Abstract:
A compression garment for playing golf, wherein at least a portion of the garment is configured to provide compression of a torso of a user and at least a portion of the garment includes a low-friction outer surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This Patent Application claims priority from UK Patent Application No. GB1603526.3, filed Mar. 1, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to golfing apparel. In particular, the present invention relates to a compression garment for playing golf, a golfing system comprising a compression garment and an outer garment, a method for manufacturing a compression garment for playing golf, and a golfing apparel outer garment for use with a compression garment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The sport of golf has a large following, and is played all over the world. Various fabrics are known to be used to aid performance of sportsmen and sportswomen in general; however, with respect to golf per se, inventions tend to arise relating to hardware for playing the game, such as clubs, balls, or shoes, and not in relation to clothing or fabrics specifically for golfers. 
         [0004]    It is important to note that, with golf, clothing worn on the upper body or torso in particular should not inhibit free movement of the arms, which might, thereby, reduce a player&#39;s performance. This is also true of other sports, the playing of which might use other forms of a bat and ball, in which it is equally important that the free movement of the arms, back and shoulders are allowed. Specifically, with golf, rotation of the arms, shoulders and back combines to make a golf swing, the performance of which is essential to playing the game. It is, therefore, highly desirable to have garments which do not inhibit this motion of the arms, shoulders and back. As such, the present invention is aimed at providing such garments. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a compression garment for playing golf, wherein at least a portion of the garment is configured to provide compression of a torso of a user and at least a portion of the garment comprises a low-friction or reduced friction outer surface. 
         [0006]    Preferably, the garment is a sleeve-less compression garment; further preferably, a vest-like garment. 
         [0007]    Preferably, the garment comprises a plurality of panels having at least two different types of stretch characteristics. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the garment comprises four panels having three different types of stretch characteristics. 
         [0009]    Preferably, at least one panel is configured to be more stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse orientation. 
         [0010]    Further preferably, a panel comprises fibers configured to be more stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse orientation. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the garment comprises an arrangement of the interactions of the fibers of the fabric, so as to lower friction on an inner and/or outer surface thereof. 
         [0012]    Most preferably, two panels are configured to be more stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse orientation. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the low-friction outer surface is located at a respective frontal region of the garment. 
         [0014]    Most preferably, a panel comprises fibers configured to be more stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse orientation. 
         [0015]    The garment may comprise a chest panel, a back panel and two lateral panels, wherein the lateral panels connect the chest and back panels. Preferably, the chest panel is configured to be more stretchable in a respective vertical orientation of the garment than in a respective horizontal orientation. Preferably, the back panel is configured to be more stretchable in a respective vertical orientation of the garment than in a respective horizontal orientation. Most preferably, the chest panel fibers are configured to be more stretchable in a vertical plane than in a horizontal plane. Most preferably, the back panel fibers are configured to be more stretchable in a vertical plane than in a horizontal plane. 
         [0016]    Preferably, an arcuate seam connects the chest panel to a respective lateral panel. 
         [0017]    Preferably, panels and seams are configured so as to provide a slippery chest and stomach (outer) surface towards any outer layer, so that said outer layer can glide over the compression garment with little or no friction or resistance. Most preferably, the garment is slippery in the direction of the golf swing. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the chest panel comprises a low-friction or reduced friction outer surface. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more lateral panels may comprise a low-friction or reduced friction outer surface. Further preferably, the chest panel comprises a zip or alternative fastener. Preferably, the garment comprises enlarged arm holes for reducing friction during a golf swing. Preferably, the lateral panels are evenly stretchable in respective vertical and horizontal orientations. Most preferably, the lateral panels comprises mesh material. Preferably, an internal surface of the bottom seam of the garment comprises a grip strip. 
         [0019]    Most preferably, the side panels comprise four-way stretchability. Most preferably, the chest and back panels comprise two-way stretchability in a vertical sense, so as to compress the core and back of a wearer. 
         [0020]    Preferably, one or more panels comprise about 96% polyester and about 4% elastane, or about 95% polyester and about 5% elastane. Alternatively, those panels may comprise about 50% to about 98% polyester and about 50% to about 2% elastane, or may comprise about 76% polyester and about 24% elastane. Most preferably, those panels are side panels. 
         [0021]    Preferably, one or more panels comprise about 80% polyester and about 20% elastane. Alternatively, those panels may comprise about 75% polyester and about 25% elastane to about 98% polyester and about 2% elastane. Most preferably, those panels are chest and/or back panels. 
         [0022]    Preferably, one or more panels comprise about 85% nylon and about 15% elastane, or about 80% nylon and about 20% elastane. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the percentage values for polyester and nylon are interchangeable. 
         [0024]    The garment may additionally comprise means for providing additional compression to a lower-chest, sternum and/or diaphragm region of a user. Preferably, the means is a compression band. Further preferably, the compression band is movable in a vertical orientation of the garment. 
         [0025]    Most preferably, the inner garment is a vest, and the outer garment a polo shirt. 
         [0026]    According a second aspect, the present invention provides a golfing system comprising a compression garment and an outer garment, wherein the outer garment comprises a low-friction or reduced friction inner surface. 
         [0027]    Preferably, the compression garment is as defined in relation to the first aspect. 
         [0028]    Preferably, the garments are configured to provide low-friction interaction between a respective outer layer of the compression garment and a respective inner layer of the outer garment. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the outer garment is at least partly configured to be more stretchable in a respective vertical orientation of the garment than in a respective horizontal orientation. 
         [0030]    Preferably, the fibers of the outer garment are arranged to be more stretchable in a vertical plane than in a horizontal plane. Preferably, the outer garment is a polo shirt comprising a raglan sleeve. Further preferably, the outer garment comprises a drawstring or equivalent in a bottom seam thereof. 
         [0031]    Most preferably, the inner garment is a vest, and the outer garment a polo shirt. 
         [0032]    According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a compression garment for playing golf, the compression garment comprising: 
         [0033]    at least a portion of the garment is configured to provide means for compression of a torso of a user; and 
         [0034]    at least a portion of the garment comprises a low-friction or reduced friction outer surface. 
         [0035]    Preferably, the compression garment is as defined in relation to the first aspect. 
         [0036]    Preferably, the method comprises manufacturing at least one panel to be more stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse orientation. 
         [0037]    Preferably, the method comprises configuring panel fibers to be more stretchable in a first orientation than in a transverse orientation. 
         [0038]    Preferably, the method comprises configuring the interactions of the fabric fibers so as to provide a lower friction surface. 
         [0039]    Preferably, the method comprises securing a plurality of panels together to form a compression garment, the one or more panels having at least two types of stretch characteristics. 
         [0040]    Further preferably, the method comprises securing a compression band to a torso region of the garment for compressing a lower-chest, sternum and/or diaphragm region of a user. 
         [0041]    According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a golfing apparel outer garment for use with a compression garment, the outer garment is configured to reduce interaction with an undergarment through at least a portion of an inner surface thereof comprising a low-friction or reduced friction surface. 
         [0042]    Preferably, the garment further comprises a selectively adjustable waistband, for freeing movement upon selectively enlarging the waistband and for smartness through selectively reducing the waistband, so as to give the impression of it being tucked in. 
         [0043]    Preferably, the chest panel is arranged to be more stretchable in a respective vertical orientation of the garment than in a respective horizontal orientation. 
         [0044]    Preferably, the outer garment is at least partly arranged to be more stretchable in a respective vertical orientation of the garment than in a respective horizontal orientation. 
         [0045]    Preferably, the fibers of the outer garment are arranged to be more stretchable in a vertical plane than in a horizontal plane. Most preferably, the outer garment is a polo shirt comprising a raglan sleeve. 
         [0046]    The Applicant has identified that a garment or garment system needs to be designed to minimise any friction that may occur throughout the movement of the golf swing. Therefore, by minimising the resistance of movement in the golf swing, it is hypothesised that this will provide an increase in performance, especial the swing speed. The present garments have been specifically aimed at the sport of golf; however, it is understood that gains in other sporting fields such as cricket, baseball and racket sports may also be achieved through the same principles. 
         [0047]    Whilst it is not intended to be bound by theory, it is also understood that a wearer of the compression garment feels uplifted, their arms and chest feel lighter, and they feel more powerful, which it is believed provides an improvement in the swing per se, even if it is hard to assess this directly. The compression characteristics of the garment focus compression on the core of the body, which has the perceived effect of making one feel more supported and stronger, which is believed to have a positive psychological impact on the wearer&#39;s confidence to perform. 
         [0048]    The present compression garment and modified polo are specifically aimed at players of golf. As such, the location, material and stretch characteristics of the panels are specifically chosen so as to minimise drag and friction whilst a wearer is performing a golf swing. In addition, the performance of an individual wearing the golfing system is enhanced through the use of the compression garment with a modified polo shirt, as the stretch characteristics of the two garments may be chosen to mutually co-operate, by both stretching in a vertical sense. 
         [0049]    Advantageously, the compression garment and polo of the present invention provides a system which has a low co-efficient of friction between the user wearing the compression garment and any outer garments they are wearing. Specifically, the golfing system reduces friction between the compression garment and the modified polo shirt. An additional advantage of the modified polo shirt is that it eliminates the normal practice of tucking in of the outer garment to the trousers or shorts worn by the sportsperson. The system additionally allows free movement and stretching of the individual&#39;s arms whilst the outer garment glides up the individual&#39;s skin. A particular advantage of the present invention is the provision of a two-layer garment system whereby the fabrics are constructed such that the fabrics are aligned vertically in the two different layers. The direction of the stretch is highly important in the reduction of friction and the resulting increases in swing speed that have been demonstrated. Advantageously, the swing speed of an individual wearing the compression garment of the present invention is improved. Further, the swing speed of a user wearing the compression garment and modified polo shirt of the present invention are further improved. 
         [0050]    Advantageously, a compression garment (with or without the modified polo shirt) can be psychologically important for a golfer because, when worn, the golfer feels more powerful and feels the freedom of movement in a pre-shot swing, so that the golfer feels more confident when taking his/her shot. 
         [0051]    Advantageously, the singlet is vest-like and does not have sleeves as this removes twisting of the fabric around the armpit and on the biceps, which would otherwise occur when the golfer swings. Further, provision of a wide arm opening enhances the feeling of freedom of movement. The tucking in of the standard polo shirt creates a twisting of the fabric that throttles the biceps and armpit and, thus, slows down the swing—which is prevented by the wearing of the modified polo shirt. 
         [0052]    In particular, the curved shape of the frontal seams for the chest panel and the panel&#39;s relative inflexibility in a horizontal plane maximise compression on the front core muscles of a wearer, which are those that are key to performance power. The garment also provides compression around the wearer&#39;s back, for back support against the impact of swing speed torque experienced by many golfers (which can lead to back ache). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0053]    The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0054]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation of a compression garment; 
           [0055]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation of the compression garment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation of a further compression garment; 
           [0057]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation of the compression garment of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0058]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation of a polo shirt for use with the compression garments of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0059]    The compression garment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a form of vest or singlet, as they are often known, and is hereinafter generally identified by reference  1 . The singlet  1  is shown in a flattened condition. Although there are respective front  2  and rear  3  parts of the singlet  1 , the singlet  1  is made from a number of panels of material, a number of which extend to appear on both the front  2  and rear  3  of the singlet  1 , as can be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0060]    The singlet  1  has, in general, a chest panel (or chest panels)  4 , a back panel  5 , and lateral or side panels  6  and  7 . The panels are connected through various seams which extend along the length of adjacent panels. As is common with clothing, the seams are stitched for connection of the panels  4  to  7 . The singlet  1  also comprises a neck region opening  8 , for receipt of the head and neck of a wearer, arm region openings  9  and  10 , for receipt of the arms of a wearer, and a waist region opening  11 , for receipt of a waist of a user. As can be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the chest panel  4  is intended to cover a frontal chest-region of a wearer and extends from the head region opening  8  to the waist region opening  11 . It also extends towards and into the arm region openings  9  and  10 . As for the back panel  5 , it is intended to cover a central back region of a wearer and the tops of their shoulders, and extends from the waist region opening  11 , upwards and over the shoulders of a wearer around the head region opening  8 , and joins with the chest panel  4 . Each of the lateral panels  6 ;  7  is intended to extend from the chest panel  4  around a side of a wearer and connect to the back panel  5 , and extend from the waist region opening  11  up to the arm region opening  9  or  10 , where it terminates. The chest panel  4  is connected to end portions of respective side panels  6 ;  7  through arcuate seams  12 , each seam  12  extends from the arm region opening  9  or  10  to the waist region opening  11 . The curvature of the seam  12  defines a convex cut-out in the chest panel  4 , into which the end portion of the side panel  6  or  7  extends. The back panel  5  is connected to opposite ends of the respective side panels  6 ;  7  through seams  13  having an irregular sinusoidal (or wavy) form, which seams  13  extend from the arm region openings  9 ;  10  to the respective waist region opening  11 . The back panel  5  is connected to the chest panel  4  through seams  14 , having an irregular sinusoidal (or wavy) form, and the seams  14  extend from the head region opening  8  to the respective arm region openings  9 ;  10 . A grip-strip  15  is located on the seam at the waist region opening  11  of the singlet  1 , on an inner circumferential surface thereof, so as to prevent riding up of the singlet  1  in use. 
         [0061]    The chest panel  4  and back panel  5  are manufactured from a material which is more stretchable in a vertical orientation of the garment (a plane running on or parallel to a line between the head region opening  8  and the waist region opening  11 ), than in a horizontal orientation (a plane running on or parallel to a line between the respective arm region openings  9  and  10 ). The chest panel is manufactured from a material which is 80% polyester and 20% elastane and has a gsm of 240. Each of the side panels  6 ;  7  are manufactured from a material which is 96% polyester mesh and 4% elastane, having a gsm of 170. The back panel is manufactured from a material which is 85% nylon and 15% elastane, having a gsm of 210. 
         [0062]    The chest panel  4  is manufactured to have a low-friction or reduced friction outer surface, across which panel  4  the arms of a user taking a golf swing might rub. As an alternative or in addition, one or both side panels and/or the back panel may also be manufactured to have a low-friction or reduced friction outer surface. 
         [0063]    Alternatively, other blends of nylon, polyester and elastane, or other materials, may make up the panels of the singlet  1 , if care is taken to provide corresponding stretch characteristics and low-friction surfaces on the singlet  1 . 
         [0064]    The singlet  1  is both comfortable to wear and the outer surfaces thereof are smooth, silky, have a sheen, or are non-catch materials, so as to reduce any friction between the singlet and any outer garment. 
         [0065]    The singlet may be manufactured essentially in line with a known manufacturing method for clothing, for example a method for manufacturing a vest and, so, this will not be discussed in detail. 
         [0066]    In a further alternative, the compression garment may be a form of T-shirt or shirt having sleeves. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show a compression garment, hereinafter identified by reference  20 , which is based upon the singlet  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and, as the two singlets  1  and  20  include various common features, only the differences will be described in detail. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show a further singlet  20 , which includes a zip  21 , which extends from the head region opening  8  to the waist region opening  11 . The singlet  20  also includes an additional chest compression band  22  which is located to lie across the diaphragm or sternum of a wearer of the singlet  20 . In  FIG. 3 , the compression band  22  is shown as a shaded line extending across the front  2  of the singlet  20 ; however, the compression band could be located on an outer-surface or an inner-surface of the front  2  of the singlet  20 , and still achieve the same compressive effect. 
         [0069]    The features of the singlet  20  and singlet  1  are interchangeable. 
         [0070]    Each of singlets  1  and  20  may be used with any form of outer garment so as to provide both compression and ease of movement for taking a golf swing, or perhaps may be used by themselves, although a preferred result is achieved through using the singlet  1  or  20  with a modified polo shirt, which provides the optimum ease of movement whilst providing compression.  FIG. 5  show a modified polo shirt, hereinafter identified by reference  30 , which includes a number of key modifications. The polo shirt  30  includes a drawstring  31  which may be used to tighten or loosen the bottom of the polo shirt. When tightened, the drawstring  31  gives the polo shirt the impression of being tucked in, which is useful for clubhouse etiquette, and the drawstring may be loosened so as to provide maximum ease of movement when taking a golf swing. In addition, the material from which the polo shirt is manufactured is carefully selected so that it has, on its inner-layer, a low-friction or reduced friction surface, which is either smooth, silky or has little if any catches or rough material which might otherwise affect friction. An inner-surface of the polo shirt  30  is manufactured to provide a low-friction surface, especially in regions corresponding to the low-friction surfaces on the outer surface of the singlet  1  or  20 . 
         [0071]    The polo shirt may be manufactured essentially in line with a known manufacturing method for clothing, for example a method for manufacturing a standard polo shirt and, so, this will not be discussed in detail. However, additional steps would need to be taken so as to include the drawstring. 
         [0072]    As such, it is understood that, when a user wears the combination of singlet and specific polo shirt, there is an improvement in the swing speed of the user. Swing speed is also understood to be improved through the use of the singlet in combination with a different outer garment—although it is understood that the improvement would be less. The following was designed to substantiate the former. 
       Example 1 
       [0073]    By way of a non-limiting example, the performance of an individual wearing a singlet of the type disclosed above and a modified polo shirt have been compared to the same individual wearing a normal polo shirt which, by convention, would be tucked in. The following test has been designed to specifically compare swing speeds. 
         [0074]    For the test, ten balls were hit by a professional wearing a standard Adidas® 100% cotton golf polo shirt which was tucked in and a further ten balls were hit by the same professional whilst wearing the compression garment and loosened modified polo shirt of the present invention. 
         [0075]    In this example, the modified polo shirt was manufactured from a material being 95% polyester and 5% elastane, and the compression garment was manufactured from a material being 80% nylon and 20% elastane for the chest panel, 85% nylon and 15% elastane for the back panel, and 96% polyester mesh and 4% elastane for the side panels, which panels were shaped and connected in the manner described in relation to  FIG. 1 . Both garments were arranged to employ their stretch characteristics in the same direction, in the vertical sense of the garments from neck to waist regions thereof. 
         [0076]    The club used was a Wilson® staff 7 iron for all shots and the ball was a Srixon® driving range ball. The system used to obtain the results was a GC2 Launch Monitor, as available from Foresight Sports. In particular, the measured data relates to ball speed; horizontal and vertical launch angles; spin and spin axis. 
         [0077]    The results were normalised to remove those shots that had an rpm of greater than 900 rpm, which resulted in the six sets of data for comparison shown in Table 1. 
         [0078]    The function of a launch monitor is unaffected by the club, ball or even if there is a head wind, as it works by radar analysis of the speed of impact between the club and the ball and, therefore assumes it is a perfect day and a new ball every shot. Accordingly, this means that the results achieved are normalised with respect to external factors of wind speed etc. and means that the test is appropriate for the purpose of comparing swing speed and its perceived dependence on the clothing worn. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Standard Clothing 
                   
                 Present Invention 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ball Carry 
                 Swing Speed 
                 Ball Carry 
                 Swing Speed 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 161 yards 
                 115 
                 175 yards 
                 117 
               
               
                   
                 158 yards 
                 113 
                 171 yards 
                 120 
               
               
                   
                 167 yards 
                 116 
                 169 yards 
                 118 
               
               
                   
                 166 yards 
                 115 
                 170 yards 
                 119 
               
               
                   
                 169 yards 
                 117 
                 175 yards 
                 120 
               
               
                   
                 170 yards 
                 116 
                 175 yards 
                 120 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0079]    Table 1, provides a comparison of ball carry and associated swing speed results as obtained from a professional golfer, who undertook comparative tests wearing a normal polo shirt and prior art compression top ‘standard clothing’, and, secondly, wearing the compression garment and modified polo shirt of the ‘present invention’. 
         [0080]    According to the data provided in Table 1, the swing speed is, on average, improved by over 3%, and it is believed that this is provided by the compression garment and modified polo shirt of the present invention. 
       Example 2 
       [0081]    A further test, similar to that of Example 1, was undertaken and comparisons made between the performance of an non-professional golfer wearing a singlet of the type disclosed above and a modified polo shirt, and the same golfer wearing a normal polo shirt under which was worn a standard sports compression vest—the polo shirt being, by convention, tucked in. 
         [0082]    The same test procedure was followed and the non-professional golfer showed improved swing speed when wearing the singlet and modified polo shirt.