Flexible Strap-Reaching Tool With Quick-Connect Hook Heads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dressing and undressing tools are often rigid, uncomfortable, and lack versatility, making it difficult for individuals to remove bra straps without removing a top layer of clothing, especially in scenarios where privacy or flexibility is limited.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, adjustable tool with multiple hook heads and quick-connect fasteners that allows for easy assembly and use, enabling the manipulation of bra straps under a top layer of clothing without damaging the garment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid dressing tool is used to reach bra straps under clothing, then the tool provides structural stability, but it becomes uncomfortable and clumsy to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcomfortability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tool employs a flexible shaft construction that allows the handle to bend and conform to the user's arm and body contours, providing both structural integrity for reaching and manipulating straps and comfortability for extended use. The flexibility enables the tool to navigate under clothing layers without rigid edges causing discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Device complexity

If a single-function tool is designed for specific use, then the tool structure is simple, but it lacks versatility for different strap sizes and materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool structure simplicityVSAvoidversatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tool incorporates multiple hook heads with varying sizes, shapes, and configurations that can be interchanged on the same handle. This allows a single tool structure to adapt to different strap materials (elastic, lace, thick, thin) and sizes, providing versatility without requiring multiple specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool is divided into modular components including the handle and interchangeable hook heads that can be quickly attached and detached. This segmentation allows users to select the appropriate hook head for specific strap types while maintaining a simple, unified handle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Length of moving object

If the tool has a long shaft to reach under clothing layers, then the tool can access bra straps, but it becomes difficult to control and maneuver

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft lengthVSAvoidcontrollability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible shaft construction allows the long tool to bend and follow the natural contours of the user's arm and body, making it easier to control and maneuver under clothing layers compared to a rigid shaft of the same length. The flexibility enables precise positioning while maintaining overall controllability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Measurement precision

If the tool edges are sharp for precise manipulation, then the tool can accurately grasp straps, but it may cause skin scrapes and fabric damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulation precisionVSAvoidskin and fabric damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hook heads are designed with localized precision features at the gripping points to accurately grasp straps, while the shaft and handle edges are rounded and smooth to prevent skin scrapes and fabric damage. This differentiation of local qualities allows precise manipulation without harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tool incorporates rounded edges and smooth surfaces along the shaft and handle that contact skin and fabric beforehand, preventing potential damage before it occurs. The design anticipates contact with vulnerable areas and provides cushioning through rounded geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10390646B1Tool for reaching and manipulating straps and other objects

Publication Date: 2019.08.27 COXWORKS LLC

AI summary

An elongated tool includes at least one of a specially-adapted tool handle/shaft and/or a specially-adapted tool head that may be used for reaching and manipulating objects, for example, for reaching a clothing portion such as a strap or a bra strap. The tool may have various quick-connect tool heads for adaptation to reach and manipulate different objects, such as different strap sizes and materials. The tool handle may have massaging bumps to reduce skin friction, potential scrapes, and/or fabric snags, and/or to increase direct path accuracy when routing tool along a user's skin and/or along a clothing surface. The preferred tool heads have multiple hooks shaped and curved for optimal control and capture of various clothing portions and/or straps. The tool may aid both abled-bodied and physically-challenged persons to remove or put on a bra, and/or otherwise undress or dress, in a comfortable, convenient, and/or discrete or private manner.