Integrated Sock Gaiter for Debris Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearing socks with shoes or boots in outdoor environments leads to debris entering the space between the shoe and sock, which existing gaiters can partially address but require additional clothing and adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A sock and gaiter combination where the gaiter is integral to the sock, allowing it to be converted between a sock configuration and a gaiter configuration, providing a single article of clothing that can effectively reduce debris entry without the need for separate gaiter adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate gaiter is worn over the sock and boot opening, then debris entry is reduced, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring additional clothing and adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gaiter and sock into a single integrated article of clothing. The gaiter portion is constructed as an extension of the sock, forming a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate gaiter and sock garments. This merging resolves the contradiction by maintaining debris protection while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated garment serves multiple functions: the lower portion functions as a sock covering the foot and lower leg, while the upper portion functions as a gaiter protecting the boot opening. This multi-functionality allows a single article to provide both sock and gaiter protection, eliminating the need for separate adjustments and improving ease of operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate gaiter is worn over the sock and boot opening, then debris entry is reduced, but ease of operation worsens due to requiring additional adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the gaiter and sock into one integrated article, the patent eliminates the need for separate adjustments. The user simply puts on the single integrated garment, which automatically provides both sock coverage and gaiter protection at the boot opening, significantly simplifying the dressing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaiter portion is pre-integrated with the sock during manufacturing, with the gaiter already positioned and attached to extend over the boot opening. This preliminary integration means no additional field adjustments are needed when the user puts on the garment, improving ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If the gaiter is integral to the sock, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability may worsen if the fixed design does not fit various shoe/boot types
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated gaiter includes a flexible, movable portion that can be adjusted and positioned at different heights along the boot opening. This dynamic design allows the same integrated article to adapt to various shoe and boot types, maintaining versatility while keeping device complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaiter portion is divided into a fixed lower section attached to the sock and a movable upper section that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the adjustable portion to accommodate different footwear openings while the integrated structure remains simple and unified.
Data Source
AI summary
A sock and gaiter combination is disclosed as an article of clothing. An example of the sock and gaiter combination includes a sock having a calf portion, an ankle portion and a foot portion. The example sock and gaiter combination also includes a gaiter integral with the sock. The gaiter is operable between a sock configuration and a gaiter configuration. The gaiter covers the calf portion of the sock in the sock configuration. The gaiter is folded down at least partially over the ankle portion of the sock in the gaiter configuration. In an example, the sock and gaiter combination includes a transition area between the ankle portion and the calf portion of the sock.