Abstract:
Two-piece drysuit whereby the top is combined with the lower section by means of a series of overlapping flaps that combine to create a less bulky seal with greater flexibility and comfort to the wearer. The present invention also allows the use of materials in the seal between the 2 pieces that are more stable in ultraviolet light and salt water than those required by the inventions mentioned above thereby providing improved durability.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a dry or semi-dry suit intended for marine sports such as sailing, sail boarding, surfing, paddling diving and so on. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is known in the art to provide a dry suit or semi dry suit comprising a 1-piece garment constructed from a substantially watertight textile or rubber material or composite thereof. Whereby said garment features watertight seals around the neck, wrists and ankles or watertight fabric gloves and/or socks that are combined with the suit. In order to facilitate entry into said suits it is known in the art to incorporate a watertight zipper positioned on either the front or back of the garment. Said seals are generally bulky with little flexibility and therefore provide much discomfort to the user, said seals also require significant maintenance in order to function correctly and are a common cause of failure of the suit and also add significant cost to the its manufacture. 
         [0003]    It is known to provide a two-piece dry suit comprising trousers and a jacket top which are interconnected at the waist by a so-called rolled seal. Annular rubber sealing flaps are attached to the waist of the trousers and to the bottom edge of the jacket and are adapted to lie one over the other when the two pieces of the suit are put on. To make the seal the two flaps are rolled up together from their free lower edges. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,570,019 discloses a method of applying a tight fitting belt or cummerbund around the waist over the rolled seal. The belt applies considerable pressure to the stomach region of the wearer, which does not constitute a serious disadvantage for divers operating at depths where substantial pressures are experienced. For others, however, such as sailors who spend their time at or above the water surface the pressure from the suit belt can cause much discomfort. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,477 discloses a 2-piece dry suit having sealing bands for producing a rolled seal between the two pieces at the waist of the suit. An additional overlying part, fastened to one piece of the suit extends across the rolled seal into co-operation with the other piece of the suit in order to secure to seal in the rolled condition. Whilst this invention provides less pressure around the waist of the wearer, considerable bulk and stiffness of the rolled seals still exists. Said sealing bands are also commonly manufactured from a latex rubber or similar material which is not durable to ultraviolet light or abrasion or puncture and is therefore easily damaged during the process of dressing the suit, during normal use or during storage and transport. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention aims to provide a solution to the problems mentioned above by providing a two-piece drysuit whereby the top is combined with the lower section by means of a series of overlapping flaps that combine to create a less bulky seal with greater flexibility and comfort to the wearer. The present invention also allows the use of materials in the seal between the 2 pieces that are more stable in ultraviolet light and salt water than those required by the inventions mentioned above thereby providing improved durability. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1   a  and  FIG. 1   b  are the front view and rear view of the suit top piece of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2   a  and  FIG. 2   b  are the front view and rear view of the suit bottom piece of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the suit top piece and suit bottom piece of one embodiment of the present invention worn together. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b  and  4   c  are cross-sectional views of one potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top piece and bottom piece of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  and  5   c  are cross-sectional views of another potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top piece and bottom piece of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c  are cross-sectional views of another potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top piece and bottom piece of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b ,  7   c  and  7   d  are cross-sectional views of another potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top piece and bottom piece of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c  and  8   d  are cross-sectional views of another potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top piece and bottom piece of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b  and  9   c  are cross-sectional views of another potential embodiment of the sealing system that combines the top piece and bottom piece of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention discloses a two piece dry suit made from a substantially watertight textile or rubber material or composite thereof whereby the top piece of the suit combines with the bottom piece of the suit by means of a series of overlapping flaps made from a stretchable material that fit tightly around the wearers waist to form a substantially watertight seal. 
         [0017]    In one aspect of the present invention the said top suit piece is constructed from a textile composite that is substantially liquid impermeable and preferably water vapour permeable. Said suit top preferably features neck and wrist seals adhered to the said textile, said seals are made from a waterproof and stretchable material such as latex rubber, silicon, neoprene foam composite or other material that fits tightly around the wearers neck and wrists to provide a water tight seal. A tight fitting stretchable waist seal that combines with the bottom suit piece is also attached to the suit piece around the waist or torso area. Said suit top piece is preferably constructed by means of stitching with the addition of waterproof tape or glue applied over the seams to ensure a watertight seal. In an alternative embodiment, said composite fabric may be ultrasonically welded or glued or bonded without stitching to provide a watertight seal. 
         [0018]    In a further aspect of the present invention, the bottom suit piece is constructed from a substantially liquid impermeable and stretchable rubber material or composite thereof. In one preferred embodiment said rubber material is a composite consisting of a rubber foam such as neoprene foam laminated to at least one textile fabric. It is preferred that said composite has good stretch to allow said garment to fit tightly around the wearers body. The said rubber foam composite material is preferably combined to form the said suit piece by means of seam taping, gluing or blind stitching or combinations thereof in order to ensure a watertight seal. 
         [0019]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention said top suit piece may be constructed from a substantially liquid impermeable and stretchable rubber material or composite thereof. In one preferred embodiment said rubber material is a composite consisting of a rubber foam such as neoprene foam laminated to at least one textile fabric. It is preferred that said composite has good stretch to allow said garment to fit tightly around the wearers body. The said rubber foam composite material is preferably combined to form the said suit piece by means of seam taping, gluing or blind stitching or combinations thereof in order to ensure a watertight seal 
         [0020]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention said bottom suit piece may be constructed from a textile composite that is substantially liquid impermeable and preferably water vapour permeable. Said suit bottom preferably features integrated watertight socks made form the same textile material or alternatively features ankle seals adhered to the said textile, said seals are made from a waterproof and stretchable material such as latex rubber, silicon, neoprene foam composite or other material that fits tightly around the wearers leg or ankle to provide a water tight seal. Said suit bottom piece is preferably constructed by means of stitching with the addition of waterproof tape or glue applied over the seams to ensure a watertight seal. In an alternative embodiment, said composite fabric may be ultrasonically welded or glued or bonded without stitching to provide a watertight seal. 
         [0021]    In one aspect of the present invention the said suit bottom piece may be configured to have shoulder straps made of the same material or another material as to provide support for the bottom suit piece and prevent any movement of the garment during normal use. 
         [0022]    In a further aspect of the present invention said stretchable sealing flaps are attached to the suit top and suit bottom pieces and fit tightly around the wearers waist or torso. Said sealing flaps are preferably made from a stretchable and watertight material. In a preferred embodiment, said flaps are constructed from a composite consisting of a foam rubber material such as neoprene laminated to at least one textile fabric. Said flaps preferably have at least one surface that is substantial smooth as to form a good watertight seal with adjacent smooth surfaces of combined sealing flaps. 
         [0023]    In a preferred aspect of the present invention said sealing flaps are folded one or more times to improve the watertight seal between suit top and bottom pieces. 
         [0024]    In a preferred aspect of the present invention additional fastening means may be added to connect said top suit piece and said bottom suit piece at the waist seal area to prevent said overlapping waist sealing flaps from disengaging during normal use. In one potential embodiment said fastening means is provided by hook and loop fastening tabs. In another potential embodiment said fastening means may be provided by plastic or metal snap buttons. 
         [0025]    The suit top  10 , shown in  FIG. 1   a  and  FIG. 1   b  comprises a body part  101 , and sleeves  102 , a neck seal  103 , fastened to the body part around the neck opening and wrist seals  104 , fastened to the ends of the sleeves. Attached and sealed to the waist opening of body  101  is an inner waist seal  105 . A secondary outer waist seal  106  is also fastened and sealed to the bottom opening of body  101  and is positioned adjacent to inner waist seal  105 . Outer waist seal  106  preferably features waist adjustment tabs  107  which can be used to tighten said waist seals. In place of the Velcro adjustment tabs an elasticised draw cord or tensioned belt could be utilised to increase the tightness of said waist seals. 
         [0026]    The suit bottom  20  shown in  FIG. 2   a  and  FIG. 2   b  is preferably  made from a stretchable substantially watertight material that conforms to the wearers body and comprises a body section  201 , legs  202  and optional shoulder straps  203 . Waist seal  204  is attached and sealed to the body section  201  and is used in combination with waist seals  105  and  106  to form a water tight seal between suit top  10  and suit bottom  20 . Leg openings  205  of legs  202  are preferably constructed to fit tightly around the wearers ankles and provide a watertight seal. Shoulder straps  203  extend from the body section  201  and prevent the suit bottom from moving on the wearers body during normal use. Large armholes  206  and rear cut-away  207  are provided to maximise breathability of the complete suit. 
         [0027]    The complete 2-piece dry suit is shown in  FIG. 3  whereby suit top  10  is worn over suit bottom  20 . Waist seals  105 ,  106  on the top suit piece overlap with waist seal  204  on the bottom suit piece to form a water-tight seal between each piece whilst neck seal  103 , wrist seals  104  and tight leg openings  205  provide water tight seals around external parts of the wearers body. 
         [0028]    A preferred embodiment of waist seal system is shown in cross sectional view in  FIG. 4   a ,  FIG. 4   b  and  FIG. 4   c .  FIG. 4   a  shows Inner waist seal  105  and outer waist seal  106  attached at top edge  401  to body section  101  of the top suit piece  10 . Bottom edge  402  of Lower waist seal  204  is attached to body section  201  of bottom suit piece  20 . Inner waist seal  105  of top suit piece  10  has outer surface  403 , Outer waist seal  106  has inner surface  404 . Lower waist seal  204  of bottom suit piece  20  has inner surface  405  and outer surface  406 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4   b  and  FIG. 4   c  show the arrangement of waist seals when Top suit piece  10  is combined with bottom suit piece  20 . Inner waist seal  105  of top suit piece  10  fits tightly around body section  201  of bottom suit piece  20 . Lower waist seal  204  is then positioned over waist seal  105  and outer waist seal  106  positioned over lower waist seal  204 . 
         [0030]    It is preferable that outer surface  403  of inner waist seal  105  and adjacent inner surface of lower waist seal  204  feature a smooth or finely textured rubber surface that promotes a watertight seal and also provides some friction when pressed together to prevent movement between each seal. Outer surface  406  of lower waist seal and adjacent inner surface  404  of outer waist seal  106  may also feature a smooth rubber surface to provide an improved seal. 
         [0031]    Another preferred embodiment of waist seal system is shown in cross sectional view in  FIG. 5   a ,  FIG. 5   b  and  FIG. 5   c . Lower waist seal  204  is attached to bottom suit piece  20  at top edge  501 . The user positions inner waist seal  105  of top suit piece  10  over lower waist seal  204 . Inner waist seal  105  is then folded together with lower waist seal  204  to form an improved watertight seal between top suit piece  10  and bottom suit piece  20  as shown in  FIG. 5   b . Outer waist seal  106  is then positioned over seal  105  and  204  as an extra sealing layer. It is preferable that inner surface  502  of inner waist seal  105  and adjacent outer surface  503  of lower waist seal  204  feature a smooth or finely textured rubber surface that promotes a watertight seal and also provides some friction when pressed together to prevent movement between each seal. 
         [0032]    In another preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in cross sectional view in  FIG. 6   a ,  FIG. 6   b  and  FIG. 6   c , lower waist seal  204  is attached to bottom suit piece  20  at bottom edge  601  thereby reduce the number of layers in the folded seal. 
         [0033]    In other preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in cross sectional view in  FIG. 7   a ,  FIG. 7   b ,  FIG. 7   c ,  FIG. 7   d  and  FIG. 8   a ,  FIG. 8   b ,  FIG. 8   c ,  FIG. 8   d , lower waist seal  204  and inner waist seal  105  are folded 2 times or more to improve the seal between tops suit piece  10  and bottom suit piece  20 . 
         [0034]    In another preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in cross sectional view in  FIG. 9   a ,  FIG. 9   b  and  FIG. 9   c , lower waist seal  204  and inner waist seal  105  are folded towards the inside of the garment. 
         [0035]    Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.