Waterproof Boot to Pant Connection via Annular Gaskets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts face the challenge of water ingress into footwear during crossings, leading to wet feet, heat loss, and safety issues due to the need to remove boots and gear, which slows down travel and increases inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof fastener system comprising annular gaskets with continuous grooves and ribs that form an interference fit between garments, providing a fluid-tight seal without the need for additional coverings or sliders, and can be decoupled using a pull tab.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional boots and pants are used without a waterproof connection system, then the gear is simple and easy to wear, but water ingress occurs during water crossings causing wet feet and heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof connection system is divided into separate components: a first annular gasket attached to the boot, a second annular gasket attached to the pant, and a waterproof fastener that joins them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables easy attachment and detachment at water crossings.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof fastener acts as an intermediary element between the boot and pant, creating a sealed connection without requiring the boot and pant to be permanently attached. The fastener includes a rib that engages with a groove to form a fluid-tight seal, preventing water ingress while allowing for quick attachment and detachment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the user removes boots, socks and pants at water crossings to prevent water ingress, then water protection is achieved, but travel time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second annular gaskets are pre-attached to the boot and pant respectively, so that when the user encounters water, they only need to quickly engage the waterproof fastener between the gaskets rather than removing and reattaching multiple layers of gear. This preliminary preparation dramatically reduces the time required at water crossings.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof connection system is designed to be dynamically adjustable - the fastener can be quickly engaged or disengaged by pulling on a tab, allowing the user to adapt to varying water conditions without the burden of completely donning or doffing their entire gear set.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a waterproof seal is created between boot and pant, then water ingress is prevented, but the connection may be difficult to detach
Solution Approach 1:
The second annular gasket includes a pull tab that can be extracted or removed from the engagement area. When the user needs to detach the waterproof connection, they simply pull on the tab, which extracts the fastening mechanism from the groove, allowing easy detachment without compromising the waterproof seal during normal use.
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
The system effectively prevents water ingress, maintains thermal protection, and allows for quick and easy engagement and disengagement, reducing the need for frequent gear removal and reassembly at water crossings, enhancing safety and mobility.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one continuous groove is configured to receive the at least one continuous rib to form a waterproof interference fit
Data Source
AI summary
An article includes a first garment, a second garment, and a waterproof fastener system configured to join the first garment to the second. The waterproof fastener includes: a first annular gasket, coupled to the first garment, the first annular gasket including a flexible substrate and a continuous groove radially oriented on the first garment such that an engagement direction thereof is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first garment, and a second annular gasket coupled to the second garment, the second annular gasket including a second flexible substrate and a continuous rib radially oriented on the second garment such that an engagement direction thereof is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the second garment. The continuous groove is configured to receive the continuous rib to form a waterproof interference fit.