Cut away vest
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cut away vest comprising:
- a first torso panel;
a second torso panel;
shoulder straps connected to the first panel extending to the second torso panel, at least one said shoulder strap having a free end and at least one first connector element;
a waist belt having at least one side portion with a free end connecting a lower portion of one of the first torso panel and second torso panel to the other of the first torso panel and second torso panel, said belt side portion having at least one second connector element;
at least one connector device connected to the second torso panel and selectively operably associated with a respective at least one of the first and second connector elements; and
a retainer system having a flexible retainer element carried by at least one of the first and second torso panels to releasably retain the first and second connector elements associated each with a respective connector device, said retainer system including at least first and second grip members each operably associated with a said flexible retainer element, said grip members being normally positioned on an assembled vest in spaced relationship and adjacent the first torso panel, said grip members being operable, independent of one another, when sufficiently moved to release the first and second connector elements each from its respective connector device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vest is provided that may be quickly and easily removed (cut away) from a wearer of the vest. The vest may include a waist belt, a cummerbund, and shoulder straps which may be easily released from the portion of the vest by the use of a flexible retainer in cooperation with a connector device to secure the waist belt, cummerbund and shoulder straps to the vest in a releasable manner. A cable portion of the retainer moves in a generally straight line except for accommodating curved portions of the body of the wearer. An accessory pouch may also be provided which uses a strap and loop arrangement on the vest and pouch to attach the accessory pouch to the vest.
85 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A cut away vest comprising:
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a first torso panel; a second torso panel; shoulder straps connected to the first panel extending to the second torso panel, at least one said shoulder strap having a free end and at least one first connector element; a waist belt having at least one side portion with a free end connecting a lower portion of one of the first torso panel and second torso panel to the other of the first torso panel and second torso panel, said belt side portion having at least one second connector element; at least one connector device connected to the second torso panel and selectively operably associated with a respective at least one of the first and second connector elements; and a retainer system having a flexible retainer element carried by at least one of the first and second torso panels to releasably retain the first and second connector elements associated each with a respective connector device, said retainer system including at least first and second grip members each operably associated with a said flexible retainer element, said grip members being normally positioned on an assembled vest in spaced relationship and adjacent the first torso panel, said grip members being operable, independent of one another, when sufficiently moved to release the first and second connector elements each from its respective connector device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification