Abstract: An article of insulation includes a plurality of containers supported by at least one support layer. Each of the containers have rigid walls which enclose either a vacuum or a gas. When in water, the rigid-wall containers provide insulation and buoyancy which makes the insulation ideal for clothing and wet suits. These properties may be enhanced by making the support layer from thermal insulation material and/or one which itself exhibits a desired buoyancy. The containers may be formed as beads which are spherical or non-spherical in shape, or the containers may have a tubular shape. Further, the beads may all be of the same size or the sizes may be varied to achieve desired buoyancy and/or insulation properties. A wet suit made from this insulation outperforms conventional wet suits in terms of insulation, buoyancy, comfort, safety, thinness, and functionality. An article of clothing made from this insulation may be used to keep a wearer afloat until help arrives.

Abstract: A wet suit for scuba divers comprising a front portion (2) in the form of two flaps (2a, 2b) that can be opened to permit the suit being put on. The flaps are connected to each other by means of a zip fastener (3). The front portion (2) has associated with it an elastic and impermeable diaphragm (9) that extends in a position corresponding to the front portion (2) and will come to be interposed between the front portion and the diver's body when the suit is worn.

Abstract: An article of insulation includes a plurality of containers supported by at least one support layer. Each of the containers have rigid walls which enclose either a vacuum or a gas. When in water, the rigid-wall containers provide insulation and buoyancy which makes the insulation ideal for clothing and wet suits. These properties may be enhanced by making the support layer from thermal insulation material and/or one which itself exhibits a desired buoyancy. The containers may be formed as beads which are spherical or non-spherical in shape, or the containers may have a tubular shape. Further, the beads may all be of the same size or the sizes may be varied to achieve desired buoyancy and/or insulation properties. A wet suit made from this insulation outperforms conventional wet suits in terms of insulation, buoyancy, comfort, safety, thinness, and functionality. An article of clothing made from this insulation may be used to keep a wearer afloat until help arrives.

Abstract: A transparent protective swimsuit covering garment that will be worn by an individual entering a common swimming or bathing area over their swimsuit to prevent exposure to germs existing in water including a body portion adapted for adhering a body of an individual user. The body portion is constructed of a transparent and waterproof material. The body portion has an open neck portion to allow a head of the user to protrude therethrough. The body portion is capable of completely enclosing the body of the individual user. A head cover is adapted for adhering to the head of the individual user. The head cover is constructed of a transparent and waterproof material. The head cover is adapted for coupling with the body portion. The head cover has an open face portion. The head cover completely encloses the head of the individual.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator jacket includes a cushion pad lying inside a backplate of the jacket and the cushion pad is water-impervious on its surface and formed in a plurality of regions with dome-shaped swellings being convex toward the back of a wearer. The jacket including such cushion pad can prevent water permeation into the pad from occurring and a weight of the pad from increasing due to the water permeation during diving.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for metabolic cooling and insulation of a user in a cold environment. In its preferred embodiment the apparatus is a highly flexible composite material having a flexible matrix containing a phase change thermal storage material. The apparatus can be made to heat or cool the body or to act as a thermal buffer to protect the wearer from changing environmental conditions. The apparatus may also include an external thermal insulation layer and/or an internal thermal control layer to regulate the rate of heat exchange between the composite and the skin of the wearer.

Abstract: A wetsuit is provided having a torso portion arranged to be secured about a torso of a person. The torso portion includes a neck opening, a pair of upper limb openings and a pair of lower limb openings. A limb extension can be attached to each of the limb openings for covering a respective limb of the person. Each limb extension comprises an elongate tubular member extending longitudinally between an inner end arranged to be secured to the torso portion and an outer free end. The limb extensions can thus be added and removed as desired such that a single wetsuit can be modified for use in varying dive conditions. The use of a single adjustable suit is considerably less costly as compared to purchasing several different types of suits while being convenient enough to adjust to different dive conditions without the need to even remove the torso portion of the suit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a full body swimsuit for enhancing a swimmer's performance in the water. Swimming performance is enhanced by optimizing swimming efficiency, which include influencing the swimmer's physiological responses, improving the accuracy of the swimmer's movements, and optimizing the direction of the resultant propellant forces by modifying the propellant areas.

Abstract: A close-fitting garment, especially a swimsuit, has panels of elastic stretch fabric joined at seams and shaped to conform with muscle groups of the body, in particular in the abdominal region and at the glutel region.

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 garment for use in watersports to protect one or more than one vulnerable region of a person's body considered susceptible to injury associated with repetitive contact with a hard surfboard surface, comprising a body garment (10) having an inside surface and an outer surface; and one or more than one cushioning pad (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) connected to the body garment (10), disposed adjacent the inside surface, or the outer surface, or the inside surface and the outer surface, and positioned in juxtaposition to the one or more than one vulnerable region of the body, and one or more than one insert pad (44) for insertion into one or more than one pocket (26). The vulnerable regions may be optionally selected from the group consisting of the body area in proximity to the ribs, upper hips, elbows, inner elbows, knees, ankles, front of ankles adjacent the feet, and lower back.

Abstract: A wetsuit structure (10) having a zipper (15) extending from a neck opening (14) of the wetsuit and down that portion of the wetsuit which, in use, will at least surround the upper part of the torso (11) of a wearer of the wetsuit. A barrier panel (16) of stretchable, substantially water proof, material is attached within the interior of the wetsuit adjacent to, and underlying, at least a major portion of the length of the zipper. The wetsuit structure also has a detachable neck or collar (17) of stretchable, substantially water proof, material adapted, in use, to be pulled over the head of the wearer while stretching in the process, but then relaxing to fit relatively tightly into sealing engagement around the neck of the wearer, and a series of press studs or snaps (18, 19) to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit.

Abstract: A survival garment (10) is disclosed which is suitable for wearing under a layer of clothing. The garment is a close fitting one piece, intermediate dry suit formed of a substantially waterproof laminated material (30). The material (30) includes a first thermally insulating layer (32) and a second substantially waterproof layer (31).

Abstract: A low-temperature thermal insulation garment is proposed for low-energy requirement, self-sustaining body temperature maintenance. The proposed garment uses the body's expired respiratory gases and natural thermal production capabilities to insulate and maintain a comfortable skin temperature. The garment provides a constant re-supply of heated air with each exhaled breath. The garment has a mouthpiece with a check-valve that shunts exhaled air into a network of channels and bladders that cover the entire body. The garment also consists of a heat reflective lining to reduce radiant heat loss and a neoprene outer layer providing conductive insulation, durability, and waterproofing. Inhaled air is heated prior to entering the mouthpiece due to heat exchange with warmer areas of the garment. This allows residual heat from the exhalant to be transferred to incoming air. The garment can be fitted with artificial air supply, worn as is, or under a pressurized suit.

Abstract: A supplied air snorkeling device is provided. This device includes a flotation vest coupled with a tank holder. This flotation vest contains flotation material that cannot be deflated and substantially prohibits a user from submerging. A tank cover is positioned within the tank holder for holding an air tank. Still further, a hose retainer is coupled with the vest. In use, an air tank is placed within the tank cover which is then placed within the tank holder. A hose extends from the air tank through the hose retainer and is connected to a regulator that is connected to a mouthpiece which fits into a user's mouth. The hose retainer keeps the mouthpiece in close proximity to the user's mouth. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of making this supplied air snorkeling device. This method includes coupling a tank holder with a flotation vest.

Abstract: An article of apparel designed to be worn by divers and swimmers which is formed by placing a prefabricated male mold inside a prefabricated female mode. Then a polymeric material is injected into a gap formed between the male mold placed inside the female mold. Also included is a built-in air bladder system to change a buoyancy of the diver and swimmer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for metabolic cooling and insulation of a user in a cold environment. In its preferred embodiment the apparatus is a highly flexible composite material having a flexible matrix containing a phase change thermal storage material. The apparatus can be made to heat or cool the body or to act as a thermal buffer to protect the wearer from changing environmental conditions. The apparatus may also include an external thermal insulation layer and/or an internal thermal control layer to regulate the rate of heat exchange between the composite and the skin of the wearer.

Abstract: A closure device for slit openings of aquatic sport suits, in particular of suits made of chloroprene rubber, with zippers which close the slit opening arranged both on the outside and on the inside of the aquatic sport suit. Both halves of the zipper are secured along the slit opening in close proximity to the sides of the opening. Two mutually overlapping tabs which also overlap the slit opening may be arranged on the inside of the aquatic sport suit along both sides of the slit opening. At least one sealing device is provided between the zippers (4, 8) which are arranged on the outside (1) and the inside (5) of the aquatic sport suit (2). If necessary, the zipper (8) disposed on the inside (5) is attached to two strips (12, 13; 12′, 13′) which are disposed on the inside (5) of the aquatic sport suit (2) and extend lengthwise along the slit opening (3), with the zipper (8) closing an opening region (3′) formed between the two strips (12, 13; 12′, 13′).

Abstract: A fabric, which can be used more especially as a pierce-proof fabric but also as a decorative fabric, includes a plurality of interconnected scales, which have bores to connect them to one another, and into which connecting members extend. The connecting members are directly formed on the scales. Because the scales overlap one another in the manner of roof tiles (form an imbrication) and because, in order to make a flat connection, the scale itself in the fabric overlaps at least two adjacent scales and is overlapped by at least two additional adjacent scales, the fabric can also meet increased safety requirements in an advantageous manner.