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: 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 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 footwear includes a motorized tensioning system, sensors, and a gesture control system. Based on information received from one or more sensors the gesture control system may detect a prompting gesture and enters an armed mode for receiving further instructions. In the armed mode the system may detect a variety of different control gestures that correspond to different tensioning commands.

Abstract: A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.

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: Systems and methods for integrating and using sensor system in articles of apparel are provided. The system may include an apparel piece sized and dimensioned to be worn on a user and a sensor system integrated with the apparel piece. The sensor system may include at least one stretchable capacitive sensor positioned on the apparel piece so as to measure a biometric parameter of the user when the apparel piece is worn, an illumination system configured to provide illumination in a specified illumination area based on the measured biometric parameter of the user, and a control module to control one or more settings of the illumination system.

Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor, and the sensor is configured to sense changes in a foot proximity to the sensor in footwear. A baseline or reference condition for the capacitive sensor can be updated to accommodate different use conditions.

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: Systems and methods for integrating and using sensor system in articles of apparel are provided. The system may include an apparel piece sized and dimensioned to be worn on a user and a sensor system integrated with the apparel piece. The sensor system may include at least one stretchable capacitive sensor positioned on the apparel piece so as to measure a biometric parameter of the user when the apparel piece is worn, an illumination system configured to provide illumination in a specified illumination area based on the measured biometric parameter of the user, and a control module to control one or more settings of the illumination system.

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: An article of footwear includes a motorized tensioning system, sensors, and a gesture control system. Based on information received from one or more sensors the gesture control system may detect a prompting gesture and enters an armed mode for receiving further instructions. In the armed mode the system may detect a variety of different control gestures that correspond to different tensioning commands.

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: 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: Systems and methods for prompting a user to perform an exercise and monitoring the exercise are provided. Multiple independent sensors or sensor systems may be used to calculate energy expenditure. Various criteria may be used to manually or automatically select the independent sensor or sensor system or combination that will be used with the energy expenditure calculations.

Abstract: An article of footwear can. Include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. An automated tensioning system can be configured to provide and perform a variety of functions associated with the fastening of the article of footwear. The automated tensioning system may tighten and loosen the article of footwear through the operation of a motor. The automated tensioning system may also be able to store and recall a preset tension level.

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: A system may include an output manifold that may be in fluid communication with a reservoir and that may include multiple discharge ports. Each of the discharge ports may be configured to discharge electrorheological fluid into a housing. A recovery manifold may be in fluid communication with the reservoir and include multiple recovery ports. Each of the recovery ports may be configured to receive the electrorheological fluid from a housing. A gas remover may be positioned to extract gas from the electrorheological fluid received from the recovery ports. A housing may be connected to the system, and electrorheological fluid from the system may be pumped through the housing and the gas remover.

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: Systems and methods for prompting a user to perform an exercise and monitoring the exercise are provided. Multiple independent sensors or sensor systems may be used to calculate energy expenditure. Various criteria may be used to manually or automatically select the independent sensor or sensor system or combination that will be used with the energy expenditure calculations.