Concealed Weapon Pocket with Segmented Panel for Rapid Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articles of apparel that conceal weapons do not allow for rapid deployment while maintaining high concealment, posing a risk in emergency situations where speed is crucial.
Innovation Solution
An article of apparel with a concealed weapon pocket designed for easy access, featuring a first panel fixably secured to a main panel with hook-and-loop fasteners and snap fasteners, allowing a flap to be grasped and moved to release the upper portion of the pocket, facilitating rapid deployment of the weapon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the weapon is concealed underneath standard clothing or on the inside of the article of clothing to maximize concealment, then the degree of concealment is improved, but the speed of weapon deployment deteriorates due to requiring the wearer to reach inside or underneath clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion, with the upper portion being releasably secured to allow rapid access to the weapon while the lower portion remains fixably secured to maintain concealment. This segmentation enables the wearer to quickly expose only the necessary portion for weapon retrieval without fully exposing the entire front panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The front panel transitions from a static, fully secured structure to a dynamic structure where the upper portion can be rapidly deployed. The releasable fastening mechanism allows the panel to change state from concealed to accessible in response to emergency conditions, optimizing both concealment and deployment speed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the weapon is concealed on the inside of the article of clothing to maintain maximum concealment, then the degree of concealment is improved, but the reliability of rapid access deteriorates due to the risk of fumbling or snagging the weapon
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the front panel into releasable upper and fixed lower portions, the weapon storage area is accessible through a controlled opening rather than requiring full exposure. This segmentation provides a clear, unobstructed path for weapon retrieval that minimizes the risk of fumbling or snagging on surrounding fabric.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper portion of the front panel is extracted from the fully secured structure and made releasably secured, creating a dedicated access pathway that separates the weapon retrieval function from the concealment function, thereby improving reliability of access.
3Loss of time
If the front panel is fully releasably secured to allow rapid access, then the speed of weapon deployment is improved, but the concealment effectiveness deteriorates when the weapon is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel is segmented into upper and lower portions with different securing mechanisms. The lower portion remains fixably secured to maintain continuous concealment, while only the upper portion is releasably secured for rapid access when needed. This partial segmentation optimizes both concealment and deployment speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the front panel have different qualities: the lower portion maintains permanent fixation for concealment, while the upper portion has reversible fixation for accessibility. This local differentiation of securing mechanisms allows the structure to simultaneously achieve both concealment and rapid deployment.
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 design provides effective concealment while enabling rapid and reliable access to the weapon, minimizing structural interference and reducing the risk of accidental exposure or snagging, thus enhancing user safety in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
The front panel includes an upper portion that is releasably secured about its top edge and upper side edges to the main panel by hook-and-loop fasteners and snap fasteners
Implementation Method 2
The front panel includes an upper portion that is releasably secured about its top edge and upper side edges to the main panel by hook-and-loop fasteners and snap fasteners
Data Source
AI summary
An article of apparel includes a concealed weapon pocket positioned at a location on the article of apparel which allow for easy access by a user, such as a lower side portion of a coat or jacket, for example. The front panel includes an upper portion that is releasably secured about its top edge and upper side edges to the main panel, and a lower portion that is fixably secured about its bottom and lower side edges to the main panel. A flap associated with a front cargo pocket may be grasped by hand and moved in a generally forward and downward direction to expose the upper portion of the concealed weapon pocket. The user may then grasp and deploy a weapon disposed in the pocket with minimized structural interference from any portion of the pocket or surrounding apparel structure.