Inflatable waterproof coat

0001The invention concerns a waterproof coat in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. Such coats are easy to fold-up and can easily be taken along and are used to protect the user against soaking in suddenly coming up squalls. Such squalls occur often in summer, when the user is not wearing warm clothes. The disadvantage of the known waterproof coat is that it does not protect the user against cooling due to cold rain, causing the user indeed to stay dry in summer squalls, but may be troubled by supercooling due to chilling.

0002The waterproof coat according to the invention aims to avoid this disadvantage and therefore is in accordance with claim 1. By providing the coat with inflatable compartments after inflating an isolating air layer is created which prevents chilling of the user.

0003In the state of the art body warmers are known made from "fleece", a special type of fabric.

0004A known disadvantage of such body warmers is that fleece absorbs a lot of moist that reduces the isolation capacity of the body warmer. Also such a body warmer cannot be folded to a convenient item. The waterproof coat in accordance with the invention offers a solution for these two problems. Through stagnant air retained in the plastic foil, the waterproof coat has an isolation function and retains the body warmth. The plastic is airtight and water-repellent. Also it is foldable to a convenient item. This as opposed to a body warmer.

0005In accordance with an improved embodiment the waterproof coat is in accordance with claim 2. In this way a compartment can be inflated easily using a simple mouthpiece that hardly uses any space and that is easily closable by tying, folding or clasping.

0006In accordance with an improved embodiment the waterproof coat is in accordance with claim 3. This creates a waterproof coat that is simple and compact and by furling reducible to a small volume and weight which is put on over the head.

0007In accordance with an improved embodiment the waterproof coat is in accordance with claim 4. In this way the user can inflate the inflatable compartments after the coat is put on, which simplifies putting on the coat.

0008In accordance with an improved embodiment the waterproof coat is in accordance with claim 5. In this way after inflating the inflatable compartments will have a limited thickness and the waterproof coat remains in the desired shape after inflating.

0009In accordance with an improved embodiment the waterproof coat is in accordance with claim 6. In this way the back of the waterproof coat has planes of such dimension that they can printed on easily for instance with a company name or an advertisement.

0010In accordance with an improved embodiment the waterproof coat is in accordance with claim 7. In this way after inflating the waterproof coat better retains its shape and can if necessary be tightened around the body by pulling a string.

0011The following descriptions give an impression of the waterproof coat. It is possible to inflate the waterproof coat through a mouthpiece near the neck. Both the front- and backside are inflated using the mouthpiece. In inflated condition the appearance of the waterproof coat is comparable to a body warmer. Through a lower strengthened border of the waterproof coat a string is guided which string can be tightened and fastened when necessary.

0012The invention is explained with reference to an embodiment using a drawing.

0013In the drawing shows <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Figure 1 a three dimensional sketch of the waterproof coat, and</li><li>Figure 2 a top view of the plastic foil during production of the waterproof coat shown in figure 1.</li></ul>

0014In figure 1 a waterproof coat 1 is shown as it is worn during use. The waterproof coat 1 is without sleeves with armholes 4 and a top opening 3. A string 5 is placed at the underside, which makes it possible to tighten the waterproof coat 1 around the body. The waterproof coat 1 is provided with an inflatable compartment 6. The waterproof coat 1 is preferably made of sheet material that is joined at a top and at one side with seams 2 creating the suitable shape as shown in figure 1.

0015For the expert it will be clear that the waterproof coat in accordance with the invention can also be provided with several inflatable compartments, with sleeves, pockets, a hood and if required in other designs that are known for coats like these.

0016Figure 2 shows how the waterproof coat can be produced. From two layers plastic foil a circumference is cut, as shown as circumference in figure 2. The two foils are connected through melting on all sides so that the inflatable compartment 6 is created.

0017The inflatable compartment 6 is provided with a mouthpiece 7 whereby the two plastic foils near an edge 8 are not connected so that the inflatable compartment can be filled with air in a direction 9. The mouthpiece 7 can be closed airtight by clamping or knotting.

0018Close to the top opening 3 and the armholes 4 and if necessary at the under side, there is a strengthening seam 10 creating borders 11, that provide strengthening so that the waterproof coat 1 maintains its shape better when inflated. To maintain the inflatable compartment 6 in its shape and in limited thickness coupling seams 12 are provided. In the shown embodiment the coupling seams 12 are horizontal at the front- and backside, if necessary the coupling seams may be vertical. The coupling seams 12 on the backside are placed preferably at a distance of 0,20 to 0,30 m, so that there the waterproof coat 1 can be printed with advertisements. Seams 13 are placed at the underside, which create a conduit for the string 5.

0019After the two layers of plastic foil are assembled in the above described way the foil is folded double along a foldline 14 and connected by melting along the seams 2.