# US 11,896,064 B2 · Interface for electroadhesive system and textile > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,064 B2 - Document ID: US11896064B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/536,610 - Filed: 2021-11-29 - Published: 2022-06-30 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-30 - Assignees: NIKE, Inc. - Applicants: NIKE, Inc. - Inventors: Steven H. Walker; Iustinia Koshkaroff; Daniel Stuart; Eun Kyung Lee; Christopher Andon; Nina Yashkova - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896064B2 ## CPC - A41D 1/002: {adapted to accommodate electronic equipment (patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085)} - A41C 3/0028: {with size and configuration adjustment means} - A41C 3/0057: {for sport activities} - H02N 13/00: Clutches or holding devices using electrostatic attraction, e.g. using Johnson-Rahbek effect - A41D 2400/38: Shaping the contour of the body or adjusting the figure - A41F 15/002: {separable or adjustable} - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A41C: CORSETS; BRASSIERES - H02N: ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A41F: GARMENT FASTENINGS; SUSPENDERS ## Abstract An electroadhesive clutch can be coupled to a textile. The clutch can include a first electrode assembly comprising a first conductive member, and a second electrode assembly comprising a second conductive member overlaying in part the first conductive member. In an example, the clutch includes or uses an elastic encasing within which the first and second electrode assemblies are positioned. The elastic encasing can form a first bond with the first conductive member at a first location of the elastic encasing and a second bond with the second conductive member proximate a second location of the elastic encasing different than the first location. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wearable article, comprising: a textile configured to be worn by a wearer; and an electroadhesive clutch secured the textile and comprising: a first electrode assembly comprising a first conductive member; a second electrode assembly comprising a second conductive member overlaying in part the first conductive member; an elastic encasing within which the first and second electrode assemblies are positioned, the elastic encasing forming a first bond with the first conductive member at a first location of the elastic encasing and a second bond with the second conductive member proximate a second location of the elastic encasing different than the first location; and an electrical signal generator configured to provide first and second signals to the first and second conductive members of the first and second electrode assemblies, respectively, wherein the first electrode assembly is configured to slide laterally relative to the second electrode assembly when the first and second signals are not applied and remain static relative to the second electrode assembly when the first and second signals are applied; wherein the electroadhesive clutch is configured to inhibit increasing a size of an opening when the first and second signals are applied to the first and second electrode assemblies and wherein the opening is enabled to increase in size when the first and second signals are not applied. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the elastic encasing is a waterproof elastic encasing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The wearable article of claim 2, wherein the waterproof elastic encasing is configured to return the first and second electrode assemblies to a relaxed position when force is not placed on the waterproof elastic encasing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The wearable article of claim 3, wherein the waterproof elastic encasing is formed at least in part from a polymer configured to form the first and second bonds with the first and second conductive members, respectively. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The wearable article of claim 4, wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The wearable article of claim 5, wherein the first conductive member forms holes proximate the first location into which the first bond is formed and the second conducive member forms holes proximate the second location into which the second bond is formed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The wearable article of claim 6, wherein the first and second conductive members comprise mylar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the electroadhesive clutch further comprises a controller, operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator, configured to cause the electrical signal generator to apply the first and second signals based on an input as received. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The wearable article of claim 6, wherein the electroadhesive clutch further comprises a sensor, operatively coupled to a controller, configured to output a sensor signal based on a detected condition of the wearable article and wherein the controller is configured to receive the sensor signal as an input. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The wearable article of claim 7, futher comprising a sensor that is at least one of an accelerometer, a gyro, or a pressure sensor. ### Claim 11 A method of making an adaptive article of apparel, comprising: forming a textile configured to be worn by a wearer; and securing an electroadhesive clutch to the textile, the electroadhesive clutch comprising: a first electrode assembly comprising a first conductive member; a second electrode assembly comprising a second conductive member overlaying in part the first conductive member; an elastic encasing within which the first and second electrode assemblies are positioned, the elastic encasing forming a first bond with the first conductive member at a first location of the elastic encasing and a second bond with the second conductive member proximate a second location of the elastic encasing different than the first location; and an electrical signal generator configured to provide first and second signals to the first and second conductive members of the first and second electrode assemblies, respectively, wherein the first electrode assembly is configured to slide laterally relative to the second electrode assembly when the first and second signals are not applied and remain static relative to the second electrode assembly when the first and second signals are applied; wherein the electroadhesive clutch configured to inhibit increasing a size of an opening when the first and second signals are applied to the first and second electrode assemblies and wherein the opening enabled to increase size when the first and second signals are not applied. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the elastic encasing is a waterproof elastic encasing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the waterproof elastic encasing is configured to return the first and second electrode assemblies to a relaxed position when force is not placed on the waterproof elastic encasing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the waterproof elastic encasing is formed at least in part form a polymer configured to form the first and second bonds with the first and second conductive members, respectively. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the first conductive member forms holes proximate the first location into which the first bond is formed and the second conductive member forms holes proximate the second location into which the second bond is formed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the first and second conductive members are formed from mylar. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the electroadhesive clutch further comprises a controller, operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator, configured to cause the electrical signal generator to apply the first and second signals based on an input as received. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the electroadhesive clutch further comprises a sensor, operatively coupled to the controller, configured to output a sensor signal based on a detected condition of the adaptive article of apparel and wherein the controller is configured to receive the sensor signal as the input. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the sensor is at least one of an accelerometer, a gyro, or a pressure sensor.