Clothing having expandable framework
US7615021B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 10, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F5/0106
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Clothing designed to fit a body and span a hinge joint of the body includes an expandable and recoverable framework attached directly to a portion of the clothing designed to span the hinge joint for abutment with and support of an area of the body including the hinge joint when the clothing is worn on the body. The framework includes a surface for abutment with the area of the body including the hinge joint, and the framework defines a plurality of openings in the surface extending completely through the framework, the openings being bounded by the framework and the framework, along its entire boundary with at least some of the openings, being elastically stretchable between a first initial state and extended states, the framework when expanded to a said extended state storing potential energy that is released as kinetic energy upon its return to the initial state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.