Bat Wing Sun Cover with Elastomeric Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sun protecting cover systems do not effectively shield the shoulders and neck from ultra violet rays, often being restrictive, uncomfortable, and insufficiently protective, with sunscreen lotions losing effectiveness due to sweat and water, and not providing adequate coverage beyond the head and arms.
Innovation Solution
A bat wing-shaped sun protecting cover with elastomeric armpit bands for secure attachment, specifically designed to cover the shoulders, upper back, and neck, made of lightweight, breathable fabric with a high ultraviolet protection factor, allowing easy deployment, use, and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sun protecting cover substantially covers the head and both arms (like Norman et al. reference), then comprehensive sun protection is improved, but comfort and ease of outdoor use deteriorates due to restrictive and suffocating design
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and focuses protection only on the most vulnerable areas (shoulders and neck) rather than covering the entire head and arms. This selective approach removes unnecessary coverage that causes discomfort while maintaining effective protection where it is most needed, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive protection and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The sun protecting cover is segmented into specific functional zones: a collar portion for the neck and a cape portion for the shoulders. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific purpose while maintaining overall comfort, avoiding the suffocating effect of full-head coverage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sunscreen lotion is used to protect skin from sun, then initial protection is provided, but effectiveness deteriorates over time due to sweat and water washing it off
Solution Approach 1:
The sun protecting cover acts as an intermediary physical barrier between the skin and UV rays, replacing the chemical sunscreen lotion. This physical barrier remains reliably effective throughout the day regardless of sweat or water exposure, eliminating the reliability issue of lotion-based protection.
3Ease of operation
If a sun protecting cover is designed to be quickly attached and removed, then ease of operation is improved, but secure attachment may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system uses dynamic elastomeric bands that can be quickly stretched over the head and automatically self-adjust to fit securely. The elastic nature allows rapid attachment while maintaining reliable secure attachment through continuous pressure adjustment, resolving the contradiction between speed and security.
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
Provides comfortable and effective protection from sunburns and skin cancer by covering the shoulders and neck with a lightweight, breathable design that remains effective even when sunscreen loses potency due to sweat and water.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of elastomeric bands for securing the cover to the wearer
Data Source
AI summary
A sun protecting cover system including a body cover assembly and an attachment assembly is disclosed herein. The sun protecting cover protects users from the sun and the ultra violet rays that the sun emits. The sun protecting cover substantially covers and protects the shoulders and neck of a user. The user can enjoy the outdoors while minimizing their exposure to the sun with the sun protecting cover. The sun protecting cover has an ultraviolet protection factor from 15 to 50 plus in order to sufficiently protect a user from the ultra violet rays of the sun. The sun and its ultra violet rays are damaging to users' skin as too much sun exposure may lead to sunburns or health concern such as skin cancer. The sun protecting cover is secured to the body of a user with the pair of elastic bands that are included in the attachment assembly.