KIT COVER

Abstract

A kit cover for protective garments, including a right fabric panel. The right fabric panel includes a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to a protective garment. A left fabric panel is also included. The left fabric panel includes a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to the protective garment. A first half of a first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the front edge of the right fabric panel. A second half of the first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the front edge of the left fabric panel configured to attach to the first half of the first removable fastener.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to ballistic resistant armor and more specifically to a kit cover for a ballistic resistant garment.

BACKGROUND

Military and law enforcement bullet resistant and non-bullet resistant tactical vests are equipped with different size pouches in which a variety of mission equipment or kit is carried. The pouches may include flaps and straps with which to retain the various components of the kit. In most cases, the equipment carried is rigid and has a tendency to create straight lines and square corners on the exterior surface of the pouches. In addition, there is often space between the pouches. Even when the pouches are placed touching each other, the curvature of the torso forces the outermost edges of the pouches apart, thereby creating space between them.

The rigidity, straight edges, square corners, pouch flaps, and straps, combined with the space between the pouches and the additional girth created by the pouch thickness, present a snagging hazard for wearers of the vest. There are numerous protruding objects encountered in vehicles, aircraft cockpits, and other confined spaces during tactical operations. In addition to creating snagging hazards, the pouches can interfere with the manipulation of the vehicle and aircraft controls and other duties, such as individual and crew served weapons deployment. Further, soldiers and law enforcement officers may be unable to emergency egress from vehicles due to their equipment getting hung up on an object in their exit path.

Thus, there exists a need for a kit cover configured to prevent snagging and other obstruction due to the irregular shape of the kit pouches, while still providing immediate access to mission equipment carried in the pouches.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a kit cover that prevents snagging of kit pouches on objects that may interfere with the wearer's ability to move freely, while enabling immediate access to items carried in the pouches under the kit cover.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a kit cover including a right fabric panel. The right fabric panel includes a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to a protective garment. A left fabric panel is also included. The left fabric panel includes a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to the protective garment. A first half of a first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the front edge of the right fabric panel. A second half of the first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the front edge of the left fabric panel configured to attach to the first half of the first removable fastener.

One or more of the following features may be included. In some implementations, a first half of a second removable fastener may be disposed adjacent to the back edge of the right fabric panel. The first half of the second removable fastener may be configured to attach to a second half of the second removable fastener disposed on the protective garment. Similarly, a first half of a third removable fastener may be disposed on the back edge of the left fabric panel. The first half of the third removable fastener may be configured to attach to a second half of the third removable fastener disposed on the protective garment.

In some embodiments, a plurality of elastic strips may be disposed adjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of the right fabric panel and the left fabric panel. The plurality of elastic strips may be configured to cinch the right and left fabric panels to the protective vest.

The first and second halves of the first removable fastener may be selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps. Similarly, the first and second halves of the second and third removable fasteners may be selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.

In some embodiments, the right fabric panel may include at least one pocket configured to hold at least one armor panel. Similarly, the left fabric panel may include at least one pocket configured to hold at least one armor panel. The at least one armor panel may be selected from the group consisting of a hard armor panel and a soft armor panel. The right and left fabric panels may be composed of a ballistic fabric.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a kit cover including a wrap-around fabric panel having a left end, a right end, a central region, a top edge and a bottom edge, and configured to attach to a protective garment. A first half of a first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the left end of the wrap-around fabric panel. A second half of the first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the right end of the wrap-around fabric panel and configured to attach to the first half of the first removable fastener.

One or more of the following features may be included. In some implementations, a first half of at least one central removable fastener may be disposed within the central region of the wrap-around fabric panel. The first half of the at least one central removable fastener may be configured to attach to a second half of the at least one central removable fastener disposed on the protective garment.

In some embodiments, a plurality of elastic strips may be disposed adjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of the wrap-around fabric panel. The plurality of elastic strips may be configured to cinch the wrap-around fabric panel to the protective garment.

The first and second halves of the first removable fastener may be selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps. Similarly, the first and second halves of the at least one central removable fastener may be selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.

The wrap-around fabric panel may include at least one pocket configured to hold at least one armor panel. The at least one armor panel may be selected from the group consisting of a hard armor panel and a soft armor panel. The wrap-around fabric panel may be composed of a ballistic fabric.

Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description, the drawings and the claims. For example, a kit cover may help prevent snagging of the pouches, flaps and straps associated with the kit components. A kit cover may assist in holding equipment closer to the body, thereby stabilizing the load and reducing the girth of the wearer. Additionally, a kit cover may help protect equipment from harsh environmental conditions, such as sand or rain. Further, the kit cover can be configured to attach to existing protective garments and configured to cover various kits. The kit cover provides all these advantages while enabling immediate access to the items it covers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a protective vest without a kit cover.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the protective vest of FIG. 1 with a kit cover.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary kit cover.

FIG. 4 is a front view of another exemplary kit cover.

FIG. 5 is a front view of another exemplary kit cover.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As seen in FIG. 1, a typical protective garment, for example a vest 2, may include various compartments, such as kit compartment 4, kit compartment 6, kit compartment 8, kit compartment 10 for holding and carrying the equipment, or “kit”, that military or law enforcement personnel might need or want to carry. The kit compartments create an uneven surface and present many opportunities for the protective vest 2, and it's wearer, to get snagged on obstacles in the wearer's path.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the protective vest 2 with the kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10 may be fitted with a kit cover 20, which provides a continuous, non-jagged surface over the kit compartments, protecting the wearer from snagging hazards. Such kit covers 20 may be made in various configurations and sizes to fit different wearers and to cover different kit compartments. In FIG. 2, an exemplary kit cover 20 is shown attached to the protective vest 2 of FIG. 1. The kit cover 20 may include a right fabric panel 22 and a left fabric panel 32, the right fabric panel 22 and left fabric panel 32 configured to attach to the protective vest 2 and form an overlapping seam 12 when the kit cover 20 is fully assembled.

The right fabric panel 22 has a front edge 24, a back edge 26, a top edge 28 and a bottom edge 30. Similar to the right fabric panel 22, the left fabric panel 32 has a front edge 34, a back edge 36, a top edge 38 and a bottom edge 40. Each fabric panel 22, 32 may include an inner surface 42, 44, which faces the wearer, and an outer surface 46, 48, which faces away from the wearer. The kit cover 20 may include plurality of elastic strips, for example elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64, disposed in the top edge 28, 38 and bottom edge 30, 40 of the right fabric panel 22 and the left fabric panel 32, respectively, to cinch the kit cover 20 to the wearer. The elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64 also enable the user to pull the kit cover 20 away from his body to quickly gain access to the kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10. Access can be gained by simply sliding his hand behind the kit cover 20 or pulling the kit cover 20 down under the kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10.

Each fabric panel 22, 32 may be composed of a ballistic fabric to enhance the wearer's protection from hazards such as shrapnel and other debris. Each fabric panel 22, 32 may be constructed in different lengths from front edge 24, 34 to back edge 26, 36 and widths from top edge 28, 38 to bottom edge 30, 40 depending upon the type and number of kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10 to be covered and the size of the wearer. Additionally, each panel 22, 32 may be configured to be interchangeable with the other.

The kit cover 20 includes a first half of a first removable fastener 50 disposed adjacent to the front edge 24 on the outer surface 46 of the right fabric panel 22. A second half of the first removable fastener 52 is disposed adjacent to the front edge 34 on the inner surface 44 of the left fabric panel 32 and is configured to attach to the first half of the first removable fastener 50 disposed adjacent to the front edge 24 of the right fabric panel 22. Alternatively, the first half of the first removable fastener 50 may be disposed adjacent to the front edge 24 on the inner surface 42 of the right fabric panel and the second half of the first removable fastener 52 may be disposed adjacent to the front edge 34 on the outer surface 48 of the left fabric panel 32. The two halves of the removable fastener 50, 52 also enable quick access to the kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10 by enabling the user to disengage the two fabric panels 22, 32 from each other.

The back edge 26 of the right fabric panel 22 and the back edge 36 of the left fabric panel 32 may be either permanently attached to the protective vest 2, e.g., by stitching, or it may be removably attached. The back edge 26, 36 of each fabric panel 22, 32 may attach to the protective vest 2 at any suitable location, e.g., on the side or back of the protective vest 2, where the kit cover 20 may be securely attached and may cover any kit compartments (e.g. kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10). With the back edges 26, 36 of the right fabric panel 22 and the left fabric panel 32, respectively, securely attached to the protective vest 2, a wearer may secure the front edge 24 of the right fabric panel 22 to the front edge 34 of the left fabric panel 32 by mating the first half of the first removable fastener 50 to the second half of the first removable fastener 52. The first and second halves of the first removable fastener 50, 52 may be a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper, snaps or any other suitable removable fastening devices.

In embodiments where the back edges 26, 36 of the right fabric panel 22 and the left fabric panel 32 are removably attached to the protective vest 2, a first half of a second removable fastener 54 may be disposed adjacent to the back edge 26 on the inner surface 42 of the right fabric panel 22. The first half of the second removable fastener 54 may be configured to attach to a second half of the second removable fastener (not shown) disposed on the protective vest 2. Similarly, a first half of a third removable fastener 56 may be disposed on the back edge 36 on the inner surface 44 of the left fabric panel 32. The first half of the third removable fastener 56 may be configured to attach to a second half of the third removable fastener (not shown) disposed on the protective vest 2. As discussed above, the place of attachment on the protective vest 2 where the second halves of the second and third removable fasteners are disposed may vary across the sides and back of the protective vest 2 depending upon the number and placement of the kit compartments. The first and second halves of the second and third removable fasteners 54, 56 may be a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper, snaps or any other suitable removable fastening devices.

A plurality of elastic strips, e.g. elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64, may be disposed adjacent to the top edges 28, 38 and bottom edges 30, 40 of the right fabric panel 22 and the left fabric panel 32, respectively. Elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64 may be sewn to, adhesively attached to or disposed within (e.g. in a pocket or within a lining) the right fabric panel 22 and the left fabric panel 32. The plurality of elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64 may be configured to cinch the right and left fabric panels 22, 32 to the protective vest 2 to provide a close fit for the kit cover 20 and to ensure that the top edges 28, 38 and bottom edges 30, 40 of the right and left fabric panels 22, 32, respectively, do not pose a snagging potential when worn.

Because a wearer of a protective vest may require protection from various threats, at least one pocket 66 may be disposed on the inner surface 42 of the right fabric panel 22 configured to hold at least one armor panel 68. Similarly, at least one pocket 70 may be disposed on the inner surface 44 of the left fabric panel 32 configured to hold at least one armor panel 72. Alternatively, the pockets 66, 70 may be disposed on the outer surface of the right and left armor panels 22, 32, respectively. In this way, the right and left fabric panels 22, 32, respectively, may act as an armor carrier in situations where protective armor is needed but the protective garment itself does not include an armor carrier or an insufficient amount of armor. The armor panel 68, 72 may be either a hard armor panel or a soft armor panel.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in other exemplary embodiments, the kit cover 120, 220 includes a wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180. The wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 is configured to attach to a protective garment, such as the protective vest 2. The wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 has a left end 82, 182, a right end 84, 184, a central region 86, 186, a top edge 88, 188 and a bottom edge 90, 190. The wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may be composed of a ballistic fabric to enhance the wearer's protection from hazards such as shrapnel or other debris. The wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may be constructed in different lengths from left end 82, 182 to right end 84, 184 and widths from top edge 88, 188 to bottom edge 90, 190, depending upon the type and number of kit compartments to be covered and the size of the wearer. A first half of a first removable fastener 92, 192 is disposed adjacent to the left end 82, 182 of wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180. A second half of the first removable fastener 94, 194 is disposed adjacent to the right end 84, 184 of wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180. The second half of the first removable fastener 94, 194 is configured to attach to first half of the first removable fastener 92, 192, thereby encircling the protective vest 2.

The central region 86, 186 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may be either permanently attached to the protective vest 2, for example by stitching, or it may be removably attached. The central region 86, 186 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may attach to the protective vest 2 at any suitable location, such as on the side or back of protective vest 2, where kit cover 120, 220 may be securely attached and may cover the kit compartments (e.g. kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10). With the central region 86, 186 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 securely attached to the protective vest 2, a wearer may secure the left end 82, 182 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 to the right end 84, 184 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 by fastening the first half of the first removable fastener 92, 192 to the second half of the first removable fastener 94, 194. The first 92, 94 and second halves 192, 194 of the first removable fastener may be a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper, snaps or any other suitable removable fastening devices.

In examples where the central region 86, 186 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 is removably attached to the protective vest 2, various configurations of central removable fasteners may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a first half of a central removable fastener 100 may be disposed in central region 86. However, multiple first halves of central removable fasteners 200, 202 may also be implemented, as shown in FIG. 5. One or more central removable fasteners and their placement on the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may be utilized depending upon the number and placement of kit compartments (e.g. kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10) on the protective vest 2. The first halves of the central removable fasteners 100, 200, 202 may be configured to attach to second halves of the central removable fasteners (not shown) disposed on the protective vest 2. As discussed above, the place of attachment on the protective vest 2 where the second halves of the central removable fastener(s) are disposed may vary across the sides and back of the protective vest 2 depending upon the number and placement of the kit compartments, as well as the configuration of the protective garment. The first and second halves of the central removable fastener(s) may be a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper, snaps or any other suitable removable fastening devices.

A plurality of elastic strips, e.g. elastic strips 96, 98, 196, 198, may be disposed in the top edge 88, 188 and bottom edge 90, 190 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180. The elastic strips 96, 98, 196, 198 may be sewn to, adhesively attached to or disposed within (e.g. in a pocket or within a lining) the wrap-around fabric panel 70. The plurality of elastic strips 96, 98, 196, 198 may be configured to cinch the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 to the protective vest to provide a close fit for the kit cover 120, 220 and to help ensure that the top edge 88, 188 to bottom edge 90, 190 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 do not pose a snagging potential when worn.

Because a wearer of a protective vest may require protection from various threats, a pocket 104, 204 may be disposed on the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 configured to hold an armor panel 106, 206. In this way, the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may act as an armor carrier in situations where protective armor is needed but the protective vest itself does not include an armor carrier or more protection is required than provided for by the vest. The armor panel 106, 206 may be either a hard armor panel or a soft armor panel or a combination of both.

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, multiple pocket for holding hard or soft armor panels may be included. While a protective vest has been described, the kit cover could be used over a kit on a belt, shirt, jacket or pants. While a front edge, back edge, top edge and bottom edge have been described, it should be understood that the kit cover could be configured to be symmetrical such that, for example, the top edge and bottom edge are interchangeable and the front edge and back edge are interchangeable. Additionally, any number of removable fasteners located in any variety of places on the kit cover and protective garment may be used to secure the kit cover to the protective garment.

Claims

1. A kit cover comprising:

a right fabric panel comprising a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to a protective garment;

a left fabric panel comprising a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to the protective garment;

a first half of a first removable fastener disposed adjacent to the front edge of the right fabric panel; and

a second half of the first removable fastener disposed adjacent to the front edge of the left fabric panel, the second half of the first removable fastener configured to attach to the first half of the first removable fastener.

2. The kit cover of claim 1 further comprising:

a first half of a second removable fastener disposed adjacent to the back edge of the right fabric panel, the first half of the second removable fastener configured to attach to a second half of the second removable fastener disposed on the protective garment; and

a first half of a third removable fastener disposed adjacent to the back edge of the left fabric panel, the first half of the third removable fastener configured to attach to a second half of the third removable fastener disposed on the protective garment.

3. The kit cover of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of elastic strips disposed adjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of the right fabric panel and the left fabric panel, the plurality of elastic strips configured to cinch the right and left fabric panels to the protective garment.

4. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein the first and second halves of the first removable fastener are selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.

5. The kit cover of claim 2 wherein the first and second halves of the second and third removable fasteners are selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.

6. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein:

the right fabric panel further comprises at least one pocket configured to hold at least one armor panel; and

the left fabric panel further comprises at least one pocket configured to hold at least one armor panel.

7. The kit cover of claim 6 wherein the at least one armor panel is selected from the group consisting of a hard armor panel and a soft armor panel.

8. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein the right and left fabric panels are composed of a ballistic fabric.

9. A kit cover comprising:

a wrap-around fabric panel having a left end, a right end, a central region, a top edge and a bottom edge, and configured to attach to a protective garment;

a first half of a first removable fastener disposed adjacent to the left end of the wrap-around fabric panel; and

a second half of the first removable fastener disposed adjacent to the right end of the wrap-around fabric panel, the second half of the first removable fastener configured to attach to the first half of the first removable fastener.

10. The kit cover of claim 9 further comprising a first half of at least one central removable fastener disposed within the central region of the wrap-around fabric panel, the first half of the at least one central removable fastener configured to attach to a second half of the at least one central removable fastener disposed on the protective garment.

11. The kit cover of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of elastic strips disposed adjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of the wrap-around fabric panel, the plurality of elastic strips configured to cinch the wrap-around fabric panel to the protective garment.

12. The kit cover of claim 9 wherein the first and second halves of the first removable fastener are selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.

13. The kit cover of claim 10 wherein the first and second halves of the at least one central removable fastener are selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.

14. The kit cover of claim 9 wherein the wrap-around fabric panel further comprises at least one pocket configured to hold at least one armor panel.

15. The kit cover of claim 14 wherein the at least one armor panel is selected from the group consisting of a hard armor panel and a soft armor panel.

16. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein the wrap-around fabric panel is composed of a ballistic fabric.