US20080222772A1

US20080222772A1 - E-Z On Dive Suit, Glove and Bootie

Info

Publication number: US20080222772A1
Application number: US11/724,802
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrence Murray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-15
Filing date: 2007-03-15
Publication date: 2008-09-18

Abstract

E-Z On Dive Suit, Glove and Bootie is an environmentally friendly plastic cover or covers for use over a hand, foot, and/or ankle. The preferred embodiment of E-Z On Dive Suit, Glove and Bootie is comprised of at least some of the following: a finger cover and a thumb cover and/or a foot cover and an ankle cover. To use the preferred embodiment of E-Z On Dive Suit, Glove and Bootie, a user would insert his hands into the finger and thumb covers and his feet into the foot cover and his ankles into the ankle covers. After the user's hands, feet and ankles are covered, he can put on a wetsuit and diving equipment in the traditional manner. After use, E-Z On Dive Suit, Glove and Bootie could be removed and discarded.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This United States Non-Provisional patent application does not claim priority to any United States Provisional patent application or any foreign patent application.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to the scuba diving accessories industry. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of gloves and socks for use in putting on a wetsuit.

BACKGROUND

Scuba diving is a popular activity worldwide. A diver can view colorful fish and coral and experience an environment unlike any he has ever seen above water. Many divers take along waterproof cameras to record the wonderful experience.
Scuba diving requires a considerable amount of equipment. A diver requires a mask, fins, scuba tanks, a waterproof watch and a wetsuit. The wetsuit is commonly made from materials such as neoprene rubber and can become difficult to pull over the body, especially when wet. Often, plastic bags are used to allow a diver's hands and feet to be inserted into the wetsuit more easily. These plastic bags, however, can be harmful to the environment if they are blown away or otherwise introduced into the marine environment.
Hence, there is a need in the art for a convenient to use, inexpensive, durable, environmentally friendly, safe and effective device for a diver to use on a hand or foot when putting on a wetsuit.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

E-Z On Dive Suit, Glove and Bootie is an environmentally friendly plastic cover for use over a hand, foot, and/or ankle.
One embodiment of the invention utilizes a finger cover and a thumb cover of environmentally friendly plastic. Other embodiments have a foot cover and ankle cover of environmentally friendly plastic. Other embodiments of the invention come in smaller sizes and may not have thumb coverings or ankle coverings.
The principal object of this invention is to provide a device for preventing a user's feet or hands from sticking to a wetsuit or the like while putting on the wetsuit.
Another object of this invention is to provide an affordable device for preventing a user's feet or hands from sticking to a wetsuit or the like while putting on the wetsuit.
Another object of this invention is to provide an environmentally friendly device for preventing a user's feet or hands from sticking to a wetsuit or the like while putting on the wetsuit.
Another object of this invention is to provide a safe device for preventing a user's feet or hands from sticking to a wetsuit or the like while putting on the wetsuit.
Another object of this invention is to provide a durable device for preventing a user's feet or hands from sticking to a wetsuit or the like while putting on the wetsuit.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a disposable device for preventing a user's feet or hands from sticking to a wetsuit or the like while putting on the wetsuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the glove of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the bootie of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of E-Z On Dive Suit, Glove and Bootie is comprised of at least some of the following: a finger cover and a thumb cover or a foot cover and an ankle cover.
FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the glove of the present invention. A hand opening 1 allows a user to place the fingers of his hand into a finger cover 2 while his thumb separately enters a thumb cover 3. The finger cover 2 is shaped in a mitten style and terminates in a curved and closed end. The curved nature and size of the finger cover 2 allows all of the user's fingers to fit comfortably within the finger cover 2. The fingers will still be able to touch one another while inside the finger cover 2.
The thumb cover 3 is separate from the finger cover 2 in this preferred embodiment and will prevent the user's thumb from touching the user's other fingers. The thumb cover also terminates in a curved and closed end in this preferred embodiment. The size of the hand opening 1, finger cover 2 and thumb cover 3 will vary to accommodate a wide spectrum of users. This preferred embodiment will be approximately eight inches long and five inches wide. Small, medium, large and extra-large sizes will all be available to accommodate users of all sizes. In this preferred embodiment, there is no left or right style glove. The finger cover 2 and thumb cover 3 can simply be turned over to accommodate either hand.
In the preferred embodiment, the finger cover 2 and the thumb cover 3 are made of environmentally friendly materials. A biodegradable and durable plastic is used for the finger cover 2 and the thumb cover 3 in this preferred embodiment. Using biodegradable materials will help protect the sensitive reef environment that is often associated with the areas people scuba dive. The plastic is only a millimeter thick in this preferred embodiment though any relatively small thickness would suffice. The finger cover 2 and the thumb cover 3 of the preferred embodiment extend from the tip of the user's fingers and thumb to the user's wrist.
FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment of the bootie of the present invention. The bootie has a foot opening 20 that leads to an ankle cover 21. The ankle cover 21 is approximately rectangular and transitions to a foot cover 22 that is at approximately a ninety-degree angle to the ankle cover 21. The foot cover is approximately rectangular and terminates with a closed, curved end. The ankle cover 21 is approximately eight inches long and five inches wide while the foot cover 22 is approximately twelve inches long and six inches wide in this preferred embodiment though the exact size is not critical so long as it can fit a user's ankle and foot. Like the glove version of this invention described in FIG. 1, the bootie will preferably come in a variety of sizes and will also utilize a biodegradable plastic in the preferred embodiment. The bootie is also designed to fit both a left and right foot.
Other embodiments of the glove could have no thumb cover. Instead, the curved finger cover would contain a user's entire hand, including the thumb. The bootie could also be manufactured without an ankle cover in certain embodiments. The foot cover would cover a user's foot in these embodiments without covering the ankle with an ankle cover.
Still other embodiments of the present invention could have open ends to the foot cover, finger cover and thumb cover to allow the glove or bootie to permit additional airflow and allow a user to protrude his fingers and toes through the glove and bootie.
To use the preferred embodiment of E-Z On Dive Suit, Glove and Bootie, a user would insert his hands into the finger and thumb covers and his feet and ankles into the foot covers and ankle covers. After the user's hands, feet and ankles are covered, he can put on the wetsuit and diving equipment in the traditional manner. After use, E-Z On Dive Suit, Glove and Bootie could be removed and discarded.
The materials utilized for E-Z On Dive Suit, Glove and Bootie may vary widely but will likely include plastic. The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability.
The plastic components of E-Z On Dive Suit, Glove and Bootie can also be formed with the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for the mass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold walls of the mold.
It should be obvious that the components of the present invention can be of various shapes and sizes. It should also be obvious that the components of the invention can be made of different types of plastics or other suitable materials and can be of any color. While this invention is primarily used in conjunction with a wetsuit for scuba diving it could also be employed under a snowmobile suit, water ski suit, snowsuit or other similar suit.
It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A glove for use underneath a suit comprising:

(a) a hand opening; and

(b) a plastic finger cover.

2. The glove of claim 1 further comprising

a curved end on the plastic finger cover.

3. The glove of claim 1 further comprising

a closed end to the plastic finger cover.

4. The glove of claim 1 further comprising

a plastic thumb cover connected to the plastic finger cover.

5. The glove of claim 4 further comprising

a curved end on the plastic thumb cover.

6. The glove of claim 4 further comprising

a closed end to the plastic thumb cover.

7. The glove of claim 4 wherein the plastic finger cover and the plastic thumb cover are biodegradable.

8. A bootie for use underneath a suit comprising:

(a) a foot opening; and

(b) a plastic foot cover.

9. The bootie of claim 8 further comprising

a plastic ankle cover connected to the plastic foot cover.

10. The bootie of claim 9 wherein the plastic ankle cover is approximately rectangular.

11. The bootie of claim 9 wherein the plastic ankle cover is at approximately a ninety-degree angle to the plastic foot cover.

12. The bootie of claim 8 wherein the plastic foot cover is approximately rectangular and terminates with a closed and curved end.

13. The bootie of claim 9 wherein the plastic ankle cover and the plastic foot cover are biodegradable.