Armor Plate Carrier Weight Reduction via Integral Hook and Loop Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional body armor plate carriers are bulky and heavy due to the use of internal pockets or pouches to support ballistic plates, which is a hindrance in military and law enforcement applications where weight reduction is essential.
Innovation Solution
Integrating hook and loop fastener materials into the covering of ballistic plates allows direct attachment to corresponding fastener materials on the carrier apparatus, eliminating the need for internal pouches and reducing overall weight and bulk by enabling direct affixation with shoulder straps and cummerbunds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If internal pockets or pouches are used to support ballistic plates, then the plates are securely held in place, but the weight and bulk of the carrier system significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the internal pockets or pouches from the carrier system. Instead of using enclosed pouches to hold plates, the solution directly attaches plates to the carrier exterior using hook-and-loop fasteners, removing the unnecessary bulk and weight of internal storage compartments while maintaining secure plate retention
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the plate retention function directly into the carrier structure by integrating hook-and-loop fastening systems. The plates are directly affixed to the carrier body through complementary fastener surfaces, combining the support and retention functions into a unified, streamlined structure that eliminates separate pouch components
2Reliability
If internal pockets or pouches are used to support ballistic plates, then the plates are securely held in place, but the bulk and volume of the carrier system significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the internal pockets or pouches from the carrier system. Instead of using enclosed pouches to hold plates, the solution directly attaches plates to the carrier exterior using hook-and-loop fasteners, removing the unnecessary bulk and volume of internal storage compartments while maintaining secure plate retention
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the plate retention function directly into the carrier structure by integrating hook-and-loop fastening systems. The plates are directly affixed to the carrier body through complementary fastener surfaces, combining the support and retention functions into a unified, streamlined structure that eliminates separate pouch components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional cloth outer covering is used on ballistic plates, then the plates are protected and comfortable, but additional weight and bulk are added through enclosed pouches
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the protective covering and fastening functions into a single integrated component. The cloth outer covering of the ballistic plate incorporates hook-or-loop fastener material directly into it, combining protection, comfort, and attachment capabilities in one element, thereby eliminating the need for separate enclosed pouches that would add weight
Solution Approach 2:
The cloth outer covering serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides protection for the ballistic plate, ensures wearer comfort through soft contact, and enables direct attachment to the carrier via integrated fastener material. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall system weight
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces the weight and bulk of the armor plate carrier system, enhancing mobility and comfort for wearers by eliminating the need for internal pouches and allowing for a more streamlined, minimalist design.
Implementation Method 1
body armor plates having an integral hook and loop covering that allows the plates to directly affix to a mating garment fabric
Data Source
AI summary
Individual body armor plates have an integral hook and/or loop pile coverings that allow the plates to directly affix to the mating hook and loop material of the plate carrier apparatus. The use of hook and loop fastener materials to directly affix and support the armor plates to the carrier apparatus eliminates the need for enclosed internal pouches or pockets, thereby greatly reducing overall weight and bulk of the armor plate carrier system. Integrating hook and loop fastener materials into the covering of armor plates also allows the armor plates to be suspended for a wearer with only shoulder straps, harnesses and cummerbunds having corresponding hook and look fastener materials.