U.S. patent application number 14/355146 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-20 for technical wetsuit.
The applicant listed for this patent is Quiksilver, Inc.. Invention is credited to Troy Brooks, David Mas-Bertrand, Josh Rush.
Application Number | 20140338089 14/355146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47192055 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140338089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brooks; Troy ; et
al. |
November 20, 2014 |
Technical Wetsuit
Abstract
A wetsuit comprising first panels exhibiting a high-stretch and
adapted to provide buoyancy to the wearer and second panels
exhibiting a low-stretch and adapted to provide further buoyancy to
the wearer wherein the first and the second panels are fastened
together by seams and wherein the second panels are arranged
according to the muscular configuration of the wearer to stimulate
the muscular relaxation velocity of the wearer.
Inventors: |
Brooks; Troy; (Torquay,
AU) ; Rush; Josh; (Biarrtz, FR) ;
Mas-Bertrand; David; (Capbreton, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Quiksilver, Inc. |
Hungtington Beach |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47192055 |
Appl. No.: |
14/355146 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
November 2, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2012/056118 |
371 Date: |
April 29, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/2.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C 2011/046 20130101;
A41D 13/0015 20130101; B63C 11/04 20130101; A41D 31/185 20190201;
A41D 7/00 20130101; A41D 13/012 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/2.15 |
International
Class: |
B63C 11/04 20060101
B63C011/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 2, 2011 |
EP |
11306410.9 |
Claims
1. A wetsuit comprising: at least one first panel exhibiting
high-stretch and adapted to provide buoyancy to the wearer; at
least one second panel exhibiting low-stretch and adapted to
provide further buoyancy to the wearer; wherein the at least one
first panel and the at least one second panel are fastened together
by at least one seam; and wherein the at least one second panel is
arranged according to the muscular configuration of the wearer to
stimulate muscular relaxation velocity of the wearer.
2. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
second panel being located along specific muscles of the wearer in
order to increase the relaxation velocity of said specific
muscles.
3. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein a movement of the
wearer defines an action direction for a second panel and wherein
said second panel apply a load to the wearer in the opposite
direction to the action direction.
4. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein the wetsuit further
comprises grip members provided on the inside of the panels and at
both ends of specific muscles, said grip members being of a
material that tends to grip the skin of the wearer.
5. A The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein at least one second
panel being located along back muscles of the wearer chosen in a
list comprising latissimus dorsi muscles and trapezius muscles.
6. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein at least one second
panel being located along muscles of the wearer chosen in a list
comprising gluteal muscles and quadriceps.
7. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein the free extremities
of the second panels are located at the openings of the
wetsuit.
8. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein first panels and
second panels are juxtaposed together to form the wetsuit, lateral
faces of first panels facing lateral faces of second panels.
9. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein second panels being of
variable stiffness to vary the stimulation the muscular
relaxation.
10. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein second panels form
one-dimensional strips having a length being at least 5 times
greater than their width.
11. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein first panels are made
of a material having a layer of foamed rubber material exhibiting a
high stretch.
12. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein second panels are
made of a material having a layer of foamed rubber material
exhibiting a low stretch.
13. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein at least one seam
belongs to a list comprising flatlock stitching, overlocking, glued
and blind stitched seam and heat tape sealing.
14. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein at least one first
panel is coated with woven textiles on the inside of the
wetsuit.
15. A method of manufacturing a wetsuit comprising: determining the
muscular configuration of a wearer, designing at least one second
panel arranged according to the muscular configuration of the
wearer to stimulate muscular relaxation velocity of the wearer,
providing at least one first panel exhibiting high-stretch and
adapted to provide buoyancy to the wearer, providing at least one
second panel exhibiting low-stretch and adapted to provide further
buoyancy to the wearer, fastening the at least one first panel and
at least one second panel together by at least one seam.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The instant invention relates to wetsuits and technical
wetsuits for use in water sports such as surfing, sailboarding,
sailboard riding, water skiing, diving, swimming or other similar
activities. In particular, the instant invention is related to an
improved technical wetsuit stimulating the wearer's muscles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Wet suits are tight fitting water-permeable suits worn by
surfers, board sailors, swimmers, divers and the like in order to
retain body heat and provide buoyancy while their wearer's are
immersed in cold water.
[0003] To provide buoyancy, modern wetsuits are usually formed in
flexible rubber foam like "neoprene" foam. Rubber foams are made of
non-fibrous rubber enclosing gas bubbles that reduce the density of
the wetsuit and helps swimmers to stay afloat. These bubbles also
reduce the ability of the wetsuit to conduct heat, thereby helping
the wearer's body to stay warm.
[0004] Thermal insulation is further achieved through a snug fit of
the wetsuit on the wearer that keeps a thin layer of water between
the fabric of the wetsuit and the skin of the body. It is therefore
advantageous that no additional water enters the wetsuit once the
initial layer has been established and has been warmed by the
body.
[0005] Developments in wetsuits in recent times have been made
principally in the view of increasing the comfort level of
wetsuits, thus coping with the negative aspects of being immersed
in water, that are cold and buoyancy issues. One such development
is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,229 to Machado et al. which
describes an improved wetsuit providing a zipperless system for
permitting entry of the wearer into the wetsuit while reducing the
entry of water into the wetsuit when immersed in the water.
[0006] While the present applicant recognises that the comfort of
wetsuits can provide an increase in performance by reducing the
energy spent to keep the wearer's body warm, it is believed that
much more can still be done to directly improve performance of
wetsuits' wearer when they practice water sports at a high level,
in competitions or as a skilled amateur.
[0007] The present invention has thus been developed with a greater
emphasis on performance rather than comfort and a wetsuit according
to the invention should be considered to be a technical wetsuit
which aims at improving the performance of a wearer doing water
sports such as surfing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is provided a wetsuit comprising:
[0009] at least one first panel exhibiting high-stretch and adapted
to provide buoyancy to the wearer;
[0010] at least one second panel exhibiting low-stretch and adapted
to provide further buoyancy to the wearer;
[0011] wherein the at least one first panel and the at least one
second panel are fastened together by at least one seam;
[0012] and wherein the at least one second panel is arranged
according to the muscular configuration of the wearer to stimulate
muscular relaxation velocity of the wearer.
[0013] With these features, the wet suit will be designed to help
the wearer perform the gestures which are common to the sport to
which the wet suit is designed.
[0014] In some embodiments, one might also use one or more of the
following features: [0015] the at least one second panel are
located along specific muscles of the wearer in order to increase
the relaxation velocity of said specific muscles, [0016] a movement
of the wearer defines an action direction for a second panel and
wherein said second panel apply a load to the wearer in the
opposite direction to the action direction, [0017] the wetsuit
further comprises grip members provided on the inside of the panels
and at both ends of specific muscles, said grip members being of a
material that tends to grip the skin of the wearer, [0018] at least
one second panel is located along back muscles of the wearer chosen
in a list comprising latissimus dorsi muscles and trapezius
muscles, [0019] at least one second panel is located along muscles
of the wearer chosen in a list comprising gluteal muscles and
quadriceps, [0020] the free extremities of the second panels are
located at the openings of the wetsuit, [0021] first panels and
second panels are juxtaposed together to form the wetsuit, the
lateral faces of first panels facing lateral faces of second
panels, [0022] second panels are of variable stiffness to vary the
stimulation the muscular relaxation, [0023] second panels form
one-dimensional strips having a length being at least 5 times
greater than their width. [0024] first panels are made of a
material having a layer of foamed rubber material exhibiting a high
stretch, [0025] second panels are made of a material having a layer
of foamed rubber material exhibiting a low stretch, [0026] at least
one seam belongs to a list comprising flatlock stitching,
overlocking, glued and blind stitched seam and heat tape sealing,
[0027] at least first panel is coated with woven textiles on the
inside of the wetsuit.
[0028] It is another aspect of the invention to provide a method of
manufacturing a wetsuit comprising:
[0029] Determining the muscular configuration of a wearer,
[0030] Designing at least one second panel arranged according to
the muscular configuration of the wearer to stimulate muscular
relaxation velocity of the wearer,
[0031] Providing at least one first panel exhibiting high-stretch
and adapted to provide buoyancy to the wearer;
[0032] Providing at least one second panel exhibiting low-stretch
and adapted to provide further buoyancy to the wearer;
[0033] Fastening the at least one first panel and at least one
second panel together by at least one seam.
[0034] To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and
features of the present invention, however, reference may be made
to the following descriptive matter and accompanying drawings that
describe and illustrate various embodiments and concepts related to
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will
readily appear from the following description of one of its
embodiments, provided as non-limitative examples, and of the
accompanying drawings.
[0036] On the drawings:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an individual wearing
a wetsuit according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a wetsuit according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a back elevational view of a wetsuit according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a left elevational view of a wetsuit according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a back elevational view of a wetsuit showing
action and relaxation directions according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0042] FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of a region of a
wetsuit according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0043] FIG. 8 is a back elevational view of a wetsuit according to
an embodiment of the invention, said wetsuit being turned inside
out to show the inside surface.
[0044] On the different Figures, the same reference signs designate
like or similar elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] With reference to FIG. 1, a wetsuit 10 is depicted as being
worn by a wearer 100. The wetsuit 10 closely conforms to the shape
of the body of the wearer 100. As a result, in the following
description, the different parts of wetsuit 10 will often be
indicated by the anatomical parts of the wearer 100 that they are
adjacent to. Thus, the "elbow" or "elbow section" of the wetsuit 10
will be the portion of the wetsuit 10 that would be adjacent to the
elbow of a wearer if the wetsuit 10 was being worn.
[0046] In a similar fashion, terms like "front", "back", "top",
"bottom" and the like should be understood as referring to the
wearer body 100 and being extended to the wetsuit 10 as if it was
being worn.
[0047] Furthermore, the terms "outside" and "inside" should be seen
as referring to the surfaces of the wetsuit 10 that are in contact
respectively with the external environment and the body of the
wearer 100 when the wetsuit 10 is being worn as it is intended.
[0048] Referring again to FIG. 1, the wetsuit 10 comprises a pair
of lower leg regions 11, a pair of upper leg regions 12, a pelvic
region 13, a torso region 14, a pair of upper arm regions 15 and a
pair of forearm regions 16. These regions are not intended to
demarcate precise regions of the wetsuit 10 but rather to provide a
reference frame for the following specifications. Various views are
provided in FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrating front, back and left views of
the wetsuit 10 in the absence of the wearer 100.
[0049] The wetsuit 10 comprises five openings: two feet openings
11a allowing the feet 110 of the wearer to extend outside of the
wetsuit 10, two hand openings 16a through which the hands 120 of
the wearer extend, and a neck opening 14a to allow the wearer 100
to enter and exit from the wetsuit 10 and to further allow the head
130 of the wearer 100 to extend outside the wetsuit 10 when it is
worn. The neck opening 14a can comprise a waterproof zipper 14b,
shown on FIG. 8, or more elaborated features in order to improve
the ease of entry while reducing the penetration of water through
the opening between the wetsuit and the wearer. An example of such
a neck opening 14a is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,934 to
Hunter.
[0050] To further vacuum water that might have penetrated inside
the wetsuit 10, small perforated panels 80 can be provided in
proximity of the feet and hands openings 11a, 16a.
[0051] Referring first to FIGS. 2 and 3, front and back
illustrations of a wetsuit 10 in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention are shown.
[0052] A plurality of first panels 20 forms the majority of the
wetsuit 1 and includes two lower leg panels 21, two upper leg
panels 22, a front torso panel 23, two upper torso panels 24, two
shoulder panels 25 and two forearm panels 26. The plurality of
panels 20 further includes, on the back of the wetsuit 10, five
lower back torso panels 27, a spinal panel 28 and two upper back
torso panels 29.
[0053] Panels 20 preferably comprise rubber foam in order to
provide the desired buoyancy and stretch to the wetsuit 10. Such
rubber foam can be for instance made from a neoprene foam or any
type of non-fibrous elastomeric material that can provide buoyancy
to the wearer, for instance by trapping gas, in the form of gas
bubbles. A material with a density less than 50 Lbs/ft3 can be for
instance used by the skilled man. Advantageously, said material can
present a high tensile stretch in order to fit tightly about the
body of the wearer.
[0054] Panels 20 are 2D panels, in that both dimensions of the
panels transverse to the thickness direction are of the same scale
order. The level of high tensile elasticity is similar in all
directions of the panel. The material can also be selected to
prevent the circulation of water between the suit and the body.
[0055] The thickness of panels 20 can vary depending on the desired
characteristics and comfort required by the wearer. A light weight
wetsuit to be used in warm water can be made with panels 20 having
a thickness ranging between 0.5 and 2 millimetres, a medium weight
wetsuit would have panels with a thickness between 2 and 3
millimetres and a cold water wetsuit can have panels of a thickness
up to 5 millimetres.
[0056] The thicker the wetsuit is, the more buoyancy it provides.
However, a thicker wetsuit usually restricts free movements of the
wearer and bends have sometimes to be provided at the elbows and
knees to increase the flexibility of the wetsuit.
[0057] The wetsuit 10 also comprises a plurality of second panels
30 that can for instance consists in a plurality of strips 30 of
short transverse dimensions forming a network of one-dimensional
strips. Compared to the 2D panels, the 1D strips are characterized
by a length being at least 5 times greater than the width. Both
dimensions are still greater than the thickness. This network
extends from the feet opening 11a up to the hands openings 16a and
the neck opening 14a.
[0058] The plurality of strips 30 includes lower leg strips 31,
upper leg strips 32, waist strips 33, back spinal strips 34, upper
back strips 35, front torso strips 36, front arm strips 37 and
forearm strips 38. The geometry of the strips network will be
further detailed below.
[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the strips 30 are joined together
in such a way that all free extremities of the network of strip 30
are located at the feet, hand and neck openings, 11a, 14a, 16a. To
this aim, some strips 30 can be joined together in a star pattern
with said strips 30 extending from a single point. With this
embodiment, the durability of the wetsuit 10 and the transmission
of the loads, detailed below, are improved.
[0060] Strips 30 are made of rubber foam that can be for instance
neoprene foam or any type of non-fibrous elastomeric material.
[0061] While they have similar properties to the panels 20 in terms
of buoyancy and thermal insulation, they possess different
stretching properties. In particular they are made of materials
having a lower stretch than the panel (at least twice lower). This
material can be rubber foam that is less elastic than the rubber
foam used for the panels (for example at least twice less elastic),
for example a limestone-based polychloroprene.
[0062] The degree of stretch of rubber foam can be determined by
using methods known to the skilled men.
[0063] The difference in stretch properties makes the stretching of
the strips more difficult for the user.
[0064] Strips 30 are located over specific muscles and in specific
direction of the wearer (also named "power lines") that are used in
water sports and which will be detailed further in the
following.
[0065] Back spinal strips 34 and upper back strips 35 are located
above specific upper back muscles for instance latissimus dorsi
muscles 114a or trapezius muscles 114b that are roughly indicated
on FIG. 5. These muscles 114a, 114b are heavily involved when the
wearer 100 is swimming the freestyle stroke, the front crawl,
pushes up to stand on the board or is performing surfing
movements.
[0066] With reference to FIG. 5, when the wearer 100 extends his
arm 116, for instance when he is crawling, specific upper back
muscles extends along a direction A1, hereafter referred to as an
action direction A1 which is a direction of a power line of the
body.
[0067] Strips 34 and 35 are oriented approximately along said
action direction A1 and will thus elongate with the extension of
the arm 116. Since they have a low-stretch, they apply a reactive
load to the wearer 100 in the opposite direction R1 to the action
direction A1.
[0068] When the wearer's arm 116 comes back along his body, said
upper back muscles relax. During said relaxation, the load applied
by the strips 34, 35 is in the same direction R1 than the
relaxation direction R1 and thus helps said muscles to relax. This
increases the velocity of muscles relaxation thereby increasing the
performance of the wearer.
[0069] Referring again to the back of the wetsuit shown on FIG. 5,
upper leg strips 32 and waist strips 33 are located around the
waist and the thighs of the wetsuit.
[0070] The hip and waist of the wearer 100 comprises the gluteal
muscles 113a and quadriceps 113b that are roughly indicated on FIG.
5. These muscles 113a, 113b are for instance involved when the
wearer 100 is standing on a surfboard and are essential to complete
surfing manoeuvres. In a proper position, the wearer 100 have the
hips/pelvis opened and the leg slightly bent.
[0071] The action and relaxation directions A2, R2, A3, R3 of the
wearer 100 during such movement are sketched on FIG. 5. Again,
upper leg strips 32 and waist strips 33 are oriented approximately
along said action directions A2, A3, in order to apply a reactive
load to the wearer 100 along the relaxation directions R2, R3 and
to increase the velocity of relaxation of hip and waist
muscles.
[0072] The above description gives examples of muscles and power
lines involved, every strip 30 is specifically designed to
stimulate the velocity of a group of muscles and the suit is thus
designed to implicate almost all muscle groups in the body. Lower
leg strips 31, front torso strips 36, front arm strips 37 and
forearm strips 38 have a similar effect during surfing movements,
each being related to a specific muscle or muscle groups. Lower leg
strips 31 and forearm strips 38 are also used to transmit the load
to the extremities of the wearer 100, giving more feedback of the
wetsuit 10. Lower leg strips 31 and forearm strips 38 further
strengthen the mechanical resistance of the wetsuit 100 under heavy
duty.
[0073] The reactive load applied by the strips 30 is designed to
mimic the naturally occurring stretch reflexes within the body of
the wearer 100. By adding the strips 30 to the already established
reflexes, the wetsuit 10 amplify the body response of action and
reaction. This allows the wearer 100 to move smoothly through all
actions which are required by the sport but in a highly energized
way.
[0074] The wearer 100 awareness of its body is both complemented
and enhanced by the suit as the wetsuit 10 is designed to
exaggerate the body response for action. The quicker the body acts
in a sporting sense the quicker the wetsuit 10 will react to that
change in position.
[0075] The placement and the shape of the strips or second panels
30 can be adapted to movements and muscles evolved in water sports
other than surfing, like swimming, sailboarding, sailboard riding,
water skiing or diving.
[0076] A wetsuit 10 according to the invention is particularly
suitable for customization so that the directions and positions of
the simulating panels 30 can be selected based on individual
requirements. A customer could for example, be measured or assessed
prior to the creation of the wetsuit 10 to assess what stimulation
characteristics the wetsuit 10 should have. The strips or second
panels 30 can thus be adapted and have any suitable shape, for
instance a rectangular shape, square or oval. They might also be of
irregular shapes. The second panels 30 can also have any suitable
length and follow any suitable path in order to be adapted to the
sport and/or the wearer 100.
[0077] The integration of the first panels 20 and the strips or
second panels 30 will now be described in further details with
reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 detailing cross sections of the wetsuit
10 of FIGS. 2 to 5.
[0078] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a wetsuit 10 showing
junctions 40 between two panels 20 and a strip 30. Both panels 20
are juxtaposed on both sides the strip 30.
[0079] The panels 20 have an inner face 20a, and an opposed outer
face 20b. On each side, they have a lateral face 20c extending
across the thickness from the inner face 20a to the outer face 20b.
The strips 30 have an inner face 30a, and an opposed outer face
30b. On each side, they have a lateral face 30c extending across
the thickness from the inner face 30a to the outer face 30b.
[0080] A panel 20 is juxtaposed to a neighbour strip 30 by placing
the lateral face 20c of the panel facing a lateral face 30c of the
neighbour strip. This is reproduced for all panels and strips.
[0081] A junction 40 between the panels 20 and the strip 30
comprises several members in order to be strong and reliable when
panels and strips stretch and to prevent the entry of water during
the usage.
[0082] First, a strip of waterproof glue 41 is introduced between a
panel 20 and the strip 30. Following that, the panel 20 and the
strip 30 are stitched together with a seam 42 in order to be
fastened in a reliable manner. Advantageously, the stitch 42 does
not penetrate through to the inner side of the panel 20 and the
strip 30; it only passes half way through the panel 20 and the
strip 30 from the outside. Eventually, a rubber layer 43 is added
on top of the junction 40, commonly known as a fluid seam or a
liquid seam. By using a durable fluid rubber 43 along the seams 42
of the wetsuit, this creates another waterproof barrier. The result
is a durable waterproof junction 40 that keeps the wearer 100
warmer because it is a sealed seam.
[0083] In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the panels 20
and strips 30 is identical to provide a good cooperation between
lateral faces of strips 30c and panels 20c. This arrangement
ensures a reliable and waterproof junction 40 and eases the
fabrication process.
[0084] In another embodiment, the strips 30 can be placed on the
inside or on the outside of the panels 20. The wetsuit could thus
be fabricated using fewer panels which reduces the cost of
fabrication.
[0085] As it can be seen on FIG. 6, the panels 20 can be coated
with two layers of 50, 51, respectively on the outside and the
inside of the wetsuit 10 that can reinforce the rubber foam 52. On
the inside, layer 51 can be a textile layer made of jersey, nylon,
spandex or any other material comfortable to wear for the wearer
100. On the outside, layer 50 can also be a layer of nylon, spandex
or the like and is usually chosen to improve the resistance of the
panels 20 and the hydrodynamic properties of the wetsuit 10.
[0086] The strips 30 can also be coated on the inside with a layer
60 made of textile that can be a jersey, nylon, spandex or any
other material comfortable to wear for the wearer 100. On the
outside, the rubber foam 61 can be visible.
[0087] With the aim of reducing even more the stretch of the strips
30, a pattern can be embossed on the outside surface 62 of the
strips 30, for instance a diamond pattern. To produce the pattern,
rubber foam 61 constituting the strips 30 is pressed while being
heated up to the melting point of the rubber. The pattern is thus
made of thinner melted rubber which has a lower stretch and
therefore increases the above detailed stimulation properties.
[0088] Advantageously, the strip 30 are located above the muscles
113a, 113b, 114a, 114b of the wearer 100 to make the stimulation of
the muscles 113a, 113b, 114a, 114b detailed above more efficient.
When wearer 100 moves, however, the wetsuit 10 can slide on his
skin and the strips 30 can be shifted from their optimal
positions.
[0089] FIG. 7 illustrates another cross-section of the wetsuit,
identical to the cross-section of FIG. 6 but with the inside of the
wetsuit oriented toward the top. In a preferred embodiment,
illustrated on this FIG. 7, the strip 30 further comprises four
grip members 70 on the inside layer 61. Grip members 70 are
advantageously located close to the attachment points to the
skeleton of the specific muscles or muscle groups 113a, 113b, 114a,
114b detailed above and can thus be provided for example at both
ends of a given muscle or group of muscles. These attachment points
correspond to key power load areas that receive and transmit load
between the strips 30 and the wearer 100.
[0090] Grip members 70 are advantageously made of an adhesive or a
tacky material able to grip on the human skin. This material can be
a thermoplastic elastomer or a polymer material like rubber,
silicon and the like. The members 70 can be applied by adhesive,
stitching/sewing, heat fusion or any other suitable attachment
mechanism.
[0091] Alternatively, grip members 70 can be applied by printing,
such as a rubberized or a plasticized polyurethane ink that printed
onto the inside of the wetsuit. Other print products can be
employed such as silicon print.
[0092] In a variant, the rubber foam 61 constituting the strip 30
might be directly in contact with the wearer 100 skin and be able
to grip said skin. The inside surface of the rubber foam 61 can be
treated, melted or patterned in order to increase the gripping
properties.
[0093] In another variant, grips members 70 can be located at the
junction 40 between the panels 20 and strips 30 and can participate
in the junctions 40.
[0094] FIG. 8 shows a back view of the wetsuit 10 when the wetsuit
10 is turned inside out, thus revealing the inside of the wetsuit
10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The inside layers
of panels and strips 51, 60 can be seen together with several grip
members 70 located in the vicinity of the attachment points to the
skeleton, of ends, of specific muscles 113a, 113b, 114a, 114b as
stated above.
[0095] It will appreciated that first panels 20, second panels 30
and their arrangement which are shown on FIGS. 1 to 8 are examples
only of the type of panels, strips and arrangements that can be
employed. As indicated above, wetsuits according to the invention
can be customized to be adapted to specific water sports or to
provide personalized characteristics.
[0096] It may be that customization is provided for single
individuals, or groups of individuals, say of the same height or
weight. In addition, it might be that in a sport, certain levels of
sportsman could benefit from a particular arrangement of
stimulating panels.
[0097] To act on muscles which are not mainly linear, second panels
or strips 30 could be provided by extended 2D panels of the same
material.
[0098] The invention described herein is thus susceptible of
variation, modifications and/or additions other than those
specifically described and it is to be understood that the
invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or
additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure.
[0099] According to another invention, it is contemplated that the
specific manufacture of juxtaposing high stretch panels and low
stretch panels stimulating the muscular relaxation velocity of the
wearer could be of use for fit-garments other than wet suits. Such
fit-garment could be made out of any suitable material and while
the material can be inelastic and tight fitting, elastic material
are preferred. Suitable elastic materials for the first panels
include those known as LYCRA.RTM. or "spandex" while suitable
materials for the second panels can be neoprene, rubber,
polyurethane or silicon, or any other suitable material.
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