Quick Release Vest Buckle Assembly for Emergency Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional military vests are cumbersome and difficult to quickly release during emergency situations, especially when loaded with accessories, which can hinder efficiency and pose a risk to the wearer's safety.
Innovation Solution
A quickly releasable vest design featuring a plug-and-socket mechanism with a quick release mechanism, including a pull cord and connecting tapes, allows for easy detachment with minimal hand motion while preventing accidental release, and incorporates bullet-resistant armor for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional buckles are used to connect vest parts, then strong connection is provided, but separation requires complex two-handed operation which is inconvenient in emergency conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a first buckle half with a release portion, and a second buckle half with a corresponding release portion. Each half can be independently manipulated, allowing one-handed operation where one release portion is held stationary while the other is moved to disengage the locking mechanism, enabling rapid separation without requiring two-handed coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The buckle mechanism incorporates a self-releasing feature where movement of one release portion automatically triggers the disengagement of the locking mechanism. The design allows the buckle to self-release when one release portion is moved relative to the other, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation and enabling instant separation with minimal user input during emergencies.
2Reliability
If traditional buckles are used, then secure connection is achieved, but accidental release cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle assembly incorporates preliminary locking action where the release portions are designed to require deliberate, coordinated movement to disengage. The locking mechanism maintains a pre-engaged state where accidental movements (such as bumps or unintended contact) are insufficient to trigger release, while intentional activation of one release portion relative to the other reliably disengages the lock.
3Reliability
If vest is made heavy with accessories for military operations, then protection and functionality are improved, but quick separation during emergency becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle assembly incorporates dynamic release portions that can be actively manipulated to change the state of the locking mechanism. The release portions are designed to transition from a locked static state to an unlocked state through deliberate movement, allowing the heavy vest with accessories to remain securely attached during normal operations while enabling rapid separation when one release portion is actively moved during an emergency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A quickly releasable vest capable of protecting a torso portion of a user is disclosed. The quickly releasable vest includes a self locking buckle assembly, a ferrule, an elongated strip, and a socket member. The self locking buckle assembly comprises a wedge fork with a base portion and a body portion, the base portion comprising a security means for webbing and the body portion comprising a pair of legs and a ferrule guide member. The ferrule is adapted to be slidingly disposed on the ferrule guide member. A proximal end portion of the strip is connected to a tape guide member of the ferrule. An opening on the socket member facilitates removably retaining and locking of a prong on each of the pair of legs. The wedge fork, ferrule, and elongated strip Is disposed on a torso panel and the socket member is disposed on the other torso panel.