Bladders/containers designed to hold a meaningful amount of material (in any state: solid, liquid or gas) to conductively absorb heat from the human body. In addition, the material may be consumed by the user wearing the bladder/container, thus providing a source of hydration for the user. The bladders/containers would also enhance impact and/or ballistic protection of the user.

Bladders/containers designed to hold a meaningful amount of material (in any state: solid, liquid or gas) to conductively absorb heat from the human body. In addition, the material may be consumed by the user wearing the bladder/container, thus providing a source of hydration for the user. The bladders/containers would also enhance impact and/or ballistic protection of the user.

Implementations of a backpack that can be converted into a protective vest are provided. In a first configuration, the backpack may be used to store and transport items. When confronted with an imminent threat (e.g., an active shooter), the backpack can be converted to a second configuration that serves as a protective vest configured to provide ballistic protection for the wearer's chest and back (i.e., body armor). The backpack does not need to be removed from the wearer's torso when being converted to the protective vest configuration. The protective vest contains at least one ballistic armor insert in both the front and rear panel sections thereof. The backpack includes a container that is detachable therefrom. This detachable container may include an internal pocket that contains at least one ballistic armor insert and enarme that allow the detachable container to be used as a shield.

Implementations of a backpack that can be converted into a protective vest are provided. In a first configuration, the backpack may be used to store and transport items. When confronted with an imminent threat (e.g., an active shooter), the backpack can be converted to a second configuration that serves as a protective vest configured to provide ballistic protection for the wearer's chest and back (i.e., body armor). The backpack does not need to be removed from the wearer's torso when being converted to the protective vest configuration. The protective vest contains at least one ballistic armor insert in both the front and rear panel sections thereof. The backpack includes a container that is detachable therefrom. This detachable container may include an internal pocket that contains at least one ballistic armor insert and enarme that allow the detachable container to be used as a shield.

A carrier assembly including a harness and a front bullet-proof chest plate; a first strap provided with a first element of a first quick connector; a second strap provided with a first element of a second quick connector; a third strap provided with a second element of the first quick connector; a fourth strap provided with a second element of the second quick connector; the front bullet-proof chest plate including third and fourth elements for cooperating respectively with the first and second elements of the first quick connector; and fifth and sixth elements for cooperating respectively with the first and second elements of the second quick connector.

A carrier assembly including a harness and a front bullet-proof chest plate; a first strap provided with a first element of a first quick connector; a second strap provided with a first element of a second quick connector; a third strap provided with a second element of the first quick connector; a fourth strap provided with a second element of the second quick connector; the front bullet-proof chest plate including third and fourth elements for cooperating respectively with the first and second elements of the first quick connector; and fifth and sixth elements for cooperating respectively with the first and second elements of the second quick connector.

Rapid access storage devices and systems are provided herein, which allow a user to quickly retrieve items stored behind, to the side of, or otherwise out of a comfortable reach range of the user. The devices comprise a housing, and at least one carriage retractable from the housing via a retraction assembly. Rapid access storage systems may comprise a wearable item, including hanging items, that include or are coupled to one or more rapid access storage devices.

An embodiment of the present disclosure of an article that includes a lumbar support member, internal frame assembly, and sternum strap for improving stability during use.

A backpack includes a frame system. The frame system has two L-shaped members, one or more cross bars, and an attachment bar. A pack has a base, a rear wall, a front wall, two side walls, and a closable lid. The pack also has shoulder straps disposed at the rear wall and a pair of elongated channels on the rear wall. The pack removably couples to the frame system by inserting a long leg of each of the L-shaped members into the respective elongated channel. When the pack is coupled to the frame, the base of the pack is supported on two short legs of the L-shaped members, the frame system is on an exterior of the pack, and the attachment bar can removably couple to either end of the two L-shaped members. An insert is sized and shaped to be removably inserted within an interior volume of the pack.

A method of operating a deployable armor panel is disclosed with steps as; grasping a pair of extractors with a pair of handles or distal loops by inserting a thumb and/or finger of a user into said pairs of distal loops; extracting said deployable armor panel up and out by stretching said pair of extractors through said pair of distal loops connected therewith; stretching said deployable armor panel over head of said user by pulling said pair of extractors through said pair of distal loops from said internal compartment of said carrier; positioning said deployable armor panel in front of a chest of said user by draping said pair of tethers over said shoulders of said user; and securing said deployable armor panel in front of said chest by attaching said panel, to a belt disposed at both sides of said carrier, by a pair of adjustable fasteners.