Abstract:
A mechanism for electrically connecting various electronic devices to a garment is provided. The mechanism has a sliding track adapted to support a variety of different electronic devices. The sliding track has one or more channels enabling elective electrical communication between at least one electronic device and a power source. The electronic device is adapted to be selectively supported by the sliding track such that the electronic device can slide along the sliding track. The mechanism has one or more channels having at least one conductive element disposed therein. The first conductive element is shaped to conform to one or more channels to provide an ideal electrical contact surface. The one or more channels are adapted to selectively enclose or seal the conductive element.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a mechanism for use in an article of clothing, wearable fabric or garment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanism adapted to enable a user to electrically connect different electrically powered devices to a wearable fabric or garment.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Efforts have been made previously to create clothes, fabrics and garments that incorporate electrodes for monitoring a condition of the wearer, such as an Electro-cardiogram, or conductive fibers for electromagnetic screening. U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,572 to Granek et al. discloses a garment for delivering and receiving electric impulses which can include wires sewn onto the cloth or conducting cloth sewn onto non-conducting cloth.  
           [0003]    However, although useful, these patents fail to address and combat the inherent problems of utilizing wearable electronics. There exist certain operational problems in wearable electronics. These operational problems include the interface between soft fabrics and hard product. This interface, for instance between a shirt and bulky computer or bulky sensory equipment can lead to uncomfortable results to the wearer of the article of clothing. Attaching a bulky product to the inside of a jacket or shirt can cause discomfort, cuts, burns, bruises and related injury to the wearer. Furthermore, there also exist problems associated with the decreased flexibility of the article of clothing that has a bulky hard product disposed therein. Generally, the comfort, flexibility and fit of an article decrease dramatically when a user adds bulky, heavy and inflexible electronic devices to the garment.  
           [0004]    Additionally, there also are operational difficulties with regard to electrical connectivity between the electronic device and a circuit integrated in the article of clothing. Given the wide range of activities that the wearer may engage in, either rain or perspiration may penetrate or otherwise enter the electrical circuit. Fluid, perspiration and moisture may disrupt the operation of the wearable garment hence, the difficulties associated with the implementation in practice. Additionally, protection of the wearer of the garment from the detrimental attributes of an electronic device is a great concern.  
           [0005]    A need, therefore, exists for a mechanism for electrically connecting various electronic devices to an article of clothing. There is also a need for an improved mechanism having a sliding track for carrying the various electronic devices, the sliding track having at least one channel, the channel selectively enclosing at least one conductive element disposed therein, the channel enabling selective access to the at least one conductive element. Further, there is a need for an improved mechanism having a sliding track for carrying the various electronic devices attached to an article of clothing that is comfortable, and flexible. Still further, there is also a need for an improved mechanism for electrically connecting an electronic device to a power supply that will not permit perspiration, fluid or moisture to interrupt the electrical connection and that is safe and not maintenance intensive.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    There is provided a mechanism for electrically connecting various electronic devices to a garment. The mechanism has a sliding track for engaging and slidably supporting at least one electronic device. The sliding track has one or more channels with at least one conductive element disposed therein. The one or more channels selectively enclose or seal the one or more conductive elements so as to allow for the selective electrical communication between the at least one electronic device and a power source. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure and:  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the mechanism for electrically connecting various electronic devices to an article of clothing of the present invention with the conductors in the open position;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the mechanism for electrically connecting various electronic devices to an article of clothing of the present invention with the conductors in the closed position;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a top view of the mechanism for electrically connecting various electronic devices to an article of clothing;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is a side view of the mechanism for electrically connecting various electronic devices to an article of clothing;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of the mechanism for electrically connecting various electronic devices to an article of clothing;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is a top view of the mechanism of FIG. 5;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the mechanism along line A-A of FIG. 5. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]    With reference to FIGS. 1 through 7, there is provided a mechanism for electrically connecting various electronic devices to an article of clothing. The mechanism includes a sliding track  10  for carrying various electronic devices, such as for example diagnostic equipment, sensors, mobile computers, cooling devices and mobile telephones. Sliding track  10  is a bulbous member. Sliding track  10  may be stitched, knit, bonded, adhered or affixed via a hook and loop material to an article of clothing. Sliding track  10  has a flat bottom surface that may be disposed adjacent to or attached to a garment. Sliding track  10  may be extruded from a suitable non-conductive material and may be cut or stitched to a garment, such as a shirt, pants, shoes, hat or coat. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, sliding track  10  is formed from rubber. The sliding track  10  has a top surface that is disposed on the exterior surface of an exemplary garment. The top or bulbous area of the sliding track  10  has a plurality of channels. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sliding track  10  may have two lower channels  12  and two upper channels  14 . Lower channels  12  and upper channels  14  may be formed as U shaped apertures cut out or extruded with the sliding track  10 .  
         [0016]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper channels  14  and lower channels  12  have curvilinear edges  20  that define slits in the lateral sides of the sliding track  10 . An exemplary feature of the upper channels  14  and the lower channels  12  is that the upper channels  14  and the lower channels  12  encapsulate or otherwise seal and/or insulate at least one first conductive material, such as a copper wire, a metal coated carbon fiber, a metallic fiber, a doped fiber, a conductive fiber, an conductive organic material or a conductive polymer that may be disposed therein. In this manner, the upper channels  14  and the lower channels  12  prevent moisture, perspiration or fluid from entering upper channels  14  and lower channels  12 .  
         [0017]    Disposed in the respective upper channels  14  and lower channels  12  is at least one first conductive material forming a lengthwise strip of material  50 . An exemplary feature of the first conductive material  50 , is that first conductive material  50  is disposed along a length of the sliding track  10  in each respective channel. First conductive material  50  may be stitched into the sliding track  10 . In another exemplary aspect, the first conductive material  50  may be any suitable material that may conduct electricity or photons particles. First conductive material  50  may be disposed in any suitable location in upper channels  14  and the lower channels  12  so as to maintain the seal and/or insulation properties of the upper channels  14  and the lower channels  12 . For illustrative purposes, the first conductive material  50  is disposed on the respective lateral side walls of the sliding track  10  parallel to the vertical center axis of the sliding track  10 . Another exemplary feature of the first conductive material  50  is that the first conductive material  50  is electrically connected to a power source, for example a battery pack (not shown). Power source (not shown) may be a portable battery, a DC power source, solar power or any other suitable power supply for supplying electric current to the first conductive material  50 .  
         [0018]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, first conductive material  50  is sewn or otherwise disposed in the garment. The first conductive material  50  is disposed in between the respective edges  20  of the U shaped channels in a manner to maintain a seal to prevent perspiration, moisture or any fluid from entering into and contacting the first conductive material  50  throughout the length of the garment. First conductive material  50  is also insulated to protect the wearer of the garment. An aspect of the exemplary insulation is that thermal and electrical conductivity, from the power supply (not shown) to the first conductive material  50  is not transmitted to the user&#39;s body tissues.  
         [0019]    Referring now again to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary attachable portable electronic device  100  that may be affixed to an exemplary garment. Electronic device  100  is illustrated as a rectangular shaped device, however one skilled in the art should appreciate that electronic device  100  may be any suitable shape and size. An exemplary feature of the electronic device  100  is that electronic device  100  has a plurality of spring biased rectangular buttons  105  disposed on the lateral sides of the electronic device  100 . Connected to buttons are a plurality of second conductive elements  110  and  115 . Second conductive elements  110  and  115  are shown as rectangular cylindrical structures, however second conductive elements  110  and  115  may be any suitable shape and size to allow second conductive elements  110  and  115  to mate with the respective upper channels  14  and lower channels  12 . An exemplary feature of the second conductive elements  110  and  115  is that second conductive elements  110  and  115  protrude through the respective edges  20 , insulation and/or seal and interface or otherwise mate with at least one first conductive element  50  to provide electrical power to electronic device  100 . One skilled in the art should appreciate that second conductive elements  110  and  115  are made from any suitable electrically conductive material, such as for example a copper wire, a metal, a conductive polymer, a metal coated carbon fiber, a doped fiber a metallic fiber, a wire, or any combination thereof. A plurality of spring members  120  are disposed along the length of the second conductive elements  110  and  115 . However, any other suitable method for biasing second conductive elements  110  and  115  may be utilized and incorporated into the present invention.  
         [0020]    Referring now to FIG. 2, as can be understood from the drawings there is shown the sliding track  10  with electronic device  100  receiving electrical power from the first conductive element  50 . In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, electronic device  100  has a contact  150  for a connection with ground. Contact  150  is disposed in the interior of electronic device  100 , however it should be appreciated that contact  150  may be disposed in any suitable location in electronic device  100  for grounding electronic device  100 . It should be appreciate by one skilled in the art that a user may depress buttons  105  by imparting an axial force to at least one or both buttons  105  on the exterior surface of electronic device  100 . In this manner, second conductive elements  110  and  115  extend laterally in the direction toward sliding track  10 . One skilled in the art should appreciate that the second conductive elements  110  and  115  protrude through the channel edges  20 , insulation and/or seal and contact or otherwise communicate with the at least one first conductive element  50 . In this manner, the power from mobile power supply (not shown) is directed through first conductive element  50  to the second conductive elements  110  and  115 .  
         [0021]    In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the second conductive elements  110  and  115  contact and supply electrical power to electronic device  100  to operate electronic device  100 . In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device  100  may be any suitable product  100  that utilizes electric power such as a computing device, a semiconductor, a sensor for monitoring physical aspects of the wearer, a mobile telephone, a mobile information infrastructure or any other suitable portable electronic device that may be attached to a garment and add beneficial qualities to the wearer and user.  
         [0022]    Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, there is provided a respective top view and a cross sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for illustration purposes only. As can be understood from the drawings slider track  10  is stitched to the garment by knit operation  40 . However, any known methods in the art for attaching slider track  10  to a garment may be utilized including for example an adhesive, a hook and loop operation and/or bonding. As can be further understood from FIG. 3, the electronic device  100  has buttons  105  that extend and protrude outward from the exterior lateral sides of electronic device  100 . It should also be appreciated that buttons  105  may be place in any suitable location disposed on electronic device  100  for allowing the second conductive elements  110  and  115  to mate with the respective pair of first channels  14  and second channels  12 . Buttons  105  allow respective pair of second conductive elements  110  and  115  to interface with first conductive element  50  and transfer electrical power from first conductive element  50  to second conductive elements  110  and  115  to electronic device  100  for operational purposes.  
         [0023]    It should be also appreciated by one skilled in the art, that electronic device  100  may slide, glide or otherwise traverse vertically up and down the face of the garment in substantially parallel relation to first conductive element  50 , on sliding track  10  without a short circuit or interruption of power. An exemplary aspect of the sliding track  10  is that the sealing and/or insulation of the respective first channels  14  and respective second channels  12  is not disturbed by the sliding movement of the electronic device  100 . Respective first channels  14  and respective second channels  12  are fabricated such that perspiration, fluid or moisture does not at any time enter the respective first channels  14  and respective second channels  12  to interrupt the transfer of power from first conductive material  50  to electronic device  100 .  
         [0024]    Referring to FIG. 5, there is provided a cross sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. An adapter  310  or intermediate element is provided. Adapter  310  may be formed as a rectangular structure. Disposed on the bottom side of adapter  310  are a number of third conductive elements  320 . A strip  200  may also include a first protective element  300  and a second protective element  305  disposed on the top side of the strip  200 . An exemplary aspect of the first protective element  300  and the second protective element  305  is that the respective first protective element  300  and the second protective element  305  overlay and provide a seal and/or insulation to the first conductive element  50  disposed within the strip  200 .  
         [0025]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a number of third conductive elements  320  are disposed on the bottom side of an adapter  310 . One skilled in the art should appreciate, that any number of third conductive elements  320  may be used to transmit a suitable amount of power through adapter  310  to an exemplary electronic device (not shown). Third conductive elements  320  interface with first conductive element  50  to provide power to an exemplary electronic device (not shown). First conductive element  50  may be disposed in any suitable location in a flexible strip  200 . Strip  200  may be a rectangular shaped thermally non-conductive and electrically non-conductive structure that houses the first conductive element  50 .  
         [0026]    An exemplary feature of the first conductive element  50  is that the first conductive element  50  is in spaced relation and adjacent to a first protective element  300  and a second protective element  305 . First protective element  300  and a second protective element  305  mate with one another to act as a seal and insulator. In this manner, the first protective element  300  and the second protective element  305  prevent moisture, perspiration and/or fluid from entering and interrupting the flow of power through the first conductive element  50  disposed in the strip  200 . An exemplary feature of the first protective element  300  and a second protective element  305  is that the respective first protective element  300  and a second protective element  305  are a substantially rectangular in shape. The respective first protective element  300  and a second protective element  305  include a connection point having a male and female member disposed therebetween to allow the respective first protective element  300  and a second protective element  305  to interface with respect to one another. The respective first protective element  300  and a second protective element  305  are selectively attached to strip  200  that houses the first conductive element  50 . The respective first protective element  300  and second protective element  305  extend outward from strip  200  and are of a suitable width to fit within a pair of arcuate channels  120 ,  130  that are disposed on adapter  310 .  
         [0027]    It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that strip  200  may be connected or otherwise stitched to the garment. A number of third conductive elements  320  are electrically connected through adapter  10  by wires to an exemplary socket or interface  205  disposed on the top surface of the adapter  10 . Top surface of the adapter  10  includes an aperture  210  for allowing the respective plurality of second conductive elements (not shown) disposed on an exemplary electronic device to connect with socket  205  so electronic device may receive power when electronic device is disposed on top of adapter  310 .  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 6, there is provided a top view of the present invention. As can be understood from the drawings, the respective first channel  120  and the second channel  130  are curvilinear in shape. First channel  120  and second channel  130  allow first protective element  300  and a second protective element  305  to spread apart with respect to one another and pass therethrough. In this manner, an exemplary electronic device  100  may transverse strip  200  disposed on garment. As can be further understood from the drawings, an electronic device may be disposed on the socket  210  on the top surface of the adapter  310 . Strip  200  is made from a suitable thermally and electrically non-conductive material. Strip  200  may be attached by a knit operation to an exemplary garment.  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 7, there is provided a cross sectional view along line AA of the adapter  310 . As can be understood from the drawings, the strip  200  has the respective first protective element  300  and second protective element  305  disposed on the top surface of strip  200 . In this manner, first protective element  300  and second protective element  305  are spread apart. First protective element  300  and second protective element  305  pass through the respective first channel  120  and second channel  130  in the curvilinear fashion as adapter  310  traverses the strip  200 . Along line A-A, the first channel  120  and second channel  130  intersect to form a sole unified channel. After adapter  310  passes over a portion of the strip  200  the curvilinear channels  120 ,  130  direct first protective element  300  to mate with second protective element  305  as shown in FIG. 7. The first protective element  300  mates with second protective element  305  as shown in FIG. 7, thereby allowing the strip  200  to seal and encapsulate the respective at least one first conductive element  50  disposed therein. One skilled in the art should appreciate first protective element  300  and second protective element  305  in the closed position as shown in FIG. 7 are suitable to prevent moisture, perspiration and fluid from entering therein so that uninterrupted power may be transferred from a power supply (not shown) to the exemplary electronic device  100 .  
         [0030]    The present invention having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.