Improvements in or relating to fabrics

Abstract

A composite fabric including a textile support layer which has one or more support members arranged thereupon is provided, particularly for use in clothing garments for sportspersons. Each support member defines a plurality of mutually spaced support formations. Respective pairs of support formations have a flexible membrane portion extending therebetween. Each flexible membrane portion is selectively moveable between a passive configuration, in which it leaves unchanged a fluid flow passing thereover, and an active configuration, in which it initiates turbulent flow in a fluid flow passing thereover.

1 . A composite fabric, for use in clothing garments for sportspersons, comprising a textile support layer having one or more support members arranged thereupon, the or each support member defining a plurality of mutually spaced support formations, respective pairs of support formations having a flexible membrane portion extending therebetween, each flexible membrane portion being selectively moveable between a passive configuration in which it leaves unchanged a fluid flow passing thereover and an active configuration in which it initiates turbulent flow in a fluid flow passing thereover. 
     
     
         2 . A composite fabric according to  claim 1  wherein one or more membrane portions is arranged to move between its passive and active configurations in response to a change in the flow characteristics of the fluid flow passing thereover. 
     
     
         3 . A composite fabric according to  claim 2  wherein one or more membrane portions is arranged to move from its passive configuration to its active configuration as the fluid flow begins to separate from the composite fabric. 
     
     
         4 . A composite fabric according to  claim 2  wherein one or more membrane portions is arranged to move from its active configuration to its passive configuration as the fluid flow begins to reattach to the composite fabric. 
     
     
         5 . A composite fabric according to  claim 1  wherein each membrane portion in its active configuration creates a perturbation in the flow path of the fluid flow passing thereover. 
     
     
         6 . A composite fabric according to  claim 5  wherein the perturbation created by one or more of the membrane portions deviates from the position of the corresponding membrane portion in its passive configuration by not more than 5 mm. 
     
     
         7 . A composite fabric according to  claim 5  wherein each membrane portion creates a perturbation by one of:
 adopting a convex form; 
 adopting a concave form; and 
 oscillating between convex and concave forms. 
 
     
     
         8 . A composite fabric according to  claim 1  wherein one or more of the membrane portions is elastic. 
     
     
         9 . A composite fabric according to  claim 1  wherein the membrane portions are formed from a single unitary membrane. 
     
     
         10 . A clothing garment formed from or including a composite fabric according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 .- 12 . (canceled)