Apparel – Guard or protector – Body cover
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-26
2001-05-01
Hale, Gloria M. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Guard or protector
Body cover
C002S002150, C002S082000, C024S381000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223349
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a closure device for slit openings of aquatic sport suits, in particular of suits made of chloroprene rubber, wherein zippers which close the slit opening, are 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 slit opening. Two mutually overlapping tabs which also overlap the slit opening may also be arranged on the inside of the aquatic sport suit along both sides of the slit opening.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional aquatic sport suits made of chloroprene rubber have a zipper placed on the outside of the suit for closing the slit opening, with the two halves of the zipper attached along the slit opening in close proximity to the slit opening. To prevent water from penetrating through the slit opening, two mutually overlapping tabs which also overlap the slit opening are secured on the inside of the aquatic sport suit on both sides of the slit opening.
Disadvantageously, the closure systems of conventional aquatic sport suits seal inadequately and unsatisfactorily. The zipper itself is not waterproof and is also not capable of preventing the walls of the slit from spreading apart when the aquatic sport suit is worn so as to effectively prevent penetration of water. The mutually overlapping tabs which are arranged on the inside of the aquatic sport suit and overlap the length of the slit in the center, aid in sealing the slit opening, but cannot effectively prevent water from penetrating.
For example, WO 97/07702 discloses closure devices for clothing items, wherein slit openings can be closed using a dual zipper or two separate zippers arranged on top of one another. The respective outer edges of the tapes of the zippers facing away from the inner edges and holding the closure elements are connected with one another and also with the material adjacent to the slit opening. The zipper arranged on the outside provides a watertight closure, wherein the zipper arranged on the inside has interlocking teeth.
Using a specially constructed watertight zipper, however, has certain disadvantages. Disadvantageously, zippers that seal satisfactory against water are rather expensive. On the other hand, such zippers can support only limited tension forces. Since the zippers can be subjected to excessive transverse forces, for example, during a sudden body movement, such closure devices may inadvertently open.
DE 296 05 646 U1 discloses overalls for, for example, motorcyclists and mechanics and include sections which can be connected with a single zipper. To prevent water, such as rain water, from penetrating the area closed by the zipper, closure strips are arranged above and below the zipper. However, the free ends of the closure strips must also include closure elements.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an inexpensive closure device for slit openings of aquatic sport suits, which provide an adequate seal and have a simple design. Moreover, such closure device should also overcome or at least significantly lessen the aforedescribed disadvantages of conventional closure devices. In addition, improving the conventional closure devices should be easily attainable by simple means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object is solved by the invention by providing at least one sealing arrangement located between the zippers which are arranged on the outside and the inside of the aquatic sport suit. The zipper disposed on the inside is attached to two strips which are disposed on the inside of the aquatic sport suit and extend lengthwise along the slit opening, with the zipper closing an opening region formed between the two strips.
This arrangement of the closure device advantageously provides a simple and effective sealing device between the two zippers.
According to another advantage of the closure device of the invention, conventional inexpensive zippers can be used which are capable of withstanding the considerable tensile forces produced when the aquatic sport suit is worn.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the slit opening and the opening region are offset with respect to one another, wherein preferably one of the two strips covers the slit opening. With this simple arrangement of the closure device, water is prevented from penetrating by securing the zipper, which is disposed on the inside, to two strips which are arranged on the inside of the aquatic sport suit and extend lengthwise along the slit opening.
According to yet another embodiment of the closure device of the invention, the sealing device consists of a sealing tab which is arranged on at least one side along the slit opening and the opening region, respectively, and extends at least to the longitudinal center of the slit opening or the opening region.
The sealing tab is advantageously attached in the region of at least one of the two zippers of the aquatic sport suit.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the sealing tab is arranged immediately underneath one of the zipper halves disposed on the outside of the aquatic sport suit or immediately underneath one of the zipper halves which connects the strips and is disposed on the inside of the aquatic sport suit.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing tab is provided with a sealing bead on the side facing the slit opening and/or the opening region, with the sealing bead preferably having a substantially circular cross-section. When the two zippers are closed, the sealing bead which is made of rubber or an elastic material, is pressed against the slit edges and at least partially between the walls of the slit opening and/or the opening region. In this way, the closure device of the invention provides an effective seal against penetration of water.
To further improve the sealing effect of the closure device, the invention provides an additional sealing strip which extends in the longitudinal direction of the slit opening and is located on the inside of the aquatic sport suit in the region between the slit opening and the free longitudinal marginal edge of the inner tab which covers the slit opening.
According to yet another embodiment of the closure device of the invention, the sealing device consists of a tapered section of at least one of the two slit walls, wherein the tapered section extends over the length of the slit opening. According to another embodiment of the invention, the tapered section of one of the slit walls engages with a recess of the other slit wall.
When the zippers are closed, the tapered section is pressed into the recess and against the slit wall, thereby attaining a satisfactory sealing effect.
According to yet another embodiment of the closure device of the invention, each of the slit walls is provided with a respective tapered section, wherein the tapered sections overlap each other. When the zippers are closed, the two beveled surfaces of the tapered section are pressed against each other. This simple sealing device also provides a satisfactory sealing effect.
According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tabs, sealing tabs, sealing beads, sealing strips, the tapered section and the strips are made of smooth chloroprene rubber or chloroprene rubber coated with nylon.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are intended solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2746113 (1956-05-01), Williams
patent: 2853758 (1958-09-01), Topf
patent: 4987657 (1991-01-01), Moreland
patent: 5159719 (1992-11-01), Aumann
patent: 5444898 (1995-08-01), Norvell
patent: 5924172 (1999-07-01), Klein
patent: 6092266 (2000-07-01), Lee
patent: 6105
Darby & Darby
Hale Gloria M.
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