Belt Assembly with Foldable Outer Section for Accessory Carrying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support belts fail to provide comfortable and easy access to accessories like tools and handguns for extended periods while allowing hands to be free, especially when worn with various types of garments.
Innovation Solution
A belt assembly with an elongated inner and outer portion, connected by flexible material, allowing the outer portion to fold against the waistband, featuring tactical openings for accessory attachment, and adjustable fasteners for secure fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a support belt is designed to carry accessories like tools and handguns, then accessory carrying capacity is improved, but comfort for extended wear deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The belt is divided into an inner portion and an outer portion that can be separated. The inner portion is worn inside the waistband against the inside surface, while the outer portion with accessory attachments can be positioned outside. This segmentation allows the weight-bearing inner portion to remain in contact with the wearer for stability, while the accessory-carrying outer portion can be adjusted or removed to maintain comfort during extended wear.
2Reliability
If a support belt is designed to provide stable support, then reliability is improved, but adaptability to different garment types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The belt assembly is designed with universal adaptability to work with any type of garment having a waistband. The inner portion is configured to be worn inside various waistband types (pants, shorts, skirts, etc.), while the outer portion can be positioned outside or folded against the waistband. This multi-functional design allows the same belt assembly to provide reliable support across different garment types without requiring garment-specific configurations.
3Reliability
If the outer portion is made rigid to support accessories, then accessory carrying stability is improved, but ease of folding against the waistband deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the belt have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The outer portion contains rigid or semi-rigid elements (such as stiffening material, structured fabric, or rigid attachment points for accessories) localized only where needed to support accessories. The connective material joining the inner and outer portions remains flexible to allow folding, while the inner portion maintains appropriate flexibility for comfort. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between rigidity for accessory support and flexibility for folding.
Data Source
AI summary
A belt assembly, and methods of using same, including an elongated inner portion having a first length and adapted to be worn inside a waistband of a garment of a wearer, and an elongated outer portion having a second length that is at least as long as the first length. The outer portion is adapted to occupy (i) an open, unfolded position when the inner portion is lowered inside the waistband, and (ii) a closed, folded position resting against the outside of the waistband. The inner portion is joined to the outer portion by connective material that bends when the outer portion is moved between the open and closed positions. The outer portion further includes a plurality of tactical openings along at least some of its length to which accessories can be removably attached.