Optimized sporting goods

Abstract

Methods for designing a sporting goods product, including: (a) Scanning at least one body part of at least one first person; (b) Creating a first digital model of the body part (11a) of the first person; (c) Creating a digital model of the sporting goods (12); (d) digitally arranging the digital model of the sporting goods (12) on the first digital model of the body part (11a), while enabling digital stretching of the digital model of the sporting goods (12); and (e) digitally modifying at least one property of the digital model of the sporting goods (12) based on the first digital model of the body part (11a) and the digital model of the sporting goods (12), wherein the method also includes calculating at least one force based on the first digital model of the body part (11a) and the digital model of the sporting goods (12), wherein the digital modification of the property of the digital model of the sporting goods (12) is based at least partially on the calculated force, wherein the force is a vertical shear force, and wherein the digital modification of the at least one property of the digital model of the sporting goods (12) includes reducing the vertical shear force.

Description

1. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to optimized methods for designing and manufacturing a sporting goods product, in particular a bathing cap. 2. State of the art

[0002] A precise fit of sporting goods, especially sportswear or footwear, is particularly important, as it can significantly impact an athlete's performance. For example, a sports shoe that doesn't fit properly would prevent an athlete from reaching their full potential.

[0003] A poor fit can also lead to increased drag. This is particularly important for sportswear, such as swim caps. Many swim caps wrinkle or bulge at the top, increasing drag during competition or training and potentially hindering peak performance. Additionally, some swim caps tend to flip up around the ears or slip on the wearer's head. This poses a particular problem for athletes with long hair, for whom the fit is often poor. In practice, many athletes wear two caps instead of one to overcome some of these issues. However, this is inconvenient for the athlete, adding unnecessary weight and potentially increasing the drag experienced while swimming.Another common problem that many athletes face is that swim caps tend to exert an upward pull on the wearer's skin, causing discomfort and often forcing the athlete to adjust the position of the swim cap.

[0004] The WO 2010 / 088 459 A2 concerns a bathing cap which includes an outer shell which forms a concave area ending at a circumferential edge and includes an elastic hem which is attached to the outer shell along the circumferential edge.

[0005] WO 01 / 39 051 A2 concerns a method for selecting a product and adapting a product to a consumer's measurements by determining the consumer's measurements using a scanner. Pre-produced products are tailored by measuring the real human body using three-dimensional (3D) scanning and processing the resulting data to create a virtual body.

[0006] US Patent 2007 / 0032989A1 concerns a device for managing information collected from remote sources, such as telemetry devices. The device can enable the configuration of information collection systems, allowing users to customize the management of the collected information.

[0007] US Patent 2016 / 0155186A1 addresses techniques for generating a digital wardrobe. A transmitter-receiver can be configured to receive a request containing a clothing tag and a user ID. Additionally, an access module can be configured to access a first clothing model, a user body model corresponding to the user ID, and a second clothing model corresponding to the user ID. Furthermore, a processor can be configured via a clothing simulation module to position the body model within the first and second clothing models and calculate simulated forces based on this positioning.

[0008] US Patent 2004 / 0261153A1 concerns a semi-rigid swimming cap with a uniform construction. The swimming cap is generally open at the bottom and includes a front edge, a rear edge, opposing ear covers, and a center section. The swimming cap is made of a thermoplastic polyurethane. The preferred polyurethane has a Shore A hardness between approximately 60 and 80.

[0009] DE 549 715 A refers to bathing caps or bathing shoes in which the inner edge of the main part, which lies against the body, is provided with small air chambers of approximately a round, polygonal or oval cross-section, which, due to the elasticity of the edge part, conform to the body and form a watertight suction seal.

[0010] CN 1 06 235 486 A relates to a process for manufacturing personalized garments based on a three-dimensional scan of the human body.

[0011] However, the previously known methods for improving the fit of sporting goods are not sufficient to overcome the problems described above.

[0012] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for designing a sporting goods product that offers an improved fit compared to previously known methods. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a swimming cap with an improved fit that is comfortable to wear, avoids or reduces wrinkles on the top, and remains in position even during sudden movements, such as a tumble turn. 3. Summary of the invention

[0013] The first object of the invention is achieved by the teachings of claim 1, in particular by a method for designing a sporting goods article, comprising: (a) Scanning at least one body part of at least one first person; (b) Creating a first digital model of the first person's body part; (c) Creating a digital model of the sporting goods; (d) digitally arranging the digital model of the sporting goods on the first digital model of the body part, while enabling digital stretching of the digital model of the sporting goods and (e) digitally modifying at least one property of the digital model of the sporting goods based on the first digital model of the body part and the digital model of the sporting goods.

[0014] The inventors have determined that not only the size and dimensions of a sporting goods article, but also its elasticity, determine the article's fit. This is particularly true for sporting goods that require a close fit to reduce water resistance or air resistance, such as swim caps, running shirts, running shorts, cycling apparel, etc. Therefore, a key aspect of the present invention is the ability to digitally stretch the digital model of the sporting goods. This can optionally include specific material properties of the sporting goods, such as its elasticity. For example, if the circumference of body part C B is and a corresponding unstretched circumference of the sports article C S If this is the case, then enabling the digital stretching of the sporting goods can scale the corresponding circumference of the sporting goods by a factor of C. B / C S include.

[0015] This method can be used to create a customized sporting goods item for a specific customer, or it can be used to mass-produce a sporting goods item based on the first digital model of the first person's body part. It is important to understand that the size and shape of the body part can vary from person to person, and therefore the digital model, once modified, may have a customer-specific shape that varies from person to person. However, the methods described herein allow for an optimal fit to be achieved for many sizes and shapes of the body part.

[0016] The process may also include: scanning the body part of a second person; creating a second digital model of the second person's body part; creating an average digital model of the body part based on an average between the first digital model and the second digital model; digitally arranging the digital model of the sporting goods on the average digital model of the body part, while digitally stretching the digital model of the sporting goods, digitally modifying the property of the digital model of the sporting goods based on the average digital model of the body part and the digital model of the sporting goods.

[0017] Therefore, the process for designing a sporting goods item may include: (a1) scanning at least one body part of at least one first person; (a2) scanning the body part of a second person; (b1) creating a first digital model of the first person's body part; (b2) creating a second digital model of the second person's body part; (c) creating an average digital model of the body part based on an average between the first and second digital models; (d) creating a digital model of the sporting goods item; (e) digitally arranging the digital model of the sporting goods item on the average digital model of the body part, while allowing digital stretching of the digital model of the sporting goods item;and (f) digitally modifying at least one property of the digital model of the sporting goods based on the average digital model of the body part and the digital model of the sporting goods.;

[0018] In other words, instead of using just a single digital model of a body part from the first person, an average is created between the first digital model of the body part from the first person and the second digital model of the body part from the second person. It's possible to scan the body part from three or more people, for example, a large number of people, and use the corresponding digital models to create an average digital model. It's important to note that the same body part is scanned in each case; for example, if a right hand is scanned for one person, then the right hand of a second, third, fourth person, and so on, is scanned. In this way, it's possible to create an accurate digital model of the body part, which then allows for the design of a sporting goods item that fits a group of people well, such as a group of swimmers.

[0019] For example, to provide an optimal fit for a swim cap across a group of swimmers, it is advantageous to understand the geometry of the swimmers' heads. This can be achieved by creating an average digital model of the head, which involves scanning the heads of a plurality of swimmers and performing a statistical analysis of the scans. One exemplary way to do this is through a non-rigid registration procedure that digitally applies a common template mesh to all individual head scans, resulting in a set of meshes that corresponds to the plurality of head scans. Each mesh in the set has the same topology and number of vertices, but they exhibit different geometries and shapes according to the respective original scans.The set of meshes then allows for a direct and simple comparison of the head scans and the performance of statistical operations, such as calculating averages or standard deviations. In this way, an average model of the majority of head scans can be generated. Alternatively, any suitable method for generating 3D geometry can be used here.

[0020] Scanning at least one body part can involve optical means, such as a camera, a stereo camera system, structured light scanning, or laser scanning, to create a three-dimensional digital model of that body part. An example is the use of the Artec Eva 3D scanner.

[0021] Scanning at least one body part can involve using at least two cameras to capture a three-dimensional image of the body part. By using two cameras positioned differently, it is possible to construct a three-dimensional image of the body part without having to move the body part itself. It can be difficult to precisely control the body part while it is moving; for example, a certain degree of displacement may occur, even if only rotation is required for a specific image sequence. Therefore, using at least two cameras positioned differently allows for the construction of a more accurate three-dimensional image of the body part.

[0022] Alternatively, a three-dimensional image of the body part can be generated using only one camera with provided image processing tools and / or supplementary information from additional motion sensors such as accelerometers on a portable electronic device.

[0023] The body part can be a head, and the sporting item can be a swimming cap. Known swimming caps tend to wrinkle or bulge at the top. This increases the resistance experienced by the athlete and can prevent peak performance. Therefore, the method according to the present invention is particularly advantageous when the body part is a head and the sporting item is a swimming cap.

[0024] The property of the digital model of the sporting goods can include a circumference of the sporting goods; and where digital modification of the circumference includes: digitally modifying the circumference such that, when digitally arranging the digital model of the sporting goods on the first digital model of the body part or the average digital model of the body part, the circumference of a first segment of the digital model of the sporting goods stretches by a first fraction, and the circumference of a second segment of the digital model of the sporting goods stretches by a second fraction. It is understood that digital modification of the circumference means digital modification of the unstretched circumference; that is, digital modification is not the same as digital stretching, since the latter would increase the circumference, but the unstretched circumference would not. Unstretched means that no forces are deliberately applied to stretch the circumference.

[0025] A key insight of the inventors is that the fit can be significantly improved if the circumference of the first section of the sporting goods stretches by a certain percentage, and the circumference of the second section stretches by a certain percentage. In other words, there are differences in the tightness of the fit between the first and second sections of the sporting goods.

[0026] The first section can be an upper section and the second section a lower section of the sporting goods, and the first section can be smaller than the second. In other words, the sporting goods can have a tighter fit in the lower section than in the upper section. In this context, an upper section is positioned closer to the apex of the sporting goods, for example, a swimming cap, than a lower section. The inventors have found that this arrangement improves the fit of the sporting goods and, for example, reduces the formation of creases and bulges on the top of a swimming cap.

[0027] The first fraction can be between 0% and 10%, and the second fraction can be between 20% and 50%, preferably between 25% and 35%. The inventors have found that a high second fraction, i.e., high elasticity, improves the fit of the sporting goods and, for example, reduces the formation of wrinkles and bulges on the top of a swimming cap. However, the sporting goods become uncomfortable to wear if the second fraction is too large. Furthermore, the first fraction is preferably relatively small to improve the fit of the sporting goods. It is understood that if the first fraction is, for example, 30%, the stretched circumference of the first fraction corresponds to 1.3 times the unstretched circumference of the first fraction of the digital model of the sporting goods.

[0028] The digital model of the sporting goods can include a shape of the sporting goods. The shape of the sporting goods significantly determines its fit. The method according to the present invention is ideally suited to digitally modifying the shape of the digital model of the sporting goods based on the digital model of the body part and the digital model of the sporting goods. This allows for an improved fit of the sporting goods.

[0029] For example, the sporting goods item could be a swimming cap, and modifying the shape of the digital model of the swimming cap could involve creating two overhanging sections positioned symmetrically on each side of the wearer's spine, and a recess located near the spine. In this context, an overhanging section is any part of the swimming cap that extends beyond a circumferential edge of the cap. A recess, in this context, is a corresponding indentation in the circumferential edge of the swimming cap.

[0030] A circumferential edge is an imaginary edge of the swim cap defined by an edge in a front section of the cap and continuing around the entire circumference of the swim cap. A geometrically equivalent definition of an overhanging section and a recess can be given in terms of a plane defined by three individual non-collinear points on an edge of the swim cap in a front section. The plane establishes a reference relative to which the overhanging sections protrude and relative to which the recess represents a depression.

[0031] In other words, an overhanging section protrudes relative to a circumferential edge, and a recess represents an indentation relative to the circumferential edge, where the circumferential edge is an imaginary edge of the bathing cap, defined by an edge of a front section of the bathing cap and continuing around the entire circumference of the bathing cap.

[0032] Equivalently, an overhanging section protrudes relative to a plane, and a recess represents an indentation relative to a plane, where the plane is defined by three individual non-collinear points on an edge of the bathing cap in a frontal section of the bathing cap.

[0033] The inventors have determined that two overhanging sections, arranged symmetrically on each side of the wearer's spine, and a recess located near the spine, can improve the stability of the swimming cap on an athlete's head.

[0034] The overhanging sections can protrude at least 1 cm from a circumferential edge, or alternatively from the plane defined above, of the swim cap, and the cutout can be an indentation in the circumferential edge, or alternatively from the plane defined above, by at least 1 cm. This improves the stability of the swim cap's fit on an athlete's head.

[0035] The digital model of the sporting goods item and / or the first digital model of the body part and / or the average digital model of the body part may also include at least one material property of the sporting goods item and / or the body part. In this context, a material property is a characteristic of a material of the sporting goods item and / or the body part, apart from geometric properties such as thickness, length, circumference, etc. It is understood that the property may also include geometric properties such as thickness, length, circumference, etc.

[0036] By including at least one material property of the sporting goods and / or the body part in the corresponding digital model, it is possible to further improve the fit and comfort of the sporting goods.

[0037] At least one material property can include the elastic modulus of the sporting goods.

[0038] The procedure also includes the calculation of at least one force based on the first digital model of the body part (optionally the average digital model of the body part) and the digital model of the sporting goods, whereby the digital modification of at least one property of the digital model of the sporting goods is based at least partially on the calculated force.

[0039] For a given stretch, the force exerted on the body part by the sporting goods depends on the elastic modulus of the sporting goods. Therefore, when designing a sporting goods item with a comfortable fit, it is advantageous to include the elastic modulus of the sporting goods in the digital model.

[0040] The force is an upward shear force, or more generally, a vertical shear force, and digitally modifying at least one property of the digital model of the sporting goods involves reducing the upward shear force, or the vertical shear force. The inventors have found that a vertical shear force, for example, an upward shear force, is uncomfortable for the athlete because it pulls on the skin, such as the skin of the athlete's forehead, or on the athlete's hair. Furthermore, an upward shear force, especially during dynamic movement, can lead to a poor fit, causing the swim cap to slip upwards on the athlete's head.

[0041] Therefore, it is advantageous to reduce the vertical shear force, for example the upward shear force, which is achieved by the sporting goods and the method of the present invention.

[0042] The force can be calculated using finite element analysis. Finite element analysis is any method that divides a space into a number of finite elements to solve an underlying set of equations, such as a set of partial differential equations. Each element is assigned specific properties, for example, a modulus of elasticity. Numerous types of finite element analysis are suitable.

[0043] Digitally modifying at least one property of the digital model of the sporting goods may include digitally modifying the thickness of the sporting goods.

[0044] Thickness is an important parameter for determining the fit and stability of a sporting product. For example, inventors found that a swim cap with a uniform thickness results in high vertical shear forces, and in particular, upward shear forces. This causes the swim cap to "pull itself off the athlete's head." The upward shear force can be reduced by a swim cap comprising: a main body having a first thickness; and a rim section arranged around the edge of the swim cap having a second thickness; where the first thickness is less than the second thickness.

[0045] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a sporting goods article, comprising: (a) creating a design for a sporting goods article by any method described herein; and (b) manufacturing the sporting goods article according to the design. This allows a sporting goods article with an improved fit to be obtained.

[0046] Manufacturing the sporting goods can involve injection molding or powder sintering. Injection molding and powder sintering are simple and efficient methods for producing high volumes of sporting goods. 4. Brief description of the characters

[0047] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the figures. Fig. Figures 1A-1C show an exemplary method according to the present invention; Fig. Figures 2A-2D show an exemplary method according to the present invention, in particular a method for reducing a vertical shear force; and Fig. 3A-3B: show an example of a swimming cap. 5. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0048] Some embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below. It is understood that these exemplary embodiments can be modified in various ways and combined with one another whenever they are compatible, and that certain features can be omitted if they appear unnecessary.

[0049] Fig. Figures 1A-1C show an exemplary method for designing a sporting goods article according to the present invention.

[0050] The exemplary procedure for designing a sporting goods item comprises: (a1) scanning at least one body part of at least one first person; (a2) scanning the body part of a second person; (b1) creating a first digital model (not in Fig. (1A-1C shown) of the first person's body part; (b2) creating a second digital model (not shown) Fig. (1A-1C shown) of the second person's body part; (c) creating an average digital model of body part 11b based on an average between the first digital model and the second digital model; (d) creating a digital model of the sporting goods item 12; (e) digitally arranging the digital model of the sporting goods item 12 on the average digital model of body part 11b, while allowing digital stretching of the digital model of the sporting goods item 12; and (f) digitally modifying at least one property of the digital model of the sporting goods item 12 based on the average digital model of body part 11b and the digital model of the sporting goods item 12.

[0051] Fig. Figure 1A shows a front view of the exemplary average digital model of a body part 11b, in this example a head, and an exemplary digital model of a sporting goods item 12, in this example a swimming cap. Fig. Figure 1B shows a corresponding side view.

[0052] In this example, scanning at least one body part involves providing at least two cameras to capture a three-dimensional image of the body part. In this way, the three-dimensional first digital model of the body part and the three-dimensional second digital model of the body part, which correspond to the one described in Fig. The average model of body part 11b shown in 1A-1B is based on this model.

[0053] The property being modified includes a shape of the swimming cap. In this example, an initial length 13 of the swimming cap is modified in a front section 21. As in Fig. As shown in 1B, the modified length 14 is longer than the original length 13. The front section 21 may be a section of the swimming cap that, in normal use, sits on the athlete's forehead.

[0054] In relation to Fig. 1c has the property of the digital model of the sports article 12 having a circumference of the swimming cap. Digital modification of the circumference comprises: digitally modifying the circumference such that, when the digital model of the swimming cap 12 is digitally positioned on the first digital model of the body part 11a or the average digital model of the body part 11b, the circumference of a first section 15 of the digital model of the swimming cap 12 is stretched by a first fraction, and the circumference of a second section 16 of the digital model of the swimming cap 12 is stretched by a second fraction. It is understood that digital modification of the circumference means digital modification of the unstretched circumference; that is, digital modification is not the same as digital stretching, since the latter would increase the circumference, but the unstretched circumference would not.

[0055] In this example, the digital model of the swimming cap 12 also has a third section 17 and a fourth section 18. The circumference of a third section 17 of the swimming cap expands by a third part, and the circumference of a fourth section 18 of the swimming cap expands by a quarter part.

[0056] In this example, the first section 15 is an upper section, and the second section 16 is an intermediate section of the swim cap. The first section is smaller than the second. The third section 17 is a lower intermediate section, and the fourth section 18 is a lower section of the swim cap. The second section is smaller than the third, which in turn is smaller than the fourth. It is also possible that there is only an upper section and a lower section of a swim cap. In this case, the first section 15 and the second section 16 could be the same as the upper section, and the third section 17 and the fourth section could be the same as the lower section. Alternatively, the upper section could include the first through third sections 15-17.

[0057] For example, the first share could be 10%, the second share 20%, the third share 30%, and the fourth share 40%.

[0058] In this example, modifying the shape of the digital model of the swimming cap also includes creating two overhanging sections 19, arranged symmetrically on each side of the wearer's spine, and a recess 20 located near the spine. The overhanging sections 19 extend beyond a circumferential edge (omitted for clarity, in Fig. 2A shown) of the digital model of the bathing cap protrudes by 1.5 cm and the recess 20 represents an indentation in the circumferential edge by 3 cm.

[0059] In particular, to ensure an optimal fit for a swim cap across a group of swimmers, it is necessary to understand the geometry of the swimmers' heads. This can be achieved by creating an average digital head model of the swimmers, which involves scanning the heads of a majority of swimmers and performing a statistical analysis of the scans. One exemplary way to do this is through a non-rigid registration procedure that digitally applies a common template mesh to all individual head scans, resulting in a set of meshes corresponding to the majority of head scans. Each mesh in the set has the same topology and number of vertices, but they exhibit diverse geometries and shapes based on the respective original scans.The set of meshes then allows for a direct and simple comparison of the head scans and the performance of statistical operations, such as calculating averages or standard deviations. In this way, an average model of the majority of head scans can be generated. Alternatively, any suitable method for generating 3D geometry can be used here.

[0060] Fig. Figures 2A-2D show another aspect of the present invention. Fig. 2A shows an exemplary digital model of the bathing cap.

[0061] The exemplary digital model of the bathing cap 12 comprises: a main body 23 having a first thickness; and a rim section 24 arranged around a rim of the bathing cap having a second thickness; and two overhanging sections 19 arranged symmetrically on each side of a spine of the wearer and a recess 20 located near the spine.

[0062] The overhanging sections 19 protrude beyond a circumferential edge 29 of the digital model of the bathing cap 12. The recess 20 is a corresponding indentation in the circumferential edge 29 of the digital model of the bathing cap 12.

[0063] The circumferential edge 29 is an imaginary edge of the swimming cap, defined by a front section of the swimming cap and continuing around the entire circumference of the digital model of the swimming cap 12. A geometrically equivalent definition of an overhanging section and a recess can be given with respect to a plane defined by three individual non-collinear points 30a-30c on an edge of the digital model of the swimming cap in a front section of the digital model of the swimming cap 12. The plane establishes a reference relative to which the overhanging sections protrude and relative to which the recess represents a dent.

[0064] The recess 20 is located in a rear section 22 opposite a front section 21. The overhanging sections 19 project 1.5 cm beyond a circumferential edge 29 of the digital model of the bathing cap, and the recess 20 forms a 3 cm indentation in the circumferential edge 29, as shown by the dotted line.

[0065] In this example, the first thickness is less than the second thickness.

[0066] In this case, the digital model of the swimming cap 12 also exhibits at least one material property of the swimming cap. This at least one material property comprises the elastic modulus of the swimming cap. The exemplary digital model of the swimming cap 12 is for a swimming cap made of silicone, and therefore the elastic modulus corresponds to the elastic modulus of silicone. In this case, the elastic modulus, also known as Young's modulus, could be between 2 and 12 MPa.

[0067] As in Fig. As shown in Figures 2B-2D, the procedure also includes calculating at least one force based on the first digital model of body part 11a and the digital model of the sporting goods item 12. Digitally modifying the property of the digital model of the sporting goods item 12 is based at least partially on the calculated force. The force is a vertical shear force, specifically an upward shear force, and the digital modification of the property of the digital model of the sporting goods item 12 involves reducing the upward shear force. The force is calculated using a finite element analysis.

[0068] Fig. Figures 2B-2D show the vertical shear force and, in particular, the upward shear force, which was calculated for three different digital models of the bathing cap using the same first digital model of body part 11a, i.e., the head.

[0069] The in Fig. The digital model of the swimming cap shown in Figure 2B has a main body (like main body 23, shown in Figure 2B). Fig. 2A) with a uniform thickness of 0.8 mm and an edge section (like edge section 24, shown in Fig. 2A) with a thickness of 2 mm. Fig. Figure 2B shows that a low-force area 26 is located directly below the ear of the first digital model of the head, and that medium-force areas 27 are located near the temporal and occipital bones. High-force areas 28 are located near the frontal bone and above the ear. Reference symbol 25 denotes a "no-force area" where the calculated forces are below a predetermined threshold.

[0070] The in Fig. The digital model of the swimming cap shown in Figure 2B results in quite considerable vertical shear forces overall, and in particular upward shear forces, which would have the effect of pulling the swimming cap off the athlete's head and could lead to considerable discomfort for the athlete. It should be noted that a digital model of a swimming cap with a uniform thickness, i.e., a swimming cap without a brim section 24, would exhibit far greater vertical shear forces and, in particular, upward shear forces.

[0071] The in Fig. The digital model of the bathing cap shown in Figure 2C has a main body (like main body 23, shown in Figure 2C). Fig. 2A) with a uniform thickness of 0.6 mm and an edge section (like edge section 24, shown in Fig. 2A) with a thickness of 2 mm. Fig. Figure 2C shows that low-force areas 26 are located directly below the ear of the first digital model of the head and near the temporal bone. A medium-force area 27 is located near the frontal bone. Reference symbol 25 denotes a "no-force area" where the calculated forces are below a predetermined threshold.

[0072] The in Fig. The digital model of the bathing cap shown in 2C therefore leads to a different result compared to the one in Fig. The digital model of the bathing cap shown in Figure 2B results in significantly reduced vertical shear forces and, in particular, upward shear forces.

[0073] The in Fig. The 2D digital model of the swimming cap has a main body (like main body 23, shown in Fig. 2A) with a uniform thickness of 0.4 mm and an edge section (like edge section 24, shown in Fig. 2A) with a thickness of 2 mm. Fig. Figure 2D shows that a low-force area 26 is located directly below the ear of the first digital model of the head 11a. Reference symbol 25 denotes a "no-force area" where the calculated forces are below a predetermined threshold.

[0074] The in Fig. The 2D digital model of the swimming cap therefore results in almost no vertical shear forces overall and, in particular, almost no upward shear forces, leading to an excellent and stable fit and a comfortable feel.

[0075] Fig. Figures 3A-3B show an exemplary bathing cap 32. The bathing cap 32 is placed on a dummy 31, which is a physical model of an average digital model of a head 11b, as shown here, for example, in relation to Fig. 1A-1C is described. Fig. 3A shows a front view, while Fig. 3B shows a rear view.

[0076] The bathing cap 32 comprises: a main body 23 having a first thickness; and a rim section 24 arranged around a rim of the bathing cap 32 having a second thickness; and two overhanging sections 19 arranged symmetrically on each side of a spine of the wearer and a recess 20 located near the spine.

[0077] The overhanging sections 19 protrude beyond a circumferential edge 29 of the bathing cap 32. The recess 20 is a corresponding indentation in the circumferential edge 29 of the bathing cap 32.

[0078] The circumferential edge 29 is an imaginary edge of the swimming cap, defined by a front section of the swimming cap and continuing around the entire circumference of the digital model of the swimming cap 12. A geometrically equivalent definition of an overhanging section and a recess can be given with respect to a plane defined by three individual non-collinear points 30a-30c on an edge of the swimming cap 32 in a front section of the swimming cap 32. The plane establishes a reference relative to which the overhanging sections 19 protrude and relative to which the recess 20 represents a dent.

[0079] In this example, the first thickness is less than the second thickness.

[0080] The first thickness is 0.4 mm and the second thickness is 2 mm. The main body 23 has a first material, and the edge section 24 also has the first material. In this case, the main body 23 and the edge section 24 are made of silicone by powder sintering.

[0081] The width of the edge section 24 varies between 10 mm and 30 mm around the edge. The inventors have found that varying the width of the edge section 24 can further improve the balance between a good fit and low resistance. In this example, the edge section 24 has a narrower width in a front section 21 than in a rear section 22.

[0082] The main body 23 and the boundary section 24 have a Shore A hardness of 40. Although the surface of the main body 23 and / or the boundary section 24 has no texture in this example, the surface of the main body 23 and / or the boundary section 24 can have a texture.

[0083] The overhanging sections 19 protrude 1 cm beyond a circumferential edge 29 of the bathing cap 32 and the recess 20 represents an indentation in the circumferential edge 29 by 1 cm. Reference symbol: 11a first digital model of the body part 11b average digital model of the body part 12 digital model of the sporting goods 13 Starting length 14 modified length 15 first section 16 second section 17 third section 18 fourth section 19 overhanging section 20 recesses 21 front section 22 rear section 23 Main body 24 marginal section 25 Area without force application 26 Low force area 27 Area with medium force impact 28 Area with high force impact 29 circumferential edge 30a, 30b, 30c Point 31 Dummy 32 Swimming cap

Claims

[1] Method for designing a sporting goods product, comprising: (a) Scanning at least one body part of at least one first person; (b) Creating a first digital model of the body part (11a) of the first person; (c) Creating a digital model of the sporting goods (12); (d) digitally arranging the digital model of the sporting goods (12) on the first digital model of the body part (11a), while enabling digital stretching of the digital model of the sporting goods (12); and (e) digitally modifying at least one property of the digital model of the sporting goods (12) based on the first digital model of the body part (11a) and the digital model of the sporting goods (12), wherein the method also includes calculating at least one force based on the first digital model of the body part (11a) and the digital model of the sporting goods (12), wherein the digital modification of the property of the digital model of the sporting goods (12) is based at least partially on the calculated force, wherein the force is a vertical shear force, and wherein the digital modification of the at least one property of the digital model of the sporting goods (12) includes reducing the vertical shear force. [2] Method according to the preceding claim, furthermore comprising: Scanning a second person's body part; Creating a second digital model of the second person's body part; Creating an average digital model of the body part (11b) based on an average between the first digital model (11a) and the second digital model; digital arrangement of the digital model of the sports article (12) on the average digital model of the body part (11b), while enabling digital stretching of the digital model of the sports article (12), whereby digital modification of the property of the digital model of the sports article (12) is based on the average digital model of the body part (11b) and the digital model of the sports article (12). [3] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein scanning the at least one body part comprises providing at least two cameras for capturing a three-dimensional image of the body part. [4] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body part is a head and the sports article is a bathing cap (32). [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the property of the digital model of the sporting goods (12) includes a scope of the sporting goods; and where digital modification of the scope includes: digitally modifying the scope such that, when digitally arranging the digital model of the sports article (12) on the first digital model of the body part (11a) or the average digital model of the body part (11b): the scope of a first section (15) of the digital model of the sporting goods (12) extends by a first proportion; the scope of a second section (16) of the digital model of the sporting goods (12) extends by a second part. [6] Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the first section (15) is an upper section and the second section (16) is a lower section of the sporting goods; and wherein the first part is smaller than the second part. [7] Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the first proportion is between 0% and 10% and the second proportion is between 20% and 50%. [8] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the feature of the digital model of the sporting goods (12) comprises a shape of the sporting goods. [9] The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the digital model of the sporting goods (12) and / or the first digital model of the body part (11a) and / or the average digital model of the body part (11b) also includes at least one material property of the sporting goods and / or the body part. [10] Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one material property comprises an elastic modulus of the sporting goods. [11] Method according to any one of claims 2 to 10, further comprising the calculation of at least one force based on the average digital model of the body part (11b) and the digital model of the sports article (12), wherein the digital modification of the property of the digital model of the sports article (12) is based at least partially on the calculated force. [12] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the force is calculated on the basis of a finite element analysis. [13] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the digital modification of the at least one property of the digital model of the sporting goods (12) comprises digital modification of a thickness of the sporting goods (12). [14] Method for the manufacture of a sporting goods article, comprising: (a) Creating a design of a sporting goods article according to any of the preceding claims; and (b) Manufacture the sporting goods in accordance with the design. [15] Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the manufacture of the sporting goods comprises injection molding or powder sintering of the sporting goods.

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