Personal armor and backpack system

Abstract

The present invention provides a system of personal body armor in which a chest protector is removably attached to the shoulder straps of a backpack. The chest protector and the backpack may be equipped with sleeves into which a variety of armor plates can be inserted.

1 . A personal armor system for a human wearer, comprising a chest protector, a backpack having shoulder straps, and means for releaseably attaching the chest protector to the shoulder straps. 
     
     
         2 . The personal armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for releaseably attaching the chest protector to the shoulder straps is a plurality of quick-release buckles. 
     
     
         3 . The personal armor system of  claim 2 , wherein the quick-release buckles are stab-lock quick-release buckles. 
     
     
         4 . The personal armor system of  claim 2 , wherein the location of the quick-release buckles is adjustable in a vertical direction along the shoulder straps. 
     
     
         5 . The personal armor system of  claim 2 , comprising four quick-release buckles. 
     
     
         6 . The personal armor system of  claim 1 , further comprising protective side panels attached to the chest protector and disposed in a location so as to protect the wearer's flanks, and means for releaseably attaching to the backpack either the side panel, or the chest protector at the side panel location. 
     
     
         7 . The personal armor system of  claim 1 , further comprising protective side panels attached to the backpack and disposed in a location so as to protect the wearer's flanks, and means for releaseably attaching the side panels to the chest protector. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The personal armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the backpack is a frame pack. 
     
     
         10 . The personal armor system of  claim 2 , wherein the backpack is a frame pack. 
     
     
         11 . The personal armor system of  claim 3 , wherein the backpack is a frame pack. 
     
     
         12 . The personal armor system of  claim 4 , wherein the backpack is a frame pack. 
     
     
         13 . The personal armor system of  claim 5 , wherein the backpack is a frame pack. 
     
     
         14 . The personal armor system of  claim 6 , wherein the backpack is a frame pack. 
     
     
         15 . The personal armor system of  claim 7 , wherein the backpack is a frame pack.