Athletic band with removable module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11437133-B2
Application number	US-201514946670-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 19, 2015
Priority date	Nov 19, 2014
Publication date	Sep 6, 2022
Grant date	Sep 6, 2022

Abstract

A performance monitoring system includes an athletic band or other article of apparel worn by a user, with a pocket supported by the article and defining a cavity, where the pocket has a sensor opening extending through an inner wall of the pocket and an access opening providing access to the cavity. The system also includes an electronic module received in the cavity such that the module can be inserted and removed from the cavity through the access opening. The module has a projection on an underside of the electronic module and a sensor mounted on the projection, where the projection extends through the sensor opening when the electronic module is received in the cavity and is configured to place the sensor in close proximity to skin of the user, such that the sensor is configured to sense a physiological parameter of the user.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A performance monitoring system comprising:
an article of apparel configured to be worn by a user and at least partially formed of a first layer and a second layer of a flexible material, the second layer joined to the first layer in a superimposed, layered configuration, the article of apparel having a pocket supported by the article of apparel and defined by the flexible material between the first and second layers, wherein the pocket has an opening providing access to the pocket, the article of apparel further comprising a housing connected to the article of apparel within the pocket and being formed of a polymer material having increased rigidity relative to the flexible material defining the pocket, wherein the housing has an inner wall, an outer wall, and side walls connecting the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the inner wall, the outer wall, and the side walls define a cavity within the pocket, and wherein the housing has an access opening through the inner wall of the housing that provides access to the cavity and is accessible through the opening in the pocket, such that the cavity is accessible through the opening and the access opening, wherein the housing comprises a flange extending around at least a portion of the housing, wherein the flange is positioned between the first and second layers of the flexible material, and the first and second layers are bonded to the flange to secure the housing within the cavity; and
an electronic module received in the cavity and engaged with the housing such that the inner wall and the outer wall each engage at least a portion of an underside and a top side of the electronic module, respectively, and the side walls engage at least a portion of a side of the electronic module, wherein the electronic module is configured to be inserted and removed from the cavity through the access opening, the electronic module comprising a projection on the underside of the electronic module and a sensor mounted on the projection, wherein the projection extends through the housing when the electronic module is received in the cavity and is configured to place the sensor in close proximity to skin of the user, such that the sensor is configured to sense a physiological parameter of the user.

2. The performance monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the pocket has a sensor opening that is separate from the opening, such that the projection extends through the sensor opening when the electronic module is received in the cavity.

3. The performance monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic module comprises a casing defining the projection, a computer device contained within the casing and in communication with the sensor, and an interface defined on a top side of the casing and configured to receive user input for operation of the computer device, and wherein the inner wall, the outer wall, and the side walls of the housing engage the casing of the electronic module.

4. The performance monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the article of apparel is a band comprising a tubular body configured to be worn by the user, wherein the tubular body of the band has a wider end and a narrower end and is configured to be worn on an arm of the user, and wherein the access opening is located at an end of the housing most proximate to the narrower end of the tubular body.

5. The performance monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the article of apparel is a band comprising a tubular body configured to be worn by the user, wherein the tubular body of the band has a wider end and a narrower end and is configured to be worn on an arm of the user, and wherein the access opening is located at an end of the housing most proximate to the wider end of the tubular body.

6. The performance monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible material at least partially forming the article of apparel and defining the pocket is an elastic fabric material.

7. The performance monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the article of apparel further comprises a moveable securing member securing the module within the cavity.

8. The performance monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an optical heart rate sensor.

9. The performance monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the projection of the electronic module extends through the housing by extending through the access opening.

10. The performance monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein polymer material of the housing is thermoplastic polyurethane.

11. The performance monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the flange is integrally formed with the housing.

12. A performance monitoring system comprising:
an article of apparel configured to be worn by a user and at least partially formed of a first layer and a second layer of a flexible material, the second layer joined to the first layer in a superimposed, layered configuration, the article of apparel having a pocket supported by the article of apparel and defined by the flexible material between the first and second layers, wherein the pocket has an opening providing access to the pocket, the article of apparel further comprising a housing connected to the article of apparel within the pocket and being formed of a polymer material having increased rigidity relative to the flexible material defining the pocket, wherein the housing has an inner wall, an outer wall, and side walls connecting the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the inner wall, the outer wall, and the side walls define a cavity within the pocket, and wherein the housing has an access opening in the inner wall of the housing that provides access to the cavity and is accessible through the opening in the pocket, such that the cavity is accessible through the opening and the access opening, wherein the housing comprises a flange extending around at least a portion of the housing, wherein the flange is positioned between the first and second layers of the flexible material, and the first and second layers are bonded to the flange to secure the housing within the cavity;
wherein the housing is configured to removably receive an electronic module in the cavity through the access opening, such that the inner wall and the outer wall each are configured to engage at least a portion of an underside and a top side of the electronic module, respectively, and the side walls are configured to engage at least a portion of a side of the electronic module, and wherein the housing is configured to permit a sensor of the electronic module to extend therethrough and to be placed in close proximity to skin of the user when the electronic module is received in the cavity.

13. The performance monitoring system of claim 12 , wherein the housing is configured to permit the sensor of the electronic module to extend through the access opening.

14. The performance monitoring system of claim 12 , wherein polymer material of the housing is thermoplastic polyurethane.

15. The performance monitoring system of claim 12 , wherein the article of apparel is a band comprising a tubular body configured to be worn by the user, wherein the tubular body of the band has a wider end and a narrower end and is configured to be worn on an arm of the user, and wherein the access opening is located at an end of the housing most proximate to the narrower end of the tubular body.

16. The performance monitoring system of claim 12 , wherein the article of apparel is a band comprising a tubular body configured to be worn by the user, wherein the tubular body of the band has a wider end and a narrower end and is configured to be worn on an arm of the user, an

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Cobbett Jamian R
• Judge Monica
• Schneider Summer
• Manesh Ariana
• Quay Simon
• Webb Bill
• Fitzgerald Quinn
• Sze Kevin C
• Watt Russ

Classifications

• A61B5/6831

  Straps, bands or harnesses · CPC title

• A45F5/00

  Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping · CPC title

• A61B2503/10

  Athletes · CPC title

• G06F1/163

  Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt · CPC title

• A61B5/7207

  of noise induced by motion artifacts · CPC title