Deltoid Arm Protection System for Ballistic Vests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ballistic vests are inadequate in protecting the upper arm and armpit areas from projectile penetration, as existing bicep devices fail to provide consistent coverage due to arm movement and often cause excessive heat buildup.
Innovation Solution
A deltoid arm protection system integrated into the ballistic vest, featuring contoured deltoid and optional bicep covers made of flexible high-tensile fabric and fiber-reinforced plastic, attached via loops and straps to ensure continuous protection and reduce heat buildup, with articulation to accommodate arm movement and accessory attachment points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bicep device is incorporated to protect the deltoid area, then protection coverage is improved, but the device fails to provide consistent protection when arms move and creates excessive heat build-up
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is divided into separate modular components: a ballistic vest for torso protection and detachable deltoid arm covers for shoulder protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the arm covers can be made from lighter, more breathable materials while maintaining protection, reducing overall heat build-up while preserving protection coverage consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The deltoid arm covers are designed with flexible, contoured shapes that dynamically adapt to arm movement. The covers incorporate elastic materials and strategic cutouts that maintain coverage consistency during various arm positions while improving breathability and reducing heat accumulation compared to rigid traditional designs.
2Strength
If added protective layers are incorporated to increase protection against higher threat levels, then resistance to projectile penetration is improved, but weight and inflexibility of the vest increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing protection across the entire vest, the patent applies enhanced protective layers selectively to specific high-threat areas. The deltoid arm covers and strategic vest zones receive additional ballistic protection while other areas use lighter materials, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio and maintaining flexibility in non-critical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining multiple layers of different materials - aramid fibers, plastic fibers, and resin matrices - to achieve high ballistic protection. These composite structures provide superior strength and penetration resistance per unit weight compared to single-material constructions, reducing overall vest weight while maintaining protection levels.
3Ease of operation
If lighter and more flexible materials are used to reduce weight and improve comfort, then flexibility and comfort are improved, but backface deformation increases upon projectile impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the ballistic materials - adjusting fiber density, layer thickness, and material composition ratios - to optimize the balance between flexibility and impact performance. By carefully controlling these parameters, the vest maintains light weight and flexibility for comfort while achieving sufficient rigidity to limit backface deformation within acceptable thresholds.
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 deltoid arm protection system effectively prevents projectile penetration in the shoulder and armpit areas while maintaining flexibility and comfort, ensuring consistent coverage and reducing heat buildup, thereby enhancing the overall protective capabilities of the vest.
Implementation Method 1
the high energy absorption properties of the fabric material
Implementation Method 2
an array of plastic fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resinous matrix
Data Source
AI summary
A deltoid arm protection system for a ballistic vest including an asymmetrical anatomically shaped deltoid cover having fasteners for attachment to a ballistic vest. The deltoid cover is connected to the vest and prevents any gaps forming between the deltoid cover and the vest during arm movement of the wearer. The deltoid cover includes a weapon gripping pad and attachment loops on an outer surface of the deltoid cover.