Self-supporting Garment with Dimensionally Stable Straps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-supporting garments for the lower body are not dimensionally stable, leading to issues such as falling, slipping, or requiring the legs for donning and doffing, and they often fail to provide adequate coverage or security, especially during movement or when wet.

Innovation Solution

A garment design featuring at least three straps connected at front and rear points, made of dimensionally stable and elastic material, allowing for secure positioning and tension to prevent slipping, with the ability to be put on and taken off without involving the legs, and offering partial coverage of the body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If non-rigid fabric materials are used for the garment supports, then the garment can adapt to the body shape, but the garment lacks dimensional stability and slips or falls down

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody adaptationVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines rigid structural elements (straps made of dimensionally stable material) with flexible fabric components to create a hybrid garment structure. The rigid straps provide dimensional stability and prevent slipping, while the fabric portions maintain body adaptation and comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The garment uses composite construction with straps made from dimensionally stable materials (such as elastic bands or rigid structures) combined with flexible fabric materials. This composite approach allows different parts of the garment to fulfill different functions - stability and adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Area of stationary object

If the garment is designed to cover more body areas, then coverage and protection improve, but the garment becomes more complex and difficult to don and doff

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody coverageVSAvoiddonning and doffing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The garment is segmented into distinct functional components: straps for stability, fabric portions for coverage, and opening mechanisms for ease of donning/doffing. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently while working together as a cohesive whole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate elements such as closures, fasteners, or opening mechanisms that mediate between the need for comprehensive coverage and the need for ease of operation. These intermediaries allow the garment to be securely fastened when worn and easily opened when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the garment uses tension-based support between the legs, then it can prevent slipping, but it requires the legs to be involved in donning and doffing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-slip performanceVSAvoiddonning and doffing convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the tension-based support function from the leg-involving donning process by incorporating self-supporting structural elements (such as rigid straps or frame components) that maintain garment position without requiring leg manipulation during dressing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The garment structure is designed to be self-supporting through its own inherent rigidity and structural integrity, eliminating the need for active participation of the wearer's legs in maintaining position or during donning/doffing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Area of stationary object

If the garment is designed as a closed structure, then coverage and protection are improved, but it cannot be easily removed without pulling over the legs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody coverageVSAvoidremoval ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closed garment structure is segmented with strategically placed openings or separation points that allow easy removal without requiring the garment to be pulled over the legs. These segments maintain coverage when worn but facilitate convenient doffing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate opening mechanisms or separable components that mediate between the closed protective structure and easy removal. These intermediaries allow the garment to transition from a closed protective state to an open removable state without requiring leg involvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design ensures secure, stable coverage of the lower body, allowing for partial exposure of the buttocks or stomach without risking unintentional exposure, and can be easily put on and taken off, maintaining stability during movement and wet conditions.

Implementation Method 1

made of a dimensionally stable and elastic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the garment can be put on and taken off without involving the legs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentEP3021701B1Self-supporting garment
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 KREMER KLAUS
  • EP3021701B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3021701B1 patent drawingFigure 5~12
  • EP3021701B1 patent drawingFigure 13~20

AI summary

The present invention relates to a self-supporting garment for the lower body, said garment being either closed only at the front or only at the back, or partly open at the front and at the back, and comprising a lower support (5; 11) and one or two upper supports (4; 9, 10), which supports are interconnected at a front connecting point (6; 12) and/or a rear connecting point (7; 13), the supports (4, 5) or (9, 10) seated against the pelvis and their corresponding connecting points (6; 7; 12, 13) being made of a dimensionally stable and elastic material.