Protective Bridge for Recoil Impact Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chest and shoulder protectors for firearm users only reduce the discomfort from recoil impulses, failing to completely eliminate the impact on specific areas such as pacemakers or injured ribs, which can still be susceptible to damage from recoil forces.
Innovation Solution
A protective bridge with a rigid body and adjustable harness, featuring pads and a seat, designed to distribute the recoil force across a larger area, including a raised structural feature for additional support, to specifically protect sensitive torso regions from impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If impulse distributing pads are used to reduce discomfort from recoil, then comfort is improved, but protection of specific sensitive areas from impact is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is divided into multiple functional segments: a rigid body portion for structural support and impulse distribution, and separate pads for cushioning. This segmentation allows the rigid body to handle the primary impact force while the pads provide localized cushioning, thereby protecting sensitive areas more effectively than a single soft pad design
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device combines different material properties in a composite structure: a rigid material for the body portion to distribute impact forces, and softer padding materials for cushioning sensitive areas. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of impulse distribution and targeted protection of vulnerable body parts
2Ease of operation
If soft padding is added to absorb energy and mute recoil impulse, then discomfort is reduced, but the rigid structure needed to hold the firearm securely is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the structural function (rigid body) from the cushioning function (pads). The rigid body maintains the necessary strength to securely hold the firearm and distribute impact forces, while the attached pads provide energy absorption and comfort. This functional segmentation resolves the contradiction between rigidity and cushioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the rigid body and pads into a single integrated protective device where the rigid body provides the structural framework and the pads are positioned to cushion specific areas. This combination allows the device to simultaneously provide structural support and comfort, resolving the trade-off between these two requirements
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
Effectively reduces the impact of recoil on sensitive areas, providing enhanced protection for users with implants or injuries, while maintaining rigidity to securely hold a firearm during use.
Implementation Method 1
distributes the impulse to a larger surface area, thereby reducing the effect of a more finite impulse area
Implementation Method 2
adding energy absorbing padding that also contributes to muting the impulse of recoil from a firearm
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for protecting a torso. The apparatus includes a generally planar rigid body having a first end and a second end, pads affixed near the first end and second end of the rigid body that face the torso, and a harness attached to the body that holds the protector in a desired location near the torso. The body forms a bridge between the pads to protect a portion of the torso from an impact.