WETSUIT WITH A REAR MIDPORTION OPENING

Abstract

The present relates to a wetsuit, comprising an upper body portion, a lower leg portion, and a mid-portion arranged between the upper body portion and the lower leg portion, the lower leg portion comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first leg, the second leg and the mid-portion each comprises a front side and a rear side, wherein the wetsuit comprises a zipper configured to unzip at least a portion of the rear side of the mid portion, the zipper extending from an upper position of the first leg's front side to an upper position of the second leg's front side, via the rear side of the mid-portion.

Claims

1. A wetsuit, comprising an upper body portion, a lower leg portion, and a mid-portion arranged between the upper body portion and the lower leg portion, the lower leg portion comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first leg, the second leg and the mid-portion each comprises a front side and a rear side, wherein the wetsuit comprises a zipper configured to unzip at least a portion of the rear side of the mid-portion, the zipper extending from an upper position of the first leg's front side to an upper position of the second leg's front side, via the rear side of the mid-portion.

2. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein the zipper extends in a lying C-shape.

3. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein the wetsuit further comprises a strip of neoprene attached to the lower leg portion and to the mid-portion, the zipper being arranged in the strip of neoprene.

4. The wetsuit according to claim 3, wherein the strip of neoprene is at least welded to the lower leg portion and to the mid-portion.

5. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein the zipper is attached to a respective inner surface of the upper position of the first leg's front side, the upper position of the second leg's front side, and the rear side of the mid-portion.

6. The wetsuit according to claim 5, wherein the zipper comprises a zipper attachment structure attaching the zipper to the respective inner surfaces of the upper position of the first leg's front side, the upper position of the second leg's front side, and the rear side of the mid-portion.

7. The wetsuit according to claim 6, wherein the zipper attachment structure comprises a plurality of recesses along the extension of the zipper from the upper position of the first leg's front side to the upper position of the second leg's front side.

8. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein the wetsuit is made of a neoprene material.

9. The wetsuit according to claim 1, wherein the wetsuit is a one-piece wet suite.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a front view of a wetsuit according to an example,

[0028] FIG. 2 is a side view of the wetsuit with the zipper closed according to an example,

[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view of the wetsuit with the zipper open according to an example,

[0030] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the wetsuit with the zipper closed according to an example,

[0031] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the wetsuit with the zipper open according to an example, and

[0032] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the zipper attached to an inner surface according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Reference is made to FIGS. 1-6, where the wetsuit 1 and parts thereof is depicted in different manners according to examples. As can be seen, there is provided a wetsuit 1, comprising an upper body portion 2, a lower leg portion 17, and a mid-portion 8 arranged between the upper body portion and the lower leg portion, the lower leg portion comprising a first leg 18 and a second leg 19, wherein the first leg, the second leg and the mid-portion each comprises a front side 22 and a rear side 21, wherein the wetsuit comprises a zipper 3 configured to unzip at least a portion of the rear side of the mid portion, the zipper extending from an upper position 20 of the first leg's front side to an upper position of the second leg's front side, via the rear side of the mid-portion. The first leg 18 thus comprises an upper position 20 as well as a lower position 23. The lower position 23 is arranged in the vicinity of an opening for the foot. The same applies for the second leg 19 which also comprises an upper position 20 and a lower position 23.

[0034] The zipper 3 is preferably formed as a lying C curve from its starting position 4 to its end position 5, enabling the user to open and close it in one drag easily with the use of a zipper tab or zipper locker 6. When closed, the zipper folds into a pocket to protect the zipper tab 6. When opened, a portion of the rear side of the mid-portion 8 falls back halfway 10, exposing the back part of the user 12.

[0035] The position of the C-shaped zipper serves several purposes: firstly is may ensure that the zipper naturally follows a line on the body with minimum interference with the users body contexture, one is to ensure unhindered usage of the zipper while wearing a life vest or other garments on the upper body; another is to allow the user to sit down on their back without exposing the zipper to any friction from outside that may degrade its structure. Furthermore, it enables an attachment to the wetsuit, which minimizes stress on the wetsuit's structure, thus reducing the risk of compromising its intended functionality. Finally, the position of the zipper may ensure that the wetsuit's fabric has a slim and tight fit to the body. A wetsuit which hangs loose on the body will lose all its intended functionality.

[0036] Furthermore, the zipper is preferably curved to reach its outer position. The start 4 and end 5 positions are positioned at a certain point from the zipper over an arch 9, which allows part of the rear mid-portion to bend down naturally and the user to sit down without stressing the zipper's endpoints or the suit's neoprene.

[0037] The zipper is preferably attached to a mounting strip panel 7. The zipper is bonded into the panel inner surface, with a plurality of recesses 14 cut into the zipper fastening fabric 13. The plurality of recesses are arranged at a certain distance from each other and angle to curve the zipper 15. The recesses 14 are covered with fastening tape, on both sides of the zipper to protect the recesses and fabric. The zipper may advantageously be securely fastened to the panel 7 to improve the connection between the wetsuit and the zipper to form a substantially stress-free connection, and the zipper may additionally maintain its curve without wrinkling or folding which may be important to minimize. The curved shape of the zipper may enable for the wetsuit's fit, structure, and flexibility. While providing functionality to open a part of the rear mid-portion, a miss fit will cause heat loss and water intrusion, which is avoided by the present invention. The mounting strip panel should preferably be broad enough to distribute the stresses in the fabric before connecting it with the wetsuit's other panels.

[0038] The inside of the rear mid-portion is partially covered with an inner layer of neoprene 11. This, in conjunction with the zipper's overarch 9 along each legs side down to the start 4 and end 5 positions of the zipper 3.

[0039] The inner layer of neoprene is preferably a relatively thin material provided for waterproofing, heat insulation, protection from rubbing the back part from the zipper when closed, and covering the user's back 12 when the zipper is opened and the rear mid-portion falls back.