# US 2014/0151416 A1 · Article Of Apparel Incorporating A Covered Electronic Device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151416 A1 - Document ID: US20140151416A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/173,026 - Filed: 2014-02-05 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2006-02-22 - Assignees: NIKE, Inc. - Applicants: Nike, Inc. - Inventors: James Alec Ishihara; YeongKyu Yoo; Edward Lang Boyd - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151416A1 ## CPC - A41D 1/002: {adapted to accommodate electronic equipment (patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085)} - A44C 5/0015: {providing information, e.g. bracelets with calendars (identification bracelets G09F3/005)} - A44C 5/0053: {Flexible straps} - G04B 37/12: Cases for special purposes, e.g. watch combined with ring, watch combined with button (watch guards or protectors A45C11/10, A45C11/12; watches combined with cosmetic powder containers A45D33/30 {; domed dial G04B19/10; calibers in which the clockwork is disposed on different planes G04B33/08; means for fixing watches on items of clothing G04B37/1433; cases having means for fixing onto a normal bracelet G04B37/1486; cases giving special affects due to their particular shape G04B45/0069; watches combined with various objects and therefore having a specially shaped case G04B47/00}) - G04B 37/1433: {Fixation on items of clothing, e.g. with clips (button watches G04B37/12; brooches, or the like A44C1/00; other similar fixation means, in general A45F5/02)} - G04B 37/1486: {Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet (building watches into bracelets (montre marquise) G04B37/12; arrangements for hanging pocket- or other watches on chains G04B37/1446)} - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A44C: PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS - G04B: MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS (spring- or weight-driven mechanisms in general F03G; electromechanical clocks or watches G04C; electromechanical clocks with attached or built-in means operating any device at pre-selected times or after predetermined time intervals G04C23/00; clocks or watches with stop devices G04F7/08) ## Abstract An article of apparel is disclosed that includes a covered electronic device. The apparel is at least partially formed from a material element that defines an aperture. The electronic device is locatable within the aperture and secured to the material element. A material covers the electronic device such that the electronic device cannot be seen. Upon activation of the electronic device, the readout is seen through the material. The electronic device may be a timing device, such as a watch, or a global positioning system unit. The apparel may be a wristband formed from a polymer material or any of a variety of other types of apparel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An article of apparel comprising: a polymer element that defines an aperture with a peripheral edge having a non-circular shape; an electronic device positionable within the aperture and securable to the peripheral edge of the aperture, the electronic device also being removable from the aperture, and the electronic device having a non-circular shape; and a flexible covering material attached to the polymer element and covering the electronic device, wherein the electronic device cannot be seen though the covering material except, when a display of the electronic device is activated, the display is visible through the covering material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the polymer element is a wristband. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The article of apparel recited in claim 2, wherein the polymer element is at least partially formed from nylon or polyurethane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the polymer element includes a reinforcing structure extending around the aperture and forming the peripheral edge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a timing device or a global positioning system unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein at a least a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the polymer element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the covering material is removably attached to the polymer element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the polymer element and another portion of the covering material is removably attached to the polymer element. ### Claim 9 An article of apparel comprising: a wristband at least partially formed from a polymer material, the wristband defining an aperture with a non-circular shape; an electronic device that is locatable within the aperture and securable to the wristband, the electronic device having the non-circular shape; and a covering material attached to the polymer material and covering the electronic device, wherein the electronic device cannot be seen though the covering material except, when a display of the electronic device is activated, the display is visible through the covering material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The article of apparel recited in claim 9, wherein the wristband is at least partially formed from nylon or a polyurethane. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The article of apparel recited in claim 9, wherein the electronic device is a timing device or a global positioning system unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The article of apparel recited in claim 9, wherein at a least a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the wristband. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The article of apparel recited in claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the covering material is removably attached to the wristband. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The article of apparel recited in claim 9, wherein a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the wristband and another portion of the covering material is removably attached to the wristband. ### Claim 15 An article of apparel comprising: a polymer element that defines an aperture; a reinforcing structure that is located within the aperture and secured to the polymer element to form a peripheral indentation of the aperture, the reinforcing structure being formed from a material that is more rigid than the polymer element; and an electronic device positionable and securable within the aperture, and the electronic device may be separated from the polymer element by disconnecting the reinforcing structure and the peripheral indentation; and a covering material attached to the polymer element and covering the electronic device, wherein the electronic device cannot be seen though the covering material except, when a display of the electronic device is activated, the display is seen through the covering material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The article of apparel recited in claim 15, wherein the polymer element is a wristband. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The article of apparel recited in claim 15, wherein the polymer element is at least partially formed from nylon or a polyurethane. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The article of apparel recited in claim 15, wherein the electronic device is a timing device or a global positioning system unit. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The article of apparel recited in claim 15, wherein at a least a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the polymer element. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The article of apparel recited in claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the covering material is removably attached to the polymer element. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The article of apparel recited in claim 15, wherein a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the polymer element and another portion of the covering material is removably attached to the polymer element. ### Claim 22 An article of apparel comprising: a wristband; an electronic device secured to the wristband, the electronic device including a display modifiable between an unilluminated and illuminated configuration; and a polymer covering element secured to the wristband and extending over the display of the electronic device, wherein the electronic device cannot be seen though the covering element except the display being at least partially visible through the covering element when the display is in the illuminated configuration.