Overlapping Shoulder Straps for Cycling Garment Bathroom Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bicycle clothing with shoulder straps that cross in the back poses a challenge for cyclists needing to use the bathroom, as they must remove the straps to lower the garment, which is inconvenient when worn under other clothing.

Innovation Solution

An athletic garment design featuring overlapping shoulder straps that allow the back to be lowered without removing the straps, incorporating a back bridge and criss-cross open edge for easy access while maintaining strap integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the garment uses traditional shoulder straps that must be removed to access the bathroom, then the garment security is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of bathroom accessVSAvoidgarment structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The back portion of each shoulder strap is divided into two separate sections (first section and second section) that are not secured together, allowing the back of the garment to be lowered for bathroom access while keeping the shoulder straps in place. This segmentation enables independent movement of the back sections without affecting the overall strap structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A back bridge is introduced as an intermediary element that connects the back portions of the first and second shoulder straps. The back bridge allows the strap sections to move relative to each other during bathroom access while maintaining overall structural integrity and strap security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the lower sections of shoulder straps are secured together, then the garment structure is stable, but the ease of bathroom access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of bathroom accessVSAvoidstrap structure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The back portion of each shoulder strap is divided into two separate sections (first section and second section) that are not secured together, allowing the back of the garment to be lowered for bathroom access while keeping the shoulder straps in place. This segmentation enables independent movement of the back sections without affecting the overall strap structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A back bridge is introduced as an intermediary element that connects the back portions of the first and second shoulder straps. The back bridge allows the strap sections to move relative to each other during bathroom access while maintaining overall structural integrity and strap security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the shoulder straps are made removable, then the ease of bathroom access is improved, but the garment security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of bathroom accessVSAvoidgarment security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The back portion of each shoulder strap is divided into two separate sections (first section and second section) that are not secured together, allowing the back of the garment to be lowered for bathroom access while keeping the shoulder straps in place. This segmentation enables independent movement of the back sections without affecting the overall strap structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A back bridge is introduced as an intermediary element that connects the back portions of the first and second shoulder straps. The back bridge allows the strap sections to move relative to each other during bathroom access while maintaining overall structural integrity and strap security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3681322B1Athletic garment for cycling
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 DASHAMERICA INC DBA PEARL IZUMI USA INC
  • EP3681322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3681322B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3681322B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A garment that includes a bottom portion having first and second leg openings, a front part and a back part, first and second shoulder straps that each have a front portion extending upwardly from the front part and a back portion extending upwardly from the back part. The first and second shoulder straps each include a shoulder portion that connects the front portion to the back portion, The back portion of the first shoulder strap includes an upper section and a lower section and the lower section is wider than the upper section. The back portion of the second shoulder strap includes an upper section and a lower section and the lower section is wider than the upper section. At least a portion of the lower section of the first shoulder strap overlaps at least a portion of the lower section of the second shoulder strap.