초록 ▼

An athletic garment including a panel designed to reduce frictional and pressure drag around an appendage of an athlete competing in a high-speed event, such as running and cycling. The panel is positioned to encircle the appendage, and is provided with regions having different surface texture rough

An athletic garment including a panel designed to reduce frictional and pressure drag around an appendage of an athlete competing in a high-speed event, such as running and cycling. The panel is positioned to encircle the appendage, and is provided with regions having different surface texture roughnesses. The leading edge of the panel includes texture designed to enhance the laminar boundary layer, while the adjacent portion of the panel includes texture intended to trip the boundary layer to turbulent flow. The drag-reducing panel may be the cuff of a sock, a sleeve, wristband, a headband, or the like.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A garment comprising: a sleeve substantially encircling an appendage of a wearer, wherein the sleeve is configured to reduce drag on the appendage of the wearer from an oncoming fluid;the sleeve further comprising:a first panel region having a first texture, a second panel region having a second

1. A garment comprising: a sleeve substantially encircling an appendage of a wearer, wherein the sleeve is configured to reduce drag on the appendage of the wearer from an oncoming fluid;the sleeve further comprising:a first panel region having a first texture, a second panel region having a second texture, and a third panel region having a third texture;wherein the first texture is configured to channel a flow pattern of the oncoming fluid without disrupting a laminar flow;wherein the second texture includes one or more ridges configured to transition the flow pattern of the oncoming fluid from laminar flow to a turbulent flow;wherein the third texture includes one or more ridges configured to increase the turbulent flow of the oncoming fluid; andwherein the ridges associated with the third texture are wider than the ridges associated with the second texture. 2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured to be worn on a leg. 3. The garment according to claim 2, wherein the sleeve extends from an ankle region to a knee region. 4. The garment according to claim 2, wherein the sleeve extends from an ankle region to a thigh region. 5. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured to be worn on an arm. 6. The garment according to claim 5, wherein the sleeve extends from a wrist region to an elbow region. 7. The garment according to claim 5, wherein the sleeve extends from a wrist region to a bicep region. 8. The garment according to claim 5, wherein the sleeve at least partially covers a hand and extends over at least a portion of the arm. 9. An athletic garment comprising: a sleeve configured to substantially encircle at least a portion of a leg;the sleeve comprising an aerodynamic panel;the aerodynamic panel including a first region having a first surface texture, a second region having a second surface texture, and a third region having a third surface texture;wherein the first region is configured to transition a boundary layer of an oncoming flow from laminar flow to turbulent flow;wherein the third surface texture is configured to maintain the turbulent boundary layer; andwherein at least one ridge associated with the third surface texture is wider than at least one ridge associated with the first surface texture. 10. The athletic garment according to claim 9, wherein the sleeve does not extend below an ankle region of a wearer. 11. The athletic garment according to claim 9, wherein the sleeve further includes a fourth region having a fourth surface texture; and wherein the fourth surface texture is selected from the group consisting of: the first surface texture, the second surface texture, the third surface texture, and no surface texture. 12. The athletic garment according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first region, the second region, and the third region is configured to cover a knee joint of a wearer. 13. The athletic garment according to claim 12, wherein the sleeve is configured to cover a brace associated with the knee joint. 14. The athletic garment according to claim 9, wherein the sleeve extends from an ankle region to a knee region. 15. The athletic garment according to claim 9, wherein the sleeve extends from an ankle region to a thigh region. 16. An athletic garment comprising: a sleeve configured to substantially encircle at least a portion of an arm;the sleeve comprising an aerodynamic panel;the aerodynamic panel including a first region having a first surface texture, a second region having a second surface texture, and a third region having a third surface texture;wherein the first region is configured to transition a boundary layer of an oncoming flow from laminar flow to turbulent flow;wherein the third surface texture is configured to maintain the turbulent boundary layer; andwherein at least one ridge associated with the third surface texture is wider than at least one ridge associated with the first surface texture. 17. The athletic garment according to claim 16, wherein the sleeve does not extend over a hand of a wearer. 18. The athletic garment according to claim 16, wherein the sleeve further includes a fourth region having a fourth surface texture; and wherein the fourth surface texture is selected from the group consisting of: the first surface texture, the second surface texture, the third surface texture, and no surface texture. 19. The athletic garment according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first region, the second region, and the third region is configured to cover an elbow of a wearer. 20. The athletic garment according to claim 19, wherein the sleeve is configured to cover a brace associated with the elbow. 21. The athletic garment according to claim 16, wherein the sleeve is configured to cover a brace associated a wrist of a wearer. 22. The athletic garment according to claim 16, wherein the sleeve extends from a wrist region to a bicep region. 23. The athletic garment according to claim 16, wherein the sleeve at least partially covers a hand and extends to at least one of an elbow region and a bicep region.