Waterproof Wader Urination Hatch with Spring-Latched Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fishing waders lack a convenient and efficient method for urination that does not require removing the entire garment, leading to inconvenience and dehydration issues for fishermen and hunters, especially in wet conditions.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof, hinged access cover with a quick-release snap mechanism integrated into the wader design, allowing for easy opening and closing to facilitate urination without compromising the garment's water-tight seal, and featuring a latch with a spring bias for secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional wader design without an access hatch is used, then the garment maintains complete water-tight integrity, but the user must remove the entire garment to urinate, causing loss of time and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The wader is segmented by introducing a separate access hatch structure that can be independently opened without removing the entire garment. The hatch includes a lid that pivots open from the main wader body, creating a localized access point that separates the urination function from the rest of the garment removal process.
Solution Approach 2:
The urination access function is extracted from the main garment removal process by creating a dedicated hatch opening. This allows the user to access the interior of the wader for urination without taking off the entire wader, vest, or other gear layers.
2Ease of operation
If an access hatch is added to allow urination without removing the garment, then convenience is improved, but the water-tight seal may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof seal is pre-installed around the perimeter of the hatch opening where the lid meets the wader body. This preliminary sealing arrangement ensures that when the lid is closed, the pre-positioned seal maintains water-tight integrity without requiring additional sealing actions during use.
Solution Approach 2:
A waterproof seal acts as an intermediary element between the movable lid and the stationary wader body. This seal material accommodates the movement of the lid while maintaining the water-tight barrier, allowing the hatch to open and close without compromising the overall waterproof integrity of the wader.
3Ease of operation
If a simple opening without a closure mechanism is used, then ease of access is improved, but the garment cannot maintain water-tight integrity when closed
Solution Approach 1:
A spring-loaded latch mechanism is incorporated that automatically engages when the lid is closed, providing self-service closure. The spring forces the latch into the locked position without requiring manual intervention, ensuring the hatch seals itself while maintaining ease of operation. The user simply needs to push the lid closed, and the latch handles the securing action automatically.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and efficient urination without removing other garments or accessories, maintaining water-tight integrity and providing convenience and hydration for users in wet environments.
Implementation Method 1
A latch is pivotably connected to the frame and configured to retain the lid in the closed position. As can be seen in this design, the latch is no longer made as a contiguous and continuous part of the frame, but rather is separately made and then later pivotably attached. A spring is disposed between the latch and the frame, the spring biasing the latch to retain the lid in the closed position.
Data Source
AI summary
A rigid frame is sealed in a waterproof manner to a pair of pants and/or waders, where the frame forms a frame aperture separating an outside from an inside of the pair of pants and/or waders. A rigid lid is pivotably connected to the frame and configured to engage the frame aperture. The rigid lid in an open position allows access through the frame aperture and the rigid lid in a closed position does not allow access through the frame aperture. A seal is disposed between the frame and the lid forming a waterproof closure of the frame aperture when the lid is in the closed position. A latch is pivotably connected to the frame and configured to retain the lid in the closed position. A spring is disposed between the latch and the frame, the spring biasing the latch to retain the lid in the closed position.