Angled Headband Top Section for Comfortable Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hard headbands cause discomfort due to excessive pressure and sharp edges, and soft headbands do not provide a secure fit, especially for users with different head shapes and sizes, leading to gaps between the headband and the scalp.

Innovation Solution

A headband with an angled top section and a deformable material that conforms to the user's head shape, providing a comfortable fit without gaps and distributing pressure evenly, using materials like thermoplastic elastomer or nylon 66 for flexibility and retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If hard plastic materials are used for headbands, then the headband provides secure holding ability, but it causes excessive pressure and discomfort to the wearer's head

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding abilityVSAvoidpressure and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The headband incorporates a soft cushioning material specifically at the tips that contact the wearer's head, while the rest of the headband body maintains hard plastic material for structural integrity and holding ability. This localized differentiation allows the tips to be comfortable without compromising the overall securing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The headband is constructed as a composite structure combining hard plastic material for the main body with soft cushioning material for the tips. This composite approach integrates the advantages of both materials: the hard plastic provides secure holding while the soft material reduces pressure and discomfort at contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stress or pressure

If the headband tips are extended in length and width to distribute pressure, then pressure distribution improves for some users, but it creates poor fit for majority of users with different head shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure distributionVSAvoidfit for different head shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The headband incorporates a flexible or adjustable mechanism that allows it to adapt dynamically to different head shapes and sizes. This could include flexible materials that conform to the head contour or adjustable components that enable customization, allowing the same headband design to fit various users comfortably without extending tips in fixed dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fabric is glued over the ends of the tips to prevent scratching, then scratching is prevented, but the fundamental pressure problem remains unresolved

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovescratchingVSAvoidpressure problem resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of merely covering the tips with fabric, the invention changes the fundamental parameter of the tip material from hard plastic to soft cushioning material. This material transformation simultaneously addresses both scratching prevention and pressure reduction, providing a more comprehensive solution than surface coating alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the top inner surface is made flat to allow reversible wear, then reversibility is achieved, but gaps form between the headband and the wearer's head

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereversibilityVSAvoidgaps between headband and head

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The headband's top inner surface is designed with a curved or contoured shape that matches the natural curvature of the wearer's head, replacing the flat surface. This curvature allows the headband to conform closely to the head shape, eliminating gaps while potentially maintaining reversibility through symmetric contouring or adjustable features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

The angled top section and deformable material ensure a snug, comfortable fit that eliminates pressure-induced pain and gaps, accommodating various head shapes while maintaining holding ability.

Implementation Method 1

a headband with an angled top section and a deformable material that conforms to the user's head shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

distributing pressure evenly, using materials like thermoplastic elastomer or nylon 66 for flexibility and retention

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure distribution: Stress Relaxation

Data Source

PatentUS8794248B2Headband with angled top section for improved comfort and fit

Publication Date: 2014.08.05 GOODY PRODUCTS INC

AI summary

A headband includes an angled top section that enables the headband to better conform to the contour of the top of the user's head for a better fit in that area. In addition, the headband may be made of a memory-flex deformable material that enables it to conform to the contour of the top and sides of the user's head for a more comfortable fit in those areas. In some embodiments the headband has generally linear legs and in other embodiment the legs are swept back so they are positioned farther behind the user's ears.