Self-Fitting Apparel with Cascading Closures
New forms of self-fitting apparel devices and fasteners are disclosed. In some aspects of the invention, new donning-actuated fitting devices and fasteners are disclosed. In other aspects, these and other fitting devices and fasteners incorporate cascading implementation techniques, triggered by a single fastening, donning or fitting action. In some embodiments, these cascading fitting devices and fasteners include mutually-influencing magnetic and/or elastic subunits incorporated in a common semi-flexible substrate. The techniques of the invention are applicable to a wide variety of apparel types, incorporating many different materials, allowing rapid donning of clothing with minimum effort, and leading to an extraordinary custom-fit to a user's body or preferences.
1 . A garment comprising a tightening and fitting device, comprising:
a plurality of hollow bodies within an area of the garment;
a plurality of interconnected movement pieces, connected to one another and a flexible fabric of said garment;
a triggering component, configured to be actuated by a user, wherein said triggering component is connected to at least one initial movement piece; and
wherein said at least one initial movement piece is configured to trigger a cascading sequential movement of others of the movement pieces.
2 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 1 , wherein at least some of said movement pieces are interconnected by hauling lines.
3 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 1 , wherein at least some of said movement pieces are interconnected by semi-rigid struts.
4 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 2 , wherein at least some of said movement pieces are interconnected by semi-rigid struts.
5 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 2 , wherein said hollow bodies comprise lateral open slots for the passage of said hauling lines.
6 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 3 , wherein said hollow bodies comprise lateral open slots for the passage of said struts.
7 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 4 , wherein said hollow bodies comprise lateral open slots for the passage of said lines and said struts.
8 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 1 , wherein at least some of said movement pieces are connected to said flexible fabric.
9 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 8 , wherein said at least some of said movement pieces connected to said flexible fabric are connected at varying locations, substantially covering an area of said garment.
10 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 9 , wherein said at least some of said movement pieces are connected to said flexible fabric via fabric connecting lines.
11 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 1 , wherein said triggering component is the hem of said garment and wherein said hem is configured to trigger said cascade by a donning movement.
12 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 1 , wherein said triggering component is a clip or buckle connected to said at least one initial movement piece.
13 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 1 , wherein said triggering component is a switch or button connected to said at least one initial movement piece.
14 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 1 , wherein said interconnected movement pieces comprise a streamlined outer profile.
15 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of claim 1 , wherein said hollow bodies comprise a flexible material and sloped interior sides.
16 . A method for donning a garment, comprising the following steps:
obtaining a garment comprising a tightening and fitting device, comprising:
a plurality of hollow bodies within an area of the garment;
a plurality of interconnected movement pieces, connected to one another and a flexible fabric of said garment;
a triggering component, configured to be actuated by a user, wherein said triggering component is connected to at least one initial movement piece; and
wherein said at least one initial movement piece is configured to trigger a cascading sequential movement of others of the movement pieces; and
triggering said cascading sequential movement.
17 . The method for donning a garment according to claim 16 , comprising the following additional step:
reversing said cascading sequential movement by reversing said triggering.
18 . The method for donning a garment according to claim 16 , comprising the following additional step:
reversing said cascading sequential movement by exerting an outward force on said fabric of said garment.