate frame 10 with the attachment straps disposed through their respective holes in theplate frame 10. The attachment straps 35A and 35B may each be a generally flexible band or strap having a length, width, and thickness. In some examples which are not limiting of embodiments, each of thestraps - In an embodiment, the attachment straps 30A and 30B may each include a
first end 31 and asecond end 32. A firstattachment strap portion 33A extending from thefirst end 31 to a first location on theattachment strap FIG. 5 . A secondattachment strap portion 33B may be of a second width W2 and also a single attachment strap as shown inFIG. 5 . A thirdattachment strap portion 33C may include twostraps straps second end 32. - In some embodiments, between the second
attachment strap portion 33B and the firstattachment strap portion 33A, the width may taper gradually, in one example at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. In one example embodiment which is shown inFIG. 5 , the first width W1 is smaller than the second width W2, and the third width W3 may be smaller than the first width W1. In some embodiments, the combined width of the third width W3 of bothstraps straps straps attachment strap portion 33A may be approximately 11.5 inches, the length of secondattachment strap portion 33B may be approximately 11 inches, and the length of thirdattachment strap portion 33C may be approximately 5 inches. - The
first portion 31 may be sized to fit through theholes plate frame portion 10B, and thethird portion 33C straps 32 may be sized so that each of the twostraps 32 may fit through theholes plate frame portion 10A. Additionally, the space S between the twostraps 32 is sized so that thestraps 32 may fit through theholes straps 32—generally corresponds with the distance of theholes holes plate frame 10. The portion of the width W2 between the space S may also act as a stop for the other end of the attachment straps 30A, 30B through their respective holes in theplate frame 10. - The
second portion 33B of eachattachment strap FIG. 5 , the one or more holes include fourholes holes holes - The first, second, and
third portions - The material used to make the one or more shoulder attachment straps 35A, 35B, the one or more cummerbund attachment straps 30A, 30B, and any other accessories or attachments (see
FIG. 8 and description below) for theplate frame 10 could, for example, be a non porous, liquid and chemical resistant fabric. The one or more attachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B and any accessories or attachments could, for example, be formed and fused out of weldable material to alleviate any machine or hand sewing. By making the one or more attachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B and accessories or attachments out of these types of materials, embodiments are liquid, chemical, and biohazard resistant. By welding the materials together instead of sewing, you eliminate the sewn seems where bio-contaminants and chemicals can easily get trapped, thus making embodiments more easily decontaminated. Forming the one or more attachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B and any accessories or attachments out of these types of materials also eliminates any extra weight being added to the material when theplate frame 10 and associated components are submerged in water. - To attach the
plate frame 10 to thebody plate 20, each bodyarmor plate portion plate frame portion more tabs plate frame portions armor plate portions armor plate portion plate frame portion armor plate section plate frame portion tabs body plate portion tabs plate frame portion tabs plate frame portion tabs body plate portion plate frame portion body plate portion body plate portions plate frame portions FIG. 4 shows thebody plate 20 attached (e.g., hooked or clamped) to theplate frame 10 via extensions ortabs tabs plate frame 10 to distribute the attachment points along theplate frame 10 andbody plate 20, thus more securely attaching the components to one another and distributing the force exerted on theplate frame 10 andbody plate 20 along the components. - When the
body plate 20 andplate frame 10 are attached to one another, for example as shown inFIG. 4 , thebody plate 20 provides the ballistic protection, while theplate frame 10 holds thebody plate 20 in general position on the user’s body and allows the attachment of accessories and tactical equipment to theplate frame 10 andbody plate 20. The holes in theplate frame 10 allow attachment of one or more accessories and/or tactical equipment to the assembly of thebody plate 20 andplate frame 10, while thebody plate 20 provides ballistic protection at the locations of theplate frame 10 holes. - The
plate frame assembly 50 includes the shoulder attachment straps 35A, 35B, theplate frame 10, and thebody armor plate 20. When the shoulder attachment straps 35A and 35B are threaded through theirrespective holes plate frame 10 and the cummerbund attachment straps 30A and 30B are threaded through theirrespective holes plate frame assembly 50 may be used as protection for the user as shown inFIG. 7 . - The
plate frame assembly 50, which could be a rigid plate frame assembly, may optionally include one or more inflatable or non-inflatable bladders or other similar padding devices or padding members known to those skilled in the art.FIGS. 9B and 9C show anexemplary bladder 40 which may be used as padding for theplate frame assembly 50,FIG. 9A shows a strap or afirst section 41 which may be included with thebladder 40 ofFIG. 9B , andFIG. 9D shows a second embodiment of abladder 45 which may be used as padding for theplate frame assembly 50. - In some embodiments, the
bladder 40 may include afirst section 41 and asecond section 42. Thefirst section 41 may be used to secure thebladder 40 to theplate frame 10 andbody plate 20 and may be a strap for strapping thebladder 40 to thebody plate 20. Onebladder 40 may be used in conjunction with the firstplate frame portion 10A and first bodyarmor plate 50A, and anotherportion 20A assemblybladder 40 may be used in conjunction with the secondplate frame portion 10B and second bodyarmor plate 50B.portion 20B assemblyFIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C show thebladder 40 connected to the secondplate frame portion 10B and secondbody plate portion 20B, with the secondplate frame portion 10B and second bodyarmor plate portion 20B attached to one another. To assemble thebladder 40 into the second plateframe portion assembly 50B, the secondbody plate portion 20B and thebladder 40 may be manipulated so that the second bodyarmor plate portion 20B is disposed between thefirst section 41 andsecond section 42 of thebladder 40. - The
first section 41 andsecond section 42 of thebladder 40 may be attached to one another at connection points 43A, 43B, and 43C, the connection points acting as stops for thebladder 40 with respect to the secondplate frame assembly 50B. When the secondbody plate frame 20B is disposed in thebladder 40 between the first andsecond sections connection point 43C keeps thebladder 40 in vertical position to prevent its riding up on secondplate frame assembly 50B, and the connection points 43A and 43B keep it in horizontal position to prevent its moving horizontally with respect to the secondplate frame assembly 50B. Additionally, the connection points 43A and 43B may rest on a tab portion 44 (e.g., one of the tabs 14) of the second plate frame portion to keep thebladder 40 in a vertical position to prevent its downward movement with respect to the secondplate frame assembly 50B. Of course, the connection points 43A, 43B, 43C may result from thefirst section 41 andsecond section 42 being attached to one another, or instead the entire bladder may be made from one unitary piece of material so that connection points 43A, 43B, 43C are actually stops for thebladder 40 with respect to the secondplate frame assembly 50B but not connection points between two pieces of material. - The
first section 41 of thebladder 40, which may be a strap, may be generally triangular-shaped to allow for triangulating stops for thebladder 40 with respect to thebody plate 20. In some embodiments, thefirst section 41 may also include a triangular-shaped cutout therein. Thesecond section 42 of thebladder 40 may be shaped generally the same as the bodyarmor plate portions body plate portions body plate 20 facing the user’s body, whichbody plate 20 portion would be in contact with the user’s body without presence of thebladder 40. In some embodiments, the contour and curvature of thebladder 40 also generally conform to the contour and curvature of thebody plate 20. - These bladder(s) 40 may be padded internally with foam and/or air (and/or other similar internal padding substance known to those skilled in the art), e.g., with the
second section 42 acting as the housing for the foam or other padding or as an air chamber. When the bladder is padded internally with air or other fluid, thebladder 40 may include one ormore valves 46 which allow air or other fluid to enter and/or exit the inside of thebladder 40 to increase or decrease padding for the user. The padding may be adjustable (e.g., by adding or removing air from the inside of the bladder through valve(s)) to increase or decrease padding to the user as needed or desired. - A
separate bladder 40 may be placed on each plateframe assembly portion bladder 40 configuration and operation may be the same when used in conjunction with the plateframe assembly portion 50A as described herein with respect to the plateframe assembly portion 50B. -
FIG. 9D illustrates a second embodiment of abladder 45 for use with theplate frame assembly 50 of embodiments. Thisbladder 45 may be used to provide padding for both the front and back of the user between thebody plate portions bladder 45 may include afirst section 41A at one end and afirst section 41B at the other end of thebladder 45, thesections first section 41 described with respect to thebladder 40. Thebladder 45 may also include asecond section 47 connected to eachfirst section second section 42 of thebladder 40. Just as described with respect to thebladder 40, thefirst sections second section 47 may instead of being two separated, connected pieces be made of one unitary piece of material, and the connection points 43A, 43B, 43C may instead just function as stops. - The
second section 47 of thebladder 45 may include one piece that extends over the shoulders of the user and over the front and back of the user’s torso. In this way, thebladder 45 may also pad the shoulders of the user, in addition to padding the front and back of the user’s torso between thebody armor plate 20 and the user’s body. Thesecond section 47 of thebladder 45 may include afirst portion 47C andsecond portion 47D, the first and second portions each similar in shape and configuration to thesecond section 42 of thebladder 40. Extending between the first andsecond portions shoulder padding portions shoulder padding portions cutout 48 through thebladder 47. Thecutout 48 allows a person’s head to be inserted therethrough so that theshoulder padding portions shoulder padding portions - The
bladder 45 may include one ormore valves 46 for adding and removing air or other fluid from thebladder 45 to increase or decrease padding of thebladder 45, as described with respect to thebladder 40. Thebladder 45 may be added to theplate frame assembly 50 in much the same way as thebladder 40 may be added to the plate frame assembly, except that one of theportions body plate portion 20A and the other of theportions body plate portion 20B, with theshoulder padding portions bladder portion 47C may be secured to the firstplate frame assembly 50A by thefirst section 41A being sandwiched between theplate frame portion 10A and thebody plate portion 20A and thebladder portion 47C disposed between thebody plate portion 20A and the user’s body. Thebladder portion 47D may be secured to the plateframe assembly portion 50B by thefirst section 41B being sandwiched between theplate frame portion 10B and thebody plate portion 20B and thebladder portion 47D disposed between thebody plate portion 20A and the user’s body. Of course, it is within the scope of embodiments that the either of thefirst sections frame assembly portion 50A or the plateframe assembly portion 50B. Thebladder 47, includingbladder portions - The valve(s) 46 for the bladder(s) 40, 45 are optional. To inflate or increase padding of the
bladder bladder valve 46 to the desired inflate level. To deflate or decrease padding of thebladder bladder - The bladder(s) 40, 45 may be sealed and made of a non-porous material. This
bladder bladder bladder plate frame assembly 50 when theplate frame assembly 50 is submerged in water. - In embodiments described herein, the one or more attachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B, the one or
more bladders more bladders plate frame 10 and associated components are submerged in water. -
FIG. 8 shows various accessories or attachments attached to theplate frame assembly 50 or plate carrier assembly. The attachment may include pouches orpockets plate frame assembly 50, including one or more than one pouch or pocket. The attachment may, for example, be an ammunition ofmagazine pouch 60 having three pockets orpouches magazine 63,magazine 62, and/or magazine 61 (carry bullets/ammunition). The attachment may be attached to the front plateframe assembly portion 50A, as shown inFIG. 8 . One or more accessories or attachments may also be attached to the back plateframe assembly portion 50B, such as abackpack 67 or pouch for carrying water or other fluid. The one or more attachments or accessories may be connected to theplate carrier 10 by attachment of the one or more attachments or accessories or straps extending therefrom to one or more attachment straps 35A, 35B which are thread through holes in theplate frame 10, through threading straps extending from the one or more attachments or accessories through one or more holes in the plate frame, and/or through snapping a portion of the attachments or accessories (e.g., an extension from the attachment or accessories) into one or more of the holes through theplate frame 10. The one or more attachments or accessories, while securely fastened to theplate frame 10, may also be easily removed from theplate frame 10. - A method of forming the
plate frame assembly 50 or plate carrier assembly includes attaching theplate frame 10 andbody plate 20 to one another. To attach theplate frame 10 andbody plate 20 to one another, the firstplate frame portion 10A and the firstbody plate portion 20A are connected to one another, and the secondplate frame portion 10B and the secondbody plate portion 20B are connected to one another. To attach the firstplate frame portion 10A to the firstbody plate portion 20A, the firstbody plate portion 20A is placed in the inward curve of the firstplate frame portion 10A via movement of theextensions 12 or tabs extending from the firstplate frame portion 10, theextensions 12 or tabs moving in a direction away from the firstplate frame portion 10A via applied force to allow the firstbody plate portion 20A to be housed at least partially within the inward curve of the inside of the firstplate frame portion 10A. Theextensions 12 or tabs move in a direction toward the firstplate frame portion 10A upon the absence of the application of force (e.g., they are biased closed) to retain the first bodyarmor plate portion 20A in place with respect to the firstplate frame portion 10A when the firstbody plate portion 20A is in place, housed in the firstplate frame portion 10A. Theextensions 12 or tabs may also clamp the firstbody plate portion 20A in place with respect to the first plate frame portion. The secondbody plate portion 20B is connected to the secondplate frame portion 10B in the same manner as described herein with respect to the firstbody plate portion 20A and the firstplate frame portion 10A, withextensions 14 or tabs being used instead ofextensions 12 or tabs.FIG. 4 shows the firstbody plate portion 20A connected to the firstplate frame portion 10A as well as the secondbody plate portion 20B connected to the secondplate frame portion 10B. - The
shoulder attachment strap 35A is disposed through thehole 6A in the firstplate frame portion 10A and through thehole 7A in the secondplate frame portion 10B so that a first end of theshoulder attachment strap 35A extends through thefirst hole 6A and a second end of theshoulder attachment strap 35A extends through thesecond hole 7A. Theshoulder strap 35A portions which extend from theholes FIG. 6 ), e.g., via welding, fusing, or attaching hook and loop fasteners secured to theshoulder attachment strap 35A by welding or fusing, to secure theshoulder attachment strap 35A to the firstplate frame portion 10A and secondplate frame portion 10B, thereby attaching the first and secondplate frame portions plate frame assembly 50 to the user’s body (e.g., via hanging from the user’s shoulder). Theshoulder attachment strap 35A may in one embodiment have one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) welded or fused to theshoulder attachment strap 35A to allow attaching theshoulder attachment strap 35A at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of theshoulder attachment strap 35A via placing cooperating hook and loop fasteners in contact with one another as known to those skilled in the art (attach theattachment strap 35A back onto itself). In another embodiment, theshoulder attachment strap 35A may be welded or fused at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of theshoulder attachment strap 35A (welded or fused onto itself). - The
shoulder attachment strap 35B is disposed through thehole 6B in the firstplate frame portion 10A and through thehole 7B in the secondplate frame portion 10B so that a first end of theshoulder attachment strap 35B extends through thefirst hole 6B and a second end of theshoulder attachment strap 35B extends through thesecond hole 7B. Theshoulder strap 35B portions which extend from theholes FIG. 6 ), e.g., via welding, fusing, or attaching hook and loop fasteners secured to theshoulder attachment strap 35B by welding or fusing, to secure theshoulder attachment strap 35B to the firstplate frame portion 10A and secondplate frame portion 10B, thereby attaching the first and secondplate frame portions plate frame assembly 50 to the user’s body (e.g., via hanging from the user’s shoulder). Theshoulder attachment strap 35B may in one embodiment be welded or fused at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of theshoulder attachment strap 35B (welded or fused onto itself). In another embodiment, theshoulder attachment strap 35B may have one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) welded or fused to theshoulder attachment strap 35B to allow attaching theshoulder attachment strap 35B at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of theshoulder attachment strap 35B via placing cooperating hook and loop fasteners in contact with one another as known to those skilled in the art (attach theattachment strap 35B back onto itself). - The
cummerbund attachment strap 30A is disposed through theholes plate frame portion 10A and through thehole 9A in the secondplate frame portion 10B so that first ends 32 of thecummerbund attachment strap 30A extend through thefirst holes second end 31 of thecummerbund attachment strap 30A extends through thesecond hole 9A. Thecummerbund attachment strap 30A portions which extend from theholes FIG. 6 ), e.g., via welding, fusing, or attaching hook and loop fasteners secured to thecummerbund attachment strap 30A by welding or fusing, to secure thecummerbund attachment strap 30A to the firstplate frame portion 10A and secondplate frame portion 10B, thereby attaching the first and secondplate frame portions plate frame assembly 50 to the user’s body (e.g., via extending around the user’s waist area). Thecummerbund attachment strap 30A may in one embodiment be welded or fused at or near its ends 31, 32 to the overlapping portions of thecummerbund attachment strap 30A (welded or fused onto itself). In another embodiment, thecummerbund attachment strap 30A may have one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) welded or fused to thecummerbund attachment strap 30A to allow attaching thecummerbund attachment strap 30A at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of thecummerbund attachment strap 30A via placing cooperating hook and loop fasteners in contact with one another as known to those skilled in the art (attach theattachment strap 30A back onto itself). - The
cummerbund attachment strap 30B is disposed through theholes plate frame portion 10A and through thehole 9B in the secondplate frame portion 10B so that first ends 32 of thecummerbund attachment strap 30B extend through thefirst holes second end 31 of thecummerbund attachment strap 30A extends through thesecond hole 9B. Thecummerbund attachment strap 30B portions which extend from theholes FIG. 6 ), e.g., via welding, fusing, or attaching hook and loop fasteners secured to thecummerbund attachment strap 30B by welding, to secure thecummerbund attachment strap 30B to the firstplate frame portion 10A and secondplate frame portion 10B, thereby attaching the first and secondplate frame portions plate frame assembly 50 to the user’s body (e.g., via extending around the user’s waist area). Thecummerbund attachment strap 30B may in one embodiment be welded or fused at or near its ends 31, 32 to the overlapping portions of thecummerbund attachment strap 30B (welded onto itself). In another embodiment, thecummerbund attachment strap 30B may have one or more hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) welded or fused to thecummerbund attachment strap 30B to allow attaching thecummerbund attachment strap 30B at or near its ends to the overlapping portions of thecummerbund attachment strap 30B via placing cooperating hook and loop fasteners in contact with one another as known to those skilled in the art (attach theattachment strap 30B back onto itself).. - It is within the scope of embodiments that the attachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B may be threaded through any holes in the
plate frame portions plate frame portions straps attachment strap straps straps plate frame 10. - When the one or
more bladders 40 are used with theplate frame assembly 50, abladder 40 may be disposed on the firstbody plate portion 20A so that the firstbody plate portion 20A is located between thefirst section 41 andsecond section 42 of thebladder 40, as shown inFIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C . Thus, the firstbody plate portion 20A is sandwiched between thefirst section 41 andsecond section 42 of thebladder 40, and theattachment point 43C of thebladder 40 acts as a stop for thebladder 40. The firstplate frame portion 10A may then be “snapped” on the firstbody plate portion 20A as described herein, and thefirst section 41 of thebladder 40, which acts as a strap to secure thebladder 40 to the firstbody plate portion 20A, is housed between the firstbody plate portion 20A and the firstplate frame portion 10A as shown inFIGS. 10A-C . Thesecond section 42 of thebladder 40 is located on the inside surface of the firstbody armor plate 20A, as shown inFIGS. 10A-C , to provide padding between the user’s body and the firstbody armor plate 20A. Also as shown inFIGS. 10A-C , the first and second attachment points 43A and 43B may rest on one of the extensions/tabs 12 of the firstplate frame portion 10A to stabilize the position of thebladder 40 with respect to the first plate frame assembly. - Another
bladder 40 may be disposed on the secondbody plate portion 20B so that the secondbody plate portion 20B is located between thefirst section 41 andsecond section 42 of thebladder 40, as shown inFIGS. 10A-C . Thus, the secondbody plate portion 20B is sandwiched between thefirst section 41 andsecond section 42 of thebladder 40, and theattachment point 43C of thebladder 40 acts as a stop for thebladder 40. The secondplate frame portion 10B may then be “snapped” on the secondbody plate portion 20B as described herein, and thefirst section 41 of thebladder 40, which acts as a strap to secure thebladder 40 to the secondbody plate portion 20B, is housed between the secondbody plate portion 20B and the secondplate frame portion 10B as shown inFIGS. 10A-C . Thesecond section 42 of thebladder 40 is located on the inside surface of the second bodyarmor plate portion 20B, as shown inFIGS. 10A-C , to provide padding between the user’s body and the second bodyarmor plate portion 20B. Also as shown inFIGS. 10A-C , the first and second attachment points 43A and 43B may rest on one of the extensions/tabs 14 of the secondplate frame portion 10B to stabilize the position of thebladder 40 with respect to the second plate frame assembly. - When the
bladder 45 is used with theplate frame assembly 50 or plate carrier assembly, the firstbody plate portion 20A is inserted in between the sections of one end of thebladder 45, and the secondbody plate portion 20B is inserted in between the sections of the other end of thebladder 45. For example, the firstbody plate portion 20A is inserted between thesection 41A and thesection 47D, while the secondbody plate portion 20B is inserted between thesection 41B and thesection 47C. Thebody plate portions bladder portion 47 and thebladder portions body plate portion 20A is sandwiched between thebladder sections body plate portion 20B is sandwiched between thebladder sections 42A and 47C. The attachment points 43A, 43B, and 43C act as stops for thebladder 45 ends. Theplate frame portions armor plate portions armor plate portions plate frame 10 as described herein. - It is also within the scope of embodiments that the attachment straps 30A, 30B, 35A, 35B may be attached to the
plate frame 10 at any point in the method, including prior to the attachment of thebody plate 20 to theplate frame 10 and/or bladder(s) 40, 45 to theplate frame assembly 50. - The
plate frame assembly 50 may be worn on the user as shown inFIG. 7 .FIG. 7 shows theplate frame assembly 50 worn without thebladders plate frame assembly 50 with thebladders plate frame assembly 50 may be placed over the head of the user after it is assembled, or a portion of the plate frame assembly 50 (e.g., the two plateframe assembly portions shoulder straps cummerbund straps frame assembly portions - If the
bladders plate frame assembly 50. Thebladders - The cummerbund attachment straps 30A, 30B are not limited to being worn around the waist area or typical cummerbund coverage area of the user, but may be worn around the user at any location.
- The shoulder support straps 35A, 35B are merely examples of a shoulder supporting member for the plate frame assembly. Instead of the shoulder support straps 35A, 35B, any type of shoulder supporting member which allows the
plate frame assembly 50 to be supported by the shoulders of a user may be utilized with theplate frame assembly 50, and the shoulder supporting member is not limited to straps. - A second embodiment of a
plate frame assembly 150 is shown inFIGS. 11-17 . Theplate frame assembly 150 may include first and secondplate frame portions body armor portions plate frame portion 110A for retaining the firstbody armor portion 120A and the secondplate frame portion 110A for retaining the secondbody armor portion 120B. The firstplate frame portion 110A may at least partially house the firstbody armor portion 120A therein, and the secondplate frame portion 110B may at least partially house the secondbody armor portion 120B therein. Theplate frame assembly 150 is very similar in function and operation to theplate frame assembly 50 shown and described in relation toFIGS. 1-10 , with the primary difference in function and operation being in the tabs (or hooks or clamps) which retain thebody armor portions plate frame portions FIGS. 11-17 may be adjustable and/orinterchangeable tabs 112A-G and 114A-G. - The
adjustable tabs 112A-G and 114A-G may be adjustable to fit body armor plates of various widths, lengths, and thicknesses. Thetabs 112A-G and 114A-G may be insertable in corresponding holes in theplate frame portions plate frame portions tabs 112A-G, 114A-G are insertable may be raised portions (e.g., raisedportion 191 shown inFIG. 15 ) of theplate frame portions hole 180 shown inFIG. 15 ) therethrough corresponding to the shape of thetabs 112A-G and 114A-G to be inserted therein (in alternate embodiments, the raisedportions 191 may instead be separate pieces attached to theplate frame portions tabs 112A-G and 114A-G may be swapped out for tabs of different sizes to fit different sizes ofbody armor plates body armor plates tabs 112A-G and 114A-G may be adjusted within theholes 180 outward from and inward towards theplate frame portions body armor plates plate frame portions adjustable tabs 112A-G, 114A-G. - The
different tabs 112A-G and 114A-G may be attached to the holes in theplate frame portions tabs 112A-G and 114A-G may be insertable into their corresponding holes in theplate frame portions - An example attachment mechanism may be a flexible tooth over an opposing tooth (much like a ziptie). One example is shown in
FIGS. 14-17 , including an exampleadjustable tab 112 with itscorresponding hole 180 in theplate frame portion 110A (only a section of theplate frame portion 110A is shown inFIGS. 14-17 ), e.g., ahole 180 in the raisedportion 191 of theplate frame portion 110A. Theadjustable tab 112 may haveteeth 181, and thehole 180 may have correspondingteeth 182 so that when theteeth teeth teeth 182 are housed indivots 183 between theteeth 181 while theteeth 181 are housed indivots 184 betweenteeth 182, as shown inFIG. 16 . Theteeth tab 112 from becoming dislodged from thehole 180 and ultimately allow thetab 112 to securely hold thebody plate portion 120A with theplate frame portion 110A. Thehole 180 in the raisedportion 191 may, for example, be generally rectangular or box-shaped, but it may instead be any shape which allows thetab 112 to connect to theplate frame portion 110A using thehole 180. The “top” of the raisedportion 191, e.g., the top of the box, may include a partially cut-out portion at least partially surrounding theteeth 182 forming atongue 190, the partially cut-out portion being three sides of a rectangle or box in one embodiment shown inFIG. 15 . Thetongue 190 remains biased closed until acted upon by an opposing force to permit disengagement of thetab 112 from theplate frame portion 110A. - To lock the
tab 112 in place with respect to theplate frame portion 110A, an end of thetab 112 is inserted into thehole 180 in theplate frame portion 110A, and thetab 112 is moved with respect to thehole 180 until theteeth FIG. 16 when theteeth 181 are disposed within thehole 180. To move thetab 112 with respect to thehole 180, thetongue 190 may be levered or raised (e.g., by the user pulling on thetongue 190 with an opposing force), and to lock thetab 112 into place within thehole 180, thetongue 190 opposing force may be released. The locked, engagedteeth 181, 182 (disposed withindivots tab 112 from moving within thehole 180 with respect to theplate frame portion 110A. Thetab 112 may be adjusted within thehole 180 by also levering or raising thetongue 190 and moving thetab 112 with respect to thehole 180 to a different position, and then releasing the opposing force on thetongue 190 to again lock the adjustedtab 112 into place. To unlock thetab 112 and remove it from theplate frame portion 110A, the tongue is levered, e.g., an opposing force is exerted on thetongue 190 to counteract the bias force of the tongue 190 (e.g., by the user pulling on the tongue), theteeth 182 are raised with respect to theteeth 181 thereby disengaging theteeth tab 112 may be moved or pulled out of thehole 180. Another tab which may be of a different size than tab 112 (to allow for attachment of a different body armor plate to the plate frame portion) may then be inserted into thehole 180 and locked into place as described above. - The
other tabs 112, 114 and holes in theplate frame portions tab 112 andhole 180 ofFIGS. 14-17 . - The attachment mechanism shown in
FIGS. 14-17 may be a low profile design without any snag hazards (corners of the raisedportion 191 are smooth to prevent their catching on anything) or any chance to accidentally release the tab. Any other attachment mechanism used in lieu of the example attachment mechanism shown inFIGS. 14-17 may also include a low profile design without any snag hazards or any chance to accidentally release the tab. - Although different tabs may be swapped out, it is also within the scope of embodiments that the
same tabs 112, 114 may be adjusted without swapping them out by manipulating theappropriate tongue 190, moving thetab 112 and/or 114 to the appropriate location with respect to thehole 180, and locking thetab 112 and/or 114 into place at some location where at least some of theteeth tongue 190 into the direction of thetab 112 or 114. In this way, the width and length of thebody plates tabs 112, 114. - The
plate frame assembly 150 also may include one or more attachment straps 135A, 135B similar in structure and function to theshoulder straps plate frame assembly 50. The shoulder straps 135A, 135B may be threaded throughholes holes plate frame portion 110A as well as corresponding holes (not shown, but similar in structure and function toholes plate frame portion 110B. More specifically, an end of theshoulder attachment strap 135A is disposed through thehole 106A and an other end of theshoulder attachment strap 135A is disposed through thecorresponding hole 107A in theplate frame portion 110B, and an end of theshoulder attachment strap 135B is disposed through thehole 106B and an other end of theshoulder attachment strap 135B is disposed through thecorresponding hole 107B in theplate frame portion 110B. The ends of eachattachment strap FIGS. 11-13 and attached to an overlapping portion of theattachment strap straps straps - The
plate frame assembly 150 may also include one or more cummerbund attachment straps 130A, 130B similar in structure and function to the cummerbund attachment straps 30A, 30B described herein with respect to theplate frame assembly 50. Thetabs plate frame portion 110A, as well as thetabs plate frame portion 110B may each include one or more holes therein for looping the end of the cummerbund straps 130A, 130B therethrough, similar to the way that the cummerbund straps 30A, 30B are looped through theholes plate frame portions plate frame assembly 50. More specifically, an end of thecummerbund attachment strap 130A is disposed through the hole(s) associated with thetab 112F and an other end of thecummerbund attachment strap 130A is disposed through the corresponding hole(s) associated with thetab 114F, and an end of thecummerbund attachment strap 130B is disposed through the hole(s) associated with thetab 112C and an other end of thecummerbund attachment strap 130B is disposed through the corresponding hole(s) associated withtab 114C. The ends of eachattachment strap straps straps - In operation, each
body plate portion plate frame portion sized tab 112A-G, 114A-G for securely holding thebody plate portion plate frame portion appropriate body plate plate frame portion sized tabs 112, 114 which allow secure, fixed engagement of thebody plate portions plate frame portions plate frame portion teeth tabs 112, 114 into position with respect to theplate frame portions body plate portions plate frame portions tabs 112, 114 may be placed into locking engagement with theplate frame portions body plate portions body plate portions tabs 112, 114 may be placed into locking engagement with theplate frame portions body plate portions plate frame portions tabs 112D-E, 114D-E on the bottom of theplate frame portions plate frame portions body plate portions plate frame portions tabs 112A-C, 112F-G, 114A-C, and 114F-G may be placed in locking engagement with the appropriate holes in theplate frame portions - After the desired
tabs 112, 114 are inserted to the desired extent through theholes 180 in theplate frame portions tabs plate frame portions straps tabs 112, 114 to theplate frame portions body plate portions plate frame portions straps straps straps plate frame assembly 50 ofFIGS. 4-8 . - The
plate frame assembly 150 may be worn on the user as shown and described in relation toFIG. 7 with respect to theplate frame assembly 50. Equipment such as tactical equipment, pouches, pockets, etc. (any of the equipment shown and described in relation to attachment to the plate frame assembly 50) may be attached to theplate frame assembly 150 at one or more of itsplate frame portions plate frame portions FIG. 8 in relation to theplate frame assembly 50. - The
plate frame assembly 150 and its associated components may be made from the same types of material as described herein in relation to theplate frame assembly 50 and its associated components, and the components of theplate frame assembly 150 may be attached to one another in much the same way as components described in relation to theplate frame assembly 50. Optionally, the one ormore bladders plate frame assembly 150 in the same way as described in relation to theplate frame assembly 50. - The ability to switch out and adjust the tabs/extensions/hooks of the plate frame 110 gives modularity to different body armor plates. The tabs/extensions/hooks are generally not flexible and may in one example be made of rigid plastic. Although the tabs/extensions/hooks are described herein using one example connection member and method (teeth), it is within the scope of embodiments that any connection or fastening method or members known to those skilled in the art which allow the plate frame and extensions/tabs/hooks to connect to one another in a stable, fixed manner and snap or lock into place and also permit the extensions/tabs/hooks to slide back and forth with respect to the plate frame and adjust may be utilized in embodiments in lieu of or in addition to the teeth connection method/members described herein.
- The cummerbund attachment straps 130A, 130B are not limited to being worn around the waist area or typical cummerbund coverage area of the user, but may be worn around the user at any location. The shoulder support straps 135A, 135B are merely examples of a shoulder supporting member for the plate frame assembly. Instead of the shoulder support straps 135A, 135B, any type of shoulder supporting member which allows the
plate frame assembly 150 to be supported by the shoulders of a user may be utilized with theplate frame assembly 150, and the shoulder supporting member is not limited to straps. -
FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 show a third embodiment of the plate frame assembly. This third embodiment includes one or more optional shoulderstrap supplementing members strap supplementing member shoulder attachment strap FIGS. 18 and 19 . The shoulderstrap supplementing member 210A acts as a sleeve for theshoulder attachment strap 35A, and the shoulderstrap supplementing member 210B acts as a sleeve for theshoulder attachment strap 35B. The shoulderstrap supplementing members shoulder supporting member shoulder supporting member shoulder attachment strap strap supplementing members - In some embodiments, the shoulder
strap supplementing members more holes FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 . Theseholes FIGS. 18 and 19 (but it is also within the scope of embodiments that they may be formed in other locations on the shoulderstrap supporting members more holes strap supplementing members plate frame assembly 50. For example, one or more tubes, wires, or cables from a hydration system (e.g., thebackpack 67 shown inFIG. 8 ) such as a camelback or a radio (or from any other accessories or attachments to theplate frame assembly 50 or its associated components) may be run through the one ormore holes FIG. 20 ) through the top of the shoulderstrap supplementing members backpack 67 to the user may be threaded through thehole FIG. 20 ) for easy and directable delivery of the water-delivering portion of the tube to the user. -
FIG. 20 illustrates a portion of theshoulder attachment strap 35A with the shoulderstrap supplementing member 210A partially wrapped around it. The shoulderstrap supplementing member 210A is shown in the open position to depict a method of placement of theshoulder attachment strap 35A in the shoulderstrap supplementing member 210A. The shoulderstrap supplementing member 210A may be attached to itself at its overlapping portions when it is wrapped around theshoulder attachment strap 35A, e.g. by one or more hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® attached to the mating surfaces of the shoulderstrap supplementing member 210A. As shown inFIG. 20 , the shoulderstrap supplementing member 210A may include one ormore holes 220A in one end and one ormore holes 225A in its other end which overlap and line up with one another when the shoulderstrap supplementing member 210A is wrapped around theshoulder attachment strap 35A and the overlapping portions of the shoulderstrap supplementing member 210A are appropriately positioned and connected to one another (this aligned and connected position is shown inFIGS. 18 and 19 , where side flaps 215A, 215B are placed in contact with the other sides of the respective shoulderstrap supplementing members FIG. 20 shows only oneshoulder attachment strap 35A and only one shoulderstrap supplementing member 210A, the othershoulder attachment strap 35B and shoulderstrap supplementing member 210B are configured and act in the same manner as described in relation toFIG. 20 ). -
FIG. 18 shows the optional hook and loop fasteners which may be located on at least a portion of at least one side of the shoulder attachment strap(s) 35A, 35B, indicated by the dots, to attach thestraps - The shoulder
strap supplementing members FIGS. 18-20 , although shown in relation to the first embodiment of theplate frame assembly 50 ofFIGS. 1-8 , may also be integrated with and used in the same manner with theplate frame assembly 150 shown and described herein in relation toFIGS. 11-17 . - Embodiments disclosed herein provide a plate frame which holds body armor, is lighter, and is more streamlined than prior art vests. The plate frame is capable of holding accessory pouches and providing access to accessory pouches and other attachments to the plate frame.
- The sizes, shapes, and dimensions of components which are described herein are merely exemplary, and any sizes, shapes, and dimensions of components which accomplish the intended purposes of the components are within the scope of embodiments.
- While the foregoing is directed to embodiments, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
Claims (20)
1. A plate carrier wearable by a user, comprising:
a chest plate frame formed of a rigid material including an inner surface that faces the user’s chest when the plate carrier is worn by the user, and an outer surface that faces away from the user when the plate carrier is worn by the user, the chest plate frame configured to hold a ballistic body armor chest plate in a fixed position with respect to the chest plate frame with the ballistic body armor chest plate between the inner surface of the chest plate frame and the user;
a back plate frame formed of a rigid material including an inner surface that faces the user’s back when the plate carrier is worn by the user, and an outer surface that faces away from the user when the plate carrier is worn by the user, the back plate frame configured to hold a ballistic body armor back plate in a fixed position with respect to the back plate frame with the ballistic body armor back plate between the inner surface of the back plate frame and the user; and
one or more shoulder straps connecting the chest plate frame and the back plate frame and configured to allow the plate carrier to be at least partially supported by the user’s shoulders,
wherein, each of the chest plate frame and the back plate frame include a plurality of adjustable attachment mechanisms connected to and disposed around an outer perimeter of the respective plate frame and configured to hold the respective ballistic body armor plate in the fixed position with respect to the respective plate frame by wrapping at least partially around an edge of the respective ballistic body armor plate, and
wherein, each of the chest plate frame and the back plate frame includes one or more built-in features for securing tactical equipment thereto, the one or more built-in features including holes formed in the chest plate frame and the back plate frame.
2. The plate carrier of claim 1 , wherein the chest plate frame and the back plate frame are made of a non-porous rigid material.
3. The plate carrier of claim 1 , wherein the chest plate frame and the back plate frame are made of a plastic material.
4. The plate carrier of claim 1 , further comprising one or more cummerbund straps extending through the chest plate frame and the back plate frame to connect the chest plate frame and the back plate frame to one another and to provide straps around a torso of the user to stabilize the plate carrier around the user.
5. The plate carrier of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the one or more cummerbund straps is attached to an overlapping portion of said at least one of the one or more cummerbund straps to secure said at least one of the one or more cummerbund straps to the chest plate frame and back plate frame.
6. The plate carrier of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more shoulder straps is attached to an overlapping portion of said at least one of the one or more shoulder straps to secure said at least one of the one or more shoulder straps to the chest plate frame and the back plate frame.
7. The plate carrier of claim 1 , wherein the one or more built-in features for securing tactical equipment thereto include a modular attachment system integrated in the plate carrier, the modular attachment system comprising one or more holes between the outer surface and the inner surface of the chest plate frame and between the outer surface and the inner surface of the back plate frame for securing one or more attachments thereto.
8. The plate carrier of claim 1 , further comprising the ballistic body armor chest plate and the ballistic body armor back plate, wherein the ballistic body armor chest plate is at least partially housed in the chest plate frame and the ballistic body armor back plate is at least partially housed in the back plate frame.
9. The plate carrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of adjustable attachment mechanisms include one or more adjustable tabs which are adjustable to accommodate different dimensions of the ballistic body armor plates.
10. The plate carrier of claim 1 , wherein:
the chest plate frame comprises one or more first extensions extending from an outer perimeter of the chest plate frame to hold the ballistic body armor chest plate in the fixed position, and
the back plate frame comprises one or more second extensions extending from an outer perimeter of the back plate frame to hold the ballistic body armor back plate in the fixed position.
11. The plate carrier of claim 10 , wherein the first and second extensions include tabs which are removable from the respective plate frame, and are interchangeable with one or more tabs of a different size to accommodate ballistic body armor plates with different dimensions.
12. The plate carrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of adjustable attachment mechanisms include a plurality of extensions configured to hold at least two differently sized ballistic body armor plates to the respective plate frame by selectively adjusting the extensions outward of the outer perimeter of the respective plate frame.
13. The plate carrier of claim 1 , further comprising the ballistic body armor chest and back plates.
14. A ballistic plate carrier wearable by a user, comprising:
a rigid frame configured to hold a ballistic body armor plate in a fixed position with respect to the rigid frame, the rigid frame having
at least a pair of built-in shoulder strap attachment points,
at least a pair of built-in belt attachment points,
a plurality of adjustable attachment features connected to and disposed around an outer perimeter of the rigid frame, and configured to hold the ballistic body armor plate in the fixed position with respect to the rigid frame by wrapping at least partially around an edge of the ballistic body armor plate, and
one or more built-in features for securing tactical equipment thereto, the one or more built-in features including holes formed in the rigid frame,
wherein, the rigid frame includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the fixed position being disposed on the inner surface such that the ballistic body armor plate is between the inner surface of the rigid frame and the user when the plate carrier is worn, and the one or more built-in features are configured for securing the tactical equipment to the outer surface of the rigid frame.
15. The ballistic plate carrier of claim 14 , wherein the rigid frame is made of a plastic material.
16. The ballistic plate carrier of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of adjustable attachment features include at least three holes on the rigid frame, disposed at least on opposite side edges of the rigid frame and a bottom edge of the rigid frame.
17. The ballistic plate carrier of claim 14 , wherein the rigid frame includes a chest plate frame configured to hold a ballistic body armor chest plate, and a back plate frame configured to hold a ballistic body armor back plate, the chest plate frame and the back plate frame being connected via shoulder straps extending through the shoulder strap attachment points and cummerbund straps extending through the belt attachment points.
18. The ballistic plate carrier of claim 17 , wherein the one or more built-in features for securing tactical equipment thereto include a modular attachment system integrated in the plate carrier, the modular attachment system comprising one or more holes between an outer surface and an inner surface of the chest plate frame and between an outer surface and an inner surface of the back plate frame for securing one or more attachments thereto.
19. A plate carrier wearable by a user, comprising:
a rigid chest frame including an inner surface and an outer surface, the rigid chest frame configured to substantially surround an outer perimeter of a ballistic body armor chest plate, and to hold the ballistic body armor chest plate in a fixed position with respect to the rigid chest frame such that the ballistic body armor chest plate is between the rigid chest frame and the user when the plate carrier is worn; and
a rigid back frame including an inner surface and an outer surface, the rigid back frame configured to substantially surround an outer perimeter of a ballistic body armor back plate, and to hold the ballistic body armor back plate in a fixed position with respect to the rigid back frame such that the ballistic body armor back plate is between the rigid back frame and the user when the plate carrier is worn,
wherein, the rigid chest frame includes a plurality of first adjustable attachment features connected to and disposed around an outer perimeter of the rigid chest frame and configured to hold the ballistic body armor chest plate in the fixed position with respect to the rigid chest frame, the plurality of first adjustable attachment mechanisms being configured to accommodate ballistic body armor chest plates of different dimensions,
wherein, the rigid back frame includes a plurality of second adjustable attachment features connected to and disposed around an outer perimeter of the rigid back frame and configured to hold the ballistic body armor back plate in the fixed position with respect to the rigid back frame, the plurality of second adjustable attachment mechanisms being configured to accommodate ballistic body armor back plates of different dimensions, and
wherein, each of the rigid frames are made of a plastic material.
20. The plate carrier of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of adjustable attachment features of the rigid chest frame and the rigid back frame include at least three holes on rigid chest frame, disposed at least on opposite side edges of rigid chest frame and a bottom edge of rigid chest frame and at least three holes on the rigid back frame, disposed at least on opposite side edges of the rigid back frame and a bottom edge of the rigid back frame.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/960,100 US20230221098A1 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2022-10-04 | Plate carrier apparatus and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201161626784P | 2011-10-03 | 2011-10-03 | |
US29/395,765 USD677433S1 (en) | 2012-03-27 | 2012-03-27 | Plate carrier vest |
US13/506,182 US9777997B2 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2012-04-02 | Plate carrier apparatus and method |
US15/722,268 US20180045489A1 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2017-10-02 | Plate carrier apparatus and method |
US17/960,100 US20230221098A1 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2022-10-04 | Plate carrier apparatus and method |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/722,268 Continuation US20180045489A1 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2017-10-02 | Plate carrier apparatus and method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20230221098A1 true US20230221098A1 (en) | 2023-07-13 |
Family
ID=47992995
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/506,182 Active 2036-04-19 US9777997B2 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2012-04-02 | Plate carrier apparatus and method |
US15/722,268 Abandoned US20180045489A1 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2017-10-02 | Plate carrier apparatus and method |
US17/960,100 Pending US20230221098A1 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2022-10-04 | Plate carrier apparatus and method |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/506,182 Active 2036-04-19 US9777997B2 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2012-04-02 | Plate carrier apparatus and method |
US15/722,268 Abandoned US20180045489A1 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2017-10-02 | Plate carrier apparatus and method |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US9777997B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150078015A1 (en) * | 2013-09-17 | 2015-03-19 | Switch Bulb Company, Inc. | Anti-theft collar for a light bulb |
EP3048930B1 (en) * | 2013-09-25 | 2020-01-08 | S & S Precision, LLC | Gear track system |
GB201409842D0 (en) * | 2014-06-03 | 2014-07-16 | Bcb Int Ltd | Body armour with integrated floatation |
WO2015193735A1 (en) * | 2014-06-19 | 2015-12-23 | Revision Military S.À.R.L. | Wearable armor plate assembly |
US10288384B2 (en) * | 2014-07-29 | 2019-05-14 | Brady Alan Robinson Kinnings | Tactical load-bearing vest |
AU2017250003A1 (en) * | 2016-04-11 | 2018-11-15 | Crossfire Australia Pty Ltd | Frame for a backpack |
GB2561244A (en) * | 2017-04-07 | 2018-10-10 | Xosuit Solutions Ltd | Protective apparel |
EP3662224B1 (en) * | 2017-08-01 | 2022-11-02 | S&S Precision, LLC | Load bearing harness |
USD854251S1 (en) | 2018-06-04 | 2019-07-16 | S&S Precision, Llc | Load bearing harness |
US11079203B2 (en) | 2019-03-22 | 2021-08-03 | Aardvark | Three-piece tactical cummerbund |
US11779064B2 (en) * | 2019-08-16 | 2023-10-10 | Safariland, Llc | Adapter system for vest closure mechanisms |
US11150054B1 (en) * | 2020-09-11 | 2021-10-19 | The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Homeland Security | Scalable body armor carrier system for rigid ballistic plates and soft ballistic panels |
USD961164S1 (en) | 2020-11-18 | 2022-08-16 | Szymon Mateusz Cader | Front and back ballistic plate carrier frame set |
CA3207683A1 (en) * | 2021-02-11 | 2022-08-25 | Jason Beck | Soft body armor assembly |
Family Cites Families (169)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US642649A (en) * | 1899-05-29 | 1900-02-06 | Norval C Vaughan | Armor. |
US1107040A (en) | 1914-03-13 | 1914-08-11 | James B Conde | Revolver flash-light. |
US1610092A (en) | 1924-10-01 | 1926-12-07 | Hise Gun Flash Light Company | Flash-light attachment for revolvers |
US1613203A (en) | 1926-03-30 | 1927-01-04 | James L Shannon | Flash light |
US1946059A (en) | 1929-03-09 | 1934-02-06 | Bright Star Battery Company | Flash light |
US2236736A (en) | 1938-09-12 | 1941-04-01 | Albert B Scott | Night sighting means for firearms |
US2296287A (en) | 1941-01-16 | 1942-09-22 | Glen W Leyde | Electric water light |
US2346695A (en) | 1941-12-16 | 1944-04-18 | Miller Gustave | Electric water light |
US2545419A (en) | 1946-06-15 | 1951-03-13 | Francis P Cleary | Telescope gun sight mounting |
US2837630A (en) | 1955-08-25 | 1958-06-03 | Torch Mfg Corp | Waterproof flashlight |
US2972739A (en) | 1959-07-07 | 1961-02-21 | Ray C Opper | Portable safety light |
US3155297A (en) | 1962-04-12 | 1964-11-03 | Burton H Stumpf | Gun carrier |
US3337875A (en) * | 1964-05-28 | 1967-08-29 | William E Blakeney | Protective vest |
US3348746A (en) | 1965-07-29 | 1967-10-24 | Afico Sa | Shooting jacket |
US3769663A (en) | 1972-05-04 | 1973-11-06 | T Perl | Flashlight attachment clip for spectacles |
AT325464B (en) | 1973-02-27 | 1975-10-27 | Ernst Apel Fa | SCOPE BRACKET |
US3834052A (en) | 1973-09-21 | 1974-09-10 | Weaver Co W | Mount for gunsight |
US4004493A (en) * | 1974-11-26 | 1977-01-25 | Vincent Costanza | Bullet proof garment |
US4008536A (en) | 1975-03-10 | 1977-02-22 | Adams Jean M | Detachable gun sight mounts |
US4216600A (en) | 1978-10-10 | 1980-08-12 | Brueckner Gerald G | Telescopic sight mount |
US4462064A (en) | 1980-12-01 | 1984-07-24 | Schweitzer Robert B | Compact battery-powered headlamp |
US4504001A (en) | 1983-08-01 | 1985-03-12 | Bianchi International | Swivel connected belt holster |
US4627558A (en) | 1984-09-26 | 1986-12-09 | Bianchi International | Universal military holster |
US4639944A (en) | 1985-09-11 | 1987-02-03 | Lester Lashley | Armor for motorcyclists |
US4777754A (en) | 1986-12-12 | 1988-10-18 | Laser Products Corporation | Light beam assisted aiming of firearms |
US4797793A (en) | 1988-02-24 | 1989-01-10 | Fields Tom R | Headband for holding a flashlight |
US4939863A (en) | 1988-08-31 | 1990-07-10 | Emerging Technologies, Inc. | Laser aiming device for firearms, archery bows, and crossbows |
US4905396A (en) | 1989-01-11 | 1990-03-06 | Bechtel Daniel L | Method and apparatus for mounting an auxiliary sighting aid on a firearm |
US5400008A (en) | 1989-05-05 | 1995-03-21 | Toohey; James T. | Location marker |
US5018653A (en) | 1989-06-05 | 1991-05-28 | Shoemaker Randy R | Front draw handgun holster |
US5014892A (en) | 1989-09-11 | 1991-05-14 | Copeland Anthony S | Camera belt clip |
US5033219A (en) | 1990-02-06 | 1991-07-23 | Emerging Technologies, Inc. | Modular laser aiming system |
USD332172S (en) | 1990-07-30 | 1993-01-05 | Lewis Marlene J | Vest |
US5040322A (en) | 1990-08-03 | 1991-08-20 | Juan A. Iturrey, Sr. | Night shooting aid |
US5122781A (en) | 1990-09-06 | 1992-06-16 | Bolan Trading Inc. | Hazard warning light |
US5070437A (en) | 1990-10-09 | 1991-12-03 | Roberts Sr Joseph M | Electrical light for underwater use |
US5054170A (en) | 1991-03-18 | 1991-10-08 | Otrusina Edward C | Connector engageable in multiple positions and releasable in only one position |
US5265781A (en) | 1991-08-26 | 1993-11-30 | Nichols Richard E D | Belt or waistband mountable support for article carrier |
USD340542S (en) | 1991-10-17 | 1993-10-19 | Nicholas Marlowe | Protective vest |
US5267131A (en) | 1992-01-08 | 1993-11-30 | Mag Instrument, Inc. | Shock absorbing lens holder and anti-roll device |
US5165782A (en) | 1992-01-08 | 1992-11-24 | Mag Instrument, Inc. | Shock absorbing lens holder and anti-roll device |
EP0560470A1 (en) | 1992-03-07 | 1993-09-15 | Oxley Developments Company Limited | Personnel identification devices |
US5203624A (en) | 1992-05-07 | 1993-04-20 | G.A. Thompson Company, Inc. | Hazard warning device |
US5996115A (en) | 1992-08-24 | 1999-12-07 | Ara, Inc. | Flexible body armor |
USD352165S (en) | 1992-12-11 | 1994-11-08 | Covertson Mason L | Combined vest and back pack |
WO1994014347A1 (en) * | 1992-12-21 | 1994-07-07 | West Joseph H | A protective garment |
CA2087702A1 (en) * | 1993-01-20 | 1994-07-21 | Leonard W. Clement | Extensible shin guard |
US5436814A (en) | 1993-05-11 | 1995-07-25 | Brite-Glow Industries, Inc. | Rare gas illuminated safety flare |
US5438494A (en) | 1993-09-29 | 1995-08-01 | Harlan; Benjamin L. | Light holder for head gear |
US5469346A (en) | 1993-10-26 | 1995-11-21 | Paul R. Haut | Time settable flashing light |
DK129393D0 (en) * | 1993-11-16 | 1993-11-16 | Qvanti Aps | A PROTECTIVE APPLIANCE |
US5430967A (en) | 1993-12-16 | 1995-07-11 | Insight Technology, Inc. | Aiming assistance device for a weapon |
US5598958A (en) | 1994-09-12 | 1997-02-04 | Ryan, Iii; Willis N. | Competition holsters |
US5633623A (en) | 1995-02-21 | 1997-05-27 | Campman; James P. | Personal indicator with light emission multiplying microprism array |
US5644792A (en) * | 1995-02-23 | 1997-07-08 | Kata Professional L.T.D. | Load-bearing, personally worn system for security and combat units |
US5564610A (en) | 1995-02-23 | 1996-10-15 | Barron; Rick W. | Rifle sling support apparatus |
US5639005A (en) | 1995-04-20 | 1997-06-17 | Patagonia, Inc. | Modular backpack and utility vest |
US5620120A (en) | 1995-05-31 | 1997-04-15 | Tien; Tse-Hsiung | Fixing apparatus for a portable telephone |
US5622297A (en) | 1995-07-28 | 1997-04-22 | Safariland Ltd., Inc. | Adjustable handgun holster |
US5671561A (en) | 1995-11-14 | 1997-09-30 | Emerging Technologies, Inc. | Modular, combination laser and electronic aiming system |
US5623729A (en) * | 1996-01-30 | 1997-04-29 | Chen; Mike C. | Chest protector |
FI101125B (en) | 1996-03-28 | 1998-04-30 | Markku Lehtinen | Mounting system for portable device |
US6012827A (en) | 1996-08-26 | 2000-01-11 | Surgical Acuity, Inc. | Mounting apparatus for head- and body- borne optics and illumination devices |
US5716121A (en) | 1996-11-04 | 1998-02-10 | Black & Decker Inc. | Convertible flexible and rigid flashlight |
US5771489A (en) | 1996-11-12 | 1998-06-30 | Titan Corporation | Penetration-resistant hinge and flexible armor incorporating same |
US5735594A (en) | 1996-12-30 | 1998-04-07 | Own; James | Flashlight |
US5810221A (en) | 1997-01-21 | 1998-09-22 | Bianchi International | Handgun holster having a trigger guard retainer latch |
US5697695A (en) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-12-16 | Lin; Adam | Signal stick |
WO1998044814A2 (en) | 1997-04-10 | 1998-10-15 | Nicholas Barker | Anti-crush worker-safety hard jacket |
US6213623B1 (en) | 1997-05-15 | 2001-04-10 | James P Campman | Glow and flash baton |
US5865524A (en) | 1997-05-15 | 1999-02-02 | Campman; James P. | Hand held light wand for visual signaling |
US6112448A (en) | 1997-06-30 | 2000-09-05 | Gray; Robert | Firearm forearm sling and method of use of same |
KR200162310Y1 (en) | 1997-09-20 | 1999-12-15 | 김동주 | The structure of holder for wireless phone |
US5839630A (en) | 1997-10-20 | 1998-11-24 | Dunstan; Jacqueline M. | Baton holder |
US6046572A (en) | 1997-12-05 | 2000-04-04 | Laser Products Ltd. | Battery operated appliance, flashlight and switching systems |
US6185854B1 (en) | 1998-07-02 | 2001-02-13 | Insight Technology, Incorporated | Auxiliary device for a weapon and attachment thereof |
US6069557A (en) | 1998-07-20 | 2000-05-30 | Anglin, Jr.; Richard L. | Automatic long-life infrared emitter & locator system |
US6067013A (en) | 1998-08-11 | 2000-05-23 | Pejic; Nenad | Method and device for indicating a referee signal |
US6190025B1 (en) | 1998-09-14 | 2001-02-20 | Insight Technology, Inc. | Multi-mode illumination device with security block |
US6148447A (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2000-11-21 | Bain; Dylan M. | Reinforced protective suit for operators of snowmobiles, motorcycles, and the like |
US6371625B2 (en) | 1998-11-23 | 2002-04-16 | James P. Campman | All solid-state omni directional luminary and flashlight |
US6190018B1 (en) | 1999-01-06 | 2001-02-20 | Armament Systems And Procedures, Inc. | Miniature LED flashlight |
US7574824B2 (en) | 2006-01-06 | 2009-08-18 | Larry Holmberg | Device mount for a firearm |
US6478441B2 (en) | 1999-03-25 | 2002-11-12 | Sky City International Limited | Hand held light apparatus |
US6722771B1 (en) | 1999-05-18 | 2004-04-20 | Eugene Stephens | Hand held traffic control light |
US6158874A (en) | 1999-05-19 | 2000-12-12 | Brustein; Samuel | Multiple beam flashlight |
US6161741A (en) | 1999-06-14 | 2000-12-19 | Michaels Of Oregon Co. | Holster securement system |
TW453437U (en) | 1999-06-25 | 2001-09-01 | Wu Bo Kuen | Bulletproof vest |
USD452047S1 (en) | 1999-09-14 | 2001-12-11 | Safari Land Ltd., Inc. | Ballistic vest |
US6393752B1 (en) | 1999-10-04 | 2002-05-28 | Keith P. Oliver | Mounting device of pistol laser site |
US6742913B2 (en) | 2001-01-09 | 2004-06-01 | Daniel J. Deutsch | Motion activated decorative light |
DE20100980U1 (en) | 2001-01-19 | 2001-03-29 | Chang, Chi Hsiung, Taiping, Taichung | Tool carrying device |
US6499245B1 (en) | 2001-03-09 | 2002-12-31 | Richard E. Swan | Modular sleeve yoke |
US6526688B1 (en) | 2001-08-13 | 2003-03-04 | Lewis Danielson | Apparatus and method for actuating a weapon accessory by a laser sighting beam |
JP3831674B2 (en) | 2001-08-15 | 2006-10-11 | 株式会社シマノ | Clothes with buoyancy material and vest with buoyancy material |
US7218241B2 (en) | 2001-08-29 | 2007-05-15 | David Roy Kessel | Device for identifying a person or an object |
US6766565B2 (en) | 2001-09-26 | 2004-07-27 | Lineweight Llc | Self-opening vent and pocket system |
US6612712B2 (en) | 2001-11-12 | 2003-09-02 | James Nepil | Lighting system and device |
US6578745B1 (en) | 2001-11-28 | 2003-06-17 | Taylor Cutlery, Llc | Removable belt clip |
US6979104B2 (en) | 2001-12-31 | 2005-12-27 | R.J. Doran & Co. LTD | LED inspection lamp |
US20030141329A1 (en) | 2002-01-30 | 2003-07-31 | Daniel Huang | Removable belt clip system |
JP3553554B2 (en) | 2002-03-05 | 2004-08-11 | ローム株式会社 | Switch matrix circuit, logical operation circuit and switch circuit |
US6793366B2 (en) | 2002-03-22 | 2004-09-21 | James K. Chun | Watertight, low power L.E.D. flashlight |
US6726350B1 (en) | 2002-05-29 | 2004-04-27 | Michael A. Herold | Simulated neon-light tube |
US20040000083A1 (en) | 2002-07-01 | 2004-01-01 | Grant James Emmett | Multiple rail adapter |
IL151953A (en) | 2002-09-26 | 2007-06-03 | T D I Arms Systems Ltd | Accessory mount for a firearm |
US20040069821A1 (en) | 2002-10-10 | 2004-04-15 | Masatoshi Kobayashi | Rotating detachable belt clip |
US6955279B1 (en) | 2002-12-04 | 2005-10-18 | Garmin Ltd. | Carrying assembly and method for securement of electronic devices |
ATE410086T1 (en) | 2002-12-19 | 2008-10-15 | Kerr Andrew Robert England | PROTECTIVE CLOTHING |
US6817727B1 (en) | 2002-12-31 | 2004-11-16 | Mcfadden Gary W. | Device for aiding detection of submerged body |
US6616294B1 (en) | 2003-01-07 | 2003-09-09 | David Vincent Henry | Hard hat mounted flashlight holder |
DE10303002B4 (en) | 2003-01-27 | 2005-03-10 | Sat Swiss Arms Technology Ag | Device for mounting a riflescope to a weapon |
US6786615B2 (en) | 2003-01-27 | 2004-09-07 | Robert R. Hendricks | Weighted flashlight |
US7021790B2 (en) | 2003-07-22 | 2006-04-04 | Armament Systems & Procedures, Inc. | Miniature LED flashlight with snap-on carrier |
US20090190332A1 (en) | 2003-11-07 | 2009-07-30 | Sharrah Raymond L | Flashlight having back light elements |
US7293893B2 (en) | 2003-12-09 | 2007-11-13 | Surefire Llc | Flashlight with adjustable color selector switch |
US7534006B2 (en) | 2004-02-10 | 2009-05-19 | Vinod Kumar Goswami | Disposable flashlight |
US6979099B2 (en) | 2004-02-12 | 2005-12-27 | Brookstone Purchasing, Inc. | Portable lighting device with multi-activation switch |
US7287873B2 (en) | 2004-03-29 | 2007-10-30 | Galli Robert D | Hermetically sealed flashlight assembly |
US7290688B2 (en) | 2005-04-20 | 2007-11-06 | Dov Pikielny | Tactical gear receptacle with accessories mounting rail |
US20060026888A1 (en) | 2004-07-15 | 2006-02-09 | Cheng Chung T | Firearm accessory mounting apparatus |
US7290896B2 (en) | 2004-08-03 | 2007-11-06 | Fiskars Brands, Inc. | Blood tracking system |
US7434955B2 (en) | 2004-10-13 | 2008-10-14 | Premierlight Limited | Flashlight system |
US7195370B2 (en) | 2004-10-20 | 2007-03-27 | Riblett Edward L | Rechargeable triangular light emitting wand |
US7736013B2 (en) | 2004-10-29 | 2010-06-15 | R/M Equipment, Inc. | Interface apparatus for mounting a portable illumination tool & related illumination assembly |
US7156536B1 (en) | 2005-02-11 | 2007-01-02 | Mccorkle Christopher | Flashlight holder for a helmet |
US20060198132A1 (en) | 2005-03-07 | 2006-09-07 | Phil Trigiani | Portable work light |
US7267453B2 (en) | 2005-04-07 | 2007-09-11 | Hung-Shen Chang | Multifunctional stick assembly |
US7226183B2 (en) | 2005-06-28 | 2007-06-05 | Robert D. Galli | Flashlight having mating formations for integration with a rail mounting system |
US7444776B2 (en) | 2005-08-10 | 2008-11-04 | Steve Adams | Vertical lift mount apparatus for firearm accessories |
US7712148B2 (en) | 2005-10-07 | 2010-05-11 | Safariland, Llc | Articulated body armor/duty gear support vest |
US7731385B2 (en) | 2005-10-18 | 2010-06-08 | Eveready Battery Company, Inc. | Multi-mode flashlight |
TWI266033B (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2006-11-11 | Quarton Inc | Gun system and accessory thereof |
US7421818B2 (en) | 2006-02-04 | 2008-09-09 | Lasermax, Inc. | Firearm mount with embedded laser sight |
US7694450B2 (en) | 2006-02-08 | 2010-04-13 | Da Keng | Removable optical sight mount adapted for use with M14, M1A and similar rifles and method for removably attaching an optical sight to a rifle |
US7682037B1 (en) | 2006-02-24 | 2010-03-23 | Primos, Inc. | Apparatus and method for illuminating blood |
US7395627B2 (en) | 2006-03-29 | 2008-07-08 | Surefire, Llc | Accessory mount for a firearm |
US7827724B1 (en) | 2006-05-08 | 2010-11-09 | Michael Angelo Spinelli | No-drill rear sight scope mount base |
US7562484B2 (en) | 2006-05-16 | 2009-07-21 | Surefire, Llc | Clamp mount |
US20090282595A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2009-11-19 | The Board Of Regents For Oklahoma State University | Antiballistic Garment |
US7424748B1 (en) | 2006-06-06 | 2008-09-16 | Eagle Industries Unlimited, Inc. | Quick release system for armor plates in a ballistic resistant vest and method |
US7814567B2 (en) | 2006-06-09 | 2010-10-19 | First Choice Armor & Equipment, Inc. | Protective garment having a quick release system |
CA2664096C (en) | 2006-09-21 | 2013-05-21 | First-Light Usa, Llc. | Flashlight system and method of using same |
US8714423B1 (en) | 2006-11-16 | 2014-05-06 | Alliant Techsystems Inc. | Retention holster for a firearm having an offset mounted accessory |
GB2453161A (en) | 2007-09-28 | 2009-04-01 | Nicolas Sean Joseph | Armoured Garment |
US7836625B2 (en) | 2007-10-05 | 2010-11-23 | S&S Precision, Llc | Low profile mount and foregrip for firearm |
US20090122527A1 (en) | 2007-11-08 | 2009-05-14 | Emissive Energy Corporation | Rail mounted multi-function flashlight |
US7896518B2 (en) | 2008-01-22 | 2011-03-01 | Powertech, Inc. | Multimode flashlight having light emitting diodes |
US8650794B2 (en) | 2008-04-18 | 2014-02-18 | S&S Precision, Llc | Firearm fastener |
US8166694B2 (en) | 2008-04-18 | 2012-05-01 | S&S Precision, Llc | Firearm securing device and method |
USD641960S1 (en) | 2008-06-06 | 2011-07-26 | Matthew Paul Goff | Vest |
US8485686B2 (en) | 2008-11-21 | 2013-07-16 | S & S Precision, Llc | Multi-spectrum lighting device with plurality of switches and tactile feedback |
US8444291B2 (en) | 2008-11-21 | 2013-05-21 | S&S Precision, Llc | LED illuminating device for use during tactical operations, and method |
US20100229450A1 (en) | 2009-01-12 | 2010-09-16 | Novatac, Inc. | Quick release weapon mount and accessories for use therewith |
USD622036S1 (en) | 2009-01-13 | 2010-08-24 | R.E. Mason Enterprises | Vest |
US8225544B2 (en) | 2009-02-05 | 2012-07-24 | Rubik Darian | Mounting rail |
US20110131694A1 (en) | 2009-12-07 | 2011-06-09 | Fearon William G | Ballistic shield support undergarments |
US20110231985A1 (en) | 2010-01-12 | 2011-09-29 | Bishop Lyman J | Body Armor Protection System |
WO2011103519A1 (en) | 2010-02-19 | 2011-08-25 | Kdh Defense Systems, Inc. | Plate carrier |
USD640417S1 (en) | 2010-05-12 | 2011-06-21 | Haynes Larry | Utility vest |
DE102010029041A1 (en) * | 2010-05-17 | 2011-11-17 | Hexonia Gmbh | carrier system |
DE102010029035B4 (en) * | 2010-05-17 | 2019-10-31 | Hexonia Gmbh | Carrier system with a front and back part and means for attachment to a human upper body |
USD652573S1 (en) | 2010-06-09 | 2012-01-17 | Dilgilio Rodriguez | Security vest |
US8727556B2 (en) | 2010-09-02 | 2014-05-20 | S & S Precision, Llc | Integrated illumination device mount |
USD666363S1 (en) | 2011-02-24 | 2012-08-28 | American Ceramic Technology | Protective vest |
USD648489S1 (en) | 2011-04-08 | 2011-11-08 | Sandra Renee Stockard | Protective vest with chest rest |
USD677433S1 (en) | 2012-03-27 | 2013-03-05 | S & S Precision, Llc | Plate carrier vest |
US20150082524A1 (en) * | 2013-09-26 | 2015-03-26 | David Ben David | Personal armor and backpack system |
US9003947B1 (en) * | 2013-11-20 | 2015-04-14 | National Molding, Llc | Holder for body mounted armor |
-
2012
- 2012-04-02 US US13/506,182 patent/US9777997B2/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-10-02 US US15/722,268 patent/US20180045489A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2022
- 2022-10-04 US US17/960,100 patent/US20230221098A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20180045489A1 (en) | 2018-02-15 |
US20130084764A1 (en) | 2013-04-04 |
US9777997B2 (en) | 2017-10-03 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20230221098A1 (en) | Plate carrier apparatus and method | |
US8011545B2 (en) | Carrier system | |
US11041696B2 (en) | Load bearing harness | |
US7020897B2 (en) | Cut away vest | |
US8991671B2 (en) | Load carrier device | |
US9993039B2 (en) | Garment with plate carrying system | |
US8490212B1 (en) | Quick release garment | |
US8572762B2 (en) | Weight distribution and support device and system for armor vests | |
US7987523B2 (en) | Quick release garment | |
US9820514B2 (en) | Garment with carrying system | |
EP2955473B1 (en) | Protective garment with an inflatable floatation bladder | |
ES2757838T3 (en) | Container holder with bras | |
CA2849440C (en) | Body armor support harness | |
US20110231976A1 (en) | Weight Distribution and Support Device and System for an Armor Vest | |
US20110179553A1 (en) | Support Belt For Use With Body Armor | |
US20180279745A1 (en) | Rigging Bag | |
US20160022017A1 (en) | Improved personal carrier | |
WO2006039846A1 (en) | Multifunction harness |