Waterproof Relief Hatch for Waders
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fishing and foul weather waders lack a convenient and waterproof mechanism for urination, leading to inconvenience, dehydration, and potential safety risks due to the hassle of removing extensive gear for relief.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof relief hatch with a hinged lid and quick-release snap mechanism integrated into the wader design, allowing for easy access and maintaining a watertight seal, which can be retrofitted or manufactured as part of the wader, providing a large enough opening for convenient urination without compromising the garment's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a waterproof opening is added to waders for urination relief, then ease of operation is improved, but waterproof integrity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wader is segmented into multiple functional zones with a dedicated urination relief hatch separated from the main waterproof body. The hatch includes its own sealing system (gasket, snap closure, or zipper) that operates independently, allowing urination relief without compromising the overall waterproof integrity of the wader.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing gasket or waterproof zipper acts as an intermediary element between the urination opening and the waterproof wader material. This intermediary component provides the necessary seal to maintain waterproof integrity while allowing controlled access for urination relief.
2Ease of operation
If gear is removed for urination relief, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time increases and safety risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The urination relief hatch is pre-configured and integrated into the wader design, eliminating the need to remove outer gear layers. The hatch can be quickly opened without disturbing suspenders, vests, or other equipment, allowing immediate urination relief and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The urination relief function is extracted as a separate, dedicated feature (hatch) from the main wader structure. This extracted function can be accessed independently without removing other gear components, solving the time loss and safety risks associated with complete gear removal.
3Ease of operation
If a large opening is created for urination relief, then ease of operation is improved, but waterproof integrity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible waterproof gasket or membrane is used to seal the urination hatch opening. This flexible sealing element can conform to the hatch edges and maintain an effective waterproof seal even when the opening is sufficiently large for convenient urination access.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved fishing or hunting wader, exposure suit or foul weather pants/bib incorporates a novel waterproof connectable hatch to provide access for urination. The low profile and lightweight waterproof hatch is centered over the groin area and allows the wearer of a fishing wader, or similar foul weather gear pants, to be able to quickly open the hatch and urinate without removing the cumbersome garment. A hinged or connectable lid may swing upwards and downwards and features a hook-and-loop fastener, a magnetic, or mechanical fastener so that the lid is held up in place and out of the way. After urination, the lid may conveniently snap back into place against a seal or O-ring thereby forming a water tight seal.