Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item having an integrated lighting system and method of forming the apparel item having the integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system comprises a power supply unit affixed to the apparel item, one or more light arrays having visible light sources affixed to the apparel item, and one or more conductive traces affixed to the apparel item, where the conductive traces extend from the power supply unit to the light arrays and electrically couple the two such that the light arrays are powered when the power supply unit is operating.

In selected examples, a garment includes an article of clothing, a processor, memory storing instructions, biometric and/or environmental sensors configurable and readable by the processor, and a short range radio frequency (RF) transceiver (e.g., a Bluetooth® transceiver). When the processor executes the instructions, it may configure the garment to establish an RF link with a communication device, enabling the processor to receive from the communication device sensor configuration information, and configure the sensors accordingly. The processor may also collect sensor data, and transmit the data over the RF link from the garment to the communication device. The communication device may be a mobile device, e.g., a smartphone/tablet. The garment may be a “master” coupled through wired/wireless links to “slave” garments, and allow the communication device to communicate with the slaves. The communication device may connect the master/slaves to various networks and other computing devices.

The present invention provides a sensor garment including a harness. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensor garment includes a textile portion, a device-retention element coupled to the textile portion, and a stretchable harness coupled to the textile portion. The harness includes a conductive element disposed between layers of film. The conductive element includes a first termination point at the device retention element, configured to connect to a monitor device. The conductive element includes a second termination point configured to connect to a sensor or transceiver.

Embodiments are generally directed to a snap button fastener providing electrical connection. An embodiment of a fastener includes a first mechanical part, the first mechanical part including at least a stud portion, the first mechanical part including a first electrical connector; a second mechanical part, the second mechanical part including at least a socket portion with a spring element and the socket portion, the second mechanical part including a second electrical connector. The stud portion of the first mechanical part and the socket portion of second mechanical part, if separated, are to interlock upon the application of a first force towards each other, and, if interlocked, to separate upon the application of a second force away from each other. The first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are to be electrically connected when the first mechanical part and the mechanical part are interlocked, and first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are to be disconnected when the first mechanical part and second mechanical part are separated.

A performance monitoring system includes an athletic band or other article of apparel worn by a user, with a pocket supported by the article and defining a cavity, where the pocket has a sensor opening extending through an inner wall of the pocket and an access opening providing access to the cavity. The system also includes an electronic module received in the cavity such that the module can be inserted and removed from the cavity through the access opening. The module has a projection on an underside of the electronic module and a sensor mounted on the projection, where the projection extends through the sensor opening when the electronic module is received in the cavity and is configured to place the sensor in close proximity to skin of the user, such that the sensor is configured to sense a physiological parameter of the user.

A personal protection system including a surgical garment that may be mounted to a helmet including an electrically powered assembly, such as a fan. The garment includes a shell adapted for being disposed over the helmet of the personal protection system. The garment also includes a transparent face shield coupled to the shell and an indicia, the indicia being an optically perceivable marking on the garment. The garment may also include a memory, the memory for storing data for regulating the operation of the electrically powered assembly mounted to the helmet. The helmet may also include a sensor for detecting the indicia to selectively allow the actuation of the electrically powered assembly based on the presence or absence of the indicia being positioned adjacent the sensor.

One variation of a method for producing a smart yarn includes: aligning a set of sensing elements offset along a lateral axis in a magazine, wherein each sensing element in the set of sensing elements includes a sensor, a first conductive lead extending from a first side of the sensor along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the lateral axis, and a second conductive lead extending from a second side of the sensor opposite the first side and along the longitudinal axis; wrapping a set of fibers into a yarn within a wrapping field; feeding a leading end of a first sensing element, in the set of sensing elements, from the magazine into the wrapping field; releasing the first sensing element from the magazine into the wrapping field; encasing the first sensing element between the set of fibers within the yarn; and repeating this process for the set of sensing elements.

An enclosure for charging an item of smart clothing comprising a plurality of battery-powered sensors is disclosed herein. The enclosure comprises a cavity for receiving the item of smart clothing, a charging interface configured to deliver an electromagnetic field into the cavity to charge the plurality of battery-powered sensors, a wireless communications interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the plurality of sensors, and a processor configured to control operation of the charging interface and the communications interface.

A modular communications system having dynamically positionable non-metallic antenna elements and communications devices is disclosed. The system includes an apparel item with a surface and a foam layer positioned therein. Landing pads are each uniquely positioned on the surface. The antenna elements are demountably, intermittingly, and conductively coupled to the landing pads; includes a non-metallic conductive composition; and a unique operational frequency. A hub is positioned on the surface and conductively coupled to each landing pad. Each communications device is demountably affixed to the surface; intermittingly, demountably, and conductively coupled to the hub; and includes a unique operational frequency. The hub intermittingly, demountably, and conductively couples each communications devices to a unique landing pad included in the plurality of landing pads. The foam layer is lined with a conductive material that reflects RF radiation that emanates from the plurality of non-metallic antenna elements.

The present invention provides a sensor garment including a harness. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensor garment includes a textile portion, a device-retention element coupled to the textile portion, and a stretchable harness coupled to the textile portion. The harness includes a conductive element disposed between layers of film. The conductive element includes a first termination point at the device retention element, configured to connect to a monitor device. The conductive element includes a second termination point configured to connect to a sensor or transceiver.