BULLET PROOF VEST WITH BACKPACK

Abstract

A utility pack is provided. The utility pack is a combination of a vest and a bag. The vest includes a body portion and shoulder straps extending from the body portion. The body portion includes a bullet-resistant material. The bag of the present invention includes an internal compartment and a closable opening leading into the internal compartment. A connector releasably attaches the bag to the body portion of the vest.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. non-provisional application No. 14/737,973, filed Jun. 12, 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tactical/ballistic wear and, more particularly, to a tactical/ballistic vest and backpack combination.

A bulletproof vest, ballistic vest or bullet-resistant vest is an item of personal armor that helps absorb the impact from firearm-fired projectiles and shrapnel from explosions, and is worn on the torso. Soft vests are made from many layers of woven or laminated fibers and can be capable of protecting the wearer from small caliber handgun and shotgun projectiles, and small fragments from explosives such as hand grenades. Metal or ceramic plates can be used with a soft vest, providing additional protection from rifle rounds, and metallic components or tightly woven fiber layers can give soft armor resistance to stab and slash attacks from knives and similar close-quarter weapons. Frequently, those that need a bulletproof vest also need additional equipment, such as firearms, magazine clips, medical aid kits, and the like. Therefore, the user must carry a separate bag for these items, which can be cumbersome.

As can be seen, there is a need for a combination tactical/ballistic vest and backpack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a method of using a utility pack comprises the steps of: providing the utility pack comprising: a vest comprising a body portion and shoulder straps extending from the body portion, wherein the body portion comprises a bullet-resistant material; a bag comprising an internal compartment and a closable opening leading into the internal compartment; and a connector releasably attaching the bag to the body portion of the vest; wearing the utility pack, wherein the shoulder straps are secured around a wearer's shoulders and the body portion is covering the wearer's back; removing the utility pack from the wearer; disconnecting the connector, and thereby releasably detaching the bag from the body portion of the vest; and wearing the utility pack in a reversed position, wherein the shoulder straps are secured around a wearer's shoulders and the body portion is covering the wearer's chest and stomach.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the present invention shown in use with the bag and vest components attached;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present invention shown in use with the bag and vest components attached;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the present invention with the bag and vest components attached;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the present invention with the bag and vest components separated;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the bag component demonstrating the straps;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the present invention shown in use with just the vest;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the present invention shown in use with just the vest; and

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the present invention shown in use with the bag and the vest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a backpack and tactical vest combination. Using the present invention, equipment and concealed carry firearms may be carried with a tactical vest in case of emergency situations.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, the present invention includes a utility pack. The utility pack is a combination of a vest 16 and a bag 10. The vest 16 includes a body portion 32 and shoulder straps 18 extending from the body portion 32. The body portion 32 includes a bullet-resistant material. The bag 10 of the present invention includes an internal compartment and a closable opening leading into the internal compartment. A connector 12, 20, 30 releasably attaches the bag 10 to the body portion 32 of the vest 16.

The connector 12, 20, 30 of the present invention may include a zipper 12, 30, a hook and loop fastener 20, clips, snaps, ties and the like. In certain embodiments, a first mating zipper 12 may be attached to the perimeter of the bag 10 and a second mating zipper 30 may be attached to the perimeter of the body portion 32. The first and second mating zippers 12, 30 may zip together, thereby attaching the bag 10 to the vest 16. The user may quickly zip off the bag 10, and use the vest 16 as a bulletproof vest 16.

The bullet resistant material of the present invention may be tightly woven fabric or a metal or ceramic plate. In certain embodiments, the body portion 32 may be formed of a fabric with an internal portion. The bullet resistant plate may be secured within the internal portion. In certain embodiments, a plurality of accessory loops 26 may be sewn into the fabric to provide additional utility. The hook and loop fastener 20 may also be sewn into the fabric, which may secure to the bag 10 and also provide additional utility.

The utility pack of the present invention may be similar to a heavy duty back pack and may include waist straps 22 to further secure the utility pack to the user 28. The waist straps 22 may extend from the body portion 32 below the shoulder straps 18. The waist straps 22 may be releasably connectable by a heavy duty connector, such as a quick connect clip 24. The waist straps 22 and the shoulder straps 18 may be adjustable in length.

In certain embodiments, the bag 10 of the present invention may be a backpack. In such embodiments, the bag 10 may include shoulder straps 14 of its own. Therefore, when the bag 10 is removed from the vest 16 and the vest 16 is reversed to cover the user's chest, the bag 10 may be worn about the user's shoulders, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. Initially, the bag 10 may be attached to the body portion 32 of the vest 16. The user 28 may wear the utility pack such that the vest shoulder straps 18 are secured about the user's shoulders, and the body portion 32 is covering the user's back. The waist straps 22 may be secured around the user's waist line. The user 28 may thereby have an accessible bullet proof vest 16 as well as a bag 10 to carry equipment. During an emergency situation, the user 28 may quickly zip off the bag 10 and reverse the vest 16 so that the vest 16 is covering the user's chest and stomach. The waist straps 22 may be secured about the back of the user 28. The user may wear the bag 10 as a backpack, since the bag 10 may also include bag shoulder straps 14. The user may also attach utility items to the accessory loops 26 for quick access.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of using a utility pack comprising the steps of:

providing the utility pack comprising: a vest comprising a body portion and shoulder straps extending from the body portion, wherein the body portion comprises a bullet-resistant material; a bag comprising an internal compartment and a closable opening leading into the internal compartment; and a connector releasably attaching the bag to the body portion of the vest;

wearing the utility pack, wherein the shoulder straps are secured around a wearer's shoulders and the body portion is covering the wearer's back;

removing the utility pack from the wearer;

disconnecting the connector, and thereby releasably detaching the bag from the body portion of the vest; and

wearing the utility pack in a reversed position, wherein the shoulder straps are secured around a wearer's shoulders and the body portion is covering the wearer's chest and stomach.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the connector is it at least one of a zipper and a hook and loop fastener.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the connector is a zipper is disposed about a perimeter of the bag and the body portion.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein disconnecting the connector comprises the step of unzipping the zipper.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the back portion comprises a plurality of utility loops.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the bag is a backpack comprising shoulder straps.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of:

wearing the backpack while wearing the utility pack in the reversed position, wherein the shoulder straps of the backpack are secured around a wearer's shoulders and the bag is covering the wearer's back.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the bullet-resistant material is a bullet resistant plate.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the bag further comprises waist straps extending from the body portion below the shoulder straps.

10. The utility pack of claim 8, further comprising:

pulling the waist straps around a waist; and

securing ends of the waist straps together by a connector.