Crotch Access System with Zipper and Flap for Insulated Garments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearing trousers, overalls, or coveralls can be cumbersome when needing to use a restroom, as removing them is often laborious and time-consuming, especially for insulated garments.
Innovation Solution
A crotch access system featuring a rapid access closure with zippers and snap components that allow for quick opening and closing of the crotch area, including adjustable cinches and flaps for additional security and draft prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If trousers or overalls are made with insulated material for warmth, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the time and effort required to remove them for restroom use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into separate components: an outer insulated shell and an inner liner that can be independently removed. The liner includes a crotch panel that can be accessed and opened without removing the entire garment, allowing restroom use while maintaining the bulk of the insulated structure in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The crotch access system extracts the functionality of restroom access from the main garment removal action. A dedicated crotch panel with zipper and flap components is integrated into the insulated garment, allowing users to access the restroom by opening only the crotch panel rather than removing the entire insulated garment.
2Ease of operation
If a rapid access closure system is added to the crotch area, then ease of restroom access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple closure mechanisms (zipper, snap fasteners, and fabric flap) are merged into a single integrated crotch access system. The zipper provides the primary opening mechanism, while snap fasteners on the flap provide secondary securing, combining multiple fastening methods into one cohesive access system that maintains both security and ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The crotch access system performs multiple functions: the zipper provides primary access control, the snap fasteners provide additional security and wind protection, and the fabric flap provides both structural support and weather protection. This multi-functional design consolidates several features into a single integrated system rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
3Productivity
If the crotch area is made accessible without full garment removal, then productivity during restroom breaks is improved, but garment security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The crotch panel is constructed with multiple layers of protection: an inner zipper closure, an outer flap with snap fasteners, and insulating material between layers. This layered construction provides 'cushioning' of security measures in advance, ensuring that even when the crotch panel is opened for restroom access, the remaining garment structure maintains thermal security and physical integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The crotch panel incorporates flexible fabric flaps and thin film-like zipper constructions that allow controlled access while maintaining overall garment integrity. The flexible nature of these components enables easy opening and closing while the layered structure maintains thermal and physical security when closed, balancing accessibility with garment protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A crotch access system for trousers, overalls, or coveralls features a rapid access closure at a crotch. The system features a leg covering garment having a first leg tube, a second leg tube, and a tubular torso component. A first leg first end and a second leg first end are attached to a tubular torso component second end intersecting at the crotch. The system features a first leg slit located on a first leg tube inside and a second leg slit located a second leg tube inside. The system features a first leg zipper located in the first leg slit and a second leg zipper located in the second leg slit for repeatedly opening and closing the second leg slit. The system features a first leg flap located over the first leg slit and a second leg flap located over the second leg slit.