Armor carrier and method

Abstract

An armor apparatus is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the armor apparatus is in the form of a vest or carrier including, in several exemplary embodiments, one or more armor plates.

1 . A carrier comprising:
 a front assembly;   a back assembly adapted to be removably coupled to the front assembly, wherein at least one of the front and back assemblies comprises a first armor plate;   and   a cord comprising:
 a first position in which the front assembly is removably coupled to the back assembly; and 
 a second position in which the front assembly is decoupled from the back assembly. 
   
     
     
         2 . The carrier of  claim 1  further comprising:
 first and second side assemblies; 
 wherein, when the cord is in the first position, each of the first and second side assemblies is removably coupled to each of the front and back assemblies so that the front assembly is removably coupled to the back assembly; and 
 wherein, when the cord is in the second position, each of the first and second side assemblies is decoupled from at least one of the front and back assemblies so that the front assembly is decoupled from the back assembly. 
 
     
     
         3 . The carrier of  claim 2  wherein the back assembly comprises a first loop;
 wherein the first and second side assemblies comprise first and second shoulder straps, respectively, each of the first and second shoulder straps comprising:
 a first end portion at which the strap is adapted to be removably coupled to the front assembly; 
 a second end portion comprising a hole formed therethrough; 
 
 and 
 wherein, when the cord is in the first position,
 the first loop extends through each of the respective holes of the first and second shoulder straps, and 
 the cord extends through the first loop. 
 
 
     
     
         4 . The carrier of  claim 2  wherein the back assembly further comprises a second loop;
 wherein the first and second side assemblies comprise first and second side portions, respectively, each of the first and second side portions comprising:
 a first end portion at which the side portion is adapted to be removably coupled to the front assembly; and 
 a second end portion comprising a first tab and a hole formed through the first tab; 
 
 and 
 wherein, when the cord is in the first position,
 the second loop extends through each of the respective holes of the first and second side portions, and 
 the cord extends through the second loop. 
 
 
     
     
         5 . The carrier of  claim 2  wherein the back assembly comprises first and second loops;
 wherein the first side assembly comprises:
 a first side portion, and 
 a first shoulder strap coupled to the first side portion; 
 
 wherein the second side assembly comprises:
 a second side portion, and 
 a second shoulder strap coupled to the second side portion; 
 
 wherein each of the first and second side portions comprises:
 a first end portion at which the side portion is adapted to be removably coupled to the front assembly; and 
 a second end portion comprising a first tab and a hole formed through the first tab; 
 
 wherein each of the first and second shoulder straps comprises:
 a first end portion at which the strap is adapted to be removably coupled to the front assembly; 
 a second end portion comprising a hole formed therethrough; and 
 a third end portion at which the strap is coupled to the corresponding side portion; 
 
 and 
 wherein, when the cord is in the first position,
 the first loop extends through each of the respective holes of the first and second shoulder straps, 
 the cord extends through the first loop, 
 the second loop extends through each of the respective holes of the first and second side portions, and 
 the cord extends through the second loop. 
 
 
     
     
         6 . The carrier of  claim 5  wherein the cord comprises a first end portion, a second end portion opposing the first end portion, and a middle portion extending between the first and second end portions;
 wherein the back assembly defines one or more sleeves; 
 wherein at least one of the first and second shoulder straps defines a passage; and 
 wherein, when the cord is in the first position,
 at least a portion of the second end portion of the cord is disposed in the one or more sleeves, and 
 at least a portion of the middle portion of the cord extends through the passage defined by the at least one of the first and second shoulder straps. 
 
 
     
     
         7 . The carrier of  claim 6  wherein the front assembly comprises:
 a jacket defining a region in which the first armor plate is adapted to be disposed; 
 wherein the carrier further comprises:
 a closed configuration in which:
 the cord is in the first position, 
 the respective first end portions of the first and second side portions of the first and second side assemblies are removably coupled to the jacket of the front assembly, and 
 the respective second end portions of the first and second shoulder straps of the first and second side assemblies are removably coupled to the jacket of the front assembly; 
 
 and 
 a front-opening configuration in which:
 the cord is in the first position, 
 the first end portion of the side portion of one of the first and second side assemblies is decoupled from the jacket of the front assembly, and 
 the second end portion of the shoulder strap of the one of the first and second side assemblies is decoupled from the jacket of the front assembly, 
 thereby providing a gap between the front assembly and the one of the first and second side assemblies. 
 
 
 
     
     
         8 . The carrier of  claim 6  wherein the back assembly comprises:
 a first jacket defining a first region in which the first armor plate is disposed, the first region defining an upper internal surface of the first jacket; 
 a first flap extending within the first region and over the first armor plate in a first direction; 
 a second flap removably coupled to first flap and extending over the first armor plate in a second direction that is generally opposite the first direction; and 
 a third flap removably coupled to at least one of the first and second flaps and extending over the first armor plate in a third direction that is generally perpendicular to each of the first and second directions; 
 wherein the removably coupling between the first and second flaps defines a first gap between corresponding portions of the first and second flaps that is sized to correspond to a first dimension of the first armor plate; and 
 wherein the removably coupling between the third flap and the at least one of the first and second flaps defines a second gap between the upper internal surface of the first jacket and the third flap that is sized to correspond to a second dimension of the first armor plate, the second dimension being generally perpendicular to the first dimension; 
 
       wherein the front assembly comprises:
 a second jacket defining a second region in which a second armor plate is adapted to be disposed, the second region defining an upper internal surface of the second jacket; 
 a fourth flap extending within the second region and adapted to extend over the second armor plate in a fourth direction; 
 a fifth flap adapted to be removably coupled to fourth flap and extend over the second armor plate in a fifth direction that is generally opposite the fourth direction; and 
 a sixth flap adapted to be removably coupled to at least one of the fourth and fifth flaps and extend over the second armor plate in a sixth direction that is generally perpendicular to each of the fourth and fifth directions; 
 
       and 
       wherein the carrier further comprises:
 a first configuration in which the first armor plate is disposed in the first region and the second armor plate is not disposed in the second region; and 
 a second configuration in which:
 the first and second armor plates are disposed in the first and second regions, respectively; 
 the fourth flap extends over the second armor plate in the fourth direction; 
 the fifth flap is removably coupled to the fourth flap and extends over the second armor plate in the fifth direction that is generally opposite the fourth direction; 
 the sixth flap is removably coupled to the at least one of the fourth and fifth flaps and extends over the second armor plate in the sixth direction that is generally perpendicular to each of the fourth and fifth directions; 
 wherein the removably coupling between the fourth and fifth flaps defines a third gap between corresponding portions of the fourth and fifth flaps that is sized to correspond to a first dimension of the second armor plate; and 
 
 wherein the removably coupling between the sixth flap and the at least one of the fourth and fifth flaps defines a fourth gap between the upper internal surface of the second jacket and the sixth flap that is sized to correspond to a second dimension of the second armor plate, the second dimension of the second armor plate being generally perpendicular to the first dimension of the second armor plate. 
 
     
     
         9 . The carrier of  claim 6  wherein the carrier is adapted to be worn by an operator;
 wherein the back assembly comprises a jacket defining a region in which the first armor plate is disposed, and the back assembly defines an exterior side and an interior side, the interior side adapted to be proximate the operator when the operator wears the carrier; 
 wherein the carrier further comprises:
 a handle assembly coupled to the back assembly, the handle assembly comprising:
 first and second handle straps, each of the first and second handle straps comprising first and second end portions, the first end portion being coupled to the jacket of the back assembly; 
 a sleeve extending between, and coupled to, the respective second end portions of the first and second handle straps, the sleeve defining a passage; 
 a support disposed in the sleeve; 
 a first configuration in which the sleeve is removably coupled to the back assembly while the respective first end portions of the first and second handle straps are coupled to the jacket of the back assembly; and 
 a second configuration in which the sleeve is decoupled from the back assembly while the respective first end portions of the first and second handle straps are coupled to the jacket of the back assembly, thereby permitting a gap to be defined between the sleeve and the jacket of the back assembly; 
 
 a plate insert disposed in the region defined by the jacket of the back assembly, the plate insert being positioned between the first armor plate and the interior side of the back assembly; 
 wherein, when the carrier is worn by the operator, the plate insert distributes point forces applied by the first armor plate against the operator. 
 
 
     
     
         10 . The carrier of  claim 6  wherein each of the first and second side portions of the first and second side assemblies, respectively, comprises a middle portion extending between the first and second end portions;
 wherein the second end portion of each of the first and second side assemblies further comprises:
 a first plurality of tabs comprising respective holes formed therethrough, wherein the first tab is one of the tabs in the first plurality of tabs; 
 a second plurality of tabs; 
 a lace assembly coupling the first plurality of tabs to the second plurality of tabs; 
 an anti-sag strap coupled to the first tab and adapted to extend across the lace assembly and be removably coupled to the middle portion; 
 and 
 wherein the carrier comprises a configuration in which:
 a dimension is defined across the lace assembly and between the first and second pluralities of tabs, 
 the anti-sag strap extends across the lace assembly and is removably coupled to the middle portion; and 
 the removable coupling between the anti-sag strap and the middle portion resists any variation in the dimension between the first and second pluralities of tabs. 
 
 
 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 providing a carrier comprising front and back assemblies, at least one of the front and back assemblies comprising an armor plate;   removably coupling the front assembly to the back assembly, comprising placing a cord in a first position relative to the front and back assemblies; and   decoupling the front assembly from the back assembly, comprising moving the cord from the first position to a second position relative to the front and back assemblies.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the carrier further comprises first and second side assemblies comprising first and second shoulder straps, respectively, and first and second side portions coupled thereto, respectively; and
 wherein removably coupling the front assembly to the back assembly further comprises:
 removably coupling the first and second side portions to the back assembly; 
 removably coupling the first and second side portions to the front assembly; 
 removably coupling the first and second shoulder straps to the back assembly; and 
 removably coupling the first and second shoulder straps to the front assembly. 
 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein decoupling the front assembly from the back assembly further comprises:
 decoupling the first and second side portions from the back assembly in response to moving the cord from the first position to the second position relative to the front and back assemblies; and 
 decoupling the first and second shoulder straps from the back assembly in response to moving the cord from the first position to the second position relative to the front and back assemblies. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 placing the carrier in a front-opening configuration in which a gap between the front assembly and one of the first and second side assemblies is provided, comprising:
 decoupling the shoulder strap of the one of the first and second side assemblies from the front assembly; and 
 decoupling the side portion of the one of the first and second side assemblies from the front assembly. 
 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the back assembly comprises:
 a jacket defining a region in which the armor plate is disposed, the region defining an upper internal surface of the jacket; and 
 first, second and third flaps extending within the region; 
 wherein the armor plate defines a first dimension and a second dimension generally perpendicular thereto; 
 and 
 wherein the method further comprises:
 securing the armor plate within the region, comprising:
 extending the first and second flaps over the first armor plate; 
 removably coupling the second flap to the first flap to thereby define a first gap between corresponding portions of the first and second flaps that is sized to correspond to the first dimension of the armor plate; 
 extending the third flap over the armor plate; and 
 removably coupling the third flap to at least one of the first and second flaps to thereby define a second gap between the upper internal surface of the jacket and the third flap that is sized to correspond to the second dimension of the armor plate. 
 
 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 removably coupling a handle assembly to the back assembly, the handle assembly comprising a support; and 
 selectively providing a gap between the back assembly and the support of the handle assembly. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 loading the carrier, wherein the armor plate applies one or more point forces in response to loading the carrier; and 
 distributing the one or more point forces applied in response to loading the carrier. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 loading the carrier; and 
 resisting the degree to which the first and second side portions of the first and second side assemblies, respectively, sag in response to loading the carrier. 
 
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 means for providing a carrier comprising front and back assemblies, at least one of the front and back assemblies comprising an armor plate;   means for removably coupling the front assembly to the back assembly, comprising means for placing a cord in a first position relative to the front and back assemblies; and   means for decoupling the front assembly from the back assembly, comprising means for moving the cord from the first position to a second position relative to the front and back assemblies.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the carrier further comprises first and second side assemblies comprising first and second shoulder straps, respectively, and first and second side portions coupled thereto, respectively; and
 wherein means for removably coupling the front assembly to the back assembly further comprises:
 means for removably coupling the first and second side portions to the back assembly; 
 means for removably coupling the first and second side portions to the front assembly; 
 means for removably coupling the first and second shoulder straps to the back assembly; and 
 means for removably coupling the first and second shoulder straps to the front assembly. 
 
 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein means for decoupling the front assembly from the back assembly further comprises:
 means for decoupling the first and second side portions from the back assembly in response to moving the cord from the first position to the second position relative to the front and back assemblies; and 
 means for decoupling the first and second shoulder straps from the back assembly in response to moving the cord from the first position to the second position relative to the front and back assemblies. 
 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising:
 means for placing the carrier in a front-opening configuration in which a gap between the front assembly and one of the first and second side assemblies is provided, comprising:
 means for decoupling the shoulder strap of the one of the first and second side assemblies from the front assembly; and 
 means for decoupling the side portion of the one of the first and second side assemblies from the front assembly. 
 
 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the back assembly comprises:
 a jacket defining a region in which the armor plate is disposed, the region defining an upper internal surface of the jacket; and 
 first, second and third flaps extending within the region; 
 wherein the armor plate defines a first dimension and a second dimension generally perpendicular thereto; 
 and 
 wherein the system further comprises:
 means for securing the armor plate within the region, comprising:
 means for extending the first and second flaps over the first armor plate; 
 means for removably coupling the second flap to the first flap to thereby define a first gap between corresponding portions of the first and second flaps that is sized to correspond to the first dimension of the armor plate; 
 means for extending the third flap over the armor plate; and 
 means for removably coupling the third flap to at least one of the first and second flaps to thereby define a second gap between the upper internal surface of the jacket and the third flap that is sized to correspond to the second dimension of the armor plate. 
 
 
 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising:
 means for removably coupling a handle assembly to the back assembly, the handle assembly comprising a support; and 
 means for selectively providing a gap between the back assembly and the support of the handle assembly. 
 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising:
 means for loading the carrier, wherein the armor plate applies one or more point forces in response to loading the carrier; and 
 means for distributing the one or more point forces applied in response to loading the carrier. 
 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising:
 means for loading the carrier; and 
 means for resisting the degree to which the first and second side portions of the first and second side assemblies, respectively, sag in response to loading the carrier.