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.
So can I ask those who wear them what are the main problems with wearing them? How could they be better?
If (when) Tollyboy is back I want to sort this out and make something far more comfortable and less awkward to wear.
Well, that's probably because the size of the cheeks variates depending on its position ... because the bands dom't adapt the size automatically are they probably sometimes very slim while doing a step.
Taz
An issue is when I wear high, so I have more comfortable steps, but if I am studying a long time, I have irritation.
Another issue is they slide a bit because they are not to tight as waist belt.
Another issue is rattling, I have it fixed, but, however they are never totally silent.
I will be thankful for a flatter lock.
And I do not use padlock, it makes chain has a weight that should be uncomfortable.
About security, I disagree with you, they are very useful.
Avery The lower the band's are worn and the shorter the connecting chain the more secure. There is a limit to how low they can be (assuming side chains only for support) too low and by leaning far forward and being flexible it is possible to manoeuvre a band below the knee. From there it is possible to get your leg out of it. You need to be flexible but it is possible.
Taz The lower the band's are worn and the shorter the connecting chain the more secure.
I do not agree, I mean, I wear bands relatively high and the angle of legs opening is very limited, at the end, you do not need a very short chain between bans to achieve they are secure.
Maybe a long chain in bands weared in high position can be unsafe, but I think that any keyholder would allow it.
I would say my thigh bands make my belt very secure. I wear them mid-thigh and though the bands are made of steel they are lined with neoprene (I think - anyway its soft and rubbery). Noise would be an issue if I worked and if we go out, the chains sometimes have to be wrapped to stop then rattling. I did not like the original lock on the connecting chain since it had sharp edges that would dig into me. Angela found a small lock with rounded edges which is much better. At night she uses the same type of lock to connect the inside "D" rings together.
The thigh bands probably only work for me since Angela will unlock them to spell me and let me stretch my legs when desired and she will readily unlock them for a while if I need a rest or we go hiking etc. I do not know how other girls manage but without an attentive and almost always present keyholder, I imagine they would be items of torture. They just happen to work well for my situation.
Eventually, when Angela makes my new belt, it is her intention to remake the thigh bands with hoops of 3D printed plastic made to my thigh shape which will hopefully make them lighter and more comfortable.
Ok so rattling chains and sharp bulky locks seem to be some of the first problems I should be thinking about. Chains should be easy to solve. Locks might need a bit more thinking about, I was never happy with the side chains connecting to the waistband with padlocks that always seemed like an efficient but ugly way to do it.
3D printed thighbands are a good idea but I am not at all sure how you would measure that to get the right shape, or if you wanted this shape in metal how you would make it. I will think about that.
Seems to me all thighbands tend to hang at an angle unless supported via a chain between the legs to the bottom of the guard which adds other possibly unintended consequences. This looks wrong to me but is it actually a problem?
Thank you for your insights so far.
Taz Locks might need a bit more thinking about, I was never happy with the side chains connecting to the waistband with padlocks that always seemed like an efficient but ugly way to do it.
Instead of a lock, you could also do the following. If you put the connection from the CB to the thigh bands through each and secure it from the body side, you wouldn't need a lock. When the CB and the belt are locked, they cannot be loosened. To secure it you could screw a plate above, or the end has a T-shape. You put is through and turn it around 90°. There is a recess in the band into which the T-piece fits. If the bands have no slack you could not get it off.
I expect at the waist it would work but I am not so sure a the thighs. From what I read here the thigh band should fit well but not as tight as at the waist.
Taz 3D printed thighbands are a good idea but I am not at all sure how you would measure that to get the right shape,
Use a 3D scanner and you get the shape. I think it will need some iteration to get the right tightness done but it should improve how they fit.
Taz Seems to me all thighbands tend to hang at an angle
Why not adopt the concept of a stocking holder. A secure connection is needed the other bands would have the task of holding it in the correct position. They can be placed in the front and in the back. For example, made of elastic material to adapt to movement.
How about a hinge in line with the hip joint, fixed rigidly to the belt at the top with a stiff band going down to the thigh band. This would stop the thigh band drooping and at least reduce twisting. It could be fitted near the knee without any chance of slipping it down.
The Carrera thigh belt design seems to accomplish something similar.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
