Patent Grant
9241516
Not applicable.
The present application relates to garments and, more particularly, sporting uniforms. The present application further relates to garments that enhance the perception of teammates during competition to improve coordinated athletic competition.
Both the comfort and visual properties of sporting uniforms can be important to performance. Team sports such as soccer require a teammate to visually perceive and identify his or her teammates during play in order to complete passes, coordinate defense, and the like. Enhancing the visual perception of a teammate has traditionally been accomplished by using different colors of uniform for competing teams, but the use of team colors alone merely distinguishes between players on different teams without enhancing the abilities of teammates to visually perceive a player. Further, such sports create considerable perspiration by participants, the moisture management properties of sports uniforms can be important to the comfort and ultimate performance of the athlete wearing the uniform.
The present application describes garments that may be used as part of a sports uniform that can provide enhanced visibility for members of a team viewing the athlete wearing the uniform. The present application further describes a garment that may provide advantageous moisture management characteristics to move perspiration from the skin of an athlete to the outer layer of the garment to permit evaporation using a denier differential mechanism.
Garments or uniforms in accordance with the present invention may improve the perception of the location and movement of teammates during competition, and hence improve the coordinated quality of play, by providing one or more enhanced visual properties. For example, visibility zones on a garment or a uniform comprising multiple garments may visually contrast with other regions of the garment or uniform and/or the visual background experienced by teammates during competition. Visual contrast may be created using luminance contrasts and/or color contrasts. For example, color contrasts selected using a color definition such as the CIE (1931) Standard Chromaticity Diagram to permit both normally sighted and color deficient individuals to equally perceive the color contrast of the garment. Visibility to teammates may be further enhanced by creating a spectral window corresponding with the visual background in which all or part of a garment or uniform is substantially non-reflective. Visibility to teammates may also be enhanced by locating visibility zones on a garment or uniform at locations that, when the uniform is worn during competition, correspond to lines of sight of teammates. Further, visibility zones may be located at or near the wearer's joints or “hinge points” when the uniform or garment is worn during competition to provide greater information regarding the location, orientation, speed, and/or acceleration of the wearer to teammates. Visibility zones may alternatively or additionally outline all or part of the lateral portions of a wearer's body to make the wearer more readily visible to teammates and to assist teammates in evaluating the orientation and movement of the wearer during play.
Garments or uniforms in accordance with the present invention may also improve the perception of the location and movements of teammates during competition by creating visual change perceivable by teammates. For example, a varying pattern on a garment or uniform may enhance the visibility of the wearer to teammates, particularly in the peripheral vision of teammates. Another way to create visual change in garments or uniforms in accordance with the present invention may use “flicker” to enhance the visibility of a wearer to teammates. Flicker occurs when a visually property changes rapidly. Flicker may be created in garments or uniforms in accordance with the present invention in various ways. For example, a garment or uniform may have flicker zones on the inside of a wearer's legs, causing a flicker effect while the wearer runs. Flicker zones may similarly be located on the sides (where they will be intermittently obscured by the wearer's arms), on the inside portion of a shoe, or at other locations as appropriate for the sport in question and the particular type of garment. By way of further example, the shape, texture, and/or contour of the surface of a garment or uniform may cause various zones with contrasting visual properties to come in or out of view to a teammate when the wearer moves. For example, molded portions of materials such as thermal plastics, adhesives, etc., may be used to form flicker zones. Further, heat transfers, decals, patches, or other materials may be affixed to a garment to create a flicker zone. As yet another example, aerographic techniques may be used to remove fibers to reveal other fibers to create a flicker zone. By way of yet further example, garments or uniforms in accordance with the present invention may comprise multiple contrasting layers, with the outer layer providing openings through which an inner layer may be viewed, either continuously or intermittently, as the wearer moves and the outward facing layer stretches or moves. By selecting yarns with contrasting luminance and/or color positions on the CIE (1931) Standard Chromaticity Diagram to create one or multiple layers of a garment, a visual contrast may be created between the skin facing layer and the outward facing layer that facilitates perception of the position and motion of a wearer by his or her teammates. Holes or windows permitting viewing of an inner layer may be positioned on a garment selectively such that viewing angles common for teammates may coincide with the contrasting zones created, while optionally minimizing the view obtained by opponents.
Further, garments or uniforms in accordance with the present invention may be formed from multiple layers with dernier per filament values selected so as to create a denier differential across the layers of a garment to facilitate the movement of moisture from the skin of an athlete to the surface of the garment for evaporation. Openings in layers of a garment may also be located to enhance the cooling of the wearer.
Objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected examples and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure
A garment in accordance with the present invention may be a garment, a sports uniform or any sports uniform component. The term “garment” is used herein to refer to anything worn during athletic competition, such as jerseys, shirts, shorts, pants, socks, shoes, safety equipment, sweat bands, etc.
A garment in accordance with the present invention may advantageously create visual contrast to facilitate recognition of the wearer by his or her teammates or others during competition or training. The visual contrast created by a garment in accordance with the present invention may be between different zones on the garment itself and/or between the garment and the visual background experienced by teammates of the wearer during athletic competition. Visibility zones may be located on a garment or uniform to be particularly visible to teammates and/or to provide particularly useful information to teammates. The visual properties that create contrast for a garment created in accordance with the present invention may luminance, color location in color spaces, peak reflectivity at given spectral windows, non-reflectivity at a given spectral window, or any other contrasting visual property. These zones may be formed by selectively applying dyes, by attaching graphics at desired locations, by structuring the knit or weave of a textile to create contrasting visual properties, by selecting yarns having contrasting visual properties and manipulating the knit or weave to control which yarns are on the surface of a textile, by providing moldable or shapeable portions of a garment and shaping that portion to provide the desired effect, by constructing a garment from different textiles or materials having contrasting visual properties, by affixing heat transfers or decals to a garment, or through any other means. For example, the present invention may utilize differing yarns, graphics, constructions, etc. to create a luminance contrast between different zones or regions of a garment. Similarly, yarns, graphics, constructions, etc. may be selected so as to create a color contrast on a CIE (1931) Standard Chromaticity Diagram, optionally separated by a percentage of a chromatic blend limit, to enhance the ability of teammates to visually perceive the wearer of the garment. Alternatively and/or additionally, zones may be created to have contrasting luminances. Further, one or more zones of a garment may be substantially non-reflective in a spectral window associated with a visual background experienced when the garment is worn. For example, if the garment is a soccer jersey, the expected visual background may be the grass of a soccer pitch, the sky above the stadium, or the crowd in the stands, in which case one or more zones of a garment may be selected so as to not reflect at the dominate wave lengths of the visual background. Garments or uniforms in accordance with the present invention may also have flicker zones that create rapid visual change that may be perceived by teammates. Flicker zones may be distinct from visibility zones, but also may comprise a visibility zone.
Some specific examples of visual stimulus and applications thereof are described with respect to a particular activity—soccer, as it is called in the United States, or football as it is known in much of the world. This activity is selected as an example because of its worldwide appeal and familiarity. The methods and applications described herein are applicable to other team sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, hockey, rugby, and American football. The described methods and applications are also applicable to activities other than sports, including other commercial and recreational activities. Examples of uniforms and other articles of clothing are described, but other items can be configured in a similar manner.
Referring now to
Jersey 110 may comprise a first visibility zone 111. First visibility zone 111 may contrast with other portions of jersey 110 that may be adjacent to first visibility zone 111, such as second zone 113 and third zone 115. First visibility zone 111 may extend along jersey 110 to cover portions of the wearer's chest 112, shoulder 114 and elbow 116 when jersey 110 is worn, although other configuration that extend first visibility zone 111 over more or less of jersey 110 and wearer 101.
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Assignment of a specific visual stimulus to a particular zone of a garment or uniform may be associated with improved perception, and thus improved decision making by a wearer's teammate. For example, a visual stimulus can be selected to increase the accuracy of passes between teammates. In some typical examples, visual stimuli configured for peripheral vision are preferred. Various kinds of visual stimuli can be used. For central vision or peripheral vision, luminance contrast and object detail can be used to provide an appropriate visual stimulus. For central vision perception, color characteristics (such as hue or saturation) can be used. A just noticeable color difference is typically associated with dominant wavelength differences of between about 2 nm to 4 nm, but depends on spectral region. Differences in luminance can also be used, with differences of 1-1.5% typically observable for either central or peripheral vision. For central vision, details as small as about 1 arcmin are legible, while details as small as about 0.5 arcsec can be detected. For peripheral vision, details as small as about 10 arcmin are legible, while details as small as about 0.5 arcsec can be detected. Angular spacings of about 0.6 arcmin or greater permit objects to be perceived as separate objects in either central or peripheral vision. Misalignments of objects can be detected that are as small as about 3-5 arcsec (“hyperacuity”). Peripheral vision can detect flicker at rates as high as about 80 Hz-100 Hz, while central vision can detect flicker at rates less than about 20 Hz. In an example, visual stimuli for central vision, ranked in order from most to least sensitive, are lateral motion, luminance contrast, color contrast, and flicker. For peripheral vision, a similar ranking is lateral motion, flicker, luminance contrast, and color contrast. Visual factors are generally interdependent, and can depend on observer adaptation or recent exposure of the observer to a bright object. Visual stimuli can also be affected by environmental conditions such as stadium lighting, hazy or foggy weather, or direct sunlight. Backgrounds such as grass, stadium seating, spectator apparel can also be significant.
An example visual stimulus management method 200 is illustrated in
In an example, numbers of “through balls” in an attacking third of a soccer pitch were observed and tabulated for premiership football matches. (Through balls are defined as passes that penetrate the defense and allow attacking forwards a scoring opportunity.) In such a tabulation, through balls were noted as a function of pass angle (i.e., angle with respect to the passer's line of sight at the time of the pass), pass distance (distance from passer to intended receiver), and receiver body position. For convenient analysis, pass angles were noted as in a range of 0-20 degrees, 20-40 degrees, or greater than 40 degrees. Pass distances were recorded in ranges of 0-5 m, 5-10 m, 10-15 m, and 15-20 m. Receiver body position was recorded as front (facing the passer), side, or back. In the observed matches, as pass distance increased, passers tended to play more through balls to receivers in wide positions (i.e., at larger angles from the passer's line of sight). The greatest number of through balls was played when the receiver was positioned side-on to the passer. The lowest number of through balls was played to the backs of receiving players. For smaller pass distances, fewer through balls were played at wider pass angles.
A depiction of common view angles is shown in
While common views can be recorded based on activity observation, and visual stimuli associated with these views can be provided by, for example, coloring or otherwise treating player uniform portions as described herein, additional considerations can improve the effectiveness of treating player uniform portions in this way. With reference to
Based on body segment zones and characterizations, activity-significant portions of selected body zones can be treated to provide visual characteristics such as zone-specific enhanced visibility. Referring again to
Visual stimuli provided by surfaces of team uniforms can be managed using luminance, reflectivity or non-reflectivity in spectral windows, texture, color, gray level, patterning, fluorescence, iridescence, or other visually observable surface properties. To preserve traditional uniform appearance, one or more color parameters such as hue, saturation, and value associated with a selected surface portion may be configured to provide, for example, a selected contrast, while remaining color parameters are selected so that the uniform retains a traditional appearance. For example, a relatively dark surface portion can be configured to contrast with a relatively light surface portion while other color parameters are selected in accordance with traditional team colors, logos, and designs. For visual stimuli targeting peripheral vision, gray values can be used that can provide an intended stimulus in a selected zone while not detracting from a traditional team colors or team appearance.
Visual stimuli may be selected based on either central vision, peripheral vision, or both. For example, visual stimuli can be based on relative differences in apparent darkness, such as a pattern of light areas on a dark background or dark area on a light background to provide luminance contrast. For application to soccer, a high proportion of passes are played to receivers that are at angles of about 20-40° to the passer, and only the receiver's side or front faces the passer. Therefore, visibility zones associated with visual properties can be assigned to jersey chests, sleeves, and front sides as well as sides of shorts and socks. Alternatively, visibility zones can be assigned to one or more of a jersey side, sides of shorts, sides of socks, or sides of shoes. Such visibility zones may be positioned and selected to aid a passer in rapid location of an intended pass recipient. Visibility zones can be defined in one or more locations of, for example, a jersey, shorts, or both. Such visibility zones can be created by applying dyes, by attaching materials attached to a garment, by forming opening in different layers of a garment, etc. Visibility zones may contain markers or other distinct visible areas within them. Visibility zone and/or marker size can be selected based on anticipated or intended viewing distances so that the marker can be noted during the activity. Some representative sizes for various distances are summarized in the table below.
Visibility zone area as a function of passer-receiver separation.
Zones of a uniform or garment, such as illustrated in
Methods of selecting colors for a sports garment or uniform may comprise defining a chromatic blend line and selecting a first color location and a second color location on the chromatic blend line, wherein the first color location and the second color location are separated by at least 50% of a chromatic blend limit (CBL). A first color and a second color may be selected based on the first color location and the second color location. In a representative example, the chromatic blend line may be separated from a central white color space location by less than about 20% of the chromatic blend limit. In additional examples, a color vision deficiency to be accommodated may be selected, and the chromatic blend line may be selected to be substantially perpendicular to an associated color vision deficiency line of confusion. In further examples, a background spectral window may be selected based on an anticipated background for viewing the sports item. A reflectance of at least one of the first color and/or the second color may be reduced in at least a portion of the background spectral window. In other examples, the first color and the second color are selected to provide a predetermined luminance contrast.
Turning now to
Next, as indicated at blocks 504 and 506, the first zone is associated with a first color and the second zone is associated with a second color. First zone and/or second zone may be a visibility zone, a flicker zone, or other zone as described herein. The first color may be substantially black and the second color may be substantially white, or colors may be selected as described below. The present invention, however, is not limited to a specific color scheme.
Next, as indicated at block 508, the first zone is positioned on the garment. Examples of how to locate a first zone on a soccer uniform are described above. However, other types of garments on uniforms for other types of sports are also within the scope of the present invention.
Any of steps 502, 504, 506, and 508 may be repeated to place additional zones on a garment or uniform and that these zones may have different shapes, sizes, and/or visual properties than those established in an earlier iteration of method, 500. However, the iteration of steps of method 500 is not required in accordance with the present invention. Further, additional zones may optionally be created on a garment or uniform without departing from the scope of the present invention.
A representative selection of visibility-enhancing coloration for a uniform in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in
Color selection and characterization can be conveniently described based on a CIE L-a-b Color Space. A Total Color Difference (TCD) between colors having coordinates (L1, a1, b1) and (L2, a2, b2) in such a color space can be defined as TCD=√{square root over ((a1−a2)2+(b1−b2)2+(L1−L2)2)}{square root over ((a1−a2)2+(b1−b2)2+(L1−L2)2)}{square root over ((a1−a2)2+(b1−b2)2+(L1−L2)2)}. A Color Difference (CD) under isoluminant conditions, i.e., assuming identical brightnesses of the colors, can be defined as CD=√{square root over ((a1−a2)2+(b1−b2)2)}{square root over ((a1−a2)2+(b1−b2)2)}. In a CIE Lab Color Space, complementary colors can be associated with color coordinates along any axis that passes through or near a central “white” point. Horizontal, vertical, or other axes can be used. For example, a vertical axis is associated with blue/yellow, a horizontal axis is associated with red/green, and oblique axes through opposite corners of an L-a-b coordinate systems are associated with orange/blue-green and purple/green-yellow. Luminance contrast be calculated using a spectral reflectance function SRF (λ) (reflectance as a function of wavelength λ) of an object with respect to a particular light source. For the examples presented herein, a light source having a spectral distribution D65(λ) and similar to sunlight is used. In addition, a human spectral sensitivity function HSSF(λ) is used. Object luminance coordinate L can be calculated as:
Luminance contrast for objects having luminances L1 and L2 can be calculated as |(L1−L2)/L1|, wherein L1>L2.
Color contrast can be associated with a distance between the locations 822, 824 on the L-a-b space representation 820, and a color difference can be associated with a total distance between the locations 822, 824. For example, colors C1 and C2 that are associated with respective CIE L-a-b coordinates (C1L,C1a,C1b) and (C2L, C2a, C2b), can be associated with a color difference CD=√{square root over ((C1a−C2a)2+(C1b−C2b)2)}{square root over ((C1a−C2a)2+(C1b−C2b)2)}, and in typical examples enhanced-visibility colors (EVCs) have color differences of greater than about 50, or greater than about 75, or greater than about 100. In other examples, a total color difference TCD between colors C1 and C2 is at least about 100, wherein TCD=√{square root over ((C1a−C2a)2+(C1b−C2b)2+(C1L−C2L)2)}{square root over ((C1a−C2a)2+(C1b−C2b)2+(C1L−C2L)2)}{square root over ((C1a−C2a)2+(C1b−C2b)2+(C1L−C2L)2)}. In additional examples, the substantially complementary colors have a luminance contrast of the first region and the second region of at least 50%. In other examples, color contrast can be associated with horizontal or other separations in an L-a-b representation.
Color differences associated with
Selection of contrasting colors for zones on a garment or uniform may be based on an anticipated use environment. For example, for a soccer uniform that is to be used in matches played on natural grass pitches, colors may be selected to enhance mutual contrast between the uniform and the grass pitch. In other examples, contrast based on a different backgrounds such as blue sky, cloud cover, stadium seating, or other immediate surround to a playing surface such as trees, playground structures, or spectator clothing may be selected.
A representative selection of visibility-enhancing coloration based on these additional considerations is illustrated in
Color coordinates (x-y-z and L-a-b) based on the spectral reflectances of
Additional representative examples complementary spectral reflectances are illustrated in
Garment or uniform colors for zones can be selected to be substantially complementary or “opposing” as shown on a CIE plot. In some color representations, equal separations as graphed do not correspond to equal or even approximately equal perceived color differences. For example, so-called MacAdam ellipses of varying sizes and eccentricities can be used to characterize “just noticeable differences” (JND) in perceived colors as a function of coordinate location on the standard CIE chromaticity diagram. Representative methods for selecting enhanced visibility color combinations can be described with reference to
In addition to selecting colors having a predetermined CIE color space separation, colors are generally selected to be substantially opposite with respect to a color space location 1506 perpendicular to the chromatic blend line 1505 is less than about 50%, 25%, 15%, or 10% of the CBL. In addition, selected colors on the chromatic blend line 705 are on opposite sides of an intersection 1511 of the chromatic blend line 1505 and the line 1508. Enhanced-visibility color sets of two or more colors can be similarly selected using other color space representations as well, and the representation of
Colors and combinations that are appropriate even for so-called color deficient individuals (commonly known as “color blind” individuals) can be similarly selected. Referring further to
Selected color coordinates can serve as a guide in dye or pigment selection or in selecting graphics for application onto a garment or uniform, and actual garment or uniform colors can differ. For example, dyes that are satisfactory with respect to durability, cost, fading, or other factors may be unavailable. In addition, enhanced-visibility colors can be modified for aesthetic reasons to, for example, coordinate with traditional team colors, or for other reasons. In some examples, actual colors deviate from associated target color coordinates to trade-off color vision correction, luminance contrast, or other design goals. Fluorescent agents can also be included to enhance overall ball luminance as well as to provide additional luminance at selected wavelengths.
CIE L-a-b coordinates can also be used in enhanced-visibility color (EVC) selection. Referring to
With reference to
Garments and uniforms in accordance with the present invention may utilize one or more of various approaches to creating flicker effect to better assist teammates in evaluating the location, orientation, speed, acceleration, etc. of the wearer. While various other approaches to creating flicker in accordance with the present invention may be utilized in constructing garments or uniforms, three broad examples are illustrated herein.
Referring now to
In the example illustrated in
A garment or uniform in accordance with the present invention may possess fewer or greater numbers of flicker zones than those illustrated in
Referring now to
The texture of flicker zone 1900 may be created in a variety of manners. For example, a garment may be knitted, and the knitting processes used may varied to create dimensional structures in the textile to form flicker zone 1900. If different visual properties are desired for different portions of flicker zone 1900 in the knitting example, different yarn types in the knit may be brought to the surface at different locations. Similarly, weaving techniques, such as Jacquard knitting, may be used to weave three dimensional structures onto a textile for use in creating a garment or uniform in accordance with the present invention. A further example of a way to create a textured flicker zone such as flicker zone 1900 is the use of thermal plastics, adhesive tapes, and the like that may be molded before or during application to a textile or garment. Such materials may be molded before or after application to a textile or garment. Additionally and/or alternatively, moldable and/or heat reactive yarns may be incorporated into a textile and heated and/or molded during the creation of a garment in accordance with the present invention. Yet a further example of a way to form textured flicker zone such as flicker zone 1900 is the use of heat transfers, decals or similar patches that may be independently constructed to possess desired visual properties and then may be affixed to a garment or uniform at a desired location to provide the desired visual properties.
Referring now to
In addition to providing enhanced visibility to a wearer's teammates garments or uniforms in accordance with the present invention may provide moisture management capabilities. Moisture management is the ability of a fabric to transport sweat away from the body in order to keep the wearer dry and comfortable. Any moisture management technology, such as Nike's DRI-FIT technology, may be employed in conjunction with garments or uniforms in accordance with the present invention.
Another example of a moisture management technology suitable for use in garments or uniforms in accordance with the present invention is a denier differential mechanism. A denier differential mechanism utilizes morphological properties of fibers and textiles, to provide moisture management properties. Denier differential refers to yarn of different denier or thickness on the face versus the back of a textile. A moisture management fabric may be engineered with two sides: a facing layer and a back layer. Surface tension and capillary forces drive the moisture from the wearer's skin to the back layer. Moisture then moves from the back layer to the facing layer due to increased surface area of the facing layer. Due to the increased surface area of the facing layer, moisture may be spread out with greater surface area to evaporate.
Referring to
The first fabric layer 2203 and the second fabric layer 2202 may be constructed separately, by knitting or weaving, and assembled to form the fabric. In another example, the layer 2203 and the second fabric layer 2202 may be constructed continuously, by knitting or weaving, to form a seamless fabric. The second fabric layer 2202 is the layer adjacent to the wearer's body 2000 and the first fabric layer 2203 is adjacent to the second fabric layer 2202. The wearer's body 2200 perspires and moisture may be adsorbed 2204 from the body 2200 surface to the first fabric layer 2203. The denier differential, which is discussed in greater detail below, between the first fabric layer 2203 and the second fabric layer 2202, can provide a difference in porosity and surface area wherein the first fabric layer 2203 has a greater surface area and smaller pores than the second fabric layer 2202. The smaller pores and greater surface area results in increased capillary force for aqueous solutions for the first fabric layer 2203 than the second fabric layer 2202. The denier differential produces wicking 2205 from the second fabric layer 2202 to the first fabric layer 2203. The moisture, once transported to the first fabric layer 2203, may be adsorbed to and spread out over the increased surface area of the first fabric layer 2203. The increased surface area of the first fabric layer 2203 can encourage moisture evaporation 2206 from the first fabric layer 2203. The moisture management fabric can thus transport moisture efficiently from the wearer 2200, to the second fabric layer 2202 to keep the wearer comfortable, and to the first fabric layer 2203 to promote evaporation from the fabric to keep the wearer dry.
Any combination of the examples illustrated in
Examples of the yarns that may be employed in the construction of the denier differential fabric are monofilament or multifilament yarns of any known synthetic or natural fiber. The yarn may be a filament yarn or a spun yarn. A exemplary yarn may be a bundle of individual filaments. The total yarn size may be measured in denier, for example 9,0000 m of an exemplary yarn weighs X g has a size of X denier. The denier per filament is calculated by dividing the total yarn size (X denier) by the total number of filaments. In
In one example, the first fabric layer may be knitted or woven of a first yarn of a first denier per filament of less than or equal to 1.04 denier per filament, preferably 0.50 to 1.04 denier per filament. The second fabric layer may be knitted or woven of a second yarn of a second denier per filament of greater than or equal to 1.04 denier per filament, preferably 1.04 to 3.50. The denier differential between the first yarn and the second yarn may be at least 0.54. The third fabric layer may be knitted or woven of a third yarn of a third denier per filament. In one example, the third denier per filament is less than or equal to 1.04 denier per filament, preferably 0.50 to 1.04 denier per filament. In another example, the third denier per filament is greater than or equal to 1.04, preferably 1.04 to 3.50. The third denier per filament may be a value less than the second denier per filament but greater than the first denier per filament. In another example, the fourth fabric layer may be knitted or woven of a fourth yarn of a fourth denier per filament. The fourth denier per filament may be less than or equal to 1.04 denier per filament, preferably 0.50 to 1.04 denier per filament. Alternatively, the fourth denier per filament may be greater than or equal to 1.04, preferably 1.04 to 3.50. The fourth denier per filament may be a value less than the second denier per filament but greater than the first denier per filament.
In
The first fabric layer 2603 and the second fabric layer 2602 may be constructed separately, by knitting or weaving, and assembled to form the fabric. In another example, the layer 2603 and the second fabric layer 2602 may be constructed continuously, by knitting or weaving, to form a seamless fabric. The second fabric layer 2602 is the layer adjacent to the wearer's body 2600 and the first fabric layer 2603 is adjacent to the second fabric layer 2602. The wearer's body 2600 perspires and moisture may be adsorbed 2604 from the body 2600 surface to the first fabric layer 2603. The denier differential between the first fabric layer 2603 and the second fabric layer 2602, can provide a difference in porosity and surface area wherein the first fabric layer 2603 has a greater surface area and smaller pores than the second fabric layer 2602. The smaller pores and greater surface area results in increased capillary force for aqueous solutions for the first fabric layer 2603 than the second fabric layer 2602. The denier differential produces wicking 2605 from the second fabric layer 2602 to the first fabric layer 2603. The moisture, once transported to the first fabric layer 2603, may be adsorbed to and spread out over the increased surface area of the first fabric layer 2603. The increased surface area of the first fabric layer 2603 can encourage moisture evaporation 2606 from the first fabric layer 2603. The moisture management garment 2601, which may be constructed of a moisture management fabric described above, can thus transport moisture efficiently from the wearer 2600, to the second fabric layer 2602 to keep the wearer comfortable, and to the first fabric layer 2603 to promote evaporation from the garment to keep the wearer dry.
A more detailed description of denier differential garments that may be used in accordance with the present invention may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/987,235, filed Jan. 10, 2011, entitled Moisture Management Support Garment With A Denier Differential Mechanism, which is incorporated by reference. A moisture management garment may also/additionally provide zones by incorporating aerographic yarn compositions and zoning. Aerographics generally refers to a method of using two yarn compositions: one that may be dissolvable in a given solvent and one that may not be dissolvable in the solvent. Dissolution of the dissolvable yarn may be confined to specific zones and provides a way to remove a portion of the fabric to increase air flow and porosity of the fabric. By incorporating a dissolvable yarn into a garment in accordance with the present invention, such as 9 denier differential fabric, certain areas of an exemplary garment may be given different visual properties. Further, aerographic zoning may provide more ventilation for some zones while other areas or zones of the garment may be selected to promote skin-side dryness by moving moisture away from skin.
Referring to
The second fabric layer may include a second non-dissolvable yarn 2801, which may be a macrofiber and have a second denier per filament of greater than or equal to about 1.04 denier per filament, such as about 1.04 to about 3.50. The second non-dissolvable yarn may be any synthetic, such as polyester. The denier differential between the first non-dissolvable yarn 2802 and the second non-dissolvable yarn 2801 may be at least about 0.54.
An exemplary zoned moisture management garment having at least one dissolved zone 2908 is shown in
In
Another exemplary zoned moisture management garment is illustrated in
A more detailed description of aerographic garments that may be used in accordance with the present invention may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/987,249, entitled Aerographics And Denier Differential Zoned Garments, which is incorporated herein by reference.
While the present invention has been described in conjunction with particular examples herein, these examples are not limiting. Any type of visual property or properties may be used to create contrast between various zones on a garment, on different garments, and/or with a visual background. Garments and uniforms in accordance with the present invention may be used with sports beyond soccer, such as (but not limited to) American football, basketball, ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, rugby, etc.
This application claims priority to provisional patent application No. 61/448,908, filed Mar. 3, 2011, entitled Double Layered Garment With Enhanced Visual and/or Moisture Management Properties.
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| 20120222189 A1 | Sep 2012 | US |
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| 61448908 | Mar 2011 | US |
