US20040009731A1 - Garment with discrete integrally-formed, electrically-conductive region and associated blank and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A circularly knit garment is provided, the garment comprising a circularly knit fabric body having an inner surface adapted to be disposed adjacent to a wearer's skin when the garment is worn. The garment further includes at least one discrete electrically-conductive region formed at the inner surface of the body during the circular knitting thereof in such as manner as to contact the wearer's skin when the garment is worn. The at least one electrically-conductive region is comprised of electrically-conductive threads, wherein the electrically-conductive threads are knit into the body such that the electrically-conductive threads at the inner surface are confined to the at least one electrically-conductive region. The at least one electrically-conductive region is further adapted to cooperate with the wearer's skin to conduct an electrical signal therebetween. An associated blank and a method of making such a garment are also provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention[0001]
• The present invention relates to garments and, more particularly, to a substantially seamless garment having at least one discrete and integrally-formed region of electrically-conductive threads for conducting an electrical signal to and from the wearer's skin.[0002]
• 2. Description of Related Art[0003]
• The human body emits signals which may be detected by appropriate electronic devices. For example, a person's heartbeat may be monitored by an electrocardiograph or, in a simpler situation, a person's heart rate may be monitored by a heart rate monitoring device. However, in either instance, one or more electrodes or other conductive patches must be applied in contact with the person's skin and then connected by appropriate conductive leads to the monitoring device. This can often be a cumbersome, uncomfortable, or otherwise awkward process, particularly if the person is to remain clothed while the signals emitted by the body are monitored. For instance, the electrodes may be applied to the desired parts of the person's body and then connected by wires, the wires running under and/or out of openings in the person's clothing, to the monitoring device. In another example, a heart rate monitor may be applied and secured to a person's chest, externally to a garment worn by the person, and secured thereabout by a strap. Such shortcomings may be compounded if the person is to remain active and moving about while their body signals are monitored.[0004]
• In some situations such as, for example, health and fitness or other recreational activities, focus may be placed on monitoring signals emitted by the body in order to attain and maintain a desired condition. For instance, a person may monitor heart rate during aerobic activity using a portable heart rate monitoring device. However, when participating in such activities, the person may require that such a monitoring device be well-secured and as unobtrusive as possible, with the electrodes being maintained in contact the skin with minimal, if any effort from the person. Further, emphasis may be placed on activity-specific clothing being comfortable with minimal bulk. In some instances, such as sports brassieres or tank tops, it may also be desirable for the garment to be substantially seamless.[0005]
• Accordingly, in furtherance of such desirable features, electrically-conductive threads have been incorporated into the fabric of garments for providing electrical pathways between sensors and monitoring devices. Such garments are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,009 to Jayaraman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,771 to Post et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,551 to Jayaraman et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,080,690 to Lebby et al., and 5,906,004 to Lebby et al. However, in each of these patents, the fabric is woven and the electrically-conductive threads for providing the electrical pathways are present throughout the weave. More particularly, the fabric is woven from both conductive and non-conductive fibers, with the conductive fibers running along one weave direction and the non-conductive fibers running along the other weave direction perpendicularly to the conductive fibers. However, the fabric must then be formed into the garment, wherein such a garment undesirably includes one or more seams where fabric ends are sewn together. In addition, the presence of the conductive threads throughout the weave may render such a garment prone to receiving excessive noise or other unnecessary or undesirable signals due to the extensive area covered by the conductive threads. Further, since the conductive threads extend about both the inner and outer surface of such garments, the electrical signal conducted by the threads may also be prone to interference or unwanted signals from contact of the outer surface of the garment with external conductive objects.[0006]
• Thus, there exists a need for a fabric having localized areas of conductive threads for allowing the formation of a garment providing selective contact of the conductive thread areas with particular regions of the wearer's skin. Such a fabric should desirably be formed so as to permit a substantially seamless garment to be made therefrom in order to promote wearer comfort while reducing the need for sewing or other fastening procedures, as well as the bulk associated with a connection of fabric ends, typically present or necessary at a seam. Where a localized area of conductive threads is provided, the conductive threads should be confined or otherwise restricted to that area so as to reduce interference or other unwanted electrical signals received by the conductive threads. The localized area should also be restricted to the inner surface of the garment so as to reduce the risk of interference or other unwanted signals from external conductive objects. The localized area of conductive threads should also desirably include one or more conductive leads extending therefrom so as to provide an electrical path for transmission of an electrical signal to and from the localized area, wherein such conductive leads should be integrally formed with the localized area during the production of the fabric or garment.[0007]
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in one embodiment, provides a circularly knit garment, comprising a circularly knit fabric body having an inner surface adapted to be disposed adjacent to a wearer's skin when the garment is worn. At least one discrete electrically-conductive region is formed at the inner surface of the body during the circular knitting thereof in such as manner as to contact the wearer's skin when the garment is worn. The at least one electrically-conductive region is comprised of electrically-conductive threads, wherein the electrically-conductive threads are knit into the body such that the electrically-conductive threads at the inner surface are confined to the at least one electrically-conductive region. The at least one electrically-conductive region is further adapted to cooperate with the wearer's skin to conduct an electrical signal therebetween.[0008]
• Another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises a circularly knit blank for making a substantially seamless garment. The blank comprises a fabric structure including a first series of courses having an inner surface and an outer surface. The first series of courses begins at a first end of the fabric structure and extends toward an opposite second end. A first end of a second series of courses is knitted to the second end of the first series of courses and extends to an opposite second end. The second series of courses has an inner surface adapted to be disposed adjacent to a wearer's skin when the garment is worn and an opposing outer surface. One of the inner and outer surfaces of the first series of courses is configured to overlie the outer surface of the second series of courses to create a two-ply fabric structure. At least one discrete electrically-conductive region is formed at the inner surface of the second series of courses during the circular knitting thereof in such as manner as to contact the wearer's skin when the garment is worn. The at least one electrically-conductive region is comprised of electrically-conductive threads, wherein the electrically-conductive threads are knit into the second series of courses such that the electrically-conductive threads at the inner surface of the second series of courses are confined to the at least one electrically-conductive region. The at least one electrically-conductive region is further adapted to cooperate with the wearer's skin to conduct an electrical signal therebetween.[0009]
• Still another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises a method of making a substantially seamless garment. A tubular blank is knitted by circularly knitting a first series of courses to form first tubular structure having an inner surface, an outer surface and opposing ends. A second series of courses is circularly knitted to one of the ends of the first series of courses to form a second tubular structure. The second tubular structure has an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface includes at least one discrete electrically-conductive region formed therewith during the circular knitting thereof. The at least one electrically-conductive region is adapted to contact a wearer's skin when the garment is worn and cooperates with the wearer's skin to conduct an electrical signal therebetween. The at least one electrically-conductive region is comprised of electrically-conductive threads knit into the second series of courses such that the electrically-conductive threads at the inner surface of the second series of courses are confined to the at least one electrically-conductive region. The at least one electrically-conductive region further includes at least one conductive element extending therefrom. One of the inner and outer surfaces of the first tubular structure is configured to overlie the outer surface of the second tubular structure so as to form a two-ply blank. The two-ply blank is then cut to define peripheral edges of the garment and the peripheral edges of the two-ply blank are selectively sewn together.[0010]
• Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a fabric having localized areas of conductive threads for allowing the formation of a garment providing selective contact of the conductive thread areas with particular regions of the wearer's skin. Embodiments of the present invention also provide a fabric formed by a circular knitting process so as to provide a blank from which a substantially seamless garment can be made. Wearer comfort is thus promoted while reducing the need for sewing or other fastening procedures, as well as the bulk associated with a connection of fabric ends at a seam. The circular knitting process further allows the conductive threads to be confined or otherwise restricted to a localized area, and at the inner surface of the garment, so as to reduce interference or other unwanted electrical signals received by the conductive threads. In addition, the circular knitting process for forming the fabric allows one or more conductive leads to be formed in the fabric so as to extend from the localized area and to provide a selective electrical path for transmission of an electrical signal to and from the localized area, wherein such conductive leads can be integrally formed with the localized area during the production of the fabric or garment. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention provide distinct advantages as detailed herein.[0011]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
• Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:[0012]
• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a garment according to one embodiment of the present invention being worn by a person.[0013]
• FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a single ply garment blank formed by a circular knitting process according to one embodiment of the present invention.[0014]
• FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of a single ply garment blank taken along line[0015]3-3 of FIG. 1 illustrating an electrically-conductive region knit into the fabric according to the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a two ply garment blank formed by a circular knitting process according to one embodiment of the present invention.[0016]
• FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a two ply garment having an electrically-conductive region at the inner surface of the inner ply that includes a conductive element electrically connecting the electrically-conductive region to a pocket defined between the inner and outer plies according to one embodiment of the present invention.[0017]
• FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a two ply garment taken along line[0018]6-6 of FIG. 5 illustrating an electrically-conductive region knit into the fabric at the inner surface of the inner ply and electrically connected to a pocket defined between the inner and outer plies according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective cut-away view of an as-formed two ply blank according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention illustrating cut lines for a garment comprising a brassiere.[0019]
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the brassiere of FIG. 7 illustrating the configuration of the garment.[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.[0021]
• FIG. 1 illustrates an article of clothing (otherwise referred to herein as a “garment”) incorporating aspects of embodiments of the present invention, the garment being generally indicated by the numeral[0022]10. Such agarment10 may comprise, for example, a sports bra, a t-shirt, a tank top, shorts, or the like, wherein a tank top is particularly illustrated in FIG. 1. Thegarment10 may be formed, for example, as a single ply or double ply structure. According to one particularly advantageous aspect of the present invention, thegarment10 is formed using a circular knitting process, wherein a circular knitting process and a garment fabricated thereby are discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,168 to Rabinowicz, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
• A circular knitting process generally forms a tubular woven fabric structure (otherwise referred to herein as a “blank”) that is then cut and sewn into the desired[0023]garment10 configuration. That is, the tubular fabric structure may be used as a seamless encircling portion such as, for example, the body-encirclingportion20 of thetank top10. However, one skilled in the art will also appreciate that a circularly knit tubular fabric structure may be adapted to any situation that may benefit from a seamless encircling cover. Such a seamless cover promotes, for example, more comfortable, simpler, and reduced cost garments by reducing the amount of seams. After thetank top10 is cut from the blank along appropriate cut lines, respective edges along the length of the blank may be sewn or otherwise secured together to form, for example, respectiveshoulder strap portions30,40. Accordingly, agarment10 formed according to such a circular knitting process is substantially seamless. One skilled in the art will appreciate that thegarment10 may be knit, for example, from various types and deniers of face yarns, wherein the selection of the face yarns and the knit depend primarily on the desired characteristics of the fabric such as the hand, appearance, texture, or the like. Further, once thegarment10 is formed, additional features such as, for example, apocket50, may be defined by sewing or otherwise securing another piece of material to thegarment10.
• FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a[0024]single ply blank60 is formed according to a circular knitting process. As previously discussed, where it is desired to monitor certain signals emitted by a person's body, one or more electrodes orcontact patches70 may be required to be in contact with the person's body, sometimes in specific locations. Accordingly, in one particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the one or more electrically-conductive contact patches70 are knit into the blank60 during the circular knitting process, wherein thecontact patches70 may be selectively placed in the blank60 to correspond to particular locations on thegarment10, if desired. Eachcontact patch70 is knit to include electrically-conductive fibers suitable for use in the particular garment, such fibers comprising, for example, conductive fibers made by Philips and which are believed to include silver. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, eachcontact patch70 is knitted into a discrete area of the blank60, wherein the conductive fibers forming thecontact patch70 are confined to those respective areas. That is, embodiments of the present invention generally do not have the conductive fibers present throughout the entire fabric of the blank60. However, as will be described further herein, some conductive fibers may selectively extend outwardly from thecontact patch70 and along the blank60 in some instances.
• According to particularly advantageous aspects of the present invention, a[0025]single ply garment10, such as the tank top, includes aninner surface80 that contacts the wearer's skin when thegarment10 is worn and an opposingouter surface90. Thecontact patch70 may thus be knitted into the fabric so as to extend from theinner surface80 to theouter surface90, as particularly shown in FIG. 3A. However, in some instances, thecontact patch70 may be knitted at or about theinner surface80 without extending through the fabric to theouter surface90. In those instances where thecontact patch70 is knitted at theinner surface80, one or moreconductive elements100 may be connected to eachcontact patch70 so as to extend therefrom through the fabric and to theouter surface90, as particularly shown in FIG. 3B. Suchconductive elements100 may be formed from electrically-conductive threads that are integrally knitted with thecontact patch70 during the circular knitting process. However, in some cases, theconductive elements100 may comprise other materials or objects separately connected to thecontact patches70 following the completion of the fabric and/orgarment10. As also shown in FIG. 3B, theconductive elements100 extend through the fabric and into thepocket50 in some embodiments.
• Another particularly advantageous aspect of the present invention is directed to the[0026]garment10 being engageable with a suitable electricalsignal processing device110 via thecontact patches70 and, in some instances, theconductive elements100. Such asignal processing device110 may be configured to receive a signal from the wearer's body and/or to transmit a signal to the wearer's body. In either instance, thesignal processing device110 may also include adisplay120 for displaying a representation of the signal. For example, thesignal processing device110 may comprise a heart rate monitor for receiving a signal from the wearer's body, indicative of the wearer's heart rate, wherein the signal may be processed by the heart rate monitor and displayed on an associated LCD screen. In another instance, thesignal processing device110 may comprise, for example, an electro-stimulation device for transmitting an electrical signal to the wearer's body for electrically stimulating the area of the wearer's body contacted by theconductive patches70, wherein the intensity of the signal, the amount of signals transmitted, or the like may be indicated on an associated screen orother display120. One skilled in that art will further appreciate, however, that the examples presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be restrictive with respect to the many devices which may be implemented with the described garment within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
• In order for the[0027]signal processing device110 to receive/send the electrical signal, embodiments of thegarment10 further include one or moreelectrical connectors130 engaged with the end of eachconductive element100 orcontact patch70 extending through the fabric, wherein theelectrical connectors130 and thesignal processing device110 are configured to be mutually engageable, for example, through one ormore contacts115 on thesignal processing device110. Further, thesignal processing device110 may be, for example, directly connected to theelectrical connectors130 or connected to theelectrical connectors130 by additional conductive leads. In some instances, thesignal processing device110 may comprise separate portions capable of wireless communication therebetween, wherein afirst device portion110amay be directly engaged with theelectrical connectors130, while a separatesecond device portion110bhaving adisplay120 may be disposed apart from the garment10 (See, e.g., FIG. 3B) and configured to communicate with thefirst device portion110avia wireless communication technology. In other instances, thefirst device portion110amay be connected to thesecond device portion110bby conductive leads135 (See, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6). Further, in instances, for example, where thesignal processing device110 is directly connected to theelectrical connectors130, it may also be desirable for thesignal processing device110 to be secured to thegarment10. As such, embodiments of the present invention are configured such that thecontact patches70 are connected to the respectiveelectrical connectors130 disposed within thepocket50 defined by thegarment10. Thesignal processing device110 may then be held or otherwise secured within thepocket50, with thecontacts115 in engagement with theelectrical connectors130, so as to make thedevice110 less obtrusive to the wearer.
• As shown in FIGS.[0028]4-6, thegarment10 may also be fabricated as a two ply structure, also using a circular knitting process. More particularly, FIG. 4 illustrates a twoply blank60 formed by a circular knitting process. The blank60 includes a turnedwelt140 formed at one end and a turnedwelt150 formed at the other end to prevent the blank60 from unraveling and to facilitate handling of the fabric in subsequent fabrication processes as described below. The circular knitting process begins with the knitting of the turnedwelt140. A first series ofcourses160 is then knit to the turnedwelt140 so as to form a first tubular structure defining one ply of thegarment10, the first tubular structure including the features of thegarment10. The first series ofcourses160 terminates at afold region170 that defines the lowermost edge of thegarment10. Preferably, thefold region170 is knit to be thinner than the remainder of the fabric and, in some instances, may be knit as a turned welt. Next, a second series ofcourses180 is knit to the end of the first series ofcourses160 so as to form a second tubular structure as an extension of the first tubular structure, the second tubular structure defining the second ply of thegarment10 and including the features thereof, in mirror image to the first tubular structure and about thefold region170. At the end of the second series ofcourses180, the other turnedwelt150 is knit before the blank60 is removed from the circular knitting machine.
• The blank[0029]60 is then folded about thefold region170 such that the second series ofcourses180 overlies the first series ofcourses160, wherein the corresponding features of thegarment10 defined by each of the first and second series ofcourses160,180 are in registration. More particularly, the first and second series ofcourses160,180 each define a commonfirst surface190ainside the tubular structure and an opposing commonsecond surface190b. When folded about thefold region170, thesecond surface190bof the second series ofcourses180 is disposed over thesecond surface190bof the first series ofcourses160. Thefold region170 thus defines the bottom edge of thegarment10, such as the tank top, wherein thefirst surface190aof the first series ofcourses160 is configured to be disposed adjacent to the wearer's skin when thegarment10 is worn. Where a seamless garment is desired, the folded blank60 can then be cut along sewlines200 defining the peripheral edges of thegarment10, wherein, in some instances, the cutting may be performed in a machine that simultaneously sews the cut edges of the two plies together along the sewlines200 to create a finished edge of thegarment10. In some instances, the sewing of the two plies together may be selective and may be performed at the turnedwelts140,150 and/or thefold region170. Still further, in other instances, decorative or elastic banding, for example, may be sewn into or along the cut edges as desired for thegarment10.
• In the alternative, the blank[0030]60 may be formed in the circular knitting process as two plies, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. That is, the blank60 may be formed as a two ply tube by the circular knitting process such that blank60 is removed from the knitting machine as two plies and the step of folding the blank60, previously described, is not necessary. For example, the knitting process may begin with the knitting of the first series ofcourses160 comprising the first ply in a first direction, toward oneinterface66 of the twoply blank60. At the oneinterface66, the knitting process continues toward so as to form anedge65 which may comprise, for example, a turned welt. When the desired length of the turnedwelt65 is attained, the knitting direction is then reversed so as to begin the knitting of the second ply. The second ply of the turnedwelt65 extends to asecond interface67, whereafter thesecond interface67 of the second series ofcourses180 is knitted to thefirst interface66. The knitting process then continues such that the second series ofcourses180 extends away from theedge65, and adjacently to the first series ofcourses160, so as to form the second ply of the blank60. Upon completion of the knitting process, the commonsecond surface190bof both the first and second series ofcourses160,180 are adjacent to each other, while the commonfirst surface190aof the first and second series ofcourses160,180 form the innermost and outermost surfaces of the blank60, respectively.
• The first and second plies may also be selectively knitted together during the knitting process, where desired, so as to, for instance, stabilize the two plies and prevent movement with respect to each other. For example, the first and second plies may be knitted together at the[0031]interfaces66,67 such that the turnedwelt65 forms a band defining an end of thegarment10, thegarment10 comprising, for example, a brassiere, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (However, it will also be appreciated that the as-knitted two ply blank60 may be formed according to the described process such that the two plies are not knitted together, if desired.). Such a turnedwelt65 may have a different knit pattern than the first and second series ofcourses160,180 of the blank60, for example, a rib knit in the turnedwelt65 and a jersey knit in the first and second series ofcourses160,180, so as to provide a finished appearance along the end of thegarment10. The first and second series ofcourses160,180 may then be cut and selectively sewn alongcut lines200 as previously described so as to form a two-ply garment.
• As more particularly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the[0032]contact patches70 described in relation to a single ply garment can also be applied to either of the two ply garment formed by either method described above. More particularly, the implementation of thecontact patches70 are possible with either a two ply garment formed from a folded single ply or an as-knitted two ply garment. According to such embodiments of the present invention, thecontact patches70 may be knitted into the fabric at or about thefirst surface190aof the first series ofcourses160 in the same manner as described for the single ply garment, since thefirst surface190ais configured to be disposed adjacent to the wearer's skin when thegarment10 is worn. In addition, apocket210 for housing asignal processing device110 may be defined and formed between the first and second plies by, for example, cutting aslit220 through the second series ofcourses180 defining the outer second ply and then sewing the first and second plies together about theslit220 and in the form of thepocket210. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the opening of thepocket210 may be defined between adjacent sewlines200 or between a sewline200 of one ply and the series of courses of the other ply. The first and second plies may then be sewn together in the form of thepocket210 and about the opening thereof.
• One advantageous embodiment of a two[0033]ply garment10 formed by a circular knitting and folding process according to the present invention is realized in the formation of theconductive elements100 extending from thecontact patches70 into thepocket210. For the first series ofcourses160 defining the inner first ply, thecontact patches70 may be knitted to extend from thefirst surface190ato the outersecond surface190bof the first ply. In other instances, aconductive element100 may be knitted to extend from thecontact patch70 at or about thefirst surface190ato thesecond surface190bof the first ply. Respectiveelectrical connectors130 may also be provided to engage thecontact patch70 or theconductive element100 on thesecond surface190bof the first ply. However, in some instances, it may be desirable or required that one or more of theelectrical connectors130 for engaging or otherwise connecting to thecontacts115 of thesignal processing device110 be located inside thepocket210, but on thesecond surface190bof the outer second ply. In such instances, the blank60 may be appropriately configured during the circular knitting process such that theconductive elements100, extending to the respectiveelectrical connectors130 in thepocket210 and on thesecond surface190bof the outer second ply, are knitted into the fabric and along the blank60, through both series ofcourses160,180 and across thefold region170, in a continuous run. Thus, once theelectrical connectors130 are operably engaged with therespective contact patches70, thesignal processing device110 may be operably engaged with theelectrical connectors130 in thepocket210 in the variety of manners as previously described.
• Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, the tubular fabric structure formed by the circular knitting process may be slit along a longitudinal line so as to open the tube into a flat configuration, which may then be appropriately fabricated into the desired garment with one or more seams. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.[0034]

Claims (36)

That which is claimed:

1. A circularly knit garment, comprising:

a circularly knit fabric body having an inner surface adapted to be disposed adjacent to a wearer's skin when the garment is worn; and

at least one discrete electrically-conductive region formed at the inner surface of the body during the circular knitting thereof in such as manner as to contact the wearer's skin when the garment is worn, the at least one electrically-conductive region being comprised of electrically-conductive threads knit into the body such that the electrically-conductive threads at the inner surface are confined to the at least one electrically-conductive region, the at least one electrically-conductive region being further adapted to cooperate with the wearer's skin to conduct an electrical signal therebetween.

2. A garment according toclaim 1 wherein the body is substantially seamless.

3. A garment according toclaim 1 further comprising an electrical signal processing device in communication with the at least one electrically-conductive region and configured to receive the electrical signal from the wearer's skin.

4. A garment according toclaim 1 further comprising a display in communication with the at least one electrically-conductive region and configured to display a representation of the electrical signal.

5. A garment according toclaim 1 wherein the body further comprises an outer surface and includes at least one conductive element in electrical contact with the at least one electrically-conductive region, the at least one conductive element extending between the electrically-conductive region and the outer surface.

6. A garment according toclaim 5 further comprising a pocket defined by the body, wherein the at least one conductive element extends from the electrically-conductive region into the pocket.

7. A garment according toclaim 6 further comprising an electrical signal processing device configured to be housed by the pocket and to be communicable with the at least one conductive element so as to receive the electrical signal from the at least one electrically-conductive region.

8. A garment according toclaim 5 wherein the at least one conductive element is integrally formed with the at least one electrically-conductive region during the circular knitting of the body.

9. A garment according toclaim 1 wherein the body comprises an inner ply, having an inner surface disposed adjacent to the wearer's skin when the garment is worn and an outer surface, and an outer ply, having an inner surface opposing the outer surface of the inner ply and an outer surface.

10. A garment according toclaim 9 wherein the at least one electrically-conductive region is formed at the inner surface of the inner ply so as to be capable of contacting the wearer's skin.

11. A garment according toclaim 9 further comprising at least one conductive element in electrical contact with the at least one electrically-conductive region and extending between the at least one electrically-conductive region and at least one of the outer surface of the inner ply and the inner surface of the outer ply.

12. A garment according toclaim 11 further comprising at least one electrical connector operably engaged with each conductive element in opposing relation to the at least one electrically-conductive region.

13. A garment according toclaim 9 wherein the at least one conductive element is integrally formed with the at least one electrically-conductive region during the circular knitting of the body, and the at least one conductive element extends in a continuous path between the at least one electrically-conductive region and at least one of the outer surface of the inner ply and the inner surface of the outer ply.

14. A garment according toclaim 9 wherein the body is formed of a circularly knit fabric blank folded upon itself along a fold line defining an edge of the body, the inner ply opposing the outer ply about the fold line.

15. A garment according toclaim 9 wherein the inner ply and the outer ply are secured together at a turned welt so as to define an edge of the body.

16. A garment according toclaim 9 further comprising a pocket formed between the inner and outer plies and having at least one electrical connector therein in communication with the at least one electrically-conductive region via at least one conductive element operably engaged therebetween, the pocket being configured to accept an electrical signal processing device therein, the electrical signal processing device being configured to operably engage the at least one electrical connector for receiving the electrical signal from the wearer's skin.

17. A circularly knit blank for making a substantially seamless garment, said blank comprising a fabric structure having:

a first series of courses having an inner surface and an outer surface, the first series of courses beginning at a first end and extending to an opposite second end;

a second series of courses having a first end knitted to the second end of the first series of courses and extending to an opposite second end, the second series of courses having an inner surface adapted to be disposed adjacent to a wearer's skin when the garment is worn and an opposing outer surface, one of the inner and outer surfaces of the first series of courses being configured to overlie the outer surface of the second series of courses to create a two-ply fabric structure; and

at least one discrete electrically-conductive region formed at the inner surface of the second series of courses during the circular knitting thereof in such as manner as to contact the wearer's skin when the garment is worn, the at least one electrically-conductive region being comprised of electrically-conductive threads knit into the second series of courses such that the electrically-conductive threads at the inner surface of the second series of courses are confined to the at least one electrically-conductive region, the at least one electrically-conductive region being further adapted to cooperate with the wearer's skin to conduct an electrical signal therebetween.

18. A blank according toclaim 17 wherein the fabric structure comprises a circularly knit single ply fabric tube having opposed ends.

19. A blank according toclaim 18 wherein the fabric tube further comprises a turned welt knit at each end of the tube.

20. A blank according toclaim 18 wherein the fabric tube further comprises a fold region disposed intermediate to the first series of courses and the second series of courses, the blank being foldable about the fold region to create the two ply fabric structure.

21. A blank according toclaim 20 wherein the fold region comprises a turned welt.

22. A blank according toclaim 17 further comprising an electrical signal processing device in communication with the at least one electrically-conductive region and configured to receive the electrical signal from the wearer's skin.

23. A blank according toclaim 17 further comprising a display in communication with the at least one electrically-conductive region and configured to display a representation of the electrical signal.

24. A blank according toclaim 17 further comprising at least one conductive element in electrical contact with the at least one electrically-conductive region, the at least one conductive element extending between the at least one electrically-conductive region and at least one of the outer surface of the second series of courses and the inner surface of the first series of courses.

25. A blank according toclaim 24 wherein the first series of courses and the second series of courses are configured so as to define a pocket therebetween, the at least one conductive element further being configured to extend from the at least one electrically-conductive region into the pocket.

26. A blank according toclaim 25 further comprising at least one electrical connector operably engaged with each conductive element in opposing relation to the at least one electrically-conductive region.

27. A blank according toclaim 26 further comprising an electrical signal processing device configured to be housed by the pocket and to be operably engageable with the at least one electrical connector so as to receive the electrical signal from the at least one electrically-conductive region.

28. A blank according toclaim 24 wherein the at least one conductive element is integrally formed with the at least one electrically-conductive region during the circular knitting of the second series of courses.

29. A method of making a substantially seamless garment, comprising:

knitting a tubular blank by:

circularly knitting a first series of courses to form first tubular structure having an inner surface, an outer surface and opposing ends; and

circularly knitting a second series of courses to one of the ends of the first series of courses to form a second tubular structure, the second tubular structure having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface including at least one discrete electrically-conductive region formed therewith during the circular knitting thereof and adapted to contact a wearer's skin when the garment is worn, the at least one electrically-conductive region being further adapted to cooperate with the wearer's skin to conduct an electrical signal therebetween, the at least one electrically-conductive region being comprised of electrically-conductive threads knit into the second series of courses such that the electrically-conductive threads at the inner surface of the second series of courses are confined to the at least one electrically-conductive region, and the at least one electrically-conductive region further including at least one conductive element extending therefrom, one of the inner and outer surfaces of the first tubular structure being configured to overlie the outer surface of the second tubular structure so as to form a two-ply blank;

cutting the two-ply blank to define peripheral edges of the garment; and

selectively stitching the peripheral edges of the two-ply blank together.

30. A method according toclaim 29 wherein circularly knitting a second series of courses further comprises selectively circularly knitting electrically conductive threads into the second series of courses so as to integrally form the at least one electrically-conductive region and the at least one conductive element.

31. A method according toclaim 29 further comprising establishing communication between the at least one electrically-conductive region and an electrical signal processing device configured to receive the electrical signal from the wearer's skin.

32. A method according toclaim 29 further comprising establishing communication between the at least one electrically-conductive region and a display configured to display a representation of the electrical signal.

33. A method according toclaim 29 further comprising forming a pocket between the first series of courses and the second series of courses, the at least one conductive element extending from the at least one electrically-conductive region into the pocket.

34. A method according toclaim 33 further comprising operably engaging at least one electrical connector with each conductive element in opposing relation to the at least one electrically-conductive region, the at least one electrical connector being disposed within the pocket.

35. A method according toclaim 34 further comprising disposing an electrical signal processing device in the pocket in operable engagement with the at least one electrical connector, the electrical signal processing device being communicable with the at least one electrically-conductive region to receive the electrical signal.

36. A method according toclaim 29 wherein stitching the peripheral edges of the two-ply blank further comprises stitching the second series of courses to the one end of the first series of courses at a turned welt so as to define an edge of the garment.

Images