Night Cap Strap Loop Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional night caps tend to slip off the wearer's head during sleep and do not effectively secure hair, as they rely on simple knots without a locking mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A night cap design featuring a cap portion with elongate triangular straps that encircle the head, forming a knot at the forehead, and side and rear loops to secure the straps in place, ensuring a snug fit and preventing slippage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional night caps use simple knots without locking mechanisms, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the night cap slips off the wearer's head during sleep

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of night cap on headVSAvoidstructure of straps and loops
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where the terminal ends of the straps are threaded through loops in a specific sequence: first through a first loop, then through a second loop, and finally through a third loop. This nested threading arrangement creates a locking mechanism that prevents the night cap from slipping off, while maintaining reasonable structural complexity by using only three loops and strap ends.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If conventional night caps rely on simple knots, then the device is easy to operate, but it does not effectively secure hair throughout the night

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehair protection effectivenessVSAvoiddifficulty of tying and untying straps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the loops and strap terminal ends in advance during manufacturing, so that when the user puts on the night cap, the straps are pre-configured to thread through the loops in a specific sequence. This preliminary arrangement of components ensures effective hair protection while simplifying the user's task to merely pulling and securing the pre-positioned straps, rather than creating complex knotting patterns from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the night cap uses elongate straps that encircle the head multiple times, then the securing effectiveness is improved, but the length of straps and complexity of arrangement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring effectivenessVSAvoidarrangement of straps and loops
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the strap system into distinct functional segments: two elongate straps with terminal ends, and three separate loops positioned at different locations on the night cap. Each segment has a specific function in the securing mechanism. This segmentation allows the complex encircling action to be achieved through a modular arrangement of discrete components rather than a single continuous complex structure, making the system more manageable and easier to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11350685B2Nightcap and method of applying the same
Publication Date: 2022.06.07 DENU VIVIANNE B
  • US11350685B2 patent drawing
  • US11350685B2 patent drawing
  • US11350685B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A nightcap configured for securing about a wearer's head and method of wearing the same is disclosed. The nightcap includes a cap portion that is dimensioned to cover a wearer's head. An aft end of the cap portion encircles a wearer's head. A forward end of the cap portion has a notch proximal to a top end of the cap portion by a confluence of an upper edge of a pair of elongate straps distending from the cap portion. Side loops are provided at the lateral sides of the cap portion and a rear loop is provided at an aft end of the cap portion. The cap is worn and secured about the wearer's head by encircling the wearer's head with the elongate straps, while routing terminal ends of the elongate straps through the side loops, rear loop, and securing the straps in a knot on the wearer's forehead.