Hunting wader

Abstract

A boot foot or stocking foot chest high wader constructed of waterproof fabric materials having a fully adjustable yet buckle-less shoulder strap assembly. Shoulder straps are provided along their length with a series of transverse height adjustment slits and a layered height adjustment strap of webbing that is threaded though the slits and a ring or slit is provided at the top of the front bib and the height adjustment strap is threaded through the ring as well as one of the transverse slits before being secured to the underside of the shoulder strap by hook and look fasteners. The front bib panel is provided on its external surface with easily accessible and waterproof storage compartments and pockets. The internal surface of front bib panel is also provided with water proof storage of sensitive items and a lined against-the-body hand warmer pocket that is accessed from the sides by inserting the forearm through oversized arm openings at the side of the garment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]The present application derives priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 268,048 filed Jun. 8, 2009.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to a chest wader for hunters and more specifically to a chest wader having suspension and storage features optimized for use by waterfowl hunters.[0004]2. Description of the Background[0005]Waders have long been used by sportsmen and in particular hunters, anglers and fly fishermen to keep themselves dry and, where necessary, warm as they pursue their sport, often in cold weather or cold water. Waders, of course, provide a waterproof outer protective layer of clothing over a portion of body to protect the sportsman as he moves in and through streams, rivers, lakes, marshes and all manner of wet and soggy terrain and are made of many different materials such as neoprene, breathable fabric, coated nylon, PVC, and rubber or a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a chest height waterproof wader having a buckle-less shoulder strap adjustment system so as not to impede the hunter's use of a firearm. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wader that keeps the hunter warm and dry and provides an easily accessed internal hand warmer pocket to retain the body heat of the wearer. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide quickly accessible storage for the hunter's small tools and equipment within the garment but which retains such items in waterproof enclosures when appropriate.

[0012]The front bib panel is provided on its external surface with a call pouch having a vertical magnetic closure and a vented bottom edge, shell pockets in form of looped fabric for receiving the hunter's extra shotgun shells, and a waterproof pouch or pocket having a vertical waterproof zipper. A larger cargo pouch is provided on the external surface of the front bib panel behind the waterproof pocket and call pouch. The internal surface of front bib panel is also provided with a water security pouch for safe, dry storage of sensitive items, accessible via a horizontally oriented waterproof zipper. The internal surface of the bib panel is provided with a lined hand warmer pocket that is accessed from the sides by inserting the forearm through oversized arm openings at the side of the garment. Locating the hand warmer pocket on the inside of the wader better retains the wearer's body heat and prevents the pocket from getting wet and becoming ineffective.

Problems solved by technology

However, waders intended for anglers often present a number of drawbacks and deficiencies to hunters owing to differences in the way each pursues their sport and the terrain in which they do so.

First, hunters are generally more concerned with warmth than anglers due to the fall and winter waterfowl hunting seasons in much of the United States.

However, when a hunter shoulders a shotgun, a buckle or clip beneath the butt is a significant and painful impediment to an accurate shot and an enjoyable outing.

Other equipment such as spare shotgun shells and duck calls required by the hunter are not needed by the angler and accessible storage for these items is not provided for in anglers' waders.

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