WO1998001337A1 - Wetsuit with foldable collar - Google Patents

Wetsuit with foldable collar Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998001337A1
WO1998001337A1 PCT/AU1997/000430 AU9700430W WO9801337A1 WO 1998001337 A1 WO1998001337 A1 WO 1998001337A1 AU 9700430 W AU9700430 W AU 9700430W WO 9801337 A1 WO9801337 A1 WO 9801337A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
collar
wetsuit
neck
foldable
wearer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1997/000430
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John Allen Pyburne
Milenko Prusac
Original Assignee
Rip Curl International Pty. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rip Curl International Pty. Ltd. filed Critical Rip Curl International Pty. Ltd.
Priority to AU32493/97A priority Critical patent/AU3249397A/en
Publication of WO1998001337A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998001337A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/012—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches for aquatic activities, e.g. with buoyancy aids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/04—Resilient suits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/08—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like
    • B63C9/087—Body suits, i.e. substantially covering the user's body ; Immersion suits, i.e. substantially completely covering the user
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/04—Resilient suits
    • B63C2011/046—Wet suits, or diving vests; Equipment therefor

Definitions

  • This invention relates to improvements in wetsuits, and more particularly to improvements in wetsuits without zippers.
  • zippered openings are provided through the body of the wetsuit at appropriate positions usually from the neck of the suit downwardly and of sufficient length to provide a sufficiently large opening when unzipped to allow body access to or from the wetsuit, whereafter the zipper is closed.
  • the requirement for zippers reduces the flexibility of the wetsuit.
  • wetsuits without zippers have been developed.
  • the body access opening is not a zippered opening.
  • zippers may be provided, for example, at the wrists or ankles.
  • One such wetsuit without zippers is disclosed in US patent specification 4,809,364, and comprises a trunk portion, leg portions integral with the lower trunk portion, a neck portion, and arm portions integral with the trunk and neck portions.
  • the trunk and neck portions include a first section integral with the first arm portion and a second section integral with the second arm portion, the first section defining an opening to pass a second arm portion therethrough with the sections being relatively separable to provide access to or from the wetsuit with body entry being relatively downwardly into the wetsuit.
  • One of the sections overlaps the other section when the suit is worn by the user and seals off any opening between the sections .
  • One of the sections has a neck opening therethrough which is drawn over the head of the wearer when the sections are overlapped.
  • Another wetsuit without zippers in use is one which utilises a truncated neck panel hingedly attached to the remainder of the suit thereof, and having a neck aperture therethrough.
  • neck panel When the neck panel is hinged forwardly down across the front of the suit an opening at the top of the suit, with some stretching, can be made sufficiently large for body access to or from the suit .
  • the neck panel After body entry the neck panel is pulled upwardly and then down over the head of the wearer with the wearers head passing through the neck aperture in the neck panel which may be also stretched to accommodate passage of the head through the aperture.
  • a wetsuit having a trunk portion, and leg portions integral therewith, and a foldable collar surrounding a neck opening whereby in the unfolded state an access opening through the top of the trunk portion is provided which is sufficiently large, or sufficiently large when stretched, to allow body entry or removal therethrough, and means to draw the collar into, and hold it at, a folded condition fitting snugly around the neck of the wearer.
  • a further collar piece is provided within said foldable collar to maintain tension on the front of the foldable collar when in the folded condition.
  • Figure 1 is a front view of the upper torso and neck opening of the first preferred embodiment of the wetsuit with the neck opening thereof open to allow body access to, or from, the wetsuit,
  • Figure 2 is a front view of the wetsuit of Figure
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of the top of the wetsuit in the condition shown in Figure 1
  • Figure 4 is a plan view of the top of the wetsuit in the condition shown in Figure 2
  • Figure 5 is a front view of the upper torso and neck opening of the second preferred embodiment of the wetsuit, and partially cut away, with the neck opening thereof open to allow body access to, or from, the wetsuit.
  • Figure 6 is a plan view of the top of the wetsuit in the condition shown in Figure 5, and
  • Figure 7 is a plan view of the top of the wetsuit of Figures 5 and 6, but with the neck opening drawn into position snugly around the neck of a wearer.
  • the wetsuit 10 of this first preferred embodiment of the invention has a trunk portion 11, arm portions 12, and leg portions (not shown) .
  • a body access opening 13 is provided through the top of the wetsuit which, with some stretching, allows for body access into, and out of, the suit.
  • the body access opening 13 is defined by an external upstanding collar 14, having foldable portions 15 on diametrically opposite sides of the collar.
  • the collar 14 With the collar 14 in the unfolded condition as shown in Figures 1 and 3 the collar can be pulled and stretched to fully open the access opening 13, and body access to, and from, the wetsuit through the opening 13 is achieved with relative ease.
  • the collar In the folded condition of the foldable portions 15 the collar, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, is drawn snugly around the neck of the wearer.
  • the exterior collar is drawn into the folded condition by draw cords 16 one end of each of which are attached to the respective foldable portions 15, with their opposite free ends passing through a hole 17 in an adjustment member 18 through which the cords are pulled in friction engagement to hold the draw cords at the required position when the cords are drawn to pull the collar into the folded condition shown in Figures 2 and 4.
  • An internal neckpiece 19 is also provided within the foldable external collar to maintain tension on the front of the external collar when in the folded condition and also to ensure a good water seal around the neck of the wearer.
  • the wetsuit 20 of this second preferred embodiment of the invention has a trunk portion 21, arm portions . 22, and leg portions (not shown) .
  • a body access opening 23 is provided through the top of the wetsuit which, with some stretching, allows for body access into, and out of, the suit.
  • the body access opening 23 is defined by an external upstanding collar 24, having foldable portions 25 on opposite sides of the access opening.
  • the collar 24 With the collar 24 in the unfolded condition as shown in Figures 5 and 6 the collar can be pulled and stretched to fully open the access opening 23, and body access to, and from, the wetsuit through the opening 23 is achieved with relative ease.
  • the collar In the folded condition of the foldable portions 25, the collar, as shown in Figure 7, is drawn snugly around the neck of the wearer.
  • the external collar is drawn into the folded condition by a strap 26 attached to one of the foldable portions 25, and carrying a layer of Velcro or like type material which couples with a cooperating layer 27 of Velcro or like type material to form a Velcro or like attachment with the collar being held in the folded condition shown in Figure 7.
  • a first neckpiece 29 is also provided within the foldable external collar and attached thereto at the rear of the collar. The neckpiece 29 is adapted to be stretched and then pulled over the head of the wearer and into a position around the neck within the foldable collar to ensure a good water seal around the neck of the wearer.
  • the wetsuit of this second preferred embodiment also has a second neck piece 30 couple at 31 to either side of the collar at the front thereof and adapted to be also stretched are then pulled over the head of the wearer and to a position around the neck outside the foldable collar to complete the closure of the neck of the wetsuit and to provide a still further enhanced water seal .

Abstract

A wetsuit having a trunk portion (21), and a foldable collar (24) surrounding a neck opening whereby in an unfolded state an access opening (23) through the top of the trunk portion (21) is provided which is sufficiently large, or sufficiently large when stretched, to allow body entry or removal therethrough, and a Velcro® or like fastener (26, 27) extending between foldable portions (25) of the collar (24) to draw the collar (24) into, and hold it at, a folded condition sitting snugly around the neck of the wearer. Neck pieces (29, 30) are also provided attached to the foldable collar (24) and adapted to be stretched over the head of the wearer to enhance the water seal around the neck of the wearer.

Description

WETSUIT WITH FOLDABLE COLLAR Technical Field
This invention relates to improvements in wetsuits, and more particularly to improvements in wetsuits without zippers.
Background Art
With most conventional wetsuits, in order to gain body access to or from the suit, zippered openings are provided through the body of the wetsuit at appropriate positions usually from the neck of the suit downwardly and of sufficient length to provide a sufficiently large opening when unzipped to allow body access to or from the wetsuit, whereafter the zipper is closed. The requirement for zippers reduces the flexibility of the wetsuit.
In order to overcome the problems with zippered wetsuits, various wetsuits without zippers have been developed. In the present application, when wetsuits are described as being without zippers, what is being referred to is that the body access opening is not a zippered opening. In some wetsuits zippers may be provided, for example, at the wrists or ankles. However, whether such zippers are present or not is not relevant to the invention of the present application. One such wetsuit without zippers is disclosed in US patent specification 4,809,364, and comprises a trunk portion, leg portions integral with the lower trunk portion, a neck portion, and arm portions integral with the trunk and neck portions. The trunk and neck portions include a first section integral with the first arm portion and a second section integral with the second arm portion, the first section defining an opening to pass a second arm portion therethrough with the sections being relatively separable to provide access to or from the wetsuit with body entry being relatively downwardly into the wetsuit. One of the sections overlaps the other section when the suit is worn by the user and seals off any opening between the sections . One of the sections has a neck opening therethrough which is drawn over the head of the wearer when the sections are overlapped.
Another wetsuit without zippers in use, is one which utilises a truncated neck panel hingedly attached to the remainder of the suit thereof, and having a neck aperture therethrough. When the neck panel is hinged forwardly down across the front of the suit an opening at the top of the suit, with some stretching, can be made sufficiently large for body access to or from the suit . After body entry the neck panel is pulled upwardly and then down over the head of the wearer with the wearers head passing through the neck aperture in the neck panel which may be also stretched to accommodate passage of the head through the aperture.
With both the wetsuits without zippers referred to above difficulties are encountered in ensuring adequate water seals and with ease of access .
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a unique wetsuit without zippers which overcomes, or at least minimises, the flexibility problems with zippered wetsuits and known wetsuits without zippers, and the water seal and ease of access problems with the known wetsuits without zippers referred to above.
Disclosure of the Invention
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a wetsuit having a trunk portion, and leg portions integral therewith, and a foldable collar surrounding a neck opening whereby in the unfolded state an access opening through the top of the trunk portion is provided which is sufficiently large, or sufficiently large when stretched, to allow body entry or removal therethrough, and means to draw the collar into, and hold it at, a folded condition fitting snugly around the neck of the wearer.
Preferably a further collar piece is provided within said foldable collar to maintain tension on the front of the foldable collar when in the folded condition.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Two preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;
Figure 1 is a front view of the upper torso and neck opening of the first preferred embodiment of the wetsuit with the neck opening thereof open to allow body access to, or from, the wetsuit,
Figure 2 is a front view of the wetsuit of Figure
1 with the neck opening drawn into position snugly around the neck of a wearer,
Figure 3 is a plan view of the top of the wetsuit in the condition shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a plan view of the top of the wetsuit in the condition shown in Figure 2,
Figure 5 is a front view of the upper torso and neck opening of the second preferred embodiment of the wetsuit, and partially cut away, with the neck opening thereof open to allow body access to, or from, the wetsuit.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the top of the wetsuit in the condition shown in Figure 5, and
Figure 7 is a plan view of the top of the wetsuit of Figures 5 and 6, but with the neck opening drawn into position snugly around the neck of a wearer.
With reference to the drawings Figures 1 to 4 of drawings, the wetsuit 10 of this first preferred embodiment of the invention has a trunk portion 11, arm portions 12, and leg portions (not shown) . With reference to Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings a body access opening 13 is provided through the top of the wetsuit which, with some stretching, allows for body access into, and out of, the suit.
The body access opening 13 is defined by an external upstanding collar 14, having foldable portions 15 on diametrically opposite sides of the collar.
With the collar 14 in the unfolded condition as shown in Figures 1 and 3 the collar can be pulled and stretched to fully open the access opening 13, and body access to, and from, the wetsuit through the opening 13 is achieved with relative ease. In the folded condition of the foldable portions 15 the collar, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, is drawn snugly around the neck of the wearer.
In this preferred embodiment of the invention the exterior collar is drawn into the folded condition by draw cords 16 one end of each of which are attached to the respective foldable portions 15, with their opposite free ends passing through a hole 17 in an adjustment member 18 through which the cords are pulled in friction engagement to hold the draw cords at the required position when the cords are drawn to pull the collar into the folded condition shown in Figures 2 and 4. An internal neckpiece 19 is also provided within the foldable external collar to maintain tension on the front of the external collar when in the folded condition and also to ensure a good water seal around the neck of the wearer.
With reference to Figures 5 to 7 of the drawings, the wetsuit 20 of this second preferred embodiment of the invention has a trunk portion 21, arm portions. 22, and leg portions (not shown) . With reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings a body access opening 23 is provided through the top of the wetsuit which, with some stretching, allows for body access into, and out of, the suit.
The body access opening 23 is defined by an external upstanding collar 24, having foldable portions 25 on opposite sides of the access opening.
With the collar 24 in the unfolded condition as shown in Figures 5 and 6 the collar can be pulled and stretched to fully open the access opening 23, and body access to, and from, the wetsuit through the opening 23 is achieved with relative ease. In the folded condition of the foldable portions 25, the collar, as shown in Figure 7, is drawn snugly around the neck of the wearer.
In this preferred embodiment of the invention the external collar is drawn into the folded condition by a strap 26 attached to one of the foldable portions 25, and carrying a layer of Velcro or like type material which couples with a cooperating layer 27 of Velcro or like type material to form a Velcro or like attachment with the collar being held in the folded condition shown in Figure 7. A first neckpiece 29 is also provided within the foldable external collar and attached thereto at the rear of the collar. The neckpiece 29 is adapted to be stretched and then pulled over the head of the wearer and into a position around the neck within the foldable collar to ensure a good water seal around the neck of the wearer.
The wetsuit of this second preferred embodiment also has a second neck piece 30 couple at 31 to either side of the collar at the front thereof and adapted to be also stretched are then pulled over the head of the wearer and to a position around the neck outside the foldable collar to complete the closure of the neck of the wetsuit and to provide a still further enhanced water seal .
The wetsuit without zippers described above are therefore more easily accessible than those referred to in the description of the Background Art, whilst at the same time providing an effective water seal around the neck of the wearer.

Claims

CLAIMS :
1. A wetsuit having a trunk portion, and leg portions integral therewith, and a foldable collar surrounding a neck opening whereby in an unfolded state an access opening through the top of the trunk portion is provided which is sufficiently large, or sufficiently large when stretched, to allow body entry or removal therethrough, and means to draw the collar into, and hold it at, a folded condition sitting snugly around the neck of the wearer.
2. A wetsuit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means to draw the collar into, and hold it in, the folded condition are draw cords attached to the foldable portions of the collar.
3. A wetsuit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means to draw the collar into, and hold it in, the folded condition is a Velcro or like fastener extending between the foldable portions of the collar when in the folded condition.
. A wetsuit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one neck piece is provided attached to the foldable collar and adapted to be stretched over the head of the wearer to enhance the water seal around the neck of the wearer.
5. A wetsuit as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the neck piece is attached to the back of the foldable collar.
6. A wetsuit as claimed din Claim 4, wherein the neck piece is attached to the front of the foldable collar.
7. A wetsuit as claimed in Claim , wherein neck pieces are attached to both the back and the front of the foldable collar.
8. A wetsuit substantially as hereinbe ore described with reference to either Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 5 to 7, of the accompanying drawings .
PCT/AU1997/000430 1996-07-09 1997-07-07 Wetsuit with foldable collar WO1998001337A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU32493/97A AU3249397A (en) 1996-07-09 1997-07-07 Wetsuit with foldable collar

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPO0892A AUPO089296A0 (en) 1996-07-09 1996-07-09 Improvements in wetsuits
AUPO0892 1996-07-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998001337A1 true WO1998001337A1 (en) 1998-01-15

Family

ID=3795207

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1997/000430 WO1998001337A1 (en) 1996-07-09 1997-07-07 Wetsuit with foldable collar

Country Status (2)

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AU (2) AUPO089296A0 (en)
WO (1) WO1998001337A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1073348A2 (en) * 1998-04-14 2001-02-07 O'neill, Inc. Improved neck entry wetsuit
FR2836019A1 (en) * 2002-02-20 2003-08-22 Salomon Sa Aquatic sports clothing comprises chest part, with front and rear panels and head passage hole, arms and legs and cut-out with zip fastener and internal collar surrounding user's neck
EP1722648B1 (en) * 2004-03-10 2010-12-22 Nike International, Ltd. Article of swimwear with resilient seal
US20130125284A1 (en) * 2011-11-23 2013-05-23 Shei Chung Hsin Ind. Co., Ltd. Zipperless neck entry wetsuit

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4494246A (en) * 1981-05-27 1985-01-22 Tillbrook Anthony A C Protective clothing
US5196240A (en) * 1991-03-18 1993-03-23 Stockwell Gregg M Seamless bodysuit and a method for fabricating same
US5630229A (en) * 1995-10-17 1997-05-20 Billy International, Ltd. Zipperless wetsuit

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4494246A (en) * 1981-05-27 1985-01-22 Tillbrook Anthony A C Protective clothing
US5196240A (en) * 1991-03-18 1993-03-23 Stockwell Gregg M Seamless bodysuit and a method for fabricating same
US5630229A (en) * 1995-10-17 1997-05-20 Billy International, Ltd. Zipperless wetsuit

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1073348A2 (en) * 1998-04-14 2001-02-07 O'neill, Inc. Improved neck entry wetsuit
EP1073348A4 (en) * 1998-04-14 2007-05-09 Oneill Inc Improved neck entry wetsuit
FR2836019A1 (en) * 2002-02-20 2003-08-22 Salomon Sa Aquatic sports clothing comprises chest part, with front and rear panels and head passage hole, arms and legs and cut-out with zip fastener and internal collar surrounding user's neck
WO2003070035A1 (en) * 2002-02-20 2003-08-28 Salomon S.A. Item of clothing comprising an internal collar
US7096506B2 (en) 2002-02-20 2006-08-29 Salomon S.A. Garment having an internal collar
EP1722648B1 (en) * 2004-03-10 2010-12-22 Nike International, Ltd. Article of swimwear with resilient seal
US8082595B2 (en) 2004-03-10 2011-12-27 Nike, Inc. Article of swimwear with resilient seal
US20130125284A1 (en) * 2011-11-23 2013-05-23 Shei Chung Hsin Ind. Co., Ltd. Zipperless neck entry wetsuit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3249397A (en) 1998-02-02
AUPO089296A0 (en) 1996-08-01

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