Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AERODYNAMIC GARMENT WTTH APPLIED SURFACE ROUGHNESS
AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This Application Claims Priority To U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/220,184, Filed June 24, 2009, Entitled "Aerodynamic Garment with Applied
Surface
Roughness and Method of Manufacture."
HELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to an aerodynamic garment, such as a full-body
suit, for improving athletic performance, and its method of manufacture. More
particularly,
the aerodynamic garment has surface roughness applied to the garment at key
locations so as
to more effectively optimize the air flow around an athlete wearing it, and
thereby reduce the
drag on the athlete.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Aerodynamic garments, such as tight fitting shirts, pants, and full body
suits,
are gaining in popularity as a means to improve athletic performance. In
general, these
garments improve athletic performance by reducing the aerodynamic drag acting
on the
athlete wearing it. Drag is produced when a fluid, such as air, flows around
an object,
forming eddies. Previous attempts to address the issue of drag have focused on
the selection
of materials used to form an athletic garment so as to minimize the drag on an
athlete wearing
the garment while engaging in an athletic activity. These garments have
generally worked to
reduce drag in two ways. First, garments have been designed to be tight-
fitting and to present
a smooth, unwrinkled fabric surface toward the wind-facing portions of the
athlete's body.
Second, garments have been made of a particular fabric(s) that offers a
particular surface
texture known for optimally engaging the wind at the usual speeds in which the
athlete will
be moving while wearing the garment. In both of these methods, the drag on a
garment is
based on the selection of the fabric utili7ed to create the garment.
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Efforts by engineers and designers to quantify and select the optimal surface
texture of an aerodynamic garment for a particular sporting event have had
limited success.
For example, in his published Ph.D. thesis titled "Aerodynamic Characteristics
of Sports
Apparel" (Author: Leonard W. Brownlie, Simon Fraser University, April 14,
1993,
School of Kinesiology), Ph.D. candidate Leonard W. Brownlie
documents tests that he performed to determine the drag reducing
effects of various stretch fabrics, each with a different surface texture,
when draped over a
cylinder in a wind tunnel.
Mr. Brownlie concludes that "the surface roughness property of some stretch
fabrics allows utilization of these fabrics to reduce [drag forces] on the
human form in a
variety of athletic endeavors." (Abstract, page
However, his tests were limited to fabrics
from commercial, off-the-shelf athletic garments without giving much guidance
for
determining how to select the optimal surface textures for a particular
athletic event.
More recently, inventors have attempted to quantify a system for selecting
fabrics having surface roughness for providing optimal aerodynamic drag
reduction during a
particular sporting event. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,755
to MacDonald et al., the inventors teach determining and
optimizing the Reynolds number of sections of an athletes body based on the
size of that
section and the speed of the air traveling over that section during the
desired athletic activity.
Based on the calculated Reynolds number for each section, different fabrics
having different
surface roughnesses are then selected for each body section. The result is an
athletic garment
produced with different fabrics joined together, which each different fabric
positioned at its
optimal location on the suit so as to optimize overall athletic performance of
an athlete
wearing it.
While MacDonald et al. offers a significant advancement in aerodynamic
garment designs, it also requires a plurality of different fabrics to be
secured together, which
increases production costs and, depending of the fabrics selected, may
decrease wearer
comfort and the like. Further, methods of generating aerodynamic garments
under
MacDonald et al. are based on the selection of fabrics based primarily on
their characteristic
drag coefficients, independent of whether the chosen fabric(s) possessed other
desirable
characteristics, such as stretching properties, flexibility, breathability,
etc. Accordingly,
while garments produced under MacDonald et al. may be aerodynamically
favorable, the
resulting garments likely will not be optimi7ed for comfort, thermodynamics,
perspiration
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management, weight, and other comfort and/or performance characteristics
across the
garment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, despite the improvements of known athletic garments, there
remains a need for cost-effective athletic garments that more effectively
allow the
aerodynamic drag-reducing effects of selective surface roughnesses to be
optimized while
taking into account the additional properties of the fabrics worn by athletes.
There is also
provided a related efficient and economical method of making this garment. By
choosing a
base fabric that is optimized for comfort and/or non-aerodynamic performance
factors,
textured surfaces may be selectively applied to the basic fabric to gain
desired aerodynamic
properties to optimize the overall effectiveness of the aerodynamic garment in
aiding an
athlete's top performance while wearing the aerodynamic garment. As disclosed
more fully
in the specification of this application, the present invention fulfills these
and other needs.
An athletic garment in accordance with the present invention may be
composed of one type of fabric, or even a single piece of fabric, and sections
having different
surface roughness may be formed by applying textures applied to areas on the
garment. As a
result, the fabric of a sporting garment may be selected for functional, or
even esthetic,
reasons other than surface roughness. For example, a fabric with advantageous
moisture
management characteristics but disadvantageous aerodynamic properties may be
used for a
garment, with a texture applied to the fabric to produce advantageous
aerodynamic property
or properties. Accordingly, a garment in accordance with the present invention
may possess
advantageous aerodynamic properties while also possessing other desirable
functional and/or
esthetic properties not otherwise attainable.
The surface roughness and/or surface roughnesses may be applied with one or
more conventional transfer techniques such as inkjet or other printing, silk
screening, heat
transfer, over-molding and/or the like. The surface roughness may be selected
to provide the
most appropriate texture at each body location for the air velocity likely to
be experienced at
that body location for the given athletic event. If a garment in accordance
with the present
invention is constructed of multiple pieces of fabric, either of the same or
different types, the
application of surface roughness to fabrics at the seams joining the fabric
pieces allows for
the minimization of air resistance at the seams. For example, a texture may be
placed on top
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of seams and/or areas surrounding seams to reduce, the impact of seams on an
air profile.
Further, silicon or other material may be used to form hems and/or treat edges
of fabric, such
as may be encountered at hems near wrists, ankles, and/or necks. The use of
silicon or other
material at such a hem may add elasticity while reducing the weight and/or
bulk of other
types of hem, while also preventing fraying of the fabric. Yet a further
option of using
silicon or other material for a hem of a garment in accordance with the
present invention is
that flocking may be applied to all or part of the hem to reduce aerodynamic
drag at the hem.
A garment in accordance with the present invention may comprise a unitary
body suit. A unitary body suit may be constructed from a single type of fabric
or multiple
types of fabric. Any seams used to construct such a unitary body suit may be
positioned to
minimize drag during one or more athletic activity. A unitary body suit in
accordance with
the present invention may be donned through an opening positioned anywhere in
the garment.
An opening through which a unitary body suit is donned may optionally be
closed using any
type of fastener, such as zipper(s), a hook and loop system, buttons, snaps,
etc. If a closure
mechanism is used, a surface roughness may be applied to the garment as
described herein to
minimize the aerodynamic drag of the closure mechanism. One example of a
unitary body
suit in accordance with the present invention may provide an opening for the
neck and
optionally a portion of the back of an athlete while being constructed of a
fabric with
sufficient elasticity to permit the athlete to don the garment through that
opening. In such an
example, the aerodynamic drag associated with the opening may be reduced for
forward
facing movement by eliminating the need for a closure mechanism. The closure
mechanism
may be avoided by using the elasticity of the fabric to maintain an acceptable
fit, and
ventilation may be provided to the athlete for cooling and comfort during
exertion.
The application of a texture on a garment influences the drag properties of
the
garment when it is worn by an athlete during an athletic activity. As stated
above, drag is
produced when a fluid, such as air, flows around an object. The air flowing
around the object
separates at a location on the object, forming eddies. The location on an
object at which the
air flow breaks into eddies depends upon the shape of the object and the speed
at which the
air moves relative to the object. For instance, air flowing around a slow-
moving cylinder
may produce relatively small eddies. However, air flowing around a fast-moving
cylinder of
the same size as the slow-moving cylinder may produce relatively large eddies.
One way to lessen the drag of an object, such as a fast-moving cylinder, is to
promote tripping of the air flowing around the object. Tripping of an air flow
involves
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changing the texture on the outside of an object to induce laminar flow. For
instance, air
flowing around a smooth cylinder may be tripped by adding a texture to the
surface of the
cylinder. The texture may hold the air near the surface of the cylinder,
allowing air to flow
around a larger area(s) of a cylinder than if the cylinder lacked the added
texture. By
increasing the amount of time the air flows in a laminar flow around a
cylinder, the intensity
of eddies may be smaller when the air flow around the cylinder breaks. In this
way, the
application of textures to the surface area of an object may influence the
amount of drag
produced by air flowing around the object. The object may be an aerodynamic
garment being
worn by an athlete. As different parts of an athlete's body move at different
speeds during an
activity, different textures may need to be applied across the aerodynamic
garment to account
for such variances. As such, by selectively applying textures to areas of an
aerodynamic
garment, the drag on the garment may be controlled. Additionally, the
application of different
textures may be used to control the drag on items other than athletic
clothing. For instance,
drag resulting from air flow around a ball, sports equipment, a vehicle, a
structure, etc. may be
reduced through the use of applied textures.
According to an embodiment, there is provided an athletic garment worn by a
wearer during an athletic activity, the garment comprising: a first zone
having a first applied
texture applied to the garment, the first zone adapted to cover an extremity
of the wearer when
the garment is worn and comprising a surface roughness that gives rise to a
first aerodynamic
characteristic, wherein the surface roughness comprises a first plurality of
three-dimensional
shaped nodules each extending outwardly from the surface of the garment and
each having a
height, and wherein the first applied texture comprises a uniform surface
roughness
encompassing a proximal end of the first zone and a uniform surface roughness
encompassing
a distal end of the first zone, and wherein the height of the first plurality
of three-dimensional
shaped nodules uniformly increases from the proximal end of the first zone to
the distal end of
the first zone; and a second zone having a second applied texture applied to
the garment, the
second zone comprising a surface roughness having a second plurality of three-
dimensional
shaped nodules extending a height outwardly from the surface of the garment
that gives rise to
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a second aerodynamic characteristic, the second zone adapted to cover the
torso of the wearer
when the garment is worn.
According to another embodiment, there is provided an athletic garment
configured to be worn by a wearer during an athletic activity, the garment
comprising: a first
zone having a first applied texture applied to the garment, the first zone
adapted to cover an
extremity of the wearer when the garment is worn and comprising a surface
roughness,
wherein the surface roughness comprises a plurality of three-dimensional
shaped nodules each
extending outwardly from the surface of the garment and each having a height,
and wherein
boundaries of the first zone are defined based on exposure of the first zone
to a first air profile
of the athletic activity, wherein the first applied texture comprises a
uniform surface
roughness encompassing a proximal end of the first zone and a uniform surface
roughness
encompassing a distal end of the first zone, and wherein the height of the
plurality of three-
dimensional shaped nodules uniformly increases from the proximal end of the
first zone to the
distal end of the first zone; a second zone having a second applied texture
extending
outwardly from the surface of the garment that gives rise to a second
aerodynamic
characteristic, wherein boundaries of the second zone are defined based on
exposure of the
second zone to a second air profile of the athletic activity; and an
intermediate zone having a
third applied texture, the intermediate zone comprising a portion of the
garment located
adjacently intermediate between the first zone and the second zone.
According to another embodiment, there is provided a method to improve
aerodynamic characteristics of an athletic garment configured to be worn by a
wearer during
an athletic activity, the method comprising: determining boundaries of a first
zone of the
garment based on exposure of the garment to an air profile of the athletic
activity; determining
a texture having a property that gives rise to an aerodynamic characteristic
to decrease drag
generated from air flow around a portion of the garment configured to cover at
least one
extremity of the wearer, the texture comprising a plurality of three-
dimensional nodules;
applying a first texture to at least a portion of the first zone of the
garment adapted to cover
the extremity of a wearer, wherein the first texture comprises a surface
roughness comprising
a plurality of three-dimensional shaped nodules each extending outwardly from
the surface of
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the garment and each having a height, and wherein the first texture comprises
a uniform
surface roughness encompassing a proximal end of the first zone and a uniform
surface
roughness encompassing a distal end of the first zone, wherein the height of
the plurality of
three-dimensional shaped nodules uniformly increases from the proximal end of
the first zone
to the distal end of the first zone; and applying a second texture to at least
a portion of a
second zone of the garment, wherein the first zone and second zone of the
garment are located
adjacent to one another.
According to another embodiment, there is provided a method of improving
aerodynamic characteristics of an athletic garment configured to be worn by a
wearer during
an athletic activity, the method comprising: identifying a first zone and a
second zone of a
garment based on at least one extremity of the wearer, the first zone and the
second zone
located adjacent to one another; determining a texture having a property to
decrease drag
generated from air flow around the at least one extremity, the property of the
texture
comprising a flocked shape; applying a liquid adhesive across at least a
portion of the
garment; and applying fibers of a fabric to at least a portion of the liquid
base on the garment
to produce a flocked three-dimensional shape, wherein a surface roughness of
the flocked
three-dimensional shape extends outwardly from the surface of the garment, and
wherein the
flocked three-dimensional shape comprises a surface roughness having a first
height which
encompasses a proximal end of the first zone and a surface roughness having a
second height
which encompasses a distal end of the first zone, and wherein the surface
roughness uniformly
increases from the first height of the first zone to the second height of the
first zone.
According to another embodiment, there is provided a garment comprising: a
torso portion, and a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion
extending from the torso
portion, each sleeve portion having a distal aspect and a proximal aspect,
each sleeve portion
comprising a first applied texture, wherein the first applied texture
comprises a plurality of
three-dimensional shaped nodules each extending outwardly from a surface.of
the garment
and each having a height, and wherein the first applied texture comprises a
uniform surface
roughness which encompasses the proximal end of the each sleeve portion and a
uniform
surface roughness which encompasses the distal end of the each sleeve portion,
and wherein
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the height of the plurality of three-dimensional shaped nodules uniformly
increases from the
proximal end of the each sleeve portion to the distal end of the each sleeve
portion; wherein
the torso portion comprises a second surface roughness that gives rise to a
second
aerodynamic characteristic; wherein the first and second sleeve portions and
the torso portion
are made from a fabric having an elasticity.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a
comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. Further
areas of applicability
will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and
specific
examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended
to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected
embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to
limit the scope of
the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an example athletic garment in accordance
with the present invention;
FIGS. 2-6 illustrate a plurality of example texture patterns that may be used
on
selected regions of an athletic garment in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a plurality of positions an athlete may take
relative to ambient air during an athletic activity in accordance with the
present invention;
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FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a further example of the ranges of positions an athlete
may take relative to ambient air during an athletic activity in accordance
with the present
invention;
FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a textured portion of a garment in accordance
with the present invention;
FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a flocked portion of a garment in accordance
with the present invention;
FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an example of a unitary body suit in accordance
with the present invention;
FIG. 12 illustrates an open back portion that may be used in conjunction with
a garment in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate views of a further garment in accordance with the
present invention;
FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate further examples of textures and/or fabrics that may
be used with a garment in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 15 illustrates a method for forming a garment in accordance with the
present invention.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment 100 of an athletic garment 110
with sections of surface roughness 112 applied thereto is shown. Athletic
garment 110 is a
suit having a torso portion 120, leg portions 122 and arm portions 124. Each
portion may be
sized and shaped to snugly cover their respective portions of an athlete 130
as shown. Each
of the portions 120, 122, 124 may be formed of with a fabric offering optimal
stretching,
comfort, and/or performance effects for the region of the body over which it
covers. Sections
of surface roughness 112 may be applied to the underlying fabric of the suit
to further
optimize aerodynamic properties of the suit, such as the drag reducing
properties of the suit.
As such, the respective portions 120, 122, 124 of the garment 110 may be
formed from a
sheet of material that is not necessarily selected for its optimal aerodynamic
properties.
Rather, those properties may be optimized by the application of the surface
roughness 112 at
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optimal locations along the garment 110. For example, texture may be applied
to a garment
in order to trip air flow so as to reduce drag on the garment. The application
of surface
roughness 112 may be applied to an athletic garment, such as garment 110, to
optimize
aerodynamic properties of the garment, independent of the aerodynamic
properties of the
garment. As such, surface roughness 112 may also and/or alternatively be
applied to a
garment with near-optimal aerodynamic properties as well as a garment with
poor
aerodynamic properties.
Referring to FIGS. 2-6, a plurality of exemplary texture patterns 200-600 for
use on selected regions of an athletic garment are illustrated in accordance
with embodiments
of the present invention. By applying the patterns to the fabric, rather than
relying purely on
the surface roughness of a particular fabric used in the underlying suit, the
size, density,
arrangement, flocking, and/or shape of the surface roughness may be optimized.
For example,
the aerodynamic benefits of increased surface roughness may increase at higher
air speeds.
Accordingly, the surface roughness (i.e. textured pattern's size, density,
arrangement,
flocking and/or shape) may be greatest towards the distal ends 140 of the leg
portion 122 and
arm portions 124, which move the fastest during many athletic events. Further,
each area of
an aerodynamic garment that is exposed to an air profile may be enhanced with
a texture that
is applied to the garment. In these instances, the texture applied to each
area of an
aerodynamic garment may be optimized to perform in conditions that are most
likely to occur
in the performance of an athletic event. For instance, an aerodynamic garment
designed for a
sprinter may be enhanced to optimize performance of short events such as a 100-
meter dash,
400-meter race, etc. Alternatively, an aerodynamic garment may be designed for
a marathon
runner that is enhanced with textures that are optimal for running conditions
of approximately
five minutes per mile. Further, garments may be designed with applied textures
to optimize
the performance of running hobbyists who have running times of ten minutes per
mile, eight
minutes per mile, etc. The placement and textures used to design a garment to
be used in
running a 100-meter dash may be quite different than those used to design a
marathon
runner's garment.
Moreover, surface roughness patterns may smoothly transition between
portions of the garment. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the torso portion
120 may have
little or no added surface roughness, and the surface roughness on the arm and
leg portions
124, 122, respectively, of the garment smoothly transition from little or none
adjacent to the
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torso to gradually increasing surface roughness towards the respective distal
ends of the arm
and leg portions.
The surface roughness 112 may be applied toward the windward facing
leading edges of the aerodynamic garment associated with the wearer's body,
which are also
often called the "wet edges." An athletic activity performed by an athlete
wearing the
garment may have wet edges that are based on a plurality of positions of the
athlete during
the athletic activity. Pluralities of positions of the athlete during the
athletic activity are
further discussed in FIG. 7. The applied surface roughness 112 may extend
entirely around
all fast-moving portions of the athlete whose wet edges tend to move during
the athletic
activity such as around the forearm and calves of a runner. Further, the
applied surface
roughness 112 may be attached to any portion of the athletic garment that is
impacted by an
air profile associated with an athletic activity.
Zones of an athletic garment may be defined based on body positions of an
athlete engaged in an athletic activity. Additionally and/or alternatively,
zones on an athletic
garment may be based on size, proportion, and/or body composition of an
athlete wearing the
athletic garment during an athletic activity. Further, the type and pattern of
a texture applied
to each zone of an athletic garment may be based on different, shapes, sizes,
and/or body
compositions of an athlete.
An athletic garment worn by a wearer during an 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 gives rise to a first aerodynamic characteristic. Further, the
first zone may
cover a portion(s) of an extremity of the wearer. The second zone may have a
second applied
texture having a second property that gives rise to a second aerodynamic
characteristic. The
second zone may substantially cover the torso of the wearer. Further, an
intermediate zone
may extend between the first zone and the second zone. The intermediate zone
may have a
texture that gradually varies from the first applied texture to the second
applied texture.
Texture may be applied to a garment by identifying a zone of a garment based
on the air flow resulting from the body position and movement relative to
ambient air of an
athlete wearing the garment during an athletic activity. An indentified zone
may correspond
to at least one extremity of the wearer. A texture having a property to
decrease drag
generated from air flow around the at least one extremity may be determined.
One example
of an applied texture is smooth, thin silicon discs that are applied to a
portion of a garment.
Silicon discs or other shapes may be applied by printing silicon on a garment
and/or fabric for
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forming into a garment. Any printing process may be used to apply silicon to
the surface of a
garment. Another example of an applied texture is flocked nodules. Flocked
nodules may be
formed by applying liquid adhesive to a garment, such as liquid silicon as
discussed above,
and then applying fibers to the liquid adhesive. The liquid adhesive may be
applied across at
least a portion of the garment. After the adhesive has dried or sufficiently
bonded to the
fibers, excess fibers that did not contact the adhesive may be removed by
shaking, blowing,
etc. The fibers of the nodule may be oriented in any number of ways, including
uniform
orientation and randomized orientation. For example, nylon fibers may be
aligned
electrostatically to produce a uniform orientation of the fibers in a flocked
nodule. Both
flocked and unflocked nodules may be shaped in various ways, such as circles,
squares,
ovals, diamonds, various polygons, etc. Various shapes may be used on the same
garment
and/or portion of a garment. Further, both flocked and unflocked nodules may
be used on the
same garment and/or portion of a garment.
FIG. 7 illustrates ranges 700 of positions of an athlete engaging in an
athletic
activity while wearing a garment in accordance with the present invention. In
particular,
FIG. 7 illustrates ranges 700 of the movement of an athlete's left arm and
left leg during
running. A garment in accordance with the present invention may utilize
textures to reduce
aerodynamic drag in all or some of the positions an athlete will engage in
during an athletic
activity. The movement of the arm and leg of an athlete running generally
ranges from a
position in front of athlete 705 to a position behind athlete 705. As
illustrated, elbow range
710 that is covered during the run is significantly shorter than forearm range
720 during the
performance of the same activity. As such, the forearm of athlete 705 may
accelerate and
decelerate at a greater intensity than the elbow of athlete 705. Similarly,
thigh range 730 that
is covered during the run is significantly shorter than knee range 740 and
lower leg range
750. As such, the thigh of athlete 705 may experience a lesser magnitude of
acceleration
and/or deceleration than the knee of athlete 705 and the lower leg of athlete
705.
Accordingly, the difference in magnitude between the acceleration and/or
deceleration of the
thigh affects the shape of an air profile of an athlete.
Further, in addition to the varied magnitudes of acceleration and/or
deceleration at different point on the body of athlete 705, ranges 700
illustrate the differences
in orientation of athlete 705 during running. For instance, across knee range
740, the knee of
athlete 705 is flexing from approximately 90 degrees to approximately 180
degrees (not
drawn to scale). This flex of the knee of athlete 705 affects the length and
orientation of
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muscles in the thigh and lower leg of athlete 705, which in turn influences
air flow around
these areas. As such, air profiles of air flowing around body portions of
athlete 705 is not
only affected by the difference in speed, acceleration, and/or deceleration of
body portions,
but is also affected by the different orientation of body portions of athlete
705 during the
performance of an activity(ies).
FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a plurality of positions 800 of an athlete associated
with an athletic activity in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. In
particular, FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a plurality of positions of an athlete 800
pole-vaulting. As
seen in FIGS. 8A, air that is moving towards an athlete performing an activity
will impact
different areas of the athletic garment worn by the athlete indifferent ways
based on the body
position and movement of the athlete throughout the performance of the
activity. Direction
of air flow is indicated by air profile indicators 840. In particular, body
positions 810, 820,
and 830 are impacted by distinct air profiles against different portions of
the aerodynamic
garment. Although the body position profiles associated with the athletic
activity of pole
vaulting are provided in FIGS. 8A-8D, the use of air profiles associated with
a plurality of
body positions associated with any athletic activity as the basis of the
designation of zones is
covered by embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate an athlete 800 in various positions associated with an
athletic activity while wearing a garment in accordance with the present
invention. In the
example illustrated in FIGs. 8A-8D, athlete 800 is pole vaulting, although
other athletic
activities may benefit from garments in accordance with the present invention.
As the athlete
800 is running, air flow 840 impacts areas of the athlete's garment at
different angles. The
direction of air flow is illustrated by air profile indicators 840. In
particular, zones 810, 820,
and 830 are each impacted in different ways by air profile indicators 840 as
the position of
athlete 800 relative to the airflow 840 changes. The texture used on different
portions of the
garment worn by athlete 800, such as zones 810, 820, and 830, may vary to
minimize
aerodynamic drag at different positions. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B,
zone 810,
located on the torso of the athlete does not move in as great of a swing
during the run. As
zone 820, located on the top of the athlete's thigh. Similarly, zone 830 is
located on the
lower leg of the athlete 800 and experiences yet greater swing. As such, zone
830 is the most
distal of the zones discussed, and will accelerate and/or decelerate with
greater magnitude
than the top of the athlete's thigh when the athlete 800 is running.
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FIG. 8C illustrates a second position of an athlete 800 engaged in an athletic
activity while wearing a garment in accordance with the present invention. As
shown in FIG.
8C, athlete 800 begins to leap towards a pole vaulting bar. As the athlete 800
is leaping, air
flow impacts areas of the athlete's garment at different angles. The direction
of air flow is
illustrated by air profile indicators 840. In particular, zones 810, 820, and
830 are each
impacted in different ways by air profile indicators 840.
FIG. 8D illustrates a third position of an athlete 800 engaging in an athletic
activity while wearing a garment in accordance with the present invention. The
athlete 800
of FIG. 8D is ascending towards the pole vaulting bar in order to gain height
to clear the bar.
As the athlete 800 approaches the bar, air flow impacts areas of the athlete's
garment at yet
different angles. The direction of air flow is illustrated by air profile
indicators 840. In
particular, zones 810, 820, and 830 are each impacted in different ways by air
profile
indicators 840.
One or more of zones 810, 820, and 830 may be textured so as to minimize
aerodynamic drag during one or more stage of athletic competition, such as one
of the
exemplary positions illustrated in FIGs. 8A-8D. Alternatively, one or more of
zones 810,
820, and 830 may be textured to reduce aerodynamic drag in multiple stages of
athletic
competition. Also, one or more zones may be optimized for one or more stage of
an athletic
competition, while another zone or zones may be optimized for a different
stage of an athletic
competition. Of course, pole vaulting is only one example of an athletic
competition; athletes
engaging in any type of athletic competition may benefit from garments in
accordance with
the present invention. Further, garments in accordance with the present
invention may use
zones different from and/or in addition to zones 810, 820, and 830 illustrated
in FIGS. 8A-
8D.
The selection of an appropriate texture to apply to an area of the athletic
garment may be based on properties, such as a Reynolds number, associated with
the area of
the athletic garment associated with a characteristic of an air profile. As
such, each area
influenced by a particular air profile may be associated with a unique applied
texture to
optimize drag associated with the athletic garment. Aerodynamic analysis
methods, such as
wind tunnel analysis, may be used to measure a Reynolds number or other
desired
aerodynamic properly of a texture under the aerodynamic conditions likely to
be experienced
during an athletic activity.
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FIG. 9 illustrates a textured portion 900 of a garment in accordance with the
present invention. For example, textured portion 900 may be part of a zone
with an applied
texture. The applied texture of portion 900 may possess a tripping property
that gives rise to
an aerodynamic characteristic of reducing drag on a garment. The boundaries of
the zone
may be defined based on exposure of the zone to an air profile of an athletic
activity as
described in figures above. The applied texture of FIG. 9 comprises of
doughnut shaped
nodules 910 and diamond shaped nodules 920 applied to a garment. As discussed
above,
nodules may be formed in any number of shapes, such as circles, hexagons,
triangles,
squares, etc. Nodules, such as nodules 910 and 920, may be formed by printing
a material,
such as silicon, onto a garment or fabric to be formed into a garment.
If flocking is desired, the nodules may be formed by a liquid adhesive and/or
a
liquid appliqué with fibers applied to the liquid. The fibers of fabric may be
uniformly
oriented, but may also have other orientations. For example, nylon fibers may
be
electrostatically aligned into a uniform direction. Alternatively, fibers may
have a random
alignment. Fibers other than nylon may also be used, and more than one type of
fiber may be
used at the same time. The length of fibers used may be uniform or varied, and
may be equal
to the length and/or width of the nodules used, longer than the length and/or
width of the
nodules used, or shorter than the length and/or width of the nodules used.
Fibers of varying
lengths may be used at the same time.
The applied texture may have a tripping property that gives rise to an
aerodynamic characteristic of reducing drag on a garment by prompting eddy
formation
based on tripping air flow around an extremity of a wearer of the garment.
Further, a texture
such as that illustrated in textured portion 900 may be applied to seams to
allow for the
minimization of drag at the seams. For example, a texture such as that
illustrated in textured
portion 900 may be placed on top of seams and/or areas surrounding seams.
Additionally,
textured portion 900 may be applied to items other than athletic clothing to
control the drag
on those items. For instance, drag resulting from air flow around sporting
equipment and
other structures may be reduced through the use of applied textures.
FIG. 9 also illustrates a range of density between area 930 and area 940, such
that fewer nodules are in area 930 than in area 940. Further, FIG. 9
illustrates a range of mix
ratios between doughnut shaped nodules and diamond shaped nodules. By altering
the
density of nodules, shape(s) of nodules, size of nodules, flocking of nodules,
and/or mix ratio
of an applied texture, the drag across the garment may be modified, as
discussed above. For
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example, the arrangement of the plurality of nodules may be based on an air
profile typically
encountered during an athletic endeavor. For example, the plurality of nodules
may be
arranged over a garment in a density range that is proportional to an air
profile experienced
during sprinting, which may result in greater texture being applied at an
athlete's extremities
and lesser texture being applied at an athlete's torso.
FIG. 10 illustrates an enlarged flocked portion 1000 of a garment in
accordance with the present invention. Flocked portion 1000 has an applied
texture that
consists of flocked nodules, particularly a doughnut-shaped flocked nodule
1010 and a
diamond-shaped flocked nodule 1020. As seen in FIG. 10, nodules 1010 and 1020
are made
of fibers 1005 that are arranged in a uniform fashion over an underlying
adhesive material,
such as silicon. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the fibers are
oriented so as to extend
more or less perpendicular to the surface of the garment. All other fiber
orientations, such as
parallel to the surface of the garment, an angular orientation with the
surface of the garment,
a mix of fiber orientations, or a random fiber orientation, are within the
scope of the present
invention.
The surface roughness may be applied to the desired portions of the garment
using conventional processes and materials such as silk screening, printing,
heat sealing,
over-molding, or the like. Examples of processes for applying a transfer
object
to a fabric substrate are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,544,581
and 5,939,004. These processes have been used to transfer a two-
dimensional graphical image onto fabric. The transfer in the present invention
has a desired
three-dimensional shape (thickness), pattern, and density so as to form a
desired aerodynamic
array pattern, similar to riblets on an airplane wing, on the outer surface of
the garment.
Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, an example of a unitary garment 1100
for wear during athletic activities such as sprinting is illustrated. Unitary
garment 1100 may
comprise a first arm 1120, a second arm 1122, a first leg 1130, and a second
leg 1132.
Garment 1100 may further comprise a torso 1140. One or more textures may be
applied to
different regions of garment 1100 as described herein. The roughness of the
applied texture
may be greater at the extremities of garment 1100, such as near the wrists of
first arm 1120
and second arm 1122. The texture may similarly be rougher at the periphery of
an athlete's
body as presented towards airflow while sprinting, such as on the sides of
torso 1140.
Meanwhile, surface roughness may be less in regions that will generate less
aerodynamic
drag during sprinting, such as the central region of torso 1140. Garment 1100
may be
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constructed of a highly elastic fabric to ensure a snug fit to the body of an
athlete (not
illustrated). Garment 1100 may additionally and/or alternatively be
constructed of fabric
with desirable moisture management, cooling or other properties. To facilitate
a close fit,
first arm 1120 may terminate in a portion including a thumbhole 1124, and
second arm 1122
may terminate in a portion including thumbhole 1126. Further, first leg 1130
and second leg
1132 may terminate in foot portions, stirrups, or other devices (not shown) to
secure the
extremity of garment 1100 around the foot and/or ankle of an athlete wearing
the garment
1100. Optionally, a zipper 1190 or any other closure mechanism may be used to
facilitate the
donning of garment 1100. Any closure mechanism used may have a texture
associated with
it to reduce aerodynamic dray produced by the closure mechanism. Additionally
and/or
alternatively, garment 1100 may be sufficiently stretchable to permit an
athlete to don
garment using neck hole 1150. While donning a garment using neck hole 1150
provides
improved aerodynamic properties, as it eliminates a zipper 1190 or other
closure mechanism
that may produce additional aerodynamic drag, donning a garment through neck
hole 1150
may also be sufficiently difficult for an athlete that a zipper 1190 or any
other closure
mechanism may be provided to close a garment after temporarily opening a
portion of the
garment 1100 for donning. A zipper 1190 or other fastener may be located
anywhere upon
garment 1100, and may be located to minimize the aerodynamic drag created by
the fastener
in the particular athletic activity for which the garment 1100 is intended to
be worn for.
Referring now to FIG. 11B, a rearview of unitary garment 1100 is illustrated.
As shown in FIG. 11B, a ventilation portion, in this example a back mesh
portion 1160 in
back of garment 1100 may provide ventilation and cooling of an athlete (not
illustrated)
wearing garment 1100. Back mesh portion 1160 may be constructed of any type of
mesh and
may be of varying size relative to back of garment 1100. Other mesh portions
(not
illustrated) may be used at locations other than the back of a garment in
accordance with the
present invention. Further, mesh portion 1160 and/or other ventilation
portions (such as the
additional example described below) may be omitted entirely from a garment in
accordance
with the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 12, another example of a ventilation portion, in this
example a cutout ventilation portion 1200, is illustrated. As illustrated in
FIG. 12, cutout
ventilation portion 1200 comprises a single piece of fabric 1210 with cutouts
1240 in the
fabric 1210. The edges of each cutout 1240 may be treated with silicon or
other material to
prevent fraying, if desired. An edge treatment, if used, may be printed, heat
transferred,
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glued, or otherwise applied to one or more edges of cutouts 1240. Cutouts 1240
may be
located on fabric 1210 such that an entire thread of fabric 1210 may extend
across the fabric
1210 without being severed at a cutout 1240. For example, individual threads
may extend
along lines 1220 and along lines 1230 to provide structural integrity to
fabric 1210. Cutout
ventilation portion 1200 is merely one example of a ventilation portion that
may be used in
conjunction with garments in accordance with the present invention. As
discussed previously
with regard to FIG. 11B, a mesh portion may also be used as a ventilation
portion. A
ventilation portion in accordance with the present invention may also
comprise, for example,
multiple pieces of fabric or strapping assembled to provide one or more
openings for
ventilation. Further, garments in accordance with the present invention may
entirely omit a
ventilation portion. Further, ventilation portions may be located at varying
locations of a
garment in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the back
portion of a
garment.
A cutout ventilation portion, one example of which is illustrated and
described
in conjunction with FIG. 12õ also may be used in conjunction with garments
other than the
aerodynamic garments described herein. For example, other garments may benefit
from a
cutout ventilation portion that exposes the skin of the wearer to ambient air
while also
maintaining the strength and elasticity of the fabric without the additional
weight and/or bulk
of a ventilation portion constructed with multiple pieces. A cutout
ventilation portion may
comprise a piece of fabric having a plurality of threads and cutouts
positioned such that at
least a subset of the plurality of threads are not cut. The cutouts may be
formed using die
cutting, laser cutting, or other cutting techniques. The cutout edges may
receive an edge
treatment, such as described herein, may be applied to the cutout edges to
prevent fraying.
The cutout ventilation portion may be affixed to fabric covering a substantial
portion of the
torso and/or extremities of the wearer to form a garment. The fabric may have
sufficient
elasticity to provide a snug fit for the wearer. In this fashion, a cutout
ventilation portion may
provide cooling to the user while remaining light weight.
Referring now to FIG. 13A, a garment 1300 in accordance with the present
invention is illustrated as worn by an athlete 1310. Garment 1300 may comprise
a front torso
region 1360 with little or no applied texture. Front torso region 1360 may be,
for example, a
relatively smooth fabric. Garment 1300 may further comprise a left side
texture region 1320.
Left side texture region may extend from at or near the ankle of athlete 1300
up the leg of
athlete and at least partially up the torso of athlete 1310. Similarly, right
leg texture region
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1340 may extend from at or near the right ankle of athlete 1310 and up at
least a portion of
the side of the torso of athlete 1310. Left arm portion 1330 may be textured
and may extend
from at or near the left wrist of athlete 1310 past the elbow and even over
the shoulder of
athlete 1310. Similarly, right arm texture portion 1350 may extend from at or
near the right
elbow of athlete 1310, over the elbow and even past the shoulder of athlete
1310.
Referring now to FIG. 13B, a rear view of garment 1300 worn by athlete 1310
is illustrated. As further illustrated in FIG. 13B, a rear central zone 1370
may cover portions
of the back torso of athlete 1310 and may further extend up the neck of
athlete 1310, down
back portions of the arms of athlete 1310, and may even extend down portions
of the backs of
the legs of athlete 1310. Zone 1370 may be constructed of a relatively smooth
fabric similar
to or different from that of central torso zone 1360. A ventilation portion,
such as that
illustrated in FIG. 12, may be included in the back of garment 1300 as
illustrated in FIG.
13B.
Referring now to FIG. 13C, a view of the left arm of athlete 1310 wearing
garment 1300 is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 13C, left arm texture zone
1370 may
comprise varying applied textures that change from hand 1311 of athlete 1310
to shoulder
1314 of athlete 1310. Garment 1300 may fit snuggly over wrist 1312, elbow
1313, and
shoulder 1314 of athlete 1310. A back panel 1315 that may comprise a portion
of back zone
1370 may optionally be constructed of a mesh material to provide ventilation
for athlete
1310.
Referring now to FIG. 13D, further aspects of an exemplary garment 1300 are
illustrated. FIG. 13D illustrates a portion of garment 1300 at and near the
right hand of
athlete 1310. As shown in FIG. 13D, a plurality of doughnut shaped nodules
1351 may be
printed and optionally flocked on garment as previously described herein.
Garment 1300
may include a thumbhole to permit garment 1300 to be secured over the hand
1380 and
thumb 1381 of athlete 1310. Further, the hem 1390 of garment 1300 may be cut
and printed
with silicon similar to that used in printing nodules 1351. Hem 1390 may then
be flocked to
improve aerodynamic performance, as previously described herein. FIG. 13D
further
illustrates alignment dot 1357 on hem 1390 that may optionally be included to
permit athlete
to easily align garment on the body with thumb 1381. Further alignment dots
1355 may be
included in the printed texture of garment 1300 to provide a visual indication
of alignment of
the garment 1300 on athlete 1310. Similar alignment markers may be provided on
both arms
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of a garment 1300 and the legs of garment 1300 to assist an athlete in
properly aligning the
garment 1300 for optimal aerodynamic performance and comfort.
Referring now to FIG. 14A, various textures and fabrics that may be used and
even joined by seams in a garment in accordance with the present invention are
illustrated.
Zone 1410 comprises a plurality of flocked doughnut shaped nodules, that may
be formed as
described herein. Zone 1420 comprises a plurality of printed disc shaped
nodules that may be
unflocked, as described herein. Zone 1430 may be a first substantially smooth
fabric used,
for example, in a rear-facing portion of a garment. Zone 1440 may be a further
smooth fabric
portion, that may utilize the same or a different fabric than zone 1430. Zone
1440 may, for
example, comprise a central torso portion in a garment such as 1300
illustrated in FIGs. 13A-
13D.
Referring now to FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C, additional textures that may be
printed on a fabric in accordance with the present invention are illustrated.
FIG. 14B
illustrates a zone 1450 having a plurality of flocked doughnut nodules. FIG.
14C illustrates
three additional densities and sizes of nodules that may be printed to provide
a texture on a
garment in accordance with the present invention. Zone 1460 illustrates a
densely printed
plurality of relatively large dots. Zone 1470 illustrates a relatively sparse
texture with
medium-sized dots. Zone 1480, meanwhile, illustrates a moderately sparse
pattern of
relatively small dots. As shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C, any number of patterns
may be
printed to provide a texture in accordance with the present invention.
Further, shapes other
than the symmetric circles and dots illustrated in FIGS. 14B and 14C may be
used in
accordance with the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 15, a method 1500 for forming a garment in accordance
with the present invention is illustrated. In step 1510, the boundaries of a
zone of a garment
are determined based on an air profile. The air profile used in step 1510 may
be the air
profile experienced by a portion of the garment when worn by an athlete during
an athletic
activity. The air profile may depend upon the body position of the athlete
and/or movement
of the athlete relative to ambient air. The air profile experienced may vary
based upon the
athletic activity, or even the athlete, intended to wear the garment. In step
1520, a
determination of a maybe made texture having a property that gives rise to an
aerodynamic
characteristic decreasing drag in the determined zone. Step 1520 may use the
air profile
considered in step 1510. The texture determined in step 1520 may be any of
those described
herein, such as a geometric shape, a flocked nodule, an unflocked nodule, or
any other texture
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that may be applied to a garment. Step 1510 and/or step 1520 may utili7e wind
tunnels
and/or other types of aerodynamic analysis. In step 1530, the determined
texture from step
1520 may be applied to the determined zone from step 1520. Step 1530 may be
performed
using printing techniques, for example, to apply a texture to the surface of a
garment or a
fabric for incorporation into a garment. In step 1540, a determination may be
made as to
whether an additional zone on the garment is desired. If an additional zone is
required or
desired, method 1500 may return to step 1510 for the determination of another
zone and step
1520 for the determination of another texture. It should be appreciated that
step 1540 may
occur prior to step 1530, such that multiple zones having multiple textures
may be applied
substantially simultaneously. If the conclusion of step 1540 is that no
additional zones are
needed or desired, method 1500 may proceed to step 1550, at which point the
garment may
be worn by an athlete during an athletic activity. One or more of steps 1510,
1520, 1530, and
1540 may be performed prior to fabrication of the garment worn in step 1550,
step 1530 may,
for example, be performed using a fabric portions that will subsequently
formed into a
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 features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that
particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be
used in a
selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. For example,
the surface
roughness 112 is described as patterns 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 without
compromising the scope
of the invention. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations
are not to be
regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are
intended to be
included within the scope of the invention.
