Patent Publication Number: US-2022211131-A1

Title: Layered Thumbhole Structure

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application, having attorney docket number 384057/150792US08DIV and entitled “Layered Thumbhole Structure,” is a divisional application of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 16/512,058, filed Jul. 15, 2019, and entitled “Layered Thumbhole Structure,” which is a continuation application of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 15/493,468, filed Apr. 21, 2017, and entitled “Layered Thumbhole Structure,” now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,383,382 on Aug. 20, 2019, which is a continuation application of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 15/045,465, filed Feb. 17, 2016, and entitled “Layered Thumbhole Structure,” now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,681,689 on Jun. 20, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/118,288, filed Feb. 19, 2015, and entitled “Adaptive Material Garment System,” and further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/242,760, filed Oct. 16, 2015, and entitled “Layered Thumbhole Structure.” The entireties of the aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The present invention is defined by the claims. 
     At a high level, aspects described herein are directed towards a sleeve cuff having a thumbhole aperture formed between overlapping panels that can block, among other things, undesirable air flow into a sleeve when the aperture is not in use. The sleeve cuff is comprised of a distal panel (also referred to below as a distal strap) overlapping an anterior panel (also referred to below as an anterior patch). In an exemplary configuration, the distal panel and the anterior panel are affixed to a sleeve adjacent to, and covering at least a portion of, a cutout formed in the sleeve. The distal panel can span across the cutout and extend from a front edge (also referred to below as a leading edge) aligned with the end of the sleeve proximally up the sleeve to a back edge (also referred to below as a trailing edge). The anterior panel can be configured to cover at least a portion of the cutout. The anterior panel can include a back edge (also referred to as a trailing edge) and extend down the sleeve to a front edge (also referred to as a leading edge). For relational purposes, it is contemplated that the distal panel is affixed farther down the sleeve than the anterior panel. 
     It is contemplated that the configuration of the distal panel and the anterior panel can change, depending on whether the aperture is in an opened configuration (e.g., due to insertion of a thumb) or in a closed configuration, as will be described herein in more detail. In a closed configuration, the distal panel overlaps a portion of the anterior panel such that the distal panel back edge is located proximally up the sleeve from the anterior panel front edge. It is contemplated that either the anterior panel or the distal panel may be on top of the other at the overlapping portion. When in the closed configuration, permeability to the elements can be dramatically reduced. When in an opened configuration, the distal panel back edge overlaps a portion of the anterior panel (moving laterally across the anterior panel) between a first anterior panel side edge and a first point of intersection, and between a second anterior panel side edge and a second point of intersection. The first and second points of intersection refer to the intersections between the anterior panel front edge and the distal panel back edge. It is this offset design that provides a snug fit around a thumb that reduces air and environmental permeability when a thumb is received. In this open configuration, the anterior panel front edge is separated from the distal panel back edge and the aperture forms a snug fit around a received thumb between the first point of intersection and the second point of intersection. The perimeter of the aperture comprises a portion of the anterior panel front edge and a portion of the distal panel back edge. 
     Aspects described herein may further relate to a method of manufacturing a sleeve having a sleeve cuff in accordance with aspects described herein. In an exemplary aspect, the method may comprise the steps of providing a sleeve, providing an anterior panel, and providing a distal panel. The sleeve has a first end distally located from a torso end and having a hand opening thereat. The sleeve further comprises a cutout formed in a wall of the sleeve. In one aspect, the cutout has one or more edges. The distal panel has a back edge and at least one front edge. The anterior panel has a front edge and one or more back edges. The method further comprises the step of affixing the distal panel to the sleeve such that the distal strap spans the cutout. In one aspect, a distal panel front edge is aligned with the end of the sleeve. The method further comprises the step of affixing the anterior panel to the sleeve at the one or more back edges such that the anterior panel covers at least a portion of the cutout in the sleeve and such that the distal panel back edge overlaps at least a portion of the anterior panel. The overlapping distal panel and anterior panel present an aperture. The aperture has a perimeter comprised of at least a portion of the distal panel and at least a portion of the anterior panel. The method may further comprise the step of forming a cutout in the sleeve. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary article of apparel having sleeve cuffs affixed to distal sleeve ends on the article in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a detail view of a distal sleeve end without a sleeve cuff affixed thereto in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a detail view of an alternative distal sleeve end without a sleeve cuff affixed thereto in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a detail view of a sleeve cuff in a closed configuration in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a detail view of a sleeve cuff with a distal strap and an anterior patch separated while in the closed configuration in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a detail view of a sleeve cuff in an opened configuration in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a detail view of a sleeve cuff having a thumb extending through an aperture in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a detail view of a sleeve cuff having a thumb extending through an aperture in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a cross-section taken along  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3  and illustrates a sleeve cuff in a closed configuration in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a cross-section taken along  9 - 9  of  FIG. 5  and illustrates a sleeve cuff in an opened configuration in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 10  depicts a cross-section taken along  10 - 10  of  FIG. 3  and illustrates a sleeve cuff affixed to sleeve surfaces on opposite sides of a cutout and in a closed configuration in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a detail view of a sleeve cuff with a distal strap affixed to sleeve surfaces on opposite sides of a cutout and an anterior patch affixed within the cutout to opposing cutout edges and in a closed configuration in accordance with an aspect described herein; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a detail view of a sleeve cuff with an angular distal strap trailing edge and an angular anterior patch leading edge in accordance with an aspect described herein; and 
         FIG. 13  depicts a flow diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing a sleeve having a sleeve cuff with an aperture for receiving a thumb, in accordance with an aspect described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed, unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated. 
     The terms of location used in this disclosure related to a sleeve extending from a torso portion of an article of apparel shall have their traditional meanings. A point on the sleeve is proximal to a second point if it is farther up the sleeve (e.g., closer to the torso portion) in the axial direction of sleeve extension. A point on the sleeve is distal to a second point if it is farther down the sleeve (e.g., farther from the torso portion) in the axial direction of sleeve extension. The location term “lateral” as used in connection with the sleeve may include a planar direction normal to the axial direction of sleeve extension. 
     The terms “overlap,” “overlaps,” or “overlapping” (etc.) when used in this disclosure (e.g., “the distal strap overlaps the anterior patch”) include both overlapping “on top of” and “beneath.” In terms of the example, the distal strap may overlap the anterior patch such that the distal strap overlaps on top of the anterior patch or the distal strap may overlap the anterior patch such that the distal strap overlaps beneath the anterior patch. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a shirt  200  having a torso portion  202 , a left sleeve  210 , a right sleeve  210 ′, each of the sleeves  210  and  210 ′ extending distally away from the torso portion  202  each sleeve includes a proximal end attached to the torso portion  202  and terminating at distal sleeve ends  230  and  230 ′, respectively, wherein for each sleeve, the proximal end is located longitudinally opposite form the distal end. Each sleeve may include a sleeve cuff  100  and  100 ′, respectively, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . It is to be understood that the remaining disclosure describes the sleeve cuff  100  in relation to the left sleeve  210  and the distal sleeve end  230 . As understood by those having skill in the art, however, this disclosure equally applies to the sleeve cuff  100 ′ in relation to the right sleeve  210 ′ and the distal sleeve end  230 ′. The remainder of this disclosure shall reference a sleeve  210 . 
       FIG. 2A  depicts a distal sleeve end  230  of the sleeve  210  without the sleeve cuff  100  affixed thereto. The distal sleeve end  230  comprises a sleeve wall  232  extending proximally up the sleeve from a distal edge  234 . The sleeve wall  232  includes a cutout  240  formed therein. The cutout  240  may extend from the distal edge  234  proximally up the sleeve  210 . The cutout  240  further comprises at least one cutout edge  250 . The at least one cutout edge  250  may comprise a first cutout edge  242 , a second cutout edge  244 , and a rear cutout edge  246  as depicted in  FIG. 2A . The distal sleeve end  230  further comprises a first outer surface  260  and a second outer surface  270  (as illustrated in  FIG. 2B ), each outer surface being located adjacent to the cutout  240 . In some aspects, the first cutout edge  242 , the second cutout edge  244 , and the rear cutout edge  246  may be a single edge comprising the at least one cutout edge  250 . 
     In another aspect, the cutout  240  may be formed proximally up the sleeve  210  from the distal edge  234 . In this aspect, the cutout  240  comprises a hole formed in the sleeve wall  232  and the cutout  240  is bounded by the sleeve wall  232  on all sides. In this aspect, the at least one cutout edge  250  may further comprise a front cutout edge. The front cutout edge and the distal edge  234  form a margin at the distal sleeve end  230 . 
     In another aspect illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the distal sleeve end  230  includes a cutout  240  formed in a sleeve wall  232 . The cutout  240  extends proximally up the sleeve  210  and includes the at least one cutout edge  250 . Spaced apart by the cutout  240  are the first outer surface  260  and the second outer surface  270 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5 , the sleeve cuff  100  further comprises an anterior patch  300  affixed to the sleeve  210 . The anterior patch  300  is shown having a leading edge  310  and a plurality of trailing edges  320 . In another aspect, the anterior patch  300  may have a leading edge  310  and a single trailing edge extending from one side to the other side of the leading edge  310 , the anterior patch  300  extending there-between. The leading edge  310  extends laterally across the cutout  240  from a first anchor point  312  associated with the first outer surface  260  to a second anchor point  314  associated with the second outer surface  270 . In another aspect, the leading edge  310  may extend between a first anchor point  312  associated with a first cutout edge  242  to a second anchor point  314  associated with a second cutout edge  244 . The anterior patch leading edge  310  is spaced away from the distal end of the sleeve in a direction toward the proximal end of the sleeve. The plurality of trailing edges  320  are located proximally up the sleeve from the leading edge  310 , and the anterior patch  300  extends there-between. In the aspect illustrated by  FIG. 3 , the plurality of trailing edges includes a first side edge  322 , a second side edge  324 , and a rearward edge  326 . 
     The anterior patch  300  may be affixed to the sleeve  210  atop or below the sleeve wall  232 , within the cutout  240  to the at least one cutout edge  250  or in combination thereof. In another aspect, at least one first seam may affix the anterior patch  300  to the sleeve  210 . In one aspect, the anterior patch  300  is affixed to the sleeve  210  from the first anchor point  312  around the cutout  240  located proximally to the leading edge  310  at each of the plurality of trailing edges  320  and to the second anchor point  314 . In the aspect illustrated by  FIG. 3 , the anterior patch  300  is affixed adjacent to the rear cutout edge  246  at the rearward edge  326 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the anterior patch  300  extends distally down the sleeve  210  from the rearward edge  326  to the leading edge  310  and the first and second side edges  322  and  324  are affixed adjacent to the first and second cutout edges  242  and  244 , respectively, from the rearward edge  326  to the first and second anchor points  312  and  314 , respectively. In one aspect, the anterior patch  300  may cover at least a portion of the cutout  240 . The term “cover” is not meant to imply a limitation that the anterior patch  300  must be atop the sleeve  210 ; to the contrary, the anterior patch  300  may be atop or below the sleeve  210  or within the cutout  240  and prevent communication through the portion of the cutout  240  that is “covered.” 
     The sleeve cuff  100  further comprises a distal strap  400 . In one aspect, the distal strap  400  includes a trailing edge  410  and a plurality of leading edges  420  and extends there-between. In another aspect, the distal strap  400  may include a trailing edge  410  and a single leading edge. In the aspect illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the plurality of leading edges  420  include a first side edge  422 , a second side edge  424 , and a front edge  426 , the front edge  426  being parallel to the trailing edge  410 . In one aspect, the trailing edge  410  extends across the cutout  240  from a first anchor point  412  to a second anchor point  414 . In the aspect depicted in  FIG. 3 , the front edge  426  extends laterally across the cutout  240  from a third anchor point  416  to a fourth anchor point  418 . In any aspect depicted in  FIG. 3 , the distal strap  400  spans the cutout  240  and is affixed to the sleeve  210  such that the first side edge  422  is affixed to the first outer surface  260  and the second side edge  424  is affixed to the second outer surface  270 . The distal strap  400  may be oriented to have a long length dimension extend laterally around the sleeve and a short width dimension extend axially up the sleeve. In the aspect illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the front edge  426  is not affixed to the sleeve  210 . In this aspect, the front edge  426  may be laterally aligned with the distal edge  234 . In another aspect, where the cutout  240  may be spaced proximally up the sleeve  210  from the distal edge  234 , the front edge  426  may be affixed to the sleeve  210  adjacent to the forward cutout edge. 
     The exemplary distal strap  400  illustrated in  FIG. 3  extends laterally across the cutout  240  between the first side edge  422  and the second side edge  424  and proximally up the sleeve  210  from the front edge  426  to the trailing edge  410 . In the illustrated aspect, the sleeve cuff  100  is in a closed configuration and the distal strap trailing edge  410  is proximally located up the sleeve from the anterior patch leading edge  310 ; stated another way, the distal strap  400  overlaps the anterior patch  300 . 
     The distal strap  400  may be affixed atop the sleeve  210 , below the sleeve  210 , within the cutout  240 , or in some combination thereof. In one aspect, the distal strap  400  is affixed to the distal sleeve end  230  at the first outer surface  260  and the second outer surface  270 . In another aspect, the at least one first seam may affix the distal strap  400  to the sleeve  210 . In yet another aspect, a second seam may affix the distal strap  400  to the sleeve  210 . In one aspect, the distal strap  400  is affixed to the sleeve  210  along the first side edge  422  from the first anchor point  412  to the third anchor point  416  and along the second side edge  424  from the second anchor point  414  to the fourth anchor point  418 . 
     When the shirt  200  is in the as-worn position (i.e., when the shirt  200  is donned by a wearer), the sleeve cuff  100  presents a plurality of configurations. In one aspect, the plurality of configurations includes at least the closed configuration and an opened configuration. The closed configuration is best seen in  FIG. 3 . The opened configuration may be seen in  FIGS. 6-8 . In one aspect, the closed configuration is defined by the distal strap  400  overlapping the anterior patch  300  such that the distal strap trailing edge  410  is located proximally up the sleeve  210  from the anterior patch leading edge  310 . The closed configuration is typically presented when the sleeve is in the as-worn position and a thumb is not received through the aperture  110 . 
     One aspect of the open configuration illustrated in  FIG. 5  includes the aperture  110  presented between a first point of intersection  510  and a second point of intersection  520 . The points of intersection  510  and  520  are defined by the points where the distal strap trailing edge  410  intersects the anterior patch leading edge  310 . 
     In the aspect illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when the sleeve cuff  100  is in the open configuration, the sleeve cuff  100  may include an overlapping portion  550  where the distal strap  400  overlaps the anterior patch  300  between the first cutout edge  242  and the first point of intersection  510 . The sleeve cuff  100  in the open configuration further includes the aperture  110  between the first point of intersection  510  and the second point of intersection  520 . In one aspect, a perimeter of the aperture  110  is comprised of a portion of the distal strap trailing edge  410  and a portion of the anterior patch leading edge  310 . The sleeve cuff  100  in the open configuration may further include a second overlapping portion where the distal strap  400  overlaps the anterior patch  300  between the second point of intersection  520  and the second cutout edge  244 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts the exemplary sleeve cuff  100  of  FIG. 3  with the distal strap  400  and the anterior patch  300  separated while still in the closed configuration in accordance with an aspect hereof. As can be understood, the separation of the anterior patch  300  and distal strap  400  in the manner depicted in  FIG. 4  does not provide a hole through which a user&#39;s thumb may extend as a thumb will extend along the inner surface of the anterior patch  300  past the trailing edge  410  of the distal strap  400  which prevents, based on traditional human anatomy, the thumb from accidentally extending through the aperture  110 , in an exemplary aspect. Therefore, a gap  540  may be formed between the distal strap  400  and the anterior patch  300  without eliminating an overlap near the midpoint of the leading edge  310 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts the sleeve cuff  100  in an open configuration at the aperture  110  in accordance with aspects described herein. In this example, a center point  330  is not overlapped by the distal strap  400 . The leading edge  310  is overlapped by the distal strap  400  trailing edge  410  near the first and second side edges  322  and  324 . However, the leading edge  310  intersects the trailing edge  410 , at the first and second points of intersection  510  and  520 , causing the center point  330  to be spaced apart from the distal strap  400  and to form the aperture  110 . Stated differently, it is contemplated that the aperture  110  is defined by the leading edge  310  and the trailing edge  410  between a first point of intersection  510  and a second point of intersection  520  of the same edges. The perimeter of the aperture  110  may include at least a portion of the leading edge  310  and at least a portion of the trailing edge  410 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative aspect of the present invention where the anterior patch  300  overlaps the distal strap  400  on the exterior side of the sleeve  210  (from  FIG. 3 ). Hence, when viewed from outside the sleeve  210 , the anterior patch  300  is on top of the distal strap  400  where the items overlap. 
       FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  depict the sleeve cuff  100  in the open configuration and having a thumb received through the aperture  110  in accordance with aspects described herein. As can be illustrated with a thumb extending therethrough, the aperture  110  is formed, in an exemplary aspect, by the leading edge  310  extending radially outward from an axial centerline of the sleeve  210  when in the open configuration. To facilitate transitioning from a closed to an open configuration, and to allow for freedom of movement of the thumb, it is contemplated that the distal strap  400  and/or the anterior patch  300  are formed from an elastic material that allows for the manipulation of the trailing edge  410  and the leading edge  310  to open and move about a thumb. 
     Varying the materials used to form the distal strap  400  and/or the anterior patch  300  may provide for additional control of the elasticity provided at the distal sleeve end  230 . In one aspect, the distal strap  400  and/or the anterior patch  300  may be comprised of a woven material. In another aspect, the distal strap  400  and/or the anterior patch  300  may be comprised of an engineered knit material. In some aspects, the sleeve  210  can be comprised of materials having lower elasticity than the materials in the sleeve cuff  100 . In those aspects, including the sleeve cuff  100  in the sleeve  210  allows the wearer to pull the sleeve  210  up their arm such that the distal sleeve end  230  is positioned proximally up the wearer&#39;s arm. Further, the net elasticity of the distal sleeve end  230  and the sleeve cuff  100  may be operable to hold the distal sleeve end  230  at the proximally located position of the wearer&#39;s arm. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a cross-section of a sleeve cuff  100  in a closed configuration, in accordance with aspects described herein. The distal strap  400  is comprised of an inner surface  440  and an outer surface  450 . The anterior patch  300  is comprised of an inner surface  340  and an outer surface  350 . As depicted, the distal strap  400  trailing edge  410  overlaps the anterior patch  300 . A dash line is provided to depict an exemplary angle of thumb insertion to open the thumbhole by changing the relative placement of the trailing edge  410  relative to the leading edge  310  as depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts a cross-section of the sleeve cuff  100  in the opened configuration, in accordance with aspects described herein. The open configuration allows a thumb having an angle of entry depicted by the dash line to exit an internal volume of the sleeve  210 . 
     The sleeve cuff  100  has hereinabove been disclosed as having the distal strap  400  overlapping the anterior patch  300 . It is contemplated, however, that in one exemplary aspect the anterior patch  300  overlaps the distal strap  400 . In this aspect, the anterior patch leading edge  310  overlaps the distal strap and is distally located down the sleeve  210  from the distal strap trailing edge  410 . This aspect further comprises the aperture  110  formed between the overlapping anterior patch  300  and distal strap  400  and having a perimeter including at least a portion of each of the leading edge  310  and the trailing edge  410 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts a lateral cross-section of the sleeve cuff  100  across line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 3 , the line  10 - 10  being coplanar with the anterior patch leading edge  310 . The distal strap  400  is shown overlapping the anterior patch  300  and the sleeve cuff  100  is in the closed configuration. It is understood that the anterior patch  300  is affixed at the inner surface  340  to the sleeve wall  232  at the first and second outer surfaces  260 ,  270 . Further, it is understood that the distal strap  400  is similarly affixed at the distal strap inner surface  440  to the sleeve wall  232  at the first and second outer surfaces  260 ,  270 . 
       FIG. 11  depicts another aspect of the distal sleeve end  700  in a closed configuration in accordance with an aspect hereof. Depicted is a distal sleeve end  700  having a cutout  710 . The cutout  710  includes an anterior patch  720  affixed around and adjacent to the cutout  710  at the points proximally located up the sleeve from a leading edge  730 . The distal sleeve end  700  further includes a distal strap  740  having a trailing edge  750 , the distal strap  740  being affixed at a first sleeve surface  760  and a second sleeve surface  770 . The trailing edge  750  is located proximally up the sleeve from the anterior patch leading edge  730 . As depicted, the distal strap  740  is wider than the cutout  710  and is also wider than the anterior patch  720 . In one aspect, the distal strap  740  is affixed to the sleeve on both sides of the cutout  710  but not at points adjacent to the cutout  710 . In another aspect, the sleeve integrates the anterior patch  720  therein such that the leading edge  730  forms a rear wall of the cutout  710 . In this aspect, the distal strap trailing edge  750  is proximally located up the sleeve from the integral leading edge  730 . In yet another aspect, the distal strap  740  may be similarly integrated into the distal sleeve end  700  and the anterior patch  720  is affixed to the sleeve such that the integral trailing edge  750  overlaps the anterior patch leading edge  730 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts a distal sleeve end  800  in a closed configuration having an anterior patch  810  and a distal strap  830  affixed over a cutout. In one aspect, the distal strap  830  includes a trailing edge  840  having an arcuate shape. In this aspect, the anterior patch  810  has a leading edge  820  having an arcuate shape. The distal strap  830  may be positioned such that the distal strap  830  overlaps the anterior patch  810  and the arcuate trailing edge  840  is positioned proximally up the sleeve from the arcuate leading edge  820  and there are no points of intersection between the arcuate trailing edge  840  and the arcuate anterior leading edge  820 . 
       FIG. 13  depicts a method  900  of manufacturing a sleeve having a sleeve cuff for receiving a thumb through an aperture. Initially, the method  900  of manufacturing a sleeve  210  having a sleeve cuff  100  involves providing a sleeve  210 , the sleeve  210  having a cutout  240  located at a distal sleeve end  230 , as depicted at block  910 . In one aspect, the distal sleeve end  230  is distally located from the wearer&#39;s torso when the sleeve is in an as-worn position, the distal sleeve end  230  presents a hand opening allowing a hand of the wearer to communicate through the interior of the sleeve, and the sleeve  210  further including a cutout  240  formed through a sleeve wall  232  of the sleeve, and the cutout  240  having at least one cutout edge  250 . 
     The method  900  further comprises the step of providing an anterior patch  300  having a leading edge  310  oriented distally on the anterior patch  300  relative to the sleeve  210 , as depicted in block  920 . In one aspect, the anterior patch  300  includes a plurality of trailing edges  320 . The plurality of trailing edges  320  on the anterior patch  300  are located proximally from the leading edge  310 . 
     The method  900  further comprises the step of providing a distal strap  400 , as depicted in block  930 . In an exemplary aspect, the distal strap  400  includes a trailing edge  410  and a plurality of leading edges  420 . The distal strap  400  is oriented relative to the sleeve  210  to have the trailing edge  410  located proximally from the plurality of leading edges  420 . 
     The method  900  further comprises the step of affixing the anterior patch  300  to the sleeve  210  to cover at least a portion of the cutout  240 , as depicted in block  940 . In an aspect, the anterior patch  300  is affixed to the sleeve  210  at the plurality of trailing edges  320 . 
     The method  900  further comprises the step of affixing the distal strap  400  to the sleeve  210  to span over at least a portion of the cutout  240  and overlap at least the leading edge  310  of the anterior patch  300  to form an aperture  110 , as depicted in block  950 . In an aspect, the distal strap  400  is affixed to the sleeve  210  at the plurality of leading edges  420 . In an aspect, the plurality of leading edges  420  are affixed proximate to the distal sleeve end  230  and extend proximally up the sleeve  210  to the distal strap trailing edge  410 . 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that aspects described herein are well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible aspects described herein may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.