ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY FOR BODY SURFING
An attachment assembly including a connector secured to a garment for coupling to a device which is adapted to be worn by a wearer over the garment, such as for body surfing.
This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application PCT/AU2005/000235 filed on Feb. 23, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a body surfing device and attachment assembly for securing the device to a wearer.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,057 to provide a harness for securing a body surfing board to a wearer. The harness includes a complicated construction of straps and buckles.
The present invention seeks to provide alternative attachment for securing a body board relative to the wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the invention, there is provided an attachment assembly including a connector integrated with a garment for releasably coupling to a device which is adapted to be worn by a wearer over the garment such as for body surfing.
Preferably, the connector is positioned adjacent a neck portion of the garment. Preferably, the connector is fixed permanently to the garment by stitching.
Preferably, the connector includes a first fastening portion arranged to engage with the device. The first fastening portion includes spigots for receipt in associated recesses formed in the device. Alternatively, the fastening portion includes a tongue which is arranged to loop through a groove in the device.
Preferably, the connector further includes a closure portion for locking the first fastening portion relative to the device. Preferably, the closure portion is a spring-loaded clamp. Alternatively, the closure portion is a flap arranged to overlay and engage the fastening portion.
Preferably, the assembly further includes a strap secured to the device for the purpose of passing about a waist of the wearer.
Preferably, the attachment assembly includes the device, which is substantially rigid and is provided with a contoured surface for enhanced fluid flow and maneuverability.
Preferably, the device is interchangeable to allow for use of devices with different contoured surfaces and handling properties.
Preferably, the garment is formed of an elastic material for the purpose of accommodating limited movement of the device relative to a wearer of the garment.
In another aspect, there is provided a device for use in the above assembly.
In another aspect, there is provided a garment with a connector, for use in the above assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring firstly to
The connector 3 also includes a substantially rigid panel 12 that may be secured to the garment by suitable stitching and/or adhesive.
The assembly 1 is provided with a waist strap 14 which is attached to the device 5 and arranged to be passed around a waist 15 of the wearer 2 and fastened in place using a clip 16.
In order to locate the device 5 relative to the wearer 2, the spring-loaded clamp 12 is firstly opened, as shown in
As can be appreciated, the attachment assembly 1 allows for rapid interengagement of the device 5 with a garment 4 of the wearer 2. Similarly, the device 5 may be readily removed and, if required, replaced with an alternative device 16, such as shown in
Since the connector 3 is provided adjacent a neck portion 6 of the wearer 2, the front end 10 of the device 5 is held out of a wave 20 when the wearer 2 is body surfing, as illustrated in
It should be appreciated that the device need not necessarily be a body surfing device and it may instead be in the form of body armor or the like. Further, the specific construction of the connector with spigots 8 and a hinged clamp 12, may be modified, as required, by substituting those features with an equivalent attachment mechanism to allow for quick and easy connection between the device 5 and connector 3, such as by way of secure snap-fit engagement or the like.
A modified assembly 30 is shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, where like reference numerals to those used in FIGS. 1 to 4 are used to denote like parts.
As can be seen from
The inner surfaces of the flaps 34 and the end 33 of the tongue 31 are preferably formed of complimentary hook and loop type fastening material so that the closure portion 11 and fastening portion 7 can overlay each other in a low profile configuration, to minimize any aesthetic impact of the connector relative to the garment 4, whilst ensuring reliable capture of the fastening portion 7.
Referring now to
For completeness, a full perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device 35 is shown in
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.
Claims
1. An attachment assembly including a connector integrated with a garment for releasably coupling to a device which is adapted to be worn by a wearer over the garment, such as for body surfing.
2. An attachment assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector is positioned adjacent a neck portion of the garment.
3. An attachment assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector is fixed permanently to the garment by stitching.
4. An attachment assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fastening portion is arranged to engage with the device.
5. An attachment assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fastening portion includes spigots for receipt in associated recesses formed in the device.
6. An attachment assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fastening portion includes a tongue which is arranged to loop through a groove in the device.
7. An attachment assembly as claimed in claim 4, further including a closure portion for locking the first fastener portion relative to the device.
8. An attachment assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein, the closure portion is a spring-loaded clamp.
9. An attachment assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the closure portion is a flap arranged to overlay and engage the fastening portion.
10. An attachment assembly as claimed in claim 1, further including a strap secured to the device for the purpose of passing about a waist of the wearer.
11. An assembly comprising:
- a garment;
- a connector integrated with the garment for releasably coupling to a body surfing device which is adapted to be worn by a wearer over the garment;
- a body surfing device positioned over the garment and coupled to the connector.
12. An assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the device is interchangeable to allow for use of devices with different contoured surfaces and handling properties.
13. An assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the connector includes a reinforced panel sewn onto the garment.
14. An assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the garment is formed of an elastic material for the purpose of accommodating limited movement of the device relative to a wearer of the garment.
15. A device for use in the assembly as claimed in claim 11.
16. A device as claimed in claim 15, including a groove through which the fastening portion of the connector passes to secure the device to the garment.
17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the groove separates a neck and a body of the device.
18. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the neck is rebated relative to the body of the device to accommodate the fastening portion when the device is coupled to the garment.
19. A garment with an integrated connector for use in the assembly as claimed in claim 11.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 22, 2007
Publication Date: Mar 20, 2008
Inventor: Michael Crough (Croydon)
Application Number: 11/843,408
International Classification: B63B 35/73 (20060101);