WO2010001142A1

WO2010001142A1 - A bandolier

Info

Publication number: WO2010001142A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/050436
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin Smart
Original assignee: TSG Associates LLP
Current assignee: TSG Associates LLP
Priority date: 2008-07-03
Filing date: 2009-04-28
Publication date: 2010-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-03
Also published as: GB0812099D0

Abstract

A bandolier comprising a first storage region and a second storage region, the storage regions being connected by a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion is of a size relative to the first and second storage region to enable the first and second storage region to lie flat and adjacent each other, when not worn by an individual.

Description

A Bandolier

The present invention relates to a bandolier, particularly but not exclusively to an improved bandolier for use in the medical field.

Bandoliers are belts worn over the shoulder, chest and opposite hip which contain pockets to hold items. Bandoliers have traditionally been used by soldiers as ammunition holders. The bandolier was used to keep ammunition off a soldier's hips, as carrying too much weight on the hips can constrain movement and cause difficulty in retrieving the ammunition. Bandoliers thus have the advantage that they allow a wearer to carry items, while maintaining agile movement, which is very important, particularly in military scenarios.

Bandoliers may have a multitude of discrete pockets therearound, thus enabling a wearer to carry many items. To access an item, the wearer simply rotates the bandolier (about their person) until the appropriate pocket is at the wearer's chest, thus affording ready access thereto. In view of the advantages of bandoliers, it has been known to utilise them in the medical field to allow a medic to carry and readily access medical supplies such as bandages, plasters and drugs. This is particularly useful for a medic in a military situation or in a multiple casualty situation.

It is an object of aspects of the present invention to provide an improved bandolier that offers advantages over prior art bandoliers.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bandolier comprising a first storage region and a second storage region, the storage regions being connected by a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion is of a size relative to the first and second storage region to enable the first and second storage region to lie flat and adjacent each other, when not worn by an individual. Advantageously, the bandolier of the present invention can be taken off by a user and laid on a surface (such as the ground) causing the first and second storage regions to lie flat and adjacent each other, thus the bandolier adopts a ready access "bag" configuration.

Preferably, the length of the connecting portion is substantially the same as the sum of the widths of the first storage region and the second storage region.

Preferably, the first or second storage region comprises one or more storage pockets. Preferably, the first and second storage regions each comprise one or more storage pockets.

Preferably, the first or second storage region comprises a plurality of storage pockets. Preferably, the first and second storage regions each comprise a plurality of storage pockets.

Preferably, the first or second storage region comprises both inner and outer storage regions. Preferably, the first and second storage regions each comprise inner and outer storage regions.

Preferably, the first or second storage region comprises both inner and outer pockets. Preferably, the first and second storage regions each comprise inner and outer pockets.

Preferably, the first or second storage region comprises one or more first storage pockets on an outer surface and one or more second storage pockets on an inner surface. Preferably, the first and second storage region comprises one or more first storage pockets on an outer surface and one or more second storage pockets on an inner surface.

Preferably, the connecting portion is arranged relative to the first and second storage region such that when the first and second storage region to lie flat and adjacent each other, the or each inner storage region is accessible by a user.

Preferably, the bandolier further comprises a strap which connects together the first and second storage regions at ends thereof distal to the connecting portion. Preferably, the strap is adjustable.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a bandolier having one or more first storage pockets on an outer surface and one or more second storage pockets on an inner surface.

For the avoidance of doubt, reference herein to an outer surface of the bandolier refers to a surface that faces outward of a user in normal use, whereas reference to an inner surface of the bandolier refers to a surface that faces inward toward a user's body in normal use. References to pockets and storage regions as outer and inner should be construed in the same manner.

All of the features disclosed herein may be combined with any of the above aspects and in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a first perspective view of a bandolier according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a second perspective view of a bandolier according to the present invention; and

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a bandolier of the present invention in an access configuration. Referring firstly to figures 1 and 2 there is shown a bandolier 102 of the present invention having a first storage region 104 and a second storage region 106 connected by a connecting portion 108. The first and second storage regions 104, 106 have a plurality of outer pockets 1 10 of differing sizes for carrying various items. The first and second storage regions 104, 106 also each have an elongate inner pocket 1 12.

The first and second storage regions 104, 106 are connected at ends thereof distal to the connecting portion 108, by an adjustable strap 1 14. The adjustable strap 1 14 allows the bandolier 102 to be adjusted for users of different sizes.

The arrangement of the first storage region 104, the second storage region 106, the connecting portion 108 and the adjustable strap 1 14 forms a connected loop that can be arranged over a user's shoulder, chest and opposite hip in the usual manner.

Referring now to figure 3 there is shown the bandolier 102 arranged on a surface. As can clearly be seen in figure 3, the first storage region 104 and the second storage region 106 are lying flat and adjacent each other, thus exposing the inner pockets 1 12. The inner pockets 112 are elongate and have a transparent window 1 16 to allow a user to view the internal contents thereof. The inner pockets 1 12 have a zip fastening 1 18.

The configuration shown in figure 3 is adopted because of the length of the connecting portion 108. As can be seen in figure 3, the length of the connecting portion 108 is substantially the same as the combined widths of the first storage region 104 and the second storage region 106, thus the bandolier presents a stable "bag" configuration to allow easy access to the innner pockets 1 12.

In use, for example in the medical field, the bandolier 102 may be used by a medic and may carry items such as plasters, bandages and basic drugs in the outer pockets 1 10. However, if the medic comes across a patient having a more serious injury, they may remove the bandolier 102 and place it on the ground, allowing the bandolier to adopt the bag configuration, thus allowing easy access to the inner pockets 1 12, which may hold items for treating more serious injuries, such as a filed stretcher, splints, hypodermic needles etc.

A bandolier made in accordance with the present invention allows two easy modes of operation, one in the traditional "over the shoulder" sense where a user accesses outer pockets, and a second in the form of a bag, giving access to inner pockets. This allows a user to have pockets for common use items, which are readily accessible while wearing the bandolier, and pockets for less common use items which can be easily accessed by removing the bandolier and arranging in the bag configuration.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A bandolier comprising a first storage region and a second storage region, the storage regions being connected by a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion is of a size relative to the first and second storage region to enable the first and second storage region to lie flat and adjacent each other, when not worn by an individual.

2. A bandolier according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the connecting portion is substantially the same as the sum of the widths of the first storage region and the second storage region.

3. A bandolier according to either of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first or second storage region comprises one or more storage pockets.

4 . A bandolier according to claim 3, wherein the first and second storage regions each comprise one or more storage pockets.

5. A bandolier according to any preceding claim, wherein the first or second storage region comprises both inner and outer storage regions.

6. A bandolier according to claim 5, wherein the first and second storage regions each comprise inner and outer storage regions.

7. A bandolier according to claim 6, wherein the first or second storage region comprises one or more first storage pockets on an outer surface and one or more second storage pockets on an inner surface.

8. A bandolier according to claim 7, wherein the connecting portion is arranged relative to the first and second storage region such that when the first and second storage region lie flat and adjacent each other, the or each inner storage region is accessible by a user.

9. A bandolier according to any preceding claim, which further comprises a strap that connects together the first and second storage regions at ends thereof distal to the connecting portion.

10. A bandolier according to claim 9, wherein the strap is adjustable.

1 1. A bandolier having one or more first storage pockets on an outer surface and one or more second storage pockets on an inner surface.