Abstract: An infant sleeping garment has a main body formed from a front surface joined to a rear surface by overlapping material from the front and rear surfaces. The overlapping material provide and intermediate area between the front and rear surfaces of the garment. The width of the intermediate area is selectively adjustable to vary the volume of the main body of the garment to accommodate the same infant as he or she grows, or to accommodate different infants of different sizes in the same adjustable garment.

Abstract: An undergarment comprising at least one tubular portion, wherein the tubular portion is reinforced with stiffeners in the direction parallel to the axis of the tube, to prevent bunching when another garment is put on over the undergarment.

Abstract: An upper-torso garment includes a tubular-jacquard knit structure in a chest-covering portion. The tubular-jacquard knit structure is divided into a plurality of zones across the chest-covering portion, and the zones may include different versions of the tubular-jacquard knit structure.

Abstract: An upper-torso garment includes a chest-covering portion. The chest-covering portion includes a knit textile region having a tubular-jacquard knit structure. The tubular-jacquard knit structure includes a number of interlocking cross overs in which a first yarn strand transfers from the front bed to the back bed and a second yarn strand transfers from the back bed to the front bed, and in which the yarn strands transfer back over.

Abstract: An upper-torso garment includes a chest-covering portion having a knit textile region, which includes a plurality of courses fully spanning a dome-shaped portion. In addition, the knit textile region includes a plurality of partial-length courses partially spanning the dome-shaped portion.

Abstract: Undergarments that that are uniquely constructed to absorb fluids, such as those associated with sweat and lactation, in either prescribed areas of the undergarment or throughout the totality thereof.

Abstract: A personal air-conditioning system and method of operating thereof are described. The system includes an air moving device operable to provide an air stream, a flexible ventilation section being in air flow communication with said air moving device and a control unit coupled to said air moving device for controlling operation thereof. The flexible ventilation section is in the form of a multi-layered structure and configured to provide the air stream to a user of the personal air-conditioning system.

Abstract: An electric heating device and method of use for heating apparel wherein the electric heating device has as plurality of integral pad-like constructions, each having a plurality of substantially planar fabric layers with a proximal surface and a distal surface with respect to the user. A plurality of electrically conductive wires are embedded in or attached to the interior or exterior surface of at least one of the plurality of substantially planar fabric layers. The plurality of integral pad-like constructions are connected in series or parallel by the insulated wire and the insulated wire is removably attachable to a compact, light weight power source such that the insulated wire conducts electricity to the electrically conductive wires when attached to the power source. When the electricity runs through the electrically conductive wires, it produces heat in at least one integral pad-like construction. The compact, lightweight power source is stored in or on the apparel.

Abstract: An article of apparel is formed that is effective to regulate the temperature of the wearer. In an embodiment, a textile substrate is obtained, and a thermal regulation composition is applied to a surface of the textile substrate at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a coated textile substrate. The coated textile substrate is dried to form a thermal regulation membrane disposed on the surface of the textile substrate, and the textile substrate with the thermal regulation membrane is compressed at a second pressure and a second temperature to position a portion of the thermal regulation membrane below the surface of the textile substrate. The textile substrate is incorporated into an article of apparel. The thermal regulation composition can include one or more system reactive components provided within a binder, where a system reactive components can include a cooling agent, a latent heat agent and/or a heat dissipation agent.

Abstract: A multipurpose garment manufactured by knitting a first section, the first section including a plurality of single courses; knitting a second section, the second section including a plurality of double courses; knitting a third section, the third section including a plurality of single courses; knitting a fourth section, the fourth section including a plurality of double courses; and knitting a fifth section, the fifth section including a plurality of single courses, wherein transitions between the first section and the second section, the second section and the third section, the third section and the fourth section, and the fourth section and the fifth section are seamless. The multipurpose garment includes sleeve portions being seamlessly knitted to a body portion due to transition stitches connecting the body portion and the sleeve portions.

Abstract: A glove apparatus is disclosed comprising a substantially glove-shaped first layer, a substantially glove-shaped second layer, and an attachment tab comprising a lower portion, an upper portion, and an extension portion. The attachment tab is attached to a finger portion of the second layer along the lower portion and along the upper portion. The extension portion extends from the attachment tab at a location distal from a fingertip of the second layer and overlies the upper portion to an attachment region on the first layer proximate a fingertip of the first layer, the fingertips of the first layer and of the second layer thereby lying substantially near or in contact with one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glove including a coagulated film of an aqueous polyurethane composition containing anionic polyurethane (A), which has an oxyalkylene group content within a range of 4 to 12 mol/kg and a urea bond content of 0.2 mol/kg or less, and an aqueous medium (B). The anionic polyurethane (A) is preferably the reaction product of polyoxytetramethylene glycol, a glycol having a carboxyl group, ethylene glycol, and diphenylmethane diisocyanate or the reaction product of polyoxytetramethylene glycol, a glycol having a carboxyl group, butanediol, and diphenylmethane diisocyanate. The average particle diameter of the anionic polyurethane (A) is preferably within a range of 0.01 to 1 ?m.

Abstract: An armored protective sport glove for use in historical-type armed combat having an underlying durable flexible glove with extending cuff having rivets and washers. A contoured armored backplate with padded underlayment is attached to the underlying glove, the backplate connecting with underlying material strips which over and along the back of the fingers and thumb providing connections for overlapping finger and thumb plates which flare at the knuckles and wrap exposed portions of the hand and thumb. The contoured overlapping plates and underlying material connection strips connected with one another and to the underlying glove at specific positions allowing for increased mobility and ease of replacement of worn or broken materials. Fingertip protection is increased by use of soft durable connection means decreasing the risk of smashed or pinched fingertips. Pivot points at the wrist increase mobility at the wrist and thumb.

Abstract: Provided is an athletic headband with removable cooling elements. The headband includes a body, first cooling elements, dropdown pocket, and second cooling element. The body has first and second openings. The body includes pockets disposed about the body between the first and second openings. The pockets have respective openings. The first cooling elements are configured to be received into the pockets through the respective openings to provide cooling about the head of the user. The dropdown pocket is secured to an interior of the body, extends below the body, and has an opening. The second cooling element is received into the dropdown pocket through the opening, wherein a first cooling element in a pocket of the body overlaps at least partially the second cooling element in the dropdown pocket and is configured to press the second cooling element into the neck of the user to provide cooling to the neck.

Abstract: A tie fastener for retaining a tie in a desired configuration without knotting includes a housing that defines an interior space. Each of a pair of holes is positioned through a respective opposing side of the housing. An orifice is positioned through a bottom of the housing. A coupler is coupled to the housing and is positioned in the interior space. The orifice and the holes are positioned in the housing such that each hole is configured to insert a respective end of a tie such that the tie passes through the interior space. The orifice is configured to allow the two ends of the tie to be extended from the housing. The coupler is configured to couple to the tie to retain the tie in a desired configuration without requiring the tie to be knotted.

Abstract: Variable bowtie system and method providing half-bows of different colors which can be chosen and combined, even layered, as desired by the user for one wearing, and with a different choice or combination of colors for another wearing. Chosen half-bow units of desired colors are placed on a mounting-stud pair affixed to a neckband, and are removably secured with a retaining collar, which may also be provided in a variety of colors, resulting in a bowtie having the desired color or color combination for a particular wearing, which can be changed upon another wearing.

Abstract: A piece of sportswear with at least one controlled temperature zone which is made of a textile fabric structure that is shirred locally via tension zones so as to form webs. The webs are designed to contact the skin of the wearer on the interior of the fabric structure, and inner air channels are formed between the webs. At least one groove which forms an outer air channel is formed on the rear face of each of the webs on the shirred sheet structure. The controlled temperature zone is equipped with individualized controlled temperature elements which are contained in short webs separated from one another by lateral separation zones. Adjacent inner air channels are connected together by the separation zones, and the separation zones are laterally offset to one another between the controlled temperature elements such that the controlled temperature elements are arranged to at least partly overlap with respect to the length of the vertical body axis.

Abstract: A hair extension device is provided having a first piece having a first attachment portion and a weft portion. The hair extension device can have a second piece comprising a second attachment portion. The first and second attachment portions are configured to be pressed against each other with the wear's hair intertwined there between. One or more wefts of filaments are attached to the backside of at least one of the first or second attachment portions.

Abstract: A hat with illumination system including a hat having a logo with an integrated light assembly including a lens, a battery, at least one light, and a control-unit. The hat includes the logo with the integrated light assembly on a front outer surface of the hat. The light assembly comprises the lens, the battery, the at least one light and the control unit in functional combination providing an illumination system to functionally display the logo in low light conditions. The device may be used to show fan support at night games or during low light conditions.

Abstract: Headwear having a band portion for securing the headwear to a user's head, the band portion having a front section and a rear section, a base attached to and extending away from the front section of the band portion, and a brim movably coupled to the base, the brim moveable from a first position in which the brim functions as a sun shade, to a second position in which the brim is a face mask and/or glasses.

Abstract: A covering apparatus having a unitary material. The unitary material has a grip disposed around the interior perimeter of the material. The grip is fused to the material wherein the grip enables the material to provide a water tight seal and wherein the material is covering an object without slipping and sliding off the object. The material has an elastic member which is enclosed in the material which is located in the rear of the covering apparatus.

Abstract: A helmet mounted safety device comprises right and left mandible engaging sections. Each of the mandible engaging sections comprises an adjustable airway opening member for assuring opening of the airway, and is connected, whether integrally or detachably, to a side portion within an interior of a helmet in order to facilitate engagement with the mandible of a wearer of the helmet upon demand. A helmet comprising the right and left mandible engaging sections is also taught, and further comprises in one embodiment a neck stabilizing cervical support that includes an occipital portion and two sternocleidomastoid (SCM) portions between which the occipital portion is interposed, for engaging the SCM muscle at the side of the neck.

Abstract: A helmet with an outer shell, an inner liner, a plurality of vents, and an occipital cliff is disclosed. The outer shell includes an outer surface made up of a first and second surface, the first and second surfaces joined by a drop-off running across the outer surface from a left side of the helmet to a right side of the helmet. A majority of the drop-off is closer to a coronal plane bisecting the helmet than it is to the rear of the helmet. The drop-off is contained within a posterior section of the helmet defined by the coronal plane. The first surface defines a top of the drop-off and the second surface defines a bottom of the drop-off, such that the drop-off has a height. The occipital cliff is located at the rear end of the helmet and is approximately perpendicular to the second surface proximate the drop-off.

Abstract: The present invention is a helmet apparatus configured to accommodate multiple impact hits thereafter retaining usability, with the helmet including an outer shell that is divided into a posterior and an anterior portion, further the outer shell is divided into a left and a right portion, the shell is rigid except for a first relatively less rigid portion that is disposed within the posterior portion straddling the left and right portions, and a second relatively less rigid portion disposed within the anterior portion straddling the left and right portions. Further a flexible channel is disposed along a shell major and minor axes, also a series of fluid bladder layers slidably engaged to one another are disposed on the inside of the shell, wherein the first, second, and channel less rigid portions along with the slidable bladders absorb kinetic energy impacts to the shell reducing energy transfer to the user's head.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms or apparatus for a helmet for reducing concussive injuries and an alarm system providing an indication of potential concussive impacts.

Abstract: Ground-engaging components (240) for articles of footwear (200) include an upper (202)-facing surface (222S) and a ground-facing surface (248G) opposite the upper (202) facing surface (222S). At least the ground-facing surface (248G) may be formed to include a matrix structure (250), and this matrix structure (250) may include a plurality of open cells (252) (e.g., in a heel region (252H) and/or a midfoot region (252M) ) and a forefoot region (252F) including a plurality of closed forefoot support cells (252). The ground-engaging component (240) may be engaged with a midsole member (220) (e.g., including a foam midsole element (222F) and/or one or more fluid-filled bladders (222A, 222F), and this combination may form a sole structure (204) that is engaged with an upper (202) to form an article of footwear (200).

Abstract: A knitted component for an article of footwear may have an overfoot portion and an underfoot portion, a first yarn, where the first yarn at least partially forms the overfoot portion and at least partially forms the underfoot portion, and a second yarn, where the second yarn at least partially forms the overfoot portion and at least partially forms the underfoot portion. The first yarn may include a first material composition with a first melting point and the second yarn may include a second material composition with a second melting point. The first melting point may be at least 20 degrees Celsius higher than the second melting point.

Abstract: An upper may include a first knitted portion configured to form an outer surface of the upper, a second knitted portion configured to form an inner surface of the upper, where the second knitted portion is at least partially coextensive with the first knitted portion, an interstitial space between the first knitted portion and the second knitted portion, and a knitted connection structure connecting the first knitted portion to the second knitted portion. The knitted connection structure may extend at least partially along at least one of a tongue and a collar of the upper, and the second knitted portion may include at least one double jersey knit structure that is coextensive with the first knitted portion.

Abstract: A knitted component may include a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing opposite the second surface, the first surface including at least a first yarn and the second surface including at least a second yarn. The first and second yarns may be different. The first surface and the second surface may be secured via a knit structure of the knitted component, where the first surface includes an exposed first surface area, where at least 65% of the exposed first surface area is formed of the first yarn, and where the first yarn has a tenacity of at least 5 grams per denier (g/d).

Abstract: A method and kit are provided for the customization of footwear comprising an upper which is partially or totally made of thermoformable material. The method provides for selectively heating the portions made of thermoformable material of the footwear, while leaving the remaining portions of the footwear at a substantially unchanged temperature, and for applying to the thermoformable material portions a pressure sufficient to adapt their shape to the specific morphology of the user's foot. This allows to customize even footwear comprising delicate portions, which would be damaged if subjected to high temperatures. The method may provide for customizing a footbed, partially or totally made of thermoformable material, to the specific morphology of the user's foot sole. The kit is compact, preferably transportable and capable of autonomously carrying out all the steps of the method.

Abstract: A ski boot assembly may include an outer shell having a relatively hard portion and a relatively soft portion. A cuff may be attached to the hard portion for pivot action relative to the outer shell. The cuff may extend around the outer shell, leaving an instep cover of the soft portion exposed. The cuff may include overlapping portions that are hinge coupled to the cuff. A flex bar may be inserted into a shaft of the hard portion. A bootboard may be situated above the sole plate, and be provided with ridges. A shoe can be inserted into the outer shell. The sole of the shoe may be provided with grooves that receive the ridges of the bootboard. A locking mechanism can be mounted on the hard portion of the outer shell to selectively engage with the heel of the shoe.

Abstract: A heated article comprises a circuit board; one or more batteries electrically connected to the circuit board; a flexible heating element electrically connected to the circuit board; a control switch electrically connected to the circuit board and configured to selectively adjust the heating element; and circuitry configured to charge the one or more batteries.

Abstract: A shoe, and production methods for such a shoe, having a single-piece sole construction, in which efficient air circulation in the shoe and thereby directly on the foot of the user of the shoe is made possible with every step of the walking movement of the user.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles of footwear and components thereof, including outsoles, which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil on the outsoles. In particular, the disclosure relates to articles of footwear and components thereof including an outsole having a dispersion present on a ground facing surface of the outsole. The dispersion compositionally includes a polymeric continuous phase and a hydrophilic dispersant, and exhibits a water uptake rate greater than 20 grams/(meter2-minutes1/2). The outsoles can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil on the footwear during wear on unpaved surfaces such as sporting fields. When the outsoles are wetted with water, the outsoles can become more compliant and/or can rapidly uptake and/or expel water, which can prevent soil from adhering to the outsole and/or can assist in shedding soil present on the outsole.

Abstract: A sole structure for a footwear article includes round shell components. Each round shell component includes a network of ligaments that mechanically shift under load to attenuate a force or impact and that return to a resting state when the load is removed.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a unitary, open-celled structure. Specifically, the sole assembly includes a lattice structure having an interconnected network of struts and nodes that cooperate to define voids. The struts and nodes are configured to generate predetermined support and flexure properties within the network. The lattice may be configured as a conformal lattice, being contoured to receive accessories or complementary support structures. The sole assembly may further include an insert formed of compression material (e.g., foam). In operation, the lattice and foam insert cooperate to provide stability and cushioning to the article of footwear.

Abstract: Sole structures (200) for articles of footwear (800) include sipes (202, 204, 210B, 210, 220, 222) that define discrete hexagonally-shaped sole elements (212, 214) at the ground-engaging or ground-facing surface (200B). At least some of the arch-supporting hexagonally shaped sole elements (212) may be elongated in one direction as compared to at least some of the corresponding hexagonally shaped sole elements (212) in the heel and/or forefoot support areas (404). Additionally or alternatively, the sole structure (200) may include a perimeter rim (200P) and/or side wall (200W) integrally formed with and extending upward from a foot-supporting surface (200S) at least at a rear heel area of the sole structure (200). This perimeter rim (200P) and/or side wall (200W) forms a rear heel pocket (240) that engages at least a portion (304) of the heel area of the upper (e.g., the rear heel area) with an interior surface (200S) of the perimeter rim (200P) and/or side wall (200W).

Abstract: A shoe for preventing ankle injuries comprises a sole with a ground-engaging surface, and lateral and medial edges associated with respective lateral and medial connecting portions interconnecting and extending between the ground-engaging surface and the lateral and medial edges. At least one of the connecting portions defines a surface area of reduced friction provided, e.g., in the form of retrofitted patches, which are circumferentially surrounded by adjacent surface areas having a relatively high coefficient of friction. Friction is differentiated in different areas of those parts of the shoe which are implicated in injury mechanisms, and injuries may thus be prevented in the recovery phase after injury, and primary prophylaxis may be achieved. The area of reduced friction reduces the ability of the wearer's foot to rotate relative to ground when the load of the wearer's body is shifted towards or lands near the edge of the shoe.

Abstract: The transformable shoe is an apparatus that allows a user to customize the height of the shoe. The apparatus includes a shoe body, a collapsible heel, and a lift-receiving bed. The shoe body surrounds and supports the foot against the ground. The collapsible heel uplifts the shoe body above the ground. More specifically, the collapsible heel uplifts a heel seat above the ground and defines an arch of the foot. The collapsible heel includes a plurality of anthropomorphic members. The height of the apparatus is dependent on the arrangement of the plurality of anthropomorphic members with each other, moreover the plurality of anthropomorphic members may be arranged into a high-heel configuration, a wedge configuration, and a flat configuration. In order to secure the configuration, a telescopic extrusion is integrated into a distal member of the collapsible heel. The telescopic extrusion connects the distal member to the lift-receiving bed.

Abstract: An item of footwear including an outsole secured to an upper is provided. A bootie is attached to the infill panel. The bootie and infill panel combine to form a cavity receiving the wearer's foot. The bootie is provided by a single air permeable, moisture vapor permeable, and waterproof sheet formed from a plurality of layers of material laminated together. The sheet forms at least one edge portion extending, at least one time, a distance between a toe end and a heel end of the bootie. A protection strip is attached to the outer surface of the sheet adjacent the at least one edge portion. A stitching seam is formed by a thread-type material securing the at least one edge portion of the bootie adjacent an outer peripheral edge portion of the infill panel. The thread-type material extends through the protection strip and the infill panel to form the seam.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing at least a portion of an upper for an article of footwear that include thermo-forming a pattern on the upper. The methods may include disposing a skin for forming an upper over and inflatable bladder and disposing a mold insert between the skin and a surface of a mold cavity. The mold insert may include a mold pattern including surface features formed in the mold insert. The inflatable bladder may be inflated such that the skin is pressed against the mold insert within a heated mold cavity to form a pattern on an exterior surface of the skin and cause the skin to take on the shape of at least a portion of an upper. In some embodiments, the surface features may be disposed in a gradient pattern configured to provide varying degrees of one or more characteristics to different areas of an upper.

Abstract: A covering member is provided in a portion of an upper of a shoe. The covering member includes: a fabric material comprised of a stretchable mesh fabric; and an overlay material made of an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer and integrally provided on a surface of the fabric material. A direction intersecting with a stretch direction of the fabric material is defined as a width direction. The covering member has such strain rate dependence that a tensile load per unit width with respect to a strain amount of the covering member is higher and the covering member is less stretchable when a strain rate of the upper in the stretch direction of the fabric material is in a high strain rate region than when the strain rate of the upper is in a low strain rate region.

Abstract: A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.

Abstract: A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The tensioning system may be used with various sensors to determine how the motorized tensioning device should be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method (200) of modifying a shoe-last, comprising: acquiring (201) current digital data representing a foot shape; providing (202) reference digital data representing a shoe-last shape to be modified; comparing (203) the current digital data with the reference digital data to design patch shapes and patch positions; providing a shoe-last corresponding to the reference digital data; producing (204) patch elements corresponding the patch shapes: and applying (204) the patch elements on the shoe-last in accordance with the patch positions obtaining a modified shoe-last. The production and the application of the patch elements on the shoe-last are performed by employing an additive manufacturing technique.

Abstract: A redirect buckle includes a securing portion and a redirect portion. The redirect portion comprising a first redirect crossbar and a second redirect crossbar configured to slideably engage and redirect a webbing. The first redirect crossbar configured to set a receiving path below a bottom surface of the first redirect crossbar for receiving the webbing entering the redirect buckle. The second redirect crossbar is configured to set a redirect path along a back side and over a top of the second redirect crossbar for receiving the webbing from the first redirect crossbar and redirecting the webbing toward the forward end of the redirect buckle. The securing portion comprising a first securing crossbar and a second securing crossbar configured to receive a fixed webbing loop and secure the redirect buckle.

Abstract: A string fastener includes an insertion path for a string; an entrance bar forming one portion of an entrance of the insertion path; an exit bar forming one portion of an exit of the insertion path; a stopper portion pressed by a string between the entrance and the exit and bending an inserted string; an entrance-side guide face portion for the string formed by a curved face or an inclined face, or a combination of these formed in such a way so as to face the entrance bar between the entrance and the stopper portion; and an exit-side guide face portion for a string formed by a curved face or an inclined face, or a combination of these formed in such a way so as to face the exit bar between the exit and the stopper portion.

Abstract: Provided herein is a low-profile key ring including a planar body including first and second inflection points, a connecting section extending between the first and second inflection points to define a concave indentation of the planar body, and a split disposed in the connecting section to define an outer segment and an inner segment of the connecting section, wherein the outer segment and inner segment are complementarily contoured.

Abstract: A slide fastener tape member includes a tape body and a core string portion disposed at a tape side edge portion of the tape body along a length direction. The core string portion is formed by fixing a string member at the tape side edge portion along the length direction by machine sewing. The string member is fixed linearly such that at least one thread used for machine sewing crosses while contacting an outer peripheral surface of the string member without being pierced by a needle thread of machine sewing. Thus, since the core string portion can be easily provided by fixing the string member to the tape body having desired properties at a later stage, the value-added tape members can be easily manufactured at a relatively low cost.

Abstract: A wrist-worn device clasp that secures a strap of the wrist-worn device. A first mechanical part of the wrist worn device interlocks with a second mechanical part by motion in a first plane in order to resist motion perpendicular to said first plane. The first mechanical part also inhibits a first securing part and a second securing part being separated by tension along the strap substantially perpendicular to the first plane when the first mechanical part and second mechanical part are engaged with each other. The first securing part and the second securing part inhibit separation of the first mechanical part and the second mechanical part by motion parallel to the first plane when they are engaged with each other by motion perpendicular to the first plane.