Race Bib Protective Pocket Using Mesh and Intermediary Fabric
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Participants in competitive athletic events face issues with race bibs being lost or damaged due to the use of safety pins, which can also harm their sports apparel.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, semi-translucent protective pocket made of a mesh member and a solid fabric, secured to athletic apparel, allowing the race bib to be visible and protected, with a design that maintains the bib in a vertical orientation and facilitates exposure to race elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If safety pins are used to secure the race bib, then the bib is held in place, but the apparel may be damaged and the bib may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
A protective pocket made of semi-translucent material serves as an intermediary between the race bib and the apparel. The pocket is secured to the apparel and holds the bib within it, preventing direct contact between safety pins and the apparel while maintaining bib security and visibility.
2Loss of information
If the race bib is fully visible, then identification is clear, but the bib is exposed to race elements that may damage it
Solution Approach 1:
A semi-translucent protective film or pocket material is used to cover the race bib while allowing light to pass through. This provides physical protection from race elements like mud and debris while maintaining the visibility of the bib number and identification information.
3Loss of information
If the protective pocket uses mesh material, then visibility and exposure to elements is facilitated, but the pocket may be less protective
Solution Approach 1:
The protective pocket uses different materials in different areas: semi-translucent material in regions where visibility is needed (front and back of bib) and mesh material in areas where ventilation and element exposure are beneficial. This localized material selection optimizes both protection and visibility functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective pocket is provided for a substantially two-dimensional object, such as a race bib. The protective pocket includes cooperating first and second lightweight fabrics, and an opening for receiving the object. The first fabric may be an item of a race participant's apparel or a backing that itself is attached to such an apparel item. The second fabric may be a mesh member having spaced apertures through which the object is visible and exposed to elements. The first and second fabrics may be removeably secured to one another. The protective pocket is configured to maintain the object in a substantially vertical planar orientation, and thereby in an “upright” position, such that it that is (a) substantially parallel to the plane defined by the adjacent surface of the race participant's apparel item, and (b) substantially parallel to the plane defined by the adjacent body part of the race participant (e.g., a torso or leg). This positioning also improves the visibility of the indicia printed on the object through the mesh member. Methods of providing a memento from a competitive athletic event using the protective pockets are also disclosed herein.