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Swimsuit having compression panels

a technology of compression panels and swimsuits, which is applied in the field of swimsuits having compression panels, can solve problems such as energy loss, and achieve the effect of reducing the hydrodynamic drag of swimmers in the water

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-02-12
DI LORENZO JOSEPH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The swimsuit may comprise a hip portion, an optional thigh portion, and an optional chest portion. The hip and thigh portion may be fabricated to have left and right thigh compression panels attached to an inside surface of the hip and thigh portion which compress thigh muscles and reduce thigh muscle vibrations of the swimmer. Additionally, the hip and thigh portion may also have buttock compression panels attached to the inside surface of the hip and thigh portion to reduce gluteal muscle vibration while the swimmer is swimming.
[0008]The chest portion may be fabricated from a unitary material with or a separate material from the hip and thigh portion. Additionally, the chest portion may have first and second chest compression panels attached to an inside surface of the chest portion diagonally with respect to each other in a criss-cross configuration. The chest compression panels reduce muscle vibrations of the chest while the swimmer is swimming.
[0009]The compression panels discussed herein may have an elongate configuration, linear or curved configuration. The compression panels may also be fabricated from an elastic material having a spring constant greater than the material from which the hip and thigh portion and the chest portion is fabricated. The elasticity of the compression panel may be sufficiently strong so as to compress the muscle to reduce or minimize muscle vibration.
[0011]The swimsuit may also have one or more external urethane panels attached to the hip portion, optional thigh portion and the optional chest portion. The external urethane panels may be used to reduce the hydrodynamic drag of the swimmer in the water. It is also contemplated that the urethane panels may be replaced with a base layer coated with a generally non-water absorbent material forming a generally smooth exterior surface. Preferably, the base layer and the replacement material are generally stretchable. It is also contemplated that the replacement material may be directly coated onto one or more of the hip portion, optional thigh portion and the optional chest portion.

Problems solved by technology

For example, it has been found that as the swimmer swims through the water, his / her muscles vibrate causing a loss of energy which could have been used to propel the swimmer through the water.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0054]Referring now to FIG. 1, a swimsuit 10 is shown. The hip and thigh portion 14 of the swimsuit 10 may have left and right tubular members 24a, b which fit around the left and right thighs of the swimmer. Additionally, the hip and thigh portion 14 may also have an upper tubular member 26 sized to fit around the hips of the swimmer. The left and right tubular members 24a, b are attached to a lower end of the upper tubular member 26 such that the tubular members 24a, b and 26 may be worn by the swimmers in a similar manner compared to a pair of shorts. The left and right tubular members 24a, b may be sized to fit snuggly about the thighs of the swimmer as well as the upper tubular member 26 may be sized to fit snuggly around the hips of the swimmer.

[0055]Preferably, the hip and thigh portion 14 may be fabricated from an elastic material and sized such that the hip and thigh portion 14 slightly expands when worn by the swimmer such that the hip and thigh portion 14 may conform to t...

second embodiment

[0065]Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, the swimsuit 10 known as a Male Jammers is shown. The swimsuit 10 may comprise only the hip and thigh portion 14 and may have left and right thigh compression panels 28a, b and / or left and right buttock compression panels 38a, b attached to the hip and thigh portion 14. The figures presented herein may only show the left thigh compression panel 28a by hatching for the purposes of clarity. Likewise, the figures may only show the left buttock compression panel 38a for the purpose of clarity.

[0066]The left thigh compression panel 28a (shown by hatching over fit panels 54c, d) may extend from a left lateral hip area 32a (see FIG. 9) across a left thigh area 34a (see FIG. 7) and terminate at a left lower medial thigh area 36a (see FIG. 7). More generally, the left thigh compression panel 28a may extend diagonally across and compress any one or combination of the following thigh muscles, including but not limited to, rectus femoris muscle, vastos intermed...

fourth embodiment

[0072]Referring now to FIGS. 13-15 the swimsuit 10 known as a male zip short is shown. The swimsuit shown in FIGS. 13-15 may have a plurality of fit panels 54a-f, g-l, and m-s. The fit panels 54a-s may be attached (sewn, stitched, adhered, etc.) to each other at seam lines 56a-r. The swimsuit 10 may additionally have left and right arm apertures 46a, b defined by left and right inner peripheries 60a, b as well as a neck aperture 62 defined by an inner periphery 64.

[0073]The swimsuit 10 may have a left thigh compression panel 28a which may coincide with fit panel 54b, 54c or fit panels 54b and c. In the event that the left thigh compression panel 28a coincides with fit panels 54b and 54c, the left thigh compression panel 28a will extend from bottom end 27a to a left back area of the swimmer, as shown in FIG. 14. Moreover, the left thigh compression panel 28a will contact the left buttock compression panel 38a at intersection point 70a (see FIG. 14). In contrast, as shown in FIGS. 1-6...

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PUM

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Abstract

A swimsuit is provided having a hip and thigh portion and a chest portion. Various compression panels may be attached to an inside surface of the hip and thigh portion as well as the chest portion for reducing muscle vibration of the chest muscle, thigh muscle and gluteal muscles. Various urethane layers may be attached external to the hip and thigh portion and the chest portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 787,735, filed Apr. 17, 2007, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND[0003]The present invention is related to a swimsuit having compression panels positioned over one or more muscle groups of a swimmer to reduce muscle vibrations of specific muscle groups and an external urethane panel to reduce the hydrodynamic drag of the swimmer.[0004]Technical wear for competitive swimmers attempt to reduce, minimize or eliminate various impediments that cause a competitive swimmer to lose a race. For example, hydrodynamic drag is a major factor in the speed of a competitive swimmer. As such, technical swimwear does exist which attempt to reduce the hydrodynamic drag on a swimmer such that the swimmer is able to increase his / her speed without any additional expen...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A41D7/00
CPCA41D2400/24A41D7/00A41D7/005
Inventor DI LORENZO, JOSEPH
Owner DI LORENZO JOSEPH
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