Self-Fitting Apparel with Cascading Closures

Abstract

New forms of self-fitting apparel devices and fasteners are disclosed. In some aspects of the invention, new donning-actuated fitting devices and fasteners are disclosed. In other aspects, these and other fitting devices and fasteners incorporate cascading implementation techniques, triggered by a single fastening, donning or fitting action. In some embodiments, these cascading fitting devices and fasteners include mutually-influencing magnetic and / or elastic subunits incorporated in a common semi-flexible substrate. The techniques of the invention are applicable to a wide variety of apparel types, incorporating many different materials, allowing rapid donning of clothing with minimum effort, and leading to an extraordinary custom-fit to a user's body or preferences.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 709,058, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,555,281, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the fields of fasteners and apparel.BACKGROUND[0003]Clothing has been in use by the human race since before recorded history. Almost simultaneously with its adoption, specialized fasteners were developed, such as hook-and-eye fasteners and buttons, to aid in covering the human body more permanently and completely. Recently, a host of more modern closures have been developed, such as snaps, slide fasteners such as the zipper (developed by the Universal Fastener Company by the early 1900's), and Velcro. Certain clothing accessories for holding clothing on, such as straps and belts, have also been developed.[0004]Aspects of the disclosure also relate to fastening weights ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about new weight clipping techniques for sports equipment, such as training plates and barbells. These clipping mechanisms can be activated with one step, allowing the user to easily load the equipment. The clipping mechanisms also help to prevent lateral movement in the equipment. Additionally, the patent describes how these techniques can be applied to running shoes and apparel, making it easier for users to quickly and securely put on well-fitted gear without the need for separate lacing or binding steps.

Problems solved by technology

In the inventor's experience, time delay with that approach also may be great, and he also finds that the holding force of the pins can be weaker and subject to failure or tightening errors due to their relatively small contact area with the bar, in conjunction with non-tightness oriented resistance from a variety of sources, some of which are related to subtle rotational shifts in the collar on the bar.

In other words, the inventor has discovered that these weight clips often feel tightened onto the bar when, in fact, they are still loose and poorly seated, and that they require lateral force toleration tests during use to ensure proper seating.

The inventor has discovered that other clips, such as the handled spring coil weight clip (an example of which is given as FIG. 11), and the arm-actuated clamping weight clip (provided as FIG. 12), can be faster to attach, but still require the step of sliding a collar onto a bar, after sliding a plate weight on, and have limited fastening power and are more prone to loosen and break, especially from repeated use.

The inventor has discovered that the utility of all current weight clips can be frustrated by the need to locate and administer them.

In the inventor's experience, weight clips may be borrowed, broken or worn—often unevenly, in comparison to one another.

The differing weights of varying clip types have made planning workouts and plotting progress more difficult for the inventor.

The inventor has experienced still other disadvantages of present clips, including a tendency for lateral slippage due to an absence of significant active lateral force applying aspects.

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