Apparel with controllable displacement system
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsSteven H. Walker, Iustinia Koshkaroff, Daniel Stuart, Eun Kyung Lee, Christopher Andon, Nina Yashkova
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support garment can include a textile layer forming a supportive region and configured to adjustably permit or inhibit displacement of a body part of the wearer that is positioned adjacent or proximate the supportive region. The garment can include an electroadhesive clutch device to help control displacement. In an example, the garment includes an underwear garment or a portion thereof.
Claims20
A support garment for a wearer, comprising:
- a textile layer forming a supportive region configured to adjustably inhibit displacement of a body part of the wearer positioned proximate the supportive region;
- a strap affixed to a portion of the textile layer, wherein the strap includes an electroadhesive clutch device having a first electrode assembly, a second electrode assembly distinct from the first electrode assembly and at least partially overlapping with, and configured to move relative to, the first electrode assembly;
- and
- an electrical signal generator configured to provide one or more signals to the first and second electrode assemblies, the electroadhesive clutch device configured to selectively adjust an amount by which the support garment allows displacement of the body part proximate the supportive region.
An article of apparel, comprising:
- a modular panel for selectively coupling to a support garment, the modular panel including:
- an electroadhesive clutch device having a first electrode assembly, a second electrode assembly distinct from the first electrode assembly at least partially overlapping and configured to move relative to the first electrode assembly;
- and
- an electrical signal generator to provide one or more signals to the first and second electrode assemblies, the electroadhesive clutch device configured to selectively adjust an amount by which a support portion of the article of apparel allows displacement of a body part.
A modular device for use with an article of apparel, the modular device comprising:
- an interface configured to mechanically couple with a corresponding interface on the article of apparel;
- and
- an electroadhesive clutch device having a first electrode assembly, a second electrode assembly distinct from the first electrode assembly at least partially overlapping with, and configured to move relative to, the first electrode assembly, and an electrical signal generator configured to provide one or more signals to the first and second electrode assemblies.
An article of apparel, comprising:
- a support portion configured to support a body part of a user;
- a band portion, coupled to the support portion and configured to be worn about a waist or a torso of the user;
- an extensible member coupled to the support portion and to the band portion;
- and
- an interface configured to couple a clutch device to the extensible member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.