Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6317893
-
Patent Number
6,317,893
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, October 11, 200023 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 20, 200122 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 002 82
- 002 81
- 002 242
- 002 227
- 002 6979
- 036 4
- 036 2 R
- 036 15
- 036 2 B
- 036 109
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An improved liner system for uninsulated waders is disclosed. Pant-like liners of various weights and insulating properties are configured for operative insertion within a lightweight uninsulated wader shell, particularly of the breathable type. The wearer can select that liner having the proper insulating properties for the use to which the waders will be put. A simple fastening system allows the liners to be rapidly installed and/or replaced in the waders. The liner fasteners are preferably placed adjacent the upper peripheral edge and the lower legging edges of the liner and mate with corresponding fasteners secured to the inside of the wader shell.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to waders, and more particularly to an improved construction for waterproof breathable waders.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Waders used by fishermen and hunters are well-known in the art. They essentially comprise waterproof pants that usually extend above the wearer's waist up to mid chest level and are supported and carried by the wearer by means of suspenders. The lower leg portions of the waders are typically integrally attached to a shoe or boot or sock or bootie, to form a unitized waterproof garment for the lower body portion of the wearer.
Early wader configurations were made from gas impermeable materials such as rubber. Such materials were generally heavy, making them cumbersome to use and did not provide any ventilation to the wearer, thereby causing discomfort to the wearer due to moisture accumulation within the wader. Such moisture accumulation results in a clammy feeling and can contribute to chaffing between the interior surfaces of the wader and the skin of the wearer. A further disadvantage of the materials such as rubber used in such typical commercially available waders is that such materials have a tendency to deteriorate and readily abrade.
With the commercialization of breathable film materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and hydrophilic coatings which provide for water impermeability in one direction but vapor permeability in the other, a number of lightweight waterproof yet breathable materials have been developed. Such breathable materials have become commonplace in outerwear clothing such as jackets, gloves and the like. They have also been used to construct waterproof breathable waders, such as described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,096. Such breathable wader configurations provide significant advantages in reducing the overall weight of the wader material and allow the material to breathe, providing enhanced use flexibility and increased comfort to the wearer. Such materials also enable the wader shell to be constructed of more durable and abrasion resistant materials than the previously used rubber materials.
One problem associated with the use of such light weight breathable materials is that such materials readily conduct the external water temperature to the wearer, requiring the use of some type of insulating liner within the outer wader shell to provide comfort to the wearer against cold and varying water temperatures and to provide additional structural support to the wader shell. Prior breathable wader configurations have incorporated a single standard insulative liner within the outer wader shell. Such liner has typically been bonded or laminated to the outer shell, thus providing only one level of insulation and warmth to the wearer. Such liners are typically of a weight that does not adequately insulate against frigid water temperatures, and which may provide too much insulation against warm water temperatures. In order to adapt the wader for use in waters of varying temperatures, the wearer has had to dress appropriately for the particular water temperature with which the wader is to be used, by donning insulative garments of appropriate weight.
Accordingly, there is a need for a breathable waterproof wader having a construction and configuration which allows for interchangeability of inner liners to accommodate the water temperatures with which the waders will be used. The present invention addresses this need.
SUMMARY
This invention provides a detachable lining system for waders that is particularly applicable for use with uninsulated waders having thin breathable material. The lining system provides liners of varying weight and insulative properties that can be readily inserted and attached to, or unattached and removed from the waders by means of simple fastener mechanisms. For example, a warm quilted insulative liner can be operatively fastened to the wader shell to accommodate use of the waders in relatively cold water conditions; whereas a lighter-weight fleece lining could be fastened to the waders for use in relatively warmer water conditions. Obviously, the liners can also be rapidly replaced in the outer shell for other reasons as well, such as in the event of wear or damage to the liner.
Therefore, according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a lining system for uninsulated waterproof waders of the type having an outer pant-shaped shell with integrally connected socks, comprising: (a) a liner of insulating material configured in pants-like shape and sized to matingly cooperatively fit within the outer wader shell, the liner having an upper portion terminating at an upper peripheral edge and being sized to encircle the upper torso of a person, and a pair of leg portions downwardly depending from the upper portion and terminating at lower edges and configured to extend to the lower legs or ankles of a person; (b) an upper fastener having one part thereof connected to the liner adjacent its upper peripheral edge and a second mating part thereof mounted to an inside surface of the outer shell, for detachably securing the upper portion of the liner to the outer shell; and (c) a lower fastener having one part thereof connected to each of the leg portions of the liner and adjacent the lower edges thereof, and a second mating part thereof mounted to an inside surface of the outer shell, for operatively detachably securing the leg portion to the outer shell. According to one embodiment of the invention, the liner comprises fleece material. According to another embodiment, the liner comprises quilted insulative material. According to one aspect of the invention, the upper fastener member comprises a zipper. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other fastener materials could be used. In similar fashion, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower fastener comprises a zipper or a hook and loop type fastener. However, other fastener members could also be used within the spirit and intent of this invention.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a pair of waders, comprising: (a) an outer waterproof shell of unlined material configured in pants-like shape; (b) a pair of sock members sealingly connected to lower extremities of leg portions of the outer shell; and (c) a pants-like liner configured for removable insertion within the outer shell. The outer shell preferably comprises a lightweight breathable, yet waterproof material. The liner is preferably detachably secured to the outer shell by means of one or a plurality of fastener members such as zippers or hook and loop fasteners. Preferably one such fastener secures the upper peripheral edge of the liner adjacent the upper end of the waders, and second fasteners secure the lower leg portions of the liner to the wader outer shell at or adjacent the sock portions of the waders. The waders may include additional features such as an external belt for cinching the waders about the wearer's body, protective knee pads, suspenders, pockets, additional padding, and the like.
While the present invention will be described with respect to a particular wader shell configuration, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other shell configurations could be used. Further, while the invention is described with respect to a particular type of lightweight, breathable wader material, those skilled in the art will readily recognize the applicability of the invention to other types of waterproof materials. Further, while several specific types of liners and liner materials area illustrated with respect to the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize the applicability of the invention to yet other types of liners and liner materials. Further, while particular types of fasteners and their relative locations relative to the outer shell and liner materials are illustrated, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the specific types of fasteners disclosed or their positions as illustrated in the preferred embodiments. These and other features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a more detailed description of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the Drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views:
FIG. 1
is a front perspective view of a pair of waders configured according to the principles of this invention, illustrating a first embodiment of a removable liner;
FIG. 2
is a side elevational view of the waders of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a rear elevational view of the waders of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a front perspective view of the first embodiment of a removable liner of the waders of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 5
is a fragmentary top front perspective view of the outer shell portion of the waders of
FIG. 1
, illustrated with the removable liner portion removed;
FIG. 6
is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one of the lower leg portions of the wader of
FIG. 1
, illustrating the connection between the inner liner and outer shell portions of the waders;
FIG. 7
is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a removable liner that can be used with the outer shell of
FIG. 5
; and
FIG. 8
is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one of the lower leg portions of the waders of
FIG. 1
, illustrating the connection between the inner liner of FIG.
7
and outer shell of FIG.
5
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention provides a wader configuration that provides for comfortable use in all four seasons. The wader configuration includes an outer pants and chest protection portion of lightweight waterproof and breathable material connected to a pair of waterproof socks, booties or boots, and a plurality of removable liners of varying weights and insulating properties for accommodating a wide range of external water temperatures.
Referring to the figures, a first embodiment of a wader configuration constructed according to the principles of this invention is generally illustrated at
10
in
FIG. 1-6
. Referring thereto, the waders have an outer shell pants portion
12
comprising an upper portion
12
a
and a pair of leg portions
12
b
downwardly depending therefrom in typical pants-like manner. The upper portion
12
a
of the outer shell
12
is configured to surround the abdomen, buttocks and lower torso and chest portions of a person. The upper portion
12
a
of the outer shell is sized such that its upper edge
12
c
generally extends to the mid or upper chest level of a wearer. The upper edge
12
c
of the waders forms a closed surface defining an upper wader access opening, generally designated at
13
.
The outer shell pants portion
12
is constructed of a waterproof yet breathable material, generally of laminar construction (such as GIIXT material sold under the Entrant™ mark of Toray International Inc.). The outer shell could be constructed in a wader configuration in any well-known manner, such as for example of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,096, herein incorporated by reference to the extent that its disclosures are necessary to an understanding of this invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, that other known materials and constructions of the outer shell material and the wader configuration made therefrom could be used. In the preferred embodiment, the outer shell material comprises a lamination of two or three layers of nylon material bonded together to form a unitized laminated fabric material with a hydrophilic coating that is waterproof or impermeable to liquids present external of the waders, while being permeable to vapors, allowing the material to “breathe”. Alternatively, a layer of microporous membrane material such as PTFE could be used. Such breathable materials enable vapors such as those caused by perspiration and the like to pass through the fabric from the inside of the waders, while preventing external liquids from entering the inner cavity of the waders. In the preferred embodiment, the outer shell material has a thickness of from about 0.30 mm to 1.25 mm, providing a very lightweight material that enables ease of movement, while also providing good adequate physical protection.
A pair of suspenders
14
are secured to the outer shell pants portion adjacent the upper edge
12
c
thereof, enabling support of the waders from the shoulders of a person, in manner well-known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the suspenders are constructed of elastic webbing material approximately 1½ inches wide.
Each of the leg portions
12
b
of the outer shell defines a pocket
15
located on the front or forward facing portion of the leg member and longitudinally spaced therealong so as to generally align with the knee of a wearer of the waders. The external openings
15
a
to the pockets
15
are, in the preferred embodiment, located at the lowermost edge of the pocket to provide for drainage of any liquid entering the pocket. A pad of neoprene material
16
is sized and configured to be cooperatively received by and held within each of the leg pockets
15
and is removably secured within the pocket by means of a pair of upper and lower spaced fasteners
17
a
and
17
b
. In the preferred embodiment, the fasteners
17
are of a hook and loop construction such as sold under the Velcro® trademark.
In the preferred embodiment, the waders
10
include a pair of cincture or tightening assemblies mountable to the upper portion
12
a
of the outer shell
12
enabling the upper portion
12
a
to be drawn toward and tightened around the wearer's body at various longitudinal positions therealong. A first such tightening assembly
18
is formed from a pair of strap portions
18
a
and
18
b
. The straps
18
a
and
18
b
each has a first end thereof sewn to the back side of the outer shell of the waders in circumferential alignment, as generally illustrated in FIG.
3
. The straps
18
a
and
18
b
extend forward (toward the front of the waders) from their secured ends and toward their respective free or distal ends. A pair of D-rings
20
a
and
20
b
are secured to the outer wader shell on opposite side portions thereof and in alignment with the straps
18
a
and
18
b
as shown in
FIGS. 1
,
2
and
5
. The strap segments
18
a
and
18
b
are entrained respectively through the D-rings
20
a
and
20
b
and are looped back on themselves in overlapping manner for adjustable fastening by means of a pair of fasteners
19
a
,
19
b
. The fasteners
19
a
,
19
b
are, in the preferred embodiment hook and loop type fasteners such as sold under the Velcro® mark, each having a first portion secured to the outer surface of the strap segments
18
overlying the secured end and a second mating portion secured to the outer surface of the strap segments adjacent their distal ends, such that when the strap segments are folded back on each other they can be adjustably secured at infinite positions therealong. The function of the adjustable strap segments
18
is to enable tightening of the upper edge portion
12
c
of the waders soas to close the upper wader access opening
13
about the chest portion of the wearer, while maintaining a generally wrinkle-free condition along the frontal surface area of the upper portion
12
a
of the waders. While in the preferred embodiment, the fastener
19
is of a hook and loop configuration; however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of fasteners could equally well be used. In the preferred embodiment, the first belt member
18
is formed from a web belting material of a type well-known in the art, and is approximately 1½ inches wide.
A second tightening member in the form of a belt
22
is configured to encircle the upper portion
12
b
of the wader shell at a position generally corresponding to the waist of the wearer. The belt
22
is detachably secured to the outer shell of the wader by means of a pair of loops
24
which in the preferred embodiment, are sewn to the outer shell and are formed of the same material used to construct the outer shell. A fastener, in the form of a buckle
23
is mounted to the belt
22
at one end thereof, enabling the other end of the belt to be entrained therethrough and secured at infinitely adjustable positions therealong, in a manner well-known in the art. The belt
22
enables tightening of the upper portion
12
a
of the waders about the waist of the wearer to provide additional comfort to the wearer.
The outer shell
12
may also be equipped with other features of types well-known in the art. For example, waders typically include a pocket mounted to the inner surface of the outer shell pants portion
12
generally along the upper edge
12
c
, and extending downwardly therefrom. A pocket of this type is generally indicated at
25
(FIG.
5
). The pocket includes a zipper or other appropriate closure member
26
located on the forward facing surface of the pocket, to enable access to the pocket
25
when the pocket is rotated in an upwardly extending manner soas to extend above the upper edge
12
c
of the outer wader shell. Such zipper location also provides additional comfort to the wearer, since the zipper does not come into contact with the wearer when the pocket is downwardly inserted into the outer liner. The waders may also include padding to provide additional comfort at various locations throughout the waders, other than the knee pads, such as the upper back pad member
28
illustrated in FIG.
3
.
Each of the leg portions
12
b
of the outer shell pants is connected by sewing along its lower peripheral edge to the upper peripheral edge of a sock member
30
. Each sock member has an upper cylindrical portion
31
designed to encircle the lower leg and ankle portions of the wearer, and a lower and front portion
32
configured to engage the foot and toe portions of the wearer. The upper and lower portions
31
and
32
respectively of the sock
30
are sewn together along a seam, generally indicated at
33
. The upper portion
31
and the lower front portion
32
of the sock are made from a very stretchable neoprene material which enables ease of foot entry and egress from the sock, and also provides a measure of comfort to the wearer thereof. A strip of less stretchable reinforcing material
34
extends from the upper edge of the sock, down along the back surface thereof and continues forward to form the sole of the sock. In the preferred embodiment, the strip comprises a 3 mm thick panel of hypalon material. The upper peripheral edge of the socks
30
are secured to the lower peripheral edges of the pant leg portions
12
b
of the upper outer shell member
12
by stitching, in a manner well-known in the art. All seams are appropriately sealed by waterproof tape or the like, as for example, described in the referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,096.
The outer shell pants portion
12
of the waders is configured to accommodate and detachably mount an inner liner member for lining and insulating the shell pants portion
12
. A first embodiment of such a liner is generally illustrated at
40
in
FIGS. 1-6
. The first embodiment of the removable liner
40
is illustrated by itself, and detached from the outer shell pants portion
12
, in FIG.
4
. The liner
40
is of generally the same size and configuration of the outer shell pants portion
12
, but sized slightly smaller than the outer shell so that it can cooperatively fit within the outer shell. The liner generally has an upper portion
40
a
and a pair of leg portions
40
b
downwardly depending therefrom. The upper portion
40
a
terminates at an upper edge indicated at
40
c
. In the preferred embodiment, the liner
40
is detachably secured to the outer shell pants portion
12
by means of upper and lower fastener members. In the first preferred embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1-6
, these fastener members take the form of upper and lower zippers
42
and
43
respectively. The upper zipper has a first zipper toothed portion
42
a
secured to the inner surface of the upper shell portion
12
a
in circumferential manner at a position adjacent to but spaced slightly downwardly from the upper edge
12
c
of the outer shell, as illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 5
. A second mating toothed portion
42
b
of the zipper
42
is circumferentially secured adjacent the upper edge
40
c
of the liner
40
as illustrated in
FIG. 4
soas to cooperatively align and mate with the first zipper portion
42
a
. The opposed ends of the zipper
42
meet adjacent the front of the waders. A protective flap member
45
is mounted to and extends downwardly from the upper edge
12
c
of the outer shell portion
12
along the inner surface thereof and is sized soas to extend over the zipper
42
to protect the wearer from direct engagement with the zipper
42
. In the preferred embodiment, the zipper
42
is a 1 inch #5 nylon zipper, and the zipper protector flap is a 2 inch strip of 3 mm neoprene material.
The lower edges of the leg portions
40
b
of the liner
40
are, in the first preferred embodiment, secured to the inner surfaces of the upper edges of the socks
30
by means of a second or lower zipper
43
. A first toothed member
43
a
of the zipper
43
is secured to the lower peripheral edges of the liner leg portions
40
b
. A second mating toothed member
43
b
of the zipper
43
is secured to the inner surface of the sock
30
. Alternatively, the zipper segment
43
b
could be secured to the inner surface of the lower portion of the legs
12
b
of the outer shell member
12
. In the preferred embodiment, the lower zipper
43
is a #3 nylon zipper.
It will be appreciated that the material forming the liner member
40
can be varied to provide the desired insulative properties for the wader. The readily detachable nature of the liner enables one liner to be rapidly removed from the wader and replaced with another having an insulative property that is calculated to counteract the temperature of the water with which the waders will be used. For example, a preferred liner material that offers high insulating properties is a fleece liner of double brushed material of 300 gram weight. Other liners such as those made of quilt materials wherein the insulating material is placed between two layers of nylon and quilt stitched in place, may be used. An example of such material is the 100 gram quilt material sold by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company under its Thinsulate™ trademark.
It will be appreciated that other fastener configurations can be configured within the spirit and intent of this invention, to detachably secure the inner liner member
40
to the outer shell
12
. A second example of an alternative fastening configuration is illustrated in
FIGS. 7 and 8
, where the liner member is generally designated at
40
's. For ease of description, similar parts of the second embodiment of the liner and waders illustrated in
FIGS. 7 and 8
, as compared to those of the first embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1-6
, will be indicated by the same reference numerals previously used for like parts, followed by a prime (′) designation. It will be noted that the liner
40
′ of the second embodiment also utilizes an upper zipper fastener
42
′ similar to zipper
42
, but that the lower edges of the liner leg portions
40
b
′ are secured to the inside surfaces of the portions
12
b
′ of the outer shell
12
′ by means of hook and loop fasteners
43
′. In the preferred configuration of the second embodiment of the liner, the first portion
43
a
′ of the fastener
43
′ comprises a strip of hook or loop material sewn to the outer surfaces of the leg portions
40
b
′ adjacent their lower edges. The second portion
43
b
′ of the fastener
43
′ comprises one or more hook or loop fastener patch members sewn to the inside of each of the wader leg portions
12
b
′ in longitudinal mating alignment with the first fastener portions
43
a
′. These and other fastening configurations will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.
To secure the liner
40
to the outer shell portion
12
, the liner is simply inserted into the outer shell through the upper wade access opening
13
, leg portions
40
b
first, until the lower edges of the leg portions
40
b
and their respective fasteners align with the mating fasteners on the sock or lower leg portions of the outer shell. The lower fasteners
43
are then matably engaged to secure the leg portions
40
b
of the liner
40
in place relative to the outer shell
12
. The upper edge
40
c
of the liner is then lifted until the mating parts of the upper fastener
42
are aligned. The matable parts of the fastener
42
are then secured to another, thereby securing the liner in operative position within the outer shell
12
. The zipper flap
45
is then lowered in operative position overlying the upper zipper
42
. To remove the liner from the shell, the process is simply reversed.
The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the configuration and use of preferred embodiments of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended which are not intended to be limited by the disclosures of any of the preferred embodiment examples illustrated herein.
Claims
- 1. A lining system for uninsulated waterproof waders of the type having an outer pant-shaped shell with integrally connected socks, comprising:a. a liner of insulating material configured in pants-like shape and sized to matingly cooperatively fit within the outer wader shell, said liner having an upper portion terminating at an upper peripheral edge and sized to encircle the upper torso of a person, and a pair of leg portions downwardly depending from said upper portion and terminating at lower edges and configured to extend to the lower legs or ankles of a person; b. an upper fastener having one part thereof connected to said liner adjacent said upper peripheral edge, and a second mating part thereof mounted to an inside surface of said outer shell, for detachably securing the upper portion of said liner to said outer shell; and c. a lower fastener having one part thereof connected to each of said leg portions adjacent said lower edges thereof, and a second mating part mounted to an inside surface of said outer shell for operatively detachably securing said leg portions to said outer shell.
- 2. The lining system of claim 1, wherein said liner comprises fleece material.
- 3. The lining system of claim 1, wherein said liner comprises quilted insulating material.
- 4. The lining system of claim 1, wherein said upper fastener comprises a zipper.
- 5. The lining system of claim 4, wherein said lower fastener comprises a zipper.
- 6. The lining system of claim 1, wherein said lower fastener comprises a zipper.
- 7. The lining system of claim 1, wherein said lower fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.
- 8. A pair of waders, comprising:a. an outer waterproof shell of unlined material, configured in pants-like shape; b. a pair of sock members sealingly connected to lower extremities of leg portions of the outer shell; and c. a pants-like liner configured for removable insertion within the outer shell.
- 9. The pair of waders as recited in claim 8, wherein said outer shell comprises lightweight breathable material.
- 10. The pair of waders as recited in claim 8, including at least one fastener for detachably operatively securing said liner to said outer shell.
- 11. The pair of waders as recited in claim 10, wherein said fastener comprises a zipper.
- 12. The pair of waders as recited in claim 10, wherein said fastener comprises a first fastener positioned to secure the liner adjacent an upper edge thereof to the outer shell.
- 13. A pair of waders as recited in claim 12, further including a protective member overlying said first fastener along an inside surface of said outer shell, to protect a wearer of said waders from direct engagement with said first fastener.
- 14. The pair of waders as recited in claim 10, including a second fastener operatively positioned to secure the lower leg portions of said liner to said outer shell.
- 15. The pair of waders as recited in claim 14, wherein said second fastener comprises a zipper.
- 16. A pair of waders as recited in claim 14, wherein said second fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.
- 17. The pair of waders as recited in claim 8, wherein said liner comprises fleece material.
- 18. The pair of waders as recited in claim 8, wherein said liner comprises quilted insulating material.
- 19. The pair of waders as recited in claim 8, further including at least one belt operatively mounted to the outer shell for tightening said waders about the body of a wearer.
- 20. The pair of waders as recited in claim 8, wherein the waders include protective knee pads.
- 21. The pair of waders as recited in claim 8, including suspenders operatively connected to the outer shell, adapted to secure the waders from the shoulders of a wearer.
US Referenced Citations (18)