Abstract:
A flexible neck closure that is coupled to specific anchor points on the exterior back and front of a wetsuit by releasable fasteners such that a tensile force is generated in the closure when the wetsuit is worn. The back-to-front tensile forces produce a compressive seal between the flexible neck closure and the wetsuit exterior. The body of the neck closure may have an elongation that is greater or less than the elongation of the fastener. The inner surface of the neck closure and/or the exterior surface of the wetsuit may have one or more rib features for producing a localized seal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to systems for restricting the entry of water through the neck opening of a wetsuit.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Wetsuits are close fitting garments that are typically worn for insulation against cold temperatures in aquatic environments. The thermal insulation provided by a wetsuit derives from the close fit and the foam structure. Wetsuits used in aquatic sports are typically fabricated from foamed neoprene rubber with a thickness of about 1 to 6 millimeters.  
         [0005]     The thickness of a wetsuit and the degree of body coverage offered are generally determined by the expected temperature of the aquatic environment in which it is to be used. Wetsuits used in colder environments usually offer a degree of lower body coverage and are donned by stepping into the wetsuit.  
         [0006]     Although wetsuits permit a limited amount of water to enter, it is desirable to avoid a continuous flow of water into and out of the wet suit. The neck and shoulder area of a wetsuit is often the entry point for a wetsuit, and thus is usually a more difficult opening at which to obtain closure.  
         [0007]     In order to provide a closure for the neck region, the prior art has provided combinations of flaps and bibs with collars and hoods that typically form a seal on the interior of a wetsuit such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publications No. 20020108160 and No. 20050010988.  
         [0008]     The aforementioned prior art closure systems rely on areal contact seals that lack specific features for preventing the entrance of water. Further, these closure systems rely upon the inherent compression of the wetsuit interior, and do not provide forces specific to the seal between the closure and the wetsuit. The efficacy of an areal contact will be affected by the build of the user, the cut of the wet suit, and the movements of the user.  
         [0009]     Thus, a need exists for a neck closure system for a wetsuit that provides specific forces and/or features to provide a localized barrier to water entry that is not dependent upon the compression of the wetsuit interior.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention provides a flexible neck closure that is coupled to specific anchor points on the exterior back and front of a wetsuit by releasable fasteners such that a tensile force is generated in the closure when the wetsuit is worn. The back-to-front tensile forces produce a compressive seal between the flexible neck closure and the wetsuit exterior.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment the body of the neck closure has a greater elongation than the fastener of the neck closure. For example, the neck closure body may be constructed of neoprene and the fastener may be a zipper.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment the body of the neck closure has a lesser elongation than the fastener of the neck closure. For example, the neck closure body may be constructed of thick neoprene and the fastener may include an elastic loop and hook.  
         [0013]     In a further embodiment a surface of the neck closure has at least one sealing rib feature for producing a localized seal against the exterior of the wetsuit. For example, a bead having a semi-circular cross-section may extend from back-to-front on the surface of the neck closure.  
         [0014]     In yet another embodiment the exterior surface of the wet suit has at least one sealing rib feature for producing a localized seal against a surface of the neck closure. For example, a bead having a semi-circular cross-section may extend from back-to-front on the exterior surface of the wetsuit.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1A  shows a front view of a wetsuit with a non-sealing neck in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1B  shows a back view of the wetsuit shown in  FIG. 1A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2A  shows a front view of a wetsuit and a hood closure as part of a neck closure system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2B  shows a back view of the wetsuit of  FIG. 2A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3A  shows a front view of a neck closure with a low collar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3B  shows a front view of a neck closure with a high collar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3C  shows a front view of a hooded neck closure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4A  shows a front view of a neck closure system fastened with a front zipper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4B  shows a back view of a neck closure system fastened with two back zippers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5A  shows a front view of a neck closure system fastened with a front zipper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5B  shows a back view of the neck closure system of  FIG. 5A , with rear button fasteners in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6A  shows a detail view of a disengaged button closure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6B  shows a detail view of an engaged button closure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7A  shows a back view of a neck closure system fastened with buckles having adjustable webbing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 7B  shows a detail view of a disengaged buckle closure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 7C  shows a detail view of an engaged buckle closure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 8A  shows a front view of a neck closure system fastened with hooks and elastic loops in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 8B  shows a back view of a neck closure system fastened with hooks and elastic loops in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]      FIG. 1A  shows a front view of a wetsuit  100  with a non-sealing neck  105  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wetsuit  100  may be a wetsuit with coverage of the legs. Alternatively, the wetsuit  100  may be a jacket that may be used with a longjohn. The non-sealing neck  105  lacks a collar or other reinforcement, and thus is susceptible to water entry under turbulent conditions in an aquatic environment.  
         [0034]      FIG. 1B  shows a back view of the wetsuit  100  of  FIG. 1A . An outer flap  110   a  overlaps an inner flap  110   b . The flaps provide an expandable opening for entry into the wetsuit  100 . A back zipper may also be used in place of the overlapping flaps  110   a  and  110   b.    
         [0035]     Although the non-sealing neck  105  lacks the reinforcement or tight fit necessary for a good seal, the non-sealing neck  105  typically provide better elasticity and a larger initial opening for entry than a sealing neck. This allows for the use of a shorter zipper  110 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 2A  shows a front view of a wetsuit  200  and a matching hood closure  215  as part of a neck closure system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. a number of sealing ribs  210  are disposed on the exterior surface of the wetsuit  200 . Although a single continuous rib surrounding the neck may be used, the placement of anchor points and releasable fasteners on the front and back of a wetsuit usually provide sufficient local sealing so that a sealing rib traversing the front or back is not essential, although it may be used for enhanced sealing.  
         [0037]     For purposes of this disclosure, a releasable fastener is defined as a fastener having at least two components that may be repeatedly engaged and disengaged from each other. A fastener is considered to be attached to a wetsuit or neck closure if at least one component of the fastener is attached, although the other component may or may not be engaged. For example, a button hole may be considered attached to a button flap that is attached to a wetsuit, and a button may be considered attached to a neck closure.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2B  shows a back view of the wetsuit  200  of  FIG. 2A  in which the sealing ribs  210  can be seen extending across the top of the shoulders to the back of the wetsuit  200 . although three ribs are shown on each side of the wet suit body  200 , as few as one rib per side, or more, may be used. The sealing rib  210  provides a localized high point to which a positive contact may be established and maintained against the inner surface  216  of the hood closure  215 .  
         [0039]     A series of sealing ribs  220  are shown on the inner surface  216  of the hood closure  215 . Sealing ribs may be used on either the hood closure  215 , the wetsuit  200 , or both. When sealing ribs are present on both the wetsuit  200  and the inner surface  216 , they may be oriented so that a continuous contact along all or most of their length is established when the hood closure  215  is drawn to the wetsuit  200 . The ribs may be fabricated using resins to specifically enhance tack.  
         [0040]      FIG. 3A  shows a front view of a neck closure  300  with low collar  305  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The closure has a front zipper fastener  320  and a back zipper fastener  325 . Since the zipper fasteners  320  and  325  do not have inherent elasticity, it is preferable that the closure body  300  be constructed of a material that does have inherent elasticity (e.g., foamed or sheet elastomeric material).  
         [0041]     The low collar  305  is preferably constructed with an elastic material so that the collar  305  will expand when drawn over the head of as user, and subsequently contract to provide a seal against the neck of the user. The neck closure  300  does not provide insulation for the head of the user, and is best suited for use in warmer conditions. In the absence of a requirement for insulation, the neck closure  300  may be fabricated of higher density (e.g., unfoamed) materials.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3B  shows a front view of a neck closure  330  with a high collar  335  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Neck closure  330  is similar to neck closure  300  in that it has a front zipper fastener  350  and a back zipper fastener  355 ; however, the higher collar  335  provides a better neck seal and more insulation than the low collar  305 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 3C  shows a front view of a hooded neck closure  360  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Neck closure  360  is similar to neck closure  300  in that it has a front zipper fastener  350  and a back zipper fastener  355 ; however, the hood  365  provides a better neck seal and more insulation than either collar  305  or collar  335 . A hood is preferably fabricated from a foamed elastomeric material.  
         [0044]     One or more sealing ribs similar to rib  220  of  FIG. 2A  may be used on the inner surface  315 ,  345 , and  375 , of closures  300 ,  330 , and  360 , respectively. Just as the body  310 ,  340 , and  370 , of closures  300 ,  330 , and  360 , respectively, may or may not be constructed of a foamed material, the sealing ribs may or may not be constructed of a foamed material.  
         [0045]      FIG. 4A  shows a front view of a neck closure system  400  fastened with a front zipper  420  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Neck closure  410  is similar to neck closure  330  of  FIG. 3B . The zipper  420  is attached to the wetsuit  405  by a zipper flap  425 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 4B  shows a back view of a neck closure system  401  for a wetsuit fastened with two back zippers  430  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Neck closure  411  is similar to neck closure  330  of  FIG. 3B . The zippers  425  are attached to the wetsuit  406  by zipper flaps  425 . The use of two zippers  430  allows for an elastic region  435  to be maintained on the back of the wetsuit  406  so that flexibility of the user is not compromised.  
         [0047]      FIG. 5A  shows a front view of a neck closure system  500  fastened with a front zipper  515  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5B  shows a back view of the neck closure system  500 , with rear button fasteners  520 . Button fasteners  520  are buttoned to button flap  525 , which is attached to the a wetsuit  505 . Button flap  525  is preferably constructed of an elastic material in order to maintain flexibility for the user.  
         [0048]     In general, releasable fasteners may be disposed at anchor points on the front and back of the exterior surface of a wetsuit. The configuration of the neck closure, releasable fasteners, and anchor points is such that when the wetsuit is worn by a user with a close fit and the releasable fasteners are engaged, a tensile force is developed in the neck closure between the anchor points on the front of the wetsuit and the anchor points on the back.  
         [0049]      FIG. 6A  shows a detail view of a disengaged button closure  600  similar to that shown in  FIG. 5B . A button  615  is attached to a closure body  610 . A buttonhole  625  is provided in button flap  620 , which is attached to a wetsuit  605 .  FIG. 6B  shows a detail view of an engaged button closure  601 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 7A  shows a back view of a neck closure system  700  fastened with three buckles  715  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7B  shows a detail view of a disengaged buckle closure  701 . Each buckle includes a buckle insert  725  and a buckle capture  730 . The buckle insert  725  is attached to a closure body  710  and the buckle capture  730  is attached to a strap  735 . The strap is attached to a buckle flap  720  which is attached to a wetsuit  705 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 7C  shows a detail view of an engaged buckle closure  702 . The buckle insert  725  is inserted in the buckle capture  730 . The operation of the strap  735  and buckle  715  is similar to the operation of an automobile seat belt in that the tension may be adjusted by sliding the strap through the buckle. The strap  735  may be a webbing similar to that used in a seat belt. The strap  735  may also be an elastic band.  
         [0052]      FIG. 8A  shows a front view of a neck closure system  800  fastened with hooks  815  and elastic loops  820  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The elastic loops  820  are attached to a closure body  810  and the hooks  815  are attached to a wetsuit  805 .  FIG. 8B  shows a back view of the neck closure system  800 . Neck closure system  800  is an example of a system wherein most of the elasticity may be provided by the fasteners.  
         [0053]     Common elastomers such as polyurethane, rubbers, and styrenic block copolymers (SBCs) can be formulated with an elongation of several hundred percent. Elastic cord fabricated from these polymers may be used in neck closure systems wherein the neck closure body lacks elasticity.  
         [0054]     While the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the type and number of releasable fasteners may be varied, with different types of fasteners being combined in a single closure system. Examples of equivalent releasable fasteners may include, and are not limited to velcro, snaps and toggles.