Plate carrier system

Abstract

A lay flat plate carrier yoke system is provided. The lay flat plate carrier yoke system includes a first yoke. A first pair of straps extends from the first yoke and each strap of the first pair of straps has an end. A fastener is disposed at each end of each strap of the first pair of straps. The lay flat plate carrier yoke system includes a second yoke. A second pair of straps extends from the second yoke and each strap of the second pair of straps has an end. A fastener is disposed at each end of each strap of the second pair of straps. The first yoke is operable to attach to an inner panel of a first plate carrier bag. The second yoke is operable to attach to an inner panel of a second plate carrier bag. The first pair of straps is operable to attach to the second pair of straps to selectively determine a length between the first yoke and the second yoke.

1 . A plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke, comprising:
 a yoke, said yoke comprising a pair of straps extending from said yoke, said yoke comprising a substantially flat attachment portion;   a plate bag, said plate bag comprising an inner panel, said inner panel having a width;   a plate bag fastener connecting said yoke to said inner panel; and   wherein said attachment portion of said yoke is in substantially continuous contact with said inner panel along said width of said inner panel.   
     
     
         2 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second yoke, said second yoke attached to said pair of straps, said second yoke comprising a second substantially flat attachment portion;   a second plate bag, said second plate bag comprising a second inner panel, said second inner panel having a second width;   a second plate bag fastener connecting said second yoke to said second inner panel; and   wherein said attachment portion of said second yoke is in substantially continuous contact with said second inner panel along said second width of said second inner panel.   
     
     
         3 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 2 , wherein said yoke, said second yoke, and said pair of straps are operable to continuously contact a user wearing said plate carrier system to lay flat on a user. 
     
     
         4 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 2 , wherein said first yoke and said second yoke each comprise a single layer of fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 2 , further comprising a strap fastener in each strap of said pair of straps, said strap fasteners operable to selectively connect and disconnect said yoke to said second yoke, and said strap fasteners operable to selectively adjust a length of said pair of straps. 
     
     
         6 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one sleeve operable to cover said strap fasteners. 
     
     
         7 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 6 , wherein said strap fasteners are hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         8 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 7 , further comprising a doff strap operable to connect to and quick release said strap fasteners, said doff strap comprising:
 a body, said body having a first end opposite a second end;   a pull tab disposed at said first end of said body;   a connector disposed at said second end of said body, said connector having a first side opposite a second side;   a hook fastener disposed on said first side of said connector;   a loop fastener disposed on said second side of said connector,   wherein said connector is operable to connect to said strap fasteners, wherein said body is operable to fold over said strap fasteners, wherein said body is operable to fit within said sleeves, and wherein, upon a pull of said pull tab by a user, said doff strap is operable to disconnect said strap fasteners to release said plate carrier system.   
     
     
         9 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 2 , wherein said plate bag fasteners are stitching. 
     
     
         10 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 2 , wherein said yokes are operable extend over the shoulder cavity over a user. 
     
     
         11 . The lay flat plate carrier yoke system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of grooves defined by said yoke and said second yoke. 
     
     
         12 . A plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke, comprising:
 a yoke, said yoke comprising a pair of straps extending from said yoke, said yoke comprising a substantially flat attachment portion;   a plate bag, said plate bag comprising an outer panel, said outer panel having a width;   a yoke fastener disposed on an underside of said yoke; and   wherein said yoke is operable to selectively attach to said plate bag to selectively determine a position of said plate bag relative to said yoke, and wherein said attachment portion of said yoke is in substantially continuous contact with said outer panel along said width of said outer panel when attached.   
     
     
         13 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second yoke, said second yoke attached to said pair of straps, said second yoke comprising a second substantially flat attachment portion;   a second plate bag, said second plate bag comprising a second outer panel, said second outer panel having a second width;   a second yoke fastener disposed on an underside of said second yoke; and   wherein said second yoke is operable to selectively attach to said plate bag to selectively determine a position of said plate bag relative to said second yoke, and wherein said second attachment portion of said second yoke is in substantially continuous contact with said second outer panel along said second width of said second outer panel when attached.   
     
     
         14 . The lay flat plate carrier yoke system of  claim 12 , wherein said substantially flat attachment portion of said yoke comprises two sides, wherein each side of said two sides is operable to selectively attach to a first plate carrier bag to selectively determine a position of said first plate carrier bag relative to said first yoke. 
     
     
         15 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 13 , wherein said yoke, said second yoke, and said pair of straps are operable to continuously contact a user wearing said plate carrier system to lay flat on a user. 
     
     
         16 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 13 , wherein said first yoke and said second yoke each comprise a single layer of fabric. 
     
     
         17 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 13 , further comprising a strap fastener in each strap of said pair of straps, said strap fasteners operable to selectively connect and disconnect said yoke to said second yoke, and said strap fasteners operable to selectively adjust a length of said pair of straps. 
     
     
         18 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one sleeve operable to cover said strap fasteners. 
     
     
         19 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 18 , wherein said strap fasteners are hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         20 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 19 , further comprising a doff strap operable to connect to and quick release said strap fasteners, said doff strap comprising:
 a body, said body having a first end opposite a second end;   a pull tab disposed at said first end of said body;   a connector disposed at said second end of said body, said connector having a first side opposite a second side;   a hook fastener disposed on said first side of said connector;   a loop fastener disposed on said second side of said connector;   wherein said connector is operable to connect to said strap fasteners, wherein said body is operable to fold over said strap fasteners, wherein said body is operable to fit within said sleeves, and wherein, upon a pull of said pull tab by a user, said doff strap is operable to disconnect said strap fasteners to release said plate carrier system.   
     
     
         21 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 13 , wherein said yoke and said second yoke each comprise a single layer of fabric. 
     
     
         22 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 13 , wherein said yoke fasteners are hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         23 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 12 , wherein said yoke is operable extend over the shoulder cavity over a user. 
     
     
         24 . The plate carrier system having a lay flat yoke of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of grooves defined by said yoke and said second yoke. 
     
     
         25 . A plate carrier ventilation system, comprising:
 a plate bag, said plate bag comprising an inner panel; and   at least one spacer attached to said inner panel of said plate bag.   
     
     
         26 . The plate carrier ventilation system of  claim 25 , wherein said inner panel comprises a breathable material. 
     
     
         27 . The plate carrier ventilation system of  claim 25 , further comprising at least one channel defined by said inner panel of said plate bag. 
     
     
         28 . The plate carrier ventilation system of  claim 27 , wherein said spacer is inserted into said one channel. 
     
     
         29 . The plate carrier ventilation system of  claim 26 , wherein said breathable material is mesh. 
     
     
         30 . The plate carrier ventilation system of  claim 26 , wherein said breathable material is antimicrobial mesh. 
     
     
         31 . A plate carrier system having quick release doff strap, comprising:
 a first plate bag;   a pair of first straps extending from said first plate bag;   a second plate bag;   a pair of second straps extending from said second plate bag;   a pair of strap fasteners connecting said first pair of straps to said second pair of straps:   a doff strap connected to a strap fastener between an end of a first strap and an end of a second strap, said doff strap comprising:
 a body, said body having a first end opposite a second end; 
 a pull tab disposed at said first end of said body; 
 a connector disposed at said second end of said body, said connector having a first side opposite a second side; 
   wherein said connector of said doff strap is connected between a first strap and a second strap, wherein said body of said doff strap is operable to fold over an end of said first strap, and wherein, upon a pull of said pull tab by a user, said doff strap is operable to disconnect said strap fastener.   
     
     
         32 . The plate carrier system having a quick release doff strap of  claim 31 , further comprising a sleeve operable to cover said doff strap when connected to said strap fastener between said end of said first strap and said end of said second strap. 
     
     
         33 . The plate carrier system having a quick release doff strap of  claim 32 , wherein said pull tab of said doff strap extends out of said sleeve when said sleeve covers said doff strap when connected to said strap fastener between said end of said first strap and said end of said second strap. 
     
     
         34 . The plate carrier system having a quick release doff strap of  claim 31 , further comprising a first yoke attached to said first plate bag, and wherein said first pair of straps extend from said first yoke. 
     
     
         35 . The plate carrier system having a quick release doff strap of  claim 34 , further comprising a second yoke attached to said second plate bag, and wherein said second pair of straps extend from said second yoke. 
     
     
         36 . The doff strap for quick release of a plate carrier of  claim 31 , wherein said body comprises a single layer of fabric. 
     
     
         37 . The doff strap for quick release of a plate carrier of  claim 31 , wherein said body has a width, wherein said connector has a width, and wherein said width of said body is less than said width of said connector. 
     
     
         38 . The doff strap for quick release of a plate carrier of  claim 31 , wherein said width of said body half of said width of said connector. 
     
     
         39 . A plate carrier system having quick release doff strap, comprising:
 a plate bag;   a cummerbund removably attached to said plate bag;   a doff strap removably connected between said cummerbund and said plate bag, said doff strap comprising:
 a body, said body having a first end opposite a second end; 
 a pull tab disposed at said first end of said body; 
 a connector disposed at said second end of said body, said connector having a first side opposite a second side; 
   wherein said connector of said doff strap is connected between said cummerbund and said plate bag, wherein said body of said doff strap is operable to fold over an end of said cummerbund, and wherein, upon a pull of said pull tab by a user, said doff strap is operable to disconnect said cummerbund from said plate bag.   
     
     
         40 . The plate carrier system having quick release doff strap of  claim 39 , further comprising a placard removably attached to said cummerbund, wherein said body of said doff strap is secured between said placard and said cummerbund, wherein said pull tab extends beyond an end of said placard, wherein, upon a pull of said pull tab by a user, said doff strap is operable to disconnect said cummerbund from said plate bag and said placard. 
     
     
         41 . The doff strap for quick release of a plate carrier of  claim 39 , wherein said body comprises a single layer of fabric. 
     
     
         42 . The doff strap for quick release of a plate carrier of  claim 39 , wherein said body has a width, wherein said connector has a width, and wherein said width of said body is less than said width of said connector. 
     
     
         43 . The doff strap for quick release of a plate carrier of  claim 39 , wherein said width of said body half of said width of said connector. 
     
     
         44 . A locking tab for securing components to a plate carrier, comprising:
 a body, said body having a proximal end opposite a distal end;   a connector disposed at the proximal end of said body;   at least one arm disposed at said distal end of said body, said arm having a proximal end opposite a distal end; and   wherein said arm is operable to insert through and fold over an aperture defined by an attachment device, and said connector is operable to connect to a plate bag.   
     
     
         45 . The locking tab for securing components to a plate carrier of  claim 44 , wherein said arm secures to itself after inserting through and folding over said aperture. 
     
     
         46 . The locking tab for securing components to a plate carrier of  claim 44 , further comprising a hook connector disposed on said distal end of said arm. 
     
     
         47 . The locking tab for securing components to a plate carrier of  claim 46 , further comprising a loop connector disposed on said proximal end of said arm. 
     
     
         48 . The locking tab for securing components to a plate carrier of  claim 47 , wherein said hook connector is operable to connect to a loop connector of an attachment device, and wherein said loop connector is operable to connect to a hook connector of an attachment device. 
     
     
         49 . The locking tab for securing components to a plate carrier of  claim 44 , wherein said connector is a button. 
     
     
         50 . The locking tab for securing components to a plate carrier of claim further comprising a second arm disposed at said distal end of said body. 
     
     
         51 . The locking tab for securing components to a plate carrier of  claim 44 , wherein said locking tab comprises four arms. 
     
     
         52 . The locking tab for securing components to a plate carrier of  claim 44 , wherein said locking tab comprises six arms. 
     
     
         53 . The locking tab for securing components to a plate carrier of  claim 44 , wherein said attachment device is a M.O.L.L.E. (modular, lightweight load-carrying equipment) attachment device. 
     
     
         54 . The locking tab for securing components to a plate carrier of  claim 44 , wherein said aperture is a M.O.L.L.E. (modular, lightweight load-carrying equipment) pattern of a M.O.L.L.E. attachment device. 
     
     
         55 . A quick release handle, comprising:
 a body;   a pair of folds in said body;   a pair of thread members, each thread member of said pair of thread members extending from a fold of said pair of folds;   a handle portion disposed between said folds; and   wherein said thread members are operable to thread into and secure two M.O.L.L.E. (modular, lightweight load-carrying equipment) attachment devices, upon wherein, upon a pull of said handle by a user, said thread members are operable to disconnect and release said two M.O.L.L.E. attachment devices.   
     
     
         56 . The quick release handle of  claim 55 , wherein said thread members are perpendicular to said handle when said thread members and said handle are flat in the same two-dimensional plane. 
     
     
         57 . The quick release handle of  claim 55 , wherein said pair of folds are operable to enable said handle to rotate radially from a flat position to a position perpendicular to said thread members. 
     
     
         58 . The quick release handle of  claim 55 , further comprising a hook and loop fastener attached to said handle. 
     
     
         59 . The quick release handle of  claim 55 , wherein said body comprises a laminated nylon-based material. 
     
     
         60 . A plate carrier system having a quick release thread member, comprising:
 a plate bag, said plate bag comprising a MOLLE (modular, lightweight load-carrying equipment) pattern;   an attachment device, said attachment device comprising a M.O.L.L.E. pattern;   a thread member connecting said plate bag to said attachment device, and   wherein said thread member is threaded through alternating M.O.L.L.E. patterns of said plate bag and said attachment device.   
     
     
         61 . The plate carrier system having a quick release thread member of  claim 60 , further comprising:
 a second thread member connecting said plate bag to said attachment device;   a handle connecting said thread member to said second thread member; and   wherein said second thread member is threaded through alternating M.O.L.L.E. apertures of said plate bag and said attachment device.   
     
     
         62 . The plate carrier system having a quick release thread member of  claim 61 , further comprising:
 a first fold between said thread member and said handle;   a second fold between said second thread member and said handle; and   wherein said folds are operable to enable said handle to rotate radially from a flat position to a position perpendicular to said thread members.   
     
     
         63 . The plate carrier system having a quick release thread member of  claim 61 , wherein said thread members are operable to extend through shoulder straps of a plate carrier system. 
     
     
         64 . The plate carrier system having a quick release thread member of  claim 61 , wherein said handle is operable to attach to a front plate bag of a plate carrier system. 
     
     
         65 . The quick release handle of  claim 64 , further comprising a hook and loop fastener attached to said handle. 
     
     
         66 . A cummerbund for use with a plate carrier system, comprising:
 a body;   at least one elastic member;   at least one limit strap; and   wherein said at least one limit strap is operable to limit a stretch distance of said at least one elastic member.   
     
     
         67 . The cummerbund of  claim 66 , further comprising a second elastic member, said second elastic member substantially parallel to and in close contact with said at least one elastic member. 
     
     
         68 . The cummerbund of  claim 67 , further comprising a second limit strap, wherein said at least one elastic member and said second elastic member are disposed between said at least one limit strap and said second limit strap. 
     
     
         69 . The cummerbund of  claim 66 , wherein said at least one elastic member has a maximum stretch length, and wherein said limit strap has a length substantially equal to said maximum stretch length of said at least one elastic member. 
     
     
         70 . The cummerbund of  claim 66 , wherein said body comprises a breathable material. 
     
     
         71 . A plate carrier bag with a channel, comprising:
 an inner panel;   an outer panel;   a side panel connecting said inner panel to said outer panel; and   a covered channel along at least a portion of a periphery of the plate carrier bag.   
     
     
         72 . The plate carrier bag with a channel of  claim 71 , further comprising a plurality of apertures in said covered channel. 
     
     
         73 . The plate carrier bag with a channel of  claim 71 , further comprising a plurality of slits in said covered channel. 
     
     
         74 . The plate carrier bag with a channel of  claim 71 , wherein said covered channel is defined by said outer panel.