Cover for ballistic carrier

Abstract

A cover for a ballistic panel carrier includes cover mounted stays defining loops for engagement by carrier straps, which pull the cover into the body of a wearer when cover and carrier are worn. A lining on the rear shell of the cover extends downwardly but is spaced from a lower edge of the cover. Stiffeners on the cover are coextensive with the stays. Shoulder openings between front and rear components provide access to carrier shoulder straps for adjustment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cover for use with a ballistic panel carrier having front and rear cover components, wherein said cover includes;
 side members extending from a rear cover component;   stays secured to said side members and defining a space between said stays and said side members for accepting a strap extending between front and rear carrier components;   said side members releasably connectable to said front cover components;   said stays biasing said side members toward a wearer when said cover is worn with a carrier.   
     
     
         2 . A cover as in  claim 1  further including stiffeners disposed on said side members opposite said stays for stiffening said members when said stays are biased inwardly toward a wearer. 
     
     
         3 . A cover for use with a ballistic panel carrier having at least a front cover component and a ballistic panel pocket, said cover component comprising a front shell,
 a liner fixed within said front shell and defining said pocket, and a neck opening at an upper end of said cover component   said neck opening disposed between said liner and said front shell and defining an end of a passageway therebetween and operatively communicating with said pocket for insertion of a ballistic panel.   
     
     
         4 . A cover as in  claim 3  wherein said pocket is accessible through said neck opening when said cover is worn by user. 
     
     
         5 . A cover for a ballistic panel carrier having front and rear components supported by shoulder straps extended therebetween said cover comprising:
 a front shell;   a rear shell;   a front liner layer proximate said front shell;   a rear liner layer proximate said rear shell;   said front and rear liner layers having respective upper portions extending toward one another;   said respective portions upper each having edges defining respective passages between said front shell and front liner and between said rear shell and said rear liner respectively;   said edges spaced one from the other and defining a spaced opening between said respective passages with unobstructed access to said carrier shoulder straps extending through each of said passages.   
     
     
         6 . A cover for use with a ballistic panel carrier and including:
 a rear shell having a lower waist area;   said rear shell having edges defining arm openings;   a rear lining;   said rear lining extending downwardly in said cover toward a lower edge of the lining proximate said arm openings;   said rear cover shell having side members extending forwardly for releasable connection to a front shell of said cover and having side member edges; and   said rear lining extending across said rear shell to said side member edges proximate said arm openings;   said lower edge of said rear lining spaced from said lower waist area.   
     
     
         7 . A cover as in  claim 6  including stays secured to said side members, said stays having upper ends secured to said lining proximate said arm openings and a portion of said lower edge of said rear lining being a free edge defining a mouth for carrier access between said rear shell and said rear lining.