Wetsuit with flush resistant through shoulder entry system

Abstract

A low profile, flush resistant, through shoulder entry system for a wetsuit is disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, the wetsuit has a stretchable entryway formed through a head-opening portion with a head flap pivotally secured to the body of the wetsuit. The head flap pivots to define an open position whereby a user can easily enter and exit the wetsuit through the stretchable entryway, and a closed position. At least one gusset extends between the wetsuit and head flap. In another embodiment, the head flap is detachably secured in its closed position with a combination of a horizontally mounted slide fastener and hook and loop material.

1 . A wetsuit comprising: 
 a body portion    a head opening portion opening into said body portion;    an entryway into said body portion through said head opening portion;    a head flap portion pivotally secured to said body portion defining an open position wherein said entry way is exposed for entry into the wetsuit, and a closed position wherein said entry way is closed from entry; and,    a first water flow resistant gusset extending between said body portion to said head flap thereby limiting the flow of water between said head flap and said body portion.    
   
   
       2 . The wetsuit of  claim 1 , further including a second water flow resistant gusset extending between said body portion and said head flap, said first and second gussets spaced apart from each other and straddling said head opening portion.  
   
   
       3 . The wetsuit of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said gusset is substantially planar and substantially triangular defining a head flap engaging edge, a body portion engaging edge, and an open edge;    said head flap engaging edge secured to said head flap; and,    said body portion engaging edge secured to said body portion.    
   
   
       4 . The wetsuit of  claim 3 , wherein said head flap engaging edge is sealed to said head flap, and said body portion engaging edge is sealed to said body portion.  
   
   
       5 . The wetsuit of  claim 1 , wherein said head flap includes an opening for receiving a wearer's head therethrough.  
   
   
       6 . The wetsuit of  claim 5 , further including a collar portion encircling said opening for snuggly engaging a wearer's neck when said head flap is in said closed position.  
   
   
       7 . The wetsuit of  claim 1 , further including a securing structure for detachably holding said head flap in said closed position.  
   
   
       8 . The wetsuit of  claim 7 , wherein said securing structure includes a first portion of a slide fastener mounted substantially horizontally along a front of the body portion, and a second portion of the slide fastener mounted to said flap portion such that said first and second portions of said slide fastener operably engage each IS other when said flap portion is in said closed position.  
   
   
       9 . The wetsuit of  claim 8 , wherein said first portion is mounted to an outer surface-of said body portion and said second portion of said slide fastener is mounted to an inner surface of said head flap.  
   
   
       10 . The wetsuit of  claim 8 , wherein said head flap has a distal end and said second portion of said slide fastener is positioned toward said distal end.  
   
   
       11 . The wetsuit of  claim 10 , further including a first portion of one of said hook and loop material operably secured toward said distal end of said head flap, and a second section of the other of said hook and loop material operably secured to said body portion for operably securing said head flap to said body portion is said closed position.  
   
   
       12 . The wetsuit of  claim 8 , further including a tap extending from said head flap to said body portion, said tap detachably securable to said body portion and positioned so as to extend over at least a portion of said slide fastener when said head flap is in said closed position, thereby preventing inadvertent opening of said slide fastener.  
   
   
       13 . A wetsuit comprising: 
 a body portion    a head opening portion opening into said body portion;    an entryway into said body portion through said head opening portion;    a head flap portion pivotally secured to said body portion defining an open position wherein said entry way is exposed for entry into the wetsuit, and a closed position wherein said entry way is closed from entry;    a first portion of a slide fastener mounted substantially horizontally along a front of the body portion, and a second portion of the slide fastener mounted to said flap portion such that said first and second portions of said slide fastener operably engage each other when said flap portion is in said closed position thereby detachably holding said head flap portion in said closed position.    
   
   
       14 . The wetsuit of  claim 13 , wherein said head flap includes an opening for receiving a wearer's head therethrough.  
   
   
       15 . The wetsuit of  claim 13 , wherein said first portion is mounted to an outer surface of said body portion and said second portion of said slide fastener is mounted to an inner surface of said head flap.  
   
   
       16 . The wetsuit of  claim 15 , wherein said head flap has a distal end and said second portion of said slide fastener is positioned toward said distal end.  
   
   
       17 . The wetsuit of  claim 16 , further including a first portion of one of said hook and loop material operably secured toward said distal end of said head flap, and a second section of the other of said hook and loop material operably secured to said body portion for operably securing said head flap to said body portion is said closed position.  
   
   
       18 . The wetsuit of  claim 13 , further including a tap extending from said head flap to said body portion, said tap detachably securable to said body portion and positioned so as to extend over at least a portion of said slide fastener when said head flap is in said closed position, thereby preventing inadvertent opening of said slide fastener.  
   
   
       19 . The wetsuit of  claim 13 , further including a first water flow resistant gusset extending between said body portion to said head flap thereby limiting the flow of water between said head flap and said body portion.  
   
   
       20 . The wetsuit of  claim 19 , further including a second water flow resistant gusset extending between said body portion and said head flap, said first and second gussets spaced apart from each other and straddling said head opening portion.