Abstract:
A wrap around article capable of being donned by a user engaged in outdoor pursuits including a main body having top, side and bottom edges defining a substantially square shaped configuration and which is constructed of a durable and waterproof material such as neoprene with an interior cushioning foam material. A main belt is secured in proximity to the top edge of the article and first and second pairs of legging straps are secured, respectively, to locations proximate the bottom edge of the article. Both the main belt and legging straps each further include interengaging members typically provided as snap fit members forming terminating portions of an adjustable main belt and releasably interengaging hook and loop fastener attachment portions for comfortably securing the article to the buttocks and upper legs of the user. The article is configured so that it conforms comfortably to the buttocks and about the upper legs of the user while providing the user a significant degree of movability. Additional interengaging portions permit the pairs of straps to adhere against the main body when the article is not in use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/503,311, filed Feb. 14, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,959 a Wrap-around and Waterproof Seat Apparel for Outdoor Applications. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to seat or pant insulating and waterproofing devices and, more particularly, to a convenient wrap-around and waterproof article of apparel which can be quickly applied over the user&#39;s conventional outdoor clothing and which provides a measured degree of both waterproof resistance when the user is in a seated position during the outdoor activity, as well as a degree of insulating warmth. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various types of insulating and, to some extent, waterproofing, seat materials are known in the art and for use in outdoor activities. A first example of such a device is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,895, issued to Sovereign, and which discloses a garment for protecting the buttocks of a wearer when seated. 
     Sovereign includes a waist band with a rectangular pad depending downwardly from a rear of the waist band and having a width which extends around the rear of the wearer and downwardly beyond the wearer&#39;s crotch. A utility pocket is provided on an inner or front surface of the pad and so that the pocket is arranged forwardly and between the legs of the user when the user is seated. On the outside of the pad is provided a transparent plastic cover defining a pocket for receiving printed information such as a sports logo and the pocket is closable by pulling the waist band around the waist of the user. 
     While providing an interesting disclosure, it is noted that the device of Sovereign likely has certain limitations to the size of individual to which it can be applied by virtue of its construction. Furthermore, the incorporation of multiple layers of material, including the inner fleece layer, the layer of foam material, and the outer waterproof layer, tend to add bulkiness to the article. It has been also found that, once the outer waterproof layer inevitably becomes ripped, torn or snagged due to persistent outdoor use, the inner layers of a device such as Sovereign will quickly become waterlogged and compromised, thus rendering them ineffective for their intended tasks. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,634, issued to Brinkman, teaches a belt type garment with foldable seat cover and having straps projecting from opposing ends of a pouch secured about a user&#39;s waist. An elongate opening formed in the pouch is positioned above the user&#39;s seat and is releasably closed by two separate (inner and outer) zippers. An elongate panel or sheet of flexible, waterproof material is secured at one end of one edge of the pouch opening to extend downwardly out of one (outer) zipper into an operative position beneath one&#39;s seat. The panel or sheet may then be secured in place by two other straps which fasten around the legs of the user. The inner zipper may be closed to retain personal items in the pouch. When not in use, the waterproof panel is rolled up and stored in the pouch. 
     While providing an effective article, Brinkman includes a substantially rectangular and uniform cover section with only a first and second strap extending from opposite edges of the cover section. The further fact that the straps extend from proximately the outer opposite edges, rather than from more central locations of the panel of material, causes to provide a lesser degree of support to the user. Accordingly, the device of Brinkman tends to become very cumbersome and bulky when worn by a user, in that it restricts the freedom of motion of the user&#39;s legs and due to the tendency of the user to want to be able to move about with the upper portion of one leg in varying differing positions relative to the other leg, such usually being the case when climbing or scaling upon outdoor obstacles (trees, shrubs, hills, etc.). Accordingly, Brinkman would in reality be fairly limiting in actual applications. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,859, issued to Hamberg, discloses a supplementary clothing article suitable for outdoor use and which provides an insulated area between a user and a substrate surface, such as a cold surface. The article is adapted to be worn about a user&#39;s torso in a folded condition when not in use. The article is composed of a plurality of pad members each including a layer of mat insulating material provided with an outer covering of a textile material and a flexible connection forming a fold area between adjacently located pad members. Also included are a pair of spaced-apart flexible strap means, one of which is located near the upper end of an upper-most pad member and the other being near an upper end of a lower-most pad member for encircling a wearer&#39;s torso at the waist when the article is in a folded form or in use and so that the strap means encircle the lower torso in the region of the user&#39;s legs. Applicant&#39;s best understanding of Hamberg therefore is that it does not teach or suggest the provision of dedicated pairs of straps for securing about the first and second legs of the user and apart from additional straps for engaging around the user&#39;s waist or lower torso. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,706, issued to Netz, teaches a garment convertible from a muffler to a seat warmer and which includes a foldable pad which can be unfolded, worn about the waist of the user, and worn over and below the rear buttocks of the user, thereby serving as a seat. The pad can also be folded and secured in its folded state to define a space within for receiving the hands of the user, strapped to the waist of the user, and worn in front of the user, thus serving as a muffler. The pad is preferably composed of three adjacent pads joined to one another to facilitate folding. The pad is also preferably insulated and constructed out of a waterproof material, thus permitting its use under a wide variety of weather conditions. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,423, issued to Foss, discloses a flexible shield mountable on the rump of a user&#39;s body to protect the user from incurring bruises and abrasions while sliding down a hill. The shield includes a skid plate and adjustable straps for releasably attaching the skid plate to the rump of the user. The skid plate is further preferably a sheet of flexible plastic, substantially rectangular in form, and having a smooth posterior surface for sliding on snow or ice. A lower portion of the skid plate is bifurcated by a vertical slit to facilitate walking with the shield in place. A waist strap is inserted through slits in the left and right upper corners of the skid plate. Left and right leg straps secure the lower portion of the skid plate to the user&#39;s legs. A crotch strap is inserted through a slit in a flap in the lower central portion of the skid plate, the two ends of the crotch strap passing between the legs and being connected to the ends of the waist strap. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention is a wrap around article capable of being donned by a user engaged in outdoor pursuits and including an ergonomically configured main body having top, side and bottom edges and which is constructed of a durable and waterproof material such as neoprene with an interior cushioning foam material. A main belt is secured in proximity to the top edge of the article. First and second secondary straps are secured at specified locations proximate the bottom edge of the main body. 
     The main belt includes snap fit members forming terminating portions of adjustable first and second lengths. Releasably interengaging Velcro® attachment portions extend from ends of first and second pairs of fixed legging straps forming the first and second straps for comfortably securing the article to the buttocks and upper legs of the user. Additional interengaging attachment portions, typically again Velcro® portions, are provided in opposingly facing fashion between a front facing surface of the main body and selected legging straps and in order to maintain the legging straps in a substantially flush and adhering fashion against the front surface of the main body. Additional features include the employment of rivets to reinforce the integrity of the article. 
     A second preferred embodiment substitutes the substantially planar and square shaped cross section with first and second downwardly extending and arcuately configured legging portions. The purpose of the legging portions is to provide additional conformance of the article to the user&#39;s legs and buttocks. As with the first preferred embodiment, additional interengaging attachment portions are provided in opposingly fashion between the front facing surface of the main article body and selected legging straps and in order to maintain the legging straps in a substantially flush and adhering fashion against the front surface of the main body. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following specification, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective environmental view of the wrap-around and waterproof seat apparel article according to the present invention and showing it being worn by a user engaged in an outdoor activity; 
     FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the seat apparel article and further illustrating the main interengaging belt incorporated proximate to the upper edge of the article and combined with the first and second pairs of legging straps with multiple interengaging portions; 
     FIG. 3 is a reversed plan view of the seat apparel article and illustrating its outwardly or rear facing surfaces; 
     FIG. 4 is a lower sectional view of the first and second pairs of legging straps secured in a substantially flush and adhering fashion against the main body; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the successive interengaging portions arrayed between the associated pairs of legging straps, as well as between an inner-most arrayed strap and the main body; 
     FIG. 6 is a further perspective environmental view of the wrap-around and waterproof seat apparel article according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a further perspective view of the seat apparel article in a substantially 180° rotated position relative to FIG.  6  and showing the interengaging main belt and first and second downwardly extending legging portions with additional legging straps; and 
     FIG. 8 is a further plan view, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2 with respect to the first preferred embodiment, and showing a further configuration of the downwardly extending legging straps of the seat article according to the second preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective environmental view is illustrated at  10  of the wrap-around and waterproof seat apparel article according to present invention and showing it being worn by a user  12  engaged in an outdoor. As will be further described in additional detail, it is understood that the wrap around article of the present invention can be employed in many and numerous outdoor applications, such as in hunting, fishing, skiing and in addition to outdoor spectator sports and the like. As will also be further described in additional detail, the purpose of the wrap around article of the instant invention is to provide the wearer with a quickly securable garment over the user&#39;s existing outerwear and which enables the user to primarily acquire a degree of water-resistance to the existing outerwear clothing and, furthermore a secondary and additional degree of thermally insulating protection afforded by the wrap around article. 
     Referring additionally to FIGS. 2 and 3, first and second plan views are illustrated, respectively, of the seat apparel article  10  in 180° rotated positions. The article  10  is constructed of a substantially and ergonomically configured main body covering a given surface area and including a front facing surface  16  and a rear facing surface  18 . The article  10  further includes a top edge  20 , a first extending side edge  22 , a second extending side edge  24 , and a generally bottom extending edge  26  which define, in combination, a generally square shaped configuration. It is also contemplated that one or more of the edges of the article  10  may be notched or curved to further facilitate being ergonomically configured to the user&#39;s buttocks and upper legs, as is shown in FIG. 1, and so that the article can be comfortably worn during any outdoor activity. 
     A main interengaging belt  28  is incorporated proximate to the upper edge  20  of the article and, in the primary illustrated variation, is sewn against the front facing surface  16  and continuously extends from the opposite edges  22  and  24 . The main belt  28  terminates at one end in a first releasably interlocking portion  30  and at the other end in a second interengaging and releasably interlocking portion  32 . The interlocking portions  30  and  32  are by themselves fairly well known in the art and typically consist of snap connectors or the like for quickly and effectively securing and releasing the belt. The belt may further be adjustable, as is well known in the art, and can be constructed of a nylon material. 
     First  34  and second  36  pairs of legging straps extend from the front facing surface  16  of the main body. Specifically, the first pair  34  of legging straps includes a first outer strap portion  38  and a second inner strap portion  40 . Similarly, the second pair  36  of legging straps includes a first outer strap portion  42  and a second inner strap portion  44 . The strap portions  38 ,  40 ,  42  and  44  are, in the preferred embodiment, fixed elongated articles extending from the front facing surface  16  of the main body a selected distance from the bottom extending edge  26 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the strap portions  38  and  40  are part of a single elongated strap and are separated by an intermediate portion  46  (see especially FIG. 2) sewn against the front facing surface  16  of the main body. Similarly, the strap portions  42  and  44  are separated by an intermediate portion  48  also sewn in a similar fashion against the front facing surface  16  of the main body. It is also contemplated that the pairs  34  and  36  of legging straps may be provided as individual pieces either secured directly to associated locations of the main body or, in some manufacturing embodiments, molded or integrally formed with the associated surface  16  of the main body, again provided that sufficient stitching or other suitable type of reinforcement is provided for maintaining the straps with the body during normal use of the article. 
     Each strap portion  38  and  40  (of first pair  34  of straps), as well as strap portions  42  and  44  (of second pair  36  of straps) terminates in a releasably engageable portion, these being such as are commercially known as Velcro® attachment portions. Specifically (and as is again best shown in FIG.  2 ), releasably engageable portions  50  and  52  are provided at opposing end locations of the strap portions  38  and  40 , respectively, and additional releasably engageable portions  54  and  56  are provided at opposing end locations of the strap portions  42  and  44 . The nature of the releasably engageable portions  50 ,  52 ,  54  and  56  is that it permits the associated strap portions  38 ,  40  and  42 ,  44  to be resecurably engaged against each other at specified and axially adjustable positions and so that, in cooperation with the interlocking portions  30  and  32  of the main belt  28 , the article  10  may be comfortably fitted about the seat and upper legs of the user  12  (see again FIG.  1 ). 
     Referring again to FIG. 2, as well as to FIGS. 4 and 5, additional releasably securing portions are shown for securing the strap portions  38 ,  40 ,  42  and  44  in adhering fashion against the front facing surface  16  of the article main body. Specifically, a releasably engageable portion  58  is secured upon the intermediate portion  46  of strap portions  38  and  40  and opposingly interengages a further engageable portion  60  placed upon a reverse face of the legging strap portion  40 . Similarly, a releasably engageable portion  62  is secured upon the intermediate portion  48  of strap portions  42  and  44  and opposingly interengages a further engageable portion  64  placed upon a reverse face of the legging strap portion  44 . 
     Reference is also made to the enlarged sectional view of FIG. 5 which further illustrates the successive arrangement of adhering the strap portions  42  and  44  to each other and, in turn, to the front facing surface  16  of the article. The purpose for adhering the legging straps to the face  16  of the article is to provide a neat and storable appearance to the article  10  when not in use. An additional benefit of the adhering straps is to facilitate transport of the article  10  from one place to another and to prevent the respective pairs  34  and  36  of legging straps (again illustrated respectively as strap portions  38 ,  40  and  42 ,  44 ) from becoming entangled. 
     As is further again shown in FIG. 1, the main belt  28  and pairs of legging straps  34  and  36  are engaged about the waist and upper leg portions, respectively, of the wearer  12  so that the article  10  is firmly fixed in place. The advantage, as previously stated, of the wearable article  10  is that it is capable of being quickly donned or removed and, combined with its ergonomic configuration, provides a fair degree of comfort and adaptability to user&#39;s of differing size. 
     The material content of the article  10  according to a preferred variant is constructed of a layer of a neoprene or like material and which provides the requisite qualities of water resistance and, to a lesser extent, thermal protection against the outside elements. It is also well understood that the outer layers of neoprene can be substituted by other types of materials, without departing from the scope of the invention, and in which such other materials exhibit the necessary properties of water resistance and, in some instances, additional thermal protection. It is also well known that the existing outerwear itself achieves greater levels of thermal insulating ability by maintain dryness, therefore the present invention achieves both objectives by primarily maintaining the dryness of clothing it is wrapped around by the user. 
     The present invention also contemplates providing an outer layer of neoprene combined with an interior layer of a foamable material to provide a degree of cushioning and seating support of the user as well as some additional thermal insulation. Reference is again had to the article illustrated at  10  in FIG.  1  and which displays a selected thickness. The advantages of utilizing an expanded plasticized or foamable type material as an inner layer includes the ability to construct the article  10  at a relatively lower cost and with less fabricating time, as well as the intrinsic characteristic of such materials to also repel water if by chance it permeates beyond the outer neoprene layers. Rivets (not shown) may also be provided at spaced locations and proximate the side edges  22  and  24  of the article  10  to provide the function of reinforcing the stitched or adhesive securement between the outer neoprene or other waterproofing layers and the central foamable material, such manner of securing the layers together being alternatively or cumulatively available. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, a perspective environmental view is illustrated at  66  of the wrap-around and waterproof seat apparel article according to a second preferred embodiment and showing it being worn by the user  12  engaged in an outdoor activity such as hunting which is implied by the fact that the user carries a firearm  14 . Referring to FIG. 7, a further perspective and plan views are illustrated, respectively, of the seat apparel article  66  in substantially 180° rotated positions relative to the perspective of FIG.  1  and to reveal the inward surfaces of the article  66 . In the preferred embodiment, the article  66  is constructed of a substantially and ergonomically configured main body covering a given surface area and including inner  68  and outer  70  facing surfaces. The article  10  further includes a top edge  72 , a first extending side edge  74 , a second extending side edge  76 , and a generally bottom extending edge  78 . The bottom extending edge  78  is further defined as including a first downwardly extending legging portion  80 , a central arcuately recessed and split crotch portion  82  and a second downwardly extending legging portion  84 . The main body portion, as evident from FIGS. 6 and 7 taken in combination, is also inwardly and arcuately angled along the first and second extending side edges  74  and  76 , as well as the downwardly extending legging portions  80  and  84 . The purpose for this is to assist in the ergonomic conforming of the article  66  to the user&#39;s buttocks and upper legs, as is shown in FIG. 1, and so that the article can be comfortably worn during any outdoor activity. 
     A main interengaging belt  86  is incorporated proximate to the upper edge  72  of the article and, in the primary illustrated variation, is sewn against the inner  68  facing surface and continuously extends from the opposite edges  74  and  76 . The main belt  86  terminates at one end in a first releasably interlocking portion  88  and at the other end in a second interengaging and releasably interlocking portion  90 . The interlocking portions  88  and  90  are by themselves fairly well known in the art and typically consist of snap connectors or the like for quickly and effectively securing and releasing the belt. The belt  86  may further be adjustable, as is well known in the art, and can be constructed of a nylon material. 
     Combined with the first  80  and second  84  downwardly extending legging portions are again the first and second pairs of legging straps as will again be described. Specifically, legging straps  92  and  94  extend from selected locations along the inner face  68  of the first legging portion  80  and, similarly, legging straps  96  and  98  extend from selected locations along the inner face of the second legging portion  84 . Each strap again includes a releasably engageable portions, these being such as are commercially known as Velcro® attachment portions. The first and second pairs  92 ,  94  and  96 ,  98  are illustrated in interengaged fashion in FIGS. 6 and 7, accordingly the interengaging portions are hidden from view. 
     Referring again to FIG. 7, additional releasably securing portions are again shown for securing the strap portions  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  in adhering fashion against the front facing surface  16  of the article main body. Specifically, a releasably engageable portion  100  is secured upon the inner facing surface  68  of the article  66  in proximity to the first legging portion  80  and opposingly interengages a further engageable portion  102  placed upon a reverse face of the legging strap portion  92 . Similarly, a releasably engageable portion  104  is secured upon the inner facing surface  68  of the article  66  in proximity to the second legging portion  84  and opposingly interengages a further engageable portion  106  placed upon a reverse face of the legging strap portion  96 . When applied in the adhering, or “stow-away” fashion, the pairs of legging straps,  92 ,  94  and  96 ,  98  adapt to a configuration as substantially illustrated in the enlarged sectional view of FIG. 4 in the first preferred embodiment. 
     Referring finally to FIG. 8, a slightly further modified configuration  100  is illustrated of the seat article otherwise illustrated at  66  in FIGS. 6 and 7, and in which each pair of the legging straps is provided as a single strap (see at  108  and  110  for legging portions  80  and  84 , respectively). A central portion of each strap  108  and  110  is sewn or otherwise secured to the inner facing surface  68  of the article  66  and the strap  108  includes extending ends  112  and  114 , while the strap  110  includes extending ends  116  and  118 . Pairs of interengaging portions  120  and  122  (strap ends  112  and  114 ) and  124  and  126  (strap ends  116  and  118 ) interengage to secure the strap portions about the legs of the user. Additional interengaging portions  128  and  130  (legging portion  80 ) and  132  and  134  (legging portion  84 ) adheringly engage the straps against the inner facing edge  68  of the reconfigured article  100  in the manner previously described. 
     Having described my invention, it will become apparent that it discloses a novel and useful wrap around article for numerous outdoor applications. Additional features include the ability to place numerous different types of colors and color schemes onto the exteriorly facing surfaces of the article and such as forest, snow or desert camouflage patterns (see at  66  in FIG. 3) for hunting, as well as any other solid colors or patterns corresponding to team logos. The wrap around article further provides many varied outdoor uses in which it is desirous to keep out exterior moisture and to maintain the dryness of the user&#39;s pants. Additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.