NZ742790B2

NZ742790B2 - Urination relief hatch for waterproof waders and foul weather gear

Info

Publication number: NZ742790B2
Application number: NZ742790A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Robert A Stevenson; Wendy L Stevenson
Original assignee: Robert A Stevenson; Wendy L Stevenson
Filing date: 2016-11-21
Publication date: 2025-06-04

Abstract

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. A 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. 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 and frame aperture are substantially aligned, wherein the backing aperture is equal to or greater in surface area in comparison to the frame aperture. 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. The described construction of the frame and backing aperture preserves the maximum size of available opening without compromising the waterproofing of the pair of pants and/or waders.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

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, and wherein the pair of pants and/or waders are configured to slip over a pair of waterproof or water resistant boots or shoes or wherein the pair of pants and/or waders are attached to a pair of waterproof booties; 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; and 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, further comprising: 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; wherein the backing aperture and frame aperture are substantially aligned; wherein the backing aperture is equal to or greater in surface area in comparison to the frame aperture; and 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.

2. 2 The waterproof 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.

3. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the 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.

4. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the pair of pants and/or waders are detachable from the waterproof booties.

5. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the waterproof booties are affixed and sealed to the pants and/or waders.

6. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 2, wherein the larger contoured aperture is in the shape of a larger circular arc, and wherein the smaller contoured aperture is in the shape of a smaller circular arc.

7. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, wherein the frame aperture and backing aperture are the same size.

8. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, 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 or at least fabric weld formed between the frame and the waterproof material of the pair of pants and/or waders.

9. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, 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.

10. 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, wherein the non-smooth surface comprises a series of grooves, a series of channels or a roughened surface texture, 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.

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

12. 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.

13. The waterproof pair of pants and/or waders of claim 1, including a cam and a protrusion, wherein the cam has a raised portion that interferes with the protrusion to hold the lid in an open position so the lid does not unwantingly close.