Garment Support Member with Tethered Outer Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional clothing garments often lack localized support and flexibility, as the inner snugly fitting portion restricts the outer portion from draping loosely, and existing designs do not provide adequate support to specific body regions like the lumbar or knees.
Innovation Solution
A clothing article with a support member that includes a snugly fitting support structure connected to an outer shell via tether portions, allowing the outer shell to move freely, and featuring adjustable tension through hook-and-loop elements, stiffening members for resistance, and openings for adjustment, providing localized support to areas like the lumbar and knees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inner portion is configured to snugly fit to the body of the wearer, then localized support is provided, but the outer portion is restricted from draping loosely
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into three functional segments: an outer shell for loose drape, an inner portion for snug fit, and a support member for localized support. These segments are connected via tethers that allow independent movement, enabling each component to perform its function without restricting the others.
Solution Approach 2:
Tether portions act as intermediaries connecting the support member to the outer shell. These tethers allow the support member to remain attached to the garment while permitting relative movement between the support member and outer shell, thus maintaining both snug support and loose drape freedom.
2Ease of operation
If the outer shell is configured to fit loosely on the body, then comfort and freedom of movement are improved, but localized support is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The garment provides different fit qualities at different locations: the outer shell maintains a loose fit for overall comfort and movement, while the support member provides a snug local fit at specific body regions (lumbar, knees, etc.) to deliver targeted support where needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support member is firmly connected to the outer shell, then support stability is improved, but the outer shell cannot move freely relative to the support member
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the support member and outer shell is made dynamic rather than rigid. The tether portions allow the system to adapt its configuration based on movement, maintaining connection while permitting relative motion between components.
Data Source
AI summary
A clothing article having a support member is provided. The clothing article includes an outer shell, a portion of the outer shell being dimensioned to fit loosely on a body of a wearer. A support structure has a support member supporting the body of the wearer when positioned thereon, and fits snugly on the body of the wearer, At least one tether portion extends between the support member and at least one connection region that is secured to the outer shell. At least a part of the at least one tether portion is dimensioned to enable the outer shell to move substantially freely relative to the support member when the clothing article is worn by the wearer.