Bathing costume made from rubber for reducing drag

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bathing costume (1) having a low streamline resistance or drag, the main feature of which is that it comprises a body portion (2) made of a rubber latex material or of a silicone rubber material, and provided with an outer smooth surface in order to reduce to a minimum the streamline resistance or drag thereof.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a bathing costume having a low streamline resistance or drag. As is known, bathing costumes are conventionally made of elasticized fabrics, which are affected by the drawback that they absorb water in variable amounts depending on the fabric construction, thereby making heavier the swimmer bearing such a bathing costume. A solution of the above problem would be very important from an athlete, mainly in swimming competition, since the knitted elasticized fabric forming the bathing costume would inevitably have a comparatively rough surface susceptible to generate a high friction during swimming, which can greatly reduce the performance of the athlete. The above mentioned problems are further compounded in a female bathing costume since the typical anatomy of a female body would generate further surface unevenness constituting a deleterious braking element with respect to the streamline resistance of a swimming female athlete. Document US 5 586 340 A discloses a swimsuit made of molded material, that does not cover the neck and shoulder portions of the wearer however, and could lead to water penetration into the top during use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawback, by providing a bathing costume as defined in claim 1 with a very low streamline resistance so as to absolutely prevent any water absorption, thereby enhancing the muscle effort exerted by an athlete in a swimming activity. Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a bathing costume which is specifically designed for a female body, thereby enhancing the swimming performance of female athletes. A further object of the present invention is to provide such a low streamline resistance bathing costume which is very reliable and safe in operation. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a low streamline resistance bathing costume which can be easily made starting from easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a low streamline resistance bathing costume, according to claim 1, wherein said bathing costume comprises a bathing costume body made of a rubber latex or silicone rubber material, having a smooth outer surface in order to reduce to a minimum the water drag or friction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred embodiment of a low streamline resistance bathing costume, according to the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a front view illustrating the bathing costume according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view illustrating that same bathing costume; and Figure 3 is a rear view illustrating the bathing costume according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the low streamline resistance bathing costume according to the invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a bathing costume body 2 and a trunks portion 3, which is of a conventional type. The body portion 2 has the main feature that it is made of a rubber latex or silicone rubber material, said body being susceptible to be easily obtained by means of suitable molds allowing to provide a bathing costume body having a perfectly smooth outer surface to reduce to a minimum the water drags or frictions. The bathing costume body, in particular, is so made as to cover the trunk and breast of the swimmer, as well as shoulder region of the swimmer, while leaving the swimmer arms fully free. Since said bathing costume body is made of a latex rubber or silicone rubber material, it will be efficiently impermeable, thereby preventing any water absorption and providing moreover a resilient containment effect, deriving from the used material, which will in turn provide a surface softening of the anatomic contours of the swimmer, thereby further reducing any frictions against water. From tests it has been found that the disclosed bathing costume body is such as to greatly facilitate the water sliding of the swimmer since no water friction will occur on the outer smooth surface of the bathing costume body. From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that a bathing costume has been provided which can be quickly worn and which, since it is made of a siliconic rubber or latex rubber material, is perfectly impermeable and resilient, thereby providing a very good containment effect. In practicing the invention, the used models, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, within the scope of the claims, depending on requirements.

Claims: A low streamline resistance woman swimsuit (1) for swimming competitions, comprising a top body (2) made of a moldable rubber latex or silicone rubber material, and a bottom brief portion (3) said top body (2) and bottom brief portion being separated from one another, said bottom brief portion (3) being of a conventional type, characterized in that said top body (2) covers both a portion of the swimmer trunk extending from a half of the height of the swimmer neck to just under the breast region of said swimmer, and a portion of the neck and shoulders of the swimmer, while leaving the swimmer arms fully free. A costume according to Claim 1, characterized in that said top body (2) is a molded top body (2). A costume according to Claim 1, characterized in that said top body (2) is made of a resilient impermeable material.

Inventors: BECHIS MICHELLE, BECHIS, MICHELLE, Bechis, Michelle, c/o Rue Royale Diana S.P.A.
Applicants: DE LA RUE ROYALE DIANA SPA, RUE ROYALE DIANA S.P.A.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A41D7
IPC codes: A41D7