Controllable surface area fabric

Abstract

A fabric ( 1 ) with an adjustable surface area, contour, and/or adjustable portion includes interwoven textiles fibers, at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) woven among the textile fibers that alters the surface are of the fabric upon receiving current, and a means for passing current ( 100 ) though the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ).

1 . A fabric ( 1 ) with an adjustable surface area comprising: 
 interwoven textile fibers ( 60 );    at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) woven among the textile fibers ( 60 ) that alters a surface area of the fabric ( 1 ) upon receiving current; and    means for passing current ( 100 ) though the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ).    
   
   
       2 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) is circular, elliptical, or rectangular in cross-section.  
   
   
       3 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) is woven in a sinusoidal or fishbone pattern in the fabric ( 1 ).  
   
   
       4 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) changes from a straightened position to a bent position upon receiving current.  
   
   
       5 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) changes from a straightened position to a bent position in the plane of the fabric ( 1 ) upon receiving current.  
   
   
       6 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 4 , wherein a first portion of the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) changes from a straight position to a first bent position upon receiving current and wherein a second portion of the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) changes from a straight position to a second bent position upon receiving current.  
   
   
       7 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 4 , wherein the bent position comprises bending between three and eight percent of the length of the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ).  
   
   
       8 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) further comprises an insulating layer.  
   
   
       9 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the interwoven textile fibers ( 60 ) further comprise at least one elastic material.  
   
   
       10 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the means for passing current ( 100 ) through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) further comprises a current regulator for altering the current passed through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ).  
   
   
       11 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 10 , wherein a selected maximum current generates a bend angle that is less than eight percent of the entire length of the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ).  
   
   
       12 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) is attached to at least one of the interwoven textile fibers ( 60 ).  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the surface area of the fabric ( 1 ) is incrementally adjustable.  
   
   
       14 . A method of generating a fabric ( 1 ) with an adjustable surface area comprising: 
 weaving textile fibers ( 60 ) together with at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 );    connecting the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) to a means for passing current ( 100 ) through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber; and    enabling control of the current passing through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) such that a surface area of the fabric ( 1 ) is adjusted.    
   
   
       15 . A garment ( 1 ) with at least one adjustable portion comprising: 
 a fabric comprising: 
 interwoven textile fibers ( 60 );  
 at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) woven among the textile fibers ( 60 ) to render at least one portion of the garment ( 1 ) adjustable; and  
   means for passing current ( 25 ) though the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ).    
   
   
       16 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) changes from a straightened position to a bent position upon receiving current.  
   
   
       17 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) changes from a straightened position to a bent position in the plane of garment ( 1 ) upon receiving current.  
   
   
       18 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) is woven among the textile fibers ( 60 ) to circumscribe an adjustable portion ( 200 ,  210 ,  220 ) of the garment ( 1 ).  
   
   
       19 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 18 , wherein the adjustable portion ( 200 ,  210 ,  220 ) of the garment ( 1 ) is an aperture for an appendage.  
   
   
       20 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 18 , wherein the adjustable portion ( 200 , 210 , 220 ) of the garment ( 1 ) comprises a means for fitting the garment to the body of a wearer.  
   
   
       21 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one adjustable portion ( 200 ,  210 ,  220 ) of the garment ( 1 ) further comprises a means for fitting the garment to a wearer's desired circumference.  
   
   
       22 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one adjustable portion ( 200 ,  210 ,  220 ) of the garment ( 1 ) further comprises a means for fitting the garment a wearer's desired length.  
   
   
       23 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one adjustable portion ( 200 ,  210 ,  220 ) of the garment ( 1 ) further comprises a pattern of specifically adjustable sections ( 200   a - 200   e ) which together comprise a means for fitting the garment ( 1 ) to the body of a wearer.  
   
   
       24 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) further comprises a one-way memory effect.  
   
   
       25 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) further comprises a two-way memory effect.  
   
   
       26 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) further comprises an insulating layer.  
   
   
       27 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the interwoven textile fibers ( 60 ) further comprise at least one elastic material.  
   
   
       28 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 16 , further comprising a first and a second individually addressable shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) within the adjustable portion ( 200 ,  210 ,  220 ), and wherein means for passing current ( 25 ) though the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) further comprises a control.  
   
   
       29 . The garment of  claim 28 , wherein a wearer activates the control to select either the first or second individually addressable shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) to alter the adjustable portion ( 200 ,  210 ,  220 ) of the garment ( 1 ).  
   
   
       30 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the means for passing current ( 25 ) through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) further comprises a current regulator for altering the current passed through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ).  
   
   
       31 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein a selected maximum current generates a bend angle that is less than eight percent of the entire length of the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ).  
   
   
       32 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) is attached to at least one of the interwoven textile fibers ( 60 ).  
   
   
       33 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one adjustable portion ( 200 ,  210 ,  220 ) of the garment ( 1 ) is incrementally adjustable.  
   
   
       34 . The garment ( 1 ) of  claim 15 , wherein the garment ( 1 ) is selected from the group consisting of: a sock ( 700 ), a pair of pants ( 900 ), a skirt ( 800 ), a dress ( 1100 ), a shirt ( 600 ), a necktie ( 1000 ), a brazier ( 1200 ), an undergarment ( 1300 ), a blouse, a coat, a jacket, a hat ( 1400 ), a glove ( 1500 ), a mitten ( 1510 ), a pair of shorts, a scarf, a shoe ( 1600 ), a boot, a sandal, a slipper, a headband, a belt, a sport coat, a suit, nightclothes, hosiery, means for collecting hair, a backpack, a purse, a briefcase, a handbag, suspenders, a vest, a wristband, a shoelace, and a wig.  
   
   
       35 . A method of generating a garment ( 1 ) with at least one adjustable portion ( 200 ,  210 ,  220 ) comprising: 
 forming a fabric by weaving textile fibers ( 60 ) together with at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 );    connecting the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) to a means for passing current ( 25 ) through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 );    forming a garment ( 1 ) using at least a portion of the fabric;    enabling control of the current passing through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 23 ) such that the surface area of the adjustable portion ( 20 ,  21 ,  22 ) of garment ( 1 ) is adjusted.    
   
   
       36 . A fabric (I) with an adjustable contour comprising: 
 interwoven textile fibers ( 60 );    at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) woven among the textile fibers ( 60 ) that alters the contour of the fabric ( 1 ) upon receiving current; and    means for passing current ( 25 ) though the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ).    
   
   
       37 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) is circular, elliptical, or rectangular in cross-section.  
   
   
       38 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) is woven in a spiral, bulls eye, or arched pattern in the fabric ( 1 ).  
   
   
       39 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) changes from a straightened position to a bent position upon receiving current.  
   
   
       40 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 39 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) changes from a straightened position to a bent position in a direction outside the plane of the fabric ( 1 ) upon receiving current.  
   
   
       41 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 39 , wherein a first portion of the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) changes from a straight position to a first bent position upon receiving current and wherein a second portion of the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) changes from a straight position to a second bent position upon receiving current.  
   
   
       42 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 39 , wherein the bent position comprises bending between three and eight percent of the length of the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ).  
   
   
       43 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) further comprises an insulating layer.  
   
   
       44 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 36 , wherein the interwoven textile fibers ( 60 ) further comprise at least one elastic material.  
   
   
       45 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 36 , wherein the means for passing current ( 100 ) through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) further comprises a current regulator for altering the current passed through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ).  
   
   
       46 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 45 , wherein a selected maximum current generates a bend angle that is less than eight percent of the entire length of the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ).  
   
   
       47 . The fabric ( 1 ) of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one portion of the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) is attached to at least one of the interwoven textile fibers ( 60 ).  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the surface contour of the fabric ( 1 ) is incrementally adjustable.  
   
   
       49 . A method of generating a fabric ( 1 ) with an adjustable contour comprising: 
 weaving textile fibers ( 60 ) together with at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) in a pattern that enables an adjustable contour;    connecting the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) to a means for passing current ( 25 ) through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber; and    enabling control of the current passing through the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) such that the surface contour of the fabric ( 1 ) is adjusted.    
   
   
       50 . A garment with at least one adjustable contour region comprising: 
 a fabric ( 1 ) with an adjustable contour comprising: 
 interwoven textile fibers ( 60 );  
 at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 ) woven among the textile fibers ( 60 ) that alters the contour of the fabric ( 1 ) upon receiving current; and  
 means for passing current ( 100 ) though the at least one shape memory alloy fiber ( 40 )  
   wherein the garment further comprises a control means for selectively controlling the means for passing current.    
   
   
       51 . The garment of  claim 50 , wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of: a sock, a brassiere, a shirt, an undergarment, and a shoe insole.