Plate for bulletproof vest, plate carrier or tactical vest and similar vest

Abstract

Plate for bulletproof vest, plate carrier or tactical vest and vest of this type Protective vest, in particular a chasuble or tactical vest, a plate carrier vest or a bulletproof vest, which comprises on the one hand a basic vest having, in the worn state, a front part intended to cover the front, in particular the thorax and the abdomen, of the wearer of the vest and a rear part intended to cover the back of the wearer of the vest, the two front and rear parts being connected to each other from above at the shoulders and laterally, so as to define between them a passage for the head and two passages for the arms and, on the other hand at least one plate (30;40) having an external face and an internal face, removably attached to the front face of the front part and / or to the rear face of the rear part of the vest, the removably attaching the or each plate to the base vest being achieved by means of at least one female or male end piece (13, 14) coming from the front part and / or from the rear part and at least one associated male or female end piece (41, 42) coming from the or each plate (30; 40), the at least one associated male or female end piece (41, 42) being removably attached to the plate or to each plate. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 13;

Description

Title of the invention: Plate for bulletproof vest, plate carrier or tactical vest and vest of this type

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective vest, in particular a tactical vest or chasuble, a plate carrier vest or a bulletproof vest, which comprises on the one hand a basic vest having, in the worn state, a front part intended to cover the front, in particular the thorax and the abdomen, of the wearer of the vest and a rear part intended to cover the back of the wearer of the vest, the two front and rear parts being connected to each other from above at the shoulders and laterally, so as to define between them a passage for the head and two passages for the arms and, on the other hand at least one plate having an external face and an internal face, removably fixed to the front face of the front part and / or to the rear face of the rear part of the vest, preferably covering substantially the entire front face of the front part and / or the entire rear face of the rear part of the vest.The present invention also relates to a plate intended to form part of a protective vest of this type.

[0002] A protective vest of the type mentioned above is known, for example, from document EP-A-3924685 in the name of the applicant.

[0003] The present invention aims to improve this type of protective vest, in particular aims to increase its lifespan and the protection it provides, in particular during hand-to-hand combat.

[0004] According to one aspect of the invention, a protective vest, in particular a tactical vest or chasuble, a plate carrier vest or a bulletproof vest, which comprises on the one hand a basic vest having, in the worn state, a front part intended to cover the front, in particular the thorax and the abdomen, of the wearer of the vest and a rear part intended to cover the back of the wearer of the vest, the two front and rear parts being connected to each other from above at the shoulders and laterally, so as to define between them a passage for the head and two passages for the arms and, on the other hand at least one plate having an external face and an internal face, removably fixed to the front face of the front part and / or to the rear face of the rear part of the vest, preferably covering substantially the entire front face of the front part and / or the entire rear face of the rear part of the vest,the removable attachment of the or each plate to the basic vest being carried out by means of at least one female or male end piece coming from the front part and / or the rear part and at least one associated male or female end piece coming from the or each plate, the at least one associated male or female end piece being attached to the plate or to each plate in a removable manner.

[0005] By thus providing for the possibility of changing the end piece(s) of a plate, we significantly increases the lifespan. It has been found that the buckle tips, due to their repeated use, deteriorate much more quickly than the plates. In particular, these buckle tips are sensitive to blows inflicted on officers wearing the vest during demonstrations, for example, and these blows can quickly damage the buckle. However, once these tips have deteriorated, the plate as a whole must be replaced or repaired by attaching new tips, which cannot be done quickly during operations. The removability of these tips from the plate thus allows for rapid replacement, which allows the same plate to be kept for longer, particularly during operations. In addition, it is no longer necessary to carry a large number of replacement plates when going on operations.

[0006] Preferably, the attachment of the end piece or each end piece to the plate is carried out by means of a respective strap, a free part of which is removably attached to the plate, in particular by a self-gripping attachment with hooks and loops.

[0007] The attachment, although removable, retains great resistance to being torn off by an opposing fighter during hand-to-hand combat.

[0008] Preferably, another part of the strap, in particular at the opposite end, is permanently fixed, in particular sewn or welded, to the plate, in particular to the internal face of the plate.

[0009] Preferably, said free part has an end part removably fixed to the internal face of the plate.

[0010] According to a second aspect, which in itself constitutes an invention independent of the other aspects of the invention, but which can be implemented favorably with each of them and with a combination of two or more of them, a through slot is formed in the plate through which the free part of the strap passes, in particular twice having undergone a reversal, in particular 180°.

[0011] According to a favorable embodiment, the slot has a rectangular shape, having a width and a thickness, the width dimension extending in a direction inclined relative to the horizontal, in particular relative to the horizontal upper edge of the plate, in particular by an angle of between 20° and 40°.

[0012] In particular, the free part comprises, on either side of the slot, an outer part, which extends on the external side of the plate, and an inner part, which extends on the internal side of the plate.

[0013] In particular, the outer part forms a loop which can trap a loop of the tip.

[0014] According to a favorable embodiment, the strap has the shape of a thin rectangular section strip and the slot has an identical shape of approximately the same width and about twice as thick to allow double passage of the tape through it.

[0015] According to a favorable embodiment, the free part of the strap extends, in its lengthwise direction, while being inclined relative to the vertical, in particular at an angle of between 20° and 40°.

[0016] Preferably, the end piece comprises a loop through which the free part of the strap passes to trap the loop, and therefore the end piece, once the free part is fixed to the plate.

[0017] Preferably, the loop defines two crossing openings, separated by a bar and the free part of the strap passes through one opening in one direction, then after turning over into the other opening, in the other direction.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the or each plate comprises, on its internal face, one or more fields of hooks, respectively loops, of hook and loop self-gripping material, intended to cooperate with one or more fields of loops, respectively hooks, coming from the front face of the front part and / or from the rear face of the rear part of the basic vest to achieve a fastening by hook and loop self-gripping material of the plate to the front part and / or to the rear part, and at least one strap, in particular two left and right straps, one end part of which is permanently fixed, in particular welded or sewn, to the internal face of the plate, and the other free end part of which comprises an auxiliary field of loops, respectively hooks, coming to cooperate with the hooks, respectively loops, of the field or one of the fields of hooks formed on the internal face of the plate.

[0019] According to a third aspect, which in itself constitutes an invention independent of the other aspects of the invention, but which can be implemented favorably with each of them and with a combination of two or more of them, the two left and right male ends coming from the plate extend laterally towards the outside of the plate, beyond respectively the left and right vertical edges of the plate.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect, which in itself constitutes an invention independent of the other aspects of the invention, but which can be implemented favorably with each of them, the upper edge of the plate comprises a central section, in particular horizontal, and two left and right lateral sections inclined relative to the central section, in particular at an angle of 20° to 40°.

[0021] Preferably, two left and right through slots are formed, having a thickness and width, the width extending in a direction parallel to a respective lateral section of the upper edge.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a plate intended to be used in a bulletproof vest according to the invention.

[0023] In particular, the present invention relates to a plate having an internal face covered at least in part, in particular substantially in its entirety, with hooks, respectively loops; - at least one strap, in particular two straps, being fixed to the internal face of the plate, each having a permanently fixed part and at least one free part; - at least one slot, preferably two slots, through which the at least one free part can pass; - the internal face of the at least one free part, in particular at its free end, comprising a field of loops, respectively hooks, capable of hooking onto the hooks, respectively loops, of the internal face of the plate in the manner of a hook and loop self-gripping fastener, so as to be able to pass the free part through the slot, pass it through a loop of a male or female end piece of a male-female loop, then pass it back into the slot and then make the loops, respectively hooks, of the internal face of the free part cooperate with at least some of the hooks, respectively loops, of the internal face of the plate, the end piece thus being removably fixed to the plate.

[0024] According to yet another aspect of the invention, which in itself constitutes an invention independent of the other aspects of the invention, but which can be favorably implemented with each of them or with a combination of two or more of them, a protective vest, in particular a tactical vest or chasuble, a plate carrier vest or a bulletproof vest, comprises on the one hand a basic vest having, in the worn state, a front part intended to cover the front, in particular the thorax and the abdomen, of the wearer of the vest and a rear part intended to cover the back of the wearer of the vest, the two front and rear parts being connected to each other from above at the shoulders and laterally, so as to define between them a passage for the head and two passages for the arms and, on the other hand two front and rear covers in which are defined pockets capable of receiving front and rear flexible plates or packs,in particular made up of a stack of Ultra High Density Polyethylene or Aramid sheets, the two front and rear covers being removably attached to the internal faces, that is to say on the side of the wearer's body, respectively of the front part and the rear part.

[0025] In particular, these removable fasteners are produced by the cooperation of fields of hooks, respectively loops, coming from the front part and / or the rear part and fields of loops, respectively hooks, coming from the external faces, that is to say from the side opposite the wearer, of the two covers.

[0026] Preferably, at least one plate having an external face and an internal face, removably attached to the front face of the front part and / or to the rear face of the rear part of the vest, preferably covering substantially the entire front face of the front part and / or the entire rear face of the rear part of the vest, the removable attachment of the or each plate to the basic vest being carried out by means of at least one female or male end piece coming from the front part and / or the rear part and at least one associated male or female end piece coming from the or each plate, the at least one associated male or female end piece being attached to the plate or to each plate in a removable manner.

[0027] By way of example, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0028] [Fig. 1] is a top view of the rear part of a basic vest of an embodiment of a bulletproof vest according to the invention as placed on a horizontal table, the lateral parts connecting with the front part being shown deployed laterally;

[0029] [Fig. 2] is a top view of the front portion of the basic vest of [Fig. 1];

[0030] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the basic vest consisting of the cooperation of the rear part of [Fig.l] and the front part of [Fig.2];

[0031] [Fig.4] is a front view of the basic vest of [Fig.3] to which two removable left and right shoulder / arm protection elements have been added;

[0032] [Fig.5] is a view of the rear of the vest of [Fig.4];

[0033] [Fig. 6] is a side perspective view of the basic vest of Figures 3 to 5, as that worn, to which has been fixed, respectively to its front part and to its rear part (not visible in the figure), two respective plates of the so-called plate type to thus obtain a bulletproof vest;

[0034] [Fig. 7] is a side perspective view of the basic vest of Figures 3 to 5, as worn, to which two plates of the so-called tactical type have been fixed, respectively to its front part and to its rear part (not visible in the figure), to thus obtain a tactical intervention vest;

[0035] [Fig.8] is a rear view of both the vest of [Fig.6] and that of [Fig.7];

[0036] [Fig.9] is a front view of both the vest of [Fig.6] and that of [Fig.7];

[0037] [Fig. 10] is a front view, from the front side, of another embodiment of a tactical functional plate carrier vest according to the invention;

[0038] [Fig. 11] is a front view, from the rear side, of the plate carrier vest of [Fig. 10];

[0039] [Fig. 12] is a front view of the rear portion of the vest of Figures 10 and 11, the outer sheet and plate being partially torn off;

[0040] [Fig. 13] is a front view, from the external side, that is to say from the side intended to be turned towards the outside once fixed to the basic vest, of an embodiment of a plate according to the invention of the so-called tactical type, the plate being shown with the two male ends intended to cooperate with two female ends coming from the front and / or rear part of the basic vest;

[0041] [Fig.14] is a front view, from the inner side of the plate of [Fig.15], in which the free end portion of each left and right strap has been folded down against the inner face of the plate;

[0042] [Fig. 15] is a larger scale view of a portion of the plate of [Fig. 14], in which the free portion of the right strap has not yet been folded down against the inner face of the plate;

[0043] [Fig. 16] is an enlarged view of the part shown in [Fig. 15], showing an intermediate stage of the removable attachment of the free part of the strap to the plate;

[0044] [Fig. 17] is a front view, from the external side of the plate of [Fig. 13], the plate being shown with the free part of the right strap and its associated end piece fixed to the plate and the free part of the left strap and its associated end piece not yet fixed to the plate;

[0045] [Fig.18] is a view of the internal face of the plate 41' fixed to the rear part 6' of the vest of figures 10 to 12;

[0046] [Fig. 19] is a view of the external face of the plate 41' fixed to the rear part 6' of the vest of figures 10 to 12;

[0047] [Fig.20] is a view of the internal face of the plate 40' fixed to the front part 1' of the vest of figures 10 to 12;

[0048] [Fig.21] is a view of the external face of the plate 40' fixed to the front part 1' of the vest of figures 10 to 12;

[0049] [Fig.22] is a front view of the front part of yet another embodiment of a vest according to the invention, comprising a flexible pack and a so-called tactical plate;

[0050] [Fig.23] is a rear view of the rear portion of the vest of [Fig.24]; and

[0051] [Fig.24] is a top view of one of the removably attached male end pieces to the plates of the previous figures.

[0052] In Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of a basic vest of an assembly according to the invention is shown. This basic vest comprises a front part 1 intended to be worn on the front to cover the thorax and the abdomen and a rear part 6 intended to be worn on the back to cover the back. The front part 1 defines a substantially rectangular front region 2 extended on the side by two right and left flank regions 3 intended to cover at least part of the flank of the user and to cooperate with corresponding regions of the rear part 6 to provide lateral protection around the waist of the wearer.

[0053] The rear part 6 defines a substantially rectangular rear region 7 extended on the side by two right and left flank regions 8 intended to cover at least at least partly the user's flank and to ensure with the corresponding regions 3 of part 1 forming the front face complete lateral protection around the wearer's waist.

[0054] The rear part 6 further comprises in the upper part two rear left and right shoulder parts 11 intended to cooperate with two front left and right shoulder parts 10 in the form of tabs in the upper part of the front shoulder face 1 to ensure removable attachment to the top of the two front parts 1 and 6 rear. These removable attachments are made by means of self-gripping loops and hooks, in the form of fields of hooks or loops formed on the surface of the parts 10, in particular on the front side (visible in [Fig. 2]) and on the rear side (not visible in [Fig.2]) and respective loop or hook fields formed on the opposing faces of the shoulder parts 11 of the front part 1, each shoulder part 11 consisting of two tabs 12A and 12B, respectively rear and front, sandwiching a respective tab 10, the loop or hook fields coming from both sides of the tab 10 cooperating by hooking with the hook or loop fields of the tabs 12A and 12B. Instead of hook and loop self-gripping, these fastenings could also be made by means of snap fasteners, loop fasteners, zippers and the like.

[0055] The rear part 6 further comprises two left and right flaps 9 which extend from the rear face of the rear part, to the rear of the sides 8, and which comprise at their respective ends removable fastening means for fastening to the front part 1 and thus closing the vest around the waist of the user. In particular, these removable fastening means can take the form of fields 60 of hooks formed on the inner faces of the flaps 9 to hook onto a lower field 17 of loops coming from the front face of the front part 1. In addition, there are provided, on the opposite outer face, right and left fields 16d, 16g of loops to replace, with respect to plates 30 or 40 intended to be removably fastened to the front face of the basic vest, the loops of the field 17 taken by the hooks 60 to ensure complete fastening of the plates when the vest is worn.

[0056] The two flaps 9 each further comprise a tab 28 extending from their upper edge and comprising fields 29A of hooks or loops intended to cooperate with an associated field 29B of loops or hooks formed on the inner face of the flaps 9, the fields 29A and 29B being intended to cooperate with each other by trapping between them the edges of the sides 3 and 8 when these are positioned around the waist of the user, thus guaranteeing good support of the sides when the vest is worn.

[0057] In the position in which the flanks 3 and 8 are folded towards each other around the waist of the user and the shoulder connecting parts are connected to each other, It is formed between the front part 1 and the rear part 6 three holes, respectively two left and right holes for the user's arms and a central hole for the user's head.

[0058] Two left and right female tips 13 protrude in the upper part of the front region 2, while two left and right female tips 14 protrude in the upper part of the rear region 7.

[0059] These female end pieces 13, 14 form, with male end pieces described below, removable fixing loops which make it possible to perform not only a first fixing function but also to define the correct positioning, during its fixing, of the associated plate covering respectively the front regions 2 and rear regions 4.

[0060] Two lower fields 17 and 18, in particular rectangular or square in shape, of loops are formed on the region 2 below the pre-fixing / positioning tips 13. These two fields 17 and 18 of loops fill substantially the entire external front face 200 of the front region 2. It would also be possible to provide only one field of loops covering the entire front face, i.e. also the intermediate part between the fields 17 and 18.

[0061] Similarly, the external rear face 700 of the rear region 7 comprises two lower loop fields 19 and upper 20 identical or substantially identical to the fields 17 and 18. It would also be possible to provide only one loop field including the two fields 19 and 20, as well as the intermediate part between the two loop fields.

[0062] In Figures 3, 4 and 5, the basic vest is shown in the worn state, in which the flank regions 8 have been folded over the front or external face of the front part 1, the fields 60 of hooks cooperating with the field 17 of loops, in particular each of the two left and right fields 60 covering a respective half of the field 17. However, it could be provided that they each cover less than half of the field 17, so that certain central loops of the field 17 remain accessible from the outside.

[0063] Thus, in the worn state of the vest, the external front face 100 of the basic vest is formed on the one hand by the upper part of the external front face 200 of the front region 2 of the front part 1 (the part of the external front face 200 which is not covered by the sides 8 and the tabs 9) and on the other hand by the external face of the tabs 9, folded over the lower part of the external front face 200.

[0064] In the worn state of the vest, its external front face 100, which covers the thorax and the abdomen while having a substantially rectangular shape, comprises two fields of loops, namely on the one hand the field 18 coming from the external front face 200 of the front region 2 of the front part 1 and on the other hand the field 16 of loops formed by the right and left fields 16d and 16g, as well as possibly the loops of the field 17 not covered by the tabs 9 in the case where the fields 16d and 16g do not completely cover the field 17 and leave a central part of the field 17 of loops accessible.

[0065] As for its external rear face 700, which covers the wearer's back, it is formed by the external face of the rear region 7.

[0066] The fixing region, in particular the attachment region, of the external front face 100 of the vest, respectively of the external rear face 700 of the vest, is defined as the region of largest possible surface area delimited by the closed line L passing through the most eccentric loops of the region so as to include all of the loops coming from the external front face 100, respectively external rear face 700. Thus, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 6, the line L encompasses the two fields 16 and 17, respectively 19 and 20, as well as the intermediate field between the two fields 16 and 17, respectively 19 and 20.This region corresponds to the fixing region of the opposing plate comprising associated hook fields, knowing that when this opposing plate is fixed on the external front face 100, respectively on the external rear face 700, of the basic vest, the parts of the plate opposite the fixing region delimited by the line L are no longer free, while the parts outside the line L are partly free, being able for example to be folded at the level of the line L. Thus for example, the intermediate region between the fields 16 and 17, respectively 19 and 20, although not comprising loops, is also blocked by the hook-loop cooperation.

[0067] Preferably, the respective attachment region delimited by the line L covers a major part of the external front face 100 of the vest, respectively of the external rear face 700 of the vest, in particular more than 50%, preferably more than 60%, preferably more than 70% and even more preferably more than 80%.

[0068] The lines L are shown in dotted lines in Figures 4 and 5.

[0069] In [Fig. 6], the vest of figures 1 to 5 is shown, to which a plate 30 of the so-called plate type has been added, intended to cooperate with the basic vest, preferably also with a second identical plate 30, to form a plate carrier or bulletproof vest.

[0070] The plate 30 is of substantially rectangular or square shape. It is made up of two sheets, fabrics, cloths or the like, respectively front and rear, sewn together along their peripheral edge to form between them a closed pocket intended to receive one or more protective plates, in particular one or more ceramic plates, one or more blocks of folds made of thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene or aramid or a combination of plates and blocks of this kind. This pocket is closed along the lower edge of the plate by a so-called zipper 34.

[0071] Two male ends 31 left and right, intended to cooperate with one of the pairs female ends 13 or 14 respectively coming from the top of the front region 2 or from the rear region 7, are fixed at the level of the upper edge of the plate 30.

[0072] A lower flap element 32 comes from the lower part, in particular from the lower edge of the plate 30, and is intended to be folded inside, between the user's body and the front part 1, respectively the rear part 6. In addition, this flap element 32 has the additional functions of, on the one hand, correctly positioning and centering the plate relative to the front part 1 or rear part 6 to which it is fixed and, on the other hand, preventing plates located in the pocket from falling out in the event that the zipper 34 were to be defective.

[0073] On the rear face of the rear sheet, that is to say the face intended to be in contact with the front part 1 or the rear part 6, there extend fields of hooks corresponding to the fields 16, 18, 19, 20 of hooks of the front region 2 or of the rear region 7 for the removable fixing of the plate 30. In particular, it can be provided that the whole or substantially the whole of the rear face is covered with hooks.

[0074] On the front face of the front sheet, there extend fields of hooks or loops in the form of strips 35 parallel in the horizontal direction intended to cooperate with loops from accessories for the purpose of their attachment. In addition, the strips 35 are only attached to the front sheet along vertical lines (for example by sewing) so as to define between each vertical line zones where the strips 35 can be moved away from the front face of the front sheet to allow the attachment of accessories.

[0075] In [Fig. 6], a basic vest is shown to which two plate-type plates 30 have been removably attached, thereby forming a bullet-proof vest.

[0076] In [Fig.7], a basic vest is shown to which, in place of the plates 30 of [Fig.6], two plates 40, of the so-called tactical type, have been fixed.

[0077] Each plate 40 is formed from a single sheet, fabric, cloth or the like. On its rear face, it has the same hook fields as those provided on the rear face of the rear sheet of the plate-type plate 30 for the removable attachment of the plate by cooperation with the hook fields 16, 18, 19 and 20 from the front regions 2 and rear regions 7.

[0078] Thus, preferably, the rear face of the plate 30 is identical to the rear face of the plate 40. On the other hand, the plate 40 being made of a single sheet, fabric, cloth or the like, it does not have a receiving pocket within it.

[0079] On the front face of the plate 40, it is possible to provide, as on the front face of the front sheet of the plate 30, fields of hooks or loops in the form of strips 35 parallel in the horizontal direction intended to cooperate with loops from accessories for the purpose of fixing them. In addition, the strips 35 are only fixed to the front sheet along vertical lines (for example by sewing) so as to define between the vertical lines areas where the strips 35 can be moved away from the front face of the front sheet to allow the attachment of accessories.

[0080] However, it is also possible to provide a different arrangement of this front face to improve the function of attaching / fixing accessories, knowing that this plate 40 is intended to form with the basic vest, not a bulletproof vest, but a tactical vest. Furthermore, providing two different arrangements of the front face depending on whether it is a plate 30 of the second type or a plate 40 of the first type makes it possible, at a simple glance, to differentiate them.

[0081] The same element 32 forming a lower flap comes from the lower part, in particular from the lower edge of the plate 40, and is intended to be folded inside, between the user's body and the front part 1, respectively the rear part 6. In addition, this flap element 32 has the additional functions of correctly positioning and centering the plate relative to the front part 1 or rear part 6 to which it is fixed.

[0082] In [Fig.7], a tactical vest is thus shown comprising a basic vest and two plates 40 of the so-called tactical type fixed in a removable manner, respectively to the front region 2 and to the rear region 7 of the basic vest.

[0083] In Figures 10 to 12, another assembly forming a plate carrier vest with tactical functionality implementing the present invention is shown.

[0084] The set comprises a basic vest comprising a front part 1', of substantially rectangular shape, intended to be worn on the front to cover the thorax and the abdomen and a rear part 6' intended to be worn on the back to cover the back.The rear part 6' defines a substantially rectangular rear region 2' extended on the side by two right and left flank regions 3' intended to cover at least part of the user's flank and to cooperate, by means of left and right lateral loops 4', with corresponding regions of the front part 1' to provide lateral protection around the wearer's waist, the lateral loops 4' each consisting of two parts which can fit into each other, one fixed, for example by sewing or welding, to the front part 1' and the other to the respective flank part 3', the two parts of each loop being able to be detached from each other quickly, by pulling a respective pull tab 5'.

[0085] From the rear part 6' come two left and right rear shoulder parts 11' which extend above the shoulders until they come into contact with the front part 1', possibly by being fixed there in a removable manner, for example with self-gripping fasteners. Two left and right shoulder straps 10' each comprise two respective segments, one coming from the front part and the other from the rear part and fixing to each other in a removable manner by means of buckles 12' of the same type as the left and right side buckles 4' described previously.

[0086] In the position in which the flanks 3' are fixed by the loops 4' to the front part 1' and the two shoulder parts 11' are fixed to the front part, three holes are formed between the front part 1' and the rear part 6', respectively two left and right holes for the user's arms and a central hole for the user's head.

[0087] Two female ends 13' left and right protrude, at mid-height, from the front part 1', while two female ends 14' left and right protrude, at the top, from the rear region 2'.

[0088] These female end pieces 13', 14' form, with male end pieces described below, removable fixing loops which make it possible to perform not only a first fixing function but also to define the correct positioning, during its fixing, of an associated plate covering respectively the front parts 1' and 6' rear.

[0089] A field, in particular rectangular or square in shape, of loops is formed on the front part 1', below the pre-fixing / positioning tips 13'. This field is not visible in figures 10 to 12 because it is covered by a plate 30'.

[0090] Similarly, the external rear face of the rear region 2' comprises a field of loops 19' identical or substantially identical to the field of loops of the front part 1'.

[0091] In addition, two respective pockets are formed in each of the front 1' and rear 6' parts, each intended to receive a so-called ballistic plate. Each pocket is closed, in its upper part, by a zipper 15', access to this pocket being via a slot 16' formed in a covering sheet 17' in the upper part of the front 1' part and the rear 6' part respectively.

[0092] Two plates respectively 40' front and 41' rear of the so-called tactical type, each intended to cooperate with the basic vest, are fixed to each of the external faces of the front and rear parts, thus giving the assembly, in addition to the plate carrier function, a tactical vest function.

[0093] Each plate 40' and 41' is formed from a single sheet, fabric, cloth or the like. On its internal face, it each comprises one or more fields of hooks.

[0094] Thus, the internal face of the plate 40' has a field 50' of hooks which covers it substantially entirely and allows removable fixing of the plate by cooperation with the field of loops coming from the lower region of the front part 1'.

[0095] As for the internal face of the rear plate 41', it comprises two fields 51', 52' of hooks respectively top and bottom, which are separated from each other by an intermediate region 53' without hooks. The two fields 51' and 52' extend over substantially more than 50% of the internal face of the plate 41'. These fields of hooks allow removable fixing of the plate by cooperation with the field 19' of loops coming from the region 2' of the rear part 6'.

[0096] On the front or external face of each plate 40' and 41', it is possible to provide, as on the front face of the front sheet of the plate 30, fields of hooks or loops in the form of strips parallel in the horizontal direction intended to cooperate with loops from accessories for the purpose of their attachment. Furthermore, the strips are only attached to the front sheet along vertical lines (for example by sewing) so as to define between the vertical lines zones where the strips 35 can be moved away from the front face of the front sheet to allow the attachment of accessories.

[0097] However, it is also possible to provide a different arrangement of this front face to improve the function of attaching / fixing accessories, knowing that these plates 40' and 41' are intended to give the plate carrier vest a tactical functionality. Furthermore, providing two different arrangements of the front face depending on whether it is a plate 30 of the second type or a plate 40, 40' or 41' of the first type allows, at a simple glance, to differentiate them.

[0098] In Figures 22 and 23, another assembly forming a vest called a soft pack is shown, further comprising a tactical functionality plate implementing the present invention.

[0099] The set comprises a basic vest having a 1” front portion, of substantially rectangular shape, intended to be worn on the front to cover the thorax and abdomen and a 6” rear portion intended to be worn on the back to cover the back.The rear 6” portion defines a substantially rectangular rear 2” region extended on the side by two right and left 3” flank regions intended to cover at least part of the user’s flank and to cooperate, by means of left and right 4” lateral buckles, with corresponding regions of the front 1” portion to provide lateral protection around the wearer’s waist, the 4” lateral buckles each consisting of two parts which can fit into each other, one fixed, for example by sewing or welding, to the front 1” portion and the other to the respective 3” flank portion, the two parts of each buckle being able to be detached from each other quickly, by pulling a respective 5” pull tab.

[0100] The assembly further comprises two front and rear covers 100 and 200 in which pockets are defined which can receive front and rear flexible plates or packs, in particular made up of a stack of Ultra High Density Polyethylene or Aramid sheets, the two front and rear covers being removably attached to the internal faces, i.e. on the side of the wearer's body, respectively of the front part 1' and the rear part 6”. These removable attachments are in particular achievable by the cooperation of fields of hooks, respectively loops, coming from the front part and / or the rear part and fields of loops, respectively hooks, coming from the external faces (i.e. on the side opposite the wearer) of the two covers 100 and 200.

[0101] The front cover 100 protrudes laterally from the front 1” part, to provide sidewall protection. It also protrudes at the top. The rear cover 200 protrudes (this is not seen in [Fig.24], because the side parts are hidden by the 3” sides also laterally from the front 6” part, to provide, in cooperation with the laterally protruding parts of the front 1” part, sidewall protection. It also protrudes at the top.

[0102] This type of vest, which is called flexible because it does not include any rigid ballistic plates received in the pockets formed in the 1” front and 6” rear parts, offers better adaptability than a plate carrier carrying ballistic plates, while having good resistance to blows and / or bullets, notably superior to that of so-called tactical vests.

[0103] Thus, the plates of the present invention can be added as a so-called tactical plate, to any type of vest, tactical, bulletproof or plate carrier, in particular with a soft pack and / or a rigid plate. The plates of the present invention can also, as is the case with the plate 30, include a pocket for receiving ballistic plates.

[0104] From the rear 6'' portion come two 11” left and right rear shoulder portions which extend above the shoulders until they come into contact with the front 1” portion, being removably attached thereto by 20'' hook and loop fasteners. Two 10” left and right shoulder straps each comprise two respective segments, one from the front portion and the other from the rear portion, and removably attached to each other by means of 12” buckles of the same type as the 4'' left and right side buckles described previously.

[0105] In the position in which the 3” sides are fixed by the 4” buckles to the front 1” part and the two 11” shoulder parts are fixed to the front part, there are formed between the front 1” part and the rear 6” part three holes, respectively two left and right holes for the user's arms and a central hole for the user's head.

[0106] Two left and right female end pieces protrude, at mid-height, from the front 1” part, while two left and right female end pieces protrude, at the top, from the rear 2'' region. These rear and front female end pieces are not visible in figures 22 and 23, because they are hidden by a 17” covering sheet, only a part of the male end pieces coming from a 40” front plate, respectively 41” rear plate being visible.

[0107] These female tips form, with the visible male tips described below, removable fixing loops which make it possible to perform not only a first fixing function but also to define the correct positioning, during its fixing, of the associated plate covering respectively the 1” front and 6” rear parts.

[0108] A field, in particular rectangular or square in shape, of loops is formed on the front 1” part, below the female pre-fixing / positioning tips. This field is not visible in figures 22 and 23 because it is covered by the 40” and 41” plates.

[0109] Similarly, the external rear face of the rear region 2” has a loop field identical or substantially identical to the loop field of the front part 1'. This loop field is notably identical to the field 19' shown in [Fig. 12].

[0110] The two plates respectively 40'' front and 41” rear of the so-called tactical type, each intended to cooperate with the basic vest, are fixed to each of the external faces of the front and rear parts, thus giving the assembly, in addition to the function of plate carrier, a function of tactical vest. [YES] Each 40” and 41” plate is made from a single sheet, fabric, cloth or similar. On its internal face, each plate has one or more hook fields.

[0112] Thus, the internal face of the front 40” plate has a field of hooks which covers it substantially entirely and allows removable fixing of the plate by cooperation with the field of loops coming from the lower region of the front 1' part.

[0113] As for the internal face of the rear 41” plate, it comprises two fields of hooks, respectively top and bottom, which are separated from each other by an intermediate region without hooks. The two top and bottom fields extend over substantially more than 50% of the internal face of the 41” plate. These fields of hooks allow removable fixing of the plate by cooperation with the field of loops coming from the region 2'' of the rear part 6''.

[0114] On the front or external face of each plate 40'' and 41”, it is possible to provide, as on the front face of the front sheet of the plate 30, fields of hooks or loops in the form of strips parallel in the horizontal direction intended to cooperate with loops from accessories for the purpose of their attachment. In addition, the strips are only attached to the front sheet along vertical lines (for example by sewing) so as to define between the vertical lines areas where the strips 35 can be moved away from the front face of the front sheet to allow the attachment of accessories.

[0115] However, a different arrangement of this front face can also be provided to improve the function of attaching / fixing accessories, knowing that these 40” and 41” plates are intended to give the plate carrier vest a tactical functionality. In addition, providing two different arrangements of the front face depending on whether it is a 30 plate of the second type or a 40, 40', 40”, 41' or 41” plate of the first type allows, at a glance, to differentiate them.

[0116] The various plates 30, 40, 40', 40”, 41' and 41” can be detached from the vest base without the wearer having to remove the base vest, and in particular the base vest, when worn, is of identical shape and structure, with and without the plate or plates, and in particular retains its shape comprising the two front and rear parts connected to each other at the shoulders and waist.

[0117] Similarly, the various plates 30, 40, 40', 40”, 41' and 41” can be attached to the basic vest without the wearer needing to remove the basic vest, or even to modify its structure and / or its shape in the worn state. The wearer of the vest thus changes very easily and very quickly from one configuration to another. In particular, to do this, he always acts by movements or displacements of the hands only outside the basic vest.

[0118] On the other hand, it is also possible to provide for adding to the basic vest two removable left and right shoulder protection elements, as shown in Figures 4 to 9. Each shoulder protection element can in particular be produced as described in patent application EP-A-3195743 in the name of the applicant by comprising a base plate or reinforcement 50 made of a flexible material adapted to fit the shape of the shoulder and / or the upper part of the arm and shells 51, in particular three shells, covering the reinforcement and fixed in an articulated manner to the reinforcement, preferably independently of each other so as to partially overlap. These shoulder elements, well known in the field, are not described further here. For a detailed description, reference may be made in particular to EP3924685A1 in the name of the applicant.

[0119] Thus, depending on the user's needs, the latter can add to his basic vest formed of parts 1, 6, respectively 1', 6', respectively 1”, 6”, front and rear, as desired, a plate 30 of the plate type or a plate 40, 40', 40”, 41', 41” of the tactical intervention type, as well as possibly shoulder elements. He thus no longer needs to keep two vests within immediate reach and only needs to keep one vest and, for example, two pairs of two plates of the two plate and tactical types and a pair of shoulder elements, which he positions on the vest according to his current needs, thus having several types of vest available. In addition, it is thus much faster for him to change the type of protection.Additionally, all 30, 40, 40' 40”, 41' and 41” plates can be made to be the same size, while the vests will be different sizes, allowing them to be stored in the same place for all people in the same company for example, which saves even more space.

[0120] The tactical type plate 40 is described in more detail below, in particular its method of attachment to the front and / or rear parts. This description also applies to the plates 40', 40”, 41' and 41” and to the case where the plate is the plate type plate 30.

[0121] The plate 40' comprises two left and right male end pieces 41, 42 which cooperate with each of the pairs of female end pieces 13, 13', 14, 14' of the front face and / or the rear face of the basic vest, the fixing of the plate being further carried out by a cooperation with hooks and loops of self-gripping, conventionally called Velcro (registered trademark), the internal face of the plate 40 intended to be on the side of the basic vest being covered with fields of hooks intended to cooperate with the fields of loops 17, 18, 19, 19', 20, which cover the front and / or rear faces of the basic vest. In particular, it can be provided that substantially the entire internal face of the plate is covered with hooks.

[0122] These male ends 41, 42 are removably fixed to the plate 40 by means of a respective strap 43. Each strap 43 has the shape of a strip which extends in length and has a rectangular cross-section, having a thickness and a width. It comprises a part (not visible in FIGS. 6 to 9) permanently fixed, in particular sewn, to the internal face of the plate 40 and a free part 45 which extends from the permanently fixed part.

[0123] The free part 45 passes into a rectangular through slot 46 formed through the plate 40. The male end piece 41, 42 has a loop 47 defining a passage opening. The free part 45 of the strap 43 passes into the opening where it undergoes a reversal through substantially 180° to then return towards the slot 46 and pass through it again to emerge on the side of the internal face of the plate.

[0124] The free part 45 comprises an outer part visible in figures 6 to 9 which extends from the external side of the plate and an inner part, not visible in figures 6 to 9, which extends, from the internal side of the plate, from the outer part to the free end of the free part 45. The outer part of the free part 45 forms a loop from the slot 46 which traps the loop 47 of the end piece.

[0125] The internal face of the inner part of the free part 45, that is to say the face intended to be opposite the internal face of the plate, comprises a field 49 of loops. The loops of the field 49 of loops then come to hook with hooks formed on the internal face of the plate, this cooperation achieving the removable fixing by self-gripping with hooks and loops of the free part 45 to the plate, and thus the removable fixing of the end piece 41, 42 to the plate.

[0126] Obviously, it would be possible to provide on the front and rear faces of the basic vest, not loops, but hooks, in which case these are fields of loops which would be formed on the internal face of the plate and fields of hooks on the internal face of the inner part of the free end of the free part 45.

[0127] Depending on the length of the inner end part of the free part which is passed back into the slot 46 to open out on the side of the internal face of the plate, the distance between the end piece 41, 42 and the plate can be adjusted, and therefore the distance between the plate and the female ends 13, 14. It is thus possible to adapt the position of the plate in relation to the wearer's bust or back and therefore adapt to their morphology.

[0128] In Figures 13 to 17, another embodiment of a plate is described which can be implemented in place of each plate of the preceding figures. In these Figures 13 to 17, the same numerical references are used as in the preceding figures to represent elements having the same function. The plate comprises two left and right male end pieces 41, 42 which cooperate with each of the pairs of female end pieces 13, 13', 14, 14' of the front face and / or the rear face of the basic vest, the fixing of the plate being further carried out by a cooperation with self-gripping hooks and loops, conventionally called Velcro (registered trademark), substantially the entire face of the plate intended to be on the side of the basic vest being covered with fields of hooks intended to cooperate with the fields of loops 17, 18, 19, 19', 20, which cover the front and / or rear faces of the basic vest.

[0129] The male ends 41, 42 are removably attached to the plate by means of a respective strap 43. Each strap 43 has the shape of a strip which extends in length and which has a rectangular cross-section, having a thickness and a width. Each strap 43 comprises a part 44 permanently attached, in particular sewn, to the internal face of the plate and a free part 45 which extends from the permanently attached part 44.

[0130] The free part 45 passes into a rectangular through slot 46 formed through the plate 40. The male end piece 41, 42 has a loop 47 defining two passage openings 55 and 56 separated by an intermediate bar 57. The free part 45 of the strap 43 passes a first time through one 55 of the two openings, in particular the lower or outermost one of the loop, then, after having undergone a reversal through approximately 180°, passes again into the loop 47, through the other upper or more central opening 56. The free part 45, after having passed twice through the loop 47, passes again into the slot 46 to open out on the side of the internal face of the plate.

[0131] The free part 45 thus comprises two parts, an outer part, which extends, from the slot 46, on the side of the external face of the plate, making, from the slot 46, a loop which passes through the loop 47, and an inner part, which extends, from the slot 46, on the side of the internal face of the plate.

[0132] The inner face 48 of the inner part of the free part 45 is folded against the inner face of the plate. For this purpose, it comprises a field 49 of loops which hook onto the hooks formed on the inner face of the plate to achieve removable attachment by hook and loop self-gripping of the free part 45 to the plate, and thus removable attachment of the end piece 41, 42 to the plate.

[0133] The plate has an upper edge consisting of a horizontal central rectilinear section 53 and two left and right lateral rectilinear sections 54 which extend on either side of the central section and which are inclined downwards at an angle of 20° to 40° relative to the horizontal central section 53. Each of the lateral sections has an extension equal to or greater than the width of the strip forming the strap 43.

[0134] The left and right slots 46 are each of rectangular section, having a width and a thickness. Each slot is formed at the respective top left and right corner of the plate, having its width substantially equal to the width of the strip forming the strap 43, which extends parallel to the respective inclined left and right side edge.

[0135] The permanently attached portion 44 preferably extends to the immediate vicinity of the lower edge of the slot 46. According to another possible embodiment, the permanently attached portion 44 can remain at a greater distance from the slot 46.

[0136] The permanently fixed portion 44 may or may not extend to the end of the strap opposite the free portion. Thus, in the embodiment shown, an auxiliary free end portion 58 is formed which extends between the permanently fixed, in particular sewn, portion and the end of the strap opposite the free portion. According to another possible embodiment, the permanently fixed portion may extend to the end of the strap opposite the free portion.

[0137] Obviously, it would be possible to provide on the front and rear faces of the basic vest, not loops, but hooks, in which case these are fields of loops which would be formed on the internal face of the plate and fields of hooks on the internal face of the inner part of the free end of the free part 45.

[0138] Depending on the length of the free part that is passed back into the slot 46 to open out on the side of the internal face of the plate, the distance between the end piece and the plate can be adjusted, and therefore the distance between the plate and the female end pieces can be adjusted. The position of the plate can thus be adapted in relation to the wearer's bust or back and therefore adapted to their morphology.

Claims

Claims

1. Protective vest, in particular a tactical vest or chasuble, a plate carrier vest or a bulletproof vest, which comprises on the one hand a basic vest having, in the worn state, a front part intended to cover the front, in particular the thorax and the abdomen, of the wearer of the vest and a rear part intended to cover the back of the wearer of the vest, the two front and rear parts being connected to each other from above at the shoulders and laterally, so as to define between them a passage for the head and two passages for the arms and, on the other hand at least one plate (30;40) having an external face and an internal face, removably attached to the front face of the front part and / or to the rear face of the rear part of the vest, the removable attachment of the or each plate to the base vest being carried out by means of at least one female or male end piece (13, 14) coming from the front part and / or from the rear part and at least one associated male or female end piece (41, 42) coming from the or each plate (30; 40), the at least one associated male or female end piece (41, 42) being removably attached to the plate or to each plate.;

2. Vest according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment of the end piece (41, 42) or of each end piece to the plate is carried out by means of a respective strap (43) of which a free part (45) is removably attached to the plate.

3. Vest according to claim 2, characterized in that another part (44) of the strap, in particular at the opposite end, is permanently fixed, in particular sewn or welded, to the plate, in particular to the internal face of the plate.

4. Vest according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said free part (45) comprises an end part removably fixed to the internal face of the plate.

5. Vest according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that a through slot (46) is formed in the plate through which the free part (45) of the strap passes.

6. Vest according to claim 5, characterized in that the slot has a rectangular shape, having a width and a thickness, the width dimension extending in a direction inclined relative to the horizontal, in particular relative to the horizontal upper edge of the plate, in particular at an angle of between 20° and 40°.

7. Vest according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the free part comprises, on either side of the slot, an outer part, which extends on the external side of the plate, and an inner part, which extends on the internal side of the plate.

8. Vest according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the free part (45) of the strap extends, in its lengthwise direction, while being inclined relative to the vertical, in particular at an angle of between 20° and 40°.

9. Vest according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the end piece comprises a loop (47) through which the free part (45) of the strap passes to trap the loop, and therefore the end piece, once the free part is fixed to the plate.

10. Vest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each plate comprises, on its internal face, one or more fields of hooks, respectively loops, of hook and loop self-gripping material, intended to cooperate with one or more fields of loops, respectively hooks, coming from the front face of the front part and / or from the rear face of the rear part of the basic vest to achieve a fastening by hook and loop self-gripping material of the plate to the front part and / or to the rear part, and at least one strap (47), in particular two left and right straps, one end part (44) of which is permanently fixed, in particular welded or sewn, to the internal face of the plate, and the other free end part (45) of which comprises an auxiliary field (49) of loops, respectively hooks, coming to cooperate with the hooks, respectively loops, of the field or one of the fields of hooks formed on the internal face of the plate.

11. Vest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two left and right male end pieces (41, 42) coming from the plate extend laterally towards the outside of the plate, beyond the left and right vertical edges of the plate respectively.

12. Vest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper edge of the plate comprises a central section (53), in particular horizontal, and two left and right lateral sections (54) inclined relative to the central section, in particular at an angle of 20° to 40°.

13. Vest according to claim 12, characterized in that two left and right through slits are formed, having a thickness and width, the width extending in a direction parallel to a lateral section respective of the upper edge.

14. Protective vest, in particular a chasuble or tactical vest, a plate carrier vest or a bulletproof vest, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two front and rear covers in which pockets are defined which can receive front and rear flexible plates or packs, in particular made up of a stack of Ultra High Density Polyethylene or Aramid sheets, which are removably fixed to the internal faces, that is to say on the side of the wearer's body, respectively of the front part and the rear part.

15. Plate intended to be removably attached to a front and / or rear part of a bulletproof vest, plate carrier or tactical vest, according to one of the preceding claims, the plate having an internal face covered at least in part, in particular substantially in full, with hooks, respectively loops; - at least one strap, in particular two straps, being attached to the internal face of the plate, each having a permanently attached part and at least one free part; - at least one slot, preferably two slots, through which the at least one free part can pass;- the internal face of the at least one free part, in particular at its free end, comprising a field of loops, respectively hooks, capable of being hooked with the hooks, respectively the loops, of the internal face of the plate in the manner of a hook and loop self-gripping fastener, so as to be able to pass the free part through the slot, pass it through a loop of a male or female end piece of a male-female loop, then pass it back into the slot and then make the loops, respectively hooks, of the internal face of the free part cooperate with at least some of the hooks, respectively loops, of the internal face of the plate, the end piece thus being removably fixed to the plate.;

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