Athletic Band with Removable Module

• US 20160135742A1
• Filed: 11/19/2015
• Published: 05/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Judge, Monica, Hohmann, Susanna, Webb, Bill, Fitzgerald, Quin, Watt, Russ, Sze, Kevin C., Becker, Shannon, Hunt, Lindsey, Pham, Tommy, Rowley, Craig, Cobbett, Jamian R., Schneider, Summer, Quay, Simon, Andon, Christopher L., Kash, Brian L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,362,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: A41D 1/005 with embedded cable or connector
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 20/00 Wristbands or headbands, e.g. for absorbing sweat
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2300/52 made by welding or gluing
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/205 Pockets adapted to receive a mobile phone or other electronic equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A41H 43/04 Joining garment parts or blanks by gluing or welding mending garments by adhesives or adhesive patches A41H27/00 ; Gluing presses
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/008 Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/05 Holder or carrier for specific articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 : Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 : Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 : Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 : Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 : Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 : of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7221 : Determining signal validity, reliability or quality A61B5/7207 and A61B5/7217 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7278 : Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals A61B5/327 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 : characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 : by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/52 : characterised by the way of applying the adhesive B29C65/50 takes precedence; apparatus for applying liquids in general B05C; processes for applying liquids in general B05D
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/7832 : by setting the overlap between the parts to be joined, e.g. the overlap between sheets, plates or web-like materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4324 : for making closed loops, e.g. belts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 : characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/729 : Textile or other fibrous material made from plastics
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2623/06 : PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2913/00 : Use of textile products or fabrics as mould materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0046 : Elastic
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2029/00 : Belts or bands conveyor belts B29L2031/7092; drive belts B29L2031/7094; fourdrinier belts B29L2031/733
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/48 : Wearing apparel
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 : Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 : Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 : Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 : Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A band includes a tubular body defining a central passage, where the tubular body is configured to be worn on a user'"'"'s body such that a portion of the user'"'"'s body is received in the central passage, and a housing formed of a polymer material and connected to the tubular body. The housing defines a cavity and an access opening providing access to the cavity, and the housing is configured to removably receive an electronic module in the cavity through the access opening. The housing further includes a slot in communication with the cavity, with the slot configured to permit passage of moisture away from the housing. The sides of the tubular body may also define a slope that is from 0-0.75.

Claims

1. A band comprising:

a tubular body having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining a central passage, wherein the tubular body is configured to be worn on a user'"'"'s body such that a portion of the user'"'"'s body is received in the central passage;

a housing formed of a polymer material and connected to the tubular body, wherein the housing defines a cavity and an access opening providing access to the cavity, wherein the housing is configured to removably receive an electronic module in the cavity through the access opening,

wherein the housing further comprises a slot in communication with the cavity, the slot configured to permit passage of moisture away from the housing.

2. The band of claim 1, wherein the tubular body has a top end and a bottom end, with the central passage extending between the top and bottom ends, such that the top end is configured to be located above the bottom end when the tubular body is worn on the user'"'"'s body, and wherein the slot is located at an end of the housing most proximate to the bottom end.

3. The band of claim 2, wherein the housing has two opposed side walls extending from the end of the housing, and wherein the housing further comprises a second slot located in one of the side walls.

4. The band of claim 2, wherein the housing has two opposed side walls extending from the end of the housing, and wherein the housing further comprises additional slots located in each of the side walls.

5. The band of claim 1, wherein the housing further defines a sensor opening in communication with the cavity, and wherein the sensor opening is configured to permit a sensor of the electronic module to be placed in close proximity to skin of the user when the electronic module is received in the cavity.

6. The band of claim 1, wherein the tubular body has a top end and a bottom end, with the central passage extending between the top and bottom ends, such that the top end is configured to be located above the bottom end when the tubular body is worn on the user'"'"'s body, wherein the housing includes two side walls extending in a direction between the top and bottom ends, and wherein the slot is located in one of the side walls.

7. The band of claim 1, wherein the housing is elongated between a first end and a second end, and the slot is located at the first end of the housing.

8. The band of claim 1, wherein the housing is mounted at least partially internally within the tubular body, and wherein the slot confronts an interior surface of the tubular body.

9. The band of claim 1, wherein the tubular body comprises an inner portion at least partially defining the inner surface and an outer portion at least partially defining the outer surface, wherein the inner portion and the outer portion each comprise a layer of an elastic fabric material, wherein at least a portion of the housing is positioned between the inner and outer portions, and wherein the slot confronts an interior surface of the inner portion or the outer portion.

10. A performance monitoring system comprising:

a band comprising a tubular body having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining a central passage, wherein the band is configured to be worn on a user'"'"'s body such that a portion of the user'"'"'s body is received in the central passage, and a housing formed of a polymer material and connected to the tubular body, wherein the housing defines a cavity and an access opening providing access to the cavity, and wherein the housing further comprises a slot in communication with the cavity, the slot configured to permit passage of moisture away from the housing; and

an electronic module received in the cavity of the band such that the electronic module is configured to be inserted and removed from the cavity through the access opening, the electronic module comprising a sensor configured to sense a physiological parameter of the user'"'"'s body.

11. The performance monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the housing further defines a sensor opening in communication with the cavity, and the electronic module comprises a projection on an underside of the electronic module, with the sensor mounted on the projection, wherein the projection extends through the sensor opening and is configured to place the sensor in close proximity to skin of the user'"'"'s body to sense the physiological parameter of the user'"'"'s body.

12. The performance monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the tubular body has a top end and a bottom end, with the central passage extending between the top and bottom ends, such that the top end is configured to be located above the bottom end when the band is worn on the user'"'"'s body, and wherein the slot is located at an end of the housing most proximate to the bottom end.

13. The performance monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the housing has two opposed side walls extending from the end of the housing, and wherein the housing further comprises a second slot located in one of the side walls.

14. The performance monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the housing has two opposed side walls extending from the end of the housing, and wherein the housing further comprises additional slots located in each of the side walls.

15. The performance monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the tubular body has a top end and a bottom end, with the central passage extending between the top and bottom ends, such that the top end is configured to be located above the bottom end when the band is worn on the user'"'"'s body, wherein the housing includes two side walls extending in a direction between the top and bottom ends, and wherein the slot is located in one of the side walls.

16. The performance monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the housing is elongated between a first end and a second end, and the slot is located at the first end of the housing.

17. The performance monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the housing is mounted at least partially internally within the tubular body, and wherein the slot confronts an interior surface of the tubular body.

18. The performance monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the tubular body comprises an inner portion at least partially defining the inner surface and an outer portion at least partially defining the outer surface, wherein the inner portion and the outer portion each comprise a layer of an elastic fabric material, wherein at least a portion of the housing is positioned between the inner and outer portions, and wherein the slot confronts an interior surface of the inner portion or the outer portion.

19. A band comprising:

a tubular body formed at least partially of an elastic fabric material and defining a central passage extending in an axial direction between first and second opposed ends, wherein the tubular body is configured to be worn on a user'"'"'s body such that a portion of the user'"'"'s body is received in the central passage, wherein a slope of the tubular body defined between the first and second ends is from 0-0.75; and

a pocket supported by the tubular body, the pocket defining a cavity and having an access opening providing access to the cavity, wherein the pocket is configured to removably receive an electronic module in the cavity through the access opening.

20. The band of claim 19, wherein the slope of the tubular body is from 0-0.5.

21. The band of claim 19, wherein the slope of the tubular body is from 0-0.3.

22. The band of claim 19, wherein the slope of the tubular body is from 0-0.15.

23. The band of claim 19, wherein the slope of the tubular body is constant from the first end to the second end.

24. The band of claim 19, wherein the first end is configured to be positioned above the second end when the tubular body is worn on the user'"'"'s body, and wherein the central passage is larger at the first end than at the second end.

25. A performance monitoring system comprising:

a band comprising a tubular body formed at least partially of an elastic fabric material and defining a central passage extending in an axial direction between first and second opposed ends, wherein the tubular body is configured to be worn on a user'"'"'s body such that a portion of the user'"'"'s body is received in the central passage, wherein the pocket has an access opening providing access to the cavity, wherein a slope of the tubular body defined between the first and second ends is from 0-0.75, the band further comprising a pocket supported by the tubular body, the pocket having an inner wall located on the inner surface of the tubular body and an outer wall located on the outer surface of the tubular body, with a cavity defined between the inner wall and the outer wall; and

an electronic module received in the cavity of the band such that the electronic module is configured to be inserted and removed from the cavity through the access opening, the electronic module comprising a sensor configured to sense a physiological parameter of the user'"'"'s body.

26. The performance monitoring system of claim 25, wherein the slope of the tubular body is from 0-0.5.

27. The performance monitoring system of claim 25, wherein the slope of the tubular body is from 0-0.3.

28. The performance monitoring system of claim 25, wherein the slope of the tubular body is from 0-0.15.

29. The performance monitoring system of claim 25, wherein the slope of the tubular body is constant from the first end to the second end.

30. The performance monitoring system of claim 25, wherein the first end is configured to be positioned above the second end when the tubular body is worn on the user'"'"'s body, and wherein the central passage is larger at the first end than at the second end.