Multi-piece swimwear with overlapping elastic body portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current articles of clothing, such as swimsuits, often require assistance for physically challenged individuals to put on and take off due to the need for zippers, snaps, or other fastening devices that demand strength and dexterity, making it difficult for people with arthritis or similar conditions to engage in water exercises.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece swimwear design featuring two diagonally extending pieces with overlapping body portions and elasticized edges, eliminating the need for fasteners by using tension in multi-axis stretch materials like Spandex and Lycra to maintain coverage and stability, allowing easy donning and doffing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional one-piece swimsuits are used, then coverage and stability are provided, but ease of dressing is poor for physically challenged individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The swimsuit is divided into multiple independent pieces (top and bottom garments) that can be separately donned and doffed. Each piece can be independently adjusted and positioned, allowing physically challenged individuals to dress themselves without requiring complex fastening operations or assistance from others.
2Reliability
If fastening devices like zippers and snaps are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates for individuals with arthritis
Solution Approach 1:
All fastening devices (zippers, snaps, buttons, Velcro) are completely removed from the swimsuit construction. The garment relies solely on elasticized edges and the natural elasticity of stretch materials to maintain attachment, eliminating the need for any manual fastening operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The swimsuit uses its own elastic properties and the elasticity of its construction to automatically secure itself to the body. The elasticized edges and stretch materials provide self-adjusting attachment that maintains security without requiring active participation from the wearer to fasten or adjust any components.
3Ease of operation
If multi-piece garments are used, then ease of dressing is improved, but coverage and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The swimsuit utilizes changes in material elasticity and physical state to maintain stability. The elasticized edges and stretch materials dynamically adjust to body movements and maintain secure attachment through elastic recovery, ensuring the multi-piece garment remains stable and properly positioned during activity.
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 independent dressing and provides the coverage and stability of a one-piece suit, reducing joint strain and improving accessibility for water aerobics and physical therapy programs for individuals with disabilities.
Implementation Method 1
using tension in multi-axis stretch materials like Spandex and Lycra to maintain coverage and stability
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-piece article of clothing, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a plurality of pieces of clothing. Each of the plurality of pieces of clothing includes a top strap and a bottom leg portion being substantially opposite one another for engaging with an opposite shoulder and leg of a person, respectively. Each of the plurality of pieces of clothing includes a body portion, and each of the body portions includes a crotch portion. Each of the body portions include one leg opening and one hip opening defined by the crotch portions and respective side sections. The body portion of each of the plurality of pieces of clothing is in overlapping relation with each other to at least partially cover the person.