Abstract: A swimsuit having a torso-covering section extending from a bustline to a hemline. The torso-covering section has a fastener on the front panel that extends from a first point on the bustline in a diagonal direction to a second point on the hemline. The torso-covering section is defined by front, back, left, and right panels. The point on the hemline is situated on an opposite side of the wearer than the point on the bustline. The fastener has a starting point situated on a wearer's leg cuff on one side of the wearer's body to an ending point on the wearer's bustline on the side of the body opposite to the leg cuff. For example, the fastener ending point is on the right leg cuff and the fastener starting point is on the bustline on the left side of the wearer.

Abstract: A swimming garment formed from a stretchable elasticated fabric, wherein the garment comprises at least one sensitivity zone in which the fabric thickness is less than the fabric thickness of the region of the garment surrounding the sensitivity zone. The sensitivity zones can give a heightened sensation in a specific position of the body, for example in the abdominals. The thinner fabric zone increases the sensation of water flow/temperature which in-turn leads to a proprioceptive response to activate the muscle group beneath the zone.

Abstract: An outdoor activity suit includes a body having a front portion, a back portion, opposed sides where the front portion connects to the back portion, a neck receiving portion, an arms receiving portion and a legs receiving portion. The front portion, the neck receiving portion and the legs receiving portion of the body form a first component of the body. The back portion and the arms receiving portion form a second component of the body. An endless loop zipper connects the first component and the second component such that the second component is selectively removable from the first component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying flexible solar panels to flexible underlying membranes are disclosed. The embodiments disclosed herein involve systems and methods for applying flexible photovoltaic modules to flexible underlying membranes, including large and small span and permanent membrane structures.

Abstract: Described embodiments relate to a garment for a baby or infant, the garment comprising a neck opening; two enclosed arm portions configured to each receive an arm of a wearer of the garment, each arm portion sized to allow the wearer to straighten their arm within the arm portion; a waist portion being of a reduced width compared to the width of the garment across the arm portions; a single enclosed leg portion, the leg portion being wider than the waist portion and sized to accommodate two legs of the wearer; and at least one closure. The at least one closure allows for fastening and unfastening of the garment at the neck opening and, independently of the neck opening, at the leg portion.

Abstract: For a hairdressing cape, a round opening is formed at the center of an upper region of at least a front cloth and a back cloth, and a collar portion with an overlapping portion is formed which is sewn to a peripheral edge of the round opening by folding an edge portion. A clasp is mounted to an inner end portion at one side of the overlapping portion of the collar portion, and a ladder tape is mounted from near an end portion at the other side of the collar portion to an upper region of the back cloth. By making the clasp be caught and fastened in an arbitrary position of the ladder tape, the overlapping portion of the collar portion is fastened.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying flexible solar panels to flexible underlying membranes are disclosed. The embodiments disclosed herein involve systems and methods for applying flexible photovoltaic modules to flexible underlying membranes, including large and small span and permanent membrane structures.

Abstract: An aquatic sport performance garment configured to improve a user's performance, enhance a user's speed and ease with which the wearer moves through water, provide better control of body temperature in diverse environments and reduce overall fatigue while wearing the garment. A garment having an upper-torso portion, a free-floating, sealing collar and sleeves biased in an arms-up configuration.

Abstract: An inflator includes a cover hingedly formed on an inflatable clothing, an air-port seat formed under the cover having an air port formed through the air-port seat, and a self-restoring check valve hingedly formed under the air-port seat for normally elastically closing the air port as subjected to air pressure in the inflatable clothing, whereby upon opening of the cover, air can be blown into the inflatable clothing through the air port and to open the check valve to inflate the clothing for keeping warm or buoyant for the clothing wearer.

Abstract: A garment including a trunk portion and a pair of leg portions extending from the trunk portion. An opening extends along the trunk portion between a distal trunk opening and along the leg portions to distal ends of the leg portions for facilitating donning and doffing the garment by receiving a user within the trunk opening and leg openings. The opening extends along the leg portions on a pair of paths which avoid a kneecap portion, an inside leg portion, and an area between the kneecap portion and the inside leg portion, of each leg portion.

Abstract: A dry suit having detachable or permanent zippered compression flaps. The compression flaps can be disposed over the front or the back of a dry suit. The compression flaps are used to gather and hide excess dry suit materials and dry zipper ends under the compression flaps. The compression flaps form a tunnel around the wearer under which a kayak spray skirt or a kite boarding/surfboarding harness can be worn.

Abstract: A radiation protective garment having three layers including an inner layer having a plurality of apertures defined therein, a radiation protective layer and an outer layer, such garment having internal stays for supporting the garment's weight above the shoulders of the wearer with such weight resting on the wearer's waist/pelvic area, with the structure and method including an air movement device disposed on the exterior of the garment for directing an air flow through an air entry aperture formed in the outer layer and radiation protective layer with such air flow then passing through the plurality of apertures formed in the inner layer to cool the wearer of the garment. The air movement device and method can also include an air cooling device.

Abstract: A wetsuit for aquatic activities is disclosed below. The wetsuit includes a base layer and a backing layer. The base layer may be formed from a thermal insulation material, for example, and the base layer has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The backing layer is secured to the first surface of the base layer, and the backing layer has less stretch than the base layer. In addition, the wetsuit includes a plurality of sipes extending through at least the backing layer.

Abstract: This underwater drysuit has a waterproof zipper device 30 that opens/closes and defines a body covering/uncovering opening part 22 that is provided extending from one of shoulder parts to the other one of the shoulder parts on top of arms across a chest part of a drysuit main body 20 in a chest width direction. This device is configured in the form of a horizontal line in the chest width direction to have a dual structure with a first waterproof zipper 40 and a second zipper 50 located above the first waterproof zipper in a vertical direction.

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.

Abstract: A device for reducing a thermal signature of a person includes: a hood sized and configured to cover a head of a person, having an inner substantially waterproof layer, an outer water wicking layer, and at least one tube having a plurality of openings therethrough attached to the inner layer; and a pump in fluid communication with the tubes to urge water into the tubes and cause the tubes to dispense water to the outer water wicking layer via the openings.

Abstract: A roll seal assembly for use on a dry suit for diving and other applications where water-tight sealing of garments is demanded. The seal joins a first tubular body to a second tubular body. The first tubular body has an extension comprising a third tubular body. The second tubular body has an extension comprising a fourth tubular body. The roll seal is formed by connecting the open ends of the third and fourth extensions using a fastener and then rolling the fastened ends over a stiff but pliable band.

Abstract: Multi-layered taping materials, methods of making such materials, methods of using such materials and articles including such materials are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention includes compounds used to manufacture garments for use in water based activities that have a rubber, synthetic rubber, or neoprene compound. The compound is primarily polychloroprene or other suitable polymers and at least one metal of nanoparticle size. The compound composition includes a metal concentration that is sufficient to provide anti-bacterial properties that retard or eliminate bacterial growth on any surface of the composition used to produce the garment. The composition may include a sub-micron metal composition including sub-micron sized silver, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide and boron nitride particles as well as a polyol ester, wherein the thermal conductance of the aforementioned submicron composition is >350,000 W/m2° C. for a 0.001 inch layer of the aforementioned metal composition, the thermal resistance is <0.0045° C.-in2/Watt for a 0.001 inch layer of the aforementioned metal composition, and the average particle size is <0.49 microns for a <0.

Abstract: A wetsuit includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer is attached to the outer layer and includes a plurality of fibers having wool and being configured in a plurality of clusters. The inner layer also includes a plurality of interconnected channels. At least a portion of each channel is defined by a space between adjacent clusters. The wetsuit also includes an opening that is disposed on a rear side of the wetsuit. The wetsuit additionally includes at least one fastener that is connected to the opening to open and close the opening.

Abstract: A drysuit for diving and other wet activities includes an outer waterproof layer and an inner insulating layer. On the inside of the outer waterproof layer, which can be butyl rubber or polyurethane, there is received a detachably attached three-dimensional polyester textile that is flexible and has air throughput capacity in two directions. Thus, a diving suit of the dry type is provided that has good properties for carrying away moisture and sweat from a diver and works well at all depths, and that above all feels pleasant and comfortable for the diver to use.

Abstract: This underwater drysuit has a waterproof zipper device 30 that opens/closes and defines a body covering/uncovering opening part 22 that is provided extending from one of shoulder parts to the other one of the shoulder parts on top of arms across a chest part of a drysuit main body 20 in a chest width direction. This device is configured in the form of a horizontal line in the chest width direction to have a dual structure with a first waterproof zipper 40 and a second zipper 50 located above the first waterproof zipper in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A hypoallergenic wetsuit and material is described that uses closed cell acrylonitrile butadiene rubber. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may also be blended with the acrylonitrile butadiene rubber. The density of the closed cell acrylonitrile butadiene rubber may vary depending on the hypoallergenic wetsuit application. Low densities such as less than 70 kg./m3, and preferably 50 to 61 Kg./m3, are desirable in many applications.

Abstract: A submarine escape suit is made longitudinally adjustable by elastic adjustment members (20a, 20b) that extend along the sides of the suit between the ankle region and the arms of the suit. This provides a long adjustment length which allows a wide range of wearer heights to be accommodated. The members (20a, 20b) are encased in non-snag covers (29). A central adjustment strap (21) is also provided and is also partially encased in a non-snag cover (35).

Abstract: A wetsuit has a trunk portion having a pair of arm openings and a neck opening that fits about the torso of a wearer. The neck opening includes an area of reduced thickness that is folded to form a soft flexible edge. The neck opening is made by forming a channel of reduced thickness in a piece of material to surround the neck opening in the wetsuit, and folding the material along a centerline of the channel to form the soft flexible edge.

Abstract: A neck-protective member for preventing chafe encountered when wearing a wetsuit is provided that fits snugly around the wearer's neck, with its lower edge under the edge of the neck opening in the wetsuit. The edge of the neck opening in the wetsuit bears against the protective member rather than the skin of the wearer's neck, preventing painful chafing that can be experienced around a wearer's neck upon prolonged wetsuit use. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the neck-protective member of the invention comprises a generally conical neck portion, which fits around the wearer's neck, and a skirt portion, which fits over the wearer's shoulders, under the wetsuit. The neck portion may be formed of a single band-like member cut from a sheet of flat material, preferably “smoothskin” neoprene rubber material, oriented such that the smooth surface of the “smoothskin” neoprene rubber material is to the inside and contacts the wearer's neck.

Abstract: The submarine escape suit has a hood (14) covering the head of a wearer during ascent from a submarine. In order to allow the wearer to expose his/her face, the hood (14) is provided with a portion (21) overlying the face of a wearer that is releasable from the remainder of the hood (14). The releasable portion (21) may be re-attachable.

Abstract: A skin-tight garment (10) is disclosed in the form of a wetsuit having a body portion (11); arms portions (12, 12?); and an arm zip (13, 13?) extending from the distal end of an arm portion and terminating at a neck area of the body portion, where—in both sides of the or each arm zip (13, 13?) remain permanently attached to each other at the distal end of an arm portion and are closed by drawing the zip up from the distal end of an arm portion (12, 12?) to the neck area of a body portion. Also disclosed is garment (10) having a body portion (11); arm portions (12, 12?); and at least one pair of arm zips (13 & 21; 13? & 21?) wherein the or each pair of arm zips extends along an arm portion in respective opposite directions from an elbow region (20, 20?) of that arm portion, and wherein both sides of the or each pair of arm zips (13, 13?) remain permanently attached at the elbow region and are closed by drawing the arm zips away from the elbow portion.

Abstract: A wetsuit includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer is attached to the outer layer and includes a plurality of fibers having wool and being configured in a plurality of clusters. The inner layer also includes a plurality of interconnected channels. At least a portion of each channel is defined by a space between adjacent clusters. The wetsuit also includes an opening that is disposed on a rear side of the wetsuit. The wetsuit additionally includes at least one fastener that is connected to the opening to open and close the opening.

Abstract: A suit for use to be worn by a person when immersed in water or in contact with water and may be provided, for example, as a wetsuit construction or a dry suit construction. The suit includes an outer layer typically of a rubber foam construction and in accordance with the invention there is provided on the inner side of said layer, at least one portion of the suit, a layer of wool (8) or wool blended with other material. This inner wool (8) containing layer typically lies in contact with the wearer. In one embodiment the wool used is that obtained from Merino sheep which is found to be particularly well suited.

Abstract: A wetsuit includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer is attached to the outer layer and includes a plurality of fibers having wool and being configured in a plurality of clusters. The inner layer also includes a plurality of interconnected channels. At least a portion of each channel is defined by a space between adjacent clusters. The wetsuit also includes an opening that is disposed on a rear side of the wetsuit. The wetsuit additionally includes at least one fastener that is connected to the opening to open and close the opening.

Abstract: A suit is described herein which incorporates correlated magnets that enable an object (e.g., tool, equipment bag, hood, glove, boot, flipper) to be secured thereto and removed therefrom. Some examples of such a suit include a scuba suit, a construction suit, a bio-hazard suit, a medical suit, a fire fighter suit, and an astronaut suit.

Abstract: A wetsuit includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer is attached to the outer layer and includes a plurality of fibers having wool and being configured in a plurality of clusters. The inner layer also includes a plurality of interconnected channels. At least a portion of each channel is defined by a space between adjacent clusters. The wetsuit also includes an opening that is disposed on a rear side of the wetsuit. The wetsuit additionally includes at least one fastener that is connected to the opening to open and close the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) in dry-suit (2) for diving and other wet activities and comprises an outer waterproof layer (3) and an inner insulating layer (4). According to the invention, on the inside (5) of the outer waterproof layer (3), which consists of butyl rubber or polyurethane, there is received a detachably attached three-dimensional textile consisting of polyester and that is flexible and has air throughput capacity in two directions (6, 7).

Abstract: Garments that utilize complex panel shapes to minimize the to number of panels used, the number of seams, and total seam length. Increasing the complexity of panel shapes tends to make the cutting of panels more difficult and often results in more wastage of material, but the reduction of the number of panels and reduction in the number of seams and total seam length will actually simplify garment production and result in improved garments. Simplifying garment production will in turn generally result in an increase in the rate of production. Reducing seam length and the number of seams also reduces the chances of seams wearing out or splitting.

Abstract: A submarine escape suit is made longitudinally adjustable by elastic adjustment members (20a, 20b) that extend along the sides of the suit between the ankle region and the arms of the suit. This provides a long adjustment length which allows a wide range of wearer heights to be accommodated. The members (20a, 20b) are encased in non-snag covers (29). A central adjustment strap (21) is also provided and is also partially encased in a non-snag cover (35).

Abstract: A fluid-tight slide fastener (10) comprising tapes (12) with an inner textile layer (14) and a fluid barrier layer (16), teeth elements (21) and a slider (22), wherein said textile layer (14) is made with a spun yarn of cut fibers. Preferred materials are also disclosed for the textile layer, the fluid barrier layer and the teeth, including PE for textile layer, TPE-E or TPE-U for the fluid-barrier layer and PBT, ABS, polyamide (PA) and their blends or copolymers for the teeth. A process for making slide fasteners is also disclosed, wherein strips of a spun yarn textile material are coated by extrusion or lamination of a melted fluid-barrier material.

Abstract: A protective garment ensemble comprising a suit having arm-receiving and leg-receiving portions, a hood portion and an opening adjacent the hood opening through which the suit can be donned and doffed and which mates with a removable face portion, the ensemble having mating fastener components around the suit opening and the face portion to form a seal between the suit and the removable face portion.

Abstract: A wetsuit includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer is attached to the outer layer and includes a plurality of fibers having wool and being configured in a plurality of clusters. The inner layer also includes a plurality of interconnected channels. At least a portion of each channel is defined by a space between adjacent clusters. The wetsuit also includes an opening that is disposed on a rear side of the wetsuit. The wetsuit additionally includes at least one fastener that is connected to the opening to open and close the opening.

Abstract: A protective suit (1) with a trunk part (5) comprising an upper shoulder part (2) with a neck opening (22) and sleeve openings (7,8) arranged on either side of the neck opening (22), a lower trouser part (3) with two leg openings (9,10), a waist part (4) arranged between the shoulder part (2) and the trouser part (3), and sleeves (11 ,12) attached to the sleeve openings (7,8) and legs (13,14) attached to the leg openings (9,10), and comprising an openable seal (19) arranged in the trunk part (5). The openable seal (19) extends continuously from a point (17,18; 21) on the front (15) of the protective suit (1) located level with one sleeve opening (7), in a line down past the waist part (4) and continuing in over the trouser part (3) and then in a downward arch across the back (16) of the protective suit, back to the front (15) of the trouser part (3), continuing in a line up past the waist part (4) to a point (17,18; 21) situated level with the other sleeve opening (8).

Abstract: A wetsuit includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer is attached to the outer layer and includes a plurality of fibers having wool and being configured in a plurality of clusters. The inner layer also includes a plurality of interconnected channels. At least a portion of each channel is defined by a space between adjacent clusters. The wetsuit also includes an opening that is disposed on a rear side of the wetsuit. The wetsuit additionally includes at least one fastener that is connected to the opening to open and close the opening.

Abstract: A convertible wet suit system is provided that includes a torso fitting portion having tubular, partial limb coverings that terminate in first end portions, extended limb coverings having second end portions, and a coupling assembly for detachably connecting the first and second end portions. The coupling assembly includes a slide fastener that only partially circumscribes the first and second end portions, and at least one VELCRO® or snap-type fastener that detachably connects only part of the region between the first and second end portions that is uncircumscribed by the slide fastener such that some areas of the end portions remain unconnected when the coupling assembly is joined. Such unconnected areas between the first and second end portions advantageously maintain the elastomeric flexibility of the wet suit in the area of the coupling assembly.

Abstract: A wetsuit includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer is attached to the outer layer and includes a plurality of fibers having wool and being configured in a plurality of clusters. The inner layer also includes a plurality of interconnected channels. At least a portion of each channel is defined by a space between adjacent clusters. The wetsuit also includes an opening that is disposed on a rear side of the wetsuit. The wetsuit additionally includes at least one fastener that is connected to the opening to open and close the opening.

Abstract: A sealing device for a body suit and a sealing method utilize a reactive seal that incorporates a swelling polymer activated upon contact with a fluid medium, such as water. The reactive seal can be embodied in a neck seal, wrist seal, or ankle seal of the body suit, where the reactive seal is designed to be loose and comfortable to wear, only exerting sealing pressure when needed. The swelling polymer can be a superabsorbent hydrogel such as a blend of polyacrylate polymer with poly-anionic beads (PAB). In one application, a 50/50 blend of polyacrylate and PAB is used, such that the reactive seal can autonomously tighten within about 10 to 15 seconds. The device and method can be used in various other applications to form a seal for preventing the passage of fluid from one volume to another.

Abstract: Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a water sport garment providing protection from cold water and having an improved access system for entry into or exit from the garment. In one embodiment, the water sport protective garment includes a torso portion, pant-leg portions extending from the torso portion, non-openable sleeve portions extending from the torso portion, and at least one openable seam extending from the torso portion down each of the pant-leg portions such that when the openable seam is opened a section of the torso portion and sections of the leg portions can be displaced to improve access into and egress from the protective garment.

Abstract: A diver's suit, survival suit, or a suit worn to protect a worker from hazardous materials is provided with releasable water-tight seals around the wrists, ankles and/or neck. Each releasable water-tight seal includes first and second complementary shaped annular interlocking seal members preferably extruded from a first polymeric material. Gaskets made of a second softer polymeric material may be co-extruded with the first polymeric material and are compressed when the seal members are mated in order to enhance the impermeability of the resulting seal to liquids or gases.

Abstract: An aquatic sports garment having an outer layer, provided with at least one multi-layered zone including at least the outer layer and an underlying layer which, in a protective zone, lines the skin in an elastically deformable manner so as to protect it from contact with the outer layer, in that the underlying layer has a fixing zone, whereby it is fixed directly or indirectly to the outer layer, and wherein, at least in the protective zone, the two layers are free from one another.

Abstract: A water purging system for a flexible diving boot, including a first layer of flexible material located adjacent the interior of the boot in contact with the foot of the diver. The first layer of flexible material having at least one first aperture for passing a volume of water away from a diver's foot, outward through the material. A second layer of material is located on the opposite side of the first layer from the interior of the boot. The second layer has at least one second aperture for passing a volume of water from one side of the layer to the other side of the layer. The apertures prevent an influx of water into the boot when the diver's boot is in the water. The boot allows outflow of water from the boot, when the diver exits the water and either walks about on a solid deck or places the boot in a heel-down position against a supporting surface.

Abstract: A garment for protection against chemical and/or biological substances is provided with a shell and a lining, arranged under said shell, and with at least one zip fastener, which has two zip fastener halves which engage in one another during closing. Each zip fastener half is provided with at least two stringers, an outer stringer being joined to the shell and the other, inner stringer being joined to the lining. At least one of the two stringers is provided with a protective layer which is impermeable to chemical and/or biological substances. The shell and/or the lining is likewise impermeable to chemical and/or biological substances.

Abstract: A wetsuit comprises separate jacket and pants. The arm-sleeves and leg-sleeves have zippers running lengthwise, whereby the sleeves can be completely opened up. A wearer, e.g. a physically-disadvantaged child, can simply be laid upon the opened-out garment, by an assistant, who can then very easily wrap the garments around the limbs of the child, and can do up the zippers.