Contoured Ballistic Vest Insert for Concealed Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective garments, such as vests, are often bulky, restrict movement, and difficult to conceal beneath clothing, posing challenges for users like law enforcement officers who need discreet protection.
Innovation Solution
A ballistic vest design featuring a shell with a contoured insert that mimics the user's body shape, including a concave bottom edge and lateral wings, made from lightweight, breathable, and elastic material, allowing full range of motion and concealment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional protective garments are used, then ballistic protection is provided, but the garments are bulky and difficult to conceal
Solution Approach 1:
The protective garment is divided into multiple functional layers: an outer shell layer, an intermediate conformal layer, and an inner ballistic insert layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while collectively reducing overall bulk compared to traditional single-layer designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The ballistic insert is nested within the shell structure, and the conformal layer is nested between the shell and insert. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and reduces the external volume of the garment while maintaining all protective functions.
2Reliability
If traditional protective garments are used, then ballistic protection is provided, but movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The shell and conformal layer are constructed from flexible materials that can stretch and move with the wearer's body. This flexibility maintains ballistic protection while allowing full range of motion, directly resolving the contradiction between protection and movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment incorporates dynamic elements including adjustable fastening systems and flexible structural components that adapt to the wearer's movements. The conformal layer dynamically conforms to body contours during movement, maintaining protection without restriction.
3Reliability
If traditional protective garments are used, then protection is provided, but the garments are difficult to conceal beneath clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The conformal layer is designed with varying thickness and density at different locations to match the underlying body contours. This local quality variation allows the garment to blend seamlessly with natural body shape, making it difficult to detect beneath clothing while maintaining adequate protection at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment incorporates curved and contoured surfaces that follow the natural curvature of the human body rather than flat or angular shapes. This curvature allows the protective garment to blend with body contours, improving concealment while maintaining protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective garment includes a shell and an insert. The insert includes a main body defining a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, and a bottom edge extending between the first lateral side and the second lateral side. The bottom edge includes a first lateral portion extending from the first lateral side, a second lateral portion extending from the second lateral side, and an intermediate portion defining a recess extending from a first end at the first lateral portion to a second end at the second lateral portion. At least one of the first end or the second end defines a convex transition with a respective one of the first lateral portion or the second lateral portion.