Bulletproof vest, has chest and back portions connected via shoulder and hip bands which can be released by activating locking cable in order to remove vest
Abstract
The portions (2, 3) covering the chest and back are secured to each other via two shoulder bands (5, 7) and a hip band (9). These connections include at least one locking cable (6) which can be released by activating an actuator part (4), so that these connections are broken. At least part of the cable is enclosed by a guide extending in the cable length direction. Each shoulder band has a first end secured to one of the vest portions and the second end secured via the locking cable to the other portion. The cable is secured to the second end of the shoulder band at a location where there is an interruption in the guide.

Term
No projected expiry on record.
- Priority and filed
- Granted
- Today
16 claims: 12 independent, 4 dependent
- 1Conclusies Conclusions 1. Protective vest, in particular a bullet-proof vest, comprising a breast part and a back part connected to the breast part by means of coupling means, the coupling means between the breast part and the back part comprising two shoulder straps and a hip belt, which form connections between the breast part and the back part of at least one locking cable that is detachable by means of an operating element, such that the connections between the breast part and the back part are broken by loosening the locking cable, at least part of the locking cable being enclosed by guide means extending in the longitudinal direction of the locking cable, and each shoulder strap being connected at a first end to the chest part or the back part, and where a second end of the shoulder strap is connected to the other part by means of the locking cable, wherein the lock cable is connected to the second end at the position of an interruption of guide means. 1. Beschermend vest, in het bijzonder een kogelwerend vest, omvattende een borstdeel en een middels koppelmiddelen met het borstdeel verbonden rugdeel, waarbij de koppelmiddelen tussen het borstdeel en het rugdeel twee schouderbanden en een heupband omvatten, welke verbindingen vormen tussen het borstdeel en het rugdeel onder tussenkomst van ten minste één borgkabel die middels een bedieningselement losneembaar is, dusdanig dat door losnemen van de borgkabel de verbindingen tussen het borstdeel en het rugdeel wordt verbroken, waarbij ten minste een deel van de borgkabel is omsloten door zich in de lengterichting van de borgkabel uitstrekkende geleidingsmiddelen, en waarbij elke schouderband aan een eerste uiteinde is verbonden met het borstdeel of het rugdeel, en waarbij een tweede uiteinde van de schouderband is verbonden met het andere deel middels de borgkabel, waarbij de borgkabel is verbonden met het tweede uiteinde op de positie van een onderbreking van geleidingsmiddelen.
- 4Protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that over a length of at least 10 mm in the longitudinal direction of the locking cable, the guide means have a width less than 5 times the diameter of the locking cable. 4. Beschermend vest volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat over een lengte van ten minste 10 mm in de lengterichting van de borgkabel de geleidingsmiddelen een breedte hebben die kleiner is dan 5 maal de diameter van de borgkabel.
- 5Protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guiding means mainly consist of a lining made of a thin layer of material and which is fixed on the breast part or back part. 5. Beschermend vest volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat de geleidingsmiddelen in hoofdzaak bestaan uit een dunne laag materiaal vervaardigde voering welke op het borstdeel of rugdeel is bevestigd.
- 6Protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first end of the shoulder strap is connected to the breast part, and the second end is connected to the back part by means of the locking cable at the position of an interruption of guide means arranged on the back part. 6. Beschermend vest volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat het eerste uiteinde van de schouderband is verbonden met het borstdeel, en het tweede uiteinde is verbonden met het rugdeel middels de borgkabel op de positie van een onderbreking van op het rugdeel aangebrachte geleidingsmiddelen.
- 7Protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide means have several interruptions for fastening the shoulder straps at different lengths. 7. Beschermend vest volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat de geleidingsmiddelen meerdere onderbrekingen hebben voor het op verschillende lengte bevestigen van de schouderbanden.
- 8Protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a left locking cable part is connected to a left shoulder strap, and a right locking cable part is connected to a right shoulder strap, wherein the left locking cable part and the right locking cable part are enclosed by separate guide means. 8. Beschermend vest volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat een linker borgkabeldeel is verbonden met een linkerschouderband, en waarbij een rechter borgkabeldeel is verbonden met een rechterschouderband, waarbij het linker borgkabeldeel en het rechter borgkabeldeel worden omsloten door afzonderlijke geleidingsmiddelen.
- 9Protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide means connect to loops of a first hip belt part and loops of a second hip belt part, wherein the locking cable forms a connection between the first hip belt part and the second hip belt part by engaging the loops. 9. Beschermend vest volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat de geleidingsmiddelen aansluiten op lussen van een eerste heupbandeel en lussen van een tweede heupbanddeel, waarbij de borgkabel door aangrijpen op de lussen een verbinding vormt tussen het eerste heupbanddeel en het tweede heupbanddeel.
- 11Protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one end of the locking cable is detachably positioned in a recess, wherein an insertion direction of the recess forms an angle with the longitudinal direction of the guide means. 11. Beschermend vest volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat ten minste een uiteinde van de borgkabel is losneembaar is gepositioneerd in een uitsparing, waarbij een insteekrichting van de uitsparing een hoek vormt met de lengterichting van de geleidingsmiddelen.
- 12Protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element is positioned substantially between the shoulder straps on the breast part. 12. Beschermend vest volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat het bedieningselement in hoofdzaak tussen de schouderbanden op het borstdeel is gepositioneerd.
- 13Protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element is detachably coupled to the breast part. 13. Beschermend vest volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat 5 het bedieningselement losneembaar is gekoppeld met het borstdeel.
- 15A method of manufacturing a protective vest according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the processing steps:15. Werkwijze voor het vervaardigen van een beschermend vest volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, omvattende de bewerkingsstappen: - het verschaffen van een borstdeel en een rugdeel omvattende beschermend materiaal, - providing a breast part and a back part comprising protective material, - connecting the breast part and the back part via at least one detachable locking cable, wherein the locking cable is connected to an operating element;- het verbinden van het borstdeel en het rugdeel onder tussenkomst van ten minste één 15 losneembare borgkabel, waarbij de borgkabel verbonden is met een bedieningselement;the locking cable being inserted into longitudinal direction of the locking cable of the breast part or the back part, and a first end of each shoulder strap being connected to the breast part or the back part, and a second end of the shoulder strap being connected to the waarbij de borgkabel wordt ingebracht in zich in de lengterichting van de borgkabel uitstrekkende geleidingsmiddelen van het borstdeel of het rugdeel, en waarbij een eerste uiteinde van elke schouderband is verbonden met het borstdeel of het rugdeel, en waarbij een tweede uiteinde van de schouderband wordt verbonden op de
- 1620 position of an interruption of guide means. 20 positie van een onderbreking van geleidingsmiddelen. 1/4 1/4 7 Ί 7 Ί FIG. la FIG. la 2/4 2/4 FIG. Ic FIG. Ic 3/4 3/4 FIG. 2a FIG. 2a FIG. 2b FIG. 2b 4/4 4/4 FIG. 4a FIG. 4a FIG. 4b FIG. 4b COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) SAMENWERKINGSVERDRAG (PCT) RAPPORT BETREFFENDE NIEUWHEIDSONDERZOEK VAN INTERNATIONAAL TYPE REPORT ON NEWNESS RESEARCH OF INTERNATIONAL TYPE Form PCT / ISA 201 A (11/2000) Form PCT/ISA 201 A (11/2000) ONDERZOEKSRAPPORT BETREFFENDE HET RESEARCH REPORT ON THE Form PCT / ISA / 201 (Second page) (January 2004) Formulier PCT/ISA/201 (Tweede blad) (Januari 2004) ONDERZOEKSRAPPORT BETREFFENDE HET RESEARCH REPORT ON THE RESULT OF THE STUDY INQUIRY RESULTAAT VAN HET ONDERZOEK NAAR DE STAND OF THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE INTERNATIONAL TYPE VAN DE TECHNIEK VAN HET INTERNATIONALE TYPE Informatie over leden van dezelfde octrooifamilie Information about members of the same patent family Number of the request for an examination of the state of the art Nummer van bet verzoek om een onderzoek naar de stand van de techniek Form PCT / ISA / 201 (continuation sheet patent patent) (January 2004) jH PATENT CENTER THE NETHERLANDS Formulier PCT/ISA/201 (vervolgblad octroottamüie) (Januari 2004) jH OCTROOICENTRUM NEDERLAND WRITTEN OPINION WRITTEN OPINION This opinion contains indications relating to the following items:This opinion contains indications relating to the following items: 0 Box No. I Basis of the opinion □ Box No. II Priority □ Box No. Ill Non-establishment of opinion with regard to novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability □ Box No. IV Lack of unity of invention 0 Box No. I Basis of the opinion □ Box No. II Priority □ Box No. Ill Non-establishment of opinion with regard to novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability □ Box No. IV Lack of unity of invention 0 Box No. V Reasoned statement with regard to novelty, inventive step or industrial applicability;citations and explanations supporting such statement □ Box No. VI Certain documents cited □ Box No. VII Certain defects in the application □ Box No. VIII Certain observations on the application 0 Box No. V Reasoned statement with regard to novelty, inventive step or industrial applicability;citations and explanations supporting such statement □ Box No. VI Certain documents cited □ Box No. VII Certain defects in the application □ Box No. VIII Certain observations on the application Form (NL237A) (Cover page) (July 2006) Form (NL237A) (Dekblad) (July 2006) WRITTEN OPINION WRITTEN OPINION Application number Application number Box No. I Basis of this opinion Box No. I Basis of this opinion 1. This opinion has been established on the basis of the latest set of claims filed before the start of the search. 1. This opinion has been established on the basis of the latest set of claims filed before the start of the search. 2. With regard to any nucleotide and / or amino acid sequence disclosed in the application and necessary to the claimed invention, this opinion has been established on the basis of: 2. With regard to any nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence disclosed in the application and necessary to the claimed invention, this opinion has been established on the basis of: a. type of material: a. type of material: □ a sequence listing □ table (s) related to the sequence listing □ a sequence listing □ table(s) related to the sequence listing b. format of material: b. format of material: On paper in electronic form □ on paper □ in electronic form c. time of filingyfurnishing: c. time of filingyfurnishing: Contained in the application as filed. □ contained in the application as filed. □ filed together with the application in electronic form. □ filed together with the application in electronic form. Furnished subsequently for the purposes of search. □ furnished subsequently for the purposes of search. 3. □ In addition, in the case that more than one version or copy of a sequence listing and / or table relating thereto has been filed or furnished, the required statements that the information in the subsequent or additional copies is identical to that in the application as filed or does not go beyond the application as filed, as appropriate, were furnished. 3. □ In addition, in the case that more than one version or copy of a sequence listing and/or table relating thereto has been filed or furnished, the required statements that the information in the subsequent or additional copies is identical to that in the application as filed or does not go beyond the application as filed, as appropriate, were furnished. 4. Additional comments: 4. Additional comments: Box No. V Reasoned statement with regard to novelty, inventive step or industrial applicability;citations and explanations supporting such statement Box No. V Reasoned statement with regard to novelty, inventive step or industrial applicability;citations and explanations supporting such statement 1. Statement 1. Statement 2. Citations and explanations see separate sheet 2. Citations and explanations see separate sheet NL237B (July 2006) NL237B (July 2006) Application number Application number WRITTEN OPINION (SEPARATE SHEET) WRITTEN OPINION (SEPARATE SHEET) Re Item V Re Item V Reasoned statement with regard to novelty, inventive step or industrial applicability;citations and explanations supporting such statement Reasoned statement with regard to novelty, inventive step or industrial applicability;citations and explanations supporting such statement The prior published documents, cited in the search report, either taken individually or in combination do not disclose, suggest or reasonably lead the person skilled in the art to consider the system of the protective vest of claim 1 or the method of making such a vest of claim 15. The person skilled in the art would not be able to combine all the features of claims 1 and 15 and as such arrive at the claimed device without an inventive activity. The prior published documents, cited in the search report, either taken individually or in combination do not disclose, suggest or reasonably lead the person skilled in the art to consider the system of the protective vest of claim 1 or the method of making such a vest of claim 15. The person skilled in the art would not be able to combine all the features of claims 1 and 15 and as such arrive at the claimed device without an inventive activity. Claims 2-14 are dependent on claim 1 and as such also meet the requirements of novelty and inventive step. Claims 2-14 are dependent on claim 1 and as such also meet the requirements of novelty and inventive step. orm NL237-3 (separate sheet) (July 2006) (sheet 1) orm NL237-3 (separate sheet) (July 2006) (sheet 1)
Independent claims12
57 paragraphs in 2 sections, as filed
<img file="NL2000496C2_D0001.tif" />
Patent Center
Netherlands © 2000496 © C PATENT<sup>20</sup> © Patent application: 2000496 © Filed: 20.02.2007
Int.CI .:
F41H1 / 02 (2006.01) A41D13 / 00 (2006.01)
<td>© Registered:</td><td>© Patent holder (s):</td>
<td>21.08.2008 IE 2008/11</td><td>EASTBIRD HOLDING BV in Amsterdam.</td>
<td>(47) Date:</td><td>(72) Inventor (s):</td>
<td> 21.08.2008</td><td>Abraham Alexander Frederiq Oostvogel at</td>
<td></td><td>Amsterdam.</td>
<td>© Published:</td><td></td>
<td>03.11.2008 IE 2008/11</td><td>© Authorized representative:</td>
<td></td><td>Ir. H.Th. van den Heuvel et al. at 5200 BN</td>
<td></td><td>'s-Hertogenbosch.</td>
54) Protective vest and method of making the same.
The invention relates to a protective vest, in particular a bulletproof vest, and a method for manufacturing it. The vest according to the invention can be easily and quickly detached from a person by pulling out a locking cable. The vest is constructed in such a way that it can withstand sagging under the weight of the vest and any equipment applied to it.
NL C 2000496
The contents of this patent correspond to the original filed description with claim (s) and any drawing (s).
The Netherlands Patent Center is an agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs
Protective vest and method for its manufacture
The invention relates to a protective vest, in particular a bulletproof vest. The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing such a vest.
Protective vests, in particular bullet-proof vests, consist of a breast part and a back part, which hang around the shoulders of a user by means of shoulder straps, and which are fixed by a hip belt that is closed around the waist of the user. Both the breast section and back section comprise layers of bullet-resistant material, including materials such as polyaramide fibers (including Kevlar) and high-density polyethylene (such as Dyneema and Spectra). Additional protective elements may also be added here, such as shock-absorbing plates. Furthermore, the protective vests are usually provided with fasteners for equipment such as ammunition.
A special version of a protective vest is the so-called 'cutaway' vest, as known from US 6948188 in the name of D'Annunzio. Such vests are provided with a locking cable which forms part of the connection between the breast part and the back part, which can be pulled out by means of an operating element (usually mounted on the breast part). A protective vest, from which equipment is also hung, is often relatively heavy, about 10-30 kilos. In an emergency, a 'cutaway' vest makes it possible to pull out the retaining cable with the control element in an emergency, breaking the connections between the back section and chest section of the shoulder straps and the hip belt, and these parts immediately fall off the user, allowing freedom of movement of the user is enlarged.
A drawback of the known 'cutaway' vests is that the shoulder straps tend to sag under the weight of the vest itself and any equipment attached to it, which is not comfortable for the user and can also reduce the protective effect of the vest.
It is an object of the invention to provide a cutaway protective vest with an improved attachment of the shoulder straps.
The invention provides for this purpose a protective vest, in particular a bullet-proof vest, comprising a breast part and a back part connected to the breast part by means of coupling means, the coupling means between the breast part and the back part comprising two shoulder straps and a hip belt, which connections form between the breast part and the back part through the intermediary of at least one locking cable which is detachable by means of an operating element, such that the connections between the breast part and the back part are broken by loosening the locking cable, at least part of the locking cable being enclosed by guide means extending in the longitudinal direction of the locking cable, and each shoulder strap being connected at a first end to the chest part or the back part, and where a second end of the shoulder strap is connected to the other part by means of the locking cable, wherein the lock cable is connected to the second end at the position of an interruption of guide means. Such a vest hardly sinks under its own weight and any equipment attached to it, at least relatively little in comparison with the known protective vests. Due to the guides around the attachment points or attachment points of the shoulder straps, the cable has less freedom of movement, which keeps the position of the shoulder straps more fixed and thus prevents sagging. The guide means can for instance comprise an elongated cover or a flexible hollow hose, preferably made of wear-resistant material such as plastic fabric. The fasteners of the shoulder strap can be, for example, a metal or plastic ring through which the locking cable is pulled.
It is preferable if the shoulder straps are integrated with one of the parts (back part or chest part), whereby they are connected to the other part. In addition to the coupling with the locking cable, the hip belt preferably also comprises a detachable coupling such as a zipper, with which the vest can be put on or taken off more easily during normal use. The locking cable is a flexible cable or cord that runs through the vest, preferably made of a tensile material such as a steel cable or tensile resistant synthetic fiber. The control element is suitable for manually pulling the securing cable at least partially out of the vest, breaking the connections secured by the cable and releasing the back section and the chest section from the user. In order to enable good manual operation, the operating element is preferably mounted on the breast part, so that the operating element is easily accessible by hand by the user.
wherein at least part of the locking cable is enclosed by guide means extending in the longitudinal direction of the locking cable, and each shoulder strap is connected at a first end to the breast part or the back part, and wherein a second end of the shoulder strap is connected to the the other part by means of the locking cable, the locking cable being connected to the second end at the position of an interruption of guide means.
It is advantageous if the interruption of the guide means in the longitudinal direction of the locking cable is less than 10 mm. With such dimensions, the play in the mounting position of the shoulder straps is minimal, so that sagging is virtually impossible. Preferably, the gap is between 2 mm and 10 mm, so that attaching the shoulder strap to the retaining cable at the location of the gap is easy.
Preferably, the guide means extend at least one 10 mm on either side of the break in the direction of the locking cable. Thus, the path that the locking cable can go through is limited, which minimizes the play in the shoulder strap.
It is preferred that over a length of at least 10 mm in the longitudinal direction of the locking cable, the guide means have a width which is less than 5 times the diameter of the locking cable. With such dimensions, the play in the shoulder strap is minimized. Preferably, the width of the guide means is between 2 and 3 times the diameter of the locking cable. With such dimensions, the pull-out is easily possible and at the same time the position of the shoulder strap is sufficiently fixed.
Preferably, the guiding means consist essentially of a lining made of a thin layer of material and which is fixed on the breast part or back part. Such a construction is easy to realize
In a preferred embodiment, the first end of the shoulder strap is connected to the breast part, the second end being connected to the back part by means of the locking cable at the position of an interruption of guide means arranged on the back part. Such a construction makes it possible to make a simple construction, which is easily extendable by, for example, running the locking cable over the shoulder.
It is advantageous if the guide means have several interruptions for fastening the shoulder straps at different lengths. The length of the shoulder strap can thus be easily adjusted without the use of adjusting means of the shoulder strap. For example, in the case where the guiding means are located on the back part, by attaching the shoulder strap at a higher position, a relatively long shoulder strap is obtained, and by attaching at a lower position, a relatively short shoulder strap is obtained.
Preferably, a left securing cable portion is connected to a left shoulder strap, and a right securing cable portion to a right shoulder strap, the left securing cable portion and the right securing cable portion being enclosed by separate guide means. Such a symmetrical arrangement allows an even weight distribution. It is conceivable that the left and right lock cable parts are separate cables connected to the same control element, but it is preferable if both lock cable parts are part of the same lock cable. This allows for a simple, more reliable construction.
Preferably, the guide means connect to loops of a first hip belt part and loops of a second hip belt part, wherein the locking cable forms a connection between the first hip belt part and the second hip belt part by engaging the loops.
Thus, a very controlled positioning of the locking cable in the vest is possible, with minimal play and a particularly controlled trajectory when the locking cable is pulled out, which minimizes the chance of malfunction in the mechanism.
In a preferred embodiment, a central waistband section is anchored between the first and the second waistband section, which is anchored to the back section or breast section, wherein a first locking cable section forms the connection between the first hip belt section and the central hipband section, and wherein a second locking cable section forms a connection between the central hip belt part and the second hip belt part. The anchoring of the central hip belt section enables even more controlled positioning and extension of the cable.
It is preferable if at least one end of the locking cable is releasably positioned in a recess, wherein an insertion direction of the recess forms an angle with the longitudinal direction of the guide means. This creates a resistance to unwanted pull-out, which also minimizes the play in the joints. The angle that the end of the lock cable makes with the pull-out direction of the lock cable is preferably between 30 and 120 degrees, most preferably about 90 degrees.
In a preferred embodiment, the operating element is positioned substantially between the shoulder straps on the breast part. The operating element can thus be operated equally well both left-handed and right-handed. This is particularly important if one of the arms cannot be used, for example due to injury.
It is preferred if the operating element is detachably coupled to the breast part. This prevents the chance of unwanted partial pulling out of the locking cable, and also minimizes the chance of annoyance for the user during normal use of the vest.
In a preferred embodiment, the operating element is detachably coupled to the breast part by means of Velcro. Velcro is a simple coupling that provides minimal inconvenience to a user, and can be intuitively disconnected in an emergency, so that in an emergency the control element can be disconnected and the retaining cable can be pulled out with the control element.
The invention also provides a method for manufacturing a protective vest according to the invention, comprising the processing steps: A) providing a breast part and a back part comprising protective material, and B) connecting the breast part and the back part by means of at least one detachable locking cable, the locking cable being connected to an operating element; the locking cable being inserted into longitudinal direction of the locking cable of the breast part or the back part, and a first end of each shoulder strap being connected to the breast part or the back part, and a second end of the shoulder strap being connected to the position of an interruption of guiding means. The vest according to the invention is thus simply prepared for rapid shedding in an emergency.
The invention will now be elucidated by means of the following non-limitative examples.
Figures 1a-1c show a vest according to the invention in a disconnected and coupled state.
Figures 2a and 2b show two preferred embodiments of a shoulder strap lock according to the invention.
Figure 3 shows a hip belt lock.
Figures 4a and 4b show an operating element according to the invention.
Figure 1a shows a protective vest 1 in a disconnected state, wherein a back part 2 and a breast part 3 can be distinguished. The same vest 1 is shown in coupled condition in figures 1b and 1c, figure 1b showing the front and figure 1c the rear. The various functional ballistic layers, optional covering water-repellent layers and optional ballistic plates incorporated in the vest 1 are known in the art, and have been omitted for clarity. The weight of the vest 1 provided with ballistic plates and including equipment mounted on the vest 1 usually weighs 10 to 30 kilos. The breast part 3 is provided with a Velcro fastened, centrally positioned handle 4, which will be shown in detail in figure 4. The handle 4 is connected with locking cable 6 incorporated in the hollow shoulder straps 5. The typical thickness of a locking cable 6 is between 2-5 mm. Instead of one locking cable 6, two locking cables can also be connected to the handle on either side. The locking cable is preferably made of a tensile flexible material, such as steel or synthetic fibers, optionally provided with a friction-reducing coating such as Teflon, to facilitate pulling out. The shoulder straps 5 can be connected via hollow shoulder straps 7 of the back part 2 under securing by the locking cable 6 to coupling means 8 of the back part 2, which will be described in detail in figures 2a and 2b. The shoulder straps 5 are adjustable in length, the adjusting means known from the prior art for this purpose are not shown for the sake of clarity. The back part 2 is further provided with a hip belt which is formed by two hip belt parts 9, which are also anchored with the back part while securing the locking cable. The hip belt retainer 10 will be discussed in detail in Figure 3. By pulling out the locking cable from the coupled position (figures 1a and 1b) with the aid of the handle A downwards or away from the breast part 3 according to arrow A, both the connections of the shoulder straps 5 and the anchoring of the hip belt parts 9 are broken. The relatively heavy vest 1 and any equipment present thereon can hereby be removed very quickly from the user, so that this user is less hindered in his movements. This is particularly advantageous in urgent situations where a lighter pack is desired, for example, when a user threatens to drown, is injured or for other reasons wishes to move with immediate effect with minimal hindrance.
Figure 1b shows the front of the vest 1 in a coupled condition. Due to the central location of the handle 4, the pulling out of the locking cable 6 can be performed equally well both left and right-handed, which is particularly important when a left or right arm is no longer able to perform this action due to injury. To make it possible to put on and take off the vest 1 during normal use, the hip belt parts 9 are provided with zippers 12 which connect to corresponding zippers 11 of the breast part 3. In the event of an emergency release by removing the locking cable 6, the zipper connections 11 remain 12 of the hip belt parts 9 are coupled to the breast part 3, but the hip belt parts 9 are no longer anchored to the back part 2. As a result, the hip straps can easily be detached from the back part 3 when the locking cable is removed. The zippers 11 are positioned on either side of the breast portion 3, making it easier to open and close the zipper joints when equipment such as ammunition is attached to the vest 1 at the front. The vests known from the prior art only have one zipper, so that the equipment applied to the protective vest pulls part of the hip belt down, which is perceived as very annoying by users.
Figure 1c shows the back of the vest 1, showing the shoulder strap retainer 7 and the hip strap retainer 10, which will be discussed in detail in the following figures. These retainers 7, 10 are covered by a Velcro-closed back flap, which is omitted here for clarity in the drawing. It can also be seen that the back part 2 is provided with a handle 13 near the neck opening. This handle makes it possible to move the relatively heavy vest 1 easily, and it also makes it easier for a rescuer to move a user wearing the vest 1 when, for example, he is injured or unconscious.
Figure 2a shows a first preferred embodiment of a shoulder strap securing 20. In the back part 3 guide linings 21 are arranged substantially symmetrically relative to each other. These guides 21 are fitted snugly around the locking cable 23, such that displacement in the guiding direction B is possible, but minimizing movements perpendicular to the guiding direction B. These guide linings 21 have an interruption 22, whereby the locking cable 23 can be coupled at the location of the interruption 22 with a ring 23 of the shoulder straps 25. By pulling out the locking cable 23 as described above, the connection between the back part and the shoulder straps 25 of the chest part broken. Incidentally, an embodiment variant is also conceivable in which the coupling is reversed, i.e. in which the shoulder straps 25 are connected to the back part and the guide linings 21 are arranged on the breast part. The break 21 is between 2 mm and 10 mm long in the direction of the locking cable 23, so that the attachment of the shoulder strap to the locking cable is simple, but the freedom of movement of the cable is minimal. The narrow guide of the retaining cable ensures that the vest does not or hardly sinks during use, even when additional equipment is applied to the vest. The shoulder straps can be provided with adjusting means to adjust the length of the straps.
Figure 2b shows another embodiment variant, in which the guide lining consists of a plurality of aligned guide elements 30, so that the guide lining has several interruptions 31. When a locking cable 32 is now passed through the guide 30, it can be connected at various positions 31 of the guide 30 to the coupling means 33 of the shoulder straps 34.
This makes it easy to adjust the length of the shoulder straps 34 without the need for adjusting means of the shoulder straps 35.
Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a hip belt retainer 40. For the purposes of the example, the left side is shown in a disconnected state and the right side in a coupled state. Normally both sides will be in the same state.
An anchoring 41 is provided on the back part, provided on both sides with guide elements 42 alternating with interruptions 43 of the guide. To enable smooth retraction of the retaining cable 44, these guide means are substantially aligned with the retraction direction C as defined by the guides 23, 30 of the shoulder strap retaining means as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. Fastening loops 45 of the hip belt parts 46 fit in place of the interruptions 43 in the guide. When the locking cable 44 is removed in the direction of direction C, the hip belt parts 46 can be removed in the side direction D (left side). When the lock cable 44 is positioned, it forms a strong coupling between a waistband portion 46 and the anchoring 41 on the back portion, so that a snug fit can be applied laterally around the user's waist or hips.
The end 48 of the locking cable is fixed in a recess 47, so that the chance of unwanted detachment is reduced. Preferably, this recess 47 is oriented at an angle to the pull-out direction of the locking cable, more preferably at a substantially right angle, so that an additional resistance against unwanted pulling is minimized.
Figure 4a shows the front side of a vest 50 according to the invention, in which a handle 51 is mounted in a central position. The handle 51 is connected to a lock cable 52 which extends on either side of the handle. The retaining cable 52 may be in one piece or two pieces on either side of the handle, passing through two openings in the form of rings 53 through the interior of the shoulder straps 54 (dotted lines) to the retaining mechanisms for the shoulder straps and waist strap as in the previous figures are shown. The handle 51 is detachably coupled to the vest by means of Velcro 55 to prevent accidental pulling out of the locking cable 52, but still allowing easy pulling out of the locking cable in emergency situations. Since the handle is mounted on the collar 56, it is easy to make a downward movement to pull the retaining cable 52 loose.
In Figure 4b, the same vest 50 is shown in a side view. Shown here is the handle 51 provided with a Velcro flap 57, thereby engaging the vest on either side of the collar 56. This side view also shows how the shoulder strap 52 of the breast part 58 falls within the hollow shoulder strap 59 of the back part. Furthermore, a handle 61 is arranged on the back part.
Contents2
5 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5
Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office | Category | Cited during | Relevant claims |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011068414A1 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | – | Applicant | – |
| US9949514B2 | Cited by | United States of America | – | Applicant | – |
| WO2011068414A1 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | – | International search | – |
| EP2913624A1 | Cited by | European Patent Office (EPO) | – | Search report | – |
| US9074840B2 | Cited by | United States of America | – | Applicant | – |
| DE102017103584B4 | Cited by | Germany | – | Search report | – |
| US2005005342A1 | Cites | United States of America | A | Search report | 1,15 |
| US6948188B2 | Cites | United States of America | DA | Search report | 1,15 |
2 priority claims, no other members on record
Priority claims2
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000496 | Netherlands (Kingdom of the) | A | |
| NL20072000496 | – | – | – |
2 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
Point at a mark for the eventEvents
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Lapsed because of non-payment of the annual feeLapsedV1 | V1 | |
| A search report has been drawn upPD2B | PD2B |
Numbers
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2000496
- Publication, EPODOC
- NL2000496C
- Application
- 2000496
- Application, DOCDB
- 2000496
- Application, EPODOC
- NL20072000496
Titles2
- English
- Bulletproof vest, has chest and back portions connected via shoulder and hip bands which can be released by activating locking cable in order to remove vest
- Dutch
- Beschermend vest en werkwijze voor het vervaardigen daarvan.
Classification
- CPC, 2
- F41H1/02
- A41D13/015
- IPC, 2
- F41H1 02
- A41D13 00