Adjustable Brace Wing Overlap Mechanism for Comfort Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable braces lack a mechanism to allow wings to selectively overlap within an adjustment sleeve, resulting in uncomfortable bunching and limited size accommodation, failing to provide a 'one size fits all' solution.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable brace apparatus with elongate wings and an adjustment sleeve that allows wing ends to overlap, featuring a tightening means with perpendicular posts and cords for mechanical force distribution, enabling easy adjustment and comfortable fit across various body sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wings are wrapped around the user's body without an overlap mechanism, then the brace structure is simple, but the material bunches uncomfortably within the adjustment sleeve
Solution Approach 1:
The wings are divided into multiple segments that can overlap within the adjustment sleeve. The first wing includes a first segment and a second segment, while the second wing includes a third segment and a fourth segment. This segmentation allows the wings to be arranged in an overlapping configuration without bunching, resolving the contradiction between comfort and structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the brace is designed for a specific body size, then the fit is precise, but it cannot accommodate a wide range of users
Solution Approach 1:
The brace is designed with universal adaptability through multiple configuration options. The wings can be arranged in different overlapping patterns (first wing overlapping second wing, or vice versa), the adjustment sleeve can accommodate various wing length combinations, and the fastening system allows for continuous size adjustment. This multi-functionality enables a single brace design to fit various body sizes while maintaining precision through proper wing selection and arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wings are made longer to accommodate larger bodies, then size range increases, but the material bunches more within the adjustment sleeve
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using single long wings that would bunch excessively, the wings are segmented into multiple sections. The first wing has a first segment and second segment, and the second wing has a third segment and fourth segment. These segments can be arranged in overlapping configurations within the adjustment sleeve, distributing the material length along the sleeve's length and preventing bunching while still accommodating larger body sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing segments are arranged in an overlapping configuration along the longitudinal dimension of the adjustment sleeve. By distributing the wing material across multiple segments positioned at different locations along the sleeve, the design transforms a one-dimensional length problem into a two-dimensional arrangement problem, preventing bunching while accommodating various body sizes.
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
The apparatus provides a comfortable, ergonomic, low-profile support that can be adjusted to fit a wide range of body sizes with ease, ensuring optimal compression and wearability over or under clothing.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of substantially perpendicular tightening posts are mounted within each of the first and second tightening segments, with the at least one cord running around a tightening post on each tightening segment in alternation for providing a mechanical force advantage when pulled by the user
Data Source
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AI summary
An adjustable brace apparatus provides, in an exemplary embodiment, a pair of elongate wings configured for wrapping about and substantially conforming to a portion of a body of a user, an adjustment sleeve configured for slidably receiving each of the wings, and a tightening means slidably engaged and suspended within the adjustment sleeve. The tightening means is removably engagable with each of the wings, thereby enabling the wings to substantially float and selectively overlap atop one another within the adjustment sleeve. In use, with each of the wings slidably inserted into the adjustment sleeve and overlapped as necessary to substantially approximate the circumference of the user's body portion, and with the tightening means removably engaged with the wings, the user is able to selectively position, wrap, and engage the wings around the user's body portion, and selectively draw the wings closer against the user's body portion using the tightening means.