QUICK-UNFASTEN PROTECTIVE VEST, QUICK-RELEASE SYSTEM AND SNAP BUCKLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a quick-unfasten protective vest (1) comprising a quick-release system (2), a front body portion (3) and a rear body portion (4). The protective vest according to the invention is characterised in that the front body portion (3) and the rear body portion (4) are detachably connected to each other by a quick-release system (2) comprising snap buckles (5) connected by ties (6) to a central release mechanism (7). A single tie (6) is guided from each snap buckle (5) to the central release mechanism (7) so that all ties (6) coincide in the central release mechanism (7). The central release mechanism (7) is adapted to release the snap buckles (5) substantially simultaneously and to separate the front body portion (3) from the rear body portion (4) of the vest (1). The invention relates also to a quick-release system (2) and a snap buckle (5).

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. A quick-unfasten protective vest (1) comprising a quick-release system (2), a front body portion (3) and a rear body portion (4), wherein the front body portion (3) and the rear body portion (4) are detachably connected to each other by the quick-release system (2) comprising a plurality of snap buckles (5) connected by corresponding ties (6) to a central release mechanism (7), wherein a single tie (6) is guided from each snap buckle (5) to the central release mechanism (7) so that all ties (6) coincide in the central release mechanism (7), and the central release mechanism (7) is adapted to release the snap buckles (5) substantially simultaneously and to separate the front body portion (3) from the rear body portion (4) of the vest (1); wherein the central release mechanism (7) comprises first and second parts (8, 9) connected to each other and forming a tie-compression mechanism (10), wherein the first part (8) comprises one first operating part (8b) and one first handle (8a), and the second part (9) comprises one second operating part (9b) and one second handle (9a), with a squeeze opening element (11) between the first and second handles, which is adapted to fix an initial position of the first and second parts (8, 9) and to compress and release them with the snap buckles (5) in the operating position, the first and second operating parts (8b, 9b) being oppositely arranged and each operating part (8b, 9b) comprising two tie sockets (12) for corresponding ties, wherein the tie sockets are arranged so that a tie socket releasing a first shoulder buckle (5b) of the snap buckles (5) is opposite a tie socket releasing a second shoulder buckle (5b) of the snap buckles (5) and is arranged obliquely from a tie socket releasing a first hip buckle (5a) of the snap buckles (5).

29. The quick-unfasten protective vest according to claim 28, wherein the central release mechanism (7) is adapted to substantially simultaneously release all snap buckles (5).

30. The quick-unfasten protective vest according to claim 28, wherein the first and second parts (8, 9) are identical and symmetrically aligned with respect to each other.

31. The quick-unfasten protective vest according to claim 28, wherein the quick-release system (2) comprises four snap buckles (5), including two hip buckles (5a) and two shoulder buckles (5b).

32. The quick-unfasten protective vest according to claim 28, wherein the quick-release system (2) is concealed under a top layer of the front body portion (3) of the protective vest (1).

33. The quick-unfasten protective vest according to claim 28, wherein each of the plurality of snap buckles (5) is a three-point buckle comprising a male part and a female part detachably connected.

34. The quick-unfasten protective vest according to claim 28, wherein the number of ties (6) corresponds to the number of snap buckles (5), respectively.

35. A quick-release system (2) comprising a plurality of snap buckles (5) connected by corresponding ties (6) to a central release mechanism (7), a single tie (6) being guided from each snap buckle (5) to the central release mechanism (7) such that all ties (6) coincide in the central release mechanism (7) and the central release mechanism (7) is adapted to release the plurality of snap buckles (5) substantially simultaneously; wherein the central release mechanism (7) comprises first and second parts (8, 9) connected to each other and forming a tie-compression mechanism (10), wherein the first part (8) comprises one first operating part (8b) and one first handle (8a), and the second part (9) comprises one second operating part (9b) and one second handle (9a), with a squeeze opening element (11) between the first and second handles, which is adapted to fix a stationary position of the first and second parts (8, 9) and to compress and release them with the snap buckles (5) in the operating position, the first and second operating parts (8b, 9b) being oppositely arranged and each operating part (8b, 9b) comprising two sockets (12) for the ties, wherein the tie sockets are arranged so that a tie socket releasing a first shoulder buckle (5b) of the snap buckles (5) is opposite a tie socket releasing a second shoulder buckle (5b) of the snap buckles (5) and is arranged obliquely from a tie socket releasing a first hip buckle (5a) of the snap buckles (5).

36. The quick-release system according to claim 35, wherein the central release mechanism (7) is adapted to release substantially simultaneously all snap buckles (5).

37. The quick-release system according to claim 35, wherein the first and second parts (8, 9) are identical and symmetrically aligned with respect to each other.

38. The quick-release system according to claim 35, comprising male parts of four snap buckles (5), including male parts of two hip buckles (5a) and male parts of two shoulder buckles (5b).

39. The quick-release system according to claim 35, wherein the snap buckles (5) are three-point buckles.

40. The quick-release system according to claim 35, wherein the number of ties (6) corresponds to the number of snap buckles (5), respectively.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] The present invention in its embodiments is illustrated in the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1

[0042] [FIG. 1] shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a quick-unfasten protective vest according to the invention (front portion and rear portion) with a quick-release system according to the invention marked in its disassembled version.

FIG. 2

[0043] [FIG. 2] shows a view of an embodiment of the quick-unfasten protective vest according to the invention, with the quick-release system according to the invention visible (the front portion of the vest is shown).

FIG. 3

[0044] [FIG. 3] shows a view of an embodiment of the quick-unfasten protective vest according to the invention with the quick-release system according to the invention fitted in it, in the version of the vest in the state of disassembled ([FIG. 3A]) and assembled ([FIG. 3B]) (the front portions is shown).

FIG. 4

[0045] [FIG. 4] shows a view of an embodiment of the quick-unfasten protective vest according to the invention with the quick-release system according to the invention worn on the wearer: [FIG. 4A] shows a front view, [FIG. 4B] shows a rear view, [FIG. 4C] shows a side view.

FIG. 5

[0046] [FIG. 5] shows a view of an embodiment of a central release mechanism of the quick-release system according to the invention.

FIG. 6

[0047] [FIG. 6] shows a view of an embodiment of the hip snap buckle according to the invention of the quick-release system according to the invention in the disassembled state; [FIG. 6A] shows the front side (distal from the wearer's body), while [FIG. 6B] shows the back side (proximal to the wearer's body).

FIG. 7

[0048] [FIG. 7] shows a view of an embodiment of the hip snap buckle according to the invention of the quick-release system according to the invention in the assembled state (the front side is shown).

FIG. 8

[0049] [FIG. 8] shows a view of an embodiment of the shoulder snap buckle according to the invention of the quick-release system according to the invention in the disassembled state; [FIG. 8A] shows the front side (distal from the wearer's body), while [FIG. 8B] shows the back side (proximal to the wearer's body).

FIG. 9

[0050] [FIG. 9] shows a view of an embodiment of the shoulder snap buckle according to the invention of the quick-release system according to the invention in the assembled state (the front side is shown).

FIG. 10

[0051] [FIG. 10] shows a view of the male part of an embodiment of the shoulder snap buckle according to the invention of the quick-release system according to the invention in the disassembled state (the rear side is shown) together with the course and attachments of the tie.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0052] Only details necessary for understanding the invention are shown in the figures. Constructions and details that are not necessary for understanding the invention, but are obvious a person skilled in the art, have been omitted from the figures in order to highlight only the characteristic features of the invention.

[0053] A protective vest according to the invention is understood to be a tactical vest with or without protective inserts to protect the wearer from the effects of unwanted impacts, e.g. from bullets fired from a firearm or from blows delivered by an edged weapon. In such a case, the tactical vest is referred to as a bulletproof tactical vest.

[0054] In one embodiment, a quick-unfasten protective vest according to the invention, together with reference numerals to the individual components, is shown in [FIG. 1], where: [0055] 1 refers to a quick-unfasten protective vest, [0056] 2 refers to a quick-release system, [0057] 3 refers to a front body portion, [0058] 4 refers to a rear body portion, [0059] 5 refers to snap buckles, [0060] 6 refers to ties, [0061] 7 refers to a central release mechanism.

[0062] The quick-unfasten protective vest contains a quick-release system 2, a front body portion 3 and a rear body portion 4.

[0063] The quick-release system 2 connects detachably the front body portion 3 and the body rear portion 4. The quick-release system 2 comprises snap buckles 5 connected by ties 6 to the central release mechanism 7. In the quick-release system according to the invention, a single tie 6 is guided from each snap buckle 5 present in the release system according to the invention to the central release mechanism 7. The guiding of the ties takes place so that all ties 6 coincide the central release mechanism 7.

[0064] The central release mechanism 7 is located in the front body portion 3 of the vest according to the invention between its centre and the body upper edge. Its location is such that the handle 8b and the handle 9b are visible, i.e. protrude from the surface layer of the front body portion 3 of the vest according to the invention. Thus, they are ready to press and release the snap buckles.

[0065] In one embodiment, the quick-release system according to the invention preferably comprises four snap buckles 5, including two hip buckles 5a and two shoulder buckles 5b. However, the number of snap buckles 5 in the quick-release system 2 may be arbitrary and adapted to the respective applications. A person skilled in the art will be able to adapt the appropriate number of snap buckles 5 to the respective application.

[0066] Hip snap buckles 5a connect the hip parts (bottom) of the front portion and the rear portion of the vest according to the invention by means of a hip belt.

[0067] Shoulder snap buckles 5b connect the shoulder parts (top) of the front portion and the rear portion of the vest according to the invention.

[0068] [FIG. 2] shows a protective vest according to the invention with a visible quick-release system 2. [FIG. 2] shows the arrangement of the course of the ties 6 and their connection to the snap buckles 5. The number of ties 6 corresponds to the number of snap buckles 5. In one embodiment, the quick-release system according to the invention preferably comprises four ties 6 and four snap buckles 5.

[0069] Ties 6 are made of a material selected from plastic, metal or composite. In one embodiment, the ties are preferably made of steel.

[0070] The ties 6 can be coated with protective armour or be uncoated. Preferably, the ties are coated with protective armour.

[0071] [FIG. 3A] and [FIG. 3B] show the protective vest according to the invention together with the quick-release system fitted therein. [FIG. 3A] and [FIG. 3B] show the quick-release system concealed under the top layer of the front body portion 3 of the protective vest according to the invention. This means that the quick-release system according to the invention is substantially invisible to the wearer and third parties. Only the handles 8b and 9b of the central release mechanism 7 are visible, as discussed above.

[0072] Assembling the vest and preparing it for use by the wearer involves fastening all the snap buckles 5 as shown in [FIG. 3B]. [FIG. 4] shows the vest according to the invention thus assembled on the wearer and ready for its quick drop using the claimed solution.

[0073] [FIG. 5] shows the central release mechanism 7 of the quick-release system according to the invention. The central release mechanism 7 consists of two parts 8, 9 connected to each other and forming a tie-compression mechanism 10. By a tie-compression mechanism 10 is meant an arrangement of two identical parts 8 and 9 oppositely connected to form a turnbuckle pliers. The tie-compression mechanism 10 thus operates in such a way that, when the handles 8a and 9a are pressed together by a force F through an assembly-rotation point (not indicated in the drawing), the operating parts 8b and 9b counter-rotate according to the assembly-rotation point, increasing the distance between the sockets 12, which has the effect of pulling the tie(s) together, releasing the buckle(s).

[0074] Part 8 and part 9 act like pliers, so they can be opened and closed, causing a compression movement of the ties. Part 8 and part 9 are identical and symmetrically aligned to each other.

[0075] Part 8 comprises one operating part 8b (part upper segment 8) and one handle 8a (part lower segment 8). Part 9 comprises one operating part 9b (part upper segment 9) and one handle 9a (part lower segment 9). Between the handles 8a, 9a there is a squeeze opening element 11. The squeeze opening element 11 is adapted to fix the initial position of the parts 8, 9. Squeezing the parts 8,9 by bringing them closer to each other leads to the release of the snap buckles 5this is the operating position of the invention.

[0076] The operating parts 8b, 9b are oppositely arranged. Each operating part 8b, 9b contains two sockets 12 for attaching ties 6.

[0077] In one embodiment, the tie sockets are arranged so that the tie socket releasing the first shoulder buckle 5b is located opposite the tie socket releasing the second shoulder buckle 5b and obliquely from the tie socket releasing the first hip buckle 5a.

[0078] The central release mechanism 7 is adapted to substantially simultaneously release the snap buckles 5 and to separate the front body portion 3 from the rear body portion 4 of the vest according to the invention. This causes the vest to be dropped from the wearer.

[0079] In one embodiment, the central release mechanism 7 is preferably adapted for substantially simultaneous release of all the snap buckles 5. By substantially simultaneous release of the snap buckles 5 it is meant that the buckles are released at the same time or at time intervals that are not substantially different, thus ensuring the correct drop of the protective vest according to the invention.

[0080] In another embodiment, the central release mechanism 7 is adapted to release each snap buckle 5 separately.

[0081] The central release mechanism 7 is from a material selected from plastic, metal or composite. In one embodiment, the preferable material of the central release mechanism 7 is plastic.

[0082] [FIG. 6] and [FIG. 7] show a view of an embodiment of the hip buckle 5a of the quick-release system according to the invention in the disassembled state ([FIG. 6]) and in the assembled state ([FIG. 7]). The hip buckle 5a comprises a male part and a female part detachably connected. The male part has an attachment recess 13 for the tie and snap points 15, 16, 17. Hip buckle 5a is thus a three-point buckle having three attachment points connected by a tie. The release movement of the tie 6 releases all the snap points substantially simultaneously.

[0083] [FIG. 8] and [FIG. 9] show a view of an embodiment of the shoulder buckle 5b of the quick-release system according to the invention in the disassembled state ([FIG. 8]) and in the assembled state ([FIG. 9]). The shoulder buckle 5b consists of a male part and a female part detachably connected. The male part has an attachment recess 13 for the tie and snap points 15, 16, 17. Shoulder buckle 5b is thus a three-point buckle having three attachment points connected by a tie.

[0084] [FIG. 10] shows a view of the male part of an embodiment of the shoulder snap buckle of the quick-release system according to the invention. The male part has an attachment recess 13 for the tie and snap points 15, 16, 17.

[0085] In a snap buckle according to the invention, e.g. a hip buckle or a shoulder buckle, the male part comprises snap points connected to each other by a tie. The tie 6 runs through the attachment recess 13 of the male part of the buckle 5. Behind the attachment recess 13, the tie is permanently connected to a second tie at the attachment point 14. At the attachment point 14, the ties are connected so that the two ends of the ties run through the central snap point 15 to the lateral snap points 16, 17. One end of one tie runs to one lateral snap point 16, and one end of the other tie runs to the other lateral snap point 17. This design of the snap buckle causes the release movement of tie 6, by pulling it through the central release mechanism, to release all of the snap points substantially simultaneously. This causes the male part and the female part of the snap buckle according to the invention to be disconnected.

[0086] The snap buckles 5 are constructed from a material selected from plastic or composite. In one embodiment, the preferable material of the snap buckles 5 is plastic.

[0087] The method of operation of the protective vest according to the invention together with the quick-release system according to the invention and the snap buckle according to the invention is as follows. The wearer, acting on the handle of the central release mechanism 7 by squeezing it, exerts pressure on the squeeze opening element 11 and causes movement of the ties 6 connected to the central release mechanism 7 at the first ends of the ties 6 and of the snap buckles 5 at the second ends of the ties 6. As a result, the snap points in the snap buckles 5 are released and the buckles are disconnected. In an preferable embodiment, there is a simultaneous release of all four snap buckles 5 and a simultaneous release of each of the three snap points in each individual snap buckle 5. This leads to a separation of the front portion of the vest body 3 and the rear portion of the vest body 4. Consequently, a drop of the vest according to the invention occurs. The compression movement involves only one hand of the wearer.

[0088] After separating the front portion 3 and the rear portion 4 of the vest, the buckles can be reconnected to each other and thus fasten both portions. The vest according to the invention can be reassembled in a short time and is reusable. The protective vest and the quick-release system according to the invention are thus a reusable solution.

[0089] In an embodiment, the protective vest according to the invention is a bulletproof tactical vest, i.e. a tactical vest comprising inserts to protect against the effects of unwanted impacts.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0090] The use of three-point snap buckles prevents the system from accidentally coming unfasten. This is also influenced by the fact that the quick-release system is concealed and invisible from the outside, so that the ties cannot be easily broken. This makes the invention a simple and reliable solution in operation.

[0091] The quick-release system is preferably designed for a protective vest, preferably a tactical bulletproof vest.

[0092] The use of the quick-release system according to the invention in a protective vest allows the vest to be dropped instantly during exercises, combat, field and operational activities. For example, when a wearer wearing a protective vest is injured and requires immediate medical attention or when the wearer finds himself in the water. The system according to the invention is at the same time suitable for rapid reassembly to its initial state.

[0093] The quick-release system according to the invention can be adapted and applied to other types of clothing and equipment, e.g. military rucksacks, mountaineering rucksacks, avalanche rucksacks and other such rucksacks and items of clothing and specialised equipment designed for quick-release.

[0094] The snap buckle according to the invention can be adapted and applied to other types of clothing and specialised equipment, e.g. military rucksacks, mountaineering rucksacks, avalanche rucksacks and other items of clothing and specialised equipment designed for quick-release.

[0095] All technical and scientific terms used in the present document have the meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0096] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the features included in this description and illustrated by the accompanying figures constitute non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the patent claims. The features illustrated or described in relation to one embodiment may be combined with features from other embodiments to the extent that such features are compatible and not alternative features. The scope of the present invention covers such modifications and variations.

[0097] Example embodiments of the invention have been discussed above to outline the principles of construction, function, manufacture and use of the devices and methods disclosed in this description. References used in the description correspond to those shown in the individual figures and in the claims of the patent.