Bulletproof system

Abstract

The objective of this invention is to propose a bulletproof system. [Solution] The present invention relates to a bulletproof system comprising a bulletproof vest having a first back armor (12), a first front armor (2), and a front cover that can be brought into an open and closed state and covers the first front armor (2) in the closed state, and an overlay armor having 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.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of using a bulletproof system having a bulletproof vest. The present invention further relates to such a bulletproof system and a bulletproof vest that can be used therefor.

Background Art

[0002] Bulletproof vests have been used for many years to protect the wearer of a protective vest (Schutzweste) from the effects of bullets fired from firearms, for example. Such protective vests are used, for example, by various emergency forces, for example, for crime prevention purposes, and by various units of the armed forces. The bulletproof vest has a front armor, and the front armor protects the organs crucial to the life of the wearer of the protective vest, particularly the lungs and the heart, from injuries and damages that would otherwise be fatal or at least potentially fatal to the wearer. The front armor, also called chest armor, is arranged within the protective vest so as to be present on the front side of the wearer, i.e., in the chest area, when the bulletproof vest is attached. The bulletproof vest further has a back armor arranged within the bulletproof vest so as to be positioned on the side of the upper body of the wearer opposite to the front armor, i.e., on the back thereof, when the bulletproof vest is attached. The back armor also serves to protect the organs crucial to the life of the wearer, particularly the lungs and the heart.

[0003] Regarding both front and back armor, different embodiments are known from the prior art. They have, for example, different levels of protection. For small arms, such as pistols, the use of soft-type armor is often sufficient against bullets from handguns or short guns. Soft-type armor has the advantage of being relatively light and deformable, making it relatively comfortable to wear for extended periods. However, soft-type armor often has the disadvantage of providing limited, or even insufficient, protection against large-caliber and / or high-kinetic-energy bullets, such as those fired from rifles, guns, or semi-automatic weapons.

[0004] To protect against such bullets, hard-type (hartballistisch) armor, which can be used as front and / or back armor, is known. Although hard-type armor has the advantage of superior protective effect, it is significantly heavier than soft-type armor, and moreover, being fixed and immovable, it does not conform to the wearer's body and movements, or only conforms to them poorly.

[0005] A bulletproof vest typically has a front cover that covers the front armor when the protective vest is attached. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front cover also has two side sections that can be connected to each other, for example, by fasteners along connecting lines, in order to bring the protective vest into a closed state. On the outside of the front cover there are usually elements to which equipment, such as a flashlight, radio, handcuffs, or other equipment required for the wearer's deployment, can be attached, so that the wearer of the protective vest can easily grasp these objects when deployed.

[0006] The front armor is preferably formed to protect all parts of the area to be protected equally well. This means, in particular, that the two parts of the front armor should not be formed from two parts without providing special protection or additional armor in areas adjacent to each other. Therefore, a protective vest having a multi-part front armor, which is divided similarly to a front cover, is disadvantageous and clearly requires a greater construction effort to achieve the same protective effect as a protective vest with a single, continuous front armor. Therefore, modern bulletproof vests have a continuous, preferably single, front armor.

[0007] When the protective vest is fitted, the front armor is therefore located on one side of the vest, either the right or left side. The wearer puts their arms through the openings designated for it within the vest. The front armor located on one side of the vest then rests in the wearer's chest area and is therefore fully, or at least approximately, in the same position as it would be in a fully fitted vest. The inside of the front cover has a pocket on the side where the front armor is not present for inserting or tucking in the front armor. The front cover is then closed.

[0008] The drawback is that it is not reasonably feasible to reinforce the armor if it is recognized during a deployment that other, preferably stronger, armor is needed or desirable. If another vest with other armor is to be attached over an already fitted protective vest, all equipment elements located on the outside of the front cover of the first protective vest will either become inaccessible from the outside, or they will need to be removed from the front cover before the other vest is attached, and then re-secured after the additional vest is attached. This is time-consuming, and that time is usually not available in deployment situations involving the use of firearms. [Overview of the project]

[0009] The object of this invention is to propose a bulletproof system that mitigates or completely solves this drawback.

[0010] The present invention solves the problem with a bulletproof vest comprising a first back armor, a first front armor, and a front cover that can be brought into an open and closed state and covers the first front armor in the closed state, and an overlay armor having 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 (Schultersteg) 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] In other words, the protective system comprises a bulletproof vest and overlay armor. The bulletproof vest has a first front armor and a first back armor, which may have some or all of the aforementioned feature parts known from the prior art. The protective vest further has a front cover that covers the first front armor when closed. On the outside of the front cover, preferably, there are means for positioning and arranging equipment and gear, as known from the prior art, so that the wearer of the bulletproof vest can easily grasp them. The protective vest is typically worn in the wearer's situation.

[0012] If the protective effect provided by the first front armor and first back armor is no longer considered sufficient, the ballistic system has an overlay armor having a second front armor and a second back armor. The second front armor is connected to the second back armor via two additional shoulder straps. Thus, the two additional shoulder straps, the second front armor, and the second back armor surround the opening through which the wearer's head is guided when the overlay armor is attached. The goal is to attach this overlay armor without sacrificing or reducing the protective effect of the ballistic vest and the protective effect achieved thereby. To this end, in the first step, the front cover is moved to an open position.

[0013] With the front cover in this open state, the overlay armor is attached. To do this, the wearer's head is guided through the openings located within the overlay armor and formed by the second front armor, the second back armor, and two additional shoulder straps. Subsequently, the front cover is closed again, thus also covering the second front armor, which will be located between the front cover and the first front armor. In other words, the second front armor is located on the side of the first front armor that does not face the wearer's body. The second back armor is located on the side of the first back armor that does not face the wearer's body.

[0014] Objects and equipment on the outside of the front cover remain graspable and do not require the time to remove them and reattach them to the other front cover.

[0015] In one preferred embodiment, the front cover has two side elements that are detachably connected to or connectable to each other along a connecting line. This connecting line preferably extends from top to bottom across the wearer's chest and preferably through the center of the front cover. Along this line, snap buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other individual elements may be positioned and present, and can be used to connect both side elements of the front cover to each other. In one particularly preferred embodiment, a fastener used to connect both side elements to each other for the purpose of bringing the front cover from an open state to a closed state extends along the connecting line. Conversely, to bring the front cover from a closed state to an open state, the fastener is opened.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front cover has a connecting flap (Verbindungslasche). The flap can preferably be detachably connected to the first front armor. In a preferred embodiment, for this purpose, the connecting flap has a surface element (Klettelement), and a corresponding pair element is present on the side of the first front armor that does not face the wearer's body. Preferably, the connecting flap is located on the inside of the front cover, i.e., on the side facing the wearer's body. It can preferably be done in a non-removable manner, for example, by sewing. As already described, the first front armor is usually connected to the front cover on only one side so that it does not need to be composed of multiple parts, which would result in additional manufacturing costs and / or a reduction in protective effect at the connection point. The side elements of the front cover that are not on the side to which the first front armor is connected to the front cover can also be connected to the front armor by the connecting flap.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, the connecting flap is detachably connected to the second shoulder strap. In this case, it has been found advantageous that the side element on which the connecting flap is located is additionally detachably connected to the connecting flap. This additional connection is preferably located in the area where the connecting flap is connected to the second shoulder strap. This results in the following situation in this embodiment: the connecting flap is connected to the second shoulder strap using its inner side, i.e., the side facing the wearer's body. This connection occurs when attaching the bulletproof vest. When removing the bulletproof vest, this connection should preferably be detached.

[0018] In the area where the inner side of the connecting flap is connected to or can be connected to the second shoulder strap, the outer side of the connecting flap, 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 when using the overlay armor.

[0019] All of these connections are preferably achieved by surface connections, although consideration should be given to other removable connections, particularly removable shape-connected connections.

[0020] Therefore, when the bulletproof vest is attached, the two side elements of the front cover are not connected to each other along the connecting lines. Furthermore, in a preferred configuration, the removable connection between the connecting flap and the second shoulder strap is detached, so that the two elements are not connected to each other. However, the connecting flap is preferably removable using its outside to the inside of the side element to which it is preferably sewn. After the wearer attaches the bulletproof vest to the extent that it is in contact with their upper body, the first front armor, which is connected to the front cover and preferably to one of the side elements of the front cover on only one side, is brought into the proper position. For this purpose, there may be pockets on the inside of the other side element into which the first front armor is inserted. The connecting flap is preferably connected to the outside of the first front armor, thus keeping the front armor in place. The connecting flap is also connected to the second shoulder strap. Both side elements are connected to each other along the connecting lines. The front cover is in the closed position.

[0021] To achieve better protection for the wearer of this system, if overlay armor is to be used, the front cover is brought into an open state. To do this, both side elements of the front cover are separated from each other along the connecting lines, for example, by opening the zippers present therein. Preferably, the connecting flap remains connected to both the first front armor and the second shoulder strap. However, particularly preferably, the removable connection between the connecting flap and the second element of the front cover is released. In this state, the side elements of the front cover can be deployed.

[0022] The first side element, which does not necessarily require the presence of a connecting flap, 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 first side element and the first shoulder strap is released, this side element is also deployable. With this in place, the overlay armor is attached as described. The second back armor then covers the first back armor. The second front armor then covers the first front armor.

[0023] Next, the front cover is returned to the closed position. To do this, preferably, the first side element is connected to one of the two additional shoulder straps. Preferably, the other side element, on which the connecting flap is located, is connected to the other of the two additional shoulder straps. In this state, the additional shoulder strap is located between the connecting flap and the side element of the front cover. At the same time, the connecting flap is located between the second shoulder strap and the additional shoulder strap. Both side elements of the front cover are connected to each other along the connecting line.

[0024] Preferably, the overlay armor has a side closure, which includes two belts, each one end of which is positioned on the second back armor and the other end of which is connectable to each other. Both belts have a first end, which is attached to the second back armor, preferably in its lower region, for example, by sewing or welding. Opposite the first end, both belts have a second end. Both ends of these belts are connectable to each other. The connection is preferably made on the front of the front cover, i.e., preferably in the abdominal region of the wearer of the protective system. The ends of the belts are preferably interlocking shape-connecting elements to establish a connection between the second ends of both belts, which is then a shape-connecting connection. The shape-connecting elements preferably include hook-and-loop elements and paired elements. In one preferred embodiment, hook-and-loop elements or paired elements are positioned on the side of the second ends of both belts that faces the wearer's body. On the side of the second end of the belt that does not face the wearer's body, a pair element or hook-and-loop fastener element is positioned. When both second ends are placed overlapping, one side facing the wearer's body comes into close contact with the other side, causing the hook-and-loop fastener element and the pair element to come into close contact with each other and interlock.

[0025] Belts can be made from elastic and / or non-elastic materials, such as textiles. The materials can be made from natural fibers and / or synthetic resin fibers. Possible materials, known by the term "belt strap," include, for example, polypropylene.

[0026] In the connected state, both belts extend from the second back armor, encircling the wearer's body laterally, and thus relating to lateral closure.

[0027] Advantageously, the front cover has two contact areas where one of the other ends of the belt, i.e. one of the second ends, can be fixed respectively. The contact areas preferably have shape - coupling elements which are formed corresponding to the shape - coupling elements on the side of the second end of the belt facing the wearer's body.

[0028] Particularly preferably, the front cover has two flaps (Klappe). In the folded state, these flaps each cover one contact area, and in the unfolded state, they each make one of the contact areas accessible. To close the side closure, preferably both flaps are brought into the unfolded state. The flaps are preferably fabric flaps, and on their outer side there are fixing elements for fixing and storing accessories. The flaps are preferably sewn to the rest of the front cover. When the flaps are brought into the unfolded state, the contact area becomes accessible, the second end of the belt can be arranged on the contact surface and can be connected to the contact surface. Then, the flaps are brought back into the folded state, in which state the flaps cover both the contact area and the second end of the belt. Thereby, the accessories arranged on the outer side of the flaps are again easily within reach and accessible.

[0029] The present invention further solves the problem by means of a bullet - proof vest which can be used in a bullet - proof system of the type described herein.

[0030] Preferably, the front cover has a connecting flap. The first back armor is preferably connected to the connecting flap via a second shoulder strap, and the connecting flap is connected or connectable to the first front armor. Preferably, the connecting flap is connected, for example sewn, to the inside of the side element of the front cover. Instead, the connecting flap is connected to the inside of one of the side elements via a fabric strip, preferably an elastic fabric strip.

[0031] The present invention continues to solve the problem by using a ballistic protection system of the type described herein, the method of which is as follows: a) Attaching the bulletproof vest to the wearer's upper body, b) Transition of the front cover to the open state, c) Attachment of the overlay armor by inserting the wearer's head into the opening formed by the second back armor, the second front armor, and two additional shoulder straps. d) The transition of the front cover to the closed state, where the front cover covers the second front armor. It holds.

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

[0033] Preferably, when transitioning the front cover to the closed position, the side elements are detachably connected to the second shoulder strap.

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

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of a bulletproof vest for a bulletproof system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram of a bulletproof vest for a bulletproof system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]This is a diagram of a bulletproof vest for a bulletproof system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a diagram of a bulletproof vest for a bulletproof system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a diagram of a bulletproof vest for a bulletproof system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a diagram of a bulletproof vest for a bulletproof system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a diagram of the bulletproof system in its installed state. [Figure 8] This is a diagram of the bulletproof system in its installed state. [Figure 9] This is a diagram of overlay armor. [Figure 10] This is a diagram of overlay armor. [Figure 11] This is a diagram of overlay armor. [Figure 12] This is a diagram of the bulletproof system in its installed state. [Figure 13] This is a diagram of the bulletproof system in its installed state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] Figure 1 shows a bulletproof vest in an assembled state. A first front armor 2 and an unfolded front cover having first side elements 4 and second side elements 6 are visible. Both side elements 4 and 6 are connectable to each other along a connecting line via a shape-connecting element formed as a fastener 8 in the exemplary embodiment shown. Furthermore, a first shoulder strap 10 is visible, through which the first front armor 2 is connected to the first back armor 12, the back armor being located below the first front armor 2 in the shown figure and therefore only visible as a small fragment. The first front armor has a flap 30 which is connected to the first shoulder strap 10, for example, by hook-and-loop fasteners. The first front armor 2 is further connected to the first side elements 4 of the front cover via a connector 28. This connector 28 is an elastic fabric strip in the exemplary embodiment shown, but may also be formed as a seam.

[0038] The second side element 6 preferably has a connecting flap 14 that is irremovably connected to the second side element 6, for example, by stitching. In Figure 1, the connecting flap 14 is deployed so that when the bulletproof vest is worn, its inner side facing the wearer's body is visible. On the inner side of the connecting flap 14, a shape-connecting element is visible, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is a hook-and-loop fastener element 16. The connecting flap 14 can be connected to the outside of the first front armor 2 because there is a corresponding pair element 18 on the outside of the first front armor 2 that can be connected to the hook-and-loop fastener element 16 by shape-connecting. The connecting flap 14 is connected to the second shoulder strap 22 of the first back armor 12. To this end, the connecting flap 14 has a flap 32 that is connected to the second shoulder strap 22 of the first back armor 12 by hook-and-loop fastener.

[0039] This state is shown in Figure 2. It can be seen that the connecting flap 14 is folded, so its outside is visible. The connecting flap 14 is connected to the inside of the second side element 6 along the seam 20. Instead of the seam 20, a connector, such as an elastic fabric strip, can also be used. The connecting flap 14 is part of the front cover, and the second side element 6 is also part of the front cover. Figure 2 further shows a second shoulder strap 22, through which the connecting flap 14, and therefore the first front armor 2, is connected to the first back armor 12. Inside the second side element 6, a pocket 24 is further shown, into which the right end of the first front armor, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, can be inserted when attaching a bulletproof vest. The first shoulder strap 10 and the second shoulder strap 22 also have surface elements, which can cooperate with corresponding paired elements located inside the first side element 4 and the second side element 6. This shape-coupled connection preferably occurs when the front cover of the bulletproof vest is closed.

[0040] This state is shown in Figure 3. The first side element 4 and the second side element 6 are connected to each other via a fastener 8 along a connecting line. As can be seen, various elements are arranged on the outside of both side elements 4 and 6, and these elements can be used to place equipment, such as a radio or a flashlight. Both side elements 4 and 6 have flaps 34, which are shown in the folded state.

[0041] Figures 4 to 6 show the first shoulder strap 10 in various states. In Figure 4, the front flap 26, which was positioned on the first shoulder strap 10 by surface connection compared to the configuration shown in Figure 3, has been removed. This is reasonable, for example, when an overlay armor (not shown) is attached to bring the front cover of the bulletproof vest from an open state to a closed state. In this case, preferably, by first closing the zipper 8, the second front armor of the overlay armor is positioned between the first front armor and both side elements 4, 6 of the front cover. When closing the zipper 8, preferably, the front flap 26 shown in Figure 4 was separated from the first shoulder strap 10 as shown in Figure 4. The second shoulder strap, which is part of the overlay armor, then rests on the first shoulder strap 10 and preferably similarly has corresponding elements to the hook-and-loop fastener elements present on the front flap 26. When the front flap 26 is folded upward again, it rests on the second shoulder strap, so preferably the hook-and-loop fastener elements of the front flap 26 are connected to their corresponding elements on the second shoulder strap by shape coupling.

[0042] Figures 5 and 6 show that the first shoulder strap 10 forms a "Y" plane connection.

[0043] Figures 7 and 8 show a front view of a ballistic protection system in an installed state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The flap 34 of the first side element 4, shown on the left, is visible in the deployed position, allowing access to the contact area 36 located beneath it. This contact area is equipped with a shape-connecting element, which is a hook-and-loop fastener element, in the exemplary embodiment shown. Figure 8 shows that the second end 40 of the belt 42 is positioned in the contact area 36.

[0044] Figure 9 shows an overlay armor in an expanded state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The overlay armor has a second front armor 44 connected to a second back armor 46 via two additional shoulder straps 50. Two side-closure belts 42 are positioned at the lower end of the back armor, shown on the right side in Figure 9, with their second ends 40 being free. The first ends 38 are not visible as they are covered by the back flap 48. Two connectors 28 are positioned on the second front armor 44, which can be used to connect the attached second front armor 44 to the front cover, preferably both side elements 4, 6.

[0045] Figure 10 shows a front view of the overlay armor. The second front armor 44 is visible, along with two connectors 28 positioned on its surface and two additional shoulder straps 50. On the front of the second front armor, the second ends 40 of both belts 42 overlap and are connected to each other via shape-connecting elements. Figure 11 shows a rear view, with the back flap 48 deployed. Thus, the first ends 38 of both belts 42, positioned on the contact elements of the second back armor 46, are visible.

[0046] Figures 12 and 13 show the rear view (Figure 12) and front view (Figure 13) of the ballistic protection system. In Figure 12, the overlay armor is attached, but both belts 42 are not yet closed in front of the wearer's body and are still loosely hanging in Figure 12. The back flap 48 of the second back armor 46 is shown folded, and both additional shoulder straps 50 extend over the wearer's shoulders. Figure 13 shows the front view, however, both side elements 4, 6 are open and not connected to each other via zippers. It can be seen that the second front armor 44 is worn over the first front armor, and that both additional shoulder straps 50 extend over the first and second shoulder straps. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 2. First front armor 4. First Aspect Element 6. Second Aspect Element 8 zippers 10. First shoulder strap 12. First Back Armor 14. Connecting flaps 16 hook-and-loop fastener elements 18 pairs of elements 20 stitches 22. Second shoulder strap 24 pockets 26 Front flap 28 connectors 30 Flap 32 Flap 34 Flap 36 Contact area 38 The first terminal 40 The second terminal 42 belts 44 Second Front Armor 46. ​​Second Back Armor 48 Back flap 50 additional shoulder straps

Claims

1. A bulletproof system comprising a bulletproof vest and overlay armor, The aforementioned bulletproof vest is, First back armor (12), First front armor (2), and It can be brought into an open state and a closed state, and in the closed state it has a front cover that covers the first front armor (2), The aforementioned overlay armor is, The second back armor, and It has a second front armor, A ballistic protection system in which 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. The bulletproof system according to claim 1, characterized in that the front cover has two side elements (4, 6) that are detachably connected to or connected to each other along a connecting line.

3. The ballistic protection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the front cover has a connecting flap (14), the connecting flap (14) is detachably connected to the second shoulder strap (22), preferably detachably connected to the first front armor (2), and when the front cover is in a closed state, it is covered by the front cover, preferably by the side elements (6).

4. The ballistic protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the overlay armor has a side closure comprising two belts (42), each belt having one end (38) attached to the second back armor and the other end (40) connectable to each other.

5. The bulletproof system according to claim 4, characterized in that the front cover has two fixable contact areas (36) at one of the other ends of the belt (42).

6. The bulletproof system according to claim 5, characterized in that the front cover has two flaps (34) that, when folded, cover one contact area (36) and, when unfolded, allow access to the one contact area (36) respectively.

7. The first back armor (12), The first front armor (2), It can be brought into an open state and a closed state, and in the closed state, a front cover covers the first front armor (2), A bulletproof vest for a bulletproof system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, having A bulletproof vest in which 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. The bulletproof vest according to claim 7, characterized in that the first back armor (12) is connected to the first front armor (2) via the second shoulder strap (22), or to a connecting flap (14) of the connectable front cover.

9. A method of using the bulletproof system described in any one of claims 1 to 6, The following steps: a) Attaching the bulletproof vest to the wearer's upper body, b) Transition of the front cover to the open state, c) Attaching the overlay armor by inserting the wearer's head into the opening formed by the second back armor, the second front armor, and the two additional shoulder straps. d) The transition of the front cover to the closed state, the front cover covering the second front armor, A method of having.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the front cover has two side elements (4, 6) that are detachably connected to each other along a connecting line when the front cover is moved to the closed state.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that when the front cover is moved to the closed state, the side element (6) is detachably connected to the second shoulder strap (22).

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, in step d), after the front cover transitions to the closed state, the second back armor covers the first back armor, the second front armor covers the first front armor, and the two additional shoulder straps cover the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap.

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