Flexible Mid-Section Float System for Protective Outerwear

Abstract

The present invention provides, in part, a mid-section float system that can be used with protective outerwear, such as a protective, wearable carriage device, for example. The present invention also provides a quick attach/detach system for connecting belts or cumberbunds to an upper torso outerwear device. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a flexible connector having a base, a receiving strap and a spring connector component.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a base having a front side and a back side;   a receiving strap having a first end and a second end, with the first and second ends being secured to the front side of the base and forming an opening between the strap and the front side of the base; and   a spring connector sleeve housing a coil spring, with the sleeve being slidably maintained within the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the spring connector sleeve has a body portion, a first end and a second end, with the body portion being substantially cylindrical, and with the first and second ends being substantially flat. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein each the first and second ends of the spring connector sleeve includes a connector element for receiving an opposing connector element, and wherein the front side of the base further includes an opposing connector element for the first end connector element. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the front side of the base includes a plurality of opposing connector elements for the first end connector element. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the front side of the base includes one or more connector elements for receiving an external device opposing connector element. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base has a top edge, and further including at least one strap secured proximate to the top edge of the base. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the strap has a free end and further includes a connector element secured near the free end. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the base has a top edge and at least one strap secured proximate the top edge, wherein the strap has a free end with a connector element secured near the free end, and wherein the strap connector element faces a first direction, and further wherein the connector element of the second end of the spring connector sleeve faces a second direction that is substantially inapposite to the first direction. 
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a flexible connection for outerwear elements, comprising:
 providing an apparatus comprising a base having a front side and a back side;   providing a receiving strap with a first end and a second end;   securing the first and second ends of the receiving strap to the front side of the base so as to form an opening between the strap and the front side of the base;   inserting a coil spring within a spring connector sleeve;   and slidably maintaining the spring connector sleeve within the opening.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the spring connector sleeve has a substantially cylindrical body portion and substantially flat first and second ends. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein each the first and second ends of the spring connector sleeve is provided with a connector element for receiving an opposing connector element, and wherein the front side of the base further is provided with an opposing connector element for the first end connector element. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the base has a top edge and at least one strap secured proximate to the top edge, wherein the strap has a free end and further includes a connector element secured near the free end. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first torso outerwear device;   a second torso outerwear device; and   a flexible connector for connecting the first torso outerwear device to the second torso outerwear device, the connector comprising:
 a base having a front side and a back side; 
 a receiving strap having a first end and a second end, with the first and second ends being secured to the front side of the base and forming an opening between the strap and the front side of the base; and 
 a spring connector sleeve housing a coil spring, with the sleeve being slidably maintained within the opening. 
   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the spring connector sleeve has a body portion, a first end and a second end, with each the first and second ends of the spring connector sleeve includes a connector element for receiving an opposing connector element, and wherein the front side of the base further includes an opposing connector element for the first end connector element. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the front side of the base includes a plurality of opposing connector elements for the first end connector element. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the second torso outerwear device includes at least one opposing connector element, and wherein the front side of the base includes one or more connector elements for receiving the at least one second torso outerwear device opposing connector element. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the first torso outerwear device includes at least one opposing connector element for receiving the connector element of the second end of the spring connector sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the base has a top edge and at least one strap secured proximate to the top edge, wherein the strap has a free end and further includes a connector element secured near the free end and for receiving an opposing connector element. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the first torso outerwear device includes at least one opposing connector element for receiving the connector element of the at least one strap.