Quick Release Closure for Body Armor Simultaneous Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body armor systems require the release of multiple buckles or closures, making it difficult to remove the armor quickly, especially when the user is moving or in water, and often necessitate the use of both hands.
Innovation Solution
A closure system with a main body, a locking mechanism, and fastening elements that can be secured and released with a single pull on an actuator, allowing all fastening elements to be simultaneously released from the locking mechanism, facilitating quick removal of body armor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple buckles or closures are used to secure body armor sections, then the armor can be securely fastened, but the time and complexity required to remove the armor increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate buckle mechanisms are merged into a single integrated locking mechanism that controls all fastening elements simultaneously. The locking mechanism includes a central post with multiple engagement pins that can engage or disengage from all fastening elements in one action, eliminating the need to operate multiple independent buckles.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple engagement pins connected to a central post, allowing the system to maintain secure fastening of multiple armor sections while enabling simultaneous release through a single actuating device. Each pin can independently engage a fastening element, but all are controlled by one actuator.
2Reliability
If multiple buckles or closures are used to secure body armor sections, then the armor can be securely fastened, but the difficulty of operation increases especially when moving or in water
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple buckle operations are merged into a single actuating action. The actuating device is connected to the central post such that one pull or push movement simultaneously engages or disengages all engagement pins from all fastening elements, making operation simple even when moving or in water.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage multiple fastening elements when the actuator is pushed, and to automatically release all fastening elements when the actuator is pulled. The spring-loaded engagement pins self-engage with the fastening elements without requiring precise manual alignment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent buckles are used, then each section can be secured independently, but the system requires both hands to operate and cannot be released with a single action
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple independent buckle functions into a single locking mechanism with a central post and multiple engagement pins. All pins are connected to the central post, which is actuated by a single actuating device, allowing one-handed operation to secure or release all armor sections simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism serves multiple functions: it can securely fasten multiple armor sections independently through separate engagement pins, yet can also release all sections simultaneously through a single actuating action. The actuating device provides universal control over all fastening elements.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A closure system (10) has a main body (11) having a hollow cavity, a locking mechanism (20) slidably disposed within the cavity, and a plurality of fastening elements (30). The locking mechanism (20) is formed of a central post (21), a plurality of engagement pins (23) connected to the central post (21), and an actuator (22), such that pulling the actuator (22) causes the locking mechanism (20 ) to move between a locked and unlocked position. Each fastening element (30) has an aperture for connecting to the locking mechanism (20) by inserting the fastening element (30) into the cavity while the locking mechanism (20) is in the unlocked position, and then pushing the actuator (22) to slide the locking mechanism (20) into the locked position. All of the fastening elements (30) can then be released simultaneously from the locking mechanism (20) by pulling the actuator (22) to slide the locking mechanism (20) from the locked position to the unlocked position.