Apparel Incorporating A Protective Element
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsDaniela Grogro, David Turner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An article of apparel may include may include a garment portion and at least one protective element. The garment portion and the protective element have a configuration that forms a gap, separation, or pleat structure through, for example, folding or overlapping of a textile element of the garment portion. The gap, separation, or pleat structure may permit the protective element to move independent of other portions of the apparel at the joint, thereby enhancing a range of movement of the individual and the overall comfort of the apparel.
Claims20
An article of apparel comprising:
- a garment portion formed from a plurality of joined textile elements, the garment portion having a first fold and a second fold that form a pleat structure, the first fold being located outward from the second fold, wherein the first fold includes a first fabric bend and a second fabric bend;
- and
- at least one protective element at least partially located within the first fold and absent from within the second fold.
An article of apparel comprising:
- a garment portion formed from at least a first textile element and a second textile element, the first textile element forming a first fold and a second fold that form a pleat structure;
- and
- at least one protective element located within the first fold, wherein the first textile element wraps around a portion of the at least one protective element to at least partially envelop the portion of the at least one protective element.
An article of apparel comprising:
- a first textile element;
- a second textile element;
- a protective element disposed between the first textile element and the second textile element, wherein the protective element has a first surface and an opposing second surface;
- an attached region, wherein the first textile element is attached to the first surface of the protective element and the second textile element is attached to the second surface of the protective element in the attached region;
- a separated region, wherein the first textile element is attached to the first surface of the protective element and the second surface of the protective element in the separated region, and wherein the first textile element wraps around the protective element in the separated region;
- and
- a fold proximate the second surface, wherein the fold is formed from the first textile element, and wherein the first textile element and the second textile element abut proximate the fold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.