Limb Protector With Removable Guard for Washing and Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing limb protectors, such as those used in sports like lacrosse and ice hockey, are cumbersome to wash and require replacement of the entire unit if only a part is damaged or needs a different color/design to match team jerseys, leading to inconvenience and unnecessary expense.
Innovation Solution
A limb protector design featuring a removable limb guard with a pin that extends through a sheath aperture, allowing the sheath to be washed separately and easily replaced with a different color/design, while the guard can be swapped independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the limb protector is designed as an integrated unit with the sleeve sewn inside the pad, then the structural integrity and stability are improved, but the ease of washing and replacement is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The limb protector is divided into separate components: the pad assembly with guard pieces and the elastic sleeve. The guard pieces are detachably attached to the pad rather than being permanently sewn, allowing the components to be separated for washing and replacement while maintaining structural integrity during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment method transitions from static (permanently sewn) to dynamic (detachable/reconfigurable). The guard pieces can be attached and detached as needed, providing both stability when attached and ease of removal when detachment is required for washing or replacement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the limb protector is designed as an integrated unit with the sleeve sewn inside the pad, then the structural integrity is improved, but the adaptability for different colors and designs is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the limb protector into separate components (pad, guard pieces, sleeve), each component can be independently replaced. This allows athletes to change colors and designs by swapping sleeves or guard pieces without replacing the entire protector, while maintaining structural integrity when components are properly assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized attachment mechanism allows a single pad assembly to work with multiple different sleeves and guard pieces, creating a universal system that can be configured in various color and design combinations for different teams or occasions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the limb protector is designed as an integrated unit, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ease of repair is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design with detachable guard pieces and separate sleeve allows for modular manufacturing. Each component can be manufactured independently using standardized processes, and assembly involves simple attachment steps. This segmentation also enables easy repair by replacing only the damaged component rather than the entire unit.
4Reliability
If the entire limb protector needs to be replaced when one part is damaged, then the reliability is improved by ensuring complete functionality, but the loss of substance and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the limb protector into replaceable components (guard pieces, sleeve, pad), only the damaged segment needs to be replaced rather than the entire assembly. This maintains reliability by ensuring functional components are always in use while reducing waste by preserving undamaged components.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables selective discarding of only the damaged component while recovering and reusing the remaining functional parts. This reduces material waste and cost while maintaining the reliability of the overall system through component replacement.
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
Enables easy washing and customization of limb protectors by allowing separate replacement of sheaths and guards, reducing waste and cost by only replacing the affected part.
Implementation Method 1
a sheath having at least one elastic portion, the sheath defining a sheath aperture in a side thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A limb protector has a sheath having at least one elastic portion and a limb guard received in the sheath. The sheath defines a sheath aperture in a side thereof. The limb guard is removable from the sheath. The limb guard has a pad and a pin connected to the pad. The pin extends from an external side of the pad. The pin extends through the sheath aperture.