U.S. patent application number 11/990153 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for protective suit.
Invention is credited to Stig Insulan.
Application Number | 20090100557 11/990153 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37809143 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090100557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Insulan; Stig |
April 23, 2009 |
Protective Suit
Abstract
A protective suit (1) with a trunk part (5) comprising an upper
shoulder part (2) with a neck opening (22) and sleeve openings
(7,8) arranged on either side of the neck opening (22), a lower
trouser part (3) with two leg openings (9,10), a waist part (4)
arranged between the shoulder part (2) and the trouser part (3),
and sleeves (11 ,12) attached to the sleeve openings (7,8) and legs
(13,14) attached to the leg openings (9,10), and comprising an
openable seal (19) arranged in the trunk part (5). The openable
seal (19) extends continuously from a point (17,18; 21) on the
front (15) of the protective suit (1) located level with one sleeve
opening (7), in a line down past the waist part (4) and continuing
in over the trouser part (3) and then in a downward arch across the
back (16) of the protective suit, back to the front (15) of the
trouser part (3), continuing in a line up past the waist part (4)
to a point (17,18; 21) situated level with the other sleeve opening
(8). The invention has improved fit and an openable seal, which
permits the protective suit to be put on and taken off easily and
comfortably and also enables the user to relieve himself/herself
without removing the suit.
Inventors: |
Insulan; Stig; (Lysekil,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG & WOESSNER, P.A.
P.O. BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
37809143 |
Appl. No.: |
11/990153 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
August 29, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2006/000982 |
371 Date: |
June 23, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60596059 |
Aug 29, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/2.17 ; 2/243.1;
2/456; 2/70 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C 2011/046 20130101;
B63C 11/04 20130101; A41D 13/012 20130101; A62B 17/001
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/2.17 ; 2/456;
2/70; 2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
B63C 11/04 20060101
B63C011/04; A41D 13/00 20060101 A41D013/00; A41D 15/00 20060101
A41D015/00; A41D 27/00 20060101 A41D027/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 29, 2005 |
SE |
0501921-1 |
Claims
1. Protective suit with a trunk part (5) comprising an upper
shoulder part with a neck opening and sleeve openings arranged on
either side of the neck opening, a lower trouser part with two leg
openings, a waist part arranged between the shoulder part and the
trouser part, and sleeves attached to the sleeve openings and legs
attached to the leg openings, and having a front intended to face
forwards on the user during use of the protective suit and a back
intended to face rearwards on the user during use of the protective
suit, and comprising an openable seal arranged in the trunk part,
wherein the openable seal extends continuously from a point on the
front of the protective suit located level with one sleeve opening
in a line down past the waist part and continuing over the trouser
part in a downward arch across the back of the protective suit,
back to the front of the trouser part continuing in a line up past
the waist part to a point situated level with the other sleeve
opening.
2. The protective suit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
openable seal on the front of the protective suit cuts a transverse
line at waist level through the suit with an angle of
75-115.degree..
3. The protective suit in accordance with claim 2, wherein the
protective suit has two symmetrically formed halves, each of which
comprises a sleeve and a leg, and wherein the openable seal is
arranged mirror-symmetrically over both halves.
4. The protective suit in accordance with claim 3, wherein the
openable seal extends past a point on the back of the protective
suit level with the leg openings.
5. The protective suit in accordance with claim 4, wherein the
protective suit and the openable seal are liquid-impermeable.
6. The protective suit in accordance with claim 5, wherein the
openable seal includes a zip fastener.
7. The protective suit in accordance with claim 5, wherein the
openable seal includes a sliding fastener.
8. The protective suit in accordance with claim 5, wherein the
openable seal extends in a closed loop over the trunk part, whereby
the protective suit is completely separable into an upper part and
a lower part.
9. The protective suit in accordance with claim 8, characterized in
that the openable seal is provided with a mark for positioning the
upper part of the suit in relation to the lower part.
10. The protective suit in accordance with claim 9, wherein the
protective suit is provided with an opening for a urisheath.
11. The protective suit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
protective suit has two symmetrically formed halves, each of which
comprises a sleeve and a leg, and wherein the openable seal is
arranged mirror-symmetrically over both halves.
12. The protective suit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
openable seal extends past a point on the back of the protective
suit level with the leg openings.
13. The protective suit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
protective suit and the openable seal are liquid-impermeable.
14. The protective suit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
openable seal includes a zip fastener.
15. The protective suit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
openable seal includes a sliding fastener.
16. The protective suit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
openable seal extends in a closed loop over the trunk part, wherein
the protective suit is completely separable into an upper part and
a lower part.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention concerns a protective suit with a trunk part
comprising an upper shoulder part with a neck opening and sleeve
openings arranged on either side of the neck opening, a lower
trouser part with two leg openings, a waist part arranged between
the shoulder part and the trouser part, and sleeves attached to the
sleeve openings and legs attached to the leg openings, and having a
front intended to face forwards on the user during use of the
protective suit and a back intended to face rearwards on the user
during use of the protective suit, the protective suit comprising
an openable seal arranged in the trunk part.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Full body protective suits are used within a number of
different areas, for example as dry suits or wet suits for diving,
in connection with various types of water sports, during sailing or
fishing and as protection during decontamination work. One
particular type of protective suit is tight suits, for example dry
suits and pressure suits. The latter type of protective suit is
used particularly for chemical decontamination in order to prevent
the user from being exposed to harmful chemicals.
[0003] A problem with full body protective suits is that they need
to be able to be put on and taken off in a simple and comfortable
way while still having a good enough fit to be flexible and
comfortable to wear and move around in. A further problem is to be
able comfortably to relieve oneself without having to remove the
suit. Unfortunately, protective suits which meet all of these
demands have not been available until now.
[0004] EP 1 352 577 describes a dry suit with a seal which extends
diagonally across the front of the suit. A seal of this type
requires the back portion to be formed with extra length in order
to allow the head to be inserted through the neck opening when the
suit is being put on. Consequently, the suit will be roomier than
necessary and will not have as good a fit as is desirable. Once the
suit has been put on, the length of the suit has to be adjusted
with a special drawstring which gathers together excess material.
The design of the dry suit makes it necessary to take the suit off
in order to relieve oneself.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,188 describes a suit intended for
astronauts or divers and which is provided with a seal running in a
symmetrical, continuous line from a point at chest level on one
side of the front of the suit diagonally downwards and outwards to
the waist of the suit and straight across the back at waist level
on the back of the suit, then back on the front diagonally up to
chest level. This suit is relatively difficult to get into and out
of as the available opening is fairly small. In addition, the user
must take off the suit in order to relieve himself/herself.
[0006] A further variation of a seal in a full body suit is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,841. In this document, the seal
extends from the front of the suit diagonally upwards from a point
near one of the user's groins up to the waist and diagonally across
the back up the armpit and a short distance in onto the front. A
suit of this type is difficult for the user to close and open
unaided as it is awkward to reach and manoeuvre the sealing device
on the back of the suit.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a protective suit with
improved fit and an openable seal which permits the protective suit
to be put on and taken off easily and comfortably and also enables
the user to relieve himself/herself without removing the suit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the invention, a protective suit of the
type mentioned in the introduction has now been achieved, which
protective suit has considerably improved properties with regard to
putting on and removing the suit.
[0009] A protective suit produced in accordance with the invention
is chiefly characterised in that it comprises an openable seal
which extends continuously from a point on the front of the
protective suit located level with one sleeve opening, in a line
down past the waist part and continuing in across the trouser part
and thereafter in a downward curve across the back of the
protective suit, back to the front of the trouser part continuing
in a line up past the waist part to a point located level with the
second sleeve opening.
[0010] The location of the openable seal is such that the seal will
be running down below the user's waist when the suit is being worm.
This location is extremely advantageous compared with previously
known seals. For example, the suit can be put on and removed simply
and comfortably and with minimal strain on the sealing device. In
addition, the suit can be made with a better fit than has
previously been possible, since the location of the seal is optimal
with respect to the scope for movement when the suit is being put
on and removed. The suit will therefore be smooth, flexible and
comfortable to wear without uncomfortable folds and excess
material.
[0011] The seal has no sharp corners or bends but runs in a line
with only straight or softly curved segments. Furthermore, due to
the location of the seal, movements of the trunk and bending
movements do not affect the length of the seal. This results in
high wearer comfort and reduced strain and wear on the seal both
during use of the suit and when it is put on and taken off. In
addition, it is easy for a user to close and open the suit without
assistance.
[0012] In the case of pressure suits, i.e. gas-filled protective
suits, the improved fit which is made possible by the optimum
location and form of the seal results in better distribution of the
gas in the suit. The location of the seal also permits the diameter
of the upper sleeves to be minimised and adapted to the wearer,
thus allowing the volume of gas in the sleeves to be reduced.
[0013] Due to the fact that the suit can be opened up at the back
without being taken off, a large part of the user's back can be
ventilated if so desired. This is a particular advantage in diving
suits and gives improved comfort when the user is waiting on alert
or during surface intervals.
[0014] A further advantage of a protective suit in accordance with
the invention is that it allows the user discreetly to relieve
himself/herself without needing to remove the suit. This is
particularly advantageous for female users, who for example on
board a boat or in other environments where it can be difficult to
find a private place to relieve oneself, can find this very
embarrassing. With a protective suit in accordance with the
invention, the front of the suit can be used as a concealing screen
in such situations.
[0015] The location of the seal also means that breathing equipment
can be enclosed in the suit and can be exchanged without removing
the suit and putting it on again. This is also the case for
rebreathers, which thereby give a considerably increased
hydrostatic breathing balance and efficiency due to the fact that
insulation increases the capacity for such equipment. In addition,
the wearer will be supplied with heat due to the cleansing process
of the gas.
[0016] The location of the seal is also optimal in so far as it
does not prevent use of different types of peripheral equipment or
interfere with it. For example, the protective suit can be provided
with a urisheath connection. Due to the location of the seal, it is
easy to access and connect a urisheath when the suit is being
worn.
[0017] The starting point for the openable seal is, as stated,
located level with the sleeve opening of the protective suit. This
means that the starting point should be located at least level with
the lower edge of the sleeve opening, but can be placed further up,
nearer the neck opening.
[0018] It is suitable that the openable seal on the front of the
protective suit cuts a horizontal line at waist level through the
protective suit with an angle .alpha. that is 75-115.degree..
[0019] The protective suit in accordance with the invention
preferably has two symmetrically formed halves, each comprising a
sleeve and a leg, the openable seal being mirror-symmetrically
arranged on both halves.
[0020] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the
openable seal extends beyond a point on the back of the protective
suit level with the leg openings. In such an embodiment, the
openable seal will extend down under the user's buttocks when the
suit is being worm. This is particularly advantageous when the user
of the suit wishes to relieve himself/herself without removing the
suit.
[0021] For liquid impermeable suits it is of course suitable that
the openable seal is also liquid impermeable. A number of different
types of tight zip fasteners and other sealing devices are
previously known and can be used for the purpose. Two examples of
tight sealing devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,188 and
U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,841.
[0022] It is also possible to arrange the openable seal so that it
runs in a closed loop over the trunk, whereby the protective suit
is completely separable into an upper part and a lower part. An
embodiment of this type can be practical if it is desirable to be
able to exchange damaged or worn parts or to adapt the length of
the suit to different users by selecting parts of different
lengths. It is also possible to put together parts with different
functions for different users. For example, male users may wish to
choose a lower part with a urisheath connection.
[0023] In order to facilitate correct assembly of the two parts,
the openable seal can be provided with a mark for positioning the
upper part of the suit in relation to the lower part.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] The invention will be described in more detail below with
reference to the figures shown in the attached drawings, in
which
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a protective suit in accordance with a first
embodiment of the invention, seen from the front,
[0026] FIG. 2 shows the protective suit in FIG. 1 seen from the
side,
[0027] FIG. 3 shows the protective suit in FIGS. 1 and 2 seen from
behind,
[0028] FIG. 4 shows the protective suit in FIGS. 1-3 with the seal
open,
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a protective suit in accordance with a second
embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The protective suit 1 shown in FIGS. 1-4 is, for example, a
dry suit for diving. The suit is made of some suitable watertight
material. Examples of such materials are laminates of textile and
foamed neoprene, laminates with an inner layer of synthetic rubber,
for example polyurethane rubber, and an outer layer of nylon weave,
Gore-Tex.RTM. materials or Teflon.RTM.-coated textile
materials.
[0031] The protective suit 1 has an upper part, the shoulder part
2, a lower part, the trouser part 3 and an intermediate waist part
4. The shoulder part 2, the trouser part 3 and the waist part 4
together form the trunk part 5 of the protective suit. The shoulder
part 2 has a neck opening 6 and sleeve openings 7, 8 arranged on
either side of the neck opening. The trouser part has two leg
openings 9, 10. In addition, the trunk part 5 has sleeves 11, 12
attached to the sleeve openings 7, 8 and legs 13, 14 attached to
the leg openings 9, 10. In FIG. 1, the suit is seen from the front
15, which is the side that is intended to face forwards on the user
during use of the protective suit 1. In FIG. 3, the suit is seen
from the back 16, which is the side that is intended to face
rearwards on the user during use of the protective suit.
[0032] An openable seal 19 is arranged in the trunk part 5 and
extends continuously from a point on the front 15 of the protective
suit 1 located level with one sleeve opening 7, in a slightly
curved line down past the waist part 4 and continuing in over the
trouser part 3 and thereafter over one of the user's hips and in a
downward arch across the user's buttocks on the back 16 of the
protective suit, back to the front 15 of the trouser part 3 over
the user's other hip, up past the waist part 4 in a slightly curved
line to a point 18 situated level with the other sleeve opening 8.
Suitably, the downward segments of the seal 19 cut a transverse
line 25 at waist level on the suit with an angle .alpha. which is
75-115.degree..
[0033] The seal 19 is thus symmetrically arranged around a central
vertical line through a standing user, so that the suit has two
mirror-symmetrical halves.
[0034] The seal 19 is suitably watertight. Several watertight
sealing arrangements are available for use. For example, tight zip
fasteners and similar sealing arrangements are manufactured and
sold by YKK, New Zipper Company, EOB, Dynet and Taylon, among
others.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows how the protective suit 1 appears from the side
when it has been opened. The available opening 20 is sufficiently
wide to allow the protective suit to be easily put on and taken
off. Despite this, the suit in its opened state is still in a
condition in which it sits in one piece on the user's arms and
upper body and also lower body and legs. Due to the fact that the
suit is in one piece at the front 15, the user can easily and
discreetly conceal himself/herself behind the front of the suit
while answering a call of nature. Answering calls of nature is also
made easier by the low location of the seal 19 on the back 16 of
the suit, preferably completely under the user's buttocks but at
least a long way down on the buttocks, to a point 23 level with the
leg openings 9, 10 of the suit.
[0036] Due to the location of the seal 19, it is easy for the user
to open and close unaided when putting on and taking off the suit.
As the seal runs in a continuous line without sharp bends or edges,
the opening and closing of the suit is facilitated. Furthermore,
strain on the seal will be minimal when the user moves with the
suit on. The location of the seal is also beneficial with regard to
different types of peripheral equipment such as air supply,
urisheath connections, or the like. A further advantage of the
location of the sealing device 19 is that the user can ventilate a
large part of his/her back without taking off the suit.
[0037] The protective suit 1 shown in FIG. 5 differs from the suit
in FIGS. 1-4 due to the form of the seal 19 on the front 15 of the
suit. In addition, the suit is shown with vents 30 for supply or
removal of air or gas.
[0038] Instead of having the beginning and end of the seal 19 at
different places on the shoulder part 2 of the suit as in FIGS.
1-4, the seal 19 extends on the protective suit 1 shown in FIG. 5
in a closed loop which divides the suit into an upper part and a
lower part. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the seal thus extends in an
arch 21 across the user's chest, the upper part of the arch 21
being situated at least level with the lowest point of the sleeve
openings 7, 8, but being able to extend further up towards the neck
opening 22 of the suit. The sealing device of the seal 19, is then
suitably of such a type that the two parts of the suit can be
separated completely.
[0039] The advantages of a completely separable suit are that it is
possible to select the upper and lower parts independently of one
another and thus put together a suit that is individually adapted
to the user's needs with respect to the length of the suit and
connections for equipment. It is also possible to exchange a part
that has become worn or is broken.
[0040] In order to facilitate assembly of the suit, it is suitable
if the seal 19 has some type of mark 24 so that the parts do not
end up in the wrong place in relation to one another.
[0041] If the protective suit is to be completely tight, the
sealing device should be chosen with a view to obtaining a tight
seal around the entire sealing loop. This means that the seal is
preferably in the form of a sliding fastener, such as
Zip-Lock.RTM..
[0042] The invention should not be considered to be limited to the
embodiment described here, a number of further embodiments being
conceivable within the framework of the following patent claims. In
particular, the sealing device in accordance with the invention can
be used for all types of protective suits, such as dry suits, wet
suits and protective suits for chemical decontamination and the
like. In addition, the sealing device can be used on protective
suits for use in water sports, fishing, sailing, etc.
[0043] Neither can the described materials for the suit be
considered as limiting. It is of course possible to choose a suit
material adapted for the intended use.
* * * * *