Self-Fitting Apparel with Cascading Closures

Abstract

New forms of self-fitting apparel devices and fasteners are disclosed. In some aspects of the invention, new donning-actuated fitting devices and fasteners are disclosed. In other aspects, these and other fitting devices and fasteners incorporate cascading implementation techniques, triggered by a single fastening, donning or fitting action. In some embodiments, these cascading fitting devices and fasteners include mutually-influencing magnetic and/or elastic subunits incorporated in a common semi-flexible substrate. The techniques of the invention are applicable to a wide variety of apparel types, incorporating many different materials, allowing rapid donning of clothing with minimum effort, and leading to an extraordinary custom-fit to a user's body or preferences.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A garment comprising a tightening and fitting device, comprising:
 a plurality of hollow bodies within an area of the garment;   a plurality of interconnected movement pieces, connected to one another and a flexible fabric of said garment;   a triggering component, configured to be actuated by a user, wherein said triggering component is connected to at least one initial movement piece; and   wherein said at least one initial movement piece is configured to trigger a cascading sequential movement of others of the movement pieces.   
     
     
         2 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said movement pieces are interconnected by hauling lines. 
     
     
         3 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said movement pieces are interconnected by semi-rigid struts. 
     
     
         4 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 2 , wherein at least some of said movement pieces are interconnected by semi-rigid struts. 
     
     
         5 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 2 , wherein said hollow bodies comprise lateral open slots for the passage of said hauling lines. 
     
     
         6 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 3 , wherein said hollow bodies comprise lateral open slots for the passage of said struts. 
     
     
         7 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 4 , wherein said hollow bodies comprise lateral open slots for the passage of said lines and said struts. 
     
     
         8 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said movement pieces are connected to said flexible fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 8 , wherein said at least some of said movement pieces connected to said flexible fabric are connected at varying locations, substantially covering an area of said garment. 
     
     
         10 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 9 , wherein said at least some of said movement pieces are connected to said flexible fabric via fabric connecting lines. 
     
     
         11 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said triggering component is the hem of said garment and wherein said hem is configured to trigger said cascade by a donning movement. 
     
     
         12 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said triggering component is a clip or buckle connected to said at least one initial movement piece. 
     
     
         13 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said triggering component is a switch or button connected to said at least one initial movement piece. 
     
     
         14 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said interconnected movement pieces comprise a streamlined outer profile. 
     
     
         15 . The garment comprising a tightening and fitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said hollow bodies comprise a flexible material and sloped interior sides. 
     
     
         16 . A method for donning a garment, comprising the following steps:
 obtaining a garment comprising a tightening and fitting device, comprising:
 a plurality of hollow bodies within an area of the garment; 
 a plurality of interconnected movement pieces, connected to one another and a flexible fabric of said garment; 
 a triggering component, configured to be actuated by a user, wherein said triggering component is connected to at least one initial movement piece; and 
 wherein said at least one initial movement piece is configured to trigger a cascading sequential movement of others of the movement pieces; and 
   triggering said cascading sequential movement.   
     
     
         17 . The method for donning a garment according to  claim 16 , comprising the following additional step:
 reversing said cascading sequential movement by reversing said triggering.   
     
     
         18 . The method for donning a garment according to  claim 16 , comprising the following additional step:
 reversing said cascading sequential movement by exerting an outward force on said fabric of said garment.