Cutaway Vest

Abstract

A protective vest adapted for engagement with ballistic shielding is provided which allows a user to quickly and easily remove the vest by actuation of a release. The vest is designed to quickly separate from the body of a wearer when required by pulling a release handle by a minimal distance which opens one side of the vest for exit, but maintains the components of the vest connected to avoid loss and allow for easy re-engagement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective vest comprising:
 a front panel, said front panel adapted for engagement of ballistic shielding therein;   a rear panel, said rear panel adapted for engagement of said ballistic shielding therein;   a first shoulder strap engaged between said front panel and said rear panel, said first shoulder strap adapted to support said protective vest on a first shoulder of a wearer;   a second shoulder strap engaged between said front panel and said rear panel, said shoulder strap adapted to support said protective vest on a second shoulder of a wearer, opposite said first shoulder;   a first harness engaged between a lower portion of said front panel on a first side of said protective vest and a lower portion of said rear panel on said first side of said protective vest;   a second harness engaged between said lower end of said front panel on a second side of said protective vest and a lower portion of said rear panel on said second side of said protective vest;   said first side of said protective vest being opposite said second side of said protective vest;   a release handle operatively positioned upon said front panel of said vest, said release handle actuatable to disconnect one of said first shoulder strap or said second shoulder strap from engagement with said front panel; and   said release handle actuatable to disconnect one of said first harness or said second harness from engagement with said rear panel, said one of said first harness or second harness being positioned on a same side of said protective vest, as said one of said first shoulder strap or second shoulder strap; and   whereby said wearer of said protective vest can exit said protective vest through an opening formed between said front panel and said rear panel on said same side of said protective vest as said one of said first shoulder strap or second shoulder strap released by actuation of said release handle.   
     
     
         2 . The protective vest of  claim 1 , additionally comprising:
 said release handle actuatable to disconnect both of said first harness and said second harness from engagement with said rear panel.   
     
     
         3 . The protective vest of  claim 1 , additionally comprising:
 said release handle engaged with a flexible member having a first distal end and a second distal end;   actuation of said release handle communicating a translation to both said first distal end and said second distal end;   said translation of said first distal end disconnecting said one of said first shoulder strap or said second shoulder strap from said engagement with said front panel; and   said translation of said second distal end disconnecting said one of said first harness or said second harness from said engagement with said rear panel.   
     
     
         4 . The protective vest of  claim 2 , additionally comprising:
 said release handle engaged with a flexible member having a first distal end and a second distal end;   actuation of said release handle communicating a translation to both said first distal end and said second distal end;   said translation of said first distal end disconnecting said one of said first shoulder strap or said second shoulder strap from said engagement with said front panel; and   said translation of said second distal end disconnecting both said first harness or said second harness from said engagements with said rear panel.   
     
     
         5 . The protective vest of  claim 3 , additionally comprising:
 said first harness having a loop at a distal end;   said second harness having a loop at a distal end;   said second distal end of said flexible member having a first position engaged through a passage in said rear panel and concurrently engaged with a loop in a distal end of said one of said first harness or said second harness;   said translation of said second distal end of said flexible member moving it to a second position disconnected from said loop.   
     
     
         6 . The protective vest of  claim 4 , additionally comprising:
 said first harness having a loop at a distal end;   said second harness having a loop at a distal end;   said second distal end of said flexible member having a first position engaged through a passage in said rear panel and concurrently engaged with said loop at said distal end of said first harness and with said loop at said distal end of said second harness; and   said translation of said second distal end of said flexible member moving it to a second position disconnected from both said said loop at said distal end of said first harness and said loop at said distal end of said second harness.