Garment and method for producing the same

• US 20060117805A1
• Filed: 05/05/2003
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Thomson, Abigali, Valentine, Warren B
• Granted Patent: US 7,870,761 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 66/171
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/256 Wearable electrodes, e.g. having straps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/14 Other fabrics or articles characterised primarily by the use of particular thread materials
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/243 upper parts of panties; pants
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/0113 One surface including hollow piping or integrated straps, e.g. for inserts or mountings
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/02431 with electronic components, e.g. sensors or switches

Abstract

A garment (30) is provided with a sensor band (15) of generally smaller dimensions than the garment (30) for holding sensor electrodes incorporated in the band against a users body while wearing the garment The sensor band is elasticated to conform against the users body and the garment (30) is relatively loose fitting. The sensor band (15) is attached to the remainder of the garment by highly elastic and flexible webbing portions (13, 17).

Claims

1. A garment (30) provided with a sensor band (15) for holding one or more sensors (20) in contact with a wearer'"'"'s body, said garment being provided with one or more linking portions (13, 17) extending from the garment and connected to the sensor band (15).

2. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sensor band (15) is provided with one or more electrode (20).

3. A garment in accordance with claim 2 wherein the or each electrode (20) is integral with the sensor band (15).

4. A garment in accordance with claim 2 or 3 wherein the or each electrode is of knitted construction.

5. A garment in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said sensor band (15) includes resiliently extendable material allowing the band to stretch or contract to conform to a wearer'"'"'s body.

6. A garment in accordance with any one or more of claims 1 to 5 wherein said linking portions (13, 17) are of a highly mechanically yielding material.

7. A garment in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the garment is of knitted construction.

8. A garment in accordance with claim 7 wherein the garment and linking portions are formed as a common integral component (10).

9. A garment in accordance with claim 7 wherein the garment, linking portions and sensor band are formed as a common integral component (10).

10. A garment in accordance with any one or more of claims 1 to 9 wherein the garment is made using a circular knitting technique.

11. A sensor band having the technical features of the sensor band appearing in any one or more of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method of making a garment having the technical features of any one or more claims 1 to 10.

13. A method of providing a garment of knitted construction, said method comprising the steps of;

performing a first knitting stage to produce a first garment portion (11);

performing a second knitting stage to produce a first mesh portion (13) continuing from the first portion at a first interface (12);

performing a third knitting stage to produce a sensor band portion (15) continuing from the first mesh portion (13) at a second interface (14), the sensor band suitable for holding one or more sensor (20) in contact with a wearer'"'"'s body;

performing a fourth knitting stage to produce a second mesh portion (17) continuing from the sensor band at a third interface (16); and

performing a fifth knitting stage to produce a second garment portion (19) continuing from the second mesh portion (17) at a fourth interface (18).

14. A method of providing a garment of knitted construction, said method comprising the steps of:

performing a first knitting stage to produce a first garment portion,

performing a second knitting stage to produce a first mesh portion continuing from the first garment portion at a first interface; and

performing a third knitting stage to produce a second garment portion continuing from the first mesh portion at a second interface.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14 and further providing said first mesh portion with attachment means suitable for attaching with a sensor band capable of holding one or more sensor in contact with a wearer'"'"'s body.