Abstract:
A shoulder-worn soft good allows a user to carry ammunition magazines across a front portion, and supplies in the back, predominantly water and communications equipment. The device also functions as a sling for the user&#39;s weapon. It is a single piece of equipment that supplies the four basic needs of the soldier: ammunition, water, communications equipment, and weapon.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional App. No. 60/975,977, filed Sep. 28, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to equipment carrying devices for military and hunting activities. 
         [0004]    Current solutions to the problem of carrying all the basic equipment used in military or hunting activities involve multiple pieces of specialized equipment. Typically a piece of equipment is worn that carries ammunition and a radio (such as a “Rhodesian Chest Harness”) a separate item is worn that carries water (such as a CamelBak® brand hydration system), and another item is worn that carries a weapon (a sling) and a belt is often employed to carry extra items not able to be carried on any of the other platforms. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a combined carrier which readily and conveniently supports all these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The carrier of the present invention is a reinforced fabric-based shape that resembles a sash and which is provided with discrete pockets in the front to carry magazines, or alternatively has rows of webbing in the front to attach magazine pouches, and which supports a rifle sling in the front. A water container and a radio are received within rear pouches, and a pull-out accessory pouch is mounted to the rear. 
         [0007]    Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the equipment carrier of the present invention shown in relation to a wearer. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view of the equipment carrier of  FIG. 1 , with a pull-out pouch shown stored and deployed in phantom view. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0010]    Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 1-2 , wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, an equipment carrier  20  is shown. The carrier  20  is a reinforced fabric-based shape. The carrier has a sash  25  having a front section  26  and a rear section  28  which are connected by a shoulder strap  30 . The rear section  28  is generally L-shaped, with a first segment  70  which extends upwardly at an angle, and a second segment  72  which extends horizontally from the first segment to wrap around the wearer  74 . The front section  26  is provided with discrete pockets  22  to carry magazines  24 . Alternatively, the front section may have rows of webbing in the front to attach magazine pouches. The pockets  22  may be provided with conventional PALS webbing  32  which is compatible with MOLLE and other modular pouches. 
         [0011]    The system includes the following components: a sash, one or more container portions of the sash; and one or more attachment means on the exterior of the sash. 
         [0012]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the shoulder strap  30  has a pass-through flap  34  which routes a hydration tube  36  from a hydration system such as the CamelBak® brand hydration bladder  38  which is received in a pouch  40  on the rear section  28  of the sash. A stiff but bendable rifle stock catch  42  is sewn into the shoulder strap  30  on the outside across from the hydration pass-through flap  34 . This catch  42  defines a “bolstered” area of the shoulder to catch the rifle&#39;s stock and prevent it from sliding off during firing. The flap  34  may also receive electronics cabling, not shown, from communications gear  44  which is received within a pocket  46  on the rear section  28  of the sash overlying the hydration bladder  38  pouch  40 . The hyrdration bladder pouch  40  may also receive miscellaneous items. 
         [0013]    A reinforced fabric loop  48  extends downwardly from the shoulder strap  30 , and may receive a clip  50  to define an upper weapon attachment point which receives a rifle strap  52 . A strap  54  extends downwardly from the front section  26  of the sash to define a lower weapon attachment point and which may be connected by a releasable buckle  56  to a rifle  58 . 
         [0014]    The pockets  22  have sidewardly opening slots in the edge of the sash front section, and are designed to hold ammunition magazines and orient them for easy retrieval and insertion into the weapon. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , attachment points are also provided on the rear section  28  of the sash, such as PALS webbing  76  compatible with MOLLE and other modular pouches. 
         [0016]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the carrier  20  has a first side strap  60  which may employ a releasable buckle and which is preferably adjustable in length for fit. The first side strap  60  extends from a portion along an outside edge of the front section to an outside edge of the rear section of the sash. The first side strap  60  extends at an elevation above the wearer&#39;s waist. A second side strap  62  is similar in construction to the first side strap and extends from a lower corner of the front section of the sash to a lower portion of the rear section of the sash. The second side strap  62  is substantially lower in elevation than the first side strap. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a pull-out pouch  64  is kept in a stored position on the rear section  28  of the sash  25 , positioned between the hydration pouch  40  and the wearer. The pull-out pouch  64  has a protruding tab  66  which can be engaged by one hand of the user and rapidly deployed. The pull-out pouch  64  may have a drawstring or elastic mouth  68  to permit items, such as spent magazines, to be rapidly inserted and retained therein. 
         [0018]    The carrier  20  combines the basic elements into a single item. This approach reduces weight, heat stress, and bulk of items worn on the user&#39;s body, and offers the added benefit of being small enough to be stored with and treated as part of a main rifle, in a fashion similar to the way a rifle sling is used. This makes “gearing-up” (donning one&#39;s basic gear) much faster than having to put on item after item. In an emergency, this speed can mean the difference between life and death. 
         [0019]    Variations on the current configuration include a version with a larger storage area on the back portion, a version without any pockets on the exterior of the front or back (only places to attach pockets), and versions that are specific to various rifle calibers. 
         [0020]    It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.