U.S. patent application number 12/799748 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-03 for wetsuit water catch device.
Invention is credited to David V.A. Proton, Want Fung Aylwin Tsang.
Application Number | 20110265234 12/799748 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44857050 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110265234 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsang; Want Fung Aylwin ; et
al. |
November 3, 2011 |
Wetsuit water catch device
Abstract
A wetsuit has a plurality of pieces of material that are
stitched or glued together to form the wetsuit, and at least one
drag-creating section provided on one of the pieces of material.
The drag-creating section has a plurality of water catch devices,
each water catch device having a flap piece and a base portion,
with a cavity defined between each flap piece and the base of the
piece of material or the base portion of an adjacent water catch
device. Each flap piece is constructed such that it can be expanded
and collapsed to allow water to enter and leave the cavity, and the
plurality of water catch devices are arranged in series immediately
adjacent to each other, with the cavity of each water catch device
on the piece of material opening in the same direction towards
another water catch device.
Inventors: |
Tsang; Want Fung Aylwin;
(Hong Kong, HK) ; Proton; David V.A.; (Hong Kong,
HK) |
Family ID: |
44857050 |
Appl. No.: |
12/799748 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/2.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/012 20130101;
A63B 31/14 20130101; B63C 2011/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/2.15 |
International
Class: |
B63C 11/04 20060101
B63C011/04 |
Claims
1. A wetsuit, comprising: a plurality of pieces of material that
are stitched or glued together to form the wetsuit; and at least
one drag-creating section provided on one of the pieces of material
that has a base, the drag-creating section having a plurality of
water catch devices, each water catch device having a flap piece
and a base portion, with a cavity defined between each flap piece
and the base of the piece of material or the base portion of an
adjacent water catch device, each flap piece constructed such that
it can be expanded and collapsed to allow water to enter and leave
the cavity; and wherein the plurality of water catch devices are
arranged in series immediately adjacent to each other, with the
cavity of each water catch device on the piece of material opening
in the same direction towards another water catch device.
2. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the surface area of the flap
piece is greater than the surface area of the underlying base of
the piece of material or the underlying base portion.
3. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the flap piece is moved between
a collapsed configuration where it is generally flat adjacent the
underlying base of the piece of material or the underlying base
portion, and an expanded configuration in which it stretches away
from the underlying base of the piece of material or the underlying
base portion.
4. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of water catch
devices includes a first proximal-most water catch device that is
stitched to the base of the piece of material, a second water catch
device positioned directly adjacent the first water catch device
with the cavity of the second water catch device opening towards
the rear of the first water catch device and with the second water
catch device stitched to the base portion of the first water catch
device.
5. The wetsuit of claim 4, wherein the plurality of water catch
devices includes a third water catch device that is stitched to the
base portion of the second water catch device, a third water catch
device positioned directly adjacent the second water catch device
with the cavity of the third water catch device opening towards the
rear of the second water catch device.
6. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein each water catch device further
includes an inter-joining section between the flap piece and the
base portions.
7. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the piece of material is a first
arm piece of material and the at least one drag-creating section is
a first drag-creating section, the plurality of pieces of material
further including a second arm piece of material, and the at least
one drag-creating section includes a second drag-creating section
provided on the second arm piece of material, the second
drag-creating section having a plurality of water catch devices
that are arranged in series immediately adjacent to each other.
8. A wetsuit, comprising: a plurality of pieces of material that
are stitched or glued together to form the wetsuit; and at least
one drag-creating section provided on one of the pieces of material
that has a base, the drag-creating section having a plurality of
water catch devices, each water catch device having a flap piece
and a base portion, with a cavity defined between each flap piece
and the base of the piece of material or the base portion of an
adjacent water catch device, each flap piece constructed such that
it can be expanded and collapsed to allow water to enter and leave
the cavity, and with the surface area of the flap piece being
greater than the surface area of the underlying base of the piece
of material or the underlying base portion; wherein the plurality
of water catch devices are arranged in series immediately adjacent
to each other, with the cavity of each water catch device on the
piece of material opening in the same direction towards another
water catch device; wherein the flap piece is moved between a
collapsed configuration where it is generally flat adjacent the
underlying base of the piece of material or the underlying base
portion, and an expanded configuration in which it stretches away
from the underlying base of the piece of material or the underlying
base portion; and wherein the plurality of water catch devices
includes a first proximal-most water catch device that is stitched
to the base of the piece of material, a second water catch device
positioned directly adjacent the first water catch device with the
cavity of the second water catch device opening towards the rear of
the first water catch device and with the second water catch device
stitched to the base portion of the first water catch device.
9. The wetsuit of claim 8, wherein the plurality of water catch
devices includes a third water catch device that is stitched to the
base portion of the second water catch device, a third water catch
device positioned directly adjacent the second water catch device
with the cavity of the third water catch device opening towards the
rear of the second water catch device.
10. The wetsuit of claim 8, wherein each water catch device further
includes an inter-joining section between the flap piece and the
base portions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is directed to wetsuits, and in
particular, to three-dimensional structures that are formed
integrally with the wetsuits to increase the drag forces of a
swimmer, thereby providing increased forces for propelling a
swimmer through the water.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In the wetsuit market today, many devices have been
developed that purport to increase swimming efficiency. These
devices are usually added pieces of molded materials like silicone
or rubber that are attached to the arm or leg by means of stitching
or gluing. The three-dimensional shapes of such devices extrude
from the arm or leg, thereby increasing the surface area for drag
during a swimming stroke which would aid in propulsion through the
water to increase swim speed. The drawback to such devices is that,
while the drag is increased, the friction also increased
proportionally.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] It is one objective of the present invention to provide a
structure for use with a wetsuit that increases drag for propulsion
while still minimizing friction through the water.
[0006] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
a structure for use with a wetsuit that allows the wetsuit design
to be streamlined and light-weight, and which allows for simplified
production and reduced production costs.
[0007] To accomplish the objectives set forth above, the present
invention provides a wetsuit comprising a plurality of pieces of
material that are stitched or glued together to form the wetsuit,
and at least one drag-creating section provided on one of the
pieces of material. The drag-creating section has a plurality of
water catch devices, each water catch device having a flap piece
and a base portion, with a cavity defined between each flap piece
and the base of the piece of material or the base portion of an
adjacent water catch device. Each flap piece is constructed such
that it can be expanded and collapsed to allow water to enter and
leave the cavity, and the plurality of water catch devices are
arranged in series immediately adjacent to each other, with the
cavity of each water catch device on the piece of material opening
in the same direction towards another water catch device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a full body wetsuit showing
the water catch devices in accordance with the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a swimmer's arm
showing the cavities of the water catch devices of a drag-creating
section of the wetsuit of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a swimmer wearing the wetsuit of FIG. 1
while swimming using a freestyle stroke
[0011] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a water catch device of
the wetsuit of FIG. 1 in the collapsed configuration, together with
an illustration of a swimmer's stroke.
[0012] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a water catch device of
the wetsuit of FIG. 1 in the opened configuration, together with an
illustration of a swimmer's stroke.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates an arm of the wetsuit of FIG. 1 turned
inside out showing how the different water catch sections are
constructed and arranged together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The following detailed description is of the best presently
contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the
invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the
appended claims.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a wetsuit 10 is shown with a pair of
arms 12a, 12b, a torso section 14, and a pair of legs 16a, 16b. The
wetsuit 10 can be made in the same manner as any conventional
wetsuit, using the same materials as any conventional wetsuit. For
example, wetsuits can be made from multiple pieces of material,
which are later stitched or glued together to form the wetsuit. The
material can be any conventional material that is used for
wetsuits, such as NEOPRENE.TM. or SPANDEX.TM..
[0016] A plurality of drag-creating sections are provided at
different locations on the outer surface of the wetsuit. For
example, a drag-creating section 18a can be provided on the inner
forearm portion of the left arm 12a, another drag-creating section
18b can be provided on the inner forearm portion of the right arm
12b, yet another drag-creating section 20a can be provided on the
outer calf portion of the left leg 16a, and a further drag-creating
section 20b can be provided on the outer calf portion of the right
leg 16b.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows the drag-creating section 18a on the left arm
12a. Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, each drag-creating section (e.g.,
18a) has a plurality of water catch devices 22. The drag-creating
sections 18a and 18b are shown as having four water catch devices
22, and the drag-creating sections 20a and 20b are shown as having
five water catch devices 22, though these numbers can be varied
depending on the length of the arms and legs, the weight and/or
height of the swimmer, intended use of the wetsuit (swimming,
surfing or diving), the style of stroke, and other environmental
factors (e.g., swimming conditions such as swimming in a pool or
open water where there are currents, current flow directions,
etc.).
[0018] Each water catch device 22 is created by providing a
flexible panel 26 that covers the base 24 or a base portion 26b of
another panel 26 in a manner which defines a cavity 28
therebetween. More specifically, each panel 26 can have three
portions, a flexible flap piece 26a, a base portion 26b, and an
inter-joining section 26c between the flap piece 26a and the base
portion 26b, as best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The proximal-most
panel 26 can be stitched to the base 24, and the next adjacent
panel 26 can have its cavity 28 opening towards the rear of the
previous (proximal) panel 26 in a manner where the panel 26 is
stitched (by stitching 30) or otherwise connected to the base
portion 26b of the previous (proximal) flap piece 26. In this
manner, the water catch devices 22 on each drag-creating section
are arranged directly adjacent each other (i.e., one directly
behind the other in series). As used herein, "distal" is closer to
the hands or feet, with "proximal" being closer to the torso.
[0019] The flap piece 26a is constructed such that it can be
expanded and collapsed to allow water to enter and leave the cavity
28. This is facilitated by providing the surface area of the flap
piece 26a to be greater than the surface area of the underlying
base 24 or base portion 26b so that the flap piece 26a can expand.
The flap piece 26a can be moved between the collapsed configuration
(see FIG. 4A) where it is generally flat adjacent the underlying
base 24 or base portion 26b, and an expanded configuration (see
FIG. 4B) in which it stretches away from the underlying base 24 or
base portion 26b.
[0020] The flap pieces 26a assist the swimmer (wearing the wetsuit
10) in generating drag, while minimizing undesirable friction. For
example, in a swim stroke for the freestyle stroke (see FIGS. 3 and
4A), when the arm enters the water, the water catch devices 22 are
moving in a first direction where the streamlined orientation of
the flap piece 26a will enable it to stay flat due to water
pressure (i.e., water pushing against the outer surface of the flap
piece 26a), thereby keeping friction through the water at a
minimum. Conversely, during the pull phase of the freestyle stroke
(see FIG. 4B), the water catch devices 22 are moving in a second
opposite direction where the water flows into the cavities 28,
thereby increasing the surface area of the water catch devices 22
exposed to the water and provides additional drag on the arms and
legs.
[0021] The water catch devices 22 are oriented on the arms and legs
of the wetsuit 10 in a manner to provide additional drag only
during portions of a stroke where the swimmer's arms and legs are
moving in a rearward direction, thereby providing propulsion
through the water in a forward direction. For example, the water
catch devices 22 for the arms 12a, 12b in FIG. 1 are all oriented
with the cavities 28 opening towards the lower back of the body,
and the water catch devices 22 for the legs 16a, 16b oriented with
the cavities 28 opening towards the lower front of the body. Such
an orientation is best suited for use in a freestyle stroke.
[0022] The structure and arrangement of the drag-creating sections
and their water catch devices 22 allows for the provision of a
wetsuit that helps to increase drag for propulsion while still
minimizing friction through the water, and a wetsuit design that
can be streamlined and light-weight, and which allows for
simplified production and reduced production costs. In particular,
each drag-creating section has a plurality of water catch devices
22 that are arranged (in series) one immediately behind the other.
This arrangement allows less material to be used for the wetsuit 10
as each panel 26 itself defines a cavity 28 and a base portion 26b.
Less material used means less material waste, and reduces the
stitching area as well. In addition, this arrangement provides a
clearer and slicker outer surface as the stitching 30 is not
visible from the exterior, thereby helping to reduce friction and
providing a more streamlined wetsuit outer surface.
[0023] While the description above refers to particular embodiments
of the present invention, it will be understood that many
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such
modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the
present invention.
* * * * *