GB2633740A

GB2633740A - Garment comprising a fabric tape

Info

Publication number: GB2633740A
Application number: GB2311445.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Melidoni Samuela; Riaz Naeem
Original assignee: Prevayl Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Prevayl Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2023-07-26
Filing date: 2023-07-26
Publication date: 2025-03-26
Also published as: GB202311445D0

Abstract

A fabric tape 612 for integration into a garment 602 comprises several spaced pockets 618, 620, 622 spaced along its length. The tape may be attached to a limb covering portion 608 of a garment, such as a sleeve or a leg. The limb covering portion may be a long sleeve and the tape attached to both an upper and a lower arm covering portion of the garment, such that first and second pockets 618, 620 are located on upper and lower arm respectively. The sleeve and tape may further extend into a hand covering portion 640 of the garment such that a further pocket 622 is located on this hand covering portion. The tape may comprise first and second knit layers which are separable to define the pouches 618, 620, 622. The tape may comprise a central region 142 containing the pockets and integration regions 138, 140 at edges of the tape, the integration regions being structured to facilitate attachment to the garment, for example by stitching or bonding. A method of assembling the garment and a kit of parts comprising the limb covering portion 608 and the tape 612 are also claimed.

Description

GARMENT COMPRISING A FABRIC TAPE

BACKGROUND

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to garments and in particular garments for retaining electronics modules such as wearable motion sensors.

[0002] It is known to provide a garment with a plurality of pockets for receiving motion sensors. The pockets are distributed around the garment such that pockets are located on different body segments such as different limbs or parts of limbs to allow for a wide array of different motions of a user to be monitored.

[0003] United States Patent Application Publication No. 202310074649 Al discloses a garment. The garment includes a torso portion that includes a torso pocket. The garment includes two arm potions extending from the torso portion to a wrist portion. The two arm portions each include a plurality of pockets. The plurality of pockets include a distal pocket near the distal arm portion and a proximal pocket between the distal pocket and the torso portion. The torso pocket is located on a central portion between the two arm portions. Each of the five pockets includes an electronics module.

[0004] Chinese Utility Model No. CN214387455 U discloses a motion capture garment comprising a jumpsuit.

A plurality of motion capture sensor pockets are fixed on the jumpsuit.

[0005] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved garment construction comprising a plurality of pockets such as for removably receiving motion sensors.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention is directed towards a garment, method, kit of parts and fabric tape as set out in the accompanying independent claims. Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims and the description which follows.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a garment comprising a first limb covering portion comprising a first end and a second end. The garment further comprises a first fabric tape attached to the first limb covering portion and extending along the length of the first limb covering portion between the first end and the second end. The first fabric tape comprises a plurality of pockets spaced apart from one another along the length of the first fabric tape.

[0008] Advantageously, the garment comprises a fabric tape that comprises the pockets. The fabric tape can be manufactured separately from the first limb covering portion of the garment using conventional fabric manufacturing machines (such as knitting or weaving machines) and subsequently attached to the first limb covering portion of the garment using conventional fabric attachment techniques such as stitching or bonding. The fabric tape allows for the pocket positions to be accurately controlled such that, for example, motion sensors disposed in the pockets can be located at desired measurement positions on the body. Moreover, the fabric tape simplifies the integration of a plurality of pockets onto the garment.

[0009] The first fabric tape may extend along the full length of the first limb covering portion from the first end to the second end. The first fabric tape may extend along part of the length of the first limb covering portion.

[0010] The garment may further comprise a second limb covering portion comprising a first end and a second end. The garment may further comprise a second fabric tape attached to the second limb covering portion and extending along the length of the second limb covering portion between the first end and the second end. The second fabric tape may comprise a plurality of pockets spaced apart from one another along the length of the second fabric tape.

[0011] Advantageously, first and second limb covering portions (e.g., upper limb or lower limb covering portions) comprise fabric tapes with pockets. This allows for the tracking of motion of both limb covering portions using suitable motion sensors positioned within the pockets.

[0012] The second fabric tape may extend along the full length of the second limb covering portion from the first end to the second end. The second fabric tape may extend along part of the length of the second limb covering portion.

[0013] The first limb covering portion may be an upper limb covering portion. The upper limb covering portion may also be referred to as a sleeve.

[0014] The first limb covering portion may comprise an arm covering portion. The fabric tape may be attached to the arm covering portion.

[0015] The arm covering portion may comprise an upper arm covering portion and a forearm covering portion.

A first of the plurality of pockets may be located on the upper arm covering portion and a second of the plurality of pockets may be located on the forearm covering portion.

[0016] Advantageously, pockets may be located either side of the elbow of the wearer to allow for tracking of motion of the upper arm and forearm of the wearer.

[0017] The arm covering portion may further comprise a hand covering portion. The fabric tape may be attached to the arm covering portion and the hand covering portion.

[0018] At least one of the plurality of pockets may be located on the hand covering portion. Advantageously, the pocket allows for tracking of motion of the wrist / hand of the wearer.

[0019] The garment may further comprise a torso portion. The first end of the first limb covering portion may be attached to the torso portion.

[0020] The garment may further comprise a second limb covering portion comprising a first end and a second end, and a second fabric tape attached to the second limb covering portion and extending along the length of the second limb covering portion between the first end and the second end. The second fabric tape may comprise a plurality of pockets spaced apart from one another along the length of the second fabric tape. The second limb covering portion may be an upper limb covering portion. The first end of the second limb covering portion may be attached to the torso portion which is provided between the first limb covering portion and the second limb covering portion.

[0021] The first limb covering portion may be a lower limb covering portion also known as a leg covering portion. The lower limb covering portion may comprise an upper leg covering portion and a lower leg covering portion. The fabric tape may be attached to the upper leg covering portion and the lower leg covering portion [0022] The garment may further comprise a second limb covering portion in the form of a lower limb covering portion. The second limb covering portion may comprise a first end and a second end. The garment may further comprise a second fabric tape attached to the second limb covering portion and extending along the length of the second limb covering portion between the first end and the second end. The second fabric tape may comprise a plurality of pockets spaced apart from one another along the length of the second fabric tape.

[0023] The plurality of pockets may be formed integrally with the remainder of the first fabric tape.

[0024] Advantageously, the fabric tape can be manufactured in one-piece which simplifies construction on the fabric tape and reduces the likelihood of error in the positioning of the pockets. The location of the pockets can be accurately controlled as part of the process of manufacturing the fabric tape.

[0025] The plurality of pockets may be aligned with one another in the width direction of the first fabric tape.

[0026] The fabric tape may be knitted, woven or braided from threads or yarn.

[0027] The fabric tape may be knitted. The plurality of pockets may be integrally knitted with the remainder of the fabric tape. The fabric tape including the pockets may be manufactured in one-piece using a suitable knitting machine. This simplifies manufacture and allows for widely established and available knitting machines to be used to construct the fabric tape. The location of the pockets can be accurately controlled and defined by the knitting instructions used to control the knitting machine.

[0028] The fabric tape may comprise a first knit layer and a second knit layer. The first knit layer and second knit layer are separable from one another to define the plurality of pockets. The first knit layer and second knit layer may be otherwise interconnected to one another at regions other than the pockets. The fabric tape may comprise a base fabric and the plurality of pockets. In the base fabric, the first knit layer and second knit layer are interconnected. In the pockets, the first knit layer and second knit layer are separable from one another. The first knit layer and second knit layer may be interconnected at regions other than the pockets.

[0029] The first knit layer may be formed by a first needle bed of a knitting machine. The second knit layer may be formed by a second needle bed of the knitted machine.

[0030] The first fabric tape may be weft knitted. The length of the fabric tape is the course direction of the weft knit structure. The width of the fabric tape is the wale direction of the weft knit structure. The plurality of pockets are spaced apart from one another in the course direction. The plurality of pockets may be aligned with one another in the weft direction.

[0031] The first fabric tape may comprise integration regions structured to facilitate the attachment of the fabric tape to the garment. The integration regions may define the edges, in the length direction, of the first fabric tape. A central region may be provided between the integration regions. The plurality of pockets may be provided on the central region.

[0032] The integration regions may be textured. The integration regions may comprise ribs.

[0033] The first fabric tape may be knitted (e.g., weft knitted). The integration regions may comprise a rib-knit structure. The rib-knit structure comprises a plurality of ribs spaced apart from one another in the course direction. The ribs extend in the wale direction.

[0034] The first fabric tape may comprise a visual indicator. The visual indicator may be positioned in the vicinity of one of the pockets. The visual indicator may be printed onto the first fabric tape. In preferred examples, the visual integrator is formed form yarn that is incorporated into the first fabric tape. The yarn or yarns used to form the visual indicator has a different colour to the yarn or yarns used to form the remainder of the fabric tape. The visual indicator may be integrally formed with the remainder of the fabric tape and may be manufactured using the same machine as the remainder of the fabric tape.

[0035] The first fabric tape may be knitted. The visual indicator may be knitted integrally with the first fabric tape.

[0036] The visual indicator may project away from a surface of the first fabric tape.

[0037] The first fabric tape may comprise a plurality of pockets. Each visual indicator may be positioned in the vicinity of one of the pockets.

[0038] The garment may further comprise a plurality of electronics modules. Each of the electronics modules may be removably held in a respective one of the pockets. At least one of the electronics modules may comprise a motion sensor. A plurality or all of the electronics modules may comprise a motion sensor.

[0039] The electronics modules may comprise a wireless communicator. The wireless communicator may be arranged to communicate sensor data to an external device. The electronics modules may communicate with one or more of the other electronics modules using the wireless communicator.

[0040] The first fabric tape may be attached to an external surface of the first limb covering portion. The first fabric tape may be attached to an internal surface of the first limb covering portion.

[0041] The garment may further comprise a third fabric tape. The third fabric tape may comprise at least one pocket.

[0042] The garment may comprise the first upper limb covering portion, a second upper limb covering portion, and a torso portion disposed between the first upper limb covering portion and the second upper limb covering portion. The first fabric tape may be attached to the first upper limb covering portion. The second fabric tape may be attached to the second upper limb covering portion. The third fabric tape may be attached to the torso portion.

[0043] The pocket of the third fabric tape may be located on a central region of the torso portion between the two upper limb covering portions.

[0044] The pocket of the third fabric tape may be located on a front part of the torso portion. The pocket of the third fabric tape may be located on a rear part of the torso portion.

[0045] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a fabric tape suitable for integration into a garment, the fabric tape comprising a plurality of pockets spaced apart from one another along the length of the fabric tape.

[0046] The fabric tape may comprise any of the features of the fabric tape disclosed in relation to the first

aspect of the disclosure

[0047] According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of assembling a garment.

The method comprises attaching a first fabric tape to a first limb covering portion of the garment such that the first fabric tape extends along a length of the first limb covering portion between a first end and a second end of the first limb covering portion.

[0048] The method may comprise attaching a second fabric tape to a second limb covering portion of the garment. The second fabric tape comprises a plurality of pockets spaced apart from one another along the length of the fabric tape.

[0049] The garment assembled according to the method of the third aspect of the disclosure may be the

garment of the first aspect of the disclosure.

[0050] According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a first limb covering portion; and a fabric tape comprising a plurality of pockets, wherein the plurality of pockets are spaced apart from one another along the length of the fabric tape.

[0051] The fabric tape may comprise any of the features of the fabric tape disclosed in relation to the first

aspect of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates an example fabric tape according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 2A illustrates an example knitting operation used in forming the fabric tape according to aspects

of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 2B illustrates an example knitting notation diagram for manufacturing a fabric tape according to

aspects of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 2C illustrates an example knitting notation diagram for manufacturing a fabric tape according to

aspects of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 3 illustrates an example knitting notation diagram for manufacturing a fabric tape according to

aspects of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates another example fabric tape according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 5 illustrates an example knitting notation diagram for manufacturing a fabric tape according to

aspects of the present disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 6 illustrates the front of an example garment according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates the rear of an example garment according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0062] FIG. 8 illustrates an aspect of the subject matter in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0064] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0065] It is to be understood that the singular forms a," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0066] "Fabric tape" refers to a textile generally no more than 30 cm in width. The fabric tape is generally elongate in the sense that it is longer than it is wide. The fabric tape is generally at least 4 cm wide. In some examples, the fabric tape is at least 5 cm wide and in some preferred examples is 6 cm wide. In some examples, the fabric tape is less than 20 cm wide, less than 15 cm wide, or less than 10 cm wide. The width measurements refer to the width of the fabric tape in its neutral, relaxed state. The fabric tape may be elastic or non-elastic. Elastic refers to the fabric tape exhibiting stretch and recovery properties. The elastic nature of the fabric tape may be achieved as a result of the fabric structure (e.g., if knitting is used) and/or the fibres or yarns used in the construction of the fabric tape. The fabric tape is generally at least 25 cm long. In some examples, the fabric tape is at least 30 cm long, or at least 40 cm long. Generally, the length of the fabric tape corresponds to the length of the limb of the wearer (e g, the upper limb or lower limb). The fabric tape is preferably knitted and preferably still weft knitted although warp knitted fabric tapes can also be used.

[0067] FIG. 1 shows an example fabric tape 102 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0068] The fabric tape 102 has a length 134 and a width 136. The length 134 of the fabric tape 102 is longer than the width 136 of the fabric tape 102. The present disclosure is not limited to any length or width of the fabric tape 102. The length or width of the fabric tape 102 will typically detected by the type and size of the garment and factors such as the length of the limb covering portion the fabric tape 102 will be attached to.

[0069] The fabric tape 102 comprises at least one pocket 104, 106, 108. The fabric tape 102 generally comprises a plurality (e.g., three as shown in FIG. 1) of pockets 104, 106, 108 spaced apart from one another along the length 134 of the fabric tape 102. The pockets 104, 106, 108 are aligned in the width 136 direction. The plurality of pockets 104, 106, 108 are integral with the remainder of the fabric tape 102.

[0070] The plurality of pockets 104, 106, 108 each comprise closed bottom edges 110, 112, 114 and closed side edges 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126. The pockets 104, 106, 108 further comprise top edges 128, 130, 132 which define pocket openings 128, 130, 132 via which the internal pocket space of the pockets pocket 104, 106, 108 can be accessed to insert or remove an electronics module. The spacing between the pockets 104, 106, 108 and the location of the pockets 104, 106, 108 on the fabric tape 102 are selected as appropriate based on the desired measurement locations for the electronics modules.

[0071] The pocket openings 128, 130, 132 may extend along the full-width of the top edges 128, 130, 132 or may extend along part of the width of the top edges 128, 130, 132 between the dashed lines shown in the drawings. The regions of the top edges 128, 130, 132 above and below the dashed lines may be closed to create narrow pocket openings 128, 130, 132. This can be beneficial to help ensure the electronics modules are held in place when positioned within the pockets 104, 106, 108. The fabric tape 102 preferably has a degree of elasticity and resilience which may be as a result of the fabric used and/or can be an inherent property as a result of the construction of the fabric tape 102 such as by using knitting. When inserting the electronics modules into the pockets 104, 106, 108, the pocket openings 128, 130, 132 are stretched to allow passage of the electronics modules into the internal pocket spaces. The fabric then attempts to return to its original size and shape which reduces the size of the pocket openings 128, 130, 132, thereby helping retain the electronics modules in the pockets 104, 106, 108.

[0072] The fabric tape 102 comprises integration regions 138, 140 that facilitate attachment of the fabric tape 102 to garment. The integration regions 138, 140 extend, in this example continuously, along the length of the fabric tape 102 and define the edges, in the length direction, of the fabric tape 102. The pockets 104, 106, 108 are located between the integration regions 138, 140. The pockets 104, 106, 108 are located on a central region 142. The central region 142 and integration regions 138, 140 may have different properties such as a result of different fabric structures.

[0073] The integration regions 138, 140 may be structured to facilitate the attachment of the fabric tape 102 to the garment. The integration regions 138, 140 may be textured to help limit relative movement between the fabric tape 102 and the garment during the process of attaching the fabric tape 102 to the garment. The fabric tape 102 may be attached to the garment by positioning the fabric tape 102 on the garment and stitching/bonding/laminating the fabric tape 102 to the garment. It is undesirable for the fabric tape 102 to shift during the attachment process. The integration regions 138, 140 help to minimise any relative movement of the fabric tape 102.

[0074] The fabric tape 102 in this example is knitted and in particular weft knitted. The length 134 direction of the fabric tape 102 is the course direction and the width 136 direction of the fabric tape is the weft direction. The plurality of pockets 104, 106, 108 are spaced apart from one another along the course direction of the fabric tape. The plurality of pockets 104, 106, 108 are aligned in the weft direction.

[0075] The fabric tape 102 can be knitted using a V-bed knitting machine comprising front and back needle beds. Other knitting machines may also be used.

[0076] The fabric tape 102 comprise first and second knit layers. In the integration regions 138, 140 and central region 142 (the regions other than the pockets 104, 106, 108), the first and second knit layers are interconnected. In the regions of the pockets, the first and second knit layers are separable from one another to define an internal pocket space. At the bottom edges 110, 112, 114 and side edges 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126 the first knit layers and second knit layers are interconnected to close off the internal pocket space. At the pocket openings 128, 130, 132, the first knit layers and second knit layers are not connected so as to define pocket openings 128, 130, 132. In the regions of the top edges 128, 130, 132 above and below the dashed lines in FIG. 1, the first knit layer and second knit layer may be joined together to narrow the pocket openings 128, 130, 132 as explained above. The internal pocket space is defined between the bottom edges 110, 112, 114 and side edges 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126 and top edges 128, 130, 132 of the pocket 104, 106, 108. In the internal pocket space, the first knit layers and second knit layers are not connected.

[0077] The integration regions 138, 140 may comprise a rib-style knit structure which alternates between forming knitted loops on the front needle bed and the back needle bed of the knitting machine in a single knit course. In a rib-style knit structure all loops contained with any wale are of the same type. Rib-style knit structures produce visible ribs in the knitted fabric which beneficially function as textured regions to facilitate the integration of the fabric tape into the garment as explained above.

[0078] A 1 x 1 rib-knit structure alternates between forming one knitted loop on the front needle bed and one knitted loop on the back needle bed. Three courses 202, 204, 206 of 1 x 1 rib-knit are shown in FIG. 2A. The first knit layer is formed on one of the needle beds (e.g., front needle bed) and the second knit layer is formed on the other of the needle beds (e.g., back needle bed). The first and second knit layers are interconnected as a result of the alternating between the front and back needle bed during a single course.

[0079] A 2 x 2 rib alternates between forming two knitted loops on the front needle bed and two knitted loops on the back needle bed. Three courses 208, 210, 212 of 2 x 2 rib-knit are shown in FIG. 2B. The first knit layer is formed on one of the needle beds (e.g., front needle bed) and the second knit layer is formed on the other of the needle beds (e.g., back needle bed). The first and second knit layers are interconnected as a result of the alternating between the front and back needle bed during a single course.

[0080] In preferred implementations, the integration regions 138, 140 use a modified 2 x 2 rib structure which involves forming two knitted loops on one of the needle beds (e.g., the back needle bed) followed by two double-knits which involve knitting on both needle beds to form two knitted loops on both the front and back needle beds. Three courses 214, 216, 218 of the modified 2 x 2 rib-knit are shown in FIG. 2C. The first knit layer is formed on one of the needle beds (e.g., front needle bed) and the second knit layer is formed on the other of the needle beds (e.g., back needle bed). The first and second knit layers are interconnected as a result of the alternating between the front and back needle bed during a single course.

[0081] The central region 142 comprises courses with a double-knit structure (knitting on both front and back needle beds) interspersed with single jersey courses formed on either the front needle bed or the back needle bed. The first knit layer is formed on one of the needle beds (e.g., front needle bed) and the second knit layer is formed on the other of the needle beds (e.g., back needle bed). The first and second knit layers are interconnected as a result of the alternating between the front and back needle bed during a single course.

[0082] The pockets 104, 106, 108 comprise an alternating sequence of single jersey knit structures formed on the front needle bed and the back needle bed. Two rows of single jersey knit structures are formed on one of the needle beds (e.g., front needle bed) followed by two rows of single jersey knit structures formed on the other of the needle beds (e.g., the back needle bed). The first knit layer is formed on one of the needle beds (e.g., front needle bed) and the second knit layer is formed on the other of the needle beds (e.g., back needle bed). The first and second knit layers are separable as only one of the needle beds is used in each row.

[0083] FIG. 3 shows an example simplified knitting notation for knitting part of the fabric tape 102 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The knitting notation diagram is read from bottom to top. The knitting notation diagram comprises a series of traverses 302 -338 performed by a yarn carrier of the knitting machine while needles of the front and back needle beds are selectively controlled to manipulate yarn. The front needle bed forms the first knit layer, and the second needle bed forms the second knit layer.

[0084] The operations performed by the individual needles on the front and back needle bed are indicated by the symbols in the boxes on the drawing. For each traverse there are two rows of boxes. The lower row represents knitting operations performed by needles on the front needle bed. The upper row represents knitting operations performed by needles on the back needle bed. The symbol '0' represents a knitting stitch operation, the symbol '-' represents a float stitch operation and the symbol 'V' represents a tuck stitch operation. The arrows in the diagram represent the direction of traverse of the yarn carrier.

[0085] Traverses 302 and 304 involve the needles on both the front and needle bed knitting in a double-knit fashion to form first and second interconnected knit layers. The yarn carrier moves from left to right in traverse 302 and from right to left in traverse 304. This forms part of the central region 142.

[0086] In traverses 306 to 336, the pocket is formed. The pocket is formed by the group of needle locations labelled 340 in the diagram. The group of needle locations comprises six needles per needle bed in this example, but may comprise more depending on the desired size of the pocket. The pocket is formed by alternating between knitting on the front bed using the group of needle locations 340 and knitting on the back bed using the group of needle locations 340. In two consecutive traverses (e.g., traverses 306 and 308), the pocket region is knitted using the front needle bed and in the following two consecutive traverses (e.g., traverses 310 and 312), the pocket region is knitted using the back needle bed. In the pocket region, it will be appreciated that the first and second knit layers are not connected as needles in the group of needle locations are not instructed to knit on both the front and back needle bed during a single traverse. The second knit layer is anchored to the first knit layer by tuck stitches performed by the needle preceding (when reading the diagram from the left to right) the group of needle locations 340 in traverses 310, 318, 326, and 332. This forms the closed bottom edge of the pocket. The pocket opening is defined by the last needle location (when reading the diagram from the left to the right) of the group of needle locations 340 It will be appreciated that the first and second knit layers in the region of the pocket to form the internal pocket space and pocket opening.

[0087] In traverses 306 to 336, some or all of the needles outside of the group of needle locations 340 are selectively controlled to perform operations to connect the pockets to the central region 142 and continue the formation of the central region 142.

[0088] These operations include performing knit stitches on both needle beds (e.g., traverse 306, 310, 320, and 435), knit stitches on the front needle bed or back needle bed only (e.g., traverses 312, 314, 322, 326, 328 and 332). These operations are performed to help ensure that the fabric tape is balanced such that the pockets and the other regions of the fabric tape contain the same or approximately the same number of knit courses.

[0089] These operations include performing float stitches at the needle on the front needle bed preceding (when reading the diagram from the left to right) the group of needle locations 340 (e.g., traverses 308, 316, 324 and 330), and perform tuck stitches at the needle on the back needle bed preceding (when reading the diagram from the left to right) the group of needle locations 340 (e.g., traverses 310, 318, 326, and 332). These operations are performed to anchor the second knit layer to the first knit layer at the bottom edge of the pocket as explained above.

[0090] The knitting diagram only shows one pocket being formed for simplicity. The knitting diagram only shows a limited number of needle locations and a limited number of traverses for simplicity. The fabric tape may contain a greater number of knit courses using a greater number of needles than shown in the diagram.

[0091] It will be appreciated that further pockets are formed in the same way and in the same knitting operation by controlling other needle locations not shown to selectively knit on the front needle bed only and the back needle bed only in the same or similar manner to the group of needle locations 340.

[0092] FIG. 4 shows a modification to the fabric tape 102 of FIG. 1. In this example, the fabric tape 102 further comprises visual indicators 402, 404, 406 that indicates the correct orientation of the electronics module in the pocket 104, 106, 108 and are provided to help ensure that the electronics module is inserted into the pocket 104, 106, 108 correctly.

[0093] The visual indicators 402, 404, 406 are located on the central region 142 in proximity to the pockets 104, 106, 108. The visual indicators 402, 404, 406 are knitted and integrally formed with the central region 142. The visual indicators 402, 404, 406 are formed by introducing a yarn having a different colour to the yarn used to form the central region 142.

[0094] In general terms, the yarn for the visual indicators 402, 404, 406 is selectively knitted with the central region 142.

[0095] The fabric tape has an external facing surface which faces away from the garment when assembled on the garment and an internal facing surface that faces towards the garment. The external facing surface may be formed by the front needle bed for example but could also be formed on the back needle bed. The yarn for the visual indicators 402, 404, 406 is generally knitted on the back needle bed such that the yarn is generally not visible from the external facing surface of the fabric tape knitted on the front needle bed. In regions where the yarn is desired to be visible to form the visual indicators 402, 404, 406 the front needle bed is controlled to knit using the yarn.

[0096] The visual indicators 402, 404, 406 may be flush with the central region 142 or may project away from the central region 142 to provide a more pronounced visual effect as well as a tactile effect. Having raised visual indicators 402, 404, 406 can assist the user in locating the pockets 104, 106, 108 and correctly orientating the electronics module and can facilitate a 'no-look' operation where the user inserts the electronics module without looking at the fabric tape. This can be useful in industrial settings where users may be performing other activities that merit their attention while donning the garment and positioning the electronics modules.

[0097] The raised visual indicators 402, 404, 406 can be formed by knitting a plurality of rows of the yarn on the front needle bed (that forms the external facing surface) to form a tube of fabric that is connected to the central region 142.

[0098] FIG. 5 shows a simplified example knitting notation diagram for forming a visual indicator 502 on the fabric tape.

[0099] The knitting notation diagram is read from bottom to top. The knitting notation diagram comprises a series of traverses 504 -520 performed by at least two yarn carriers of the knitting machine while needles of the front and back needle beds are selectively controlled to manipulate yarn. The front needle bed forms the first knit layer, and the second needle bed forms the second knit layer [0100] Traverse 504 is performed by a first of the yarn carriers. The needles knit on both front and back needle beds to form part of the central region 142 [0101] Traverses 506 to 518 is performed by a second of the yarn carriers which carries the different coloured yarn for forming the visual indicator 502. The visual indicator 502 is formed in traverses 506 to 516 by forming knitted loops on the front needle bed. The visual indicator 502 is knitted using a group of needles in needle location 522. A plurality of rows of knitted loops are formed using the front needle bed to form an excess of fabric held on the front needle bed. When the excess of fabric is joined to the fabric held on the back needle bed in traverse 516 this produces a fabric tube that projects away from the external surface of the fabric tape 102 to provide a raised effect.

[0102] The first and last courses of the tube are knitted using both needle beds as shown in traverses 506 and 516 to join to the tube to the remainder of the fabric. Outside of the needle locations, the yarn is knitted on the back needle bed using knitted loops spaced apart by one or a plurality of float stitches (one float stitch is shown in this example) as shown in traverses 506, 516, and 518. This anchors the yarn to the central region 142 between different visual indicator locations on the fabric tape while hiding the yarn in regions where the visual indicators are not desired to be present. This approach enables multiple visual indicators to be formed using a single yarn carrier simplifying the knitting process.

[0103] While only one visual indicator 502 is shown in FIG. 5 further visual indicators can be formed using the same knitting techniques at different needle locations on the knitting machine. The yarn for forming the visual indicators travels to the desired location for the visual indicator and is anchored to the central region 142 using the knitted loops on the back needle bed as explained above [0104] In this example the visual indicator 502 is a single strip of different coloured fabric. The visual indicator 502 may comprise a plurality of strips. The appearance of the visual indicator 502 can be changed by varying the knit instructions. For example, the visual indicators 402, 404, 406 of FIG. 4 are each formed from two separate strips of different coloured fabric. Separate coloured strips can be formed by repeating traverses 506 to 518 after traverse 520 for example. A greater or fewer number of needles may be used such that the one or more other coloured strips of the visual indicator 502 are narrower or wider.

[0105] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show a garment 602 according to aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 shows the garment 602 viewed from the front. FIG. 7 shows the garment 602 viewed from the rear.

[0106] The garment 602 comprises a main body 604 and a plurality of a fabric tapes 612, 614, 616 that are attached to an external surface of the main body 604 of the garment 602.

[0107] The garment 602 is an upper body garment and in particular is a jacket. The garment 602 comprises a torso portion 606, a right sleeve 608 and a left sleeve 610. The right sleeve 608 and left sleeve 610 may also be referred to as (upper) limb covering portions. The torso portion 606 is provided between the right sleeve 608 and the left sleeve and is attached to the right sleeve 608 and the left sleeve 610 at the shoulder regions. The right sleeve 608 has a first end 646 that is attached to the torso portion 606 and a second end 648. The second end 648 has an opening through which the fingers of the wearer may extend. The left sleeve 610 has a first end 650 that is attached to the torso portion 606 and a second end 652. The second end 652 has an opening through which the fingers of the wearer may extend.

[0108] The right sleeve 608 comprises a right arm covering portion 638 and a right hand covering portion 640. The left sleeve 610 comprises a left arm covering portion 642 and a left hand covering portion 644. The right sleeve 608 and left sleeve 610 cover the arms and part of the hands of the wearer in use. The right hand covering portion 640 and left hand covering portion 644 form integral "fingerless gloves" which cover the palm and back side of the hands of the wearer while exposing the thumbs and fingers of the wearer. The hand covering portions are attached to their respective arm covering portions and may be formed integrally with the arm covering portions.

[0109] A first fabric tape 612 is attached to the right sleeve 608 of the garment 602. The first fabric tape 612 extends along the length of the right sleeve 608 from the right arm covering portion 638 to the right hand covering portion 640.

[0110] A second fabric tape 614 is attached to the left sleeve 610 of the garment 602. The second fabric tape 614 extends along the length of the left sleeve 610 from the left arm covering portion 642 to the left hand covering portion 644.

[0111] A third fabric tape 616 is attached to the torso portion 606. The third fabric tape 616 extends from a central region of the torso portion 606 to a left edge of the torso portion 606.

[0112] The first fabric tape 612 comprises a plurality of pockets 618, 620, 622. The pockets 618, 620, 622 are spaced apart from one another along the length of the first fabric tape 612. A first of the pockets 618 is located on an upper arm region of the right sleeve 608. A second of the pockets 620 is located on a forearm region of the right sleeve 608. A third of the pockets 622 is located on a wrist/hand region of the right sleeve 608. The pockets 618, 620, 622 are thus located on the upper arm, forearm, and wrist/hand. Motion sensors disposed in the pockets 618, 620, 622 are able to track movement of the upper arm, forearm, and wrist/hand.

[0113] The second fabric tape 614 comprises a plurality of pockets 624, 626, 628. The pockets 624, 626, 628 are spaced apart from one another along the length of the second fabric tape 614. A first of the pockets 624 is located on an upper arm region of the left sleeve 610. A second of the pockets 626 is located on a forearm region of the left sleeve 610. A third of the pockets 628 is located on a wrist/hand region of the left sleeve 610. The pockets 624, 626, 628 are thus located on the upper arm, forearm, and wrist/hand. Motion sensors disposed in the pockets 624, 626, 628 are able to track movement of the upper arm, forearm, and wrist/hand.

[0114] The third fabric tape 616 comprises a single pocket 630. The pocket 630 is located on a front central region of the torso portion 606. The pocket 630 of the third fabric tape 616 may also be provided on the rear of the torso portion 606 such as a rear central region of the torso portion 606.

[0115] The third fabric tape 616 is not required to have a single pocket and may instead have a plurality of pockets. A first of the pockets may be provided on the front of the torso portion 606 (e.g., front central region) and a second of the pockets may be provided on the rear of the torso portion 606 (e.g., rear central region). The third fabric tape 616 may extend from the front of the torso portion 606 (e.g., front central region) to the rear of the torso portion 606 (e.g., rear central region).

[0116] The front region of the torso portion 606 includes a right front panel 632 and a left front panels 634.

The right front panel 632 and left front panel 634 are joined together via a fastener 636 in the form of a zipper. The right front panel 632 and left front panel 634are not integral and are instead removably joined by fastener 636. This allows the torso portion 606 to be opened to facilitate putting the garment 602 on and off. The fastener 636 is not required to be a zipper in all examples and could be another form of garment fastener such as buttons, snaps, or hook and loop fasteners.

[0117] In this example, the garment 602 is a full-zip garment 602. The zip is located on the front torso portion 606 and is off-set from the centre of the garment 602 to allow for the pocket 630 to be centrally located. The garment 602 could be a half-zip and is not required to have a zip-opening in all examples.

[0118] The right sleeve 608 and left sleeve 610 extend to cover at least part of the hands of the wearer when worn. The right sleeve 608 and left sleeve 610 both comprise hand covering portions 640, 644. The hand covering portions 640, 644 each comprise thumb openings through which a wearers thumb can project to prevent movement of the arm portion during movement of the wearers arms, fingers, and thumbs. The hand covering portions 640, 644 comprise thumb sleeves that partially cover the wearers thumbs. Hand covering portions are not required in all examples. In some examples, the hand covering portions may cover the whole of the wearers hand and do not comprise thumb/finger openings. Such hand covering portions may be referred to as integral gloves/mittens.

[0119] The garment 602 of FIG. 6 is a top and in particular a jacket. Other forms of garment are possible.

The garment may be an upper body garment or a lower body garment such as a pair of trousers, or leggings. Generally, the garment comprises at least one limb covering portion such as an upper limb (arm including upper arm and forearm) covering portion or a lower limb (leg including thigh and shin) covering portion. A fabric tape is attached to the limb covering portion and extends along the full or part of the length of the limb covering portion.

[0120] The pockets of the garment 602 are arranged to receive and retain electronics modules for use in monitoring the activity of the wearer of the garment 602. The electronics modules typically comprise a housing with components such as a controller, power source, rechargeable battery, wireless communicator, and sensor disposed within the housing. The sensor typically comprises a motion sensor (e.g., one or both of an accelerometer and a gyroscope) for monitoring motion of the wearer.

[0121] In the example of FIG. 6 to FIG. 7, electronics modules can be disposed in each of the pockets such that the motion of both arms and the torso of the wearer can be monitored. The motion of each arm is monitored at three locations (upper arm, forearm and wrist/hand).

[0122] The electronics modules may individually transmit sensor data to an external device for analysis.

Alternatively, one of the electronics modules may function as a hub device which wirelessly receives sensor data from the other electronics modules and transmits the aggregate sensor data to an external device.

[0123] Advantageously, rather than incorporating the pockets directly on the garment main body, the pockets are provided on a separate fabric tape which is subsequently attached to the main body of the garment using conventional attachment means such as stitching, laminating or bonding. This arrangement enables the position, size and spacing of the pockets to be more carefully controlled. In addition, this can simplify integration of pockets onto garments and particularly onto a diverse array of different garments. The fabric tapes can be manufactured at a first location (e.g., using a knitting machine) and attached to already fabricated garments. Modification of the garment fabrication techniques are not required beyond attaching the fabric tapes to already assembled garments_ [0124] FIG. 8 shows an example method of manufacturing a garment according to aspects of the present

disclosure.

[0125] Step 802 comprises attaching the first fabric tape to the first limb covering portion of the garment.

[0126] Step 804 comprises attaching the second fabric tape to the second limb covering portion of the garment.

[0127] The attaching may comprise stitching, laminating or bonding.

[0128] Although the example embodiments have been described with reference to the components, modules and units discussed herein, such functional elements may be combined into fewer elements or separated into additional elements. Various combinations of optional features have been described herein, and it will be appreciated that described features may be combined in any suitable combination. In particular, the features of any one example embodiment may be combined with features of any other embodiment, as appropriate, except where such combinations are mutually exclusive. Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" or "comprises" means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of others.

[0129] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0130] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features [0131] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A garment comprising: a first limb covering portion comprising a first end and a second end; a first fabric tape attached to the first limb covering portion and extending along the length of the first limb covering portion between the first end and the second end, the first fabric tape comprising a plurality of pockets spaced apart from one another along the length of the first fabric tape.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment further comprises a second limb covering portion comprising a first end and a second end, and a second fabric tape attached to the second limb covering portion and extending along the length of the second limb covering portion between the first end and the second end, the second fabric tape comprising a plurality of pockets spaced apart from one another along the length of the second fabric tape.
3. The garment of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first limb covering portion is an upper limb covering portion.
4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the first limb covering portion comprises an arm covering portion, and wherein the fabric tape is attached to the arm covering portion.
5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the arm covering portion comprises an upper arm covering portion and a forearm covering portion, and wherein a first of the plurality of pockets is located on the upper arm covering portion and a second of the plurality of pockets is located on the forearm covering portion.
6. The garment of claim 5, wherein the arm covering portion further comprises a hand covering portion, and wherein the fabric tape is attached to the arm covering portion and the hand covering portion.
7. The garment of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of pockets is located on the hand covering portion.
8. The garment of any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the garment further comprises a torso portion, and wherein the first end of the first limb covering portion is attached to the torso portion.
9. The garment of claim 8 as dependant on claim 2, wherein the second limb covering portion is an upper limb covering portion, and wherein the first end of the second limb covering portion is attached to the torso portion, and the torso portion is provided between the first limb covering portion and the second limb covering portion.
10. The garment of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first limb covering portion is a lower limb covering portion comprising an upper leg covering portion and a lower leg covering portion, and wherein the first fabric tape is attached to the upper leg covering portion and the lower leg covering portion.
11. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of pockets are formed integrally with the remainder of the first fabric tape.
12. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of pockets are aligned with one another in the width direction of the first fabric tape.
13. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first fabric tape is knitted.
14. The garment of claim 13, wherein the first fabric tape comprises a first knit layer and a second knit layer, wherein the first knit layer and second knit layer are separable from one another to define the plurality of pockets.
15. The garment of claim 14, wherein the first knit layer and second knit layer are interconnected at regions other than the pockets.
16. The garment of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the first fabric tape is well knitted, and the plurality of pockets are spaced from another in the course direction.
17 The garment of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the first fabric tape comprises a central region on which the plurality of pockets are provided, and integration regions provided either side of the central region, wherein the integration regions define the edges, in the length direction, of the first fabric tape, wherein the integration regions are structured to facilitate the attachment of the fabric tape to the garment
18 The garment of claim 17, wherein the integration regions are textured
19. The garment of claim 17, wherein the first fabric tape is knitted, and the integration regions comprise a rib-knit structure.
20. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the first fabric tape comprises a visual indicator positioned in the vicinity of one of the pockets.
21. The garment of claim 20, wherein the visual indicator is formed from yarn.
22. The garment of claim 20, wherein the first fabric tape is knitted, and the visual indicator is knitted integrally with the first fabric tape.
23. The garment of any one of claims 1 to 22, further comprising a plurality of electronics modules, wherein each of the plurality of electronics modules are removably held in a respective one of the pockets.
24. The garment of claim 23, wherein at least one of the electronics modules comprises a motion sensor.
The garment of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the first fabric tape is attached to an external surface of the first limb covering portion.
26. A fabric tape suitable for integration into a garment, the fabric tape comprising a plurality of pockets spaced apart from one another along the length of the fabric tape.
27. A method of assembling a garment, the method comprising: attaching a first fabric tape to a first limb covering portion of the garment such that the first fabric tape extends along a length of the first limb covering portion between a first end and a second end of the first limb covering portion.
28. A kit of parts comprising: a first limb covering portion; and a fabric tape comprising a plurality of pockets, wherein the plurality of pockets are spaced apart from one another along the length of the fabric tape.