GB2466573A

GB2466573A - Wearable panel

Info

Publication number: GB2466573A
Application number: GB0922451A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Bateman
Original assignee: Solo Int Ltd
Current assignee: Solo Int Ltd
Priority date: 2008-12-23
Filing date: 2009-12-23
Publication date: 2010-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-23
Also published as: GB2466573B; GB2473767B; GB2473766A; HK1149074A1; GB201020800D0; GB201020801D0; HK1149075A1; GB2473766A8; GB2473767A; GB0823386D0; GB0922451D0; GB2473766B

Abstract

A wearable panel 2 for carrying armour-plating comprises means for receiving and releasably retaining an armour plate to enable removal or exchange of the armour plate. The receiving means comprises a cavity (figure 4a) that is suitable for receiving soft armour plating and a pocket 30 that is suitable for receiving hard armour plating. The pocket comprises first and second internal sides. The panel comprises retaining means for retaining the hard armour plating in a fixed position relative to the panel. The retaining means preferably comprises a closure flap 31 with fastening means, preferably comprising hook and loop material, for engagement with fastening means on the wall of the pocket, thus closing the pocket. A vest for carrying armour plating comprises a front panel 2 adapted to cover a user's chest and stomach, a back panel 3 adapted to cover the user's back and means for attaching a separate protective waist component 8. the attachment means acting to hold the protective component near the user's waist. A wearable panel for carrying soft armour plating has shoulder strap extensions with hook and loop fastening material tabs at the extensions. The panel comprises an internal cavity for receiving and releasably retaining the soft armour plating. The cavity extends up to shoulder portions of the panel to receive respective shoulder strap extensions of the armour plating. The shoulder portions of the panel include regions of hook and loop fastening material adapted for engaging with respective tabs of the armour plating.

Description

Armour Carrvin Vest and Components This invention relates to a wearable panel and vests for carrying armour-plating.

Armoured vests are well-known, in which armour-plating is held so as to provide protection for the wearer, such as a soldier. Typically, such vests are formed predominantly from a fabric-type material, which provides benefits of flexibility, comfort, breathability and a light weight. To provide protection for the wearer, armour plates are fastened to the fabric material. These plates may comprise either "hard" or "soft" armour plates. Hard plates are rigid plates which provide optimum protection for the wearer, while soft plates are more flexible, which allow greater comfort and flexibility while affording slightly lesser protection than hard plates. Generally, different plate types will be of use in different scenarios, for example soft plates may be used where comfort is preferred, such as day-to-day duties or manoeuvres, while hard plates may be used for higher-risk combat situations. Because of its flexibility, it is often preferred to have soft plating which extends across a greater area of the wearer, for example covering the side of the wearer's torso or his shoulders. In order to change from one plate type to the other, the wearer will have to take off one vest fitted with e.g. soft plates and replace it with another fitted with e.g. hard plates. This means that a wearer may need to carry two separate vests with him at all times, i.e. one being worn with the other in a pack. This is inconvenient, and adds to the weight and bulk of a pack.

In addition, different extents of armour protection may be required at different times. For example, during day-to-day duties or manoeuvres in hot weather, armour plating may only be considered necessary to cover key areas of the user, such as the chest, so as to afford a degree of protection without unduly hindering manoeuvrability. In contrast, in combat situations it may be preferable to wear additional plates, so as to cover, for example the shoulders, neck or waist of the user. To accommodate this requirement, two vests are needed, one with a basic extent of protection, and another with full protection.

Again, this is inconvenient, and adds to the weight and bulk of a pack. -,)-

One known vest which aftempts to address these problems is the "Osprey" type, which includes first means to hold soft armour plating and second means to hold hard armour plating. The means for receiving the hard armour plate comprises respective pouches attached to the front and back panels, each closed by means of a zip-fastening. However, since each pouch stands out from its panel, i.e. it has a raised profile with respect to the panel, it can be relatively easily seen, allowing enemy snipers for example to aim around the pouch, thus avoiding the armour plating.

Additionally, the hard armour plate pouch is only suitable for carrying a plate of a specific predetermined size -if smaller plates are used, these tend to move around inside the pouch, leading to discomfort and the possibility of the plate being incorrectly positioned.

There are also problems associated with the carrying of soft armour, which may also move around inside the vest as it is not directly attached to it. A known soft armour plate panel has hook and loop fastening tabs located at the shoulders. With the known vest, corresponding tabs on front and back panels are folded and fastened together. As well as preventing consistent positioning within the vest, this method of fastening also adds bulk to the shoulder area of the vest, which may cause discomfort or inconvenience to the wearer.

Furthermore, in certain situations, the addition (or removal) of supplementaiy armour plating may be required in the region of a wearer's stomach, waist and torso sides.

However, the known vest cannot cater for this requirement.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide vests, and components thereof, which overcome the problems mentioned above.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wearable panel for carrying armour-plating, comprising means for receiving and releasably retaining an armour plate to enable removal or exchange of the armour plate, the receiving means comprising a cavity formed within the panel, being suitable for reception of soft armour plating in use, the panel further comprising a pocket for reception of hard armour plating in use, the pocket comprising first and second internal sides, wherein the panel comprises retaining means for retaining the hard armour plating in a fixed position relative to the panel in use.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a vest for carrying armour-plating, comprising a front panel adapted to be worn proximate a user's front such that the chest and stomach of the user are substantially covered during wear, and a back panel adapted to be worn proximate the user's back such that the back of the user is substantially covered during wear, wherein the vest comprises means for attaching a separate protective waist component, the attachment means acting to hold the protective component proximate the user's waist in use.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a wearable panel for carrying soft armour-plating having shoulder strap extensions with hook and loop fastening material tabs at the extensions, the panel comprising an internal cavity for receiving and releasably retaining the soft armour plating, the cavity extending up to and including shoulder portions of the panel to receive respective shoulder strap extensions of the armour plating, the shoulder portions of the panel including regions of hook and loop fastening material adapted for engaging co-operation with respective tabs of the armour plating.

Other features of the invention are set out in the accompanying claims.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figures 1 a-c schematically show a fully-assembled vest in accordance with the present invention from the front, oblique and from a rear perspective; Figures 2 a and b respectively show front and rear views of a front panel according to the present invention; Figures 3 a and b respectively show front and rear views of a back panel according to the present invention; Figure 4a shows a front panel according to the present invention being held open to display a cavity; Figure 4b shows a front panel according to the present invention being held open to display a pocket; Figure 5 shows a variety of modular components for use with the vest according to the present invention; Figure 6a shows the front side of a left hand side protective waist component for use with the vest according to the present invention; Figure 6b shows the rear side of a right hand side protective waist component for use with the vest according to the present invention; Figure 7 shows a partially assembled vest according to the present invention; Figure 8 shows a stomach panel for use with the vest according to the present invention; and Figure 9 shows a vest according to the present invention with the stomach panel of Fig. 8 attached.

Fig. 1 shows a vest 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention which is fully assembled with a variety of modular components aftached, as will be described below. The vest 1, comprises two major panels 2 and 3, which would be used for all configurations. Panel 2 is adapted to be worn proximate a user's chest, while panel 3 is adapted to be worn proximate a user's back. The panels 2, 3 are constructed from a heavy-weight fabric-type material. They may be releasably directly attached together to form the body by means of hook and loop fastening material such as Velcro (RTM) and / or stud poppet fastenings provided at respective shoulder portions 4 or at respective side portions, as will be described below. As shown, the vest 1 also includes a modular collar component 5 for protecting a user's neck, modular side shoulder components 6 for protecting a user's shoulders and arms, and modular rear shoulder components 7 for protecting a user's shoulder from the rear. All of these modular components 5 to 7 may be releasably connected to front and rear panels 2, 3 via hook and loop fastenings and / or stud poppet fastenings, and are shown in a disconnected state in Fig. 5. Also shown in Fig. 1 are protective waist components or "cummerbunds" 8, which will be described in more detail below. Both panels 2, 3 and waist components 8 are provided with looped webbing 9 of the MOLLE or PALS type, which enable further components to be releasably affixed to the vest (for example water bottles, pouches and the like) as is conventional in the art.

Figs. 2a and 2b respectively shows the front and back sides of the front panel 2, i.e. the sides which respectively face outwards and inwards during wear. Shoulder portions 4 of the front panel 2 are provided with poppet fastenings 1 Oa allowing engagement with corresponding fastenings (lob, see Fig. 3a) provided on the rear panel (3, see Fig. 3a). A region 11 of hook and loop fastening material is provided across the front of panel 2, so that it extends across the user's waist in use. This may be used to attach waist component 8, as will be described below. As shown in Fig. 2b, the sides of the shoulder portions 4 arranged to be proximate the wearer in use are provided with regions of hook and loop fastening material 12. A slot 13 is provided within each region 12, providing an aperture between the exterior of the panel and an internal cavity, described in more detail below.

Side portions of the back side of panel 2 are provided with regions of hook and loop fastening material 14 which assist with connection of a belt component 20 (see Fig. 3b).

As mentioned previously, panel 2 is provided with an internal cavity (shown in Fig. 4a) which extends substantially to the edges of the panel. This is provided for receiving a conventional soft-armour plating (not shown), which would have a shape generally corresponding to that of the panel 2. Such armour plating is generally provided with shoulder strap extensions which extend over a user's shoulders in use, each such extension being provided with a tab provided with hook and loop fastening material. The soft armour plating may be introduced into the cavity via an opening 15 located at the bottom of the panel in use. Opening 15 may be closed by means of a flap 16 which is permanently joined to one side (i.e. the external side) of the panel 2, and which may fold over the opening 15 and onto the other side (i.e. the internal side) of panel 2, where it is releasably held in position by hook and loop fastening material and / or poppet studs.

The soft armour plating is fitted by opening flap 16, inserting the plating into the cavity through opening 15, and arranging the plating so that it sits within the cavity without creasing. The tabs at the shoulder strap extensions are connected directly to the panel 2, either by means of the internal hook and loop fastening material provided within the shoulder portions 4, or the tabs may be passed out through respective slots 13 and connected via the external hook and loop fastening material 12. The flap 16 is then closed to seal opening 15. This retains the soft armour at the correct shoulder position.

Panel 2 is also provided with means for receiving hard armour plating, shown in more detail in Figs. 4a and 4b. A pocket 30 for receiving the hard armour plating is located on an internal wall of the cavity, preferably on the frontmost wall. The pocket 30 comprises first and second rectangular internal sides, closed on three sides and with an opening at the bottom allowing entry and removal of the plate. The opening is closable by means of a closure flap 31 formed at the mouth of the pocket and attached to the cavity wall which may fold over the opening and affix to the top external side of the pocket by means of hook and loop fastening material and / or poppet studs. Retaining means is provided for retaining the hard armour plating in a fixed position relative to the panel in use. One such example of this retaining means is shown in Fig. 4b, wherein each internal side comprises complementary areas of hook and loop fastening material, such that regions of the first side may be affixed to corresponding regions of the second side using said hook and loop fastening material. The areas of hook and loop material cover substantially the entirety of the first and second internal pocket sides. This arrangement enables hard armour plates to be securely located within the pocket 30 for a wide range of plate dimensions. In addition, a number of smaller plates may be held in position, the only limitation is that the total plate size is not greater than that of the pocket 30. In addition, an optional strap 32 may also be provided which may tether the plate to the panel 2. The plate would be inserted into the pocket 30, and pocket sides pressed together so that the complementary hook and ioop fastening material engages preferably around the entire perimeter of the plate, ensuring that the plate cannot move in any direction relative to the pocket.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the complimentary areas of hook and loop material on the internal sides of the pocket may be dispensed with. In this case, the closure flap 31 may act as the retaining means. Closure flap 31 has fastening means located thereon for engagement with corresponding fastening means located on a wall of the pocket, thus closing the pocket. The fastening means may comprise a hook and loop material for example. The closing position of the closure flap 31 relative to the pocket is made adjustable, such that the size of the pocket when closed is determined by the closing position of the closure flap 31. In other words, by suitable placement of the extent of the fastening means on the closure flap 31 and pocket, the flap 31 can be closed in a variety of positions to take up any slack in the pocket due to hard armour plates of differing sizes.

Figs. 3a and 3b respectively shows the front and back sides of the back panel 3, i.e. the sides which respectively face outwards and inwards during wear. Similar numbering is used as for Figs. 2a and 2b where possible. It can be seen that panel 3 is substantially the same shape as front panel 2, so that the same type of soft armour plating can be used. As for front panel 2, back panel 3 includes an identical cavity and pocket for receiving soft and hard armour plating, and so will not be described further. In addition, the shoulder portions of panel 3 include slots 13 and internal (i.e. inside the cavity) and external (i.e. on the internal wall) areas of hook and loop fastening material enabling aftachment of the soft plating tabs. The outer side of panel 3 also includes regions of hook and loop fastening material 17 at shoulder portions 4, which enables the panels 2 and 3 to be joined together at the shoulder. Poppet studs lOb also engage with studs 10 a for this purpose.

Additional regions of hook and loop fastening material 18 are provided on the inner side of the panel 3 at the side portions, so that in use, these may overlie and affix to the corresponding regions of material 11 of the front panel 2.

Two grab handles 19 are provided on the outer side of the panel 3 near the collar region, to allow a wearer to be easily dragged or carried if required.

The inner surface of panel 3 is shown with a removable belt 20, which is used to securely fasten the vest around a user's waist in use, lying underneath the front and back panels 2, 3. Hook and loop fastening material is used both to releasably attach the belt to panel 3, and to fasten the belt together. The belt 20 may also be connected to hook and loop patches 14 on panel 2.

Fig. 5 shows a variety of modular components that may be optionally fitted to panels 2 and 3 depending on the application. As previously mentioned, these include a collar 4, collars of different sizes (not shown) being used as required. Also shown are left and right side shoulder components 6 and rear shoulder components 7. The side 6 and rear 7 shoulder components and neck collar 4 include armour plating inserts to provide additional protection for the user.

Each component comprises fastening means in the form of poppet studs and hook and loop material, generally located at at least one edge thereof, allowing connection to at least one other component. In the embodiment shown, the side shoulder protection components 6 are adapted for fitting to lateral edges of the chest and back panels 2, 3 and extend over the user's shoulder in use. The rear shoulder panels 7 are adapted to be connected to both the back panel 3 and respective side shoulder components 6 and extend over the rear of the user's shoulder in use. The neck collar 4 is adapted to be connected to both the back panel 3 and the chest panel 2 and extend around the user's neck in use.

Figs. 6a and 6b respectively show the front (i.e. outer) side of a left hand side protective waist component 8 or "cummerbund" and the rear (i.e. inner) side of an equivalent right hand side protective waist component 8. Looking firstly at Fig. 6a, the waist component 8 includes webbing 9, enabling the attachment of various items of equipment, as is known in the art. The waist component 8 includes means for receiving armour plating, which comprises a pouch (not shown) formed between the two sides of the component.

The internal faces of the pouch are substantially entirely covered with complementary areas of hook and loop fastening material, so as to grip and retain an armour plate in a similar way as for the pockets included within panels 2 and 3. The pouch has an opening at the top of the waist component, which is releasably closed by a flap 21, using hook and loop fastening material. Straps 22a are provided proximate the front of the component 8, i.e. at the region which would overlie the user's stomach in use, for attachment to corresponding straps (22b, see Fig. 6b) on a right hand side component 8, enabling the components 8 to be closed together at the front.

Fig. 6b shows the internal side of component 8. Hook and loop fastening material 23 is provided at the "stomach" end of the component. This enables co-operative engagement with complementary hook and loop material 11 on front panel 2. Webbing 24 is provided running lengthways along the internal side of component 8, along the region which would be proximate a user's side in use. A number of straps 25 are provided in the same region, connected at the top edge of component 8, and releasably connected to the bottom edge via poppet studs 26. When waist components 8 are not used, straps 25 may be threaded through webbing 24 and the poppet studs 26 fastened, so as to keep them restrained and out of the way.

When the components 8 are attached to the vest, the straps 25 are freed from webbing 24, and threaded through webbing 9 located on rear panel 3 and webbing 24, to locate the component 8 proximate the user's waist. Poppet studs 26 may then be fastened. Fig. 7 shows the vest at this stage. The front of component 8 is then attached via the hook and loop material 23, 11. Finally, straps 22a, 22b are connected.

As shown, there are two protective waist components 8 used. However it is possible for these to be "combined", i.e. so that a single component which fits around the entirety of the user's waist is used.

It can be seen that when waist components 8 are not used, a significant area of hook and loop fastening material 11 is visible at the front of the vest. In order to utilise this are, a -10 -further modular component, i.e. a stomach panel 27, shown in Fig. 8, may be attached to the area. Panel 27 includes webbing 9 on the front surface, enabling various items of equipment to be carried. The rear surface (not shown) is covered with hook and look material for co-operative engagement with complementary material 11 on front panel 2.

Tabs 28 are also provide at the top of panel 27 for connection to webbing 9 on front panel 2.

It is envisaged that the stomach panel 7 would be used in favour of waist components 8 for situations where a reduction in weight is preferable to the provision of heavy armour, for example in CVRT situations.

Fig. 9 shows a vest with the stomach panel 27 attached.

The embodiments shown and described are exemplary only, and various other alternatives within the scope of the claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The preferred design of vest may of course be tailored to its intended use.

Alternatives include providing one or more additional pouches, similar to the pockets provided with front and back panels 2, 3, which enable various sizes / types of plate to be accommodated within, on various other parts or components of the vest.

Additional protection for the user at the region proximate the user's stomach may be provided using an additional armour-carrying panel to be worn across the front of the vest, of approximately the same vertical extent as the waist component 8. This panel may be attached using poppet studs, hook and loop fastenings, and / or by threading through webbing 9. The panel may be worn with or without a waist component 8.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wearable panel for canying armour-plating, comprising means for receiving and releasably retaining an armour plate to enable removal or exchange of the armour plate, the receiving means comprising a cavity formed within the panel, being suitable for reception of soft armour plating in use, the panel further comprising a pocket for reception of hard armour plating in use, the pocket comprising first and second internal sides, wherein the panel comprises retaining means for retaining the hard armour plating in a fixed position relative to the panel in use.
2. A panel according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprises a closure flap formed at the mouth of the pocket, the closure flap having fastening means located thereon for engagement with corresponding fastening means located on a wall of the pocket, thus closing the pocket.
3. A panel according to claim 2, wherein the fastening means comprises a hook and loop material.
4. A panel according to either of claims 2 and 3, wherein the closing position of the closure flap relative to the pocket is adjustable, such that the size of the pocket when closed is determined by the closing position of the closure flap.
5. A panel according to any preceding claim, wherein each internal side of the pocket comprises complementary areas of hook and loop fastening material, such that regions of the first side may be affixed to corresponding regions of the second side using said hook and loop fastening material.
6. A panel according to claim 5, wherein the areas of hook and loop material cover substantially the entirety of the first and second internal pocket sides.

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7. A panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the pocket is located within the cavity.
8. A panel according to any preceding claim, adapted to be worn proximate a user's chest.
9. A panel according to any of claims 1 to 8, adapted to be worn proximate a user's back.
10. A panel according to any preceding claim, comprising means for connection to other components of an armour-carrying vest.
11. A vest for cariying armour-plating, comprising at least one panel according to any preceding claim.
12. A vest according to claim 11, comprising a first panel adapted to be worn proximate a user's chest and a second panel adapted to be worn proximate the user's back.
13. A vest according to either of claims 11 and 12, comprising a hard armour plate retained within the pocket of a panel.
14. A vest according to any of claims 11 to 13, comprising a soft armour plate retained within the cavity of a panel.
15. A vest for carrying armour-plating, comprising a front panel adapted to be worn proximate a user's front such that the chest and stomach of the user are substantially covered during wear, and a back panel adapted to be worn proximate the user's back such that the back of the user is substantially covered during wear, wherein the vest comprises means for attaching a separate protective waist component, the attachment means acting to hold the protective component proximate the user's waist in use.

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16. A vest according to claim 15, wherein the attachment means comprises a region of hook and loop fastening material provided on an outward facing side of the front panel in use, said region extending across the user's waist in use.
17. A vest according to either of claims 15 and 16, further comprising a protective waist component.
18. A vest according to claim 17, wherein the waist component is adapted to carry armour plating.
19. A vest according to either of claims 17 and 18, wherein the waist component comprises a region of hook and loop fastening material on its inward-facing side in use, said region of hook and loop fastening material adapted for engaging co-operation with the region of hook and loop fastening material provided on the front panel.
20. A vest according to any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the hook and loop fastening material on the front panel enables side portions of the back panel to attach to the front panel.
21. A vest according to any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the back panel comprises looped webbing and wherein the protective component includes a strap for engaging with the webbing.
22. A vest according to any of claims 15 to 21, further comprising a detachable stomach panel including hook and loop fastening material adapted for engaging co-operation with the hook and loop material provided on the front panel, the stomach panel being dimensioned so as to substantially cover the hook and loop material on the front panel when the protective component is not attached thereto.

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23. A wearable panel for carrying soft armour-plating having shoulder strap extensions with hook and loop fastening material tabs at the extensions, the panel comprising an internal cavity for receiving and releasably retaining the soft armour plating, the cavity extending up to and including shoulder portions of the panel to receive respective shoulder strap extensions of the armour plating, the shoulder portions of the panel including regions of hook and loop fastening material adapted for engaging co-operation with respective tabs of the armour plating.
24. A panel according to claim 23, wherein the regions of hook and loop fastening material are located within the cavity at respective shoulder portions of the panel.
25. A panel according to either of claims 23 and 24, wherein a slot is provided at each shoulder portion of the panel forming an aperture between the cavity and the interior surface of the panel, such that when the armour plating is located within the cavity, each tab may be passed through a respective slot to protrude externally to the panel.
26. A panel according to claim 25, wherein hook and loop fastening material is provided on each shoulder portion adapted for engaging co-operation with the hook and loop fastening material provided on a respective tab.
27. A panel substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
28. A vest substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.