Athletic Bra Wraparound Straps for Front Tension Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sports bras are cumbersome to put on, lack adjustable tension features, and are clunky, making them uncomfortable and inconvenient during athletic activities.
Innovation Solution
A sports bra design featuring integrated cup, base, and strap portions that wrap around the torso, allowing for easy adjustment without reaching behind, with a sleek and supportive structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional pre-sized sports bras with non-adjustable elastic rib bands are used, then the structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates because one must place the bra over the head and stretch the rib band around the shoulder
Solution Approach 1:
The sports bra is divided into a front portion and a back portion that can be separated and repositioned. The back portion is configured to wrap around and overlap the front portion, allowing the bra to be put on by placing only the front portion over the head without stretching the entire rib band around the shoulders.
Solution Approach 2:
The back portion is designed to wrap around the torso in a wrapping motion rather than requiring the user to reach behind their back. This dimensional change in the fastening approach allows adjustment from the front, improving ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable sports bras with hook-and-eye closure systems are used, then the adaptability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the user needs to reach behind her back to readjust the tension
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the adjustment mechanism at the back (conventional approach), the back portion wraps around and fastens at the front of the torso. This inversion allows the user to readjust the tension and fit by accessing the fastening mechanism at the front, eliminating the need to reach behind the back.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrap-around design with front fastening allows the user to independently adjust the fit and tension of the sports bra at any time during activity without assistance or complex mechanisms, making the adjustment process simple and self-serviceable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable sports bras with traditional fastening systems are used, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity worsens creating a clunky design that encumbers the user
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is integrated into the wrap-around structure itself, combining the support function with the adjustment function. The back portion serves both as a structural support element and as the adjustable component, eliminating the need for separate bulky fastening systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The back portion is designed as a flexible strip that can wrap around the torso and be fastened at the front. This flexible design maintains a sleek, low-profile appearance without adding bulk or clunkiness, while still providing the necessary adjustment capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sports garment includes a cup portion that receives and conforms to a user's breasts, a base portion disposed along a bottom edge of the cup portion, a first strap portion disposed along a first side edge of the base portion, and a second strap portion disposed along a second side edge of the base portion. The first and second strap portions each include a shoulder strap that may be removably coupled to the cup portion to adjust the tension of the sports garment and a side strap that may be removably coupled to a front surface of the base portion to adjust the tension of the sports garment. The first and second side straps may flex between an open position and a wrapped position.