Snap-Fit Body Protecting Element for Sports Apparel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protective gear for sports like cycling and rollerblading is often bulky, restrictive, and ineffective in preventing road rash injuries, which are common due to frictional forces from falls and collisions with the ground.
Innovation Solution
A body protecting element with a snap-fit attachment mechanism, comprising a first part integrated into the inner surface of sports apparel and a second part with a contoured, high-impact outer surface, designed to shield the wearer from abrasive ground contact, optionally incorporating a therapeutic agent delivery system and aerodynamic design for comfort and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional protective gear is used, then protection against impact is provided, but the gear becomes bulky and restrictive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film protective elements that can be integrated into sports apparel. These thin films provide impact protection while maintaining flexibility and comfort, eliminating the bulkiness of traditional protective gear. The protective layer is sufficiently thin to not restrict movement but thick enough to absorb impact forces during falls or collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite material structures combining multiple layers with different properties. The composite construction includes impact-resistant materials integrated with flexible fabrics, creating a protective system that simultaneously provides protection and comfort. This allows the gear to be both protective and wearable without the trade-off of bulkiness.
2Reliability
If traditional protective gear is used, then impact protection is provided, but frictional protection against road rash is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary protective layer between the athlete's skin and the abrasive ground surface. This intermediate layer, integrated into the sports apparel, acts as a mediator that prevents direct skin contact with rough surfaces during falls or sliding, thereby preventing road rash while maintaining impact protection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin-film protective layer serves as a flexible barrier that contacts the ground during falls or sliding movements. This film provides frictional protection by creating a protective interface between the athlete's body and the abrasive environment, preventing road rash without compromising the flexibility needed for athletic performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protective elements are added to sports apparel, then protection against road rash is improved, but the apparel becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function with the existing sports apparel structure by integrating protective elements directly into the clothing fabric. This combination approach allows impact protection and road rash prevention to be built into the apparel itself rather than adding separate protective gear, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective elements are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide impact protection, frictional protection against road rash, and maintain flexibility for athletic movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective gear, simplifying the overall system while enhancing protection against multiple types of injury.
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
Provides effective protection against road rash injuries by minimizing frictional contact with the ground, ensuring comfort and aerodynamics, while allowing customizable placement on the body for enhanced safety without bulkiness or restriction.
Implementation Method 1
frictional forces that can result when the wearer unintentionally contacts the ground or another object
Implementation Method 2
impact forces and frictional forces that can result when the wearer unintentionally contacts the ground
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a human body protecting element for use with and attachment to an article of clothing, such as sports apparel, to protect a wearer from impact and frictional forces, such as road rash. One exemplary body protecting element includes a first part having a first locking member. The first part is for placement along an inner surface of the article of clothing. The body protecting element also includes a second part having a second locking member that is complementary to the first locking member and results in a mechanical coupling (e.g., a snap-fit attachment) between the first and second parts when the first and second locking members engage one another. The second part is for placement along an outer surface of the article of clothing and includes an outer ground contacting contoured surface. The ground contacting surface provides a high impact surface that is contoured so that if the wearer contacts and/or slides across the ground, the ground contacting surface protects the wearer by shielding the wearer's body from the abrasive ground surface.