Articulated Cross Pendant Flexing to Prevent Skin Catch

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cross pendants worn on short necklaces tend to catch in the folds of skin or crease of the neck when the user bows their head, causing discomfort and potential skin piercing.

Innovation Solution

An articulated cross pendant design featuring a first and second bar orthogonally coupled with a third arm that can flex when the user bows their head, preventing the pendant from catching in the skin by articulating and distributing pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the cross pendant is made rigid and maintains its shape, then it preserves its structural integrity and appearance, but it catches in the folds of skin or crease of the neck when the user bows their head

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidskin contact discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cross pendant is divided into multiple articulated segments connected by joints, allowing each segment to move independently. This segmentation enables the pendant to adapt its shape based on the wearer's head position, preventing the rigid structure from catching in the neck folds while maintaining the cross shape when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cross pendant transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure that can change its configuration. The joints allow the pendant to flex and adjust its shape in response to the wearer's movements, particularly when bowing the head, thereby eliminating the harmful skin contact issue while preserving structural integrity during normal wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the cross pendant is made articulated to flex when bowed, then it prevents catching in skin folds, but it increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin contact discomfortVSAvoidpendant structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cross pendant is divided into multiple articulated segments connected by joints, allowing each segment to move independently. This segmentation enables the pendant to adapt its shape based on the wearer's head position, preventing the rigid structure from catching in the neck folds while maintaining the cross shape when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cross pendant transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure that can change its configuration. The joints allow the pendant to flex and adjust its shape in response to the wearer's movements, particularly when bowing the head, thereby eliminating the harmful skin contact issue while preserving structural integrity during normal wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12082663B2Articulated cross pendant

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 LAW DONNA

AI summary

The disclosed articulated cross pendant according to various embodiments may comprise a necklace capable of being worn around the neck of a user and a cross pendant attachable to the necklace. The cross pendant may comprise a first component and a second component. The first component may comprise a first bar and a second bar orthogonally coupled to the first bar. The second bar may comprise a first arm and a second arm extending in an opposite direction form the first arm. The second component may be attachable to the first component and may comprise a ring and a third arm coupled to the ring. The first bar may extend through the ring.