Patent ID: 6185738
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: F41H

Abstract:
A load-bearing protective tactical vest adapted to selectively retain body armor elements and carry detachable elements such as supply receptacles and auxiliary items, said vest comprising:a unitary member having a front panel, a rear panel and a central panel interconnecting said front and rear panels, each said panel having at least a first inner layer of durable abrasion-resistant material and a second outer layer of durable abrasion-resistant material;said central panel defining a center opening sized and shaped for receiving a human head therethrough and a pair of shoulder support straps disposed on each side of said center opening adapted to support a load imposed by said vest during use thereof;a layer of attachment fabric in the form of hook-and-loop type fastening means covering a substantial portion of the outer surface of said second outer layer material of each said front and rear panels, the detachable elements carrying a complementary hook-and-loop type fastening means;a plurality of individual fastening members spaced across a substantial portion of said attachment fabric in operative relation therewith for selective placement and attachment of the detachable elements to the outer surface of said vest;said front panel having a first interior compartment defined between said first and second layers of material, said first compartment being accessible through a first vest opening;said rear panel having a second interior compartment defined between said first and second layers of material, said second compartment being accessible through a second vest opening;a plurality of at least two individual pouches secured within said first compartment and accessible through said first vest opening for selectively receiving variable sized and types of ballistic-resistant body armor elements to provide selectively variable front ballistic protection to a user of said vest; anda plurality of at least two individual pouches secured within said second compartment and accessible through said second vest opening for selectively receiving variable sized and types of ballistic-resistant body armor elements to provide selectively variable rear ballistic protection to a user of said vest.