Body Armor Plate With Integrated Molle Slits and Hook Loop Backing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional body armor systems with internal pockets or pouches to support ballistic plates add significant bulk and weight, which is detrimental to military and law enforcement personnel.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a Molle compatible front covering with horizontal slits and a rear hook or loop pile fabric on the armor plate allows direct attachment of pouches and support straps, eliminating the need for a separate plate carrier and reducing overall weight and bulk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If internal pockets or pouches are used to support ballistic plates, then the plates are securely held, but significant bulk and weight are added to the wearer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplate supportVSAvoidarmor system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the plate support function directly into the ballistic plate by integrating a rear covering with hook or loop pile material. This eliminates the need for separate internal pockets or pouches, as the plate itself provides the attachment surface for support straps through the hook/loop mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ballistic plate is given multiple functions: it provides ballistic protection, serves as a mounting surface for Molle compatible pouches through horizontal slits, and provides attachment points for support straps through hook or loop pile material. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate carrier components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If internal pockets or pouches are used to support ballistic plates, then the plates are securely held, but significant bulk is added to the wearer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplate supportVSAvoidarmor system bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the plate support function directly into the ballistic plate by integrating a rear covering with hook or loop pile material. This eliminates the need for separate internal pockets or pouches, as the plate itself provides the attachment surface for support straps through the hook/loop mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ballistic plate is given multiple functions: it provides ballistic protection, serves as a mounting surface for Molle compatible pouches through horizontal slits, and provides attachment points for support straps through hook or loop pile material. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate carrier components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a separate plate carrier is used to attach pouches, then pouches are securely mounted, but the overall weight and bulk of the armor system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepouch attachmentVSAvoidarmor system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pouch attachment function directly into the ballistic plate by integrating horizontal slits in the front covering. This allows Molle compatible pouches to be attached directly to the plate itself, eliminating the need for a separate plate carrier structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ballistic plate is given multiple functions: it provides ballistic protection, serves as a mounting surface for Molle compatible pouches through horizontal slits, and provides attachment points for support straps through hook or loop pile material. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate carrier components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 personal armor system by enabling direct attachment of pouches and straps to the armor plate, enhancing mobility and comfort for wearers.

Implementation Method 1

a rear covering of hook or loop pile fabric material. The array of slits in the integral front cover of the armor plate allows Molle compatible pouches to be directly attached to the plate, thereby eliminating the need for a separate plate carrier or vest and greatly reduces overall weight and bulk of the personal armor system. In addition, the hook and/or loop pile material of the integral back covering of the armor plate itself allows support straps to be connected directly to the plate without additional support or carrier apparatus needed to hold the plates to a wearer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10551150B1Body armor plate

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 SEUK JO WON

AI summary

A body armor plate having an integral Molle compatible front covering that allows pouches and other Molle compatible accessories to be directly affixed to the plate. The armor plate includes a ballistic core, an integral front covering of durable fabric having a plurality of horizontal slits arranged in a Molle compatible array and a rear covering of hook or loop pile fabric material. The array of slits in the integral front cover of the armor plate allows Molle compatible pouches to be directly attached to the plate, thereby eliminating the need for a separate plate carrier or vest and greatly reduces the overall weight and bulk of the personal armor system. The hook and/or loop pile material of the integral back covering of the armor plate itself allows support straps to be connected directly to the plate without additional support or carrier apparatus needed to hold the plates to a wearer.