U.S. patent application number 12/625583 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-03 for modular wading system.
Invention is credited to Michael Myers.
Application Number | 20100132089 12/625583 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42221462 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100132089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Myers; Michael |
June 3, 2010 |
MODULAR WADING SYSTEM
Abstract
An embodiment is a wader system having an upper portion
including a hood, a torso portion, and two sleeves. The wader
system of an embodiment may further include a chest wader portion
having a pouch into which the upper portion may be removably packed
and/or stowed for convenience.
Inventors: |
Myers; Michael; (LaPine,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RYLANDER & ASSOCIATES PC
P.O. Box 250
VANCOUVER
WA
98660
US
|
Family ID: |
42221462 |
Appl. No.: |
12/625583 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61117833 |
Nov 25, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/79 ; 2/227;
2/252; 2/82; 2/84; 2/87; 2/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/012 20130101;
A41D 2600/106 20130101; A41D 2600/108 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/79 ; 2/82;
2/84; 2/227; 2/252; 2/87; 2/93 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/02 20060101
A41D013/02; A41D 13/012 20060101 A41D013/012; A41D 3/08 20060101
A41D003/08; A41D 1/06 20060101 A41D001/06; A41D 27/20 20060101
A41D027/20; A41D 3/04 20060101 A41D003/04; A41D 3/02 20060101
A41D003/02 |
Claims
1. An integrated modular wading system comprising chest-high waders
including an interconnected pull-out wader jacket storable in a
closeable pouch formed in said chest-high waders, the
interconnected pull-out wader jacket to be donned while the
chest-high waders are in use by slipping one or both hands into
said closable pouch, withdrawing said interconnected pull-out wader
jacket from said closable pouch, and slipping arms and torso into
said interconnected pull-out wader jacket.
2. A modular all-weather clothing system comprising an upper
portion to cover a head and an upper torso, the upper portion
removably attached to a coverall portion and storable in a pouch
integral to the coverall portion.
3. A wader system comprising: a chest waders portion including a
user-accessible pouch formed in lumbar region of the chest waders,
said user-accessible pouch including an internal pouch accessible
through an opening in the chest wader portion; and an upper portion
including sleeves and a torso portion, the upper portion to couple
to the chest waders portion at least in the lumbar region adjacent
the user-accessible pouch, the upper portion to removably stow into
the user-accessible pouch.
4. The wader system of claim 3, the user-accessible pouch further
comprising two or more layers including an interior layer coupled
to the chest wader portion and an exterior layer, wherein the
user-accessible pouch is defined between the interior layer and the
exterior layer.
5. The wader system of claim 3, the user-accessible pouch further
comprising an exterior layer coupled to the chest wader portion,
wherein the user-accessible pouch is defined between the chest
wader portion and the exterior layer.
6. The wader system of claim 3, the user-accessible pouch further
comprising a pouch closure to substantially secure the upper
portion removably stowed in the user-accessible pouch within the
user-accessible pouch.
7. The wader system of claim 6, the pouch closure comprising a
zipper, a hook and loop fastener system, one or more Velcro
fasteners, one or more snaps, one or more buttons, or a combination
thereof.
8. The wader system of claim 6, further comprising a pouch flap to
substantially cover the pouch closure.
9. The wader system of claim 3, the upper portion to couple at
least in part substantially permanently to the chest waders portion
with a stitched seam, an adhesive seam, a radio frequency welded
seam, an ultrasonically welded seam, a thermally welded seam, or a
combination thereof.
10. The wader system of claim 3, the upper portion to couple at
least in part substantially removably to the chest waders portion
with a zipper, a hook and loop fastener system, one or more snap,
one or more buttons, or a combination thereof.
11. The wader system of claim 3, the upper portion further
comprising a hood.
12. The wader system of claim 3, the chest waders portion and the
upper portion further comprising a substantially waterproof
material.
13. The wader system of claim 12, the substantially waterproof
material comprising vulcanized rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polyurethane, silicone elastomer, neoprene, a breathable waterproof
fabric, or a combination thereof.
14. The wader system of claim 3, the upper portion further
comprising one or more pre-formed fabric creases, fabric hinges, or
a combination thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/117,833 filed Nov. 25,
2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to wading systems. More
particularly, the present invention relates to wading pants.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Fishing, duck or other waterfowl hunting, clamming, bird
watching, camping, water gardening, and other outdoor activities
may be best performed in or around shallow rivers and streams,
coastal tidal pools, marshlands, submerged fields, and the like.
Further, commercial fisherman, crabbers, lobstermen, ferry
operators, shipboard laborers, agriculture laborers, and industrial
chemical laborers may be exposed to myriad weather patterns
including alternating periods of inclemency and calm for which they
may wish to alter the degree to which they may protect themselves
from the elements. Each outdoor activity participant may benefit
from an all-weather clothing system. Each may further benefit from
an all-weather clothing system that may be altered and/or modified
to suit particular outdoor activities.
[0004] A number of devices have provided clothing systems. The
following represents a list of known related art:
TABLE-US-00001 Date of Reference: Issued to: Issue/Publication:
U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,568 Hofmann May 23, 2006 U.S. Pat. No.
6,668,383 Rausch et al. Dec. 30, 2003 U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,815
Majerfeld Aug. 29, 2000 U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,473 Andries Nov. 5,
1996 U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,838 Senser Jan. 7, 1992 U.S. Pat. No.
5,040,243 Tatsuno Aug. 20, 1991 U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,663 Goldberg et
al Aug. 19, 1980 U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,407 Morrison June, 1968 U.S.
Pat. No. 3,130,416 Mitchell et al. April, 1964 US Des. Pat D566,927
Graham Apr. 22, 2008 JP 2007-327,145 Sawada et al. Dec. 12, 2007 DE
10,154,129 Stein Feb. 27, 2003
[0005] The teachings of each of the above-listed citations (which
does not itself incorporate essential material by reference) are
herein incorporated by reference. None of the above inventions and
patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to
describe the instant invention as claimed.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,568 to Hofmann issued May 23, 2006 for a
"Two-part protective suit with connecting section" discloses a
two-part protective suit, especially for protective purposes and/or
for military purposes, such as a NBC protective suit or the like,
with a jacket and trousers, the jacket having a peripheral edge
which overlaps the trousers and is able to be joined to the
trousers. The jacket also has a peripheral connecting section which
is joined to the jacket, above the jacket edge, i.e., spaced away
from the jacket edge, the connecting section and the trousers
having a connecting element so that the connecting section can be
joined to the trousers for sealed connection of the jacket to
trousers.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,383 to Rausch, et al. issued Dec. 30,
2003 for "Hunting waders and jacket combination" discloses a waders
and jacket combination in which the waders and jacket are attached
to each other. Because the waders and the jacket are attached to
each other, the elements cannot get in between the waders and the
jacket, i.e. above the waders and below the jacket. Further, the
combination will prevent the separation of the waders and the
jacket and the inconvenience which may occur (i.e. by misplacing
one) from their separation. The instant invention insures that the
waders and the jacket are always together. The attachment will
preferably be made by heat sealing the waders and the jacket
together. However, it is noted that any manner which accomplishes
the attachment of the waders and the jacket is contemplated by this
invention.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,815 to Majerfeld issued Aug. 29, 2000
for a "Jacket with drop down pants" discloses a convertible garment
comprises a jacket and optional pants. The pants which are attached
at an upper end thereof to a lower end of the jacket include a pair
of flexible leg panels each having adapted to be reversibly
displaced between open and closed positions, wherein, in the closed
position, each leg panel forms a hollow pant leg capable of
surrounding a user's leg, whereas, when the leg panels are in the
open position, the leg panels can be bundled up adjacent the lower
end of the jacket in a storage position of the pants such that the
garment only acts as a jacket. A pocket is formed on the inside of
the lower end of the jacket to accommodate the pants in their
storage position.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,473 to Andries issued Nov. 5, 1996 for a
"Caddy having a hanger means and integral to a jacket for
selectively supporting companion pants for storage and access"
discloses a caddy integral to a jacket or other upper garment is
provided for conveniently storing and accessing companion pants or
other lower garment. A panel formed of mesh net or other porous
fabric or other material is joined to an inner surface of the upper
garment to form a compartment for receiving the lower garment, the
compartment being sized to evenly distribute the bulk of the lower
garment over a substantial portion of the inner surface of the
upper garment. A hanger device is provided in the compartment for
supporting the lower garment within the compartment while the upper
garment is being worn. The compartment is constructed to allow
access to the compartment from the inside of the upper garment to
permit a wearer to quickly and easily remove the lower garment from
the compartment, without removal of the upper garment.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,838 to Senser issued Jan. 7, 1992 for a
"Convertible outerwear garment" discloses a convertible, outerwear
garment comprising a sleeveless vest with a jacket having sleeves
attached to the interior of the vest at a pouch or pocket formed
along a lower edge of the jacket. Panels at the sides of the jacket
may be joined to the side of the pouch to complete the jacket
structure. The jacket may be inserted into a pouch pocket when the
vest is worn without the jacket. The jacket may be deployed from
the pouch and the jacket sleeves inserted through the side openings
in the vest, the jacket mode to provide added protection to the
wearer. In this mode, the lower side panels of the jacket are
secured at the side of the pouch. Another pocket may be provided in
the rear of the vest to receive a rain cape or poncho which may be
deployed by the user for additional wet weather protection.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,243 to Tatsuno issued Aug. 20, 1991 for
a "Garment with a covering" disclosing a garment comprising a main
garment body having a sack or accommodation means on the back side
thereof, and a covering normally packaged in the sack and adapted
to be taken out of the sack and worn over the sack. The sack
accommodating the covering is provided on the back of the main
garment body. The opening and closing of the sack can be easily
done by the user, so that the user may take the covering out of the
sack to put it on or take off the covering and put it back in the
sack as required.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,663 to Goldberg, et al. issued Aug. 19,
1980 for a "Vest" disclosing an outerwear garment is provided which
comprises a sleeveless vest having a kidney extension flap at its
lower back portion. The kidney extension flap has an interior
portion which defines a pouch. A jacket having sleeves is connected
to the lower portion of the vest adjacent the pouch. The jacket may
be inserted into the pouch when the vest is worn in a sleeveless
mode without the jacket, or the jacket may be withdrawn from the
pouch and the jacket's sleeves may be inserted through side
openings defined by the vest.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,407 for "RAIN GARMENTS" to Morrison,
issued June 1968 discloses a lightweight, waterproof garment
including connected jacket, trousers and head covering parts and
including compartments on the jacket part into which the head
covering and trousers can be placed for storage.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,416 for "SPORTSMEN'S GARMENT" to
Mitchell et al. issued April 1964 discloses new and useful
improvements in garments, and in particular the invention concerns
itself with an outer garment which is especially adapted 10 to be
worn by sportsmen, hunters, hikers, campers and others
participating in outdoor sports activities, or the like. The
principal object of the invention is to provide a sportsmen's or
hunters' garment which is not only structurally arranged to protect
the wearer against the effects of various kinds of weather, but
which is also adapted to accommodate various types of sporting or
hunting equipment together with whatever game may be caught. Some
of the advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity of
construction, efficient and dependable use, in its versatility, and
in its adaptability to economical manufacture.
SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES
[0015] An embodiment of the invention is a wader system comprising
a chest waders portion including a user-accessible pouch formed in
lumbar region of the chest waders and an upper portion including
sleeves and a torso portion. The upper portion may couple to the
chest waders portion at least in the lumbar region adjacent the
user-accessible pouch. In an embodiment, the upper portion may be
removably stowed in the user-accessible pouch.
[0016] The wading system of an embodiment of the present invention
presents numerous advantages, including: (1) conveniently combines
waders with a jacket or other upper portion that is often
concurrently worn; (2) provides a convenient storage scheme for the
jacket or other upper portion within a pouch formed on or in the
waders when the jacket or other upper portion is not worn; (3)
provides a storage scheme for the jacket or other upper portion
within a pouch formed on or in the waders that does not
substantially compromise the waterproof characteristics of the
waders; and (4) provides a storage scheme for the jacket or other
upper portion within a pouch formed on or in the waders that is
accessible by the user substantially without assistance.
[0017] Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and
attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Further benefits
and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become
apparent from consideration of the following detailed description
given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify
and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more
embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
detailed description, serve to explain the principles and
implementations of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows the wader system of an embodiment including an
upper portion unpacked from an chest wader portion.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows the wader system of FIG. 1 with the upper
portion packed in the chest wader portion.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the wader system of an
embodiment worn by a user including the upper portion unpacked from
the chest wader portion.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the wader system of FIG. 3.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows the wader system of an embodiment including the
upper portion partially unpacked from the chest wader portion.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows the wader system of an embodiment including the
upper portion partially packed in the chest wader portion.
[0025] FIG. 7 shows the wader system of an embodiment including the
upper portion completely packed in the chest wader portion.
REFERENCE NUMBERS USED IN DRAWINGS
[0026] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, the figures illustrate the wader system of the present
invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the
following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures:
[0027] 10 wader system [0028] 20 upper portion [0029] 22 hood
[0030] 24 torso portion [0031] 26 sleeve [0032] 30 chest wader
portion [0033] 32 suspenders [0034] 34 belt [0035] 36 boot [0036]
40 pouch portion [0037] 42 pouch flap [0038] 44 pouch closure
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] Before beginning a detailed description of the subject
invention, mention of the following is in order. When appropriate,
like reference materials and characters are used to designate
identical, corresponding, or similar components in differing figure
drawings. The figure drawings associated with this disclosure
typically are not drawn with dimensional accuracy to scale, i.e.,
such drawings have been drafted with a focus on clarity of viewing
and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy.
[0040] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features
of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It
will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such
actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions
must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals,
such as compliance with application- and business-related
constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one
implementation to another and from one developer to another.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort
might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a
routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in
the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0041] An embodiment is an integrated modular wading system
comprising chest-high waders including an interconnected pull-out
wader jacket storable in a closeable pouch formed in said
chest-high waders, the interconnected pull-out wader jacket to be
donned while the chest-high waders are in use by slipping one or
both hands into said closable pouch, withdrawing said
interconnected pull-out wader jacket from said closable pouch, and
slipping arms and torso into said interconnected pull-out wader
jacket.
[0042] Another embodiment is a modular all-weather clothing system
comprising an upper portion to cover a head and an upper torso, the
upper portion removably attached to a coverall portion and storable
in a pouch integral to the coverall portion.
[0043] A further embodiment is a wader system including a chest
waders portion including a user-accessible pouch formed in lumbar
region of the chest waders, said user-accessible pouch comprising
an internal pouch accessible through an opening in the chest wader
portion, and an upper portion including sleeves and a torso
portion, the upper portion to couple to the chest waders portion at
least in the lumbar region adjacent the user-accessible pouch, the
upper portion to removably stow into the user-accessible pouch.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1-7, a wader system 10 is provided. More
specifically, wader system 10 comprises an upper portion 20
including a hood 22, a torso portion 24, and two sleeves 26. Wader
system 10 further includes chest wader portion 30 into which the
upper portion 20 may be removably packed and/or stowed for
convenience.
[0045] For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a user wearing the wader
system 10 of an embodiment including the upper portion 20 unpacked
from the pouch portion 40 formed in and/or defined by the chest
wader portion 30. The chest wader portion 30 may further include
suspenders 32 and/or belt 34 to substantially secure the chest
wader portion 30 to the midsection and/or torso of the user. Boots
36 may attach to, be worn over, and/or be formed in the chest wader
portion 30 adjacent to the user's feet. The boots 36 and/or the
region of the chest wader portion 30 adjacent to the boots 36 may
include reinforced seams and/or surfaces to substantially prevent
wear and water and/or debris intrusion.
[0046] When the upper portion 20 is unpacked and/or deployed from
the chest wader portion 30, the user may don the upper portion 20
including the hood 22, torso portion 24, and sleeves 26 as they
would normally don a jacket. The base of the torso portion 24 of an
embodiment adjacent to the user's lower back (i.e., the lumbar
region of portion 24) may couple to the chest wader portion 30. In
an embodiment, the torso portion 24 may attach to the chest wader
portion 30 with a stitched seam, an adhesive seam, a radio
frequency welded seam, an ultrasonically welded seam, a thermally
welded seam, or a combination thereof. The substantially permanent
attachment of the torso portion 24 to the chest wader portion 30
may increase the water and/or weather resistance of the wader
system 10. The inferior edge of the torso portion 24 of an
embodiment may further detachably engage to the chest wader portion
30 with a zipper, hook and loop fastener system, snaps, buttons, or
a combination thereof for those areas not substantially permanently
attached to the chest wader portion. For example, the torso portion
24 wrapping laterally around the user to the front of the user may
detachably engage the chest wader portion 30 at one or more points
or locations along the intersection of the torso portion 24 and
chest wader portion 30. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an anterior and
posterior view of the wader system 10 of an embodiment including a
deployed upper portion 20 including hood 22, torso portion 24, and
sleeves 26.
[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates the wader system 10 with the upper
portion 20 stowed in the chest wader portion 30. More specifically,
FIG. 2 illustrates the upper portion 20 packed, stuffed, or
otherwise inserted into pouch portion 40. Pouch portion 40 may be
formed substantially on the posterior side of the chest wader
portion 30 above the waist of the chest wader portion 30 (e.g.,
above the belt 34).
[0048] In particular, as illustrated by FIGS. 5 and 6, the pouch
portion 40 may be formed in, formed on, and/or defined by the chest
wader portion 30 in the lumbar region of the chest wader portion
30. For example, the pouch portion 40 may be a substantially
independent and/or stand-alone pouch attached to the chest wader
portion 30. More specifically, the pouch portion 40 may be a two or
multiple ply or layer pouch including an interior side that may
contact the chest wader portion 30 and a separate exterior side
that faces rearward away from the user between which the upper
portion 20 may be stowed. Alternatively, the pouch portion 40 may
substantially be a single ply or layer pouch for which the chest
wader portion 30 may serve as the interior side.
[0049] For either embodiment, the pouch portion 40 may attach to
the chest wader portion 30 with a stitched seam, an adhesive seam,
a radio frequency welded seam, an ultrasonically welded seam, a
thermally welded seam, or a combination thereof. The attachment of
the pouch portion 40 to the chest wader portion 30 may not
substantially alter the water and/or weather proofing or resistance
of the chest wader portion 30 material underlying the pouch portion
40.
[0050] Alternatively, the pouch portion 40 may be formed with a
substantially internal pouch that may be accessed through a slit or
other opening formed in the chest wader portion 30. For any
embodiment, the opening of the pouch portion 40 through which the
upper portion 20 may be deployed and/or stowed may include a pouch
closure 44 to substantially prevent the inadvertent deployment of
the upper portion 20. The pouch closure 44 of an embodiment may
include a zipper, hook and loop fastener system, one or more Velcro
fasteners, one or more snaps, one or more buttons, or a combination
thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the opening of the pouch
portion 40 may be covered at least in part by a pouch flap 42. The
pouch flap 42 may aid in the rain and/or weather resistance of the
pouch portion 40 with or without a pouch closure 44.
[0051] The chest wader portion 30 and/or the upper portion 20 may
be formed at least in part from any variety of substantially
waterproof material. In an embodiment, the chest wader portion 30
and/or the upper portion 20 may or may not be formed at least in
part from the same substantially waterproof material. For example,
the chest wader portion 30 and/or the upper portion 20 may be
formed at least in part of vulcanized rubber, polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), polyurethane, silicone elastomer, neoprene, polyester,
nylon, or a breathable waterproof fabric. In an embodiment, the
breathable waterproof fabric may include GORE-TEX.RTM. (registered
to W. L. Gore & Associates of Newark, Del.). The substantially
waterproof material may be laminated to one or more additional
fabric layers. For example, the chest wader portion 30 and/or the
upper portion 20 may be formed at least in part from a polyester
layer (e.g., 100% polyester with 75D by 75D weave), a micro-porous
polyurethane membrane/coating layer, and a nylon layer (e.g., a
nylon tricot with 30D weave). Certain areas of the chest wader
portion 30 and/or the upper portion 20 (e.g., the seat and knee
regions of the chest wader portion 30 and the elbow regions of the
upper portion 20) may include abrasion resistant surfaces and/or
reinforced or otherwise strengthened seams.
[0052] In preferred embodiment, the user may withdraw the upper
portion 20 from the pouch portion 40 and stow the upper portion 20
in the pouch portion 40 substantially without removing and/or
undressing from the chest wader portion 30. For example, the pouch
portion 40 may be formed substantially in or on the lumbar region
of the chest wader portion 30. More specifically, the suspenders 32
of an embodiment may not occlude or otherwise obstruct the opening
of the pouch portion 40 so that the user may not have to remove the
suspenders to access the pouch portion 40.
[0053] Starting with the upper portion 20 stowed in the pouch
portion 40, a user already wearing the chest wader portion 30 may
reach around their lumbar region with one or both hands to operate
the pouch closure 44 (if present in an embodiment), grasp the upper
portion 20, and withdraw the upper portion 20 from the pouch
portion 40. The user may do so substantially without removing
and/or undressing from the chest wader portion 30. The user may
further withdraw and don the upper portion 20 substantially without
dropping the upper portion 20 to allow it to unfold. Accordingly,
the user may withdraw and put on the upper portion 20 for example
while shallow wading substantially without submerging the upper
portion 20. Further, if completely unfolded, the upper portion 20,
given its at least partial attachment to the chest wader portion 30
in the lumbar region, may not unfold to the ground so that a
non-wading user may nevertheless easily unpack the upper portion 20
substantially without exposing it to the ground soil and/or
abrasive ground elements. To stow the upper portion 20, the user
may remove and/or undress from the upper portion 20 and stuff or
otherwise insert the upper portion 20 into the pouch portion 40.
The user may or may not deliberately fold the upper portion before
stuffing or otherwise inserting the upper portion 20 in the pouch
portion 40.
[0054] Though not illustrated, the upper portion 20 may include
elements to aid the user to fold the upper portion 20 for
substantially compact stowage in the pouch portion 40. For example,
the hood 22, torso portion 24, and/or sleeves 26 may include
pre-formed creases and/or fabric hinges to aid the user to fold the
upper portion 20 for substantially compact storage. More
specifically, the pre-formed creases and/or fabric hinges may
partially or moderately direct the upper portion 20 to fold into a
predetermined shape and/or configuration that may be efficiently
accommodated by and/or fit into the pouch portion 40.
[0055] Further, the hood 22, torso portion 24, and/or the sleeves
26 may include one or more hook and loop fastener systems, Velcro
fasteners, snaps, buttons, or a combination thereof to
substantially maintain the compactness of upper portion 20 once
folded. More specifically, the hood 22, the torso portion 24,
and/or sleeves 26 may include one or more hook and loop fastener
systems and/or Velcro fasteners to substantially maintain the
compactness of upper portion 20 once folded (e.g., by releasably
securing the upper portion 20 in its folded shape and/or
configuration) and to release when the user purposefully deploys
the upper portion 20.
[0056] Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous
modifications and changes may be made to the preferred embodiment
without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. It will,
of course, be understood that modifications of the invention, in
its various aspects, will be apparent to those skilled in the art,
some being apparent only after study, others being matters of
routine mechanical, chemical and electronic design. No single
feature, function or property of the preferred embodiment is
essential. Other embodiments are possible, their specific designs
depending upon the particular application. As such, the scope of
the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments
herein described but should be defined only by the appended claims
and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *