A quick-release ballistic plate assembly for a protective vest includes an outer chassis configured to attach to a chest and/or back panel of the vest. The outer chassis has an open lower end leading to an inner cavity, wherein a ballistic plate and sleeve subassembly inserts upward into the cavity. An emergency release handle depending downward from the subassembly may be pulled to overcome a retention mechanism and jettison the subassembly in case the wearer ends up in a body of water or alternative situation requiring such function. This avoids the need to shed the entire protective vest which typically has numerous pockets for a variety of tools, survival gear and ammunition. The assembly may be built into the protective vest at the OEM level, or may be retrofit to existing vests.

Ballistic resistant composite materials having high positive buoyancy in water are provided. More particularly, provided are foam-free, buoyant composite materials fabricated using dry processing techniques. The materials comprise fibrous plies that are partially coated with a particulate binder that is thermopressed to transform a portion of the binder into raised, discontinuous patches bonded to fiber/tape surfaces, while another portion of the particulate binder remains on the fibers/tapes as unmelted particles. The presence of the unmelted binder particles maintains empty spaces within the composite materials which increases the positive buoyancy of the composites in water.

Ballistic resistant composite materials having high positive buoyancy in water are provided. More particularly, provided are foam-free, buoyant composite materials fabricated using dry processing techniques. The materials comprise fibrous plies that are partially coated with a particulate binder that is thermopressed to transform a portion of the binder into raised, discontinuous patches bonded to fiber/tape surfaces, while another portion of the particulate binder remains on the fibers/tapes as unmelted particles. The presence of the unmelted binder particles maintains empty spaces within the composite materials which increases the positive buoyancy of the composites in water.

The present disclosure relates to a load carrying assembly, including: a vest having a front section, a rear section spaced rearwardly of the front section, and left and side sections extending between the front and rear sections, wherein the front section and/or the rear section includes an attachment pocket; and a pouch attachment has a flap extension fixed to a pouch section, wherein the flap extension has a fastener that is configured to securely attach to a corresponding fastener positioned inside the attachment pocket.

The present disclosure relates to a load carrying assembly, including: a vest having a front section, a rear section spaced rearwardly of the front section, and left and side sections extending between the front and rear sections, wherein the front section and/or the rear section includes an attachment pocket; and a pouch attachment has a flap extension fixed to a pouch section, wherein the flap extension has a fastener that is configured to securely attach to a corresponding fastener positioned inside the attachment pocket.

Embodiments include a method and apparatus for mounting wearable ballistic body armor plates and accessories to a user. Embodiments may include a plate frame assembly comprising one or more plate frames and one or more ballistic body armor plates. The one or more plate frames may at least partially house the one or more ballistic body armor plates and hold them in position with respect to the one or more plate frames. A method of embodiments may include providing one or more plate frames and one or more ballistic body armor plates and using the one or more plate frames to hold the one or more ballistic armor plates in a fixed position with respect to the body armor plates. In some embodiments, the plate frame assembly is resistant to the absorption and/or accumulation of liquids and chemicals.

Embodiments include a method and apparatus for mounting wearable ballistic body armor plates and accessories to a user. Embodiments may include a plate frame assembly comprising one or more plate frames and one or more ballistic body armor plates. The one or more plate frames may at least partially house the one or more ballistic body armor plates and hold them in position with respect to the one or more plate frames. A method of embodiments may include providing one or more plate frames and one or more ballistic body armor plates and using the one or more plate frames to hold the one or more ballistic armor plates in a fixed position with respect to the body armor plates. In some embodiments, the plate frame assembly is resistant to the absorption and/or accumulation of liquids and chemicals.

Energy dampening and/or dispersing systems may include a gel member having a top surface and a bottom surface, an aerated gel member having a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface of the aerated gel member secured to the bottom surface of the gel member. In some embodiments, the energy dampening and/or dispersing systems may include a support structure secured to the gel member, and a cover extending over the top surface of the support structure and the bottom surface of the aerated gel member. The energy dampening and/or dispersing systems may be operable in ballistic garments, footwear, sporting goods, and vehicles.

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments of an impact protection device that comprises the following elements: a machine, a protective structural member, and a fluid holding member. The impact protection device is designed to protect a user from an impact to the protective structural member by dissipating a portion of the kinetic energy of the impact. Machine operation translates into a controlled movement between elements of the impact protection device that deform the fluid holding member, thereby displacing a fluid. This controlled movement also dictates a throttling profile that regulates the amount of damping; thereby managing the portion of kinetic energy dissipated. The machine can be a mechanical assembly incorporating levers, cams and or computerized controllers.

An attachment system includes a wearable carrier and an attachment slot. The wearable carrier is formed at least in part from a flexible material having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The attachment slot is formed through the flexible material and configured to receive a strap of an attachment accessory. The attachment slot extends from a first end to a second end and includes a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. The first segment extends from the first end to the second segment. The second segment extends from the first segment to the third segment. The third segment extends from the second segment to the second end. The first segment and the second segment define a first non-orthogonal angle therebetween. The third segment and the second segment define a second non-orthogonal angle therebetween.