Clip-on Kneepad with Pant Leg Trapping Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective pads, such as kneepads, often cause discomfort due to constricting straps that impede blood flow and tend to slip out of position, especially when transitioning between kneeling and standing positions, as they rely on straps that encircle the limb and attach to the pants, leading to undesirable sagging and movement issues.
Innovation Solution
The integration of connectors directly into the side edges of the protective pads, which connect directly to the pant legs without the need for straps, ensuring a firm and secure attachment that minimizes looseness and drooping, using a combination of hard and soft materials for comfort and friction, with connectors positioned to trap pant leg material between ribs for stable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If straps are drawn tightly about the limb to hold the kneepad in place, then the kneepad stability is improved, but the constriction and discomfort about the limbs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the straps that encircle the limb from the kneepad system. Instead of using straps that wrap around the leg, the patent integrates connectors directly into the side edges of the kneepad that attach to the pants leg, removing the source of constriction and discomfort while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces pants leg material as an intermediary between the kneepad and the limb. The connectors attach the kneepad to the pants leg, using the pants material as a mediator that eliminates direct contact between straps and the skin, thereby removing constriction while maintaining secure attachment.
2Reliability
If straps are drawn tightly to prevent downward movement of the kneepad when standing, then the kneepad position stability is improved, but the pants of the wearer remain bunched above the knee
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the straps that encircle the leg and cause pants bunching. By using connectors that attach directly to the pants leg without wrapping around the limb, the system prevents kneepad downward movement while allowing the pants to lie flat without bunching above the knee.
3Ease of operation
If straps are attached loosely to reduce discomfort, then the wearer comfort is improved, but the kneepads have a propensity to slip out of position
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the straps that create the trade-off between comfort and retention. By using connectors that attach directly to the pants leg, the system achieves secure kneepad retention without requiring tight straps, thereby maintaining wearer comfort while preventing slippage.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If shorter straps with connectors at the ends are used to connect directly to the pants, then the strap constriction is reduced, but the kneepad tends to sag downwardly from the connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the connector with the side edges of the kneepad, eliminating the intermediate strap portion that causes sagging. The connectors are integrated directly into the kneepad structure, creating a unified attachment system that prevents downward sagging while maintaining low constriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the intermediate strap portion that extends from the kneepad to the connectors. By eliminating this intermediate element, the system prevents the kneepad from sagging downwardly while maintaining the benefit of reduced strap constriction.
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
This solution provides a comfortable and secure attachment of protective pads to the body, maintaining their position during various movements and reducing discomfort, as the pads move in unison with the pant leg, ensuring effective protection and cushioning without the constraints of traditional straps.
Implementation Method 1
The connectors are configured to trap a portion of a pant leg against one of said ribs of the protective shell
Data Source
AI summary
A kneepad includes connectors (32 and 34) at its lower side edges (30 and 31) below the position of articulation of the joint. The connectors are biased toward a plurality of ribs (40) integrally formed in the external side surface of the outer hard shell (22) for trapping the side seams of the pant leg against the ribs and holding the kneepad firmly in place.