Cushioned Clip for Underwire Bra Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Underwire bras often cause discomfort and bruising due to exposed underwires or friction from the bra casing, leading to premature wear and discarding of otherwise usable bras.

Innovation Solution

A bra saver device featuring a cushioned clip with multiple layers of gelatinous, foam, or plastic materials that attaches to the bra, providing protection and comfort by sandwiching the underwire casing and reducing friction, available in various colors, designs, and scents, and easy to use and maintain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If underwire bras are used to provide breast support and uplifted appearance, then the aesthetic and support function is improved, but the underwires may protrude or the casing may rub against the skin causing bruising and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport functionVSAvoidskin bruising and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective device with a soft cushioning member and a clip is introduced as an intermediary between the bra and the skin. The clip attaches to the bra structure while the cushioning member contacts the skin, mediating the interaction to prevent direct contact with hard underwires or rubbing casing, thus eliminating harmful effects while preserving support function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device is positioned in advance between the bra structure and the skin before any harmful contact can occur. The soft cushioning member is specifically placed to preemptively protect vulnerable skin areas from underwire protrusion or casing friction, preventing bruising before it happens

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the underwire casing is made bulky to protect the underwire, then the protection function is improved, but the bulkiness causes increased friction and bruising against the skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunderwire protectionVSAvoidfriction and bruising

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device serves as a new intermediary that replaces the bulky casing approach. Instead of making the casing bulky (which causes friction), a separate protective element with soft cushioning material is introduced, providing underwire protection through a different mechanism that does not involve increased bulk or friction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device applies protection locally at the specific points where underwires contact or near the skin, rather than requiring the entire casing to be bulky. The soft cushioning member is strategically positioned only where needed to protect from underwire exposure, maintaining minimal bulk elsewhere

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If protective devices are added to cover exposed underwires, then the safety from punctures is improved, but the device complexity and bulkiness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepuncture protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is segmented into two distinct functional components: a clip element for attachment to the bra structure and a soft cushioning member for protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall structure compared to attempting to create a single integrated protective element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device is designed as a simple, inexpensive accessory that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The clip and cushioning member are basic components that do not require complex materials or construction, making the overall device simple and cost-effective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Stability of the object's composition

If slip-resistant materials are impregnated into the bra to prevent sliding, then the stability is improved, but the friction between the bra and skin increases causing bruising

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebra stabilityVSAvoidskin bruising from friction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The soft cushioning member of the protective device serves as an intermediary between the slip-resistant bra material and the skin. It allows the bra to maintain its slip-resistant properties for stability while the cushioning member absorbs the friction, preventing direct skin contact with high-friction surfaces and eliminating bruising

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8968050B1Bra saver device

Publication Date: 2015.03.03 RILEY BEVERLY A

AI summary

A bra saver device made for underwire and non-underwire bras to provide protection to the wearer from sudden exposure to underwires and to provide comfort between the wearer of a bra from friction caused by movement of a bra during normal use. The present invention easily attaches to the edge of a bra by opening the clip to the present invention and placing it over the bra where ever an underwire has become exposed and then closing the clip to securely attach the present invention to a bra. The present invention can also be attached to any section of the bra at the edge along the bra at the top or the bottom, front or back where the wearer of the bra experiences discomfort.