Apparel Top with Integrated Snow Gaiter and Liquid Bladder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods of carrying liquids during winter sports activities, such as thermoses or hydration packs, result in unwanted shifting and balance issues due to the mass density of liquids, and are cumbersome and inconvenient for access.
Innovation Solution
An apparel top with an integrated snow gaiter and liquid bladder that attaches to the waist, allowing for a snug fit and minimizing mass shifting, along with a detachable design and conduit system for easy access to liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a thermos or water bottle is carried in a jacket pocket or backpack, then liquid transport is achieved, but unwanted shifting and balance issues occur due to mass density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the liquid bladder with the snow gaiter into a single integrated unit. The bladder is attached to the inner surface of the gaiter, merging the liquid transport function with the snow protection function. This integration ensures the liquid moves with the gaiter rather than shifting independently, resolving the stability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid bladder is nested within or attached to the snow gaiter structure. The gaiter serves as the outer container while the bladder is positioned inside or against its inner surface, creating a nested configuration where the liquid is contained within the protective gaiter assembly.
2Quantity of substance
If a hydration pack is worn on the back, then liquid transport is achieved with reduced shifting, but the pack is constricting and impedes free movement of the upper torso
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid bladder from the traditional backpack/hydration pack location on the back and relocates it to the snow gaiter at the lower waist/hip area. This extraction removes the constraining bulk from the upper torso region, allowing free movement while maintaining liquid transport capability at the lower body.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid transport function is relocated from the vertical dimension (backpack on back) to the horizontal dimension (gaiter at waist/hip level). This dimensional shift moves the mass distribution away from the upper torso, eliminating restriction on arm and shoulder movement while maintaining hydration access.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a hydration pack is tightly secured to mitigate shifting, then liquid transport stability is improved, but overall bulk and constriction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid bladder is merged with the snow gaiter, which is already a necessary component for snow sports. This combination eliminates the need for a separate hydration pack, reducing overall bulk. The gaiter's structure provides the securing mechanism, eliminating additional straps and fasteners that would increase complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparel top for use by a user is worn about a user torso and a user waist. The top includes an outer shell portion having first and second panels, a back panel, shell outside and inside surfaces, and a bottom edge. The apparel top includes a snow gaiter having upper and lower gaiter edges, first and second gaiter ends, and gaiter inner and outer surfaces. The upper gaiter edge is attached to the outer shell portion at the shell inside surface and extends along the first front panel, the back panel and the second front panel. The lower gaiter edge is generally positionable about the user waist relative to the user torso with the lower gaiter edge extending away from the user torso. The top includes a liquid bladder sized and configured to be inflated with a liquid. The liquid bladder is attached to the snow gaiter.