Close quarter ballistic chaps with extensions and/or release system
Ballistic chaps for protecting the femur and femoral artery region of a wearer as well as the knee portions and lower leg portions include leg portions with ballistic armor inserts that extend downwardly from a wearer's waist region to terminate at a point above the wearer's ankles, thereby covering at least a front portion of the wearer's upper thighs, preferably also the hip and flank, as well as the knee region and the frontal lower leg region. The leg portions terminate at the sides of the wearer, thereby providing flexibility of movement and minimizing heat entrapment. A plurality of attachment regions may be provided on the exterior surface of the leg portions to provide a mounting platform for various types of peripheral equipment. A quick release system is employed to allow rapid detachment of the ballistic chaps from the wearer.
The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/125,276 filed on Apr. 23, 2008 (now pending) (which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes and made a part of the present disclosure).
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a ballistic outer garment and, more particularly, to ballistic chaps that protect the wearer's upper and lower legs, including the femur and femoral artery regions, while also providing a mounting platform for the wearer's equipment and affording the wearer great flexibility of movement.
BACKGROUNDCombat environments, whether in a military or police context, benefit from the use of protective garments designed to shield the wearer from injury from small arms fire as well as from shrapnel and other debris propelled from an explosive device or compound. A particularly vulnerable body region is the combatant's upper leg, as a penetration in the upper leg region that damages the femur or femoral artery can result in serious injury or death in a very short period of time. Unfortunately, most known outer body armor either does not provide adequate coverage for the upper leg region of the body, is too cumbersome to easily move about in, and/or traps too much body heat which can lead to heat exhaustion. These drawbacks are a particular problem in physically taxing, close quarter combat environments in which a high degree of mobility and the comfort of the assaulter or entry team member's gear are paramount.
Such environments also often require the use of various types of combat-related equipment, such as magazine and grenade pouches, holsters, sheathes, radios, and first aid kits, which the combatant must carry and to which ready access is needed. Traditionally, such equipment has been carried on the upper part of the body, such as on a vest or jacket. However, the cumulative weight of the extra equipment creates a heavy load, often resulting in lower back pain. Thus, in conjunction with providing needed protection for the femur and femoral artery regions, it would be desirable to provide a mounting platform for the equipment that transfers the extra weight to a lower portion of the body, such as the hips and upper legs.
In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments are possible.
Each leg portion 18 of ballistic chaps 10 is configured to receive one or more ballistic armor inserts 20 (shown in dashed lines in
Turning next to
In the embodiment of the chaps illustrated in
In the embodiment of chaps 10 illustrated in the figures, the armor inserts 20 are held in the compartment 46 which is defined between the outer and inner panels 42 and 44 of each leg portion 18. In other embodiments, armor inserts 20 may be secured to leg portions 18 in other manners and mayor may not be removable. For instance, various pockets or channels may be formed on either the exterior or interior sides of leg portions 18, one or more armor portions 20 may be inserted therein, and such pockets or channels may even be sewn shut such that the armor portions 20 are a more permanent component of each leg portion 18.
Returning to the embodiments shown in
Referring again to
Belt loop 62 may also provide a fail-safe attachment point for suspenders 14. For instance, loop 62 may be configured such that an end of loop 62 extends through the folded edge 55 of flap 54 and is terminated by buckle or clip 57. To attach the suspenders 14 to chaps 10, a free end of suspenders 14 maybe coupled with buckle 57 and secured by a hook and loop type closure or other releasable closure. In the event that the attachment point of belt loop 62 to flap 54 fails, suspenders 14 will still be attached to chaps 10 via belt 12 (i.e., belt 12 is routed through loop 62 and thus, will provide the coupling between suspenders 14 and chaps 10).
As can be seen in
Flap portion 54 may also include one or more tabs 68 which are affixed proximate an edge 70 of flap 54. Tabs 68 provide a gripping surface for the wearer to easily grab flap 54 and disengage the closure system 58a, 58b and/or 60a, 60b.
In the embodiment of chaps 10 shown in
Referring now to
For normal wear, tourniquet 74 is loosely secured about the wearer's leg by threading the free end 84 of strap 76 though an adjustable buckle or clip 75 (see
Various other types of accessories also maybe coupled to chaps 10. For instance, as shown in
Inflatable bladder system 100 includes an inflatable bladder 102, an inflation bulb 104, a hose or tube 106 interconnecting the bulb 104 and the bladder 102, and a release valve system 108a, 108b. Bladder 102 may be placed within compartment 46 and held in place by an appropriate attachment system, such as a hook and loop type attachment system, or may be coupled to the leg portion 18 in another manner appropriate to provide optimal pressure along the inguinal crease when the chaps 10 are worn by the wearer and bladder 102 is inflated. Easy access to the inflation bulb 104 may be provided by placing the inflation bulb 104 in a pouch 108 which is secured to the leg portion 18 at an attachment region 38. The hose 106 may be routed through the compartment 46, through the belt channel 56, and then exit the belt channel 56 through an opening 110 that extends through outer panel 42.
In at least one embodiment, the ballistic chaps is further equipped with a quick release system that allows the wearer to quickly and efficiently shed the ballistic chaps as desired. This quick release system may be composed an interconnected system or network of handles 17 (
The quick release systems may be described as having an anchoring system. Referring to the Figures, the anchoring system is provided by such components as straps with loops formed in one end, plastic D-rings sewn to the chap component, and anchoring cables with eyes crimped on an upper end. Preferably, all anchoring points in the anchoring system are identical. For example, all straps (leg or suspenders) may be equipped with a loop formed in one end, which loop may be inserted into the anchoring system. Further, anchoring cables are preferably attached to the handle by a nylon strap, and/or are secured to nylon straps by a Velcro. All components are linked to the quick release handles located in the groin area in each side respectively. In further embodiments, the handles may be linked together. Thus, the quick release system may be initiated by the user by manipulating the handles in the groin area. The user pulls the handle to retract the connected cables.
In the embodiment depicted in
Certain advantages and benefits are provided by the inclusion of a quick a release system of the invention. In one aspect, the quick release system facilitates the expedient doffing of heavy armor in the event that the wearer has to move more quickly or away from the situation. The quick release also enables a soldier or medical first responder to rapidly uncover, access, and treat a wound. Furthermore, the quick release system, as described herein, enables a solider to readily jettison the armor if caught on a stationary object (i.e., during an offensive or defensive operation). The quick release system also makes it possible to discard the armor in the event that the armor or components are caught on fire.
To further describe at least one preferred embodiment of the quick release system, provided below is an inventory of preferred components and further description of attributes of the preferred components:
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- Material—Flame Retardant 1000D Material
- Quick release
- Scalable to suit mission threat
- Articulates with the leg
- Suspenders 200—Broad load bearing suspenders ride comfortably under IOTV while easily disbursing the weight across to shoulders. Adjustable front and rear to customize fit and pitch of padded belt system.
- Belt 202—rear adjustment padded belt eliminates pressure and point loading on hips and kidney area.
- Chaps—The ballistic chaps cover the frontal and flank aspects of the upper leg thus protecting the areas most often struck by IEDs and small arms fire. The chaps come with NIJ IIIA armor inserts and can include Enhanced Small arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI) plates which are custom shaped for the upper leg.
- Triangle buckles 204 and lug assemblies on leg straps enable rapid donning and doffing and facilitate rapid leg strap adjustment process.
- Chaps have a molle exterior to enable the soldier to rig combat equipment to suit his or her mission
- Knee Armor—Knee armor is attached or detached via specialized shock absorption straps (SAS) 102. Straps secure with lift-the-dot fasteners (snaps).
- Armor covers front and flank of knee region
- Knee armor may be worn with or without lower leg armor
- Knee armor protected with knee cap.
- Lower Leg Armor—Covers front and flank of leg
- Attaches with SAS connectors 102 and leg straps.
- Configured with Molle Strap System to afford more options to the soldier for the mounting of Combat Equipment.
- Material—Flame Retardant 1000D Material
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- Handle H is strategically located near groin area for handling by the user. Handle H is preferably veneer 1000D Nylon.
- Cables 1, 2 are preferably ⅛″ wire rope, plastic coated. Cables 1 and 2 provide assemblies A and B, and are operable to release the suspender/belt straps and two upper leg straps, respectively.
- Straps 3, 4 are preferably flat nylon webbing with hook tape connection points on lower end.
- Cables 5, 6 are preferably ⅛″ wire rope, plastic coated. Cables 5 and 6 provide assemblies C and D, and are operable to release the knee armor and lower leg armor leg straps respectively.
- Anchoring Point A1 is preferably a plastic rectangular D-type ring with one side sewn to the 1000D shell of the Chap System.
- Anchoring Point A2 is preferably a plastic rectangular D-type ring with one side sewn to the 1000D shell of the Chap System.
- Anchoring Point A3 is preferably a plastic rectangular D-type ring with one side sewn to the 1000D shell of the Chap System.
- Anchoring Point A4 is preferably a plastic rectangular D-type ring with one side sewn to the 1000D shell of the Chap System.
- Strap 900 is preferably flat nylon webbing and routes through typical anchor point.
- Eyelet-Handle Connection 901 is preferably constructed of nylon webbing and is sewn back to itself and onto handle H after passing through the eyelet formed onto the end of the cable.
- Connection 902 is preferably flat nylon webbing sewn directly to Handle H.
- Connection 903 preferably loop tape sewn back on itself after having passed through the eye formed on the end of the cable 5.
- Connection 904 preferably is preferably loop tape sewn back on itself after having passed through the eye formed on the end of the cable 6.
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While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations there from. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A ballistic outer garment, comprising:
- a body mounting portion to detachably secure the outer garment to the wearer;
- a pair of upper leg portions coupled to the body mounting portion and configured to
- substantially cover at least a front portion of an upper leg of the wearer and to terminate above the knee;
- a pair of knee pads detachably secured to said pair of upper leg portions and configured to substantially cover the knee portion of the leg of a wearer;
- a pair of lower leg portions coupled to the knee pad portion and configured to
- substantially cover at least a front portion of a lower leg of the wearer and to terminate above the ankle; and
- a plurality of ballistic armor portions,
- wherein each of the leg portions are configured to removably retain at least one of the ballistic armor portions such that the ballistic armor portion substantially covers at least the front portion of the upper and lower leg of the wearer when the outer garment is worn by the wearer.
2. The ballistic outer garment as recited in claim 1, comprising a plurality of attachment portions coupled to an exterior surface of each leg portion and configured to support peripheral equipment when attached thereto.
3. The ballistic outer garment as recited in claim 2, wherein each of the attachment portions comprises an elongate strap secured at spaced apart intervals along the length of the strap to the exterior surface of each leg portion.
4. The ballistic garment of claim 1, further comprising a quick release system, said quick release system providing a rapid detachment of the ballistic garment from the wearer.
5. Ballistic chaps, comprising:
- a belt;
- a first leg portion and a second leg portion coupled to the belt, each of the first and second leg portions configured to substantially cover at least a frontal portion between a waist region and a knee of the wearer;
- a first knee portion and a second knee portion coupled to said first leg portion and said second leg portion to substantially cover at least a frontal portion of a knee of the wearer;
- a third leg portion and a fourth leg portion coupled to the first knee portion and the second knee portion, respectively, each of the third and fourth leg portions configured to substantially cover at least a frontal portion between a knee region and an ankle region of the wearer;
- a plurality of equipment mounting portions coupled to an exterior surface of each of the first, second, third, and fourth leg portion; and
- a plurality of ballistic armor portions;
- wherein the first, second, third, and fourth leg portions each comprises a front portion and a rear portion that define a receptacle therebetween, the receptacle being configured to retain at least one of the ballistic armor portions therein in a position that substantially covers at least the frontal portion of the wearer, the receptacle having an opening for removably receiving the ballistic armor portion.
6. Ballistic chaps, comprising:
- a waist portion securable about a waist of the user;
- a plurality of ballistic armor portions;
- a pair of upper leg portions extending from the waist portion and terminating above the knees of the user and terminating at the sides of the user, each of the upper leg portions configured to enclose at least one of the ballistic armor portions, each of the upper leg portions having a frontal portion and a flank portion, wherein when the ballistic chaps are secured to the user, each of the ballistic armor portions substantially covers a hip, a side portion, and a front femoral portion of an upper leg of the user;
- a pair of lower leg portions extending from the knee portion and terminating above the ankles of the user and terminating at the sides of the user, each of the lower leg portions configured to enclose at least one of the ballistic armor portions, each of the lower leg portions having a frontal portion and a flank portion, wherein when the ballistic chaps are secured to the user, each of the ballistic armor portions substantially covers a side portion, and a front portion of a lower leg of the user;
- a pair of knee portions substantially covering the front and side portions of the user's knee, wherein the knee portions are releasably attachable to the corresponding upper and lower leg portions; and
- a releasable attachment portion coupled to each of the leg portions to releasably secure the leg portion to the corresponding leg of the user.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 23, 2009
Publication Date: Mar 31, 2011
Inventor: Donald Bennett (Katy, TX)
Application Number: 12/386,816
International Classification: F41H 1/02 (20060101); A41D 1/08 (20060101);