SHOULDER PULLER WETSUITS, SHOULDER PULLERS AND METHODS FOR MAKING WETSUITS HAVING SHOULDER PULLERS

Abstract

Shoulder pullers, wetsuits with shoulder pullers and methods for making wetsuits with shoulder pullers are described herein. The shoulder pullers may be part of a wetsuit or may be arranged for retrofitting to an existing wetsuit. The shoulder pullers can be used to assist a wetsuit user to remove a wetsuit through an access opening.

Claims

1. A wetsuit comprising: a core portion configured to cover at least a torso of a user, the core portion having a front portion, a back portion, a right shoulder portion, and a left shoulder portion, the core portion including an access opening between the right shoulder portion and the left shoulder portion through which the user can put on and take off the wetsuit; a right arm portion extending from the right shoulder portion, wherein at least part of the right shoulder portion and at least a part of the right arm portion, including a part that is adjacent to the right shoulder portion, defines a right shoulder area; a left arm portion extending from the left shoulder portion, wherein at least part of the left shoulder portion and at least a part of the left arm portion, including a part that is adjacent to the left shoulder portion, defines a left shoulder area; a right shoulder puller attached to the right shoulder area, the right shoulder puller including a right pull line that is extendable out of the access opening; and a left shoulder puller attached to the left shoulder area, the left shoulder puller including a left pull line that is extendable out of the access opening.

2. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the right shoulder puller is attached to an inside surface of the right shoulder area and the left shoulder puller is attached to an inside surface of the left shoulder area.

3. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the right shoulder puller further comprises a right connection support and the left shoulder puller further comprises a left connection support.

4. The wetsuit of claim 3, wherein the right and left connection supports are made from neoprene and are connected to the right and left shoulder areas, respectively, using a neoprene glue.

5. The wetsuit of claim 3, wherein at least one of the right and left connection supports includes a “V” or “U” shape.

6. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the shoulder pullers includes a “V” or “U” shaped connection support that is positioned at one of the arm portions in an area of the user's deltoid muscle when the wetsuit is worn.

7. The wetsuit of claim 3, wherein at least one of the right and left connection supports comprises a front connection support and a back connection support that are separate from one another.

8. The wetsuit of claim 7, wherein the front connection support is positioned at the front portion in an area of the user's mid-clavicle to outer ⅓ of the clavicle when the wetsuit is worn.

9. The wetsuit of claim 7, wherein the back connection support is positioned at the back portion in an area of the user's mid-scapular spine when the wetsuit is worn.

10. The wetsuit of claim 1, further comprising a lower core portion, a right leg portion extending from the lower core portion, and a left leg portion extending from the lower core portion.

11. The wetsuit of claim 1, further comprising: a collar portion including a lower opening and a neck opening, the lower opening connected to the core portion adjacent to the access opening, the neck opening configured for fitting around the neck of the user to form around the user's neck.

12. The wetsuit of claim 11, further comprising: a closure assembly attached to the core portion adjacent to the access opening and the collar portion adjacent to the lower opening, the closure assembly configured for selectively closing between the core portion and the collar portion, and for selectively opening such that the user can utilize the access opening.

13. The wetsuit of claim 11, wherein the closure assembly comprises a zipper.

14. The wetsuit of claim 11, wherein the closure assembly comprises a draw string.

15. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the right and/or left pull line is a cord.

16. The wetsuit f claim 1, wherein the right and/or left pull line is a ribbon.

17. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the right and/or left pull line includes a loop.

18. A shoulder puller for connecting to a wetsuit having an access opening positioned between a right shoulder portion and a left shoulder portion of the wetsuit to aid in removal of the wetsuit by a user wearing the wetsuit, the shoulder puller comprising: a pull line; a connection support made from a material that has an elasticity that is similar to an elasticity of at least a portion of the wetsuit, the connection support configured to connect the pull line to a shoulder area of the wetsuit, and wherein the pull line is configured to extend at least from the shoulder area of the wetsuit to the access opening.

19. The shoulder puller of claim 18, wherein the connection support includes a “V” or “U” shape.

20. A method for producing a wetsuit, the method comprising: configuring a core portion to cover at least a torso of a user, the core portion having a front portion, a back portion, a right shoulder portion, and a left shoulder portion, the core portion including an access opening between the right shoulder portion and the left shoulder portion through which the user can put on and take off the wetsuit; extending a right arm portion from the right shoulder portion, wherein at least part of the right shoulder portion and at least a part of the right arm portion, including a part that is adjacent to the right shoulder portion, defines a right shoulder area; extending a left arm portion from the left shoulder portion, wherein at least part of the left shoulder portion and at least a part of the left arm portion, including a part that is adjacent to the left shoulder portion, defines a left shoulder area; attaching a right shoulder puller to the right shoulder area, the right shoulder puller including a right pull line that is extendable out of the access opening; and attaching a left shoulder puller to the left shoulder area, the left shoulder puller including a left pull line that is extendable out of the access opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a front view of a wetsuit according to embodiments described herein having shoulder pullers.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wetsuit shown in FIG. 1 turned inside out.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a view of a connection support and part of a pull line of a shoulder puller according to embodiments described herein.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a view of a connection support and part of a pull line of a shoulder puller according to other embodiments described herein.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of a wetsuit turned inside out and a connection support and pull line of a shoulder puller attached to an inside surface of the wetsuit according to another embodiment described herein.

[0012] FIG. 6. is a top view of an access opening of a wetsuit with shoulder puller pull lines extending out of the access opening.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a side view of a user wearing a wetsuit showing a position of an embodiments of a shoulder puller.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a front view of a user in a process of taking off a wetsuit using shoulder pullers.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a front view of the user shown in FIG. 8 further in the process of taking off the wetsuit using the shoulder pullers.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a front view of the user shown in FIG. 9 further in the process of taking off the wetsuit using the shoulder pullers.

[0017] FIG. 11 is a front view of the user shown in FIG. 10 further in the process of taking off the wetsuit using the shoulder pullers.

[0018] FIG. 12 is a front view of the user shown in FIG. 11 further in the process of taking off the wetsuit using the shoulder pullers.

[0019] FIG. 13 is a front view of the user shown in FIG. 12 further in the process of taking off the wetsuit using the shoulder pullers.

[0020] FIG. 14 is a front view of the user shown in FIG. 13 further in the process of taking off the wetsuit using the shoulder pullers.

[0021] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a method for producing a wetsuit having shoulder pullers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Embodiments of this application relate to wetsuits and in particular top entry wetsuits, that may be chest zip or zip free, in which the user puts on and takes off the wetsuit through an access opening at or near the top of the upper core of the wetsuit. These types of wetsuits typically have a lower core portion and leg portions that cover at least part of a user's legs which necessitates the user putting on and taking off the wetsuit through the access opening.

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a wetsuit 100 worn by a user 102. The wetsuit 100 is a chest zip type wetsuit and includes a core portion 104 that covers the user's torso 106. The wetsuit 100 includes a front portion 108, a back portion (not shown in FIG. 1), a right shoulder portion 112 and a left shoulder portion 114. The wetsuit 100 also includes an access opening 116 that is generally between the right shoulder portion 112 and left shoulder portion 114. A collar portion 118 may be connected to the core portion 104 of the wetsuit 100. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the collar portion 118 is connected to the core portion 104 at the right shoulder portion 112 and the back portion 110. The collar portion 118 may include a lower opening 120 and a neck opening 122.

[0024] The wetsuit 100 may include a closure assembly 124 which may be attached at the access opening 116 of the core portion 104 and at the lower opening 120 of the collar portion 104. The closure assembly 124 may be configured for selectively closing between the core portion 104 and the collar portion 118, and for selectively opening (as shown in FIG. 1) so that the collar portion 118 can be removed from the user's neck to allow the user to put on and take off the wetsuit 100 through the access opening 116. In some examples, the closure assembly 124 may be adjacent to or along edges of the access opening 116 and the lower opening 120 of the collar portion 118. In some examples, the closure assembly 124 may be or include a slide fastener 126 along a chest part 128 of the collar portion 118 and along a chest part 130 of the front portion 108 of the wetsuit 100. The slide fastener 126 can slide between an open position and a closed position to close between the collar chest part 128 and front portion chest part 130. The slide fastener may be a zipper, such as a water-tight zipper, or other suitable fastener. In some examples, the closure assembly 124 may not include a slide fastener and the wetsuit 100 may be a zipperless type of wetsuit. In these examples, the wetsuit may not have a slide fastener and in place may have a stretchable material on the front portion and the access opening may extend over one or the other shoulders from the front portion 108.

[0025] The closure assembly 124 may also include a drawstring 132 with a cord lock 134 along a collar shoulder part 136 of the collar portion 118. By pulling the drawstring 132 and locking the cord lock 134, the drawstring 132 tightens the shoulder part 136 of the collar portion 118 which closes the collar portion 118 to the access opening 116. By opening the closure assembly 116, such as by releasing the drawstring 132 and sliding the slide fastener 126 to the open position, the neck opening 122 of the collar portion 118 may be pulled over the user's head from around the user's neck (as shown in FIG. 1) to remove the collar portion 118 so that the user may take off the wetsuit 100 through the access opening 116.

[0026] By closing the closure assembly 116, from the position shown in FIG. 1, such as by sliding the slide fastener 126 to the closed position and pulling the drawstring 132 to tighten the drawstring 132 and locking the cord lock 134, the wetsuit 100 is ready to use.

[0027] The wetsuit 100 includes a right arm portion 150 that extends from the right shoulder portion 112; and a left arm portion 152 that extends from the left shoulder portion 114. The right arm portion 150 covers at least a portion of the user's right arm and the left arm portion 152 covers at least a portion of the user's left arm. The wetsuit 100 also includes a lower torso portion 154, and a right leg portion 156 and left leg portion 158 extending from the lower torso portion 154. The right leg portion 156 covers at least a portion of the user's right leg and the left leg portion 158 covers at least a portion of the user's left leg. In some examples, the right and left arm portions 150 and 152 may be short sleeves. In some examples, the right and left leg portions 156 and 158 may extend below the user's knees or above the user's knees. Wetsuits having full length sleeves and leg portions that extend down or near the user's feet may be referred to as full suits, and wetsuits having short sleeves and leg portions that extend above the user's knees may be referred to as a shorty suit.

[0028] Wetsuits are designed to fit snug around the user's body to resist drag and are made from material that stretches to allow free movement of the user. Wetsuits are designed to provide limited resistance to movement since resistance can contribute to tiring the user, especially when the user is swimming. Wetsuits can be made from one or more elastic material, such as for example synthetic rubber, such as neoprene, and one or more inner lining layers that provide addition insulation. Even though the wetsuit material is stretchable pulling the access opening over the shoulders to get out of the wetsuit can be difficult since the user's shoulders are wider than the access opening. Another difficulty of taking off the wetsuit is that even if the user is able to grab the access opening on the same side, that is with the user's right hand grabbing the right side of the access opening and the user's left hand grabbing the left side of the access opening, the user typically cannot then move the access opening over the user's shoulders.

[0029] The access opening 116 must be stretched to open large enough to go around the user's shoulders when the wetsuit 100 it taken off. The wetsuit 100 includes a right shoulder puller 170 and a left shoulder puller 172. In some examples, the right and left shoulder pullers 170 and 172 are attached to the inside of the wetsuit 100. In FIG. 1, right shoulder puller 170 is shown by a raised outline that is shown on the exterior of the wetsuit 100; and the left shoulder puller 172 is shown by a cut-away area of the wetsuit 100 where the puller 172 attaches to the wetsuit 100.

[0030] The right and left shoulder pullers 170 and 172 allow the user to pull the access opening 116 of the wetsuit 100 over their shoulders using their same side hands as discussed in more detail below. The right and left shoulder pullers 170 and 172 can make it easier for a user to take off a wetsuits that has an access opening that is between the user's shoulders.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the upper part of the core portion 104 turned inside out to show an inside surface 160. In some examples, the right shoulder puller 170 can be attached at a right shoulder area 174 of the wetsuit 100; and the left shoulder puller 172 can be attached at a left shoulder area 176 of the wetsuit 100. The shoulder area may include the portion(s) of the wetsuit covering all or a portion of the trapezius, the pectoralis, and/or deltoid muscles of the user. The right shoulder area 174 may include the right shoulder portion 112 and/or part of the right arm portion 150 that is adjacent to the right shoulder portion 112. The left shoulder area 176 may include the left shoulder portion 114 and/or part of the left arm portion 152 that is adjacent to the left shoulder portion 114.

[0032] In some examples, the right shoulder puller 170 can include a pull line 180 that is attached to the inside surface 160 using a connection support 182; and the left shoulder puller 172 can include a pull line 184 that is attached to the inside surface 160 using a connection support 186. In some examples, the connection supports may be used for connecting the pull lines to the material of the wetsuit and may be used for reinforcing the connection between the pull lines and the wetsuit material. In some examples, the connection supports may secure a part of the pull lines so that the pull line is captured between the connection support and the material of the wetsuit. In some examples, the connection supports may distribute the force of the pull line, when the pull line is pulled, over a relatively larger area of the wetsuit material than when the connection supports are not used.

[0033] In some examples, the connection supports 182 and 186 can be made from neoprene or other material that has a flexibility and/or stretchability that is similar to that of the material where the connection supports are attached. In some examples, the connection supports 182 and 186 can be attached using a glue 190 that has flexibility and/or stretchability that is similar to that of the connection supports and/or material where the shoulder pullers are attached. In some examples, the shoulder areas 174/176 can be neoprene, the connection supports 182/186 can be made from neoprene, and the connection supports can be attached using a flexible neoprene-based cement.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows an example of a shoulder puller 200 including a connection support 202, that may be attached to or be part of a wetsuit, and a pull line 204. The connection support 202 includes a generally “V” shape that is used to attach the pull line 204 to the wetsuit. The connection support 202 includes a first end 206 and a second end 208 that are spaced apart from one another and the pull line 204 extends from the connection support at the first end 206 and second end 208. This allows the pull line 204 to pull the wetsuit access opening in two areas, for example on the front and back of the user's shoulder.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows an example of a shoulder puller 210 including a connection support 212, that may be attached to or be part of a wetsuit, and a pull line 214. The connection support 212 includes a shape that is similar to a “U” that is used to attach the pull line 214 to the wetsuit. The pull line 214 in FIG. 4 includes a ribbon shape. The connection support 212 includes a first end 216 and a second end 218 that are spaced apart from one another and the pull line 214 extends from the connection support 212 at the first end 216 and the second end 218. The allows the pull line 214 to pull the wetsuit access opening in two areas.

[0036] In some examples the pull line may not be stretchable or may have limited stretchability. The shape of the connection support can allow the wetsuit, where the connection support is attached, to flex and/or stretch because the first end 206/216 and second end 208/218 can move closer or further away from one another without having to stretch the pull line. In some examples, the shape of the connection support can be similar to a “V” as shown in FIG. 3, or a “U” as shown in FIG. 4, or may have another shape that allows the wetsuit, where the connection support is attached, to flex and/or stretch. The connection support(s) can have a flexibility and/or stretchability that is similar to that of the material where the connection support is attached to limit resistance to the user's movement. In some examples, the connection support can be made from a material that matches the properties of the material of the wetsuit where the connection support is attached. In some examples, the connection support can be neoprene and the connection supports can be attached using a flexible neoprene-based cement. In some examples, the connection support and pull line may be configured so that the pull line can slide within the connection support so that the pull line does not excessively restrict the stretch of the wetsuit.

[0037] In some examples, one or two shoulder pullers, such as shoulder puller 200 or shoulder puller 210, may be attached to a wetsuit that was originally manufactured without a shoulder puller. This allows users to retrofit their wetsuits with shoulder pullers so that they can have the advantages of having shoulder pullers without having to buy a new wetsuit. In other examples, one or two shoulder pullers may be part of the original manufacturing process of a wetsuit.

[0038] In some examples the shoulder pullers 170/172 may be attached to the inside surface 160 of the wetsuit 100. In some examples, the shoulder pullers 170/172 may be attached between layers of the wetsuit 100 or may be attached to the wetsuit 100 such that part of the pull line 180 extends through one or more layer of the wetsuit material. In some examples, the wetsuit 100 may include only a right shoulder puller or a left shoulder puller. In some examples, the right shoulder puller and left shoulder pullers may each be attached in different or non-symmetrical locations of the wetsuit, and each shoulder puller may have more than one connection support for attaching one or more pull line.

[0039] The pull lines shown in the examples in FIGS. 1-3 are cords such as paracords that are each formed into a loop, the pull line shown in the example in FIG. 4 is a ribbon. The pull line(s) may each be one or more thread, string, cord, rope, ribbon, and/or the like having a sufficient strength to be pulled by the user to expand the access opening over the user's shoulder, e.g., from the user's trapezius to the user's deltoid or triceps. The pull line(s) may have a single strand or multiple strands and may be in a loop or have another form that allows the user to grasp with their hand and pull. In some examples, the pull line(s) are not stretchable or only have a limited stretchability. In some examples, part or all of the pull line(s) are stretchable. In some examples, the pull line(s) may be loop or may be or include a length of cord connected at one or both ends.

[0040] FIG. 5. shows side view of a wetsuit 230 turned inside out. The wetsuit 230 includes an example of a shoulder puller 232 attached to or forming part of a wetsuit 230. The shoulder puller 232 includes a front connection support 234, a back connection support 236, and a pull line 238. The pull line 238 includes a first end 240 attached to the front connection support 234 and a second end 242 attached to the back connection support 236. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first end 240 of pull line 238 is wrapped around the front connection support 234 and is tied back to itself; and second end 242 is wrapped around the back connection support 236 and is tied back to itself. In some examples, the pull line may be secured to the connection support in another way. In some examples, the shoulder puller may not need the connection support and the pull line 238 may be connected to the material of the wetsuit in another way, such as for example by sewing and/or gluing the pull line to the wetsuit material.

[0041] In some examples, each pull line may be connected at two or more points with one point of connection in the front and one point of connection in the back. In some examples, one of the connections may be in the area of the user's mid-clavicle to outer ⅓ of the clavicle area in front. In some examples, one of the connections may be in the area of the user's mid-scapular spine (spine of the scapula). In some examples, the pull line may be connected in the area of the user's elbow or may be connected at or near the access opening. In some examples, the pull line may be connected at or near the upper portion of the user's shoulder and may be connected in the front and back of the shoulder area.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a top view of the wetsuit 100 with the right pull line 180 extending out of a right side of the access opening 116 and the left pull line 184 extending out of a left side of the access opening 116. In FIG. 6, the collar portion 118 is moved toward the back and right side to allow the user to enter the access opening 116. In some examples, the pull lines may each contact the access opening at two position when pulled to take off the wetsuit.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a side view of the core portion 104 and left arm portion 152 of the wetsuit 100 worn by the user 102. The left shoulder puller 172 is shown positioned where it may be located when the wetsuit 100 is worn, except that the shoulder puller 172 may be on the inside of the wetsuit 100. As shown the left connection support 186 is located at the left arm portion 152 of the wetsuit 100 where it is at or slightly below the deltoid muscle of the user. When the wetsuit 100 is worn, the left pull line 184 (and/or pull line 180) may extend up below the collar portion 118 so that when the collar portion 118 is removed from the user's neck the pull line(s) are revealed and can be grasped by the user's hands. The pull lines may be positioned to make sure that they do not interfere with the ability of the collar portion 118 to keep water from getting under the collar portion 118.

[0044] FIGS. 8-14 are front views of the core portion 104 of the wetsuit 100 worn by the user 102. FIGS. 8-14 illustrate an example of the use of the shoulder pullers 170/172 when removing the wetsuit 100. Outlines of the shoulder pullers 170/172 are shown to illustrate where they may be positioned on the inside of the wetsuit when not extending out of the access opening 116.

[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates the user 102 reaching across his chest with his right arm and grasping the left pull line 184 with his right hand 250 through the access opening 116. FIG. 9 illustrates the user 102 reaching across his chest with his left arm and grasping the right pull line 180 with his left hand 252 through the access opening 116. The user 102 can maintain his hold on the left pull line 184 with his right hand 250 while grasping the right pull line 180 with his left hand 252. FIG. 10 illustrates the user 102 exchanging the right pull line 180 and left pull line 184 so that the right pull line 180 is in the user's right hand 250 and the left pull line 184 is in the user's left hand 252.

[0046] FIG. 11 illustrates the user 102 with the right pull line 180 in the user's right hand 250 and the left pull line 184 in the user's left hand 252. FIG. 12 illustrates the user 102 pulling the right pull line 180 out and down with the right hand 250 and pulling the left pull line 184 out and down with the user's left hand 252. The access opening 116 is stretched outward toward the user's shoulders and downward. In some examples, the access opening 116 is pulled at two locations on each side since there are two lengths of the pull lines 180/184 extending out of the access opening 116 on each side. FIG. 13 illustrates the user 102 pulling the right pull line 180 out and down with the right hand 250 and pulling the left pull line 184 out and down with the user's left hand 252. The access opening 116 has been stretched and moved over the user's shoulders. FIG. 14 illustrates the user 102 pulling the right pull line 180 down with the right hand 150 and pulling the left pull line 184 down with the user's left hand 252. The access opening 116 is positioned past the user's shoulders. After the user 102 has used the shoulder pullers 170 and 172 to pull the wetsuit 100 down past the user's shoulders, the user 102 can release the pull lines 180 and 184 and can continue to pull the access opening down by hand to finish removing the wetsuit 100.

[0047] FIG. 15 shows a flow diagram of an example of a method 260 for producing a wetsuit. Method 260 begins at a start 262 and proceeds to a step 264 where a core portion is configured to cover at least a portion of a torso of a user. Method 260 then proceeds to a step 266 where a right arm portion is extended from a right shoulder portion of the core portion. Method 260 then proceeds to a step 268 where a left arm portion is extended from a left shoulder portion of the core portion. Method 260 then proceeds to a step 270 where a right shoulder puller is attached to a right shoulder area of the wetsuit. Method 260 then proceeds to a step 272 where a left shoulder puller is attached to a left shoulder area of the wetsuit. Method 260 then proceeds to a step 274 where the method 260 ends. In some examples the steps shown in method 260 may be performed in a different order than what is shown in FIG. 15.

[0048] The above examples are to be understood as illustrative, further examples are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.