ASSISTING WAR FIGHTERS IN MOBILTY,

LOAD MANAGEMENT, MISSON

READINESS, AND LOWER BACK PAIN
REDUCTION: DESIGNING VERSATILE,
MODULAR CARRYING SYSTEMS WITH
CONFIGURABLE PADDING AND MODULAR
RAPID-RELEASE ATTACHMENTS.

Table of Contents:
Executive Summary

The Problem: Ergonomics

The Problem: Back Pain

The Solution: Customized Ergonomics

Bowerbags Modular Padding Configurations 6

Current Modular Solutions: MOLLE

The Bowerbags System

The Bowerbuckle System

Bowerbuckle Materials

10

Conclusion/ References

11

Executive Summary
A year-long study was conducted in 2013 to better understand which combat soldiers are
more likely to develop back pain. It was discovered that 77% of soldiers returning from
Afghanistan experienced some form of back pain, of which 22% developed moderate to
severe symptoms. [1]
Lower back pain is the most common injury of war. Weight of the equipment worn was
found to be the leading cause of lower back pain for all soldiers during the Afghanistan
deployment. Several factors increased the risk of back pain including wearing body armor
for long hours and carrying heavy loads. Soldiers whose tasks included long walking patrols
were more likely to experience moderate to severe back pain.
Backpacks and storage solutions are a necessary part of a war fighters gear. However, no
customization of padding is offered for war fighters to make individual changes to match
their performance needs.
This study, along with other studies, indicates a clear need for new solutions and innovations
to a common problem: load management, back pain, and mobility. Patented Bowerbags
and Bowerbuckles offer new customized solutions to these common carrying problems.
[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23532119

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The Problem: Ergonomics

Vast differences in ergonomics occur across genders as well as within the same gender.
Padding in military backpacks is sewn inside the bag for a one-size-fits-all solution despite
differences in musculoskeletal systems from person to person. By re-engineering the backpack,
Bowerbags offers individual customization in back padding providing custom ergonomics for
specialized support to meet individual needs to reduce and eliminate back pain.

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The Problem: Back Pain

1

The Human Spine has a curvature that can vary from one individual to another.

Bag Padding is not designed to adjust to a humans unique contours.

This creates pain points in various areas on the back.

Excessive weight and poor pack design leads to long-term pain and back problems.

The Solution: Customized Ergomonics

5

Customized padding for back modules adjusts to fit individual ergonomics.

Customizable shoulder padding allows for increased comfort in load management.

Foam padding options in each back module allow for malleability preference.

Open Cell Foam

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Closed Cell Foam

Memory Foam

Bowerbags Modular Padding Configurations

Bowerbags patented configurable padding modules allow for personalized customization
to meet any individuals back support needs. Back padding represents a relatively small
cost compared to the overall cost of a backpack. Custom padding allows war fighters to
reduce or eliminate pain and pressure points at a low cost to increase comfort, alter weight
distributions and load management to enhance mission readiness.
How it works: Bowerbags customized padding modules at a 3/4 view.

Modules connect to bag via velcro

and are covered with netting.

With netting cover.

The system allows for alteration of the padding in any direction along the back, as well as
customized choices in size, depth, and density of a padding module. There is a wide array
of material choices for individuals to choose a personalized comfort and fit to combat back
pain and increase overall mobility.

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Current Modular Solutions: MOLLE

The MOLLE system (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) replaced the older Alice
gear for the military. MOLLE gear and vest have PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System)
consisting of interwoven straps to attach multiple pieces of gear; small pouches, accessory
carriers, and other attachments. Variations of the MOLLE, including MOLLEminus, seek to
reduce the weight of the MOLLE System, yet do not allow for rapid attachment or separation
of gear, making it difficult to perform alterations in the field.
Our rapid-release clipping system is designed to work with all MOLLE and PALS systems.
The hook and loop action of MOLLE and MOLLEminus are difficult and very time consuming.
Bowerbuckles offer rapid-release flexibility to manage or alter weight loads without having to
do the multiple hook and loop pulls for attachment. Using Bowerbuckles, war fighters retain
the strength to carry maximum weight loads with the flexibility to quickly alter configurations.

Bowerbuckles: interchange with all current Molle and Molleminus solutions.

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The rapid-release system of Bowerbags and Bowerbuckles is ideal for use with Breachers
bags and removing ammunition pouches quickly. It is especially useful for removing pockets
or ammunition bags attached to the back, belt, or other hard-to-reach places without having
to remove the entire kit.
The rapid-release system offers infinite possibilities to design situational carrying systems that
can be altered on the fly. Configurations of medical bags, ammunition bags, and packs for
short missions can be created quickly to meet the needs of warfighters in the field.

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The

BOWERBUCKLE

System

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Pinch the
webbing

Move peg or
clip on webbing

Smooth
webbing flat

Repeat steps 1-3

on other side.

Available Materials:
Nylon 66
Aluminum
Spring Steel
Carbon Fiber

2.5

Weight Varies by Material.

Multiple Clip Variations Possible,
Based on Specification.

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1.7

Length: 2.5
Width:1.7
Height: .32
9

Bowerbuckle Materials:

Nylon 66
Olive Green

Steel
Black

Carbon Fiber and Spring Steel

Steel

Nylon 66
(11% glass blend) Tan

Spring Steel and Nylon 66

Titanium and Spring Steel

Widths range from .5-2.5

Lengths ranging from 1 to 2.5

Depths ranging from 1/8 to 1

Bowerbuckles are available in a wide array of color choices and material options. Load
capabilities vary from holding 35 pounds up to 100 pounds per clip based on the model
and material choices. Bowerbuckles are available in various lengths and widths depending
on the application and use.

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10

Conclusions:
Data collected by the Military and NIH indicate a clear problem with men and women
returning from Afghanistan suffering from back pain, knee pain, and arthritis. This pain
creates a quality of life issue for the returning veteran and the long-term health care costs to
treat these problems can be exponential, resulting in expensive surgeries and medication.
Having a customizable packing system to reduce or eliminate these pains and reduce longterm health care costs is a clear and quick solution to effectively minimize this problem.
Bowerbags offers solutions that can be quickly and cost effectively put into the hands of war
fighters to greater increase mobility, load management, mission readiness, and reduce lower
back pain.

References:
[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23532119

[2] http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2013/05/15/One-Injured-Soldier-of-War-Costs-the-US-2-million.aspx#tmOKlfl767z
0mCBr.99#ixzz3amslW1qI
[3] http://www.stripes.com/news/rigors-of-war-leave-troops-battling-arthritis-at-a-young-age-1.156110
[4] http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/news/20050629/small-weight-loss-takes-pressure-off-knee
[5] http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/increasing-number-of-iraq-afghanistan-veterans-suffer-spinal-pain9v7i5lm-178456631.html

[6] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3706700/
[7] http://www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/when-veterans-cope-with-chronic-pain.aspx

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11