Protective Cup Stabilization via Elastic Support Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective garments, such as jocks and athletic support shorts, fail to provide sufficient support to maintain the positioning of protective cups during vigorous activities like martial arts, leading to increased vulnerability to injury due to cup displacement.
Innovation Solution
A garment with an annular waistband and support members that securely attach to a protective cup, utilizing elastic materials and adjustable fasteners to stabilize the cup in place, preventing lateral, vertical, and forward movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing jocks and athletic support shorts are used, then the protective cup can be positioned over the groin region, but the cup becomes dislodged or displaced during vigorous activities
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into multiple functional components: an elastic waistband, separate support members (straps), and a pouch. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the waistband provides anchor points, the support members provide adjustable tension and positioning, and the pouch holds the cup securely. This resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable cup positioning through specialized components rather than a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are made of elastic material that can dynamically adjust to the user's body movements and cup position. The elastic properties allow the garment to maintain secure positioning during vigorous activities while adapting to changes in body shape and movement, preventing cup displacement without requiring an overly complex rigid structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective cup is not securely attached, then the garment structure is simpler, but the cup moves relative to the user's genitals causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The support members incorporate adjustable fasteners that allow users to change the tension and positioning parameters to achieve secure cup attachment. The elastic material properties can also be adjusted by selecting different materials or thicknesses. This enables reliable injury prevention through customizable secure attachment without requiring complex multi-step donning procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic support members automatically adjust to the user's body shape and cup position, providing self-positioning functionality. The elastic tension naturally distributes the securing force across the waistband and support members, reducing the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while ensuring the cup remains securely attached to prevent injury.
3Device complexity
If athletic support shorts with closeable pouch are used, then jock straps are eliminated, but the pouch fails to provide sufficient support during vigorous activities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of both jock straps and athletic support shorts by combining the secure attachment mechanism of straps with the pouch design. The support members extend from the waistband to the pouch, creating a distributed securing system that combines the reliability of strap-based attachment with the comfort and simplicity of shorts-style coverage, ensuring adequate support during vigorous activities.
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
The solution effectively secures the protective cup, reducing the risk of injury by maintaining its position during intense activities, thereby enhancing protection and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The waistband 12 may include an annular band of longitudinally elastic material which generally conforms to the waist of a user
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use with a protective cup is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of support members which may position the protective cup in a preferred position relative to a user's body, and secure the protective cup in the preferred position. The plurality of support members may connect to the protective cup or a protective support configured to receive the protective cup. The apparatus may be configured to protect the user's groin region, such as the user's crotch area, pubic bone and genitals. The apparatus may also be configured to protect the user's buttocks or legs, such as the user's hips, thighs, shins or knees.