AU2021107251A4

AU2021107251A4 - Water safety overalls

Info

Publication number: AU2021107251A4
Application number: AU2021107251A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William Marsh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-08-25
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2021-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-25

Abstract

Water safety overalls are disclosed that comprise a trouser section configured to be worn over a lower body portion of a wearer, including over at least an upper portion of each leg of the wearer; and an upper section fixed to the trouser section and configured to be worn over an upper body portion of the wearer. The upper section comprises at least: a chest portion configured to extend over a chest of the wearer; a neck portion configured to extend behind a neck of the wearer; an inflatable device at least partly housed within an inner compartment of the upper section; and an inflation mechanism operable to cause inflation of the inflatable device, wherein, when inflated, the inflatable device is configured to extend over at least the chest of the wearer and behind the neck of the wearer. 1/2 353 315 322 100 324 312 330 351 328 352 303 325 300 305 310 324 320 230 3335 210 220 211 221 212 330 222 :o133121 332 223 331 - 1 240 FIG.1A FIG. 1

Description

1/2 353 315 322 100 324 312 330 351 328 352 303

325 300 305 310 324 320 230 3335

210 220

211 221

212 330 222

:o133121

332 223

331

- 1 240

FIG.1A

FIG. 1

Water Safety Overalls

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to overalls, and particularly overalls worn during activities carried out adjacent a body of water, such as fishing and boating activities.

Background

[0002] Overalls are garments regularly worn by participants in outdoor activities, the overalls providing protection to the wearer from natural elements, such as rain, sun, spray, wind and cold temperatures.

[0003] Outdoor activities such as fishing and boating, which are undertaken adjacent a body of deep water, come with a drowning risk. Many fishing and boating related fatalities can be attributed to the participants falling into deep water while not wearing a lifejacket or other personal flotation device (PFD). The participants commonly underestimate the risks involved with deep water and forego, or forget to wear, a lifejacket or PFD.

[0004] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

Summary

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided water safety overalls comprising: a trouser section configured to be worn over a lower body portion of a wearer, including over at least an upper portion of each leg of the wearer; and an upper section fixed to the trouser section and configured to be worn over an upper body portion of the wearer, the upper section comprising at least: a chest portion configured to extend over a chest of the wearer; a neck portion configured to extend behind a neck of the wearer; an inflatable device at least partly housed within an inner compartment of the upper section; and an inflation mechanism operable to cause inflation of the inflatable device, wherein, when inflated, the inflatable device is configured to extend over at least the chest of the wearer and behind the neck of the wearer.

[0006] The inflatable device may provide a buoyancy function to the overalls, substantially in the form of a lifejacket, buoyancy aid and/or personal flotation device that is integrated into the overalls, and that is operable when required. Prior to inflation of the inflatable device, the overalls may retain a relatively comfortable and non-bulky configuration, with the inflatable device being substantially hidden. The inflatable device, at least when inflated, may extend over the chest of the wearer and behind the neck of the wearer. In this regard, the inflatable device may be highly effective at maintaining a wearer of the overalls buoyant and breathing in deep water, including in instances where the wearer is unconscious.

[0007] The inflatable device may be an inflatable bag or bladder. The inner compartment may be configured to burst open upon inflation of the inflatable device. The upper section may comprise at least one fastener that is configured to close the inflatable device inside the inner compartment prior to inflation of the inflatable device. The at least one fastener may be configured to burst open upon inflation of the inflatable device. The at least one fastener may be a readily burstable slide fastener, for example. The at least one fastener may extend across the chest portion and the neck portion.

[0008] The chest portion may comprise a right front portion and a left front portion configured to extend over right and left sides, respectively, of a chest of the wearer.

The right and left front portions may be releasably connected to each other at or adjacent a midline of the chest of the wearer, e.g. by a slide fastener such as a zipper. The at least one fastener that closes the inflatable device inside the inner compartment may extend across the right and left front portions and the neck portion.

[0009] The inner compartment of the water safety overalls may be formed between a front panel and a rear panel of the upper section. The inner compartment may be located at least in the chest portion and the neck portion of the upper section. The inflatable device may be releasably mounted within the inner compartment, e.g. releasably mounted by one or more fasteners, such as slide fasteners. The inflatable device may be releasably mounted by first and second fasteners fixed to the right front portion and the left front portion, respectively, of the upper section, and a third fastener fixed to the neck portion of the upper section.

[0010] The inflation mechanism may comprise a compressed gas canister and an actuator to trigger release of gas from the gas canister, such that the gas fills the inflatable device. The actuator may comprise one or more of the following: a pull handle; a pressure sensor; and a water contact sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the inflation mechanism may comprise an oral inflation tube to receive exhale gas from the wearer to top up or completely fill the inflatable device with gas.

[0011] The trouser section of the overalls may comprise first and second leg portions, each leg portion comprising an upper leg section and a lower leg section, each lower leg section being releasably connected to each upper leg section. Each lower leg section may be releasably connected to each upper leg section at or adjacent a knee region of the leg portion, for example. The releasable connection may be virtue of slide fastener such as a zipper, e.g. a lapped zipper.

[0012] The water safety overalls maybe sleeveless. The water safety overalls may comprise a belt fixed to the upper section and/or trouser section. The upper and/or trouser sections of the water safety overalls may be formed of waterproof or water resistant fabric. The water safety overalls may comprise additional safety features, including one or more of a whistle, reflective tape and a torch.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0013] Byway of example only, embodiments are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 shows a front view of water safety overalls according to an embodiment of the disclosure, wherein an inflatable device of the overalls is not inflated, with Figure 1A illustrating a slide fastener that is used in the water safety overalls of Figure 1; and

[0015] Figure 2 shows a front view of the water safety overalls of Figure 1, when the inflatable device is inflated.

Description of Embodiments

[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide water safety overalls, for wearing during activities where a body of deep water may be involved, including, but not limited, to fishing and boating.

[0017] Figure 1 shows water safety overalls 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water safety overalls 100 comprising a trouser section 200 and an upper section 300 that is fixed to the trouser section 200. The trouser section 200 is configured to be worn over a lower body portion of a wearer, including over at least an upper portion of each leg of the wearer. The upper section 300 is configured to be worn over an upper body portion of the wearer, including at least a portion of the wearer's torso.

[0018] As seen in Figure 1, the upper section 300 comprises a chest portion 303 configured to extend over a chest of the wearer. The chest portion 303 includes a right front portion 305 and a left front portion 310 configured to extend over right and left sides, respectively, of the chest of the wearer. The upper section 300 also includes a neck portion 315 configured to extend behind a neck of the wearer. A neck opening 312 is defined in the upper section 300, generally between the chest portion 303 and the neck portion 315, the neck opening 312 configured to receive the neck of the wearer. The right and left front portions 305, 310 are releasably connected to each other. A line of separation of the right and left front portions 305, 310 extends from a location adjacent the trouser section 200 to the neck opening 312. When the connection between the right and left portions 305, 310 is released, the neck opening 312 effectively increases significantly in size and provides an opening sufficiently large to receive the wearer's legs and torso for entry into the trouser section 200 and upper section 300, respectively. The upper section 300 further comprises a back portion 322 that extends between the neck portion 315 and the trouser section 200 and which is configured to extend over at least a portion of a back of the wearer.

[0019] The right front portion 305 and the left front portion 310 of the upper section 300 are releasably connected to each other using a fastening means 335, which may locate at or adjacent a midline of the chest of the wearer. The fastening means 335 may be in the form of a slide fastener such as zipper, and preferably in the form of a durable and/or oversized zipper to allow easy fastening and opening of the water safety overalls 100. Other suitable fastening means may be used.

[0020] In this embodiment, the water safety overalls 100 are sleeveless (the upper section 300 has no arm portions). However, in alternative embodiments, the overalls may be configured to include arm portions, to extend over the wearer's arms.

[0021] The upper section 300 further comprises an inflatable device 320 (shown deflated in Figure 1 and inflated in Figure 2) that is at least partly housed within an inner compartment 324 of the upper section 300, and an inflation mechanism 325 operable to cause inflation of the inflation device 320. In this embodiment, the inflation device 320 is generally in the form of an inflatable bag or bladder and is completely housed within the inner compartment 324 of the upper section 300 prior to inflation (the inflation device 320, inner compartment 324 and certain other components that are not typically visible, at least prior to inflation of the inflatable device 320, are indicated using broken lines in Figure 2). In this embodiment, the inner compartment 324 extends across both the chest portion 303 and the neck portion 315, including the left and right front portions 305, 310 of the chest portion 303.

[0022] In general, the inflatable device 320 and inflation mechanism 325 provide a buoyancy function to the overalls, substantially in the form of a lifejacket, buoyancy aid and/or personal flotation device that is integrated into the overalls 100 and that is operable when required. Since the inflatable device 320 is at least partly housed within the inner compartment 324 of the overalls 100, the overalls 100 may retain a relatively comfortable and non-bulky configuration, with the inflatable device 100 being substantially hidden, during normal use. As a result, the water safety overalls 100 are not necessarily limited to use only during water based activities. For example, the overalls 100 may be used additionally for work or every day recreational activities where water safety is not necessarily a concern.

[0023] When inflated, the inflation device 320 is configured to extend over the right and left sides of the chest of the wearer and behind the neck of the wearer. In this regard, the inflatable device 320 may be highly effective at maintaining a wearer of the overalls buoyant and breathing in deep water, including in instances where the wearer is unconscious. Indeed, configuring the inflatable device 320 to extend in such manner may allow the inflatable device 320 and/or overalls 100 to achieve a high personal flotation device rating, such as an Australian StandardforPersonalFlotationDevices rating of 150+. A rating of 150+ is considered to provide a very high level of support even for regular boaters who spend lots of time offshore and in an array of weather conditions.

[0024] The inner compartment 324 is defined in this embodiment between a front panel and a rear panel of the upper section 303, the front and rear panels generally forming at least the chest portion 303 and the neck portion 315 of the upper section 300. The front panel may comprise waterproof or water resistant fabric and the rear panel may comprise waterproof or water resistant fabric, or non-waterproof or non water resistant fabric.

[0025] At least one fastener 330 is provided to close the inflatable device 320 inside the inner compartment 324 prior to inflation of the inflatable device 320. The at least one fastener 330 in this embodiment is configured to substantially secure the inflatable device within the inner compartment 334, and such that the inflatable device 320 remains substantially hidden within the inner compartment 324. However, the at least one fastener 330 is configured to burst open upon inflation of the inflatable device 320. The at least one fastener 330 in this embodiment is a readily burstable slide fastener, such as a QuickBurst@ Zipper, for example. In this embodiment, the at least one fastener 330 extends across the right and left front portions 305, 310 and the neck portion 315.

[0026] Examples of readibly burstable slide fasteners, that may be used in the overalls 100 of the present disclosure, are described in European Patent Publication Number EP 1885211 B1, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. With reference to Figure 1A, the readily burstable slide fastener 330 in this embodiment includes along its length at least one first portion 331 comprising opposing coupling elements (e.g. teeth) that are configured to lock with each other, and at least one second portion 332 comprising no coupling elements, or comprising opposing coupling elements (e.g. teeth) that are not configured to lock with each other. The second portion 332 may therefore provide a weakened region along the slide fastener 330 that will readily open when a pressure is applied to the slide fastener 330 by the inflation of the inflatable device 320. The opening of the second portion 332 can release the locking between the coupling elements of the first portion 331 such that substantially the entire slide fastener 330 may burst open.

[0027] The inflatable device 320 may be releasably mounted within the inner compartment 324 by one or more fasteners. Releasable mounting of the inflatable device 320 within the inner compartment 324 may assist with assembly of the inflatable device 320 in the overalls 100 and/or may enable the inflatable device 320 to be readily removed for maintenance, checking or otherwise. In this embodiment, the inflatable device 320 is releasably mounted within the inner compartment by first and second fasteners 351, 352 fixed insider the inner compartment 324 within the right front portion 305 and the left front portion 310, respectively, and a third fastener 353 fixed inside the inner compartment 324 within the neck portion 315. The fasteners 351, 352, 353 that releasably mount the inflatable device 320 within the inner compartment 324 may be slide fasteners such as zippers, for example.

[0028] In this embodiment, the inflation mechanism 325 comprises a compressed gas canister 327 (see Figure 2) and an actuator operably connected to the gas canister 327. The actuator is configured to trigger release of gas from the gas canister 327 (e.g. by opening a valve of the gas canister 327) to inflate the inflatable device 320. Prior to inflation of the inflation device 320, the compressed gas canister 327 is located within the inner compartment 324. The compressed gas canister 327 may be removably secured within the inner compartment 324 to avoid damage or significant movement of the canister 327 prior to inflation of the inflation device 320. The compressed gas in the gas canister may be C02 or other suitable gas.

[0029] In this embodiment, the actuator comprises a pull handle in the form of a toggle 328 (as seen in Figures 1 and 2) and a pressure sensor or water contact sensor 329 (as seen in Figure 2). The toggle 328 provides a means for a wearer of the overalls 100 to manually activing release of the gas from the gas canister 327. To enable a user to engage the toggle 328, the toggle extends out of inner compartment 324 to a position at an external surface of the chest portion 303 of the overalls 100. Prior to use, the toggle may be temporarily covered, e.g. by a flap, in some embodiments. The pressure or water contact sensor 329 may be configured to trigger release of the gas from the gas canister automatically upon contact between the sensor 329 and water, or upon submersion of the sensor 329 in water. Other types of actuators may be used to trigger inflation of the inflation device 320.

[0030] The inflation mechanism 325 in this embodiment also comprises an oral inflation tube 340, as illustrated in Figure 2. The oral inflation tube 340 may be used, if required, to top up the gas in the inflation device 320, after the inflation device 320 has been inflated using the inflation mechanism 325, or to completely inflate the inflatable device should there be a failure of the inflation process involving the gas canister 327. The oral inflation tube 340 may comprise a removable cap to prevent debris entering the oral inflation tube 340 and to prevent unwanted gas or air from entering or escaping through the oral inflation tube 340. The cap may have a top surface including a protrusion of a smaller diameter than an inner diameter of the oral inflation tube.

[0031] To deflate the inflation device 320, should this be required, the cap may be inverted and the protrusion pushed into an opening of the oral inflation tube to trigger a valve to release the gas from the inflation device 320 through the oral inflation tube 340 and into the ambient atmosphere. The inflation device 320 may further comprise one or more deflation valves for faster deflation of the inflation device 320.

[0032] The trouser section 200 of the water safety overalls 100 includes a first leg portion 210 and second leg portion 220. Each leg portion 210, 220 includes an upper leg section 211, 221, and a lower leg section 212, 222, configured to extend over an upper portion and a lower portion, respectively, of each leg of the wearer, and joining approximately at or adjacent the knee of the wearer. The lower leg sections 212, 222 may end at a position approximately at or adjacent each ankle of the wearer. In this embodiment, the overalls are not configured to extend over the feet of the wearer. However, in alternative embodiments, water safety overalls may be provided with first and second waterproof boots that are fixed to each lower leg section 213, 223, respectively, and configured to extend over the feet of the wearer. Such overalls in combination with the boots may provide a form of waders.

[0033] In this embodiment, each lower leg section 213, 223 is releasably connected to each upper leg section 211, 221, respectively. Connection isby areleasable fastening means 212, 222 and is preferably at a location that is at or adjacent each knee of the wearer. The fastening means 212, 222 may be in the form of a slide faster such as a zipper, and preferably in the form of a durable and lapped zipper. The fastening means may be any other suitable fastening means. Providing releasably connected upper and lower leg sections 211, 221, 213, 223 allows the wearer to customise the overalls 100 for different weather and temperatures. For example, it may allow the wearer to configure the trouser section 200 to be in the form of shorts for warmer weather.

[0034] The water safety overalls 100 may further comprise a waistband or belt such as a buckle belt 230. The belt 230 may be permanently secured to the overalls 100 or the overalls 100 may include belt loops adapted to receive the belt 230. The belt 230 may be used to hold and provide easy access to tools or other items that the wearer may wish to hold. Other clips, loops or fasteners may also be secured to the overalls 100 to support tools or other items.

[0035] The water safety overalls 100 may comprise additional safety features including, but not limited to one or more of a whistle, high visibility material (Hi-Vis), reflective tape 240, and a torch.

[0036] The water safety overalls 100 may be provided in a variety of sizes, suitable for both children to adult. The water safety overalls 100 may also comprise adjustable straps, in particular on the upper section 300 of the water safety overalls 100, to provide a customisable tightening and loosening of the upper section 300 to account for differently sized wearers, and/or the addition or removal of clothing layers underneath the water safety overalls 100. The adjustable straps may utilise, but are not limited to, a snap buckle, a cam buckle or a roller buckle.

[0037] The water safety overalls 100 maybe manufactured from any suitable marine grade materials. Preferably, the water safety overalls 100 are manufactured with polyester and a polyurethane outer layer, providing water safety overalls 100 that are lightweight, durable, waterproof and do not limit the wearer's mobility.

[0038] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Water safety overalls comprising: a trouser section configured to be worn over a lower body portion of a wearer, including over at least an upper portion of each leg of the wearer; and an upper section fixed to the trouser section and configured to be worn over an upper body portion of the wearer, the upper section comprising at least: a chest portion configured to extend over a chest of the wearer; and a neck portion configured to extend behind a neck of the wearer; an inflatable device at least partly housed within an inner compartment of the upper section; and an inflation mechanism operable to cause inflation of the inflatable device, wherein, when inflated, the inflatable device is configured to extend over at least the chest of the wearer and behind the neck of the wearer.

2. The water safety overalls of claim 1, wherein the inflatable device is an inflatable bag or bladder.

3. The water safety overalls of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner compartment is configured to burst open upon inflation of the inflatable device.

4. The water safety overalls of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the upper section comprises at least one fastener that is configured to close the inflatable device inside the inner compartment prior to inflation of the inflatable device.

5. The water safety overalls of claim 4, wherein the at least one fastener is configured to burst open upon inflation of the inflatable device.

6. The water safety overalls of claim 4 or 5, wherein the at least one fastener is a readily burstable slide fastener.

7. The water safety overalls of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner compartment is formed between a front panel and a rear panel of the upper section.

8. The water safety overalls of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner compartment is located at least in the chest portion and the neck portion of the upper section.

9. The water safety overalls of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflatable device is releasably mounted in the inner compartment.

10. The water safety overalls of claim 9, wherein the inflatable device is releasably mounted in the inner compartment by one or more fasteners.

11. The water safety overalls of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chest portion comprises a right front portion and a left front portion configured to extend over right and left sides, respectively, of a chest of the wearer.

12. The water safety overalls of claim 11, wherein the right front portion and the left front portion are releasably connected to each other at or adjacent a midline of the chest of the wearer.

13. The water safety overalls of claim 11 or 12, wherein the inflatable device is releasably mounted by first and second fasteners fixed to the right front portion and the left front portion, respectively, of the upper section, and a third fastener fixed to the neck portion of the upper section.

14. The water safety overalls of claim 10, 12 or 13, wherein the fasteners that releasably mount the inflatable device within the inner compartment are slide fasteners.

15. The water safety overalls of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflation mechanism comprises a compressed gas canister and an actuator to trigger release of gas from the gas canister, such that the gas fills the inflatable device.

16. The water safety overalls of claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises one or more of the following: a pull handle; a pressure sensor; and a water contact sensor.

17. The water safety overalls of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflation mechanism comprises an oral inflation tube to receive exhaled gas from the wearer to fill the inflatable device.

18. The water safety overalls of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trouser section comprises first and second leg portions, each leg portion comprising an upper leg section and a lower leg section, each lower leg section being releasably connected to each upper leg section.

19. The water safety overalls of claim 18, wherein each lower leg section is releasably connected to each upper leg section at or adjacent a knee region of the leg portion.

20. The water safety overalls of claim 18 or 19, wherein each lower leg section is releasably connected to each upper leg section by a lapped zipper.

21. The water safety overalls of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water safety overalls are sleeveless.

22. The water safety overalls of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a belt fixed to the upper section and/or trouser section.

23. The water safety overalls of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper and trouser sections of the water safety overalls are formed of waterproof or water resistant fabric.

24. The water safety overalls of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising additional safety features, the additional safety features including one or more of a whistle, reflective tape and a torch.