Detachable Emblem Snap Fastener for Sports Team Captain Designation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for designating captains and assistant captains on sports team blouses require special equipment and tools, making it difficult and costly to immediately change or revise designs, especially for amateur and scholastic teams.

Innovation Solution

A detachable, thin flexible multi-layer emblem with a mechanical closure that attaches to a garment without piercing it, using a 'quick connect' snap fastener system that allows for easy attachment and removal without special tools, enabling immediate changes and cost-effective designation of team members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If permanent affixing methods (silk-screening, sewing, adhesives) are used to attach captain letters to blouses, then the letters are securely attached, but special equipment and tools are required and immediate changes cannot be made

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidease of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The captain designation system is divided into detachable letter components (C for captain, A for assistant captain) that can be separately attached and removed from the blouse, allowing individual pieces to be handled and repositioned without affecting the entire garment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment method transitions from permanent (sewing, silk-screening) to dynamic/reversible (snap fasteners), enabling the captain letters to be easily attached, removed, and reattached multiple times without special equipment, while maintaining secure attachment during wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If permanent affixing methods are used to attach captain letters, then the letters remain fixed, but cost and time for changing captains increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveletter fixationVSAvoidtime to change designation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The snap fastener mechanisms are pre-attached to the captain letters and blouses during manufacturing, so that no additional tools, equipment, or complex preparation are needed at the time of designation change - coaches can simply attach or remove the letters manually

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reversible snap fastener system allows rapid transition between different captain designations by simply detaching and reattaching letters, reducing the time and cost associated with changing captains compared to permanent methods that require specialized equipment and processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If heat-based bonding methods are used to attach emblems, then permanent bonding is achieved, but special equipment and high temperatures are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding permanenceVSAvoidequipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal bonding processes (heat presses, irons) with a mechanical attachment system using snap fasteners, eliminating the need for specialized heating equipment while achieving secure, reversible attachment through purely mechanical means

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The emblem is divided into a face portion and a backing portion with snap fasteners, allowing mechanical attachment that secures the emblem firmly to the blouse without requiring heat-based bonding equipment or processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables quick, cost-effective, and tool-free designation of captains and assistant captains on blouses, reducing sports team costs and improving game functionality by allowing for easy revisions and last-minute changes.

Implementation Method 1

The emblem is heat-sealed to a substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal melting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

a mechanical closure for attaching the emblem to a garment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS10143243B1Blouse with a detachable emblem for identifying a captain of a sports team

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 BARDY CHRISTOPHER ALBERT

AI summary

A rapid easy to use detachable emblem and method for designating a member of a sports team. The emblem is inscribed with an alpha numeric character that designates the position of the member of the sports team, a backing for retaining the emblem to a garment; and a mechanical closure for interlocking the emblem with the garment and the backing. The method is comprised of placing the emblem against an outer surface of the garment, placing the backing against an inner surface of the garment opposite the emblem and interlocking the emblem with the garment and backing by engaging the members of a two-part mechanical closure. In a second embodiment, multiple mechanical closures are used for attaching the emblem to the garment.