Abstract:
A load bearing vest comprising a yoke, a core for carrying armor attached to the yoke, and a waist belt assembly for distributing weight to the waist or hips of a user attached to the yoke.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of PCT Application No. PCT/US2009/31289 filed Jan. 6, 2009, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/006,499, filed Jan. 16, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/096,458, filed Sep. 12, 2008; each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The technology disclosed herein pertains to body armor. More particularly, the disclosed technology pertains to a load bearing vest for tactical use. 
         [0003]    The modern battlefield is more dangerous than ever. Improved munitions have dramatically increased the probability of multiple injuries to combatants. These munitions increase the number and severity of the injuries. Typical tactical vest systems are built to carry all of the soldier&#39;s equipment weight directly on the shoulders and neck of the soldiers. One effect of this is decreased range of motion, mobility, of the entire upper body as well as early fatigue, exhaustion, lack of agility, mobility and maneuverability. In summary, the heavy load the American warfighter is required to carry, while equipping him, may actually decrease his combat effectiveness. Military medical treatment shows an increasing number of injuries to soldiers originating from long term spinal load bearing, many of which have long term debilitating injuries which have caused many soldiers to be placed on limited duty, permanent profiles and even medically discharged from the army. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A load bearing vest comprising a yoke, a core for carrying armor attached to the yoke, and a waist belt assembly for distributing weight to the waist or hips of a user attached to the yoke. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a frontal view of embodiments of the technology. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrated detail of the upper flap region of embodiments of the technology. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates elements of an equipment rack of the present technology. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  illustrates flap detail of an equipment rack of the present technology. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  illustrates elements of adjustment panel detail of an equipment rack of the present technology. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  illustrates elements of a quick release assembly of the present technology. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  illustrates elements of a plate pouch front of the present technology. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  illustrates elements of a plate pouch back of the present technology. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  illustrates elements of a front carrier of the present technology. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  illustrates elements of a side SAPI pouch of the present technology. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  illustrates elements of an outside face of a rear carrier of the present technology. 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  illustrates elements of an inside face of a rear carrier of the present technology. 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  illustrates elements of a frame of the present technology. 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  illustrates elements of a carrier of the present technology 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  illustrates elements of a ventilation system of the present technology. 
           [0020]      FIG. 16  illustrates elements an outer tactical vest of the present technology. 
           [0021]      FIG. 17  illustrates elements of the inside face of an outer rear carrier of the present technology. 
           [0022]      FIG. 18  illustrates elements of the outer face of an outer rear carrier of the present technology. 
           [0023]      FIG. 19  illustrates elements of gender-specific padding of the present technology. 
           [0024]      FIG. 20  illustrates a top view of a frame assembly of the present technology. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    As required, detailed features and embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed features and embodiments are merely exemplary of the technology that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein, and any particular combination of these details, are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the technology. 
         [0026]    The technology relates to antiballistic systems, and more particularly to a versatile human body torso guard, that is light weight, modular in design which allows full range of motion and articulation of the shoulders and neck, including an internal frame which supports the natural spinal alignment and disperses weight placed on it (as a load bearing system). The technology benefits individual soldiers, policemen and like personnel. 
         [0027]    The technology relates to the carrier for the ballistic material, which is an outer shell or carrier of abrasion-, moisture- and flame-resistant pliable materials. The outer shell or carrier is provided with a series of straps and fasteners for anchoring to the torso and securing the carrier to an internal frame. The outside of the carrier shall have attached to an internal frame. The outside of the carrier shall have attached various webbing and fasteners to attach tactical gear. The outer cover provides surface area for equipment, and the internal frame allows dispersion of this weight safely off of the shoulders and back and back onto the hips. The plate carrier rest on the front inside of the MOLLE panel, and on the back webbed onto the rear of the carrier. These components are modular in design to allow desirable placement for the user. 
         [0028]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the technology. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the technology only, not as a limitation of the technology. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present technology without departing from the scope or spirit of the technology. For instance, features described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present technology cover such modifications and variations that come within the scope of the technology. 
         [0029]    Referring primarily to  FIG. 1 , a frontal view of the outer tactical vest (OTV)  100  of the technology is illustrated. Load bearing straps  102  are preferably 1″ webbing, anchored under the mid-chest area under a “shark skin” flap  104  and running freely substantially directly upwards. These straps anchor a clip portion, preferably a portion of a Viper clip  106   a,  and support at least a portion of the weight of the frontal load as it is transferred to lifts  108  of the upper yoke of the frame. 
         [0030]    The OTV can be secured to a carrier  200  via clips  106   a,    106   b  and stabilized laterally using stabilizing straps  116  that attach to mating clips on the carrier  200 . As shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 3-5 , an equipment rack flap  118  opens, e.g., folds up for access to an adjustment mechanism for the stabilizing strap arrangement, e.g., the arrangement formed in some embodiments by the front stabilizing strap  124 , rear stabilizing strap  126 , an adjustment strap  128 , and related clips. In preferred embodiments, the flap  118  is secured when closed, e.g., with a hook  132  and loop  134  means. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , detail of the upper flap region is shown. The shark skin flap  104  is preferably a 3″ to 4″ high strip that runs substantially the entire horizontal axis of a wearer&#39;s chest. The outer surface of the flap  104  is rough and “catchy” to allow a solid grip of a weapon&#39;s butt stock placed against the flap  104 . This supports right, left, and center fire positions. The bilateral edge of this structure has a stop, preferably a wrapped tube  110  about ¾″ diameter sewn vertically, to act as a barrier for a butt stock, so the butt stock is deterred from sliding laterally off of the shark skin flap  104 . It serves as a landmark for weapon placement on the vest. The flap  104  folds upwards, preferably at the top seam, to allow access through one or more buttonholes  112  to features such as a quick release and remote trigger system, an example of which is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , located underneath it. The body of this foldable panel  104  can be secured, e.g., by hook  114   a  (shown on the underside of the flap  104 ) and loop  114   b  (shown on the front surface of the front thoracic yoke  100 , buttons, or other fasteners know to those of skill in the art, but can be raised up, e.g., by grasping a lanyard of the remote trigger that can hang out of the bottom of the flap  104 . 
         [0032]    Equipment racks  133  of the technology are covered along the front with webbing  130 , preferably one inch wide and attached to vest, e.g., sewn, at one inch intervals along the horizontal axis, to make the vest “MOLLE” friendly. The surface of the lower portion of the front  135  is removable with a zipper or other mechanical attachment. The attachment will secure the panel substantially circumferentially and will bear substantially all the weight of the equipment placed on it. This will allow the equipment carrying portion of the vest to be removed and replaced at will. The equipment rack flap  118 , or the “MAV RIG,” flips up, e.g., on a hinge, which preferably is close to the upper edge of the flap  118 . This flip exposes lateral stabilizer tightening straps  128  connected to front  124  and rear  126  straps to allow the vest to be tightened around a wearer&#39;s torso. These tightening straps can be attached, e.g., with one end, to a remote trigger  136 , and the other end circles under the MAV RIG to the flap of the MAV. A pair of synch buckles  138   a,    138   b,  at the medial position under this flap allows the wearer to grasp one strap in each hand and pull, e.g., back towards his sides, tightening the straps. In some embodiments, the buckles at the end of the stabilizing straps are a modified version of the COBRA buckle of AstriAlpin developed jointly with ARCHANGEL ARMOR, called the Viper Clip, which is attached directly to the remote trigger device  136  as shown in  FIG. 6 . With the MAV RIG removed, the wearer can access the lateral stabilizer buckle and webbing system and quick release and remote trigger system and interface. 
         [0033]    Referring primarily to  FIG. 7 , the plate pouch  140  can be removed from the carrier and attached directly to the frame  142  by the above means. The lateral stabilizers  144  can attach to synch straps at the bottom portion of the plate pouch  140 . This will provide the same function on this configuration as on the full carrier configuration. Load bearing straps  246  are attached to the top corners of the plate pouch  140 , and can normally be tucked in the envelope openings just behind the strap exit point of the plate pouch  140 . The envelope openings allow the cables for the remote trigger  136  to pass through. The top lateral corners  250  of the plate pouch can seal themselves with hook and loop. This allows the pouches to accept different size and shape SAPI and SAPI type plates, where the hook and loop can reseal to hold multiple shape and curve scenarios. The zippers  152  on the plate pouch  140  front provide additional flexibility for sizing and attachment. 
         [0034]    The back side (or wearer side)  800 , illustrated in  FIG. 8 , of the plate carrier  140  holds attachment points, e.g., four vertical strips of one inch webbing, one in each corner  148   a,    148   b,    148   c,  and  148   d.  The vertical webbing strips  148   a - d  are approximately four inches long and have a snap  150  or like type device, which anchors the snap to the plate pouch. A one inch webbing strip about one and one half inches long oriented horizontally one inch lower than the upper anchoring point. This allows a “MOLLE” type interface for this attachment system onto the inside of the front or rear carriers, frame, and a ventilation system (portions of which are shown in  FIG. 15 . These attachment points also allow control over placement of the plate pouch  140  onto each of these mediums. 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  illustrates the inside of a front carrier, which is the most outside layer that faces towards the wearer. There are two webbing strips  160 , preferably two inches wide, that run vertically bilaterally of the medial vertical line. Each strip  160  can be covered with horizontally-placed webbing strips, preferably one inch wide that lay perpendicularly to the vertical strips. The vertical strips are aligned with the one inch webbing strips on the plate carrier  140  to allow them to interface as an adjustable suspension system. Elastic bands  162  placed diagonally on the wings of the inside surface of the front carrier are used in securing SAPI armor. Button holes  164  for routing cabling for the remote release trigger  136  are placed about the inside of the front surface of the front carrier. 
         [0036]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side SAPI pouch  1000 , A SAPI pouch can be mounted to the front carrier on each of the lateral wrapping portions  170  of the front carrier in the OTV configuration, and will attach to webbing running horizontally on the hip belt  270  portion of the frame  142 . The outer face of the pouch  1100  has webbing, e.g., one inch webbing, running horizontally at intervals across the face  1100  for engaging with MOLLE-friendly equipment. The inner face  1200  has two vertical lines of webbing  1210 , preferably equidistant from the medial line, somewhat close to the edge of the pouch. Each line of webbing is divided into three flaps, attached to the pouch inner face  1200  at the top end of the webbing  1210 . The bottom end of the webbing  1210  has a snap  1220  or other mechanical fastener, to allow the pouch  1000  to attach to a hip belt  270 , e.g., on the horizontal webbing  272 . The opening for the pouch is a flap  1230 , preferably at the top seam, which can be open and closed with hook and loop. 
         [0037]      FIG. 11  illustrates a rear ballistic carrier  1100  that can hold a soft armor panel on the posterior of the frame. The outer face  1110  is cut to support the armor silhouette, for protection of the torso, and to wrap around each side. The outside is covered with horizontal rows of webbing  130  spaced one inch apart. The webbing is substantially secured with bar tack stitching every one and one eighth inches to the fabric of the main carrier. The outside of the very top has a horizontal two inch strip of loop  1112  to accept standard military identification tapes. The rear portion of the device&#39;s lateral stabilizers  126  run along the outside of the carrier horizontally. It allows engagement of the remote trigger  136  onto the stabilizers  126  for triggered release. 
         [0038]      FIG. 12  illustrates the inside face of a rear carrier  1100  holds the attachment points for the frame. The central portion along the vertical axis is curved to allow a concave wrap around the wearer. Webbing  1150  running at a horizontal axis at the top seam provides a platform for the top attachment tab, e.g., consisting of a hardened plastic card  1210  reinforced with aluminum stays  1230 . An envelope flap running horizontally close to the bottom of the panel to allow access to the inside of the carrier. The lateral attachments for the carrier to the frame are located close to the edges of the most lateral tabs. A vertical seam allows for the tabs on the hip belt of the fame in tuck into the accepting pouches, and be secured with hook and loop. 
         [0039]      FIG. 13  illustrates a rear view of a frame  1300 . The overall shape of the central portion echoes the shape of the human torso. Webbing  130  is deployed along the frame  1300 . Frame members  1310 , preferably semi-rigid, are topped with aluminum stays  1320 . A sleeve  1330  for mounting a rear carrier can be found on each side of the lateral portion. A hip belt  1340  with hip belt retention buckle  1342  is provided. Viper clip portions  106   b  are shown at the top of the frame for mating with other Viper clip portions  106   a  from other vest elements as described herein. 
         [0040]      FIG. 14  illustrates portions of embodiments of the present technology, Lateral attachment points  1410  for a rear carrier are shown proximate the exterior ends of a hip belt  270 . The hip belt  270  includes terminating buckles  1420  and tension buckles  1430  for adjusting the belt. The assembly serves as an attachment point  1440  for the rear carrier. A lumbar pad  1450  and thoracic pad  1455  provide support to the wearer&#39;s back while shoulder pads  1460  cushion the portion of the load that is transferred to the wearer&#39;s shoulders. Load-bearing lifts  108  allow for the attachment of other equipment, e.g., evacuation harnesses. 
         [0041]      FIG. 15  illustrates ventilation padding  1500  that can be placed between the wearer and the vest, either on the front or back of the wearer, through the use of attachment means.  FIG. 15  shows two types of attachment means,  1510  snaps and  1520  hook/loop. Ventilation is facilitated by use of breathable materials, e.g., 3-dimensional weave covered with Aeromesh  1530 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 16  illustrates a front view of the OTV without an equipment rack, showing adjustment lateral stabilizing straps  128  adjustable through synch buckels  138   a,    138   b.  The strap  128  is shown threaded through guides  139 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 17  illustrates the inside outer face of a rear carrier  1700  with webbing  1710  (preferably 2 inch) across the top and webbing  1720  (preferably one-inch horizontal and two-inch vertical) in two vertical strips disposed substantially equidistant from the line of vertical symmetry of the carrier. 
         [0044]      FIG. 18  illustrates the inside (toward the wearer) of a front carrier. An envelope flap  1810  provides an insertion/extraction point for armor. Attachment points  1820 , e.g., snaps, compatible with other modular element of the technology, e.g., ventilation padding  1500  are provided at the top. 
         [0045]      FIG. 19  illustrates gender-tailored padding for vest assemblies of the technology.  FIG. 20  illustrates a top-down view of a frame assembly of the technology.