Waterproof Wader Urination Hatch with Hinged Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fishing waders and foul weather gear lack a convenient and efficient method for urination without removing other garments or accessories, leading to inconvenience, dehydration, and potential safety risks, as current solutions are cumbersome, messy, or not fully waterproof during long-term immersion.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof pair of pants or waders with a sealable, hinged access cover in the groin section that provides a high-integrity waterproof seal, allowing quick and easy urination without removing other gear, featuring a rigid frame, pivotable lid, and secure closure mechanisms like snaps and adhesives, with optional features like a spring bias for easy opening and a cosmetic flap for aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a urination relief hatch is added to waders, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wader garment is segmented by adding a separate access hatch structure with frame, lid, and seal components that can be independently opened and closed, allowing urination relief without removing the entire garment
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary access hatch mechanism is introduced between the user and the external environment, providing a controlled opening that allows urination while maintaining overall garment integrity and waterproofing
2Ease of operation
If a sealable opening is created in waterproof waders, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of waterproofing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal member (such as an elastomeric or rubber gasket) is used around the perimeter of the access hatch opening to create a waterproof barrier that can accommodate movement and deformation while maintaining seal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The seal design anticipates potential failure points by using redundant sealing mechanisms and materials that maintain sealing pressure under various conditions (movement, compression, temperature changes) to prevent water ingress
3Reliability
If multiple layers of gear are worn for protection, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The urination relief function is extracted from the main garment removal process by providing a dedicated access hatch that can be opened independently, allowing users to relieve themselves without removing protective outer layers, safety belts, or accessories
Data Source
AI summary
A waterproof pair of pants and/or waders includes a sealable opening for relief of bodily fluids. A rigid frame is sealed in a waterproof manner to the pair of pants and/or waders forming a frame aperture. A rigid lid is pivotably connected to the frame. A seal is disposed between the frame and the lid forming a waterproof closure when the lid is in a closed position. An optional rigid backing forms a backing aperture, wherein a first surface of the backing and a back side surface of the frame capture there between the waterproof material. An optional roughened surface can be disposed on the first surface of the backing, on the back side surface of the frame or on the wader material itself. At least one adhesive bond is disposed between the back side surface of the frame and the waterproof material, and/or, between the first surface of the backing and the waterproof material. The backing aperture is equal to or greater in surface area in comparison to the frame aperture.