Technical Field

The invention is related to a tactical uniform lock design which is used in tactical uniform locks such as steel vests, tactical bags, and tactical belts, etc. used to protect the user and which is easily attached and detached.

The State of the Art

The use of bulletproof tactical uniforms used for protection today dates back to ancient times in human history. In the first years of human history, both the shelter and nutritional needs of the people clustered in different parts of the world, and their desire to conquer new land paved the way for the use of tools, equipment, and clothing for self-protection. Armors, helmets, hard hats, etc. can be given as examples.

In the following years, with the use of firearms, a need for more effective protection equipment has arisen to minimize the damages from factors such as bullets that can cause injury and loss of life. As the protection equipment and firearms develop, the development process of the developed equipment will continue as well, to protect from these factors.

The helmet uniform, which was frequently used as personal protective equipment in wars and invasions in the primitive years was replaced by a steel vest made of Kevlar material with the use of motor vehicles and the use and spreading of firearms that have a high destructive rate. Kevlar material has a filamentous structure that consists of fibers that can withstand very high tensile stress. High tensile-resistant fibers can retain the lead with the condition of flexibility.

Steel vests are used as protective equipment in situations such as operations, undercover missions, etc. by law enforcement in Turkey and around the world, they can also be used by civilians for the same purpose in certain situations. During the wearing of the steel vest, some velcro fasteners that allow the vest to fit the body and the adjustment of tightness are used. Today, these velcro fasteners have different uses. When the vest is passed over the top of the head and worn, it is ensured that the vest wraps around the body by joining the velcro fasteners on the right and left sides. In some cases, this manner of use may cause the velcro to open, reducing the protection rate of the user and increasing the danger to life.

Some lock systems have been developed to prevent the above-mentioned situations. The locking systems developed to provide maximum protection by fixing the velcro fastener with a snap-on system for the velcro fasteners to be joined on the right and left sides can be given as an example. It has been observed that the plug-in system used in the developed lock systems can also come off during mobility during use. This may increase the risk of endangering the user’s life.

The design application registered in the Turkish Patent and Trademark database under the application number 2008/04697 can be an example of the ballistic vests known and widely used in the present art. Within this structure; after the steel vest is worn, the male and female connections formed at the ends of the belt cords/bands are placed inside each other and the connection is fixed.

This structure is widely used today for many different tactical uniforms such as ballistic vests, assault vests, etc.

This type of lock mechanism may be insufficient considering the intended use of tactical uniforms. Since tactical uniforms are created for use in military/police operations, the locks used in this type of uniform are also expected to meet certain functions for this type of activity.

For example, it is important in operational conditions that the lock mechanisms used in tactical uniforms can be easily attached and detached.

Again, it will be an important advantage for the user that the connection created by the lock can often be released manually without the user making visual contact with the lock. The lock mechanism providing the above-mentioned conditions will be advantageous, especially during armed conflict, and it will significantly reduce the preparation time of the personnel in case of an emergency.

Similarly, an easy-to-release lock connection will provide a significant advantage in situations such as giving first aid to the injured user or removing the vest during a rescue operation.

On the other hand, tactical uniforms can often be used to have a certain weight. For example, assault vests can be used to carry additional elements such as weapons, magazines, bullets, bombs, etc. It is expected that the structure of the lock mechanism to be used during the transportation of such loads will lift these loads by providing a durable connection.

Again, as explained above, it may be possible to open such locks independent of the user’s will after they wear the tactical uniform.

The conventional lock mechanisms shown in the images from application TR 2008/04697 are insufficient in meeting these needs.

The utility model application CN214483419 (U) describes a buckle structure that can be used especially for tactical vests. It is understood that the said lock mechanism consists of two parts with a connection area to connect to the connecting cords of the vest. By connecting these two parts, the cords belonging to the tactical vest are tied and the vest is fixed on the user.

However, the structure created is not an easily attached lock mechanism. For example, it is difficult for the user to attach and detach the lock manually without making visual contact.

Again, the complexity of the lock structure described in the patent application may create a disadvantage in terms of both production and use.

The patent application numbered EP3165119, on the other hand, specifically mentions a lock mechanism that can be used for an object that can be worn on the body, for example, a steel vest. The lock mechanism again consists of two reciprocal parts with areas for connecting the cords/bands. The locking can be achieved by associating these two reciprocal parts with each other. In this embodiment, locking is achieved by placing the channels and protrusions formed within the reciprocal parts horizontally to each other. The user must find the channels of the parts, drive the protrusions in these channels and lock the two parts. It is not possible to make such a connection easily by hand without the user making visual contact.

Problems Aimed to be solved by the Invention

The object of the invention is to create a tactical uniform lock that allows easy/fast attachment/detachment that can be opened by itself in undesired situations, can eliminate the insufficiencies in terms of the danger of injury to the user and provides a durable connection under load.

The tactical uniform lock of the invention can provide the fast and easy attachment needed especially for military purposes. The user can connect the two parts by means of the center parts and lock these parts by rotating them in a single movement on each other's axis.

It is aimed that the locking mechanism, which consists of 2 interlocking parts, does not open even in situations that threaten the user's life during the use of the product. Thereby, the continuity of the life safety of the user will be ensured.

This system, which also has an easy and fast attaching feature, allows quick use in emergencies. The fact that it can be easily removed even with one hand when not in use provides ease of removal for the user.

This easy and fast locking structure allows manual locking/unlocking even when the user does not see the lock. Especially at the time of conflict etc., in cases where a quick connection is required by hand without visual contact, the user will be able to grasp and assemble the center parts with their hand and then turn the parts on the center part axis and lock the pieces without making visual contact.

The lock system designed to be used in harsh weather conditions can operate smoothly without being affected by negative external factors such as rain, mud, sand, dust, sawdust, and leaves. The embodiment of the invention allows the creation of a lock mechanism that provides a strong connection under load without creating complex parts. This will both enable the product to be produced without the need for high production costs and reduce the possibility of frequent failures that can be created by complex structures during operation.

The usage area of this system, which allows for accessories such as belts and bags to be fixed and carried in addition to the steel vest, is also very wide.

Description of the Figures

Figure 1. The view of the demounted lock mechanism

Figure 2. The front view of the mounted lock mechanism

Figure 3. The rear view of the mounted lock mechanism

Description of the References in the Figures

1. Primary part

2. Secondary part

3. Band connection area

4. Central connection protrusion

5. Central connection gap

6. Lock bolt

7. Bolt locking housing

8. Rope connection element

9. Lock latch

10. Lock latch housing

11. Lock latch fixing part

12. S econdary 1 ock 1 atch

13. S econdary 1 ock 1 atch gap

Description of the Invention The invention is related to the tactical uniform lock used in tactical uniform locks such as steel vests, tactical bags, and tactical belts, having the feature of being easily attached and detached, which can be locked by connecting a primary part (1) comprising at least one band connection area (3) to connect at least one band and a secondary part (2) comprising at least one band connection area (3) to connect at least one band, and which can be unlocked by separating of these parts.

The band connection area (3) mentioned above is comprised of the parts on the right and left sides of the tactical uniform such as steel vests, where the bands that allow the tactical uniform to fit on the user's body are passed. The tactical uniform is fixed by these bands and plays an important role in protecting life safety by wrapping the user's body.

The tactical uniform lock, which also contributes to the fastening process in the use of tactical bags, plays a role in joining the strips coming from the right and left sides of the tactical bag. This joining prevents the items in the tactical bag from affecting the user's movement negatively by shaking or swinging left and right while the user is on the move.

It has been developed to prevent undesired openings and movement-based self-openings of the tactical uniform. Thereby, the functionality of the tactical uniform used is increased and the tactical uniform adapts to the user's body.

Unlike the examples above, the tactical uniform lock, which allows the user to move comfortably in the use of tactical belts, provides the user with comfortable mobility by ensuring that the belt remains fixed on the waist in cases where sudden action is required.

The lock mechanism of the invention comprises; the central connection protrusion (4) formed on the primary part (1) and the central connection gap (5) formed on the secondary part (2), which are configured so that the rotational movement of the two parts (1, 2) relative to each other will be possible when the connection protrusion (4) and central connection gap (5) are connected; at least one lock bolt (6) formed on at least one of the parts (1, 2) that fix the lock mechanism by being connected as a result of the rotational movement of the two parts (1, 2) on each other’s axis, and at least one bolt locking housing (6) formed on at least another one of the parts (1, 2).

According to Figure 1, the primary piece (1) is defined on the tactical uniform (bottom). In this embodiment, the secondary part (2) is defined by the user (top).

The user can connect the central connection sap (5) of the primary part (1) and the central connection protrusion (4) of the secondary part (2) by aligning them vertically.

In this embodiment, the central connection gap (5) defines a hole with a circular cross- sectional area. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hole extends along the entire wall of the primary part (1).

In this embodiment, the secondary part (2) has the central connection protrusion (4) which is cylindrical.

Thanks to this embodiment, when two parts (1, 2) are connected, they can be moved circularly in the axis of each other. The user will preferably be able to rotate the secondary part (2) in the axis of the primary part, after ensuring the connection by clamping the central connection gap (5) and the central connection protrusion (4).

As a result of this movement, the user will be able to insert the locking bolt (6) into the bolt locking housing (7) and lock the locking mechanism. When the user wants to open the lock, they can again separate the two parts (1, 2) from each other with a rotary motion.

According to figure 1, the lock bolt (6) is formed on the primary part (1) and the bolt locking housing (7) is on the secondary part (2).

According to one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the locking bolt (6) is in the form of a surface protruding from the primary part (1). In this embodiment, the bolt locking housing (7) is also formed on the secondary part (2) in the form of a pit that will contain the lock bolt (6). According to Figure 2, the locking mechanism is also equipped with a rope connection element (8). The rope connection element (8) can allow different elements to be connected to the lock mechanism.

According to figure 3, which shows one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the primary part (1) is equipped with at least one lock latch (9), and the secondary part (2) is equipped with at least one lock latch housing (10).

In order for the lock to be closed, the lock latch (9) and the lock latch housing (10) are connected when the primary part (1) and the secondary part (2) are connected. Since the lock is opened and closed with a rotary motion, the lock latch housing (10) is designed as a channel. Thereby, the lock latch (9) and the lock latch can move in the lock latch housing (10) during their rotational movements to open and close the lock.

According to this embodiment, the primary part (1) is also equipped with the lock latch fixing part (11). The lock latch fixing part (11) aims to stop the rotational movement of the primary part (1) relative to the secondary part (2) in a certain position.

In this embodiment, the part of the secondary part (2) in contact with the lock latch fixing part (11) contains at least one pocket for the placement of the lock latch fixing part (11).

According to figure 3, the secondary part (2) has two lock latch fixing parts (11).

According to figure 3, the primary part (1) is also equipped with a secondary lock latch (12) and the secondary part (2) is also equipped with a secondary lock latch gap (13).

The secondary lock latch (12) and the secondary lock latch gap (13) also aim to connect when the two parts (1,2) are joined. This connection should have a structure that will allow the rotational movements that will occur during the opening and closing of the lock. With this purpose, the secondary lock latch (13) can also be formed in the form of a channel.