Abstract: A size adjustment arrangement for a garment comprises a base member, a ratchet member, a line, a spool, and an actuator. The base member is coupled to the garment and the ratchet member and spool are rotatably coupled to the base member. The line is wound on the spool with the line extending through at least one channel in the garment. The actuator is selectively rotatable in a first direction and a second direction without activation of any release mechanism. When a first force is applied to rotate the actuator in the first direction, the line is wound upon the spool. When a second force is applied to rotate the actuator in the second direction, the line is unwound upon the spool. The ratchet member and the spool are blocked from rotation when neither the first force nor the second force is applied to the actuator.

Abstract: A pad arrangement comprises a layer of fabric with a pad connected to the layer of fabric. The pad includes a plurality of energy absorbing structures. Each of the plurality of energy absorbing structures includes an outer surface connected to the layer of fabric. Each of the outer surfaces is spaced apart from other outer surfaces on the pad. A plurality of buttresses extend between the energy absorbing structures. A plurality of cuts extend into the buttresses. The plurality of cuts may be provided as slits in the buttresses, with the slits configured to facilitate flexing of the pad between the plurality of energy absorbing structures.

Abstract: A method of making a shoe includes printing a midsole having a platform and a lattice structure. The platform and lattice structure are integrally formed by printing a first surface of the platform to conform to a sole of a foot of a user and, in association therewith, printing the lattice structure on a second surface of the platform opposite the first surface of the platform. The method also includes positioning the midsole substantially within an outsole such that the lattice structure is substantially facing the outsole and the platform is substantially facing an upper.

Abstract: A garment includes a torso portion and a limb portion. The garment further includes a first panel with a first lacing guide provided on the first panel and a second panel with a second lacing guide provided on the second panel. A cord extends between the first lacing guide and the second lacing guide. A cord adjustment mechanism is coupled to the cord. The cord adjustment mechanism is configured to reduce an effective length of the cord extending between the first lacing guide and the second lacing guide and draw the first panel toward the second panel.

Abstract: A shoe is configured to be worn on a user's foot and includes an upper and a sole coupled to the upper. The sole includes an insole, a midsole, and an outsole. The midsole includes a platform and a lattice integrally formed with the platform. The platform has a toe portion, a heel portion, a medial portion, and a lateral portion arranged to align with the user's foot. The lattice extends from the platform and includes a plurality of crisscrossing laths. Each lath has a longitudinal structure with a longitudinal axis and two ends. The laths are positioned in at least a first zone and a second zone in the lattice, and each lath in the first zone has a girth that is substantially different from a girth of each lath in the second zone.

Abstract: An electronic subassembly includes a base panel including a layer of fabric material, a top panel secured to the base panel so as to form a compartment between the base panel and the top panel, where the top panel includes an exterior surface that is configured to couple the subassembly with an apparel product, and a plurality of electronic components, where a first electronic component is disposed within the compartment and a second electronic component extends from the compartment to a location external to the compartment. A strain relief mechanism can also be provided that maintains a first electrical connection of the first electronic component with a second electrical connection of the second electronic component to reduce strain imparted to the first and second electrical connections when the surface of the apparel product to which the subassembly is secured is subjected to stretching or pulling forces.

Abstract: A garment includes a fabric portion with an electrode connected to the fabric portion and configured to engage a torso of the wearer. A receptacle is fixedly connected to the fabric portion and includes a receptacle housing, a socket defined by the receptacle housing, and an electrode lead, the electrode lead extending through the receptacle housing and providing an electrical connection between the electrode and the socket. An electronics module is configured to be removably inserted into the socket of the receptacle and contact the electrode lead. The electronics module includes a multi-component injection molded housing including a front face having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is comprised of a relatively soft and resilient polymer material and the second portion is comprised of a relatively hard and rigid polymer material.

Abstract: A garment includes a fabric portion, an electrode fixedly connected to the fabric portion, a receptacle fixedly connected to the fabric portion, and an electronics module releasably positioned in the receptacle. The receptacle includes a receptacle housing, an electrode lead, and a receptacle contact. The electrode lead is attached to the electrode. The electrode lead engages the receptacle contact to establish an electrical connection with the receptacle contact without being attached to the receptacle contact. The electronics module includes a module contact that engages the receptacle contact when the electronics module is positioned in the socket to establish an electrical connection between the module contact and the receptacle contact.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an article including an assembly with a selectively repositionable shield or seat. The assembly includes at least one guide rail along which the seat or shield moves. With this configuration, the seat is deployable along a predetermined path. Additionally, lateral movement of the seat is restricted, lessening noise and interference with the user. In an embodiment, the article is an accessory such as a back pack. In another embodiment, the article is an apparel item such as a hunting vest (e.g., a turkey vest).

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper at least partially formed of an textile element. The textile element includes a yarn matrix having a plurality of interlocked strands oriented in predetermined directions. A structural element may be captured within the matrix at selected locations. In operation, the matrix is stitched onto a temporary substrate. The substrate is removed and the article coupled to a sole structure to form the article of footwear.

Abstract: A garment includes a fabric portion, an electrode fixedly connected to the fabric portion, a receptacle fixedly connected to the fabric portion, and an electronics module releasably positioned in the receptacle. The receptacle includes a receptacle housing, an electrode lead, and a receptacle contact. The electrode lead is attached to the electrode. The electrode lead engages the receptacle contact to establish an electrical connection with the receptacle contact without being attached to the receptacle contact. The electronics module includes a module contact that engages the receptacle contact when the electronics module is positioned in the socket to establish an electrical connection between the module contact and the receptacle contact.

Abstract: A brassiere includes a back portion and a front portion coupled to the back portion at side areas. Straps are coupled to the front portion and the back portion. Cup panels are provided on the front portion and extend to the straps. Each cup panel includes a perimeter cup region and a central cup region located on the front portion and a strap region located on one of the straps. The perimeter cup region and the strap region having a greater elastic modulus than the central cup region. In at least one embodiment, each cup panel includes a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is provided by a polymer sheet including a plurality of openings formed in the polymer sheet. The arrangement of the openings on the polymer sheet contributes to the elastic modulus in the central cup region, the perimeter cup region, and the strap region of the cup panel.

Abstract: A method for bonding supplemental materials of various shapes to a base textile comprises printing an adhesive material, such as a thermoplastic ink, onto a backing sheet, such as a paper backing. The thermoplastic ink may be printed onto the paper backing using a print head, silk screen, gravure, or any other appropriate printing device capable of printing the ink onto the backing sheet in a desired shape and with a desired thickness. The adhesive material is generally printed in substantially the same shape as the perimeter of the supplemental material to be bonded to the base textile. After the thermoplastic ink is printed onto the backing sheet, the thermoplastic ink is transferred to the base fabric using a bonding process. The backing sheet is then peeled away, and the supplemental material is then bonded to the exposed adhesive material on the base fabric using a subsequent bonding process.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement comprises a first fastening member connected to a first strap and a second fastening member connected to a second strap. The first fastening member includes a first surface comprising at least one first interlocking member. The second fastening member includes a channel positioned between a second surface and a biasing member. The channel is configured to receive the first fastening member with the first surface facing the second surface. The second surface includes at least one second interlocking member configured to engage the first interlocking member in a manner that blocks the first interlocking member from moving relative to the second interlocking member in at least one direction. The biasing member is configured to urge the first interlocking member into engagement with the second interlocking member when the first fastening member is inserted into the channel of the second fastening member.

Abstract: An adjustable positioning mechanism, such as for positioning ends of straps or handles of bag or packs, such as for backpacks, but also, more generally, for removably connecting an item to an article to be carried to provide a range of attachment locations for the item relative to the article, to achieve an optimum ergonomic position of the item at one of the attachment locations. One element of the adjustment mechanism can be either adhesively bonded to the article or made in one piece with a frame of the article, the item to be attached bearing a second element of the mechanism.

Abstract: A size adjustment arrangement for a garment comprises a base member, a ratchet member, a line, a spool, and an actuator. The base member is coupled to the garment and the ratchet member and spool are rotatably coupled to the base member. The line is wound on the spool with the line extending through at least one channel in the garment. The actuator is selectively rotatable in a first direction and a second direction without activation of any release mechanism. When a first force is applied to rotate the actuator in the first direction, the line is wound upon the spool. When a second force is applied to rotate the actuator in the second direction, the line is unwound upon the spool. The ratchet member and the spool are blocked from rotation when neither the first force nor the second force is applied to the actuator.

Abstract: A shoe is configured to be worn on a user's foot and includes an upper and a sole coupled to the upper. The sole includes an insole, a midsole, and an outsole. The midsole includes a platform and a lattice integrally formed with the platform. The platform has a toe portion, a heel portion, a medial portion, and a lateral portion arranged to align with the user's foot. The lattice extends from the platform and includes a plurality of crisscrossing laths. Each lath has a longitudinal structure with a longitudinal axis and two ends. The laths are positioned in at least a first zone and a second zone in the lattice, and each lath in the first zone has a girth that is substantially different from a girth of each lath in the second zone.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement comprises a first fastening member connected to a first strap and a second fastening member connected to a second strap. The first fastening member includes a first surface comprising at least one first interlocking member. The second fastening member includes a channel positioned between a second surface and a biasing member. The channel is configured to receive the first fastening member with the first surface facing the second surface. The second surface includes at least one second interlocking member configured to engage the first interlocking member in a manner that blocks the first interlocking member from moving relative to the second interlocking member in at least one direction. The biasing member is configured to urge the first interlocking member into engagement with the second interlocking member when the first fastening member is inserted into the channel of the second fastening member.

Abstract: A garment includes a fabric portion with an electrode connected to the fabric portion and configured to engage a torso of the wearer. A receptacle is fixedly connected to the fabric portion and includes a receptacle housing, a socket defined by the receptacle housing, and an electrode lead, the electrode lead extending through the receptacle housing and providing an electrical connection between the electrode and the socket. An electronics module is configured to be removably inserted into the socket of the receptacle and contact the electrode lead. The electronics module includes a multi-component injection molded housing including a front face having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is comprised of a relatively soft and resilient polymer material and the second portion is comprised of a relatively hard and rigid polymer material.

Abstract: A garment includes a torso portion and a limb portion. The garment further includes a first panel with a first lacing guide provided on the first panel and a second panel with a second lacing guide provided on the second panel. A cord extends between the first lacing guide and the second lacing guide. A cord adjustment mechanism is coupled to the cord. The cord adjustment mechanism is configured to reduce an effective length of the cord extending between the first lacing guide and the second lacing guide and draw the first panel toward the second panel.