Ballistic protection system

Abstract

The invention relates to a ballistic protection system comprising: - a ballistic protective vest comprising: o a first back armor (12), o a first front armor (2) and o a front cover which can be placed in an open and a closed state and which, in the closed state, covers the first front armor (2), and - a throw-over armor comprising: o a second back armor and o a second front armor, wherein the first back armor (12) is connected to the first front armor (2) via a first shoulder strap (10) and to the front cover via a second shoulder strap (22), and the second back armor is connected to the second front armor via two further shoulder straps.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for using a ballistic protection system comprising a ballistic vest. The invention also relates to such a ballistic protection system and a ballistic vest usable for it.

[0002] Ballistic vests have been used for many years to protect the wearer from the effects of projectiles fired from firearms. These vests are used by various law enforcement agencies, such as law enforcement, and by different units of the armed forces. A ballistic vest features frontal armor designed to protect the wearer's vital organs, particularly the lungs and heart, from injuries and damage that would otherwise be, or at least potentially be, fatal. This frontal armor, also known as chest armor, is positioned on the front of the vest, across the wearer's chest, when the vest is worn.Ballistic vests also feature back armor, which is positioned so that, when the vest is worn, it is located on the opposite side of the wearer's torso from the front armor, i.e., on their back. This back armor also serves to protect the wearer's vital organs, particularly their lungs and heart.

[0003] Various designs are known for both frontal and back armor. These designs offer different protection classes, for example. Against projectiles from small arms, such as handguns or pistols, soft ballistic armor is often sufficient. This has the advantage of being relatively light and deformable, making it comfortable to wear even for extended periods. However, it has the disadvantage of often providing limited or even insufficient protection against projectiles with larger caliber and / or higher kinetic energy, such as those fired from rifles, long guns, or semi-automatic weapons.

[0004] To protect against such projectiles, hard ballistic armor is available, which can be used as frontal and / or back armor. While this offers the advantage of better protection, it is significantly heavier than soft ballistic armor and is also inflexible and non-deformable, meaning it does not adapt, or only inadequately adapts, to the wearer's body and movements.

[0005] Ballistic vests typically have a front cover that, when the vest is worn, covers the front armor. In embodiments of the present invention, these front covers also have two side panels that can be connected along a connecting line, for example by means of a zipper, to close the vest. The outer surface of the front cover usually has attachment points for accessories such as flashlights, radios, handcuffs, or other equipment required by the wearer, allowing easy access to these items during operations.

[0006] The frontal armor is preferably designed to provide equal protection to every part of the area to be protected. This means, in particular, that it cannot be a two-part design without special reinforcement or additional armor for the area where the two parts of the frontal armor meet. A body armor vest with multi-part frontal armor, for example, divided like a front cover, is therefore disadvantageous and requires significantly more design effort to achieve the same level of protection as a vest with a single-piece frontal armor. Therefore, modern ballistic vests preferably have a continuous, single-piece frontal armor.

[0007] When donning the body armor, the frontal armor is positioned on one side, either the right or left. The wearer inserts their arms through the openings provided in the vest. The frontal armor, located on one side, is then pulled over the wearer's chest so that it is in the same position as when the vest is fully donned. The inside of the frontal armor panel has a pocket on the side without the frontal armor, into which the frontal armor is inserted. The frontal armor panel is then closed.

[0008] A disadvantage is that it is not practically possible to increase the armor if, during an operation, it becomes apparent that different, preferably heavier, armor is needed or desired. If another vest with different armor is worn over an existing one, all equipment components located on the outside of the front panel of the first vest become inaccessible from the outside. They would have to be removed from the front panel before putting on the second vest and then reattached afterward. This wastes time, which is generally not available in operational situations involving firearms.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the objective of proposing a ballistic protection system that reduces or completely eliminates these disadvantages.

[0010] The invention solves the stated problem by means of a ballistic protection system comprising a ballistic protective vest having a first back armor, a first front armor and a front cover which can be placed in an open and a closed state and which, in the closed state, covers the first front armor, and an over-armor which has a second back armor and a second front armor, wherein the first back armor is connected to the first front armor via a first shoulder strap and to the front cover via a second shoulder strap and the second back armor is connected to the second front armor via two further shoulder straps.

[0011] The protective system thus comprises a ballistic vest and a throw-on armor. The ballistic vest includes the first frontal armor and the first back armor, which may exhibit some or all of the aforementioned features known from the prior art. The vest also includes a front cover that, when closed, covers the first frontal armor. Preferably, as is known from the prior art, there are provisions on the outside of the front cover for positioning and arranging equipment and accessories so that the wearer of the ballistic vest has easy access to them. This is typically the situation in which the wearer finds themselves when the vest is worn.

[0012] In the event that the protective effect provided by the first front and back armor layers is deemed insufficient, the ballistic protection system features an over-armor layer, which includes a second front and back armor layer. This second front armor layer is connected to the second back armor layer via two additional shoulder straps. These two shoulder straps, the second front armor layer, and the second back armor layer thus enclose an opening through which the wearer's head is inserted when donning the over-armor layer. The aim is to don this over-armor layer without removing or weakening the ballistic vest and the protective effect it provides. To achieve this, the front cover is first opened.

[0013] With the front cover open, the overarmor is donned. To do this, the wearer's head is passed through the opening in the overarmor formed by the second front armor layer, the second back armor layer, and the two shoulder straps. The front cover is then closed again, thus also covering the second front armor layer, which is now positioned between the front cover and the first front armor layer. The second front armor layer is therefore located on the side of the first front armor layer facing away from the wearer's body. The second back armor layer is located on the side of the first back armor layer facing away from the wearer's body.

[0014] Items and equipment located on the outside of the front cover remain accessible and do not need to be removed and reattached to a different front cover, which is time-consuming.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the front cover has two side elements that are detachably connected or attachable to each other along a connecting line. This connecting line preferably extends from top to bottom across the wearer's chest, preferably in the center of the front cover. Snap fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other individual elements can be arranged and present along this line to connect the two side elements of the front cover. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a zipper extends along the connecting line, which is used to connect the two side elements to move the front cover from the open to the closed position. Conversely, the zipper is opened to move the front cover from the closed to the open position.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front cover has a connecting flap. This flap is preferably detachably connected to the first front armor. In a preferred embodiment, a hook-and-loop fastener is located on the connecting flap, and the corresponding counterpart is located on the side of the first front armor facing away from the wearer's body. Preferably, the connecting flap is arranged on the inside, i.e., the side facing the wearer's body, of the front cover. This can preferably be done in a non-detachable manner, for example, by sewing. As already explained, the first front armor is generally only connected to the front cover on one side to prevent it from having to be assembled from several parts, which would lead to additional manufacturing effort and / or reduced protective effect at the connection points.The connecting tab makes it possible to connect the side element of the front cover, which is not located on the side where the first front armor is connected to the front cover, to the front armor.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, the connecting tab is detachably connected to the second shoulder strap. It has proven advantageous if, in this case, the side element on which the connecting tab is located is also detachably connected to the connecting tab. This additional connection is preferably located in the area where the connecting tab is connected to the second shoulder strap. In this embodiment, the following situation results: The connecting tab is connected to the second shoulder strap with its inner side, i.e., the side facing the wearer's body. This connection is created when the ballistic vest is put on. To remove the ballistic vest, this connection is preferably released.

[0018] In the area where the inner side of the connecting tab is connected or connectable to the second shoulder bar, the outer side of the connecting tab, opposite the inner side, is connected to the side element of the front cover. This connection is released to bring the front cover into the open position required for deploying the over-armor.

[0019] All these connections are preferably achieved by means of hook and loop fasteners, although it should be noted that other detachable connections, in particular detachable form-fitting connections, are also possible.

[0020] When donning the ballistic vest, the two side panels of the front cover are not connected along the connecting line. In preferred embodiments, the detachable connection between the connecting tab and the second shoulder strap is also detached, so that these two elements are not connected. However, the connecting tab is preferably detachably attached to the inside of the side panel, to which it is preferably attached, with its outer side facing away from the body. After the wearer has put on the ballistic vest to the point where it rests on their torso, the first front armor panel, which is connected to the front cover, preferably to one of the side panels of the front cover, only on one side, is positioned correctly. For this purpose, a pocket may be provided on the inside of the other side panel into which the first front armor panel is inserted.The connecting tab is preferably attached to the outer surface of the first front armor plate, thus holding it in position. The connecting tab is also attached to the second shoulder rib. The two side elements are joined together along the connecting line. The front cover is in the closed position.

[0021] If the over-armor is to be used to provide better protection for the wearer, the front cover is opened. To do this, the two side elements of the front cover are separated along the connecting line, for example, by opening a zipper located there. Preferably, the connecting tab remains attached to both the first front armor piece and the second shoulder strap. However, it is particularly preferred that the detachable connection between the connecting tab and the second element of the front cover is released. In this state, the side element of the front cover can be unfolded.

[0022] The second side panel, which does not necessarily also have a connecting tab, is preferably detachably connected to the first shoulder strap. The first shoulder strap connects the first back armor to the first front armor. After the connection between the second side panel and the first shoulder strap is released, this side panel can also be unfolded. In this state, the over-armor is put on as described. The second back armor then covers the first back armor. The second front armor then covers the first front armor.

[0023] The front cover is then returned to its closed position. This is preferably achieved by connecting the second side element to one of the two additional shoulder tabs. Preferably, the other side element, on which the connecting tab is located, is connected to the other of the two additional shoulder tabs. In this state, the additional shoulder tab is positioned between the connecting tab and the side element of the front cover. Simultaneously, the connecting tab is positioned between the second shoulder tab and the additional shoulder tab. The two side elements of the front cover are thus connected along the connecting line.

[0024] Preferably, the overarm armor has a side closure comprising two straps, each with one end attached to the second back armor, the other ends of which can be connected to each other. The two straps have a first end that is attached to the second back armor, preferably in its lower region, for example by sewing or welding. Opposite the first end, both straps have a second end. These two ends can be connected to each other. This connection is preferably made in front of the front cover, i.e., preferably in the abdominal area of ​​the wearer of the protective system. Positive locking elements are preferably arranged at the ends of the straps, which engage with each other to create a positive connection between the two second ends of the straps. The positive locking elements preferably include a hook-and-loop fastener element and a corresponding counterpart.In a preferred embodiment, a hook-and-loop fastener element or a corresponding element is arranged on the side of the second ends of both straps facing the wearer's body. A corresponding element or hook-and-loop fastener element is then arranged on the side of the second ends of the straps facing away from the wearer's body. When the two second ends are laid one on top of the other, the side facing the wearer's body rests against the side facing away from the wearer's body, so that a hook-and-loop fastener element and a corresponding element are in contact and engage with each other.

[0025] The straps can be made from an elastic and / or an inelastic material, such as textile. The material can be made from natural fibers and / or synthetic fibers. One possible material is known as "webbing" and is, for example, made from polypropylene.

[0026] When connected, the two straps run from the second back armor around the wearer's body laterally, which is why it is referred to as a side closure.

[0027] Advantageously, the front cover has two contact areas to which one of the other ends, i.e., the second ends of the straps, can be attached. The contact areas preferably have positive locking elements that correspond to the positive locking elements on the side of the second ends of the straps facing the body of the carrier.

[0028] Preferably, the front cover has two flaps which, when closed, each cover a contact area and, when open, expose that contact area. To close the side closure, the two flaps are preferably opened. The flaps are preferably made of fabric and have fastening elements on their outer surface for attaching and stowing equipment. The flaps are preferably sewn to the rest of the front cover. When the flaps are opened, the contact areas become accessible, and the second ends of the straps can be positioned on and connected to the contact surfaces. The flaps are then closed again, covering both the contact areas and the second ends of the straps.This means that equipment located on the outside of the flaps is once again easily accessible.

[0029] The invention also solves the stated problem by providing a ballistic protective vest that can be used in a ballistic protection system of the type described here.

[0030] Preferably, the front cover has a connecting flap. The first back armor is preferably connected to the connecting flap via the second shoulder strap, which is connected or connectable to the first front armor. Preferably, the connecting flap is attached to the inside of a side element of the front cover, for example, by sewing it on. Alternatively, the connecting flap is attached to the inside of one of the side elements via a strip of fabric, preferably an elastic strip of fabric.

[0031] The invention further solves the stated problem by a method for using a ballistic protection system of the type described herein, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) Putting the ballistic vest on the wearer's upper body, b) Moving the front cover into the open position, c) Putting on the overarm armor by inserting the wearer's head through an opening formed by the second back armor, the second front armor and the two additional shoulder straps, d) Moving the front cover into the closed position so that the front cover covers the second front armor.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the front cover has two side elements which are detachably connected to each other along a connecting line when the front cover is moved into the closed state.

[0033] Preferably, a side element is detachably connected to the second shoulder bridge when the front cover is moved into the closed position.

[0034] Advantageously, after the front cover is moved into the closed position in step d), the second back armor layer covers the first back armor layer. Furthermore, the second front armor layer covers the first front armor layer, and the two additional shoulder straps cover the first and second shoulder straps.

[0035] With the aid of the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail below. The drawings show... Figs. 1 to 6 - a ballistic protective vest for a ballistic protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 7 to 8 - a ballistic protection system in the worn state, Figs. 9 to 11 - a throw-on armor and Figs. 12 and 13 - a ballistic protection system in the worn state.

[0036] Figure 1The figure shows the ballistic vest in the state in which it is donned. A first front armor layer 2 and an open front cover, comprising a first side element 4 and a second side element 6, are visible. The two side elements 4 and 6 can be connected to each other along a connecting line via a positive-locking element, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a zipper 8. A first shoulder strap 10 is also visible, through which the first front armor layer 2 is connected to a first back armor layer 12, which in the illustration is positioned below the first front armor layer 2 and is therefore only partially visible. The first front armor layer has a flap 30, which is connected to the first shoulder strap 10, for example, by means of a hook-and-loop fastener. The first front armor layer 2 is also connected to the first side element 4 of the front cover via a connector 28.In the illustrated embodiment, this connector 28 is an elastic textile strip, but it can also be designed as a seam.

[0037] The second side element 6 has a connecting tab 14, which is preferably permanently connected to the second side element 6, for example by sewing it. Figure 1The connecting flap 14 is unfolded so that its inner side, which faces the wearer's body when the ballistic vest is worn, is visible. On this inner side of the connecting flap 14, a form-fitting element is visible, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a hook-and-loop fastener element 16. On the outer side of the first front armor 2 is the corresponding counterpart element 18, which can form a form-fitting connection with the hook-and-loop fastener element 16, thereby connecting the connecting flap 14 to the outer side of the first front armor 2. The connecting flap 14 is connected to the second shoulder strap 22 of the first back armor 12. For this purpose, the connecting flap 14 has a tab 32 that is connected to the second shoulder strap 22 of the first back armor 14 by means of a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0038] This condition is in Figure 2The diagram shows that the connecting flap 14 is folded over, so that its outer side is now visible. The connecting flap 16 is connected to the inner side of the second side element 6 along a seam 20. Instead of a seam 20, a connector, for example an elastic textile strip, can also be used. The connecting flap 14 is part of the front cover, which also includes the second side element 6. Figure 2 A second shoulder strap 22 is also shown, via which the connecting flap 14, and thus the first front armor 2, is connected to the first back armor 12. A pocket 24 is also indicated on the inside of the second side element of the 6, into which the [item] in the Figures 1 and 2The right end of the first front armor can be inserted when the ballistic vest is donned. A hook-and-loop fastener is also arranged on each of the first shoulder strap 10 and the second shoulder strap 22, which can interact with a corresponding counterpart on the inside of the first side element 4 and the second side element 6. These positive connections are preferably created when the front cover of the ballistic vest is closed.

[0039] This condition is in Figure 3The first side element 4 and the second side element 6 are connected to each other via the zipper 8 along the connecting line. Various elements are arranged on the outer surface of the two side elements 4 and 6, shown here, to which equipment, such as a radio or a flashlight, can be attached. Both side elements 4 and 6 have a flap 34, which is shown in the closed position.

[0040] The Figures 4 to 6 show the first shoulder bridge 10 in different states. In Figure 4 is compared to the in Figure 3In the arrangement shown, a front flap 26, which was attached to the first shoulder strap 10 by means of a hook-and-loop fastener, has been released. This is useful, for example, when an over-armor (not shown) has been put on and the front cover of the ballistic vest needs to be moved from the open to the closed position. Preferably, the zipper 8 is closed first, so that the second front armor of the over-armor is positioned between the first front armor and the two side elements 4, 6 of the front cover. When the zipper 8 is closed, the Figure 4 Shown front flap 26 from the first shoulder strap 10 as in Figure 4The first shoulder strap, shown separately, rests on the first shoulder strap 10 and preferably also has a counterpart element for the hook-and-loop fastener element present on the front flap 26. When the front flap 26 is folded back up, it rests on the second shoulder strap, so that the hook-and-loop fastener element of the front flap 26 is preferably positively connected to the counterpart element present on the second shoulder strap.

[0041] In the Figures 5 and 6 The diagram shows that the first shoulder strap has 10 "Y" hook and loop fasteners.

[0042] Figures 7 and 8Figure 1 shows a ballistic protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention in its applied state in a frontal view. The flap 34 of the first side element 4, shown on the left, is visible in the unfolded position, so that an underlying contact area 36 is accessible. This contact area is equipped with a positive locking element, which in the illustrated embodiment is a hook-and-loop fastener. Figure 8 It is shown that a second end 40 of a belt 42 is arranged at the contact area 36.

[0043] Figure 9 Figure 1 shows a throw-over armor according to an embodiment of the present invention in its unfolded state. It has a second front armor 44, which is connected to a second back armor 46 via two further shoulder straps 50. At its lower end, which is in Figure 9As shown on the right, two straps 42 of a side closure are arranged, the second ends 40 of which are free. The first ends 38 are not visible because they are covered by a back flap 48. Two connectors 28 are arranged on the second front armor 44, with which the second front armor 44 can be connected to the front cover, preferably to both side elements 4, 6, when in the deployed state.

[0044] Figure 10 Figure 1 shows a front view of a throw-over armor. The second front armor plate 44 is visible, with the two connectors 28 attached to it and the two additional shoulder straps 50. In front of the second front armor plate, the two second ends 40 of the two belts 42 are joined together and connected via the positive locking elements. Figure 11The rear view is shown, with the back flap 48 shown in the open position. Therefore, the first two ends 38 of the straps 42, which are arranged on a contact element of the second back armor 46, can be seen.

[0045] In the Figures 12 and 13 are rear view ( Figure 12 ) and frontal view ( Figure 13 ) of the ballistic protection system. In Figure 12 The overarmor is put on, but the two straps 42 have not yet been fastened in front of the wearer's body, but are hanging in Figure 12 still loosely hanging down. The back flap 48 of the second back armor 46 is shown in the folded-down position, and the two further shoulder straps 50 run over the wearer's shoulders. In Figure 13The frontal view is shown, with the two side elements 4 and 6 open and not connected by the zipper. It can be seen that the second front armor piece 46 is worn over the first front armor piece and that the two additional shoulder straps 50 run over the first and second shoulder straps. Reference symbol list

[0046] 2 First front armor 4 First side panel 6 Second side panel 8 Zipper 10 First shoulder strap 12 First back armor 14 Connecting flap 16 Hook and loop fastener element 18 Counter element 20 Seam 22 Second shoulder strap 24 Pocket 26 Front flap 28 Connector 30 Flap 32 Flap 34 Flap 36 Contact area 38 First end 40 Second end 42 Strap 44 Second front armor 46 Second back armor 48 Back flap 50 Additional shoulder strap

Claims

1. Ballistic protection system comprising - a ballistic protective vest comprising ∘ a first back armor (12), ∘ a first front armor (2) and ∘ a front cover which can be put into an open and a closed state and in the closed state covers the first front armor (2), and - a throw-over armor comprising ∘ a second back armor and ∘ a second front armor, wherein the first back armor (12) is connected to the first front armor (2) via a first shoulder strap (10) and to the front cover via a second shoulder strap (22) and the second back armor is connected to the second front armor via two further shoulder straps.

2. Ballistic protection system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the front cover has two side elements (4, 6) which can be detachably connected or joined together along a connecting line.

3. Ballistic protection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the front cover has a connecting tab (14) which is detachably connected to the second shoulder bar (22) and preferably to the first front armor (2) and is covered by the front cover, preferably a side element (6), when the front cover is in the closed state.

4. Ballistic protection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The overarmor has a side closure which includes two straps (42) each with one end (38) attached to the second back armor, the other ends (40) of which can be connected to each other.

5. Ballistic protection system according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the front cover has two contact areas (36) to which one of the other ends of the straps (42) can be attached.

6. Ballistic protection system according to claim 5, characterized by the fact thatthe front cover has two flaps (34) which, when closed, each cover a contact area (36) and, when open, make the respective contact area (36) accessible.

7. Ballistic protective vest for a ballistic protection system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising - a first back armor (12), - a first front armor (2) and - a front cover which can be placed in an open and a closed state and in the closed state covers the first front armor (2), wherein the first back armor (12) is connected to the first front armor (2) via a first shoulder strap (10) and to the front cover via a second shoulder strap (22).

8. Ballistic protective vest according to claim 7, characterized by the fact thatthe first back armor (12) is connected via the second shoulder strap (22) to a connecting tab (14) of the front cover, which is connected or connectable to the first front armor (2).

9. Method for using a ballistic protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) putting the ballistic protective vest on the upper body of the wearer, b) moving the front cover into the open position, c) putting on the over-armor by placing the wearer's head through an opening formed by the second back armor, the second front armor and the two further shoulder straps, d) moving the front cover into the closed position, so that the front cover covers the second front armor.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized by the fact thatthe front cover has two side elements (4, 6) which are detachably connected to each other along a connecting line when the front cover is moved into the closed state.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that a side element (6) is detachably connected to the second shoulder bridge (22) when the front cover is moved into the closed position.

12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 9 to 11, characterized by the fact that After the front cover has been moved into the closed position in step d), the second back armor covers the first back armor, the second front armor covers the first front armor, and the two further shoulder straps cover the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap.

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