Aerodynamic Garment With Applied Edge Treatments

Abstract

An aerodynamic garment may comprise zones with applied textures. Each zone may be associated with properties and characteristics based on the movement of the garment associated with each zone through air during an athletic activity. The texture in each zone may be applied using a variety of methods such as printing. Terminal edges of the garment may be treated with silicone or other elastomers to prevent fraying, eliminate stitching, and provide a snug, aerodynamic fit. The resulting aerodynamic garment improves the performance of an athlete wearing the aerodynamic garment by reducing the aerodynamic drag experienced during the performance of the athletic activity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerodynamic athletic garment comprising:
 at least one fabric panel; and   at least one cut edge that terminates the at least one fabric panel of the garment; and   wherein a first portion of the at least one cut edge comprises a first width portion of elastomer, such that the first portion of the at least one cut edge has a first elasticity, and wherein a second portion of the at least one cut edge comprises a second width portion of elastomer, such that the second portion of the at least one cut edge has a second elasticity.   
     
     
         2 . The aerodynamic athletic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first width portion is a greater width than the second width portion. 
     
     
         3 . The aerodynamic athletic garment of  claim 2 , wherein the first elasticity is a greater elasticity than the second elasticity. 
     
     
         4 . The aerodynamic athletic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cut edge forms a thumb hole. 
     
     
         5 . The aerodynamic athletic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cut edge forms an edge of a ventilation hole. 
     
     
         6 . The aerodynamic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion further comprises a first applied texture having a property that gives rise to a first aerodynamic characteristic, and wherein the second portion further comprises a second applied texture having a property that gives rise to a second aerodynamic characteristic. 
     
     
         7 . The aerodynamic garment of  claim 6 , wherein the first applied texture comprises a first plurality of printed elastomeric nodules and the second applied texture comprises a second plurality of printed elastomeric nodules. 
     
     
         8 . The aerodynamic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cut edge forms a wrist opening for the garment. 
     
     
         9 . The aerodynamic garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cut edge forms a sleeve opening for the garment when worn by an athlete. 
     
     
         10 . The aerodynamic garment of  claim 1 , further comprising a continuous printed elastomer layer along an outer facing surface of the at least one cut edge. 
     
     
         11 . The aerodynamic garment of  claim 10 , wherein the continuous printed elastomer layer along the outer facing surface of the at least one cut edge comprises:
 the first width portion of elastomer;   the second width portion of elastomer; and   a transitional width portion of elastomer extending from the at least one cut edge.   
     
     
         12 . The aerodynamic garment of  claim 11 , wherein the transitional width portion of elastomer extends between the first width portion of elastomer and the second width portion of elastomer and varies in width from the first width portion of elastomer and the second width portion of elastomer. 
     
     
         13 . An aerodynamic athletic garment comprising:
 a plurality of fabric panels joined together to form the garment; and   a cut edge that terminates the garment on an extremity portion of the garment,   wherein a first portion of the cut edge comprises a first thickness of elastomer, such that the first portion of the cut edge has a first elasticity, and wherein a second portion of the cut edge comprises a second thickness of elastomer, such that the second portion of the cut edge has a second elasticity.   
     
     
         14 . The aerodynamic athletic garment of  claim 13 , wherein the first thickness is a greater thickness than the second thickness. 
     
     
         15 . The aerodynamic athletic garment of  claim 14 , wherein the first elasticity is a greater elasticity than the second elasticity. 
     
     
         16 . The aerodynamic athletic garment of  claim 13 , wherein the cut edge comprises a thumb hole. 
     
     
         17 . The aerodynamic garment of  claim 13 , further comprising a continuous printed elastomer layer along an outer facing surface of the cut edge, wherein the continuous printed elastomer layer further comprises:
 a first width portion;   a second width portion; and   a transitional width portion extending from the cut edge, wherein the transitional width portion extends between the first width portion and the second width portion and varies in width from the first width portion and the second width portion.   
     
     
         18 . An aerodynamic athletic garment comprising:
 a plurality of fabric panels joined together to form the garment;   a cut edge that terminates the garment on an extremity portion of the garment; and   an elastomeric edge treatment printed on an outer facing surface of the cut edge, wherein   a first portion of the cut edge comprises a first width portion of elastomer and a first thickness of the elastomer, such that the first portion of the cut edge has a first elasticity, and wherein a second portion of the cut edge comprises a second width portion of elastomer and a second thickness of the elastomer, such that the second portion of the cut edge has a second elasticity.   
     
     
         19 . The aerodynamic athletic garment of  claim 18 , wherein the first width portion of elastomer is a greater width than the second width portion of elastomer. 
     
     
         20 . The aerodynamic athletic garment of  claim 19 , wherein the first thickness of elastomer is a greater thickness than the second thickness of elastomer.