Segmented Protective Garment with Removable Padding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective outerwear fails to provide adequate protection from cold, wind, and uneven surfaces while allowing for unencumbered movement and easy access to storage or hand warming, especially when transitioning from standing to seated positions.

Innovation Solution

A protective garment with a fabric layer and removable padding compartments that are accessible from both standing and seated positions, featuring a two-piece design with stretch properties, waterproofing, and adjustable straps for secure fit and comfort, allowing for expansion of coverage and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the garment uses a continuous fabric layer covering the entire lower body, then protection coverage is improved, but mobility and ease of movement deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection coverage areaVSAvoidease of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The garment divides the protective coverage into separate discrete sections: a waist covering, leg coverings that extend from the waist to knees or lower, and a crotch portion. These segmented sections are connected through fastening mechanisms, allowing each section to move independently with the wearer's body while maintaining overall protection coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the garment includes fixed padding for protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but adaptability and comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from cold and uneven surfacesVSAvoidadaptability to different positions and activities

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The padding is made removable from the garment through openings in the fabric layer, allowing the padding to be dynamically adjusted or removed based on the wearer's needs. This enables the garment to adapt to different activities, temperatures, and comfort preferences while maintaining protective capability when padding is installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the garment has a form-fitting design, then comfort and unencumbered motion are improved, but protection coverage and security deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort and unencumbered motionVSAvoidprotection coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The garment uses separate segmented sections (waist covering, leg coverings, crotch portion) that can be independently fitted to the wearer's body contours. This segmentation allows each section to conform to specific body areas for comfort while collectively providing comprehensive protection coverage when all sections are properly positioned and secured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The garment extends protection coverage to include the crotch portion and lateral/medial/anterior thighs, adding dimensional coverage in previously unprotected areas. This multi-dimensional approach ensures comprehensive protection while maintaining form-fitting comfort through proper segmentation and positioning of each section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the garment uses non-permeable material for protection, then protection from cold and moisture is improved, but breathability and comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from cold and moistureVSAvoidbreathability and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The garment applies non-permeable protective material specifically in areas requiring protection from cold and moisture (outer fabric layer and padding), while allowing breathable sections in areas where skin contact and vapor transmission are important. This localized application of different material properties balances protection and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 garment effectively protects against cold, wind, and moisture while allowing for comfortable and unencumbered movement, with removable and adjustable padding for customized fit and protection, suitable for various activities and conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The garment is made from suitable materials having a stretch property

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The two piece design of this layer provides the shape needed to extend from the buttock to the front of the user protecting the groin while not encumbering user comfort

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaterproofing: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS11452319B1Protective garment

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 BUONINCONTRO JOHN

AI summary

An improved protective garment is form-fitting and comfortably secured to the wearer and includes a plurality of padding surfaces to adequately protect the wearer from moisture, cold, wind and uneven surfaces, while also providing pockets that are accessible from both a standing and seated position for storage or hand warming. The pads are held in separate compartments that are readily accessible so that users can replace and/or adjust the pads, such as by trimming them. These features allow for less encumbered motion of the wearer and are based on the construction and shape of the garment. The shape allows for both expansion of coverage on the wearer's body to include the crotch as well as lateral and anterior thighs extending from the waist to just above the knees.