KR20120089625A - Aerodynamic garment with applied surface roughness and method of manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to aerodynamic garments comprising textured areas. Each zone may be associated with properties and characteristics based on the movement of the garment associated with each zone through the air during athletic activity. The texture of each zone may be applied using various methods such as printing. The manufactured aerodynamic clothing improves the performance of athletes wearing aerodynamic clothing by reducing the air drag experienced during the performance of athletic activity.

Description

Aerodynamic Apparel with Manufacturing Surface Roughness and Manufacturing Method {AERODYNAMIC GARMENT WITH APPLIED SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE}

Cross Reference of Related Application

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 61 / 220,184, filed June 24, 2009 entitled "Aerodynamic Apparel and Manufacturing Method with Surface Roughness".

The present invention relates to aerodynamic garments such as full-body suits and to methods of making aerodynamic garments to improve athletic performance. More specifically, aerodynamic clothing is a surface roughness applied to the garment in key positions to more effectively optimize the air flow around the athlete wearing the aerodynamic garment to reduce drag on the athlete. Has

Aerodynamic clothing, such as tight-fitting shirts, pants and full-body suits, is gaining popularity as a means to improve athletic performance. In general, such garments improve athletic performance by reducing air drag on athletes wearing the garments. Drag is generated when a fluid, such as air, flows around an object to form a vortex. Conventional methods for solving the problem of vortices have focused on the selection of materials used to form sportswear to minimize drag on clothing and athletic athletes. These garments usually function to reduce drag in two ways. First, the garment is designed to provide a smooth wrinkle-free fabric surface that is in close contact with the athlete's body and faces the athlete's body wind. Second, garments are made of specific fabric (s) that provide a specific surface texture that is known to optimally face the wind at the general speed when an athlete wears and moves clothing. In these two methods, the drag on the garment is based on the selection of the fabric used to create the garment.

The efforts of engineers and designers to quantify and select the optimal surface texture of aerodynamic clothing for specific sporting events have had limited success. For example, published doctorate titled "Aerodynamic Characteristics of Sports Apparel" (Author: Leonard W. Brownray, Simon Fraser University, April 14, 1993, Department of Physical Kinematics, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein) In the thesis, Leonard W., PhD candidate. The Brown Lai literature conducted experiments to determine the drag reduction effect of various stretch fabrics, each having a different surface texture when worn on a cylinder in a wind tunnel.

Brownray concluded that "the surface roughness properties of some stretch fabrics can be used to reduce [resistance] to human form in various exercise attempts" (see summary 3 page). However, Brown Lai's experiments were limited to commercially available fabrics, and for ready-made sportswear, it did not fully explain how to select the optimal surface texture for a particular sport.

More recently, the inventors have attempted to quantify a system for selecting fabrics with surface roughness to provide optimum air drag reduction during certain athletic events. For example, in US Pat. No. 6,438,755 to McDonald et al., The disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, the inventors rely on the speed of air traveling across a portion of an athlete's body and the size of the portion of the athlete's body during certain athletic activities. It teaches how to determine and optimize the Reynolds number of a part of the athlete's body. Based on the Reynolds number calculated for each part of the athlete's body, different fabrics with different surface roughnesses are selected for each part of the body. As a result, sportswear in which different fabrics are joined together is produced, where each different fabric is positioned in an optimal position on the suit to optimize the overall athletic performance of the athlete wearing the sportswear.

McDonald's et al. Have made significant advances in aerodynamic garment design, but a plurality of different fabrics need to be secured together to increase manufacturing costs and may reduce wearer comfort and the like, depending on the fabric selected. In addition, the aerodynamic garment manufacturing method proposed by McDonald's et al. Is based on the selection of fabrics based primarily on the characteristic drag coefficient of the fabric, regardless of whether the selected fabric (s) have other desirable properties such as elasticity, flexibility, breathability, etc. have. Thus, garments made by the methods presented by McDonald's et al. May be advantageous aerodynamically, but the garments produced are not optimized for comfort, thermodynamics, sweating, weight, and other comfort and / or performance characteristics of the garment. Will not.

Thus, despite known sportswear improvements, it is necessary to consider the additional properties of the fabrics worn by the athletes while more effectively optimizing the aerodynamic drag reduction effect of selective surface roughness. In addition, an efficient and economical related method for making such garments should be provided. By selecting a base fabric that is optimized for comfort and / or aerodynamic performance factors, the desired aerodynamic properties can be achieved to optimize the overall effectiveness of the aerodynamic garment while contributing to the athlete's best performance while wearing the aerodynamic garment. The textured surface may optionally be applied to the base fabric. As more fully disclosed in the specification of the present application, the present invention fulfills these and other needs.

The sportswear according to the invention may consist of one type of fabric or of a single piece of fabric, and portions having different surface roughnesses may be formed by applying a texture applied to an area on the garment. As a result, the fabric of sports clothing may be selected functionally or aesthetically for reasons other than surface roughness. For example, a fabric having advantageous moisture treatment properties but having adverse aerodynamic properties may be used for clothing, with the texture applied to the fabric to produce advantageous aerodynamic properties or properties. Thus, the garment according to the invention may also have other desirable functional and / or aesthetic properties, while having advantageous aerodynamic properties, which cannot otherwise be achieved.

Surface roughness and / or surface roughnesses may be applied with one or more conventional transition techniques, such as inkjet or other printing, silk cleaning, heat transfer, overmolding and / or similar techniques. The surface roughness may be selected to provide the most appropriate texture for each body part for the air velocity that may be experienced in the body part during a given athletic event. If the garment according to the invention consists of a plurality of fabric pieces of the same or different type, applying surface roughness to the fabric in the seam joining the fabric pieces can minimize air drag at the seam. For example, the texture may be disposed at the top of the seam and / or in the area surrounding the seam to reduce the effect of the seam on the air profile. In addition, silicone or other materials are used to form the hem and / or to treat the edges of the fabric, and may also be used at the wrist, ankle and / or near the neck. The use of silicone or other materials in these ends may also prevent the wear of the fabric while at the same time reducing the weight and / or bulk of other forms of the ends. Another option of using silicone or other material in the garment stage in accordance with the present invention is that flocking may be applied to some or all of the stage to reduce air drag at the stage.

The garment according to the invention comprises an integral body suit. The unitary body chute may consist of a single type of fabric or a plurality of types of fabrics. Any seam used to construct such a unitary body suit may be positioned to minimize drag during one or more athletic activities. The unitary body suit according to the invention may be worn through an opening positioned at any place of the garment. The openings wearing the unitary body suit may be selectively closed using any type of fasteners, such as zipper (s), hook and loop systems, buttons, snaps, and the like. If a closure mechanism is used, the surface roughness may be applied to the garment as disclosed herein to minimize the air drag of the closure mechanism. One example of a unitary body suit according to the present invention may be composed of a fabric having sufficient elasticity to allow an athlete to wear clothing through such opening while providing an opening for the athlete's neck and optionally a portion of the back. As such an example, the air drag associated with the opening may be reduced for forward movement by eliminating the need for a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism may be removed by using the elasticity of the fabric to maintain an acceptable fit, and the ventilator may be provided to the athlete for cooling and comfort while exercising.

The application of the texture to the garment affects the drag properties of the garment when the garment is worn by the athlete during athletic activities. As described above, drag is generated when a fluid, such as air, flows around the object. Air flowing around the object separates at any location on the object to create a vortex. The position on the object where the air flow initiates the vortex depends on the shape of the object and the speed of movement of the air relative to the object. For example, air flowing around a slow moving cylinder may generate a relatively small vortex. However, air flowing around a high speed moving cylinder of the same size as the low speed moving cylinder may generate a relatively large vortex.

One way to reduce drag of an object, such as a high speed moving cylinder, is to facilitate tripping of air flowing around the object. Tripping of the air flow involves changing the texture outside the object to cause laminar flow. For example, air flowing around a smooth cylinder may be tripped by adding a texture to the surface of the cylinder. The texture retains air near the surface of the cylinder, allowing air to flow around the larger area (s) of the cylinder than in the case of cylinders without additional texture. By increasing the amount of time that air flows laminarly around the cylinder, the eddy current intensity may be smaller if the air flow around the cylinder breaks off. In this way, applying the texture to the surface of the object may affect the amount of drag generated by the air flowing around the object. The object may be an aerodynamic garment worn by an athlete. Since different parts of the athlete's body move at different speeds during exercise, different textures need to be applied across the aerodynamic garment to account for these changes. As such, by selectively applying the texture to the area of the aerodynamic garment, the drag on the garment may be controlled. In addition, various textures may be applied to control drag on articles other than sportswear. For example, drag resulting from air flow around the ball, sports equipment, vehicle, structure, etc. may be reduced by applying the texture.

The SOLUTION section of the problem merely provides a summary of the disclosure of the present invention and does not comprehensively disclose all the components or the entire scope of the present invention. Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the detailed description provided herein. The disclosure and specific examples in this summary are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure of the invention.

1 is a front view of an exemplary sportswear in accordance with the present invention.
2-6 show a plurality of exemplary texture patterns that can be used in selected areas of sportswear according to the present invention.
7 illustrates an example of multiple postures that an athlete may take to the atmosphere during athletic activity in accordance with the present invention.
8A-8D illustrate another example of the range of postures an athlete may take to the atmosphere during athletic activity in accordance with the present invention.
9 shows an example of a textured portion of a garment according to the invention.
10 shows an example of a flocked portion of a garment according to the invention.
11A and 11B show an example of a unitary body chute according to the present invention.
Figure 12 shows an open rear part that can be used in conjunction with the garment according to the invention.
13a-d show a view of another garment according to the invention.
14A-14L show other examples of textures and / or fabrics that may be used with the garment according to the present invention.
15 illustrates a method of forming a garment according to the present invention.

The drawings disclosed herein are exemplary descriptions of selected embodiments only, and are not intended to describe all possible embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components in some of the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment 100 of sportswear 110 with a surface roughness 112 section applied is shown. The sportswear 110 is a suit having a torso 120, a leg 122, and an arm 124. Each portion is sized and shaped to fit over each corresponding portion of the athlete 130 as shown. Each portion 120, 122, 124 may be formed of a fabric that provides an optimum stretch, comfort, and / or performance effect on the area of the body that is covering. Surface roughness 112 section may be applied to the lining fabric of the chute to further optimize the aerodynamic properties of the chute, such as the chute's drag reduction properties. As such, each portion 120, 122, 124 of the garment 110 may be formed from a sheet of material that is not necessarily selected for optimal aerodynamic properties. More precisely, this property may be optimized by applying surface roughness 112 at an optimal location along the sportswear 110. For example, a texture may be applied to the garment to trip the air flow to reduce drag on the garment. Surface roughness 112 may be applied to athletic clothing such as garment 110 to optimize the aerodynamic properties of the garment regardless of the aerodynamic nature of the garment. As such, surface roughness 112 may additionally and / or alternatively be applied to garments having poor aerodynamic properties as well as garments having suboptimal aerodynamic properties.

2-6, a plurality of exemplary texture patterns 200-600 for use in selected areas of sportswear are shown in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. By applying the pattern to the fabric, the size, density, arrangement, flocking and / or shape of the surface roughness may be optimized, rather than entirely dependent on the surface roughness of the particular fabric used in the lining suit. For example, the aerodynamic benefits of increased surface roughness may be increased at higher air speeds. Thus, the surface roughness (ie, the size, density, arrangement, flocking and / or shape of the textured pattern) is the distal end 140 of the leg 122 and arm 124, which move the fastest during many athletic events. It may be the maximum at the portion close to. In addition, each area of the aerodynamic garment exposed to the air profile may be enhanced by the texture applied to the garment. In such cases, the texture applied to each area of the aerodynamic garment may be optimized to function in the conditions most likely to occur during the performance of the athletic event. For example, aerodynamic garments designed for sprinters may be enhanced to optimize the performance of short runs, such as 100 meter runs, 400 meter runs, and the like. Alternatively, an aerodynamic garment that is enhanced by the texture that is optimal for running conditions of approximately five minutes per mile may be designed for marathon runners. In addition, a textured garment may be designed to optimize the performance of a runner who has a running time such as 10 minutes per mile and 8 minutes per mile. The device layout and textures used to design the clothing used to run the 100 meter run may be very different from those used to design the marathon runner's clothing.

In addition, the surface roughness pattern may transition smoothly between portions of the garment. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the torso 120 may have a small amount of surface roughness or no surface roughness, and each of the surface roughnesses of the leg 122 and the arm 124 of the garment may be attached to the body. Adjacent portions may be smoothly transitioned to progressively increasing toward the distal ends of each of the arms and legs with little or no surface roughness.

Surface roughness 112 may be applied to a leading edge, often referred to as a "wet edge," facing the windy side of the aerodynamic garment that engages the wearer's body. An athletic activity performed by an athlete wearing a garment may have a wet edge based on the athlete's plurality of postures during the athletic activity. Multiple postures of the athlete during athletic activity will be further described in FIG. 7. The applied surface roughness 112 may extend entirely around all fast moving portions of the athlete with the wet edge moving during athletic activity, such as around the forearm or calf of the runner. In addition, the applied surface roughness 112 may be attached to any portion of the sportswear affected by the air profile associated with athletic activity.

The area of the sportswear may be defined based on the body posture of the athlete in athletic activity. Additionally and / or alternatively, the area on the sportswear may be based on the size, proportion, and / or body composition of the athlete wearing the sportswear during athletic activity. In addition, the shape and pattern of the texture applied to each zone of the sportswear may be based on various shapes, sizes and / or body configurations of the athlete.

The sportswear worn by the wearer during athletic activity may have a first zone and a second zone. The first zone may have a first applied texture having a first property that results in a first aerodynamic characteristic. In addition, the first zone may cover a portion (s) of the extreme part of the wearer. The second zone may have a second applied texture having a second property that results in a second aerodynamic characteristic. The second zone may substantially cover the torso of the wearer. In addition, an intermediate zone may extend between the first zone and the second zone. The middle zone may have a texture that gradually changes from the first applied texture to the second applied texture.

The texture may be applied to the garment by identifying areas of the garment based on air flow resulting from body posture and movement to the atmosphere of the athlete wearing the garment during athletic activity. The identified area may correspond to at least one extreme of the wearer. Textures having properties that reduce drag generated from air flow around at least one extreme may be determined. One example of the texture applied is a smooth, thin silicone disk applied to a portion of a garment. Silicone discs or other features may be applied by printing silicone onto the garment and / or fabric to form within the garment. Any printing process may be used to apply silicone to the surface of the garment. Another example of the texture applied is a flocked nodule. The floc processed nodules may be formed by applying a liquid adhesive, such as liquid silicone, to the garment, as described above, and then applying the fibers to the liquid adhesive. The liquid adhesive may be applied across at least a portion of the garment. After the liquid adhesive has dried or fully bonded to the fibers, excess fibers that have not been in contact with the adhesive may be removed by shaking, blowing, or the like. The fibers of the nodule may be oriented in many ways, including uniform orientation and any orientation. For example, nylon fibers may be electrostatically aligned to form a uniform orientation of the fibers in the flocked nodule. Both flocked and unflocked nodules may be formed in a variety of ways, such as round, square, oval, diamond, various polygons, and the like. Various forms may be used for the same garment and / or a portion of the garment. In addition, both flocked and unflocked nodules may be used for the same garment and / or a portion of the garment.

7 shows a range 700 of the posture of an athlete wearing a garment according to the invention and doing an athletic activity. In particular, FIG. 7 shows the range 700 of movement of the left arm and left leg of an athlete while running. The garment according to the invention may use a texture to reduce air drag in all or some postures taken by the athlete during athletic activity. Movement of the arms and legs of the running athlete generally ranges from the forward position of the athlete 705 to the rear position of the athlete 705. As shown, the elbow range 710 covered while running is significantly shorter than the forearm range 720 while performing the same activity. As such, the forearm of the athlete 705 may be accelerated and decelerated more violently than the elbow of the athlete 705. Similarly, the thigh range 730 covered during the run is considerably shorter than the knee range 740 and the lower leg range 750. As such, the thigh legs of the athlete 705 may experience lower acceleration and / or deceleration than the knee and lower leg of the athlete 705. Thus, the difference between the acceleration and / or deceleration of the thigh leg affects the shape of the athlete's air profile.

In addition, as well as changes in acceleration and / or deceleration at different points on the body of the athlete 705, the range 700 shows the difference in the orientation of the athlete 705 while running. For example, the knee of the athlete 705 over the knee range 740 bends from approximately 90 ° to approximately 180 ° (not shown at a constant rate). The bending of the knee of the athlete 705 affects the length and orientation of the thigh and lower leg muscles of the athlete 705, affecting the air flow around these areas. As such, the air profile of the air flowing around the body part of the athlete 705 is not only affected by the difference in speed, acceleration, and / or deceleration of the body part, but the exercise during performing the activity (s). It is also affected by the different orientations of the body parts of the athlete 705.

8A-8D illustrate multiple postures 800 of an athlete involved in athletic activity in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate multiple postures of pole vault athlete 800. As shown in FIG. 8A, air moving toward an athlete performing an activity may be directed to different areas of the sportswear the athlete is wearing in different ways based on the athlete's body posture and movement throughout the activity. Will affect. The direction of air flow is indicated by the air profile mark 840. In particular, body postures 810, 820, 830 are affected by separate air profiles for different positions of the aerodynamic garment. Although the body posture profile associated with athletic activity of the pole vault is shown in FIGS. 8A-8D, using the air profile associated with a plurality of body postures associated with any athletic activity as a basis for specifying a zone is practiced of the present invention. Included in the example.

8A-8D show athlete 800 in various postures associated with athletic activity while wearing the garment of the present invention. In the example shown in FIGS. 8A-8D, the athlete 800 is a pole vault athlete, but other athletic activities may also benefit from the garment according to the present invention. As the athlete 800 runs, the air flow 840 will impinge on the area of the athlete's clothing at various angles. The direction of air flow is shown by air profile indicator 840. In particular, each of the zones 810, 820, 830 will be affected in a different manner by the air profile indicator 840 when the priest 800's priest for the air flow 840 changes. Like zones 810, 820, and 830, the textures used for the different portions of the garment that the athlete 800 is wearing may be varied to minimize air drag in different postures. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, the zone 810 located in the torso of the athlete does not move like a big turn while running. The same is true for the zone 820 located on top of the athlete's thigh. Similarly, zone 830 is located in the lower leg of athlete 800 but undergoes a large turn. As such, because zone 830 is the last of the discussed zones, the athlete 800 will accelerate and / or decelerate more violently than the top of the athlete's thigh when running.

8C shows a second posture of an athlete 800 in athletic activity wearing a garment according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8C, the athlete 800 is starting to jump towards the pole vault bar. As the athlete 800 leaps, the air flow impinges at various angles on the area of the athlete's clothing. The direction of air flow is shown by air profile indicator 840. In particular, zones 810, 820, 830 are each affected in a different manner by air profile indication 840.

8D illustrates a third pose of an athlete 800 in athletic activity wearing a garment according to the present invention. The athlete 800 of FIG. 8D is rising towards the pole vault bar to achieve a height above the bar. As the athlete 800 approaches the bar, the airflow still strikes the area of the athlete's clothing at various angles. The direction of air flow is shown by air profile indicator 840. In particular, zones 810, 820, 830 are each affected in a different manner by air profile indication 840.

One or more of the zones 810, 820, 830 may be textured to minimize air drag during one or more stages of an athletic event, such as one of the example poses shown in FIGS. 8A-8D. have. Alternatively, one or more of the zones 810, 820, 830 may be textured to reduce air drag at multiple stages of an athletic event. Also, one or more zones may be optimized for one or more stages of an athletic competition, while other zones or zones may be optimized for other stages of an athletic competition. Of course, pole vault is only one example of an athletic event, and an athlete in any type of athletic event may benefit from the garment according to the present invention. In addition, the garment according to the present invention may use a zone other than and / or in addition to the zones 810, 820, 830 shown in FIGS. 8A-8D.

The selection of the appropriate texture applied to any area of the tracksuit may be based on properties such as the Reynolds number associated with the area of the tracksuit associated with the properties of the air profile. As such, each region affected by a particular air profile may be combined with a unique applied texture to minimize drag associated with sportswear. Aerodynamic analytical methods, such as wind tunnel analysis, may be used to determine other desirable aerodynamic properties or Reynolds numbers of the texture under aerodynamic conditions that will be experienced during athletic activity.

9 shows a textured portion 900 of a garment according to the present invention. For example, the textured portion 900 may be part of a textured area. The applied textured portion 900 may have tripping properties that cause aerodynamic properties that reduce drag on the garment. The boundary of the zone may be defined based on the exposure of the zone to the air profile of athletic activity as described in the above-mentioned figure. The applied texture of FIG. 9 includes a donut shaped nodule 910 and a diamond shaped nodule 920 applied to the garment. As described above, the nodule may be formed in a plurality of shapes such as a circle, a hexagon, a triangle, a rectangle, and the like. Nodules such as nodules 910 and 920 may be formed by printing a material such as silicone on a fabric or garment to be formed into a garment.

If floc processing is required, the nodule may be formed by a liquid applique with a liquid adhesive and / or fibers applied to the liquid. The fibers of the fabric are oriented uniformly, but may also have other orientations. For example, nylon fibers may be electrostatically aligned in a uniform direction. Alternatively, the fibers may have any alignment. In addition, fibers other than nylon may also be used, and one or more types of fibers may be used simultaneously. The length of the fibers may be uniform or vary, may be equal to the length and / or width of the nodule used, may be longer than the length and / or width of the nodule used, or may be shorter than the length and / or width of the nodule used. have. Fibers of various lengths may be used simultaneously.

The applied texture may have a tripping property that results in aerodynamic properties that reduce drag on the garment by triggering vortex formation based on the tripping of the air flow around the extremes of the garment wearer. Also, a texture as shown in textured portion 900 may be applied to the seam so that drag on the seam can be minimized. For example, a texture as shown in textured portion 900 may be disposed on top of the region and / or seam surrounding the seam. The textured portion 900 may also be applied to articles other than sportswear to control drag on these articles. For example, drag caused by air flow around sports equipment and other structures may be reduced by applying a texture.

9 also shows a range of densities between regions 930 and 940, where fewer nodules exist in region 930 than regions 940. 9 shows the range of the mixing ratio between the donut-shaped nodules and the diamond-shaped nodules. By changing the density of the nodule, the shape (s) of the nodule, the size of the nodule, the flocking of the nodule and / or the mixing ratio of the applied texture, the drag on the garment may be varied as described above. For example, the arrangement of the plurality of nodules may be based on the air profile normally encountered during athletic activity. For example, a plurality of nodules may be arranged on the garment in a density range proportional to the air profile experienced during the sprint, with more texture applied to the athlete's extremes and less texture applied to the athlete's torso. It may be.

10 shows an enlarged flocked portion 1000 of a garment according to the present invention. The flocked portion 1000 has an applied texture consisting of a flocked nodule, in particular a donut shaped flocked nodule 1010 and a diamond shaped flocked nodule 1020. As shown in FIG. 10, the nodules 1010, 1020 are made of fibers 1005 arranged in a uniform manner across a lining adhesive material such as silicon. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the fibers are oriented to extend almost perpendicular to the surface of the garment. All other fiber orientations, such as orientations parallel to the surface of the garment, angular orientation relative to the surface of the garment, a blend of fiber orientations or any fiber orientation, are also within the scope of the present invention.

Surface roughness may be applied to certain portions of the garment using conventional processes and materials such as silk screening, printing, heat sealing, overmolding, and the like. Examples of processes for applying a transfer body to a fabric substrate are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,544,581 and 5,939,004, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. These processes are used to transfer two-dimensional graphic images onto fabrics. The transfer body of the present invention has a predetermined three-dimensional shape (thickness), pattern, and density to form a predetermined aerodynamic array pattern similar to the riblet of the airplane wing on the outer surface of the garment.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, shown is an example of an integral garment 1100 worn during athletic activities such as sprint. The unitary garment 1100 includes 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. One or more textures may be applied to various areas of the garment 1100 as described herein. The roughness of the applied texture may be greatest at the distal end of the garment 1100, such as in the vicinity of the wrist of the first arm 1120 and the second arm 1122. Similarly, the texture may be rougher at the periphery of the athlete's body provided towards the air flow during sprint, such as on the side of torso 1140. On the other hand, the surface roughness may be less in an area that generates less air drag during the sprint, such as the central area of the torso 1140. The garment 1100 may be constructed of a highly elastic fabric to fit snugly to the athlete's body (not shown). The garment 1100 may additionally and / or alternatively be composed of a fabric having good moisture treatment, cooling or other properties. For easy close fit, the first arm 1120 may terminate at the portion including the thumbhole 1124 and the second arm 1122 may terminate at the portion including the island hole 1126. In addition, the first leg portion 1130 and the second leg portion 1132 may be a foot portion, stirrup, to fix the extremes of the garment 1100 around the feet and / or ankles of an athlete wearing the garment 1100. may be terminated in a stirrup or other device (not shown). Optionally, a zipper 1190 or any other closure mechanism may be used for easy wearing of the garment 1100. Any closure mechanism used may have a texture that is coupled to the closure mechanism to reduce air drag generated by the closure mechanism. Additionally and / or alternatively, the garment 1100 may be sufficiently elastic to allow an athlete to wear the garment using a neck hole 1150. Wearing clothing using neck hole 1150 may improve aerodynamic properties because it removes zippers 1190 or other closure mechanisms that may generate additional air drag, but through neck hole 1150. Wearing the garment may also be troublesome enough for an athlete in that a zipper 1190 or any other closure mechanism may be provided to close the garment after temporarily opening a portion of the garment 1100 for wearing. . Zipper 1190 or other fasteners may be positioned anywhere on garment 1100 and may be positioned to minimize air drag generated by the fasteners during certain athletic activities in which garment 1100 is to be worn.

Referring to FIG. 11B, a back view of unitary garment 1100 is shown. As shown in FIG. 11B, the ventilation section, in this example a rear mash 1160 at the rear of the garment 1100, provides ventilation and cooling for an athlete (not shown) wearing the garment 1100. You can also provide The rear mesh portion 1160 may be composed of any type of mesh and may vary in size with respect to the back of the garment 1100. Other mesh portions (not shown) may be used at positions other than the rear of the garment according to the invention. In addition, the mesh portion 1160 and / or other ventilation portions (such as additional examples to be described below) may be completely excluded from the garment according to the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 12, another example of a ventilator, in this example a cutout ventilation portion 1200, is shown. As shown in FIG. 12, the cutout vent 1200 includes a single piece of fabric 1210 having a cutout 1240 in the fabric 1210. The edge of each cutout 1240 may be treated with silicone or other material to prevent wear as needed. The edge processing unit, when used, may be printed, thermally transferred, bonded or otherwise applied to one or more edges of the cutout 1240. Cutout 1240 may be located on fabric 1210 such that the entire thread of fabric 1210 may extend across fabric 1210 without being cut at cutout 1240. For example, individual threads may extend along line 1220 and line 1230 to provide structural stiffness to fabric 1210. The cutout vent 1200 is only one example of a vent that may be used in conjunction with the garment of the present invention. As described above with respect to FIG. 11B, the mesh portion may also be used as the vent portion. The vent according to the invention may also comprise a plurality of pieces of fabric or strapping, for example assembled to provide one or more openings for venting. In addition, the garment according to the present invention may completely exclude the ventilation portion. The ventilation section may also be located at various positions of the garment according to the invention as well as at the rear of the garment.

In addition, the exemplary cutout vents shown and described in connection with FIG. 12 may also be used in combination with garments other than the aerodynamic garments described herein. For example, other garments may benefit from cutout vents that expose the wearer's skin to the atmosphere but can also maintain the strength and elasticity of the fabric without the additional weight and / or bulk of the vented portion comprised of a plurality of pieces. The cutout vent may include a piece of fabric having a plurality of threads and cutouts positioned such that at least a portion of the plurality of threads is not cutout. Cutouts may be formed using die cutting, laser cutting or other cutting techniques. The cutout edge may receive an edge treatment that may be applied to the cutout edge to prevent wear, as described herein. Cutout vents may be attached to a fabric covering a substantial portion of the wearer's torso and / or extremes to form a garment. The fabric may have sufficient elasticity to fit snugly against the wearer. In this way, the cutout vent may provide cooling to the user while maintaining light weight.

Referring now to FIG. 13A, a garment 1300 according to the present invention is shown worn by an athlete 1310. The garment 1300 may include an anterior torso section 1360 with little or no texture applied. The front torso section 1360 may be, for example, a relatively smooth fabric. The garment 1300 further includes a left texture zone 1320. The left texture zone may extend from the ankle of the athlete 1300 or from near the ankle to the athlete's leg and at least partially to the torso of the athlete 1310. Similarly, right leg texture zone 1340 may extend from the right ankle of athlete 1310 or from near the right ankle to at least a portion of the side of the torso of athlete 1310. The left arm 1330 may be textured and extend from the left waist of the athlete 1310 or around the waist to extend beyond the elbow of the athlete 1310 and beyond the shoulder. Similarly, right arm texture portion 1350 may extend from the elbow of athlete 1310 or from near the elbow to beyond the elbow of athlete 1310 and even beyond the shoulder.

Referring now to FIG. 13B, a rear view of the garment 1300 is worn by the athlete 1310. As further shown in FIG. 13B, the posterior central zone 1370 covers a portion of the rear torso of the athlete 1310 and over the neck of the athlete 1310 and below the rear of the arm of the athlete 1310. And may extend below a portion of the back of the legs of the athlete 1310. Zone 1370 may be constructed of a relatively smooth fabric similarly or differently to central trunk zone 1360. A vent as shown in FIG. 12 may be included in the rear of the garment 1300 as shown in FIG. 13B.

Referring now to FIG. 13C, there is shown a diagram of the left arm of an athlete 1310 wearing garment 1300. As shown in FIG. 13C, the left arm texture zone 1370 may include an applied variable texture that varies from the hand 1311 of the athlete 1310 to the shoulder 1314 of the athlete 1310. The garment 1300 may fit snugly against the wrist 1312, elbow 1313, and shoulder 1314 of the athlete 1310. Rear panel 1315, which may include a portion of rear region 1370, may optionally be constructed of mesh material to provide ventilation for athlete 1310.

Referring now to FIG. 13D, another aspect of an example garment 1300 is shown. FIG. 13D shows a portion of garment 1300 near and to the right hand of athlete 1310. As shown in FIG. 13D, a plurality of donut shaped nodules 1351 may be printed on the garment and optionally flocked as detailed herein. The garment 1300 may include an island hole such that the garment 1300 can be secured to the hand 1380 and thumb 1381 of the athlete 1310. In addition, the stage 1390 of the garment 1300 may be cut and printed with silicon similar to that used for the printing nodule 1351. The stage 1390 may then be flocked to improve aerodynamic performance as described herein above. 13D also shows alignment dots 1357 on steps 1390 that may optionally be included such that the athlete may easily align the garment with the body using thumb 1381. Additional alignment dots 1355 may be included in the printed texture of garment 1300 to provide a visual indication of garment alignment for athlete 1310. Similar alignment marks may be provided on both the arm of the garment 1300 and the leg of the garment 1300 to assist the athlete in properly aligning the garment 1300 for optimal aerodynamic performance and comfort.

Referring to FIG. 14A, various textures and fabrics are shown that may be used and combined by seams of garments in accordance with the present invention. Zone 1410 includes a plurality of flocked donut shaped nodules that may be formed as described herein. Zone 1420 includes a plurality of printed disc-shaped nodules that may or may not be flocked as described herein. Zone 1430 may be, for example, a first substantially seamless fabric used for the back portion of the garment. Zone 1440 may be an additional seamless fabric portion that may utilize the same or different fabric as zone 1430. Zone 1440 may include a central torso of a garment, such as garment 1300 shown in FIGS. 13A-13D, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 14B and 14C, there is shown an additional texture that may be printed on a fabric in accordance with the present invention. 14B shows a zone 1450 with a plurality of flocked donut nodules. 14C illustrates three additional densities and sizes that may be printed to provide a texture on a garment according to the present invention. Zone 1460 shows a plurality of relatively large dots that are densely printed. Zone 1470 shows a relatively sparse texture with medium dots. Zone 1480, on the other hand, shows a pattern of relatively small dots that are moderately sparse. As shown in Figures 14B and 14C, any number of patterns may be printed to provide a texture in accordance with the present invention. In addition, shapes other than the symmetrical circles and dots shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C may also be used in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 15, illustrated is a method 1500 for forming a garment in accordance with the present invention. In step 1510, the boundary of the zone of the garment is determined based on the air profile. The air profile used in step 1510 may be an air profile experienced by a portion of the garment when the athlete wears during athletic activity. The air profile may depend on the athlete's body posture and / or movement with respect to the atmosphere. The air profile experienced may also vary based on athletic activity or athletes who wish to wear clothing. In step 1520, a texture having a property of inducing aerodynamic properties that reduces drag in the determined zone may be determined. Step 1520 may use the air profile considered in step 1510. The texture determined in step 1520 may be any one of those described herein, such as a geometric shape, flocked nodule, non-flocked nodule, or any other texture that may be applied to the garment. Step 1510 and / or 1520 may utilize wind tunnels and / or other types of aerodynamic analysis. In step 1530, the texture determined in step 1520 may be applied to the zone determined in step 1520. Step 1530 may be performed using a printing technique, for example, to apply the texture to the surface or fabric of the garment to incorporate the garment. At step 1540, it may be determined whether additional zones on the garment are needed. If additional zones are required or needed, the method 1500 may return to step 1510 for determination of other zones and to step 1520 for determination of other textures. It should be noted that step 1540 may occur prior to step 1530 such that a plurality of zones having a plurality of textures may be applied at substantially the same time. If step 1540 determines that no additional zone is needed or required, the method 1500 proceeds to step 1550, at which point clothing may be worn by the athlete during athletic activity. One or more of steps 1510, 1520, 1530, and 1540 may be performed prior to manufacture of the garment worn in step 1550, and step 1530 may be performed using, for example, a fabric portion that is subsequently formed into the garment.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to the particular embodiment, and may be interchanged as needed, and may be used in selected embodiments even if not specifically shown or described. For example, surface roughness 12 is described as a pattern of protrusions extending from the surface of the fabric. However, heat searing or other methods may be used to form patterns of recesses and / or combinations of recesses and protrusions within the fabric within the scope of the present invention. Equivalents can also be varied in various ways. Such modifications should not be regarded as departing from the present invention, and all such modifications are included within the scope of the present invention.

110: sportswear
112: surface roughness
200 to 600: texture pattern
1300: Clothing
1310: Athletes
1320: left texture area
1330: left arm
1340: Right leg texture area
1350: right arm texture portion

Claims (34)

Sportswear worn by the wearer during athletic activities,
A first zone to which a first texture having a first property causing a first aerodynamic property is applied and covering a portion of the extreme part of the wearer;
A second texture having a second property that causes a second aerodynamic characteristic is applied and comprises a second zone that substantially covers the wearer's torso,
Sportswear. The method of claim 1, wherein the first property of the applied first texture comprises a plurality of three-dimensionally shaped nodules that cause a first aerodynamic property to trip air flow around the wearer's extremes to trigger vortex formation. doing,
Sportswear. The method of claim 1, wherein the first property of the first texture comprises a plurality of three-dimensional nodules applied to the garment in a first density range.
Sportswear. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of three-dimensional nodules are floc processed.
Sportswear. The method of claim 1, wherein the applied first texture comprises a plurality of nodules having a first property having a three-dimensional shape,
Sportswear. The method of claim 5, wherein the three-dimensional shape of the plurality of nodules comprises an elongate circular shape,
Sportswear. The method of claim 5, wherein the three-dimensional shape of the plurality of nodules comprises a donut shape,
Sportswear. The method of claim 1, wherein the applied second texture comprises a plurality of nodules having a second property having a disk shape.
Sportswear. The method of claim 2, wherein the nodule comprises silicon printed on sportswear,
Sportswear. The method of claim 9, wherein the nodule is flocculated,
Sportswear. The method of claim 1, wherein the applied first texture comprises a plurality of nodules having a first property having a density range,
Sportswear. The method of claim 11, wherein the density of the plurality of nodules increases across the extremes of the wearer.
Sportswear. The method of claim 12, wherein the first property causes a first aerodynamic property that increases the tripping of air flow around the wearer's extremes as the density of the plurality of nodules increases across the wearer's extremes,
Sportswear. The first and second zones of claim 1, wherein the first and second zones are located on the garment based on the exposure of each zone to the air profile associated with athletic activity when the garment is worn, with the intermediate zone being the first zone and the second zone. Extending in between, the intermediate zone having a texture that gradually changes from the applied first texture to the applied second texture,
Sportswear. The method of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate zone extending between the first and second zones, the intermediate zone having a texture that gradually changes from the applied first texture to the applied second texture,
Sportswear. Sportswear worn by the wearer during athletic activities,
A first zone having a first texture having a first property causing a first aerodynamic characteristic, the boundary of the first zone being formed based on the exposure of the first zone to the first air profile of athletic activity; Area,
A second zone with a second texture having a second property that causes a second aerodynamic characteristic, the boundary of the second zone being formed based on the exposure of the second zone to the second air profile of athletic activity; Area,
An intermediate zone to which a third texture is applied and comprising a portion of the garment between the first zone and the second zone,
Sportswear. The method of claim 16, further comprising a ventilator,
Sportswear. The method of claim 16, wherein the applied first texture, the applied second texture, and the applied third texture comprise a plurality of nodules printed on the tracksuit, the properties of the printed nodules being the first zone, the second zone, and the third zone. Changed between,
Sportswear. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of nodules comprises a flocked nodule,
Sportswear. 20. The arrangement of claim 19, wherein the placement of the plurality of flocked nodules is based on the first air profile.
Sportswear. The method of claim 20, wherein the plurality of flocked nodules are disposed in a density range proportional to the first air profile.
Sportswear. The method of claim 16, wherein the applied second texture comprises a second plurality of nodules having a second property having a disc shape,
Sportswear. The method of claim 22, wherein the size of each of the second plurality of nodules varies across the second zone,
Sportswear. The method of claim 23, wherein the size of each of the second plurality of nodules is based on the second air profile,
Sportswear. A method of improving the aerodynamic properties of sportswear worn by the wearer during athletic activities,
Determining a boundary of the region of the garment based on the exposure of the garment to the air profile of athletic activity,
Determining a texture comprising a plurality of three-dimensional nodules having properties that cause aerodynamic properties that reduce drag generated from air flow around at least one extreme of the wearer;
Applying the texture to at least a portion of the first zone of the garment,
How to improve the aerodynamic properties of sportswear. The method of claim 25, wherein the plurality of three-dimensional nodules are applied to the garment in a density range based on air flow around the wearer's extremes during athletic activity.
How to improve the aerodynamic properties of sportswear. The method of claim 25, wherein the plurality of three-dimensional nodules are floc processed.
How to improve the aerodynamic properties of sportswear. A method of improving the aerodynamic properties of sportswear worn by the wearer during athletic activities,
Identifying areas of clothing based on at least one extreme of the wearer;
Determining a texture having a property of reducing drag generated from air flow around at least one extreme, the property of the texture comprising a flocked shape;
Applying the fibers of the fabric to at least a portion of the liquid base on the garment to produce a floc processed three-dimensional shape,
How to improve the aerodynamic properties of sportswear. The fabric of claim 28, wherein the fibers of the fabric are uniformly oriented.
How to improve the aerodynamic properties of sportswear. The fiber of claim 28 wherein the fibers of the fabric comprise nylon.
How to improve the aerodynamic properties of sportswear. The method of claim 28, wherein the liquid adhesive comprises silicone.
How to improve the aerodynamic properties of sportswear. The garment of claim 28, wherein the garment comprises one type of fabric,
How to improve the aerodynamic properties of sportswear. An elastic fabric covering the wearer's extremes and a substantial portion of the torso,
A vent comprising a fabric piece attached to the fabric and having a plurality of threads,
A cutout that removes at least a portion of the fabric piece and is positioned such that a subset of the plurality of threads is not cut.
cloth. 34. The garment of claim 33, further comprising an edge treatment applied to the edge of the cutout to prevent wear.

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