Adjustable Garment Opening for Cast Accommodation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothing is difficult to adapt for individuals with casts or braces, as it is challenging to find garments that fit comfortably over the larger diameter of medical devices, leading to unsightly and partially functional adaptations that are often discarded after the healing period.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable garment system that includes a fastener mechanism to expand the opening of a garment from a first diameter to a larger second diameter, using a third portion of material to accommodate medical devices, and then lock into the first diameter after passage, allowing for comfortable wear and easy dressing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional clothing is used, then the garment structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the clothing cannot accommodate medical devices with larger diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into multiple segments including a first portion, second portion, and third portion that can be independently manipulated. The opening is segmented into multiple states (first diameter and second larger diameter) achieved through fastening and unfastening mechanisms, allowing the garment to adapt to different body configurations with or without medical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment opening is made dynamic through the use of fasteners that allow the diameter to change between a first smaller diameter (when fastened) and a second larger diameter (when unfastened). This dynamic adjustment enables the same garment to accommodate both normal limbs and limbs with casts or braces, transforming the static structure into an adaptive system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If clothing is cut and adapted for casts, then the clothing can fit over medical devices, but the adapted clothing becomes unsightly and only partially functional
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of permanently altering the garment through cutting, the invention uses reversible fastening mechanisms that dynamically adjust the opening size. This allows the garment to maintain its original functional and aesthetic properties while temporarily adapting to accommodate casts or braces during the healing period.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment opening diameter is changed as a controllable parameter rather than through permanent structural modification. By adjusting the fastening state, the opening transitions between a first diameter for normal wear and a second larger diameter for accommodating medical devices, preserving both appearance and functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If clothing is permanently adapted for casts, then the clothing fits during healing, but the clothing becomes unusable after the broken bone heals
Solution Approach 1:
The garment employs dynamic fastening mechanisms that allow the opening diameter to be adjusted between a first smaller diameter (after healing) and a second larger diameter (during healing with cast). This reversibility enables the garment to remain functional and aesthetically pleasing throughout the entire lifecycle, from initial casting through healing to post-recovery, eliminating the need for permanent modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment is designed with multi-functionality to serve different purposes at different stages: it accommodates casts during healing using the expanded opening, and returns to normal wear configuration after healing. The same garment structure and fastening system provide universal functionality across multiple usage phases, extending the usable period significantly.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and/or method a may include adjusting an opening in a garment. The method may include disconnecting at least one fastener attaching a first portion of material to a second portion of the material forming an opening in a garment with a first diameter. The method may include expanding the first opening from the first diameter to a second larger diameter using a third portion of material attaching the first portion to the second portion of material. The method may include inserting an appendage of a user through the expanded opening. At least a portion of the appendage may include a medical device. The medical device may be inhibited from conveying through the opening with the first diameter. The method may include folding the third portion of material within the first diameter of the opening when the at least one fastener is activated.