Abstract:
In one aspect, a ballistic resistant garment includes a front component having a front outer shell a rear component having a rear outer shell, each outer shell including a pair of shoulder extensions. Each front shoulder extension includes a first half of a releasable connector and each rear shoulder extension includes a second half of the releasable connector. A release cable is positioned on the front component. In a first position the release cable maintains engagement between the first half of the releasable connector and the second half of the releasable connector to connect the pair of front shoulder extensions with the pair of rear shoulder extensions to form a neck opening. In a second position, the release cable disengage from the releasable connector to enable the pair of front shoulder extensions to disconnect from the pair of rear shoulder extensions.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to ballistic resistant garments and more specifically to a ballistic resistant garment including an emergency release cable system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Ballistic resistant garments are available to protect various parts of the body from various ballistic threats, such as bullets or shrapnel. Some ballistic resistant garments are made of “soft armor,” which is generally flexible. For example, ballistic resistant vests that are worn to protect a user&#39;s torso are usually made of soft body armor. Other garments are made of “hard armor,” which are generally stiff and inflexible. For example, helmets worn to protect a user&#39;s head are generally made of hard armor. However, some garments may employ a combination of soft and hard armor to increase protection for the user. Traditionally, ballistic resistant garments have been single component garments or multiple-component garments that are not easily separable. 
         [0003]    Ballistic resistant garments are often used in high threat situations, such as firefights or riots, by military or police personnel. In these situations, a user of these ballistic resistant garments must be adequately covered and the ballistic resistant garments must fit properly for maximum protection. However, a situation may occur in which the ballistic resistant garment must be quickly and easily removed from the user. For example, mission equipment carried on the ballistic resistant garment may become entangled during emergency egress from a vehicle, building or other confined space. In addition, the weight of the ballistic resistant garment and mission equipment may prevent the user from surfacing in the event of inadvertent water submersion. Further, if an individual is injured, a first responder may need to gain immediate access to the upper torso for assessment and medical treatment. 
         [0004]    Some ballistic resistant garments provide a release cable that enables the ballistic resistant garment to break apart into several removable components when the release cable is pulled or otherwise removed. The release cable may be connected to a quick release tab located towards the bottom of the garment, for example, adjacent the user&#39;s waist. However, these quick release tabs may not be easily accessible if, for example, the user also has equipment mounted to the front of the ballistic resistant garment. Also, locating the quick release tab near the user&#39;s waist increases the possibility of accidental pulling of the release cable. Further, the release cable is often very long. A long release cable may require the user to remove the entire release cable, or at least a length of release cable greater than a single arm extension, to enable the ballistic resistant garment to break apart and may require more pull force. 
         [0005]    Further still, some ballistic resistant garments provide the various components of the ballistic resistant garment with long leads that extend a distance to a single release point or release area. These leads may have to be removed from the garment after the single release point, or release points in the release area, is disengaged. This may require more time to remove the vest, may cause the garment to become hung up on the user (e.g., the leads becoming entangled around the user), or may not fully disengage (e.g., the leads become entangled within the ballistic resistant garments). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a ballistic resistant garment having an emergency release cable system that is readily accessible to a user or first responder and provides a relatively short pull distance to disengage the ballistic resistant garment from the user. 
         [0007]    In general, in one aspect, the invention features a ballistic resistant garment including a front component and a rear component. The front component includes a front outer shell having a pair of front shoulder extensions with holes through each. The rear component includes a rear outer shell having a pair of rear shoulder extensions with each having a loop configured to engage the hole through each front shoulder extension. A release cable is positioned on the front component and configured to move from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the release cable engages the loop on each rear shoulder extension and retains the loop in engagement with the hole through each front shoulder extension, thereby connecting the pair of front shoulder extensions with the pair of rear shoulder extensions to form a neck opening. In the second position, the release cable disengages from the loop on each rear shoulder extension, which disengages the loop from the hole through each front shoulder extension, thereby disconnecting the pair of front shoulder extensions from the pair of rear shoulder extensions. 
         [0008]    In embodiments, the hole through each front shoulder extension is formed in front shoulder extension tabs, with one shoulder extension tab being attached to each front shoulder extension. In further embodiments, each hole also includes a grommet. In embodiments, the release cable also includes a pull tab positioned approximately adjacent to the neck opening. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the front outer shell also includes a loop positioned on a lower portion of the front outer shell and the rear outer shell also includes a side extension extending from a lower portion of the rear outer shell. The side extension includes a first half of a removable connector. A release panel includes a second half of the removable connector to engage the first half of the removable connector on the side extension. The release panel also includes a hole to engage the loop positioned on the lower portion of the front outer shell. In the first position, the release cable engages the loop positioned on the lower portion of the outer shell to retain the loop in engagement with the hole through the release panel, thereby connecting the release panel to the lower portion of the front outer shell. In the second position, the release cable disengages from the loop, which enables the loop to disengage from the hole through the release panel, thereby disconnecting the release panel from the lower portion of the front outer shell. 
         [0010]    In further embodiments, the ballistic resistant garment also includes a second loop positioned on the lower portion of the front outer shell and a second side extension extending from the lower portion of the rear outer shell and having a first half of the removable connector. A second release panel includes a second half of the removable connector to engage the first half of the removable connector on the second side extension, and includes a hole to engage the second loop. In the first position the release cable engages the second loop and retains the second loop in engagement with the hole through the second release panel, thereby connecting the second release panel to the front outer shell. In the second position, the release cable disengages from the second loop, enabling the second loop to disengage from the hole through the second release panel, thereby disconnecting the second release panel from the lower portion of the front outer shell. 
         [0011]    In embodiments, the hole through the release panel is formed in a release panel tab attached to the release panel. In various embodiments, the removable connector may be hook and loop, snaps, buttons, zippers or buckles. 
         [0012]    In other embodiments, each front shoulder extension also includes an upper arm retention tab to which a pair of upper arm components are attached. Each upper arm component includes a web loop through which the upper arm retention tab is threaded and a strap configured to be attached to a user&#39;s arm. 
         [0013]    In various embodiments, each loop is 550 parachute cord and each extension tab is a nylon web material. The nylon web material may include plastic reinforcement to provide more strength and rigidity. In various embodiments, the ballistic resistant garment may be a vest, a shirt or a jacket. 
         [0014]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features a ballistic resistant garment including a front component, a rear component, a pair of release panels and a release cable. The front component includes a front outer shell having a pair of front shoulder extensions extending from an upper portion of the front outer shell. Front shoulder extension tabs, each with a pair of holes formed therein, are attached to each front shoulder extension, and a plurality of loops are attached to a lower portion of the front outer shell. The release panels include a plurality of release panel extension tabs, with a hole formed in each, attached along one edge of each release panel, and a removable connector. The holes are configured to engage the plurality of loops attached to the lower portion of the front outer shell. The rear component includes a rear outer shell having a pair of rear shoulder extensions extending from an upper portion of the rear outer shell. Rear shoulder extension tabs, each with a pair of loops attached thereto and configured to engage the holes in the front shoulder extension tabs, are attached to each rear shoulder extension. A pair of side extensions extend from a lower portion of the rear outer shell and include a mating removable connector to engage the removable connector on one of the release panels. The release cable is positioned on the front component and includes a pull tab positioned approximately adjacent a neck opening and is configured to move from a first position to a second position when the pull tab is pulled. In the first position, the release cable engages the pairs of loops on each rear shoulder extension tab and retains them in engagement with the pair of holes through each front shoulder extension tab, thereby connecting the pair of front shoulder extensions with the pair of rear shoulder extensions to form a neck opening. The release cable also engages the plurality of loops attached to the lower portion of the front outer shell and retain them in engagement with the holes in the plurality of release panel extension tabs, thereby connecting the release panels to the lower portion of the front outer shell. In the second position, the release cable disengages the pairs of loops on each rear shoulder extension tab, disengaging the loops on each rear shoulder extension tab from the pair of holes through each front shoulder extension tab, thereby disconnecting the pair of front shoulder extensions from the pair of rear shoulder extensions. The release cable also disengages the plurality of loops attached to the lower portion of the front outer shell, disengaging the plurality of loops from the holes in the plurality of release panel extension tabs, thereby disconnecting the release panels from the lower portion of the front outer shell. 
         [0015]    In embodiments, each hole in the front shoulder extension tabs and the release panel extension tabs includes a grommet. In other embodiments, each front shoulder extension tab includes a plurality of holes therein configured to enable fit adjustments. In further embodiments, the removable connector may be a hook and loop, snaps, buttons, zippers or buckles. In various embodiments, the ballistic resistant garment may be a vest, a shirt or a jacket. 
         [0016]    In various embodiments, each front shoulder extension also includes an upper arm retention tab to which a pair of upper arm components are attached. Each upper arm component includes a web loop through which the upper arm retention tab is threaded and a strap configured to be attached to a user&#39;s arm. 
         [0017]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features a ballistic resistant garment including a first component, a second component and a release cable. The first component includes a first outer shell having a pair of first shoulder extensions with a first half of a releasable connector on each first shoulder extension. The second component includes a second outer shell having a pair of second shoulder extensions with a second half of the releasable connector on each second shoulder extension to engage the first half of the releasable connector on each first shoulder extension. The release cable is positioned on the first component and configured to move from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the release cable maintains engagement between the first half of the releasable connector and the second half of the releasable connector, thereby connecting the pair of first shoulder extensions with the pair of second shoulder extensions to form a neck opening. In the second position, the release cable disengages from the releasable connector to disengage the first half of the releasable connector and the second half of the releasable connector, thereby disconnecting the pair of first shoulder extensions from the pair of second shoulder extensions. 
         [0018]    In embodiments, the first half of the releasable connector is a passage and the second half of the releasable connector is a loop. In other embodiments, the first half of the releasable connector is a loop and the second half of the releasable connector is a passage. 
         [0019]    In further embodiments, the first outer shell further includes a first half of a lower releasable connector positioned on a lower portion of the first outer shell and the second outer shell further includes a side extension extending from a lower portion of the second outer shell and has a removable connector. A release panel includes a mating portion of the removable connector to engage the removable connector on the side extension, and a second half of the lower releasable connector to engage the first half of the lower releasable connector. In the first position, the release cable maintains engagement between the first half of the lower releasable connector and the second half of the lower releasable connector, thereby connecting the release panel to the lower portion of the first outer shell. In the second position, the release cable disengage from the lower releasable connector, disengaging the first half of the lower releasable connector from the second half of the lower releasable connector, thereby disconnecting the release panel from the lower portion of the first outer shell. 
         [0020]    In embodiments, the first half of the lower releasable connector is a passage and the second half of the lower releasable connector is a loop. In other embodiments, the first half of the lower releasable connector is a loop and the second half of the lower releasable connector is a passage. 
         [0021]    In various embodiments, the ballistic resistant garment may be a vest, a shirt or a jacket. In embodiments, the release cable also includes a pull tab positioned approximately adjacent to the neck opening. 
         [0022]    In embodiments, the first half of the releasable connector is attached to each first shoulder extension by a first shoulder extension tab and the second half of the releasable connector is attached to each second shoulder extension by a second shoulder extension tab. In various embodiments, the first shoulder extension tabs and the second shoulder extension tabs are made of nylon webbing material. 
         [0023]    In further embodiments, the ballistic resistant garment further includes a second release panel having a mating portion of the removable connector to engage the removable connector on the side extension, and a second half of the lower releasable connector to engage the first half of the lower releasable connector. In a first position, the release cable maintains engagement between the first half of the lower releasable connector and the second half of the lower releasable connector, thereby connecting the second release panel with the lower portion of the first outer shell. In the second position, the release cable disengages from the lower releasable connector, disengaging the first half of the lower releasable connector from the second half of the lower releasable connector, thereby disconnecting the second release panel from the lower portion of the first outer shell. 
         [0024]    In embodiments, the first half of the releasable connector is a plurality of passages and the second half of the releasable connector is a plurality of loops. In other embodiments, the first half of the releasable connector is a plurality of loops and the second half of the releasable connector is a plurality of passages. 
         [0025]    The invention can be implemented to realize one or more of the following advantages. The emergency release cable system provides a cable release tab located adjacent a user&#39;s throat or upper chest, which provides easy access to the user or a first responder providing assistance to the user, particularly if the user is in an armored vehicle. Further, a user can provide a greater pull distance when pulling the cable release tab from the area adjacent his throat. 
         [0026]    The position of the cable release tab also diminishes the potential for accidental deployment of the cable release system. The user would most likely not carry any equipment adjacent his throat that might accidentally entangle and deploy the cable release system. Further, locating the cable release tab adjacent the user&#39;s throat diminishes the potential of accidental entanglement with external objects that may cause the cable release system to deploy. 
         [0027]    The release points are distinct and located at the point at which the components disengage, or break away, which lessens the risk that the components will become entangled with the user. Also, locating the release points at the point at which the components break away provides better support at those points and prevents the components from separating under a load. The location of the release points and the configuration of the release cable enable the components to break away adjacent the user&#39;s waist before breaking away from the user&#39;s shoulders, which prevents the ballistic resistant garment from dropping around the user&#39;s lower torso or legs, which may inhibit movement and mobility. The location of the release points enables the components to separate and be removed in a confined space, thereby reducing the risk of user entanglement in components after their release. 
         [0028]    Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is front perspective view of an exemplary ballistic resistant vest. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is rear perspective view of the ballistic resistant vest of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a shoulder area of the ballistic resistant vest of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a partial cut-away side view of the shoulder area of the ballistic resistant vest of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a front component of the ballistic resistant vest of FIG. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of an another exemplary ballistic vest. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the ballistic resistant vest of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is rear perspective view of another exemplary ballistic vest. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of another exemplary ballistic vest. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary ballistic resistant vest  10  includes a front component  15  and a rear component  20 . The front component  15 , which is generally symmetrical, may include a front outer shell  16  with a pair of front shoulder extensions  30  extending from an upper portion  18  of the front outer shell  16 . The rear component  20 , which is generally symmetrical, may include a rear outer shell  21  with a pair of rear shoulder extensions  35  extending from an upper portion  23  of the rear outer shell  21 , and a pair of side extensions  25  extending from a lower portion  25 . The front and rear outer shells  16 ,  21  may include a pocket into which ballistic resistant material is placed (not shown). The ballistic material may include, for example, aramid, para-aramid, polypropylene, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) or polyester, or any combination thereof. 
         [0040]    In use, the front shoulder extensions  30  overlay the rear shoulder extensions  35  to form a neck opening  80 . Specifically, one front shoulder extension  30  overlays one rear shoulder extension  35 , while the other front shoulder extension  30  overlays the other rear shoulder extension  35 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each front shoulder extension  30  may include a front shoulder extension tab  50  with several eyelets  55 . Preferably, the front shoulder extension tabs  50  are made of a nylon webbing for strength, and the eyelets  55  include grommets  60  to prevent the nylon webbing from fraying or breaking. The nylon web bing may include plastic reinforcement to provide more strength and rigidity. Each rear shoulder extension  35  may include a rear shoulder extension tab  65  with several loops  70  attached. Preferably, the rear shoulder extension tabs  65  are made of a nylon webbing and may also include plastic reinforcement to provide more strength and rigidity. The loops  70  may be cord material, such as 550 parachute cord, bar tacked to the nylon webbing for strength. 
         [0041]    The loops  70  on the rear shoulder extension tab  65  are threaded through the eyelets  55  in the front shoulder extension tab  50  and held in place with a release cable  75  threaded through the loops  70 . This configuration provides attachment between the front component  10  and the rear component  20  of the ballistic resistant vest  10  at a user&#39;s shoulders, while enabling overall fit adjustment to the ballistic resistant vest  10  and an emergency release, as described below. The front shoulder extension tab  50  may include multiple eyelets  55  spaced around the front shoulder extension tabs  50  in a square pattern to enable adjustment to the fit of the vest. For example, as shown, the front shoulder extension tab  50  may include four eyelets  55  in a square pattern spaced one inch on center from each other, while the rear shoulder extension tabs  65  may include two loops  70  spaced one inch on center from each other. If the loops  70  are threaded through the lower eyelets  55 A, the front component  15  is one inch higher than the loops  70  being threaded through the upper eyelets  55 B. This enables adjustment to the size of, for example, the neck opening  80  of the ballistic resistant vest  10 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the front component  15  may include a pair of release panels  85 . Each release panel  85  and each side extension  25  may include mating removable connectors  90 A,  90 B. Preferably, the mating removable connectors  90 A,  90 B are hook and loop connectors, such as Velcro®. The removable connectors  90 A,  90 B provide attachment between the side extensions  25  on the rear component  20  and the front component  15 , while enabling overall fit adjustment to the ballistic resistant vest  10 . The release panels  85  may each include release panel tabs  95  that include eyelets  100 . Preferably, the release panel tabs  95  are made of a nylon webbing for strength, and the eyelets  100  may include grommets  105  to prevent the nylon webbing from fraying or breaking. The nylon web material may include plastic reinforcement to provide more strength and rigidity. Multiple loops  110  are attached to a lower portion  19  of the front component  15  and arranged in a vertical a row. The loops  110  may be a cord material, such as 550 parachute cord, bar tacked to the front component  15 . 
         [0043]    The loops  110  on the front component  15  are threaded through the eyelets  100  in the release panels  85  and held in place with the release cable  75  threaded through the loops  110 . This configuration attaches the release panels  85  to the front component  15 , and enables the side extensions  25  on the rear component  20  to attach to the front component  15  around a user&#39;s torso, while enabling overall fit adjustment to the ballistic resistant vest  10  and an emergency release as described below. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the release cable  75  may include a pull tab  115  located approximately adjacent the neck opening  80  on the front component  15 , and approximately adjacent a user&#39;s throat or upper chest when the ballistic resistant vest  10  is worn. The release cable  75  is positioned entirely on the front component  15 , and may enter and run through pockets (not shown) in the front outer shell  16  by entering through various openings  40 . Further, the various connection points may be protected by covers, such as for example a shoulder cover  45 . Running the release cable  75  through pockets in the front outer shell  16  and covering the release points helps prevent accidental pulling of the release cable  75 . 
         [0045]    The release cable  75  includes free ends  120 A,  120 B. In an emergency, the user may pull the pull tab  115 , which in turn pulls the release cable  75  and disengages the release cable  75  from the loops  70  at the shoulders extensions  30 ,  35  and the loops  110  at the release panels  85 . Once the free ends  120 A,  120 B of the release cable  75  are disengaged from the loops  70 ,  110 , the front shoulder extensions  30  will disengage from the rear shoulder extensions  35  and the release panels  85 , and thus the side extensions  25  which are attached to the release panels  85 , will disengage from the front component  15 , enabling the ballistic resistant vest  10  to break away from the user. The weight of the front and rear components  15 ,  20 , and any accessories attached to the components, will pull the components apart and away from the user. Preferably, the release cable  75  is configured to enable the front component  15  and rear component  20  to completely break away from the user by pulling the pull tab  115  between 8 to 16 inches, and more preferably between 8 to 10 inches. The pull force required to disengage the free ends  120 A,  120 B of the release cable  75  from the loops  70 ,  110  will depend on the weight of the ballistic resistant vest  10 , including any load being carried on the ballistic resistant vest  10 , as well as the interference fit between the release cable  75  and the loops  70 ,  110 , which will increase with weight. Preferably, the pull force required is between 3 and 10 pounds, more preferably 3 to 5 pounds. 
         [0046]    The length of the free ends  120 A,  120 B can be adjusted to adjust the distance a user must pull on the pull tab  115  before the ballistic resistant vest  10  breaks away. For example, the free ends  120 A at the front shoulder extensions  30  may be a little longer than the free end  120 B at the release panels  85 , which will enable the release panels  85  and side extensions  25  to disengage before the shoulder extensions  30 ,  35  disengage. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the ballistic resistant vest  10  may also include upper arm components  125  to increase the coverage of a user&#39;s shoulders and upper arms. Each of the upper arm components  125  may include an upper arm outer shell  130  with a ballistic material (not shown) disposed therein. The upper arm outer shell  130  may include a web loop  135  through which an upper arm retention tab  140  threads. The upper arm retention tab  140  may be attached to the front component  15  at the front shoulder extensions  30 . The upper arm component  125  is also attached to the user&#39;s upper arm by an adjustable strap  137 . This configuration enables the upper arm component  125  to disengage from the front and rear components  15 ,  20  when the release cable  75  is used. For example, when the release cable  75  is pulled, the weight of the front component  15  will pull the upper arm retention tab  140  out of engagement from the web loop  135 , enabling the front component  15  to break away from the user while the upper arm component  125  remains attached to the user. Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in an alternative embodiment, the release cable  275  may be disposed entirely on the rear component  220 . In this embodiment, the previously described components of the ballistic resistant vest  10  would be reversed. For example, the release panels  285  would be positioned on the rear component  220  in the manner described above. The side extensions  225  may then extend from the front component  215  to the release panels  285  on the rear component  220 . In this embodiment, pulling the release cable  275  will detach the release panels  285  and the side extensions  225  from the rear component  220 . The release cable  275  would connect the front shoulder extensions  230  and rear shoulder extensions  235  as described above. The pull tab  215  would be located adjacent the neck opening  280  on the rear component  220 , preferably on one of the rear shoulder extensions  235 . An opening  290  may be provided on both rear shoulder extensions  235  to enable the user to configure the pull tab  215  on either rear shoulder extension  235 . This enables the ballistic resistant vest  210  to be configured for either a left handed or right handed user. 
         [0048]    It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, while the side extensions  25 ,  225  have been described as integral to either the rear component  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) or the front component  215  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ), the side extensions may be separate components or integral with the release panels. Referring to  FIG. 8 , in another embodiment, the side extensions  325  may be a separate component from the rear component  20 . In this embodiment, the side extensions  325  attach to the release panels  85  and the front component  15  by mating to removable connectors  90 A,  90 B on the release panels  85  (as described above), and attach to the rear component  20  by mating to removable connectors  390 A,  390 B. Referring to  FIG. 9 , in still a further embodiment, the release panels  485  may be integral with the side extensions  425  (i.e., a single component) and attach to the front component  15  by release panel tabs  495  with their associated eyelets  400  and multiple loops  10  attached to the lower portion  19  of the front component  15 , as described above. 
         [0049]    Further, the front shoulder extension tabs  50  and the release panel tabs  95  have been described as nylon webbing, any suitable material may be used. Further, the front shoulder extension tabs  50  and the rear shoulder extension tabs  65  may be integral parts of the outer shells  16 ,  21 . Further still, the eyelets  55  themselves may be integral parts of the front shoulder extensions  30  and the release panels  85 , and the loops  70  may be integral parts of the rear shoulder extensions  35 , eliminating the front shoulder extension tabs  50 , the rear shoulder extension tabs  65  and the release panel tabs  95 . 
         [0050]    Also, while the loops  70 ,  110  have been described as 550 parachute cord, any suitable material may be used. Further still, while the loops  70 ,  110  have been described as being attached to the extension tabs by bar tacking, the loops  70 ,  110  may be attached to the extension tabs by any suitable means. 
         [0051]    Further, any number of eyelets  55  may be used on the front shoulder extension tabs to provide more or less adjustability. For example, while four eyelets  55  were described, more eyelets  55  may be provided to increase the decree of adjustability. Also, the ballistic resistant garment  10  may be configured to enable the rear shoulder extensions  35  to overlay the front shoulder extensions  30 . For example, while the eyelets  55  were described as being located on the front shoulder extensions while the loops  70  were described as being located on the rear shoulder extensions  35 , the eyelets  55  and loops  70  may be reversed. 
         [0052]    Further still, while the connections between the front component  15  and the rear component  20  have been described as loops  70 ,  110  pulled through eyelets  55 ,  100 , the connection can be made by any suitable connectors that can be quickly disengaged when the release cable  75  is pulled. Further yet, while the removable connectors  90 A,  90 B have been described as hook and loop connectors, any suitable connector may be used. For example, snaps, buttons and buckles may be used. 
         [0053]    Also, while three release panel tabs  95  are shown on each release panel  85 , any number of release panel tabs may be used. 
         [0054]    Further, while two release panels  85  have been described to release the side extensions  25 , a single release panel  85  may be used to release only one of the side extensions  25 . For example, one side extension  25  may be attached to the release panel  85  while the second side extension  25  may be attached to a removable connector  90 B that is permanently attached to the front component  15 . In such an embodiment, the ballistic resistant vest  10  may still break away from the user when the release cable  75  is pulled, separating the front shoulder extensions  30  from the rear shoulder extensions  35  and the side extension  25  from the front component  15 , enabling the front component  15  to separate from the rear component  20  at the user&#39;s shoulders and waist.