Segmented Adjustable Belt for Support and Waist Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tactical and utility belts fail to balance rigidity and flexibility, leading to compromises in structural support and wearer comfort, and often have bulky or unreliable adjustment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable belt with a bridge and sleeves featuring hook-and-loop fasteners, a closure mechanism with male and female portions, and a stiffening element, allowing for adjustable girth and secure attachment to accommodate various waist sizes while maintaining comfort and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the belt uses a rigid structure to support attached items, then structural support is improved, but flexibility and wearer comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The belt is divided into multiple segments: a rigid bridge portion for structural support, flexible sleeves for movement, and adjustable components for customization. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall balance between rigidity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the belt have different mechanical properties: the bridge is rigid to support items, while the sleeves are flexible to accommodate movement and different waist sizes. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between needing rigidity for support and flexibility for comfort.
2Ease of operation
If the belt uses a simple adjustment mechanism, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different waist sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The belt features movable sleeves that can be adjusted along the bridge to different positions, allowing the same simple mechanism to accommodate multiple waist sizes. The dynamic positioning capability provides adaptability without requiring complex adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable sleeve design serves multiple functions: it accommodates different waist sizes, allows customization of belt length, and maintains ease of operation through a simple adjustment mechanism. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the belt uses complex adjustment mechanisms, then adaptability to different waist sizes is improved, but device complexity and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into discrete, simple components: movable sleeves with openings that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows for adaptability while keeping each individual component simple and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex adjustment mechanism is extracted into simple, standalone sleeve components that can be easily manufactured and assembled. By taking out the adjustment function into separate, simple parts rather than a complex integrated system, reliability is maintained while adaptability is achieved.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable belt provides a balanced rigidity and flexibility, ensuring comfortable wear and secure attachment of items, with a simple and reliable adjustment mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the closure mechanism comprising a male portion and a female portion configured to releasably engage within the selected opening of the plurality of openings
Implementation Method 2
The adjustable belt is configured to be worn around the waist of a user and to have an adjustable girth to accommodate a range of waist sizes. The adjustable belt is typically worn over an inner belt and secured to the inner belt by hook-and-loop fasteners.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable belt configured to be worn around the waist of a user is disclosed. The adjustable belt includes a bridge having two ends, each end being adjustably connected to a respective sleeve via a closure mechanism. Each sleeve defines an internal pocket configured to receive one end of the bridge, thereby permitting girth adjustment to accommodate a range of waist sizes. The adjustable belt is typically worn over an inner belt and secured to the inner belt by hook-and-loop fasteners. However, in some implementations, the adjustable belt may be worn independently, without the use of an inner belt.