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NikeGranted patentClothing & sportInterest 8/10

Nike patents clothing that stiffens instantly to protect against impacts

This patent describes apparel with padding that changes from soft and flexible to stiff and protective when a hit is expected. It uses a wire threaded through the padding that tightens around the material to squeeze it together, making it harder to absorb shock. The system is triggered by a sensor that detects an upcoming impact.

Why it mattersThis technology could make sports gear like helmets or pads safer by reacting faster than traditional static foam.

In the filing’s own words

An article of apparel includes a padding system that dynamically changes configuration in response to an impending impact. The padding system may change from a state that has a high flexibility and offers low protection from impact to a state that has a low flexibility and offers increase protection from impact. The system may use a filament to constrict a plurality of padding elements together in order to increase the overall stiffness of the pad. The filament may be tightened and loosened by a spool. The spool may receive a signal regarding the impending impact from a sensor that is a part of the article of apparel, or a sensor that is separate from it.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An article of apparel comprising: an antenna configured to receive an electromagnetic signal from a proximity sensor; a first dynamic padding system located at a first region of the article of apparel, wherein the first dynamic padding system is configured to reversibly change from a first state to a second state, the first dynamic padding system including: a plurality of padding elements fixedly mounted on a base layer, wherein a portion of the plurality of padding elements includes an aperture within each individual padding element, a filament threaded through each individual padding element having an aperture, such that the filament surrounds a first group of the plurality of padding elements, a spool, a portion of the filament being wound around the spool; wherein the spool is configured to reversibly change the filament from a first configuration to a second configuration upon the antenna receiving the electromagnetic signal; and wherein when the first dynamic padding system is in the first state, the first group of the plurality of padding elements have a first distance between them such that the first dynamic padding system comprises a first stiffness and when the first dynamic padding system is in the second state, the first group of the plurality of padding elements surrounded by the filament have a second distance between them, such that the first dynamic padding system comprises a second stiffness, the second distance being less than the first distance.

Facts

Company
Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
Official title
Article of apparel with dynamic padding system
Patent number
US12734428B2
Application number
18815431
Filed
Aug 26, 2024
Granted
Sep 15, 2026
Inventors
1
Claims
12

Classified under

A63B 71/12 Human necessitiesA41D 13/015 Human necessitiesA41D 13/05 Human necessitiesA41D 13/0506 Human necessitiesA41D 13/0512 Human necessitiesA41D 13/0543 Human necessities
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.