U.S. patent application number 13/704954 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-11 for thermal dual-layer undergarment for a dry diving suit.
This patent application is currently assigned to WHITES MANUFACTURING LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Leo Luomala, Richard Myerscough. Invention is credited to Leo Luomala, Richard Myerscough.
Application Number | 20130086723 13/704954 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45401468 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130086723 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Myerscough; Richard ; et
al. |
April 11, 2013 |
THERMAL DUAL-LAYER UNDERGARMENT FOR A DRY DIVING SUIT
Abstract
A thermal insulating garment for an underwater diving suit has
an inner insulating layer or thermal core and an outer elastomeric
layer. The inner thermal core layer is larger than the outer layer.
The inner thermal core thermal layer is temporarily fixed to the
outer elastomeric layer by fastening means such as a hook and loop
system. A zipper may be disposed between the two shoulders of the
garment and across the chest of the garment to permit the top
portion of the garment to be removed and permit diver entry and
egress into the dry suit. There is a lamination seal at the ankles,
wrists and collar of the garment.
Inventors: |
Myerscough; Richard;
(Victoria, CA) ; Luomala; Leo; (Saanichton,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Myerscough; Richard
Luomala; Leo |
Victoria
Saanichton |
|
CA
CA |
|
|
Assignee: |
WHITES MANUFACTURING LTD.
SAANICHTON
BC
|
Family ID: |
45401468 |
Appl. No.: |
13/704954 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
June 25, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB11/52802 |
371 Date: |
December 17, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61358926 |
Jun 27, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/2.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2400/10 20130101;
B63C 11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/2.16 |
International
Class: |
B63C 11/04 20060101
B63C011/04 |
Claims
[0031] 1. A dual-layered insulating garment for covering a wearer's
torso, arms and legs in order to provide thermal protection for
said wearer during a cold water dive, said dual-layered insulating
garment comprising: a. an inner thermal core layer for thermal
protection; b. an elastomeric outer layer so that said inner
thermal core is snug against the wearer; c. a torso portion for
covering the wearer's torso, a left and right arm portion attached
to said torso portion for receiving the wearer's left and right
arms up to their respective wrists, a left and right leg portion
attached to the torso portion for receiving the wearer's left and
right leg up to their respective ankles and a neck portion attached
to the torso portion including a neck receiving portion; and, d. an
entry system for wearer entry and exit into the garment; wherein
said dual-layered insulating garment is worn beneath a
dry-suit.
2. The dual-layered insulating garment according to claim 1 wherein
the inner thermal core layer is internally secured to the
elastomeric outer layer.
3. The dual-layered insulating garment according to claim 2 wherein
the inner thermal core layer is secured to the elastomeric outer
layer at said ankles, said wrists and said neck receiving portion
by respective ankle, wrist and neck seals.
4. The dual-layered insulating garment according to claim 3 wherein
said respective ankle, wrist and neck seals are laminated seals
formed from alternating inner thermal core layer material and
elastomeric outer layer material.
5. The dual-layered garment according to claim 1 wherein the torso
portion, said left and right arm portion and said left and right
leg portion of the inner layer have at least one pleat.
6. The dual-layered garment according to claim 5 wherein said at
least one pleat comprises at least one fold of inner thermal core
layer material.
7. The dual-layered garment according to claim 6 wherein when the
dual-layered garment is worn by the wearer, said at least one pleat
is operative to create a sufficient amount of tension in the torso
portion, the left and right arm portion and the left and right leg
portion of the inner thermal core layer to urge the inner thermal
core layer material to conform to the wearer over a range of wearer
sizes.
8. The dual-layered garment according to claim 7 wherein when the
dual-layered garment is worn by the wearer and the at least one
pleat is operative to accommodate the movements of the wearer.
9. The dual-layered garment according to claim 8 wherein when the
dual-layered garment is worn by the wearer, the elastomeric outer
layer is operative to compress the inner thermal core layer
material snuggly against the wearer to further facilitate the
wearer's movements.
10. The dual-layered garment according to claim 1 wherein the
elastomeric outer layer is a protective non-insulating layer.
11. The dual-layered garment according to claim 1 wherein the
elastomeric outer layer is an insulating layer.
12. The dual-layered garment according to claim 1 further
comprising a plurality of temporary connecting sites between the
inner thermal core layer and the elastomeric outer layer, so that
the elastomeric outer layer lies in a flattened manner proximate to
the inner thermal core layer and so that the dual-layered garment
form fits the wearer permitting maximum mobility of the wearer.
13. The dual-layered garment according to claim 12 wherein said
plurality of temporary connecting sites facilitates the expulsion
of a volume of excess air from within the dual-layered garment
thereby improving buoyancy control of said dry suit.
14. The dual-layered garment according to claim 13 wherein the
plurality of temporary connecting sites are disposed in
complementary adjacent pairs over an inside surface and an outside
surface of the torso portion, the left and right arm portion and
the left and right leg portion of the elastomeric outer layer and
the inner thermal core layer respectively.
15. The dual-layered garment according to claim 14 wherein the
plurality of temporary connecting sites comprise one of adhesive
sites, hook and loop connection sites, magnetic connector sites and
snap button sites.
16. The dual-layered garment according to claim 1 wherein said
entry system is disposed between the neck portion and the torso
portion.
17. The dual-layered garment according to claim 16 wherein the
entry system comprises a shoulder to opposite shoulder closable
opening descending downwards from a first shoulder then arcing
across wearer's chest in and then rising to an opposite
shoulder.
18. The dual-layered garment according to claim 17 wherein said
shoulder to opposite shoulder closure is a zipper.
19. The dual-layered garment according to claim 18 wherein the
inner thermal core layer and the elastomeric outer layer are joined
and sealed by a laminate seal at said zipper.
20. The dual-layered garment according to claim 1 wherein the inner
thermal core layer has a first surface area and the elastomeric
outer layer comprises a smaller second surface area so that when
the garment is worn by a wearer the elastomeric outer layer
compresses the inner thermal core layer over the wearer and forces
inner thermal core layer material into an arm pit area and a crotch
area of the wearer thereby eliminating inner layer bulk, expelling
excess air and permitting improved mobility of the wearer while
wearing a dry suit.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to underwater diving equipment and
more particularly to dry diving suits worn by professional and
sports divers for warmth and protection while diving, and
specifically a new thermal two-layer undergarment for a dry diving
suit.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Underwater diving in cold water requires a dry diving suit
that is capable of insulating the diver from the temperature of the
ambient water and its deleterious effects. A dry suit provides
physical protection against water and obstacles that a diver may
encounter. However, in cold water dives it is necessary for the
diver to wear additional garments underneath the dry suit to keep
warm. Wet suits, on the other hand, permit water to enter the suit
forming a layer of water trapped between the diver's body and the
suit. Once the water is trapped it is heated by the diver's body
and provides a layer of insulation around the diver. Each of these
systems has deficiencies.
[0003] Wet suites are unsuitable for cold water dives primarily
because they allow water to come into contact the diver. Dry suits
can be very cumbersome and stiff and so restrict the movement of
the diver underwater. Furthermore, dry suits require water tight
seals around ankles, wrists and the neck in order to prevent water
from entering the dry suit and contacting the diver's body.
[0004] There have been a number of attempts to provide solutions to
the problems of adequately insulating a diver in a dry suit from
cold in a cold water dive. One such attempt is set out in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,960,469 entitled LIQUID-INSULATED GARMENT FOR COLD WATER
DIVING issued to Nuckolas et el. on Oct. 5, 1999. There is
described a liquid insulated garment that supplements the internal
thermal protection of traditional diving suit. The invention
comprises bladders having insulating liquids which maybe heated.
Such a device requires additional equipment for the diver to carry
during a dive and may increase the cumbersome nature of the diving
suit. Furthermore, the bladders may make ingress and egress from a
dry suit more difficult for the diver.
[0005] Therefore, there is an ongoing requirement for an easily
worn insulating garment for divers to wear during cold water dives
under a dry suit which is easy to put on, easy to take off and does
not restrict diver movement inside the suit. There is a further
need for an insulating garment that can be used in fewer sizes to
fit a wider range of end users thereby reducing inventory
requirements and associated costs for retailers and
distributors.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
Technical Solution
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
two-layered dry diving suit undergarment that is capable of
insulating a diver during a cold water dive. The insulating garment
would include an inner thermal dry core which can be a stretch or
non-stretch fabric and an outer garment that comprises an
elastomeric fabric.
[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, the inner thermal core
is a non-stretch fabric such as PRIMALOFT.RTM. insulating material.
In another embodiment the inner thermal core can be an insulating
mesh or a fleece.
[0008] In another embodiment of the invention the inner thermal
core layer is over-sized and has a larger surface area than the
outer stretch layer. Therefore the inner thermal core layer is not
required to stretch. The outer stretch layer pulls in the internal
non-stretch layer resulting in a highly mobile streamlined fit. It
further expels excess air that may be trapped in the looser fitting
inner thermal core layer. This increases mobility of the diver and
aids in the control of buoyancy.
[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide an
insulating undergarment that is streamlined to the contours of the
diver's body thereby permitting a wide range of movement within a
dry suit.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the outer stretch
layer pulls in the oversized inner insulating layer, placing the
bulky inner layer insulating materials snug in the armpits and
crotch of the diver. This also allows the diver maximum
mobility.
[0011] In another embodiment of the invention the outer stretch
layer can be made with high stretch fleece offering additional
thermal protection in combination with an oversized inner thermal
core.
[0012] Another advantage of the invention is that it provides for
an undergarment for insulation which can be manufactured in a
limited number of sizes to suit all body sizes of divers in order
to save on manufacturing costs and inventory. The result is that
only about half the number of sizes typically stocked will be
required to fit the same number of body types.
[0013] In another embodiment of the invention the insulating
undergarment may comprise a fleece inner layer and a LYCRA.RTM.
outer layer.
[0014] In yet another embodiment of the invention the outer layer
can be any high stretch material such a thin super stretch
neoprene, a non-insulating stretch mesh, or insulating like a super
stretch fleece.
[0015] In one of the embodiments of the invention, the insulating
undergarment inner layer maybe sewn into the outer layer.
[0016] In a further embodiment, the inner insulating layer may be
attached to the outer layer by means such as a hook and loop
system. In other embodiments, buttons, magnets and, sticky adhesive
may be used.
[0017] In yet another embodiment of the invention the layers of the
garment are not attached and just placed one over the other.
[0018] Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows
use of technical thermal fabrics that traditionally would have
resulted in a very bulky low mobility garment.
[0019] Yet another advantage of the invention is that by adding the
secondary form fitting stretch outer layer over an oversized inner
thermal core, maximum mobility is achieved while using non stretch,
or low stretch bulky thermal fabrics.
Advantageous Effects
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a diver wearing a dual-layer dry suit
insulating garment of one embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows an arm of the invention illustrating the wrist
cuff lamination.
[0022] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate another embodiment of the invention
where in adhesive sites are placed on the exterior of the
insulating layer in order to fasten to the inside surface of the
elastomeric layer.
BEST MODE
Mode for Invention
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, the invention 10 is a dual-layered
insulating garment for covering a wearer's 22 torso, arms and legs
in order to provide thermal protection for the wearer during a cold
water dive. The invention is worn under a dry suit. The
dual-layered insulating garment 10 comprises an inner thermal
insulating layer 12 showing in solid line, an elastomeric outer
layer 14 shown in broken line. The outer layer can be an insulating
or a non-insulating layer. The garment further comprises a torso
portion 13 for covering the wearer's torso, a left 15 and right 17
arm portion attached to the torso portion and for receiving the
wearer's left and right arms up to their respective wrists, a left
19 and right 21 leg portion attached to the torso portion for
receiving the wearer's left and right leg up to their respective
ankles and a neck portion 23 attached to the torso portion
including a neck receiving portion 25. The garment also comprises
an entry system 27 for entry and exit. The inner layer 12 is
internally secured to the elastomeric outer layer 14 as further
explained below. The elastomeric outer layer 14 comprises a stretch
fabric such as Lycra.RTM., high stretch thin neoprene, high stretch
mesh and high stretch fleece.
[0024] Still referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 the inner layer 12 is
secured to the elastomeric outer layer 14 at the ankles, wrists and
neck receiving portion by respective ankle 18, wrist 16 and neck 20
seals. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged diagram of a wrist seal 16. The
respective ankle, wrist and neck seals are laminated seals formed
from alternating inner layer material and elastomeric outer layer
material. At the ankles the lamination seal 18 connects the bottom
ankle cuff of the insulating layer and the outer layer. In other
embodiments of the invention socks, gloves and hoods can be made in
a similar fashion from similar materials and used as accessories to
the diving suit. Therefore, rather than terminating at an ankle or
wrist laminated seal, the garment would join a boot or a glove
connected to the garment by a laminated seal formed between the
garment and the boot or glove. As illustrated in FIG. 2, at the
wrists the lamination seal 16 connects the insulating thermal inner
layer 12 with the outer stretch material 14. Referring to FIG. 1,
the neck lamination seal 20 connects the insulating thermal core
layer 12 and the outer elastomeric layer 14. FIG. 2 shows, for one
embodiment of the invention, a drawing of one of the diver's 22
arms 15 inside the insulating thermal core inner layer 12 covered
by elastomeric layer 14. The wrist 16 lamination forms a seal
around the wrist of the diver. As shown in FIG. 1, the wrist
lamination seal 16 may also attach to a glove or mitt 31. Referring
to FIG. 1, a similar configuration can exist for the leg 19/21 of
the insulation garment with the ankle 18 lamination forming a seal
around the ankle of the diver. This seal may be joined to a boot
33.
[0025] Still referring to FIG. 1, the torso portion 13, the left
and right arm portions 15 and 17 and the left and right leg
portions 19 and 21 of the inner layer 12 have at least one pleat
24. The at least one pleat comprises at least one fold of inner
layer material. When the dual-layered garment is worn by the
wearer, the at least one pleat 24 is operative to create a
sufficient amount of tension in the torso portion, the left and
right arm portion and the left and right leg portion of the inner
layer to urge the inner layer material to conform to the wearer's
body over a range of wearer sizes. It is anticipated that a minimum
of five sizes will be needed to fit all customers. This will
significantly reduce inventory costs for retailers and
distributors. Furthermore when the dual-layered garment is worn by
the wearer under a dry suit and in the water, the at least one
pleat is operative to accommodate the movements of the wearer
without causing movement restrictions. To further improve mobility
of the garment when the dual-layered garment is worn by the wearer,
the elastomeric outer layer is operative to compress the inner
layer material to further conform to the wearer's movements and
expel any air pockets trapped between the wearer's body and the
garment. This will greatly improve buoyancy control of the
diver.
[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the inner layer is an
insulating layer 12 and the elastomeric outer layer 14 is a
protective non-insulating layer. In another embodiment of the
invention the inner layer 12 is an insulating layer and the
elastomeric outer layer is also an insulating layer 14.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 3A to 3C, in one embodiment of the
invention there are temporary internal connecting sites 30 between
the inner layer 12 and the elastomeric outer layer 14. These sites
permit the elastomeric outer layer to lie in a flattened manner
proximate to the inner layer. The result is that the garment fits
snuggly against the form of the wearer permitting maximum mobility
of the wearer. The plurality of temporary connecting sites may be
disposed over the torso portion, the left and right arm portion and
the left and right leg portion of the inner layer and the outer
layer so that the connecting sides on both layers align. For
example, the rump of insulating garment may have connecting sites
so that this area of the garment is snug fitting. In one embodiment
of the invention the plurality of temporary connecting sites
comprise one of adhesive sites, hook and loop connection sites,
magnetic connector sites and snap button sites.
[0028] Referring back to FIG. 1, the dual-layered garment entry
system 27 is disposed between the neck portion 23 and the torso
portion 13. The entry system 27 comprises a shoulder to opposite
shoulder closable opening 26 descending downwards from a first
shoulder then arcing across wearer's chest and then rising to an
opposite shoulder. In one embodiment of the invention the closable
opening is a zipper. At the closable opening the inner layer and
the elastomeric outer layer are sealed by a laminate seal 28. Entry
zippers can be run in both directions and so this embodiment is not
to be limiting. There could also be an embodiment with no zipper
where closure is achieved by overlapping flaps. The inner
insulating layer and the outer elastomeric layer are jointed at the
zipper lamination 26. In other embodiments of the invention the
inner and out layers may utilize different closure systems. For
example, the inner thermal core layer may use a zipper system and
the outer stretch layer may user another closure system such as a
hook and loop system. The inner thermal core layer and outer
stretch layer may both use zippers that run in opposite
directions.
[0029] In one embodiment of the invention, when the zipper connects
both the inner thermal core layer and the outer stretch layer, and
when the zipper is opened the top neck portion 23 of the garment is
separated from the torso portion 13 along the lamination line 26.
The top neck portion 23 can then be folded back. This permits the
wearer to enter garment in a feet-first fashion. The wearer pulls
the garment over legs, torso and arms. If boots/socks and
gloves/mits are fixed to the ankle and wrist seals of the garment
then the wearer will insert feet and hands into them. The garment
is pulled up over the torso 13. The neck portion 23 of the
insulating garment unzipped will be hanging over the back of the
diver 22. The neck portion 23 is then flipped forward over the head
of the diver and the neck cuff 25 is pulled down over the head of
the wearer and so that it sits on the shoulder portion of the
wearer. The wearer will then close the zipper 28 there by closing
the insulating garment. The neck cuff 25 is sealed by lamination
seal 20. The wearer is then free to put on the dry suit.
[0030] Although the above description is specific, it should not be
considered as a limitation on the scope of the invention, but only
as an example of the preferred embodiment. Many variations are
possible within the teachings of the invention. For example, the
garment can be made in a variety of fabric type materials. It can
be made of a variety of sizes. The relative positions and shapes of
the elements can vary. It may be provided with surface indicia,
such as crests, logos, emblems, etc. Therefore, the scope of the
invention should be determined by the appended claims and their
legal equivalents, not by the examples given.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
SEQUENCE LIST TEXT
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