Shoulder Worn Military Equipment Carrier

Abstract

A shoulder-worn soft good allows a user to carry ammunition magazines across a front portion, and supplies in the back, predominantly water and communications equipment. The device also functions as a sling for the user's weapon. It is a single piece of equipment that supplies the four basic needs of the soldier: ammunition, water, communications equipment, and weapon.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional App. No. 60/975,977, filed Sep. 28, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to equipment carrying devices for military and hunting activities.

Current solutions to the problem of carrying all the basic equipment used in military or hunting activities involve multiple pieces of specialized equipment. Typically a piece of equipment is worn that carries ammunition and a radio (such as a “Rhodesian Chest Harness”) a separate item is worn that carries water (such as a CamelBak® brand hydration system), and another item is worn that carries a weapon (a sling) and a belt is often employed to carry extra items not able to be carried on any of the other platforms.

What is needed is a combined carrier which readily and conveniently supports all these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The carrier of the present invention is a reinforced fabric-based shape that resembles a sash and which is provided with discrete pockets in the front to carry magazines, or alternatively has rows of webbing in the front to attach magazine pouches, and which supports a rifle sling in the front. A water container and a radio are received within rear pouches, and a pull-out accessory pouch is mounted to the rear.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the equipment carrier of the present invention shown in relation to a wearer.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the equipment carrier of FIG. 1, with a pull-out pouch shown stored and deployed in phantom view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-2, wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, an equipment carrier 20 is shown. The carrier 20 is a reinforced fabric-based shape. The carrier has a sash 25 having a front section 26 and a rear section 28 which are connected by a shoulder strap 30. The rear section 28 is generally L-shaped, with a first segment 70 which extends upwardly at an angle, and a second segment 72 which extends horizontally from the first segment to wrap around the wearer 74. The front section 26 is provided with discrete pockets 22 to carry magazines 24. Alternatively, the front section may have rows of webbing in the front to attach magazine pouches. The pockets 22 may be provided with conventional PALS webbing 32 which is compatible with MOLLE and other modular pouches.

The system includes the following components: a sash, one or more container portions of the sash; and one or more attachment means on the exterior of the sash.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shoulder strap 30 has a pass-through flap 34 which routes a hydration tube 36 from a hydration system such as the CamelBak® brand hydration bladder 38 which is received in a pouch 40 on the rear section 28 of the sash. A stiff but bendable rifle stock catch 42 is sewn into the shoulder strap 30 on the outside across from the hydration pass-through flap 34. This catch 42 defines a “bolstered” area of the shoulder to catch the rifle's stock and prevent it from sliding off during firing. The flap 34 may also receive electronics cabling, not shown, from communications gear 44 which is received within a pocket 46 on the rear section 28 of the sash overlying the hydration bladder 38 pouch 40. The hyrdration bladder pouch 40 may also receive miscellaneous items.

A reinforced fabric loop 48 extends downwardly from the shoulder strap 30, and may receive a clip 50 to define an upper weapon attachment point which receives a rifle strap 52. A strap 54 extends downwardly from the front section 26 of the sash to define a lower weapon attachment point and which may be connected by a releasable buckle 56 to a rifle 58.

The pockets 22 have sidewardly opening slots in the edge of the sash front section, and are designed to hold ammunition magazines and orient them for easy retrieval and insertion into the weapon.

As shown in FIG. 2, attachment points are also provided on the rear section 28 of the sash, such as PALS webbing 76 compatible with MOLLE and other modular pouches.

As shown in FIG. 1, the carrier 20 has a first side strap 60 which may employ a releasable buckle and which is preferably adjustable in length for fit. The first side strap 60 extends from a portion along an outside edge of the front section to an outside edge of the rear section of the sash. The first side strap 60 extends at an elevation above the wearer's waist. A second side strap 62 is similar in construction to the first side strap and extends from a lower corner of the front section of the sash to a lower portion of the rear section of the sash. The second side strap 62 is substantially lower in elevation than the first side strap.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pull-out pouch 64 is kept in a stored position on the rear section 28 of the sash 25, positioned between the hydration pouch 40 and the wearer. The pull-out pouch 64 has a protruding tab 66 which can be engaged by one hand of the user and rapidly deployed. The pull-out pouch 64 may have a drawstring or elastic mouth 68 to permit items, such as spent magazines, to be rapidly inserted and retained therein.

The carrier 20 combines the basic elements into a single item. This approach reduces weight, heat stress, and bulk of items worn on the user's body, and offers the added benefit of being small enough to be stored with and treated as part of a main rifle, in a fashion similar to the way a rifle sling is used. This makes “gearing-up” (donning one's basic gear) much faster than having to put on item after item. In an emergency, this speed can mean the difference between life and death.

Variations on the current configuration include a version with a larger storage area on the back portion, a version without any pockets on the exterior of the front or back (only places to attach pockets), and versions that are specific to various rifle calibers.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A military equipment carrier comprising:

a front section;

a rear section;

a shoulder strap extending between and connecting the front section to the rear section;

a first side strap extending from the front section to the rear section at a first elevation;

a second side strap extending from the front section to the rear section at a second elevation which is lower than the first elevation;

portions of the rear section which receive a water hydration pouch;

a first weapon attachment point on the front section; and

a second weapon attachment point on the front section.

2. The military equipment carrier of claim 1 wherein the rear section is generally L shaped.

3. The military equipment carrier of claim 1 further comprising a rifle stock catch which protrudes upwardly from the shoulder strap.

4. The military equipment carrier of claim 1 further comprising a pass through flap mounted to the shoulder strap positioned to receive a hydration tube extending from a hydration pouch retained on the rear section.

5. The military equipment carrier of claim 1 further comprising:

a pull-out pouch which is configured to be kept in a stored position on the rear section, positioned between the hydration pouch and the wearer; and

a protruding tab connected to the pull-out pouch which can be engaged by one hand of the user to allow the pull-out pouch to be rapidly deployed.