JP5873015B2 - Aerodynamic garment provided with a rough surface, and method of manufacturing the aerodynamic garment - Google Patents

Description

This application is filed on June 24, 2009, and the name of the invention is “aerodynamic garment with a rough surface and a method of manufacturing the aerodynamic garment (Aerodynamic Garment with Applied Surface”). Roughness and Method of Manufacture), which relates to an application claiming priority under US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 220,184.

  The present invention relates to an aerodynamic garment such as a full-body suit for improving athlete performance, and a method of manufacturing the aerodynamic garment. More specifically, the aerodynamic garment provides a rough surface at a specific position thereof, thereby optimizing the airflow around the athlete wearing the garment and suppressing the drag acting on the athlete.

  Aerodynamic clothing, such as tight-fitting shirts, pants, and full body suits, is gaining popularity as a means of improving athlete performance. In general, these garments improve athlete performance by suppressing the aerodynamic drag acting on the athlete wearing the garment. Drag occurs when a fluid, such as air, flows around an object. Traditional techniques aimed at solving the drag problem are to select the materials used to form the athletic garment so as to minimize the drag acting on the athlete wearing the garment during athletic activity. Has been focused. Such garments generally function in two ways to suppress drag. In the first method, the garment is tight-fit and has been designed to cover the windward part of the athlete's body with a smooth, wrinkle-free cloth surface. In the second method, the garment has been made of a specific fabric having a specific surface texture that is optimal for the athlete to move in the wind at normal speed while wearing the garment. In both methods, the drag acting on the garment is based on the fabric selected for the manufacture of the garment.

  Despite the efforts of engineers and designers to quantify and select the optimal aerodynamic garment surface texture for a particular sporting event, great results have not been achieved. For example, Dr. Leonard W. Brownlie, PhD candidate, has published his doctoral thesis entitled "Aerodynamic Characteristics of Sports Apparel" (Non-Patent Document 1; Author Leonard W. Brownlie, Simon) • Fraser University, April 14, 1993, Department of Kinesiology; the full text of Non-Patent Document 1 is included in this specification. In this test, when the cylinder was covered with various stretchable cloths having different surface textures in the wind tunnel, the drag suppression effect of the cloth was obtained.

  Brownlie concludes that "the rough surface properties of some stretch fabrics can suppress [drag] acting on the human body using the fabric during various athletic activities" (non-patented Reference 1, abstract, page iii). His test, however, did not fully disclose how to select the optimal surface texture for a particular athletic event, using only commercially available athletic garment fabrics.

  Recently, the inventors have attempted to quantify a system that selects a fabric with a rough surface that is optimal for suppressing the aerodynamic drag that occurs during a particular sporting event. For example, in MacDonald et al., US Pat. No. 6,457,744 (Patent Document 1; the entire text of which is incorporated herein), the inventors have determined the dimensions of the athlete's body section and the desired athletic activity during It teaches to calculate and optimize the Reynolds number of the section based on the velocity of air moving around the section. Next, different fabrics with different rough surfaces are selected for each section based on the Reynolds number calculated for each section. The result is an athletic garment where different fabrics are connected. In the athletic garment, each fabric is positioned in an optimal position on the garment to optimize the overall athletic performance of the athlete wearing the garment.

  MacDonald et al. Significantly developed the design of aerodynamic garments, but the design required several different fabrics to be joined together, increasing production costs and depending on the fabric chosen. This can reduce the wearer's comfort and the like. In addition, the method of manufacturing aerodynamic garments by MacDonald et al. Selects fabrics based primarily on the inherent drag coefficient of the fabric, and the selected fabric has other desirable properties such as stretch properties, flexibility, etc. It does not consider whether or not it has air permeability. Thus, clothing by MacDonald et al. May be aerodynamically good, but comfort, thermodynamic properties, breathability, weight, other comfort and / or performance properties are optimized It is not a thing.

U.S. Pat.No. 6,438,755 U.S. Pat.No. 5,544,581 U.S. Patent No. 5,939,004

"Aerodynamic Characteristics of Sports Apparel", Leonard W. Brownlie, Faculty of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, April 14, 1993

  Therefore, despite the development of traditional athletic garments, it is possible to optimize the effect of suppressing the aerodynamic drag due to the selective rough surface, and to take into account other characteristics of the fabric worn by the athlete, an inexpensive athletic There is still a need for clothing. There is also a need for a method for producing such garments efficiently and economically. A textured surface can be selectively provided on the base fabric so that desired aerodynamic properties are obtained by selecting an optimal base fabric for factors relating to comfort and / or non-aerodynamic performance. This can optimize the overall effectiveness of the aerodynamic garment to help athletes perform best during garment wear. As will be described later in this specification, the present invention satisfies these and other needs.

  The athletic garment according to the present invention can be composed of one kind of cloth or a piece of cloth. By providing a plurality of textures in a plurality of regions on the garment, a plurality of sections having different rough surfaces can be formed. As a result, the fabric of the sports garment can be selected for functional or external reasons other than rough surfaces. For example, by providing a texture to a cloth that is advantageous with respect to humidity control but disadvantageous with respect to aerodynamic characteristics, and using the cloth for clothes, it is possible to have aerodynamic characteristics that are advantageous for the clothes. it can. Accordingly, the garment according to the present invention may have other desirable functional and / or appearance characteristics that would otherwise be obtained according to the present invention, while having advantageous aerodynamic characteristics.

  The roughened surface can be formed using one or more conventional transfer techniques, such as ink jet or other printing techniques, silk screening, thermal transfer, and / or overmolding. For each location on the body, the rough surface can be selected to provide an optimal texture for the air velocity assumed around that location at a given athletic event. When the garment according to the present invention is formed of a plurality of cloths, regardless of whether the cloths are of the same type or different types, a rough surface is provided at the seam that connects the cloths, thereby acting on the seam. Air resistance can be minimized. For example, by providing the texture at the top of the seam and / or around the seam, the effect of the seam on the air profile can be reduced. In addition, silicon or other materials are used to form a hem near the wrist, ankle, and / or neck, and / or to fabric edge the fabric near the wrist, ankle, and / or neck. Can do. The use of silicon or other materials for such hems can provide elasticity, reduce weight and / or volume compared to other types of hems, and prevent fabric fraying. Another option when using silicone or other material on the hem of the garment according to the present invention is to provide flocking on the whole or part of the hem to suppress the aerodynamic drag acting on the hem. Can do.

  The garment according to the present invention may comprise a whole body suit. The full body suit can be formed of a single type of fabric or multiple types of fabrics. Any seam used to form such a bodysuit can be positioned to minimize drag that occurs during one or more athletic activities. The body suit for whole body according to the present invention can be worn through an opening that can be provided at any position on clothes. The opening in which the body suit for the whole body is worn can optionally be opened and closed using all types of fasteners, such as zippers, hook and loop systems, buttons, snaps and the like. As described herein, when an opening / closing mechanism is used, the garment can be roughened so as to minimize the aerodynamic drag acting on the opening / closing mechanism. An example of a full body bodysuit according to the present invention has an opening for the athlete's neck and optionally an opening for a portion of the athlete's back, so that the athlete can wear the suit through the opening. Can be formed of a cloth having In such an example, since an opening / closing mechanism is not necessary, the aerodynamic drag generated around the opening due to the forward movement can be suppressed. The opening / closing mechanism can be avoided by giving the cloth elasticity that provides an acceptable fit. In addition, ventilation is possible, providing athletes with heat dissipation and comfort during exercise.

  The texture provided on the garment affects the drag characteristics of the garment when the garment is worn by athletes during athletic activities. As described above, drag occurs when a fluid, such as air, flows around an object. The air flowing around the object is separated at a certain position on the object and forms a vortex. The position on the object where the air current is separated and the vortex is generated depends on the shape of the object and the moving speed of the air with respect to the object. For example, air flowing around a slow moving cylinder can produce relatively small vortices. However, air having the same size as the low-speed moving cylinder and flowing around the high-speed moving cylinder can generate a relatively large vortex.

  One way to reduce drag acting on an object such as a fast moving cylinder is to encourage tripping of air flowing around the object. To trip the airflow, the texture on the outer surface of the object is changed to induce laminar flow. For example, by adding a texture to a cylinder with a smooth surface, the air flowing around the cylinder can be tripped. The texture keeps the air near the surface of the cylinder so that the air can flow around a wider area on the cylinder than when no texture is added to the cylinder. By increasing the length of time that the air flows around the cylinder as a laminar flow, the strength of the vortex when the airflow around the cylinder is separated can be made lower. In this way, providing a texture on the surface area on the object can affect the magnitude of drag generated by the air flowing around the object. The object may be an aerodynamic garment worn by an athlete. When different parts of an athlete's body move at different speeds during an activity, it may be necessary to provide multiple different textures across the aerodynamic garment to account for such differences. In this way, the drag acting on the garment can be controlled by selectively providing a texture in the region on the aerodynamic garment. Furthermore, a plurality of different textures can be provided to control drag acting on objects other than athletic clothing. For example, by providing a texture, it is possible to suppress drag generated by airflow around a ball, sports equipment, vehicle, structure, or the like.

  It should be noted that the matters described above are intended to explain the outline of the present invention and do not disclose the entire scope of the present invention or all the features of the present invention. Other available areas of the invention will become apparent from the following description. The items and specific examples described above are for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

  The drawings described below are for the purpose of illustrating particular embodiments and are not intended to illustrate all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

It is a front view of an example of athletic clothes by the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the texture pattern which can be used for the area | region selected in the athletic clothes by this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the texture pattern which can be used for the area | region selected in the athletic clothes by this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the texture pattern which can be used for the area | region selected in the athletic clothes by this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the texture pattern which can be used for the area | region selected in the athletic clothes by this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the texture pattern which can be used for the area | region selected in the athletic clothes by this invention. In this invention, it is a figure which shows an example of the some attitude | position which an athlete can take with respect to ambient air during athletic activity. In this invention, it is a figure which shows the other example of a series of attitude | positions which an athlete can take with respect to ambient air during athletic activity. It is a figure which shows the attitude | position of the athlete in FIG. 8A. It is a figure which shows the attitude | position of the athlete in FIG. 8A. It is a figure which shows the attitude | position of the athlete in FIG. 8A. It is a figure which shows an example of the part in which the texture was provided in the clothes by this invention. FIG. 3 shows an example of a flocked part in a garment according to the invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the bodysuit for whole bodies by this invention. It is a figure which shows the bodysuit for whole bodies of FIG. 11A. FIG. 3 shows an open back portion that can be used in clothes according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the other clothes by this invention. It is a figure which shows the clothes of FIG. 13A. It is a figure which shows the clothes of FIG. 13A. It is a figure which shows the clothes of FIG. 13A. It is a figure which shows the other example of the texture and / or cloth which can be used for the clothes by this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the texture and / or cloth which can be used for the clothes by this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the texture and / or cloth which can be used for the clothes by this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forming a garment according to the present invention.

  In each figure, reference numerals corresponding to each other indicate parts corresponding to each other.

  FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment 100 of an athletic garment 110 having a roughened section 112. The athletic garment 110 is a suit having a torso portion 120, a pair of leg portions 122, and a pair of arm portions 124. As shown, each portion can be sized and shaped to closely cover a corresponding portion of the athlete 130. Each portion 120, 122, 124 can be formed of a fabric that provides optimal stretch, comfort, and / or performance benefits for the area of the body that each portion covers. In order to optimize the aerodynamic properties of the suit, such as the drag suppression properties of the suit, a rough section 112 can be provided in the suit base fabric. Therefore, it is not always necessary to select a sheet-like material forming the individual portions 120, 122, and 124 of the garment 110 that optimizes the aerodynamic characteristics. Rather, by providing the rough surface 112 at an optimal position on the garment 110, the aerodynamic characteristics can be optimized. For example, by providing a texture on clothes, the drag acting on the clothes can be suppressed by tripping the airflow. By providing the rough surface 112 on an athletic garment such as the garment 110, the aerodynamic characteristics of the garment can be optimized regardless of the aerodynamic characteristics of the garment. Thus, in addition and / or alternatively, the roughened surface 112 can be provided in both garments having substantially optimal aerodynamic characteristics and garments having poor aerodynamic characteristics.

  2-6 illustrate exemplary texture patterns 200-600 for use in selected areas, respectively, in an athletic garment according to one embodiment of the present invention. By providing a pattern on the fabric, the size, density, configuration, flock, and / or shape of the pattern on the rough surface are optimized by providing a pattern on the fabric as compared to the case of relying only on the rough surface of the specific base fabric used Can be For example, the aerodynamic effect can be increased by increasing the surface roughness where the air velocity is relatively high. Accordingly, the surface roughness (eg, size, density, configuration, flock, and / or shape according to the texture pattern) is directed toward the distal end 140 of the leg portion 122 and the arm portion 124 that move fastest during a number of athletic events. Can be bigger. Furthermore, the texture provided on the garment can improve each area on the aerodynamic garment that is exposed to the air profile. According to these examples, the texture provided in each region on the aerodynamic garment can be optimized to function under the most likely conditions during performance at an athletic event. For example, aerodynamic clothing designed for sprinters can be improved to optimize performance in short events such as 100 meter dash and 400 meter dash. Alternatively, aerodynamic garments designed for marathon runners can be enhanced with a texture that is optimal for running conditions of about 5 minutes / mile. Furthermore, it is possible to design a garment having a texture that optimizes the performance of a running enthusiast having a running time of 10 minutes / mile or 8 minutes / mile. The layout and texture used to design the garment used to run the 100 meter dash can be very different from the layout and texture used to design the garment for the marathon runner.

  The rough surface pattern can transition smoothly between parts of clothing. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the barrel portion 120 may be provided with little or no rough surface. In addition, the surface roughness of the arm portion 124 and the leg portion 122 of the garment is gradually increased from a state where there is little or no, toward the end of the arm portion and the leg portion, respectively, from the torso portion. Can do.

  A rough surface 112 may be provided on the windward front edge of the aerodynamic garment associated with the wearer's body. The leading edge is often referred to as a “wet edge”. In an athletic activity performed by an athlete wearing a garment, there may be multiple wet edges based on the multiple postures that the athlete takes during the athletic activity. The plurality of postures taken by athletes during athletic activities will be described later with reference to FIG. The rough surface 112 provided on the garment can be extended to all high-speed moving parts of athletes who tend to move wet edges during athletic activities, for example, the entire circumference of the runner's forearm, calf, and the like. Furthermore, the rough surface 112 provided on the garment can be provided on any part of the athletic garment that is affected by the air profile associated with athletic activity.

  Zones on athletic clothing can be defined based on the attitude of the athlete during athletic activity. Additionally and / or alternatively, the zone on the athletic garment can be based on the size, proportion, and / or body composition of the athlete wearing the athletic garment during athletic activity. Further, the type and pattern of texture provided in each zone on the athletic garment can be based on a plurality of different shapes, dimensions, and / or body compositions on the athlete.

  An athletic garment worn by a wearer during athletic activity may have a first zone and a second zone. The first zone may be provided with a first texture having a first characteristic that improves the first aerodynamic property. Furthermore, the first zone can cover a portion of the wearer's limb. The second zone can be provided with a second texture having a second characteristic that improves the second aerodynamic property. The second zone can cover most of the wearer's torso. Furthermore, an intermediate zone can be extended between the first zone and the second zone. In the intermediate zone, a gradually changing texture can be provided from the first texture provided on the clothes to the second texture.

  Texture can be provided on the garment by identifying the zones on the garment based on the airflow generated by the attitude and movement of the athlete wearing the garment during athletic activity relative to the ambient air. The identified zone may correspond to at least one limb of the wearer. A texture having the property of reducing drag caused by airflow around at least one limb can be determined. An example of the texture provided on the garment is a smooth and thin silicon disc provided on a portion of the garment. Silicon discs or other shapes can be formed by printing silicon on the garment or cloth formed into the garment. Any printing method can be used to provide silicon on the surface of the garment. Another example of a texture provided on a garment is a flocked nodule. As described above, a flocked projection can be formed by applying a liquid adhesive such as liquid silicon to clothes and then fixing the fibers to the liquid adhesive. The liquid adhesive can be applied over at least a portion of the garment. After the adhesive is dried, or after the adhesive is sufficiently bonded to the fibers, the fibers that have not contacted the adhesive can be removed by shaking or blowing away. The protruding fibers can be oriented in any number of directions, including uniform orientation and random orientation. For example, the fibers in the projection to be flocked can be uniformly oriented by electrostatically arranging nylon fibers. Any of the protrusions that are flocked and the protrusions that are not flocked can be formed in various shapes such as a circle, a rectangle, an ellipse, a diamond, and a polygon. Various shapes can be used for the same garment and / or the same part on the garment. Furthermore, both flocked and non-flocked protrusions can be used on the same garment and / or on the same part of the garment.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a series of postures 700 of an athlete doing athletic activities while wearing clothes according to the present invention. In particular, FIG. 7 shows a moving path 700 of the athlete's left arm and left leg during running. The garment according to the present invention can use a texture that suppresses aerodynamic drag in all or some of the postures an athlete can take during athletic activity. The movement of the athlete's arms and legs during the run generally extends from a position in front of the athlete 705 to a position in the rear of the athlete 705. As shown, the elbow movement path 710 during running is significantly shorter than the forearm movement path 720 during running. Thus, the forearm of the athlete 705 can accelerate and decelerate more greatly than the elbow of the athlete 705. Similarly, the thigh movement path 730 during running is significantly shorter than the knee movement path 740 and the lower limb movement path 750. Thus, the thigh of the athlete 705 may accelerate and / or decelerate smaller than the athlete's 705 knee and the lower limb of the athlete 705. Thus, the difference in the magnitude of acceleration and / or deceleration across the thigh affects the shape of the athlete's air profile.

  Further, in addition to different acceleration magnitudes and / or deceleration magnitudes at different points on the athlete's 705 body, the path 700 also shows different orientations of the athlete 705 during running. For example, across the knee path 740, the athlete's 705 knee bends from about 90 degrees to about 180 degrees (not drawn to scale). The knee flexion of the athlete 705 affects the muscle length and orientation of the athlete's 705 thigh and leg. The muscle length and orientation of the athlete's 705 thigh and lower limb affects the airflow around the thigh and lower limb. Thus, the air profile of the air flowing around the body portion of the athlete 705 is not only affected by the difference in speed, acceleration, and / or deceleration between the body portions of the active athlete 705, but also the body. It is also affected by the different orientations of these parts.

  FIGS. 8A to 8D are views showing a plurality of postures 800 of athletes performing athletic activities in the embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 8A to 8D show a plurality of postures of the athlete 800 who makes a pole vault. As shown in FIG. 8A, the air moving toward the active athlete is in different areas on the athletic garment worn by the athlete in different ways, depending on the attitude and movement of the athlete throughout the activity. Influence. The direction of airflow is indicated by an air profile indicator 840. In particular, postures 810, 820 and 830 are affected by individual air profiles for different parts on the athletic garment. Although FIGS. 8A-8D show posture profiles for pole jump athletic activity, embodiments of the present invention encompass a method for identifying zones based on air profiles resulting from multiple postures taken in any athletic activity. .

  8A-8D are diagrams illustrating various postures that the athlete 800 may take while performing athletic activities while wearing clothing according to the present invention. In the example shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D, the athlete 800 is performing a pole vault. However, the garment according to the present invention may be advantageous for other athletic activities. When the athlete 800 is running, the airflow 840 affects multiple areas on the athlete's clothing at different angles. The direction of airflow is indicated by an air profile indicator 840. In particular, zones 810, 820, and 830 are affected from air profile indicator 840 in different ways depending on changes in the attitude of athlete 800 relative to airflow 840. In order to minimize the aerodynamic drag that occurs in different postures, the texture used on different parts of the garment worn by the athlete 800, such as zones 810, 820, and 830, can be different. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, during the run, the swing in the zone 810 located on the athlete's torso is not as great as the swing in the zone 820 placed on the athlete's thigh. Similarly, a zone 830 is disposed on the lower limb of the athlete 800, and in the zone 830, a larger swing occurs. Therefore, the zone 830 is located at the end of each of the above zones, and the athlete 800 accelerates and / or decelerates larger than the upper part of the athlete's thigh during running.

  FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a second posture of the athlete 800 who is doing athletic activity while wearing the clothes according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8C, the athlete 800 has begun to jump toward the pole vault bar. When the athlete 800 is jumping, the airflow affects multiple areas on the athlete's clothing at different angles. The direction of airflow is indicated by an air profile indicator 840. In particular, zones 810, 820, and 830 are each affected in different ways by air profile indicator 840.

  FIG. 8D is a view showing a third posture of the athlete 800 who performs athletic activity while wearing the clothes according to the present invention. The athlete 800 of FIG. 8D is raised toward the pole vault bar to reach a height beyond the bar. As the athlete 800 approaches the bar, the airflow affects multiple areas on the athlete's clothing at different angles. The direction of airflow is indicated by an air profile indicator 840. In particular, zones 810, 820 and 830 are each affected by air profile indicator 840 in different ways.

  One or more zones 810, 820, and 830 to minimize the aerodynamic drag that occurs in one or more stages of the athletic competition, eg, any one of the exemplary postures shown in FIGS. 8A-8D. Can be provided with a texture. Alternatively, one or more zones 810, 820, and 830 can be textured to suppress aerodynamic efficacy during multiple stages of athletic competition. One or more zones may be optimized for one or more stages in the athletic competition, and other zones may be optimized for different stages in the athletic competition. Of course, pole vaulting is just one example of athletic competition. The garment according to the present invention may be advantageous for athletes performing any kind of athletic competition. Further, the garment according to the present invention may use a zone different from the zones 810, 820 and 830 shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D and / or use other zones in combination with the zones 810, 820 and 830. it can.

  The selection of an appropriate texture to be applied to the area on the athletic garment can be made based on characteristics associated with the area on the athletic garment related to the nature of the air profile, such as the Reynolds number. Therefore, a unique texture can be provided in each region affected by a specific air profile to optimize the drag acting on the athletic garment. The Reynolds number or other desired aerodynamic characteristics of the texture under the aerodynamic conditions assumed during athletic activity can be determined using an aerodynamic analysis scheme such as wind tunnel analysis.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing a portion 900 provided with a texture of clothes according to the present invention. For example, the textured portion 900 can be part of a textured zone. The textured portion 900 may have a tripping characteristic that improves aerodynamic properties that suppress drag acting on the garment. As described above with reference to the drawings, zone boundaries can be defined based on zones that are exposed to an air profile caused by athletic activity. The texture provided on the garment illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a donut-shaped protrusion 910 and a diamond-shaped protrusion 920 provided on the garment. As described above, the protrusions can be formed in various shapes such as a circle, a hexagon, a triangle, and a rectangle. The protrusions such as the protrusions 910 and 920 can be formed by printing a material such as silicon on a garment or on a cloth formed on the garment.

  If flocking is desired, the protrusions can be formed by securing the fibers to a liquid adhesive and / or liquid applique. The fabric fibers can be uniformly oriented, but can also have other orientations. For example, nylon fibers can be electrostatically oriented in a uniform direction. Alternatively, the fibers can be randomly arranged. Fibers other than nylon can also be used. One or more types of fibers can be used at the same time. The lengths of the fibers used may be uniform or varied and may be equal to the length and / or width of the protrusions used and may be longer than the length and / or width of the protrusions used. Alternatively, it can be shorter than the length and / or width of the projection used. Different lengths of fibers can be used at the same time.

  The texture provided on the garment can have tripping properties that improve aerodynamic properties. The aerodynamic property suppresses the drag acting on the garment by tripping the air flow around the limb of the wearer of the garment to promote the generation of vortices. Furthermore, a texture as shown in the textured portion 900 can be provided at the seam to minimize the drag acting on the seam. For example, a texture as shown in the textured portion 900 can be placed on the seam and / or in the area surrounding the seam. In addition, the textured portion 900 can be provided on an object other than athletic clothing to control the drag acting on the object. For example, by providing a texture, drag generated by airflow around sports equipment and other structures can be suppressed.

  FIG. 9 also shows various densities between region 930 and region 940, where the number of protrusions in region 930 is less than the number of protrusions in region 940. Furthermore, FIG. 9 also shows various mixing ratios of donut-shaped protrusions and diamond-shaped protrusions. As described above, the drag acting on the entire garment can be changed by changing the density of the protrusions, the shape of the protrusions, the size of the protrusions, the flocking of the protrusions, and / or the mixing ratio of the texture provided on the clothes. . For example, a plurality of protrusions can be arranged based on an air profile that typically occurs during athletic activity. For example, a plurality of protrusions can be provided on the garment according to a density distribution that is proportional to the air profile generated during sprinting. In this case, a larger texture may be provided on the athlete's arms and legs and a smaller texture may be provided on the athlete's torso.

  FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a flocked portion 1000 of a garment according to the present invention. The flocked portion 1000 is provided with a texture composed of flocked protrusions, particularly donut-shaped protrusions 1010 and diamond-shaped protrusions 1020. As shown in FIG. 10, the protrusions 1010 and 1020 are formed of fibers 1005 that are uniformly arranged on an adhesive such as silicon. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the fibers are oriented so as to be substantially orthogonal to the surface of the garment. All other fiber orientations, such as parallel to the garment surface, angular orientation to the garment surface, a mixture of fiber orientations, or random fiber orientations, are within the scope of the present invention.

  The rough surface can be provided on the desired part of the garment by conventional processing methods and materials such as silk screening, printing, heat sealing, overmolding and the like. Examples of a method for providing a transfer material on a cloth substrate are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,544,581 (Patent Document 2) and US Pat. No. 5,939,004 (Patent Document 3). The full text of these documents is included herein. These methods have been used to transfer two-dimensional images to fabric. The transcript in the present invention has the desired three-dimensional shape (thickness), pattern, and density, and forms the desired aerodynamic alignment pattern on the outer surface of the garment, like a riblet on an aircraft wing. .

  11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of a full-body garment 1100 for wearing for athletic activities such as sprinting. The full-body garment 1100 can include a first arm 1120, a second arm 1122, a first leg 1130, and a second leg 1132. The garment 1100 may further include a torso 1140. As described herein, one or more textures can be provided in different areas on the garment 1100. The surface roughness of the texture provided on the garment can be made relatively large in both arms and legs of the garment 1100, for example, near the wrists of the first arm 1120 and the second arm 1122. Similarly, the texture can be made relatively rough at the periphery of the athlete's body facing the airflow during sprinting, for example, on both sides of the trunk 1140. On the other hand, the surface roughness can be made relatively small in a region where a relatively small aerodynamic drag is generated during short-distance running, for example, in the central region of the body 1140. To ensure a snug fit to the athlete's (not shown) body, the garment 1100 can be made of a highly elastic fabric. Additionally and / or alternatively, the garment 1100 can be made of a fabric having desirable humidity regulation, heat dissipation, or other characteristics. In order to provide a close fit, the first arm 1120 can be extended to a portion including a thumbhole 1124 and the second arm 1122 can be extended to a portion including a thumbhole 1126. In addition, the first leg 1130 and the second leg 1132 extend to the foot to ensure that the limb of the garment 1100 is securely worn around the foot and / or ankle of the athlete wearing the garment 1100. The first leg 1130 and the second leg 1132 can be provided with a stirrup or other parts. Optionally, a zipper 1190 or any other opening / closing mechanism can be used to facilitate wearing the garment 1100. In order to suppress the aerodynamic drag generated by the opening / closing mechanism used in the garment, the opening / closing mechanism can have a texture. Additionally and / or alternatively, the garment 1100 can be sufficiently stretchable so that the athlete can wear the garment 1100 through the neckhole 1150. By allowing the garment to be worn through the neck hole 1150, the aerodynamic characteristics can be improved by eliminating the need for a zipper 1190 or other opening and closing mechanism that can generate additional aerodynamic drag. . However, if it becomes difficult for the athlete to wear the garment through the neck hole 1150, a zipper 1190 or any other for temporarily opening a portion of the garment 1100 when worn and then closing the garment An opening / closing mechanism can be provided. The zipper 1190 or other fastener can be placed anywhere on the garment 1100 so as to minimize the aerodynamic drag caused by the fastener during the particular athletic activity that the garment 1100 is intended to wear. Can be arranged.

  FIG. 11B is a rear view of the full-body garment 1100. As shown in FIG. 11B, the ventilation portion (in this example, the back mesh portion 1160 on the back surface of the garment 1100) allows an athlete (not shown) wearing the garment 1100 to vent and dissipate heat. The back mesh portion 1160 can be made of any type of mesh and can have various sizes relative to the back of the garment 1100. Other mesh portions (not shown) can be used at locations other than the back of the garment according to the present invention. Furthermore, in the garment according to the present invention, the mesh portion 1160 and / or other ventilation portions (for example, ventilation portions according to other examples described later) can be omitted completely.

  FIG. 12 is a view showing another example of the ventilation part (in this example, the notch ventilation part 1200). As shown in FIG. 12, the notch ventilation portion 1200 includes a single cloth 1210 having a notch portion 1240. If desired, the edge of each notch 1240 can be machined with silicon or other material to prevent breakage. When processing the edge, the processing material can be printed, thermally transferred, bonded, or applied to one or more edges of the notch 1240. The notch 1240 can be placed on the fabric 1210 so that the entire thread of the fabric 1210 can extend through the entire fabric 1210 without being cut at the notch 1240. For example, individual threads can extend along line 1220 and line 1230 to provide structural integrity to fabric 1210. The cutout vent 1200 is just one example of a vent that can be used in clothing according to the present invention. As described above with respect to FIG. 11B, the mesh portion can also be used as a vent. A vent according to the present invention may comprise, for example, a plurality of fabric or string assemblies that form one or more openings for venting. Furthermore, the garment according to the present invention can completely omit the ventilation part. Furthermore, in addition to the back of the garment, vents can be placed at various locations on the garment according to the present invention.

  Although an example of the cutout ventilation portion has been shown and described in FIG. 12, the cutout ventilation portion can also be used for clothes other than the aerodynamic clothes described herein. For example, a notch vent that maintains the strength and elasticity of a fabric while exposing the wearer's skin to the outside air without adding the weight and / or volume of a vent made of multiple fabrics is It can be advantageous. The notch vent may comprise a single fabric having a plurality of threads and notches positioned such that a subset of at least a plurality of threads is not cut. The notch can be formed using die cutting, laser cutting, or other cutting techniques. In order to prevent fraying, the process described in this specification can be performed on the edge of the notch. The cutout vent can be attached to a cloth that covers most of the wearer's torso and / or limb to form a garment. The fabric can have sufficient elasticity to fit snugly to the wearer. In this way, the cutout ventilation portion can provide heat dissipation to the user while maintaining the light weight.

  FIG. 13A shows a garment 1300 according to the present invention being worn by an athlete 1310. The garment 1300 can include a front torso region 1360 with little or no texture. The front torso region 1360 can be, for example, a relatively smooth cloth. The garment 1300 can further include a left texture region 1320. The left texture region 1320 can extend from the left ankle of the athlete 1300 or near the left ankle, through the athlete's legs, to at least a portion of the athlete's 1310 torso. Similarly, the right texture region 1340 may extend from or near the right ankle of the athlete 1310 to at least a portion of the side of the torso of the athlete 1310. The left arm portion 1330 can be provided with a texture. The left arm 1330 can extend from the left wrist or near the left wrist of the athlete 1310 through the elbow and onto the shoulder of the athlete 1310. Similarly, the right arm texture portion 1350 can extend from the right wrist or near the right wrist of the athlete 1310 through the elbow and onto the shoulder of the athlete 1310.

  FIG. 13B is a rear view of garment 1300 being worn by athlete 1310. As further shown in FIG. 13B, the back center zone 1370 can cover a portion of the rear torso of the athlete 1310 and further extends up to the neck of the athlete 1310 and down to the rear of both arms of the athlete 1310. It can extend down to a portion of the rear of the athlete 1310 legs. Zone 1370 can be made of a relatively smooth fabric, which can be similar to or different from central torso zone 1360. As shown in FIG. 13B, a ventilation portion as shown in FIG. 12 can be provided on the back of the garment 1300.

  FIG. 13C shows the left arm of an athlete 1310 wearing clothing 1300. As shown in FIG. 13C, the left arm texture zone 1370 can be provided with various textures that vary from the hand 1311 of the athlete 1310 toward the shoulder 1314 of the athlete 1310. The garment 1300 can fit snugly over the wrist 1312, elbow 1313, and shoulder 1314 of the athlete 1310. Optionally, a back panel 1315 that can comprise a portion of the back zone 1370 can be made of a mesh material to provide breathability to the athlete 1310.

  FIG. 13D shows an exemplary garment 1300 according to another aspect. FIG. 13D is a diagram showing a portion of the clothing 1300 in the right hand of the athlete 1310 and in the vicinity of the right hand. As described above, as shown in FIG. 13D, a plurality of donut-shaped protrusions 1351 can be printed on the garment, and optionally, the protrusions 1351 can be flocked to the garment. The garment 1300 can be provided with a thumbhole so that the garment 1300 can be securely worn over the hand 1380 and thumb 1381 of the athlete 1310. Further, the skirt 1390 of the garment 1300 can be cut and printed with silicon similar to the silicon used to print the protrusions 1351. Next, as described above, the hem 1390 can be flocked to improve aerodynamic performance. FIG. 13D further illustrates alignment dots 1357 on the hem 1390 that may optionally be included so that the athlete can easily adjust the position of the garment relative to the body with the thumb 1381. Other alignment dots 1355 can be included in the texture printed on the garment 1300 to visually indicate the position of the garment 1300 relative to the athlete 1310. In order for athletes to properly position their clothes and achieve optimal aerodynamic performance and comfort, the same position adjustment markers should be provided on both arms of clothes 1300 and both legs of clothes 1300. Can do.

  FIG. 14A shows various textures and fabrics that can be used in a garment according to the present invention and that can be joined together by a seam. Zone 1410 includes a plurality of flocked donut-shaped protrusions that can be formed as described above. The zone 1420 includes a plurality of printed disc-like protrusions. As described above, the protrusion does not have to be flocked. Zone 1430 may be a first substantially smooth fabric used, for example, on the back of a garment. Zone 1440 can be another smooth fabric portion, which can use the same or different fabric as zone 1430. Zone 1440 can comprise a central barrel in a fabric, such as fabric 1300 shown in FIGS. 13A-13D.

  14B and 14C are diagrams showing other textures that can be printed on the cloth in the present invention. FIG. 14B shows a zone 1450 having a plurality of flocked donut-shaped protrusions. FIG. 14C shows three other types of protrusions with different densities and sizes that can be printed to provide a texture to a garment according to the present invention. Zone 1460 shows a plurality of relatively large dots printed at high density. A zone 1470 shows a texture in which medium-sized dots are dispersed at a relatively low density. On the other hand, zone 1480 shows a pattern in which small dots are dispersed at medium density. As shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C, in the present invention, any number of patterns can be printed to provide a texture. Furthermore, in the present invention, shapes other than the symmetric circles and dots shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C can be used.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 for forming a garment according to the present invention. In step 1510, a zone boundary on the garment is determined based on the air profile. The air profile used in step 1510 may be an air profile formed around a portion of the garment when the athlete wears the garment during athletic activity. The air profile may depend on the athlete's attitude to the ambient air and / or the athlete's movement relative to the ambient air. The air profile can vary depending on the athletic activity or athlete intended to wear the garment. In step 1520, a texture having properties that improve aerodynamic properties that reduce drag within the zone determined in step 1510 is determined. In step 1520, the air profile used in step 1510 can be used. The texture determined in step 1520 may be any of the geometric shapes described herein, flocked protrusions, non-flocked protrusions, or any other texture that may be provided on the garment. Can do. In step 1510 and / or step 1520, cavity analysis and / or other types of aerodynamic analysis may be used. In step 1530, the texture determined in step 1520 can be provided in the zone determined in step 1510. In step 1530, the printing technique can be used to provide a texture to the garment or the surface of the fabric formed into the garment. In step 1540, it can be determined whether other zones should be provided in the garment. If other zones are needed or desired, the method 1500 returns to step 1510 to determine other zones and in step 1520 to determine other textures. It should be noted that step 1540 can be performed before step 1530 to provide a plurality of zones having a plurality of textures substantially simultaneously. If it is determined at step 1540 that no other zones are needed or desired, the method 1500 can proceed to step 1550 where the garment can be worn by an athletic athlete. One or more of steps 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540 may be performed prior to manufacturing the garment worn at step 1550. For example, in step 1530, a piece of fabric that is later formed into clothing can be used.

  The above embodiments are disclosed for purposes of illustration and description. The above examples are not intended to exhaust or limit the invention. Individual elements or features in a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, and can be used in other embodiments to the extent possible, unless otherwise noted. is there. For example, the rough surface 12 is described as a pattern protruding from the surface of the fabric. However, heat sealing or other methods can be used to form a pattern of depressions and / or a pattern of combinations of depressions and protrusions without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same can be changed in various ways. Such variations do not depart from the scope of the present invention and such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

In athletic clothing worn by the wearer during athletic activities,
A first zone provided with a first texture having a first characteristic to improve a first aerodynamic property, the first zone being configured to cover a portion of the wearer's limb; Zones,
A second zone provided with a second texture having a second characteristic to improve a second aerodynamic property, the second zone being configured to cover a majority of the wearer's torso; Zone of
With
The surface roughness of the first zone, which is determined by the size or density of the texture pattern of the first texture , is determined from the wearer's torso portion of the first zone to the wearer's limb. It is gradually increased toward the end part,
An athletic garment wherein the first zone and the second zone are adjacent to each other . The athletic garment according to claim 1,
The first property of the first texture has a plurality of three-dimensional projections;
The protrusion is an athletic garment that improves a first aerodynamic characteristic that trips an airflow around the wearer's limb and promotes the generation of a vortex. The athletic garment according to claim 1,
The athletic garment, wherein the first characteristic of the first texture includes a plurality of three-dimensional protrusions provided on the garment according to a first density distribution. The athletic garment according to claim 3,
The plurality of three-dimensional projections are athletic garments that are flocked. The athletic garment according to claim 1,
The first texture includes a plurality of protrusions having a first characteristic;
The first characteristic is an athletic garment having a three-dimensional shape. The athletic garment according to claim 5,
The athletic garment, wherein the three-dimensional shape of the plurality of protrusions includes an elliptical shape. The athletic garment according to claim 5,
The athletic garment, wherein the three-dimensional shape of the plurality of protrusions includes a donut shape. The athletic garment according to claim 1,
The second texture includes a plurality of protrusions having a second characteristic,
The second characteristic is an athletic garment having a disk shape. The athletic garment according to claim 2,
The athletic garment, wherein the protrusion includes silicon printed on the athletic garment. The athletic garment according to claim 9,
The protrusion is an athletic garment that is flocked. The athletic garment according to claim 1,
The first texture includes a plurality of protrusions having a first characteristic;
The first characteristic is an athletic garment having a density distribution. The athletic garment according to claim 11,
The athletic garment, wherein the density of the plurality of protrusions increases along the wearer's limb. The athletic garment according to claim 12,
The first characteristic improves the first aerodynamic property;
The first aerodynamic property is such that the airflow around the wearer's limb is more greatly tripped as the density of the plurality of protrusions increases along the wearer's limb. Athletic clothing. The athletic garment according to claim 1,
The first zone and the second zone are arranged based on an air profile generated around the first zone and the second zone and caused by athletic activity when the garment is worn;
An intermediate zone extends between the first zone and the second zone,
The athletic garment, wherein the intermediate zone has a texture that gradually changes from the first texture toward the second texture. The athletic garment according to claim 1,
An intermediate zone extending between the first zone and the second zone;
The athletic garment, wherein the intermediate zone has a texture that gradually changes from the first texture toward the second texture.

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