Concealed Weight Garment Using Nested Layer Grid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional weighted upper body clothing designs often result in uneven weight distribution, negative effects on posture and comfort, and aesthetically unpleasing features, limiting their utility beyond gym or fitness center contexts.
Innovation Solution
An upper body garment with a vest style design featuring an inner weighted layer concealed between an outer layer and a lining layer, using a grid arrangement of glass microbead weighted packets to ensure even weight distribution, and affixing these layers along the neck, armhole, hem, and zipper portions to maintain aesthetic appeal and prevent bulging or drooping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If weight is inserted in pockets or attached to outer layer of garment, then weight concealment is improved, but weight distribution becomes uneven and causes bulging, stretching, or drooping of outer layer
Solution Approach 1:
The weight element is nested within a garment layer structure, specifically positioned between the inner layer and outer layer. This nesting approach allows the weight to be concealed while distributing it through the fabric layers, preventing direct attachment to the outer layer that would cause deformation. The weight is effectively 'hidden' within the garment's internal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate structure (the inner layer and weight element assembly) is introduced between the outer layer and the weight. This intermediary structure serves as a mediator that distributes the weight force through multiple layers rather than directly attaching to the outer layer, thereby preventing bulging, stretching, or drooping while maintaining concealment.
2Shape
If weight is concealed within outer layer, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but material choice is limited due to weight capacity constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is segmented into multiple functional layers: an inner layer that contacts and supports the weight element, and an outer layer that provides aesthetic appeal. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the inner layer handles weight capacity requirements while the outer layer can be made from any aesthetically pleasing material without weight constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner layer acts as an intermediary structure that bears the weight load, freeing the outer layer from weight capacity constraints. This allows the outer layer to be made from lightweight, aesthetically pleasing materials that would otherwise be unsuitable for direct weight attachment, thereby expanding material choice flexibility while maintaining concealment.
3Reliability
If traditional weighted vests and belts are used, then fitness benefit is improved, but cosmetic attractiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The weight element is nested within the garment structure rather than being externally attached, allowing the garment to maintain a smooth, aesthetically pleasing appearance from the outside. The nesting approach hides the weight within the internal layers while preserving the fitness benefits of weighted clothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight element is strategically positioned within specific regions of the garment (between inner and outer layers) to provide fitness benefits in targeted areas while maintaining overall aesthetic appeal. The local placement allows the weight to function for fitness purposes without compromising the garment's cosmetic attractiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A concealed weight incorporating upper body garment includes a weighted layer concealed beneath an outer layer to allow a user to obtain a fitness or anxiety related benefit while the outer layer conceals the weight, does not exhibit drooping effects from the weight, and can be made of a variety of material regardless of the weight capacity of such material. The weighted layer having weighted packets containing weighted material within. In embodiments, the weighted packets attach to or are formed from the weighted layer around a lower portion thereof. The weighted material fully fills the weighted packets to prevent shifting in an embodiment. The weighted packets form a grid pattern along the weighted layer to balance the weight in another embodiment. The garment also alternatively includes an additional lining layer affixed to the outer layer with the weighted layer and weighted packets between. The garment also having access areas to add, remove, or change out weighted packets when the packets are removably attached to the weighted layer.