U.S. patent application number 15/446540 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-19 for golfing apparel.
The applicant listed for this patent is Neil Trodden. Invention is credited to Neil Trodden.
Application Number | 20170295861 15/446540 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55807103 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170295861 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Trodden; Neil |
October 19, 2017 |
GOLFING APPAREL
Abstract
A compression garment for playing golf, wherein at least a
portion of the garment is configured to provide compression of a
torso of a user and at least a portion of the garment includes a
low-friction outer surface.
Inventors: |
Trodden; Neil;
(Hertfordshire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Trodden; Neil |
Hertfordshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
55807103 |
Appl. No.: |
15/446540 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0015 20130101;
A41D 2600/10 20130101; A41D 2300/322 20130101; A41B 1/08 20130101;
A41D 31/185 20190201 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00; A41B 1/08 20060101 A41B001/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 1, 2016 |
GB |
1603526.3 |
Claims
1. A compression garment for playing golf, wherein at least a
portion of the garment is configured to provide compression of a
torso of a user and at least a portion of the garment comprises a
low-friction or reduced friction outer surface.
2. The compression garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or
more panels of the garment are configured to be more stretchable in
a first orientation than in a transverse orientation.
3. The compression garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or
more panels comprise fibers configured to be more stretchable in a
first orientation than in a transverse orientation.
4. The compression garment as claimed in claim 1 comprising an
arrangement of interactions of fibers of the fabric, so as to lower
or reduce friction on an inner surface of the fabric, an outer
surface of the fabric, or both an inner surface and an outer
surface of the fabric.
5. The compression garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
low-friction or reduced friction outer surface is located at a
respective frontal region of the garment.
6. The compression garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
garment comprises a chest panel, a back panel and two lateral
panels, wherein the lateral panels connect the chest and back
panels.
7. The compression garment as claimed in claim 6, wherein (i) the
chest panel is configured to be more stretchable in a respective
vertical orientation of the garment than in a respective horizontal
orientation, (ii) the back panel is configured to be more
stretchable in a respective vertical orientation of the garment
than in a respective horizontal orientation, or (iii) the chest
panel is configured to be more stretchable in the respective
vertical orientation of the garment than in the respective
horizontal orientation, and, the back panel is configured to be
more stretchable in the respective vertical orientation of the
garment than in the respective horizontal orientation.
8. The compression garment as claimed in claim 6, wherein (i) the
chest panel fibers are configured to be more stretchable in a
vertical plane than in a horizontal plane, (ii) the back panel
fibers are configured to be more stretchable in a vertical plane
than in a horizontal plane, or (iii) the chest panel fibers are
configured to be more stretchable in the vertical plane than in the
horizontal plane, and, the back panel fibers are configured to be
more stretchable in the vertical plane than in the horizontal
plane.
9. The compression garment as claimed in claim 6, wherein the chest
panel comprises a low-friction or reduced friction outer
surface.
10. The compression garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or
more panels of the garment comprise about 96% polyester and about
4% elastane, or about 95% polyester and about 5% elastane.
11. The compression garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or
more panels of the garment comprise about 80% polyester and about
20% elastane.
12. The compression garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or
more panels of the garment comprise about 85% nylon and about 15%
elastane, or about 80% nylon and about 20% elastane.
13. The compression garment as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a part- or fully-circumferential compression band.
14. A golf apparel system comprising a compression garment and an
outer garment, wherein: at least a portion of the compression
garment is configured to provide compression of a torso of a user
and at least a portion of the compression garment comprises a
low-friction or reduced friction outer surface; and the outer
garment comprises a low-friction or reduced friction inner
surface.
15. The golf apparel system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
garments are configured to provide low-friction interaction between
a respective outer layer of the compression garment and a
respective inner layer of the outer garment.
16. A method for manufacturing a compression garment for playing
golf, the compression garment comprising: at least a portion of the
garment is configured to provide compression of a torso of a user;
and at least a portion of the garment comprises a low-friction
outer surface.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16 further comprising
configuring at least one panel of the garment to be more
stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse orientation
or configuring fibers of the panel to be more stretchable in a
first orientation than in the transverse orientation.
18. The method as claimed in claim 16 comprising securing a
plurality of panels together to form a compression garment, the at
least one panel having at least two types of stretch
characteristics.
19. The method as claimed in claim 16 comprising securing a further
compression band to a torso region of the garment for compressing a
lower-chest, sternum or diaphragm region of a user.
20. A golfing apparel outer garment for use with a compression
garment, the outer garment is configured to reduce interaction with
an undergarment through at least a portion of an inner surface
thereof comprising a low-friction or reduced friction surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Patent Application claims priority from UK Patent
Application No. GB1603526.3, filed Mar. 1, 2016, the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to golfing apparel. In
particular, the present invention relates to a compression garment
for playing golf, a golfing system comprising a compression garment
and an outer garment, a method for manufacturing a compression
garment for playing golf, and a golfing apparel outer garment for
use with a compression garment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The sport of golf has a large following, and is played all
over the world. Various fabrics are known to be used to aid
performance of sportsmen and sportswomen in general; however, with
respect to golf per se, inventions tend to arise relating to
hardware for playing the game, such as clubs, balls, or shoes, and
not in relation to clothing or fabrics specifically for
golfers.
[0004] It is important to note that, with golf, clothing worn on
the upper body or torso in particular should not inhibit free
movement of the arms, which might, thereby, reduce a player's
performance. This is also true of other sports, the playing of
which might use other forms of a bat and ball, in which it is
equally important that the free movement of the arms, back and
shoulders are allowed. Specifically, with golf, rotation of the
arms, shoulders and back combines to make a golf swing, the
performance of which is essential to playing the game. It is,
therefore, highly desirable to have garments which do not inhibit
this motion of the arms, shoulders and back. As such, the present
invention is aimed at providing such garments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides
a compression garment for playing golf, wherein at least a portion
of the garment is configured to provide compression of a torso of a
user and at least a portion of the garment comprises a low-friction
or reduced friction outer surface.
[0006] Preferably, the garment is a sleeve-less compression
garment; further preferably, a vest-like garment.
[0007] Preferably, the garment comprises a plurality of panels
having at least two different types of stretch characteristics.
[0008] Preferably, the garment comprises four panels having three
different types of stretch characteristics.
[0009] Preferably, at least one panel is configured to be more
stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse
orientation.
[0010] Further preferably, a panel comprises fibers configured to
be more stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse
orientation.
[0011] Preferably, the garment comprises an arrangement of the
interactions of the fibers of the fabric, so as to lower friction
on an inner and/or outer surface thereof.
[0012] Most preferably, two panels are configured to be more
stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse
orientation.
[0013] Preferably, the low-friction outer surface is located at a
respective frontal region of the garment.
[0014] Most preferably, a panel comprises fibers configured to be
more stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse
orientation.
[0015] The garment may comprise a chest panel, a back panel and two
lateral panels, wherein the lateral panels connect the chest and
back panels. Preferably, the chest panel is configured to be more
stretchable in a respective vertical orientation of the garment
than in a respective horizontal orientation. Preferably, the back
panel is configured to be more stretchable in a respective vertical
orientation of the garment than in a respective horizontal
orientation. Most preferably, the chest panel fibers are configured
to be more stretchable in a vertical plane than in a horizontal
plane. Most preferably, the back panel fibers are configured to be
more stretchable in a vertical plane than in a horizontal
plane.
[0016] Preferably, an arcuate seam connects the chest panel to a
respective lateral panel.
[0017] Preferably, panels and seams are configured so as to provide
a slippery chest and stomach (outer) surface towards any outer
layer, so that said outer layer can glide over the compression
garment with little or no friction or resistance. Most preferably,
the garment is slippery in the direction of the golf swing.
[0018] Preferably, the chest panel comprises a low-friction or
reduced friction outer surface. Additionally, or alternatively, one
or more lateral panels may comprise a low-friction or reduced
friction outer surface. Further preferably, the chest panel
comprises a zip or alternative fastener. Preferably, the garment
comprises enlarged arm holes for reducing friction during a golf
swing. Preferably, the lateral panels are evenly stretchable in
respective vertical and horizontal orientations. Most preferably,
the lateral panels comprises mesh material. Preferably, an internal
surface of the bottom seam of the garment comprises a grip
strip.
[0019] Most preferably, the side panels comprise four-way
stretchability. Most preferably, the chest and back panels comprise
two-way stretchability in a vertical sense, so as to compress the
core and back of a wearer.
[0020] Preferably, one or more panels comprise about 96% polyester
and about 4% elastane, or about 95% polyester and about 5%
elastane. Alternatively, those panels may comprise about 50% to
about 98% polyester and about 50% to about 2% elastane, or may
comprise about 76% polyester and about 24% elastane. Most
preferably, those panels are side panels.
[0021] Preferably, one or more panels comprise about 80% polyester
and about 20% elastane. Alternatively, those panels may comprise
about 75% polyester and about 25% elastane to about 98% polyester
and about 2% elastane. Most preferably, those panels are chest
and/or back panels.
[0022] Preferably, one or more panels comprise about 85% nylon and
about 15% elastane, or about 80% nylon and about 20% elastane.
[0023] Preferably, the percentage values for polyester and nylon
are interchangeable.
[0024] The garment may additionally comprise means for providing
additional compression to a lower-chest, sternum and/or diaphragm
region of a user. Preferably, the means is a compression band.
Further preferably, the compression band is movable in a vertical
orientation of the garment.
[0025] Most preferably, the inner garment is a vest, and the outer
garment a polo shirt.
[0026] According a second aspect, the present invention provides a
golfing system comprising a compression garment and an outer
garment, wherein the outer garment comprises a low-friction or
reduced friction inner surface.
[0027] Preferably, the compression garment is as defined in
relation to the first aspect.
[0028] Preferably, the garments are configured to provide
low-friction interaction between a respective outer layer of the
compression garment and a respective inner layer of the outer
garment.
[0029] Preferably, the outer garment is at least partly configured
to be more stretchable in a respective vertical orientation of the
garment than in a respective horizontal orientation.
[0030] Preferably, the fibers of the outer garment are arranged to
be more stretchable in a vertical plane than in a horizontal plane.
Preferably, the outer garment is a polo shirt comprising a raglan
sleeve. Further preferably, the outer garment comprises a
drawstring or equivalent in a bottom seam thereof.
[0031] Most preferably, the inner garment is a vest, and the outer
garment a polo shirt.
[0032] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for manufacturing a compression garment for
playing golf, the compression garment comprising:
[0033] at least a portion of the garment is configured to provide
means for compression of a torso of a user; and
[0034] at least a portion of the garment comprises a low-friction
or reduced friction outer surface.
[0035] Preferably, the compression garment is as defined in
relation to the first aspect.
[0036] Preferably, the method comprises manufacturing at least one
panel to be more stretchable in a first orientation than in a
transverse orientation.
[0037] Preferably, the method comprises configuring panel fibers to
be more stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse
orientation.
[0038] Preferably, the method comprises configuring the
interactions of the fabric fibers so as to provide a lower friction
surface.
[0039] Preferably, the method comprises securing a plurality of
panels together to form a compression garment, the one or more
panels having at least two types of stretch characteristics.
[0040] Further preferably, the method comprises securing a
compression band to a torso region of the garment for compressing a
lower-chest, sternum and/or diaphragm region of a user.
[0041] According to a further aspect, the present invention
provides a golfing apparel outer garment for use with a compression
garment, the outer garment is configured to reduce interaction with
an undergarment through at least a portion of an inner surface
thereof comprising a low-friction or reduced friction surface.
[0042] Preferably, the garment further comprises a selectively
adjustable waistband, for freeing movement upon selectively
enlarging the waistband and for smartness through selectively
reducing the waistband, so as to give the impression of it being
tucked in.
[0043] Preferably, the chest panel is arranged to be more
stretchable in a respective vertical orientation of the garment
than in a respective horizontal orientation.
[0044] Preferably, the outer garment is at least partly arranged to
be more stretchable in a respective vertical orientation of the
garment than in a respective horizontal orientation.
[0045] Preferably, the fibers of the outer garment are arranged to
be more stretchable in a vertical plane than in a horizontal plane.
Most preferably, the outer garment is a polo shirt comprising a
raglan sleeve.
[0046] The Applicant has identified that a garment or garment
system needs to be designed to minimise any friction that may occur
throughout the movement of the golf swing. Therefore, by minimising
the resistance of movement in the golf swing, it is hypothesised
that this will provide an increase in performance, especial the
swing speed. The present garments have been specifically aimed at
the sport of golf; however, it is understood that gains in other
sporting fields such as cricket, baseball and racket sports may
also be achieved through the same principles.
[0047] Whilst it is not intended to be bound by theory, it is also
understood that a wearer of the compression garment feels uplifted,
their arms and chest feel lighter, and they feel more powerful,
which it is believed provides an improvement in the swing per se,
even if it is hard to assess this directly. The compression
characteristics of the garment focus compression on the core of the
body, which has the perceived effect of making one feel more
supported and stronger, which is believed to have a positive
psychological impact on the wearer's confidence to perform.
[0048] The present compression garment and modified polo are
specifically aimed at players of golf. As such, the location,
material and stretch characteristics of the panels are specifically
chosen so as to minimise drag and friction whilst a wearer is
performing a golf swing. In addition, the performance of an
individual wearing the golfing system is enhanced through the use
of the compression garment with a modified polo shirt, as the
stretch characteristics of the two garments may be chosen to
mutually co-operate, by both stretching in a vertical sense.
[0049] Advantageously, the compression garment and polo of the
present invention provides a system which has a low co-efficient of
friction between the user wearing the compression garment and any
outer garments they are wearing. Specifically, the golfing system
reduces friction between the compression garment and the modified
polo shirt. An additional advantage of the modified polo shirt is
that it eliminates the normal practice of tucking in of the outer
garment to the trousers or shorts worn by the sportsperson. The
system additionally allows free movement and stretching of the
individual's arms whilst the outer garment glides up the
individual's skin. A particular advantage of the present invention
is the provision of a two-layer garment system whereby the fabrics
are constructed such that the fabrics are aligned vertically in the
two different layers. The direction of the stretch is highly
important in the reduction of friction and the resulting increases
in swing speed that have been demonstrated. Advantageously, the
swing speed of an individual wearing the compression garment of the
present invention is improved. Further, the swing speed of a user
wearing the compression garment and modified polo shirt of the
present invention are further improved.
[0050] Advantageously, a compression garment (with or without the
modified polo shirt) can be psychologically important for a golfer
because, when worn, the golfer feels more powerful and feels the
freedom of movement in a pre-shot swing, so that the golfer feels
more confident when taking his/her shot.
[0051] Advantageously, the singlet is vest-like and does not have
sleeves as this removes twisting of the fabric around the armpit
and on the biceps, which would otherwise occur when the golfer
swings. Further, provision of a wide arm opening enhances the
feeling of freedom of movement. The tucking in of the standard polo
shirt creates a twisting of the fabric that throttles the biceps
and armpit and, thus, slows down the swing--which is prevented by
the wearing of the modified polo shirt.
[0052] In particular, the curved shape of the frontal seams for the
chest panel and the panel's relative inflexibility in a horizontal
plane maximise compression on the front core muscles of a wearer,
which are those that are key to performance power. The garment also
provides compression around the wearer's back, for back support
against the impact of swing speed torque experienced by many
golfers (which can lead to back ache).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0053] The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example only,
with reference to the following drawings, in which:
[0054] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a compression garment;
[0055] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the compression garment of
FIG. 1;
[0056] FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a further compression
garment;
[0057] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of the compression garment of
FIG. 3; and
[0058] FIG. 5 is a front elevation of a polo shirt for use with the
compression garments of FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIGS. 3 and 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0059] The compression garment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a form of
vest or singlet, as they are often known, and is hereinafter
generally identified by reference 1. The singlet 1 is shown in a
flattened condition. Although there are respective front 2 and rear
3 parts of the singlet 1, the singlet 1 is made from a number of
panels of material, a number of which extend to appear on both the
front 2 and rear 3 of the singlet 1, as can be seen from FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0060] The singlet 1 has, in general, a chest panel (or chest
panels) 4, a back panel 5, and lateral or side panels 6 and 7. The
panels are connected through various seams which extend along the
length of adjacent panels. As is common with clothing, the seams
are stitched for connection of the panels 4 to 7. The singlet 1
also comprises a neck region opening 8, for receipt of the head and
neck of a wearer, arm region openings 9 and 10, for receipt of the
arms of a wearer, and a waist region opening 11, for receipt of a
waist of a user. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the chest panel
4 is intended to cover a frontal chest-region of a wearer and
extends from the head region opening 8 to the waist region opening
11. It also extends towards and into the arm region openings 9 and
10. As for the back panel 5, it is intended to cover a central back
region of a wearer and the tops of their shoulders, and extends
from the waist region opening 11, upwards and over the shoulders of
a wearer around the head region opening 8, and joins with the chest
panel 4. Each of the lateral panels 6; 7 is intended to extend from
the chest panel 4 around a side of a wearer and connect to the back
panel 5, and extend from the waist region opening 11 up to the arm
region opening 9 or 10, where it terminates. The chest panel 4 is
connected to end portions of respective side panels 6; 7 through
arcuate seams 12, each seam 12 extends from the arm region opening
9 or 10 to the waist region opening 11. The curvature of the seam
12 defines a convex cut-out in the chest panel 4, into which the
end portion of the side panel 6 or 7 extends. The back panel 5 is
connected to opposite ends of the respective side panels 6; 7
through seams 13 having an irregular sinusoidal (or wavy) form,
which seams 13 extend from the arm region openings 9; 10 to the
respective waist region opening 11. The back panel 5 is connected
to the chest panel 4 through seams 14, having an irregular
sinusoidal (or wavy) form, and the seams 14 extend from the head
region opening 8 to the respective arm region openings 9; 10. A
grip-strip 15 is located on the seam at the waist region opening 11
of the singlet 1, on an inner circumferential surface thereof, so
as to prevent riding up of the singlet 1 in use.
[0061] The chest panel 4 and back panel 5 are manufactured from a
material which is more stretchable in a vertical orientation of the
garment (a plane running on or parallel to a line between the head
region opening 8 and the waist region opening 11), than in a
horizontal orientation (a plane running on or parallel to a line
between the respective arm region openings 9 and 10). The chest
panel is manufactured from a material which is 80% polyester and
20% elastane and has a gsm of 240. Each of the side panels 6; 7 are
manufactured from a material which is 96% polyester mesh and 4%
elastane, having a gsm of 170. The back panel is manufactured from
a material which is 85% nylon and 15% elastane, having a gsm of
210.
[0062] The chest panel 4 is manufactured to have a low-friction or
reduced friction outer surface, across which panel 4 the arms of a
user taking a golf swing might rub. As an alternative or in
addition, one or both side panels and/or the back panel may also be
manufactured to have a low-friction or reduced friction outer
surface.
[0063] Alternatively, other blends of nylon, polyester and
elastane, or other materials, may make up the panels of the singlet
1, if care is taken to provide corresponding stretch
characteristics and low-friction surfaces on the singlet 1.
[0064] The singlet 1 is both comfortable to wear and the outer
surfaces thereof are smooth, silky, have a sheen, or are non-catch
materials, so as to reduce any friction between the singlet and any
outer garment.
[0065] The singlet may be manufactured essentially in line with a
known manufacturing method for clothing, for example a method for
manufacturing a vest and, so, this will not be discussed in
detail.
[0066] In a further alternative, the compression garment may be a
form of T-shirt or shirt having sleeves.
[0067] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a compression garment, hereinafter
identified by reference 20, which is based upon the singlet 1 shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2 and, as the two singlets 1 and 20 include various
common features, only the differences will be described in
detail.
[0068] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a further singlet 20, which includes a
zip 21, which extends from the head region opening 8 to the waist
region opening 11. The singlet 20 also includes an additional chest
compression band 22 which is located to lie across the diaphragm or
sternum of a wearer of the singlet 20. In FIG. 3, the compression
band 22 is shown as a shaded line extending across the front 2 of
the singlet 20; however, the compression band could be located on
an outer-surface or an inner-surface of the front 2 of the singlet
20, and still achieve the same compressive effect.
[0069] The features of the singlet 20 and singlet 1 are
interchangeable.
[0070] Each of singlets 1 and 20 may be used with any form of outer
garment so as to provide both compression and ease of movement for
taking a golf swing, or perhaps may be used by themselves, although
a preferred result is achieved through using the singlet 1 or 20
with a modified polo shirt, which provides the optimum ease of
movement whilst providing compression. FIG. 5 show a modified polo
shirt, hereinafter identified by reference 30, which includes a
number of key modifications. The polo shirt 30 includes a
drawstring 31 which may be used to tighten or loosen the bottom of
the polo shirt. When tightened, the drawstring 31 gives the polo
shirt the impression of being tucked in, which is useful for
clubhouse etiquette, and the drawstring may be loosened so as to
provide maximum ease of movement when taking a golf swing. In
addition, the material from which the polo shirt is manufactured is
carefully selected so that it has, on its inner-layer, a
low-friction or reduced friction surface, which is either smooth,
silky or has little if any catches or rough material which might
otherwise affect friction. An inner-surface of the polo shirt 30 is
manufactured to provide a low-friction surface, especially in
regions corresponding to the low-friction surfaces on the outer
surface of the singlet 1 or 20.
[0071] The polo shirt may be manufactured essentially in line with
a known manufacturing method for clothing, for example a method for
manufacturing a standard polo shirt and, so, this will not be
discussed in detail. However, additional steps would need to be
taken so as to include the drawstring.
[0072] As such, it is understood that, when a user wears the
combination of singlet and specific polo shirt, there is an
improvement in the swing speed of the user. Swing speed is also
understood to be improved through the use of the singlet in
combination with a different outer garment--although it is
understood that the improvement would be less. The following was
designed to substantiate the former.
Example 1
[0073] By way of a non-limiting example, the performance of an
individual wearing a singlet of the type disclosed above and a
modified polo shirt have been compared to the same individual
wearing a normal polo shirt which, by convention, would be tucked
in. The following test has been designed to specifically compare
swing speeds.
[0074] For the test, ten balls were hit by a professional wearing a
standard Adidas.RTM. 100% cotton golf polo shirt which was tucked
in and a further ten balls were hit by the same professional whilst
wearing the compression garment and loosened modified polo shirt of
the present invention.
[0075] In this example, the modified polo shirt was manufactured
from a material being 95% polyester and 5% elastane, and the
compression garment was manufactured from a material being 80%
nylon and 20% elastane for the chest panel, 85% nylon and 15%
elastane for the back panel, and 96% polyester mesh and 4% elastane
for the side panels, which panels were shaped and connected in the
manner described in relation to FIG. 1. Both garments were arranged
to employ their stretch characteristics in the same direction, in
the vertical sense of the garments from neck to waist regions
thereof.
[0076] The club used was a Wilson.RTM. staff 7 iron for all shots
and the ball was a Srixon.RTM. driving range ball. The system used
to obtain the results was a GC2 Launch Monitor, as available from
Foresight Sports. In particular, the measured data relates to ball
speed; horizontal and vertical launch angles; spin and spin
axis.
[0077] The results were normalised to remove those shots that had
an rpm of greater than 900 rpm, which resulted in the six sets of
data for comparison shown in Table 1.
[0078] The function of a launch monitor is unaffected by the club,
ball or even if there is a head wind, as it works by radar analysis
of the speed of impact between the club and the ball and, therefore
assumes it is a perfect day and a new ball every shot. Accordingly,
this means that the results achieved are normalised with respect to
external factors of wind speed etc. and means that the test is
appropriate for the purpose of comparing swing speed and its
perceived dependence on the clothing worn.
TABLE-US-00001 Standard Clothing Present Invention Ball Carry Swing
Speed Ball Carry Swing Speed 161 yards 115 175 yards 117 158 yards
113 171 yards 120 167 yards 116 169 yards 118 166 yards 115 170
yards 119 169 yards 117 175 yards 120 170 yards 116 175 yards
120
[0079] Table 1, provides a comparison of ball carry and associated
swing speed results as obtained from a professional golfer, who
undertook comparative tests wearing a normal polo shirt and prior
art compression top `standard clothing`, and, secondly, wearing the
compression garment and modified polo shirt of the `present
invention`.
[0080] According to the data provided in Table 1, the swing speed
is, on average, improved by over 3%, and it is believed that this
is provided by the compression garment and modified polo shirt of
the present invention.
Example 2
[0081] A further test, similar to that of Example 1, was undertaken
and comparisons made between the performance of an non-professional
golfer wearing a singlet of the type disclosed above and a modified
polo shirt, and the same golfer wearing a normal polo shirt under
which was worn a standard sports compression vest--the polo shirt
being, by convention, tucked in.
[0082] The same test procedure was followed and the
non-professional golfer showed improved swing speed when wearing
the singlet and modified polo shirt.
* * * * *