Aerodynamic clothing

Abstract

An athletic jersey or speed suit containing a winged element to reduce drag associated with resistance from a fluid passing over the body of an athlete wearing the jersey when participating in an athletic event. The winged element is defined by material that extends from along the arm of the athletic clothing to the torso of the athletic clothing. In specific embodiments, the winged element is continuous. In another embodiment, the winged element connects from a portion the arm of the athletic clothing to a portion of the torso area, such that a winged element is created, but it is not continuous along the torso and arm of the athletic clothing. In specific embodiments, the winged element is made from a flexible fabric material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerodynamic athletic jersey, comprising:
 a body panel,   a forearm sleeve; and   a winged element formed between the body panel and the forearm sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The jersey of  claim 1 , further comprising pants attached to a body panel. 
     
     
         3 . The jersey of  claim 2 , wherein the pants extend to approximately the ankle of the wearer. 
     
     
         4 . The jersey of  claim 1 , wherein the winged element extends from a point between the forearm sleeve and a bicep panel to the body panel. 
     
     
         5 . The jersey of  claim 1 , wherein the forearm sleeve further comprises a glove. 
     
     
         6 . The jersey of  claim 1 , wherein the forearm sleeve further comprises a thumb loop. 
     
     
         7 . The jersey of  claim 1 , further comprising a bicep panel. 
     
     
         8 . The jersey of  claim 7 , wherein the bicep panel comprises a fabric having three-dimensional dimpled wave pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The jersey of  claim 8 , wherein a material comprising a three-dimensional dimpled weave pattern is used for the area of at least one of the winged element, the forearm sleeve and the body panel. 
     
     
         10 . The jersey of  claim 1 , wherein the winged element extends from approximately a location along a bicep region of the jersey to a location along a side of the body panel. 
     
     
         11 . The jersey of  claim 1 , wherein the body panel further comprises at least one ribbed component. 
     
     
         12 . The jersey of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one ribbed component comprises a polymer adhered to a surface of the front panel. 
     
     
         13 . The jersey of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one ribbed component is positioned symmetrically on two sides of the front panel. 
     
     
         14 . The jersey of  claims 11 , wherein the at least one ribbed component is hemispherical with an upper radius limit of about 3 cm. 
     
     
         15 . The jersey of  claims 11 , wherein the ribbed component is a tube having an upper radius limit of about 3 cm. 
     
     
         16 . A method for making a jersey, comprising:
 joining a forearm panel to a bicep panel to create a partial sleeve;   joining the partial sleeve to a front panel and a back panel, wherein the back panel and the front panel are shaped to create a winged element;   joining another forearm panel and another bicep panel to another front panel and back panel, wherein the other front panel and the back panel are shaped to create another winged element; and   joining the front panels with a zipper.   
     
     
         17 . The method for making a jersey of  claim 16 , further comprising attaching a ribbed component to the front panels.