FR2789651A1 - Wetsuit, especially for body surfing, has inner pouches for high buoyancy pads or which are inflatable with gas - Google Patents

Abstract

The close-fitting garment (2), made from a plastic or similar material, covers the torso, back, and preferably the abdomen, pelvis and thighs of the wearer in one piece, has a series of inner pouches (9). The pouches can be fitted with pads (10) of a material with enhanced buoyancy, with the number and dimensions of the pads depending on the height and weight of the wearer. Instead of containing pads, the pouches can be closed and sealed so they can be inflated with an inert gas from a bottle (12) or bicycle pump, or a supple, low-density plastic.

Description

The present invention relates to a combination intended to allow

  a swimmer who is wearing it to slide efficiently on the breaking waves at the edge of a beach and to practice, under improved conditions, the technique known under the term Anglo-Saxon

of "Body Surf".

  To date, various processes are known for sliding on the waves of the sea, in particular on or through the rollers formed by these waves along certain beaches whose configuration, combined with certain external weather conditions, makes it possible to give these waves notable amplitudes which are preserved for a significant period when these waves break towards the shore, providing a powerful thrust on elements which

  float on or near the crest of the latter.

  Among these known techniques, it is possible in particular to refer to those which use a profiled board provided with a fin, made of a relatively light material and capable of floating on the surface of the waves, known as a "Surf" board and on which stands balances the user, the latter, taking advantage of the thrust of the wave, moving with or with respect to the latter over significant distances and with sometimes considerable speeds. We also know the craft called "Windsurfing", o a board substantially the same kind as that of "Surf" is equipped with an oscillating mast, a sail and a steerable yard called "Wishbone", allowing the user to move on the surface of the water and cross the crest of the waves, exploiting both the thrust of the waves and the force of the wind, to perform jumps and varied figures along and -top of

these waves.

  Finally, we can mention the more recent technique known as the "Body Board", where the swimmer is lying on a board of smaller dimensions, applied against his chest and with which he floats on the surface of the waves which drive him at high speed. to the shore,

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  the user being guided during this movement by staying on the crest and / or in the hollow of these waves by means of appropriate movements of his arms and legs. Another practice concerns the sport known as "Body Surfing" where, without any accessories, the swimmer uses the flotation of his own body to hoist himself on the crest of the wave and then slide with it when it breaks, the swimmer freed from the clutter of a board having a greater facility to move and follow

  the movement imposed by the roll of the wave.

  Thus, it is enough for the swimmer, usually equipped with fins, at the moment when he is in the hollow of the roller, just before the peak of the wave, to give a forward impulse by a stroke of the kidney, before the moment when this one "breaks", the catch of the wave in the region of its crest allowing the user lying on the belly to unroll it head first, taking advantage of the thrust created by the surge of the liquid mass in

shore direction.

  If the swimmer stiffens his body adequately and if the swell is strong enough, he can then chain various figures depending on whether the wave opens to the right or to the left, controlling the

  direction of its movement and its movements.

  Unfortunately, this technique remains poorly used because it requires, due to the low buoyancy of the human body and its mediocre ability to glide naturally on water, a perfect mastery of this technique and an excellent physical condition, which are not essential. prerogative of any vacationer, this sport cannot be practiced by neophytes without running a possible risk

drowning.

  European patent application EP 0 693 421 describes a device for assisting the latter technique, which in reality appears more closely to that of the "Body Board", consisting in making the swimmer carry a board made of a material having buoyancy high, for example

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  made of polystyrene, synthetic rubber or other similar product, this plastron board being kept tightly applied against the swimmer's torso by an adjustable and removable harness, the assembly making it possible to increase its ability to remain on the surface of the water and to better follow the unfolding of the wave by moving

with it.

  Such a device, generally bulky, also proves to be impractical to put on the body, does not adapt well to people of different builds and is not very reliable, the harness being able to detach from the body by because of the numerous movements and

varied from the swimmer who wears it.

  In addition, the plank applied to the swimmer's torso protects it only in the region of his chest and not in the other parts of his body which can be in sometimes violent contact with waves, the ground and possible outcrops. sharp rock on which it can be projected during the various figures produced

in the rolls of these waves.

  The present invention relates to a device which avoids these drawbacks thanks to the use of an improved combination which the swimmer can put on in a simple and rapid manner and which, once in place, cannot be separated from him, so that it provides effective protection against shocks in most of the surface of its body and above all considerably improves the possibilities of gliding and the realization of figures on the wave, at the same time as it limits the risks drowning

of him who is clothed with it.

  To this end, the combination considered, in particular for the practice of sport known under the name of "Body Surf", of the type comprising a garment which tightly wraps, preferably in one piece, both at least the torso and the back, preferably also the abdomen, pelvis and thighs of a swimmer, this garment being made of a plastic or similar material so as to isolate from the outside the parts of the swimmer's body which it covers,

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  is characterized in that it comprises, distributed in the surface of the garment in line with the areas of the body mainly in contact with the waves, in particular on the chest, the belly and in the back, a plurality of internal pockets, each delimited by a portion of the outer surface of the garment to form or enclose separate cushions having high buoyancy, so as to improve the ability of the swimmer wearing the garment to be supported by the waves and to slide on

  the water under the pressure of these.

  The cushions of the garment can be of variable number, be identical or not from one cushion to another and have dimensions which are not the same according to the

height and weight of the swimmer.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each pocket forms a closed and sealed envelope, capable of being inflated by placing under a controlled internal pressure of a gaseous fluid, introduced into this pocket. Alternatively, each pocket can be filled or formed from a solid block, preferably of a flexible plastic material

low density.

  Where appropriate, the garment includes, in part,

  inflatable pockets and partly full cushions.

  Whatever the variant adopted, the presence of these pockets distributed in the surface of the garment constituting the suit worn by the swimmer, considerably increases the buoyancy coefficient of the latter when he is lying on his stomach, his body emerging so larger on the surface of the water, which significantly improves its gliding ability and

maneuverability.

  Thanks to these arrangements, the swimmer can in particular much more easily accomplish the figures he wishes on the crest or in the hollow of the waves and take full advantage of the sensations due to the sliding on these waves; it can also more easily reach the shore in the event of a failure or when the sea conditions

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  become dangerous, more safely avoiding

  risk of drowning for the wearer of the suit.

  In addition, thanks to the relative rigidity of these pockets and the damping capacity that they comprise, the garment provides effective protection of the swimmer's body against impacts due to waves during the surge of the latter and the risk of projection against the ground and rocks, following the vortices caused by

these waves.

  Advantageously, the contour of each pocket of the garment is adjusted so as to give it, individually or in combination with the neighboring pockets, a hydrodynamic profile, preferably tapered in the direction of movement of the swimmer on the waves, further increasing in connection with the increased rigidity provided by the nature of the cushions formed by these pockets,

  the quality of the glide obtained on the surface of the water.

  Likewise, the outer surface of the pockets may be smooth, be substantially flat or preferably have a slight outward convexity to further improve

  sliding of the swimmer in contact with water.

  According to a particular characteristic, the garment has a structure adapted to allow it to closely fit the swimmer's body, providing

  good thermal insulation at the same time.

  Thus, the garment can be made with short or long sleeves, provided at their ends with elastic collars tightening the corresponding part of the member of the swimmer. This garment may include a narrow or scalloped neck, and also a zipper or the like, lateral or central, to allow easy fitting or removal from the swimmer's body, before

or after use.

  The clothing material is preferably made of a plastic or plasticized fabric, of the "Neoprene" type to the other, possibly provided with a flexible and insulating internal layer to improve the comfort of the swimmer, this material being such that it allows d '' tightly adjust the garment

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  on the body of the latter in order to eliminate any possibility of play or sliding, which would adversely affect the performance of

slides sought.

  The pockets which delimit the cushions of the garment, in particular when they are inflatable, may in particular consist of a watertight outer wall of "Nylon" or the like, internally coated with a layer of

polyurethane or the like.

  These pockets may have come from manufacturing with the fabric of the garment, or else be attached to it, in

  being sewn or glued to its outer surface.

  When the garment has inflatable pockets, these are advantageously joined from one to the next by at least one connecting conduit, preferably embedded in the fabric of this garment, the pockets and the conduits forming a network distributed in a or several separate sections, this network being able to be joined to a source of gaseous fluid under common pressure for the

  simultaneous or sequential inflation of these pockets.

  According to a particular characteristic, the bags can be inflated by mouth, using a swiveling and retractable blowing pipe, connected to the

network of garment pockets.

  Alternatively and in a preferred embodiment, the bags are inflated by means of a small

  bottle or capsule of an inert gas under pressure.

  Advantageously, this bottle is attached to the garment, in particular at the level of a thigh or the swimmer's belt, in particular in an area which does not hinder its sliding on the waves; it can be triggered by any appropriate means, in particular by pulling on a handle and releasing a striker, after removal of a

safety pin for example.

  The network of inflatable bags is joined to the gas cylinder by a connecting piece and includes a non-return valve or valve for venting these bags, prior to removal of the garment after use. The non-return valve can

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  be provided on the gas cylinder or placed in a location

  different from the network of air bags.

  Other characteristics of a gliding suit produced in accordance with the invention will become apparent from

  through the following description of an example of

  embodiment, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the

combination considered.

  - Figure 2 is a rear view of the suit

illustrated in Figure 1.

  - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a swimmer

  wearing the combination in question.

  In these figures, the reference 1 designates as a whole the sliding suit of the invention consisting of a garment 2, in one piece, suitable for tightly enveloping the major part of the body of a swimmer (shown schematically on the Figure 3), wearing this combination. Conventionally, the garment 2, made of any suitable material, in particular "Neoprene" or other similar plasticized fabric, or even synthetic rubber or the like, has a central part 3 which envelops the torso and the pelvis of the swimmer and extensions 4 and 5

  to surround his arms and thighs respectively.

  In the example shown, the extensions 4 which form the sleeves are limited to the height of the swimmer's elbows, leaving his forearms free. Similarly, the extensions 5 of the thighs do not extend to the ankles. Of course, the combination could include sleeves and thigh boots complete, provided at their ends with bracelets making it possible to properly tighten the corresponding parts of the swimmer's members to keep the garment in place, once it is put on.

on the body of the latter.

  The garment 2 also has a neckline 6 which can be rounded or indented, and a protective reinforcement 7 at the crotch. Advantageously, it is

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  also provided with a zipper 8 (see Figure 2), which makes it possible to open the garment to arrange it properly on the body of the swimmer before it is closed, this closure being here represented in the central part of the back , but can be expected as well

  laterally or according to any other appropriate arrangement.

  Preferably, the garment 2 is itself formed or internally comprises an insulating layer, which comes into contact with the body of the swimmer and is intended to improve comfort, in particular by ensuring good thermal protection vis-à-vis the outside and protecting it from

  the generally cooler sea temperature.

  According to the invention, the garment 2 is arranged to include a plurality of pockets 9, distributed over its surface and in particular preferably arranged on the torso, the pelvis, the front of the thighs and the back of the suit, it that is to say in areas which are most generally in contact with the wave when the swimmer, wearing the garment, slides on it while lying on his stomach, or even being on his back, especially during the execution of certain figures during which he modifies the orientation of his body towards

  of the wave making the most of the push of it

  this. The bags 9 can be formed or filled by cushions 10 made up of solid blocks of a plastic material having a low density and therefore high buoyancy properties, for example made of polystyrene or other similar material. The shape, the dimensions, the distribution of the pockets in the surface of the garment 2 can be any and adapted according to the size or the build of the swimmer. These pockets may have the same profile from one to the other or preferably different profiles as illustrated in the drawings, depending on their location in the surface of the garment and the anatomy of the swimmer in each of the zones.

  o is thus provided such a pocket.

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  These pockets have an outer wall, smooth and waterproof, in "Nylon" or similar plastic material, advantageously coated internally with a layer of polyurethane, to form a closed envelope in which is housed each cushion of polystyrene. All the variants are obviously possible as regards the production of these pockets 9 which may thus have come from manufacture with the fabric of the garment 2 or else be

  sewn or glued to the outer surface thereof.

  In a preferred embodiment, the pockets 9 are filled, not with solid cushions made of a plastic material as said above, but are intended to be put under an appropriate pressure of a gaseous fluid, making it possible to inflate these pockets a Once the suit has been put in place, this solution has the advantage of making it easier for the swimmer to put on the garment with the deflated pockets before this inflation is carried out, which to a certain extent stiffens the pockets, which makes handling less easy, as in the first

  variant mentioned with plastic blocks.

  For this purpose, the waterproof pockets 9 of the garment 2 are joined from one to the other by connecting conduits 11, embedded in the thickness of the fabric which constitutes the garment 2, to form a network, continuous or delimiting independent sections, in which the inflation fluid

  can be distributed, simultaneously or sequentially.

  To this end, the garment is associated with a source of such a fluid, for example of the kind of a small bottle or capsule 12 of a compressed inert gas, joined by a nozzle 13 to the network of pockets 9, this capsule being able to include a control handle 14 provided with a striker 15 causing its opening and the admission of gas inside the pockets, preferably after removal of a safety pin (not shown). Preferably, this bottle is fixed against the garment 2 in a place which impairs the sliding of the suit as little as possible, for example on the side of one of the thighs of the

  swimmer, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

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  In a simpler variant, the connecting end piece 13 may comprise an orientable and if necessary retractable pipe, which the swimmer brings to his mouth when he wishes to inflate the pockets 9 by direct blowing of air into them. Advantageously, the network of inflatable pockets 9 includes a valve or non-return valve 16 for venting the network of pockets to deflate the latter after use of the suit, allowing the swimmer to easily remove the garment 2. This non-return valve can be placed at any point best suited to the garment, in the example illustrated in the vicinity of the swimmer's shoulder in a place which the latter can easily reach. It can also be provided that this valve is provided on the

inflation capsule 12 itself.

  In general and whatever the variant adopted, the pockets 9 provided in the surface of the garment 2 are shaped so as to have a hydrodynamic profile, preferably by being tapered in the most usual direction of movement of the swimmer when he is carried by the wave. These pockets inflated or filled with a full block, in all cases have the smoothest possible external surface with a flat outline or advantageously slightly convex towards the outside, all these provisions having the aim of facilitating sliding.

  of the swimmer on the water, while improving its buoyancy.

  It will also be understood that these pockets, due to the increased rigidity which they give to the combination of the swimmer and the improvement of its buoyancy, provide effective protection of the latter against shocks

  that he is likely to receive and the risk of drowning.

  A combination of aquatic gliding is thus produced, in particular for the practice of "Body Surfing", which has remarkable advantages as regards the gliding performance obtained and the safety of its wearer. The proposed set is inexpensive, easily adaptable to swimmers of different sizes and use

extremely simple.

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  Of course, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment more specifically described above with reference to the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants. In particular, it is possible to provide for the combination considered by providing the garment with both inflatable pockets and solid cushions made of low density plastic material, these pockets and these cushions being distributed over the surface.

of this garment.

  If necessary, provision can be made to make the combination with an envelope forming around it a single and continuous pocket which surrounds it over all or part of its extent, pocket joined as said above to a suitable source of inflation fluid. . Similarly, the gas capsule can be replaced by a mechanical device

  simpler, like a bicycle pump or whatever.

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Claims (12)

  1 - Wetsuit for aquatic gliding on waves, in particular for the practice of sport known under the name of "Body Surf", of the type comprising a garment (2) which wraps tightly, preferably in one piece, & at least at the same time the torso and back, preferably also the abdomen, pelvis and thighs of a swimmer, this garment being made of a plastic or similar material so as to isolate from the outside the parts of the swimmer's body which he covers, characterized in that it comprises, distributed in the surface of the garment in line with the areas of the body mainly in contact with the waves, in particular on the chest, the belly and in the back, a plurality of internal pockets (9) , each delimited by a portion of the external surface of the garment (2) to constitute or enclose separate cushions (10) having a high buoyancy, so as to improve the ability of the swimmer wearing the garment to be supported by the agues and slide on the water under the pressure of these. 2 - A combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the cushions (10) of the garment (2) are of variable number and have different dimensions depending on the height and weight of the swimmer.   3 - Combination according to one of claims 1 or 2,   characterized in that each pocket (9) forms a closed and sealed envelope, capable of being inflated by placing under a controlled internal pressure of a gaseous fluid, introduced in this pocket.   4 - Combination according to one of claims 1 or 2,   characterized in that each pocket (9) is filled or formed from a solid block, preferably made of a material   low density flexible plastic.   5 - Combination according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the garment   partly comprises inflatable pockets (9) and for part of the full cushions (10). 13 2789651   6 - Combination according to any one of   Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contour of   each pocket (9) of the garment (2) is adjusted so as to give it, individually or in combination with the neighboring pockets, a hydrodynamic profile, preferably tapered in the direction of movement of the swimmer on the waves. 7 - Combination according to any one of   Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the surface   the outside of the pockets (9) is smooth, substantially flat or preferably has a slight outward convexity. 8 - Combination according to any one of   Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the garment   (2) has a structure adapted to allow it to   fit tightly to the swimmer's body.   9 - A combination according to claim 8, characterized in that the garment (2) is made with short or long sleeves, provided at their ends with elastic collars tightening the corresponding part of the member of the swimmer.   - Combination according to one of claims 8 or   9, characterized in that the garment (2) has a narrow or indented neckline (6), and also a zipper (8) or the like, lateral or central. 11 - Combination according to any one of   claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the material   of the garment (2) consists of a plastic or plasticized fabric, of the "Neoprene" type to the other, possibly provided with a flexible and insulating internal layer to improve the comfort of the swimmer.   12 - Combination according to any one of   Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the pockets   (9) have a watertight outer wall of "Nylon" or the like, internally coated with a layer of polyurethane or the like. 14 2789651   13 - Combination according to claim 12, characterized in that the pockets (9) came from manufacture with the garment (2), or are attached to it, being sewn or glued on its outer surface. 14 - Combination according to any one of   Claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the pockets   (9) inflatable are joined from one to the neighbor by at least one connecting duct (11), embedded in the garment (2), the pockets and the ducts forming a network distributed in one or more distinct sections, this network which can be connected to a source (12) of gaseous fluid under common pressure. - Combination according to any one of   Claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the inflation   pockets (9) are made by mouth, using a pipe   adjustable and retractable air outlet.   16 - Combination according to claim 14, characterized in that the inflation of the pockets (9) is carried out by means of a small bottle or capsule (12) of an inert gas under pressure.   17 - A combination according to claim 16, characterized in that the bottle (12) is fixed to the garment (2), in particular at the level of a thigh or the swimmer's belt.   18 - Combination according to one of claims 16 or   17, characterized in that the bottle (12) is triggered by any suitable means, in particular by pulling on a handle (14) and releasing a striker (15), after   removal of a safety pin.   19 - Combination according to any one of   claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the network   inflatable pockets (9) are joined to the gas bottle (12) by a connecting end piece (13) and include a non-return valve or valve (16) for venting deflation of these pockets.