Articulating load bearing suspension system for use with body armor

Abstract

An articulating load-bearing belt for use with body armor includes a first structural plate and a second structural plate pivotally coupled to the first structural plate at a pivot point such that each of the first and the second structural plates are configured to be independently pivotable about the pivot point.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An articulating load-bearing belt for use with a weighted load comprising:
 a first structural plate; and   a second structural plate pivotally coupled to the first structural plate at a pivot point such that each of the first and the second structural plates are configured to independently pivot about the pivot point.   
     
     
         2 . The load-bearing belt of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic sleeve configured to capture the first structural plate and the second structural plate. 
     
     
         3 . The load-bearing belt of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing mechanism operatively connecting together the first and second structural plates. 
     
     
         4 . The load-bearing belt of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second structural plates are configured to rest on the user's ilium when in use. 
     
     
         5 . The load-bearing belt of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first structural plate overlaps at least a portion of the second structural plate. 
     
     
         6 . The load-bearing belt of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and the second structural plates are configured to independently pivot about the pivot point to correspond to a user's body shape and the user's movement. 
     
     
         7 . The load-bearing belt of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first structural plate and the second structural plate comprise a tapered shape. 
     
     
         8 . A load-bearing belt configured to transfer the weight of a load to a user's hips, the load-bearing belt comprising:
 a first structural plate including a first end portion positioned proximate the user's lower back; and   a second structural plate including a second end portion positioned proximate the user's lower back, each of the first and the second structural plates extending from the respective first end portion and the second end portion and configured to releasably secure to a corresponding hip of the user when worn,   wherein the first structural plate is pivotally coupled to the second structural plate at a pivot point such that each of the first and the second structural plates are configured to independently pivot about the pivot point.   
     
     
         9 . The load-bearing belt of  claim 8 , wherein the first end portion at least partially overlaps the second end portion. 
     
     
         10 . The load-bearing belt of  claim 8 , wherein the first end portion includes a first opening and the second end portion includes a second opening that is concentric with the first opening, the first and second openings configured to receive a common fastener to form the pivot point. 
     
     
         11 . The load-bearing belt of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first and the second structural plates extend outwardly and at least partially downward from a respective first and second end of the load-bearing belt. 
     
     
         12 . A load-bearing suspension system comprising:
 an article configured to house a load;   a vertical stay coupled to the article and aligned with a user's spine;   a load-bearing belt pivotally coupled to the stay, the belt configured to releasably secure the article around the user's hips such that, when secured, at least a portion of the load is supported by the user's hips, the load-bearing belt comprising:
 a first structural plate; and 
 a second structural plate coupled to the first structural plate at a pivot point such that each of the first and the second structural plates are configured to independently pivot about the pivot point. 
   
     
     
         13 . The load-bearing suspension system of  claim 12 , wherein the article comprises a body armor vest. 
     
     
         14 . The load-bearing suspension system of  claim 12 , further comprising a stopping mechanism coupled to at least one of the article and the stay, the stopping mechanism comprising a releasable catch configured to prevent uncoupling of the article from the stay when the suspension system is in operation. 
     
     
         15 . The load-bearing suspension system of  claim 12 , further comprising an extension mechanism coupled to at least one of the article and the stay, the extension mechanism configured to enable sliding of the stay along the article to correspond to a bending movement of the user. 
     
     
         16 . The load-bearing suspension system of  claim 12 , wherein the stay includes a telescoping portion that changes length to correspond to a bending movement of the user. 
     
     
         17 . The load-bearing suspension system of  claim 12 , wherein the stay is coupled to the belt at the pivot point. 
     
     
         18 . The load-bearing suspension system of  claim 12 , wherein the stay is pivotably coupled to the belt. 
     
     
         19 . The load-bearing suspension system of  claim 12 , wherein the stay is coupled to the belt and configured to reciprocally move relative to the first structural plate and the second structural plate. 
     
     
         20 . The load-bearing suspension system of  claim 12 , further comprising a pocket coupled to the belt and configured to receive the stay.