AU2019100301A4 - Swimsuit - Google Patents

Abstract

A swimsuit for use in body surfing comprises a garment adapted to be worn in water. One or more buoyant portions are individually secured to or incorporated in the garment. The buoyant portions each comprise a first and second set of cuts extending along respective first and second planes along the buoyant portions. The first and second set of cuts intersect and, in use, are adapted to allow the buoyant portions to substantially conform to a user's body during movement.

Description

The present invention relates a swimsuit for use in body surfing.

Background of invention

A common form of equipment used in water sports is a wetsuit. Wetsuits are garments typically made of neoprene, lycra or nylon that provide resistance to abrasions, increased buoyancy and/or thermal insulation. Notably, wetsuits provide thermal protection and buoyancy while allowing water to enter through the suit. Where water permeability may become an issue, such as in contaminated water, a dry suit that does not allow water to permeate may alternatively be worn.

The ability of a wetsuit to provide buoyancy and thermal insulation is dependent on the bubbles of gas enclosed within the material, which not only reduce the density of the wetsuit providing an increase in buoyancy, but also reduce the wetsuit’s ability to conduct heat.

Wetsuits are used in a range of water sports and activities, such as scuba diving, surfing, open water swimming, and body boarding. The shape of the wetsuit depends on the personal preference of the user, as well as the task the user intends to partake in. As such, wetsuits come in a variety of shapes, from full suits intended to cover most of the body, to vests which only cover a portion of the torso.

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The required thickness of a wet suit varies depending on the task and user. Typically, wet suits with a greater thickness have a greater ability to provide thermal insulation, increased buoyancy, and protection from abrasions. However, thicker wetsuits restrict the mobility of a user, resulting in some users wearing thinner suits referred to as body suits which do not provide the same benefits as wetsuits.

A common water activity is body surfing. Conventionally, body surfing requires a user to extend their body horizontally with their arms facing forward. The user then times their descent allowing them to catch a wave that they ride to the shoreline.

While body surfing can be thrilling, there are associated risks. In particular, it is not uncommon for a user to encounter broken branches, stones, etc when they are travelling at speed through the water which can cause serious injury. As such, users may elect to wear a wetsuit to protect themselves from such abrasions.

Wetsuits may also provide body surfers with a small degree of buoyancy, which can assist when the surfer is thrown upside down in the waves or forced underwater.

It would be advantageous if there were provided a garment that could be worn while body surfing that was comfortable to wear, provided an increased level of buoyancy compared to typical wetsuits and which facilitated catching and riding of waves.

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Summary of invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a swimsuit for use in body surfing, comprising: a garment adapted to be worn in water; one or more buoyant portions individually secured to, or incorporated in, the garment, the buoyant portions each comprising a first and second set of cuts extending along respective first and second planes along the buoyant portions; and wherein the first and second set of cuts intersect and in use are adapted to allow the buoyant portion(s) to substantially conform to a user’s body during movement in the water.

In an embodiment the first set of cuts extend longitudinally across the buoyant portion and the second set of cuts extend crosswise across the buoyant portion.

In an embodiment the first set of cuts are diagonally disposed across the buoyant portion and the second set of cuts are oppositely diagonally disposed across the buoyant portion.

In an embodiment at least one of the buoyant portions is secured to or incorporated in a torso region of the garment

In an embodiment the buoyant portion(s) on the torso region of the garment comprise a chamfered upper edge allowing freedom of movement of the user’s chin.

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In an embodiment the buoyant portion(s) is individually adhered to a first and second thigh portion of the garment.

In an embodiment the swimsuit further comprises a v-channel disposed on a transverse axis of the buoyant portion adjacent to a user’s hips and wherein the v-channel is larger than the first and second set of cuts.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a swimsuit adapted for body surfing, comprising: a garment adapted to be worn in water; buoyant portions secured to a torso portion of the garment; a v-channel disposed on a transverse axis of the buoyant portion adjacent to a user’s hips; and wherein opposing faces of the v-channel are adapted to meet allowing a user to bend at their waist.

In an embodiment the buoyant portion comprises: a first and second set of cuts disposed along a respective first and second plane along the length of the buoyant portion; and wherein the first and second set of cuts intersect and are adapted to substantially conform to a user’s body during movement.

In an embodiment the buoyant portion is secured to a torso portion of the garment and wherein an upper end of the garment comprises a chamfered edge for chin movement.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a swimsuit apparatus adapted for body surfing, comprising: a buoyant garment adapted to be worn in water; and wherein a first lateral side of the garment has increased buoyancy

2019100301 21 Mar 2019 relative to a second opposing lateral side such that in use the increased buoyancy of the first lateral side facilitates a rolling where the buoyant portion is forced facing upward of the water.

In an embodiment the garment is formed of at least one of the following materials: neoprene, spandex or nylon.

In an embodiment the buoyant portion is formed of at least one of the following: silicone rubber, Styrofoam or aerogel.

In an embodiment a thickness of the buoyant portion is between 10 - 50mm.

In an embodiment a thickness of the buoyant portion is between 20 - 40mm.

Brief description of drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is front view of a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; and

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Figure 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention featuring a v-channel.

Detailed description

Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to a swimsuit for use in body surfing, comprising a garment adapted to be worn in water. One or more buoyant portions are individually secured to, or incorporated in the garment. The buoyant portions may comprise a first and second set of cuts which intersect and extend along respective first and second planes along the buoyant portions. In use, the first and second set of cuts are adapted to allow the buoyant portion(s) to flex so as to substantially conform to a user’s body during movement.

Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the invention of a swimsuit (1) comprising a garment (2) adapted to be worn in water and a plurality of buoyant portions (3) individually secured to the garment (2). The buoyant portions (3) include a torso portion (3a), a hip portion (3b), and a left (3c) and right thigh (3d) portion.

A first set of cuts (4) and a second set of cuts (5) extend along respective first and second planes along the buoyant portions (3). According to one embodiment, the cuts (4, 5) extend approximately half the depth of the respective portions (3a, 3b). By way of example, where the portions (3) are 40mm thick, the cuts (4, 5) would be approximately 20mm in depth. As another example, where the portions (3) are 20mm thick, the cuts (4, 5) would be approximately 10mm thick. It will be understood that the thickness of the portions (3) may vary depending on a weight of the user. The first and second set of cuts (4, 5) intersect and

2019100301 21 Mar 2019 are adapted to allow the buoyant portions (3) to substantially conform to a user’s body during movement.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first set of cuts (4) extend longitudinally across the buoyant portions (3) and the second set of cuts (5) extend crosswise across the buoyant portions (3).

The swimsuit (1) further comprises an opening (6) for a user’s head to pass through. Below the opening the torso buoyant portion (3a) features a chamfered upper edge (7) allowing for freedom of head movement and reducing water resistance when a user is travelling through the water.

In an embodiment the swimsuit (1) further comprises cut away leg portions (8) which allow ease of movement of the legs.

A person skilled in the art would appreciate that the first set of cuts (4) and a second set of cuts (5) can extend along any respective first and second plane along the buoyant portions (3) such that the set of cuts (4, 5) are adapted to allow the buoyant portions (3) to substantially conform to a user’s body during movement.

Figure 2 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein the garment (2) comprises buoyant portions (3) with a first set of cuts (4) diagonally disposed across the buoyant portion (3) and a second set of cuts (5) oppositely diagonally disposed

2019100301 21 Mar 2019 across the buoyant portion (3). The cuts are adapted to allow the buoyant portions (3) to substantially conform to a user’s body during movement.

Figure 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention wherein the swimsuit further comprises a v-shaped channel (9) disposed on a transverse axis of a single buoyant portion (3) adjacent to a user’s hips. In a particular embodiment, the v-channel (9) has a depth approximately half the thickness of the buoyant portion (3). The buoyant portion (3) includes the torso portion to the hip portion. To allow the user to bend with greater ease, the v-channel (3) comprises opposing faces (10, 11) adapted to meet and facilitate a user bending at their waist. This is useful when a user bends at the waist while swimming or surfing, or during preparation such as picking up and putting on flippers.

In a particular embodiment, the buoyancy of one lateral torso side of the garment (2) is greater than that of the opposing lateral torso side, thereby creating an asymmetrical buoyancy. In use, the asymmetrical buoyancy generates rolling around a longitudinal axis which, when the user lays still in the water, causes the user to turn face upward. This is an advantageous safety feature that can reduce the risk of drowning, e.g. in the event the wearer is knocked unconscious, or has difficulty in moving. It will be appreciated that the asymmetrical buoyancy may be achieved in any number of different ways, including: providing additional buoyant portions (3) on one lateral side of the garment (2); increasing the thickness of the buoyant portion on one lateral side relative to the other lateral side; increasing the surface area of the buoyant portion on one lateral side relative to the other side; using a buoyant portion on one side that has a greater buoyancy than a material on the other side, etc. A person skilled in the art would appreciate that the second lateral side may or may not have any buoyancy.

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The garment (2) may take any form such that it is able to be worn by an individual. As such, the garment (2) may be a vest, shirt, suit, bottoms, etc. The garment (2) may be comprised of one or more articles of clothing, such as a shirt and pant combination. The garment (2) may be a wetsuit or a dry suit, and be made of material that is suitable for submerging in water, such as neoprene, lycra, spandex, nylon, etc. The garment (2) may be of any thickness.

A person skilled in the art would appreciate that there may be one or more buoyant portions (3) individually secured to, or incorporated in, the garment (2) which may include but is not limited to a torso portion, hip portion, thigh portions, arm portion, back portions, a single portion for both the torso and hips, etc. There may also be a single buoyant portion (3) which covers a small or large area of the garment (2). The buoyant portions may be stitched or otherwise retained within the wetsuit and completely covered to ensure they remain fixed and to increase the overall aesthetic of the garment (2). They may also be secured to an inner or outer layer of the garment, e.g. by way of glue, stitching, etc.

In an embodiment garment (2) includes multiple buoyant portions (3) that collectively contour the shape of user’s body for greater comfort and effectiveness.

In an embodiment of the invention the buoyant portions (3) may comprise individual pockets for securely receiving the respective buoyant portions. The pockets may allow the segments to be inserted and removed as required by way of openings which facilitate insertion and removal of the segments. This is particularly useful when wanting to wash the garment (2) without the buoyant portions (3). The openings may be stitched closed, closed by Velcro strips or using any suitable closing means.

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In an embodiment the pocket openings may be smaller than the width/length of buoyant portions (3). In this case, the buoyant portion (3) may be folded or otherwise deformed allowing it to be inserted into the pocket and once suitably located the portion (3) allowed to return to its natural shape thereby filling the pocket and preventing removal during use. Such a configuration may obviate the need for a closing mechanism reducing the cost of the garment.

Any one of the buoyant portions (3) may have one or more chamfered edges. For example, the torso buoyant portion (3a) may have an upper edge comprising a chamfered edge (7) allowing for movement of a user’s chin to a user’s chest. A person skilled in the art would appreciate the chamfered edge may extend along the length of the upper edge, or may only extend partially along the upper edge.

The buoyant portions (3) may be made of any material that is able to float, for example silicone rubber, styrofoam, aerogel, ethylene--vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, etc. The buoyant portions may also comprise a casing that is filled with air or gas such that the buoyant portion provides buoyancy. The buoyant portions (3) may be of any suitable thickness that allows for submersion under water while achieving a desired buoyancy capability.

The first and second set of cuts (4,5) may be of any suitable width for achieving flex across the corresponding buoyant portion (3) and may be evenly spaced of unevenly spaced along the buoyant portions (3). The cuts (4,5) may feature on all or only some of the buoyant portions (3). The cuts (4,5) may be spaced differently on different buoyant portions (3) providing a range of movement options. The first and second set of cuts (4,5) may or may not extend along the total length of the buoyant portions (3). The depth of the cuts (4,

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5) may range between 1mm to 100mm. A person skilled in the art would appreciate that the depth of the cuts (4,5) may or may not be consistent. For example, the first set of cuts (4) may feature cuts of a depth of 20mm, 30mm and 40mm on the same buoyant portion (3). Similarly, the first set of cuts (4) and the second set of cuts (4) may be of different depths, for example the first set of cuts (4) may have a depth of 20mm while the second set of cuts (5) may have a depth of 40mm.

The v-channel (9) may extend along the whole length of the transverse axis or only partially along the transverse axis. The v-channel (9) may be any depth, which may be the same depth as the first and second set out cuts (4, 5) or of a different depth. For example, the v-channel (9) may be of a 40mm depth while the cuts (4,5) are of a 20mm depth.

In an embodiment, the swimsuit (1) further comprises a zipper to facilitate putting on and removing the garment (2). The zipper may be located for example, on the back of the garment (2).

In an embodiment, the garment (2) features a tightening means at the waist for a more secure fit. The tightening means may include but is not limited to an incorporated belt or drawstring mechanism.

In an embodiment, the buoyant portions (3) may be stitched into the garment (2) following the aesthetic appearance, such as the pattern, of the garment (2).

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In this specification, the word comprising is to be understood in its open sense, that is, in the sense of including, and thus not limited to its closed sense, that is the sense of consisting only of. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words comprise, comprised and comprises where they appear.

The preceding description is provided in relation to several embodiments which may share common characteristics and features. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one embodiment may be combinable with one or more features of the other embodiments. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any of the embodiments may constitute additional embodiments.

In addition, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of the inventions, and alterations, modifications, additions and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

Furthermore, the inventions have described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the inventions. Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments.

Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may

2019100301 21 Mar 2019 constitute an additional embodiment.

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Claims:

Claims (15)

1. 2019100301 21 Mar 2019

   Claims:

   1. A swimsuit for use in body surfing, comprising:

   a garment adapted to be worn in water;

   one or more buoyant portions individually secured to or incorporated in the garment, the buoyant portions each comprising a first and second set of cuts extending along respective first and second planes along the buoyant portions; and wherein the first and second set of cuts intersect and in use are adapted to allow the buoyant portions to substantially conform to a user’s body during movement in the water.
2. 2. The swimsuit as in claim 1, wherein the first set of cuts extend longitudinally across the buoyant portion and the second set of cuts extend crosswise across the buoyant portion.
3. 3. The swimsuit as in claim 1, wherein the first set of cuts are diagonally disposed across the buoyant portion and the second set of cuts are oppositely diagonally disposed across the buoyant portion.
4. 4. The swimsuit apparatus as in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the buoyant portions is secured to or incorporated in a torso region of the garment.
5. 5. The swimsuit of claim 4 wherein the buoyant portion(s) on the torso region of the garment comprise a chamfered upper edge allowing full freedom of movement of the user’s head with no impedance to their chin.
6. 6. The swim suit as in any preceding claim, wherein the buoyant portion(s) is individually adhered to a first and second thigh portion of the garment.

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7. 7. The swimsuit apparatus as in any preceding claim, wherein the swimsuit further comprises:

   a v-channel disposed on a transverse axis of the buoyant portion adjacent to a user’s hips and wherein the v-channel is larger than the first and second set of cuts.
8. 8. A swimsuit adapted for body surfing, comprising:

   a garment adapted to be worn in water;

   buoyant portions secured to a torso portion of the garment;

   a v-channel disposed on a transverse axis of the buoyant portion adjacent to a user’s hips; and wherein opposing faces of the v-channel are adapted to meet allowing a user to bend at their waist.
9. 9. The swimsuit as in claim 8, wherein the buoyant portion comprises:

   a first and second set of cuts disposed along a respective first and second plane along a length of the buoyant portion; and wherein the first and second set of cuts intersect and are adapted to substantially conform to a user’s body during movement.
10. 10. The swimsuit as in claims 8 or 9, wherein the buoyant portion is secured to the torso portion of the garment and wherein an upper end of the garment comprises a chamfered edge for chin movement.
11. 11. A swimsuit apparatus adapted for body surfing, comprising:

    a buoyant garment adapted to be worn in water; and wherein a first lateral side of the garment has increased buoyancy relative to a second opposing lateral side such that in use the increased buoyancy of the first

    2019100301 21 Mar 2019 lateral side facilitates a rolling where a buoyant portion is forced facing upward of the water.
12. 12. The swimsuit apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the garment is formed of at least one of the following materials: neoprene, spandex or nylon.
13. 13. The swimsuit apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the buoyant portion is formed of at least one of the following: silicone rubber, styrofoam or aerogel.
14. 14. The swimsuit apparatus of any preceding claim wherein a thickness of the buoyant portion is between 10 - 50mm.
15. 15. The swimsuit apparatus of any preceding claim wherein a thickness of the buoyant portion is between 20 - 40mm.

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