Water-sport garment with breathable fabric panels

Abstract

A water-sport garment constructed with waterproof, breathable fabric panels and waterproof, non-breathable fabric panels. The waterproof, breathable fabric is constructed of one layer of a waterproof, breathable membrane with an inner and outer layer of synthetic knit fabric. The synthetic knit fabric is treated with a durable water repellant coating to prevent water absorption yet retain heat dissipation properties. The waterproof, breathable fabric is affixed to a conventional waterproof, non-breathable fabric used in the construction of water-sport garments. Construction of garments using panels of the waterproof, breathable fabric results in greater flexibility for the wearer, due to the waterproof, breathable fabric's improved stretchiness, as well as improved comfort for the wearer due to heat dissipation from areas of high heat generation during highly aerobic water-sports activities.

1 . A form-fitted garment for water-sport activity, the garment comprising:
 at least one panel of foam rubber material having an inner laminate of fabric; and   at least one panel of breathable laminate having an outer knit fabric affixed to a waterproof breathable membrane affixed to an inner knit fabric;   wherein the at least one panel of foam rubber material and the at least one panel of waterproof breathable laminate are affixed in an edge-to-edge relationship.   
     
     
         2 . The form-fitted garment of  claim 1 , wherein the inner knit fabric of the at least one panel of breathable laminate is treated with a durable water repellant. 
     
     
         3 . The form-fitted garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment comprises a wetsuit. 
     
     
         4 . The form-fitted garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one panel of foam rubber material and the at least one panel of waterproof breathable laminate are affixed in an edge-to-edge relationship with a flat lock stitch. 
     
     
         5 . The form-fitted garment of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof, breathable membrane comprises thermoplastic polyurethane film. 
     
     
         6 . A waterproof breathable wetsuit comprising:
 a plurality of foam rubber panels having an inner laminate of fabric;   a plurality of breathable laminate panels having an outer knit fabric affixed to a breathable membrane affixed to an inner knit fabric, the outer knit fabric and the inner knit fabric being treated with a durable water repellant; and   the plurality of breathable laminate panels and the plurality of foam rubber panels being affixedly joined by a seam.   
     
     
         7 . The wetsuit of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of breathable laminate panels are situated in areas where greater heat dissipation is desired. 
     
     
         8 . The wetsuit of  claim 7 , wherein the areas where greater heat dissipation is desired comprise at least one of armpits, groin, back, neck, shoulders, back of the elbow, and back of the knee. 
     
     
         9 . The wetsuit of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of breathable laminate panels are situated in areas where less restriction of movement is desired. 
     
     
         10 . The wetsuit of  claim 9 , wherein the areas where less restriction of movement is desired comprise at least one of armpits, groin, back, neck, shoulders, back of the elbow, and back of the knee 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a waterproof breathable water-sport garment, the method comprising:
 affixing one or more panels of foam rubber material having an inner laminate of fabric to one or more panels of breathable laminate having an outer layer of knit fabric affixed to a waterproof breathable membrane affixed to an inner knit fabric; and   treating the inner knit fabric and the outer knit fabric of the one or more panels of breathable laminate with a durable water repellant.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising positioning the one or more panels of breathable laminate in areas where greater heat dissipation is desired. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising positioning the one or more panels of breathable laminate in areas where less restriction of movement is desired. 
     
     
         14 . A garment suitable for water sports, comprising:
 one or more panels of foam rubber material having an inner and outer laminate of synthetic fabric; and   one or more panels of a waterproof, breathable layered fabric.   
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein said garment comprises a wetsuit. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein said panels of a waterproof, breathable layered fabric are thinner than said panels of foam rubber material. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein said panels of a waterproof, breathable layered fabric are thinner than said panels of foam rubber material. 
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein said waterproof, breathable layered fabric comprises at least a first layer of synthetic knit fabric and at least a second layer of a waterproof breathable membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein said waterproof, breathable layered fabric comprises an inner layer of synthetic knit fabric, a middle layer of a waterproof breathable membrane of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film, and an outer layer of synthetic knit fabric. 
     
     
         20 . The garment of  claim 6 , wherein said inner and outer layers of the synthetic knit fabric are treated with a durable, water-repellant chemical. 
     
     
         21 . A method of manufacturing a garment suitable for water sports, comprising:
 affixing one or more panels of foam rubber material having an inner and outer laminate of synthetic knit fabric and one or more layers of a waterproof, breathable layered fabric wherein said waterproof breathable layered fabric comprises at least a first layer of synthetic knit fabric and at least a second layer of a waterproof breathable membrane to form a form-fitting garment.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of treating said at least first layer of synthetic knit fabric with a durable, water-repellant chemical. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of positioning said one or more layers of a waterproof, breathable layered fabric in areas of said garment where greater flexibility and movement is desired. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of positioning said one or more layers of a waterproof, breathable layered fabric in areas of said garment where greater heat dissipation is desired. 
     
     
         25 . A garment suitable for water sports, comprising:
 at least one panel of waterproof, breathable layered fabric wherein said layered fabric comprises at least a first layer of synthetic knit fabric and at least a second layer of a waterproof breathable membrane.