Adjustable Shoulder Pads with Detachable Arch Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoulder pads for contact sports often have fixed shoulder arches that fail to properly fit players, leading to inadequate protection and restricted movement due to their arching design and permanent stitching, which can cause the pads to float on the player's shoulders and bunch up the padding.
Innovation Solution
The shoulder pads feature detachable shoulder arch fasteners, such as hook-and-loop systems or connectors, allowing players to adjust the fit in multiple directions, enabling better alignment and flexibility of the front and back members, and separate components that can be disconnected for improved adjustment and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the shoulder arches are permanently joined with fixed stitching, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the fit and adaptability to different players deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder arch fastening system is divided into separate components: a fastening member with first and second fastening portions that can be independently positioned on the front and back members. This segmentation allows the arch to be adjusted relative to each member while maintaining overall structural integrity when fastened.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed stitching is replaced with a dynamic fastening system that allows adjustment during use. The fastening member can be positioned at different locations along the front and back members, enabling the shoulder arch to adapt to different player geometries while maintaining stability when secured.
2Ease of manufacture
If the shoulder arches are fixed in position, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the ease of adjustment and customization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system separates the adjustment function from the structural connection. The fastening member can be independently positioned on the front and back members, allowing players to customize the arch position without complex manufacturing processes. The segmented design enables simple assembly while providing multiple adjustment options.
3Device complexity
If the shoulder pads are designed with fixed arches, then the device complexity is reduced, but the protection effectiveness deteriorates due to poor fit
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed arch design is replaced with a dynamic fastening system that allows the arch position to be optimized for each player. This increases protection effectiveness by ensuring proper fit and positioning, while the modular fastening member keeps the overall structure relatively simple and manageable.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the shoulder arches are permanently stitched, then the stability of connection is maintained, but the flexibility and movement capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The permanent stitching is replaced with a detachable fastening system that provides stability when connected but allows for adjustment and reconfiguration. The fastening member can be secured at different positions to maintain connection stability while enabling flexibility in adapting to different player needs and movement requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Shoulder pads for a player playing a contact sport, such as hockey, lacrosse or football, are provided. The shoulder pads comprise a front member, a back member, left and right shoulder arches, left and right shoulder protectors, and an adjustment system allowing the player to adjust a fit of the shoulder pads. The adjustment system may allow the player to adjust various components of the shoulder pads, including the front member, the back member, and the left and right shoulder protectors, in various directions.