GB2535171A

GB2535171A - An anisotropic fastening system

Info

Publication number: GB2535171A
Application number: GB1502158.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wayne Edy Clinton; Brown Matthew; Stuart Helen; Mckay James
Original assignee: Inoveight Ltd
Current assignee: Inoveight Ltd
Priority date: 2015-02-10
Filing date: 2015-02-10
Publication date: 2016-08-17
Also published as: WO2016128725A1; GB201502158D0

Abstract

A fastening system comprising a first structure 104a with surface 106a with rectilinear fibres 102a uniformly arranged at a predetermined angle with the surface which releasably engages with fibre-like structures on another surface. Alternatively, the first structure engages with a second structure 104b which also has similar rectilinear fibres 102b uniformly spread at an angle with a second surface 106b. The first fibres releasably engage with the second fibres. The structures 104 may have fibres 102 on two sides (fig 3). Ideally the fibres are of the micro-scale or nano-scale. In use the first and second fibres interlock which may prevent movement of the first and second structures in all but one direction. The fastening system may be integral with or detachable from a garment. The fastening system may be woven into a garment.

Description

AN ANISOTROPIC FASTENING SYSTEM

The present invention relates generally to the field of fastening systems for garments, and more particularly, to an anisotropic fastening system suitable to prevent or at least limit relative movement between engaging surfaces of at least two overlapping garments.

Introduction

Running or Jogging is one of the most popular physical leisure activities among the general population and can also be a vital part of any athlete's training schedule. Other very popular physical activities may include climbing, cycling or hill walking. In each of the different physical activities, specific functional clothing pays a vital part may be used to maximise comfort, provide basic protection from the elements and even increase performance. The potential beneficial effect of such function-specific clothing on the athlete's performance is also one that is often overlooked. Runners in particular can benefit from suitable clothing since a majority of runners are exposed to the elements of the outdoors. For example, specific clothing may help the athlete to control body temperature by providing protection from the elements and/or improve heat/moisture transfer between the body and the outside. Recently, functional clothing has also been used to provide muscle compression, potentially increasing blood flow and reduce fatigue.

The existing material used to manufacture such clothing, e.g. fabrics and textiles, should therefore be comfortable, as well as, functional, but also has to be reliable and secure during use.

On known problem runners often encounter is the "riding-up" of their clothing (e.g. tops and bottoms) during movement. The "riding-up" (or down) may occur at the back or the front of the runner, and could be a top that moves up the body or a bottom moving down. Rucksacks and bags, often worn by fell runners and mountaineers, may aggravate the movement of the tops and bottoms, consequently exposing the athlete's skin and reducing any of the beneficial effects of the clothing, i.e. heat retention, wind/rain protection, or as a protective layer against rubbing from the rucksack (potentially causing painful burn marks and/or blisters). As every runner will know, the sliding of the clothing can also cause a great deal of discomfort, which can compromise both the performance and enjoyment of the activity.

In addition, the clothing subjected to such repeated movement may be damaged beyond repair so that the user has to replace the item.

In order to alleviate the known problem, existing clothing may provide self-adhesive layers, hook & loop fastener (e.g. Velcro), straps or friction patterns, which are incorporated in particular areas of the clothing to either engage with the skin or another piece of clothing (see Figure 1). For example, the hook & loop fastener (e.g. Velcro), which is a dry-adhesive system, is often applied to secure one piece of clothing to another, in order to prevent the clothing from "riding-up". Here, a first dry-adhesive surface (e.g. having protruding rigid hooks) is attached to a first piece of clothing, wherein a second dry-adhesive surface (e.g. having protruding loops) is attached to the other piece of clothing. The two dry-adhesive surfaces are then engaged by pressing the hooks into the loops. However, the hook & loop fastener system is relatively rigid, potentially adding to the users discomfort, especially when those rigid surfaces are pressed against the skin of the athlete. Also, with time and use, the hook & loop mechanism can wear out, eventually reducing the adhesive properties and the effectiveness of the fastener.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening system that is adapted to prevent or at least reduce undesired movement of clothing in at least one predetermined direction while providing comparable comfort levels and having similar look and feel of the clothing it is applied to.

Summary of the Invention

Preferred embodiment(s) of the invention seek to overcome one or more of the above disadvantages of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an anisotropic fastening system for use in clothing, comprising: at least one first planar surface structure having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, said at least one first planar surface structure further comprising a plurality of substantially rectilinear first fibres uniformly arranged on said first upper surface at a predetermined angle with respect to said first upper surface; at least one second planar surface structure having a second upper surface and a second lower surface, said at least one second planar surface structure further comprising a plurality of substantially rectilinear second fibres uniformly arranged on said second upper surface at said predetermined angle with respect to said second upper surface; wherein, during use, said at least one first planar surface structure is arranged in close proximity to and facing said second planar surface structure, so as to allow said first and second fibres to matingly and releasably engage when said first planar surface structure moves towards a predetermined direction with respect to said second planar surface structure.

This provides the advantage of a directionally dependent fastening system allowing unrestricted movement in at least one direction while restricting movement between the clothing in at least one direction. In particular, during use, the first planar surface structure may be attached to a piece of clothing, e.g. the rim of a top, while the second planar surface structure is attached to another piece of clothing, e.g. the trouser waistband. For the two pieces of clothing to cooperate, both planar surface structures are arranged so that the fibres of the first planar surface structure are angled towards the fibres of the second planar surface structure. Thus, during use, the rim of the top (first planar surface structure) overlaps the waistband of the trousers (second planar surface structure), the fibres of both planar surface structures will interlock when the rim of the top moves up and away from the trouser waistband. However, movement in the opposite direction is unrestricted, therefore still providing the feel and comfort of the separate pieces of clothing that can be separated easily. Thus, the fastening system of the present invention provides more of a uni-directional anti-slip barrier than a fastener or dry-adhesive

as is available in the prior art.

In addition, the fibres of the planar surface structures may be of a size and dimension at the micro-or nano-scale providing to the user the impression of standard clothing without noticeable dry-adhesive attachments, such as is the case with the common hook & loop systems.

Advantageously, the at least one first planar surface structure and/or said at least one second planar surface structure may be an integral part of at least one garment material.

This provides the advantage that the planar surface structure of the fastening system is even more inconspicuous since the engaging fibres are embedded within the clothing material.

Alternatively, the at least one first planar surface structure and/or said at least one second planar surface structure may be attachable to a garment material. Advantageously, the at least one first planar surface structure and/or said at least one second planar surface structure may be demountably attachable to a garment material.

This provides the advantage that the fastening system of the present invention can be easily transferred from one clothing/garment to another.

Preferably, the substantially rectilinear first and second fibres possess a predetermined stiffness suitable to prevent buckling of said first and/or second fibres during engagement.

Advantageously, the dimension of said substantially rectilinear first and second fibres may be at the micro-scale. Preferably, the substantially rectilinear first and second fibres may be micro-rods. Alternatively, the dimension of said substantially rectilinear first and second fibres may be at the nano-scale.

This provides the advantage of an anisotropic fastening system that can be incorporated into a clothing/garment in such a way that significantly less noticeable than, for example, available hook & loop fastener systems.

Advantageously, the orientation of said plurality of substantially rectilinear first fibres may be substantially parallel to the orientation of said plurality of substantially rectilinear second fibres during engagement. Preferably, said plurality of substantially rectilinear first and second fibres may be adapted to interlock with each other, so as to limit movement between said first planar surface structure and said second planar surface structure in all but one direction during engagement.

Advantageously, said at least one first planar surface structure may further comprise a plurality of substantially rectilinear first fibres uniformly arranged on said first lower surface at said predetermined angle with respect to said first lower surface. Even more advantageously, said at least one second planar surface structure may further comprise a plurality of substantially rectilinear second fibres uniformly arranged on said second lower surface at said predetermined angle with respect to said first lower surface. Preferably, said predetermined angle is an acute angle.

This provides the advantage that planar surface structures of more than two pieces of clothing can operably engage so as to provide an anti-slip barrier between, for example, three pieces of clothing. In particular, a planar surface structure having fibres on both upper and lower surface may be used in-between planar surface structures having fibres on only one of its surfaces.

Preferably, said at least one first planar surface structure and said at least one second planar surface structure is substantially identical.

This provides the advantage that clothing having at least one of the first or second planar surface structure can be used with any other clothing having either one of the first or second planar surface structures. That means, the only requirement is that cooperating fibres of respective planar surface structures are aligned so as to point towards each other during use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a uni-directional fastening member for use in clothing comprising: at least one first planar surface structure having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, said at least one first planar surface structure further comprising a plurality of substantially rectilinear first fibres uniformly arranged on said first upper surface at a predetermined angle with respect to said first upper surface; wherein, during use, said at least one first surface structure is arranged in close proximity to a planar surface structure comprising fibre-like structures of the planar surface structure, so as to allow said first fibres and the fibre-like structures to attachingly and releasably engage, when said first surface structure moves towards a predetermined first direction with respect to the planar surface structure.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garment having at least a first region comprising at least one of a first planar surface structure or a second planar surface structure of a anisotropic fastening system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Advantageously, the at least one of a first planar surface structure or a second planar surface structure may be adapted to operably engage with respective said at least one of a second planar surface structure or a first planar surface structure suitably incorporated in a region of another garment Advantageously, said at least one of a first planar surface structure or a second planar surface structure may be an integral part of said garment. Preferably, a plurality of substantially rectilinear first or second fibres of respective said at least one of a first planar surface structure or a second planar surface structure may be woven into said at least one first region of said garment.

Alternatively, said at least one of a first planar surface structure or a second planar surface structure is attached to said garment.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garment having at least a first region comprising at least one first planar surface structure of a uni-directional fastening member according to the second aspect of the present invention.

Advantageously, said at least one of a first planar surface structure may be an integral part of said garment. Alternatively, a plurality of substantially rectilinear first fibres of respective said at least one first planar surface structure may be woven into said at least one first region of said garment. Alternatively, said at least one first planar surface structure may be attached to said garment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a typical hook & loop fastener commonly known in the prior art; Figure 2 shows a side view (magnified) of a planar surface structure on separate clothing, each of the planar surface structure comprising fibres on an upper surface facing each other, the arrows show direction of movement that would engage the opposing fibres so as to interlock; Figure 3 shows a side view (magnified) of a planar surface structure on separate clothing, each of the planar surface structure comprising fibres on an upper and lower surface; Figure 4 shows a side view (magnified) of a planar surface structure on three separate clothing, wherein the in-between planar surface structure located comprises fibres on an upper and lower surface, each engageable with fibres of respective outer planar surface structure; Figure 5 shows a front view of an example of a garment (jacket) having planar surface structures of the anisotropic fastening system attached to specific areas of the garment, i.e. shoulder area and head; Figure 6 shows a back view of the garment (jacket) in Figure 5 having planar surface structures of the anisotropic fastening system attached to specific areas of the garment, i.e. back, and Figure 7 shows an example of a garment (jacket) having a planar surface structure of the anisotropic fastening system covering the whole of the garment (jacket); Figure 8 shows an example of a jacket arm where the fabric stops sliding up and remains attached to the glove; Figure 9 shows an example of the invention preventing heel slipping when worn with socks; Figure 10 shows an example of a hood that is prevented from sliding off a hat when respective surface structures of the invention are engaged; Figure 11 shows an example of a backpack that is prevented from bouncing due to the engaged surface structures, and Figure 12 shows an example of a top being prevented from riding up the back when respective surface structures are engaged.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s) The exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in relation to functional clothing, and in particular to an anisotropic fastening system for clothing. However, it should be appreciated that, in general, the anisotropic fastening system will work equally well for any other application on surface structures where directionally dependent fastening is required.

Referring now to Figure 2, a magnified sectional side-view of a fastening system 100 of the present invention is shown wherein the fibres 102a and 102b of two facing engagement portions 104a and 104b are disengaged.

In a preferred embodiment a plurality of fibres 102a, 102b may be woven into a predetermined region (engagement portion 104a, 104b) of a material of a first garment 106a and a second garment 106b. The plurality of fibres 102a, 102b are arranged uniformly at an acute angle a with respect to a planar surface of the facing first and second garments 106a, 106b. Preferably the angle a is between 5° and 60°. Even more preferably, the angle a is between 15° and 45°. Even more preferably, the angle a is between 20° and 30°.

Each of the fibres 102a, 102b possesses a rigidity that prevents the fibres from buckling during engagement (i.e. fibres 102a slide passed / interlock with fibres 102b), while still flexible enough to conform to the flexibility of the garment 106a, 106b. The fibres 102a, 102b may be made of a polymer material (microscale or nanoscale) that is incorporated into the garment 106a, 106b (e.g. woven into the textile material of the garment). The polymer material may be any one of a nylon or polyester material. Alternatively, the fibres 102a, 102b may be made of a textile fibre such as, for example, wool, flax or cotton. The fibers may be a woven, knitted, non-woven, stitch-bonded, tufted into the fabric, or incorporated by open work fabric utilizing a suitable manufacturing process.

In an alternative embodiment, the fastening system 100 of the present invention comprises separate planar surface structures adapted to be attached to a desired region of a garment (not shown). In particular, the separate planar surface structures may be permanently attached to the garment, e.g. via an adhesive, sewing or any other suitable means for attachment As shown in Figure 12, a first engagement portion 104a may be incorporated into the outer waistband of a trouser, wherein the fibres 102a are arranged so as to point towards the bottom of the trousers. A second engagement portion 104b may be incorporated at an inside surface of the lower hem of a top (e.g. jacket, shirt), wherein the fibres 102b are arranged so as to point towards the neck region of the top. During use, the engagement portion 104b of the top is simply laid in close proximity over the engagement portion 104a of the trousers so that the fibres 102a and 102b point towards each other. As shown in Figure 2, during movement of the clothes (e.g. top or bottom) in a first direction (see arrows), i.e. a direction that moves the two clothes in parallel (top and bottom) apart from each other, the fibres 102a slide into and engage (e.g. interlock) with the fibres 102b, providing a resistance in that first direction and stopping the clothing from moving apart (e.g. stopping the top riding-up). However, relative movement of the clothing in a second direction, i.e. a direction parallel to and opposite the first direction, simply moves the fibres 102a and 102b out of engagement.

Therefore, contrary to common dry-adhesive fastening systems (e.g. hook & loop), which simple fasten one piece of clothing to another piece of clothing, irrespective of the relative movement of the engaging surfaces, the anisotropic properties of the fasting system of the present invention helps to retain the normal function of the clothing (e.g. a detached but fitting overlap), while preventing the overlapping surfaces from moving apart.

Also, when the fibres 102a and 102b are engaged, relative movement of the overlapping clothing may also be prevented / limited in any direction other than the second direction (i.e. the direction that allows the fibres to slide out of engagement).

For example, the engagement portion 104b of the top may "stick" to the engagement portion 104a of the trousers (see Figure 12), therefore, further maintaining the overlapping arrangement between the clothing, but still allowing the engaged clothing to "slide" relative to each other in the direction that increases the area of overlap.

As shown in Figure 3, the fibres 102a and 102b may be arranged at both sides of the utilised garment, therefore, allowing the garment to engage with respective fibres incorporated in other garments from both sides. For example, a second top may engage with an underlying first top, stopping the second top from "riding-up" the first top.

Figure 4 shows an arrangement where a garment with fibres 102a, 102b arranged on both, upper and lower surfaces is positioned between and adapted to engage with garments having fibres 102a, 102b arranged on one surface only.

Figures 5 to 12 show other possible applications of the anisotropic fastening system 100 of the present invention, e.g. on a jacket 200, where fibres 102a, 102b are provided in specific areas, e.g. shoulder, back, sleeves and hood, or on the outer surface of the whole garment (Figure 7).

Respective fibres 102a, 102b attached to, or incorporated in other clothing or items, such as, for example rucksacks (Figure 11), jacket sleeves and gloves (Figure 8), shoes and socks (Figure 9) and jacket hoods and hats (Figure 10) can then engage with the fibres 102a, 102b of respective engaging surface structures, so as to prevent relative movement between the engaged surfaces. For example, as shown in Figure 11, the back surface of a rucksack and/or inside surface of the shoulder strap of a rucksack may comprise fibres 102a, 102b adapted to engage with the fibres 102a, 102b of the jacket 200, preventing any slip of the strap or bouncing of the rucksack in at least one predetermined direction. In this particular example, the fibres 102a, 102b of cooperating surfaces may be aligned so as to prevent/limit the rucksack from slipping down the back, or from uncontrollably moving / bouncing on the back / shoulder during a run.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the uni-directional fastening member may only comprise one first planar surface structure having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, wherein the at least one first planar surface structure has plurality of substantially rectilinear first fibres that are uniformly arranged on the first upper surface at an acute angle with respect to the first upper surface.

During use, the angled fibres of the uni-directional fastening member are adapted to releasably attach to fibre-like structures, such as, for example, textile fibres or skin hair, when the first surface structure is moved towards a first direction with respect to the planar surface structure. In particular, the angled fibres can, at least when moved in one first predetermined direction, engage with the textile fibres of a fabric or even the hair on the skin, so as to prevent or at least limit the movement in the first predetermined direction. When the fastening member is moved in the opposite direction to the first predetermined direction, the angled fibres and tectile fibres or skin hair disengage allowing free movement into that opposite direction.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment(s) has/have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A uni-directional fastening system for use in clothing comprising: at least one first planar surface structure having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, said at least one first planar surface structure further comprising a plurality of substantially rectilinear first fibres uniformly arranged on said first upper surface at a predetermined angle with respect to said first upper surface; at least one second planar surface structure having a second upper surface and a second lower surface, said at least one second planar surface structure further comprising a plurality of substantially rectilinear second fibres uniformly arranged on said second upper surface at said predetermined angle with respect to said second upper surface; wherein, during use, said at least one first planar surface structure is arranged in close proximity to and facing said second planar surface structure, so as to allow said first and second fibres to matingly and releasably engage when said first planar surface structure moves towards a predetermined direction with respect to said second planar surface structure.
2. A uni-directional fastening system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first planar surface structure and/or said at least one second planar surface structure is/are an integral part of at least one garment material.
3. A uni-directional fastening system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first planar surface structure and/or said at least one second planar surface structure is/are attachable to a garment material.
4. A uni-directional fastening system according to claim 3, wherein said at least one first planar surface structure and/or said at least one second planar surface structure is/are demountably attachable to a garment material.
5.
6.
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11.A uni-directional fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said substantially rectilinear first and second fibres possess a predetermined stiffness suitable to prevent buckling of said first and/or second fibres during engagement.A uni-directional fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dimension of said substantially rectilinear first and second fibres is at the microscale.A uni-directional fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said substantially rectilinear first and second fibres are micro-rods.A uni-directional fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dimension of said substantially rectilinear first and second fibres is at the nanoscale.A uni-directional fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the orientation of said plurality of substantially rectilinear first fibres is substantially parallel to the orientation of said plurality of substantially rectilinear second fibres during engagement.A uni-directional fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality of substantially rectilinear first and second fibres are adapted to interlock with each other, so as to limit movement between said first planar surface structure and said second planar surface structure in all but one direction during engagement.A uni-directional fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first planar surface structure further comprises a plurality of substantially rectilinear first fibres uniformly arranged on said first lower surface at said predetermined angle with respect to said first lower surface
12. A uni-directional fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one second planar surface structure further comprises a plurality of substantially rectilinear second fibres uniformly arranged on said second lower surface at said predetermined angle with respect to said first lower surface.A uni-directional fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said predetermined angle is an acute angle.A uni-directional fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first planar surface structure and said at least one second planar surface structure are substantially identical.A uni-directional fastening member for use in clothing comprising: at least one first planar surface structure having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, said at least one first planar surface structure further comprising a plurality of substantially rectilinear first fibres uniformly arranged on said first upper surface at a predetermined angle with respect to said first upper surface; wherein, during use, said at least one first surface structure is arranged in close proximity to a planar surface structure comprising fibre-like structures of the planar surface structure, so as to allow said first fibres and the fibre-like structures to attachingly and releasably engage, when said first surface structure moves towards a predetermined first direction with respect to the planar surface structure.A garment having at least a first region comprising at least one of a first planar surface structure or a second planar surface structure of a uni-directional fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 14.
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17. A garment according to claim 16, wherein said at least one of a first planar surface structure or a second planar surface structure is adapted to operably engage with respective said at least one of a second planar surface structure or a first planar surface structure suitably incorporated in a region of another garment.
18. A garment according to any one of claims 16 and 17, wherein said at least one of a first planar surface structure or a second planar surface structure is an integral part of said garment.
19. A garment according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein a plurality of substantially rectilinear first or second fibres of respective said at least one of a first planar surface structure or a second planar surface structure is woven into said at least one first region of said garment.
20.
21.
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24.A garment according to any one of claims 16 and 17, wherein said at least one of a first planar surface structure or a second planar surface structure is attached to said garment.A garment having at least a first region comprising at least one first planar surface structure of a uni-directional fastening member according to claims 15.A garment according to claim 21, wherein said at least one of a first planar surface structure is an integral part of said garment.A garment according to any one of claims 21 and 22, wherein a plurality of substantially rectilinear first fibres of respective said at least one first planar surface structure is woven into said at least one first region of said garment.A garment according to claim 21, wherein said at least one first planar surface structure is attached to said garment.