Patent Publication Number: US-2009224011-A1

Title: Method of and an apparatus for assisting in putting on and taking off a wet suit used by water enthusiasts

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/034,700 filed Mar. 7, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates, in general, to both putting on and taking off wet suits used by surfers, divers and sail boaters and, more particularly, this invention relates to both a method and an apparatus which will greatly improve the ease with which such wet suits can be either put on or taken off. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, wet suits are quite difficult to put on and take off as is generally well known in the prior art. 
     The difficulty in putting on and taking off wet suits are well documented in the prior art as is evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,438,531; 5,222,313; and 5,826,274. Each of these patents teach, in addition to the difficulties encountered, certain methods and equipment to help alleviate the problems encountered. The teachings of each of these references are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     However, none of these listed prior art references which are known to applicant have totally solved all the problems associated with putting on and taking off a wet suit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides, according to a first embodiment, an apparatus for assisting in putting on and taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereof used by water enthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion of a wet suit. The apparatus includes at least one member formed as at least one of a bootie and a glove. The at least one of such bootie and such glove has each of a predetermined size and is produced from a predetermined material which has a predetermined coefficient of friction. The predetermined coefficient of friction is at least sufficiently low to permit a material such at least one of such coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is produced from to slide thereover and thereby inhibit contact between a person&#39;s skin and the at least one of such coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof in an area covered by the at least on of the bootie and glove. 
     The invention, according to a second embodiment, provides a method of putting on at least one of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereof used by water enthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion of such wet suit. The method includes as a first step selecting the at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and a combination thereof to be worn by a person. Thereafter, putting on at least one of a bootie and a glove having a predetermined size and produced from a predetermined material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit a material such at least one of such coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is produced from to slide thereover depending on which one of such at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is to be worn by the person. Then, pushing a foot through each leg of the at least one of such coveralls and pants when the at least one of such coveralls and pants are selected and the bootie has been put on. The method also includes pushing a hand through each arm of the coveralls and torso cover when the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover are selected. Next, rolling up each pant leg of the at least one of such coveralls and pants to a position above an upper portion of the bootie and then removing such bootie. After the bootie has been remove the method includes the step of rolling each pant leg back down. Further the method includes rolling up each arm of the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover to a position above an upper portion of the glove and then removing the glove from each hand. Thereafter, rolling each arm of such at least one of the coveralls and torso cover back down. 
     According to a third embodiment, the instant invention teaches a method of taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereof used by water enthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion of a wet suit. The method includes the steps of rolling up each pant leg of the at least one of such coveralls and pants to a predetermined position above an ankle of a person wearing the at least one of such coveralls and pants. Thereafter, placing a bootie having a predetermined size and produced from a predetermined material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit a material the at least one of such coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is produced from to slide thereover on each foot of the person. Then, rolling each pant leg back down over a top portion of the bootie after placing on one each foot. Next, removing each leg from the at least one of such coveralls and pants and thereafter removing the bootie. Further, the method includes the step of rolling up each arm of such at least one of the coveralls and torso cover to a predetermined position above a wrist of the person. Then, placing a glove having a predetermined size and produced from a predetermined material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit a material the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover to slide over each hand. Thereafter, rolling each arm of the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover back down over a top portion of the glove and then remove each arm from such at least one of the coveralls and torso cover and thereafter the glove. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a method of and an apparatus for putting on or taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof forming a wet suit which will significantly reduce the time required to accomplish the task. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of and an apparatus for putting on or taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof forming a wet suit which will increase the useful life of the wet suit by reducing the friction between the wet suit and a person&#39;s skin. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of and an apparatus for putting on or taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof forming a wet suit which is relatively easy to use. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a an apparatus for putting on or taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof forming a wet suit which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for putting on or taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof forming a wet suit which can be produced from a variety of materials which will exhibit a relatively low coefficient of friction. 
     In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a coverall type wet suit which can be used with the presently preferred embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of pants forming a portion of a wet suit which can be used with the presently preferred embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a torso cover forming a portion of a wet suit which can be used with the presently preferred embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a sock like bootie used in putting on and taking off the leg portion of a wet suit; and 
         FIG. 5  is a view illustrating a mitten type glove used in putting on and taking off the arm portion of a wet suit. 
         FIGS. 6 ,  6 A, and  6 B are illustrations showing the bootie in different arrangements. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures. 
     Reference is now made, more particularly, to  FIGS. 1-2 . Illustrated therein is a presently preferred embodiment of an apparatus, generally designated  10 , which is used in both putting on and taking off a wet suit, generally designated  20 . Such wet suit  20 , may be selected from the group consisting of at least one of coveralls  12 , pants  14 , torso cover  16  and a combination thereof. The coveralls  12 , pants  14 , torso cover  16  and a combination thereof are made from a first predetermined material such as rubber. 
     The apparatus  10  comprising at least one member formed as at least one of a bootie  18  and a glove  22 . Such glove  22  is preferably formed as a mitten. The at least one of such bootie and glove having a predetermined size and is produced from a second predetermined material. The second predetermined material will have a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit a material the at least one of such coveralls  12 , pants  14 , torso cover  16  and combination thereof is produced from to slide thereover and thereby inhibit contact between a person&#39;s skin and the at least one of coveralls  12 , pants  14 , torso cover  16  and a combination thereof in an area covered by the at least on of such bootie  18  and glove  22 . Preferably, the second predetermined material will be selected from the group consisting of nylon, high density polyethylene fibers and hydrophobic materials. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention such predetermined material is nylon. 
     Additionally, in such presently preferred embodiment the at least one of the coveralls  12 , pants  14 , torso cover  16  and combination thereof will be pants  14  and torso cover  16 . Further, in the most preferred embodiment the apparatus  10  will include both booties  18  and gloves  22 . 
     It is further preferred that each of the at least one of such booties  18  and gloves  22  include a means, generally designated  30 , disposed adjacent the top portion  24  thereof for retaining them in place during putting on and taking off the wet suit. The means  30  for retaining the booties  16  and gloves  18  in place during putting on and taking off the wet suit is selected from the group consisting of elastic, hook and loop, a snap and twine. 
     The instant invention further provides a method of putting on at least one of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereof used by water enthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion of a wet suit. 
     The method includes the steps of selecting the at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof to be worn by a person. Putting on at least one of a bootie and a glove having a predetermined size and produced from a predetermined material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit a material such at least one of such coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is produced from to slide thereover depending on which one of said at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is to be worn by such person. Then, pushing a foot through each leg of the at least one of such coveralls and pants when the at least one of such coveralls and pants are selected and the bootie has been put. The method further includes pushing an arm through each arm of the coveralls and the torso cover when the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover are selected. Thereafter, rolling up each pant leg of the at least one of such coveralls and pants to a position above an upper portion of the bootie and then removing the bootie from each foot. Further, the method includes rolling each pant leg back down after removing the bootie. Similarly, the method includes rolling up each arm of at least one of the coveralls and torso cover to a position above an upper portion of the glove and then removing such glove from each hand and finally rolling each arm of the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover back down. 
     It should be understood that certain ones of the steps described above may be performed in a different sequence than as set forth supra. 
     The present invention further provides a method of taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereof used by water enthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion of said wet suit. Such method includes the steps of rolling up each pant leg of the at least one of such coveralls and pants to a predetermined position above an ankle of a person wearing the at least one of such coveralls and pants. Then, placing a bootie having a predetermined size and produced from a predetermined material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit a material the at least one of such coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is produced from to slide thereover on each foot of the person. Thereafter, rolling each pant leg back down over a top portion of the bootie. Then, removing each leg from the at least one of such coveralls and pants and thereafter removing the bootie. Also, the method includes rolling up each arm of the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover to a predetermined position above a wrist of the person and then placing a glove having a predetermined size and produced from a predetermined material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit a material the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover is made from to slide over each hand. 
     Next, the method includes rolling each arm of the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover back down over a top portion of the glove and then removing each arm from the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover and thereafter removing the glove. 
     As mention above with respect to the method of putting on a wet suit it should be understood that certain ones of the steps described above may be performed in a different sequence than as set forth supra. 
     While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.