Self-Retaining Protective Pad Assembly Without Constrictive Straps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective pad assemblies, such as kneepads and elbow pads, often cause discomfort and skin irritation due to constriction of blood vessels and require frequent adjustments as they rely on straps, elastic bands, magnets, or alterations to garments for attachment, leading to issues like bruising and loose positioning.
Innovation Solution
A protective pad assembly featuring a self-retaining device with a resilient retaining split-ring clamp that clamps around the limb using elastic force, eliminating the need for straps or magnets and allowing automatic adjustment to different sizes, ensuring comfortable and secure attachment without damaging garments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If straps or elastic bands are used to fasten the protective pad, then the pad can be attached to the body part, but it causes constriction of blood vessels and skin irritation during prolonged usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful straps and elastic bands from the attachment system and replaces them with a self-retaining device that uses a retaining ring and resilient material to secure the pad without constricting blood vessels or irritating skin
Solution Approach 2:
The protective pad assembly becomes self-retaining through the resilient material that automatically adjusts and maintains secure attachment without requiring external fastening components like straps or bands that cause harm
2Reliability
If magnets are used to attach the protective pad, then the pad can be secured to the garment, but the magnets can slide relative to the garment during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the magnets from the attachment system and replaces them with a mechanical retaining ring system that prevents sliding and provides stable, reliable attachment without the position instability caused by magnetic forces
3Reliability
If straps are used to fasten the protective pad, then the pad can be attached to the body part, but it requires frequent adjustments and may become loose during use
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient material in the retaining ring automatically adjusts to maintain secure attachment as the user moves, eliminating the need for frequent manual adjustments and preventing the pad from becoming loose
4Reliability
If adhesive or tape is used to attach the protective pad, then the pad can be secured to the body part, but it causes skin irritation and may damage the garment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes adhesives and tapes from the attachment system and replaces them with a mechanical retaining ring system that secures the pad without causing skin irritation or damaging the garment
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 self-retaining device provides comfortable, secure, and adjustable protection by minimizing blood vessel constriction and skin irritation, maintaining the pad in place without the need for additional fasteners, and accommodating various limb sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient retaining split-ring clamp having two opposite free ends spaced from one another so as to define a gap therebetween. The free ends of the resilient retaining split-ring clamp are circumferentially expandable or contractable for retaining the protective pad on an arm or a leg
Data Source
AI summary
A protective pad assembly for removably positioning on an arm or a leg of a user of the protective pad assembly for protecting an elbow or a knee of the user. The protective pad assembly comprises an outer protective unit including a protective cushion pad configured to protect the elbow or the knee of the user from impact, and a self-retaining device mounted to the outer protective unit for retaining the outer protective unit on the arm or leg of the user. The self-retaining device includes a resilient retaining split-ring clamp having two opposite free ends spaced from one another. The free ends of the resilient retaining split-ring clamp are circumferentially expandable or contractable relative to one another for retaining the protective pad on an arm or a leg of the user of the protective pad assembly over one of the elbow and the knee thereof.