WO2014066993A1

WO2014066993A1 - Zipperless entry thermal drysuit undergarment

Info

Publication number: WO2014066993A1
Application number: PCT/CA2013/000940
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard K. Myerscough
Original assignee: Whites Manufacturing Ltd.
Priority date: 2012-11-05
Filing date: 2013-11-04
Publication date: 2014-05-08

Abstract

A zipperless entry thermal drysuit undergarment for surface water sports and diving that provides insulation to the user. This undergarment is made from an elastomeric insulating fabric that allows entry for the user through an opening created by having two opposing, inner and outer neck flaps, that separate to expose the entry opening and then close by passing the inner neck flap and then the outer neck flap over the user's head, thus creating an overlapped area of fabric around the user's upper torso and neck.

Description

ZIPPERLESS ENTRY THERMAL DRYSUIT UNDERGARMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to surface water sports and underwater diving where the user wears a thermal undergarment under a drysuit, and specifically a new zipperless entry thermal drysuit undergarment.

BACKGROUND

Surface water sports and underwater diving in cold water requires a suit that is capable of insulating the diver from the temperature of the ambient water and its deleterious effects. A dry suit provides physical protection against water and obstacles that a user may encounter.

However, in cold water it is necessary for the user to wear additional thermal garment underneath the dry suit to keep warm. This thermal garment provides a layer of insulation around the user. Existing thermal garments rely on entry into garment through a zippered section, usually on the front or back of the torso. The use of a zipper has several deficiencies. Zippers can restrict mobility as they do not stretch. Zippers do not provide thermal protection, so material flaps are added net to the zipper however these flaps can fold back on themselves, thus providing no thermal protection. The flaps can also catch in the zipper while entering and exiting the garment. Zippers used in a saltwater environment can corrode. Zipper cars and pull tabs can break. Zippers create hard points, which when the user is wearing a harness or diving equipment, can cause the drysuit material to wear and possibly leak.

One attempt to provide a solution to the problems of a zippered entry into a drysuit thermal undergarment was to provide entry through a stretchable neck opening however this had no thermal protection for the neck area and was hard to enter and exit. Over time this opening would stretch out thus providing less thermal protection in the neck and upper torso area.

Therefore, there is an ongoing requirement for an easily worn thermal insulating undergarment for users to wear during cold water surface sports and dives, under a dry suit, which is easy to put on, easy to take off, does not restrict user movement, provides maximum thermal protection and does not make entry and egress from a drysuit more difficult. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a zipperless entry thermal dry suit undergarment that is capable of insulating a user during surface water sports and cold water diving. The entry and exit would be through an upper torso opening that is comprised of two overlapping flaps, one inner and one outer, each having a neck opening with a collar, which can be separated creating an opening into the suit.

This insulating garment would be made from an elastomeric fabric such as, but not limited to: fleece; PRIMALOFT®; wool; closed cell foam; open cell foam; or a laminate of such materials.

In one embodiment of the invention, there are cuffs at the wrist and ankle openings.

In another embodiment of the invention, there are socks and or gloves on the undergarment thus providing thermal protection to the feet and or hands.

In a further embodiment, there is a hood on the undergarment thus providing thermal protection to the head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a user wearing a zipperless entry thermal drysuit undergarment, of one embodiment of the invention, with both of the neck flaps, that create the torso opening, passed over their head.

Figure 2 shows a user that has entered the zipperless entry thermal dry suit undergarment through the upper torso opening and pulled the garment up to their waist.

Figure 3 shows a user that has entered the zipperless entry thermal dry suit undergarment and pulled one arm through the garment.

Figure 4 shows a user that has entered the zipperless entry thermal drysuit undergarment and passed the inner neck flap over their head.

Figure 5 shows a user that has entered the zipperless entry thermal drysuit undergarment and has passed his other arm through the garment.

Figure 6 shows a user that has entered the zipperless entry thermal dry suit undergarment and is passing the outer neck flap over their head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown in front of you a depiction of a user wearing (100) one embodiment of the zipperless entry thermal drysuit undergarment (102), to be worn under a drysuit protective outer layer. The invention is a two-layer neck flap design, creating an upper torso entry opening, wherein the inner neck flap (108) is covered by the outer neck flap (1 12). The two neck flaps are sewn together along the connection seam (1 16). Outer neck collar (1 10) provides thermal protection to the neck region. The suit has wrist cuffs (104) and ankle cuffs ( 106). The two layer neck flap design provides easy access and con 1 plete thermal insulation to all regions of the user and specifically to the upper chest and neck region.

Referring to Figure 2 there is shown, for one embodiment of the invention, a drawing of the user (120) having entered the zipperless entry thermal drysuit undergarment through the upper torso entry opening (1 18) and the garment ( 102) pulled up to their waist region. This shows how the size of the upper entry torso opening (118) is nl Ore than adequate to get the user (120) into the garment (102).

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown in one embodiment of the invention, a drawing of the user (120) having entered the zipperless entry thermal dry suit undergarment through the upper torso entry opening (1 18) and having placed one arm, on the side of the inner neck flap (108) through the garment (102) so that the wrist cuff (104) is located at their wrist.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown in one embodiment of the invention, a drawing of the user (120) having entered the zipperless entry thermal drysuit undergarment through the upper torso entry opening (1 18) and having passed the inner neck flap (108) over their head so that the inner neck collar (110) is located around the users neck.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown in one embodiment of the invention, a drawing of the user (120) having entered the zipperless entry thermal dry suit undergarment through the upper torso entry opening (1 18) and passed his other arm, on the side of the outer neck flap (1 12) through the garment (102) so that the wrist cuff (104) is located at their wrist.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown in one embodiment of the invention, a drawing of the user (120) having entered the zipperless entry thermal drysuit undergarment through the upper torso entry opening (1 18) and is passing the outer neck flap (1 12) over their head. The combination of the inner neck flap (108) and outer neck flap (112) not only provide an ample upper torso entry opening (1 18), they also provide maximum thermal protection to the upper torso and neck regions of the user unlike existing zippered and stretched neck opening thermal undergarments.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A zipperless entry thermal undergarment for a dry suit comprising a thermal insulating layer, made from an elastomeric insulating fabric, worn as an undergarment next to the user's body, with entry into the undergarment provided through an opening in the upper torso area, this opening created by having an inner neck flap with a neck collar, connected to one side of the garment and an outer neck flap with a neck collar, connected to the opposing side of the garment, such that the outer and inner neck flaps can be separated creating an opening into the upper torso area of the garment.

2. The thermal undergarment of claim 1, further including socks attached to the garment.

3. The thermal undergarment of claim 1 , further including gloves attached to the garment.

4. The thermal undergarment of claim 1 , where in the elastomeric fabric can be made from, but not limited to, synthetic fibers, natural fibers, closed cell foam or open celled foam.