Knitting techniques

• US 7,779,656 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smartlife Technology Limited
• Original Assignee: Smartlife Technology Limited
• Inventors: Hurley, William, Dias, Tilak Kithsiri, Mitcham, Kimberley
• Primary Examiner(s): WORRELL JR, LARRY D
• Application Number:
  US12/088,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20090013728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 661/92, 661/95, 662/02
• US Class Current: 66/202
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/14 Other fabrics or articles characterised primarily by the use of particular thread materials
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/246 Upper torso garments, e.g. sweaters, shirts, leotards
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/02431 with electronic components, e.g. sensors or switches

Abstract

In a method of knitting a garment having a defined axis (A), the knitting layers are formed in a direction parallel to the axis. Pathways (8) defined by distinctive yarns extending substantially parallel to the axis are incorporated in the knitting process seriatim, each distinctive yarn being knitted into its respective pathway using the same yarn feeder. The distinctive yarns are normally conductive, to provide connections to sensors (6) located on the garment, and such sensors may themselves be an integral part of the garment fabric.

Claims

1. A method of knitting a garment having an axis and a plurality of pathways defined by conductive yarns extending substantially parallel to said axis, the yarns extending to a plurality of individual sensors created in the garment during a knitting process, each comprising a knitted electrically conductive fibre forming an integral part of the garment fabric, wherein a plurality of knitting rows are formed in a direction parallel to said axis incorporating the conductive yarns seriatim to define the pathways as the garment is formed, and wherein each conductive yarn is knitted into its respective pathway using the same yarn feeder.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the pathways include at least one additional pathway extending at an angle to said axis.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the garment is an upper body garment with sleeves, and wherein a said additional pathway extends along a sleeve.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein a distinctive yarn is knitted into said additional pathway in a sleeve using the same yarn feeder.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the sensors are transducers knitted into the fabric.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the pathways extend to a boundary of the product, the method including the step of fitting terminal connectors to the pathways at the boundary.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein each terminal connector is disposed in a pocket formed in the garment.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the garment is an upper body garment with sleeves, and wherein knitting commences at the end of a sleeve.

9. A method according to claim 8 including the step of knitting an additional wedge of fabric to orient each sleeve relative to the body of the garment.

10. A method according to claim 8 including the step of knitting waste fabric adjacent the sleeves, and introducing a draw thread to facilitate separation of such waste fabric from the body of the garment.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the garment is an upper body garment, and including the step of cutting the knitted structure to form waist and neck openings.

12. A method according to claim 1 using a C-knitting process.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the garment is an upper body garment, and wherein the C-knitting process leaves a waist section opening.

14. A method according to claim 1 using a flat-bed knitting process.

15. A method according to claim 1 using a circular knitting process.

16. A method of knitting an upper body garment having sleeves, with an axis and a plurality of pathways defined by conductive yarns extending substantially parallel to said axis and an additional conductive pathway extending along a sleeve, the yarns extending to a plurality of individual knitted sensors created in the garment during a knitting process and forming an integral part of the garment fabric, each sensor comprising knitted conductive fibres connected to the respective conductive pathways, wherein a plurality of knitting rows are formed in a direction parallel to said axis incorporating the conductive yarns seriatim to define the pathways as the garment is formed, and wherein each conductive yarn is knitted into its respective pathway using the same yarn feeder.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the sensors are transducers knitted into the fabric.

18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the pathways extend to a boundary of the product, the method including the step of fitting terminal connectors to the pathways at the boundary.

19. A method according to claim 16 wherein knitting commences at the end of a sleeve.

20. A method according to claim 16 including the step of knitting an additional wedge of fabric to orient each sleeve relative to the body of the garment.

21. A method according to claim 16 including the step of knitting waste fabric adjacent the sleeves, and introducing a draw thread to facilitate separation of such waste fabric from the body of the garment.

22. A method according to claim 16 using a C-knitting process.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the garment is an upper body garment, and wherein the C-knitting process leaves a waist section opening.