Mechanical control systems and methods for adaptive apparel

A method of operating an analog control system within an adaptive support garment, the method comprising:

• applying a first tension on a lace cable using a rotary bias member coupled to a lace spool;
• engaging a damper mechanism upon extension of a pre-defined length of the lace cable from the lace spool;
• and
• applying a second tension on the lace cable upon engaging of the damper mechanism;
• and
• disengaging the damper mechanism upon retraction of a second portion of the lace cable back onto a lace spool within the analog control system;
• wherein the disengaging the damper mechanism includes rotating a lock wedge portion of a locking ring frictionally coupled to the lace spool into a position that pivots the damper mechanism away from the lace spool.

A method for controlling tension applied to a lace cable coupled to a support structure of an adaptive support garment, the method comprising:

• applying a first tension on the lace cable wrapped around a lace spool to resist extension of the lace cable off the lace spool;
• rotating the lace spool in a first direction in response to the first tension;
• maintaining disengagement with a damper mechanism from the lace spool while the lace spool rotates in the first direction;
• applying a second tension on the lace cable;
• rotating the lace spool in a second direction in response to the second tension;
• and
• engaging the damper mechanism in response to rotation of the lace spool in the second direction;
• wherein maintaining disengagement of the damper mechanism includes engagement of a lock wedge on a locking ring to pivot the damper mechanism away from the lace spool.