URINATION RELIEF HATCH FOR WATERPROOF WADERS AND FOUL WEATHER GEAR

• US 20170071266A1
• Filed: 11/18/2016
• Published: 03/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Stevenson, Wendy L. Stevenson
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Stevenson, Wendy L. Stevenson
• Inventors: Stevenson, Robert A., Stevenson, Wendy L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,808,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 9/026 characterized by the opening
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/065 with crotch line opening
• 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 waterproof pair of pants and/or waders includes a sealable opening for relief of bodily fluids. A rigid frame is sealed in a waterproof manner to the pair of pants and/or waders forming a frame aperture. A rigid lid is pivotably connected to the frame. A seal is disposed between the frame and the lid forming a waterproof closure when the lid is in a closed position. An optional rigid backing forms a backing aperture, wherein a first surface of the backing and a back side surface of the frame capture there between the waterproof material. An optional roughened surface can be disposed on the first surface of the backing, on the back side surface of the frame or on the wader material itself. At least one adhesive bond is disposed between the back side surface of the frame and the waterproof material, and/or, between the first surface of the backing and the waterproof material. The backing aperture is equal to or greater in surface area in comparison to the frame aperture.

Claims

1. A waterproof pair of pants and/or 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;

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;

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

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;

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.

2. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the backing aperture is at least as large in an aperture size as the frame aperture.

3. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the backing comprises a raised edge along an inside perimeter of the backing aperture, wherein the raised edge is disposed within a perimeter undercut formed in a second raised edge of the frame along a second inside perimeter of the frame aperture.

4. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 3, wherein the lid comprises a third raised edge extending towards the frame when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the third raised edge of the lid is aligned with the second raised edge of the frame and mutually capture at least a portion of the seal there between when the lid is in the closed position.

5. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the back side surface of the frame and/or the first surface of the backing comprises a non-smooth surface.

6. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 5, wherein the non-smooth surface comprises a series of grooves, a series of channels or a roughened surface texture.

7. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 6, wherein the series of grooves, the series of channels or the roughened surface texture follow a contour of the back side surface of the frame and the first surface of the backing as they are disposed around the frame aperture and backing aperture.

8. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, including a manually releasable latch connected to the frame and configured to retain the lid in the closed position.

9. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, including a compression latch connected to either the lid or frame and configured to secure together the lid and frame.

10. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, including a temporary attachment mechanism connected to the frame or pair of pants and/or waders and configured to retain the lid in an open position, wherein the temporary attachment mechanism comprises a magnet, a hook-and-loop fastener or a latch.

11. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, including a cosmetic flap connected to the pair of pants and/or waders covering the frame and lid.

12. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the waterproof pair of pants are configured to slip over a pair of waterproof or water resistant boots or shoes.

13. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the waterproof pair of waders include a first and second foot or boot portion permanently or removably joined respectively to the first and the second leg portions.

14. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, including a spring connected between the frame and the lid, the spring biasing the lid into an open position.

15. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the frame aperture and backing aperture both comprise a shape of a larger circle at least partially overlapping a smaller circle, wherein the larger circle is disposed at a top of the apertures and the smaller circle is disposed at a bottom of the apertures.

16. A waterproof pair of pants and/or 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;

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 and configured to engage the frame aperture on a front side of the frame;

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

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 art is disposed at a bottom of the frame aperture.

17. A waterproof pair of pants and/or 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;

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 or movably connected to the frame and configured to engage the frame aperture on a front side of the frame;

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

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;

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 back side surface of the frame and/or the first surface of the backing comprise a non-smooth surface.

18. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 17, wherein the non-smooth surface comprises a series of grooves, a series of channels or a roughened surface texture.

19. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 18, wherein the series of grooves, the series of channels or the roughened surface texture follow a contour of the back side surface of the frame and the first surface of the backing as they are disposed around the frame aperture and backing aperture.

20. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 17, wherein the backing aperture is at least as large in an aperture size as the frame aperture.

21. A waterproof pair of pants and/or 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;

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 rigid 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 and configured to engage the frame aperture on a front side of the frame;

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

an adhesive bond disposed between a back side surface of the frame and the waterproof material of the pair of pants and/or waders; and

wherein the back side surface of the frame comprises a non-smooth surface.

22. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 21, wherein the non-smooth surface comprises a series of grooves, a series of channels or a roughened surface texture.

23. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 22, wherein the series of grooves, the series of channels or the roughened surface texture follow a contour of the back side surface of the frame as it is disposed around the frame aperture.

24. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 21, wherein the wader and/or pant material is roughened at least in an area disposed adjacent to the adhesive bond.