WO2012006528A1

WO2012006528A1 - Modular and scalable soldier's garment

Info

Publication number: WO2012006528A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/043366
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin Flynn; Kenneth W. Sego, Jr.; Val Horvatich; Lloyd Bill Ii Darnell; Joe Coltman; Kenneth L. Von Der Ahe
Original assignee: Bae Systems Specialty Defense Systems Of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Priority date: 2010-07-09
Filing date: 2011-07-08
Publication date: 2012-01-12
Also published as: EP2591305A1; GB201301128D0; GB2496781A; US20120084906A1

Abstract

A soldier's garment includes a hard plate carrier (14), a concealable carrier (18) that can carry soft armor panels, and separate soft armor panels (70,72). The plate carrier (14) can be worn alone, the concealable carrier (18) can be worn alone, the plate carrier (14) can be worn with the concealable carrier (18), or the plate carrier (14) can be worn with the soft armor panels (70,72). The plate carrier (14) has an actuatable quick release system (56) for enabling release of the plate carrier (14). Each one of the concealable carrier (18) and the soft armor panels (70,72) is released from the soldier with the plate carrier (14) when the quick release system (56) is actuated.

Description

Modular and Scalable Soldier's Garment

Related Application

[001] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 61 /363,023, filed July 9, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

Background of the Invention

[002] This application relates to a soldier's garment, and in particular to a garment including a vest or torso portion that can be expanded or "scaled" to include other garment portions. Such a garment is useful for military personnel who can, depending on the perceived threat level and the mission, wear less or more protection (armor, soft or hard) and fewer or more accessories.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[003] Fig. 1 is a strike- side plan view of a plate carrier that is one component of a torso portion of a garment that is a first embodiment of the invention, the plate carrier being shown in an assembled condition;

[004] Fig. 2 is a strike-side plan view of a front plate carrier panel that forms part of the plate carrier of Fig. 1 ;

[005] Fig. 3 is a strike-side plan view of a back plate carrier panel that forms part of the plate carrier of Fig. 1 ; [006] Fig. 4 is a strike-side plan view of a front soft armor panel that forms part of the torso portion of the garment of Fig. 1 ;

[007] Fig. 5 is a strike-side plan view showing the front plate carrier panel assembled with the front soft armor panel;

[008] Fig. 6 is a strike-side plan view of a back soft armor panel that forms part of the torso portion of the garment of Fig. 1 ;

[009] Fig. 7 is a strike-side plan view showing the back plate carrier panel assembled with the back soft armor panel;

[0010] Fig. 8 is a strike-side plan view of a concealable carrier that forms part of the torso portion of a garment of Fig. 1 ;

[0011] Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a side closure that is a part of the concealable carrier of Fig. 8, shown in a retracted condition;

[0012] Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing the side closure in an extended condition;

[0013] Fig. 11 is a strike side plan view showing the concealable carrier assembled to the plate carrier;

[0014] Fig. 12 is an enlarged view showing details of the assembly of a back panel of the concealable carrier to the back plate carrier panel;

[0015] Fig. 13 is an enlarged view showing details of the assembly of a front panel of the concealable carrier to the a front plate carrier panel;

[0016] Fig. 14 is a strike side plan view of a cummerbund that forms part of the garment of Fig. 1 ;

[0017] Fig. 15 is a body side plan view of the cummerbund of Fig. 14; [0018] Fig. 16 is a strike side plan view showing the cummerbund assembled to the back plate carrier panel;

[0019] Fig. 17 is a strike side view showing the cummerbund

assembled with two load couplers;

[0020] Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 17 showing one of the load couplers disassembled from the cummerbund;

[0021] Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 17 showing the load couplers and the cummerbund assembled with a load belt that forms part of the garment of Fig. 1 ;

[0022] Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a portion of the load coupler and load belt;

[0023] Fig. 21 is a strike side view of a thigh protector that forms part of the garment of Fig. 1 ;

[0024] Fig. 22 is a body side view of the thigh protector of Fig. 21;

[0025] Fig. 23 is a partially schematic view showing the thigh protector assembled with the torso portion of the garment of Fig. 1 ;

[0026] Fig. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a throat protector that forms part of the garment of Fig. 1 ;

[0027] Fig. 25 is an assembled view of the throat protector of Fig. 24;

[0028] Fig. 26 is a body Side view of a side armor plate that forms part of the garment of Fig. 1;

[0029] Fig. 27 is a strike side view of the side armor plate of Fig. 26;

[0030] Fig. 28 is a body side view of a groin protector that forms part of the garment of Fig. 1 ; [0031] Fig. 29 is a strike side view of the groin protector of Fig. 28;

[0032] Fig. 30 is a body side view of a lower back soft armor panel that forms part of the garment of Fig. 1 ;

[0033] Fig. 31 is a strike side view of the lower back soft armor panel of Fig. 30;

[0034] Fig. 32 is a strike side view of a deltoid and bicep protector that forms part of the garment of Fig. 1 ; and

[0035] Fig. 33 is a body side view of the deltoid and bicep protector of Fig. 32.

Detailed Description

[0036] The present invention relates to a soldier's garment. In particular, the invention relates to vest or garment that which includes an armored torso portion and a number of accessory parts that can be optionally connected with the torso portion of the garment. The torso portion itself can be configured in several different ways using one or more of three components individually or in combination. As such, the garment is "scalable" to meet the perceived threat level and the mission.

[0037] The invention can be embodied in garments of different constructions; as representative of the invention, the drawings illustrate a garment 10 that is one embodiment of the invention. The garment 10 has a torso portion 12 that includes as its basic components a plate carrier 14 (Fig. 1); a set of soft armor panels 70 and 72 (Figs. 4 and 6); and a concealable carrier 18 (Fig. 8).

[0038] The plate carrier 14 (Figs. 1-3) is a vest-like garment that includes front and back plate carrier panels 20 and 22 connected with each other by four buckles as described below. The front plate carrier panel 20 has a main body portion 30 with a pocket 32 for carrying a hard armor panel. On the main body portion strike side is Molle webbing 34 for supporting accessories. Extending from the top of the front plate carrier panel 20 are two shoulder straps 36 each carrying a buckle 38. Two more buckles 40 are located at the bottom of the front plate carrier panel 20, one on each side.

[0039] The back plate carrier panel 22 includes a main body portion 42 with a pocket 44 for carrying a hard armor panel. On the main body portion strike side is Molle webbing 46 for supporting accessories.

Extending from the top of the front plate carrier panel 20 are two shoulder straps 48 each carrying a tongue 50. On each side of the front plate carrier panel 20, at the bottom, a waist strap 52 extends outward, carrying a tongue 54.

[0040] The front and back plate carrier panels 20 and 22 are releasably joined to each other by connecting the four tongues and buckles. The upper tongues 50 on the back plate carrier panel 22 are inserted into the upper buckles 38 on the front plate carrier panel 20. The waist straps 52 from the back plate carrier panel 22 are extended forward about the wearer's waist and the lower tongues 54 are inserted into the lower buckles 40 on the front plate carrier panel 20. As a result, the two plate carrier panels 20 and 22 are connected with each other at the shoulders, with the plate carrier shoulder straps 36 passing over the wearer's shoulders; and the two plate carrier panels are also connected with each other at the waist area. The waist straps 52 are adjustable in length, as are the shoulder straps 36, for fit and comfort.

[0041] A quick- release system 56 is provided, to enable release of the plate carrier 14 from the soldier in an emergency situation. The quick- release system 56 may be of any known type. One quick release system that is preferred is the one shown in assignee's co-pending US application No. 12/976,285, filed December 22, 2010, titled Quick

Release Buckle With Dual Release, published on July 7, 2011 as US Patent Application Publication No. 201 1-0162177A1, the entire

disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. When the plate carrier 14 is assembled and being worn, the quick release system 56 is operable to release it from the wearer in an emergency situation. Pulling on a release tab 58 transmits release force through a number of cables 60 (shown in phantom in Fig. 1) extending to the four buckles 38 and 40, releasing the buckles and enabling the armor-laden plate carrier 14 to drop off the wearer.

[0042] The torso portion 12 of the garment 10 includes a set of soft armor panels 70 and 72 (Figs. 4 and 6). Each one of the soft armor panels 70 and 72 includes a fabric covering that encloses a soft ballistic panel. The front soft armor panel 70 has two loops 74 near its top edge. The back soft armor panel 72 has two loops 76 near its top edge, and two belt loops 78 near its bottom edge. The panels 70 and 72 do not connect directly to each other, and are not worn alone by a soldier, but rather are separately connectable with the plate carrier 14 in a manner as

described below.

[0043] The concealable carrier 18 (Fig. 8) is a garment that is small enough and light enough to be worn under a shirt, and is thus

concealable. Alternatively, the concealable carrier 18 can be worn over a shirt, with other parts of the garment 10 attached as desired.

[0044] The concealable carrier 18 is configured generally as a vest including a front panel 80 and a back panel 82 that are releasably joined to each other with top closures and side closures. Each top closure includes a hook-faced strap 84 that extends forward from the top of the back panel 82 and overlaps onto the top of the front panel 80, engaging a loop patch 86 on the front panel. The concealable carrier 18 has a large loop patch 100 on the lower area of the strike side of the front panel 80.

[0045] Each side closure 88 (left and right) of the concealable carrier 18 includes an elastic strap system for connecting the back panel 82 to the front panel 80. The elastic strap system includes two parallel elastic straps 90 each having a back end portion fixed to the back panel 82 and a projecting front end portion 92. A single fabric connector panel 94 is connected to the two front end portions 92 of the elastic straps 90. The connector panel 94 has a Velcro hook patch 96 on its inside.

[0046] To connect the back panel 82 to the front panel 80, the

connector panel 94 is pulled forward and engaged with the front panel, stretching to some extent the elastic straps. The connector panel 94 is engaged with the loop patch 100 on the front panel 80 of the concealable carrier 18, thereby securing that side of the concealable carrier. This procedure is repeated on the opposite side of the garment 10.

[0047] The concealable carrier 18 includes on each side another fabric panel in the form of a strap cover 102 that is fixed on the back panel 82 of the concealable carrier. The strap cover 102 overlies the two elastic straps 90 and extends to the front edge of the back panel 82. The strap cover 102 covers the elastic straps 90 when the back panel 82 is not connected with the front panel 80. The dimensions of the strap cover 102, the elastic straps 90, the connector panel 94, and the front panel 80 (including the loop patch 100) are selected so that when the straps are extended forward to connect the back panel 82 with the front panel (and also when the straps are retracted), the straps remain substantially if not completely covered by the strap cover 102. This covering helps to protect the straps 90 from the environment, which is beneficial because elastic straps are typically not made from a resistant material as are the main panels of the concealable carrier 18. In addition, the strap cover 102 can bear a camouflage pattern (not shown), while elastic straps typically do not. Further, the strap cover 102 can, unlike the straps 90, be made from a fire retardant material, with a reduced IR signature to minimize visibility and flammability. The strap cover 102 can also help to protect the straps 90 and thus the side closure from accidental disengagement.

[0048] The concealable carrier 18 preferably includes pockets 104 for receiving soft ballistic panels and hard ballistic plates. The concealable carrier 18 may also include Molle webbing or other features on its exterior, for supporting accessory portions of the garment 10 or other accessories.

[0049] The garment 10 is modular and scalable. The plate carrier 14 can be worn alone, in which case it is assembled and worn as described above. Alternatively, the concealable carrier 18 can be worn alone, as described above. Further, the plate carrier 14 can be worn together with the soft armor panels 70 and 72. Still further, the plate carrier 14 can be worn with together with the concealable carrier 18, as described below.

[0050] To assemble the plate carrier 14 with, the soft armor panels 70 and 72 (Figs. 5 and 7), the front plate carrier panel 20 is detached from the back plate carrier panel 22 by releasing all four buckles. Then, the plate carrier panels 20 and 22 are laid on top of the soft armor panels 70 and 72, respectively. The shoulder straps of the plate carrier 14 are reattached, but extending through the loops 74 and 76 on the front and back soft armor panels 70 and 72. This connects the upper portions of the soft armor panels 70 and 72 with the plate carrier panels 20 and 22. The loop patch 75 on the strike side of the front armor panel 70 secures the lower portion of the front soft armor panel to the front plate carrier panel 20. The waist straps 52 of the back plate carrier panel 22 are passed through the belt loops 78 on the back soft armor panel 72 to secure the lower portion of the back soft armor panel to the back plate carrier panel 22.

[0051] When the plate carrier 14 is thus assembled with the soft armor panels 70 and 72, the soft armor panels are located inside (on the body side of) the plate carrier 14. The front soft armor panel 72 is attached by the loops 74 and the loop patch 75 to the front plate carrier panel 20 only. The back soft armor panel 72 is attached by the loops 76 and 78 to the back plate carrier panel 22 only. As a result, when the quick release system 56 is actuated, and the front plate carrier panel 20 separates from the back plate carrier panel 22, the front and back soft armor panels 70 and 72 also separate, and drop off the wearer. The quick release feature is thus preserved, even when the wearer is using the soft armor panels 70 and 72 for additional protection to that provided by the plate carrier 14 alone.

[0052] To assemble the concealable carrier 18 to the plate carrier 14 (Figs. 8-13), the concealable carrier is first separated into its two components— the front panel 80 and the back panel 82. Specifically, at the shoulders, the straps 84 from the back concealable carrier panel 80 are disengaged from their hook and loop connections with the front concealable carrier panel 82. Also, the plate carrier 14 is separated into its two components— the front plate carrier panel 20 and the back plate carrier panel 22— by disengaging the four buckles.

[0053] Then, the front concealable carrier panel 80 is connected with the front plate carrier panel 20. The plate carrier panels 20 and 22 are laid flat on top of the concealable carrier panels 80 and 82, respectively. Exposed loop patches 105 on the body side of the shoulder straps 36 of the front plate carrier panel 20 are pressed into engagement with corresponding hook patches 106 on the strike side of the shoulder straps 84 of the front concealable carrier panel 80. A hook patch on the body side of the main body portion 30 of the front plate carrier front panel 20 is pressed down into engagement with the large loop patch 100 on the strike side of the front concealable carrier panel 80. In this manner, the front concealable carrier panel 80 is releasably secured to the front plate carrier panel 20.

[0054] To connect the back concealable carrier panel 82 with the back plate carrier panel 22, the back plate carrier panel is laid over the back concealable carrier panel. The side straps on the concealable carrier 18 are folded over and secured to the inside of the concealable carrier back panel 82, out of the way. The shoulder strap 84 on the back concealable carrier panel 82 is pushed through a loop 107 on the body side of the shoulder strap 48 of the back plate carrier panel 22. The concealable carrier shoulder strap 84 is then looped or folded back and secured to itself with another hook and loop connection 108. This secures the upper portion of the back concealable carrier panel 82 to the back plate carrier panel 22. To secure the lower portion of the back concealable carrier panel 82 to the back plate carrier panel 22, the waist straps 52 of the back plate carrier panel 22 are passed through loops 111 on the back concealable carrier panel and when the straps are buckled, the back concealable carrier panel 82 is secured.

[0055] As a result, the front concealable carrier panel 80 and the back concealable carrier panel 82 are connected to each other, not directly, but rather only through the plate carrier 14. The plate carrier 14 is thus in the line of force transmission between, and is a load-bearing unit between, the front concealable carrier panel 80 and the back concealable carrier panel 82.

[0056] Therefore, when the plate carrier 14 is assembled with the concealable carrier panels 80 and 82, the quick release system 56 is still operable. When the front plate carrier panel 20 separates from the back plate carrier panel 22, the front and back concealable carrier panels 80 and 82 separate also. The quick release feature is thus preserved, even when the wearer is using the concealable carrier 18 assembled with the plate carrier 14. The attachment and removal of the concealable carrier 18 with the plate carrier 14 can also be done without first separating the two parts 20 and 22 of the plate carrier 14 from each other.

[0057] The garment 10 includes a stabilizing cummerbund 110 (Figs. 14- 16) that can be worn with the plate carrier 14. The cummerbund 110 is an elongate belt-type piece that is connected with the back plate carrier panel 22 in a manner as described below. The cummerbund 110 includes on its strike side a central loop patch 1 12, then extending out on each side a narrow loop 114 and a wide loop 1 16. Molle webbing 1 18 extends along the top and bottom edges of the strike side 120 of the cummerbund 110. The cummerbund 1 10 includes on its body side 122 two pockets 124 with openings 126 at the bottom and, inside each pocket, a female snap fastener portion 128.

[0058] The cummerbund 1 10 is assembled with the back plate carrier panel 22 (Fig. 16) by engaging the loop patch 1 12 on the cummerbund strike side 120 with a corresponding hook patch on the body side lower portion of the back plate carrier panel 22. The plate carrier waist straps 52 are extended laterally outward through first the narrow loops 1 14 and then the wide loops 1 16 on the cummerbund 110. This secures the cummerbund 110 to the back plate carrier panel 22. The ends of the cummerbund 110 are not secured to each other.

[0059] The combination of the cummerbund 110 and plate carrier 14 can be more comfortable and stable because the cummerbund 110 is wider (taller from top to bottom) than the waist straps 52 of the plate carrier 14. The cummerbund 110 also provides additional accessory capacity via the Molle webbing 118. The cummerbund 1 10 stays with the back plate carrier panel 22 when the garment 10 is worn and also when the quick release system 56 is actuated.

[0060] The cummerbund 1 10 also serves as part Of a load belt system 130 (Figs. 17-20) that helps to transfer load from the soldier's shoulders to the soldier's hips. The load belt system 130 includes, in addition to the cummerbund 110, a load belt 132 and a pair of load couplers 134 that extend between the cummerbund and the load belt. The load belt 132 wraps around the soldier's waist and is connected with a tongue and buckle at its ends. The load belt 132 is in a position to transfer vertically downward force onto the soldier's hips and waist. The load belt 132 is not directly connected to and does not release with the plate carrier 14 or the concealable carrier 18.

[0061] The load belt 132 has two pockets 136 on its body side, one on each side of center, opening upward. The pockets 136 are adapted to receive the lower ends of the load couplers 134. Each load coupler 134 is a fabric material pocket with a rigid, load-bearing insert. Each load coupler 134 has a hook patch 140 at its wider lower end, and a male snap fastener 142 portion at its narrower upper end.

[0062] To assemble the load belt system 130, the upper ends of the load couplers 134 are inserted upward into the downward opening pockets 124 on the cummerbund 110. The male snap fastener 142 portions on the load couplers 134 are snapped into engagement with the female snap fastener portions 128 on the cummerbund 110, at a location above the load belt 132 and inside the pockets 124 on the body side 122 of the cummerbund.

[0063] The lower ends of the load couplers 134 are inserted downward into the upward opening pockets 136 in the load belt 132, and bottom out in the pockets. The hook patches 140 on the load couplers 134 engage loop patches 144 inside the pockets 136, to securely connect the load couplers with the load belt 132.

[0064] The load couplers 134 are thereby placed in a vertical load bearing relationship between the plate carrier 14 and the load belt 132. Specifically, downward load from the plate carrier 14 is transferred through the cummerbund 110 into the load couplers 134, thence into the load belt 132, and thence onto the soldier's hips and waist. The load belt system 130 can therefore significantly decrease the load exerted on the soldier's shoulders. The load couplers 134 stay with the

cummerbund 110, and release from the load belt 132, when the quick release system 56 is actuated.

[0065] Each one of the two pockets 136 on the load belt 132 is wider (laterally) than is the lower end of the load coupler 134. Therefore, the load coupler 134 can be placed into the pocket 136 at a plurality of different locations along the lateral extent of the load belt 132,

accommodating different size wearers. In addition, each one of the two pockets 136 on the load belt 132 has three different pocket portions 136a- 136c with associated Velcro retainers 144. The bottom walls of the three pocket portions 136a- 136c are at three different heights on the load belt 132. As a result, the load coupler 134 can bottom out in and be retained in the pocket 136 at three different vertical positions relative to the overall height of the load belt 132. This adjustability can accommodate different height wearers of the garment 10 when the load belt system 130 is being used.

[0066] The garment 10 includes a number of accessory parts that can be connected with the torso portion to offer additional protection. For example, the garment includes two thigh protectors 150 (Figs. 21-23), one for each leg. Each thigh protector 150 includes a pocket for insertion of a soft armor panel for helping to protect the soldier's thigh. Additional Molle loops on the exterior are provided for mounting supplementary armor panels. The thigh protector 150 is supported on the torso portion 12 of the garment 10 by a strap portion 152 that extends upward from the thigh protector and that buckles with a second strap portion that extends downward from the concealable carrier 18 or from the plate carrier 14.

[0067] A pivot connection is provided between the strap 152 and the thigh protector 150. The pivot connection, in this embodiment, includes a D-ring 156 on the thigh protector 150, around which is looped the support strap 152. The looped strap 152 is slidable along the D-ring 156 in a direction between the opposite ends of the curved portion of the D- ring. As a result, the thigh protector 150 is supported on the torso portion 12 of the garment 10 for pivotal movement relative to the torso portion, about the point of engagement of the strap 152 and the D-ring 156. Thus, when the soldier walks, and the leg pivots relative to the torso, this articulating joint (pivotal connection) allows the thigh protector 150 to pivot relative to the torso portion 12, without overly flexing the support strap 152. This pivoting movement can help to reduce wear on the support strap 152, and can also enable increased mobility. Alternative types of pivotal connection, such as buckles or rings, for example, can be provided between the thigh protector 150 and the torso portion 12.

[0068] The thigh protector 150 is held to the thigh by an elastic strap system 158 similar to that provided on the concealable carrier 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic strap system 158 on the thigh protector 150 includes two separate vertically spaced elastic straps 160, without a connector panel at their outer ends, which straps have their inner ends hidden under a cover panel 162 on the thigh protector. The straps 160 bear Velcro patches 161. The straps 160 when extended can engage with Velcro patches 164 on the opposite side of the thigh protector 150, to hold the thigh protector to the thigh. The portions of the straps 160 that are under the cover panel 162 are protected, as described above.

[0069] The garment 10 also includes a throat protector 170 (Figs. 24- 25) that carries ballistic material for helping to protect the throat of a soldier. The throat protector 170 connects with a yoke 172 , which is a separate piece that connects with the torso portion 12 of the garment. The throat protector 170 is optional, but when worn requires the yoke 172.

[0070] The throat protector 170 includes ballistic material sewn into a throat protector carrier 174. The ballistic material extends longitudinally along the throat protector carrier 174 between the two ends (wings) 176 of the throat protector carrier, which are stiff but resilient projecting tabs. The throat protector carrier 174 is attached to the yoke 172 by inserting the wings 176 of the throat protector carrier into slots (pockets) 178 in the tubular portion of the yoke 172 that encircles the soldier's neck.

[0071] The throat protector carrier 174 has a Velcro tab 179 at its front that is connected with the torso portion 12 of the vest 10, or with the yoke 172, when the throat protector 170 is worn. If desired for comfort, the wings 176 of the throat protector carrier 174 can be slipped out (forward) from the yoke 172, and the throat protector 170 flipped down and forward, remaining connected only by the Velcro tab 179, when the added ballistic protection of the throat protector is not needed.

[0072] The garment 10 also includes a pair of side armor plates 180 (Figs. 26-27) that can be positioned at the wearer's side, along the waist, to help protect that area. Each side armor plate 180 includes on its body side one or more loops 182 that can be used to support the plate on the plate carrier waist straps 52 or on the Molle webbing of the cummerbund 110 or of the concealable carrier 18. Each side armor plate 180 also includes on its strike side a loop 184 or other structure for supporting an accessory.

[0073] The garment 10 also includes a groin panel 190 (Figs. 28-29), which can be attached to the lower front of the torso portion 12 of the garment 10 and hangs down to protect the soldier's groin area. The groin panel has a pocket for receiving a soft armor panel. The garment 10 also includes a lower back panel 192 (Figs. 30-31), which can be attached to the lower back portion of the torso portion 12 of the garment, below the rear plate carrier 14. The lower back panel 192 has a pocket for receiving a soft armor panel to protect the wearer's lower spinal area.

[0074] The garment 10 also includes a pair of deltoid and bicep protectors 194 and 196 (Figs. 32-33) that can be supported on the upper end of the torso portion 12 of the garment 10 and hang down over the soldier's shoulders and upper arms. The deltoid protector 194 may be used alone, or the bicep protector 196 can be attached to the deltoid protector.

Claims

1. A soldier's garment comprising a torso portion and accessory garment parts;

the torso portion of the garment comprising a plate carrier to be worn by the soldier, the plate carrier including front and back plate carrier panels each adapted to carry hard armor panels;

the plate carrier including shoulder straps releasably interconnecting upper portions of the front and back plate carrier panels, the shoulder straps extending across the soldier's shoulders when the plate carrier is being worn;

the plate carrier including side straps releasably interconnecting lower portions of the front and back plate carrier panels, the side straps extending along the soldier's lower torso area when the plate carrier is being worn;

the plate carrier including an actuatable quick release system for enabling release of the plate carrier from the soldier; and

the torso portion of the garment further comprising at least one other garment part that is adapted to carry soft armor panels that are separate from the accessory garment parts, the at least one other ' garment part being adapted to be worn as two separate armored pieces that can be attached to the plate carrier and that are released from the soldier with the plate carrier when the quick release system is actuated.

2. A garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one other garment part is a concealable carrier that can be worn under clothing without connection with the plate carrier or can alternatively be worn connected with the plate carrier;

the concealable carrier comprising separate front and back panels that can be releasably joined by left and right shoulder straps and by left and right side straps on the back panel to make the concealable carrier a one-piece garment for doffing and donning without being connected with the plate carrier;

each one of the front and back panels of the concealable carrier including a pocket for receiving soft armor;

each one of the front and back panels of the concealable carrier including loops for receiving the shoulder straps of the plate carrier;

the front panel of the concealable carrier being separable from the back panel of the cc, and the separated front and back concealable carrier panels thereafter being connectable with the front and back panels, respectively, of the plate carrier, whereby the plate carrier and concealable carrier can be worn together as one unit forming the torso portion of the garment, and whereby the front panel of the concealable carrier stays with the front plate carrier panel and the back panel of the concealable carrier stays with the back plate carrier panel when the quick release system of the plate carrier is actuated.

3. A garment as set forth in claim 2 wherein the concealable carrier left and right side straps have elastic portions and the

concealable carrier has protective cover panels for covering the elastic portions of the side straps.

4. A garment as set forth in claim 3 wherein the concealable carrier includes a single fabric connector panel connected to the elastic straps on each side, the connector panel being securable by a hook and loop connection to the concealable carrier front panel, and the cover panel covering the elastic straps when thus secured.

5. A garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one other garment part is a set of front and back soft armor panels that do not have shoulder straps or side straps for joining to each other; the front soft armor panel including loops for receiving the shoulder straps of the plate carrier to support the front soft armor panel on the front plate carrier panel, and

the back soft armor panel including loops for receiving the shoulder straps of the plate carrier to support the back soft armor panel on the back plate carrier panel,;

the front and back soft armor panels being carried by and releasing with the front and back plate carrier panels, respectively, upon actuation of the quick release mechanism of the plate carrier.

6. A garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one other garment part is a cummerbund that is taller than the plate carrier side straps and that attaches to the back plate carrier panel and that stays with the back plate carrier panel when the quick release system of the plate carrier is actuated.

7. A garment as set forth in claim 6 wherein the cummerbund includes a portion for receiving a downwardly-depending load coupler for transmitting load from the plate carrier to a load belt worn by the solider thereby to reduce the load on the soldier's shoulders.

8. A soldier's garment comprising:

a plate carrier for carrying armor plates, the plate carrier having shoulder straps for extending over the shoulders of the soldier and for transferring load of the plate carrier to the soldier's shoulders, the plate carrier including a quick release system; and

a load belt system for helping to transfer load of the plate carrier from the soldier's shoulders to the soldier's hips;

the load belt system including a load belt that is extensible around the soldier's waist to place the load belt in a position to transfer vertically downward force on the load belt onto the soldier's hips and waist; and

the load belt system also including at least two load couplers removably connectable in a vertical load bearing position between the plate carrier and the load belt.

9. A garment as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

the plate carrier includes front and back plate carrier panels that are releasably interconnected by the shoulder straps and by side straps, all of which straps are released upon actuation of the quick release system;

the load belt system further includes a stabilizing cummerbund that is connectable with the back plate carrier panel and the side straps, the cummerbund being releasable with the back plate carrier panel upon actuation of the quick release system; and

the load couplers are connected between the cummerbund and the load belt to transmit load from the plate carrier through the cummerbund and the load couplers to the load belt.

10. A garment as set forth in claim 9 wherein the load couplers stay with the load belt and release from the cummerbund when the quick release system is actuated.

11. A garment as set forth in claim 9 wherein the load belt has two pockets, one on each side of center, opening upward and adapted to receive and support vertically the lower ends of the load couplers;

the upper ends of the load couplers are connected with the cummerbund in a force-transmitting manner; and

the downward load of the plate carrier is transmitted from the plate carrier to the cummerbund and thence to the load couplers and thence to the load belt and thence to the soldier's waist and hips thereby relieving load on the soldier's shoulders.

12. A garment as set forth in claim 8 wherein each pocket in the load belt has three different bottom walls to provide three different height load transmission paths, and wherein each pocket is substantially wider than the lower ends of the load couplers to enable lateral positioning of the load couplers in the pockets.

13. A soldier's garment comprising:

a torso portion including a hard plate carrier, a concealable carrier that can carry soft armor panels, and separate soft armor panels, wherein the plate carrier can be worn alone, the concealable carrier can be worn alone, the plate carrier can be worn with the concealable carrier, or the plate carrier can be worn with the soft armor panels;

the plate carrier having an actuatable quick release system for enabling release of the plate carrier from the soldier;

each one of the concealable carrier and the soft armor panels being released with the plate carrier when the quick release system is actuated.

14. A garment as set forth in claim 13 further including a plurality of accessory garment pieces including one or more selected from a group including a stabilizing cummerbund, a load belt, a throat protector, thigh pads, side plates, deltoid pads, bicep pads, a back pad, and a groin pad.

15. A garment as set forth in claim 13 further including a throat protector that has stiff, resilient flexible tabs that slide rearward into slots in the torso portion of the garment to hold the throat protector in position on the torso portion of the garment.

16. A garment as set forth in claim 13 further including two thigh protectors, one for each leg, that can include ballistic material for helping to protect the soldier's thighs, each thigh protector being supported on the torso portion of the garment by a support strap that extends downward from the torso portion, and by a pivotal connection between the strap and the thigh protector.

17. A garment as set forth in claim 16 wherein the pivotal connection includes a D-ring on the thigh protector, around which is looped the support strap, the support strap being slidable along the D-ring in a direction between opposite ends of the curved portion of the D-ring, thereby to support the thigh protector on the concealable carrier for pivotal movement relative to the concealable carrier about the point of engagement of the strap and the D-ring.

18 A garment as set forth in claim 16 wherein the thigh protector is configured to contain one or more hard plates in pockets of fabric material.