Joh

Securing the thighbands to the waist band from the body side can work and can be done several ways. 1). screws from the inside of the waistband. Needs the belt to be removed to attach the thighbands but the result is smooth and elegant. 2). Clipping the thighbands to the waistband with some sort of a half turn catch works well but again the belt has to be removed as it is not possible to use this sort of catch with the thighbands in place on the leg. (enough slack to do up the catch means enough to undo it too and we don't want that). 3). Screws from outside the belt could work if you use proper security screws and restrict access to the tool or use a plastic seal to make sure it stays in place (might be the smoothest and easiest) 4). I have some other ideas that I am still thinking of.

3D scanner is nice and I am thinking of LIDAR but most customers send a measuring chart instead of coming to see me. Most Android phones do not have LIDAR but it is something to investigate.

Stocking holder / suspender belt is a good idea I have done it with metal buttons on the waistband and elastic to suspend the thighbands. It works but is not an elegant engineering solution so I don't like it much.

Still it gives me lots more to think about.

      Taz 3D scanner is nice and I am thinking of LIDAR but most customers send a measuring chart instead of coming to see me.

      LIDAR is not so common as a 3D scanner. Important is with both which resolution you get out of it.
      To get the shape of the thigh the customer can cut two cardboards which fits to the cross section of the thigh where the thigh band should be. Is the easies and cheapest way.

      Taz It works but is not an elegant engineering solution

      I think you have to make a compromise. Not all good engineer solution is also nice in the eyes of those who wear it.

      • Taz replied to this.
      • Ines likes this.

            Joh
            PolyCam on Apple seems to be a very good LIDAR scanner but I have only seen it once as I have Android. It looks like it might be a possible was for a customer to scan the leg with a few marks on it to show the location. Perhaps it would be exportable to SolidWorks or similar. More to think about. CAD (Cardboard Assisted Design) is also a good way to go especially for prototyping.

            Yes sometimes engineering is a compromise but I still don't like it but may have to look more at this.

                Tonyand03 That would work, just need a nice smooth connection to the waistbelt.

                    Taz It seems to me that the current range of thighbands from all makers Tollyboy included are really a bit rubbish. I think in terms of comfort, wearability, security etc they are all lacking.

                    I'd start the process by looking at garter belt design. I think the locks on the front of the bands have got to go, but it's clear from users here that the bands do have to be removable w/o removing the whole belt. Eg, they're often just used at night. Maybe a step into and pull up design with Tolly style locks on the sides of the waist belt would give lower overall profile?

                    • Taz replied to this.

                        Jonas No that doesn't work the profile is much smoother but not overall lower. I used the small 4 pin cam locks in an experimental version. Looks better, smoother when the thighbands are not there but no D-ring on the side so nowhere to anchor a handcuff if required. When the thighbands are locked on the lock is about 20mm high and round so still quite bulky.

                            Taz

                            as an involuntary wearer i have to say that i find them just awful, but i'll try to shed some light on a neutral aspect and that is the noise level, if i don't want to be noticed in public i have to encase the chains in rubber, something could be done about that

                            Taz From there it is possible to get your leg out of it.

                            If you connect the chain to the belt (D-ring in the crotch), this is not possible.

                                  Taz In an ideal world I'd try to support the bands front and back, but it'd need some serious lateral thinking to avoid all those locks! Good luck with the brainstorming!!

                                      Angelina Chains are a problem but also easy which is why I guess they are used by almost everyone. I am away from home at the moment and don't have chain to experiment with but have some ideas on how to stop it rattling. When I can I will try them and see how practical they are. Ultimately the chain needs replacing but then there are problems of connecting and adjusting it.

                                      I can see another advantage (disadvantage) of partly supporting the thighbands from the D-ring at the bottom of the guard. As this is not in line with the centre of hips when bending forward or sitting down it will pull the connecting chains between the thighbands pulling the legs together. Good if this is what you wish to achieve but I guess this support chain gets a lot of urine on it when using the toilet and is hard to clean? If that is the case another design problem that needs fixing.

                                          Jonas Front and back support would look nice when standing but when bending or sitting the front support gets shorter, the rear support gets longer but I guess not by the same amount. Will have to take a whole lot of measurements and think about it. Also whatever is supporting the back of it will get sat on so have to think about that too.

                                              Taz but I guess this support chain gets a lot of urine on it when using the toilet and is hard to clean? If that is the case another design problem that needs fixing.

                                              indeed, i always pee against the chain and have to clean it afterwards, but the problem would be easy to solve if i didn't have to wear this "additional fixation". 😂

                                              • Taz replied to this.

                                                  Jonas In an ideal world I'd try to support the bands front and back,

                                                  Nooooo! 😂
                                                  OMG, if you bend, or you go to bed... It has to be no practical at all.

                                                    Taz Chains are a problem

                                                    Why not use stainless steel ropes? It strength has to be high enough that you can't pull it apart. To withstand tools is another class. A rope doesn't rattle. It's job would be to prevent to get it off.
                                                    To hold the bands in place elastic bands in front and back would do it. They do not have to prevent the bands from being removed. They would expand and shorten when you sit down. I suppose if it the same type as on garter belts you will not feel much if you sit on them.

                                                    Taz No that doesn't work the profile is much smoother but not overall lower. I used the small 4 pin cam locks in an experimental version. Looks better, smoother when the thighbands are not there but no D-ring on the side so nowhere to anchor a handcuff if required. When the thighbands are locked on the lock is about 20mm high and round so still quite bulky.

                                                    As far as I see all women who wears thigh bands wear skirts during this time or be at home. To get the thigh bands on and off would following idea work?
                                                    The connection to the CB to hold the thigh band could have an end-device which could only fit in an opening at the waist band from top. At the thigh band would be a look where the cable is connected and hold the band in place. Also it prevent that you move the cable up to get it out of the opening in the waist band.
                                                    The fastening system can turn out relatively flat in opposition to a lock. The lock on the thigh bands is hidden by the skirts during the day and at night it does not matter how thick it looks.

                                                    To get the thigh bands off you open the lock at the thigh bands remove them and push up the connection cable out of the belt.

                                                          Taz I guess a plate over the waist band with a couple of threaded holes, attached by c/s screws from the inside. The hinge could be part of the plate or clamped by the screws.

                                                          • Taz replied to this.

                                                              Joh Yes that will work quite well but then you get the problem of needing a lock on the thighbands themselves further complicating that design. Tollyboy are just plain bands you step into them and pull them up then lock to the waistband. Result simpler bands but a bulkier attachment to the waistband. It is certainly something I need to consider.

                                                              • Joh replied to this.

                                                                  Thighbands is a crutch. You don't need them with properly fitted belt.

                                                                    Taz Result simpler bands but a bulkier attachment to the waistband

                                                                    Exactly. If you move the lock from the waist band to the thigh bands it is unlikely to guess it because of the skirt. A bulky part on the waist band is more likely to tell you that something is wrong.

                                                                      Joh Stainless steel cable is good and for the force involved you would only need about 1.5mm diameter there is a possible problem. Chain is almost infinitely flexible cable has a minimum bend radius before you start cracking strands in it. It is possible that a sharp pull though the D-rings if the wearer tripped for example might bend it too sharply and crack a strand. These strands are as sharp as needles and cut like a razor. I have the scars to prove it. Whatever connector you put on the end would have to fully enclose the end of the cable not just loop it back and put a crimp on it with the end protruding. It is a good plan and I have built a belt like it in the past but it needs more work it isn't just a drop in replacement. I used very low profile connectors with the cable silver soldered into them where the annealed portion of the cable from the soldering met the non heat affected cable some of the strands cracked with time and flexing.

                                                                      • Joh replied to this.

                                                                          Angelina True but I guess your keyholder is not going to remove the "additional fixation" so finding a better design is probably the best you can hope for.

                                                                              Renita

                                                                              Renita Thighbands is a crutch. You don't need them with properly fitted belt.

                                                                              Perhaps true. I have just tried them as an experiment, but if people are being forced to wear them it is worthwhile trying to improve them.