Wetsuit

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. The neck or collar ( 17 ) may be a simple neck or collar, or be formed as part of a hood which, in use, will fit around the head of the wetsuit wearer with an opening therethrough in the facial region of the wearer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A wetsuit structure having a zipper extending from a neck opening of the wetsuit and down that portion of the wetsuit which, in use, will at least surround the upper part of the torso of a wearer of the wetsuit, wherein a barrier panel 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.  
     
     
         2 . A wetsuit structure having a detachable neck or collar of stretchable, substantially water proof, material adapted, in use, to be pulled over the head of the wearer whilst stretching in the process, but then relaxing to fit relatively tightly into sealing engagement around the neck of the wearer, and means to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit.  
     
     
         3 . The wetsuit structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein there is also provided a detachable neck or collar of stretchable, substantially water proof, material adapted, in use, to be pulled over the head of the wearer whilst stretching in the process, but then relaxing to fit relatively tightly into sealing engagement around the neck of the wearer, and means to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit.  
     
     
         4 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 2 , wherein the neck or collar is a simple neck or collar.  
     
     
         5 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 3 , wherein the neck or collar is a simple neck or collar.  
     
     
         6 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 2 , wherein the neck or collar is formed as part of the hood which, in use, will fit around the head of the wetsuit wearer with an opening therethrough in the facial region of the wearer.  
     
     
         7 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 3 , wherein the neck or collar is formed as part of the hood which, in use, will fit around the head of the wetsuit wearer with an opening therethrough in the facial region of the wearer.  
     
     
         8 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 2 , wherein the neck or collar has a downwardly extending flap portion which is detachably connected to the body of the wetsuit.  
     
     
         9 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 4 , wherein the neck or collar has a downwardly extending flap portion which is detachably connected to the body of the wetsuit.  
     
     
         10 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 6 , wherein the neck or collar has a downwardly extending flap portion which is detachably connected to the body of the wetsuit.  
     
     
         11 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 3 , wherein the neck or collar has a downwardly extending flap portion which is detachably connected to the body of the wetsuit.  
     
     
         12 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 5 , wherein the neck or collar has a downwardly extending flap portion which is detachably connected to the body of the wetsuit.  
     
     
         13 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 7 , wherein the neck or collar has a downwardly extending flap portion which is detachably connected to the body of the wetsuit.  
     
     
         14 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 8 , wherein the downwardly extending flap portion is detachably connected to an upper portion of the barrier panel.  
     
     
         15 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 9 , wherein the downwardly extending flap portion is detachably connected to an upper portion of the barrier panel.  
     
     
         16 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 10 , wherein the downwardly extending flap portion is detachably connected to an upper portion of the barrier panel.  
     
     
         17 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 11 , wherein the downwardly extending flap portion is detachably connected to an upper portion of the barrier panel.  
     
     
         18 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 12 , wherein the downwardly extending flap portion is detachably connected to an upper portion of the barrier panel.  
     
     
         19 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 13 , wherein the downwardly extending flap portion is detachably connected to an upper portion of the barrier panel.  
     
     
         20 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 2 , wherein the means to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit are a series of press studs.  
     
     
         21 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 3 , wherein the means to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit are a series of press studs.  
     
     
         22 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 14 , wherein the means to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit are a series of press studs.  
     
     
         23 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 15 , wherein the means to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit are a series of press studs.  
     
     
         24 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 16 , wherein the means to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit are a series of press studs.  
     
     
         25 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 17 , wherein the means to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit are a series of press studs.  
     
     
         26 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 18 , wherein the means to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit are a series of press studs.  
     
     
         27 . The wetsuit structure of  claim 19 , wherein the means to detachably connect the neck or collar to the body of the wetsuit are a series of press studs.