Garment Strap Coupling for One-Handed Support Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional garments, such as nursing bras, lack the ability to adjust the level of tension or support, which is important during athletic activities, and often require two hands to manipulate the attachment means.
Innovation Solution
A garment adjusting system with a first strap and a second strap, each secured to textile elements, featuring a male and female coupling component that can be easily mated using one hand, allowing for adjustable support by sliding the female coupling component along the second strap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional clips or attachment means are used to couple the outer layer to the shoulder strap, then the garment can be assembled, but the attachment means is difficult to manipulate and requires two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into separate male and female components that can be independently manipulated. The male component is attached to the shoulder strap while the female component is on the outer layer, allowing each to be operated independently with one hand
Solution Approach 2:
A strap element acts as an intermediary component that connects the outer layer to the shoulder strap through the male and female coupling components, providing a manageable interface for one-handed operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional nursing bras are used, then the garment provides basic support, but there is no way to adjust the level of tension or support during athletic activities
Solution Approach 1:
The garment transitions from a static support structure to a dynamic one by incorporating a sliding mechanism on the strap. The female coupling component can slide along the strap to adjust tension, allowing the garment to adapt to different support needs during athletic activities
Solution Approach 2:
The support level is adjusted by changing the position parameter of the female coupling component along the strap. Moving the component changes the effective length and tension of the strap, thereby adjusting the support level without complex mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
This application describes a garment adjusting system that utilizes straps connected to textile elements. A male coupling component with a hook is secured to a first textile element using a first strap, and a female coupling component with a receiving hole is secured to a second textile element using a second strap. The male and female coupling components can be releasably mated by inserting the hook into the receiving hole. Once mated, a level of support provided by the first and/or second textile elements may be adjusted by adjustably sliding the second strap through the female coupling component to adjust a length of the second strap.