Weapon Sling With Integral Connectors for Snag-Resistant Power and Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weapon slings struggle with connecting electronic devices on weapons to those worn on the user's body, as cable connections tend to snag and are easily damaged, necessitating a robust communication connector system.
Innovation Solution
A weapon sling with an elongate hollow flexible element containing electrical conductors for detachable coupling between a weapon and a user-worn hub, featuring breakaway mechanisms and locking mechanisms to secure connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable connections are used to connect electronics on the weapon with electronics worn on the user's body, then communication and power transfer between devices is enabled, but the cables tend to snag and are easily damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cable connection function with the weapon sling structure itself. The electrical conductors are integrated into the sling strap, merging the support function with the communication connection function into a single unified structure, thereby eliminating the need for separate vulnerable cable connections
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conductors are nested within the hollow flexible element of the sling strap. This nesting protects the conductors from external damage while maintaining flexibility and mobility, allowing the connection to withstand operational conditions without snagging or breaking
2Reliability
If a rigid cable connection is used to ensure stable electrical coupling, then reliable power and data transfer is achieved, but the connection restricts freedom of movement of the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible hollow element as the outer structure of the sling, which contains the electrical conductors. This flexible shell allows the sling to bend and move with the user's body while maintaining the integrity of the electrical connection, thus preserving both reliability and freedom of movement
Solution Approach 2:
The sling strap is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the user's movements rather than rigid. The electrical conductors within the hollow element can accommodate bending and stretching motions, allowing the connection to remain stable while the user moves freely during operation
3Ease of operation
If detachable connector assemblies are used to allow easy connection and disconnection, then operational flexibility is improved, but the connection point becomes more vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assemblies are integrated into the robust sling structure with protective features built in before any damage can occur. The hollow flexible element and locking mechanisms are designed to protect the connection points from snagging and damage during normal operation, providing beforehand protection against the very risks that detachable connections typically face
Data Source
AI summary
A weapon sling includes a strap having first and second free ends and defining a main branch between the first and second free ends. The strap member is formed of an elongate hollow flexible, e.g., textile, element. A loop branch attached to the main branch is configured to be looped around a user's body. First and second connector assemblies are secured to the respective first and second free ends. The first connector assembly is for detachable coupling to a weapon connector on the weapon. The second connector assembly is for detachable coupling to a hub connector on a hub worn by the user. A plurality of electrical conductors extend within the elongate hollow flexible element for electrically coupling electrical contacts on the first connector assembly with electrical contacts on the second connector assembly for providing communications between a host computer on the weapon and the hub.