AU630019B2 - A weather proof closure - Google Patents

Description

r COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA FORM PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR OFFICE USE: Class Int.Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: I Priority: Related Art: Name of Applicant: PADDY PALLIN PTY. LIMITED :Address of Applicant: Unit 14F Hordern Place, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Austr'alia Actual Inventor: Warren Mark McLaren •*.Address for Service: SHELSTON WATERS, 55 Clarence Street, Sydney Complete Specification for the Invention entitled: "A WEATHER PROOF CLOSURE" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- (Complete of PJ8509 dated 7th February, 1990) 1 SO 19778 06/02/'1 4:*7I To THE COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS.

SHELSTON

WATERS

PATENT ATTORNEYS CLARENCE STREET, SYDNEY

AUSTRALIA

Cables: 'Valid' Sydney Telex: 24422 SW The present invention relates to closures for joining sheet materials.

The invention has been developed primarily for use with weatherproof clothing and will be described hereinafter with reference to this. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

In the past, the combined effects of wind with rain, sleet or snow has enabled the migration of water, moisture %0 and air through the closure. Commonly used closures incorporate only one zip or one zip together with an external covering, sometimes secured by touch tape or snap 00" fasteners.

It is an object of this invention to provide a means for reducing the migration of water, moisture and air through the closure.

According to the invention there is provided a weatherproof closure including an inner layer defining a pair of opposable inner edges, an inner fastening means ,0 for joining the inner edges, a pair of outer flaps respectively sealingly attached to the inner layer at locations outwardly spaced from the respective inner edges, the outer flaps defining a pair of opposable outer edges, an outer fastening means for joining the outer edges and at least one intermediate flap sealingly attached along one longitudinal edge to the closure at a location intermediate the inner and outer edges of one side of the closure, the intermediate flap extending 2- L i transversely at least beyond both the inner and outer edges of that side.

Preferably the inner and outer fastening means are transversely off-set.

Preferably also, the intermediate flap extends j transversely at least substantially for the entire width of the opposite outer flap, when the closure is in the closed position. This increases the labyrinth effect of irthe closure.

6666 A fastening means may be included for independently 6. securing the intermediate flap to the opposite outer *1 OD *flap. This enables the intermediate flap to be folded 6666 'o back upon itself to provide increased resistance to 6o6 moisture ingress. The flap fastening means is preferably located near the lower edge of the intermediate flap.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be 6666 4 e6* described, by way of example only, with reference to the e accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a weatherproof closure according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged schematic section taken on line 2-2 of figure I.

SReferring to the drawings, the closure 1 includes an inner layer 2 defining a pair of opposable inner edges 3 and 4. An inner fastening means in the form of a zip 6 is provided for joining the inner edges 3 and 4. A pair of outer flaps 7 and 8 are respectively sealingly attached to the inner layer 2 at locations 9 and 10. The outer flaps 3 i 7 and 8 define a respective pair of opposable outer edges 13 and 14 and an outer fastening means in the form of a second zip 15 is provided for joining the outer edges 13 and 14. An intermediate flap 16 is sealingly attached along one longitudinal edge to one side of the closure, being joined to the inner layer 2 at location 9.

The respective inner and outer zips 6 and 15 are preferably transversely off-set to increase the overlap that the intermediate flap 16 provides between inner and e 10 outer zips.

.&eoe* 0 0 An intermediate flap fastening means in the form of a 0 0.

press stud 17 is included to fold the intermediate flap 16 back upon itself in the closed position (as shown dotted in figure 2) to provide increased resistance to moisture ingress. Preferably, the stud 17 is positioned at the lower edge of the outer flap 7 to allow convenient access. Draw strings 18 may also be incorporated at or 00 adjacent the lower edge of the garment.

The weatherproof closure as shown in figures 1 and 2 can also include an inner flap (not shown) which is see* sealingly attached along one longitudinal edge to the inside of the closure. This inner flap provides a shield for the inner zip fastener when in its upper or closed position.

Other embodiments of the invention are applicable to tents, carry bags, sleeping bags and other articles where it is desirable to provide a greater degree of resistance to moisture ingress than the prior art would allow.

-4- Zips are a preferred fastening means since they are easy to operate, secure, easy to replace and spread stresses evenly along the marginal stitching. Other fastening means such as touch tape, snap fasteners or buttons may also be used if desired.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

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Claims (7)

1. A weatherproof closure including an inner layer defining a pair of opposable inner edges, an inner fastening means for joining said inner edges, a pair of outer flaps respecti-ely sealingly attached to said inner layer at locations outwardly spaced from said respective inner edges, said outer flaps defining a pair of opposable outer edges, an outer fastening means for joining said outer edges, and at least one intermediate flap sealingly .9.9 attached along one longitudinal edge to said closure at a 9 0 location intermediate the inner and outer edges of one S. side of said closure, said intermediate flap extending transversely beyond both the inner and outer edges of that side.

2. A weatherproof closure according to claim 1 wherein said inner and outer fastening means are transversely S. offset.

3. A weatherproof closure according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the maximum effective transverse extent of said intermediate flap is greater than the width of the opposite outer flap.

4. A weatherproof closure according to any one of the preceding claims including selectively releasable flap fastening means to independently secure said intermediate flap to the opposite outer flap such that the intermediate flap is folded back upon itself in the closed position thereby to provide increased resistance to moisture ingress. 6 YL__ A weatherproof closure according to claim 4 where-n said flap fastening means is located at or adjacent a lower edge of said intermediate flap.

6. A weatherproof closure according to any one of the preceding claims further including an inner flap sealingly attached along one longitudinal edge to the inside of said closure,

7. A weatherproof closure according to claim 6 wherein said inner flap extends transversely beyond the corresponding inner edge of the closure behind said inner fastening means.

8. A weatherproof closure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 6th day of February,. 19.91 PADDY PALLIN PTY. LIMITED Attorney: WILLIAM S. LLOYD Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia Aof SHELSTON WATERS 7