Embodiments related to a touch fastener and its methods of manufacture and use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the touch fastener may include a substrate with a first portion and a second portion displaceable relative to the first portion. A first fastening element may be formed in the first portion. When the first portion is displaced relative to the second portion, a force and/or moment generated by the displacement may cause the first fastening element to be deployed.

A surface-fastener-manufacturing method includes at least a molding step of performing molding by feeding synthetic resin toward a die wheel, and a stretching step. The method includes using the die wheel in the molding step. The die wheel includes a sleeve having cavities. The sleeve has a circular cylindrical shape and is obtained from a metal thin plate member by bringing one end portion and an other end portion of the thin plate member into contact with each other and joining the one end portion and the other end portion to each other by welding. The welded part is inclined at an angle of 4 or greater with respect to a second direction. The method enables the manufacture of a surface fastener in which a transferred unevenness portion is less noticeable.

A surface fastener to be integrated with a surface of a cushion body includes: a base made of resin and having a first surface and a second surface that are in a front-back relationship; multiple engagement elements provided in an element region of the first surface of the base; and a porous member provided on the second surface of the base and having flexibility. The base includes a body including the element region, and a flange extending from the body and having a shape that is bent toward the second surface with respect to the body. The porous member includes a compressed portion compressed between the body and the flange.

A two-sided touch fastener material includes a resin base having a front surface, an array of loop-engageable fastener elements extending from the front surface of the strip-form base and having stems of resin contiguous with resin of the front surface of the base, and a backing secured to the resin base on a side opposite the front surface, the backing extending across the resin base and including a web of non-woven fibers including fiber segments embedded in resin of the base, and a plurality of longitudinally continuous bundles of fibers extending through the web with fiber portions of the longitudinally continuous bundles exposed as loop elements engageable by the loop-engageable fastener elements, wherein the longitudinally continuous bundles of fibers extend along a length of the base, are spaced apart across a width of the base, are partially embedded in resin of the base such that a thickness of resin of the base at the fibers is less than between the longitudinally continuous bundles of fibers, and wherein the longitudinally continuous bundles of fibers correspond to areas of weakened tear resistance of the touch fastener material.

A rotatable quick disconnect coupling system for apparel and footwear applications provides secure attachment and detachment between components while enabling rotational movement. The system includes a keyed post with a non-radially symmetric cross-sectional profile that inserts into a receiver with a complementary internal profile, preventing unintended rotation of the post within the receiver. A spring-biased latching protrusion extends from the keyed post to engage a retention edge of the receiver when fully inserted. A user-activated release mechanism allows easy detachment by retracting the latching protrusion, via configurations such as an upstanding tab or a push-button. A bearing shaft extending from the keyed post rotatably couples with an annular portion of a connected component, enabling rotational movement while maintaining secure attachment.

A fluid-filled damper system for apparel and protective padding manages impact forces through controlled fluid movement between chambers. The system includes a flexible bladder defining first and second fluid chambers connected by a flow restrictor that limits fluid transfer rate between chambers. When force is applied to the first chamber, fluid displaces into the second chamber at a rate regulated by the flow restrictor, creating progressive damping that varies with compression rate.

A motorized ambulatory assist device is configured to augment natural walking or running motion by applying torque to an article of footwear at specific points in a gait cycle. The device includes a shin-mounted control pack secured to a lower leg of a wearer, a drive unit rigidly coupled to the control pack, a lower control arm rotatably coupled to both the drive unit and the article of footwear, and a motor assembly that tensions a drive belt extending between the motor and the lower control arm. The device may include a quick disconnect coupling that enables selective attachment and detachment from the footwear, a fluid-filled bladder between the control board assembly and shin guard to dampen reactionary forces, and flexible battery packs integrated with elastic bands that secure the device to the wearer's leg.

A magnetic quick-release closure system for apparel and footwear applications combines magnetic attraction with mechanical retention to provide secure closure with intuitive, single-handed release capability. The system includes a closure panel with first and second edges, and a receiving surface with complementary features. The first edge nests within an upstanding convex ledge on the receiving surface, creating a pivot point. Multiple magnet pairs draw the panel toward the receiving surface and assist alignment. A spring-biased retention latch engages the second edge of the closure panel when closed, providing mechanical security during athletic activities. A pull tab enables a translational pulling motion of the closure panel, aligning a notched portion on its second edge with the latch for quick release. The system may also incorporate magnetic repulsion assistance for opening and an over-center locking feature for enhanced security under tension.

A flexible battery system for wearable and robotic applications comprises rigid or semi-rigid battery cells interconnected by flexible interconnection sections that enable conformability to curved contours while maintaining electrical connectivity. Each flexible interconnection section includes a flexible substrate with embedded conductive elements such as conductive traces, wires, or accordion-folded materials. The system includes a protective encapsulation layer and the battery cells may be arranged in linear, circular, or matrix configurations, including auxetic patterns for enhanced three-dimensional conformability.

A fastener includes a touch-fastener portion and a support base that supports the touch-fastener portion. The touch-fastener portion includes a plurality of fastener-piece portions stacked one on the other in a width direction. Each of the fastener-piece portions includes a support portion and a plurality of engaging elements formed on the support portion and aligned in a single line along a length direction. The support portion is joined to the support base by insert molding using a synthetic resin.