EP3321626A1 - Protective vest, in particular bulletproof vest or armour carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

Protection vest comprising at least one front face (1), one rear face (2) and two sidewalls (6, 7) each extending between the front face and the rear face, respectively left and right, characterized in that at least one flank (6, 7), preferably each flank (6, 7), is removably secured to the rear face (2), and to the front face (1) by removable fastening means, detachable fixing means being arranged so that the or each side can take several positions relative to the rear face and the front face.

Description

The present invention relates to a protective vest, including a plate holder or bulletproof vest.

A protective vest is intended to be worn by a user, for example a member of the police, a military or the like, to protect against blows, such as kicking, fist or the like, or impacts projectiles, such as bullets or the like, and / or against knives from knife blades or the like.

Conventionally, a protective vest comprises a front face intended, when the vest is worn, to be at the front of the wearer, a rear face intended to be in the back of the wearer, the two front and rear faces being connected by two lateral flanks, respectively left and right, and two shoulder parts, respectively left and right, a hole for the head being thus formed between the two left and right shoulder parts and the upper edges of the two front and rear faces , and two holes being formed between each side and a respective shoulder to allow the passage of the arms of the user.

It is known that the front face is removable / detachable from the rest of the vest, for example by means of buckle type fasteners, consisting of a male end and a female end, each male / female end being fixed to the front face and penetrating into a female end, fixed to the remainder of the vest, at least one of the two male and female ends being attached to its respective element by via a strap whose user can adjust the length to adapt the vest to its size and / or its build.

These protective vests, in particular the plate carriers of the prior art, have the disadvantage that the effectiveness of the vest vis-à-vis the impacts or blows varies depending on the corpulence of the person wearing the vest, and in particular this efficiency decreases as the corpulence of the user is more and more removed from the corpulence corresponding to the so-called normal size of use of the vest. In particular, when the user has a corpulence that is too different from this so-called normal size for a given plate holder, the plates inserted in the plate holder are poorly positioned with respect to their position allowing the best protection for the wearer. As a result, although these vests of the prior art can be adapted to different body sizes of the user, the loss of protective efficacy, when the vest is adapted to a corpulence too far from the average or normal corpulence of use , fact that the purchase department of an army, a police or the like must still store different sizes of vest, resulting in high storage costs. In addition, adjusting the size and / or the build of the vest through the straps is not simple.

Of CA 2 160 319 , a protective vest is known having a front face and a rear face interconnected by removable fastening means in the form of tabs. The respective edges of the front and rear faces, in the fixing position, come substantially opposite one another to provide protection lateral which is however not complete all round the size of the wearer. In addition, this vest is not easily adaptable to the corpulence of the wearer.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a protective vest, including a plate holder, which is easy to put on, and in particular which allows easy adjustment of the size of the vest, including less the front is removable, and which can be used by at least two people of very different body sizes from one another, without one of the two people can not do otherwise than wear the vest of a a way which is not perfectly adapted to it, especially in an asymmetrical manner.

According to the invention, a protective vest is as defined in claim 1, improvements being defined in the subclaims.

By thus providing to be able to position at least one flank in different positions relative to the back of the vest, it improves the effectiveness of the vest to protect the wearer against impacts or blows, and in particular we obtain that this effectiveness is independent of the corpulence of the person wearing the vest and in particular is optimal for any build. Thanks to this modularity, it can be ensured that the top of the curvature of the flank or of each side is substantially midway between the front and rear faces when the vest is worn. Thus, several people of different build can use the same vest each having the ability to make the adjustment above for its own use. The vest being better balanced, its resistance to blows or impacts is improved. The result is that a service purchase of an army, a police or the like needs a smaller stock sizes vest to meet all its needs.

Preferably, the rear face comprises a rear flap pivotable between two positions, an extended position in which the removable flank or each removable flank is accessible at its removable attachment with the rear face and a folded position in which the flank or each side is covered and not accessible at its removable attachment with the back.

Preferably, in the folded position, the flap is removably attached to the sidewall or to each side, in particular by means of a hook-and-loop self-gripping fastener.

Preferably, the rear face comprises a plurality of marks, in particular in the form of vertical lines, at a regular distance from each other in the horizontal direction, in particular marked by marks, the positioning of a given point of the or each flank removable, in particular from the lateral end point of the side of the rear face, for example of the vertical rear lateral edge, facing a given reference corresponding to a given waist or body size of the vest.

In particular, the front face, the rear face and the sidewall or sides, when fixed to each other by the removable fastening means make the complete tour of the size of the wearer, in particular on a height at least equal to that flanks.

In particular, the removable attachment of the sidewall or each sidewall to the front is effected by a lateral loop or a respective lateral loop consisting of two side end caps, one male or female, fixed to the front face and the other, female or male, attached to the respective flank or sidewall.

In particular, the attachment of the respective female or male lateral end piece or end piece to the respective sidewall or flank is made by means of a lateral strap or a respective lateral strap fastened to the sidewall or to the sidewall. respective sidewall at a rear end and having the respective side end or end piece at a front end.

Preferably, the attachment of the side strap or the respective side strap to the respective blank or sidewall is removable, in particular by means of a self-gripping fastening hooks and loops.

Preferably, the sidewall or each sidewall has a respective lateral flap or side flap that can pivot between two positions, an extended position in which the lateral strap or the respective lateral strap is accessible at the level of the removable attachment with the flank or sidewall. respective and a folded position in which the respective side strap or side strap is covered and not accessible directly from the outside (in particular is not visible from the outside) at its removable attachment to the respective sidewall or flank.

Preferably, in the folded position, the respective side flap or side flap is removably attached to the side strap or the side strap. respective, in particular by means of a hook-and-loop self-gripping fastener.

Preferably, the sidewall or each sidewall comprises a plurality of markers, in particular in the form of vertical lines at a regular distance from each other, the positioning of a given point of the lateral strap or the respective lateral strap, in particular from the point lateral end of the side of the rear face, for example of the vertical rear lateral edge, facing a given reference corresponding to a given size or build of the vest.

In a preferred embodiment, two strip-shaped shoulder members extend from the upper edge of the back face, and the front face is removably attached to a shoulder member or each member of the shoulder. shoulder.

In particular, the removable attachment of the shoulder element or each shoulder element to the front is effected by a shoulder loop or a respective shoulder loop consisting of two shoulder pieces, the one, male or female, attached to the front face and the other, female or male, attached to the shoulder element or to the respective shoulder element.

In particular, the attachment of the shoulder tip or each female or male shoulder tip, to the shoulder element or to the respective shoulder element is achieved by means of a shoulder strap. shoulder or respective shoulder strap attached to the shoulder member or respective shoulder member at a rear end and having the respective shoulder tip or shoulder tip at a front end.

Preferably, the attachment of the shoulder strap or the shoulder strap respectively to the shoulder element or to the respective shoulder element is removable, in particular by means of a hook and loop fastener. with hooks and loops.

Preferably, the shoulder member or each shoulder member comprises a shoulder flap or a respective shoulder flap pivotable between two positions, an extended position in which the shoulder strap or the shoulder strap respective is accessible at the level of the removable attachment with the shoulder element or the respective shoulder element and a folded position in which the shoulder strap or the respective shoulder strap is covered and not accessible at the level of its removable attachment to the shoulder element or the respective shoulder element.

Preferably, the shoulder element or each shoulder element comprises a plurality of markers, in particular in the form of parallel lines at a regular distance from each other, in particular numbered, the positioning of a given point of the shoulder strap. shoulder or the respective shoulder strap, in particular from the lateral end point of the side of the rear face, for example from a rear lateral edge, facing a given mark corresponding to a given waist or body size of the vest .

According to a preferred embodiment, the front face comprises four male or female loop ends, two intended to cooperate with two female or male loop ends from the two left and right flanks and two intended to cooperate with two female or male ends from two shoulder elements extending from the rear face.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the protective vest is a plate holder, at least one respective plate being received in the front face and / or the rear face, and preferably also in each of the sidewalls.

In the case of such a plate holder, it is ensured that regardless of the size set by the user, the plates, in particular the lateral plates are well positioned in the vest for optimum protection.

This results in a lesser need to have available a stock of plates of different sizes to fit each individual wearing the vest, thus further reducing the cost of storage and / or use of the plate holders for service purchase of an army, police or the like.

According to a second aspect of the invention, which can advantageously be used in combination with the first aspect, while being, independently of the first aspect, an invention in itself, a bulletproof vest comprising at least one face detachable from the remainder of the vest by means of an actuating handle of the rapid detachment of the front face, is characterized in that the handle is arranged and arranged on the front face so that when the handle is actuated performs a movement in a substantially horizontal direction, in particular perpendicular to the front face.

By providing such an arrangement for the movement of the handle, one obtains a more natural tearing movement for the person performing the detachment and which corresponds better to the desired action.

In fact, to make the handle move horizontally, the wearer grasps the handle with one of his hands, bending the arm and extending it in front of him. This movement of extension of the arm, more natural for a tear, allows him to impart to the handle a great force that quickly triggers the detachment. In addition, the movement of the hand and / or arm is not hindered by the possible presence of object attached to the front under the handle. At the same time, the actuation of the handle by a person facing the wearer of the vest is easier than in the prior art, the movement that he must perform to do this (pulling or lateral) being more intuitive , that is to say particularly easier to understand for a user not knowing in advance how the vest works, the movement he had to perform in the devices of the prior art (pushed down) .

Preferably, the front face is connected to the remainder of the vest by one or removable fasteners, the fastener or each fastener being connected to the handle by one or more cables.

In particular, the vest has several, including four, male or female ends from the front which cooperate with several, including four, female end or male corresponding to the rest of the vest, the male or female ends being disposed substantially at the corners of the front and each being connected to the handle by cables that extend inside the front The system consists of cables.

Preferably, the cables from each male or female end meet at a junction point, itself connected by a cable to the handle.

According to a preferred embodiment, the handle consists of an annular band flattened so as to have two parallel longitudinal sub-strips, respectively inner and outer, joining at their end and separated by a gap in which the user inserts the fingers to grip the handle and operate it.

In particular, the two longitudinal sub-bands respectively inner and outer extend horizontally and parallel to the front face, being pressed against it.
they are so little visible of a person facing the wearer of the vest.

Preferably, the inner face of the inner strip comprises means for removably attaching the strip to the front face, for example by a system with hooks and loops.

Preferably, the outer strip is removably attached by its inner face to the outer face of the inner strip, for example by a system with hooks and loops respectively disposed on the facing faces.

Preferably, the two parallel horizontal bands forming the handle are substantially at the upper edge of the front face, so that in the starting position of the pulling movement of the handle, the arm is in the folded position allowing the maximum action of the biceps, triceps and / or shoulders during the tearing action of the handle.

Preferably, the arrangement is such that the movement of the handle to the left energizes and pulls only the cables connected to the right attachments while the movement of the handle to the right only turns on and pulls the left attachments, so that a pull of the handle to the left causes only detachment of the right attachments and vice versa.

la figure 1

est une vue en perspective d'un mode de réalisation d'un gilet pare-balles ou porte-plaques suivant l'invention, à l'état tel que porté ;

la figure 2

est une vue de derrière de la face arrière du porte-plaques de la figure 1, la face arrière étant détachée de la face avant et des deux flancs gauche et droit ;

la figure 3

est une vue de derrière d'une partie du porte-plaques constituée de la face arrière de la figure 2 et des deux flancs gauche et droit fixés à la face arrière ;

la figure 4

est une vue sensiblement identique à la figure 2, dans laquelle cependant un volet d'épaule droite est à l'état déployé, tandis que ce volet est à l'état rabattu à la figure 2, état rabattu dans lequel il immobilise la sangle dans une position réglée choisie par l'utilisateur ;

la figure 5

est une vue de côté gauche du porte-plaques de la figure 1, dans laquelle, comme à la figure 1, les différents éléments sont fixés les uns aux autres, mais dans lequel cependant un volet gauche du flanc gauche est déployé, tandis qu'à la figure 1, ce volet est rabattu ;

la figure 6

est une vue de côté gauche du porte-plaques des figures précédentes, dans laquelle le volet gauche est déployé ;

les figures

7A, 7B et 7C représentent le porte-plaques porté par l'utilisateur, ce dernier ayant agrippé la poignée, dans des positions successives lors du détachement de la face avant du reste du gilet;

la figure 8

représente le porte-plaques porté par l'utilisateur, ce dernier, à partir de la position de la figure 7A, ayant effectué un mouvement du bras, de sorte que la main ayant agrippé la poignée se déplace à l'horizontale, non plus face à l'utilisateur en s'éloignant de la face avant perpendiculairement à celle-ci comme aux figures 7B et 7C, mais horizontalement parallèlement à la face avant vers sa droite, en vue de détacher uniquement les boucles gauches de la face avant et donc de détacher la face avant uniquement partiellement du reste du porte-plaques, c'est à dire uniquement son côté gauche ; et

la figure 9

représente le système constitué de câbles, de boucles et d'une poignée insérée dans la face avant du porte-plaques et permettant le détachement rapide de celle-ci.

By way of example, an embodiment of a bulletproof vest according to the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1

is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bulletproof vest or plate-holder according to the invention, in the state as worn;

Figure 2

is a back view of the back side of the plate holder of the figure 1 , the rear face being detached from the front face and the two left and right flanks;

Figure 3

is a rear view of a part of the plate holder made of the back side of the figure 2 and two left and right flanks attached to the rear face;

Figure 4

is a view substantially identical to the figure 2 , in which however a right shoulder flap is in the deployed state, while this flap is in the folded state at the figure 2 , folded state in which it immobilizes the strap in a set position chosen by the user;

Figure 5

is a left-side view of the plate holder of the figure 1 , in which, as in the figure 1 , the different elements are fixed to each other, but in which however a left flap of the left flank is deployed, while at the figure 1 this shutter is folded down;

Figure 6

is a left-side view of the plate carrier of the preceding figures, in which the left pane is deployed;

the figures

7A, 7B and 7C represent the plate holder carried by the user, the latter having gripped the handle, in successive positions during detachment of the front face of the remainder of the vest;

Figure 8

represents the plate holder carried by the user, the latter, from the position of the Figure 7A , having made a movement of the arm, so that the hand having gripped the handle moves horizontally, no longer facing the user away from the front face perpendicular to it as to the Figures 7B and 7C but horizontally parallel to the front face to its right, in order to detach only the left loops of the front face and thus to detach the front only partially from the rest of the plate holder, ie only its left side; and

Figure 9

represents the system consisting of cables, loops and a handle inserted in the front face of the plate holder and allowing the rapid detachment thereof.

To the figure 1 we see a vest in a perspective view in the state as it is used, but without the user.

The vest comprises a component forming the front face 1 consisting of a substantially rectangular plate intended to be in contact with the torso of the wearer of the vest and which comprises reinforcing means for protection against the impact of bullets or stab wounds or similar, for example in the form of plates 90 inserted in housings formed in the element, for example in the form of ceramic plates or other highly resistant materials inserted into pockets formed in the element 1.

The vest comprises a back or rear-facing element 2 consisting of a substantially rectangular plate intended to be in contact with the back of the wearer of the vest and which comprises reinforcing means for protection against the impacts of bales or strikes. knife or the like, for example in the form of plates inserted in housings formed in the element, for example in the form of ceramic plates or other highly resistant materials inserted into pockets formed in the element 2.

From this element forming the rear face 2 extend two band-shaped shoulder members, respectively left 4 and right 5, making the connection from above between the upper edge of the rear face 2 and that of the front face 1 and which are in contact by their respective lower surfaces with the shoulders of the user to form between them and in cooperation with the upper edge of the front face 1 and the upper edge of the rear face 2 a hole large enough for the passage of the wearer's head, but not large enough to allow the passage of the rest of the body.

The plate carrier further comprises two lateral flanks, respectively left 6 and right 7, which provide the junction between the lower portions respectively of the front 1 and rear 2 faces to protect the wearer on its sidewalls. These flanks 6, 7 may, like the elements forming the front and rear face, comprise reinforcing means for protection against the impact of bullets or stabbings or the like, for example in the form of plates inserted in housings formed in item.

The flanks 6 and 7 have a height or vertical dimension (considered when the wearer wears the vest while standing upright, particularly as shown in FIG. figure 1 ) less than that of the front 1 and rear 2 faces to allow to form a sufficient passage for the arms of the user between the shoulder strips and the upper edges of the sidewalls.

To the figures 2 and 4 , there is shown a rear portion of the vest, consisting of the rear face 2 and the two shoulder strips 4 left and 5 right from the rear face. The outer surface of the rear face 2 comprises two regions, respectively lower 9 and upper 10, each of substantially rectangular shape, the lower region having a height dimension substantially equal to those of the left and right flanks 6 and 7.

In the lower region, stitching, bonding, welding or the like has been affixed to a looped fabric (for example a loop woven or velvet) which thus forms a rectangular field of loops intended to cooperate with each other. with hooks hook-and-loop hook and loop closure well known in the field.

A flap element 11, of dimensions substantially identical to those of the field 12 of loops, extends from the boundary line 13 between the two lower 9 and upper regions 10 of the outer surface of the rear face. On one of its two opposite faces, the flap 11 comprises a rectangular field of hooks intended to cooperate with the loops of the field 12 when the flap is applied, by its face 15 with hooks, against the loop field 12.

The shutter is fixed, for example by sewing along one of its horizontal edges, so as to be pivotable, with respect to an axis corresponding to the delimiting line 13, between at least one deployed position (shown in FIGS. figures 2 and 4 ) in which the hook land is at a distance from the loop field 12, in particular, as shown in FIGS. figures 2 and 4 wherein the flap extends vertically away from the lower region 9 relative to the line 13, and a folded position, in which the hook face of the flap is in contact with the loop field 12 of the region 9 below, so that the hooks of the hooked face 15 mesh with the loops of the field 12 loops and performs a fastening hook-and-loop closure of the flap on the back side, the flap in this folded position extending vertically below the line 13. The field of hooks may be made for example by a hook ply of thermoplastic material affixed to one of the faces of the flap, in particular by gluing, rolling, welding, sewing or the like.

On the other hand, the lower region 9 comprises a zone 16 in the form of a strip having parallel lines at a distance from each other marked by marks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 to the left and to the right, of which the utility will be described below. These features are preferably vertical. The lines and markings can be made directly from the fabric 12 to loops or be constituted by a strip without buckle attached to the loop fabric or leaving when laying the loop fabric 12 on the region 9 a window without loop of the desired shape for the zone 16. In addition, the zone 16 is within the field 12 of loops, but this is not a requirement and could be provided to form it outside the field 12 , above or below it. Similarly, in the figures, the zone 16 is in the upper part of the field 12 and / or the lower region 9, but could also be positioned in the lower part or in the middle without departing from the scope of the invention. Preferably, the zone 16 in the form of a strip is arranged symmetrically with respect to the left and right vertical edges of the rear face.

To the figure 6 , it is represented the flank 7 right. The left flank 6 is identical in shape to the right flank 7, however being the image as in a mirror of the right flank. The right sidewall 7 consists of a base plate of substantially rectangular shape whose outer surface (that is to say intended to be on the opposite side to the carrier in the worn state) defines three zones 21, 22 and 23 successive rectangulars, namely a left end zone 21, a central zone 22 and a right end zone 23. A covering flap 24 is pivotally mounted relative to the upper edge 27 of the plate 20, at the central zone 22, so that by pivoting the flap can move from an extended position (as in the figure 6 ) in which the flap is spaced from the plate 20, in particular is vertically above the central zone 22 of the plate 20 to a folded position in which the flap 24 is applied against the zone 22 of the plate 20.

Area 21 is covered with a loops fabric forming a field of loops intended to cooperate with the hooks of the hook face 15 of the flap 11 of the rear face, in the folded state of the flap 11. The central zone 22 is also covered with a loop fabric while the face of the flap 24 intended to be applied on the central zone 22 is covered with a hook ply, the hooks being intended to mesh with the loops of the loop fabric of the zone central for mutual attachment of the flap 24 to the central zone 22.

The end zone 23 is intended to adapt to the front face 1 in the position of use of the vest, either over the front face, or from below. It could also be envisaged not to provide an end zone 23 and to terminate the plate 20 by the central zone 22 in correspondence with the cover 24.

The central zone 22 has a region in the form of a rectangular rule 26 whose direction in length extends parallel to the upper edge 27 of the plate 20 and substantially horizontally, in particular perpendicularly to the edges 30 and 31, respectively left and right of the plate 20. The strip 26 has parallel vertical lines at a regular distance from each other and marked with marks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, from left to right. These traits are parallel to the edges 30 and 31 side of the plate 20. The marks and / or lines can be made directly from the loop fabric of the central zone 22 or be constituted by a strip without buckle attached to the loop fabric or leaving, when laying the loop fabric on the central zone 22, a window without a loop of the desired shape for the zone 26.

On the other hand, the flank 7 comprises an elongate strap 32 terminated at its right end by a female end 33 intended to cooperate with a male end 34 of a removable loop closure from the front face 1. Hooks are derived from the inner face of the elongated strap 32 to cooperate with loops of the loop fabric of the central zone 22 to ensure the adjustable removable attachment of this strap 32 to the plate 20. Thus, the positioning of the strap can be adjusted. 40 edge left side of the strap 32 relative to the lines 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 of the strip 26 to select the position of the tip 33 female, each 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 corresponding to a respective given position of the strap 32, and thus of the endpiece 33, relative to the plate 20.

On the outer face 42 of the strap 32 opposite the central zone 22, it is possible to affix a loop fabric to cooperate with the hooks of the flap 24 when the latter is folded over the central zone 22 to ensure even better fixation. from the strap 32 to the flank 7.

Preferably, the strap 32 extends substantially halfway up the plate 20, below the strip 26.

The inner surface of the end zone 21 is covered with hooks to cooperate with the loops of the field 12 of loops of the rear face 3.

The composition of the left flank 6 (which can be seen at figures 1 , 3 and 5 ) is identical to that described for the flank 7 right and has the same elements as the flank 7, these elements bearing the same reference numerals (however with inversion of the left and right terms). To the figures 1 and 3 , the flank 6 is shown with the flap 24 folded, while at the figure 5 it is represented with the flap 24 deployed.

Plates made of impact-resistant material and / or perforation, in particular ceramic, are received in pocket-shaped housings formed in the front face 1, in the two sides 6 and 7 and in the rear face 2. To the figure 6 , we can see the plate 90 received in a pocket of the flank 7 right. To the figure 6 , the plate is shown in the output state in part of its pocket for illustration. Once the plate fully retracted into the pocket, the latter is closed by covering on the top by the flap 24. The left flank 6 likewise has a plate 90 received in an identical pocket.

Preferably, the position of the plates 90 is determined in correspondence with the marks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 defining the different possible sizes of the vest, so that for a given size, for example the size 1, in which the edges side 30 of the two sides are opposite the mark 1 of the strip 16 of the rear face and the edge 40 of the straps 32 are opposite the mark 1 of the strip 26, the respective plate 90 of each side is perfectly positioned for the holder of the plate holder, that is to say in perfect symmetry between the front face and the rear face.

The rear and front faces comprise pocket-shaped housings receiving plates of the same kind as the plates 90. These front and rear plates are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis of the vest.

The user can position the left and right flanks 6 with respect to the back, in particular by choosing the position of the lateral edges of the right and left end zones 21 with respect to the marks formed on the strip 16 the rear face to adapt the dimensions of the vest to its corpulence, in particular by adjusting the distance between the front face and the rear face, in particular so that the top of the curvature of each sidewall is substantially mid-distance two front and rear faces and side plates 90 symmetrical with respect to the front and rear faces.

Each of the shoulder strips 4 and 5 comprises a respective strap 50 terminated by a female end 51 intended to cooperate with a respective male end piece 52 coming from the front face to ensure the attachment of the respective shoulder band 4, 5 to the front 2 side. Each shoulder band further comprises a rectangular strip 53 forming a strip affixed to the outer face of each band 4 and 5 and having regularly spaced parallel lines marked with marks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. The outer face of the strap 50 further comprises a zone 54 formed of a loop fabric. The strap 50 has a length that can be adjusted. The length of the strap 50 is adjusted by positioning the lower edge 56 of the zone 54 relative to the markings of the strip 53. In addition, a flap 57 is fixed to the shoulder strip so as to be able to pass through. between a deployed position (see band 5 right at figure 4 ) at a folded position (see band 4 at figure 4 or bands 4 and figures 1 , 2 and 3 ). Hooks protrude from the face of the flap 57 intended to come into contact with the loops of the loop fabric of the zone 54 to finalize the immobilization of the strap 50 with respect to the strip 5. Another flap 58 then falls back on the flap 57. The mutual fastening of the two flaps 57, 58 can be effected by means of hooks and loops coming from their respective faces opposite.

• Dans un premier temps, le porteur sélectionne une taille 0, 1, 2, 3 ou 4 ou une taille intermédiaire qu'il a pu déterminer à l'avance lors d'une utilisation préalable du gilet. Il fixe alors les sangles 42 sur chacun des flancs 6 et 7 en positionnant le bord 40 d'extrémité en face de la taille choisie puis il rabat les volets 24 sur les zones centrales 22.

To adapt the vest to its corpulence, the wearer performs the following steps:

• At first, the wearer selects a size 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 or an intermediate size that he could determine in advance during a prior use of the vest. He then fixes the straps 42 on each of the flanks 6 and 7 by positioning the end edge 40 in front of the chosen size and then folds the flaps 24 on the central zones 22.

It then positions the end edges of the two left and right flanks opposite one of the respective marks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the zone 16, preferably on the same reference value, for example both. edges each on the 1 respectively left and right of the strip 16, as shown in FIG. figure 3 . The hooks coming from the inner faces of the end regions 21 cooperate with the loops of the field 12 to achieve a fixing the flanks 6 and 7 on the rear face. It then folds the flap 11 to obtain a rear element consisting of the rear face and the two sides attached to the rear face.

He then positions the straps 50 on the respective shoulder bands also selecting the size that suits him for this part of the vest and flaps the flaps 57 and 58 to finalize the mutual attachment of the strap to the shoulder band.

It then only has to position the rear element thus adjusted (with up to six parameters that it can adjust, one for each strap of the sidewalls, one for each side with respect to the rear face, and one for each strap of the shoulder bands) on the front face by coupling the female elements 33 and 51 to the male elements 34 and 52 corresponding.

Throughout the application, there has been described a hook-and-loop self-gripping fastening for elements comprising a field of loops cooperating with hooks or hooks field. One could of course in each case reverse the position of the hooks and loops, providing for example the flap 11 of a loop field and the lower region 9 of the rear face 3 of hooks. One could also realize a self-gripping closure with hooks in hooks, the field of loops being replaced by a field of hooks which have a shape adapted to mesh with the other hooks to obtain a fastening hooks in hooks also well known in the field.

Likewise, the buckle elements with male and female ends are described by providing the male elements on the front face and the female elements on the rear face, but the opposite can also be expected. It can also provide a mix. In addition, instead of loops, could be provided another mutual attachment system of the front face to the other elements (shoulders and sidewalls), for example a press button system, hooks or any other similar system.

Tabs 60, 61 and 62 are respectively provided on the flaps 11 and 24 and on the plates 20 to help the wearer to handle them, in particular to peel off the hook and loop fasteners.

To the figure 1 , we can see the vest in its final position of use. We also see the front side 1. The latter comprises four male tips 34 and 52 which cooperate with the female ends 33 and 51 of the rear element. These four male tips are arranged substantially at the four corners of the front face and are interconnected by cables which extend inside the front face (but could also extend inside the vest, along of the inner face of the front face).

The system consisting of the cables, the male end pieces and a quick release handle of the joint detachment of the male parts of the corresponding female ends of the loops is shown in FIG. figure 9 .

The cables 80 issuing from each male end join with an actuating handle 70.

The handle 70 is arranged with respect to the front face so that the movement of the arm necessary for its actuation causes the hand gripping the handle to move substantially perpendicular to the plane of the outer surface of the front face, allowing to the carrier to impart to the handle a very high tearing force, facilitating quick release. In addition, the movement of the hand is not hindered by the possible presence of object hung on the front under the handle.

The handle consists of an annular band flattened so as to have two parallel longitudinal subbands joining at their end and separated by a gap in which the user inserts the fingers to grip the handle and actuate. The two outer and inner longitudinal subbands extend horizontally and parallel to the plane of the outer surface of the front face, being pressed against it, so that they are not very visible of a person facing the wearer of the vest. The inner face of the inner band comprises means for removably fastening the strip to the front face, for example by a system with hooks and loops, while the outer strip is removably attached by its inner face to the outer face of the inner strip. the inner band, for example by a loop fabric and associated hooks respectively disposed on the facing faces. However, the strength of this attachment is chosen to be low to allow easy and rapid tearing of the outer band of the inner band. The two parallel horizontal bands forming the handle are substantially at the upper edge of the front face, so that in the starting position of the pulling movement of the handle, the arm is in the folded position allowing maximum action of the biceps during the tearing action of the handle.

Each cable 80 extends between a respective endpiece and the handle. The cable 80 is arranged, in known manner, with respect to an elastic tab of its male end abutting against the socket, so that pulling action of the cable by the handle acts on the elastic tab to release the latter of its abutment cooperation with the socket and thus release the two male and female end of their mutual cooperation and detach the respective fastener.

As represented in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C when the person actuates the handle (the user or a third party, for example, providing assistance) in the direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the front face, this has the effect of powering up and pulling the four cables partly out of the front panel, which results in the detachment of the four fasteners.

On the other hand, as shown in figure 8 , when the person actuates the handle (the user or a third party, for example, providing assistance) in the horizontal direction parallel to the front face to the right, this has the effect of turning on and pulling only the two cables of left and thus to achieve the detachment of the two left fasteners only. Of course, the same action to the left results in the detachment only of the two links on the right.

Claims (15)

Protective vest, comprising at least one front face (1), one rear face (2) and two sidewalls (6, 7) each extending between the front face and the rear face, respectively left and right, characterized in that at least one flank (6, 7), preferably each flank (6, 7), is removably secured to the rear face (2) and to the front face (1) by removable attachment means, the means for removable attachment being arranged so that the or each side can take several positions relative to the rear face and the front face. Vest according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear face (2) comprises a rear flap (11) pivotable between two positions, an extended position in which the removable flank or each removable flank is accessible at its removable attachment with the rear face and a folded position in which the sidewall or each sidewall is covered and not accessible at its removable attachment with the rear face. Vest according to claim 2, characterized in that in the folded position, the flap (11) is removably attached to the sidewall or to each side, in particular by means of a hook-and-loop self-gripping fastener. Vest according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rear face comprises a plurality of marks, in particular in the form of vertical lines, in particular numbered, for example 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, the positioning of a given point of the or each removable flank, in particular the lateral end point of the side of the rear face, for example a vertical rear lateral edge (30), in correspondence with a given reference corresponding to a given size or corpulence of the vest. Vest according to claim 4, characterized in that the removable attachment of the sidewall or each sidewall to the front face is effected by a lateral loop or a respective lateral loop (33, 34) consisting of two lateral endpieces, one ( 34), male or female, fixed to the front face and the other (33), female or male, fixed to the respective flank or sidewall. Vest according to Claim 5, characterized in that the fastening of the respective female or male lateral end piece or end piece to the respective sidewall or flank is effected by means of a lateral strap or strap (32). a respective side strap fastened to the respective sidewall or flank at a rear end and having the respective side or side nozzle (33) at a front end. Vest according to Claim 6, characterized in that the fastening of the lateral strap or the respective side strap to the respective blank or sidewall is removable, in particular by means of a self-gripping fastening hooks and loops. Vest according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the sidewall or sidewall has a lateral flap or a respective lateral flap (24) which can pivot between two positions, an extended position in which the side strap or the strap ( 32) is accessible at the level of the removable attachment with the respective sidewall or flank and a folded position in which the respective side strap or side strap is covered and not accessible at its removable attachment to the respective sidewall or sidewall. . Vest according to Claim 8, characterized in that , in the folded position, the respective lateral flap or side flap is detachably fastened to the respective side strap or side strap, in particular by means of a self-fastening device. -grip hooks and buckles. Vest according to one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the sidewall or sidewall comprises a plurality of markers, in particular in the form of vertical lines, in particular numbered, the positioning of a given point of the lateral strap or of the respective lateral strap, in particular the lateral end point of the side of the rear face, for example a vertical rear lateral edge, in correspondence with a given mark corresponding to a given waist or body size of the vest. Vest according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that two strip-like shoulder members (4, 5) extend from the upper edge of the rear face and the front face is detachably secured. to a shoulder element or to each shoulder element. Vest according to claim 11, characterized in that the removable attachment of the shoulder element or each shoulder element to the front face is effected by a shoulder loop (51, 52) or a shoulder buckle. respective shoulder consisting of two shoulder pieces, one (52), male or female, attached to the front face and the other (51), female or male, attached to the shoulder member or to the respective shoulder element. Vest according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the attachment of the shoulder piece or of each female or male shoulder piece to the shoulder member or to the respective shoulder member is performed via a shoulder strap or a respective shoulder strap (50) attached to the shoulder member or respective shoulder member at a rear end and having the shoulder end shoulder or respective shoulder tip at one end. Vest according to claim 13, characterized in that the attachment of the shoulder strap or the respective shoulder strap to the respective shoulder element or shoulder element is removable, in particular via hook-and-loop fastener. Vest according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the shoulder element or each shoulder element comprises a shoulder flap or a respective shoulder flap (57) pivotable between two positions, a extended position in which the shoulder strap or the respective shoulder strap is accessible at the removable attachment with the shoulder member or the respective shoulder member and a folded position in which the shoulder strap or the respective shoulder strap is covered and not accessible at its removable attachment to the shoulder member or the respective shoulder member.

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