TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a waterproof garment connector arrangement for attaching a distal garment part to a main body of a garment, to a method of attaching the distal garment part to the main body of the garment using the waterproof garment connector arrangement, and to a wet suit, immersion suit, survival suit, dry suit or semi dry suit including at least one of the connector arrangements.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Various waterproof garments are known which are used by divers, military personnel or in emergency situations where immersion in water is likely.

For diving, wet suits and dry suits are known. Dry suits are substantially watertight and are fairly loosely fitting to allow thermally protective clothing to be worn underneath . Wetsuits are closer fitting to the body. A limited amount of water is allowed to enter the small space between the suit and the wearer' s body, whereafter further water exchange ceases . The material of the wet suit is thermally insulating . The water present between the wearer' s body and the suit helps to retain body heat .

Immersion and survival suits have a similar construction to dry suits and may be worn by pilots or seafarers when there is a likelihood of evacuation into water .

Protective waterproof garments are also used by personnel who need to enter hazardous areas, such as where dangerous chemicals are present. Garments of the type described above, generally comprise a main body part which covers the trunk, arms and legs of the wearer. Often, one or more of the glove parts or wrist seals, foot-receiving parts or ankle seals and a head-receiving part or neck seal of the garment will be separate. This makes it easier to don the garment and may allow the garment to be worn by persons with a greater range of body sizes.

It is desirable that such distal garment parts can be mounted and removed quickly and reliably, whilst providing a waterproof connection to the main body part. Examples of known garment connectors are disclosed in EP1352577 and EP0406139. The embodiments of the present invention seek to provide an alternative garment connector arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a waterproof garment connector arrangement for attaching a distal garment part to a main body of a garment, the connector arrangement including :

a first part having a first outward facing recess and an inward facing protrusion;

a second part having an outer engagement member for being received in the first outward facing recess and an inner engagement member for engaging the protrusion, the outer engagement member including a second outward facing recess at least partially accommodated in the first outward facing recess in use; and

an annular member for fitting into the second outward facing recess, the arrangement being such that the annular member, in use, urges the outer engagement member against a wall of the first outward facing recess to secure the first part to the second part;

wherein the first part extends from one of the distal garment part and the main body of the garment and the second part extends from the other of the distal garment part and the main body of the garment .

Preferably the second part is resiliently deformable . The second part may have a Shore hardness of 45-75 but may fall outside of this range depending upon the type of material being used to form the annular member. The second outward facing recess may have an entrance having a width that is less than a width of the annular member. The arrangement may be such that the entrance deforms in use to allow the insertion of the annular member into the second outward facing recess, whereafter the entrance resiles to hold the annular member in the second outward facing recess and/or to provide a generally smooth outer surface . The second outward facing recess may have a generally partially circular transverse cross-section that corresponds in shape to the transverse cross-section of the annular member . The annular member may be an O-ring.

The second part may be configured to be deformed during connection to the first part to slide over the wall of the first outward facing recess and the protrusion, whereafter the second part resiles to engage the first outward facing recess and the protrusion to hold the first and second parts together .

In the embodiment, the first part is resiliently deformable .

The first part may have a Shore hardness of 45-75 but may fall outside of this range depending upon the type of material being used to form the annular member. Other Shore hardnesses than specified for the first and second parts may be used. Generally, the second part may have a Shore hardness that is the same as the first part, although this is not essential . As an alternative, the shore hardnesses of the first and second parts may be different from each other, and, for example, the first part may have a Shore hardness that is 15% greater than the second part . The wall of the first outward facing recess and the protrusion of the first part may be configured to be deformed during connection to the second part, whereafter the wall of the first outward facing recess and the protrusion resile . Such an arrangement may allow a straightforward coupling procedure of the first part to the second part.

The first part may include an abutment formation facing the protrusion for abutting in use an end wall of the second part, the arrangement being such as to hold the second part in engagement with the protrusion. This enhances the coupling together of the first and second part.

The first part and the second part in the embodiments are annular, and the first and second outward facing recesses extend circumferentially .

The distal garment part may comprise a glove or wrist seal; a foot-receiving part (sock or boot) or ankle seal; or a head- receiving part (hood) or a neck seal .

The protrusion may be inclined.

The embodiment allows the distal garment part to be easily connected to the main body of the garment in a waterproof manner .

The garment may be a dry suit, a semi dry suit, a wet suit, an immersion suit, a survival suit or other protective suit . Semi dry suits are basically wet suits that have seals in the wrists and neck. These suits allow in a limited amount of water but restrict the flushing of water in the neck and wrist by using seals in these areas . In the embodiment to be described, the annular member fits into the second outward facing recess, and the arrangement is such that the annular member urges the outer engagement member against a wall of the first outward facing recess to secure the first part to the second part and thereby eliminates ingress and egress of water between the inside and outside faces of the first part and second part (where the wall of the first outward facing recess is) when connected together. Advantageously, the annular member has an inner circumference that is less than the circumference of the second part at the base of the second outward facing recess and this exerts a compressive force around the outside of the second part, thereby locking the protrusion in place . This arrangement may ensure that when a tensile or pulling force is applied between the first and second parts and along the axis of the parts they are not able to separate . Typically, the force that might be applied is that which might be encountered in normal use of the garment or when doffing and donning the garment .

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a wet suit, immersion suit, survival suit, dry suit or semi dry suit including at least one connector arrangement of the type discussed above, the distal garment part comprising a glove, a wrist seal, a foot-receiving part, an ankle seal, a head- receiving part or a neck seal of the suit .

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for attaching a distal garment part to a main body of the garment using a waterproof garment connector arrangement as described above . The method includes pushing the first part and the second part together such that the outer engagement member is received in the first outward facing recess and the inner engagement member engages the protrusion . The method then includes subsequently inserting an annular member in the second outward facing recess, such that the annular member urges the outer engagement member against the wall of the first outward facing recess to secure the first part to the second part . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention an embodiment will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view a waterproof garment including a main body part covering the trunk, arms and legs of the wearer, and detachable gloves, foot-receiving parts and head- receiving parts;

Figure 2 shows a side elevational perspective view of a garment connector arrangement having a first part and a second part, the parts being connected together; Figure 3 shows a side elevational perspective view of the first part of the garment connector;

Figure 4 shows a side elevational perspective view of the second part of the garment connector;

Figure 5 shows a plan view of an annular member for fitting to the second part;

Figure 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the connected first and second parts ; and

Figure 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the connected first and second parts in a modified embodiment. In the drawings, like elements are generally designated with the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A dry suit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 1 in Figure 1. The dry suit comprises a main body 3 that accommodates the trunk, arms and legs of the wearer . Distal garment parts may be detachable from the main body 3. Such distal garment parts may comprise gloves 5, foot- receiving parts/boots 7 and a head-receiving part/hood 9. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to connecting glove parts 5 and foot-receiving parts 7 to the main body 3.

It should also be appreciated that, where the embodiment is described in relation to a dry suit, the invention is also applicable to other types of garments where waterproof connections are desirable.

In the embodiment the gloves 5 and f >ot-receiving parts 7 are connected to the main body 3 by waterproof or substantially fluid-tight garment connectors 10. Such a waterproof garment connector 10 is shown in more detail n Figures 2 to 6.

Briefly, the garment connector 10 comprises a first part 11 that extends from the one of the distal garment part (glove 5 o foot-receiving part 7 in the embodiment) and the main body 3, and a second part 13 that extends from the other of the distal garment part 5/7 and the main body 3. The distal garment part could also be the head-receiving part 9.

Many dry suits on the market today are fitted with neck seals rather than head-receiving parts, wrist seals rather than gloves and ankle seals rather than foot-receiving parts . Such seals are usually constructed in a latex rubber, silicone, neoprene or some other elastic material having a smooth surface face on at least one side . The distal garment part may be a neck seal, a wrist seal or an ankle seal .

The first part 11 and the second part 13 may be integrally formed with the distal garment part 5/7 or the main body 3 from which they extend or may be permanently attached thereto by welding, adhesive or any other suitable means . In addition to the first part 11 and the second part 13, the garment connector 10 further includes an annular member, which in the embodiment is an O-ring 15. As is known, an O-ring is formed of rubber or a similar resiliently deformable material and has a circular transverse cross-section . Although in the embodiment an O-ring 15 is used, annular members of different configurations and cross-sections may also be used in accordance with the invention .

The first part 11 will now be described in more detail . The first part 11 includes a hollow tubular connecting section 17 which connects the first part 11 to the waterproof garment - either the main body 3 or the distal garment part 5/7. The connecting section 17 may be integral ly formed therewith or permanently attached thereto, as described above . At the distal end thereof the first part 11 has a first circumferential wall 19 and a second circumferential wall 21 spaced therefrom along the central axis of the first part 11 , the walls 19 and 21 creating a first outward facing recess 23 therebetween. The sides of the walls 19 and 21 facing into the recess are generally perpendicular to the central axis of the first part 11 , although the side of the first wall may have a inward inclination. The opposite sides 22 and 24 of the walls 19 and 21 may be inclined towards each other (the walls 19 and 21 being of generally triangular transverse cross-section) .

The first part 11 further comprises an inward facing protrusion 25 ( see Figure 6) , which extends generally opposite to the first wall 19. Further, the first part 11 includes an abutment formation 27 which extends inwardly, generally opposite to the second wall 21. The abutment formation 27 includes a distal end-facing wall 29 which extends generally perpendicular to the central axis of the first part 11. The protrusion 25 may be inclined towards the distal end-facing wall 29, as shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6 the distal end-facing wall 29 includes a lip 30. However, it should be understood that the lip 30 may be omitted, so that the end-facing wall 29 is substantially straight and forms a substantially right-angled corner with the main inward facing surface of the first part 11.

The second part 13 will now be described in more detail. The second part 13 includes a hollow tubular connecting section 31 which connects the second part 13 to the waterproof garment (either the distal garment part 5/7 or the main body 3) . The connecting section 31 may be integrally formed with the waterproof garment or may be permanently attached thereto in the manner described above .

The second part 13 includes an outer engagement member 33 that is received in the first outward facing recess 23 of the first part 11 when the second part 13 is coupled to the first part 11, and as shown best in Figure 6. The outer engagement member 33 is generally U-shaped, and has a shape and size corresponding generally to the internal shape and size of the first outward facing recess 23. The relative sizes and shapes may be selected so that there is an interference fit between the outer engagement member 33 and the first outward facing recess 23. The outer engagement member 33 includes a second outward facing recess 35 that is at least partially accommodated in the first outward facing recess 23 when the second part 13 is coupled to the first part 11. The second outward facing recess 35 has a part circular transverse cross- section. The entrance 37 to the recess 35 has a transverse width which is less than the transverse width of the centre of the recess 35.

The second part 13 further includes an inner engagement member 39 that engages the protrusion 25 when the second part 13 is connected to the first part 11. The distal end of the inner engagement member 39 terminates in a wall 40 that abuts the abutment wall 29 of the abutment formation 27 of the first part. The inner engagement member 39 includes wall 41 facing generally opposite to wall 40, but inclined away therefrom, for engaging the protrusion 25. In use, the first part 11 and the second part 13 are connected together by bringing them towards each other along the central axis. The front wall of the outer engagement member 33 initially contacts the inclined surface 24 of the first wall 19 of the first part 11 , and due to the resilient deformability of these parts , the outer engagement member 33 slides over the first wall 19. In a similar manner, the inner engagement member 39 of the second part 13 slides over the protrusion 25 of the first part 11. When the first part 11 and the second part 13 are fully pushed together, the deformed parts resile and take the positions shown in Figure 6, so that the outer engagement member 33 is accommodated in the first outward facing recess 23 and the inner engagement member 39 engages the protrusion 25 and the abutment wall 29.

The O-ring 15, which will have been loosely lying over either the tubular connecting section 17 of the first part or the tubular connecting section 31 of the second part, will then be moved along the central axis, so that it rolls or slides over the inclined surface 22 of the second wall 21 of the first part, or over a corresponding inclined wall 43 of the second part, thereby stretching the O-ring 15, until the O-ring 15 reaches the entrance 37 to the second outward facing recess 35. At this point, the material at the entrance 37 deforms, due to the pressure exerted by the stretched O-ring 15, and the O-ring falls into the recess 35, the material at the entrance 37 of the recess 35 thereafter resiling.

When the O-ring 15 is accommodated in the recess 35 it urges the outer engagement member 33 against the first wall 19 and second wall 21 of the first outward facing recess 23 to secure the first part 11 to the second part 13. This will also tend to urge the protrusion 25 against the inner engagement member 39. In this way, secure and watertight coupling between the first part and the second part 13 is accomplished.

Preferably, the O-ring 15 has an inner circumference co (as seen in Figure 5) that is less than the circumference cp (as seen in Figure 4) of the second part 13 at the base of the recess 35. Such an arrangement exerts a compressive force around the outside of the second part 13, thereby locking the protrusion 25 in place . This arrangement may ensure that when a tensile or pulling force is applied between the first 11 and second 13 parts and along the central axis of the parts 11 and 13, they resist separation. Typically, the force that might be applied is that which might be encountered in normal use of the garment or when doffing and donning the garment .

Preferably, the tube forming the O-ring 15 has a cross- sectional diameter d (as seen in Figure 6) that is greater than the maximum internal width w of the recess 35. The O-ring 15 may have a cross-sectional area that is greater that the corresponding cross-sectional area of the recess 35. Such an arrangement tends to secure the first part 11 to the second part 13 by pushing the walls of the recess 35 apart slightly so that they press against the walls 19 and 21. To uncouple the first part 11 from the second part 13, the 0- ring 15 is removed from the second outward facing recess 35. The outer engagement member 33 can then be pulled away from the first outward facing recess 23, thereby releasing the inner engagement member 39 from the protrusion 25, and allowing the first part 11 and the second part 13 to be moved away from each other .

In a modification to the first embodiment, the inward facing protrusion 25 may be replaced with a modified protrusion 25A, as shown in Figure 7. The protrusion 25A is not inclined but has a surface 25B which extends generally perpendicular to the central axis of the first part 11 and substantially parallel to the distal end-facing wall 29. In this embodiment, the inner engagement member 39 includes wall 41 facing generally opposite to wall 40, and extending generally parallel thereto, for engaging the protrusion 25A.

In the embodiment the first part has a Shore hardness of 45- 75, and the second part 13 also has a Shore hardness of 45-75. However, it should be understood that these are only example values, and other values may be used. The first part 11 and the second part 13 may have substantially identical hardnesses. Alternatively, the first part may be slightly (e.g. 15%) harder than the second part.

The first part 11 and/or the second part 13 may be formed of R/F (Radio Frequency) weldable Estane® PU (polyurethane) but could be any plastics material including a polyether or polyurethane or rubber based materials, or any other material that has similar physical properties to the aforementioned materials .

The O-ring 15 may be produced typically but not restricted to direct injection moulding. The O-ring 15 may have a Shore hardness in the range of 45-80. The O-ring 15 may have a Shore hardness greater than the Shore hardness of the first and/or second parts 11, 13.