Modular Apparel Padding with Hook-and-Loop Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing athletic apparel with padding components lacks a secure and customizable attachment system that allows for flexible positioning, number, and type of pad elements, limiting user customization and comfort.

Innovation Solution

An article of apparel featuring a base component with a hook-and-loop fastening system and attachment components with pad elements spaced on a cover layer, secured by corresponding hook-and-loop elements, enabling secure attachment and detachment for customizable positioning and type of padding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pad elements are fixed permanently to the base component, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the user cannot customize the positioning, number, or type of padding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidattachment system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into separate components: a base component with first securing elements and attachment components with second securing elements. This allows the pad elements to be detached and repositioned, enabling customization while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system transitions from a fixed state to a dynamic, reconfigurable state. The hook-and-loop fastening system allows users to attach, detach, and reposition pad elements as needed, providing adaptability without requiring a complex mechanical adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple securing elements are used to attach pad elements, then the attachment is secure and reliable, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple securing elements are integrated directly into the attachment component during manufacturing, combining the function of multiple fasteners into a single assembled unit. This maintains secure attachment while simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing elements are designed to be self-aligning and self-securing through the hook-and-loop mechanism, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or additional fastening steps during assembly, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If pad elements are spaced apart on the cover layer, then breathability and flexibility are improved, but the coverage area for impact protection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreathability and flexibilityVSAvoidpadding coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing uniform continuous coverage, the padding system uses strategically spaced pad elements that provide localized protection at high-impact areas while maintaining breathability and flexibility in between. This approach optimizes the balance between coverage and comfort by concentrating protection where most needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The spaced arrangement of pad elements creates a porous structure that allows air circulation and improves breathability while maintaining impact protection. The gaps between pads function similarly to porous materials, providing ventilation without significantly compromising protective coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

Provides improved customization, comfort, and protection by allowing users to modify and exchange attachment components, offering enhanced impact attenuation, breathability, flexibility, and launderability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the material elements including a first part of a hook-and-loop fastening system... the securing elements including a second part of the hook-and-loop fastening system... the first part of the hook-and-loop fastening system is joinable to the second part of the hook-and-loop fastening system to secure the attachment component to the base component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHook-and-loop fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2723205B1Article of apparel with detachably-secured attachment components

Publication Date: 2017.07.26 NIKE INNOVATE CV

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AI summary

An article of apparel may include a base component (200) and an attachment component (300). The base component may be formed from a plurality of joined material elements, with at least one of the material elements including a first part (207) of a hook-and-loop fas¬ tening system. The attachment component may include (a) a cover layer (301), (b) a plurality of pad elements (302), and (c) a plurality of securing elements (303). Each of the pad elements are joined to the cover layer, and each of the securing elements are joined to at least one of the pad elements opposite the cover layer, with the securing elements including a second part of the hook-and-loop fastening sys¬ tem. Moreover, the first part of the hook-and-loop fastening system is joinable to the second part of the hook-and-loop fastening system to secure the attachment component to the base component.