Patent Application
20220287394
The present invention generally relates to the field of apparel for use in extreme conditions. More specifically, the present invention relates to a waterproof thermal flotation suit system waterproof thermal flotation suit system and methods of use. This novel waterproof thermal flotation suit system is designed for safety and comfort, the waterproof thermal flotation suit system that allows a wearer to keep his body temperature at normal levels while afloat in water and freezing conditions.
One of the most popular types of hunting for waterfowl and fishing involves a 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. However, there are needs for different types of protective equipment in many different types of environments. These may include military uses, commercial fishing endeavors, and outdoor situations such as oil fields and other places where individuals are or groups of individuals are seeking to harness environmental energy sources, which efforts caused them to be exposed to different liquid or water-based environment. Many times, these environments can take on extreme in cold temperatures requiring protection of the individual's body.
For waterfowl hunting, the wearer or user or hunter 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 and outdoor environments, and frequently at extreme cold and hot temperatures. Sometimes, in these 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. Again, however, hunting and fishing or just examples of the many different scenarios where a wearable suit can provide both warmth and buoyancy in water or liquid environment.
Typically, waders for use by the hunters 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 allow an individual to encounter a body of water, rain, sleet, snow or ocean spray, without getting their body and other garments wet. Waders also 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.
In extreme weather conditions, with conventional waders, if water invades the integrity of the waders, then there is a chance of adding weight thus sinking the wearer below the surface. The wearer has to remove the waders quickly while under water and risk exposing himself to conditions that could cause death.
Therefore, there is a need for a wader suit system that is waterproof, floatable and keeps the wearer's body temperature at normal levels while submerged or afloat in water and freezing conditions. Moreover, there is a need for an improved wader suit system that can work with or without conventional waders and keeps the wearer's body temperature at normal levels in extreme conditions without compromising the interior of the wader suit system.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a wader suit system that allows the wearer's body temperature at normal levels while submerged in water and freezing conditions and avoids the drawback of known waders.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wader suit system that allows a wearer to be safe while engaged in various activities where the wearer is in an environment where drowning or hypothermia could occur.
In order to overcome the limitations here stated, the present invention provides a wader suit system that includes an upper section and a lower section. The lower section uses current methods of building waders by layering materials to create a comfortable interior layer and waterproof outer layer. In one example, the lower section provides rubber boots attached at the distal ends of each leg of the waders i.e., lower section (or removable boots lace up using a bootie type wader). The upper section comes in the shape of a jacket with sleeves. The upper section is waterproof and attaches to the bottom section. In one example, the upper section is attached to the bottom section using a watertight zipper or permanently sewn together.
In one implementation, the upper section includes a variety of pockets, or other storage compartments allowing the wearer to store items. Optionally, the pockets allow the wearer to position his hands for warming. Additionally, the upper section includes a pocketed area for the inflation of the personal flotation device (PFD). The PFD is attached to the straps of the lower section, either permanently or temporarily, using hook and loop or other securing means.
In one technical advantage of the present subject matter, the upper section and the lower section include an upper liner and a lower liner that mount beneath the section and the lower section, respectively. The upper liner and the lower liner present a micro-wire that connects to a control panel. Optionally, the upper section includes a heated hood, heated gloves, heated pants and heated socks, each of them having a micro-wire. The wearer operates the control panel to set the desired temperature of the micro-wire. The temperature of micro-wire is transferred to the wearer's body to keep his body temperature at normal or required levels while submerged in water and freezing conditions.
In one example, the wader suit system may include an on-board battery for charging USB devices that acts as a back-up power source. There may also be a rechargeable power source that uses a USB port for charging other devices. In fact, there may be a separate, dedicated back up charging module associated with the system. This could readily provide the option in a control module for a USB charging port, with controllers optionally located on the upper and or lower part of the system.
In one alternate embodiment, the wearer wears the upper section (jacket) beneath the lower section (wader). Alternatively, the wearer interchangeably uses the upper section having heated hood, heated gloves, heated pants and heated socks depending on the need.
The wader suit system allows the wearer to be safe while engaged in various activities where the wearer is in an environment where drowning or hypothermia could occur. While staying afloat and dry, with the assistance of a PFD permanently or, even temporarily, attached to the wader straps, the wearer adds a greater level of safety. The wader suit system is waterproof so that water would not compromise the interior of the wader suit system. The wader suit system keeps the wearer's body temperature at normal levels while submerged or afloat in water and freezing conditions.
Features and advantages of the presently disclosed wader suit system for improved hunting for efficiency, safety, and enjoyment hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying FIGUREs. As will be realized, the invention disclosed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of the invention as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. Notably, the FIGUREs and examples are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention 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:
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 invention may 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 wader suit system. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed invention 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 wader suit system.
In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting. Rather, the invention 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 to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.
Although the present invention describes a wader suit system, it is to be further understood that numerous changes may arise in the details of the embodiments of the wader suit system. It is contemplated that all such changes and additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of this invention.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
It should be understood that the present invention describes a wader suit system that helps to maintain body temperature of a wearer in extreme conditions, while dry and afloat.
The wader suit system includes a heated jacket system having an upper liner. The upper liner connects beneath the heated jacket system. The upper liner includes a first micro-wire. The heated jacket system includes a control panel. The wader suit system further includes a lower section having a chest portion and legs. The lower section encompasses a lower liner having a second micro-wire. The second micro-wire connects to the control panel. The heated jacket system connects over the lower section. Alternatively, the heated jacket system connects beneath the lower section. The control panel allows the wearer to control the temperature of said first micro-wire and said second micro-wire for maintaining body temperature of the wearer in extreme conditions such as in water and freezing conditions.
Various features and embodiments of a wader suit system are explained in conjunction with the description of
In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a wader suit system that allows to maintain body temperature of a wearer at normal levels in extreme conditions i.e., in water and freezing conditions.
However, whatever may be the choice of heated jacket system 20 material, such material needs to be appropriate for the rigorous demands in various adverse weather conditions and external exposure considerations that wearer 12 faces. Over, the upper and lower sections could be separate or formed into a single construction. Such constructions may include one or more zipper or closing device. In addition, all accessories may be fixed or removable, including, but not limited to, boots, pants, socks, gloves, inner-liner upper or lower portions, jacket, wader, hood, beanie, facemask, or other portions of the system.
In one example, heated jacket system 20 provides a high-quality Guardian Elite 3 Layer Pro fabric. In another example heated jacket system 20 provides a two-layer fabric. A person skilled in the art understands that other fabric that meets the design considerations of the heated jacket system 20 fall within the scope of the disclosed inventive subject matter.
Heated jacket system 20 encompasses shoulder portion 22, chest portion 24, front torso portion 26 and back portion 28. Shoulder portion 22 includes shoulder pads 30 (right) and 32 (left) at wearer's shoulder height. Shoulder pads 30 and 32 provide cushion effect at the shoulder area of wearer 12. Chest portion 24 presents chest pockets 34 (right) and 36 (left) on each side at chest level side. Chest pockets 34 and 36 are ideal for holding keys and items that wearer 12 may want to access when wearing heated jacket system 20.
Front torso portion 26 provides utility pockets 38 (right) and 40 (left). Utility pockets 38 and 40 may also be referred to as hand warmer or storage pockets. Utility pockets 38 and 40 are preferably fleece lined and positioned near the side of heated jacket system 20. Utility pockets 38 and 40 are ideal for storing additional items that wearer 12 may want to access when wearing heated jacket system 20. Alternatively, utility pockets 38 and 40 provide a convenient place for wearer 12 to position his hand for warming. Optionally, utility pockets 38 and 40 come integrated with a zipper allowing wearer 12 to place items inside utility pockets 38 and 40 and close the zipper to secure the items.
Further, front torso portion 26 presents shell holders 42 (right) and 44 (left). Shell holders 42 and 44 provide a simple design that facilitates shotgun shell or ammunition storage and retrieval. In one example, shell holders 42 and 44 include an opening without flaps and an ergonomically friendly entry point on front torso portion 26, providing an ideal position for retrieving shells during the most active times of a hunt. In another example, shell holders 42 and 44 include zippers, thereby eliminating causes for snags or other complications in the use of shells. The arrangement and number of shell holders 42 and 44 that position on either side of front torso portion 26 may vary depending on the need.
Front torso portion 26 provides hooks 46 (right) and 48 (left) at either sides. Hooks 46 and 48 include Velcro, for example, that mount to detachable loops 180 and 182 of lower section 18.
Heated jacket system 20 provides first zipper 50 extending from shoulder portion 22 until the end of front torso portion 26. First zipper 50 separates shoulder pads 30 and 32, chest pockets 34 and 36, utility pockets 38 and 40, and shell holders 42 and 44. First zipper 50 encompasses first zipper pull 52 for closing or opening first zipper 50. Further, heated jacket system 20 presents second zipper 54 at the bottom i.e., underneath front torso portion 26. Second zipper 54 encompasses second zipper pull 56 that helps to mount and demount upper section 16 and lower section 18.
Shoulder portion 22 connects to collar 58 that sits around the neck area of wearer 12. Collar 58 provides covered compartment 60 that receives personal flotation device (PFD) 158 provided on lower section 18. As can be seen, covered compartment 60 extends from shoulder portion 22 until the bottom of chest portion 24.
Further, shoulder portion 22 attaches to sleeves 62 (right) and 64 (left). In other words, heated jacket system 20 provides sleeves 62 and 64 that extend from shoulder portion 22. Sleeves 62 and 64 include elbow pads 66 (right) and 68 (left). Elbow pads 66 and 68 provide soft and cushiony material and allow wearer 12 to rest his elbows on equipment or vehicles used while hunting. At the end of sleeves 62 and 64 appear wristbands 70 (right) and 72 (left) that mount at the wrist area of wearer 12.
In one implementation, heated jacket system 20 encompasses micro wire upper liner assembly 74.
In one implementation, upper section 16 includes gloves 100 (right) and 102 (left), as shown in
In one implementation, upper section 16 includes heated hood 116. Wearer 12 puts heated hood 116 over his head. Heated hood 116 protects the head of wearer 12 from adverse weather. In one example, collar 58 includes a collar zipper (not shown) for removing heated hood 116 when not needed. Alternatively, heated hood 116 includes a hood zipper (not shown) for zipper attachment of heated hood 116 to heated jacket system 20 with the collar zipper.
Heated hood 116 encompasses hood micro wire assembly 117.
Visor 119 presents visor micro wire assembly 123.
In one exemplary embodiment, the presently disclosed heated jacket system 20 includes a weather mask (not shown) formed of a flexible knit material for stretching over heater hood 116. The weather mask provides warmth and wind protection to wearer 12. In one example, the weather mask attaches to heater hood 116 using a weather mask attachment (not shown) positioned proximate to the back of wearer's head, and further making the weather mask always available for use when wearer 12 wears heater hood 116.
Optionally, upper section 16 connects to a pant micro-wire assembly. In one implementation, the pant micro-wire assembly mounts beneath lower section 18 and provides additional layer of comfort and temperature required for wearer 12 to keep him warm in the water and extreme conditions.
Lower section 18 presents shoulder straps 154 (right) and 156 (left) at chest area 146. In one preferred embodiment, shoulder straps 154 and 156 encompasses personal flotation device (PFD) 158. PFD 158 indicates a life jacket that is designed to assist wearer 12 to keep afloat in water. At the end, shoulder straps 154 and 156 connect buckles 160 and 162. In one example, shoulder straps 154 and 156 include rapid CO2 inflation release 164, manual inflation valve 166 and inflation port 168.
Torso area 148 presents hooks 170 and 172 such as Velcro at the sides. Under torso area 148 includes belt 174. Belt 174 includes male buckle 176 and female buckle 178. Underneath torso area 148, lower section 18 provides detachable loops 180, 182, 184, 186 and 188 that connect to hooks 46 and 48 when heated jacket system 20 mounts over lower section 18. In one example, detachable loops 180, 182, 184, 186 and 188 include Velcro 190 and 192. Further, at the waist area, lower section 18 includes a horizontal zipper 194 that connects to zipper 54.
Legs 150 and 152 provides knee pads 196 and 198 at knee length. Knee pads 196 and 198. Further, lower section 18 includes rubber boots 200 and 202. As can be seen, boots 200 and 202 attach at the distal end of legs 150 and 152, respectively.
Lower section 18 includes wader controller 204 at chest area 146. Lower section 18 includes micro wire lower liner assembly 206.
When wearer 12 is in water, he adjusts the temperature (using heat-up button 86, heat-down button 88) of micro-wires of each or all of micro wire upper liner assembly 74, first micro wire glove assembly 104, second micro wire glove assembly 110, hood micro wire assembly 117, visor micro wire assembly 124, pant micro-wire assembly 128 and micro wire lower liner assembly 206. The temperature of micro-wires transferred to the wearer's body to keep him warm inside wader suit system 14. Here, micro-wires operate using the power from power supply 92. Alternatively, wearer 12 connects batteries 218 to charge USB devices that act as a back-up power source.
A person skilled in the art understands that wearer 12 removes upper section 16 and wears only lower section 18 if the weather conditions are warm and does not require additional layers to him warm.
In this embodiment, lower portion 304 comes in the shape of pant instead of wader as in the embodiments described above. As such, the present embodiment allows to use wader suit system 300 as a standalone suit with a variety of apparel to keep the wearer's body temperature at normal levels. The wearer can interchangeably use various components of wader suit system 300 to keep himself warm and increase his safety.
Heated jacket system 302 presents shoulder portion 310 and torso portion 312. Shoulder portion 310 provides collar 314 at the neck area. Collar 314 has micro wire hood connector 315 that connects to micro wire cap connector 340 of hood 306.
Heated jacket system 302 includes zipper 316 that extends vertically the entire length of heated jacket system 302 from collar 314 to bottom of torso portion 312. Further, heated jacket system 302 includes control panel 320 at the chest area. Shoulder portion 310 connects to sleeves 322 and 324. Sleeves 322 and 324 present micro wire glove connectors 326 (right) and 328 (left), respectively. Further, heated jacket system 302 includes pant connector 329 and micro-pant connector 330.
Lower section 304 includes legs 332 (right) and 334 (left). Legs 332 and 334 provide micro-wire pant connectors 336 (right) and 338 (left). Micro-wire pant connectors 336 and 338 connect to micro wire sock controller connectors 342 and 344.
Cap 306 includes micro wire hood controller connector 340 that connects to micro wire hood connector 315.
In accordance with one embodiment, micro wire glove connectors 326 (right) and 328 (left) connect to gloves 346 and 348 via glove controller connectors 350 and 352, respectively.
The presently disclosed wader suit system allows the wearer to be safe while engaged in various activities where the wearer is in an environment where drowning or hypothermia could occur. While staying afloat and dry, with the assistance of a PFD permanently attached to the wader straps, the wearer adds a greater level of safety. The wader suit system is waterproof so that water would not compromise the interior of the wader suit system. The wader suit system keeps the wearer's body temperature at normal levels while submerged in water and freezing conditions.
A person skilled in the art appreciates that the wader suit system may come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the need and comfort of the diner. Further, different materials in addition to or instead of materials described herein may also be used and such implementations may be construed to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, many changes in the design and placement of components may take place without deviating from the scope of the presently disclosed wader suit system.
In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some embodiments, specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.
In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. Hence as various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and invention disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed invention.
