Urination relief hatch for waterproof waders and foul weather gear

• US 10,342,270 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2018
• Issued: 07/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anthony Ismael Lopez, Robert A. Stevenson, Wendy L. Stevenson
• Original Assignee: Anthony Ismael Lopez, Robert A. Stevenson, Wendy L. Stevenson
• Inventors: Stevenson, Robert A., Stevenson, Wendy L., Lopez, Anthony Ismael
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanatta, Amy
• Application Number:
  US16/050,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20180338545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 343 Days
• Field of Search: 2 82, 2 215, 2 217, 2456, 2457, 2 79, 2 211, 2 46, 2 782, 2 87, 2403-405, 2408, 2227, 2234, 2901, 2228, 2238, 604345, 604343, 604337, 604338
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 9/026 characterized by the opening
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/065 with crotch line opening
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/08 specially adapted for sporting purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/012 for aquatic activities, e.g. with buoyancy aids
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/02 Overalls , e.g. bodysuits or bib overalls sweating suits A61H36/00
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2300/30 Closures
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2600/106 Fishing
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2600/108 Hunting

Abstract

A rigid frame is sealed in a waterproof manner to a pair of pants and/or waders, where the frame forms a frame aperture separating an outside from an inside of the pair of pants and/or waders. A rigid lid is pivotably connected to the frame and configured to engage the frame aperture. The rigid lid in an open position allows access through the frame aperture and the rigid lid in a closed position does not allow access through the frame aperture. A seal is disposed between the frame and the lid forming a waterproof closure of the frame aperture when the lid is in the closed position. A latch is pivotably connected to the frame and configured to retain the lid in the closed position. A spring is disposed between the latch and the frame, the spring biasing the latch to retain the lid in the closed position.

Claims

1. A rainproof pair of pants and/or a waterproof pair of waders including a sealable opening for relief of bodily fluids, comprising:

a pair of pants and/or waders comprising a first and a second leg portion, wherein the first and the second leg portions are joined to a torso portion terminating generally at or between a waist and a neck of a wearer, wherein the pair of pants and/or waders comprise a substantially waterproof material, and wherein the pants are configured to overlap a separate pair of boots and/or the waders are configured to be integrally attached to a pair of boots;

a rigid frame sealed in a waterproof manner to the pair of pants and/or waders disposed in a groin section of the pair of pants and/or waders, wherein the frame forms a frame aperture separating an outside of the pair of pants and/or waders from an inside of the pair of pants and/or waders;

a rigid lid pivotably connected to the frame disposed on the outside of the pair of pants and/or waders and configured to engage the frame aperture, wherein the rigid lid in an open position allows access through the frame aperture and the rigid lid in a closed position does not allow access through the frame aperture;

a seal disposed between the frame and the lid forming a waterproof closure of the frame aperture when the lid is in the closed position;

a latch pivotably connected to the frame and configured to retain the lid in the closed position; and

a spring disposed between the latch and the frame, the spring biasing the latch to retain the lid in the closed position.

2. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the latch is a separately manufactured component in relation to the frame and/or the lid.

3. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the frame and the latch are different materials.

4. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the frame is plastic and wherein the latch is metallic.

5. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the frame and the latch are made from different plastic materials.

6. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, including a first pin attached to the frame by an interference fit, wherein the latch is pivotable about the first pin.

7. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the spring is a torsion spring.

8. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, including a cam formed as part of the lid and/or the frame disposed at or near a pivot between the lid and the frame, wherein the cam biases the lid into remaining in the open position once the lid is in the open position.

9. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the frame defines a three-dimensional coordinate system located at its center of mass, the frame coordinate system having a x-axis pointing towards a top of the frame, a y-axis pointing towards a side of the frame and a z-axis pointing through the frame aperture towards the inside of the pair of pants and/or waders;

wherein, when the density of the frame is first set to be 0.04 pounds per cubic inch (lbs*in³) and when the frame and lid are scaled so an area of the frame aperture is first set to be 7.205 inches squared (in²), then the following is true;

a mass moment of inertia taken at the frame center of mass about the frame x-axis is equal to or greater than 0.19 pound square feet (lbs*in²); and

a mass moment of inertia taken at the frame center of mass about the y-axis is equal to or greater than 0.27 pound square feet (lbs*in²).

10. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the frame defines a three-dimensional coordinate system located at its center of mass, the frame coordinate system having a x-axis pointing towards a top of the frame, a y-axis pointing towards a side of the frame and a z-axis pointing through the frame aperture towards the inside of the pair of pants and/or waders;

wherein the lid defines a three-dimensional coordinate system located at its center of mass, the lid coordinate system having a x-axis pointing towards a top of the lid, a y-axis pointing towards a side of the lid and a z-axis pointing towards the inside of the pair of pants and/or waders;

wherein, when the density of the frame and lid are the same, a mass moment of inertia taken at the frame center of mass about the frame x-axis and frame y-axis are greater respectively than a mass moment of inertia taken at the lid center of mass about a lid x-axis and a lid y-axis.

11. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein, when the frame and lid are scaled so an area of the frame aperture is first set to be 7.205 inches squared (in2), then the following is true:

the frame has a surface area equal to or greater than 45.97 square inches (in2); and

the lid has a surface area equal to or less than 61 square inches (in2).

12. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein, when the frame and lid are scaled so an area of the frame aperture is first set to be 7.205 inches squared (in2), then the following is true:

the lid has a volume equal to or less than 3.50 cubic inches (in3); and

the volume of the frame is equal to or greater than 2.64 cubic inches (in3).

13. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the frame aperture comprises a shape of a larger circular arc at least partially overlapping a smaller circular arc, wherein the larger circular arc is disposed at a top of the frame aperture and the smaller circular arc is disposed at a bottom of the frame aperture.

14. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the frame aperture comprises a shape of a larger contoured aperture at least partially overlapping a similarly shaped smaller contoured aperture, wherein the larger contoured aperture is disposed at a top of the frame aperture and the smaller contoured aperture is disposed at a bottom of the frame aperture.

15. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, including an adhesive bond disposed between a back side surface of the frame and the waterproof material of the pair of pants and/or waders, wherein the back side surface of the frame comprises a non-smooth surface.

16. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, including a rigid backing forming a backing aperture, wherein a first surface of the backing and a back side surface of the frame capture there between the waterproof material of the pair of pants and/or waders in the groin section;

including at least one adhesive bond disposed between the back side surface of the frame and the waterproof material of the pair of pants and/or waders, and/or, between the first surface of the backing and the waterproof material of the pair of pants and/or waders;

wherein the backing aperture and frame aperture are substantially aligned; and

wherein the backing aperture is equal to or greater in surface area in comparison to the frame aperture.

17. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein a middle line is defined horizontally across the frame aperture equal distance between a top and a bottom of the frame aperture separating a top half of the frame aperture from a bottom half of the frame aperture, wherein the top half of the frame aperture comprises a larger amount of surface area as compared to the bottom half.

18. The pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, including a weld, a hot air weld, a hot wedge weld, a radio frequency weld, a sonic weld or an ultrasonic weld attaching the waterproof material of the pair of pants and/or waders to the frame.

19. A rainproof pair of pants and/or a waterproof pair of waders including a sealable opening for relief of bodily fluids, comprising:

a pair of pants and/or waders comprising a first and a second leg portion, wherein the first and the second leg portions are joined to a torso portion terminating generally at or between a waist and a neck of a wearer, wherein the pair of pants and/or waders comprise a substantially waterproof material, and wherein the pants are configured to overlap a separate pair of boots and/or the waders are configured to be integrally attached to a pair of boots;

a rigid frame sealed in a waterproof manner to the pair of pants and/or waders disposed in a groin section of the pair of pants and/or waders, wherein the frame forms a frame aperture separating an outside of the pair of pants and/or waders from an inside of the pair of pants and/or waders;

a rigid lid pivotably connected to the frame disposed on the outside of the pair of pants and/or waders and configured to engage the frame aperture, wherein the rigid lid in an open position allows access through the frame aperture and the rigid lid in a closed position does not allow access through the frame aperture;

a seal disposed between the frame and the lid forming a waterproof closure of the frame aperture when the lid is in the closed position;

a latch pivotably connected to the frame and configured to retain the lid in the closed position;

a torsion spring disposed between the latch and the frame, the torsion spring biasing the latch to retain the lid in the closed position

wherein the latch is a separately manufactured component in relation to the frame and/or the lid; and

wherein the frame and the latch are different materials.

20. A rainproof pair of pants and/or a waterproof pair of waders including a sealable opening for relief of bodily fluids, comprising:

a pair of pants and/or waders comprising a first and a second leg portion, wherein the first and the second leg portions are joined to a torso portion terminating generally at or between a waist and a neck of a wearer, wherein the pair of pants and/or waders comprise a substantially waterproof material, and wherein the pants are configured to overlap a separate pair of boots and/or the waders are configured to be integrally attached to a pair of boots;

a rigid frame sealed in a waterproof manner to the pair of pants and/or waders disposed in a groin section of the pair of pants and/or waders, wherein the frame forms a frame aperture separating an outside of the pair of pants and/or waders from an inside of the pair of pants and/or waders;

a rigid lid pivotably connected to the frame disposed on the outside of the pair of pants and/or waders and configured to engage the frame aperture, wherein the rigid lid in an open position allows access through the frame aperture and the rigid lid in a closed position does not allow access through the frame aperture;

a seal disposed between the frame and the lid forming a waterproof closure of the frame aperture when the lid is in the closed position; and

a cam formed as part of the lid and/or the frame disposed at or near a pivot between the lid and the frame, wherein the cam biases the lid into remaining in the open position once the lid is in the open position.