CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/201,607, titled “SELECTIVELY POSITIONABLE SPACER AND GARMENT ATTACHMENT REGIONS,” filed by Sara Hall, et al., on May 6, 2022.

[0002] This application incorporates the entire contents of the foregoing application(s) herein by reference.

[0003] The subject matter of this application may have common inventorship with and/or may be related to the subject matter of PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/065516 filed December 17, 2020 by Thin Gold Line, Inc.

[0004] This application incorporates the entire contents of the foregoing application(s) herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] Various embodiments relate generally to garments.

SUMMARY

[0006] Apparatus and associated methods relate to spacers configured to be selectively and releasably coupled to at least one attachment region on a garment. In an illustrative example, each spacer may be provided with successive concentric walls and corresponding channels. The spacer may, for example, be provided with intersecting concentric and lateral channels. An (under)garment may be provided with at least one attachment region configured to releasably couple to the spacer. Various embodiments may advantageously provide tangential and/or radial fluid communication between a wearer’s body and an outer garment disposed over the spacers.

[0007] The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1A and FIG. IB depict an illustrative (selectively positionable) fluid communication garment spacer (FCGS) configured to provide axial, radial, and/or tangential fluid communication.

[0009] FIG. 2 A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E depict illustrative views of the FCGS of FIGS. 1A-1B.

[0010] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary implementation of the FCGS of FIG. 1 A.

[0011] FIG. 4 A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D depict an exemplary field-configurable fluid flow garment (FCFFG) in an illustrative use case and provided with the FCGS of FIG. 1A.

[0012] FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C depict illustrative views of the FCGS of FIG. 1A in an illustrative use-case.

[0013] FIG. 6 A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, and FIG. 6D depict illustrative views of an exemplary fluid glow garment (FFG) with the FCGS of FIG. 1 A.

[0014] FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C, FIG. 7D, and FIG. 7E depict illustrative views of illustrative FFG implementations with the FCGS of FIG. 1 A in illustrative use-cases.

[0015] FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C depict views of the illustrative FFG implementations of FIGS. 7A-7E.

[0016] FIG. 9 A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, FIG. 9D, FIG. 9E, and FIG, 9F depict illustrative views of an FFG and FCGS implementation.

[0017] FIG. 10 A, FIG. 10B, and FIG. IOC depict an exemplary implementation of a FFG and FCGS.

[0018] FIG. 11 A, FIG. 1 IB, and FIG. 11C depict an illustrative implementation of a FFG and FCGS in an illustrative use-case corresponding to an outer garment.

[0019] FIG. 12 A, FIG. 12B, FIG. 12C, FIG. 12D, and FIG. 12E depict illustrative implementations of FFG with an illustrative FCGS implementation.

[0020] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] In various embodiments an (under)garment may be provided with one or more attachment regions. In various embodiments an attachment region may be configured to couple directly to one or more spacers. For example, a garment may be provided with one or more attachment regions. Each attachment region may be configured to releasably couple to one or more spacers. The spacers may be repositionable to one of many (e.g., infinite) positions in a specific attachment region. An attachment region may releasably couple to a spacer(s) by, by way of example and not limitation, hook-and-loop material, magnetic elements, snaps, buttons, hooks, (reusable) adhesive, dry adhesive, setae, or some combination thereof. For example, a coupling side (e.g., a bottom) of a spacer may be provided with one side of mating hook-and-loop material (e.g., fabric) and an attachment region may be provided with a mating side of the hook-and-loop material. An attachment region may, for example, be larger than a specific spacer.

[0022] In various embodiments an attachment region of the undergarment may be configured to permit a (predetermined) minimum threshold of airflow through the attachment region, the undergarment, or both. For example, an attachment region may be configured of 'loose' weave, perforated material, or some combination thereof. An attachment region may, by way of example and not limitation, be provided with “channels” (e.g., lower than an attachment surface) configured to conduct air under spacers coupled to the attachment region. The attachment region may, for example, be configured with a minimum ratio of total air- penetrable air (e.g., apertures, channels) to total area (AA _® : ATOTAL). The ratio may, by way of example and not limitation, be 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 50, or more to 100. An attachment region and/or spacer may be configured, for example, such that air flow channels in a spacer register with air flow apertures (e.g., perforations, openings in a weave pattern) in the attachment region such that air can flow through the spacer and the undergarment. Accordingly, airflow may be advantageously promoted between the user's body and the outer garment.

[0023] Various embodiments may advantageously provide increased airflow under an outer garment, increased thermal convection and/or radiation of body heat out from under an outer garment, reduced friction (e.g., chafing) of an outer garment against a user's body (e.g., in areas prone to contact/weight-induced discomfort), or some combination thereof. Accordingly, various embodiments may advantageously promote increased user comfort. Increase user comfort may advantageously increase user compliance with wearing recommended and/or required outer garment(s).

[0024] In various embodiments an attachment region may be positioned on an (under)garment in a region corresponding to chafing from one or more intended outer garments (e.g., clothing, protective wear, uniform, armor, fireproof clothing, flame- resistant/retardant clothing, chemical-resistant clothing). A user may position one or more spacers in a location in the region selected to optimize support of the outer garment(s) away from the user in a desired configuration. The user may selectively reposition the spacer(s) to achieve a desired fitment of the outer garment. Accordingly, a user may advantageously don a (standard) undergarment and selectively position (standard) spacer(s) to achieve a custom fitment adapted to, for example, the user's specific body shape, environment, outer garments, preferences, or some combination thereof.

[0025] In various embodiments a spacer may be configured with channels facilitating airflow in at least two dimensions, or at least three dimensions. For example, in various embodiments a spacer may be provided with (slot) channels in two dimensions substantially parallel to a user's body when the spacer is (releasably) coupled to an undergarment.

[0026] For example, in various embodiments a spacer may be provided with walls configured to extend substantially orthogonally distally from a user’s body during use. The walls may form multiple substantially concentric channels in a dimension substantially orthogonal to the user's body. The walls may have one or more lateral channels in at least one direction substantially parallel to the user’s body. One or more of the lateral channels may, for example, intersect one or more of the concentric channels such that they are in fluid communication. The intersecting channels may form a fluid communication network advantageously promoting lateral flow parallel to a user’s skin and/or radial flow from successive concentric channels. Accordingly, the intersecting channels may provide for net heat flow from a central region radially outward through apertures in the concentric channel walls.

[0027] In various embodiments the spacer may be configured such that a spacer is tallest, in the direction orthogonal to the user’s body, substantially at a center of the spacer. A vertical profile (in the axis orthogonal to the user’s body during use) may monotonically decrease as a function of increasing radius from the center of the spacer. The non-planar vertical profile may, for example, allow for progressively increasing support of a weight (e.g., of an outer garment) and/or maximize airflow by minimizing surface contact with the outer garment. [0028] FIG. 1 A and FIG. IB depict an illustrative selectively positionable garment spacer (FCGS) configured to provide axial, radial, and/or tangential fluid communication. An FCGS 105 is provided with a base 106 (e.g., permanently affixed, removably coupled). The FCGS 105 is provided with concentric walls 110. The concentric walls 110 may, for example, be flexible (e.g., deformable by hand at room temperature, such as shown by FIG. 3). At least some of the concentric walls 110 are provided with radial channels 115. Corresponding concentric walls 110 at least partially define concentric channels 120. Apertures 125 are provided through the base 106.

[0029] In the depicted example, the concentric channels 120 provide circumferential fluid flow 130. The radial channels 115 provide radial fluid flow 135. The base 106 provide axial fluid flow 140. The circumferential fluid flow 130 and/or radial fluid flow 135 may provide fluid flow tangential to a bottom surface of the base 106. The axial fluid flow 140 may, for example, provide fluid flow substantially orthogonal to a bottom surface of the base 106. Accordingly, fluid flow may advantageously be provided through the FCGS 105, for example, even when a garment is placed over a top surface of the FCGS 105.

[0030] FIG. 2 A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E depict illustrative views of the FCGS of FIGS. 1A-1B.

[0031] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary implementation of the FCGS of FIG. 1A. In the depicted example, the FCGS 105 is flexible. For example, the FCGS 105 may be made at least partially from silicone. In some implementations, the FCGS 105 may be at least partially made of polyurethane.

[0032] FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D depict an exemplary field-configurable fluid flow garment (FCFFG) in an illustrative use case and provided with the FCGS of FIG. 1A. An FCGS 405 is provided with axial apertures 415 and lateral apertures 410. The lateral apertures 410 and axial apertures 415 may, for example, interconnect. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A an underside of the FCGS 405 may be a network of intersecting channels. Accordingly, tangential flow and/or orthogonal flow may be established even when a bottom surface of the FCGS 405 is coupled to a garment and an upper surface of the FCGS 405 is covered by a garment.

[0033] FIG. 5 A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C depict illustrative views of the FCGS of FIG. 1A in an illustrative use-case. In the depicted example 500, the FCGS 105 is mounted to a garment 505. The garment 505 may, for example, be an undergarment. An overgarment (not shown) may be worn over the garment 505 and the FCGS 105. The FCGS 105 may induce airflow between the garment 505 and the outer garment.

[0034] FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, and FIG. 6D depict illustrative views of an exemplary FCFFG with the FCGS of FIG. 1A. In the depicted example 600, a garment 605 is provided with coupling features 615 (e.g., hook-and-loop fabric) configured to releasably couple to the base 106 of the FCGS 105. The FCGS 105 are releasably (e.g., repositionably) coupled to the garment 605 via the coupling features 615. [0035] FIG. 7 A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C, FIG. 7D, and FIG. 7E depict illustrative views of illustrative FCFFG implementations with the FCGS of FIG. 1 A in illustrative use-cases. In the depicted examples, a shirt 705, a singlet 710, and/or a leotard 715 are provided with coupling features 615. The FCGS 105 may be releasably coupled to the shirt 705, the singlet 710, and/or the leotard 715 via the coupling features 615.

[0036] FIG. 8 A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C depict views of the illustrative FCFFG implementations of FIGS. 7A-7E.

[0037] FIG. 9 A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, FIG. 9D, FIG. 9E, and FIG, 9F depict illustrative views of an FCFFG and FCGS implementation.

[0038] FIG. 10 A, FIG. 10B, and FIG. IOC depict an exemplary implementation of a FCFFG and FCGS. In the depicted example, an FCGS 1010 is (releasably) coupled to a garment 1015 by a coupling feature 1005. The coupling feature 1005 may, for example, be configured with a flexible cavity. The base of the flexible cavity may, by way of example and not limitation, be in fluid communication with the garment 1015. The FCGS 1010 may be a flexible material configured to cushion and/or space away an outer garment and/or equipment from the user. The coupling feature 1005 may, for example, be affixed (e.g., stitched, adhered, permanently coupled) to the garment 1015. In some implementations, the coupling feature 1005 may, for example, be releasably coupled to the garment 1015.

[0039] FIG. 11 A, FIG. 11B, and FIG. 11C depict an illustrative implementation of a FCFFG and FCGS in an illustrative use-case corresponding to an outer garment. A garment

1101 is provided with an FCGS 1102. An outer garment 1105 may, for example, be configured to be worn over the garment 1101 provided with the FCGS 1102. For example, the FCGS

1102 may space the outer garment 1105 away from the 1101 at locations such as depicted by indicia 1110.

[0040] FIG. 12 A, FIG. 12B, FIG. 12C, FIG. 12D, and FIG. 12E depict illustrative implementations of FCFFGs with an illustrative FCGS implementation. In the depicted example, the FCGS 405 is mounted to a garment 1210 by a coupler 1205 (e.g., a ring). The coupler 1205 may, for example, be permanently coupled to the garment 1210. In some implementations, the coupler 1205 may, for example, be releasably coupled (e.g., dry adhesive, hook-and-loop material) to the garment 1210 such that the FCGS 405 may, for example, be selectively positioned to achieve a desired load distribution and/or fluid flow. [0041] For example, various undergarments depicted herein (e.g., such as garment 1210) may be configured to receive (foam) spacers (e.g., FCGS 405, FCGS 1010) into pockets (e.g., coupler 1205, coupling feature 1005), for selective positioning of outer garments relative to a user’s body. In various embodiments an attachment region may, by way of example and not limitation, be configured as a pocket, a region provided with one or more exposed and/or hidden releasably coupling mechanisms (e.g., substantially two-dimensional), or some combination thereof. In some embodiments an attachment region may be a pocket configured to receive a spacer. The pocket may, by way of example and not limitation, be substantially rigid, flexible (e.g., polymeric, fabric), or some combination thereof. The pocket may, by way of example and not limitation, be fixed to a specific location (e.g., sewn, riveted, adhesed, integrally/unitarily formed of a same material with the underlying garment), releasably coupled to a specific location, releasably coupled to some portion of a larger attachment region, or some combination thereof. A pocket may, for example, be releasably coupled by hook-and-loop material, magnetic elements, snaps, buttons, hooks, (reusable) adhesive, dry adhesive, setae, or some combination thereof. In various embodiments a pocket may be configured to hold one spacer or multiple spacers.

[0042] Although various embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, other embodiments are possible. For example, although exemplary systems have been described with reference to the figures, other implementations may be deployed in other industrial, scientific, medical, commercial, and/or residential applications.

[0043] In various embodiments a spacer may, by way of example and not limitation, be rigid, flexible, semi-flexible, or some combination thereof. In various embodiments a spacer may, for example, be a polymeric (e.g., elastomeric) material. The spacer may, by way of example and not limitation, be made of silicone, (poly)urethane, rubber, foam, latex, or some combination thereof. The spacer may, by way of example and not limitation, be formed by molding, casting, pouring, foaming, or some combination thereof.

[0044] In an illustrative aspect, a garment spacer may include a base having an upper surface and a lower surface and provided with multiple apertures providing fluid communication between the upper surface and the lower surface. The garment spacer may include multiple radially fenestrated concentric walls coupled to the base and extending away from the upper surface of the base such that the concentric walls define multiple concentric fluid channels. The multiple concentric fluid channels may be in fluid communication with the multiple apertures. The radial fenestra of the multiple radially fenestrated concentric walls may provide fluid communication between the multiple concentric fluid channels.

[0045] The lower surface of the base may include hook-and-loop fabric. [0046] The multiple radially fenestrated concentric walls may include silicone.

[0047] The garment spacer may include multiple bridges between at least one pair of the multiple radially fenestrated concentric walls.

[0048] In an illustrative aspect, a garment system may include at least one garment spacer. The garment system may include multiple coupling features distributed on a surface of the garment. The multiple coupling features may be configured to releasably couple to the at least one garment spacer.

[0049] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other implementations are contemplated, at least within the scope of the following claims.