Segmented Wrist Covering with Hook and Loop Fasteners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wrist coverings for snow protection are difficult to position over bulky coats and gloves, cause discomfort, restrict blood flow, and can lead to injuries due to improper fitting and design issues such as elastic bands, zippers, and thumb loops.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, tubular wrist covering with a teardrop-shaped thumb aperture and hook and loop fasteners that allow for adjustable fitting around the hand, wrist, and forearm, eliminating the need for elastic at openings and providing a secure, comfortable fit without restricting motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastic bands are used at the openings of the wrist covering, then the device can be secured to the glove and coat sleeve, but the device becomes difficult to position with a single hand over bulky coats and gloves, and may cause discomfort or restrict blood flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring the wrist coveringVSAvoidpositioning the device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wrist covering is divided into multiple sections (hand portion, wrist portion, forearm portion) with separate hook and loop fasteners at each section, allowing independent adjustment and easier positioning compared to a single elastic band system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Hook and loop fasteners serve as an intermediary mechanism between the wrist covering and the user's clothing, providing a controllable fastening system that is easier to operate with gloved hands compared to elastic bands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If elastic bands are used to bind the ends of the sleeve, then the wrist covering can be secured, but the clothing underneath may uncomfortably bunch together or ride up the user's arm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring the wrist coveringVSAvoiddiscomfort and bunching

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wrist covering is divided into multiple sections (hand portion, wrist portion, forearm portion) with separate fasteners, distributing the securing force across multiple points rather than concentrating it at a single elastic band location, thereby preventing bunching and discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each section of the wrist covering has its own fastening system with adjustable tension, allowing local adjustment to accommodate variations in clothing thickness and body shape, preventing uniform bunching across the entire arm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the elastic is not properly fitted, then the device can be easily positioned, but it becomes overly tight around the thumb, wrist or forearm and restricts venous return

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning the deviceVSAvoidblood flow restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hook and loop fastener system provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the user to precisely control the tension at each section to match their anatomy, unlike fixed elastic bands that cannot be adjusted once manufactured

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system allows continuous adjustment of the tightness parameter across different sections, enabling the user to optimize both ease of positioning and blood flow by adjusting each section independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If a thumb loop is used to maintain the sleeve in position, then the sleeve can be secured, but undue risk of injury is transmitted to the thumb during rigorous physical activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintaining sleeve positionVSAvoidinjury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wrist covering is segmented into multiple sections with separate fasteners, distributing the force of movement across the hand, wrist, and forearm rather than concentrating it all on the thumb through a single loop

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dangerous thumb loop component is completely removed from the design, replacing it with a distributed fastening system that achieves sleeve positioning without transmitting excessive force to the thumb

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Reliability

If zippers, snaps or draw strings are used as fasteners, then the wrist covering can be secured, but these can be difficult to operate using a single gloved hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring the wrist coveringVSAvoidoperating with gloved hand

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hook and loop fastener system is designed to be easily operable by gloved hands, with the rough texture of the hooks providing tactile feedback that allows the user to locate and engage the fasteners without removing gloves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system uses multiple distributed hook and loop sections rather than a single complex fastener, allowing the user to engage multiple points independently with their gloved fingers, improving ease of operation

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 solution provides effective snow protection while ensuring comfort and preventing injuries by allowing easy single-handed operation and conformal fit, reducing the risk of over-tightening and interference with hand movement.

Implementation Method 1

A first hook and loop fastener is positioned on the tubular member in a manner that allows tightening of the tubular member around the user'hand. A second hook and loop fastener is positioned on the tubular member in a manner that allows tightening of the tubular member around the user's wrist. A third hook and loop fastener is positioned on the tubular member in a manner that allows tightening of the tubular member around the user's forearm.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7568238B2Wrist covering and method of making the same

Publication Date: 2009.08.04 WRIST GATOR

AI summary

The present application is directed to a wrist covering designed to be worn over the gloved hand and arm-sleeve of a user. The wrist covering comprises a flexible, generally tubular member extending from a first opening, designed to fit around the forearm of the user, to a second opening, designed to fit around the hand of the user. The first opening has a larger circumference than the second opening. The wrist covering further includes a thumb aperture in the tubular member proximate to the second opening. A first fastener is positioned on the tubular member in a manner that allows tightening of the tubular member around the user's hand. A second fastener is positioned on the tubular member in a manner that allows tightening of the tubular member around the user's wrist. A third fastener is positioned on the tubular member in a manner that allows tightening of the tubular member around the user's forearm. A method of making the wrist covering is also disclosed.