Garment Tethering System for Shape Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garments such as dresses and bathing suits often face issues in maintaining their aesthetic look and function, particularly in preventing the outer garment from clinging to the user and unwanted exposure of lower extremities when wet, due to the lack of an effective tethering system between the outer and undergarments.
Innovation Solution
A tethering system comprising elastic tethers with fastening elements attached to the outer garment and corresponding fastening elements on the undergarment, allowing for secure attachment and detachment, which maintains the garment's shape and prevents unwanted exposure by allowing the skirt portion to fall into its intended shape and preventing floating up in water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the outer garment is made loose-fitting for comfort and aesthetic purposes, then the garment maintains its shape and aesthetic look, but the outer garment may cling to the user and cause unwanted exposure of lower extremities when wet
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into two separate functional components: an outer garment layer and an undergarment layer. The tethering system connects these segments to work together, allowing each layer to perform its specific function while maintaining overall garment integrity and preventing exposure issues
Solution Approach 2:
A tethering system with fastening elements serves as an intermediary mechanism between the outer garment and undergarment. This intermediary connection allows the two garment layers to work together, securing the undergarment to prevent exposure while maintaining the loose-fitting aesthetic of the outer garment
2Shape
If the outer garment and undergarment are attached permanently to maintain shape, then the garment maintains its aesthetic look, but the undergarment cannot be removed without removing the outer garment
Solution Approach 1:
The tethering system incorporates dynamic, reversible fastening elements that allow the connection between outer garment and undergarment to be adjusted. The fastening elements can be engaged to maintain shape and disengaged to allow removal, providing dynamic control over garment configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The tethering system is designed as a separate, detachable component that segments the attachment function from the garment structures. This allows the undergarment and outer garment to be separated when needed while maintaining their connection when required for shape maintenance
3Reliability
If a tethering system is added to prevent clinging and exposure, then the garment's functional integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tethers are constructed as flexible, thin connecting elements that provide the necessary functional connection without adding significant structural complexity. These flexible tethers can adapt to garment movement while maintaining the tethering function
Solution Approach 2:
The tethering system is extracted as a separate, modular component rather than being integrated into the main garment structures. This extraction allows the tethering function to be added independently, simplifying the overall design by separating concerns and allowing each component to be optimized independently
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 tethering system effectively maintains the garment's aesthetic and functional integrity by preventing clinging and unwanted exposure, while providing flexibility and ease of use by allowing the undergarment to be removed without removing the outer garment.
Implementation Method 1
each of said tethers is made from an elastic material
Data Source
AI summary
A garment includes an outer garment having a shorts portion with an inner side and a pair of elastic tethers having first fastening elements, and an undergarment having a front panel and a pair of second fastening elements. Each of the first fastening elements of the tethers of the shorts portion is adapted to engage releasably a corresponding one of the second fastening elements of the undergarment. The first and second fastening elements may include snap elements, buttons, pins, zippers, or hook and loop fasteners.