Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item having an integrated lighting system and method of forming the apparel item having the integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system comprises a power supply unit affixed to the apparel item, one or more light arrays having visible light sources affixed to the apparel item, and one or more conductive traces affixed to the apparel item, where the conductive traces extend from the power supply unit to the light arrays and electrically couple the two such that the light arrays are powered when the power supply unit is operating.

Abstract: Aspects herein provide methods of transforming a stowable article of apparel for an upper torso of a wearer. The article of apparel comprises a first tensioning mechanism superior to and parallel with a waist opening, and a second tensioning mechanism coincident with the waist opening and spaced apart from the first tensioning mechanism. An upper half of the article of apparel is doffed. The waist opening is folded upward toward the first tensioning mechanism forming a pouch between the first and second tensioning mechanisms where the upper half of the article of apparel is stowed. The second tensioning mechanism is tensioned, thereby stowing the article of apparel in the pouch around the wearer.

Abstract: A sleeve cuff is provided for a sleeve comprising an anterior patch affixed to the sleeve and covering at least a portion of a cutout in the sleeve, a distal strap affixed to the sleeve and spanning over at least a portion of a cutout in the sleeve, and the distal strap overlapping at least a portion of the anterior patch to form an aperture for receiving a thumb therethrough. The sleeve cuff has a plurality of configurations, including at least a closed configuration where the aperture is closed and minimizes the wearer's exposure to wind and air elements therethrough, and an opened configuration where the aperture is opened and minimizes the air penetration around the received thumb.

Abstract: An electroadhesive clutch device can include a first electrode assembly comprising a first conductive portion that is at least partially covered by a first dielectric insulator, a second electrode assembly comprising a second conductive portion that is at least partially covered by a second dielectric insulator, and an electrical signal generator configured to provide first and second signals to the first and second conductive portions of the electrode assemblies, respectively. The first and second electrode assemblies can be at least partially overlapping and configured to slide relative to each other at respective surfaces that comprise the first and second dielectric insulators.

Abstract: An electrode device for an electroadhesive clutch can include a planar conductive member and a housing that encloses at least a portion of the conductive member. In an example, the housing can include a flexible polymeric substrate provided adjacent to at least a first surface of the conductive member, and a dielectric member comprising a first portion provided adjacent to an opposite second surface of the conductive member, and a second portion provided adjacent to a first side edge of the conducive member and coupled to the flexible polymeric substrate.

Abstract: An electroadhesive clutch can be coupled to a textile. The clutch can include a first electrode assembly comprising a first conductive member, and a second electrode assembly comprising a second conductive member overlaying in part the first conductive member. In an example, the clutch includes or uses an elastic encasing within which the first and second electrode assemblies are positioned. The elastic encasing can form a first bond with the first conductive member at a first location of the elastic encasing and a second bond with the second conductive member proximate a second location of the elastic encasing different than the first location.

Abstract: An article of apparel can include or use an electroadhesive clutch device. The device can include an elongate encasing for a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly each having a respective first and second electrode. The first and second electrodes can be at least partially overlapping and configured to slide or move relative to each other. The device can include an electrical signal generator configured to provide first and second signals to the first and second electrode assemblies, respectively, wherein the first electrode assembly is configured to slide laterally relative to the second electrode assembly when the first and second signals are not applied, and is configured to remain static relative to the second electrode assembly when the first and second signals are applied. The apparel can include a textile material to which the encasing is attached at least at a first end of the encasing.

Abstract: An article of apparel can include an aperture. An electroadhesive clutch device can be coupled to, or integrated with, the article of apparel, and the clutch device can be configured to selectively open and close the aperture. An electric signal generator can be coupled to the clutch device and configured to provide one or more signals to the clutch device to thereby open or close the aperture.

Abstract: An adaptive wearable article can include an electroadhesive clutch secured to a textile and extending around at least a portion of an opening. The clutch can include a first conductive member and a first polymeric substrate applied to the first conductive member and having a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the first conductive member, and the clutch can include a second electrode assembly comprising a second conductive member configured to partially overlay the first conductive member. The second electrode assembly can include a second conductive member and a second polymeric substrate applied to the second conductive member, the second polymeric substrate having a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the second conductive member, wherein the first and second conductive members are proximate each other with the first and second polymeric substrates distal with respect to each other.

Abstract: An adaptive article of apparel can include a textile with an opening that is configured to admit a body part of a wearer, and an electroadhesive clutch secured to the textile and extending around at least a portion of the opening. The electroadhesive clutch can be configured to permit or inhibit changing a size of the opening.

Abstract: A support garment can include a textile layer forming a supportive region and configured to adjustably permit or inhibit displacement of a body part of the wearer that is positioned adjacent or proximate the supportive region. The garment can include an electroadhesive clutch device to help control displacement. In an example, the garment includes an underwear garment or a portion thereof.

Abstract: Aspects herein provide for a garment and a garment system for an upper-body that is easily donned and doffed by a wearer, and may be stowed about the wearer during activity. Some exemplary aspects comprise a first and second closure mechanism on an upper part of a torso portion that may be used to facilitate easy donning and doffing. In some exemplary aspects, the garment and garment system provide for one or more tensioning mechanisms that may be used to facilitate stowing. In some exemplary aspects, the garment and garment system comprise one or more pockets that may have openings on an interior aspect and/or an exterior aspect to allow access to the pocket when the article is fully donned or when in a stowed state.

Abstract: Aspects herein provide for a support garment having a vibration damping structure that is positioned between the breast contacting surfaces of the support garment. The vibration damping structure has a shape and/or material characteristics that enable it to substantially fill the space defined by a medial aspect of the wearer's breasts and the wearer's sternum. This positioning and placement facilitate the damping structure's ability to absorb and dissipate impact forces generated at least through the medial-to-lateral movement of the wearer's breasts during, for example, athletic activities.

Abstract: A sleeve cuff is provided for a sleeve comprising an anterior patch affixed to the sleeve and covering at least a portion of a cutout in the sleeve, a distal strap affixed to the sleeve and spanning over at least a portion of a cutout in the sleeve, and the distal strap overlapping at least a portion of the anterior patch to form an aperture for receiving a thumb therethrough. The sleeve cuff has a plurality of configurations, including at least a closed configuration where the aperture is closed and minimizes the wearer's exposure to wind and air elements therethrough, and an opened configuration where the aperture is opened and minimizes the air penetration around the received thumb.

Abstract: Aspects herein provide for a modesty support garment structure comprising varying layers of construction in different areas of the support garment. The modesty support garment comprises a breast contacting portion, an upper chest portion, a back portion, and a pair of shoulder straps. The upper chest portion is positioned superior to the breast contacting portion. The back portion is connected to the breast contacting portion by a pair of side portions, and the pair of shoulder straps extend from the upper chest portion to the back portion. The breast contacting portion comprises a three-layer construction comprising an outer layer, an inner layer, and a spacer mesh material positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer, which provides modesty to the breast contacting area. Additionally, the upper chest portion comprises a two-layer construction comprising an inner layer and an outer layer.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item having an integrated lighting system and method of forming the apparel item having the integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system comprises a power supply unit affixed to the apparel item, one or more light arrays having visible light sources affixed to the apparel item, and one or more conductive traces affixed to the apparel item, where the conductive traces extend from the power supply unit to the light arrays and electrically couple the two such that the light arrays are powered when the power supply unit is operating.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an article of apparel having a vent opening formed by overlapping the edges of a first panel and a second panel. A plurality of discrete overlay film structures are applied to the second panel adjacent to the vent opening. When the article of apparel is exposed to an external stimulus, the film structures undergo a reversible increase in dimension in at least the z-direction which cause the second panel of material to undergo a reversible decrease in dimension in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the vent opening thereby causing the vent opening to dynamically transition from a closed state to an open state.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item having an integrated lighting system and method of forming the apparel item having the integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system comprises a power supply unit affixed to the apparel item, one or more light arrays having visible light sources affixed to the apparel item, and one or more conductive traces affixed to the apparel item, where the conductive traces extend from the power supply unit to the light arrays and electrically couple the two such that the light arrays are powered when the power supply unit is operating.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an article of apparel having a vent opening formed by overlapping the edges of a first panel and a second panel. A plurality of discrete overlay film structures are applied to the second panel adjacent to the vent opening. When the article of apparel is exposed to an external stimulus, the film structures undergo a reversible increase in dimension in at least the z-direction which cause the second panel of material to undergo a reversible decrease in dimension in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the vent opening thereby causing the vent opening to dynamically transition from a closed state to an open state.

Abstract: Aspects herein provide for a support garment having a vibration damping structure that is positioned between the breast contacting surfaces of the support garment. The vibration damping structure has a shape and/or material characteristics that enable it to substantially fill the space defined by a medial aspect of the wearer's breasts and the wearer's sternum. This positioning and placement facilitate the damping structure's ability to absorb and dissipate impact forces generated at least through the medial-to-lateral movement of the wearer's breasts during, for example, athletic activities.