Alice J Summers

US Patent:

60790512, Jun 27, 2000

Filed:

Oct 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/170949

Inventors:

Ann K. Whinston - Portland OR
Bert Edward Roper - McCall ID
Paul H. Gunderson - Portland OR
Alice M. Summers - Scappoose OR

Assignee:

O. S. Systems, Incorporated - Scappoose OR

International Classification:

A41B 112
A41D 302
A41D 100
A41D 102

US Classification:

2108

Abstract:

A waterproof pull-over jacket for water sports is provided with a waterproof waist closure system having a stretchable longitudinal fabric member attached to the lower edge of the jacket and folded up longitudinally to form a casing at the front and at the back. The fabric member comprises a layer of textured neoprene with a skin of nylon fabric laminated thereto. Nylon web members are received in the casing at the front and back of the jacket, exiting the casing at the sides. A buckle is attached to the ends of the back web member such that when the ends of the front web member are engaged with the buckles, the web members from a continuous strap around the waist. The two web members are each securely attached to the casing at the center of the jacket at the front and at the back to divide the strap into four quadrants. Pulling on the ends of the front web member applies tension substantially equally to each of the four quadrants while cinching the strap about the wearer's waist. The fabric member of the casing provides a continuous circumferential waterproof compression seal along each of the four quadrants.