Inflatable Protection Garment Closure for Adjustable Fit Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing personal protection devices with inflatable elements require multiple sizes to accommodate different clothing volumes, and their adjustment mechanisms, such as Velcro fasteners, lack reliability and stability, especially in inflated conditions.

Innovation Solution

A personal protection device with a combination of permanent and detachable connection structures, including a zipper, allows for reversible size adjustment by varying the distance between portions, ensuring stable retention and precise positioning on the user's body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the personal protection device uses Velcro fasteners for size adjustment, then the device can be adapted to different body sizes, but the retaining action becomes unreliable over time and during inflation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize adjustmentVSAvoidretaining action
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection means is divided into a permanent connection structure (providing stable retention) and a detachable connection device (providing size adjustment). This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function: the permanent structure ensures reliability while the detachable part enables adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the permanent connection structure with the detachable connection device into a unified connection means. The detachable device is integrated onto the permanent structure, combining the stability of permanent connection with the adjustability of detachable fastening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If the personal protection device is designed in fixed sizes, then the structure is simpler, but the user must purchase multiple devices for different clothing volumes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidcompatibility with different clothing volumes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The personal protection device is designed with adjustable dimensions through the detachable connection device, allowing a single device to serve multiple users with different body sizes and clothing volumes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple fixed-size devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection means allows dynamic adjustment of the device dimensions by detaching or attaching the detachable connection device. This transforms the device from a static fixed-size structure to a dynamic adjustable structure that can adapt to different requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the detachable connection device allows open configuration for larger size, then the device can accommodate greater clothing volume, but the distance between portions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of clothing volumeVSAvoiddistance between portions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection means is segmented into permanent and detachable components, where the detachable portion can be configured in open or closed states. This segmentation enables controlled adjustment of the distance between portions while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4483734B1Personal protection device
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 DAINESE SPA
  • EP4483734B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4483734B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4483734B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a personal protection device comprising at least one first portion (101) element and one second portion (102) of an inflatable element, an inflatable element intended to protect at least partially an area of user's body, a permanent connection structure (21) designed to connect the aforementioned first and second portions (101, 102), a detachable connection device (22) having a first and a second connection element (221, 222) associated respectively with the aforementioned first and second portions (101, 102). The detachable connection device (22) is designed to assume an open configuration in which the first and second connection elements (221, 222) are separated and a closed configuration in which the first and second connection elements (221, 222) are connected together. The open configuration and the closed configuration correspond respectively to a first and a second predefined relationship between the aforementioned first and second portions (101, 102). The distance between the aforementioned first and second portions (101, 102) in the second spaced relationship is smaller than the distance in the first spaced relationship.