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NikePatent applicationClothing & sportInterest 8/10

Nike patents underwear with electric straps that adjust tightness

Nike has filed a patent for a support garment, such as underwear, that uses a textile layer and special straps to control how much a body part moves. The straps contain small devices called electroadhesive clutches that can be turned on or off by an electrical signal to either lock the fabric in place or allow it to slide.

Why it mattersThis technology could allow athletes or patients to customize their support levels in real-time without manually tightening straps, offering a more precise fit for physical activities or recovery.

In the filing’s own words

A support garment can include a textile layer forming a supportive region and configured to adjustably permit or inhibit displacement of a body part of the wearer that is positioned adjacent or proximate the supportive region. The garment can include an electroadhesive clutch device to help control displacement. In an example, the garment includes an underwear garment or a portion thereof.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A support garment for a wearer, the support garment comprising: a textile layer forming a supportive region configured to adjustably inhibit displacement of a body part of the wearer positioned proximate the supportive region; at least one strap affixed to a portion of the textile layer, wherein the at least one strap includes a plurality of electroadhesive clutch devices, each electroadhesive clutch device, of the plurality of electroadhesive clutch devices, having at least a first electrode assembly, each electroadhesive clutch device of the plurality of electroadhesive clutch devices configured to selectively and concurrently adjust an amount by which the support garment allows displacement of the body part; and an electrical signal generator configured to provide one or more signals to at least the first electrode assembly to activate the plurality of electroadhesive clutch devices.

Facts

Company
Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
Official title
APPAREL WITH CONTROLLABLE DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM
Publication number
US20260272066A1
Application number
19675806
Filed
May 13, 2026
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
6
Claims
20

Classified under

A41C 3/0028 Human necessitiesH02N 13/00 Electricity & electronics
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.