VACUUM LOCKING FOR ARTICLE OF ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/672,476, filed on Jul. 17, 2024. The disclosure of this prior application is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a locking device for an article of athletic equipment.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

Articles of athletic equipment, such as pads and protective equipment, typically include a receptacle for receiving a body part of a wearer. For example, an article of athletic equipment may include a receiving body and an attachment element that operate to form a receptacle for receiving an appendage of a wearer. Likewise, athletic garments and headwear may include one or more pieces of material formed into a receptacle for receiving a torso or head of a wearer.

Articles of athletic equipment are typically adjustable and/or include a relatively flexible material to allow the article of athletic equipment to accommodate various sizes of wearers, or to provide different fits on a single wearer. While conventional articles of athletic equipment are adjustable, such articles do not typically allow a wearer to lock the size or shape of the article to a body part of the wearer. For example, while adjustable straps adequately secure an article of athletic equipment to a wearer by contracting or constricting the receiving body of the article around the wearer, the adjustable straps do not cause the receiving body to conform to the wearer. Accordingly, an optimum fit of the receiving body around an appendage of a wearer is difficult to achieve.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an example of an article of athletic equipment with a locking structure and an adjustment element according to the present disclosure, where the locking structure and the adjustment element are in a relaxed state;

FIG. 2 is another example of an article of athletic equipment with a locking structure and an adjustment element according to the present disclosure, where the article of athletic equipment is integrated into an article of apparel;

FIG. 3 is an example of an infill of an adjustment element according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view of a locking structure according to the present disclosure with a bladder and a locking system;

FIG. 5A is an example of a locking structure according to the present disclosure, where the locking structure is in a relaxed state;

FIG. 5B is a plan view of an example of the locking structure of FIG. 5A, where the locking structure is in a constricted state;

FIG. 5C is an example of the locking structure of FIG. 5B, where the locking structure is in a locked state;

FIG. 6 is an example of a locking structure according to the present disclosure, where the locking structure is in a relaxed state;

FIG. 7A is a plan view of an example of a locking structure according to the present disclosure, where the locking structure is in an unlocked state;

FIG. 7B is an example of the locking structure of FIG. 7A, where the locking structure is in a constricted state; and

FIG. 7C is an example of the locking structure of FIG. 7B, where the locking structure is in a locked state.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

In one configuration, a locking structure for an article includes a bladder having a first barrier element attached to a second barrier element to define a chamber including an interior void, at least one elastic element disposed within the interior void, and a plurality of locking elements disposed within the interior void and each attached to the at least one elastic element, each of the locking elements including an interface surface operable to selectively engage an interface surface of another one of the locking elements.

The locking structure may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the at least one elastic element may include a first fastening portion coupled to a first attachment region of each of the plurality of locking elements and a second fastening portion coupled to a second attachment region of each of the plurality of locking elements. The first and second attachment regions of each of the plurality of locking elements may be defined along an outer edge of each of the plurality of locking elements and may be asymmetrically coupled to the first and second fastening portions. Additionally or alternatively, the first attachment region may be offset from the second attachment region relative to a longitudinal axis of the at least one elastic element.

In one configuration, each of the plurality of locking elements may define an opening at a central region of each locking element. The first and second attachment regions may be disposed proximate to the opening at the central region of each locking element. Further, the at least one elastic element may include an outer fastening portion coupled to the first attachment region of the plurality of locking elements and an inner fastening portion coupled to the second attachment region of the plurality of locking elements.

At least one elastic element may comprise a locking strip that defines a locking system with the plurality of locking elements, the locking system including a tether attached to one of the first barrier element and the second barrier element. Additionally or alternatively, each of the locking elements may include a pair of interface surfaces disposed on opposite sides of each locking element. The interface surfaces of the locking elements may be in direct contact with the interface surfaces of adjacent locking elements to form a locking layer. An article of athletic equipment may include the locking structure.

In another configuration, a locking structure for an article includes a bladder having a first barrier element attached to a second barrier element to define a chamber having an interior void, and a locking system including locking elements each attached to at least one elastic element and including at least one interface surface, the interior void of the bladder operable between a first pressure to move the locking system to a locked state and a second pressure to move the locking system to an unlocked state.

The locking structure may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the at least one elastic element may include a first fastening portion coupled to a first attachment region of each of the locking elements and a second fastening portion coupled to a second attachment region of each of the locking elements. The first and second attachment regions of each of the locking elements may be defined along an outer edge of each of the locking elements and may be asymmetrically coupled to the first and second fastening portions. Additionally or alternatively, the first attachment region may be offset from the second attachment region relative to a longitudinal axis of the at least one elastic element.

In one configuration, each of the locking elements may define an opening at a central region of each locking element. The first and second attachment regions may be disposed proximate to the opening at the central region of each locking element. The at least one elastic element may include an outer fastening portion coupled to the first attachment region of the locking elements and an inner fastening portion coupled to the second attachment region of the locking elements.

The at least one elastic element may comprise a locking strip that defines a locking system with the locking elements, the locking system including a tether attached to one of the first barrier element and the second barrier element. Additionally or alternatively, each of the locking elements may include a pair of interface surfaces disposed on opposite sides of each locking element. The interface surfaces of the locking elements may be in direct contact with the interface surfaces of adjacent locking elements to forma locking layer. A knee brace for an article of athletic equipment may include the locking structure. A knee brace for an article of apparel may include the locking structure.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, an article of athletic equipment 10 includes a body 100 and one or more straps 150 attached to the body 100. As illustrated and described herein, the article of athletic equipment 10 may be a knee brace 10. However, the article of athletic equipment 10 may include any athletic equipment that may be attached to a wearer including, but not limited to, limb and/or appendage braces, pads, etc. The knee brace 10 may include a first end 12 associated with a top-most point of the knee brace 10, and a second end 14 corresponding to a lower-most point of the knee brace 10. A longitudinal axis A₁₀ of the knee brace 10 extends along a length of the knee brace 10 from the first end 12 to the second end 14 parallel to a leg of a wearer, and generally divides the knee brace 10 into a first side 16 and a second side 18. Accordingly, the first side 16 and the second side 18 respectively correspond with opposite sides of the knee brace 10 and extend from the first end 12 to the second end 14. As used herein, a longitudinal direction refers to the direction extending from the first end 12 to the second end 14, while a lateral direction refers to a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and extending from the first side 16 to the second side 18.

The knee brace 10 may be divided into one or more regions. The regions may include an upper attachment region 20, a lower attachment region 22, and a coverage region 24. The upper attachment region 20 is associated with an upper strap 152 and the lower attachment region 22 is associated with a lower strap 154. The coverage region 24 may correspond with portions of a wearer that are supported by the article of athletic equipment 10, such as a knee.

The body 100 and the straps 150 collectively define an interior void 102, which receives and secures an appendage of the wearer. The body 100, and components thereof, may be described as including various subcomponents or regions. For example, the body 100 includes an exterior region 104 and an interior region 106 opposite the exterior region 104 and configured to contact an appendage of the wearer during use.

In the example of FIG. 1, the body 100 includes a locking structure 200, described in more detail below, incorporated into the exterior region 104. By incorporating the locking structure 200 into the body 100, the knee brace 10 is operable to transition between an unlocked or relaxed state and a locked or constricted state. The straps 150 include an adjustment element 300, described in more detail below, incorporated into each of the upper strap 152 and the lower strap 154. By incorporating the adjustment element 300 into the straps 150, the straps 150 of the knee brace 10 are operable to transition between a relaxed state and a constricted state corresponding with the relaxed, unlocked state and the constricted, locked state of the locking structure 200. While the body 100 will be described hereinafter as including the locking structure 200 and the straps 150 will be described hereinafter as including the adjustment element 300, the body 100 could alternatively include the adjustment element 300 and one or both of the straps 150 could include the locking structure 200.

In use, the knee brace 10 is moved between the unlocked or relaxed state and the locked or constricted state by adjusting a pressure of each of the locking structure 200 and the adjustment element 300. For example, a wearer may place the knee brace 10 over a knee of the wearer while the knee brace 10 is in the relaxed state to accommodate the athlete's leg. Once in position, the wearer may apply any means of negative pressure (e.g., vacuum, external force, etc.) to transition the locking structure 200 incorporated into the body 100 of the knee brace 10 and the adjustment element 300 incorporated into the straps 150 to the locked and constricted state to conform the knee brace 10 to the athlete's leg, as discussed below with respect to the examples of FIGS. 5A-7C. As such, when fluid is removed from each of the locking structure 200 and the adjustment element 300, the locking structure 200 and the adjustment element 300 are moved into the locked or constricted state, and the straps 150 and the body 100 constrict around the leg of the wearer, thereby providing a snug and customized fit.

With reference to FIG. 2, another example of a knee brace 10a including the principles of the present disclosure is provided. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with the knee brace 10a with respect to the knee brace 10, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while like reference numerals containing letter and/or number extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a knee brace 10a is incorporated into an article of apparel 30a and includes a body 100a and one or more straps 150a attached to the body 100a. For example, the article of apparel 30a may include, but is not limited to, compression tights or leggings configured to apply a compression force along a leg of the wearer. The knee brace 10a may include a first end 12a associated with a top-most point of the knee brace 10a, and a second end 14a corresponding to a lower-most point of the knee brace 10a. A longitudinal axis A_10a of the knee brace 10a extends along a length of the knee brace 10a and the article of apparel 30a from the first end 12 of the knee brace 10a to the second end 14 parallel to a leg of a wearer, and generally divides the knee brace 10a into a first side 16 and a second side 18. As used herein, a longitudinal direction refers to the direction extending from the first end 12 to the second end 14, while a lateral direction refers to a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and extending from the first side 16 to the second side 18.

The knee brace 10a may be divided into one or more regions. The regions may include an upper attachment region 20a, a lower attachment region 22a, and a coverage region 24. The upper attachment region 20a is associated with a pair of upper straps 152a and the lower attachment region 22a is associated with a pair of lower straps 154a. The coverage region 24a may correspond with portions of a wearer that are supported by the article of athletic equipment 10a, such as a knee.

A body 32a of the article of apparel 30a defines an interior void 34a, which receives and secures an appendage of the wearer. For example, the knee brace 10a is integrally formed with the body 32a of the article of apparel 30a and is designed to be positioned over a knee of the wearer in use. The body 32a of the article of apparel, and components thereof, may be described as including various subcomponents or regions. For example, the body 32a includes an exterior region 36a and an interior region 38a opposite the exterior region 36a and configured to contact an appendage of the wearer during use. The body 100a of the knee brace 10a is incorporated with the exterior region 36a of the body 32a of the article of apparel 30a, such that the body 32a of the article of apparel 30a is in contact with the wearer and the knee brace 10a is separated from the wearer by the body 32a of the article of apparel 30a. Additionally or alternatively, the knee brace 10a may be integrated with the article of apparel 30a, such that the article of apparel 30a extends from the first and second ends 12, 14 of the knee brace 10a and the sides 16, 18 of the knee brace. In this alternate configuration, the knee brace 10a may be in contact with the wearer during use.

In either example of the knee brace 10, 10a, the body 100, 100a includes a locking structure 200, mentioned above and described below, incorporated into the exterior region 104. By incorporating the locking structure 200 into the body 100, 100a, the knee brace 10, 10a is operable to transition between an unlocked or relaxed state and a locked or constricted state. The straps 150, 150a include an adjustment element 300, mentioned above and described below, incorporated into each of the upper strap 152, 152a and the lower strap 154, 154a. By incorporating the adjustment element 300 into the straps 150, 150a, the straps 150, 150a of the knee brace 10, 10a are operable to transition between a relaxed state and a constricted state corresponding with the relaxed, unlocked state and the constricted, locked state of the locking structure 200. Although described herein with respect to the knee brace 10, it is contemplated that the features and function of the locking structure 200 and the adjustment element 300 are included in the configuration of the knee brace 10a.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the knee brace 10 includes a port 130, which is in fluid communication with a pump 400. As described in more detail below, the pump 400 and the port 130 cooperate to define the negative, vacuum pressure within a bladder 202, 302 of each of the locking structure 200 and the adjustment element 300. The bladders 202, 302 each define an interior void 204, 304, and the locking structure 200 and the adjustment element 300 are moved between the unlocked or relaxed state and the locked or constricted state by adjusting the fluid pressure within the interior voids 204, 304 of the respective bladders 202, 302. For example, the pressure within the interior voids 204, 304 may be reduced by drawing fluid from within the interior voids 204, 304 through the port 130, which is attached to each of the bladders 202, 302. In other words, a vacuum may be applied to the interior voids 204, 304 to remove fluid from each of the interior voids 204, 304. The drawing of the vacuum within each of the interior voids 204, 304 selectively transitions an interior pressure of the interior voids 204, 304 between a first pressure and a second pressure. It is generally contemplated that the first pressure of each of the interior voids 204, 304 may be greater than the second pressure. For example, the first pressure may be greater than or equal to ambient pressure, and the second pressure of the interior void 204, 304 may be less than ambient pressure. The pump 400 may cause each of the interior voids 204, 304 to move from the first pressure to the second pressure by removing fluid from within the respective interior void 204, 304. In so doing, the pump 400 causes contraction of the locking structure 200 and the adjustment element 300. It is contemplated that the port 130 may be configured with a valve 132, such as a spring valve, for releasing the negative pressure to transition the locking structure 200 and the adjustment element 300 from the locked and constricted state back to the unlocked and relaxed state. For example, a wearer may depress the valve 132 when desired to release or otherwise remove the negative pressure within the knee brace 10 by allowing a fluid, such as air, to enter the interior void 204, 304 via the valve 132. In so doing, the locking structure 200 and the adjustment element 300 are permitted to return to an expanded state.

The adjustment element 300 includes a compressible component or infill 306 disposed within the interior void 304 of the bladder 302. The compressible component 306 may include an infill structure 308 that may have a geometry that forms a plurality of recesses 310 (FIG. 3) and may be formed from a resilient material such as foam. For example, the infill structure 308 may have a wave configuration and/or an egg-crate configuration each forming the plurality of recesses 310. The infill structure 308 may include different geometrical configurations to impart different constriction profiles in different areas of the article.

For example, FIG. 3 illustrates the compressible component 306 with the infill structure 308 configured with the wave configuration, such that the compressible component 306 is corrugated along a width W₃₀₆ of the compressible component 306. Stated differently, the infill structure 308 may be formed with the recesses 310 interspaced by ridges 312. The recesses 310 may expand and contract as the ridges 312 are manipulated during evacuation of the adjustment element 300, as described in more detail below. FIG. 3 also illustrates the infill structure 308 as having apertures 314 formed along a length L₃₀₆. The apertures 314 may provide additional flexibility for the compressible component 306, such that the infill structure may have an increased degree of pliability during manipulation of the adjustment element 300.

Referring still to FIGS. 1-4, the locking structure 200 includes a locking system 206, described below, attached to the bladder 202. In this configuration, the bladder 202 includes a first barrier layer 208a (e.g., a first barrier element 208a) attached to a second barrier layer 208b (e.g., a second barrier element 208b) formed on an opposite side of the bladder 202 from the first barrier layer 208a. A distance between the first barrier layer 208a and the second barrier layer 208b defines a thickness of the bladder 202 and serves to define a chamber 210 that includes the interior void 204.

As used herein, the term “barrier layer” (e.g., barrier layers 208a, 208b) encompasses both monolayer and multilayer films. In some embodiments, one or both of the barrier layers 208a, 208b are each produced (e.g., thermoformed or blow molded) from a monolayer film (a single layer). In other embodiments, one or both of the barrier layers 208a, 208b are each produced (e.g., thermoformed or blow molded) from a multilayer film (multiple sublayers). In either aspect, each layer or sublayer can have a film thickness ranging from about 0.2 micrometers to about 1 millimeter. In further embodiments, the film thickness for each layer or sublayer can range from about 0.5 micrometers to about 500 micrometers. In yet further embodiments, the film thickness for each layer or sublayer can range from about 1 micrometer to about 100 micrometers.

One or both of the barrier layers 208a, 208b can be independently transparent, translucent, and/or opaque. As used herein, the term “transparent” for a barrier layer and/or a chamber means that light passes through the barrier layer in substantially straight lines and a viewer can see through the barrier layer. In comparison, for an opaque barrier layer, light does not pass through the barrier layer and one cannot see clearly through the barrier layer at all. A translucent barrier layer falls between a transparent barrier layer and an opaque barrier layer, in that light passes through a translucent layer but some of the light is scattered so that a viewer cannot see clearly through the layer.

The barrier layers 208a, 208b can each be produced from an elastomeric material that includes one or more thermoplastic polymers and/or one or more cross-linkable polymers. In an aspect, the elastomeric material can include one or more thermoplastic elastomeric materials, such as one or more thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) copolymers, one or more ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymers, and the like.

As used herein, “polyurethane” refers to a copolymer (including oligomers) that contains a urethane group (—N(C═O)O—). These polyurethanes can contain additional groups such as ester, ether, urea, allophanate, biuret, carbodiimide, oxazolidinyl, isocynaurate, uretdione, carbonate, and the like, in addition to urethane groups. In an aspect, one or more of the polyurethanes can be produced by polymerizing one or more isocyanates with one or more polyols to produce copolymer chains having (—N(C═O)O—) linkages.

Examples of suitable isocyanates for producing the polyurethane copolymer chains include diisocyanates, such as aromatic diisocyanates, aliphatic diisocyanates, and combinations thereof. Examples of suitable aromatic diisocyanates include toluene diisocyanate (TDI), TDI adducts with trimethyloylpropane (TMP), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), xylene diisocyanate (XDI), tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate (TMXDI), hydrogenated xylene diisocyanate (HXDI), naphthalene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), 1,5-tetrahydronaphthalene diisocyanate, para-phenylene diisocyanate (PPDI), 3,3′-dimethyldiphenyl-4, 4′-diisocyanate (DDDI), 4,4′-dibenzyl diisocyanate (DBDI), 4-chloro-1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the copolymer chains are substantially free of aromatic groups.

In particular aspects, the polyurethane polymer chains are produced from diisocynates including HMDI, TDI, MDI, H12 aliphatics, and combinations thereof. In an aspect, the thermoplastic TPU can include polyester-based TPU, polyether-based TPU, polycaprolactone-based TPU, polycarbonate-based TPU, polysiloxane-based TPU, or combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the polymeric layer can be formed of one or more of the following: EVOH copolymers, poly(vinyl chloride), polyvinylidene polymers and copolymers (e.g., polyvinylidene chloride), polyamides (e.g., amorphous polyamides), amide-based copolymers, acrylonitrile polymers (e.g., acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymers), polyethylene terephthalate, polyether imides, polyacrylic imides, and other polymeric materials known to have relatively low gas transmission rates. Blends of these materials as well as with the TPU copolymers described herein and optionally including combinations of polyimides and crystalline polymers, are also suitable.

The barrier layers 208a, 208b may include two or more sublayers (multilayer film) such as shown in Mitchell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,141 and Mitchell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,065, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In embodiments where the barrier layers 208a, 208b include two or more sublayers, examples of suitable multilayer films include microlayer films, such as those disclosed in Bonk et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,786, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. In further embodiments, the barrier layers 208a, 208b may each independently include alternating sublayers of one or more TPU copolymer materials and one or more EVOH copolymer materials, where the total number of sublayers in each of the barrier layers 208a, 208b includes at least four (4) sublayers, at least ten (10) sublayers, at least twenty (20) sublayers, at least forty (40) sublayers, and/or at least sixty (60) sublayers.

The chamber 210 can be produced from the barrier layers 208a, 208b using any suitable technique, such as thermoforming (e.g. vacuum thermoforming), blow molding, extrusion, injection molding, vacuum molding, rotary molding, transfer molding, pressure forming, heat sealing, casting, low-pressure casting, spin casting, reaction injection molding, radio frequency (RF) welding, and the like. In an aspect, the barrier layers 208a, 208b can be produced by co-extrusion followed by vacuum thermoforming to produce the chamber 210.

The chamber 210 desirably has a low gas transmission rate to preserve its retained gas pressure. In some embodiments, the chamber 210 has a gas transmission rate for nitrogen gas that is at least about ten (10) times lower than a nitrogen gas transmission rate for a butyl rubber layer of substantially the same dimensions. In an aspect, chamber 210 has a nitrogen gas transmission rate of 15 cubic-centimeter/square-meter·atmosphere·day (cm³/m²·atm·day) or less for an average film thickness of 500 micrometers (based on thicknesses of the barrier layers 208a, 208b). In further aspects, the transmission rate is 10 cm³/m²·atm·day or less, 5 cm³/m²·atm·day or less, or 1 cm³/m²·atm·day or less.

In some implementations, the first barrier layer 208a and the second barrier layer 208b cooperate to define a geometry (e.g., thicknesses, width, and lengths) of the chamber 210. In some examples, the barrier layers 208a, 208b may include the same materials to provide the chamber 210 with a homogenous barrier construction, such that both sides of the locking structure 200 will contract and relax at the same rate when pressure within the chamber 210 is adjusted. Alternatively, a first one of the barrier layers 208a, 208b may be at least partially constructed of a different barrier material and/or configuration than the other one of the barrier layers 208a, 208b to selectively impart a contour as the locking structure 200 transitions between the relaxed state and the locked state. For example, one of the barrier layers 208a, 208b may be at least partially formed with a different modulus of elasticity and/or stiffness than the other barrier layer 208a, 208b, such that when the locking structure 200 transitions from the relaxed state to the locked state, the first one of the barrier layers 208a, 208b contracts at a different rate than the other barrier layer 208a, 208b to cause the locking structure 200 to curl.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, the locking system 206 includes at least one elastic element 212 and a plurality of locking elements 214. The plurality of locking elements 214 are coupled to the elastic element 212. The plurality of locking elements 214 may be disposed within the interior void 204 of the chamber 210, and the elastic element 212 may be attached to at least one of the first barrier layer 208a and the second barrier layer 208b to form the locking system 206. As depicted in FIG. 4, the locking system 206, including the locking elements 214 and elastic element 212, is coupled to the bladder 202 within the interior void 204. As discussed in greater detail below, the plurality of locking elements 214 are operable to transition the locking system 206 of the locking structure 200 between an unlocked state, where the bladder 202 is free to stretch and conform around a wearer, and a locked state, where the bladder 202 is restricted or locked from stretching.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrated with a generic representation of a locking structure 200 and locking system 206 in a matrix configuration, but may include any one or more of the locking systems 206a-206d as provided in FIGS. 5A-7C. The locking system 206 of the locking structure 200 is operable between the locked and unlocked state in response to an at least partial vacuum defined within the interior void 204 of the chamber 210, as described in more detail below. Optionally, the locking system 206 may be provided in a force-responsive configuration that does not utilize a vacuum to move the locking system 206 from the unlocked state to the locked state. For example, the locking system 206 may be configured to lock in response to reactive forces applied to the locking system 206 by the leg. For example, during low-energy movements (e.g., walking) the elastic forces of the elastic element 212 may bias the locking system 206 towards a contracted, unlocked state. However, during high-energy movements (e.g., cutting, stopping, starting), the barrier layers 208a, 208b and the elastic element 212 may stretch in response to forces applied to the body 100 (FIG. 1). As the barrier layers 208a, 208b and the elastic element 212 are stretched around the leg, the locking elements 214 are collapsed upon each other to form a locking layer 218, thereby limiting the amount of stretch in the elastic element 212 and, consequently, the barrier layers 208a, 208b. Thus, unlike applications including a vacuum locking configuration, in which the locking system 206 is continuously locked under the force of a vacuum, force-responsive configurations are tuned to lock in response to threshold forces caused by movements of the leg and/or stretching of the straps 150 around the leg. The threshold forces for locking and unlocking the locking system 206 may be turned by modifying the spacing, quantity, size, shape, and/or surface textures of the locking elements 214.

With reference to FIGS. 5A-5C, an example of a locking system 206a is illustrated and may be incorporated into the locking structure 200 described above. The locking system 206a includes an elastic element 212a and a plurality of locking elements 214a coupled to the elastic element 212a. Each locking element 214a in the plurality of locking elements 214a includes at least one interface surface 216 configured to cooperate with an opposing interface surface 216 of an adjacent one of the locking elements 214a to maintain the locking system 206a in the locked state. The interface surface 216 may be formed from a tacky material, such that the material of adjacent interface surfaces 216 may be coupled in the locked state of the locking elements 214a. Namely, when the interface surfaces 216 of adjacent locking elements 214a are in contact with one another, the frictional engagement therebetween causes the adjacent locking elements 214a to be fixed for movement with one another. Because the adjacent locking elements 214a are fixed for movement with the elastic element 212a which, in turn is fixed for movement with the barrier layers 208a, 208b, relative movement between the barrier layers 208a, 208b is restricted and the overall structure helps to lock in a body part of the wearer (i.e., a leg, a knee, etc.).

As discussed in greater detail below, the interface surfaces 216 of the locking elements 214a may include textured and/or high-friction materials configured to restrict or prevent relative movement between opposing interface surfaces 216 when pressed into contact with one another (i.e., when a vacuum is drawn and fluid is removed from the chamber 210). Accordingly, when the interface surface 216 of one locking element 214a in the plurality of locking elements 214a is in contact with an interface surface 216 of a second locking element 214a in the plurality of locking elements 214a, the locking elements 214a cooperate to create a relatively rigid locking layer 218.

In this example, the plurality of locking elements 214a are coupled to a single elastic element 212a. In some implementations, the plurality of locking elements 214a are integrally formed with the elastic element 212a. In other implementations, the plurality of locking elements 214a are mechanically attached to the elastic element 212a (e.g., individually welded and/or attached via a suitable adhesive). As shown in FIG. 5A, the plurality of locking elements 214a are coupled to the elastic element 212a via a central region 220a of each of the plurality of locking elements 214a. Each of the plurality of locking elements 214a may define an opening 222a at the central region 220a through which the elastic element 212a extends. Each of the locking elements 214a has first and second attachment regions 224a, 226a generally defined at the central region 220a where each of the plurality of locking elements 214a is coupled to the elastic element 212a. For example, the first attachment region 224a and the second attachment region 226a may be aligned with the opening 222a along a longitudinal axis A_212a of the elastic element 212a. In some examples, the first attachment region 224a and the second attachment region 226a are formed at opposite ends of the opening 222a.

The elastic element 212a illustrated in FIG. 5A includes at least one first or outer fastening portion 228a and at least one second or inner fastening portion 230b. For example, the elastic element 212a illustrated in FIG. 5A includes two outer fastening portions 228a and a single inner fastening portion 230a. It is contemplated that the inner fastening portion 230a may selectively translate independent of the outer fastening portions 228a, which may assist in drawing the locking elements 214a together, as described below. For example, the inner fastening portion 230a may contract in a first direction D₁, while the outer fastening portions 228a may contract in a second direction D₂ to flatten the locking elements 214a along one another to define the locked state (FIG. 5C). The first attachment region 224a of each of the locking elements 214a may be coupled to the outer fastening portion 228a and the second attachment region 226a of the locking elements 214a may be coupled to the inner fastening portion 230a. For example, the first attachment region 224a is depicted as having two attachment points 232 at the outer fastening portions 228a, and the second attachment region 226a is depicted as having a single attachment point 232 at the inner fastening portion 230a.

The elastic element 212a contracts as the locking system 206a transitions from the unlocked state (FIG. 5A) to the locked state (FIG. 5C), such that there is an increase in the overlap of adjacent ones of the locking elements 214a, as described in more detail below. While in the relaxed state (FIG. 5A), the interface surfaces 216 of each the first plurality of locking elements 214a are spaced apart and separated from the interface surfaces 216 of the adjacent locking elements 214a. When the pressure in the interior void 204 (FIG. 4) is reduced from a first pressure (e.g., at or above ambient) to a second pressure (e.g., at or below ambient), the barrier layers 208a, 208b (FIG. 4) move toward one another to bring the interface surfaces 216 of the plurality of locking elements 214a into direct contact with the opposing interface surfaces 216 of the adjacent locking elements 214a. Once the first plurality of locking elements 214a are in direct contact with the interface surfaces 216 of the adjacent locking elements 214a, the resulting friction between the interface surfaces 216 forms a locking layer 218 that maintains the locking system 206a in the locked state of FIG. 5C.

While in the locked state, tensile forces F_T applied along the lengths of the elastic element 212a are opposed by the frictional forces between the interface surfaces 216 of the locking elements 214a. The bladder 202 (FIG. 4) is thus restricted from stretching or deforming around the wearer when the locking system 206a is in the locked state. When the wearer unlocks the locking system 206a, to loosen the article, the wearer increases the pressure within the interior void 204 of the bladder 202 (FIG. 4) to move the interface surfaces 216 of the plurality of locking elements 214a away from one another to define a space therebetween (FIG. 5A). Consequently, the interface surfaces 216 of the respective locking elements 214a disengage from each other to allow the barrier layers 208a, 208b (FIG. 4) to stretch and deform. For example, FIGS. 5A-5C show the transition between the unlocked state (FIG. 5A) and the locked state (FIG. 5C) with an intermediate or partially locked state (FIG. 5B) in between. The intermediate state may correspond to the transition of the plurality of locking elements 214a toward and/or away from one another. In one example, the pressure within the interior void 204 (FIG. 4) is such that the locking elements 214a are in the intermediate or partially locked state, such that the interface surfaces 216 partially engage with one another to restrain and otherwise restrict movement of the bladder 202 (FIG. 4).

Referring still to FIGS. 5A-5C, the locking elements 214a of the present example include a pair of the interface surfaces 216 disposed on opposite sides of each of the locking elements 214a. The interface surfaces 216 engage to retain the locking system 206a in the locked state while the locking system 206a is under the at least partial vacuum. Stated differently, the locking elements 214a frictionally engage at the interface surfaces 216 under the second pressure of the locking system 206a to compress the elastic element 212a and define the locked state to minimize movement of the bladder 202 (FIG. 4) and create a rigid and supportive fit of the article. While in the relaxed state (FIG. 5A), the locking elements 214a of adjacent ones of the plurality of locking elements 214a disposed on the elastic element 212a are arranged in a spaced apart manner to prevent direct contact between the interface surfaces 216 of the plurality of locking elements 214a. In this relaxed state, the locking system 206a is relatively flexible and can conform and stretch to fit a variety of geometries.

With particular reference to FIG. 6, a locking system 206b is provided and may be incorporated in the locking structure 200 and/or bladder 202 described above. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with the locking system 206a, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

The locking system 206b includes a plurality of locking elements 214b operably coupled to an elastic element 212b. Unlike the locking system 206a depicted in FIGS. 5A-5C, the plurality of locking elements 214b are coupled to the elastic element 212b at an outer edge 240b of the plurality of locking elements 214b. As depicted, the outer edge 240b attached to the elastic element 212b has a first attachment region 224b and a second attachment region 226b, in FIG. 6. The first attachment region 224b is coupled to a first fastening portion 228b of the elastic element 212b, and the second attachment region 226b is coupled to a second fastening portion 230b of the elastic element 212b. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first and second fastening portions 228b, 230b of the elastic element 212b are adjacent to one another, such that the outer edge 240b of the locking elements 214b is asymmetrically coupled to the first and second fastening portions 228b, 230b at the first and second attachment regions 224b, 226b, respectively. For example, the first attachment region 224b coupled to the first fastening portion 228b of the elastic element 212b is offset from the second attachment region 226b of the locking element 214b relative to a longitudinal axis A_212b of the elastic element. In other words, the first attachment region 224b is disposed on a first side of the longitudinal axis A_212b and the second attachment region 226b is disposed on an opposite side of the longitudinal axis A_212b from the first attachment region 224b. The asymmetrical configuration of the first and second attachment regions 224b, 226b may assist in providing an adaptive fit, such that one of the locking elements 214b may have a greater degree of flexion at one end compared to the other. Additionally or alternatively, the locking elements 214b may have an equal degree of flexion across the interface surface 216. It is also contemplated that the asymmetrical configuration defines an overlap between the interface surfaces 216 that maximizes the locking capabilities of the locking elements 214b by defining a degree of friction between the interface surfaces 216.

The locking elements 214b may be coupled to the elastic element 212b at the outer edge 240b to provide additional flexibility to the locking system 206b in the unlocked state, such that a free end 242b of the locking elements 214b may have a greater degree of flexion than the retained outer edge 240b. The free end 242b of each of the locking elements 214b may overlap, such that the interface surfaces 216 of each adjacent locking element 214b may overlap to define a locking layer 218. The free ends 242b may also conform and have an increased degree of flexibility and pliability with respect to the wearer, as the free ends 242b are free from attachment with the elastic element 212b. While the free ends 242b of the locking elements 214b may have an increased level of flexibility and/or mobility relative to the outer edge 240b, it is contemplated that in the locked state the free ends 242b are generally contained and restrained via the frictional engagement between the interface surfaces 216 to form the locking layer 218. The locking system 206b operates in a similar manner as described with respect to the locking system 206a (FIGS. 5A-5C), such that an interface surface 216 of each of the plurality of locking elements 214b may overlap to be in direct contact with an interface surface 216 of an adjacent locking element 214b when the second pressure is defined within the interior void 204 (FIG. 4). As described above, the resulting friction between the interface surfaces 216 forms the locking layer 218 that maintains the locking system 206b in the locked state.

As discussed above, when the locking system 206b is incorporated within a bladder 202 and/or locking structure 200 described above, the pressure of the interior void 204 of the chamber 210 is reduced from the first pressure (e.g., ambient) to the second pressure (e.g., below ambient). In this state, the barrier layers 208a, 208b move toward one another to bring the plurality of locking elements 214b into direct contact with one another at the interface surfaces 216, where each locking element 214b in the plurality of locking elements 214b overlaps adjacent locking elements 214b. Thus, as mentioned above, the interface surface 216 on a first side of one of the locking elements 214b will engage the opposing interface surface 216 on the second side of an adjacent one of the locking element 214b. Once the plurality of locking elements 214b are overlapping and in direct contact with one another at their respective interface surfaces 216, the resulting friction between the interface surfaces 216 forms the locking layer 218 that maintains the locking system 206b in the locked state.

With particular reference to FIGS. 7A-7C, a locking system 206c is provided and may be incorporated into a bladder 202 and a locking structure 200 disposed within the bladder 202 (FIG. 4). In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with the locking system 206a, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

With reference to FIGS. 7A-7C, the locking system 206c includes a first plurality of locking elements 214c₁ operably coupled to a first elastic element 212c₁ and a second plurality of locking elements 214c₂ operably coupled to a second elastic element 212c₂. In FIGS. 7A-7C, the first plurality of locking elements 214c₁ coupled to the first elastic element 212c₁ oppose the second plurality of locking elements 214c₂ coupled the second elastic element 212c₂. Stated differently, a free end 242c of each of the locking elements 214c₁, 214c₂ is disposed between the first and second elastic elements 212c₁, 212c₂. The locking elements 214c₁, 214c₂ are coupled to the respective elastic elements 212c₁, 212c₂ at the attachment regions 224c, 226c defined along an outer edge 240c of each locking element 214c₁, 214c₂. The configuration illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C may maximize the interlocking under an at least partial vacuum to define a generally rigid locking system 206c as each of the free ends 242c of the locking elements 214c₁, 214c₂ is positioned proximate to the outer edge 240c of an adjacent locking element 214c₁, 214c₂.

The locking system 206c operates in a similar manner as described with respect to the locking systems 206a, 206b (FIGS. 5A-6), such that an interface surface 216 of each of the locking elements 214c₁, 214c₂ may overlap to be in direct contact with an interface surface 216 of an adjacent locking element 214c₁, 214c₂ when the second pressure is defined within the interior void 204 (FIG. 4). In this configuration, the first elastic member 212c₁ may be coupled to the first barrier layer 208a (FIG. 4), and the second elastic member 212c₂ may be coupled to the second barrier layer 208b. As each of the elastic elements 212c₁, 212c₂ may be respectively coupled to the first and second barrier layers 208a, 208b of the bladder 202 (FIG. 4), the bladder 202 is thus generally restricted from stretching or deforming around the wearer when the locking system 206c is in the locked state.

Further, the interlocking arrangement of the locking elements 214c₁, 214c₂ assists in providing added rigidity to the locking system 206c. For example, the free ends 242c of the first locking elements 214c₁ are interwoven between the free ends 242c of adjacent ones of the second locking elements 214c₂ and vice versa, such that the free ends 242c of the first locking elements 214c₁ are separated from one another by the free ends 242c of the second locking elements 214c₂. As the at least partial vacuum is defined within the interior void 204 (FIG. 4), the elastic elements 212c₁, 212c₂ contract to minimize the spacing between adjacent ones of the locking elements 214c₁, 214c₂ along a longitudinal direction. Stated differently, a greater surface area of the interface surfaces 216 of the locking elements 214c₁, 214c₂ overlap when the elastic elements 212c₁, 212c₂ are contracted under the at least partial vacuum. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7A, when the at least partial vacuum is released from the bladder 202 via the valve 132, the elastic elements 212c₁, 212c₂ elongate as the bladder 202 returns to the relaxed, unlocked state.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-7C, the locking structure 200 advantageously provides structural support and a compressive fit for the wearer, such that the article may be custom-fit. The operability between the relaxed, unlocked state and the locked state assists the wearer in flexibly donning and doffing the article while simultaneously providing desired support and structure of the article for the wearer during use. The locking structure 200 may include any of the described configurations of the locking systems 206a-206e, as described here, such that each may be interchangeable and/or combined to provide the wearer with a customizable support structure to maximize the versatility of the article. Further, the locking structure 200 may be compressed or otherwise translated into the locked state utilizing vacuum pressure to define a frictional and/or tensile force to retain a position of the locking elements 214 in the locked state. The use of vacuum pressure maximizes the flexibility of transition between the locked and unlocked states by incorporating a pump to automatically and/or efficiently define the at least partial vacuum within the interior void 204 to compress or otherwise frictionally engage the locking elements 214 within the locking system 206.

The following Clauses provide an exemplary configuration for a locking structure for an article of athletic equipment, described above.

Clause 1. A locking structure for an article, the locking structure comprising a bladder including a first barrier element attached to a second barrier element to define a chamber having an interior void, at least one elastic element disposed within the interior void, and a plurality of locking elements disposed within the interior void and each attached to the at least one elastic element, each of the locking elements including an interface surface operable to selectively engage an interface surface of another one of the locking elements.

Clause 2. The locking structure of Clause 1, wherein the at least one elastic element includes a first fastening portion coupled to a first attachment region of each of the plurality of locking elements and a second fastening portion coupled to a second attachment region of each of the plurality of locking elements.

Clause 3. The locking structure of Clause 2, wherein the first and second attachment regions of each of the plurality of locking elements are defined along an outer edge of each of the plurality of locking elements and are asymmetrically coupled to the first and second fastening portions.

Clause 4. The locking structure of Clause 2, wherein the first attachment region is offset from the second attachment region relative to a longitudinal axis of the at least one elastic element.

Clause 5. The locking structure of Clause 2, wherein each of the plurality of locking elements defines an opening at a central region of each locking element and the first and second attachment regions are disposed proximate to the opening at the central region of each locking element.

Clause 6. The locking structure of Clause 2, wherein the at least one elastic element includes an outer fastening portion coupled to the first attachment region of the plurality of locking elements and an inner fastening portion coupled to the second attachment region of the plurality of locking elements.

Clause 7. The locking structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the at least one elastic element comprises a locking strip that defines a locking system with the plurality of locking elements, and the locking system including a tether attached to one of the first barrier element and the second barrier element.

Clause 8. The locking structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein each of the locking elements includes a pair of interface surfaces disposed on opposite sides of each locking element.

Clause 9. The locking structure of Clause 8, wherein the interface surfaces of the locking elements are in direct contact with the interface surfaces of adjacent locking elements to form a locking layer.

Clause 10. An article of athletic equipment including the locking structure of any of the preceding Clauses.

Clause 11. A locking structure for an article, the locking structure comprising a bladder including a first barrier element attached to a second barrier element to define a chamber having an interior void, and a locking system including locking elements each attached to at least one elastic element and including at least one interface surface, the interior void of the bladder operable between a first pressure to move the locking system to a locked state and a second pressure to move the locking system to an unlocked state.

Clause 12. The locking structure of Clause 11, wherein the at least one elastic element includes a first fastening portion coupled to a first attachment region of each of the locking elements and a second fastening portion coupled to a second attachment region of each of the locking elements.

Clause 13. The locking structure of Clause 12, wherein the first and second attachment regions of each of the locking elements are defined along an outer edge of each of the locking elements and are asymmetrically coupled to the first and second fastening portions.

Clause 14. The locking structure of Clause 12, wherein the first attachment region is offset from the second attachment region relative to a longitudinal axis of the at least one elastic element.

Clause 15. The locking structure of Clause 12, wherein each of the locking elements defines an opening at a central region of each locking element and the first and second attachment regions are disposed proximate to the opening at the central region of each locking element.

Clause 16. The locking structure of Clause 12, wherein the at least one elastic element includes an outer fastening portion coupled to the first attachment region of the locking elements and an inner fastening portion coupled to the second attachment region of the locking elements.

Clause 17. The locking structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the at least one elastic element comprises a locking strip that defines a locking system with the locking elements, and the locking system including a tether attached to one of the first barrier element and the second barrier element.

Clause 18. The locking structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein each of the locking elements includes a pair of interface surfaces disposed on opposite sides of each locking element.

Clause 19. The locking structure of Clause 18, wherein the interface surfaces of the locking elements are in direct contact with the interface surfaces of adjacent locking elements to form a locking layer.

Clause 20. A knee brace for an article of athletic equipment, the knee brace including the locking structure of any of the preceding Clauses.

Clause 21. An article of apparel including a knee brace integrally formed with the article of apparel, the knee brace including the locking structure of any of the preceding Clauses.

The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.