U.S. patent application number 13/852406 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-03 for two piece drysuit.
The applicant listed for this patent is Brian John Conolly, Thomas Kenneth Hussey, Bartosz Milczarczyk. Invention is credited to Brian John Conolly, Thomas Kenneth Hussey, Bartosz Milczarczyk.
Application Number | 20130254963 13/852406 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48445118 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130254963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Milczarczyk; Bartosz ; et
al. |
October 3, 2013 |
Two Piece Drysuit
Abstract
Two-piece drysuit whereby the top is combined with the lower
section by means of a series of overlapping flaps that combine to
create a less bulky seal with greater flexibility and comfort to
the wearer. The present invention also allows the use of materials
in the seal between the 2 pieces that are more stable in
ultraviolet light and salt water than those required by the
inventions mentioned above thereby providing improved
durability.
Inventors: |
Milczarczyk; Bartosz; (Lane
Cove, AU) ; Hussey; Thomas Kenneth; (Balmain, AU)
; Conolly; Brian John; (Northwood, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Milczarczyk; Bartosz
Hussey; Thomas Kenneth
Conolly; Brian John |
Lane Cove
Balmain
Northwood |
|
AU
AU
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
48445118 |
Appl. No.: |
13/852406 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/2.17 ;
2/2.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/012 20130101;
A41D 13/005 20130101; B63C 9/087 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/2.17 ;
2/2.15 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/012 20060101
A41D013/012 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 3, 2012 |
AU |
2012901333 |
Claims
1. A two piece substantially watertight dry suit including a
substantially watertight rubber or textile or composite thereof
which comprises a top piece and bottom piece wherein said top piece
is combinable with said bottom piece by overlapping at least two
sealing flaps to form a watertight seal.
2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said top piece
comprises a substantially liquid impermeable and water vapour
permeable textile.
3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said bottom piece
comprises a substantially liquid impermeable and water vapour
permeable textile.
4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said bottom piece
comprises a substantially liquid impermeable rubber material.
5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said rubber material
comprises a stretchable rubber or rubber foam.
6. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said top piece
comprises a substantially liquid impermeable rubber material.
7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said rubber material
comprises a stretchable rubber or rubber foam.
8. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said sealing flaps
are made from a stretchable and watertight rubber foam.
9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said sealing flaps
comprise a stretchable and watertight composite of neoprene foam
combined with at least one textile fabric.
10. The invention according to claim 8 wherein at least two
adjacent surfaces of said sealing flaps comprise a smooth or
embossed mesh neoprene surface.
11. The invention according to claim 1 wherein at least one of
saidsealing flaps comprises at least one hook and loop adjustment
tab to apply pressure over said sealing flaps.
12. The invention according to claim 1 wherein at least one sealing
flap comprises an adjustable cord to apply pressure over said
sealing flaps.
13. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said sealing flaps
comprise a stretchable and watertight material selected from the
group comprising rubber, latex, and silicon.
14. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said top piece
comprises at least one watertight seal around the neck and/or
wrists.
15. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said top piece
comprises integrated watertight gloves.
16. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said bottom piece
comprises at least one watertight seal around an ankle or leg.
17. The invention according to claim 14 wherein said seals comprise
a stretchable and watertight material selected from the group
consisting of rubber, latex, and silicon.
18. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said bottom piece
comprises integrated watertight socks.
19. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said watertight
gloves comprise a stretchable and watertight material selected from
the group consisting of rubber, latex, and silicon.
20. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said gloves
comprise a substantially waterproof textile.
21. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said bottom piece
comprises shoulder straps to support the top piece.
22. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said bottom piece
comprises shoulder straps to support the bottom piece.
23. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said bottom piece is
tightly fitable and conformable to a wearer's body.
24. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said top piece is
tightly fitable and conformable to a wearer's body.
25. The invention according to claim 1 wherein a said top piece and
said bottom piece are connectable using a fastener to prevent said
overlapping sealing flaps from disengaging during normal use.
26. The invention according to claim 25 wherein said fastener
comprises a hook and loop fastener.
27. The invention according to claim 25 wherein said fastener is
comprises snap buttons.
28. The invention according to claim 16 wherein said seals comprise
a stretchable and watertight material selected from the group
consisting of rubber, latex, and silicon.
29. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said watertight
socks comprise a stretchable and watertight material selected from
the group consisting of rubber, latex, and silicon.
30. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said socks comprise
a substantially waterproof textile.
31. The invention according to claim 1, further comprising a layer
which is layerable over said sealing flaps and which comprises at
least one hook and loop adjuster for applying pressure over said
sealing flaps.
32. The invention according to claim 1, further comprising a layer
which is layerable over said sealing flaps and which comprises a
cord adjuster for applying pressure over said sealing flaps.
33. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said sealing flaps
are foldable together at least one time to form the watertight
seal.
34. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said sealing flaps
are overlapable near the waist of a wearer to form the watertight
seal.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a dry or semi-dry suit
intended for marine sports such as sailing, sail boarding, surfing,
paddling diving and so on.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known in the art to provide a dry suit or semi dry
suit comprising a 1-piece garment constructed from a substantially
watertight textile or rubber material or composite thereof. Whereby
said garment features watertight seals around the neck, wrists and
ankles or watertight fabric gloves and/or socks that are combined
with the suit. In order to facilitate entry into said suits it is
known in the art to incorporate a watertight zipper positioned on
either the front or back of the garment. Said seals are generally
bulky with little flexibility and therefore provide much discomfort
to the user, said seals also require significant maintenance in
order to function correctly and are a common cause of failure of
the suit and also add significant cost to the its manufacture.
[0003] It is known to provide a two-piece dry suit comprising
trousers and a jacket top which are interconnected at the waist by
a so-called rolled seal. Annular rubber sealing flaps are attached
to the waist of the trousers and to the bottom edge of the jacket
and are adapted to lie one over the other when the two pieces of
the suit are put on. To make the seal the two flaps are rolled up
together from their free lower edges.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 2,570,019 discloses a method of applying a
tight fitting belt or cummerbund around the waist over the rolled
seal. The belt applies considerable pressure to the stomach region
of the wearer, which does not constitute a serious disadvantage for
divers operating at depths where substantial pressures are
experienced. For others, however, such as sailors who spend their
time at or above the water surface the pressure from the suit belt
can cause much discomfort.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,477 discloses a 2-piece dry suit having
sealing bands for producing a rolled seal between the two pieces at
the waist of the suit. An additional overlying part, fastened to
one piece of the suit extends across the rolled seal into
co-operation with the other piece of the suit in order to secure to
seal in the rolled condition. Whilst this invention provides less
pressure around the waist of the wearer, considerable bulk and
stiffness of the rolled seals still exists. Said sealing bands are
also commonly manufactured from a latex rubber or similar material
which is not durable to ultraviolet light or abrasion or puncture
and is therefore easily damaged during the process of dressing the
suit, during normal use or during storage and transport.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention aims to provide a solution to the
problems mentioned above by providing a two-piece drysuit whereby
the top is combined with the lower section by means of a series of
overlapping flaps that combine to create a less bulky seal with
greater flexibility and comfort to the wearer. The present
invention also allows the use of materials in the seal between the
2 pieces that are more stable in ultraviolet light and salt water
than those required by the inventions mentioned above thereby
providing improved durability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b are the front view and rear view of the
suit top piece of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b are the front view and rear view of the
suit bottom piece of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front view of the suit top piece and suit bottom
piece of one embodiment of the present invention worn together.
[0010] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c are cross-sectional views of one
potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top
piece and bottom piece of the present invention.
[0011] FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c are cross-sectional views of another
potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top
piece and bottom piece of the present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c are cross-sectional views of another
potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top
piece and bottom piece of the present invention.
[0013] FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are cross-sectional views of another
potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top
piece and bottom piece of the present invention.
[0014] FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d are cross-sectional views of another
potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top
piece and bottom piece of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c are cross-sectional views of another
potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top
piece and bottom piece of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention discloses a two piece dry suit made
from a substantially watertight textile or rubber material or
composite thereof whereby the top piece of the suit combines with
the bottom piece of the suit by means of a series of overlapping
flaps made from a stretchable material that fit tightly around the
wearers waist to form a substantially watertight seal.
[0017] In one aspect of the present invention the said top suit
piece is constructed from a textile composite that is substantially
liquid impermeable and preferably water vapour permeable. Said suit
top preferably features neck and wrist seals adhered to the said
textile, said seals are made from a waterproof and stretchable
material such as latex rubber, silicon, neoprene foam composite or
other material that fits tightly around the wearers neck and wrists
to provide a water tight seal. A tight fitting stretchable waist
seal that combines with the bottom suit piece is also attached to
the suit piece around the waist or torso area. Said suit top piece
is preferably constructed by means of stitching with the addition
of waterproof tape or glue applied over the seams to ensure a
watertight seal. In an alternative embodiment, said composite
fabric may be ultrasonically welded or glued or bonded without
stitching to provide a watertight seal.
[0018] In a further aspect of the present invention, the bottom
suit piece is constructed from a substantially liquid impermeable
and stretchable rubber material or composite thereof. In one
preferred embodiment said rubber material is a composite consisting
of a rubber foam such as neoprene foam laminated to at least one
textile fabric. It is preferred that said composite has good
stretch to allow said garment to fit tightly around the wearers
body. The said rubber foam composite material is preferably
combined to form the said suit piece by means of seam taping,
gluing or blind stitching or combinations thereof in order to
ensure a watertight seal.
[0019] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention said
top suit piece may be constructed from a substantially liquid
impermeable and stretchable rubber material or composite thereof.
In one preferred embodiment said rubber material is a composite
consisting of a rubber foam such as neoprene foam laminated to at
least one textile fabric. It is preferred that said composite has
good stretch to allow said garment to fit tightly around the
wearers body. The said rubber foam composite material is preferably
combined to form the said suit piece by means of seam taping,
gluing or blind stitching or combinations thereof in order to
ensure a watertight seal
[0020] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention said
bottom suit piece may be constructed from a textile composite that
is substantially liquid impermeable and preferably water vapour
permeable. Said suit bottom preferably features integrated
watertight socks made form the same textile material or
alternatively features ankle seals adhered to the said textile,
said seals are made from a waterproof and stretchable material such
as latex rubber, silicon, neoprene foam composite or other material
that fits tightly around the wearers leg or ankle to provide a
water tight seal. Said suit bottom piece is preferably constructed
by means of stitching with the addition of waterproof tape or glue
applied over the seams to ensure a watertight seal. In an
alternative embodiment, said composite fabric may be ultrasonically
welded or glued or bonded without stitching to provide a watertight
seal.
[0021] In one aspect of the present invention the said suit bottom
piece may be configured to have shoulder straps made of the same
material or another material as to provide support for the bottom
suit piece and prevent any movement of the garment during normal
use.
[0022] In a further aspect of the present invention said
stretchable sealing flaps are attached to the suit top and suit
bottom pieces and fit tightly around the wearers waist or torso.
Said sealing flaps are preferably made from a stretchable and
watertight material. In a preferred embodiment, said flaps are
constructed from a composite consisting of a foam rubber material
such as neoprene laminated to at least one textile fabric. Said
flaps preferably have at least one surface that is substantial
smooth as to form a good watertight seal with adjacent smooth
surfaces of combined sealing flaps.
[0023] In a preferred aspect of the present invention said sealing
flaps are folded one or more times to improve the watertight seal
between suit top and bottom pieces.
[0024] In a preferred aspect of the present invention additional
fastening means may be added to connect said top suit piece and
said bottom suit piece at the waist seal area to prevent said
overlapping waist sealing flaps from disengaging during normal use.
In one potential embodiment said fastening means is provided by
hook and loop fastening tabs. In another potential embodiment said
fastening means may be provided by plastic or metal snap
buttons.
[0025] The suit top 10, shown in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b comprises a
body part 101, and sleeves 102, a neck seal 103, fastened to the
body part around the neck opening and wrist seals 104, fastened to
the ends of the sleeves. Attached and sealed to the waist opening
of body 101 is an inner waist seal 105. A secondary outer waist
seal 106 is also fastened and sealed to the bottom opening of body
101 and is positioned adjacent to inner waist seal 105. Outer waist
seal 106 preferably features waist adjustment tabs 107 which can be
used to tighten said waist seals. In place of the Velcro adjustment
tabs an elasticised draw cord or tensioned belt could be utilised
to increase the tightness of said waist seals.
[0026] The suit bottom 20 shown in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b is
preferably made from a stretchable substantially watertight
material that conforms to the wearers body and comprises a body
section 201, legs 202 and optional shoulder straps 203. Waist seal
204 is attached and sealed to the body section 201 and is used in
combination with waist seals 105 and 106 to form a water tight seal
between suit top 10 and suit bottom 20. Leg openings 205 of legs
202 are preferably constructed to fit tightly around the wearers
ankles and provide a watertight seal. Shoulder straps 203 extend
from the body section 201 and prevent the suit bottom from moving
on the wearers body during normal use. Large armholes 206 and rear
cut-away 207 are provided to maximise breathability of the complete
suit.
[0027] The complete 2-piece dry suit is shown in FIG. 3 whereby
suit top 10 is worn over suit bottom 20. Waist seals 105, 106 on
the top suit piece overlap with waist seal 204 on the bottom suit
piece to form a water-tight seal between each piece whilst neck
seal 103, wrist seals 104 and tight leg openings 205 provide water
tight seals around external parts of the wearers body.
[0028] A preferred embodiment of waist seal system is shown in
cross sectional view in FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c. FIG. 4a shows
Inner waist seal 105 and outer waist seal 106 attached at top edge
401 to body section 101 of the top suit piece 10. Bottom edge 402
of Lower waist seal 204 is attached to body section 201 of bottom
suit piece 20. Inner waist seal 105 of top suit piece 10 has outer
surface 403, Outer waist seal 106 has inner surface 404. Lower
waist seal 204 of bottom suit piece 20 has inner surface 405 and
outer surface 406.
[0029] FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c show the arrangement of waist seals when
Top suit piece 10 is combined with bottom suit piece 20. Inner
waist seal 105 of top suit piece 10 fits tightly around body
section 201 of bottom suit piece 20. Lower waist seal 204 is then
positioned over waist seal 105 and outer waist seal 106 positioned
over lower waist seal 204.
[0030] It is preferable that outer surface 403 of inner waist seal
105 and adjacent inner surface of lower waist seal 204 feature a
smooth or finely textured rubber surface that promotes a watertight
seal and also provides some friction when pressed together to
prevent movement between each seal. Outer surface 406 of lower
waist seal and adjacent inner surface 404 of outer waist seal 106
may also feature a smooth rubber surface to provide an improved
seal.
[0031] Another preferred embodiment of waist seal system is shown
in cross sectional view in FIG. 5a, FIG. 5b and FIG. 5c. Lower
waist seal 204 is attached to bottom suit piece 20 at top edge 501.
The user positions inner waist seal 105 of top suit piece 10 over
lower waist seal 204. Inner waist seal 105 is then folded together
with lower waist seal 204 to form an improved watertight seal
between top suit piece 10 and bottom suit piece 20 as shown in FIG.
5b. Outer waist seal 106 is then positioned over seal 105 and 204
as an extra sealing layer. It is preferable that inner surface 502
of inner waist seal 105 and adjacent outer surface 503 of lower
waist seal 204 feature a smooth or finely textured rubber surface
that promotes a watertight seal and also provides some friction
when pressed together to prevent movement between each seal.
[0032] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention
shown in cross sectional view in FIG. 6a, FIG. 6b and FIG. 6c,
lower waist seal 204 is attached to bottom suit piece 20 at bottom
edge 601 thereby reduce the number of layers in the folded
seal.
[0033] In other preferred embodiments of the present invention
shown in cross sectional view in FIG. 7a, FIG. 7b, FIG. 7c, FIG. 7d
and FIG. 8a, FIG. 8b, FIG. 8c, FIG. 8d, lower waist seal 204 and
inner waist seal 105 are folded 2 times or more to improve the seal
between tops suit piece 10 and bottom suit piece 20.
[0034] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention
shown in cross sectional view in FIG. 9a, FIG. 9b and FIG. 9c,
lower waist seal 204 and inner waist seal 105 are folded towards
the inside of the garment.
[0035] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the
invention will be, or will become apparent to one with skill in the
art upon examination of the following figures and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features and advantages be included within this
description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected
by the following claims.
* * * * *