US20130042898A1

US20130042898A1 - Portable interactive insulated changing pod

Info

Publication number: US20130042898A1
Application number: US13/199,084
Authority: US
Inventors: Christopher Tallon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-18
Filing date: 2011-08-18
Publication date: 2013-02-21

Abstract

A portable interactive changing pod for the changing into and out of suits used in or in association with cold water activities. Embodiment is of non see thru, light weight textile, trapezoidal in shape, open at the top with an enclosed flexible rubber base. The body of the enclosure is opened/closed through a draw cord waist and rests upon the users hips, openings located on either side of the enclosure allow the user to quickly and easily disrobe and exchange clothing. Covering the inside of the opening is a flap providing additional privacy, a transparent vinyl window just below the knees provides additional safety and control when changing. The bottom of the enclosure wall is of a durable material that transitions into a flexible rubber base enclosing the lower half of the users body. The flexible rubber base along with the stretchable material below the vinyl window is made to interact with the users physical movements required to pull legs out of suits such as but not limited to wetsuits used for surfing, diving suits, drysuits, survival suits, swim suits, and protect such suits from damage and soiling.

Description

REFERENCES CITED

U.S. Patent Documents


6760921	July 2004	Simmons	2/84
5611083	March 1997	Arnold	2/84
*471373	December 2007	Dumoulin	2/69
0179132	April 2001	Gutierrez	135/117
*0017000	July 2006	Segal	2/69
0044606	July 2004	Frazier	002069000

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention related in general to collapsable cubicle devices providing privacy while changing clothes outdoors and in public. This invention lies in the field of portable enclosures for changing clothes and directed to such device which may be opened and closed quickly for storage and transportation. It is more particularly directed to portable changing tent which may be opened/closed very quickly with no need for special skills or manual dexterity and which is sufficiently rigid for general use in public.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Many of the portable changing enclosures invented are open on the bottom and have a plurality of members which must be secured together with many fasteners requiring more time and dexterity to assemble. They provide limited privacy, are impractical, and offer no protection from the debris and rugged terrain that will damage suits worn in association with cold water activities.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The principal objective of the invention to provide a wearable enclosure that provides privacy while changing in to and out of suits worn in association with cold water activities.
Another objective is to provide a stable and protective surface to change upon preventing damage and soiling of suits.
It is also an objective of the present invention that it interact with the users physical movements required to disrobe from suits worn in association with cold water activities.
A further objective of the invention is that it be made in the US and that it be partially comprised of recycled materials.
Still a further objective is to provide such a device in non see thru, lightweight textile, easy to use, and easily stored in devices such as but not limited to backpacks and duffle bags.
From forgoing general description of the invention achieves, as an important objective, said invention is made in a range of sizes for both sexes each size large enough to allow the user to change freely and safely.
The forgoing objects can be accomplished by providing a device that combines a half length trapezoidal, non see thru, light weight textile comprised of two side panels, a front panel, a rear panel, stitched together, and a durable material along the bottom of the enclosure wall minimizing damage. The top portion has an opening with a draw cord waist that rests upon the hips when tightened. Once the user is standing upon the flexible rubber base the enclosure wall is easily pulled up and over the users hips. Two openings located on either side of the enclosure wall from the upper thigh down below the knee allow the user to disrobe and exchange clothing, a privacy flap open on one side attached by a hook and loop fastener covers the opening on the inside, a transparent vinyl window just below the knees provides additional safety and control when changing. The bottom of the enclosure wall is adhered to a flexible rubber base enclosing the user from the waist down. The bottom of the flexible rubber base is textured adding traction, the top of the flexible rubber base has a 5 mil. thick textured neoprene matt protecting suits from damage and providing additional traction and comfort when changing. The flexible rubber base interacts with the users physical movements required to disrobe.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

1. an enclosure wall
2. a wall
3. a top opening
4. an enclosed flexible rubber base
5. a front panel
6. a side panel
7. stitching
8. a stretchable material
9. a transparent vinyl window
10. draw cord waist
11. openings in side panels
12. privacy flap
13. open side of wind flap
14. a hook and loop fastener
15. opening in side panel
22. bottom of enclosure wall
23. textured bottom of flexible rubber base
24.
25. textured neoprene rubber matt
26. rubber channel
27. interactive flexible rubber base
28. a and b of users physical posture

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an axonometric projection of an enclosure according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the functional condition of an enclosure as it interacts with the physical movements of the user according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an enclosure and an interior covered opening according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an partial axonometric projection of an enclosure and an interior covered opening in its functional condition according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a axonometric projection of an enclosure and flexible rubber base according to an embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The following detailed description represents the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principals of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, an enclosure (1) that may be portable and easily used may be of generally trapezoidal form having a wall (2), an open top (3), and an enclosed flexible rubber base (4). The wall (2) may be made of lightweight, non see through textile cut into four panels; a front and back (5), and two sides (6) sewn (7). All four panels (5,6) tapper at the top forming an opening (3) for the waist.
As shown in FIG. 1,3,4 there may be a draw cord waist that when tightened allows the enclosure to rest upon the users hips.
There may be openings (11) cut and hemmed down the center of each side panel (6) as shown in FIGS. 1,3, and 4 from the upper thigh down below the knee. On the inside of the enclosure wall over the opening (11) may be a privacy flap (12) which may be sewn to a wall on three sides and which may be open down the side (13) facing the front of the enclosure wall that may be closed by a hook and loop fastener (14).
As shown in FIGS. 1,5, there may be a transparent vinyl window (9) positioned below the knees across the front wall which may be sewn (7).
As shown in FIG. 5, there may be a stretchable material (8) below a vinyl window (9) that may transition into a durable material at the bottom of the enclosure wall (22) which is enclosed by a flexible rubber base (4) with a textured bottom (23) which may be attached to the enclosure wall by high strength adhesive. Upon the top of the flexible rubber base (4) may be a 5 millimeter thick rubber neoprene textured matt (25) which may be adhered to the flexible rubber base. As shown in FIG. 5, there may be a two inch wide rubber channel (26) adhered along the perimeter of an interior edge between the bottom of the enclosure wall (22) and a neoprene rubber matt (25) which may include a weep hole (27) in one corner.
Referring to FIG. 2, the embodiment of invention (1) which may be of generally trapezoidal form having a wall (2), an open top (3), and a closed base (4) as shown in FIG. 1 which may be enclosed by a flexible rubber base (4) with a textured bottom (23) having a 5 millimeter thick textured neoprene rubber matt (25) upon the inside as shown in FIG. 5 interacts (28) with the users physical movements (29 a,29 b, 29 c) required to disrobe.

Claims

1. A portable interactive insulated changing pod for changing into and out of suits used in or in association with cold water activities and cold climates made of a non see through, light weight, water textile, a partially open top, and a closed base. The body of the enclosure rests upon the shoulders of the user, with a tuck away draw cord hood in the neck, is of a generally full length trapezoidal shape having a mid section that is insulated, stitched and taped seams, a waterproof zipper running diagonally from the waist to the top of the shoulder, an opening on either side covered by a wind flap and a flexible vinyl window, and an enclosed flexible rubber bottom. The body of the enclosure may also be made without water resistance, waterproofness, insulation, or a tuck away draw cord hood for changing in warm climates. Is easily stored and convenient for traveling in remote locations.

2. The device as in claim 1 wherein the full length trapezoidal enclosure is made from a light weight, non see through, water resistant textile with interior seems sewn and taped for waterproofness.

3. The device as in claim 2 wherein the said invention is lined on the inside from the neck to the buttock with a thin layer of insulation material.

4. The device as in claim 3 wherein the said invention has a tuck away draw cord hood when down over the neck offers additional comfort by adjusting to the neck and blocking wind from entering the enclosure.

5. The device as in claim 4 wherein the front of the enclosure has a waterproof zipper running diagonally from the waist to the top of the shoulder used to open and close the said invention from the inside and outside.

6. The device as in claim 5 wherein the said invention has a pull cord located below the neck of the inside edge of the opening for pulling the upper half of the said invention over the users head, zip to enclose from the inside.

7. The device as in claim 6 wherein the said invention has an opening on either side of the enclosure from the upper arm down to the waist to release the arms for safety and allows clothing to be easily exchanged.

8. The device as in claim 7 wherein said invention incorporates a wind flap open on one side covering the said opening as in claim 7, is attached by a hook and loop fastener, blocking wind and rain and providing privacy, and a weep hole in bottom corner releasing trapped water.

9. The device as in claim 8 wherein the said invention incorporates a transparent vinyl window below the knees providing additional control and safety when changing.

10. The device as in claim 1 wherein the said invention has a closed base.

11. The device as in claim 10 wherein the said invention is adhered to a flexible, textured, rubber base protecting suits from damage and soiling, easily conforms to irregular surfaces allowing safe positioning of the feet.

12. The device as in claim 11 wherein the base of the said invention interacts with the users physical movements by lifting with the leg regardless of which leg is used.

13. The device as in claim 12 wherein the base of the said invention has a 5 mil textured neoprene rubber changing matt on the interior of the said invention.

14. The device as in claim 13 wherein the base of the said invention has a thin two inch wide rubber channel connecting the device as in claim 11 to the device as said in claim 13 preventing water and debris from damaging changing matt.

15. The device as in claim 14 wherein the base of the said invention incorporates a weep hole in one corner as the device as in claim 11 allowing water from a suit such as a wetsuit to escape.

16. The device as in claim 1 wherein the said invention is made to fit male and female users from toddlers through adult sizes by means of a range of sizes.

17. The device as in claim 1 wherein the said invention is easily rolled up and inserted into a light weight, water resistant carrying bag.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompassed any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.