FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a sports garment. In particular, this invention relates to a tight-fitting sports garment which can be fitted to a wearer's body without requiring any closure means such as a zip.

BACKGROUND

Sports garments are often tight-fitting i.e. formed of elastic material which conforms to the wearer's body shape. Additionally, sports garments are often designed to provide maximum body coverage in an attempt to reduce frictional drag though air and or water. One problem with tight-fitting garments which provide substantial body coverage is that they are often difficult to put on. For a wearer to put on such a garment, the garment must include an opening for the wearer to gain access. Preferably the opening is adjustable so that it can be enlarged, to allow the wearer to enter the garment and then reduced in size so as to fit tightly and provide good body coverage.

Often closure means, such as a zip, is provided in order to create (by opening the zip) an enlarged access into the garment. Such closure means can be difficult to use, especially if they are provided at the rear of the garment. In addition, FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation) which governs aquatic sports such as swimming, diving and water polo has set rules which prohibit the inclusion of closure means such as zips in garments used for competitive swimming. Racerback garments are known and these include a neck opening partly defined by shoulder straps which can be stretched to provide access for the wearer's body. This is possible because the neck opening is enlarged in the racerback style so that the area between the wearer's shoulder blades (including the uppermost thoracic vertebrae) is largely uncovered. In alternative styles which provide a greater coverage of the wearer's back (to decrease air/water resistance), it is more difficult to provide a neck opening which is sufficiently large to allow wearer access - to do so may lead to a baggy neck line. In swimsuits, this can result in an undesirable scooping of water as the wearer moves forward.

Accordingly, it is a preferred aim of the present invention to provide a sports garment which provides good body coverage for the wearer, has good aero- and/or hydrodynamics, and can easily be fitted to the wearer's body without the use of closure means such as a zip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a sports garment for substantially covering the wearer's thoracic vertebrae (especially the uppermost thoracic vertebrae), the garment comprising an armhole opening defined by the edge of an armhole circumference region for forming a tight-fit against the wearer's body, wherein the armhole circumference region comprises at least one elastic material such that, in use, a wearer can stretch the armhole circumference region to don the garment through the armhole opening. By providing a sports garment having a sufficient amount of a sufficiently stretchy (i.e. having a sufficiently low modulus of elasticity) elastic material around an armhole opening, it is possible to obtain a garment which can be donned through the armhole. Armhole entry is particularly advantageous when the garment is used in swimming applications, because the armhole opening will generally not face the direction of movement through the water (unlike a neck hole). Accordingly, the present invention minimises the chance of air/water flow "peeling" the edge of the opening away from the body and causing an increased drag.

As described above, the garment is for substantially covering the wearer's thoracic vertebrae. Preferably, the garment covers the wearer's uppermost thoracic vertebrae i.e. the garment extends to the base of the wearer's neck (unlike a racerback style garment). The garment may partially or fully cover the wearer's shoulder blades. Preferably, the neck opening of the garment has a circumference which extends around the base of the wearer's neck and is too small to provide entry of the wearer's body into the suit By providing a garment which has a minimised neck opening and which maximises coverage of the wearer's torso especially the spine, it is possible to minimise factional drag through air and/or water compared to having exposed skin in these regions.

The armhole opening is stretchable from a first unstretched state to a second stretched state in which the garment can be donned through the armhole opening. By "unstretched" we mean that the garment is not being worn, and no stretching forces are applied to the garment. Preferably, the circumference of the armhole opening (i.e. the circumference of the edge of the armhole circumference region) in the second stretched state is at least 1.8 times, more preferably between 1.8 and 2.6 times and most preferably about 2 times as long as the circumference of the armhole opening in the first unstretched state. By "about 2 times", we mean 2 ± 0.1 times.

By providing an armhole opening having a circumference that can be stretched to at least nearly twice its size, it is possible to provide a garment which has an armhole which is tight-fitting against the wearer's body (thus avoiding scooping of water) but can be stretched to provide an armhole big enough for the wearer to step through to don the garment. Being able to stretch the circumference to about 2 times its original length is ideal because a significantly greater stretch may reduce the closeness of the fit of the armhole circumference region about the wearer's body and a significantly lesser stretch may not render the armhole opening large enough for the wearer to don the garment. Preferably, the circumference of the armhole opening in the first unstretched state is less than or equal to 63 cm. An armhole opening larger than this may be too baggy when the garment is worn which may cause problems with scooping of air/water which will increase frictional resistance. Preferably, the circumference of the armhole opening in the second, stretched state is greater than or equal to 90.8 cm. An armhole opening smaller than this may not be sufficiently large to permit the wearer to don the garment through the armhole.

Preferably, the circumference of the armhole opening in the first unstretched state is greater than or equal to about 35 cm and the circumference of the armhole opening in the second, stretched state is greater than or equal to about 90.8 cm. The lower limits of these measurements are those appropriate for a 5 ^th percentage female body form i.e. these measurements provide a garment in which the armhole opening can be stretched sufficiently to allow a wearer having a 5 ^th percentile female body form to don the suit with the armhole circumference region fitting snugly to the wearer after donning. In other embodiments, the circumference of the armhole opening in the first unstretched state is 49 ±1 cm and the circumference of the armhole opening in the second, stretched state is greater than or equal to 96 ± 2 cm. These are dimensions which are practical to provide a "small" sized adult garment with a tight fitting armhole circumference region which can be donned through the armhole opening.

In other embodiments, the circumference of the armhole opening in the first unstretched state is about 59 cm and the circumference of the armhole opening in the second, stretched state is greater than or equal to about 1 14.8 cm. The lower limits of these measurements are those appropriate for a 95* percentage male body form i.e. these measurements provide a garment in which the armhole opening can be stretched sufficiently to allow a wearer having a 95* percentile male body form to don the suit with the armhole circumference region Fitting snugly to the wearer after donning.

In other embodiments, the circumference of the armhole opening in the first unstretched state is 62 ±1 cm and the circumference of the armhole opening in the second, stretched state is greater than or equal to 126 ± 2 cm. These are dimensions which are practical to provide a large" sized adult garment with a tight fitting armhole circumference region which can be donned through the armhole opening.

Preferably, the edge of the armhole circumference region comprises two elastic materials, a first elastic material and a second elastic material, wherein the first elastic material has a lower modulus of elasticity than the second elastic material.

The more stretchable first elastic material allows stretching of the armhole circumference region to allow entry into the garment via the armhole opening. The first elastic material also helps the armhole circumference region to conform to the wearer's body. The less stretchable second elastic material helps to provide a good seal around the body to limit or (ideally) prevent air/water flow into the garment. This helps achieve the required balance between an armhole opening which is sufficiently stretchable to allow donning of the garment through the armhole and an armhole opening which fits snugiy against the wearer's body after donning.

In preferred embodiments, the armhole opening is defined by: 1 ) a shoulder strap which, in use, rests on the wearer's shoulder; 2) a rear section which, in use, encircles the rear of the wearer's shoulder joint and passes over the wearer's shoulder blade; and 3) a front section which, in use, encircles the front of the wearer's shoulder joint. Preferably, the shoulder strap and rear section are made from the first elastic material and the front section is made from the second elastic material. By forming the front section of the less stretchy second elastic material, it is possible to minimise the risk of air water scooping as the wearer moves in a forward direction. Furthermore, the less stretchy material can extend from the armhole circumference region over the front of the wearer's torso to provide a compressive effect to the wearer's chest which can help in reducing form drag.

Preferably, the first elastic material has a maximum elongation in a first direction of 100 to 135 %. Preferably, the first direction at least partially encircles the armhole opening i.e. the first elastic material is provided in the garment with the direction of maximum elongation aligned with the circumference about the armhole opening. The first elastic material preferably has uni-axial stretch. This helps provide a tight fitting of the garment across the remainder of the wearer's torso away from the armhole opening. Preferably, the armhole circumference region comprises/ the armhole opening is defined by 74 to 86%, more preferably about 80% of the first elastic material and 26 to 14 %, more preferably, about 30% of the second elastic material i.e. in preferred embodiments, the first elastic material defines the majority of the armhole opening. This helps ensure that the armhole opening can be stretched sufficiently to allow donning of the suit If the stretchiness of the first elastic material is greater (i.e. the maximum elongation is greater than 135%), the amount of the first elastic material can decrease below the defined 70%. Preferably, the first elastic material is a woven textile fabric, most preferably a stretch woven fabric. In preferred embodiments the first material includes both inelastic threads (such as nylon) and elastic threads (such as Lycra ®).

The second material is preferably a knitted fabric, most preferably a warp- knitted fabric. In preferred embodiments the second material includes both inelastic threads (such as nylon) and elastic threads (such as Lycra ®). Preferably, the percentage of elastic threads (e.g. Lycra ®) is around 60wt%. Preferably, the fabric has a weight of around 400gm ² . In some embodiments the first and/or second materials may be a fabric having a nylon/Lycra® base fabric with spatial variations in the modulus of elasticity caused by changes in the number of threads and the linear mass density of the threads, as described in EP1979520. The edge of the armhole circumference region may be finished to protect it from damage. In the case of a fabric material, a finished edge may protect the edge from fraying or unravelling. A preferred way of finishing at least a part of the edge is to fold the edge of the material back upon itself and fix it, for example through stitching or adhesive. Advantageously, such folded edges do not significantly affect the stretching characteristics of the material to which they are applied.

Preferably, at least a part of the edge e.g. up to 65% of the armhole circumference region is enclosed by a protective tape. For example, the rear and or the front section(s) may be protected by protective tape. This helps to protect the armhole opening from abrasion upon donning the garment as the wearer's body passes through the armhole. It is preferred that not all of the armhole circumference region is enclosed by protective tape since the tape reduces the elasticity of the protected material and thus may excessively limit the dimension of the armhole opening in the stretched state. It is preferred that the shoulder strap section remains unprotected since it is important for this section to be able to stretch so that it can be passed over the wearer's head during the donning of the garment as will be described below.

The protective tape may be attached to the edge though adhesive or by stitches. Preferably the tape is applied directly to the edge of the fabric without folding of the edge. In preferred embodiments the edge of the armhole circumference region has both folded edges and taped edges. Advantageously, in these preferred embodiments taped edges protect regions of the armhole circumference region that experience the most friction, and folded edges protect the remainder of the circumference region whilst allowing a good level of stretchability. Preferably, 55 to 65% of the edge of the first material is enclosed by protective tape.

In preferred embodiments, all of the edge of the second elastic material (and, therefore all of the edge of the front section) of the armhole circumference region is enclosed by protective tape. The second elastic material is provided to ensure that the armhole opening fits snugly against the wearer's body and limiting is stretchiness does not overly limit the ability of the armhole opening to stretch to the second stretched state.

Preferably, the sports garment further comprises a lower body-covering portion which, in use, covers at least part of the wearer's thighs, hips and or buttocks. For example, the garment may be a swimsuit, a triathlon suit or a wet suit.

In preferred embodiments, the sports garment further comprises a neck hole opening and a second armhole opening. The neck hole opening and/or second armhole opening are preferably such that they cannot be stretched sufficiently to allow the wearer to don the garment through the neck hole and/or second armhole opening. Preferably, the difference between the circumference(s) of the neck hole opening and/or second armhole opening in an unstretched state (no stretching forces applied) and the drcumference(s) at the maximum stretched state is less than 1.8 times, preferably less then 1.5 times.

In preferred embodiments the garment includes a visual or tactile marker to help the user put on the garment. Advantageously, providing visual or tactile position markers allows the wearer to orient the suit, facilitating putting the suit on. Preferably, the armhole circumference region includes at least two diametrically opposed markers to indicate where to stretch the garment to gain entry to the armhole opening. In such an embodiment, it is preferred that at least one of said markers is an arrowhead pointing in the direction in which the garment should be stretched. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a front view of the first embodiment of the present invention in which the sports garment is a kneeskin swimsuit;

Figure 2 shows a back view of the first embodiment;

Figure 3 shows a cross-section through A-A of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 shows a cross-section through B-B of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows a cross-section through C-C of Figure 2;

Figure 6 shows a first step in fitting the suit of the first embodiment to a wearer's body;

Figure 7 shows a second step in fitting the suit of the first embodiment to the wearer's body; Figure 8 shows a third step in fitting the suit of the first embodiment to the wearer's body;

Figure 9 shows a fourth step in fitting the suit of the first embodiment to the wearer's body;

Figure 10 shows a fifth step in fitting the suit of the first embodiment to the wearer's body;

Figure 1 1 shows a sixth step in fitting the suit of the first embodiment to the wearer's body; and

Figure 12 shows a final step in fitting the suit of the first embodiment to the wearer's body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1 and 2 show a front and rear view of a first embodiment of the present invention which is a kneeskin swimsuit 1. The suit comprises a torso- covering part 2 which extends to cover ail of the wearer's thoracic vertebrae and lumbar vertebrae including the wearer's uppermost thoracic vertebrae i.e. the garment extends to the base of the wearer's neck. This helps minimise frictional drag through air and/or water compared to having exposed skin in these regions.

The suit comprises an armhole opening 3 defined by the edge of an armhole circumference region 4 for forming a tight-fit against a wearer's body. By "armhole circumference region", we mean the region of material directly bordering and surrounding the armhole opening 3. For example, the armhole circumference region may define a border region extending up to 5, 10, 15 centimetres or even further from the edge of the armhole opening 3.

The armhole opening 3 is stretchable from a first unstretched state to a second stretched state in which the garment can be donned through the armhole opening as shown later in Figures 6 to 12. By "unstretched" we mean that the garment is not being worn, and no stretching forces are applied to the garment. In the first embodiment, which is a "small" adult sized suit, the circumference of the armhole circumference region 4 in the first unstretched state is 49 cm and the circumference of the armhole circumference region 4 in the second, stretched state is 96 cm, i.e. the circumference of the armhole circumference region in the second stretched state is about 2 (1.96) times the circumference of the armhole circumference region in the first, unstretched state.

In a second embodiment (not shown but identical to the first embodiment in all aspects other than those described below), which is a "large" adult sized suit, the circumference of the armhole circumference region 4 in the first unstretched state is 62 cm and the circumference of the armhole circumference region 4 in the second, stretched state is 126 cm, i.e. the circumference of the armhole circumference region in the second stretched state is about 2 (2.03) times the circumference of the armhole circumference region in the first, unstretched state. By providing an armhole opening 3 having a circumference that can be stretched to at least nearly twice its size, it is possible to provide a garment which has an armhole which is tight-fitting against the wearer's body (thus avoiding scooping of water) but can be stretched to provide an armhole big enough for the wearer to step through to don the garment. Being able to stretch the circumference to about 2 times its original length is ideal because a significantly greater stretch may reduce the closeness of the fit of the armhole circumference region about the wearer's body and a significantly lesser stretch may not render the armhole opening large enough for the wearer to don the garment.

The armhole circumference region 4 comprises a shoulder strap 5 which, in use, rests on the wearer's shoulder, a front section 6 which, in use, encircles the front of the wearer's shoulder joint and a rear section 7 which, in use, encircles the rear of the wearer's shoulder joint and passes over the wearer's shoulder blade.

The shoulder strap 5 and front section 6 are joined by a seam 8 towards the front of the wearer's shoulder. The shoulder strap 5 and rear section 7 are joined by a seam 9 towards the rear of the wearer's shoulder. The front section 6 and rear section 7 are joined by a seam 10 (not shown) adjacent the wearer's armpit

The shoulder strap 5 and the rear section 7 are formed of a first elastic material which is a stretch woven fabric, comprising both inelastic threads (such as nylon) and elastic threads (such as Lycra®). The shoulder strap 5 and rear section make up about 80% of the armhole circumference region i.e. about 80% of the armhole opening is defined by the first elastic material. The first elastic material has a maximum elongation in a direction which encircles the armhole opening of 100 to 135 %. The maximum elongation in a perpendicular direction is significantly less i.e. the first elastic material is uni- axially stretchable. The front section 6 is formed of a second elastic material which has a higher modulus of elasticity that the first elastic material. The second elastic material is a warp-knitted fabric including both inelastic threads (such as nylon) and elastic threads (such as Lycra ©). The percentage of elastic threads (e.g. Lycra <9>) is around 60wt%and the fabric has a weight of around 400gm ² . The front section makes up about 20% of the armhole circumference region i.e. about 20% of the armhole opening is defined by the second elastic material.

The more stretchable first elastic material allows stretching of the shoulder strap 5 and the rear section 7 of the armhole circumference region 4 to allow entry into the garment via the armhole opening. The first elastic material also helps the armhole circumference region to conform to the wearer's body. The less stretchable second elastic material helps to provide a good seal around the body to limit or (ideally) prevent air/water flow into the garment. This helps achieve the required balance between an armhole opening which is sufficiently stretchable to allow donning of the garment through the armhole and an armhole opening which fits snugly against the wearer's body after donning.

The edge of the armhole circumference region 4 is finished to protect it from damage. At the shoulder strap 5, the edge is finished as shown in Figure 3 which shows a cross section A-A through the strap 5. The edge of the shoulder strap 5 is protected by folding the edge and securing the folded edge with adhesive 11. The rear section 7 and front section 6 are protected by protective tape. The shoulder strap 5 is not enclosed by protective tape since the tape reduces the elasticity of the protected material and it is important for this section to be able to stretch so that it can be passed over the wearer's head during the donning of the garment as will be described below. As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5 which show cross-sections (B-B and C-C) through the front section 6 and the rear sections 7 respectively, the edges are coated with adhesive 1 1 and then a bonded tape 12 is folded over each edge and secured to both sides of the respective edge by the adhesive 1 1. This helps to protect the edges as they will be subjected to factional forces as the wearer inserts or removes their body through the first armhole.

The garment includes a two diametrically opposed visual or tactile markers

12, 12' to help the user put on the garment. These comprise arrow heads showing in which direction the suit needs to be stretched. Figures 6 to 12 show the various steps in fitting the swimsuit of the first embodiment to the wearer's body.

As a first step (shown in Figure 6), the wearer stretches the armhole circumference region 4 (which will ultimately encircle the wearer's first arm) to enlarge the first armhole opening 3 by stretching the shoulder strap 5 and rear section 7 (and, to some extent, the front section 6). In a second step, the wearer inserts their legs and torso into the garment through the stretched first armhole opening 3 (see Figure 7), such that the first armhole opening 3 encircles the wearer's torso (see Figure 8). The wearer then inserts the second of their arms through both of the first and second armhole openings 3, 3 ^* (see Figure 9) and pulls both shoulder straps up onto the second of the wearer's shoulders such that the second arm is encircled by the second armhole opening 3' and the first shoulder strap 5 rests adjacent the second shoulder strap 5 ^* on the second of the wearer's shoulders (see Figure 10). The wearer then stretches the first shoulder strap 3 over their head (see Figure 1 1) and onto the first of the wearer's shoulders such that the first armhole encircles the first of the wearer's arms and the neckhole encircles the wearer's neck (see Figure 12). The stretching of the shoulder strap 5 over the wearer's head is the reason why the edges of the shoulder strap 5 is not bound by protective tape as shown in Figure 3. Protective tape would limit the stretchability of the shoulder strap.

The skilled person will appreciate that the swimsuit illustrated in the Figures and described above are examples embodying inventive concepts described herein and that many and various modifications can be made without departing from the invention.