# US 9,775,385 B2 · Urination relief hatch for waterproof waders and foul weather gear > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,775,385 B2 - Document ID: US9775385B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/542,591 - Filed: 2014-11-15 - Published: 2015-08-20 - Granted: 2017-10-03 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-18 - Applicants: Robert A. Stevenson; Wendy L. Stevenson - Inventors: Robert A. Stevenson; Wendy L. Stevenson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9775385B2 ## CPC - A41D 13/02: Overalls {, e.g. bodysuits or bib overalls} (sweating suits A61H36/00) - A41D 13/012: for aquatic activities, e.g. with buoyancy aids - A41D 27/00: Details of garments or of their making (buttons, pins, buckles, slide fasteners or the like A44B) - A41D 2600/106: Fishing - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES ## Abstract An improved fishing or hunting wader, exposure suit or foul weather pants/bib incorporates a novel waterproof connectable hatch to provide access for urination. The low profile and lightweight waterproof hatch is centered over the groin area and allows the wearer of a fishing wader, or similar foul weather gear pants, to be able to quickly open the hatch and urinate without removing the cumbersome garment. A hinged or connectable lid may swing upwards and downwards and features a hook-and-loop fastener, a magnetic, or mechanical fastener so that the lid is held up in place and out of the way. After urination, the lid may conveniently snap back into place against a seal or O-ring thereby forming a water tight seal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A relief hatch retro-fit kit for a pair of waders or pants, the kit comprising: a substantially rigid base sealable to the pair of waders or pants and disposable in a groin section of the pair of waders or pants, wherein the base forms an aperture; a substantially rigid lid pivotably connectable to the base and configured to engage the aperture forming a waterproof closure between the base and the lid when the lid is in a closed position; a cutting template for marking on the pair of waders or pants a cut path; and a deformable seal disposed between the base and the lid preventing water from passing through the aperture when the lid is in the closed position; wherein the deformable seal is a different material from either the base or the lid; and wherein the deformable seal is an O-ring seal, a silicone rubber seal or a flexible material seal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The kit of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a flange for sealing to the pair of waders or pants. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The kit of claim 2, including an adhesive for creating a waterproof bond between the flange and the pair of waders or pants. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The kit of claim 2, including a backing plate configured to fasten to the flange securing the pair of pants therebetween and forming a waterproof seal between the base and the pair of waders or pants. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The kit of claim 4, including a plurality of fasteners for fastening the backing plate to the flange with the pair of waders or pants therebetween. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The kit of claim 4, including a plurality of rivets and a rivet gun for fastening the backing plate to the flange with the pair of waders or pants therebetween. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The kit of claim 4, including at least one seal configured for placement between the flange and the backing plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The kit of claim 1, including a cutting board for placement inside the pair of pants when cutting along the cut path. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The kit of claim 1, including a manually releasable latch connected to the base and configured to retain the lid in the closed position or including a compression latch connected to either the lid or base and configured to secure together the lid and base. ### Claim 10 A relief hatch retro-fit kit configured to attach to a pair of pants, the pair of pants comprising a first and second foot or boot portion joined respectively to a first and second leg portion, wherein the first and second leg portions are joined to a torso portion terminating generally at or between a waist and a neck of a wearer and wherein the pair of pants comprise a substantially waterproof material, the kit comprising: a substantially rigid base sealable to the pair of pants and disposable in a groin section of the pair of pants, wherein the base forms an aperture; a substantially rigid lid connectable to the base and configured to engage the aperture; a seal disposed between the base and the lid forming a waterproof closure between the base and the lid when the lid is in a closed position; a cutting template for marking on the pair of pants a cut path; and an adhesive creating a permanent waterproof bond between the base and the pair of pants. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The kit of claim 10, wherein the base comprises a flange for sealing to the pair of pants, and wherein the adhesive for creating a waterproof bond is disposed between the flange and the pair of pants. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The kit of claim 11, including a backing plate configured to fasten to the flange for securing the pair of pants therebetween and facilitating the forming of the waterproof bond between the flange and the pair of pants. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The kit of claim 12, including a plurality of fasteners for fastening the backing plate to the flange with the pair of pants therebetween or including a plurality of rivets and a rivet gun for fastening the backing plate to the flange with the pair of pants therebetween. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The kit of claim 12, including a cutting board for placement inside the pair of pants when cutting along the cut path. ### Claim 15 A relief hatch retro-fit kit configured to attach to a pair of pants, the pair of pants comprising a first and second foot or boot portion joined respectively to a first and second leg portion, wherein the first and second leg portions are joined to a torso portion terminating generally at or between a waist and a neck of a wearer and wherein the pair of pants comprise a substantially waterproof material, the kit comprising: a substantially rigid base sealable to the pair of pants and disposable in a groin section of the pair of pants, wherein the base forms an aperture; a substantially rigid lid pivotably connectable to the base and configured to engage the aperture; a seal disposed between the base and the lid forming a waterproof closure between the base and the lid when the lid is in a closed position; a manually releasable latch connected to the base and configured to retain the lid in the closed position or a compression latch connected to either the lid or base and configured to secure together the lid and base; and a second seal configured for placement between the base and the pair of pants, the second seal forming a waterproof seal between the pair of pants and the base. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The kit of claim 15, wherein the substantially rigid base comprises a flange for sealing to the pair of pants, and wherein the second seal for creating a waterproof seal is disposed between the flange and the pair of pants. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The kit of claim 16, including a backing plate configured to fasten to the flange securing the pair of pants therebetween. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The kit of claim 17, including a plurality of fasteners for fastening the backing plate to the flange with the pair of pants therebetween or including a plurality of rivets and a rivet gun for fastening the backing plate to the flange with the pair of pants therebetween. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The kit of claim 15, including a cutting template for marking on the pair of pants a cut path. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The kit of claim 19, including a cutting board for placement inside the pair of pants when cutting along the cut path.