Patent ID: 7462035
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: A41D,H01R

Abstract:
1. A wearable electrical connector for use on a garment having a body conformable communication network, the connector comprising: a first mating element configured to be secured to a first garment portion; a second mating element configured to be secured to a second garment portion, the second mating element configured to be releasably fastened with the first mating element; a printed circuit board disposed at least partially within the first mating element, the printed circuit board having a plurality of electrically conductive signal traces configured to be electrically coupled to electrical conducting paths of the body conformable network in the first garment portion; electrically conductive contact pins, oriented along a mating axis of the first and second mating elements and disposed at least partially within the second mating element, the contact pins configured to be electrically coupled to electrical conducting paths of the body conformable network in the second garment portion, and the contact pins being positioned such that the plurality of contact pins make electrical contact with corresponding conductive signal traces on the printed circuit board when the first mating element is fastened to the second mating element, wherein the conductive signal traces and contact pins are disposed within their respective mating elements in a manner so as to allow mating of the first and second mating elements with freedom of rotation of the mating elements about the mating axis and wherein, when the first mating element is fastened to the second mating element, the first and second mating elements releasably secure the first garment portion to the second garment portion and, the contact pins make electrical contact with the conductive signal traces on the printed circuit board so as to electrically couple electrical signal paths in the first garment portion to electrical signal paths in the second garment portion.