Garment Strap Link Curved Transverse Bars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garment strap links, particularly in activewear, cause discomfort due to their size and material, leading to skin abrasion and instability during motion, as they often poke or abrade the skin and may shift, compromising support.
Innovation Solution
A link for garment straps featuring a pair of outer longitudinal bars with transverse bars that curve forward and are made of a resilient material, such as polyoxymethylene, polyacrylate, or polycarbonate, with tapered thickness at junctures to minimize discomfort and prevent unwanted movement, and optionally includes textured surfaces for improved grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the link size is reduced to improve comfort, then skin abrasion is reduced, but link stability and support capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid metal to resilient material, and modifies the geometric parameter by curving the transverse bars forward and tapering thickness at junctures. This allows the link to maintain adequate size for stability while reducing skin abrasion through material resilience and curved geometry that prevents sharp edges during motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs resilient material (such as elastomers or polymers) instead of traditional rigid metals, creating a composite-like structure that combines flexibility with structural integrity. This material substitution enables the link to deform elastically during wearer motion, reducing skin contact stress while maintaining overall link stability.
2Strength
If the link is made of rigid metal to ensure stability, then link strength is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to skin poking and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the material parameter from rigid metal to resilient material, and modifies the geometric parameter by curving transverse bars forward. This allows the link to maintain sufficient strength through material properties and structural design while eliminating skin poking and abrasion caused by rigid edges and corners during wearer motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curvature by bending the transverse bars forward from the junctures, eliminating sharp corners and edges that cause skin abrasion. The curved geometry distributes contact pressure more evenly during wearer motion, maintaining link strength while significantly improving comfort by preventing skin poking and rubbing.
3Reliability
If the link size is increased to improve stability, then support capability is improved, but comfort worsens due to greater skin contact and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter to resilient material and modifies geometric parameters including curving transverse bars and tapering thickness at junctures. This allows the link to maintain adequate size for support capability while the resilient material and curved geometry reduce skin abrasion by preventing sharp edge contact during wearer motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by tapering the thickness of longitudinal bars to a minimum at the junctures where transverse bars connect. This creates highly flexible zones at critical locations, allowing the link to adapt to wearer motion and reduce skin contact stress at specific points while maintaining overall link size and support 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 solution provides enhanced comfort and stability by reducing the likelihood of the link poking the skin and preventing unwanted strap movement, ensuring better support and security during exercise or strenuous activities.
Implementation Method 1
the link is formed of a resilient material
Data Source
AI summary
A link or slide for a garment strap includes mutually parallel longitudinal bars and a pair of opposing transverse bars each forming a juncture with ends of the longitudinal bars. The transverse bars curve forward from the junctures away from the rear of the longitudinal bars, reducing potential discomfort to an active wearer. In embodiments, the link is formed of resilient material and the link thickness tapers to a minimum at the junctures, forming flexible zones which provide added comfort. In additional embodiments, the longitudinal bars have angled edges adjoining slots through which the garment strap passes. The angled edges resist undesirable motion of the strap, especially while the wearer is exercising.