Asymmetric Hook-and-Dee Closure for Firefighter Coats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firefighter protective coats have closure systems that limit movement and comfort due to the dimensions of fasteners and flaps, which are not adequately compact for efficient use.
Innovation Solution
A compact closure assembly for firefighter protective coats featuring asymmetric hook-and-dee pairs with specific wing configurations and attachment holes, along with fire-retardant flaps, to enhance mobility and comfort while maintaining compliance with fire safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fasteners and flaps are used in firefighter protective coats, then the closure system provides adequate protection, but the dimensions of fasteners and flaps limit firefighter movement and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The closure assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: hooks with asymmetric bases, dees with longitudinal bases, and separate flaps for covering. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall dimensions while maintaining protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook base is designed with asymmetric upper and lower wings that project strictly on top and bottom sides of the hooking piece. This asymmetric configuration reduces the lateral footprint of the fastener, minimizing the width of the border area needed and improving firefighter comfort and mobility.
2Reliability
If larger fasteners and flaps are used to ensure adequate coverage and protection, then protection is improved, but the closure assembly becomes bulkier and limits movement
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric base of the hook has upper and lower wings that extend only in the vertical direction (top and bottom sides), confining the footprint area within the border area width. This local quality optimization provides adequate coverage vertically while minimizing lateral extension, reducing the overall closure assembly footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection function is achieved primarily through vertical extension of the wings and longitudinal base rather than lateral expansion. By shifting the protective coverage to the vertical dimension, the horizontal footprint is minimized, allowing tighter closure assembly dimensions without sacrificing protective reliability.
3Ease of operation
If compact closure assembly is implemented to improve comfort and mobility, then movement freedom is improved, but the design complexity of fastener configurations increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the asymmetric base design adds structural complexity, it eliminates the need for larger symmetric fasteners and extensive flap material. The asymmetric configuration with wings projecting only on top and bottom sides creates a more efficient space utilization, reducing overall assembly complexity in terms of material requirements and simplifying the closure mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If smaller border area width is used to reduce material and improve comfort, then comfort is improved, but the attachment and securing of fasteners becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener attachment system is segmented into multiple attachment holes distributed across the asymmetric base and longitudinal base. This segmentation allows the fastener to be securely attached within a compact border area, distributing the attachment points to ensure adequate securing without requiring excessive border width.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a firefighter protective coat including an outer shell and a plurality of hook-and-dee pairs. The outer shell has left and right front panels and a closable front opening. The left and right front panels have a border area extending along the front opening and includes a closure flap foldable over the border area. Each hook-and-dee pair includes a hook and a dee. The hook includes a hooking piece extending across a width of the border area and an asymmetric base fastened to coat panel. The asymmetric base includes upper and lower wings projecting strictly on top and bottom sides of the hooking piece. The dee is affixed to another coat panel and is in alignment with the corresponding hook. The dee includes a ring engageable with the hooking piece and a longitudinal base fastened to the corresponding coat panel and extending parallelly to the front opening.