Adjustable Telescoping Case for Sports Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sports equipment covers are either too bulky, heavy, or expensive, and fail to provide a snug, adjustable fit for boards of varying sizes and shapes, leading to inadequate protection and increased packaging costs during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A cover comprising concave shell portions that can be adjusted to fit different board dimensions by varying the overlap of shell portions, providing a secure and customizable fit without adding unnecessary bulk or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hard case with rigid outer shell is used to protect sports equipment, then protection robustness is improved, but weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a two-layer structure: an outer rigid shell layer providing structural protection and an inner flexible padding layer providing cushioning. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function while keeping overall weight lower than a fully rigid case of equivalent protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover combines two different materials with complementary properties: a rigid outer shell material (such as hard plastic or composite) and a flexible inner padding material (such as foam or fabric with cushioning properties). This composite structure achieves robust protection while minimizing weight compared to using only rigid material.
2Reliability
If a purpose-built cover for each specific board is purchased, then fit and protection are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with adjustable features including an adjustable closure system and flexible dimensions that allow it to accommodate multiple board sizes and shapes. This universal design enables a single cover to serve multiple boards, eliminating the need to purchase separate custom covers for each board while maintaining adequate fit and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover incorporates dynamic, adjustable elements such as an adjustable closure mechanism and flexible padding that can be configured to fit different board dimensions. This adjustability allows the same cover to adapt to various board sizes and shapes, providing a cost-effective alternative to purchasing multiple fixed-size covers.
3Reliability
If internal padding is increased to fill gaps for custom-made boards, then fit and protection are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover uses a flexible inner padding layer that can conform to the shape of the board, providing a snug fit and adequate protection without requiring excessive padding material. The flexibility of this layer allows it to adapt to custom board shapes while maintaining minimal weight compared to rigid filling materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover design allows for adjustment of padding configuration and closure tightness to optimize fit for different board shapes and sizes. By adjusting these parameters rather than increasing overall padding volume, the cover achieves adequate protection for custom boards while minimizing weight increase.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cover or case for goods, in particular for use as a cover or case for hobby or sports equipment. In an embodiment, the case has an inner portion, formed of expanded polypropylene (ePP) and defining a cavity for receiving at least part of the item. The case also includes an outer layer, formed of self-reinforcing polypropylene (srPP), arranged to cover an outer surface of at least part of the inner portion. In further embodiments, the cover is formed of two or more sections that may be arranged to at least partially overlap, wherein adjusting the overlap of the at least two sections changes the dimensions of an inner cavity within the cover or case. The case may be telescoping, in order to provide adjustable dimensions for a cavity within the case.