ADJUSTABLE STRETCH MOLLE CUMMERBUND RETENTION SYSTEM (ASMCRS)
An armor plate carrier cummerbund attachment mechanism that is stretchable, adjustable, and or removable. The attachment mechanism allows a plate carrier to be adjusted for size without interfering with the functionality of a MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load carrying Equipment) field.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/270,318 filed Oct. 21, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELDThis disclosure is directed to an attachment mechanism for an armor plate carrier cummerbund. This disclosure is specifically directed to an attachment mechanism that is stretchable, adjustable, and removable. The attachment mechanism may allow a plate carrier to be adjusted for size without interfering with the functionality of a MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load carrying Equipment) field.
BACKGROUNDThe use of armor plate carriers by military and law enforcement personnel is a common practice for protection against the many kinetic threats faced in the line of duty and to carry various life-saving tools in the field. By its very nature, military and law enforcement work requires armor plate carriers, where the work takes place in a variety of environmental conditions which are beyond the control of the end-user, while requiring many different types of clothing that vary in thickness, warmth, and breathability. The composition of military and law enforcement forces is as varied as the populations from which they come, generating great variation in the shapes and sizes of the people who make up the forces. The combination of varied climates and body types creates a need for armor plate carriers to be adjustable. However, this adjustability cannot interfere with the functionality of the MOLLE (e.g., a load carriage system used for carrying additional equipment).
A variety of adjustable armor plate carrier cummerbunds exist today. Some interface with the internal body-facing side of an armor plate carrier, creating a bumpy and uncomfortable surface against which the body rests. For example,
A significant improvement is desired for an adjustable attachment mechanism for armor plate carrier cummerbunds that a) alleviates the discomfort caused by direct contact between the cummerbund attachment interface and the body of the wearer (as is the case with an interior attachment mechanism 100), b) eliminates interference with exterior MOLLE attachment points (as is the case with an exterior attachment mechanism 200), and c) enhances the wearer's comfort and physiological performance by reducing unnecessary weight and increasing ventilation and drainage.
SUMMARYOne or more embodiments provide an armor plate carrier cummerbund attachment mechanism that is stretchable, adjustable, and or removable. The attachment mechanism may allow a plate carrier to be adjusted for size without interfering with the functionality of a MOLLE field.
In one or more embodiments, an adjustable cummerbund retention system is provided. The system is configured to attach a cummerbund to an armor plate carrier. The system comprises an anchor component with a plurality of perforations, wherein the anchor component is configured to be retained within a body of the armor plate carrier. The system also comprises a plurality of retention loops formed by passing retention cord through the plurality of perforations, the retention loops being configured to be attached to corresponding portions of a cummerbund to attach the cummerbund to the armor plate carrier.
In one or more embodiments, a method of attaching a cummerbund to an armored plate carrier is provided. The method comprises retaining, within a body of the armor plate carrier, an anchor component with a plurality of perforations. The method also comprises forming, a plurality of retention loops by passing retention cord through the plurality of perforations. The method further comprises attaching, to the retention loops, corresponding portions of a cummerbund to attach the cummerbund to the armor plate carrier.
In one or more embodiments, an adjustable retention system is provided. The system is configured to attach a strap to a human wearable. The system comprises an anchor component with a plurality of perforations, wherein the anchor component is configured to be retained within a body of the human wearable. The system also comprises a plurality of retention loops formed by passing retention cord through the plurality of perforations, the retention loops being configured to be attached to corresponding portions of a strap to attach the strap to the human wearable.
The disclosed embodiments of an Adjustable Stretch MOLLE Cummerbund Retention System (ASMCRS) provides a mechanism by which the user can adjust the cummerbund of its armor plate carrier for body shape, size, and or weather conditions, as desired. The ASMCRS allows air and water to drain through it, while providing stretch to maintain a secure fit without restricting breathing and movement, and also to accommodate various types and thicknesses of clothing worn underneath the armor plate carrier. The ASMCRS's stretch also reduces the stress placed on the armor plates themselves. Repeated stress caused by an excessively tight cummerbund is known to degrade the ballistic performance of ceramic armor plates widely used by military and law enforcement personnel. As further discussed below, the cummerbund may be mounted to a side of a plate bag that contains the armor plate. Air flow is important for military and law enforcement personnel because the nature of body armor retains body heat and moisture, which can lead to decreased physiological work capacity, heat injuries, or even death. Drainage is important because many military and law enforcement applications are strenuous (significant sweat volume generated) and involve working in and around bodies of water. Poor drainage can lead to excess weight retention, which significantly increases risk in and around the water while increasing fatigue and the risk of temperature-related injury when outside of the water. Excessive moisture retention around the body can also cause abrasions and sores that can lead to serious infections and hinder performance in high threat environments.
The disclosed embodiments center around several design elements. One embodiment of an ASMCRS shown is made from a laser cut fiber-reinforced polymer composite. Another disclosed embodiment is made from an additively manufactured polymer. However, other materials may be used such as, but not limited to, plastics, polymers, composites, metals, metal alloys, aluminum, carbon fiber, and or titanium. The ASMCRS may be manufactured by one or more of various processes including but not limited to molding, machining, die-cutting, stamping, laser cutting, and additive manufacturing. The dimensions of the illustrated embodiments are 7.25″ long and ¾″ wide. These are just example dimensions, and any other dimensions are within the scope of this disclosure.
Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments are discussed in the example context of being used with an armored plate carrier. It should be appreciated that the embodiments and principals disclosed herein are equally applicable to other types of applications such as e.g., providing side straps for chest rigs and or any other type of garment worn on a human body. Therefore, any type of application to retain human wearables based on the principles disclosed herein should be considered within the scope of this disclosure.
In addition, in one or more embodiments, the attachment method using the ASMCRS preserves the MOLLE field on the outside or inside of the armor plate carrier.
Therefore, one or more embodiments overcome the technical problems with existing systems. The ASMCRS system with the anchor component (e.g., anchor component 300 as described above) and the retention loops (e.g., retention loops 604 as described above) allows for an adjustable, flexible, and stretchable Cummerbund retention mechanism that interfaces with a plate carrier in a manner that minimizes direct contact with the wearer's body at the interior of the carrier and does not occupy or interfere with attachment points at the exterior of the carrier. This configuration reduces overall weight and substantially increases ventilation and drainage to reduce the retention of heat and moisture around the body of the wearer and thereby improve the wearer's comfort and physiological performance.
It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed above are just examples to illustrate various principles of the invention. These embodiments therefore non-limiting. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims below.
Claims
1. An adjustable cummerbund retention system configured to attach a cummerbund to an armor plate carrier, the system comprising:
- an anchor component with a plurality of perforations, wherein the anchor component is configured to be retained within a body of the armor plate carrier; and
- a plurality of retention loops formed by passing retention cord through the plurality of perforations, the retention loops being configured to be attached to corresponding portions of the cummerbund to attach the cummerbund to the armor plate carrier.
2. The adjustable cummerbund retention system of claim 1, wherein the anchor component is made of at least one of polymer, composite, metal, or metal alloy.
3. The adjustable cummerbund retention system of claim 1, wherein the anchor component is made from an additively manufactured polymer.
4. The adjustable cummerbund retention system of claim 1, wherein the anchor component is made from a molded polymer.
5. The adjustable cummerbund retention system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of perforations are linearly arranged.
6. The adjustable cummerbund retention system of claim 1, wherein the anchor component has a flat form factor.
7. The adjustable cummerbund retention system of claim 1, wherein the anchor component has a curved cross section in at least one dimension.
8. The adjustable cummerbund retention system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of retention loops are configured to be accessible to the corresponding portions of the cummerbund through a plurality of ports in the armor plate carrier.
9. The adjustable cummerbund retention system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of retention loops are configured to control sizes of corresponding portions of the cummerbund.
10. The adjustable cummerbund retention system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of retention loops are configured to be adjustable.
11. The adjustable cummerbund retention system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of retention loops are configured to be elastic.
12. A method of attaching a cummerbund to an armored plate carrier, the method comprising:
- retaining, within a body of the armor plate carrier, an anchor component with a plurality of perforations;
- forming, a plurality of retention loops by passing retention cord through the plurality of perforations; and
- attaching, to the retention loops, corresponding portions of the cummerbund to attach the cummerbund to the armor plate carrier.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
- accessing the plurality of retention loops to attach the corresponding portions of the cummerbund through a plurality of ports in the armor plate carrier.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
- controlling sizes of corresponding portions of the cummerbund using the plurality of retention loops.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
- adjusting the plurality of retention loops for attaching the plurality of retention loops to the corresponding portions of the cummerbund.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
- stretching the plurality of retention loops for attaching the plurality of retention loops to the corresponding portions of the cummerbund.
17. An adjustable retention system configured to attach a strap to a human wearable, the system comprising:
- an anchor component with a plurality of perforations, wherein the anchor component is configured to be retained within a body of the human wearable; and
- a plurality of retention loops formed by passing retention cord through the plurality of perforations, the retention loops being configured to be attached to corresponding portions of the strap to attach the strap to the human wearable.
18. The adjustable retention system of claim 17, wherein the anchor component is made of at least one of polymer, composite, metal, or metal alloy.
19. The adjustable retention system of claim 17, wherein the anchor component has a flat form factor.
20. The adjustable retention system of claim 17, wherein the anchor component has a curved cross section in at least one dimension.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 20, 2022
Publication Date: Apr 27, 2023
Applicant: QORE Performance, Inc. (Sterling, VA)
Inventor: Douglas Mattingly KIESTER (Sterling, VA)
Application Number: 18/048,100