Shoulder straps for sports garments

Abstract

A sports garment comprising a pair of shoulder straps (2). Each shoulder strap has a multi-layer construction and at least one of the layers in the multi-layer construction has a plurality of holes formed therein. The holes are spaced from one another along the length of the strap.

Claims

1. A sports garment comprising a pair of shoulder straps, wherein each shoulder strap has a multi-layer construction, and at least one of the layers in each multi-layer construction has a plurality of holes formed by removing portions of the at least one of the layers, the holes being spaced from one another along the length of each strap, wherein the multi-layer construction of each strap has a construction comprising at least eight layers, and wherein the at least eight layers include, in sequence, a first textile layer, a first glue layer, a polyurethane laminate layer, a second textile layer, a second glue layer, a third textile layer, a third glue layer and a fourth textile layer.

2. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein the size of said holes varies along the length of each strap.

3. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein the spacing of said holes from one another varies along the length of each strap.

4. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein the holes are formed in the first textile layer of each multi-layer strap.

5. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein the first textile layer and first glue layer are wider than the other said layers and wherein opposite sides of the first textile layer and first glue layer wrap around the side edges of the polyurethane laminate layer, second textile layer, second glue layer and third textile layer and underneath the third textile layer, the third glue layer adhering the fourth textile layer to portions of the first textile layer that wrap underneath the third textile layer.

6. A sports garment according to claim 5, wherein opposite side edges of the first textile layer and first glue layer that wrap underneath the third textile layer are spaced from one another so they do not fully cover the underside of the third textile layer, wherein the third glue layer also adheres the fourth textile layer to an uncovered portion of the underside of the third textile layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a swimsuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the swimsuit of FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of another swimsuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the swimsuit of FIG. 3;

(5) FIG. 5 shows, on an enlarged scale, a cross-section through a shoulder strap of the swimsuits of FIGS. 1 to 4; and

(6) FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a section of the strap of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The invention will now be further described with reference to the following non-limiting Figures and Examples. Other embodiments of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art in the light of these.

(8) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one example of a swimsuit that incorporates straps 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is described. The swimsuit is a female suit intended for competitive swimming and is formed from an elasticated stretch fabric of a type known for use in competition swimsuits. In this example, the swimsuit is of a closed back kneeskin type. As such, the suit includes left and right leg portions 4, 6 that extend down to the swimmer's knees and cover their thighs, a torso portion 10 that covers the abdomen and the back (extending up to the bottom of the scapula) and a chest portion 12 that covers the swimmer's chest. The suit has shoulder straps 2 that extend from the top of the chest portion 12, at spaced apart points on each shoulder, over the shoulder to a central point at the top of the back portion, between the scapula.

(9) Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, a second exemplary swimsuit incorporating straps 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. The suit of this example is very similar to the suit of FIGS. 1 and 2, save that in this example, the swimsuit is of an open back kneeskin type. As such, it has an open back region 14 (i.e. a region free of fabric) above the top of the glutes. The rear of the shoulder straps 2 has a cross-like form with strap portions 16 extending laterally and downwardly from the centre of the back between the scapula to join with the side of the chest portion 12 of the suit.

(10) FIGS. 5 and 6 show the construction of the strap that is used in the swimsuit of FIGS. 1 and 2 as well as in the swimsuit of FIGS. 3 and 4.

(11) As best seen in FIG. 6, the strap is formed from eight layers, which from top to bottom are: 1. A first textile layer; 2. A first glue layer; 3. A PU laminate layer; 4. A second textile layer; 5. A second glue layer; 6. A third textile layer; 7. A third glue layer; and 8. A fourth textile layer.

(12) In this example, the textile is 65% PA 35% Elastane. The glue is ester polyurethane. The laminate is a polyurethane film.

(13) The second glue layer bonds together the second and third textile layers. The first textile layer is wider than the second and third textile layers and PU laminate layer so that, as best seen in FIG. 5, it can wrap around the edges of these layers to sandwich them together, with the first glue layer bonding the first textile layer to the top of the PU laminate layer and to the bottom of the third textile layer. The fourth textile layer is bonded to the underside of the sandwich structure, with a majority of this layer being bonded to the first textile layer where it wraps underneath the third textile layer, save for a central section, between opposite edges of the first textile layer, where the fourth textile layer is bonded to the underside of the third textile layer. This construction, as best seen in FIG. 5, can provide a channel on the underside of the strap, running longitudinally along a centre line of the strap. This may help to hold the strap in place on the wearer's shoulder as their skin keys into the channel, helping to prevent lateral slip. It may also help to resist curling of the strap.

(14) The first fabric layer on the top surface of the strap has formed in it a series of holes that are arranged in a longitudinal array along the length direction of the strap. The holes may have different spacings between them and/or be of different sizes to vary the stretch characteristics of the strap along its length. Regions of the strap with larger or more densely packed holes with have a lower modulus of elasticity (i.e. are more susceptible to stretch).

(15) As best seen in FIG. 5, the first glue layer has holes corresponding to those in the first fabric layer, so that the top surface of the PU laminate layer is exposed through the holes.

(16) The layered structure of the strap can be formed, for example, using a high temperature process to bond the layers together. Pressure is also applied to compress the layers of the strap and form a thin structure, which may for example be 1.2 mm thick or less (e.g. 1 mm thick or less).

(17) The holes in the top layer of the strap can be formed by a laser cutting process.

(18) The skilled person will appreciate that the swimsuits illustrated in the Figures and described above are examples embodying inventive concepts described herein and that many and various modifications can be made without departing from the invention. For example, the same concepts can be applied to other styles of swimsuit (for example, body suits for men, suits that have full-length legs and/or arms, etc) and to other types of sports garment, such as triathlon suits and waterpolo suits for example.