Shark-resistant composite fabric

Abstract

Shark resistant composite fabric. The present invention discloses a shark resistant composite fabric having an outer layer of a shark bite resistant fabric, woven or knitted material; a middle layer of neoprene. An inner layer of a shark bite resistant fabric, woven or knitted material may also be provided.

Description

/ 9 “SHARK-RESISTANT COMPOSITE FABRIC” Technical Field

[001] The present invention relates to fabrics for use in diving suits and similar applications, and to garments and other objects made from such fabrics. Fundamentals of the Invention

[002] Divers, surfers, and other water users are subject to the risk of shark attacks. Most attacks are made by a small subset of shark species, primarily bull, tiger, and great white sharks. A variety of strategies, electronic shark protection devices, chemical deterrents, and other proposals have been made to reduce the risk of shark attacks. They have had varying but generally limited effectiveness.

[003] It has also been proposed to alter a neoprene suit in order to make the wearer less likely to be perceived as food by the shark, including camouflage patterns, stripes and other patterns.

[004] Other approaches to neoprene suit design have affixed rigid plates to parts of the neoprene suit in an attempt to prevent bite injuries. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,356,569 by Sullivan describes a shark deterrent suit with a base garment that is both interwoven and made of a foam rubber wetsuit material with multiple built-in rigid protective elements. U.S. Patent No. 3,284,806 by Prasser describes a protective body garment that has a metal-reinforced foam rubber and metal mesh for reinforcement with the mesh.

[005] Fox's US Patent 4,833,729 describes a shark-protective suit that has a plurality of spikes to prevent a shark from clamping its jaws onto the wearer.

[006] However, these neoprene clothing designs were not Petition 870210102750, dated 08 / 11 / 2021, page 6 / 14 / 9 purchased or not used because they are heavy, expensive to manufacture and impose difficulty on the user's movements.

[007] Hennessey's US Patent Application No. 20130091610A describes a wetsuit with an inner layer of neoprene, an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene woven material, a layer of bittering agent (denatonium benzoate), and another outer layer of neoprene.

[008] Patent Publication 2008 / 0289087 A1 by Sundnes describes a garment for use with a diving suit that has a layer of elastic material and at least one layer of protective element(s).

[009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved shark-resistant material for use in wetsuits and similar applications. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In a first broad embodiment, the present invention provides a composite material with an outer layer of woven or meshed ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) material, an intermediate layer of neoprene and an inner layer of woven or meshed UHMwPE.

[0011] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a shark-resistant composite fabric comprising an outer layer of a woven or knitted shark bite-resistant fabric, an intermediate layer of neoprene and an inner layer comprising a shark bite-resistant material.

[0012] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a shark-resistant composite fabric with an outer layer of a woven or knitted shark bite-resistant fabric material and an inner layer of neoprene.

[0013] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a Petition 870210102750, dated 08 / 11 / 2021, page 7 / 14 / 9 shark-resistant composite fabric for use in a garment so that, during a shark attack, contact of the shark's tooth with an outer layer of woven or mesh UHMwPE material resists or prevents the completion of a bite test.

[0014] Implementations of the present invention enable a diving suit that has two distinct modes for resisting shark attack. First, in a test or exploratory bite mode, sharks find the texture and feel of the outer layer unsatisfactory and, in some cases, cease their attack at that stage. Second, even if an attack successfully penetrates the outer layer, it has been observed that penetration of the inner layer is unlikely, particularly because it is spaced from the outer layer by the intermediate neoprene layer. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an implementation of a fabric according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of another implementation of a fabric according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a diving suit made with the fabric from Figure 1 or Figure 2; Figure 4a shows a single shark tooth in initial contact with the tissue in Figure 1; and Figure 4b shows a single depressed shark tooth in the tissue of Figure 1. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0016] The present invention will be described with reference to specific implementations. However, it will be understood that alternative implementations may employ additional features. Petition 870210102750, dated 08 / 11 / 2021, page 8 / 14 / 9 example, additional layers of material may be employed in specific locations; an inner lining of neoprene or other material may be added; and the thickness of the neoprene may be varied to match the water temperature or other conditions in the body of water where the suit will be used. It may also be used in conjunction with a camouflaged or patterned outer surface.

[0017] It will further be understood that, although specific details such as materials and dimensions are provided, these are intended as illustrative and not limiting of the possible ways in which the present invention can be implemented.

[0018] The present implementation contemplates a generally conventional diving suit in form, with full-length legs and arms. However, the fabric can be clearly incorporated into other garments or neoprene clothing shapes and styles as needed, including boots and hoods.

[0019] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a fabric according to a first implementation of the present invention. The fabric 10 has an outer layer of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) woven or meshed material 11, an intermediate layer of neoprene 15, and an inner layer of UHMwPE woven or meshed material 13. The neoprene layer 15 is located between the outer layer of UHMwPE woven or meshed material 11 and the inner layer of UHMwPE woven or meshed material 13. The outer and inner layers of UHMwPE woven or meshed material 11,13 in this implementation have a thickness of 1.2 mm. The intermediate neoprene layer 15 has a thickness in the range of about 1 to about 7 mm, for example. A typical value is 3 to 5 mm. The intermediate neoprene layer 15 is attached to the outer and inner layers of woven or mesh UHMwPE material 11,13 by gluing, heat fusion or any suitable process. Petition 870210102750, dated 08 / 11 / 2021, page 9 / 14 / 9 One suitable approach is to use adhesives that are normally used in the construction of wetsuits.

[0020] In another implementation, as shown in Figure 2, a fabric 40 has an outer layer of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) woven or mesh material 41 and an inner layer of neoprene 45.

[0021] In another embodiment, the outer and inner layers 11,13 of fabric 10 and the outer layer 41 of fabric 40 comprise a woven or knitted layer of UHMwPE, fiberglass, and polyester material. Preferably, the woven or knitted outer and inner layers 11,13 of fabric 10 and the outer layer 41 of fabric 40 have a composition of 42% UHMwPE material, 31% polyester, and 27% fiberglass. The properties of this composition of the woven or knitted outer and inner layers 11, 13 of fabric 10 and the outer layer 41 of fabric 40 are shown in the table below. Petition 870210102750, dated 08 / 11 / 2021, p. 10 / 14 / 9 Material Composition UHMWPE 42% Polyester 31% Fiberglass 27% Specification Structure Construction Packaging Method Knitting Winding Properties Item Unit Standard Tolerance Test Method Weight g / m2 510 ±35 ASTM D3776 Width in 62 Min. ASTM D3774 Thickness mm 1.2 ±0.2 ASTM D1777 Tensile Strength kg / in L:100 W:35 Min. ASTM D5035 Tear Resistance kg L:18 W:22 Min. ASTM D2261 Elongation Rate % L:40 W:200 Min. ASTM D5035 Abrasion Resistance Cycle 600 Min. EN388 6.1 Abrasion Resistance Cycle 600 Min. ASTM D3884 Cut Resistance Level 5 Min. EN388 6.2 Cut Resistance Classification ANSI A6 Min. ASTM F2992 Puncture Resistance Level 4 Min. EN388 6.4

[0022] The UHMwPE material is selected from any suitable commercial material, for example, Dyneema® and Spectra®. Dyneema is commercially available from DSM, UHMwPE.(https: / / www.dsm.com / products / dyneema / en_GB / technologies / dy neema-form-factors.html).

[0023] Spectra is commercially available from Honeywell and is a UHMwPE fiber that is claimed to be stronger and lighter than other ingredient fibers. It is created using a gel spin process, which forms long, oriented molecular chains as the fiber is drawn.(https: / / www.spectra-fiber.com / science-behind-spectra-fiber / ).

[0024] Figure 3 shows a diving suit 20 made from fabric 10, 40. The diving suit 20 has an opening 21 that can be Petition 870210102750, dated 08 / 11 / 2021, page 11 / 14 / 9 closed, expansive connections in the seams of panel 23 and fabric of different sizes 10, 40. The thickness of the fabric 10, 40 depends on its area in the wetsuit 20 and can be varied by adjusting the thickness of the neoprene layer 15. For example, the thickness of the fabric 10, 40 can be greater in the torso and back areas 25 than in the arm and leg areas 27. For high mobility areas such as elbows and knees 28, the thickness of the fabric 10, 40 could be less compared to other areas. For areas such as armpits 29 and groin, the intermediate neoprene layer 15 may not be present.

[0025] Although it is preferred that a neoprene suit or similar garment be formed entirely of fabric according to the present invention, it is also contemplated that a neoprene suit may have panels or sections of fabric according to the present invention, and sections that are of another construction, for example of plain neoprene. Other garments, for example boots, hoods, vests, etc., may be constructed with the fabric. The fabric may also be used for other applications besides clothing where shark resistance is desired.

[0026] It will be appreciated that the layer thicknesses discussed are the presently preferred form; however, many different thicknesses may be used, subject to effectiveness and practicality. For example, the outer and inner layers may be of different thicknesses, and the intermediate layer may vary in thickness for different conditions or uses. The present invention may be applied to a wetsuit fabric of any suitable thickness, or to applications such as drysuits where the neoprene is formed from shredded neoprene material and an additional fleece or other layer is provided within the suit.

[0027] Sharks become curious when they encounter something unusual, such as a diver or swimmer. Their way of exploring an object, or potential prey, is to bite it; these bites are known as Petition 870210102750, dated 08 / 11 / 2021, page 12 / 14 / 9 test bites. Generally, shark bites on humans are exploratory, and the animal will swim away after a bite. Many exploratory bites on surfers may be caused by the shark mistaking the surfer and board for a seal or other prey. These bites are usually not full force, but if made by a large shark, significant injuries are likely to occur.

[0028] Large predatory sharks generally have multiple rows of triangular-shaped teeth with serrated surfaces. Figure 4a shows a single shark tooth 30 with serrations 31 in initial contact with the fabric 10. Figure 4b shows the single shark tooth 30 being pressed into the fabric 10 and in contact with the outer layer of woven or meshed UHMwPE material 11. It has been observed in tests of implementations of the present invention that the shark, in some cases, does not complete a test bite after contact with the outer layer of woven or meshed UHMwPE 11. It is postulated that the teeth attach to the fabric in a way that the shark is unaware of, is inconsistent with the prey, or otherwise terminates the test bite behavior. This may be because the serrations on the teeth attach to or engage with the outer fabric.

[0029] In some tests, it was observed that some sharks deliver a more determined and full-force bite, especially if there is blood and other attractive odors in the water. In the tests, the shark's teeth 30, in some cases, penetrated the outer layer 11 and the neoprene 15, but did not penetrate the inner layer of UHMwPE 13. While it cannot be said that it is impossible for a shark to penetrate the entire thickness of the material used in this example, this certainly seems to greatly reduce the risk of such penetration. It will be appreciated that, although there may still be injuries from a non-penetrating bite, there is much less likely to be blood in the water to excite the attacking shark or other sharks, and much less likely that the victim will experience catastrophic blood loss, which Petition 870210102750, dated 08 / 11 / 2021, pages 13 / 14 / 9 is usually the cause of death from shark bites.

[0030] Although UHMwPE material is currently preferred, it is contemplated that the present invention could be implemented using alternative fibers, or in a mixed fiber fabric, for example, with fiberglass, polyester or other known or yet to be developed materials. The fabric must provide the desired levels of bite resistance; however, other factors such as usability, having sufficient flexibility and comfort to allow practical use by divers and surfers, are also important for practical implementation.

[0031] The term neoprene is used in a general sense to mean any type of synthetic rubber material that is suitable for the present application. It will generally have a certain degree of buoyancy in relation to water. It will normally be a closed-cell foam, but it can be formed from ground neoprene or other materials. The precise composition of the neoprene layer is not critical to the inventive concept.

[0032] Reference in this descriptive report to any prior publication (or information derived therefrom), or to any known matter, is not, and should not be considered as, an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived therefrom) or known matter forms part of common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0033] All patents and other references cited above are incorporated herein by reference in the descriptive report. Petition 870210102750, dated 08 / 11 / 2021, page 14 / 14

Claims

1 / 1 CLAIMS 1. A diving suit made from a shark-resistant composite fabric, characterized in that the fabric includes an outer layer of shark bite-resistant material, an intermediate layer of neoprene and an inner layer of a shark bite-resistant material, the shark bite-resistant material being formed from a woven or knitted layer of UHMwPE material and fiberglass material, or from UHMwPE material, fiberglass material and polyester material, and optionally further comprises fiberglass and / or polyester, wherein, in the event of a shark attack, contact of the shark's tooth with the outer layer resists or prevents the completion of a test bite.

2. Garment according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the outer and inner layers has a thickness of 1.2 mm.

3. Garment, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate layer has a thickness in the range of 1 to 7 mm.

4. Clothing, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shark bite-resistant material comprises a composition of 42% UHMwPE, 31% polyester and 27% fiberglass. Petition 870260074444, dated 07 / 27 / 2026, p. 9 / 9

Images