U.S. patent application number 13/380289 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-31 for aerodynamic garment with applied surface roughness and method of manufacture.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKE,INC.. Invention is credited to Leonard W. Brownlie, Jorge E. Carbo, Matthew D. Nordstrom.
Application Number | 20120131720 13/380289 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43386891 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120131720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nordstrom; Matthew D. ; et
al. |
May 31, 2012 |
Aerodynamic Garment With Applied Surface Roughness And Method Of
Manufacture
Abstract
An aerodynamic garment may comprise zones with applied textures.
Each zone may be associated with properties and characteristics
based on the movement of the garment associated with each zone
through air during an athletic activity. The texture in each zone
may be applied using a variety of methods such as printing. The
resulting aerodynamic garment improves the performance of an
athlete wearing the aerodynamic garment by reducing the aerodynamic
drag experienced during the performance of the athletic
activity.
Inventors: |
Nordstrom; Matthew D.;
(Portland, OR) ; Carbo; Jorge E.; (Aloha, OR)
; Brownlie; Leonard W.; (West Vancouver, OR) |
Assignee: |
NIKE,INC.
Beaverton
OR
|
Family ID: |
43386891 |
Appl. No.: |
13/380289 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
June 24, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/39840 |
371 Date: |
February 16, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 31/185 20190201;
A41D 13/02 20130101; A41D 13/0015 20130101; A41D 2400/24
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 7, 2009 |
JP |
2009-184139 |
Claims
1. An athletic garment worn by a wearer during an athletic
activity, the garment comprising: a first zone having a first
applied texture having a first property that gives rise to a first
aerodynamic characteristic, the first zone covering a portion of an
extremity of the wearer; and a second zone having a second applied
texture having a second property that gives rise to a second
aerodynamic characteristic, the second zone substantially covering
the torso of the wearer.
2. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the first property of
the first applied texture comprises a plurality of
three-dimensional shaped nodules that give rise to a first
aerodynamic property of tripping air flow around the extremity of
the wearer to prompt eddy formation.
3. The athletic garment 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.
4. The athletic garment of claim 3, wherein the plurality of
three-dimensional nodules are flocked.
5. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the first applied
texture comprises a plurality of nodules that have a first property
of having a three-dimensional shape.
6. The athletic garment of claim 5, wherein the three-dimensional
shape of the plurality of nodules comprise an elongated circular
shape.
7. The athletic garment of claim 5, wherein the three-dimensional
shape of the plurality of nodules comprise a doughnut shape.
8. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the second applied
texture comprises a plurality of nodules that have a second
property of having a disc shape.
9. The athletic garment of claim 2, wherein the nodules comprise
silicon printed on the athletic garment.
10. The athletic garment of claim 9, wherein the nodules are
flocked.
11. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the first applied
texture comprises a plurality of nodules that have a first property
of having a density range.
12. The athletic garment of claim 11, wherein the density of the
plurality of nodules increases across the extremity of the
wearer.
13. The athletic garment of claim 12, wherein the first property
gives rise to a first aerodynamic characteristic of increased
tripping of air flow around the extremity of the wearer as the
density of the plurality of nodules increases across the extremity
of the wearer.
14. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the first zone and
second zone are located on the garment based on exposure of each
zone to air profiles associated with the athletic activity when the
garment is worn. An intermediate zone extending between the first
zone and the second zone, the intermediate zone having a texture
that gradually varies from the first applied texture to the second
applied texture.
15. The athletic garment of claim 1, further comprising: an
intermediate zone extending between the first zone and the second
zone, the intermediate zone having a texture that gradually varies
from the first applied texture to the second applied texture.
16. An athletic garment worn by a wearer during an athletic
activity, the garment comprising: a first zone having a first
applied texture having a first property that gives rise to a first
aerodynamic characteristic, the boundaries of the first zone
defined based on exposure of the first zone to a first air profile
of the athletic activity; a second zone having a second applied
texture having a second property that gives rise to a second
aerodynamic characteristic, the boundaries of the second zone
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 between the first zone and the second zone.
17. The athletic garment of claim 16, further comprising a
ventilation portion.
18. The athletic garment of claim 16, wherein the first applied
texture, the second applied texture, and the third applied texture
comprise pluralities of nodules printed on the athletic garment, a
property of the printed nodules varying between the first zone, the
second zone, and the third zone.
19. The athletic garment of claim 17, wherein the plurality of
nodules comprise flocked nodules.
20. The athletic garment of claim 19, wherein the arrangement of
the plurality of flocked nodules is based on the first air
profile.
21. The athletic garment of claim 20, wherein the plurality of
flocked nodules is arranged in a density range that is proportional
to the first air profile.
22. The athletic garment of claim 16, wherein the second applied
texture comprises a second plurality of nodules that have a second
property of having a disc shape.
23. The athletic garment of claim 22, wherein the size of each of
the second plurality of nodules varies across the second zone.
24. The athletic garment of claim 23, wherein the size of each of
the second plurality of nodules is based on the second air
profile.
25. A method to improve aerodynamic characteristics of an athletic
garment worn by a wearer during an athletic activity, the method
comprising: determining boundaries of a zone of a 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 the at least one extremity of the wearer, the texture
comprising a plurality of three-dimensional nodules; and applying
the texture to at least a portion of the first zone of the
garment.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the plurality of
three-dimensional nodules is applied to the garment in a density
range based on the air flow around the extremity of the wearer
during the athletic activity.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein the plurality of
three-dimensional nodules are flocked.
28. A method of improving aerodynamic characteristics of an
athletic garment worn by a wearer during an athletic activity, the
method comprising: identifying a zone of a garment based on at
least one extremity of the wearer; 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.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the fibers of fabric are
uniformly oriented.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the fibers of fabric comprise
nylon.
31. The method of claim 28, wherein the liquid adhesive comprises
silicon.
32. The method of claim 28, wherein the garment comprises one type
of fabric.
33. A garment comprising: fabric having elasticity that covers a
substantial portion of the torso and extremities of a wearer; and a
ventilation portion affixed to the fabric, the ventilation portion
comprising: a piece of fabric having a plurality of threads; and
cutouts that remove at least one portion of the piece of fabric,
the cutouts positioned such that a subset of the plurality of
threads are not cut.
34. The garment of claim 33, further comprising an edge treatment
applied to the edges of the cutouts to prevent fraying.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application Claims Benefit To U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/220,184, Filed Jun. 24, 2009, Entitled
"Aerodynamic Garment with Applied Surface Roughness and Method of
Manufacture."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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
[0003] 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 utilized to create the
garment.
[0004] 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, Apr. 14, 1993, School of Kinesiology, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference), 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.
[0005] 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 iii). 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.
[0006] 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 disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, 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.
[0007] 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 optimized for
comfort, thermodynamics, perspiration management, weight, and other
comfort and/or performance characteristics across the garment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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 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.
[0014] 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
[0015] 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.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an example athletic
garment in accordance with the present invention;
[0017] 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;
[0018] 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;
[0019] 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;
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a textured portion of a
garment in accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a flocked portion of a
garment in accordance with the present invention;
[0022] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an example of a unitary body
suit in accordance with the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates an open back portion that may be used in
conjunction with a garment in accordance with the present
invention;
[0024] FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate views of a further garment in
accordance with the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 14A-14L illustrate further examples of textures and/or
fabrics that may be used with a garment in accordance with the
present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 15 illustrates a method for forming a garment in
accordance with the present invention.
[0027] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] 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 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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 torso to gradually increasing
surface roughness towards the respective distal ends of the arm and
leg portions.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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 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).
[0037] 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 FIG. 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] If flocking is desired, the nodules may be formed by a
liquid adhesive and/or a liquid applique 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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,
the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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.
[0049] 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 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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, 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.
[0052] A cutout ventilation portion, one example of which is
illustrated and described in conjunction with FIG. 12, 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.
[0053] 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 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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 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.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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 that may be applied to a garment. Step
1510 and/or step 1520 may utilize 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.
[0060] 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 12 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.
* * * * *