AU2019203632A1

AU2019203632A1 - Wetsuit

Info

Publication number: AU2019203632A1
Application number: AU2019203632A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Axford
Original assignee: Home Grown Brands Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Home Grown Brands Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-23
Filing date: 2019-05-23
Publication date: 2020-12-10

Abstract

WETSUIT Abstract A wetsuit 1 including a trunk or torso 5 having legs 6 and arms 7. An upper portion 8 of the torso 5 covers the chest of the wearer and includes a first shoulder portion 10 and second shoulder portion 20, each shoulder portion for accommodating a respective first and second shoulder of the wearer as well as portions of the wearer's chest and back. The first shoulder portion 10 includes an integral first sleeve 11 for a first arm of the wearer, a first collar 12 defining a first opening 13 for the neck of the wearer, and a second shoulder opening 14 for the second shoulder of the wearer. The second shoulder portion 20 includes an integral second sleeve 21 for a second arm of the wearer, a second collar 22 defining a second opening 23 for the neck of the wearer, and a first shoulder opening 24 for the first shoulder of the wearer. The first shoulder portion partially overlays the second shoulder portion; and wherein a first free edge and a second free edge of each shoulder portion define a body access opening to enable body access to an interior of the wetsuit upon stretchable separation of the first and second shoulder portions. Figure 3 3/5 23 3/< 1 23 22 51 24 15 612 25 g14 018 20 10 50 25 52 1 53 26 16 18 28 21 Figure 3

Description

3/5

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23 22 1 51

24 15 612 25 g14

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Figure 3

WETSUIT

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to wetsuits.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0003] Wetsuits are commonly used by surfers, sailors, divers and swimmers, workers and any person intending to be immersed in or exposed to cold and cool water for prolonged periods. Wetsuits provide insulation of the wearer, in part by preventing the interchange of cold water from adjacent the skin thereby greatly reducing heat exchange and heat loss. It is preferable that the wetsuit fits snugly around the wear's body and limbs, particularly at the openings, to prevent water flushing into the wetsuit. However, wetsuits can hamper the mobility of the user particularly if the suit is stiff and tight.

[0004] Modem wetsuit materials have become increasingly flexible and elastic to address mobility concerns, provide a snug fit and act as a seal at the openings. However, an entry zip which allows access to the interior of the wetsuit is one part that is inherently inflexible and subject to leakage. In addition, zips can easily malfunction and/or fail. Accordingly, zipperless wetsuits such as that described in WOOO/66423 have been developed which provide an outer trunk section overlapping an inner body access section enabling entry into the wetsuit without the disadvantages of a zip. However, such zipperless wetsuits may not provide adequate sealing and are known to allow ingress of water, or "flush through" substantially reducing thermal performance of the wetsuit.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0006] Accordingly, the invention provides a wetsuit having a torso with legs connected thereto, said torso including first and second shoulder portions for respective first and second shoulders of a wearer; wherein said first shoulder portion includes: a first sleeve for a first arm of the wearer; a first collar defining a first opening for the neck of the wearer; and a first free edge defining a second shoulder opening for the second shoulder of the wearer; and wherein said second shoulder portion includes: a second sleeve for a second arm of the wearer; a second collar defining a second opening for the neck of the wearer; and a second free edge defining a first shoulder opening for the first shoulder of the wearer; wherein said first shoulder portion partially overlays said second shoulder portion; and wherein the first free edge and the second free edge define a body access opening to enable body access to an interior of the wetsuit upon stretchable separation of the first and second shoulder portions.

[0007] Preferably, the first free edge extends from a second armpit region of the torso associated with the second sleeve toward the first collar.

[0008] Preferably, a second free edge extends from a first armpit region of the torso associated with the first sleeve toward the second collar.

[0009] Preferably, the first free edge is provided with sealing means for sealingly engaging the underlying first shoulder portion to reduce ingress of water into the wetsuit.

[0010] Preferably, the sealing means includes a sealing strip adjacent the second free edge.

[0011] Preferably, the sealing means includes a drawstring.

[0012] Preferably, the first free edge extends from a first front attachment point disposed on the wetsuit torso adjacent a second armpit associated with the second sleeve, upwardly and over the second shoulder, and downwardly to a first rear attachment point on the wetsuit torso at the rear adjacent the second armpit.

[0013] Preferably, the second free edge extends from a second front attachment point disposed on the wetsuit torso adjacent a first armpit associated with the first sleeve, upwardly and obliquely to a collar band defining the second collar, and downwardly to a second rear attachment point on the wetsuit torso at the rear adjacent the first armpit.

[0014] Preferably, the first shoulder portion is the right shoulder portion; the first arm is the right arm and the first shoulder opening is for the right shoulder of the wearer; and the second shoulder portion is the left shoulder portion; the second arm is the left arm and the second shoulder opening is for the left shoulder of the wearer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 is a front view of a wetsuit in accordance with the invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a rear view of the wetsuit shown in Figure 1;

[0018] Figure 3 is a detailed front view the wetsuit shown in Figure 1, with the inner second shoulder portion shown in broken line;

[0019] Figure 4 is another detailed front view the wetsuit shown in Figure 1 prior to the outer, first shoulder portion of the suit being pulled over the wearer's head; and

[0020] Figure 5 is a front view of the wetsuit shown in Figure 1 displaying the body access opening.

Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

[0021] Referring to the drawings, a wetsuit 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The wetsuit includes a trunk or torso 5 having legs 6 and arms 7. As displayed in Figure 1, the legs and arms are integral with the trunk and extend full length of each respective limb to the wrists and ankles respectively, however, the invention may be applied to wetsuits having sleeves and legs of any desired length.

[0022] An upper portion 8 of the torso 5 covers the chest of the wearer and includes a first shoulder portion 10 and second shoulder portion 20, each shoulder portion for accommodating a respective first and second shoulder of the wearer as well as portions of the wearer's chest and back. The first shoulder portion 10 includes an integral first sleeve 11 for a first arm of the wearer, a first collar 12 defining a first opening 13 for the neck of the wearer, and a second shoulder opening 14 for the second shoulder of the wearer.

[0023] In this embodiment the first shoulder portion 10 partially overlays the second shoulder portion 20 across the central chest and back of the wearer, so that in use, the central part of the upper torso and chest of the wearer has an inner layer formed by the second shoulder portion 20 and an outer layer formed by the first shoulder portion 10. This can clearly be seen in Figures 2 & 3 in which the outline of the underlying second shoulder portion 20 is displayed in broken line.

[0024] As can be seen in Figures 2 & 3, the second shoulder portion 20 includes an integral second sleeve 21 for a second arm of the wearer, a second collar 22 defining a second opening 23 for the neck of the wearer, and a first shoulder opening 24 for the first shoulder of the wearer. Furthermore, the second collar 22 forms an inner collar which is overlaid by the first collar 12.

[0025] Each of the first and second shoulder portions (10 & 20) include a respective free edge (first free edge 15 & second free edge 25) extending from an opposite armpit region associated with the opposite sleeve toward the respective collar (12 & 22) and back to the armpit region thereby defining second and first shoulder openings (14 & 24).

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the second shoulder opening 14 is defined by first free edge 15 which extends from a first front attachment point 16 adjacent the second armpit on the chest of the suit, generally vertically upward toward the collar 12 and over the second shoulder of the wearer approximately mid-way between the neck and arm, and with reference to rear view Figure 2, generally vertically downwardly to a first rear attachment point 17 located at the back of the wetsuit. In this embodiment, collar 12 is a circular band of wetsuit material stitched into an opening in the first shoulder portion so as to be integral thereto. The collar 12 is sized to fit snugly around the neck of the user. In this embodiment, the collar is integral with the first shoulder portion, and fixed and continuous so cannot be opened, however the inherent elasticity in the wetsuit material allows the collar opening 13 to stretch sufficiently to enable the head to be forced therethrough.

[0027] With reference to Figure 3, the first shoulder opening 24 (shown as hidden detail in broken line), is defined by the second free edge 25 which extends from a second front attachment point 26 adjacent the first armpit on the chest of the wetsuit, upwardly and obliquely across the chest toward andjoining the collar 22 at a central point at the front of the neck. The collar 22 is a formed as circular band of wetsuit material stitched into thefirst shoulder portion so as to be integral thereto. At the rear, as shown in rear view Figure 2, the second free edge 25 (again displayed as hidden detail in broken line) extends from a point on the collar 22 off center, downwardly obliquely across the back to a second rear attachment point 27 at the back of the wetsuit. As with collar 12, collar 22 is of a fixed size without an opening so as to fit snugly around the neck of the user. The collar stretches sufficiently to enable the head to be forced therethrough. In other embodiments however, the band of the collar 22 may include a split with connection means to allow the wearer to open the collar. The connection means may for instance, include a pair of inter-engagable hook and look fastening tabs allowing the collar band to be separated to allow easier donning of the suit.

[0028] The first free edge 15 and the second free edge 25 define a body access opening 40 to enable body access to an interior of the wetsuit upon stretchable separation of the first and second shoulder portions (10 and 20). The body access opening 40 can clearly be seen in Figure wherein the first and second shoulder portions are separated and stretched apart to allow access to the body and trunk of the wetsuit. The first shoulder portion is pulled and stretched in the direction shown by arrow A while the second shoulder portion is pulled and stretched in the direction shown by arrow B.

[0029] The wetsuit is made primarily of a synthetic rubber neoprene material in panelled construction. The material may include an elastane (lycra) or nylon backing or be formed as a laminated construction comprising a plurality of layers to alter and/or enhance particular properties of the material. Different parts of the suit may also use different materials and/or laminates. For instance, high wear areas such as the knees and may include panels having an abrasion resistant outer surface covering while other parts or panels of the wetsuit may have a covering to enhance friction.

[0030] In other embodiments, the exact position and path of the first and second free edge (15

& 2) may differ somewhat from that shown in the figures. For instance, in this embodiment the first free edge 15 extends generally vertically over the mid shoulder of the wetsuit while the second free edge 25 follows an oblique path to join the respective collar 22. As such the second free edge 25 is cut to provide a larger first shoulder opening 24 for the first shoulder of the wearer thereby reducing obstruction to the body access opening 40; while the first free edge 15 and first shoulder portion provide greater coverage toward the second shoulder. However, in other embodiments, the cut of the first and second free edges and the respective positions of the first and second front and rear attachment points may vary. For instance, the first front attachment point 16 may be disposed anywhere in the region of the armpit of the second arm as represented by broken line 28 in Figure 3, while the second front attachment point may be positioned anywhere in the region of the armpit of the first arm as shown by broken line 18. Likewise, the first and second rear attachment points may be anywhere in a region of the second and first armpits at the rear as shown by regions 28a and 18a in Figure 2.

[0031] It should be noted that each of the broken line areas marked as 18, 28, 18a and 28a are merely indicative and should not be regarded as absolute boundaries of where the attachment points may be located on the wetsuit.

[0032] The first free edge 15 is provided with sealing means to reduce or prevent ingress of water into the wetsuit. In this embodiment the sealing means is in the form of a seal 30 disposed along the inner-facing edge of the first free edge 15 to sealingly engage the underlaying second shoulder portion 20. The seal is in the form of a rubber strip and includes a drawstring 50 running within a seam 51 along the first free edge 15. Front and rear ends of the drawstring are anchored respectively at or adjacent the first front attachment point 16 and at or adjacent the first rear attachment point 17. A portion of the drawstring 50 extends from an opening in the seam 51 and includes a pull tab 52 and a cord lock 53 or toggle allowing the wearer to pull and tighten the drawstring to press and hold the seal against the second shoulder portion. The seal strip itself may be formed of a soft rubber material to provide a water-resistant seal against the second shoulder portion. In some embodiments a complementary soft rubber strip may be provided on the second shoulder underlying the first free edge and seal strip to provide enhanced sealing.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first arm and shoulder correspond to the right arm and shoulder and the second arm and shoulder correspond to the left arm and shoulder of the wetsuit. In this way the right-side shoulder portion partially overlays the left-side shoulder portion. Of course, in other embodiments the left-side shoulder portion partially overlays the right-side shoulder portion.

[0034] In use, the first free edge 15 and the second free edge 25 define a body access opening to enable body access to an interior of the wetsuit upon stretchable separation of the first and second shoulder portions (10 and 20). To gain access to the wetsuit, the wearer separates the right and left shoulder portions as shown in Figure 5 to reveal the body access opening 40. With some stretching, provided by the elastic and resilient nature of the wetsuit fabric, the wearer may enter the wetsuit, legs first. The wetsuit may then be pulled up the wearer's legs and torso toward the shoulders, again with some stretching of the wetsuit fabric.

[0035] The user inserts their left arm into the second sleeve of the wetsuit and pulls the second shoulder portion over their left upper arm and shoulder towards their neck. With further stretching, the second shoulder portion may be pulled up and over the wearer's head to allow the wearer to insert their head through the second opening 23 of the second collar 22. In this position the wearer's right shoulder extends from the second shoulder opening 24 defined by the second free edge 25, and the second collar 22 snuggly surrounds the neck of the user to hold the second shoulder portion 20 securely in place. That is to say, the second shoulder portion 20 is held towards the wearer's right shoulder and prevented from slipping over the wearer's left shoulder. The wearer then inserts their right arm into the first sleeve of the wetsuit and pulls the first shoulder portion over the right upper arm and shoulder towards the wearer's neck as shown in Figure 4.

[0036] From the position shown in Figure 4, the first shoulder portion may be pulled up and over the wearer's head to allow the wearer to insert their head through the first opening 13 of the first collar 12. In this position, shown in Figure 3, the wearer's left shoulder extends from the first shoulder opening 14 defined by the first free edge 15, and the first collar 12 surrounds the neck of the user to hold thefirst shoulder portion 10 securely in place.

[0037] The wearer may then pull the drawstring tab 52 to press tighten drawstring 50 within the seam 51 so that the first free edge and sealing strip against the second shoulder portion. The cord lock 53 can then be set to prevent the drawstring loosening.

[0038] It will be appreciated that the wetsuit provides a securely fitting garment in which the shoulder portions are all held securely in their correct position despite movement of the wearer. Accordingly, ingress of water into the suit during aquatic activities and in particular, during water sport activities, is advantageously minimized.

Claims

1. A wetsuit having a torso with legs connected thereto, said torso including first and second shoulder portions for respective first and second shoulders of a wearer; wherein said first shoulder portion includes: a first sleeve for a first arm of the wearer; a first collar defining a first opening for the neck of the wearer; and a first free edge defining a second shoulder opening for the second shoulder of the wearer; and wherein said second shoulder portion includes: a second sleeve for a second arm of the wearer; a second collar defining a second opening for the neck of the wearer; and a second free edge defining a first shoulder opening for the first shoulder of the wearer; wherein said first shoulder portion partially overlays said second shoulder portion; and wherein the first free edge and the second free edge define a body access opening to enable body access to an interior of the wetsuit upon stretchable separation of the first and second shoulder portions.

2. A wetsuit according to claim 1 wherein said first free edge extends from a second armpit region of the torso associated with the second sleeve toward the first collar.

3. A wetsuit according to claim 2 wherein the first free edge extends from a first front attachment point disposed on the wetsuit torso adjacent a second armpit associated with the second sleeve, upwardly and over the second shoulder, and downwardly to a first rear attachment point on the wetsuit torso at the rear adjacent the second armpit.

4. A wetsuit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a second free edge extends from a first armpit region of the torso associated with the first sleeve toward the second collar.

5. A wetsuit according to claim 4 wherein the second free edge extends from a second front attachment point disposed on the wetsuit torso adjacent a first armpit associated with the first sleeve, upwardly and obliquely to a collar band defining the second collar, and downwardly to a second rear attachment point on the wetsuit torso at the rear adjacent the first armpit.

6. A wetsuit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein wherein said first free edge is provided with sealing means for sealingly engaging the underlying first shoulder portion to reduce ingress of water into the wetsuit.

7. A wetsuit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sealing means includes a sealing strip adjacent the second free edge.

8. A wetsuit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sealing means includes a drawstring.

9. A wetsuit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first shoulder portion is the right shoulder portion; the first arm is the right arm and the first shoulder opening is for the right shoulder of the wearer; and wherein, the second shoulder portion is the left shoulder portion; the second arm is the left arm and the second shoulder opening is for the left shoulder of the wearer.

10. A wetsuit according to any one of claims 1 - 9 wherein the first shoulder portion is the left shoulder portion; the first arm is the left arm and the first shoulder opening is for the left shoulder of the wearer; and wherein, the second shoulder portion is the right shoulder portion; the second arm is the right arm and the second shoulder opening is for the right shoulder of the wearer.

Home Grown Brands Australia Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON