Adjustable Garment Strap With Tunable Stretch and Length

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional garment straps lack the ability to adjust stretch properties, leading to discomfort, particularly in items like bras, where the fixed stretch properties cannot accommodate varying body sizes and movements.

Innovation Solution

A strap system with two straps of differing stretch properties, one highly stretchable and the other minimally or non-stretchable, connected by a slidable coupling mechanism, allowing adjustment of stretch and length based on the coupling mechanism's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional garment strap uses a single material with defined stretch properties, then the strap structure is simple, but the strap cannot accommodate varying body sizes and movements, leading to discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of varying body sizes and movementsVSAvoidstrap structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strap system is divided into two separate straps with different stretch properties. The first strap has high stretch properties while the second strap has minimal or no stretch properties. This segmentation allows each strap to perform a specific function, enabling the overall system to accommodate varying body sizes and movements while maintaining a relatively simple structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the strap system are given different stretch properties. The first strap is designed with high stretch properties to accommodate body movements, while the second strap has minimal or no stretch properties to provide stable support. This local differentiation of properties allows the strap system to simultaneously adapt to various body types while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If a strap system uses two straps of differing stretch properties connected by a slidable coupling mechanism, then stretch and length adjustability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestretch and length adjustmentVSAvoidcoupling mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is designed to be slidable along the straps, allowing dynamic adjustment of the strap system's length and stretch properties. This dynamic element enables the user to modify the strap configuration based on their specific needs, improving adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple mechanism that does not require complex components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables customizable stretch and length adjustment, providing comfort and fit by allowing the strap system to accommodate varying body sizes and movements, reducing discomfort.

Implementation Method 1

The first strap has a stretch property, wherein the first strap stretches in response to a force applied in a direction parallel to a length of the first strap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4387483B1Adjustable strap system
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 NIKE INNOVATE CV
  • EP4387483B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP4387483B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4387483B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Aspects herein are directed to a strap system having an adjustable stretch that is suitable for upper body garments, lower body garment, and articles such as bags and articles of footwear. The strap system includes a pair of straps that are coupled together in a face sharing relationship by a coupling mechanism. One of the straps in the pair of straps has greater stretch properties than the other strap. A total stretch of the strap system is adjustable by moving the coupling mechanism along a length of the strap system.