Electrically conductive tights

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of light industry, especially to the knitwear production of hosiery. In particular, the invention relates to electrically conductive tights (1) that affect the general functional state of a person, including the cognitive functions of the brain. It is applicable for everyday long-term usage both at home and in professional activities that require enhanced attention concentration and increased reaction speed, for example, when driving vehicles, or when it is used by dispatchers or athletes. The electrically conductive tights (1) comprise a torso portion (2), leg portions (3) and footlet portions (4) and they are made from dielectric threads and modified threads including a first-class conductor. The modified threads are placed and made in such a way that the resistance of the electrical circuit of the tights from one footlet portion (4) to the other (4) is no more than 8 kOhm. The invention allows to increase the speed of visual-motor reactions by stimulating the neural activity of the cerebral cortex.

Description

[0001] ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE TIGHTS

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to the field of light industry, especially to the knitwear production of hosiery. In particular, the invention relates to electrically conductive tights that affect the general functional state of a person, including the cognitive functions of the brain. It is applicable for everyday long-term usage both at home and in professional activities that require enhanced attention concentration and increased reaction speed, for example, when driving vehicles or when it is used by dispatchers or athletes.

[0004] Background

[0005] What is known from the state of the art (see patent RU 2206252, IPC A41 B11 / 00, published on 20.06.2003) is conductive socks made from dielectric threads and modified threads comprising a first-class conductor. The socks are designed to be used with conductive footwear and they consist of upper and lower conductive parts that are separated by an insert made exclusively from dielectric threads. This known product allows to equalize the total free potential of a person's charge with the negative potential of the earth's charge, thanks to electrical contact between biologically active points located on the foot and the earth as well as thanks to the ability of skin areas located under the upper part of the sock to be involved in electroexchange processes with the positive charge of the atmosphere.

[0006] The main disadvantage of the known product is the complexity of its use. The reason is that the socks are designed to be used with conductive footwear only. In particular, this known invention allows to obtain endogenous electric currents (hereinafter referred to as endogenous currents) only when the person walks on an electrically conductive surface (e.g. wet ground, seashore, asphalt after rain, wet floor, etc.).

[0007] What is also known from the state of the art (see FR 2833497A1 , IPC A41 B11 / 00, A41 D13 / 06, A61N1 / 02, A61N1 / 04, A61 N1 / 36, D04B1 / 14, D04B1 / 16, published 20.06.2003) is a knitted article in the form of stockings or tights, which is made from dielectric threads and modified threads comprising a first-class conductor. The article is provided with contact areas and with an electrical component in the form of an electrical stimulation generator designed to be detachably connected to the contact areas and designed to close the electrical circuit. In accordance with one embodiment of the known article, it consists of electrically conductive and dielectric parts inseparably connected to each other. When the known article is in contact with the skin surface, it acts as an electrode and provides a positive myostimulation effect. The main disadvantage of the known product consists in the complexity of its construction, resulting from the necessity to use an external electrical stimulation generator. Moreover, in the embodiment where electrically conductive and dielectric parts are inseparable this device prevents generating endogenous current by a person and therefore does not allow to diagnose physiological parameters of the person, because in use the device involves breaking the electrical circuit from one footlet portion to another.

[0008] The prior art which is closest to the claimed invention as regards its technical essence is a knitted product in the form of tights, found in the Internet on April 5, 2024 (see httDs: / / redox.ru / kolgotki-redox-c-elektricheskimi-vitamami-10-20-%C2%B5a / ). The tights comprise a torso portion, leg portions and footlet portions and they are made of dielectric threads and threads modified with a first-class conductor.

[0009] The applicant conducted a study of the known product and analyzed its impact on humans, which study was carried out, among other things, by recording the bioelectric potentials of the cerebral cortex with a use of electroencephalography (hereinafter referred to as EEG) and chronoamperometry. The study demonstrated that tights, which electrical circuit resistance from one footlet to the other was equal to 100 kOhm, were not able to generate a sufficient level of endogenous currents to accelerate the visual-motor reaction and they did not allow to measure the currents in a portable way.

[0010] Thus, the technical object of the present invention is to eliminate the above- mentioned disadvantages by creating a product that is able to make a positive impact on the visual-motor reaction of a person dressed in said tights.

[0011] Summary

[0012] The technical effect of the invention consists in increasing the speed of the visualmotor reaction of a user by stimulating the neural activity of the cerebral cortex.

[0013] The said object is solved and the technical effect is achieved by the fact that the proposed electrically conductive tights comprise a torso portion, leg portions and footlet portions, and they are made of dielectric threads and modified threads including a first-class conductor, wherein the modified threads are placed and made in such a way that the resistance of the electrical circuit of the tights from one footlet portion to the other is no more than 8 kOhm.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the product, the conductive tights are provided with an insert in the torso portion, wherein the insert is made of dielectric threads only and divides the tights into two symmetrical conductive parts, wherein each of the symmetrical conductive parts comprises a part of the torso portion and completely a leg portion and a footlet portion, wherein said parts are provided with contact areas and with at least one electrical component which is adapted to be detachably connected with the contact areas and to close the electrical circuit of the tights, wherein the resistance of each of said conductive parts is no more than 4 kOhm.

[0015] The electrical component is made as a conductive jumper or a device which is adapted to measure electrical currents of endogenous origin and to transmit data to a processing system.

[0016] The dielectric threads are made of polyamide and / or elastane, while the first-class conductor is gold, silver, zinc, copper, graphite or graphene.

[0017] Brief description of the figures

[0018] Fig. 1 illustrates the flow of electric current which is generated by a user wearing the tights while the user is walking.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a photograph of threads of tights which electrical resistance from one footlet portion to the other footlet portion is equal to 100 kOhm.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a photograph of threads of tights which electrical resistance from one footlet portion to the other footlet portion is equal to 1 kOhm.

[0021] Fig. 4 shows a general view of the proposed tights provided with contact areas.

[0022] Fig. 5 shows the tights which are provided with an insert made of dielectric threads, a device adapted to measure endogenous currents, and with a processing system in the form of a smart-phone, the device and system being connected to the tights by means of conductive jumpers.

[0023] Fig. 6 shows the tights which are provided with the insert made of dielectric threads and with a variable resistor connected by means of conductive jumpers.

[0024] Fig. 7 shows a chronoamperogram obtained while a test subject walks in tights having a closed electrical circuit and a resistance of 1 kOhm.

[0025] Fig. 8 shows a graph of the dependence of the magnitude of generated endogenous currents on body weight.

[0026] Fig. 9 shows a reference chronoamperogram obtained before a test subject was exposed to physical stress.

[0027] Fig. 10 shows a chronoamperogram obtained after a test subject was exposed to physical stress.

[0028] Fig. 11 is a chronoamperogram illustrating the dynamics of endogenous currents recorded when a test subject performed the pandiculation.

[0029] Fig. 12 shows a basic electrical diagram of the tights, which are provided with an insert made of dielectric threads and with a jumper.

[0030] Fig. 13 shows an EEG map of the brain of a test subject wearing tights which resistance from one footlet portion to the other footlet portion is equal to 1 kOhm and which electrical circuit is open.

[0031] Fig. 14 shows an EEG map of the brain of a test subject wearing tights which resistance from one footlet portion to the other footlet portion is equal to 100 kOhm and which electrical circuit is closed.

[0032] Fig. 15 shows an EEG map of the brain of a test subject wearing tights which resistance from one footlet portion to the other footlet portion is equal to 1 kOhm and which electrical circuit is closed.

[0033] Fig. 16 shows a graph of the change in the speed of the visual-motor reaction of a test subject who wears the tights with a resistance of 1 kOhm when opening / closing the electrical circuit.

[0034] Fig. 17 shows a graph of the change in the speed of the visual-motor reaction of a test subject who wears the tights with a resistance of 1 kOhm when closing / opening an electrical circuit.

[0035] Fig. 18 shows an equivalent electrical diagram of the tights provided with an insert made of dielectric threads and with a variable resistor connected thereto by means of conductive jumpers.

[0036] Fig. 19 shows a graph of the dependence of the speed of the visual-motor reaction of a test subject wearing the tights on resistance.

[0037] Detailed description of the invention

[0038] Endogenous electric currents are generated as a result of the movement of ions through cell membranes due to the difference in electrochemical potentials (ion concentrations) on the inner and outer sides of the cell membrane. When a cell is in a state of physiological rest, such a difference in electrochemical potentials is called the resting potential.

[0039] Endogenous currents can flow in the body by virtue of neurons (nerve cells) which, along with neuroglia, constitute the nervous system and provide the quick movement of electrical charges through their membrane, thereby transmitting nerve impulses to other nerve cells, human organs and ensuring the regulation of all vital processes in the body and its interaction with the external environment.

[0040] By measuring and analyzing endogenous currents it becomes possible to determine physiological parameters of a person and predict their future dynamics.

[0041] The mechanism of generating endogenous currents, their total intensity and the effect obtained by them when a person uses the proposed conductive tights 1 are comparable to the corresponding characteristics achievable when a person walks barefoot on wet grass or the edge of the sea.

[0042] When weight of the person’s body is transferred from one leg to another, for example in the process of walking or running, an action potential is generated on the leg that experiences a greater load, and on the leg with a lesser load a resting potential is generated (Fig. 1). Thus, an electrical potential difference is occurred between the two legs, which makes it possible to generate an electric current without the use of external electrical stimulation generators.

[0043] The proposed electrically conductive tights 1 (see Fig. 4) comprise a torso portion 2, leg portions 3 and footlet portions 4, and they are made of dielectric and modified threads. The dielectric threads are elastic, for example, they are made from polyamide and / or elastane. The modified threads are also made of elastic threads, but they additionally contain in their structure at least one conductor of the first kind, for example, gold, silver, zinc, copper, graphite or graphene.

[0044] In a particular case, the modified threads can be fulfilled as dielectric threads provided with a target metal applied to them or as electrically conductive threads based on graphite or graphene, including those ones which are provided with a target metal applied to them by any of the known methods.

[0045] Weight content of the modified threads in the product 1 has to be adjusted depending on their specific density (see Fig. 2 - 3). To achieve the declared technical effect, the modified threads are woven in such a way that the total resistance of the electric circuit of the tights 1 , measured from one footlet portion 4 to the other, is no more than 8 kOhm. A higher resistance does not allow the user of the tights 1 to generate endogenous currents that have a positive effect on the cognitive functions of the user’s brain.

[0046] In one embodiment (see Fig. 5), the product 1 is equipped with an insert 5 located in the torso portion 2, which insert is made of dielectric threads only (i.e. it is a dielectric insert) and divides the tights 1 into two symmetrical conductive parts, wherein each of the symmetrical conductive parts comprises a part of the torso portion and completely a leg portion and a footlet portion. The conductive parts are provided with contact areas 6 and with at least one electrical component, which is adapted to be detachably connected with the contact areas 6 and to close the electrical circuit of the tights 1 . The resistance of each of said conductive parts is no more than 4 kOhm.

[0047] The electrical component, which is used in the tights 1 with the dielectric insert 5 to close the electrical circuit, can be made as a conductive jumper 7 having low-ohmic resistance, for example, it can be fulfilled in the form of conductive garment accessories providing a reliable ohmic contact. In another embodiment, the electrical component can be made as a device 8 adapted to measure endogenous currents and transmit bioelectric data of a person to a processing system 9. The electrical component in the form of device 8 (see Fig. 5) is able to measure bioelectrical data and transmit them to the processing system 9 for the purpose of monitoring and diagnosing person’s physiological parameters, such as the number of steps, body weight, physical activity and pandiculation reflex. For example, a portable multimeter can be used as a measuring device 8, which multimeter is able to be connected (including a wireless connection) to the processing system 9 (computer / smart-phone) providing further processing and analysis of data.

[0048] The obtained results of measuring the above-mentioned parameters are shown in Fig. 7-11. Fig. 7 shows a chronoamperogram, in which the number of steps corresponds to the number of maxima and minima of the curve of the generated endogenous current. Fig. 8 shows a graph demonstrating that the strength of the generated endogenous current increases in direct proportion to the increase in body weight. Fig. 9, 10 demonstrate that the strength of the generated endogenous current is increased by physical stress. Fig. 11 is a chronoamperogram, showing an increase in the amplitude of the endogenous current during the pandiculation.

[0049] The applicant conducted an analysis of the influence of different values of the total resistance on the neural activity of the cerebral cortex, which analysis was performed by means of EEG mapping of the brain when a test subject dressed in the tights 1 transferred the weight of his body’s from one leg to the other; the tights 1 were provided with a dielectric insert 5 and with a jumper 7 adapted to close and open the electrical circuit of tights 1 . The basic electrical diagram of these tights 1 is shown in Fig. 12.

[0050] In particular, tights 1 having the following characteristics were used in the experiment: tights 1 which resistance from one footlet portion to the other footlet portion is equal to 1 kOhm and which electrical circuit is open; tights 1 (the closest prior art) which resistance from one footlet portion to the other footlet portion is equal to 100 kOhm and which electrical circuit is closed; tights 1 which resistance from one footlet portion to the other footlet portion is equal to 1 kOhm and which electrical circuit is closed.

[0051] The results of EEG mapping of the brain have demonstrated (see Fig. 13, 14) that the neural activity of the cerebral cortex of a test subject remains substantially the same for tights 1 , the electrical circuit of which is open and the total resistance is 1 kOhm, and for tights 1 , the electrical circuit of which is closed and the total resistance is 100 kOhm (the closest prior art). However, in the case of tights 1 , the electrical circuit of which is closed and the total resistance is 1 kOhm, the neural activity of the cerebral cortex changes by 70% compared to the previous values (see Fig. 15).

[0052] Thus, during the experiments intended to identify the influence of the proposed tights 1 on the neurodynamic properties of the nervous system of a user, an unexpected technical effect was revealed which consisted in an increase in the speed of visual-motor reaction.

[0053] One experiment to measure the speed of visual-motor reaction was conducted with a use of tights 1 having a dielectric insert 5 and a conductive jumper 7 (thickness of modified silver threads was 0.2 mm, total resistance was 1 kOhm). To register the speed of visualmotor reaction, a technique was used aimed at measuring time of reaction of a test subject to a change in the color of a smart-phone screen, according to which the test subject pressed the button with the finger of the dominant hand at the moment the screen color changed from red to green. Measurements were conducted using the smart-phone’s software “Reaction Speed” configured to measure the reaction time which is inversely proportional to the reaction speed. Fig.16, 17 show graphs of the dependence of the speed of visual-motor reactions of the test subjects on the characteristics “closed electric circuit” and “open electric circuit” of tights 1. The reaction speed was measured along the ordinate axis and it was expressed as the reaction time raised to the -1 power and multiplied by 103, while the time of running the experiment was measured along the abscissa axis and it was expressed in arbitrary units because the technique of the reaction test assumed uneven intervals of reaction measurements in order to prevent the test subjects from getting learned and, therefore, to obtain more objective data. One point of the arbitrary time units corresponded to an interval of five reaction time measurements for test subjects who did not know, in the course of the experiment, the characteristics of the electric circuit. The results of the experiment showed an increase in the average speed of visual-motor reaction of the test subjects in the case of a closed electric circuit (blue trend of the graph) in comparison with the open one (red trend of the graph). This difference was maintained when the sequence of use of electrical circuits changed from closed to open and vice versa.

[0054] Another experiment was conducted with a use of tights 1 provided with a dielectric insert 5 and with a variable resistor 10 (PPML-IM 10) additionally connected thereto. The equivalent electrical diagram of these tights 1 is shown in Fig. 18. The speed of the visualmotor reaction was registered using the same technique as in the previous experiment.

[0055] The reaction test was conducted when the subject was standing and shifting his body weight from one foot to the other to the beat of a metronome at a frequency of 0.8 Hz, with the resistance gradually increasing during the experiment by 0.5 kOhm at 30-second intervals. Fig. 19 shows a graph of the dependence of the speed of the visual-motor reaction on the value of the total resistance. The graph demonstrates the primary experimental data shown as a broken line, these data are also approximated with a use of the program “Origin lab” and additionally presented as a hyperbola. The horizontal dotted line at the level of 1.24 s'1shows the speed of the visual-motor reaction in the case of the open electrical circuit. The experiment demonstrates that, when the resistance from the left footlet portion of tights 1 to the right footlet portion is greater than 8 kOhm, while all other conditions are equal, the changes in the speed of the subject's visual-motor reaction are statistically indistinguishable with those ones obtained when the measurement is performed with the open electrical circuit.

[0056] Operation mode

[0057] When the proposed tights 1 are used energetically in the course of walking or running, the user's body generates endogenous currents (when the user transfers his body weight from one leg to the other) that affect the cerebral cortex and provide an increase in the speed of visual-motor reaction.

[0058] The additional details of the operation of product 1 can be found in the following sources:

[0059] The Tale of Doctor Redox Electric Vitamins, S.L. Bugrov., 3rd ed., corrected and supplemented, Moscow: Nauch. mir, 2014., 79 pp. in total, ISBN 978-5-91522-347-8, see pp. 18, 19, 22, 23.

[0060] Intelligence and leadership: almanac, Foundation "Achievements in Physics", compiled by: E. A. Andryushin et al., Moscow: Alfa-M, 2006, see p.138.

[0061] “Description of the phenomenon of current generation upon closing a circuit of feet by means of an irritating conductive plate and a hypothesis about its physiological significance”, S.L. Bugrov, E.S. Bugrova, N.S. Vetrova, Reflexology No.1 , 2005.

[0062] Thus, the proposed product 1 allows to increase the speed of visual-motor reaction of a user through stimulating the neural activity of the cerebral cortex, achievable by increasing the level of endogenous currents produced by the user’s body, which reduces the likelihood for the user to sustain an injury when a situation arises that require a quick response.

[0063] Example 1

[0064] The tights are made using a modified silver thread integrated over the entire area thereof. The tights are characterized by the following composition:

[0065] PA Nylon - 61 %;

[0066] X-Static Silver Fiber (PA Nylon, coated with silver) - 22%;

[0067] EA Elastane - 17%.

[0068] Total resistance 1 kOhm.

[0069] Example 2

[0070] The tights are made using modified threads based on graphite and silver. The tights are characterized by the following composition:

[0071] PA Nylon - 72%; X-Static Silver Fiber (PA Nylon, coated with silver ) - 13%;

[0072] EA Elastane - 15%.

[0073] Total resistance 2 kOhm.

[0074] Example 3

[0075] The tights are made using modified threads based on graphite and silver. The tights are characterized by the following composition:

[0076] PA Nylon - 74%;

[0077] X-Static Silver Fiber (PA Nylon, coated with silver ) - 10%;

[0078] EA Elastane - 16%.

[0079] Total resistance 3 kOhm.

[0080] Example 4

[0081] The tights are made using conductive material based on graphene and copper. The tights are characterized by the following composition:

[0082] PA Nylon - 76%;

[0083] PA Nylon coated with magnesium - 8%;

[0084] EA Elastane - 16%.

[0085] Total resistance 5 kOhm.

Claims

THE CLAIMS1. Electrically conductive tights, comprising a torso portion, leg portions and footlet portions and made from dielectric threads and modified threads including a first-class conductor, characterized in that the modified threads are placed and made in such a way that the resistance of the electrical circuit of the tights from one footlet portion to the other footlet portion is no more than 8 kOhm.

2. The tights according to claim 1 , characterized in that they are provided with an insert in the torso portion, wherein the insert is made of dielectric threads only and divides the tights into two symmetrical conductive parts, wherein each of the symmetrical conductive parts comprises a part of the torso portion and completely a leg portion and a footlet portion, wherein said parts are provided with contact areas and with at least one electrical component which is adapted to be detachably connected with the contact areas and to close the electrical circuit of the tights, wherein the resistance of each of said conductive parts is no more than 4 kOhm.

3. The tights according to claim 2, characterized in that the electrical component is made as a conductive jumper.

4. The tights according to claim 2, characterized in that the electrical component is made as a device which is adapted to measure electrical currents of endogenous origin and to transmit data to a processing system.

5. The tights according to claim 1 , characterized in that the dielectric threads are made of polyamide and / or elastane.

6. The tights according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first-type conductor is gold, silver, zinc, copper, graphite or graphene.

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