Apparatus for discreet carrying and rapid deployment of a firearm or the like

Abstract

Apparatus for discreet transport and rapid deployment of a weapon or the like employs a heavy duty shoulder strap and buckle, which have the appearance of conventional load-bearing structures, to rapidly close and open a weapon-concealing compartment without visibly manipulating any structure having the appearance of a closure or compartment, thereby preserving an element of surprise and tactical advantage in transition from general encounter to combat. Modular, hook-and-loop-assembled holster and ammunition clip pouch are hook-and-loop attachable to the apparatus.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus for discreet transport and rapid deployment of a weapon, comprising:
 a main panel;   a cover attached to said main panel, said cover and said main panel having one relative to the other a closed configuration providing concealment of the carried item and an open configuration permitting retrieval of the carried item; and   an attaching portion adapted to support said cover and said main panel on a person, animal, vehicle, or the like,   said attaching portion being joined to said cover,   said attaching portion being releaseably joined to said main panel, having a first configuration relative to said main panel wherein said said cover is in said closed configuration relative to said main panel and a second configuration relative to said main panel wherein said cover is in said open configuration relative to said main panel;   said attaching portion including an over-the-shoulder-type strap having a first end joined to a first portion of said main panel, a second end joined to said cover, and an intermediate portion releaseably joined to a second portion of said main panel;   said cover and said main panel being relatively movable to a fully open configuration in which said rear cover covers the user's thorax and said main panel covers the user's abdomen;   said main panel and said cover each incorporating a panel of a ballistic material.   
     
     
         11 . Apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said second portion of said main panel extends upwardly and laterally, at least partially frontally obscuring said second end of said attaching portion when said intermediate portion of said attaching portion is attached to said second portion. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus for discreet transport and rapid deployment of a weapon, comprising:
 a main panel;   a cover attached to said main panel, said cover and said main panel having one relative to the other a closed configuration providing concealment of the carried item and an open configuration permitting retrieval of the carried item; and   an attaching portion adapted to support said cover and said main panel on a person, animal, vehicle, or the like,   said attaching portion being joined to said cover,   said attaching portion being releaseably joined to said main panel, having a first configuration relative to said main panel wherein said said cover is in said closed configuration relative to said main panel and a second configuration relative to said main panel wherein said cover is in said open configuration relative to said main panel;   said attaching portion including a strap having a first end joined to a first portion of said main panel, a second end joined to said cover, and an intermediate portion releaseably joined to a second portion of said main panel;   said second portion of said main panel extending to at least partially frontally obscure said second end of said attaching portion when said intermediate portion of said attaching portion is attached to said second portion.   
     
     
         13 . A method of discreetly transporting and rapidly deploying a personally carried weapon, having the steps of:
 providing a main panel;   providing a cover attached to said main panel, said cover and said main panel having one relative to the other a closed configuration providing concealment of the carried item and an open configuration permitting retrieval of the carried item; and   providing an attaching portion adapted to support said cover and said main panel on a person, animal, vehicle, or the like,   said attaching portion being joined to said cover,   said attaching portion being releaseably joined to said main panel, having a first configuration relative to said main panel wherein said said cover is in said closed configuration relative to said main panel and a second configuration relative to said main panel wherein said cover is in said open configuration relative to said main panel;   said attaching portion including an over-the-shoulder-type strap having a first end joined to a first portion of said main panel, a second end joined to said cover, and an intermediate portion releaseably joined to a second portion of said main panel;   said cover and said main panel being relatively movable to a fully open configuration in which said rear cover covers the user's thorax and said main panel covers the user's abdomen;   said main panel and said cover each incorporating a panel of a ballistic material;   wearing the aforementioned structure with said strap-type attaching portion draped over a shoulder of the user;   securing a weapon between said main panel and said cover and carrying said weapon with said cover closed relative to said main panel and said intermediate portion of said attaching portion releaseably joined to said second portion of said main panel;   detaching said intermediate portion from said second portion of said main panel;   with a first hand, pulling said main panel downward and away from the user's body while with a second hand pulling said intermediate portion and said second end of said attaching portion upward until said main panel opens relative to said cover; and   with the second hand, retrieving the weapon while allowing said main panel to hang from said cover, said main panel covering a portion the user's abdomen while said cover covers a portion of the user's thorax.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said second portion of said main panel extends to at least partially frontally obscure said second end of said attaching portion when said intermediate portion of said attaching portion is attached to said second portion, the method including the step, before said step of detaching, a step of the user gently grasping said intermediate portion of said attaching portion with the user's first hand. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus of  claim 10 , said cover having a rear-facing surface in which is formed a transparent-windowed pocket. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said cover has a rear-facing surface in which is formed a transparent-windowed pocket, the method further including a step of inverting the apparatus while carrying same, said pocket and contents thereof then being displayed forwardly.