Patent ID: 7441278

Claim:
A convertible apparatus, comprising: a first panel having body armor material incorporated therein, the first panel having a periphery that includes a first edge and a first set of fasteners connected to the first panel that extend about a majority of the periphery of the first panel; a second panel having body armor material incorporated therein, the second panel having a periphery that includes a first edge and a second set of fasteners connected to the second panel that extend about a majority of the periphery of the second panel, the second set of fasteners corresponding to the first set of fasteners for removable mating engagement; a pair of shoulder straps, each having a first end secured to the first panel adjacent the first edge of the first panel, and a second end secured to the second panel adjacent the first edge of the second panel, with the shoulder straps spaced apart from each other; and (i) the first and second set of fasteners connecting a majority of the peripheries of the first and second panels together when in mating engagement so that the first and second panels form an internal storage cavity; and (ii) the first and second panels form a body vest with the first panel covering a front portion of a user and the second panel covering a rear portion of the user with the shoulder straps supported on the user's shoulders when the first and second set of fastener are disengaged.