MULTI-USE WADER SYSTEM HAVING A TEAR-AWAY INSULATED LINER PROVIDING IMPROVED VERSATILITY AND LEAKAGE PREVENTION IN A WIDE VARIETY OF HARSH AND WET OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

A multi-use wader system for keeping a wearer dry in a wide variety of harsh and wet outdoor environments is disclosed. The multi-use wader system includes a base wader, a tear-away insulated liner and a removable outer bib. The tear-away insulated liner is used for covering a wearer and retaining the wearer's body heat. The wearer wears the base wader over the tear-away insulated liner. The base wader includes a waterproof and breathable fabric. An outer protective cover positioned outside the base wader waterproof and breathable fabric provides a plurality of sewn or welded seams features that allow water to pass through, but the base wader fabric prevents leaking water from leaking to the inner side of the base wader. The removable outer bib/pant is placed over the upper portion of the base wader. The tear-away insulated liner is configured for permitting the wearer to tear away and remove the tear-away insulated liner while wearing the base wader and the removable outer bib/pant without having to remove the base wader and the removable outer bib/pant while standing in the body of standing or slowly moving water.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to the field of outdoor sporting and work apparel known as “waders. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a multi-use wader system having a tear-away insulated liner providing improved versatility and leakage prevention in a wide variety of harsh and wet outdoor environments. Even more specifically, this disclosure concerns a multi-use wader system including a base wader, a removable outer bib or protective pant (hereinafter “bib/pant.”) cover and a tear-away insulated liner. A tear-away insulated liner is worn by a wearer beneath the base wader in that the tear-away insulated liner is coupled to the inner wall of the base wader. The removable outer bib/pant is worn at an outer portion the base wader. The tear-away insulated liner is constructed so as to be removable while wearing the base wader and removable outer bib/pant. The tear-away insulated liner can be removed both when wearing just the base wader, as well as when the removable outer bib/pant attaches to the base wader.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

One of the most popular types of hunting for waterfowl and fishing involves the wearer positioning himself in water surrounded by dead timber in the field. In these environments, hunters and fishermen wear waders to keep them warm and dry in standing water and hunting jackets to keep their upper body warm, as well as to provide them storage and access to all of the shotgun shell, duck calls, fishing lures, and other items necessary to make a hunting or fishing trip a success.

For waterfowl hunting, a wearer may walk, ride a 4-wheeler, or even navigate a boat into standing water. In all of these situations, the wearer may go in and out of the water many times as he moves about a timber/wetlands region.

Hunting takes place in rugged, harsh environments, and frequently at extreme cold and hot temperatures. Many of the hunters who enjoy the sport hunt numerous days throughout the year; sometimes 40, 50, and even 60 or more days throughout the year in these harsh and wet outdoor environments. Some even more serious sportsmen or professional hunters may spend 100 or more days annually in these outdoor conditions. Sometimes, in these outdoor environments, wind chill factors can range to near or well below zero. The equipment these hunters and fishermen use must be rugged and reliable. Both hunting jackets and waders for waterfowl hunters must be durable and reliable for these harsh and extreme outdoor conditions. Because hard-core hunters cannot depend on the weather conditions, they must depend on their equipment to keep warm, comfortable, and dry.

Typically, waders for use by these outdoorsmen include waist-high waders and chest-high waders. Waders allow an individual to walk into a stream or lake without getting wet their feet, legs and under garments. Waders are typically made up from a waterproof breathable nylon or polyester fabric, or neoprene (or even rubber). Generally, waders are constructed using sewn or sealed seams that may be heat-sealed or welded sonically on the inside of the leg and/or outside of the leg portions. Here, at least two pieces of fabric are stitched and heat, or otherwise, sealed to construct the waders.

Several designs waders have been disclosed in the past to address the problems here discussed. One such example is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 7,770,235. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,770,235, improved fishing waders use a light-weight nylon faced laminate material and taped unsewn sonic welds to achieve durable, light weight, comfortable waders.

Another example of waders is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,440. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,440, chest waders are disclosed that demonstrate advantageous features with respect to securing the waders to an individual with increased flexibility for movement without straining the seams of the waders, as well as hand warming capabilities and pocket draining elements.

Another example of waders is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,964. U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,964 discloses a pair of waders that is shaped to allow for ease of movement in the hip and knee areas and that have seams running vertically on the anterior and posterior sides of the leg portions. The waders are designed to alleviate discomfort caused by stiff seams and to address the problem of seam abrasion. The waders are made of breathable fabric, and the seams are sewn and sealed. The waders can include, optionally, a foot-covering device and a cinching device. In the preferred embodiment of U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,964, the seams are sealed with a thermoplastic adhesive tape.

It should be understood that the prior art waders discussed above have several problems. The waders discussed above show multiple stitches and/or seams that present potential leakage points for water. In addition, placement of the seams or stitching may abrade and separate prematurely leading to leakage of water into the waders. Further, the fabric, if adhered, may deteriorate, which in turn may cause leakages. In general, prior art waders for waterfowl, fishing and rugged outdoor activities have proven inferior to the demands of the harsh environments in which outdoorsmen seek to wear them.

In addition, waders may be provided with an insulated liner to use as an additional layer to provide warmth to the wearer while hunting or fishing waterfowl. Not all insulated wader liners are removable. For removable liners, the wearer must decide to install the insulated liner before the hunt, as well as what to do when he desires to remove the liner. Typically, the wearer must find a dry spot or duck blind and take off the outer layer of waders before he can remove the insulated liner. However, once the wearer gets into water for hunting, it is generally impractical or impossible to find a dry spot or duck blind to remove the insulated liner and then get back to a hunting position. As such, the wearer must choose amongst (a) warmth in the early or cold part of a hunting or fishing trip followed by uncomfortable warmth later in the afternoon, (b) uncomfortable chills in the early or cold part of a hunting or fishing trip followed by possibly warmer weather later in the day, or (c) struggling to find a convenient place to remove all of the wader and protective bib/pant to be able to remove the insulated layer. None of these options is ideal.

Therefore, there is a need for a waders that provide improved versatility, and leakage prevention for fishing and other outdoor sporting activities.

Moreover, there is a need for improved waders that provide superior versatility and leakage prevention in a wide variety of harsh and wet outdoor environments, including waterfowl hunting, fishing, and even harsh and wet outdoor work environments where temperature extremes and water exposure limit hunter, fisherman, or worker optimal performance and durability.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure includes a multi-use wader system having a removable, tear-away insulated liner providing improved versatility and leakage prevention for outdoor hunting, fishing other activities in standing or slowly moving water.

According to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, here is provided a multi-use wader system, method of using, and method for manufacturing the multi-use wader system for keeping a wearer dry in harsh and wet outdoor environments. The disclosed subject matter includes a multi-use wader system having a base wader, a removable, tear-away insulated liner, and a removable outer bib/pant. The base wader permits a wearer to remain dry in a body of standing or slowly moving water. The base wader includes, for example, waterproof and breathable fabric and/or other materials to keep the wearer dry. In these waders are a plurality of seams. Tapes covers over the plurality of seams for preventing water from flowing or leaking through the base wader seams. An outer protective bib/pant is positioned outside the base wader fabric for providing a plurality of sewn or welded seams features including pockets, seat covers, knee covers, decorative styling, and additional protective layers, normally found in base wader and other sewn features.

The tear-away insulated liner is configured for wearing beneath the base wader and has a height not higher than the top of the base wader. The tear-away insulated liner covers the wearer and retains the wearer's body heat while wearing the base wader. The tear-away insulated liner is configured for permitting the wearer to tear away and remove the insulated liner while wearing the base wader and protective and removable outer bib/pant. The tear-away insulated liner may be worn with the base wader by itself or with the removable outer bib/pant attached to the outside of the base wader. When removing the tear-away insulated liner, the user does not need to remove the base wader and the removable outer bib/pant.

Here is provided a multi-layer, multi-use wader system for keeping a wearer dry in a variety of harsh and wet outdoor environments. The presently disclosed wader system may present four or more different uses through selective assembly of single, comprehensive configuration of the pieces (base wader, insulated liner, and outer bib) making up the wader system here described.

The presently disclosed tear-away insulated liner is configured for wearing beneath the base wader and having a height not higher than the top of the base wader. The tear-away insulated liner is used for covering the wearer and retaining the wearer's body heat while the wearer wears the base wader. Tear-away insulated liner is configured for permitting the wearer to tear away and remove the tear-away insulated liner while wearing the base wader without the removable outer bib. As such, the wearer does not have to find a duck blind or dry ground to remove the base wader and removable outer bib/pant in order to remove the tear-away insulated liner.

The base wader, the tear-away insulated liner and the removable outer bib/pant may selectively form (a) an insulated configuration when associating the base wader with the tear-away insulated liner and the removable outer bib/pant; (b) an uninsulated configuration when associating the base wader only with the removable outer bib/pant; (c) an insulated configuration when associating the base wader only with the tear-away insulated liner; and/or (d) an uninsulated configuration when associating the base wader with neither the tear-away insulated liner nor the removable outer bib/pant. Depending on the outdoor environment, these alternative configurations may be use for varying hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

The base wader includes a waterproof and breathable fabric including a plurality of seams. The plurality of seams in the base wader includes tape for covering seams for preventing water from flowing or leaking through the plurality of seams of base wader fabric. The number of seams in the base wader is generally smaller than in prior art waders. Moreover, the outer protective cover includes a plurality of sewn or welded seams features. Placing these features on the outside protective cover prevents water from leaking to the inner side of base wader.

The presently disclosed outer protective cover, therefore, is placed over the base wader fabric and provides a technical advantage of transferring seams to the outer protective cover from the base wader fabric. This reduces the number of seams in base wader fabric and the associated leakage points through which water to leak and contact with the wearer. In known waders, functional pockets and protective high-wear areas such as knee covers, seat covers, and boot covers are formed into the wader using sewn or otherwise sealed seams. Transferring these functional areas from the base wader to the outer protective bib/pant cover reduces seams and the associated potential for leakage.

In addition, the outer protection cover can be worn separately, as a hunting bib/pant, by itself, for brushing blinds, training dogs, hunting in layout blinds or pits and so on. Thus, multi-use wader system can be used as five-in-one wader system.

Still further objects, technical aspects and advantages of the presently disclosed multi-use wader system including the tear-away insulated liner providing improved versatility and leakage prevention for fishing and other outdoor sporting activities will become apparent upon reading the technical description and considering the claims appearing below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present subject matter will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of the subject matter so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter. Notably, the FIGUREs and examples are not meant to limit the scope of the present subject matter to a single embodiment, but other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements and, further, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates use of the presently disclosed multi-use wader system in a typical water-borne environment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the multi-use wader system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts the constituent components of an embodiment of the presently disclosed multi-use wader system;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the insulated liner system provided by the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 5 illustrates the construction of the insulated liner embodiment for providing a tear-away removal feature according to the present subject matter;

FIG. 6 shows a one-piece tear-away insulated liner according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate selected aspects of the base wader system of the present disclosure showing from the inside potential leak points in the base wader fabric;

FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of the outer shell construction according to the presently disclosed system;

FIG. 10 provides a rear view of the base wader of the present disclosure to illustration that the rear of the base wader provides a protective seat cover;

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate layering aspects of constituent components of an embodiment of the presently disclosed multi-use wader system;

FIG. 13 depicts removal of the insulated liner of the present disclosure while wearing the base wader and removable outer bib;

FIG. 14 illustrates the zipper configuration of the presently disclosed multi-use wader system;

FIG. 15 depicts a waist-high embodiment of the presently disclosed multi-use wader system;

FIG. 16 shows an insulated liner for use in the waist high embodiment of the presently disclosed wader system;

FIG. 17 illustrates a waist high embodiment of the base wader system of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 18 and 19 present a simplified alternative embodiment of an integrated multi-layer, multi-use wader system according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments in which the presently disclosed subject matter can be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed method and system. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in functional or conceptual diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the presently disclosed method and system.

In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting. Rather, the subject matter preferably encompasses other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, the applicant does not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present subject matter encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.

Although the present disclosure provides a description of multi-use wader system for keeping a wearer dry in a body of water and for providing improved versatility and leakage prevention for outdoor sporting activities, it should be understood that the description is by way of example only and is not to be construed in a limiting sense. It is to be further understood that numerous changes may arise in the details of the embodiments of this multi-use wader system for keeping a wearer dry in a body of water and for providing improved versatility, and leakage prevention for fishing and other outdoor sporting activities. It is contemplated that all such changes and additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of this disclosure, as claimed below.

For purposes of the present disclosure, herein appear references to terms such as “water-resistant,” “water proof,” “breathable waterproof,” “windproof” and “breathable”, and combinations of the above. The purpose of these terms is not be unduly limiting, but to include any material or construction wherein the purpose is to protect the wearer from getting wet while standing in water. So, where the term waterproof may be used, so too may the terms water-resistant, waterproof breathable, windproof and different combinations of similar terms. When such terms are used, the related subject matter is not to be unduly limited, but is to include all such embodiments as being clearly within the scope the disclosed and claimed subject matter.

FIG. 1 illustrates outdoor scenario 10 wherein wearer 12 stands in water 14 holding duck decoy 16 wearing hunting jacket 18. Hunting jacket 18 is fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/730,505, entitled “Waterfowl Hunting Coat with Integrated Multi-Functional Pocket Suite and Methods of Use for Improved Hunting Efficiency, Safety, And Enjoyment,” Attorney Docket No. DRAK001US0, and filed on Oct. 11, 2017 and herein expressly incorporated by reference.

FIG. 2 shows multi-use wader system 20 of the present disclosure to illustrate base wader 22 and removable outer bib 26. On base wader 22 appear shoulder straps 28. Removable outer bib 26 includes six shotgun shell holders 30. Shoulder straps 28 include D-ring 38 and D-ring 40. Chest pockets 32, hand warmer pockets 34, and upper pocket 36 (accessible via pocket flap 42) are arranged as a pocket suite at chest region 44. Pocket flap 42 attaches to chest region 44 using magnetic flaps or other attachment means.

Removable outer bib 26 includes belt 48 for securing removable outer bib 26 around the wearer's mid torso region. Protective covers 50 provide an outer surface on the wearer's knees for removable outer bib 26. Removable outer bib 26 goes down to ankle region 52 for providing

Referring to FIG. 3, tear-away insulated liner 24 is configured for wearing beneath base wader 22 and has a height not higher than the top of base wader 22, that is, insulated liner 24 has use in both a waist-high and upper torso or chest high wader 22. Tear-away insulated liner 24 is used for covering the wearer and retaining the wearer's body heat while the wearer wears base wader 22. Tear-away insulated liner 24 is configured for permitting the wearer to tear away and remove the tear-away insulated liner 24 while wearing base wader 22. Insulated liner 24 can be worn beneath base wader 22 and removable outer bib/pant 26 and 182 (FIG. 17) and then be removed without having to remove either base wader 22 or removable outer bib/pant 26/182. As such, the wearer does not have to find a duck blind, boat or dry ground to remove base wader 22 and removable outer bib/pant 26/182 in order to remove the tear-away insulated liner 24, as has been done with prior art liners.

FIG. 3 also illustrates removable pant 182 also designed to cover base wader 22. Protective pant 182 includes lower torso cover 183, knee cover section 206, as well as belt loops 194. In such situations, such as protective pant 182 more than satisfies this need for protection against rugged environmental features. In addition, removable outer bib 26 or protective pant 182 may be worn separately, as a hunting bib/pant, by itself, for brushing blinds, training dogs, hunting and so on.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of insulated liner 24. Insulated liner 24 may be formed from a quilted insulating fabric 56 having a quilted or other pattern 58 for holding insulation of various types having a quilted or other pattern 58 for retaining the wearer's body warmth. Insulated liner 24 further includes attachment band 60, which may be formed of Velcro or other attachment means, for permitting insulating liner 24 attachment to the interior surface of base wader 22. In addition, Velcro or attachment patches 62, in one embodiment, permit attaching the lower portion of insulated liner 24 to the inside of base wader 22 (FIG. 3).

Insulated liner 24 provides body-mapped insulation having, in an embodiment, a predetermined thickness of approximately 125-gram insulation for covering the front portion of the wearer's body. This has been shown to be an optimal thickness to permit optimal mobility. On the back portion of insulated liner 24, an embodiment possesses a thickness of approximately 200-gram insulation. This has been shown to be an optimal thickness for covering the rear portion of the wearer's body to permit optimal warmth retention at the wearer's body in the outdoor environment. However, varying insulation thicknesses and configurations are fully within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a tear-away insulated liner 24, in accordance with one of two different embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, an exploded view of tear-away insulated liner 24 provides front portion 70 and rear portion 72. Front portion 70 includes first leg segment 74 and second leg segment 76. Similarly, rear portion 72 includes third leg segment 78 and fourth leg segment 80. Insulated liner 24 uses plurality of hook and loop attachment pads 82 to secure insulated liner 24 to a wearer's body and to base wader 22. Front portion 70 includes plurality of first hook and loop or Velcro® branded attachment pads 84. Rear leg portion 72 is provided with plurality of hook and loop attachment pads 86. Plurality of hook and loop attachment pads 88 and 90 include, but not limited to Velcro® branded, magnets, and other similar mechanism used for mounting to other objects.

It should be understood that a plurality of hook and loop attachment pads 88 and 90 might be placed at equal distance from one another. In another example, plurality of hook and loop attachment pads 88 and 90 might be placed at varied distance from another. It should be understood that the plurality of first hook and loop attachment

FIG. 6 shows a one-piece tear-away insulated liner according to an alternative embodiment insulated liner 100 of insulated liner 100. For example, first portion 102 may be sewn to second portion 104 at seam 106. That is, seam 106 forms insulated liner 100 into a single liner that can be used to cover the wearer's legs. By matching the hook and loop attachment pads 108 to corresponding pads 110, insulated layer 100 will surround the wearers body. Hook and loop attachment or Velcro® branded strips 112 provide the ability for insulated liner 102 fastened to the upper inner portion of base wider 24. Likewise, hook and loop attachment pads 114 at the bottom of the insulated layer insulated liner 100 permit attachment to the interior surface of base wader 24 at the ankle.

Seams and stitches are potential leak points for base wader 22. Attempts to reduce the effect of these leak points include placing seam tape over the stitches Specifically, FIGS. 7 and 8 both shows seam tape covering their respective potential leak points. It should be understood that numerous stitches result in having more needle holes that might lead to leakage of water through the wader. All of these seams create opportunities for water leakage into waders.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate selected aspects of the base wader system of the present disclosure showing potential leak points in the base wader fabric. FIG. 7 illustrates a prior art wader 130 interior surface 132. In this configuration, interior surface 132 includes seams 134, 136, 138 and 140. These seams are covered by seam tape and associate with a belt that such a wader may use. In addition, seams 142 and 144, also covered by seam tape, relate to pockets that may be sewn on prior art wader 130.

In contrast to the tape and seams of FIG. 7, FIG. 8 shows the interior surface of the presently disclosed base wader 22. Seam 166 covers the entire length of base wader 22 and is sealed by tap to prevent water leakage.

FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of the outer shell construction of the presently disclosed system. By introduction of removable outer cover 26 for base wader 22, removable outer bib/pant 26/182 allows transfer of seams to removable outer bib/pant 26 from the base wader 22, thereby reducing seams in base wader 22 and reduces leakage points for water to leak and coming in contact with the wearer.

In the above example, base wader 22 covers up to up the chest height and removable outer bib/pant 26 is provided until mid-torso. Other embodiments may include body coverage to just below the top of base wader 22. As such, removable outer bib/pant 26 comes in contact with water when the wearer gets into water for fishing. Removable outer bib/pant 26 undergoes the wear and tear that base wader 22 would otherwise experience to reduce the effect of the wear and tear on the base wader fabric.

FIG. 10 shows removable outer bib/pant 26/182 from a rear perspective. From the rear perspective of FIG. 10, removable outer bib/pant 26 shows back panel 170 above protective seat section 174. Protective seat section 174 includes back legs and upper posterior region and continues to lower seam 176. Lower section 178 of removable outer bib/pant 26 covers base wader 24 and interfaces with boots 54

FIG. 11 illustrates a top-down view of insulated liner 100 of the present disclosure. Insulated liner 100 of FIG. 11. shows first portion 102 sewn to the second portion 104 at seam 106. Hook and loop attachment pads 108 and corresponding hook and loop attachment pads 110 permit affixing insulated liner 100 to the wearer's body.

A top down view of insulated liner 100 appears in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 further shows the multi-component configuration of multi-use water system 20 of the present disclosure. This includes placing base wader 22 as a layer surrounding insulated liner 100 (or insulated liner 24). Over base wader 22 appears removable outer bib/pant 26. Hook and loop attachment patches connect on base wader 22 and removable outer bib/pant 26 causes the engagement or affixing of base wader 22 to outer removable outer bib/pant 26.

FIG. 13 illustrates the tear away feature for insulated liner 24 or insulated liner 100 of the present disclosure. Chest region 44 of multi-use wader system 20, may be lowered, so the wearer may detach hook and loop attachment strip 60 from the front and the back of base wader, as well as from attachment pads 108 and 110 (FIG. 6).

Thereafter, the wearer may pull insulated liner 24 up from multi-use wader system 20. By separating insulated liner 24 from base wader 22 and removable outer bib/pant 26, insulated liner 24 may be extracted from multi-use wider system 20.

FIG. 14 further illustrates the use of the zippered seam 46 appearing in multi-use wader system 20 for attaching removable outer bib/26 to two chest region 44 of base wader 24. By unzipping zippered seam 46, simple removal of removable outer bib/pant 26 provides for direct use of base wader 22 separate and apart from removable outer bib/pant 26. As the wearer can remove tear-away insulated liner 24 without having to remove base wader 22 or removable outer bib/pant 26, the wearer can stand in the water and remove tear-away insulated liner 24. As a result, the wearer does not have to find a duck blind or dry ground to remove the base wader 22 and removable outer bib/pant 26 in order to remove tear-away insulated liner 24. After removing tear-away insulated liner 24, the wearer can store tear-away insulated liner 24 in the rear cargo pocket of hunting jacket 16. Subsequently; the wearer can hunt wearing only base wader 22 and removable outer bib/pant 26.

FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment of waist-high multi-use wader system 180 of the present disclosure. In waist-high multi-use wader system 180, removable outer pant 182 can be constructed similar to removable outer pant 26 explained above. Waist-high removable outer pant 182 can be worn over the waist-high base wader 184. Waist-high base wader 184 includes shoulder straps or suspenders 186 attaching to suspenders base 188. Waist band 190 receives belt 192 fits within belt loops 194 for securing wader system 180 to the wearer's body.

FIG. 16 depicts tear-away insulated liner 200, which may be constructed similar to tear-away insulated liner 24, as explained above. Tear-away insulated liner 200 is placed over the wearer's body and beneath waist-high base wader 184. Tear-away insulated liner 200 is configured for permitting the wearer to tear away and remove tear-away insulated liner 200 while wearing waist-high base wader system 184 and waist-high removable outer bib/pant 182 without having to remove either waist-high base wader 184 or waist-high removable outer bib/pant 182.

FIG. 17 illustrates waist-high base wader includes protective pant 182. Thus waist-high base wader system 184 may be used without waist-high removable outer bib/pant 182 in outdoor environments not requiring the protection it affords. Waist-high protective pant 182 includes belt loops for harnessing to waist-high base wader 184, for providing protection to waist-high base wader in harsh environments. As with removable outer bib/pant 26, above, protective pant 182 includes protective fabric pads 206. Also, not shown, protective pant 182 preferably includes rear seat section 174 of removable outer bib/pant 26.

Based on the above, it is evident that multi-use wader system disclosed here keeps the wearer dry in a body of standing water and provides improved versatility, and leakage prevention for fishing and other outdoor sporting activities. Multi-layer multi-use wader system includes base fishing wader having a multiple-layer water-proof/breathable wader fabric. The removable outer bib/pant delivers two more layers of protection. Further, the present disclosure provides a reinforced fabric placed over the boots, knees, and seat area for extending the lifespan of the base wader.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate components of an alternative embodiment integrated wader system 210 that is fully consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure. Integrated wader system 210 includes base wader 212 and outer protective pant 214. Both base wader 212 and protective pant 214 are simpler in design and, for some hunting scenarios, may be more advantageous. However, the combination of base wader 212 with protective pant 214 provides the presently described and claimed multi-layer, multi-use integrated wader system as the various embodiment here disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 18, base wader 212 includes waist-high wader 216. Waist-high base wader 216 may be secured to the wearer's body using belt 218 and shoulder straps 220. Protective cover 214 offers a significantly simpler embodiment than that of protective cover 182 of FIG. 17. Protective cover 214 includes pant fabric 222 which would cover base wader 216. Belt loops 224 permit attaching protective cover 214 over base wader 212 by connecting with belt 218. While protective cover 214 does not include the kneepads such as those provided by protective cover 182, a different material 226 may be used for water resistance and other purposes. In addition, various ventilation holes 228 may optionally be included. In essence, however, the function and features of the simplified integrated wader system to 10 are within the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter.

Base wader 212 may not include a seat cover on the back of the pants 218 for protecting or keeping warm the wearer. There is no additional fabric or protection sewn to the top of protective cover 214; in contrast to protective cover 182 of FIG. 17. Nonetheless, the feature of providing a protective cover that reduces seams and penetrations in base wader 212 is an important aspect of simplified integrated wader system 210.

It is to be noted that seams and penetrations may still exist when seams are welded or adhered to form base wader 212. Thus, the type of seam (adhered, welded or sewn) is immaterial to the fact that such seams give rise to leakage opportunities. The simplified integrated wader system 210 of FIGS. 18 and 19 achieves the purpose of shifting seams from base wader 212 to protective cover 214. Although the simplified system integrated wader system 210 of the present disclosure includes the benefit of transferring seams, and leakage points, to protective cover 214, without the afore described features and functions, the simplified integrated wader system 210 provides a less desirable product. Thus, the subject matter of the present disclosure preferably includes the features and functions appearing in the integrated multi-layer, multi-use wader system 20 described in FIGS. 1 through 17 above.

The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and subject matter disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. The claimed subject matter set forth in the claims is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed subject matter

The wearer can wear multi-use wader system 20 including base chest wader 22, removable outer bib/pant 26 and tear-away insulated liner 24 in multiple ways. The wearer can use the base chest wader 22 with tear-away insulated liner 24 and removable outer bib/pant 26 selectively and configure them to form the following:

(a) an insulated configuration when associating the base chest wader with the tear-away insulated liner and removable outer bib;

(b) an uninsulated configuration when associating the base chest wader only with removable outer bib;

(c) an insulated configuration when associating the base chest wader only with the tear-away insulated liner; and/or

(d) an uninsulated configuration when associating base chest wader with neither the tear-away insulated liner nor the removable outer bib. Thus, present disclosure provides a novel multi-use wader system in selectively using the base chest wader with removable outer bib/pant and the tear-away insulated liner.

In addition, outer protection cover can be worn separately, as a hunting bib, by itself, for brushing blinds, training dogs, hunting and so on. Thus, multi-use wader system explained above can be used as five-in-one wader system. In the current embodiment, outer protection cover can be provided as a waist-high protective pant and can be worn with removable outer bib.

Although it is explained that multi-use wader system includes the base chest wader, the removable outer bib/pant and the tear-away insulated liner, multi-use wader system may also be provided with base waist-high wader, removable outer bib/pant and the tear-away insulated liner. Base waist-high wader includes a waist-high or torso high configuration having a height of approximately the waist region or above torso region of the wearer.

Claims

1. A multi-use wader system for keeping a wearer dry in a wide variety of harsh and wet outdoor environments, said multi-use wader system comprising: a base wader for permitting a wearer to remain dry in a body of water, said base wader comprising a waterproof and breathable fabric and plurality of seams, said plurality of seams comprising tapes covering over said plurality of seams for preventing water from flowing or leaking through said plurality of seams; anda removable outer bib/pant, comprising alternatively a removable outer bib or protective pant comprising an outer protective cover positioned outside said base wader for providing a plurality of sewn or welded seams features;said removable outer protective cover comprising an outer surface for protecting the base wader fabric from encountering fabric-damaging objects in said body of water; anda wearer-separable means for permitting the wearer to separate and remove said removable outer bib/pant from said base wader.

2. The multi-use wader system of claim 1, further comprising a tear-away insulated liner configured for wearing beneath said base wader and comprising a height not higher than the top of said base wader, and configured for covering the wearer and retaining the wearer's body heat while the wearer wears said base wader, and further configured for permitting the wearer to tear away and remove said tear-away insulated liner while wearing said base wader and said removable outer bib/pant without having to remove said base wader and said removable outer bib/pant; and said base wader, said tear-away insulated liner and said removable outer bib/pant may selectively form (a) an insulated configuration when associating said base wader with said tear-away insulated liner and said removable outer bib/pant (b) an uninsulated configuration when associating said base wader only with said removable outer bib; (c) an insulated configuration when associating said base wader only with said tear-away insulated liner; and/or (d) an uninsulated configuration when associating said base wader with neither said tear-away insulated liner nor said removable bib.

3. The multi-use wader system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hook and loop attachment pads affixed to said tear-away insulated liner for removably securing said tear-away insulated liner to the wearer's body and inner walls of said base wader.

4. The multi-use wader system of claim 1, wherein said tear-away insulated liner comprises body-mapped insulation for covering the front portion and the rear portion of the wearer's body to permit optimal mobility and to permit optimal warmth to the wearer's body in an outdoor environment.

5. The multi-use wader system of claim 1, wherein said outer protective cover for protecting said wader from wear and tear arising from exposure to outdoor environments.

6. The multi-use wader system of claim 1, further said base wader comprises alternatively a base chest wader or a base waist-high wader, said base chest wader comprising a chest high configuration having a height of approximately the chest region of the wearer, and said base waist-high wader comprising a waist-high configuration having a height of approximately the waist region of the wearer.

7. A method for keeping a wearer dry in a wide variety of harsh and wet outdoor environments, comprising the steps of: providing a base wader for permitting a wearer to remain dry in a body of water, said base wader comprising a waterproof and breathable fabric and plurality of seams, said plurality of seams comprising tapes covering over said plurality of seams for preventing water from flowing or leaking through said plurality of seams; andproviding a removable outer bib/pant, comprising alternatively a removable outer bib or protective pant comprising an outer protective cover positioned outside said base wader for providing a plurality of sewn or welded seams features;providing said removable outer protective cover to comprise an outer surface for protecting the base wader fabric from encountering fabric-damaging objects in said body of water; andproviding a wearer-separable means for permitting said wearer to separate and remove said removable outer bib/pant from said base wader.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of providing a tear-away insulated liner configured for wearing beneath said base wader and comprising a height not higher than the top of said base wader, and configuring said tear-away insulated liner for covering the wearer and retaining the wearer's body heat while the wearer wears said base wader, and further configured for permitting the wearer to tear away and remove said tear-away insulated liner while wearing said base wader and said removable outer bib/pant without having to remove said base wader and said removable outer bib/pant; and providing said base wader, said tear-away insulated liner and said removable outer bib/pant to selectively form (a) an insulated configuration when associating said base wader with said tear-away insulated liner and said removable outer bib/pant (b) an uninsulated configuration when associating said base wader only with said removable outer bib; (c) an insulated configuration when associating said base wader only with said tear-away insulated liner; and/or (d) an uninsulated configuration when associating said base wader with neither said tear-away insulated liner nor said removable bib.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of placing a plurality of hook and loop attachment pads on said tear-away insulated liner for permitting a wearer to removably secure said tear-away insulated liner to the wearer's body and to inner walls of said base wader.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of providing on said tear-away insulated liner a body-mapped insulation for covering the front portion and the rear portion of the wearer's body to permit optimal mobility and to permit optimal warmth to the wearer's body in an outdoor environment.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising reducing the seams and associated openings by placing said seams and associated openings on said outer protective layer.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of providing said outer protective bib/pant for protecting said base wader from wear and tear arising from exposure to outdoor environments.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of forming said tear-away insulated liner having a height of not higher than the top of the chest region for the chest high wader or not higher than the top of the waist for the waist high wader.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of forming said tear-away insulated liner as a chest high configuration having a height of approximately the chest region of the wearer.

15. A method for manufacturing a multi-use wader system for keeping a wearer dry in a wide variety of harsh and wet outdoor environments, said multi-use wader system comprising: making a base wader for permitting a wearer to remain dry in a body of water, said base wader comprising a waterproof and breathable fabric and plurality of seams, said plurality of seams comprising tapes covering over said plurality of seams for preventing water from flowing or leaking through said plurality of seams; andmaking a removable outer bib/pant, comprising alternatively a removable outer bib or protective pant comprising an outer protective cover positioned outside said base wader for providing a plurality of sewn or welded seams features;making said removable outer protective cover to comprise an outer surface for protecting the base wader fabric from encountering fabric-damaging objects in said body of water; andfurther making a wearer-separable means for permitting the wearer to separate and remove said removable outer bib/pant from said base wader.

16. The manufacturing method for a multi-use wader system of claim 15, further comprising a tear-away insulated liner configured for wearing beneath said base wader and comprising a height not higher than the top of said base wader, and configured for covering the wearer and retaining the wearer's body heat while the wearer wears said base wader, and further configured for permitting the wearer to tear away and remove said tear-away insulated liner while wearing said base wader and said removable outer bib/pant without having to remove said base wader and said removable outer bib/pant; and making said base wader, said tear-away insulated liner and said removable outer bib/pant to selectively form (a) an insulated configuration when associating said base wader with said tear-away insulated liner and said removable outer bib/pant (b) an uninsulated configuration when associating said base wader only with said removable outer bib; (c) an insulated configuration when associating said base wader only with said tear-away insulated liner; and/or (d) an uninsulated configuration when associating said base wader with neither said tear-away insulated liner nor said removable bib.

17. The manufacturing method for a multi-use wader system of claim 15, further comprising the step of manufacturing a plurality of hook and loop attachment pads affixed to said tear-away insulated liner for removably securing said tear-away insulated liner to the wearer's body and said base wader and inner walls of said base wader.

18. The manufacturing method for a multi-use wader system of claim 15, further comprising the step of manufacturing said tear-away insulated liner to comprise body-mapped insulation for covering the front portion and the rear portion of the wearer's body to permit optimal mobility and to permit optimal warmth to the wearer's body in an outdoor environment.

19. The manufacturing method for a multi-use wader system of claim 15, further comprising the step of manufacturing said outer protective cover for protecting said base wader from wear and tear arising from exposure to outdoor environments.