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

[0011]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.

[0012]New weight clipping techniques, including devices, syst

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 w

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