Abstract: A pressure-applying garment particularly suited for locating and applying pressure to transmitters is formed by a main inflatable bladder inflated to first pressure to press its inner wall toward a wearer and conform the inner wall to contours of said wearer and to apply the desired pressure between the wearer and a transmitter interposed between the main bladder and the wearer. A plurality of auxiliary inflatable bladders positioned relative to the main bladder and oriented to having their inner walls facing toward said wearer. The auxiliary bladders are provided with separate inflating systems so that at least some of said auxiliary bladders are inflated to a selected pressure different from (higher than) the first pressure to deform inner wall of its auxiliary bladder to conform with and press towards adjacent portions of said wearer and preferably to apply the desired pressure between the wearer and a transmitter interposed between the auxiliary bladder and the wearer.

Abstract: A vibrator blanket for use with pets has a battery pouch having a battery pack located on the back of the animal, such as a dog, for energizing a plurality of small vibrators distributed within the blanket, for imparting vibration to various locations on the pet. The blanket has layers between which the vibrators and electrical wiring are installed, to keep the pet from damaging the vibrator system. A switch is used to select different levels of vibration. The blanket may be split at the belly and have buckles or Velcro to secure the blanket. The under-blanket is preferably at least one layer of insulated fabric upon which up to 50 vibrator motors are mounted per side of the animal below the backbone. Separate battery packs having external control switches for selecting levels of vibration are installed so as to be on each side of the back of the animal.

Abstract: A switch suitable for use in garments is provided. The switch comprises an arrangement of at least two electrically conductive contact portions provided in the form of textile fastener components. The textile fastener components may be stud fastener components mounted on fabric portions and normally separated by resilient biasing means such as compressible foam material. The application of a sufficient force causes the compressible foam material to yield allowing the textile fastener components to contact each other physically and therefore electrically. Removal of the applied force allows the foam material to return to its shape prior to yielding and therefore separate stud fastener components. The switch utilizes components often found in clothing allowing the switch to be incorporated into garments using machinery and workforce skills widespread within the garment manufacturing industry.

Abstract: An animated head gear assembly that features an object that simulates an animal, fowl, caricature, inanimate object, and the like, to be worn on the head of a user. The object offers motion, such as the moving parts of a bird's beak, and a light to simulate the eyes or other item of the object. The animation may be activated by a remote source, such as a remote control, or by a motion sensor that frees the hands of the wearer.

Abstract: A heated liner that is worn under an upper torso garment. The liner includes an upper torso-covering garment that underlies the upper torso garment, heating wires, storage batteries that are in electrical communication with, and power, the heating wires, solar cells that are in electrical communication with, and recharge, the storage batteries, and a thermostat that is in electrical communication with, and regulates the heat generated by, the heating wires. The heating wires form a continuous serpentine pattern throughout the upper torso-covering garment. The storage batteries include chest and back batteries that are disposed on the upper torso-covering garment. The solar cells include chest and back solar cells that extend from uppermost portions of the upper torso-covering garment, by lengths of solar cell wire that allows the solar cells to pass freely through openings in the upper torso garment and be replaceably attached thereto by hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: A heated liner that is worn under an upper torso garment. The liner includes an upper torso-covering garment that underlies the upper torso garment, heating wires, storage batteries that are in electrical communication with, and power, the heating wires, solar cells that are in electrical communication with, and recharge, the storage batteries, and a thermostat that is in electrical communication with, and regulates the heat generated by, the heating wires.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fabric article to include electronic circuitry in which a flex circuit is assembled to include conductive traces and pads on a flexible substrate, a fabric article is placed on a rigid surface, and the substrate of the flex circuit is secured to the fabric article. Also disclosed is a fabric article which includes electronic circuitry and an electrically active textile article.

Abstract: A thermal earmuff includes an inner cover having a circular partition formed with a first circular recess at one side thereof and a second circular recess at another side thereof, a circular member having two opposite circumferential edges provided with two curved shoulders and force-fitted within the second recess of the circular partition to support the inner cover, an outer side of the circular member being provided with a clamping device, a heating member secured on an outer side of the circular member and provided with a heating filament facing the through holes of the circular partition, an outer cover enclosing the inner cover, a head band having a plurality of teeth at two ends each of which is inserted into the slot with the teeth of the head band engaged with the teeth of the clip, and power supplying means electrically connected with the filament

Abstract: A system and method for the electrical interconnection of the devices included in a wearable computer, so that a light cable network can be deployed that does not limit the body movements of a human being. A network is formed by attaching to clothing, as stitches, extremely fine conductive wire that is used to connect devices included in a wearable computer, wherein an I/O device and a computer system main body are separately located. As a result, conventional, complicated cabling is eliminated, which permits the free and natural movement of a human body, and reliable communications, for which a light cable network is used, are possible.

Abstract: The invention comprises a full-fashioned weaving process for the production of a woven garment which can accommodate and include sleeves. The garment is made of only one, single integrated fabric and has no discontinuities or seams. Additionally, the garment can include intelligence capability, such as the ability to monitor one or more body vital signs, or garment penetration, or both, by including a selected sensing component or components in the weave of the garment.

Abstract: A garment incorporating power connections, bus structures and attachment points for auxiliary components associated with a wearable computing device. The wiring associated with the power connections and the bus structures have a water resistant insolating sheath such as poly vinyl chloride (pvc) and are enclosed in the fabric that makes a clothing or between two or more specially treated fabric layers which shield the wearer from electromagnetic radiation emanating from the wiring.

Abstract: Fabrics are used as integral elements of electrical circuitry—to facilitate control over the operation of external components connected thereto, to serve as substrates onto which electrical components are connected, or as the electrical components themselves. In one aspect, selective, anisotropic electrical conductivity is achieved using conductive fibers running along one weave direction and non-conductive fibers running along the opposite direction. The conductive fibers, which may be continuous or arranged in lanes, serve as electrical conduits capable of carrying data signals and/or power, and may be connected, for example, to electrical components soldered directly onto the fabric. In a second aspect, passive electrical components are integrated directly textiles using threads having selected electrical properties.

Abstract: A full-fashioned weaving process for the production of a woven garment which can accommodate and include holes, such as armholes. The garment is made of only one single integrated fabric and has no discontinuities or seams. Additionally, the garment can include intelligence capability, such as the ability to monitor one or more body vital signs, or garment penetration, or both, by including a selected sensing component or components in the weave of the garment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable power tool comprising an electric power tool, a low weighted battery pack and a cable interconnecting the pack to the tool. The pack is remote from the tool, and is attached to an article of clothing.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating neonatal jaundice is in the form of a garment (10, 40) which has semiconductor light sources (14, 214, 314) affixed thereto for radiating toward the "inside" of the garment when the infant is dressed in the garment. A portable energy source such as batteries (318) or a fuel cell (360) powers the array of light sources. A method according to the invention vests the infant in the garment, and energizes the light sources by coupling a battery to the light sources, or fueling and starting the fuel cell. The therapy is continued for as long as desired or needed.

Abstract: A signaling glove is disclosed that includes a body portion that is worn on a user's hand and at least one reflective surface mounted on the body portion. In some embodiments, the glove further includes a light source with a light-emitting unit adapted to illuminate the reflective surface. The light-emitting unit is preferably housed within a pocket formed at least in part by the reflective surface. When the light-emitting unit is housed within the pocket, the reflective surface includes a transparent or translucent region overlying the light. The reflective surface may be adjustable positionable on the body portion of the glove to enable a user to interchange the reflective surfaces and to orient the reflective surface to best fit the user's current signaling or other needs.

Abstract: A textile fabric including a plurality of electrically conductive fibers characterized as providing sufficient current to induce either a wired or wireless coupling between the textile fabric and a portable electronic device. The textile fabric is intended for fabrication into a functional article of clothing or other item made of the woven textile fabric, so as to increase functionality of the article of clothing or item made thereof. The plurality of electrically conductive fibers are characterized as creating an interconnect to a portable electronic device, including integrated components, electronics, or the like, or serving as an antenna for signals received and transmitted by the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A glove weighing apparatus includes a hand glove removably attachable to a person's hand which covers or has attached thereto a weighing device including a scale operatively attached to the weighing device. The scale is removably attached to a person's wrist or to the glove. The weighing device may be a pressure transducer, such as a piezoelectric crystal, which generates an electric signal responsive and analogous to the pressure applied thereto. The weighing device may also be a liquid filled container which applies a pressure to a diaphragm responsive to the weight placed on the weighing device. A weighing method includes attaching a weighing device to the palm side of a person's hand and attaching a hand glove over the person's hand and over the weighing device and then attaching a scale adjacent a person's hand and to the weighing device and placing material to be weighed in a person's hand and onto the attached weighing device to produce readings on the attached scale.

Abstract: A golf training glove for emitting distinctive physically perceivable signals in response to a failure of a golfer to maintain a correct grip about a golf club during a golf swing. The basic glove is similar to a conventional golf glove with a hand access opening and plural finger stalls. A sensor is located in a region corresponding to the back of a golfer's thumb and/or in a region corresponding to an area around the intersection of the palm, and the middle, ring and little fingers. A physically perceivable signal is generated by an electrical device if one of said sensors senses an absence of pressure thereagainst. The signal is preferably an audible signal, having different characteristics for each sensor. Typically the sensors are pressure sensitive, capacitive or proximity switches. The electronic and signaling components are housed in a pocket on the back of the glove.

Abstract: A glove for discharging an irritant in the face of an attacker is disclosed. A spray canister containing irritant is mounted on the glove on the back of the hand. A valve, electrically operated, is controlled by a pressure switch generally located on an index finger portion of the glove between the first knuckle and the second knuckle. The electrical power is provided by a battery mounted near the canister.

Abstract: A surgical suit includes a hood fitted loosely about the user's head and a gown fitted loosely about the user's body. The hood has a large visor through which the user can see. A housing is spaced above the user's head and underneath the hood. The housing carries a substantial portion of the weight of the hood. The housing is supported above the user's head by means of vertically extending support rods that are connected to a backpack. A fan is disposed in the housing, as well as an optional thermoelectric module. An exhaust fan is included as part of the backpack. The fan in the housing causes air to be drawn through a filter and then flowed past the user's face. The fan in the backpack causes air to be drawn downwardly from around the user's upper body and exhausted from the gown through a filter.

Abstract: A golf training glove for emitting distinctive physically perceivable signals in response to a failure of a golfer to maintain a correct grip about a golf club during a golf swing. The basic glove is similar to a conventional golf glove with a hand access opening and plural finger stalls. A sensor is located in a region corresponding to the back of a golfer's thumb and/or in a region corresponding to an area around the intersection of the palm, and the middle, ring and little fingers. A physically perceivable signal is generated by an electrical device if one of said sensors senses an absence of pressure thereagainst. The signal is preferably an audible signal, having different characteristics for each sensor. Typically the sensors are pressure sensitive, capacitive or proximity switches. The electronic and signaling components are housed in a pocket on the back of the glove.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a vest constructed using woven tubing which generally forms a mesh throughout the vest. The tubing is connected with a reservoir, wherein the tubing and reservoir are filled with electrically conductive fluid. The fluid communicates with a pair of leads to maintain a constant, low-level electrical contact therebetween. The woven tubing is covered with cloth-like material and a hardening substance, such as epoxy. Hence, the tubing will break when the vest receives a significant impact. When the tubing is broken, the fluid escapes from the tubing and breaks the electrical contact between the leads, whereby a transmitter is activated to send a recorded message. In addition, a position sensor is attached to the transmitter for activating the transmitter to send the recorded message if the apparatus is maintained in a non-vertical position for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An illumination device for enhancing the structural and aesthetic appearance of associated articles or substrates and to provide operative coaction with conductive current paths made from conductive paints, inks and the like compositions on such articles and substrates is disclosed. The illumination device comprises an LED having leads, the LED and at least one portion of the leads are encapsulated within a substantially nonconductive relatively transparent or translucent housing. At least a second portion of the leads of the LED extend outside of the housing and are arranged substantially flush along an exterior surface of the housing so that when the housing is connected by suitable connectors to the associated article or substrate, electrical communication with an external power source can be established for operating and actuating the LED.

Abstract: A wearable support and interconnection structure for a modular microcomputer system having a plurality of microcomputer cards housed in a plurality of microcomputer card pockets linked by flexible circuitry and card connectors within a wearable garment. The support and interconnection structure includes a plurality of channels defined in the garment that secure an electronic linking system to the wearable garment. The linking system includes a plurality of flat flexible cables encasing flexible circuitry and operably connected to a plurality of microcomputer card connectors opening into each pocket. The linking system extends from pocket to pocket in a predetermined sequence. The support and interconnection structure operably couples microcomputer cards, including at least a processor card (and power supply), a device card and one or more special function cards, such as, for example, PCMCIA cards, such that, when provided with power, an operational microcomputer system is created.

Abstract: A warming apparatus in which a flexible battery is intimately associated with a heating element by thermo-coupling the heating element to the surface of the flexible battery. The flexible battery is formed in the shape of garments such as gloves or socks with a heating element attached thereto, which provides the advantage of increasing the electrochemical activity of the battery, permitting the battery to provide a heat sink for the heating element, as well as eliminating lengthy connections between the battery and the heating element, and eliminating bulky and often injury producing batteries.