Thumb-Hole Sleeve Opening for Wrist Device Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Long sleeves on fitness garments obstruct the view of wrist-worn devices, such as smart watches or fitness trackers, requiring the wearer to remove their thumb from a side hole or pull up the sleeve to access the device.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a wrist worn device opening in the sleeve's upper surface, with optional elastic material, overlapping layers, or a releasable flap with hook and loop fasteners to provide selective visual access to the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If long sleeves are used to cover the wrist, then the arm is protected and the garment provides full coverage, but the wrist-worn device becomes invisible and inaccessible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleeve coverage areaVSAvoidvisibility of wrist-worn device

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve is segmented by creating a separate opening or window in the sleeve material that allows the wrist-worn device to be visible and accessible while the rest of the sleeve maintains its protective coverage function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve material has different properties in different locations: most of the sleeve provides coverage and protection, while a specific local area (the opening) provides transparency or access to the wrist-worn device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If the sleeve is pulled up to view the wrist-worn device, then the device becomes visible, but the thumb must be removed from the side hole and the sleeve coverage is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of wrist-worn deviceVSAvoidconvenience of viewing device

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The viewing function is separated from the sleeve manipulation by creating a dedicated opening that allows device visibility without requiring the sleeve to be pulled up or the thumb to be removed from the side hole

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If fabric remains between the index finger and thumb when the thumb is extended through the side hole, then the thumb opening provides limited access, but it prevents full extension and comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethumb extension comfortVSAvoidfinger positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve is divided into separate functional zones with distinct openings: a side hole for thumb insertion and a separate wrist-worn device opening for viewing, allowing the thumb to extend fully through the side hole without fabric interference while the device remains accessible through the opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12527370B2Garment

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 J TUT UPPER HAND LLC

AI summary

A garment that includes sleeves having a side thumb opening for the wearer's thumb also includes means for providing visual access to a wrist worn device when the garment is worn with the wearer's thumb extending through the side/thumb opening. The visual access includes an opening that is either always open or can be selectively open and/or closed.