Segmented Retaining Strips for Secure Eyewear Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eyewear retainers, such as those using hook and loop materials, fail to securely hold eyewear in place during activities, requiring frequent adjustments and compromising airflow and comfort due to excessive material density.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates slits on the side panels of headwear with internal retaining strips, such as silicone, that grip eyewear while allowing ventilation, eliminating the need for user adjustments and providing a secure, comfortable, and aerated environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hook and loop material is used to secure eyewear in openings, then eyewear retention is improved, but the material creates a dense region that affects airflow and comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeyewear retentionVSAvoidairflow restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining material is divided into multiple strips rather than using a continuous large area of hook and loop material. This segmentation allows gaps between strips for airflow while maintaining retention capability through distributed contact points along the earpieces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design uses a strip configuration that creates a porous structure with gaps between strips, allowing air to pass through the retainer region. This eliminates the dense material region problem while maintaining eyewear security through the distributed strip arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If large area of hook and loop material is provided in the hat, then eyewear security is improved, but it creates a dense region that affects aesthetics and flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeyewear securityVSAvoidmaterial density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining material is segmented into multiple strips distributed across the pocket interior. This provides sufficient total retention area for secure eyewear holding while maintaining hat flexibility and aesthetics by preventing any single dense material region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using minimal material, multiple strips provide excessive retention coverage area, ensuring secure eyewear holding even when headwear moves or bends, while the strip configuration prevents excessive local density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If hook and loop material is used to create a pocket for eyewear, then eyewear storage is enabled, but the material lacks adhesive quality and merely creates a smaller pocket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeyewear storage capabilityVSAvoideyewear adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining strips are positioned and oriented to automatically grip earpieces upon insertion without requiring user adjustment. The strips' arrangement allows them to self-adjust to the earpiece shape and provide secure retention through friction and interlocking surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11259586B2Eyewear retainer

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 SUNDAY AFTERNOONS INC

AI summary

Embodiments are disclosed for headwear including an eyewear retaining pocket. For example, the headwear may include a headwear body and one or more slits disposed on a side panel of the crown, each slit providing access to a pocket formed in the side panel of the crown, the pocket including one or more strips of a retaining material coupled to an inner surface of the pocket.