GB2130871A

GB2130871A - Improved diving suit

Info

Publication number: GB2130871A
Application number: GB08233324A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence David Walker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-11-23
Filing date: 1982-11-23
Publication date: 1984-06-13

Abstract

An improved diving or like suit (1) primarily for use in cold water wherein the sheet material from which the suit is made has ducts or channels (7) defined at least partially by said sheet material, through which heated fluids may pass. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved diving suit The present invention relates to an improved diving suit for use in cold water although in its broadest aspect the concept of invention might be utilised for any protective suit either for protection against cold or even for protection against overheating.

When diving in cold water the efficiency of divers wearing those protective suits known as "wet-suits", is impaired after a short time particularly if the water is at a very low temperature and hypothermia may be caused with prolonged exposure to low temperatures. Known diving suits exist formed of flexible, closed cell sheet plastics material such as sold under the Trade Mark "Neoprene", wherein plastics material tubes are secured on the inside of the sheet material forming the suit with said securement being by way of an adhesive tape running along the length of the tube and engaging the inner surface of the sheet material forming the suit.

These plastics material tubes communicate with a distribution manifold into which heated water is pumped and the tubes run along the body and legs and the water pumped therealong exits to surrounding water in the region of the wrists and ankles and neck or head. The tubes generally follow straight or only slightly curved paths generally along the contours of the body. These known suits have the disadvantage that the provision of the tubes can involve an additional cost incurrence and, furthermore, the tubes tend to impede the flexibility of the suit and thus impair movement of the diver therein.These known suits also have the disadvantage that in certain conditions they do not adequately heat the diver and if the number of tubes were increased to provide adequate heating, the resistance to bending and flexing created by the extra tubes would seriously impair the movement of the diver.

In addition, it has been found that with prolonged working in these known suits the tubes can cause severe rubbing or cutting action on the skin and thus are unsatisfactory. Furthermore, a substantial amount of water has to be pumped through the tubes to achieve adequate heating which means that an expensive water heating and pumping apparatus is required.

According to the present invention there is provided an improved diving suit for use in cold water wherein the sheet material from which the suit is made has ducts or channels for the passage of fluid therealong defined at least partially by said sheet material. The invention is defined and will be described subsequently with reference to diving purposes and for use in cold water although it should be appreciated that the provision of channels or ducts whose conducting surfaces are defined at least partially by sheet material from which the suit is made may be provided for other purposes and may be utilised for cooling purposes rather than heating purposes. The fluid which is passed through the ducts will normally be liquid and normally water although heated or cooled gas, normally air, may be utilised depending on the circumstances.

The sheet material referred to may be single layer or preferably formed as composite structure, i.e. two or more layers of material or materials joined together.

In its simplest form, the concept of the invention may be put into practice by simply forming grooves or channels on the inner surface of the material forming the diving suit so as to define at least one flow passage against the body of the diver for the flow of heated water suitable inlet and exit passages naturally being provided. This concept may be developed by providing a lining for the said suit material having grooves formed therein and opening towards the interior of the body such that said lining acts to close the mouth of the channel along its length and thus form a passage between one surface thereof and the sheet material of the suit.

Alternatively, the suit may be formed from a composite laminate comprising two layers of sheet material and the material bonded together along certain regions so that unbonded regions exist between the layers and which form ducts for the passage of heated water and will be suitably arranged and interconnected as to define a flow passage along the desired portions of the body and provide for exit at desired points.

In an alternative arrangement, heated water flow ducts or passages may be formed by providing strips on the interior surface of the sheet material forming the outer skin of the suit such that passages are formed in between the strips for the flow of heated water and an inner lining, e.g.

of nylon fabric, may additionally be provided and secured or bonded so as to close the passages on the interior side to enhance the flow of water. Still further, two sheets of material forming the body of the suit may be bonded together and at least one of said sheets provided with a groove in the construction thereof, said groove defining a duct with the other sheet and, like the other arrangements, communicating with suitable water inlet and exit passages.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, however, the suit is made from a novel composite or laminate construction comprising a layer of sheet material forming the outer skin of the suit and being of standard material, from which suits are made, such as Neoprene (RTM), and having bonded thereto on the inner surface an inner sheet or layer of preferably open cell foam material, such as foam rubber, and in which layer at least one groove is formed by suitable means, e.g. by passing a heated element therealong or by using a cutting element, with said groove(s) being disposed about the area of the suit in required areas and communicating with a water inlet duct and leading to exit regions in desired manner.On the inner side of said inner layer of open cell foam material, a layer of sheet material is bonded to close the opening of the groove and thereby form a duct to at least partially entrain the water which is to flow therealong to ensure adequate distribution. This inner sheet material may be water impervious or semi-pervious and is preferably a close woven nylon sheet.

It has been discovered that utilisation of open cell foam material such as foam rubber will enable certain heated water to pass through the cells thereof in addition to flowing along the ducts so that an increased heating effect in regions around the duct(s) of the suit is achieved. Furthermore, the flow passages formed by the ducts may be of greater length and greater curvature than with pipes hitherto so as to cover more regions of the body and provide for improved heating effect. It is found that the closer the cell construction of the open cell foam, the closer the various lengths of the ducts have to be spaced because of the reduced "sponge" effect of the foam material, i.e.

less percolating action.

The lengths of the various ducts leading from an inlet manifold or region will be so adjusted so as to achieve the desired flow. For example, the length of the ducts in each leg leading from the manifold should be equal so as to obtain an equal flow of heated water therealong. The ducts will extend over the front and rear portion of the suit so as to adequately heat the diver.

In a preferred embodiment the torso or trunk portion and legs of a suits are formed in one piece with the flow passages or ducts suitably disposed therealong with the chest portion of the trunk portion being of continuous material, i.e. without zips or closure means so that adequate flow and heating may be maintained. In at least one shoulder region a shoulder strap is separable and re-connectable by suitable interconnectable means, e.g. Velcro (RTM), so as to enable the diver to get into trunk and leg portions of the suit. The arms are provided separate from the trunk and provided with suitable flow passages or ducts as herein defined by being formed from grooves or passages in the material forming the suit and will be incorporated in a jacket which may have a torso which may be of other material to the arms although may also be of the same material as forms the suit.A closure means, e.g. zip, will be provided extending approximately half-way up the chest of the jacket. This arrangement minimizes heat losses through the closure means. The disposition of the arms by the jacket is such that suitable communication passages exist with the flow ducts in the torso which enable the heated water to flow to the arms and along such and exit at the wrists. Suitable spurs or bind ducts may be provided to avoid any cold spots so that water will flow therealong and dissipate or percolate into the open cell of the foam material. A helmet or head covering is also provided of the same laminate sheet material having ducts therein communicating via suitable means in neck portions to the ducts in the torso portion and/or arms for the flow of heated water.

It will be appreciated that the suit according to the present invention is flexible and does not have the disadvantage of inhibiting movement of a diver and, furthermore, provides for increased heating opportunity and, still further, less heated water is required to be used and thus a general reduction in cost of the water supply may be achieved. Additionally, the suit may be readily formed so as to be economic to produce. The hereto disadvantage of tubing which may cut or bruise the diver is avoided.

The provision in the preferred embodiment of the sandwich construction with the middle layer being formed of an open cell material enables the heated water to percolate in regions of the body to improve the heating.

It will be appreciated that the normal outer skin of the diving suit will be made of suitable material, such as Neoprene (RTM) which acts as an insulator.

The materials in the sandwich construction will be suitably bonded or adhesively secured together.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic elevation of a diving suit; Fig. 2 is a schematic fragmentary section through the laminate sheet material forming the suit of Fig. 1 and showing a duct for the flow of heated water; Fig. 3 is a schematic section through an alternative construction of sheet material wherein the ducts are formed by partially bonding two layers of sheet material to provide ducts therebetween; Fig. 4 is a schematic section through a futher alternative construction of sheet material; and Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 illustrate schematic sections and fragmentary plans of still further alternative constructions of sheet materials.

A diving suit 1 of the "wet suit" type is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a one piece suit section 2 for the torso and legs and separate jacket portion 3 having arms 4 of sheet material formed in accordance with the invention. The torso portion 3' of the jacket 3 is shown in dotted line which may be of different material to that of the arms and is preferably of single layer closed cell material having a zip or other closure means (not shown) extending part way up the front thereof to provide for ease of access.

The trunk and legs section 2 and arms 4 are formed in this preferred embodiment from a laminate or sandwich construction, comprising an outer skin 5 of normal material from which diving suits are made, e.g. Neoprene (RTM) and a middle layer 6 bonded thereto of open cell foam rubber having a groove 7 formed therein and shaped and extending as desired so as to lead across various portions of the suit 2, 4 to provide for adequate heating. On the inside surface of the layer of foam rubber 6 a layer of woven nylon material 8 is bonded or adhesively secured to close the opening in the groove 7 and thereby encourage flow of water through the groove 7. The nylon material 8 may be partially permeable to permit certain heated water to flow into the space adjacent the skin of the diver.The various grooves 7 are indicated in full-line and chain-dotted line with the full-line being in the front region of the suit and the chain-dotted line being in the rear region of the suit although many various dispositions and arrangements are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. All the ducts lead to an inlet manifold 9 suitably secured to the suit having a connector pipe 10 for the supply of heated water 11 via tube 12. The length of alternative runs of grooves, e.g. for each leg, should be of equal length to ensure equal flow - also rear and back grooves. Various spur or grooves 7' are provided to avoid cold spots so as to permit heated water to percolate through the foam material.

A separate helmet or head covering member 13 is illustrated schematically and is preferably formed of the same laminate sheet material 5, 6 and 8 having grooves 7 in communication with those of the remainder of the suit via a neck portion for heating the head of the diver.

In Fig. 3 an alternative form of sheet construction is shown wherein ducts 14 are formed and in an interconnected manner (not shown) by bonding at 1 5 the two layers 1 6 of the suit material, e.g. of Neoprene (RTM) whilst Fig. 4 shows a similar possible arrangement wherein the outer layer 1 6 of the suit is subsequently flat whilst the inner layer 1 6 is corrugated and shaped so as to form the desired water flow passages 14.

Figs. 5 and 6 show an alternative sheet material construction wherein the outer layer 1 7 of the suit material has strips 1 8 secured on the surface of different lengths so as to define passages 1 9 as shown in Fig. 6 and wherein a sheet of material 20, such as nylon, is provided on the inside layer to close off the passages 1 9 on the inner side.

Fig. 7 shows an alternative construction of sheet material wherein the material of the suit is formed from two layers 21, 22 of closed cell, insulated material such as Neoprene (RTM), wherein a shaped groove 23 is formed defining a water flow passage as desired in the suit and the two layers 21, 22 are bonded together to form the desired sheet material for the suit.

The present invention is also intended to cover the material in sheet form from which diving suits are made having ducts or passages for the flow of water therealong at least partially defined by said sheet material or laminate sheet material.

If the invention is to be used with gas as the fluid, then a foam with very close open cell construction will be required.

Claims

1. An improved diving or like suit primarily for use in cold water wherein the sheet material from which the suit is made has ducts or channels for the passage of fluid therealong defined at least partially by said sheet material.

2. A diving suit as claimed in claim 1 in which the sheet material is a single layer in which grooves or channels are formed on the inner surface of the material forming the diving suit so as to define at least one flow passage against the body of the diver for the flow of heated fluid and in which suitable inlet and exit passages are provided.

3. A diving suit as claimed in claim 2, in which there is provided a lining for the said suit material which material has grooves formed therein and opens towards the interior of the body such that said lining acts to close the mouth of the channel along its length and thus form a passage between one surface thereof and the sheet material of the suit.

4. A diving suit as claimed in claim 1 in which the sheet material is formed as a composite structure, i.e. two or more layers of material or materials joined together.

5. A diving suit as claimed in claim 4 in which the suit may be formed from a composite laminate comprising two layers of sheet material bonded together along certain regions so that unbonded regions exist between the layers and which form ducts for the passage of heated water and will be suitably arranged and interconnected as to define a flow passage along the desired portions of the body and provide for exit at desired points.

6. A diving suit as claimed in claim 1 in which fluid flow ducts or passages are formed by providing strips on the interior surface of the sheet material forming the outer skin of the suit such that passages are formed in between the strips for the flow fluid and an inner lining is additionally provided and secured or bonded so as to close the passages on the interior side to enhance the fluid flow.

7. A diving suit as claimed in claim 1 in which two sheets of material forming the body of the suit may be bonded together and at least one of said sheets provided with a groove in the construction thereof, said groove defining a duct with the other sheet and, like the other arrangements, communicating with suitable water inlet and exit passages.

8. An improved diving suit made from a composite or laminate construction comprising a layer of sheet material forming the outer skin of the suit and being of standard material, from which suits are made, and having bonded thereto on the inner surface an inner sheet or layer of open cell foam material in which layer at least one groove is formed by suitable means with said groove(s) being disposed about the area of the suit in required areas and communicating with a water inlet duct and leading to exit regions in desired manner; and wherein on the inner side of said inner layer of open cell foam material, a layer of sheet material is bonded to close the opening of the groove and thereby form a duct to at least partially entrain the water which is to flow therealong to ensure adequate distribution.

9. A diving suit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, in which the lengths of the various ducts leading from a fluid inlet manifold or region are selected so as to achieve the desired flow.

10. A diving suit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, in which the ducts extend over the front and rear portion of the suit.

11. A diving suit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, in which the torso or trunk portion and legs of a suit are formed in one piece with the flow passages or ducts suitably disposed therealong with the chest portion of the trunk portion being of continuous material, i.e. without zips or closure means so that adequate flow and heating may be maintained, and in at least one shoulder region a shoulder strap is separable and re-connectable by suitable interconnectable means, so as to enable the user to get into trunk and leg portions of the suit.

12. A diving suit as claimed in claim 11, in which the arms are provided separate from the trunk and provided with suitable flow passages or ducts as herein defined by being formed from grooves or passages in the material forming the suit and will be incorporated in a jacket which may have a torso which may be of other material to the arms although may also be of the same material as forms the suit.

13. A diving suit as claimed in claim 11 or 12.

in which a closure means is provided extending approximately half-way up the chest of the jacket.

14. A diving suit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, in which the disposition of the arms in the jacket is such that suitable communication passages exist with the flow ducts in the torso which enable the fluid to flow to the arms and along such and exit at the wrists.

15. A diving suit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, in which a helmet or head covering is also provided of the same laminate sheet material having ducts therein communicating via suitable means in neck portions to the ducts in the torso portion and/or arms for the flow of heated water.

1 6. An improved diving suit substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.