Convertible Garment Concealed Zipper System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing convertible garments have an unattractive appearance due to visible zippers and flaps, which can snag and jam, detracting from their aesthetic appeal and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A concealed zipper system for convertible garments, featuring a zipper flap with reinforced portions that cover the zipper tracks, preventing snagging and jamming, and a flexible hinge joint for smooth operation, while maintaining a sleek appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a zipper extends across each leg with a flap covering it, then the garment can be converted (legs removed), but the appearance becomes unattractive and the flap can snag in the zipper
Solution Approach 1:
A fabric bridge is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the upper and lower garment portions. This bridge replaces the traditional long flap and zipper assembly, providing structural support for conversion while maintaining a clean, continuous fabric appearance that eliminates visual clutter and snagging issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional zipper and long flap assembly is extracted and replaced with a simplified fabric bridge system. The zipper is concealed within the fabric bridge structure, removing the harmful visual element and potential snagging point while preserving the conversion function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a long flexible flap covers the zipper, then the zipper is covered, but the flap can snag in the zipper causing jamming and fabric cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric bridge acts as an intermediary structure that provides zipper coverage through its integrated design rather than through a separate loose flap. The zipper is enclosed within the bridge structure, eliminating the free-moving edges that cause snagging while maintaining continuous coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment is segmented into distinct portions (upper garment, fabric bridge, lower garment) that can be independently manipulated. The fabric bridge itself can be segmented or folded to provide coverage as needed, offering controlled coverage without the harmful characteristics of a long continuous flap.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a flap hangs from the upper portion and extends down over the zipper, then the zipper is covered, but the overall appearance of the pants is detracted
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric bridge serves as an intermediary element that integrates the zipper coverage function into the overall garment structure. Rather than adding a separate aesthetic-detracting flap, the bridge becomes a structural component that naturally provides coverage while maintaining a clean, intentional design appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The zipper coverage function is merged with the structural bridge element. The fabric bridge simultaneously provides structural support for the conversion mechanism and aesthetic coverage for the zipper, eliminating the need for a separate functional flap that would compromise appearance.
Data Source
AI summary
Convertible pants can include a waist portion, at least one leg connected to the waist portion, each leg including an upper leg portion and lower leg portion removably connected to the upper leg portion by a zipper, the zipper including an upper zipper track attached to the upper leg portion and a lower zipper track attached to the lower leg portion, and an upper zipper flap located on the upper leg portion proximate the upper zipper track, the upper zipper flap including a first reinforced portion extending substantially around the upper leg portion. The upper zipper flap can cover the zipper when the lower leg portion is connected to the upper leg portion by the zipper. A zipper system and garments incorporating the zipper system are also described.