MODULAR BELT LOOP SYSTEM FOR DRYSUIT

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/733,813, filed Dec. 13, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A drysuit is a garment worn to protect the user from adverse environmental conditions. Two common purposes are to insulate the wearer against excessive heat loss, and to isolate the wearer from direct contact with a liquid environment during immersion or repeated multi-directional contact with liquids which may include hazardous chemicals or biological contaminants. Insulation is typically provided by garments worn under the drysuit, which the drysuit functions to keep dry. Drysuits are often used by divers, boaters, and people who work or play in or near cold or contaminated water. Components include a waterproof shell, seals, and a watertight entry closure. Pockets may be glued to the thigh area of a drysuit to provide storage for small items of equipment. However, such pockets are inadequate for the substantial equipment typically required by law enforcement, first responders, or military personnel conducting operations.

This document describes methods and systems that address issues such as those discussed above, and/or other issues.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes embodiments related to drysuits having a belt loop system. In an embodiment, a drysuit includes a torso-covering portion having a waist section and a loop system attached to an outward-facing surface of the waist section. The loop system includes multiple openings, each of the openings configured to receive a belt.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. The drysuit may further include a suspender system disposed within the torso-covering portion. The suspender system may be attached to an inward-facing surface of the waist section and may be configured to support the loop system. In some examples, the suspender system is configured to detachably attach to the waist section. Suspenders of the suspender system may be configured to have an adjustable length. The suspender system may include an elastic material. In some examples, the suspender system is attached to the waist section using patches of material that are adhesively attached to the waist section. The suspender system may be attached to the patches of material using a buckle or a hook-and-loop fastening system. The loop system may include a strip of textile having vertical slits that form the openings. The loop system may include vertical loops of webbing that form the openings. The loop system may be configured to receive a standard duty belt. In some examples, the loop system is attached to the waist section by sewing the loop system to the waist section and applying tape to an inward-facing surface of the waist section over the sewn area. The openings may include multiple vertical slits.

A method of manufacturing a drysuit includes receiving a belt system having multiple vertical openings, sewing the belt system to an outer surface of the drysuit, and applying tape to an inner surface of the drysuit to cover the sewn area.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the method further includes attaching a suspender system to the inner surface of the drysuit. Attaching the suspender system to the inner surface of the drysuit may include adhesively attaching patches of material to the inner surface of the drysuit. Attaching the suspender system to the inner surface of the drysuit may include attaching a buckle or a hook-and-loop fastening system to the patches of material.

A method includes donning a drysuit having a loop system and a suspender system disposed within the torso-covering portion and configured to support the loop system. The method further includes attaching the suspender system to the waist portion and threading a belt into at least one of the openings of the loop system. Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the method further includes adjusting the length of the suspenders.

The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example drysuit.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of the example drysuit.

FIG. 3 shows example loop-attachment stitching.

FIG. 4 shows an example flowchart.

FIG. 5 shows another example flowchart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term “comprising” (or “comprises”) means “including (or includes), but not limited to.” When used in this document, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean “by way of example” and is not intended to indicate that a particular exemplary item is preferred or required.

In this document, when terms such “first” and “second” are used to modify a noun or phrase, such use is simply intended to distinguish one item from another and is not intended to require a sequential order unless specifically stated. The term “about” when used in connection with a numeric value, is intended to include values that are close to, but not exactly, the number. For example, in some embodiments, the term “about” may include values that are within +/−10 percent of the value.

The present disclosure relates generally to methods and systems related to a drysuit having an integrated belt loop system. Many operations for law enforcement, first responders, and military personnel require partial and/or full submersion into water, e.g. a flash flood event. For thermal and chemical protection, these personnel require dry suits to be worn during such operations. However, typical drysuits lack any way to carry the bulky and heavy equipment that may be required. Embodiments described in this disclosure allow for a standard duty belt (e.g., as used by law enforcement, first responders, military personnel, and others) to be mounted to, and supported by, the drysuit. In some examples, the duty belt is mounted to the dry suit in a substantially similar manner as the duty belt would attach to pants (e.g., of a uniform).

FIG. 1 shows an example drysuit 100, e.g., for use by law enforcement, first responders, military personnel, and the like. As shown, the drysuit 100 is a one-piece garment, including feet coverings 102a, 102b, leg coverings 104a, 104b, a torso-covering portion 106, and sleeves 108a, 108b for covering the wearer's arms. The drysuit 100 may be configured to prevent or substantially limit water from entering the suit. For example, the example drysuit 100 includes a neck seal 112 and wrist seals 114a, 114b, at the points where the wearer's body parts pass through the drysuit 100. The example drysuit 100 also includes a watertight entry closure 118, such as a waterproof zipper, that can be opened for donning and doffing the suit then closed to limit water incursion during use.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the torso-covering portion 106 of the example drysuit 100. The example drysuit 100 also includes a belt loop system 120, i.e., one or more loops configured to receive a belt. As shown, the loop system 120 is disposed at or near the waist section of the torso-covering portion 106 of the example drysuit 100. That is, the loop system 120 may be disposed in a natural position for the wearer. In some examples, the loop system 120 includes a strip of material such as textile with, e.g., cut vertical slits or sewn vertical webbing loops that form belt loops of the loop system 120. The loops may be sized and shaped to support a standard belt, such as a duty belt. A duty belt, also referred to as a gun belt, duty rig, or kit belt, is a belt that is typically constructed from nylon or leather and is used by police officers, first responders, and military personnel to carry their equipment in a readily accessible manner.

The loop system 120 may be firmly attached to the exterior of the drysuit 100. For example, the entire strip of textile may be sewn to the waist section of the dry suit. By sewing the strip to the drysuit 100, rather than sewing individual loops, the number of stitching holes required to firmly attach the loop system 120 may be reduced (thus, reducing the number of potential water-incursion points). To further limit water incursion, water-resistant tape (e.g., seam tape) may be applied to the inside of the drysuit 100 to cover the stitching holes. Referring to FIG. 3, a representation 300 of the inside of the waist section of the drysuit 100 is shown. As shown, the loop system 120 is sewn to the waist section with a series of stitches 304a-304l. There is a hole at each end of each stitch 304, to allow the stitch 304 to pass to the outside of the drysuit 100 (and through the strip of textile). As shown, the stitches 304 are horizontal, however other configurations, including vertical and diagonal, are also within the scope of the disclosure. A strip 302 of tape is applied to the inside of the drysuit 100 to cover the entire sewn area (i.e., the entire portion of the waist section that includes stitches 304). In other configurations, multiple strips 302 of tape are applied over the stitching, e.g., one strip 302 of tape per stitch 304. In any of these configurations, each stitching hole is covered by at least one strip 302 of tape to reduce or eliminate water incursion, while also providing a stronger attachment of the belt loop system 120, e.g., under the heavy load of items attached to the belt. Furthermore, the tape may serve to spread forces over a wider area, e.g., to reduce stresses that might otherwise be concentrated at the stitching holes.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the drysuit 100 may include a suspender system 130 configured to help support the support the weight of the belt and associated equipment. The suspender system 130 may include one or more supporting bands that provide weight relief for the belt and equipment. The one or more bands (or other part of the suspender system 130) may be attached to the inside of the drysuit 100 at the waist section (e.g., opposite the belt loop system 120). In some configurations, the suspender system 130 is attached to the waist section opposite the belt loop system 120, i.e., at or near where the belt loop system 120 is sewn to the waist section. As shown the suspender system 130 is attached at attachment points 132a, 132b. Attachment points 132a, 132b may include patches of material that may be sewn to the suit or that may be adhered to the inside of the suit, e.g., with a neoprene-based adhesive. The suspender system 130 may be removably connected to attachment points 132a, 132b by, among other options, using buckles, a hook-and-loop attachment system, or, e.g., by threading each band through a plastic or metal loop to anchor the band to its associated attachment point 132a, 132b. Being able to disconnect (remove) the suspender system 130 from the attachment points 132a, 132b may facilitate donning and/or doffing the drysuit 100.

As shown, the suspender system 130 includes supporting bands worn across the shoulders. Thus, the some or all of the weight of the belt system may be borne by the wearer's shoulders. Each individual band may have an adjustable length. That is, each band may include a slide adjuster, buckle, clamp, or other system for increasing or decreasing the length of the band, e.g., to match the distance from the wearer's neck to the waist section of the drysuit 100. The bands or other portions of the suspender system 130 may include elastic materials such as elastic webbing, e.g., to provide support for the belt and equipment while also allowing the wearer to have freedom of movement.

FIG. 4 shows an example flowchart 400 for a method of manufacturing a drysuit 100. At step 402, the method includes receiving a drysuit 100. At step 404, the method includes receiving a belt loop system 120, such as the belt loop system 120 described above. At step 406, the method includes sewing the belt loop system 120 to an outer surface of the drysuit 100. As described above, the belt loop system 120 may include a strip of material (e.g., nylon webbing) and this step 406 may include sewing the strip of material to the drysuit 100. At step 408, the method includes applying tape to an inner surface of the drysuit to cover the sewn area (e.g., to cover the stitches that are used to attach the belt loop system 120 to the drysuit 100). At step 410, the method may include attaching a suspender system 130 (or a portion of a suspender system 130) to an inner surface of the drysuit 100. As described above, the suspender system 130 may be removably connectable to the inner surface of the drysuit 100. Thus, step 410 may include attaching a portion of a suspender system 130 that is permanently attached to the inner surface of the drysuit 100. Other portions of the suspender system 130 may be removably connectable to the permanently attached attachment points.

FIG. 5 shows an example flowchart 500 for a method of donning a garment. At step 502, the method includes donning a drysuit, such as the drysuit disclosed above. At step 504, the method optionally includes adjusting a length of one or more bands of the suspender system 130. At step 506, the method includes connecting the suspender system 130 to attachment points at the waist section of the drysuit 100. At step 508, the method includes threading a belt into the belt loop system 120. In some examples, step 508 includes threading a duty belt through vertical slits in the belt loop system 120, such that the belt loop system 120 retains and supports the belt (with the assistance of the suspender system 130). After threading the belt into the belt loop system 120, items of equipment may be added to the belt.

While the invention has been described with specific embodiments, other alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it will be intended to include all such alternatives, modifications, and variations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.