Adjustable Waist Garment with Hidden Panel and Closure Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional garments with fixed waist girths fail to accommodate varying waist sizes due to changes in body shape, such as during pregnancy or weight loss, lacking the ability to progressively expand or contract.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable waist mechanism featuring a V-shaped opening bridged by a panel and a closure mechanism, allowing the opening to be narrowed or widened through the use of fasteners and a waist band, enabling the garment to expand or contract in girth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the waist section is constructed with closed seams providing a fixed girth, then the garment structure is simple and stable, but the garment cannot accommodate varying waist sizes or body shape changes
Solution Approach 1:
The waist section is divided into multiple adjustable segments through the opening and panel mechanism. The opening can be positioned at different locations around the waist, and the panel can be adjusted to different widths, creating segmented adjustability that allows the garment to adapt to various waist sizes and shapes without requiring a completely different garment for each size.
Solution Approach 2:
The waist section transitions from a fixed, static structure to a dynamic, adjustable structure. The opening and panel mechanism allows the waist girth to be dynamically changed by repositioning the opening and adjusting the panel width, enabling the garment to adapt to changing body conditions throughout pregnancy and post-pregnancy periods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the waist section is made adjustable with an opening and panel mechanism, then the garment can accommodate body shape changes, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and panel mechanism serves multiple functions: it adjusts waist girth, accommodates different body shapes, and can be positioned at different locations around the waist. This multi-functional design allows a single garment construction method to address various fitting needs without requiring multiple specialized components or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel acts as a flexible element that can be adjusted in width and repositioned within the opening. This flexible component allows the waist section to adapt to different body shapes and sizes while maintaining a relatively simple construction, as the panel can be easily inserted, removed, or repositioned without complex fastening mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the opening is widened to expand the waist girth, then the garment accommodates larger waist sizes, but the panel becomes visible and the aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire waist section visible when expanded, the design inverts the approach by positioning the opening at the rear of the garment. This allows the waist to be expanded by widening the rear opening while keeping the front and side portions of the waist section aesthetically pleasing and unchanged in appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustability and visibility considerations are localized to specific areas of the waist section. The opening is positioned at the rear where adjustability is needed, while the front and side areas maintain a consistent, aesthetically pleasing appearance. The panel is confined to the rear opening area, allowing expansion capability without compromising the overall visual appearance of the garment.
Data Source
AI summary
A garment with an adjustable waist is disclosed, having an opening intersecting a waist section of the garment, a closure mechanism urging the opening to a narrowed position or a widened position to adjust the girth of the waist section, and a panel bridging across the opening, the panel being hidden by the opening in a narrowed position. An embodiment of the closure mechanism includes a slide fastener extending along the opening. Another embodiment of the closure mechanism includes a waist band for extension across the opening and for selective attachment to respective fasteners located along the waist section to correspond with adjustments in the girth of the waist section.