Waterproof Relief Hatch for Waders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fishing waders and foul weather gear lack a convenient and waterproof mechanism for urination, requiring users to remove extensive gear, leading to inconvenience, dehydration, and increased risk during prolonged use.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof relief hatch with a hinged lid and quick-release snap mechanism, providing a large enough opening for easy access while maintaining a watertight seal, which can be retrofitted into existing waders or integrated during manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a waterproof mechanism for urination is added to waders, then convenience and hydration are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of urinationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wader is segmented by adding a separate hatch assembly with lid and base components that can be independently opened and closed, allowing urination function to be separated from the main garment structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A snap fastener acts as an intermediary mechanism between the lid and base, providing a simple waterproof sealing solution that connects and disconnects the hatch components without requiring complex locking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a large opening is provided for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but waterproofing reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess easeVSAvoidwaterproof seal reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible gasket or seal film is incorporated between the lid and base of the hatch, creating a waterproof barrier that can accommodate the large opening size while maintaining sealing effectiveness through material flexibility rather than rigid structural constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If extensive gear is removed for urination, then waterproofing is maintained, but loss of time and productivity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof protectionVSAvoidtime for urination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The urination function is extracted as a separate, accessible hatch feature that can be opened independently from the main wader garment, allowing users to access the hatch without removing vests, jackets, or other external gear layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If a simple opening mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but waterproofing reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidseal reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9380814B2Urination relief hatch for waterproof waders and foul weather gear

Publication Date: 2016.07.05 STEVENSON ROBERT A

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.