Patent ID: 7243376

Claim:
A cut away vest comprising: a first vest portion with a first torso panel; a second vest portion with a second torso panel; shoulder straps connected to the first torso panel extending to the second torso panel, at least one said shoulder strap having a free end and at least one first connector element; a waist belt having at least one side portion with a free end connecting a lower portion of one of the first torso panel and second torso panel to the other of the first torso panel and second torso panel, said at least one belt side portion having at least one second connector element; at least one connector device connected to the second torso panel and selectively operably associated with a respective at least one of the first and second connector elements; and a flexible single retainer element carried by at least one of the first and second torso panels engageable with the at least one connector device to releasably retain the first and second connector elements associated each with a respective said connector device whereby a portion of the retainer element is movable from engagement with the at least one connector device to release the first and second connector elements from their respective connector device.