Load bearing suspension system

Abstract

A load bearing suspension system having a belt having one or more belt attachment devices; a harness having one or more harness attachment devices, wherein the number of harness attachment devices corresponds to the number of belt attachment devices, and wherein each harness attachment device is capable of being releasably attached to a corresponding else attachment device; and an overgarment, wherein the overgarment includes one or more apertures formed therein for allowing a harness attachment device to pass therethrough such that a harness attachment device is able to pass therethrough so as to be attached to a corresponding belt attachment device.

1 . A load bearing suspension system, comprising:
 a belt having one or more belt attachment means;   a harness having one or more harness attachment means, wherein the number of harness attachment means corresponds to the number of belt attachment means, and wherein each harness attachment means is capable of being releasably attached to a corresponding else attachment means; and   an overgarment, wherein the overgarment includes one or more apertures formed therein for allowing a harness attachment means to pass therethrough such that a harness attachment means is able to pass therethrough so as to be attached to a corresponding belt attachment means.   
     
     
         2 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the belt is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         3 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the belt includes a belt padding element that extends around a lower portion of the belt. 
     
     
         4 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the belt padding element includes a rolled, molded edge of the belt. 
     
     
         5 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the belt attachment means and the harness attachment means include corresponding mating portions of amish buttons, male/female snap-release buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, button and buttonhole, mating snaps, hook-and-eye closures, or an equivalent. 
     
     
         6 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 1 , further including an undergarment to be worn beneath the harness. 
     
     
         7 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 6 , wherein the undergarment has ballistic properties. 
     
     
         8 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 6 , wherein the undergarment is a vest. 
     
     
         9 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 6 , wherein the undergarment is releasably secured to the harness. 
     
     
         10 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more apertures formed in the overgarment comprises an enlarged slot. 
     
     
         11 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the overgarment is a shirt. 
     
     
         12 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the overgarment is to be worn over a predominant portion of the harness, but under the belt. 
     
     
         13 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the harness includes an adjustment dial that allows a length of the harness attachment means to be adjusted. 
     
     
         14 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 13 , wherein the adjustment dial provides for auto-retraction and/or tensioning of the harness relative to the belt. 
     
     
         15 . The load bearing suspension system of  claim 13 , wherein the overgarment includes at least one adjustment dial access aperture form therethrough so as to provide access to the adjustment dial. 
     
     
         16 . A load bearing suspension system, comprising:
 a belt having one or more belt attachment means, wherein the belt includes an adjustment dial that allows a length of the belt attachment means to be adjusted;   a harness having one or more harness attachment means, wherein the number of harness attachment means corresponds to the number of belt attachment means, and wherein each harness attachment means is capable of being releasably attached to a corresponding else attachment means; and   an overgarment, wherein the overgarment includes one or more apertures formed therein for allowing a harness attachment means to pass therethrough such that a harness attachment means is able to pass therethrough so as to be attached to a corresponding belt attachment means.   
     
     
         17 . A load bearing suspension system, comprising:
 a belt having one or more belt attachment means extending from the belt;   a harness having one or more harness attachment means, wherein the number of harness attachment means corresponds to the number of belt attachment means, and wherein each harness attachment means is capable of being releasably attached to a corresponding else attachment means; and   an overgarment, wherein the overgarment includes one or more apertures formed therein for allowing a harness attachment means to pass therethrough such that a harness attachment means is able to pass therethrough so as to be attached to a corresponding belt attachment means.