Wetsuit rinsing hanger

Abstract

Described is a wetsuit rinsing hanger that allows a user to hang up the wetsuit, attach the wetsuit rinsing hanger to a hose and turn on the water. The invention includes a water inlet at an attachment and a hollow elongated body member in the shape of a hanger with appropriately placed holes for rinsing the wetsuit. The water is taken into the elongated body member through the attachment and is then passed through the holes to the wetsuit. The water then flows through the wetsuit with the assistance of gravity to thoroughly rinse the wetsuit. Additionally, a sensor system may be included that notifies a user when the wetsuit has be thoroughly rinsed and dried.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a Non-Provisional Patent Application, claiming the benefit of priority to provisional application No. 60/579,502, filed in the United States on Jun. 14, 2004, titled “Wetsuit rinsing hanger.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a wetsuit rinse and sensor apparatus, and more particularly, to a hanger that is formed to rinse a hanging wetsuit and that includes a sensor system having a micro-computer configured to sense and notify a user of various properties of the hanging wetsuit.

(2) Description of Related Art

In cold ocean areas in which water activities, such as surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving, and kite surfing to name a few, are undertaken it is necessary for humans to insulate themselves from the cold water. Typically, a wetsuit is used to insulate a user from the cold water. A wetsuit is typically made of a semi-permeable neoprene rubber which is designed to prevent the liquid convective cooling of the skin. By limiting the flow of liquid around the skin, the body is able to maintain its temperature in much colder conditions than it would be able to if it were exposed directly to the cold water.

Some issues associated with maintenance of the wetsuit are that the ocean's salt water accelerates decay of the neoprene, and the wetsuit houses bacteria and salt that often cause a foul odor. To prevent odor and decay, a user typically rinses out the wetsuit after every use by taking the wetsuit off and spraying it down with a hose, or by bringing the wetsuit into the shower and rinsing it off in the shower. In either case, maintenance of the wetsuit is a time consuming task that takes away from the enjoyment of participation in water activities. Additionally, after the wetsuit is rinsed, it is typically hung to dry on a standard hanger.

As an improvement over simply rinsing the wetsuit and hanging it to dry, a few inventions have been devised that assist a user in rinsing a wetsuit through the use of a hanging device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,739, issued to Ryan (hereinafter “the Ryan patent”) discloses a wetsuit washing hanger device. The Ryan patent discloses a hollow hanger with a funnel. The funnel is for attaching with a shower head, with water dispersed through the hollow hanger and onto a hanging wetsuit. A problem with such a configuration is that it must be used in conjunction with a shower head. Additionally, because of the weight of a wet, hanging wetsuit, an improperly shaped hanger may result in deformation of the wetsuit.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,624, issued to Darling (hereinafter “the Darling patent”) discloses a wetsuit rinsing hanger that does not rely on a shower and that is adapted to be used with a water hose. The Darling patent describes a hanger that includes a vertical passage, with a lower-horizontal cross-arm, and a top-horizontal cross-arm. The hanger is hung upon the lower-horizontal cross-arm, with water being dispersed through both the lower and top horizontal cross-arms. Because the Darling patent specifically describes the horizontal configuration of the top cross-arm, a problem associated with such a configuration is that water sprayed from the top cross-arm is ONLY sprayed upon the top shoulder portion of the wetsuit. Although the lower cross-arm sprays an interior of the wetsuit, the top horizontal cross-arm leaves the remainder of the exterior (with the exception of the shoulder portion) unsprayed. Additionally, as was the case with the Ryan patent, an improperly shaped hanger may result in a deformation of the wetsuit. Because of the horizontal configuration of the invention disclosed in the Darling patent, deformation is likely to occur if a wet and heavy wetsuit is hung upon the wetsuit rinsing hanger of the Darling patent.

Furthermore, when rinsing and then hanging a wetsuit to dry, a user is not typically notified when the wetsuit is clean or dry. Thus, a continuing need exists for a wetsuit rinsing hanger that is adaptable to a hose, that is configured to spray multiple exterior portions of a hanging wetsuit, that has a shape that will not deform a hanging wetsuit, and that can automatically notify a user when the wetsuit is clean and/or dry.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wetsuit rinsing hanger. The wetsuit rinsing hanger comprises an elongated body member having a hollow cavity therein with a plurality of holes formed therethrough. The plurality of holes are formed such that they provide for fluid communication between the hollow cavity and an external portion of the elongated body member. A fluid provider attachment is connected with the elongated body member such that the fluid provider attachment is in fluid communication with the hollow cavity and is configured to allow for attachment of a fluid provider. A user may hang a wetsuit upon the wetsuit rinsing hanger and pass a fluid through the fluid provider attachment, out of the plurality of holes, and through the wetsuit, thereby rinsing the wetsuit.

In another aspect, the present invention further comprises a downward protrusion connected with the elongated body member. The downward protrusion includes holes therethrough and has a hollow cavity therein in fluid communication with the hollow cavity of the elongated body member.

In yet another aspect, the fluid provider attachment includes threads and is configured to be connected with a water hose, thereby allowing for the fluid provider to be a water hose with the fluid being water.

Additionally, the elongated body member includes a width, with the width being at least one inch.

Furthermore, the fluid provider attachment includes at least two parts, a first part connected with the elongated body member and a second part for connecting with a water hose. The first part and the second part are detachably attachable with each other, whereby when the second part is connected with a water hose, a user may quickly attach/detach the attached water hose.

In yet another aspect, the elongated body member includes at least one divot, with one of the plurality of holes formed in the divot such that a fluid being passed through the hole is dispersed in a plurality of directions.

In another aspect, the elongated body member includes two opposing ends and further comprises a support member connected between the two opposing ends.

In yet another aspect, the support member has a hollow cavity therein in fluid communication with the hollow cavity of the elongated body member, and where a plurality of holes are formed therethrough. The plurality of holes are formed such that they provide for fluid communication between the hollow cavity and an external portion of the support member.

In another aspect, the present invention further comprises a cleansing solution dispenser connected with the elongated body member such that the cleansing solution dispenser is in fluid connection with the hollow cavity. The cleansing solution dispenser is formed such that as a fluid is passed through the elongated body member, a cleansing solution disposed within the cleansing solution dispenser is drawn from the dispenser to be mixed with the fluid.

In yet another aspect, the present invention further comprises a shower head adapter for attaching between a shower head and the fluid provider attachment. The shower head adapter includes a shower head attachment and a flexible hose and is configured to be connected with a shower head and the fluid provider attachment, thereby allowing a user to attach the wetsuit rinsing hanger with a shower head and rinse an attached wetsuit while it hangs in a shower.

Additionally, the plurality of holes are formed such that they face a plurality of directions, thereby allowing fluid to be sprayed against an attached wetsuit from a plurality of angles.

In another aspect, the present invention further comprises an external spray member in fluid connection with the elongated body member. The external spray member includes a plurality of holes such that as a fluid is passed from the elongated body member and through the external spray member, the fluid is dispersed through the plurality of holes and sprayed against an external portion of an attached wetsuit.

Additionally, the elongated body member has a first side and a second side and the external spray member extends in multiple directions on each of the first and second sides, such that water is dispersed through the external spray member and onto multiple sides of an attached wetsuit.

In another aspect, the present invention comprises a sensor system connected with the elongated body member. The sensor system includes a sensor, a micro-computer, and alarm. The sensor is functional for sensing a property of an attached wetsuit and transmitting a signal containing characteristics of the property to the micro-computer. The micro-computer is functional for receiving the signal and determining if the characteristics satisfy a predetermined threshold for that property. The alarm is functional for alerting a user when the characteristics have been determined to satisfy the predetermined threshold for that property. Additionally, the alarm is selected from a group consisting of an audible alarm and a visual alarm.

In another aspect, when the sensor is a salinity sensor and the property of the attached wetsuit is the salinity content of water passing through the wetsuit, the micro-computer further includes a computer program product comprising computer-readable instruction means encoded on a computer-readable medium for causing a computer to receive a signal from the salinity sensor; determine the salinity content of water passing through the wetsuit; determine if the salinity content is lower than a predetermined threshold; and send an alarm signal to the alarm if the signal satisfies the predetermined threshold.

In another aspect, when the sensor is a moisture sensor and the property of the attached wetsuit is the moisture (water) content of the wetsuit, the micro-computer further includes a computer program product comprising computer-readable instruction means encoded on a computer-readable medium for causing a computer to receive a signal from the moisture sensor; determine the moisture content of the wetsuit; determine if the moisture content is lower than a predetermined threshold; and send an alarm signal to the alarm if the signal satisfies the predetermined threshold.

Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a system for rinsing a wetsuit and sensing properties of the wetsuit, and methods for forming and using the wetsuit rinsing hanger described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a front side-view illustration of a wetsuit rinsing hanger according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear bottom-view illustration of the wetsuit rinsing hanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of another aspect of wetsuit rinsing hanger according to the present invention, illustrating a detachably attachable hose connector;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the wetsuit rinsing hanger of FIG. 3, illustrating a hose attached thereto;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the wetsuit rinsing hanger of FIG. 3, illustrating water being dispersed through the hanger and out of the hanger's holes;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of another aspect of a wetsuit rinsing hanger according to the present invention, illustrating a downward protrusion for further dispersing a fluid;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of another aspect of a wetsuit rinsing hanger according to the present invention, illustrating an external spray member connected with the hanger;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of another aspect of a wetsuit rinsing hanger according to the present invention, illustrating a cleansing solution dispenser attached with the hanger;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of another aspect of a wetsuit rinsing hanger according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of another aspect of a wetsuit rinsing hanger according to the present invention, illustrating a sensor system being included within the hanger; and

FIG. 11 is a cut-away view of a wetsuit hung upon a wetsuit rinsing hanger according to the present invention, illustrating rinsing of the wetsuit through dispersing a fluid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a wetsuit rinse and sensor apparatus, and more particularly, to a hanger that is formed to rinse a hanging wetsuit and that includes a sensor system having a micro-computer configured to sense and notify a user of various properties of the hanging wetsuit. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

Before describing the invention in detail, first, an introduction is provided to provide the reader with a general understanding of the present invention. Second, a detailed description of various aspects of the present invention is provided to give an understanding of the specific details.

(1) INTRODUCTION

Wetsuits are typically used to insulate a user from cold water. When used in the ocean's salt water, the salt water has a detrimental impact on the wetsuit material. To remove the salt water from the wetsuit, and thereby prevent odor and decay, a user typically rinses out the wetsuit after every use and thereafter hangs the wetsuit for drying.

The present invention reduces the amount of time and effort spent rinsing and hanging the wetsuit by incorporating the two activities into a single wetsuit rinsing hanger. Using the present invention, a wetsuit is hung on the wetsuit rinsing hanger and rinsed thoroughly. After turning off the water, the wetsuit is left upon the hanger to dry, thereby decreasing the effort needed to properly maintain the wetsuit and increasing the wetsuit's usable life.

While rinsing the wetsuit, it may be desirable to receive a notification when the salt water has been sufficiently removed and thereby allow a user to turn off the water to begin the drying process. Furthermore, when drying the wetsuit, a user may appreciate a notification of when the wetsuit is dry. Therefore, the present invention also includes a sensor system that may be included within the hanger to sense and notify a user of various properties of the wetsuit, such as the salinity and/or moisture remaining in the wetsuit.

(2) DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS

The present invention is a wetsuit rinsing hanger which has an attachment for a hose and holes in it to channel water through the hanger body and to distribute it to the wetsuit in such a way that the wetsuit will be rinsed thoroughly.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wetsuit rinsing hanger 100 includes an elongated body member 102 having a hollow cavity therein. The elongated body member 102 includes an external portion 104 with a plurality of holes 106 formed through the elongated body member 102 to provide fluid communication between the hollow cavity and the external portion 104. The elongated body member 102 is formed of any suitably durable and rigid material, non-limiting examples of which include plastic and metal. The elongated body member 102 is formed to support a wetsuit and allows a user to hang a wetsuit upon the wetsuit rinsing hanger 100.

A fluid provider attachment 108 is connected with the elongated body member 102 such that the fluid provider attachment 108 is in fluid communication with the hollow cavity. The fluid provider attachment 108 is formed of any suitably durable and rigid material, non-limiting examples of which include plastic and metal. The fluid provider attachment 108 is configured to allow for attachment of a fluid provider. The fluid provider is any suitable device that provides a sustained stream of fluid, non-limiting examples of which include a water hose and a shower head. After attaching a fluid provider (e.g., water hose), a fluid (e.g., water) may be passed through the fluid provider attachment 108, through the elongated body member 102, and out of the plurality of holes 106 to be dispersed onto an attached wetsuit.

A hanging apparatus 110 is attached with the elongated body member 102 to allow a user to hang the wetsuit rinsing hanger 100 upon an object. The hanging apparatus 100 is any suitable mechanism or device for hanging one object upon another, a non-limiting example of which includes a hook, a loop, and a ring.

When hanging a wet wetsuit upon the wetsuit rinsing hanger 100, the wetsuit may possess a considerable amount of weight. To assist in supporting the weight, a support member may optionally be included. As such and in the aspect shown in FIG. 1, the elongated body member 102 includes two opposing ends 114 with a support member 112 connected between the two opposing ends 114. The support member 112 has a hollow cavity therein that is in fluid communication with the hollow cavity of the elongated body member 102.

FIG. 2 illustrates another angle of the wetsuit rinsing hanger shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, both the two opposing ends 114 and the support member 112 may include a plurality of holes 106 to assist in rinsing an interior portion of a wetsuit.

FIG. 3 illustrates another aspect of the wetsuit rinsing hanger 100. In this aspect, the fluid provider attachment 108 may include at least two parts, a first part 300 connected with the elongated body member 102 and a second part 302 for connecting with a water hose. The first part 300 and the second part 302 are detachably attachable with each other using common quick connect/disconnect mechanisms. For example, the first part 300 includes a female sleeve, while the second part 302 includes a male member. By retracting the female sleeve, a male member can be easily inserted and affixed within the female sleeve. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the female sleeve being connected directly to the wetsuit rinsing hanger 100 with the male member being connectable with a water hose, it can be appreciated by one in the art that the first part 300 can be formed to include the female sleeve while the second part 302 includes the male member. To enable the fluid provider attachment 108 to attach with a water hose, the fluid provider attachment 108 includes threads 304 that correspond to a water hose's threads.

In another aspect, it may be desirable to rinse the wetsuit while it hangs in a shower. In doing so, a hose is often out of reach, leaving the shower head as a desirable source of fluid. As such, the present invention also comprises a shower head adapter 306 for attaching between a shower head and the fluid provider attachment 108. The shower head adapter 306 includes a shower head attachment 308 and a flexible hose 310 for connecting the shower head attachment 308 with the fluid provider attachment 108. The shower head attachment 308 is any suitable device for attaching with a shower head, non-limiting examples of which include a funnel with a hook, and a flexible container that can be slid over and affixed with the shower head. As can be appreciated by one in the art, the flexible hose 310 may be directly attached to the fluid provider attachment 108, or may include a detachably attachable mechanism as described above.

FIG. 4 illustrates a hose 400 being attached with the fluid provider attachment 108. As shown in FIG. 5, after the hose 400 is attached, a fluid 500 (e.g., water) may be passed through the fluid provider attachment 108, through the elongated body member 102 and, out of the plurality of holes 106. To assist in dispersing the fluid 500 in a plurality of directions, divots 502 may be included in the elongated body member 102. In this aspect, the holes 106 are formed within the divots 502. The divots 502 decrease the thickness of the elongated body member 102 at the hole's 106 location so that fluid dispersed through the hole 106 is less channeled and allowed to spray in multiple directions. Additionally, because a wetsuit is typically hanging upon the elongated body member 102, the divots 502 provide space for the water to travel to. The weight and presence of the wetsuit may impede flow from the holes 106, and as such, the divot provides a space between the hole 106 and the wetsuit, thereby increasing fluid 500 flow.

Through use of divots 502, the elongated body member 102 has a sufficient thickness to maintain its supportive properties, yet has a diminished thickness at the hole's 106 location. Additionally, the holes 106 are formed such that they face a plurality of directions, thereby also allowing fluid to be sprayed against an attached wetsuit from a plurality of angles.

As noted above, a wet wetsuit may possess a considerable amount of weight. If a user were to hang a wet wetsuit upon a traditional hanger, it is possible that as gravity pulls the wetsuit down upon the hanger, the hanger will deform the shoulder portions of the wetsuit. To prevent deformation of the wetsuit, the elongated body member 102 includes a width 504 that is sufficiently wide to support a wet wetsuit while preventing its deformation. As a non-limiting example, the width 504 is at least one inch.

An important aspect of the present invention is the ability to adequately disperse a fluid through the wetsuit rinsing hanger 100 and onto a wetsuit. To further assist this process, and as shown in FIG. 6, a downward protrusion 600 may be connected with the elongated body member 102. The downward protrusion 600 includes a plurality of holes 106 to further disperse a fluid. The downward protrusion 600 enables the wetsuit rinsing hanger 100 to extend further into an interior of a wetsuit to assist in the rinsing process.

In another configuration, and as shown in FIG. 7, an external spray member 700 may be formed to be in fluid connection with the hollow cavity of the elongated body member 102. The external spray member 700 includes a plurality of holes 106 such that as a fluid is passed from the elongated body member 102 and through the external spray member 700, the fluid is dispersed through the plurality of holes 106 and sprayed against an external portion of an attached wetsuit.

The external spray member 700 may be formed in a variety of shapes to allow for spraying fluid against an external portion of an attached wetsuit. As a non-limiting example, the elongated body member 102 has a first side 702 and a second side 704, with the external spray member 700 being formed such that it extends in multiple directions on each of the first 702 and second 704 sides. By having a multi-directional external spray member 700, water dispersed through the external spray member 700 is sprayed onto multiple sides of an attached wetsuit.

In another aspect and as shown in FIG. 8, a cleansing solution dispenser 800 may be connected with the elongated body member 102. The cleansing solution dispenser 800 is in fluid connection with the hollow cavity of the elongated body member 102. The cleansing solution dispenser 800 is formed such that as a fluid is passed into the elongated body member 102, a cleansing solution 802 disposed within the cleansing solution dispenser 800 is drawn from the dispenser 800 to be mixed with the fluid. A solution control mechanism 804 may be affixed with the dispenser 800 to allow a user to selectively control the amount of cleansing solution 802 that is drawn from the dispenser 800. For example, a solution control mechanism 804 may include a slide-able wheel 808 having a solution hole 808 that can be rotated around to pair up with a second solution hole 810. By turning the slide-able wheel 808, a user may selectively control the amount of cleansing solution 802 that is allowed to flow through the elongated body member 102 and onto the wetsuit.

As can be appreciated by one in the art, the wetsuit rinsing hanger 100 can be formed in a variety of shapes. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 9 depicts yet another form of a wetsuit rinsing hanger 100. In this aspect, the downward protrusion 600 also operates as the fluid provider attachment 108. Additionally, the elongated body member 102 includes an arcuate shape. In addition to its width 504, the arcuate shape assists in dispersing weight from a wet and heavy wetsuit. Both the width 504 and arcuate shape help to prevent deformation of the wetsuit.

While rinsing the wetsuit, it may be desirable to receive a notification when the wetsuit has been thoroughly rinsed and dried. Accordingly, the wetsuit rinsing hanger 100 optionally includes a sensor system for notifying a user when the salt water has been sufficiently removed from the wetsuit and, for notifying a user when the wetsuit is dry.

As shown in FIG. 10, the sensor system 1000 is connected with the elongated body member 102. The sensor system 1000 includes a sensor 1002, a micro-computer 1004, and an alarm 1006. A power source 1008 such as a battery is included to power the sensor system 1000. The sensor is functional for sensing various properties of an attached wetsuit, such as the salinity content of the water dripping from the wetsuit and the moisture content of the air around the wetsuit (and thereby the moisture content of the wetsuit). For example, the sensor is a salinity sensor and/or a moisture sensor.

After sensing the respective property (i.e., salinity and moisture), the sensor transmits a signal containing characteristics of the property to the micro-computer 1004. After receiving the signal, the micro-computer 1004 is configured through instruction means to determine if the characteristics satisfy a predetermined threshold for that property. As a non-limiting example, the threshold may be less than 3% saline content in the water that is flowing from the wetsuit.

The term “instruction means” as used with respect to this invention generally indicates a set of operations to be performed on a computer, and may represent pieces of a whole program or individual, separable, software modules. Non-limiting examples of “instruction means” include computer program code (source or object code) and “hard-coded” electronics (i.e. computer operations coded into a computer chip). The “instruction means” may be stored in the memory of a computer or on a computer readable medium such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, and a flash drive.

Once the predetermined threshold has been met, a signal is sent to the alarm 1006 to alert a user. The alarm is any suitable device for alerting someone, non-limiting examples of which include an audible alarm (such as a siren) and a visual alarm (such as a light).

In operation, a user is notified after the salt water has been sufficiently removed from the wetsuit, thereby allow a user to turn off the water to begin the drying process. When drying the wetsuit, a user is further notified when the wetsuit is dry

(3) CONCLUSION

In conclusion, as shown in FIG. 11, the present invention is a wetsuit rinsing hanger 100 that allows a user to simply hang up the wetsuit 1100, attach the wetsuit rinsing hanger 100 to a hose 400 and turn on the fluid 500 (e.g., water). The invention includes a water inlet at a fluid provider attachment 108 and a hollow elongated body member 102 in the shape of a hanger with appropriately placed holes 106 for rinsing every the wetsuit 1100. The fluid 500 is taken into the elongated body member 102 through the fluid provider attachment 108 and is then passed through the holes 106 to the wetsuit 1100. The fluid 500 then flows through the wetsuit 1100 with the assistance of gravity to thoroughly rinse the wetsuit 1100.

The wetsuit rinsing hanger 100 will be able to rinse the wetsuit 1100 thoroughly without any interaction from the user. Once the wetsuit 1100 is rinsed the user simply turns off the fluid 500 and lets the wetsuit 1100 hang to dry, thus greatly simplifying the rinsing and drying process and prolonging the life of the wetsuit 1100. Additionally, a sensor system may be included that notifies a user when the wetsuit 1100 has been thoroughly rinsed and dried.

Claims

1. A wetsuit rinsing hanger, comprising:

an elongated body member having a hollow cavity therein with a plurality of holes formed therethrough, the plurality of holes formed such that they provide for fluid communication between the hollow cavity and an external portion of the elongated body member; and

a fluid provider attachment connected with the elongated body member such that the fluid provider attachment is in fluid communication with the hollow cavity and is configured to allow for attachment of a fluid provider, whereby a user may hang a wetsuit upon the wetsuit rinsing hanger and pass a fluid through the fluid provider attachment, out of the plurality of holes, and through the wetsuit, thereby rinsing the wetsuit.

2. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a downward protrusion connected with the elongated body member, the downward protrusion having holes therethrough and having a hollow cavity therein in fluid communication with the hollow cavity of the elongated body member.

3. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fluid provider attachment includes threads and is configured to be connected with a water hose, thereby allowing for the fluid provider to be a water hose with the fluid being water.

4. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongated body member includes a width, with the width being at least one inch.

5. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fluid provider attachment includes at least two parts, a first part connected with the elongated body member and a second part for connecting with a water hose, and where the first part and the second part are detachably attachable with each other, whereby when the second part is connected with a water hose, a user may quickly attach/detach the attached water hose.

6. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongated body member includes at least one divot, with one of the plurality of holes formed in the divot, such that a fluid being passed through the hole is dispersed in a plurality of directions.

7. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongated body member includes two opposing ends and further comprises a support member connected between the two opposing ends.

8. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support member has a hollow cavity therein in fluid communication with the hollow cavity of the elongated body member, and where a plurality of holes are formed therethrough, the plurality of holes formed such that they provide for fluid communication between the hollow cavity and an external portion of the support member.

9. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a cleansing solution dispenser connected with the elongated body member such that the cleansing solution dispenser is in fluid connection with the hollow cavity, and where the cleansing solution dispenser is formed such that as a fluid is passed through the elongated body member, a cleansing solution disposed within the cleansing solution dispenser is drawn from the dispenser to be mixed with the fluid.

10. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a shower head adapter for attaching between a shower head and the fluid provider attachment, the shower head adapter including a shower head attachment and a flexible hose, and being configured to be connected with a shower head and the fluid provider attachment, thereby allowing a user to attach the wetsuit rinsing hanger with a shower head and rinse an attached wetsuit while it hangs in a shower.

11. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes are formed such that they face a plurality of directions, thereby allowing fluid to be sprayed against an attached wetsuit from a plurality of angles.

12. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an external spray member in fluid connection with the elongated body member, the external spray member including a plurality of holes such that as a fluid is passed from the elongated body member and through the external spray member, the fluid is dispersed through the plurality of holes and sprayed against an external portion of an attached wetsuit.

13. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 12, wherein the elongated body member has a first side and a second side, and wherein the external spray member extends in multiple directions on each of the first and second sides, such that water is dispersed through the external spray member and onto multiple sides of an attached wetsuit.

14. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a sensor system connected with the elongated body member, the sensor system having a sensor, a micro-computer, and alarm, the sensor being functional for sensing a property of an attached wetsuit and transmitting a signal containing characteristics of the property to the micro-computer, the micro-computer being functional for receiving the signal and determining if the characteristics satisfy a predetermined threshold for that property, and the alarm being functional for alerting a user when the characteristics have been determined to satisfy the predetermined threshold for that property, and wherein the alarm is selected from a group consisting of an audible alarm and a visual alarm.

15. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 14, wherein the sensor is a salinity sensor and the property of the attached wetsuit is the salinity content of water passing through the wetsuit, and wherein the micro-computer further includes a computer program product comprising computer-readable instruction means encoded on a computer-readable medium for causing a computer to:

receive a signal from the salinity sensor;

determine the salinity content of water passing through the wetsuit;

determine if the salinity content is lower than a predetermined threshold; and

send an alarm signal to the alarm if the signal satisfies the predetermined threshold.

16. A wetsuit rinsing hanger as set forth in claim 14, wherein the sensor is a moisture sensor and the property of the attached wetsuit is the moisture (water) content of the wetsuit, and wherein the micro-computer further includes a computer program product comprising computer-readable instruction means encoded on a computer-readable medium for causing a computer to:

receive a signal from the moisture sensor;

determine the moisture content of the wetsuit;

determine if the moisture content is lower than a predetermined threshold; and

send an alarm signal to the alarm if the signal satisfies the predetermined threshold.

17. A system for rinsing a wetsuit and sensing properties of the wetsuit, the system comprising:

an elongated body member having a hollow cavity therein with a plurality of holes formed therethrough, the plurality of holes formed such that they provide for fluid communication between the hollow cavity and an external portion of the elongated body member;

a fluid provider attachment connected with the elongated body member such that the fluid provider attachment is in fluid communication with the hollow cavity and is configured to allow for attachment of a fluid provider, thereby allowing a user to hang a wetsuit upon the elongated body member and pass a fluid through the fluid provider attachment, out of the plurality of holes, and through the wetsuit, thereby rinsing the wetsuit;

a sensor system connected with the elongated body member, the sensor system having a sensor, a micro-computer, and alarm, the sensor being functional for sensing a property of an attached wetsuit and transmitting a signal containing characteristics of the property to the micro-computer, the micro-computer being functional for receiving the signal and determining if the characteristics satisfy a predetermined threshold for that property, and the alarm being functional for alerting a user when the characteristics have been determined to satisfy the predetermined threshold for that property, and wherein the alarm is selected from a group consisting of an audible alarm and a visual alarm.

18. A system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the sensor is a salinity sensor and the property of the attached wetsuit is the salinity content of water passing through the wetsuit, and wherein the micro-computer further includes a computer program product comprising computer-readable instruction means encoded on a computer-readable medium for causing a computer to:

receive a signal from the salinity sensor;

determine the salinity content of water passing through the wetsuit;

determine if the salinity content is lower than a predetermined threshold; and

send an alarm signal to the alarm if the signal satisfies the predetermined threshold.

19. A system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the sensor is a moisture sensor and the property of the attached wetsuit is the moisture (water) content of the wetsuit, and wherein the micro-computer further includes a computer program product comprising computer-readable instruction means encoded on a computer-readable medium for causing a computer to:

receive a signal from the moisture sensor;

determine the moisture content of the wetsuit;

determine if the moisture content is lower than a predetermined threshold; and

send an alarm signal to the alarm if the signal satisfies the predetermined threshold.

20. A method for forming a wetsuit rinsing hanger, the method comprising acts of:

forming an elongated body member having a hollow cavity therein with a plurality of holes formed therethrough, and where the plurality of holes are formed such that they provide for fluid communication between the hollow cavity and an external portion of the elongated body member, and where the elongated body member includes at least one divot, with one of the plurality of holes formed in the divot, such that a fluid being passed through the hole is dispersed in a plurality of directions;

connecting a fluid provider attachment with the elongated body member such that the fluid provider attachment is in fluid communication with the hollow cavity and is configured to allow for attachment of a fluid provider, whereby a user may hang a wetsuit upon the wetsuit rinsing hanger and pass a fluid through the fluid provider attachment, out of the plurality of holes and through the wetsuit, thereby rinsing the wetsuit.