Convertible seal for a suit used in and around water

Abstract

A convertible seal for a suit used in and around water includes a body having at least one of a collar, a sleeve or a pant leg that must be sealed to prevent water entry during use. The collar, sleeve or pant leg is equipped with a permanently attached seal configuration that has an operative position is in axial alignment with the collar, sleeve or pant leg and a stored position out of axial alignment with the collar, sleeve or pant leg.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A convertible seal for a suit used in and around water, comprising:
 a body having at least one of a collar, a sleeve or a pant leg that must be sealed to prevent water entry during use, said collar, sleeve or pant leg being equipped with a permanently attached seal configuration that has an operative position is in axial alignment with the collar, sleeve or pant leg and a stored position out of axial alignment with the collar, sleeve or pant leg, the seal configuration being placed into the stored position when not required.   
     
     
         2 . The convertible seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal configuration is permanently attached to the collar, sleeve or pant leg by a dry-zipper that extends substantially, but not entirely, around the collar, sleeve pant leg, leaving an attachment portion. 
     
     
         3 . The convertible seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal configuration is maintained in the stored position by being received in a pocket. 
     
     
         4 . The convertible seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal configuration is maintained in the stored position by being bound by a strap or tie. 
     
     
         5 . The convertible seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal configuration is maintained in the stored position by being inserted through an opening which is closed by a dry-zipper. 
     
     
         6 . convertible seal of  claim 3 , wherein the pocket is in an interior surface of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The convertible seal of  claim 4 , wherein the strap or tie is positioned on an exterior surface of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The convertible seal of  claim 1  wherein each collar, sleeve or pant leg is bifurcated into a first branch and a second branch, the first branch having the configuration and the second branch an alternative configuration, such that a user selects the first branch to place the seal configuration in axial alignment with the collar, sleeve or pant leg during use or the second branch to place the seal configuration out of axial alignment with the collar, sleeve or pant leg during use, depending upon whether the seal configuration is required or the alternative configuration is desired. 
     
     
         9 . The convertible seal of  claim 8 , wherein one of the first branch or the second branch is prone to entry of water when not in use, said branch being sealed to preclude water entry by a clamp.