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NikeGranted patentClothing & sportInterest 6/10

Nike patents sleeve cuff with adjustable thumbhole for wind protection

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Nike describes a sleeve design featuring a thumbhole that can be opened or closed using overlapping fabric panels. One panel acts as a patch while the other is a strap, allowing the wearer to adjust the opening to fit their thumb or seal it completely.

Why it mattersThis design offers a practical way to keep hands warm and protected from wind without needing separate gloves, which is useful for outdoor athletes.

In the filing’s own words

A sleeve cuff is provided for a sleeve including an anterior patch affixed to the sleeve and covering at least a portion of a cutout in the sleeve, a distal strap affixed to the sleeve and spanning over at least a portion of a cutout in the sleeve, and the distal strap overlapping at least a portion of the anterior patch to form an aperture for receiving a thumb therethrough. The sleeve cuff has a plurality of configurations, including at least a closed configuration where the aperture is closed and minimizes the wearer's exposure to wind and air elements therethrough, and an opened configuration where the aperture is opened and minimizes the air penetration around the received thumb.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An article of apparel comprising: a torso portion; a sleeve extending from the torso portion and comprising a sleeve wall; an aperture in the sleeve wall; a first panel and a second panel at least partially covering the aperture, wherein the aperture is selectively adjustable between a covered configuration and an uncovered configuration to accommodate insertion of a body part of a wearer, wherein the first panel and the second panel are positioned relative to one another such that movement of at least one of the first panel and the second panel transitions the aperture between the covered configuration and the uncovered configuration wherein the first panel comprises at least a portion of a distalmost edge of the sleeve when the sleeve is fully extended.

Facts

Company
Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
Official title
Layered thumbhole structure
Patent number
US12765622B2
Application number
19241367
Filed
Jun 17, 2025
Granted
Oct 20, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
16

Classified under

A41D 27/10 Human necessitiesA41B 1/08 Human necessitiesA41B 7/00 Human necessitiesA41B 7/02 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.