Knee Pad Locking Channels for Stable Fit Without Blood Flow Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee pads for construction workers often have coupling mechanisms that tighten when the wearer bends, restricting blood flow and requiring frequent adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A locking work piece system featuring a plate with channels and an elastomer cord that secures the knee pad in place, providing a dual-channel mechanism to prevent retraction and release, and an auxiliary plate with an eyelet for enhanced holding power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a belt with coupling means (buckle, Velcro, knot) is used to secure the knee pad, then the knee pad can be held in place on the leg, but the coupling means tightens when the wearer bends, restricting blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful tightening function from the coupling mechanism by removing the traditional buckle/Velcro/knot and replacing it with an elastomeric cord system. The cord passes through channels that prevent it from tightening around the leg when the knee bends, thereby extracting the blood flow restriction problem while retaining the position-holding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric cord acts as an intermediary element between the knee pad and the leg. Instead of a rigid or friction-based coupling that tightens, the cord provides a flexible, tension-based connection that maintains position stability without constricting blood flow, as it can elongate and redistribute pressure evenly.
2Reliability
If a traditional coupling means is used, then the knee pad can be secured, but it requires frequent position readjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using an elastomeric cord that can dynamically adjust to leg movement and bending. The cord's elastic properties allow it to maintain consistent tension and positioning throughout various knee positions, eliminating the need for frequent readjustment that occurs with rigid coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking work piece with channels is designed to pre-prevent cord slippage or loosening during movement. The channel structure creates a locking effect that maintains position stability in advance, preventing the need for subsequent adjustments.
3Strength
If a single channel system is used, then the structure is simple, but the holding power is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single channel into multiple opposing channels (first channel and second channel) that work together to provide enhanced holding power. Each channel contributes to the overall securing mechanism, distributing the holding force and increasing reliability without creating a overly complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple channels and elastomeric cords into an integrated locking work piece system. The opposing channels work in unison with the elastomeric cord to create a synergistic effect that significantly increases holding power beyond what a single channel could provide, while maintaining structural efficiency.
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 system allows for easy donning and adjustment of knee pads, reduces the need for frequent repositioning, and provides secure, comfortable fit by distributing tension evenly, thereby improving blood flow and stability.
Implementation Method 1
A first end of an elastomer cord is clamped or coupled to an eyelet in the auxiliary plate. The elastomer cord is guided around the rear of the wearer of the knee pad and the cord is then stretched and forced to squeeze into the first channel, The cord remaining portion of the cord is then stretched again and dragged to squeeze another short length of the cord into an opposing second channel thereby positively binding the cord from retracting or releasing the cord.
Data Source
AI summary
A left knee pad with a locking work piece having a knee pad body for the support of a protective surface having a locking workpiece with a first pair of opposing channels attached to the left side of the body, comprising a first channel and a second channel, and an attachment tab region coupled to the right side of the knee pad body. A tab having an eyelet. An elastomeric tube first portion passing thru the eyelet, the first portion is folded back around the eyelet clamped to a first portion of the cord. The tube is passed around the leg of the wearer, drawn into tension by the wearer. The tension portion of the cord is then compressed and passed into the first channel and then drawn into tension and compressed and passed into the second channel to lock the tube and knee pad to the wearer.