Patent attributes
New donning-actuated clips and other fastening and tightening techniques for garments are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a garment includes a self-contained fitting and fastening system that, preferably, is reversibly actuated by donning, and therefore requires no additional fastening or fitting step to use—a user need only don the garment in an ordinary fashion. In one embodiment, a lateral tightening and fitting mechanism is provided, which translates donning movements into fitting and fastening force via channeled bands, eliminating lateral play in the garment when worn. In other aspects, the fitting and fastening system is configured to aid in compressing and folding the garment when the system is released and the garment is removed by a user. The techniques of the invention are also applied in the context of sporting garments, such as running shoes, allowing a user to put on well-fitted shoes quickly, with easy entry, and no need for separate lacing or binding steps.
