Article of apparel incorporating a covered electronic device

• US 20070194066A1
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Boyd, Edward, Ishihara, James, Yoo, YeongKyu
• Granted Patent: US 8,677,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/164
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0015 providing information, e.g. bracelets with calendars identification bracelets G09F3/005
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0053 Flexible straps
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/12 Cases for special purposes, e.g. watch combined with ring, watch combined with button watch guards or protectors A45C11/10, A45C11/12; watches combined with cosmetic powder containers A45D33/30 ; domed dial G04B19/10; calibers in which the clockwork is disposed on different planes G04B33/08; means for fixing watches on items of clothing G04B37/1433; cases having means for fixing onto a normal bracelet G04B37/1486; cases giving special affects due to their particular shape G04B45/0069; watches combined with various objects and therefore having a specially shaped case G04B47/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/1433 Fixation on items of clothing, e.g. with clips button watches G04B37/12; brooches, or the like A44C1/00; other similar fixation means, in general A45F5/02
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/1486 Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet building watches into bracelets (montre marquise) G04B37/12; arrangements for hanging pocket- or other watches on chains G04B37/1446

Abstract

An article of apparel is disclosed that includes a covered electronic device. The apparel is at least partially formed from a material element that defines an aperture. The electronic device is locatable within the aperture and secured to the material element. A material covers the electronic device such that the electronic device cannot be seen. Upon activation of the electronic device, the readout is seen through the material. The electronic device may be a timing device, such as a watch, or a global positioning system unit. The apparel may be a wristband formed from a textile material or any of a variety of other types of apparel.

Claims

1. An article of apparel comprising:

a textile element that defines an aperture with a peripheral edge having a non-circular shape;

an electronic device positionable within the aperture and securable to the peripheral edge of the aperture, the electronic device also being removable from the aperture, and the electronic device having a non-circular shape; and

a flexible covering material attached to the textile element and covering the electronic device, wherein when the electronic device is activated, a display is visible through the covering material.

2. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the textile element is a wristband.

3. The article of apparel recited in claim 2, wherein the textile element is at least partially formed from a terry knit material.

4. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the textile element includes a reinforcing structure extending around the aperture and forming the peripheral edge.

5. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a timing device.

6. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic element is a global positioning system unit.

7. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein at a least a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the textile element.

8. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the covering material is sewn to the textile element.

9. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the covering material is removably attached to the textile element.

10. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the textile element and another portion of the covering material is removably attached to the textile element.

11. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device has rounded edges.

12. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein a button is located at the top of the electronic device.

13. An article of apparel comprising:

a wristband at least partially formed from a textile material, the wristband defining an aperture with a non-circular shape;

an electronic device that is locatable within the aperture and securable to the wristband, the electronic device, having the non-circular shape; and

a covering material attached to the textile material and covering the electronic device, wherein when the electronic device is activated, a display is visible through the covering material.

14. The article of apparel recited in claim 13, wherein the wristband is at least partially formed from a terry knit material.

15. The article of apparel recited in claim 13, wherein the electronic device is a timing device.

16. The article of apparel recited in claim 13, wherein the electronic element is a global positioning system unit.

17. The article of apparel recited in claim 13, wherein at a least a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the wristband.

18. The article of apparel recited in claim 13, wherein the covering material is sewn to the wristband.

19. The article of apparel recited in claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the covering material is removably attached to the wristband.

20. The article of apparel recited in claim 13, wherein a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the wristband and another portion of the covering material is removably attached to the wristband.

21. The article of apparel recited in claim 13, wherein the electronic device has rounded edges.

22. The article of apparel recited in claim 13, wherein a button is located at the top of the electronic device.

23. An article of apparel comprising:

a textile element that defines an aperture;

a reinforcing structure that is located within the aperture and secured to the textile element to form a peripheral edge of the aperture, the reinforcing structure being formed from a material that is more rigid than the textile element;

and an electronic device positionable and securable within the aperture, and the electronic device may be separated from the textile element by disconnecting the reinforcing structure and the peripheral indentation; and

a covering material attached to the textile element and covering the electronic device, wherein when the electronic device is activated, a display is seen through the covering material.

24. The article of apparel recited in claim 23, wherein the textile element is a wristband.

25. The article of apparel recited in claim 23, wherein the textile element is at least partially formed from a terry knit material.

26. The article of apparel recited in claim 23, wherein the electronic device is a timing device.

27. The article of apparel recited in claim 23, wherein the electronic element is a global positioning system unit.

28. The article of apparel recited in claim 23, wherein at a least a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the textile element.

29. The article of apparel recited in claim 23, wherein the covering material is sewn to the textile element.

30. The article of apparel recited in claim 23, wherein at least a portion of the covering material is removably attached to the textile element.

31. The article of apparel recited in claim 23, wherein a portion of the covering material is permanently attached to the textile element and another portion of the covering material is removably attached to the textile element.

32. The article of apparel recited in claim 23, wherein the textile element is one of a shirt and a jacket.

33. The article of apparel recited in claim 23, wherein the electronic device has rounded edges.

34. The article of apparel recited in claim 23, wherein a button is located at the top of the electronic device.

35. A method of assembling an article of apparel, the method comprising steps of:

providing an aperture in a wristband having a covering material;

locating an electronic element within the aperture underneath the covering material;

positioning securing elements around the electronic element and on opposite sides of the material element to secure the electronic element to the material element, the securing elements being separate from the electronic element.

36. The method recited in claim 35, further including a step of removing the electronic element from the aperture.

37. The method recited in claim 36, further including a step of subjecting the wristband to a washing process in the absence of the electronic element.

38. The method recited in claim 36, further including a step of interchanging the electronic element with another electronic element.

39. An article of apparel comprising:

an electronic device that includes a display; and

a material element extending over the display of the electronic device, the display being at least partially visible through the second material element.

40. An article of apparel comprising:

a first material element;

an electronic device secured to the first material element, the electronic device including a display modifiable between an unilluminated and illuminated configuration; and

a second material element secured to the first material element and extending over the display of the electronic device, the display being at least partially visible through the second material element when the electronic device is in the illuminated configuration.

41. An article of apparel comprising:

a wristband;

an electronic device secured to the wristband, the electronic device including a display modifiable between an unilluminated and illuminated configuration; and

a covering element secured to the wristband and extending over the display of the electronic device, the display being at least partially visible through the covering element when the electronic device is in the illuminated configuration.