Modular Clothing Connectors with Removable Linking Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current clothing articles for image-related competitions, such as body-building or beauty pageants, are limited by predetermined designs and fits, constraining contestants' ability to customize their appearance.
Innovation Solution
A clothing system comprising a clothing component with coupling elements and a linking element, where the coupling elements can be removably coupled to allow for adjustable and customizable fit and ornamental designs, enabling flexible coupling of fabric portions to create a variety of clothing configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If clothing articles use predetermined fixed designs, then manufacturing is simple, but contestants cannot customize their appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The clothing article is divided into separate modular components including fabric portions with coupling elements and interchangeable linking elements. Each component can be independently manufactured and then assembled in various configurations to create customized clothing designs, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling elements and linking elements are designed as universal components that can be used across multiple clothing configurations and designs. The standardized interface allows the same components to serve different aesthetic and functional purposes, enabling customization without requiring complex unique parts for each design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If clothing articles use fixed fit configurations, then manufacturing precision is easier to maintain, but contestants are constrained by predetermined fit
Solution Approach 1:
The clothing system transitions from static fixed-fit configurations to dynamic adjustable-fit configurations. The modular components with standardized coupling elements allow the fit to be adjusted and reconfigured after manufacturing, maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving fit adaptability through post-manufacturing assembly variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If clothing components are made modular with removable coupling elements, then customization is enabled, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The same coupling elements and linking elements serve multiple functions across different clothing configurations. A single set of universal components can create numerous design variations, reducing the total number of unique parts needed while maintaining high design flexibility and customization capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A clothing system includes a clothing component having a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion. The first coupling portion includes a first clothing coupling element and the second coupling portion includes a second clothing coupling element. A linking element includes first and second linking coupling elements at opposite ends. Each of the first clothing coupling element, the second clothing coupling element, the first linking coupling element, and the second linking coupling element is selected from the group consisting of: (A) a clasp, comprising a loop receiving projection extending from a first longitudinally-extending edge, and a primary securing clip that is closed along a second longitudinally-extending edge; and (B) a loop adapted for sliding over said loop receiving projection. The first and second clothing coupling elements are adapted to be removably coupled to the first and second linking coupling elements, respectively.