U.S. patent application number 09/781013 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-04 for apparatus for facilitating the application and removal of waders.
Invention is credited to Thompson, Michael R..
Application Number | 20010025383 09/781013 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27382340 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010025383 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thompson, Michael R. |
October 4, 2001 |
Apparatus for facilitating the application and removal of
waders
Abstract
An apparatus for facilitating the application and removal of
wader boots including a torso portion, a first leg member and a
second leg member all being formed of a porous spun high-density
polyethylene fiber material having a rough interior surface and a
slick exterior surface. The first and second leg members are
attached to the bottom of the torso portion. The torso portion
extends at least as high as the height of the wader boots on a
human torso. The torso portion has an elastic section secured
thereto above the leg members. First and second boots are affixed
to the bottoms of the first and second leg members. The first and
second boots are also formed of the porous spun high-density
polyethylene fiber material.
Inventors: |
Thompson, Michael R.;
(Webster, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John S. Egbert
Harrison & Egbert
7th Floor
412 Main Street
Houston
TX
77002
US
|
Family ID: |
27382340 |
Appl. No.: |
09/781013 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60119616 |
Feb 11, 1999 |
|
|
|
60182039 |
Feb 11, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 ; 2/227;
2/234 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/02 20130101;
A41D 13/012 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 ; 2/227;
2/234 |
International
Class: |
A41B 001/00; A41D
001/00; A41D 013/02; A41D 001/06 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for facilitating the application and removal of
wader boots comprising: a torso portion formed of a porous spun
high-density polyethylene fiber material having a rough surface and
a slick surface, said slick surface being on an exterior of said
torso portion; a first leg member connected to a bottom of said
torso portion and extending downwardly therefrom, said first leg
member being formed of a porous spun high-density polyethylene
fiber material having a rough surface and a slick surface, said
slick surface being on an exterior of said first leg member; and a
second leg member connected to a bottom of said torso portion and
extending downwardly therefrom on a side of said first leg member,
said second leg member being formed of a porous spun high-density
polyethylene fiber material having a rough surface and a slick
surface, said slick surface being an exterior of said second leg
member.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, said torso portion and said first and
second leg members being integrally defined together.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, said torso portion having an interior
area having sufficient size to accommodate a human torso therein,
said torso portion having a height of a sufficient length so as to
extend at least to a height of the wader boots on a human
torso.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, said torso portion having an elastic
section secured thereto and positioned above said first and second
leg members.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, said torso portion having a cut-out
area in a forward surface thereof, said elastic section being
affixed to said torso portion in said cut-out area.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, said elastic section having a zipper
extending vertically thereon, said zipper being movable between a
first position closing said elastic section and a second position
opening said elastic section.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first boot
affixed to said first leg member, said first boot being formed of a
spun high-density polyethylene fiber material having a rough
surface and a slick surface, said slick surface being on an
exterior of said first boot; and a second boot affixed to said
second leg member, said second boot being formed of a porous spun
high-density polyethylene fiber material having a rough surface and
a slick surface, said slick surface being on an exterior of said
second boot.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, said first boot being removably
affixed to said first leg member, said second boot being removably
affixed to said second leg member.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, each of said first leg member and said
second leg member having an elastic section formed at a bottom
thereof, each of said first boot and said second boot having an
elastic section formed at a top thereof, said elastic section of
said leg members being in respective overlapping relationship with
said elastic sections of said boots.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, each of said first and second boots
having a non-skid surface affixed to a bottom thereof.
11. An apparatus comprising: wader boots formed of an elastomeric
or rubber material, said wader boots having a torso section with
first and second legs extending downwardly therefrom; and a liner
positioned interior of said wader boots, said liner being formed of
a spun high-density polyethylene fiber material, said liner having
a torso portion positioned within said torso section of said wader
boots, said liner having first and second leg members connected to
said torso portion and extending interior of respective said first
and second legs of said wader boots.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, said liner being separable from said
wader boots.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, said torso section of said wader
boots having a top edge, said torso portion of said liner having a
top edge at least as high as said top edge of said torso
section.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, said liner having a roughened
surface and a slick surface, said slick surface facing said wader
boots.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a human having
clothing thereover, said liner having an interior of sufficient
size extending loosely over an exterior of said clothing, said
liner interposed between said clothing and said wader boots.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, said torso portion having an elastic
section secured thereto and positioned above said first and second
leg members.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, said elastic section having a zipper
extending vertically thereon, said zipper being movable between a
first position closing said elastic section and a second position
opening said elastic section.
18. The apparatus of claim 11, said wader boots having first and
second boot members affixed to respective bottoms of said first and
second legs, said liner further comprising: a first boot affixed to
said first leg member, said first boot being formed of a spun
high-density polyethylene fiber material, said first boot
positioned interior of said first boot member of said wader boots;
and a second boot affixed to said second leg member, said second
boot being formed of a spun high-density polyethylene fiber
material, said second boot being positioned interior of said second
boot member of said wader boots.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, said first boot being removably
affixed to said first leg member, said second boot being removably
affixed to said second leg member.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, each of said first leg member and
said second leg member having an elastic section formed at a bottom
thereof, each of said first boot and said second boot having an
elastic section formed at a top thereof, said elastic sections of
said first and second leg members being in overlapping relationship
with said elastic section of said first and second boots.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present utility patent application is based upon U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/119,616, filed on Feb.
11, 2000, and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE
APPLICATION AND REMOVAL OF WADERS", presently pending.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to waders and wader boots.
More particularly, the present invention relates to articles that
facilitate the application and removal of such waders or wader
boots.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The use of wader-type protective clothing in conjunction
with water sports such as fishing or crabbing, and specifically fly
fishing, is well known and widely adopted. The waders are generally
manufactured of a waterproof fabric. One type of wader, generally
referred to as a "hip boot" style, is two boots which extend up to
the thigh and are generally supported by attaching them to the
wearer's belt. A second style of wader is the waist-high wader.
These waders are generally one-piece waders that extend up to and
sometimes slightly above the waist of the wearer. Finally, there is
a full chest wader, that extends up to the arm pits of the wearer
and is typically supported by shoulder straps.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of such wader boots. As can be
seen, the wader boots are attached along the chest, lower torso
portion and legs of the fisherman 1. The waders 2 include chest
portion 3, waist portion 4, leg members 5 and 6 and boots 7 and 8.
Conventionally, the waders 2 are formed of a rubber or neoprene
material. Shoulder straps may be attached to the chest portion 3 so
as to extend over the shoulders of the fisherman 1.
[0007] All waders, especially neoprene waders, are difficult to put
on or take off because of the high friction material that they are
made of. The difficulty can also depend on how high they have to be
worn on the body and the layers of clothing (coveralls, insulated
undergarments, protective clothing, etc.) that are worn by the
wearer. These waders are also used by hunters, emergency personnel,
fish and wildlife department personnel, parks and recreation
department personnel, and similar persons. Layers of clothing are
always worn inside the waders. The layers of clothing and the
material which make up the waders makes it very difficult to put
the waders on and to take them off. Importantly, many people drown
in waders because they either fall into a deep hole bringing the
water line above the waders or by flooding and sinking the victim
to the bottom in an inverted position. Sometimes, the persons that
wear the waders will fall in swift-moving water such that the
waders are filled with water. Waders made of neoprene are
especially difficult to take off when flooded. Because of the
amount of time it takes to remove the waders, many people have
drowned. As such, it is desirable to either construct the waders so
as to be easily removed or to develop other techniques so that the
drowning of the wearers of such waders can be prevented.
[0008] In the past, many patents have issued relating to such
waders and/or the application and removal of such waders. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,268,914 teaches a waterproof garment
having leg members with boots affixed at the bottom of the leg
members. The leg members extend upwardly to a waist area. Suitable
buttons and fasteners are applied to the waist area so as to secure
the waterproof garment around the waist of the user.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,860, issued on Apr. 3, 1990 to R. W.
Keller, teaches a wader for use in fishing having a body portion
covering the lower body (including the legs, feet, hips and waist
of the wearer), and a chest portion normally folded inside the body
portion but extendable upward about the chest, but not the
shoulders of the wearer. The chest portion is preferably held about
the chest by a drawstring, such as an elastic drawstring, and is
biased into the lowered position inside the body portion by means
of a seam joining the two portions.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,096, issued on Jun. 1, 1991 to D. J.
Pacanowsky, teaches a multi-component, waterproof, breathable wader
comprising left and right panels, each panel having a shape of a
legging with an upper and lower region. The upper regions of the
right and left panel are joined together at a seam running from
front to back. There is a means for supporting the seamed panels on
a person. This means is attached to the upper regions of each
panel. The front and back regions of each panel are joined to form
pant legs. Socks are attached to the lower region of each pant leg
by a seam. The means for supporting the seamed panels on a person
include belts or suspenders.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,718, issued on Jan. 21, 1992, to
Carmenet al., teaches a pants-type garment that is provided with a
leg portion made from a substantially unitary stretchable piece of
material which is symmetric about a center fold. The unitary piece
of material defines a pattern containing a first V-shaped recessed
cut and a second V-shaped recessed cut about the midpoint of the
pattern where the crotch portion is to be located. The crotch is at
the center fold of the pattern piece between the two V-shaped
recessed cuts. A substantially rectangular upper portion is
attached to the leg portion by a seam which runs along the first
and second sides of the V-shaped recessed cuts.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,274, issued on Oct. 27, 1998 to the
present inventor, describes a method and apparatus for facilitating
the application and removal of a wetsuit. This apparatus includes a
torso portion with a first arm member and a second arm member
extending outwardly from opposite sides of the torso portion. The
first and second leg members extend downwardly from the torso
portion. The torso portion, the leg members and the arm members are
formed of a spun high density polyethylene fiber material. First
and second boots are also formed of the same material and are
removably affixed adjacent to the first and second leg members,
respectively. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,438,531, 5,480,455 and 5,829,057
teach various low friction materials that can facilitate the
attachment of certain clothing items.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a liner
which facilitates the application and removal of waders.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
liner which can serve to prevent the wearer of such waders from
drowning.
[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
liner which serves as a protective layer and serves to retain body
heat.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
liner which prevents the pant legs of the wearer from rolling up
the legs while applying the waders.
[0017] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a liner which makes the waders more comfortable to
wear.
[0018] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a liner which prevents the felt in felt lined waders from
being worn off by the clothing of the wearer.
[0019] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide such a liner which is easy to use, relatively inexpensive
and easy to manufacture.
[0020] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached
specification.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention is a liner for use in the wearing of
waders. The liner is in the nature of a body suit that is intended
to be worn directly over the body of the user. Additionally, the
liner of the present invention is also configured so as to be worn
directly over the clothing of the wearer of the wader boots. The
liner of the present invention will reside between the layer of
clothing of the wearer and within the waders. This liner is made of
a porous, uncoated spun high-density polyethylene fiber material,
commonly known as TYVEK (.TM.) material.
[0022] The liner of the present invention is a body suit which
includes a lower torso member and first and second leg members. The
lower torso member should have a size which accommodates the
desired size of the waders. For example, if chest-high waders are
to be worn, then the lower torso portion of the liner should extend
to at least the height of the chest-high waders. If waist-high
waders are worn, then the lower torso portion of the liner should
extend to at least as high as the waist of the wearer. Generally,
the lower torso portion of the liner will cover the abdomen of the
wearer. The first and second leg members extend downwardly from the
lower torso portion so as to receive human legs therein. Within the
concept of the present invention, boots can be removably or
unremovably attached to the end of the leg members opposite the
torso portion.
[0023] In the present invention, the lower torso portion includes
an elastic section attached around the waist area of the of the
lower torso portion. The zipper extends downwardly from this
elastic section. The zipper is also placed on an elastic section
which is located on a frontal portion of the lower torso portion.
This elastic section will reside within a cut-out area on the front
of the liner. If desired, a flap can extend over the zipper on the
front of the lower torso portion.
[0024] If boots are used with the liner apparatus of the present
invention, then these boots can either be permanently attached or
detachably attached to the leg members. If they are detachably
affixed to the bottom of the leg members, then the bottom of the
leg members will have an elastic section at the areas of the ankles
of the wearer. The boots will also have an elastic top edge so as
to snugly engage the ankles of the wearer. The boots will includes
a non-skid bottom surface located on the instep of each of the
boots. The boots can also be integrally attached to the bottom of
the legs of the liner. The porous, uncoated spun high-density
polyethylene fiber material will inherently have a rough side and a
slick side. Within the concept of the present invention, the liner
will be worn such that the rough side is adjacent to the human body
and the slick side will face toward the waders. The waders can be
placed over the slick side of the liner.
[0025] The present invention solves all of the problems associated
with wearing wader boots by making it incredibly easy to put the
waders on or to take the waders off. This easy application and
removal can occur whether the waders are wet, dry or flooded. The
liner is worn over the clothes and is large enough to accommodate
overalls, heavy socks, or other protective clothing. The invention
possesses an extremely low friction and drag coefficient which
enables the wearer to slide into and out of the neoprene,
cotton-lined, felt or canvas-lined waders effortlessly. This saves
time and energy. As a result, the liner of the present invention
enables waders to be donned or doffed much faster than ever before.
This is very important if the waders should ever flood and fill
with water. The present invention enables wearers to take off
waders with life-saving speed if the wearer should sink under
water. As such, the present invention can prevent drowning and can
prevent the user from being stuck in mud or caught by underwater
debris, such as tree branches. The present invention provides
another layer of protective clothing and serves to retain body heat
in frigid water. The present invention prevents the pants legs of
the wearer from rolling up while donning the waders. As a result,
it makes the waders much more comfortable to wear. The slick
surface of the liner of the present invention will prevent the felt
in felt-lined waders from being worn off by bulky clothing. As
such, the present invention can save the expense of having the
waders re-felted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a prior art wader as applied to
a human being.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a frontal view showing the liner apparatus of the
present invention as applied to a human being.
[0028] FIG. 3 is an isolated frontal view of the liner apparatus of
the present invention with permanently attached boots.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a frontal view of an alternative form of the
present invention having detachable boots.
[0030] FIG. 5 is an isolated side view of the detachable use as
used with the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown at 10 the liner
apparatus of the present invention as applied to the body of a
human being 12. In particular, the liner apparatus 10 includes a
lower torso portion 14 and leg members 16 and 18. The leg members
16 and 18 extend downwardly from the lower torso portion 14. Boots
20 and 22 are integrally affixed to the lower end of leg members 16
and 18, respectively.
[0032] In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the lower torso portion 14
extends upwardly along the chest of the user 12 to an area just
below the arm pits of the user 12. As such, the apparatus 10 is
designed for use with chest-high waders. The top edge 24 of the
lower torso portion 14 will have an elastic band extending
therearound. As such, the elastic band will assure a tight
engagement between the upper end of the lower torso portion 14 and
the chest of the user 12. A zipper 26 extends downwardly from this
upper edge 24. The zipper 26 can be pulled downwardly so as to
easily remove the liner apparatus 10. When the zipper 26 is pulled
upwardly, the liner apparatus 10 will be securely affixed around
the body of the user 12. The zipper 26 is affixed to an elastic
material 28 on each side. The elastic material 28 can be sewn, or
otherwise adhered, within a cutout area 30 formed on the forward
surface of the lower torso portion 14. The elasticity of the
section 28 will facilitate flexibility and maneuverability by the
user 12. The zipper 26 and the elastic material 28 will extend
downwardly so as to terminate adjacent to the waist of the user
12.
[0033] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the user 12 will have his or her
legs inserted within leg members 16 and 18. Similarly, the user 12
will have his or her feet received within the boots members 20 and
22.
[0034] Importantly, the lower torso portion 14, the leg members 16
and 18, and the boots 20 and 22 are formed of a porous, uncoated
spun high-density polyethylene fiber material. This material is
otherwise known as TYVEK (.TM.), a non-woven multi-directional
fibrous fabric, high-density polyethylene formed by a continuous
process from very fine 0.5-10 micrometer fibers. These
non-directional fibers (plexifilaments) are first spun and then
bonded together by heat and pressure, without binders or fillers.
This material offers a balance of physical characteristics that
combine some of the properties of paper, film and cloth. The
material contains an antioxidant which provides an oxidative life
in excess of 20 years. This creates a new form of plastic material
with properties different from those of low-density polyethylene.
It allows air to flow freely between the person 12 and the waders
without having to perforate the material. Additionally,
high-density polyethylene retains its structural integrity so as to
render it a stronger material than low-density polyethylene. This
prolongs the life span of the material. Since the properties of the
high-density polyethylene are similar to normal woven fabrics,
including the properties of softness, loose flexibility and a
porous structure, the liner apparatus 10 adds a comfort value. The
material used for the formation of the liner apparatus 10 assures
that the material has slick properties on the outside and adhesive
properties on the inside. This is achieved without coating or
otherwise materially altering the high-density polyethylene
material.
[0035] FIG. 3 is an isolated view of the liner apparatus 10. In
FIG. 3, it can be seen that the top edge 24 has an elastic band 25
extending therearound. Zipper 26 extends downwardly from the upper
edge 24. A three-inch wide elastic panel 28 is secured to the edges
29 and 31 of the lower torso portion 14 of the apparatus 10. This
elastic material 28 (or other material with stretch-like
properties) adds to the comfort and snugness of the lower torso
portion 14 and also serves to relieve stress on the garment in this
area. The elasticity of the material 28 can prevent any tearing of
the lower torso portion 14.
[0036] In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the crotch area 33 includes
an elastic section 35. This elastic section 35 in the crotch area
33 adds to the comfort of the garment in this area and serves to
relieve physical stress from the garment in this area. The leg
members 16 and 18 extend downwardly from the lower torso portion
14. Boots 20 and 22 are shown as integrally attached to the bottom
of the leg members 16 and 18, respectively. If desired, an elastic
band 37 can be formed at the area between the bottom of leg member
16 and the top of boot 20. Another elastic band 39 can be formed in
the area between the bottom of leg member 18 and the top of boot
22. Such an elastic band can serve to hold the liner apparatus 10
in place and to prevent the feet of the user from sliding or
becoming displaced within the boots 20 and 22. Each of the boots 20
and 22 will have an anti-skid pad on the instep of the bottom of
each foot so as to prevent slippage. This anti-skid pad is located
on the instep of the boots 20 and 22. An illustration of such an
anti-skid pad can be seen in FIG. 5.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment 40 of the liner
apparatus of the present invention. The liner apparatus 40 has a
lower torso portion 42 and leg members 44 and 46 extending
downwardly therefrom. Unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
the boots 48 and 50 are removably secured to the bottoms 52 and 54
of the leg members 44 and 46, respectively.
[0038] In this embodiment, the bottom 52 of leg member 44 will have
an elastic band thereacross. This elastic band will help to secure
the bottom of the leg member 44 in its desired position around the
ankles of the user. The boot 48 can have another elastic band along
its upper edge so as to be secured in proximity to or over the
bottom 52 of the leg member 44. The other boot member 50 will have
a similar configuration.
[0039] FIG. 5 is an isolated side view of the boot member 48. As
can be seen, the boot member 48 includes an elastic band 58 located
along its upper edge. An anti-skid pad 60 of a generally U-shaped
configuration is placed along the bottom 62 of the boot 48. The
anti-skid pad is generally positioned so as to correspond with the
instep of the foot placed within the boot 48.
[0040] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is
illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the
details of the illustrated configuration can be made within the
scope of the present invention without departing from the true
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *