Collapsible Ballistic Armor With Hinged Panels And Gravity Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current body armor systems are difficult to store, take too long to put on, and do not provide full protection against indiscriminate shooting due to their attempt to conform to the human body, resulting in gaps and delayed deployment.
Innovation Solution
A compact collapsible ballistic body armor system that deploys in seconds, featuring hinged rectangular panels that drape from the neck, forming a rectangular prismatic configuration under gravity, with a hook and loop release system for rapid deployment and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If body armor systems conform to the odd shape of the human body, then they can be worn comfortably, but they leave large gaps or windows of space through which bullets can pass
Solution Approach 1:
The body armor is divided into multiple rectangular panels (front panel, back panel, side panels) that can be independently positioned to cover different body areas. This segmentation allows each panel to maintain a simple rectangular shape for full coverage while collectively providing complete body protection without gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional form-fitting panels to three-dimensional rectangular panels that extend beyond the body surface. These panels create a volumetric protective space that encompasses the entire body, eliminating gaps that would exist with flat conforming panels.
2Ease of operation
If body armor systems are designed to fit around body contours (e.g., groin area), then they can be worn, but deployment takes minutes which is too long for immediate threats
Solution Approach 1:
The rectangular panels are pre-configured in a collapsed state where they are stacked or folded together in a compact arrangement. This preliminary configuration allows the armor to be quickly deployed by simply unfolding or expanding the panels, eliminating the time-consuming process of fitting and adjusting form-fitting panels to body contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The body armor incorporates movable connections between panels that allow rapid transition from a compact stored state to a deployed protective state. This dynamic design enables the armor to adapt its configuration quickly, transforming from a small package to full-body coverage in seconds rather than minutes.
3Ease of operation
If body armor uses form-fitting shapes to conform to the body, then they can be worn, but they are more expensive and heavier to produce
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire armor system complex to achieve body conformity, the invention applies simplicity locally to each panel while achieving global coverage through proper arrangement. Each rectangular panel maintains uniform thickness and material properties, avoiding the need for variable shaping that would increase weight and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the armor panels from irregular form-fitting shapes to standardized rectangular dimensions. This parameter simplification reduces manufacturing complexity, material usage, and overall weight while maintaining protective effectiveness through proper panel arrangement and spacing.
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
The system provides superior protection by covering the entire body quickly, is cheaper and lighter to produce than form-fitting systems, and offers greater ballistic resistance with stronger and more modular design.
Implementation Method 1
gravity driven deployment, through a hook and loop release system, results in a rectangular prismatic configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible ballistic body armor system having a linear arrangement of two to four armor panels in a deployment condition defining a rectangular prism array of armor panels shielding the front of the user. Each adjacent armor panel is interconnected along their respective edges by a hinge connection so that the collapsible ballistic body armor system is movable between the deployment condition and a folded position. In the deployment condition, a cover panel pivotably attached to each armor panel pivots to cover a gap between each adjacent armor panel. The system provides a neck strap from which initial deployment may be achieved under the urging of gravity.