Garment Strap Clips for Shoulder Strap Visibility and Slippage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional brassieres with shoulder straps are often visible and prone to slipping when worn with certain garments, such as halter tops and sports bras, which is considered unsightly and inconvenient during physical activity.

Innovation Solution

A garment strap clip with integrally formed hook portions that can be adjusted to secure shoulder straps in close proximity, minimizing visibility and preventing slippage through an engaged configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If shoulder straps are worn with halter tops or sports bras, then the garment can be worn with certain styles, but the shoulder straps become visible and unsightly from the rear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegarment compatibilityVSAvoidvisibility of shoulder straps

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A strap clip is introduced as an intermediary device between the shoulder straps and the wearer's clothing. The clip attaches to the shoulder straps and pulls them together into close proximity, serving as a mediator that eliminates the unsightly visibility problem while maintaining compatibility with various garment styles such as halter tops and sports bras

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If shoulder straps are secured in close proximity, then visibility is minimized, but the clips may inadvertently unclip during movement or physical activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of shoulder strapsVSAvoidclip retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The strap clip employs a dynamic spring-loaded mechanism with resilient arms that can flex and adapt during movement. The spring-loaded design allows the clip to maintain secure engagement with the shoulder straps while accommodating the dynamic forces generated during physical activity, preventing inadvertent unclipping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clip design incorporates preliminary anti-action by using spring-loaded resilient arms that continuously apply a securing force to maintain engagement. This pre-applied counteracting force prevents the clips from unclipping during movement or physical activity before the problem can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of manufacture

If the strap clip structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but the clip may slip off the shoulder straps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclip fabricationVSAvoidstrap retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The strap clip utilizes flexible resilient arms made from elastic materials that can be manufactured using simple molding processes. These flexible arms provide the necessary retention force to prevent slippage while maintaining ease of manufacture through integral formation and simple geometric shapes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12402669B2Garment strap clips and garments with strap clips

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 CASTILLO PIEDRA GINA ISABEL

AI summary

A garment strap clip used with garments having at least two shoulder straps such as a brassiere or tank top. The strap clip has an outer portion defining a closed curve having a right side and left side. A first clip arm is integrally formed with the right side of the outer portion and a second clip arm is integrally formed with the left side of the outer portion. The first clip arm and the second clip arm extend inwardly to a position proximate the center of the strap clip and are selectively positionable in a disengaged configuration or in an engaged configuration.