Abstract:
A vest incorporating a pull element operatively connected to a plurality of tether lines extending along pathways to panel connection points at which front and rear panels of the vest are adjoined. When the pull element is extended away from the vest, the tether lines are placed into tension thereby causing the connection assemblies to be disengaged and the front and rear panels of the vest can fall away from one another.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a National Phase of PCT/US2011/057632, filed Oct. 25, 2011, and is based on, and claims priority from, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/406,652, filed Oct. 26, 2010. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a torso covering, and more particularly to a vest adapted to provide torso coverage during use but which can be rapidly disengaged for removal by manipulating a single pull element operatively connected to break-away connections adjoining panels of the vest. Upon manual manipulation of the pull element, the panels of the vest disengage from one another and fall away from a user&#39;s body without the need for additional movement of the user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known to use vests for torso coverage. Vests have the benefit of providing coverage over a user&#39;s torso while leaving the arms free from obstruction. By way of example only, and not limitation, vests formed from aramid and para-aramid materials are often used to provide protection to users such as police officers, military personnel or the like. Such vests serve a primary function of protecting against damage to core body organs as a result of projectile impact. 
     It is generally desirable for vests to be put on and removed easily. In the past, it has been typical to use so called “quick release” clips at front or side openings. One prior clip arrangement incorporates a male member with a pair of laterally disposed legs that snap in locking relation within a relatively flat female body. In such a construction, portions of the snap legs typically project through openings in the lateral sides of the female body in locking relation. The locking relation is disengaged by a user pressing inwardly against the lateral sides of the body to force the snap legs to the interior while applying a separating tensioning force. This permits the legs of the male member to be pulled outwardly from the body. While such prior structures provide excellent connective properties, each clip must be manipulated independently to remove the vest. Moreover, once the clips are disengaged, it is still necessary to manipulate a user&#39;s arms as the vest is pulled off. 
     As will be appreciated, if the wearer of the vest suffers a serious injury, it may be desirable to minimize movement as treatment is administered. Moreover, it may be necessary to remove the vest in order to gain access to the injury site. In those situations it may be necessary to cut traditional vests away from the user to provide rapid treatment. However, due to the nature of the materials forming the vest which are resistant to cutting and puncture, removal by cutting may be difficult and may consume valuable treatment time. 
     In light of the above, a continuing need exists for a vest system which provides torso coverage during normal use, but which also can be readily removed from a user without the need to manipulate individual clip elements and without the need to subject the user to substantial movement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a vest incorporating a pull element operatively connected to a plurality of tether lines extending along channel pathways to panel connection points at which front and rear panels of the vest are adjoined. When the pull element is extended away from the vest, the tether lines are placed into tension thereby causing the connection assemblies to be disengaged and the front and rear panels of the vest can fall away from one another. 
     In accordance with one exemplary aspect, the present invention provides a protective vest adapted for rapid removal from a wearer. The vest includes a front panel adapted to cover at least a portion of the wearer&#39;s chest and a rear panel adapted to cover at least a portion of the wearer&#39;s back. A first waist connection assembly and at least a second waist connection assembly operatively join the front panel to the rear panel substantially at the wearer&#39;s waist. The waist connection assemblies each include a retractable locking element adapted to move between a locked and unlocked condition. A first shoulder connection assembly and at least a second shoulder connection assembly operatively join the front panel to the rear panel substantially at the shoulders of the wearer. The shoulder connection assemblies each include a retractable locking element adapted to move between a locked and unlocked condition. A plurality of tether lines are operatively connected to a common pull element with at least one tether line operatively connecting each of the retractable locking elements to the common pull element. Upon extension of the common pull element, the tether lines displace the retractable locking elements and disengage each of the waist connection assemblies and shoulder connection assemblies. 
     In accordance with another exemplary aspect, the present invention provides a method of rapidly removing a protective vest from a wearer. The method includes the steps of providing a front panel adapted to cover at least a portion of the wearer&#39;s chest and a rear panel adapted to cover at least a portion of the wearer&#39;s back. A first waist connection assembly and at least a second waist connection assembly are provided operatively joining the front panel to the rear panel substantially at the wearer&#39;s waist. The waist connection assemblies each include a rotatable hasp ring structure projecting through a rotatable base ring with a retractable male member adapted to move between a locked condition projecting through the hasp ring structure and an unlocked condition withdrawn from the hasp ring structure. A first shoulder connection assembly is provided operatively joining the front panel to the rear panel substantially at a first shoulder of the wearer and at least a second shoulder connection assembly is provided operatively joining the front panel to the rear panel substantially at second shoulder of the wearer. The shoulder connection assemblies each include a rotatable hasp ring structure projecting through a rotatable base ring with a retractable male member adapted to move between a locked condition projecting through the hasp ring structure and an unlocked condition withdrawn from the hasp ring structure. A plurality of tether lines are provided operatively connected to a common pull element with at least one tether line operatively connecting each of the retractable male members to the common pull element. The common pull element is extended such that the tether lines displace the retractable male members and disengage each of the waist connection assemblies and shoulder connection assemblies substantially simultaneously. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating a formed vest with front and rear panels attached by releasable connection assemblies operatively connected to tether lines extending from a common activating pull; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating one exemplary construction for male members adapted to project through hasp rings and to be operatively connected via tether lines to an activating pull element to effect removal from the hasp rings; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating another exemplary construction for male members adapted to project through hasp rings and to be operatively connected via tether lines to an activating pull element to effect removal from the hasp rings; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary connection system for use in joining vest panels together at the waist; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary connection system for use in joining vest panels together at the shoulders and incorporating multiple hasp rings in series to facilitate adjustment; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary releasable buckle assembly in an operative connected state with an outwardly biased retractable male member inserted through a hasp ring. 
     
    
    
     Before the exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is in no way limited in its application or construction to the details and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of other embodiments and being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for purposes of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of terms such as “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein to the extent possible, like elements are designated by like reference numerals in the various views. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a vest  10  is illustrated. By way of example only, and not limitation, the vest  10  may be a protective garment formed from materials such as woven aramid or para-aramid fibers adapted to resist penetration. 
     In the illustrated exemplary construction, the vest  10  is formed from a front panel  12  and a rear panel  14  which are oriented in opposing relation to one another to define a neck opening  16  and a pair of arm openings  18 . As shown, the rear panel  14  may include one or more waist straps  20  threaded through an adjustable buckle  22 . By way of example only, a waist strap  20  may be located on either side of the vest  10 . Of course, the adjustable buckle  22  may be eliminated if desired such that the strap  20  is of substantially fixed length. A cover panel (only one shown) may be disposed in flap-like relation on either side of the vest  10  to cover the waist straps  20  and the adjustable buckle  22  during use. By way of example only, the free end of the cover panel may include one or more connection structures  26  such as one half of a hook and loop fabric for releasable attachment to complementary structures  28  such as the complementary half of a hook and loop fabric. Of course, other joining techniques may likewise be used if desired. 
     As best seen through joint reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , in the exemplary construction a free end of the waist strap  20  includes a large diameter base ring  30  which operates as part of a releasable waist connection assembly  31  joining the front panel  12  to the rear panel  14 . The base ring  30  is preferably substantially rotatable relative to the waist strap  20  so as to be rotatable between a substantially flattened condition and a raised condition transverse to the waist strap  20 . Rotation through about a 90 degree arc or more may be desirable. Rotation through about a 180 degree arc or more may be particularly desirable. 
     In the illustrated exemplary construction, a hasp ring  32  may be held in generally rotatable relation to a fixed point on the front panel  12  at a position generally aligned with a corresponding waist strap  20  on the opposing rear panel  14 . By way of example only, the hasp ring may be held within a loop sewn to the front panel  12 . However, other arrangements may likewise be used if desired. The hasp ring  32  is preferably substantially rotatable through a wide arc so as to be rotatable between a generally flattened condition and a raised condition transverse to the underlying panel. Rotation through about a 90 degree arc or more may be desirable. Rotation through a full 180 degree arc or more may be particularly desirable in some environments of use. 
     In the illustrated exemplary construction, the hasp ring  32  has an effective outer diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the base ring  30 . Thus, at least a portion of the hasp ring  32  may be inserted through the base ring  30  to form a waist connection between the front panel  12  and the rear panel  14 . The base ring  30  and the hasp ring  32  each preferably has a relatively smooth outer surface and may be formed from similar or dissimilar materials. Exemplary materials of construction may include metal, rigid plastic, or the like. As will be appreciated, in the illustrated exemplary construction in which the base ring  30  is operatively connected to the adjustable length waist strap  20 , the relative positions of the base ring  30  and the hasp ring  32  may be adjusted as desired to accommodate different waist sizes. Of course, it is contemplated the position of the hasp ring also may be adjustable if desired. By way of example only, such adjustment may be through use of an adjustable length strap (not shown) or other suitable technique. 
     As will be appreciated, with the hasp ring  32  inserted into the base ring  30 , the resulting connection is not secure and will tend to fall apart. As best seen through joint reference to  FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 , in the exemplary construction a retractable locking element in the form of a displaceable male member such as a sewn pocket  34  of fabric or the like with a strengthening insert  35  held at the interior ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) is positioned at the front panel  12  for insertion into the portion of the hasp ring  32  projecting through the base ring  30 . In another exemplary construction, the displaceable male member may be a ring structure  36  ( FIG. 3 ) of metal or the like. The ring structure  36  may preferably have a generally elongated configuration with either a flat or curved distal end adapted for insertion into the hasp ring  32 . As will be appreciated, with the male member in the inserted condition ( FIG. 1 ), the hasp ring  32  is blocked against being withdrawn from the base ring  30 . However, both the hasp ring  32  and the base ring  30  can nonetheless rotate to assume a low profile, flattened condition. 
     As best seen through joint reference to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the front panel  12  and the rear panel  14  may be connected at the shoulders of the vest in a substantially similar manner using shoulder straps  40  on the rear panel  14  having multiple hasp rings  32  arranged in series. Thus, adjustments to the shoulders can be made by selecting which hasp ring is used. The hasp rings  32  at the shoulder are preferably substantially rotatable through a wide arc so as to be rotatable between a generally flattened condition and a raised condition transverse to the underlying panel. Rotation through about a 90 degree arc or more may be desirable. Rotation through a full 180 degree arc or more may be particularly desirable in some environments of use. Of course, it is also contemplated that adjustable buckles may be used at the shoulders and/or that multiple hasp rings arranged in series ( FIG. 4 ) may be used at the waist if desired. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in the exemplary construction a base ring  30  is operatively connected to the front panel  12  at each of the shoulders. In the illustrated arrangement the base ring  30  at each shoulder is held in rotatable relation within a sewn loop  44  of fabric or the like projecting outwardly from an edge of the shoulder portion of the front panel  12 . However, other suitable connection techniques may likewise be used if desired. The base ring  30  at the shoulder is preferably substantially rotatable relative to the front panel connection point. Rotation through about a 90 degree arc or more may be desirable. Rotation through about a 180 degree arc or more may be particularly desirable in some environments of use. 
     As will be appreciated, a user may select the hasp ring  32  of choice on the shoulder strap  40  for mateable insertion into the corresponding base ring  30  to establish a releasable shoulder connection assembly  45  of adjustable character as desired. In this regard, while the shoulder straps  40  are illustrated as supporting two hasp rings  32 , a larger or smaller number of hasp rings may be provided for adjustability. The unused hasp rings  32  at the shoulder may rotate to a substantially flattened condition, thereby avoiding interference during use. 
     As with the waist connection assembly  31 , the shoulder connection assembly  45  is not secure and will tend to fall apart. In the exemplary construction a displaceable male member such as the sewn pocket  34  or ring structure  36  as previously described is positioned at the front panel  12  for insertion into the portion of the hasp ring  32  projecting through the base ring  30 . With the male member in the inserted condition ( FIG. 1 ), the hasp ring  32  is blocked against being withdrawn from the base ring  30 . However, both the hasp ring  32  and the base ring  30  can nonetheless rotate to assume a low profile, flattened condition. 
     In the exemplary construction illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the male members at the shoulder connection assemblies  45  are in the form of a sewn pocket  34  as previously described. However, other constructions may be used. In the event that the sewn pocket  34  is used, such a structure may be sized to fit in a relatively tight wedged relation at the interior of the corresponding hasp ring  32  such that it is held in place. The covering material surrounding the strengthening insert  35  may have a textured surface to increase friction if desired. Of course, similar constructions also may be used at the waist if desired. As will be appreciated, each of the waist connection assemblies  31  and each of the shoulder connection assemblies  45  may be attached and detached individually by a user during regular use. Accordingly, during regular use, a wearer may manually release and reengage any of the connection assemblies as the vest  10  is being put on or taken off. The ability to quickly attach and detach the connection points facilitates both speed and ease of use. Likewise, the ability to release and reengage any of the connection assemblies individually permits a wearer to adjust the fit of the vest  10  without complete removal of the entire structure. 
     Regardless of the configuration of the male members adapted for insertion into the hasp rings  32 , in the exemplary construction such male members are each operatively connected to an elongated tether line  50 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the elongated tether lines  50  extend along defined travel paths between the male members and a common pull element  52  such as a ring structure or the like. In operation, the pull element  52  may be grasped and pulled away from the vest  10 , thereby extending the tether lines and retracting the male members out of the corresponding hasp rings  32 . With male members retracted from the hasp rings  32 , both the waist connection assemblies  31  and the shoulder connection assemblies  45  will fall apart thereby releasing the connection between the front panel  12  and the rear panel  14  and causing the vest  10  to fall away from the user. As will be appreciated, all elements of the system including the tether lines  50 , base rings  30 , hasp rings  32 , and male members are operatively secured to either the front panel  12  or to the rear panel  14 . Accordingly, when the common pull element  52  is extended, causing the front panel  12  and the rear panel  14  to fall away from the user, the individual components will remain attached to one or the other of the panels. Thus, components are not lost, and the vest  10  can be easily reassembled for subsequent use. 
     In practice, the tether lines  50  may run through tubing or sewn channels or may be threaded through spaced guide elements  54  positioned along a defined travel path to facilitate controlled travel. By way of example only, and not limitation, the tether lines  50  extending between the pull element  52  and the waist connection assemblies may be disposed within sewn channels at the interior of a surface patch structure  60  which may have a generally inverted “T” shaped configuration. The surface patch structure may be formed from a fabric or other suitable material and may be stitched along its perimeter to form a pocket-like covering for the tether lines  50 . 
     As illustrated, the surface patch structure may include a pair of opposing lateral legs  62  projecting away from an elongated central vertical segment  64 . The lateral legs  62  may be stitched to the front panel  12  to each define a pocket cover for a tether line  50  operatively connected to a retractable male member such as the sewn pocket  34  or ring structure  36  as described previously. 
     By way of example only, one exemplary construction for a waist connection assembly  31  and/or a shoulder connection assembly  45  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this arrangement, a male member in the form of the sewn pocket  34  or ring structure  36  as described previously is supported in retractable relation within a pocket housing  70  having an open end projecting towards the connection point. In practice, such a pocket housing  70  may be secured to the front panel  12  at the shoulder or the waist by sewing or other suitable techniques such that the male member projects away from the edge towards an opposing portion of the rear panel  14 . In the illustrated exemplary arrangement, the base ring  30  is secured in rotatable relation to the pocket housing  70  by use of a sewn loop or other suitable structure. The male member in the form of an elongated ring structure  36  is disposed between a portion of the pocket housing and a travel guide  72  of fabric or other suitable material which is stitched or otherwise secured in place. As shown, the travel guide  72  is of double yoke construction stitched in place to define a pair of guide channels for slidingly supporting the opposing legs of the ring structure  36 . This arrangement facilitates controlled sliding reciprocation of the ring structure  36  during operation. 
     As may be seen through joint reference to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , in the exemplary construction of  FIG. 6 , the ring structure  36  may be operatively connected to the corresponding tether line  50  using an intermediate connection loop  74 . Moreover, a biasing element  76  such as a piece of elastic or other stretchable material may be secured between the connection loop  74  (or some other structure which moves with the ring structure) and the travel guide  72  (or some other static portion of the pocket structure). Thus, when the ring structure  36  is pulled inwardly to the interior of the pocket housing  70 , the biasing element  76  will be stretched from its normal condition and the ring structure  36  will be urged continuously back to the extended condition shown in  FIG. 6 . Of course, a similar biasing arrangement may be used with the male member in the form of a sewn pocket  34  with the biasing element secured between the sewn pocket and a portion of the pocket housing. 
     Regardless of the actual construction used to support the male member, in an embodiment which uses outward biasing, the male member normally extends in outward projecting relation to extend through an opposing hasp ring and thereby prevent separation of the hasp ring  32  and base ring  30 . Upon extension of the pull element  52 , the tether line  50  will act to pull the male member away from engagement with the hasp ring  32 , thereby permitting separation of the hasp ring  32  and base ring  30 . However, upon removal of the tensioning force, the male member will spring back into place due to the recovery force provided by the biasing element  76 . Accordingly, a single pull action may be used to fully release the vest in an emergency situation. Following release, the elements return to their normal position for reassembly. 
     Of course, variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments and equivalents to the extent permitted by the prior art.