WO2013124513A1

WO2013124513A1 - Equipment with integral personal protection system

Info

Publication number: WO2013124513A1
Application number: PCT/ES2013/070108
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juan Fraile Nuez; Miguel FALCÓN MARTÍNEZ DE MARAÑÓN
Original assignee: Juan Fraile Nuez; Falcon Martinez De Maranon Miguel
Priority date: 2012-02-23
Filing date: 2013-02-21
Publication date: 2013-08-29
Also published as: ES1076470Y; ES1076470U

Abstract

Equipment with personal protection system, which comprises a backpack (1) with two shoulder straps (4) and a front ballistic-impact pack (6) connected to the backpack (1), forming a single unit. The front ballistic-impact pack (6) can be removed from the backpack (1) and is configured in such a manner as to protect at least the vital organs of a user (38).

Description

EQUIPMENT WITH INTEGRATED INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to equipment with integrated individual protection system.

In the invention, equipment with individual protection system is understood as equipment that at least incorporates a bulletproof, anti-knife, puncture protection or combinations thereof. State of the art

Both the military and the personnel belonging to the State Security Forces and Corps and the security personnel of private companies carry out tasks that could put their lives at risk. To minimize this risk during their actions, these security bodies usually wear personal protective vests, be they bulletproof, anti-knife, puncture or combinations thereof. However, this garment is relatively uncomfortable and can raise a certain alarm in the environment in which it is used. In addition, an individual protective vest is relatively appalling and, due to its characteristics, makes it difficult for the intervention to be carried out covertly. This leads to the individual protective vest being worn mainly when it is anticipated that the intervention will require it safely. On the other hand, in situations where the use of the personal protective vest is discarded, the aforementioned security forces are exposed to considerable risk. Indeed, if unexpected situations occur in which said security forces are involved in an attack with white or firearms, they are completely unprotected with the consequent risk to their physical integrity. Summary of the invention

Therefore, the purpose of the invention is to provide equipment with an integrated individual protection system of the type indicated at the beginning, which offering an adequate level of protection against white weapons, or fire, allows the user that the equipment can be used in a manner undercover

This purpose is achieved by means of a device of the type indicated at the beginning, characterized in that it is a backpack with two shoulder pads that also comprises a front ballistic package connected to said backpack forming a single set, said front ballistic package being removable from said backpack and being configured to protect at least one user's vital organs.

In the invention it is understood that the forward ballistic package protects vital organs, when it protects the heart, lungs and liver.

This solution offers multiple advantages. Indeed, in the case of common interventions with uniform, the proposed backpack-shaped equipment can be part of the regulatory team of the security forces mentioned at the beginning, without arousing any suspicion. This backpack is more comfortable than an individual protection vest and facilitates that it can be used routinely. On the other hand, in the event that the user acts covertly, for example, because it has infiltrated a demonstration, the equipment may go completely unnoticed since its exterior appearance is that of an ordinary backpack.

Thus, in the event that during an intervention, the situation evolves in a dangerous way and the user's safety is compromised, the user can simply stand against a wall, wall or similar element that protects his back and extract the ballistic package to protect frontally his vital organs. Furthermore, the invention encompasses a series of preferred features that are the subject of the dependent claims and whose usefulness will be highlighted later in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention.

Another problem posed by the invention is that the user can have the protection offered by the system as immediately as possible. To do this, preferably, the front ballistic package has, at the first end, an extraction handle of said front ballistic package, said handle being accessible externally to said backpack without the need to remove the backpack from the shoulders and at a second end, opposite to said first end, two connecting elements between said front ballistic package and said backpack, said joining elements being separated from each other in such a way as to allow the user's head to pass, which simplifies the extraction of the ballistic package by simply pulling of the handle.

It is also convenient that after removal, the front ballistic package is placed in its optimum protection position in the simplest and fastest way possible. For this purpose, in a preferred embodiment the front ballistic package has a folded position in which said first end and said handle are located in the upper part of said backpack and an unfolded position in which said front ballistic package is removed of said first container and said second end is located in the upper part of said backpack and superiorly to said first end. The inverted arrangement of the front ballistic package is such that the extraction is immediate since it is correctly oriented in the extraction position. With this, the risk of getting stuck inside the backpack when pulling the handle is minimal. This results in a noticeable improvement in user security. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it comprises a sleeve containing said front ballistic package, said container case comprising an insertion and removal opening of said front ballistic package. This allows that, depending on the type of action to be carried out, the equipment can be properly configured by assembling different protection elements such as bulletproof, anti-knife or puncture or combinations thereof. The invention also raises the problem that the equipment offers a maximum of protection both in the front and in the back. Therefore, the equipment preferably comprises a rear ballistic protection package associated with said backpack and configured to protect the vital organs of said user from the rear. In this case, this ballistic package can be provided both internally and externally to the backpack, provided that it protects the user's back.

In one embodiment, the rear ballistic package is contained in a second container comprising a practicable opening for insertion and removal of said rear ballistic package. Thanks to this, this ballistic package is hidden and can also be disassembled for the maintenance of the backpack and configuration of the desired level of individual protection.

In a preferred embodiment that aims to improve user safety, the front ballistic package comprises first lateral extensions protruding laterally from the sides of said first end and extending to protect the lateral area of the trunk of said user. Especially preferably, the rear ballistic package also comprises second lateral extensions that protrude laterally from the sides of the lower part of the rear ballistic package and extend to protect the lateral area of the trunk of said user.

Particularly preferably, the backpack comprises complementary closing means corresponding to said first and second lateral extensions and said first and second lateral extensions mutually overlap each other. Therefore both ballistic packages complement each other to form practically an individual protection vest that incorporates a backpack also improving the front, back and side protection of the set, since once the ballistic packages are deployed and placed, they adapt better to the body contour.

Preferably, the equipment comprises lateral ballistic plates, and said lateral ballistic plates are separable from said front and rear ballistic packages.

To ensure the rapid exit of the front ballistic package said backpack comprises a quick closure suitable for opening as a result of the traction exerted by said front ballistic package on said rapid closure upon being removed from said first container. This action comes from the traction of the user on the handle associated with the front ballistic package. This again improves user safety since the removal of the front ballistic package is virtually instantaneous and eliminates any risk of it getting crushed.

Both ballistic packages are designed to withstand a certain threat level with short firearms or white weapons. However, it is desirable to offer a higher degree of protection in the case of a higher threat level. Thus, preferably said container cover comprises a third container for a front ballistic plate and also preferably the backpack comprises a fourth container for a rear ballistic plate.

Also to provide greater versatility in terms of the protection levels of the equipment according to the invention, an optional embodiment provides that the front and rear ballistic plates are separable from said front and rear ballistic packages. Thus the equipment can be adapted to the desired security level. Also, in order to provide the equipment according to the invention with a higher level of lateral protection, an optional embodiment provides an insertion system for lateral ballistic plates, so that they are separable from the packages front and rear ballistics. Thus the equipment can be adapted to the desired security level.

Particularly preferably, the connecting elements are connected to the upper part of said first container to reduce the risk of entangling of said connecting elements.

In order to facilitate the maintenance of the backpack in one embodiment, it is provided that at one of its ends, said connecting elements have coupling means to said backpack, said coupling means being releasable and adjustable.

Finally, it is also preferably provided in the invention that said forward ballistic package has associated signaling means to facilitate the identification of the user carrying the equipment as belonging to a certain security body.

Likewise, the invention also encompasses other detail features illustrated in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention and in the accompanying figures.

Brief description of the drawings

Other advantages and features of the invention can be seen from the following description, in which, without any limitation, preferred embodiments of the invention are mentioned, mentioning the accompanying drawings. The figures show:

Fig. 1, a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the equipment with individual protection system according to the invention, in a folded position and partially cut in the longitudinal direction.

Fig. 2, a perspective view, partially cut away from the equipment of figure 1 in the folded position. Fig. 3, a schematic side view of the equipment of Figure 1, in an unfolded position and partially cut in the longitudinal direction.

Fig. 4, a perspective view, partially cut away from the front ballistic package of the equipment of Figure 1.

Figs. 5A to 5C a scheme of the extraction sequence of the individual protection system according to the invention.

Fig. 6, a schematic side view of a second embodiment of the equipment with individual protection system according to the invention, in a folded position and partially cut in the longitudinal direction.

Fig. 7, a schematic side view of the equipment of Figure 1, in an unfolded position and partially cut in the longitudinal direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In Figures 1 to 4, it is appreciated that the first embodiment of the equipment with an individual protection system according to the invention is a backpack 1 provided with two shoulder pads 4 that allow the user to Load with such equipment. The backpack 1, has a main container 34 intended to perform the functions of cargo container of the objects that the user must carry. On the other hand, the backpack 1 also has a first container 2, which in this case is separated from the main container 34 and whose function is to contain a forward ballistic package 6 separated from the rest of the cargo.

In the invention, the ballistic package (s) used are made in a manner known in the art, such as, for example, from one or more layers of aramid-based fibers, technical plastics, metals, ceramics, carbon compounds, or combinations of the same, known in the art by their trade names such as Dyneema®, Spectra®, Glodflex®, Kevlar® or others.

It should also be noted that the separation between containers 2, 34 is preferred, but in no case essential to the invention, that is to say that the ballistic package Front 6 could be found directly inside the container 34 of the backpack 1.

Also as seen in this preferred embodiment, the front ballistic package 6 is contained a container cover 7 which in this case completely surrounds and contains the front ballistic package 6. This container case 7 is also not essential for the invention. However, this container cover 7 allows to better configure the level of protection of the equipment, since in its interior different combinations of ballistic packages can be inserted.

In the figures it can be seen how the front ballistic package 6 and more particularly the container cover 7 is connected to the container 2 and therefore to the backpack 1 forming a single assembly and the front ballistic package 6 being removable from the inside of the backpack 1. As will be seen from Figures 5A to 5C, the dimensions of the front ballistic package are sufficient to protect at least the user's vital organs.

In this first embodiment, the front ballistic package 6, at a first end 8, has an associated handle 12 for extracting the ballistic package, attached to the container cover 7.

On the other hand, in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the handle 12 is externally accessible to a backpack 1 without the need to remove it from the shoulders so that the user can protect himself as quickly as possible at risk.

At the second end 10 of the container cover 7 of the front ballistic package 6, opposite the first end 8, two connecting elements 14 are provided that connect the front ballistic package 6 with the first container 2 of the backpack 1. In particular, these connecting elements 14 are bands of a woven textile material. These bands are separated from each other in a way that allows the passage of a user's head during the removal of the package 6 ballistic forward and its placement on the user's chest. In the invention, the connecting elements 14 as bands could also be cords, tape, cables or the like. Also preferably, although it has not been shown, these connecting elements 14 have planned length adjustment systems in order to adapt the equipment to the different sizes of the users.

Alternatively, if the container cover 7 and the front ballistic package 6 were not provided directly to the backpack 1 through the connecting elements 14, the handle 12, it would also be directly attached to the front ballistic package 6.

The ends of the joining bands closest to the backpack 1 have releasable and adjustable coupling means 36 which allow the front ballistic package 6 to be separated from the backpack 1 itself. These coupling means 36 may be of any known type such as buttons, rivets, quick hooks such as those used in backpack straps, carabiners, textile retainers, zippers, or the like. Also in Figure 4 it can be seen that the forward ballistic package 6 has associated signaling means 44 that allow the inclusion of words such as police and others intended to inform. In addition, especially preferably these signaling means 44 comprise fluorescent or reflective elements which is especially appropriate for the case of application of the equipment to the State Security Forces and Corps.

In Figures 1 and 2, it can also be seen that the front ballistic package 6 has a first folded and inverted position, in which the first end 8 and the handle 12 are located in the upper part of the backpack 1 and the handle 12 protrudes from the first container 2 through the opening 40 which is normally closed thanks to a quick closure 26. As will be seen later, this facilitates access to the front ballistic package 6. On the other hand, once removed from the container 2, the front ballistic package 6 is in the unfolded position when the second end 10 of the package is at the top of the backpack 1 and above the first end 8, as shown Figures 3, 4 or 5c.

It should also be noted that in order to facilitate the removal of the front ballistic package 6, the connecting bands are connected to the top of the first container 2. The shorter the joining bands, the lower the risk of entanglement.

The equipment according to the invention also has a rear ballistic package 18 associated with the backpack 1 that allows to protect the user's vital organs from the rear at any time, that is, also when the front ballistic package 6 is deployed. In this embodiment, the rear ballistic package 18 is provided within a second container 16 of the backpack 1 that has a practicable opening 32 and that facilitates the insertion and removal of the rear ballistic package 18 to perform the maintenance and configuration of the equipment with greater ease. Optionally, this rear ballistic package could also be attached to the outside of the backpack 1, preferably the part in contact with the user's back.

Also with the aim of improving the lateral protection of the equipment according to the invention both the front ballistic package 6, and the rear 18 have a first and second lateral extensions 20, 22. In the first case the first lateral extensions 20, which in the folded state of the front ballistic package 6 are folded inwards, protrude laterally from the sides of the first end 8 and extend at the height of the user's waist. Optionally, these first lateral extensions 20 could be extended in height to the lower part of the user's armpit, to cover the entire lateral area that is below the arms. The second lateral extensions 22 protrude laterally in the area corresponding to the sides of the lower part of the backpack 1. In the area of backpack 1 corresponding to the second side extensions 22 protrudes a belt 46 that allows the backpack 1 to be attached to the user's waist.

Especially in Figure 3, it can be seen that these first and second lateral extensions 20, 22 cooperate to improve lateral protection. The equipment and in particular the backpack 1 and the container cover 7 provide complementary closing means 24 that overlap the first and second lateral extensions 20, 22 one on the other form an individual protective vest. These closure means 24 may be of any known type, but preferably they will be of the textile retainer type such as Velero®, Cosmolon®, or the like.

The operation of the equipment according to the invention will be explained in detail on the basis of Figures 5A to 5C. In the initial situation, the user is acting covertly, that is to say that he is simply loading the equipment as a backpack, either dressed in plain clothes or with a uniform.

If a situation occurs that requires the intervention of the user of the equipment, it should only locate the handle 12 protruding from the opening 25 of the first container 2, as shown in Figure 5A. Once the user has the handle 12 firmly held by hand, he must pull upwards and describing a curve from back to front turning the forearm around the elbow joint, as shown in Figure 5B. Thanks to the fact that the opening 25 of the first container 2 has a quick closure 26, it opens suddenly as a result of the traction exerted by the front ballistic package 6, and the front ballistic package 6 is completely removed in an extremely short time. There are different types of quick fasteners 26 suitable for this application, such as rivets, cables, flaps, but, again, they will preferably be of the textile retainer type such as Velero®, Cosmolon®, or the like. Once the front ballistic package 6 is completely removed, the user 38 must pull the handle 12 in a centered movement with respect to his head, from behind to the front, causing the head to pass between both joining bands. Once the head is inserted between the connecting bands, the handle 12 is pulled down and immediately the vital organs are left frontally protected and the front ballistic package 6 is supported with the bands on the shoulders of the user 38.

Also, as seen in Figures 1 to 4, from the rear, the backpack 1 of this exemplary embodiment always offers protection since in any case, the rear ballistic package 18 is integral with the backpack 1 during use.

Once the frontal protection has been secured, the user can ensure that the parts of the backpack 1 corresponding to the lateral extensions 20, 22 overlap correctly to have adequate lateral protection. However, thanks to the design of the piece and the relative flexibility of ballistic packages that fit the curvature of the torso, the effect of the closure means 24 will be practically instantaneous and the loss of time will be minimal. A second embodiment of the equipment with an individual protection system according to the invention can be seen in Figures 6 and 7. The general configuration of this embodiment is based on the same principles as those of the first embodiment and therefore the technical characteristics already described in the preceding paragraphs will not be described again.

First, as shown in the figures, the front ballistic package 6 is also housed in a container cover 7 that has an opening 48 for insertion and removal of the front ballistic package 6 to configure and adapt the individual protection system to the desired level of protection, ie anti-knife, bulletproof, etc., thanks to the timely combination of standard ballistic packages. Another notable difference in this embodiment is that the protection offered by the equipment is far superior. In particular, the front ballistic package 6 has a third container 40 that allows the insertion of a front ballistic plate 28 through the secondary opening 50 and the opening 48. Similarly, the rear ballistic package 18 has a fourth container 42 also accessible to through the opening 32 in which a rear ballistic plate 30 is inserted. Thus, in this case, in addition to protection against short or white weapons, the equipment according to the invention also offers protection against long weapons, with the protection granted by the level of threat that the corresponding ballistic plates support. It should be noted that it is not necessary that the containers of the ballistic packages and the ballistic plates be separated from each other.

Also optionally, the first and second lateral extensions 20, 22 may have lateral ballistic plates, not shown in the figures, to further increase the level of protection. In addition, these lateral ballistic plates can also be inserted and removed from their corresponding housings in ballistic packages 6, 18. The ballistic plates are made of metal alloys, ceramics, technical plastics, aramids, carbon fibers, and others, and can be manufactured from a only material, or in combination of those mentioned above, in thicknesses appropriate to the threat level.

Claims

1 .- Equipment with individual protection system, characterized in that it is a backpack (1) with two shoulder pads (4) that also comprises a front ballistic package (6) connected to said backpack (1) forming a single set, said ballistic package being front (6) removable from said backpack (1) and being configured to protect at least one user's vital organs (38).

2. - Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that said front ballistic package (6) has associated

[a] by a first end (8), a handle (12) for extracting said front ballistic package (6) said handle (12) being externally accessible to said backpack (1) without the need to remove the backpack (1) from the shoulders and

[b] by a second end (10), opposite said first end (8), two connecting elements (14) between said front ballistic package (6) and said backpack (1), said joining elements (14) being separated from each other in a way that allows the passage of the head of said user (38).

3. - Equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that said front ballistic package (6) has

[a] a folded position in which said first end (8) and said handle (12) are at the top of said backpack (1) and

[b] an unfolded position in which said forward ballistic package (6) is removed from said first container (2) and said second end (10) is located in the upper part of said backpack (1) and superiorly to said first extreme (8).

4. - Equipment according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a container cover (7) of said front ballistic package (6), said container cover (7) comprising an opening (48) for insertion and removal of said front ballistic package (6).

5. - Equipment according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it also comprises a rear ballistic protection package (18) associated with said backpack (1) and configured to protect the vital organs of said user from the rear.

6. - Equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that said rear ballistic package (18) is contained in a second container (16) comprising a practicable opening (32) for insertion and removal of said rear ballistic package (18).

7. - Equipment according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said front ballistic package (6) comprises first lateral extensions (20) protruding laterally from the sides of said first end (8) and extending to protect the area side of the trunk of said user (38).

8. Equipment according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said rear ballistic package (18) comprises second lateral extensions (22) projecting laterally from the sides of the lower part of said rear ballistic package (18) and extending to protect the lateral area of the trunk of said user (38).

9. - Equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that said backpack (1) comprises complementary closing means (24) corresponding to said first and second lateral extensions (20, 22) and said first and second lateral extensions (20, 22) are they overlap each other.

10. - Equipment according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises lateral ballistic plates, and that said lateral ballistic plates are separable from said front and rear ballistic packages (6, 18).

eleven . - Equipment according to any of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that said backpack (1) comprises a quick closure (26) suitable for opening as a result of the traction exerted by said front ballistic package (6) on said quick closure (26) to the be extracted from said first container (2).

12. - Equipment according to any of claims 4 to 1 1, characterized in that said container cover (7) comprises a third container (40) for a front ballistic plate (28).

13. - Equipment according to any of claims 4 to 12, characterized in that said backpack (1) comprises a fourth container (42) for a rear ballistic plate (30).

14. Equipment according to any of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that said front (28) and rear (30) ballistic plates are separable from said front (6) and rear (18) ballistic packages.

15. - Equipment according to any of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that said connecting elements (14) are connected to the top of said first container (2).

16. - Equipment according to any of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that at one of its ends, said connecting elements (14) have coupling means (36) to said backpack (1), said coupling means (36) being releasable and adjustable.

17. - Equipment according to any of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said front ballistic package (6) has associated signaling means (44).