Ballistic vest

Abstract

A protective garment having a system and method for wearing the garment and removal thereof. A system for positioning ballistic plates in the vest for proper orientation of the same.

1 . A ballistic protective garment comprising:
 a) a front panel and a rear panel,   b) wherein the front panel and rear panel are configured to be separable and reconnectable from each other and interoperate by way of repositionable connective members,   c) at least one of the front panel or rear panel having a front fabric layer and a rear fabric layer such that an open region is formed between the front fabric layer and the rear fabric layer,   d) wherein the front fabric layer and the rear fabric layers are configured to be separable and re-connectable along at least one edge,   
     
     
         2 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 1  wherein the repositionable connective members are comprised of hook and loop fastener system. 
     
     
         3 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 1  wherein the repositionable connective members further comprise:
 a) at least two releasable buckles; and 
 b) wherein each buckle is coupled to a length adjustment system to adjust the distance between the front panel and the rear panel. 
 
     
     
         4 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 3  wherein each buckle is coupled to at least two independent length adjustment systems. 
     
     
         5 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 4  wherein each length adjustment system comprises a hook and loop attachment system. 
     
     
         6 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 1  wherein the repositionable connective members comprise:
 a) at least one quick release buckle; 
 b) at least one length adjustment system. 
 
     
     
         7 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 1  further comprising a single point harness for a firearm, the harness comprising:
 a) a hook and loop fastener operatively configured to removably couple to a shoulder position on the ballistic protective garment; 
 b) a quick release attachment operatively configured to removably couple to a firearm; and 
 c) a cord member extending between the hook and loop fastener and the quick release attachment. 
 
     
     
         8 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 7  wherein the cord member comprises an elastic portion. 
     
     
         9 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 8  wherein the elastic portion is covered with an extendable, protective sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 1  wherein the front layer and the rear layer are separable along a bottom edge, the bottom edge being the edge at the lowermost portion while the garment is worn by a user in an upright, standing position. 
     
     
         11 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 1  wherein a chamber formed by the front layer and rear layer is substantially the entire dimension of the associated front panel or rear panel. 
     
     
         12 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 15  wherein the positioning system comprises hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         13 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 12  wherein the hook and loop fasteners substantially cover the entire interior surface of the chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 1  wherein a chamber formed by the front layer and the rear layer is further separated by a divider, the divider operatively configured to delineate the chamber into a first pocket and a second pocket, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket have substantially the same dimensions as the associated front layer or rear layer. 
     
     
         15 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 11  wherein the chamber formed by the front layer and the rear layer comprises a ballistic plate positioning system which is operatively configured to allow a ballistic plate to be fixedly and positionably set within the pocket. 
     
     
         16 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 1  wherein the front panel and the rear panel are configured to be separable and reconnectable along at least two shoulder positions and at least two side positions. 
     
     
         17 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 16  wherein the front panel and the rear panel are configured to be separable and reconnectable by way of hook and loop fastening systems. 
     
     
         18 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 17  further comprising:
 a) at least one locking flap operatively configured to hinder accidental release of the hook and loop fastening systems; 
 b) a first grasping handle operatively configured to facilitate release of the locking flap, and 
 c) a second grasping handle operatively configured to facilitate release of the front panel from the rear panel at the associated connection position. 
 
     
     
         19 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 18  wherein at least one end of the first grasping handle is removably detachable from the garment. 
     
     
         20 . The ballistic protective garment of  claim 1  further comprising a carrier the carrier comprising:
 a) an exterior surface comprising one portion of a hook and loop fastening system; 
 b) an interior surface; and 
 c) a ballistic plate restraining system operatively configured to removably and positionably restrain a rigid ballistic plate within the interior surface of the carrier. 
 
     
     
         21 - 38 . (canceled)