Garment Integrated Gripping Technology Using Exposed Elastic Threads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothing gripping technologies, such as polymer strips or beads, hinder natural body movement, create bulk, and cause discomfort due to high friction and lack of breathability, while failing to effectively keep garments in place over large areas.
Innovation Solution
The integration of exposed elastic threads into the fabric of garments, which provide high friction coefficients over large interior surfaces, eliminating the need for point-specific gripping technologies and allowing for free cut edges and reduced bulkiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polymer strips or beads are applied to the edge of the garment to prevent slipping, then the garment is kept in place, but body movement is hindered and bulk is created
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping function is segmented from the edge location and distributed throughout the garment body. Multiple small gripping zones are created across the fabric surface rather than concentrating the gripping function at a single edge location, allowing the garment to stay in place while moving freely with the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping technology is transitioned from a one-dimensional edge application (polymer strip along the hem) to a two-dimensional distribution across the garment surface. This dimensional expansion allows gripping force to be dispersed over a larger area, reducing constraint on body movement while maintaining position stability.
2Reliability
If polymer strips or beads are applied to grip the garment in place, then the garment stays positioned, but bulk is created and breathability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of thick polymer strips or beads that create bulk, the invention uses a thin film or coating applied directly to the fabric. This thin-layer approach provides the necessary gripping function while maintaining garment thinness and reducing overall bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping mechanism is changed from a three-dimensional polymer strip/bead structure to a two-dimensional surface coating. This parameter change in the physical form of the gripping element eliminates the bulk associated with conventional applications while preserving the position-stabilizing function.
3Reliability
If polymer strips or beads are applied to the garment edge, then gripping is provided, but uncomfortably high friction is created and breathability is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping function is applied locally as a thin coating only where needed on the fabric surface, rather than as a thick strip that covers and constrains the skin. This localized application provides necessary friction for position stability while allowing breathability and reducing skin contact discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric itself acts as an intermediary between the skin and the gripping coating. The coating is applied to the fabric rather than directly to the skin, allowing the fabric to mediate the interaction and distribute the gripping force evenly, reducing concentrated friction points that cause discomfort.
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
This solution enhances body movement freedom, reduces bulk, and prevents discomfort by distributing gripping technology across the garment, maintaining the garment in place without the drawbacks of conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The fabric having exposed elastic threads has higher coefficients of friction than most fabrics. For example, the static coefficient of friction in the warp direction can be from about 0.9 to about 3.0.
Data Source
AI summary
The garments disclosed herein have integrated gripping technology to grip the body of the wearer over large interior surfaces. The distribution of gripping technology throughout the garment gives increased freedom of body movement and reduces bulkiness over conventional garments, while also allowing for free cut edges. Furthermore, the dispersion of the gripping technology over the majority of the garment eliminates the problem of polymer strips and beading digging into the skin. Slip garment embodiments are disclosed herein that include a lower region having an interior surface with exposed elastic threads configured to directly contact the wearer. The slip garment embodiments include a free-cut lower edge. The slip garment embodiments can be constructed using cut and sew methods.