Flexible fabric ribbon connectors for garments with sensors and electronics
First Claim
1. An elastic electrical connector device for incorporating into a garment to connect multiple electrical components in the garment, the device comprising:
- an elongate strip of fabric substrate having a first side and a second side;
a plurality of wires extending along a length of the first side of the elongate strip of fabric substrate in a sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern, wherein each of the plurality of wires is electrically insulated, and wherein the plurality of wires are slideably attached to the first side by a stitch with a thread through the elongate strip of fabric substrate at a plurality of peaks and troughs of the sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern; and
an adhesive coating on the first side.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Elastic electrical connectors that may be incorporated into a garment to connect multiple electrical components in the garment. These electrical connectors are typically long strips of fabric substrate to which wires are attached along a length of one side in a sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern. The connector may also include an adhesive coating on one side to secure it to a fabric. The wires are electrically insulated, which may be a thermoremovable insulation (e.g., a polyurethane having a melting point of <400° C.). The wires may be attached to the surface of the fabric strip by a stitch at each peak and trough of the sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern with a length between peak and trough stitches between about 1 mm and 15 mm.
324 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An elastic electrical connector device for incorporating into a garment to connect multiple electrical components in the garment, the device comprising:
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an elongate strip of fabric substrate having a first side and a second side; a plurality of wires extending along a length of the first side of the elongate strip of fabric substrate in a sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern, wherein each of the plurality of wires is electrically insulated, and wherein the plurality of wires are slideably attached to the first side by a stitch with a thread through the elongate strip of fabric substrate at a plurality of peaks and troughs of the sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern; and an adhesive coating on the first side. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An elastic electrical connector device for incorporating into a garment to connect multiple electrical components in the garment, the device comprising:
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an elongate strip of fabric substrate having a first side with a length; a bundle of wires that are twisted together extending along the length of the first side of the elongate strip of fabric substrate in a sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern, wherein each of the bundle of wires is electrically insulated with a thermoremovable insulator, and wherein the bundle of wires are slideably attached to the first side by a stitch with a thread material through the elongate strip at each peak and trough of the sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern, wherein the length between peak and trough stitches is between 1 mm and 15 mm; and an adhesive coating on the first side.
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20. A method of forming an elastic electrical connector that may be applied to a garment to connect multiple electrical components of the garment, the method comprising:
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attaching an elongate bundle of wires to a first surface of an elongate strip of fabric in a sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern comprising alternating peaks and troughs, wherein the wires are each electrically insulated, and wherein the bundle is slideably attached to the first surface by one stitch at each peak and trough of the sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern, wherein the length between peak and trough stitches is between 1 mm and 15 mm; applying an adhesive coating on the first surface; and covering the adhesive coating with a removable backing. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification