Elastic Retention Strap for Garment Pocket Item Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garment pockets often struggle to securely retain items that are longer than their depth, and closure mechanisms like flaps, zippers, or hook and loop fasteners can limit the size of items that can be retained.
Innovation Solution
A pocket design featuring an elastic retention strap secured within the pocket space, with one end attached to the pocket layer at a first location and the other end attached at a second location, allowing the strap to stretch to accommodate items beyond the pocket's depth, and a pleat or rigidizer providing support to maintain the pocket's shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pocket is provided with a closure mechanism (closure flap, zipper, hook and loop fastener, or button closure), then the retention of items is improved, but the size of items that can be securely retained is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is segmented from the pocket closure. Instead of using a single closure mechanism that must accommodate all items, the pocket uses a simple opening without closure, and adds a separate retention strap that can be configured independently to secure specific items of varying sizes and shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention strap acts as an intermediary element between the pocket opening and the item being retained. It provides the necessary securing function without requiring the pocket itself to have a complex closure mechanism, allowing flexibility in item size and shape.
2Reliability
If the pocket is provided with a substantial length or depth from the open end, then the retention of items is improved, but the design flexibility and practicality are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is extracted from the pocket's structural depth. Instead of relying on a deep pocket body to hold items, the invention uses a separate retention strap that can be attached at various locations within the pocket, allowing the pocket itself to maintain a simple, flexible design while still providing secure retention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the retention strap is made elastic and stretched to accommodate items longer than the pocket depth, then the retention of longer items is improved, but the complexity of the retention arrangement is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The retention strap's elasticity allows its effective length to change dynamically based on the item being retained. The strap can be stretched to accommodate longer items or relaxed for shorter items, providing adaptability without requiring a complex adjustable mechanism, as the material property itself provides the adjustment capability.
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
The elastic retention strap effectively secures items of varying lengths within the pocket, preventing unintended removal even when the pocket is bent or oriented non-vertically, while maintaining a clean appearance and reducing buckling or puckering.
Implementation Method 1
the retention strap is elastic such that the retention strap can be stretched to have a length greater than a distance between the first location and the second location
Data Source
AI summary
A pocket that includes a pocket layer attached to a base layer of an associated object. A pocket space is defined between the base layer and the pocket layer. The pocket layer is connected to the base layer along a portion of a periphery of the pocket layer to define an opening that permits access to the pocket space. A retention arrangement can include a retention strap located within the pocket space and having a first end secured relative to the pocket layer at a first location and a second end secured to the pocket layer at a second location. The retention strap is elastic such that the retention strap can be stretched to have a length greater than a distance between the first location and the second location.