GB2534181A

GB2534181A - Chamois padding for cycling and triathlon with enhanced healthcare and wellbeing

Info

Publication number: GB2534181A
Application number: GB1500669.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chauder Anand Subhash
Original assignee: Of Bolton, University of; University of Bolton
Current assignee: Of Bolton, University of; University of Bolton
Priority date: 2015-01-15
Filing date: 2015-01-15
Publication date: 2016-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-15
Also published as: GB201500669D0; GB2534181B

Abstract

A garment comprises a protective element which is made up of a number of three dimensional spacer fabrics. The element is particularly suitable for use as padding in the crotch area of a sports garment such as a pair of cycling shorts. The first fabric of the protective element incorporates a hydrophilic softener, wicking agent and an antimicrobial agent. The protective element can be inserted into, or attached to, the cycling garment. The invention also claims a method of making the padding and the padded shorts. The protective element comprises of three three-dimensional fabrics chamois instead of the commonly used polyurethane foam chamois that is found extensively in the prior art.

Description

Chamois Padding for Cycling and Triathlon with Enhanced Healthcare and Wellbeing

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a garment comprising a protective element, particularly for use in sports garments, particularly in cycling shorts.

Background to the invention

Sportspeople, such as cyclists and rowers for example, who sit down for prolonged periods in their chosen activity regularly encounter a problem. This problem is particularly prevalent amongst cyclists, as during cycling the crotch is in constant contact with the saddle of the bike. Therefore, all stresses put upon the bike as a result of the ride are transmitted through the saddle to the crotch area of a rider. This may lead to discomfort and / or pain during extensive use. According to research, further and more serious health implications include, for men, erectile dysfunction for a rider who rides for more than 3 hours per week on a commonly used nose fronted saddle.

Currently, the majority of cyclists wear shorts when cycling. The most common shorts worn by cyclists are Bib Shorts or Padded Cycling Shorts, both of which incorporate polyurethane foam based chamois pads stitched or glued into the bottom of the shorts to help protect the rider from the saddle of the bike.

The repetitive nature of a cycling motion can lead to reddening and soreness of the crotch area. Such problems can evolve into more serious harms, for example, blistering, cuts to the skin and infection.

To solve this problem, cycling shorts have, for many years, been equipped with a material of sufficient thickness in the crotch area to provide a degree of comfort to the rider for when he is cycling. The aim of incorporating the padding into cycling shorts is to offer the cyclist protection from the stresses and vibrations generated by cycling being transmitted through the bike into the crotch area of the cyclist.

Polyurethane foam based chamois pads for use as protective pads are commonly found in the art, for example in GB 2431337 B. However, several problems have been found with the protective pads worn in cycling shorts. For example, the pads are commonly made with substantially rigid or scarcely elastic materials that constrict movement of the body.

A partial solution to these drawbacks is to limit the amount of padding present in the protective pad which allows for greater movement. However, this also limits the protective qualities of the pad and hence will have a detrimental effect on the rider. Increasing the padding will further increase the overall rigidity of the pad and add weight to the cycling shorts; this will hinder the rider's movement even further.

Moreover, the lack of movement caused by the rigid nature of the padded element of the cycling shorts can result in tearing of the seams that join the padded element to the more elastic and flexible surrounding material of the cycling shorts.

Modifications to the protective element of cycling shorts have been made to try and combat the aforementioned problems with the padded elements in cycling shorts.

US 6990693 B2 discloses a seat element for cycling pants by means of which the occurrence of tears is avoided. This invention is for a seat element that is adapted to be inserted into the cycling pants such that there is no fixed connection between the cycling pants and the seat element. Thereby, the occurrence of seam tensions which may lead to damage to the pants is avoided.

In recent years, protective pads have been produced with the aim of specifically targeting certain areas of the crotch to offer protection, taking into account those areas which actually abut the saddle, for example EP 1695637 B1 and GB 2431337 B. Although they solve some of the above mentioned drawbacks, the current designs still suffer problems due to the material used as their padding.

A disadvantage of the above mentioned designs is that they use a polyurethane foam chamois material as their padding. This is not the best material to use for the type of protective equipment used in cycling shorts. Foam is not breathable and lacks thermophysiological comfort properties that may be found in alternative materials that also offer protective qualities. Foam cannot be washed at high temperatures; therefore, bacteria that have been transferred into the foam due to the cyclist sweating during exercise will not be killed during washing. The foam pads are normally worn in direct contact to the skin of the rider in order to aid their protective qualities. This can lead to an unhealthy build-up of bacteria which may result in a foul smell, de-colourisation of the cycle shorts and health problems for the rider.

Further, polyurethane foam chamois pads are highly flammable, and are not recyclable.

The major disadvantage with a polyurethane foam chamois pad is that after a short period of time cycling whilst wearing the pad it loses its thickness and compresses, resulting in a vastly decreased level of protection being offered to the rider. This causes an enormous amount of discomfort when cycling for extended periods of lime, because over time, foam becomes thinner and hence denser, thus losing its compression and resilience properties.

Summary of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a garment which helps to eliminate the drawbacks detailed above.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a garment possessing innovative and unique features in comparison to the polyurethane foam chamois padding, in that, for example, it retains its thickness during both static and dynamic loading, and distribute the pressure over much larger areas of the support than the polyurethane foam containing supports.

The cyclist's comfort is essential and critical during extensive rides. The aim of improving a cyclist's comfort is essentially to allow for more enjoyment to be had by the cyclist, to provide suitable protection to the crotch and genital region of the cyclist and to allow cyclists to compete professionally with minimal interferences as a result of wearing uncomfortable cycling shorts. Cycling shorts with protective elements are of significant use for these purposes.

However, there remains a need for a garment that does not undergo the disadvantages as found in the inventions that comprise the prior art, i.e. a protective element which can be used without degradation of the thickness of the foam padding and one which incorporates thermophysiological comfort properties to prevent overheating and thus excess sweating by the user. It would be of great benefit to have a protective element that can be washed at high temperatures in order to kill bacteria that accumulate in the cycling shorts and the protective element, and to develop a protective element that is recyclable and not flammable.

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garment comprising a protective element, wherein the protective material comprises a plurality of three-dimensional spacer fabrics.

Typically, the protective element comprises at least three three-dimensional spacer fabrics; more typically exactly three three-dimensional spacer fabrics are employed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there are three three-dimensional spacer fabrics in the protective element, with a first three-dimensional spacer fabric being in contact with the skin of the wearer, a third three-dimensional spacer fabric that is in contact with the surface, such as a saddle, that the wearer is sitting on, and a second three-dimensional spacer fabric that acts as a barrier between the first and third three-dimensional spacer fabrics and which acts as a padded protection against the surface.

According to a typical embodiment, the sports garment is cycling shorts.

In the present description and the attached claims, the individual three-dimensional spacer fabrics in the protective element each independently comprise at least first, second and third layers of fabric.

The area density of the first three-dimensional fabric is preferably between 300 gm2 and 460 20 gm2, more preferably between 350 gm-2 and 410 gm2 and most preferably about 380 gm2.

The second three-dimensional fabric has an area density of preferably between 550 gm-2 and 830 gm-2, more preferably between 630 gi-2 and 750 gm-2 and most preferably about 690 gm2.

The third three-dimensional fabric has an area density of preferably between 420 gm2 and 620 girl 2, more preferably between 480 gm-2 and 560 gm-2 and most preferably about 520 giii 2.

Typically, the first fabric has a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm, preferably between 2 and 4 mm, and most preferably about 3 mm The second fabric has a thickness of between 4 and 9 mm, preferably between 5.5 and 7.5 mm, and most preferably about 6.5 mm.

The third fabric has a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm, preferably between 2 and 4 mm, and most preferably about 3.5 mm.

Typically, the first fabric has a washing stability of a maximum of about 4% at 60°C, the second fabric has a washing stability of a maximum of about 3% at 40°C, and the third fabric has a washing stability of a maximum of about 5% at 40°C.

A protective element which demonstrates good washing stability allows for the sports garment to be washed at high temperatures, thus vastly reducing any bacteria build up that 10 may occur during use and hence aiding the health benefits imparted through use of the present invention.

According to one embodiment the protective element of the present invention may only comprise at least one type of polymer, which, in a preferred embodiment, is a polyester. Having only a single type of polymer comprising the protective element allows for the product to be easily recycled. This avoids the material being sent to landfill, which has obvious environmental advantages.

The polymer used to comprise the fabrics of the protective element of the invention may be of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, thermoplastic manufactured fibres such as polyester, polyamide, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE).

In a preferred embodiment, the first, second and third fabrics of the protective element comprise polyester.

Alternatively, the third fabric may have a composition comprising micro polyamide between 30 -70%, preferably between 40 -60% and most preferably 50%; polyester between 20 50%, preferably between 30 -40% and most preferably 35%; and lycra between 5 -25%, 25 preferably between 10 -20% and most preferably 15%.

Subsequently, at least one of the first or second fabrics of the protective element typically has a composition of 100% polyester.

A hydrophilic softener may be comprised in at least one of the fabrics of the protective element. The hydrophilic softener allows the fabric to be soft to the skin in order to reduce friction, yet also allows for the absorbance of sweat and other moisture.

Typically, at least one of the fabrics will comprise a wicking agent. A wicking agent increases the wicking ability of the material in which it is comprised. Moisture wicking materials used in the same way as the present invention draw sweat away from the user's body during exercise; this allows the moisture to evaporate on the surface of the material rather than remain on the surface of the skin Moisture that remains on the surface of the skin can contribute to discomfort for the user and can also give the perception of an increased body weight, these may lead to a hindered performance by the user.

Favourably, at least one of the fabrics comprises an antimicrobial agent in the form of an antibacterial yarn which provides a health benefit to the present invention, the antimicrobial agent Idlls, prevents, inhibits and / or prohibits the growth and development of bacteria.

Advantageously, the use of an antimicrobial agent in combination with the 3D-spacer fabric offers a more breathable and well-ventilated protective element, the ability to wash the protective element at high temperatures and the incorporation of a wicking agent into the protective element, resulting in a protective element that provides vastly enhanced health properties over that of the aforementioned foam chamois pads Typically, each of the additives, such as hydrophilic softener, wicking agent, as well as antimicrobial agent is contained within the first spacer fabric. The 3D spacer fabrics used in the invention are much better at reducing peak pressures when in contact with body parts than polyurethane foam supports. Further, the 3D spacer fabrics are breathable and provide a well-ventilated and hence comfortable surface that helps to prevent excess sweating and does not unduly restrict movement. Also, the 3D spacer fabrics are non-flammable. A protective element as disclosed in the present invention with the aforementioned properties overcomes many of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Another aspect of the invention is a method for forming the protective element from its component parts. The protective element comprising at least three three-dimensional fabrics, the method being characterised in that the fabric pieces and components of the chamois are sealed at the same time as cutting.

Favourably, the fabric pieces and components of the chamois can be sealed at the same time as cutting by using a laser cutting technique.

Further, a bond between the fabrics of the product is created by combining the three fabrics, thus resulting in a protective element for use in a sports garment that comprises at least three fabrics with the aforementioned advantageous properties and characteristics.

At least the first fabric preferably comprises, but is not limited to, a 3D spacer fabric made from polyester fibre, such as that marketed under the brand CoolMaxTM Polyester Fresh FX.

Subsequent fabrics of the protection pad also comprise of 3D spacer fabrics. The 3D spacer fabrics are made from CoolMaxTM Polyester Fresh FX 100% polyester and thus result in a protective pad that can be easily recycled due to the homogeneity of the material used.

CoolMaxTM Polyester Fresh FX fabric provides an antimicrobial property to the protective pad. Silver ions in the CoolMaxTM fabric impart bacteriostatic, fungistatic and algistatic properties to the protective pad. The silver ions inhibit the growth of the microbial colonies that can accumulate on the protective pad due to the production of sweat and body oils by the user during exercise. Thus the fabric is kept fresh.

The present invention displays far greater health benefits to the user than the protective pads of the prior art. The present invention employs an antimicrobial agent, typically of the trade name CoolMaxTM Polyester Fresh FX, to be incorporated into the first three dimensional fabric, and the use of 3D spacer fabric, unlike the commonly used polyurethane foam material, allows the protective element to be machine washable at high temperatures.

The spacer fabrics utilised in the present invention possess isotropic properties such as tenacity (i.e. breaking strength per unit area density), breaking extension and specific modulus (i.e. stiffness per unit area density), so these properties are similar in all directions of the fabrics. Thus, the product of the present invention will not stretch unevenly or non-uniformly in any one particular direction, and will be extremely comfortable adjacent any part of the body, especially under pressure or compression. Further, the body parts in contact with the protection pad will not be under uneven and non-uniform stress or pressure. This will provide a beneficial comfort effect to the rider's body parts that are in contact with the protection pad.

The method employed to produce the above embodiment of the present invention typically incorporates a laser cutting technique which allows the fabrics of the chamois to be sealed at the same time as being cut. Further, the fabrics are bound together by the seaming operation.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is shown with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a protective pad of the present invention without an antimicrobial agent or wicking agent finish applied.

Figure 2 shows a protective pad of the present invention with an antimicrobial agent and wicking agent finish applied.

The properties of a 100% polyester warp knitted spacer fabric which may be used in the present invention, are shown in the table below: Property Mean Value Area density 373.8 gm°2 Thickness 2 25 mm Bulk Density 0.166 g cm-3 Tenacity Machine Direction 0.045 N tex' Cross Direction 0.042 N tex' 45° Direction (Bias) 0.055 N tell Breaking Extension Machine Direction 55.20% Cross Direction 55.10% 45° Direction (Bias) 56.50% Specific Modulus Machine Direction 0.03 N tex' Cross Direction 0.03 N tex' 45° Direction (Bias) 0.05 N tex' Modules at 5% Extension Machine Direction 1.37 N tex' Cross Direction 1.87 N tex' 45° Direction (Bias) 1.67 N tell The mechanical properties of the 100% polyester warp knitted spacer fabric in the above table comprise results from tests on the spacer fabric in three major directions; machine direction (i.e. lengthwise), cross direction (i.e. width wise) and at a 45° bias direction.

Comparatively, the various properties of the fabric are very similar in all three directions.

Thus, the fabric employed in the present invention will behave uniformly under pressure and compression, and not lose its shape in any one specific direction. This provides a particular benefit to the user in that the user's body parts will be extremely comfortable, when adjacent to the protective pad, under the motions and pressures exerted on those body parts through the actions carried out by the user.

The techniques disclosed above are by no means meant to be taken as limiting for the production of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A garment comprising a protective element, wherein the protective element comprises a plurality of three-dimensional spacer fabrics.
2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the protective element comprises at least a first, second and third three dimensional spacer fabrics.
3. A garment according to claim 2; wherein the first fabric has an area density of between 300 and 460 gm-2, the second fabric has an area density of between 550 and 830 gm-2 and the third fabric has an area density of between. 420 and 620 gm 2.
4. A garment according to claim 2 or claim 3; wherein the first fabric has a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm, the second fabric has a thickness of between 4 and 9 mm and the third fabric has a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm.
5. A garment according to any of claims 2-4; wherein the first fabric is positioned so that it is next to the skin of a wearer, the second fabric is positioned so that it is between the first and third fabrics, and the third fabric is positioned so it is on the outer face of the garment.
6. A garment according to any of claims 2-5; wherein the first fabric has a washing stability of a maximum of 4% at 60°C, the second fabric has a washing stability of a maximum of 3% at 40°C, and the third fabric has a washing stability of a maximum of 5% at 40°C.
7. A garment according to any of claims 2-6, wherein at least one of the first or second fabrics have a composition of 100% polyester.
8. A garment according to any of claims 2-7, wherein the third has a composition of between 30 -70% micro polyamide, between. 20 -50% polyester and between 5 25% Lycra.
9. A garment according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the protective element consists of one type of polymer.
10. A garment according to claim 9, wherein the at least one type of polymer is a polyester.
11. A garment according to any of claims 2-10, wherein at least one of the fabrics comprises a hydrophilic softener.
12. A garment according to any of claims 2-11, wherein at least one of the fabrics comprises a wicking agent.
13. A garment according to any of claims 2-12, wherein at least one of the fabrics comprises an antimicrobial agent.
14. A garment according to any of claims 11-13, wherein when present, each of the hydrophilic softener, wicking agent and antimicrobial agent are present in the first three dimensional spacer fabric.
15. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacer fabrics possess isotropic properties.
16. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the garment is cycling shorts.
17. A method for making a garment according to any previous claim, characterised in that the fabrics and components of the protective element are cut, and the at least three different fabrics of the protective element are simultaneously sealed and combined to create a bond between the different fabrics of the product.
18. A method for making a garment according to claim 17, wherein the fabrics and components of the protective element are cut using laser cutting.
19. A method according to claim 17 or claim 18 for making a protective element that can be inserted into, or attached to, a sports garment.
20. A garment or method as described herein in the description and drawings.