Apparel with Waist Securing Portion for Limited Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Women with limited mobility face difficulties in easily removing their clothing for personal toilet needs, and existing designs do not adequately address this challenge, nor do they provide comfort and secure fastening options.

Innovation Solution

A skirt-like apparel with a waist securing portion and easy-to-fasten/unfasten securing means, such as hook and loop straps or button loops, allowing for independent dressing and reduced exposure, along with optional pockets for personal items and warmth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional hospital gowns are used, then the back of the patient is completely bare providing easy access for medical care, but the patient feels constant exposure and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess for medical careVSAvoidpatient exposure and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gown is divided into separate front and back panels that can be independently positioned. The front panel opens fully for access, while the back panel remains closed to maintain coverage and patient comfort, resolving the contradiction between medical access and patient exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional clothing is used, then the patient maintains modesty and comfort, but the patient cannot easily remove clothing for personal toilet needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient modesty and comfortVSAvoidease of removal for toilet needs

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is extracted and concentrated at the waist area with large, easily accessible fasteners. This allows patients with limited mobility to independently remove the gown for toilet needs while maintaining modesty during wear, as the gown can be quickly opened without exposing the entire body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The gown is designed with features that enable patients to dress and undress independently without caregiver assistance. The asymmetric opening and large waist fasteners allow self-service for both wearing and removing the gown, particularly for toilet needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If secure fastening is provided, then the gown stays in place during movement, but the fastening mechanism becomes complicated and difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegown security during movementVSAvoidfastening mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Complex mechanical fastening systems are replaced with simple hook-and-loop fasteners or large button loops. These provide secure attachment while remaining easy to operate, even for patients with limited dexterity or arthritis, resolving the contradiction between security and operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10779584B1Apparel for individuals with limited mobility

Publication Date: 2020.09.22 SMITH PETRONELLA

AI summary

An apparel including an apparel body having an operative top edge and an operative bottom edge is disclosed. At least one waist securing portion is defined adjacent the operative top edge of the apparel body, wherein the waist securing portion includes a resilient band. Securing members are provided on the waist securing portion to allow a user to easily wear or remove the apparel, wherein the securing members includes at least one of a hook and loop straps and a button and button loop set. The apparel further includes at least one pocket provided on an inner surface of the skirt body.