US 12,004,605 B2
Waterproof boot to pant connection
Darrin Haugen, Newark, DE (US)
Assigned to W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US)
Filed by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/137,938.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/955,051, filed on Dec. 30, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0196009 A1, Jul. 1, 2021
Int. Cl. A44B 18/00 (2006.01); A41D 17/00 (2006.01); A41D 27/00 (2006.01); A41F 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC A44B 18/0049 (2013.01) [A41D 27/00 (2013.01); A41F 1/00 (2013.01); A41D 17/005 (2013.01); A41D 2300/324 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article comprising:
an article of footwear,
a pant leg, and
a waterproof fastener system configured to join the article of footwear to the pant leg, wherein the waterproof fastener system comprises:
a) a first annular gasket coupled to the article of footwear, the first annular gasket comprising a first flexible substrate, at least one continuous groove, and a locator,
wherein the at least one continuous groove includes an enlarged portion that tapers to a mouth,
wherein the at least one continuous groove projects radially into the first flexible substrate such that an engagement direction of the at least one continuous groove is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the article of footwear,
wherein the locator is positioned on the first flexible substrate, and
wherein the locator comprises a proximal surface, and
b) a second annular gasket coupled to the pant leg, the second annular gasket comprising a second flexible substrate and at least one continuous rib,
wherein the at least one continuous rib includes an enlarged head that narrows to a neck, and
wherein the at least one continuous rib projects radially from the second flexible substrate such that an engagement direction of the at least one continuous rib is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the pant leg,
wherein the enlarged portion of the at least one continuous groove is configured to receive the enlarged head of the at least one continuous rib,
wherein the at least one continuous groove is configured to receive the at least one continuous rib to form a waterproof interference fit,
wherein the second annular gasket comprises a pull tab extending from a portion thereof,
wherein the pull tab includes an open portion extending through a center of the pull tab, and wherein the pull tab is configured to decouple the first and second annular gaskets when a pull force is applied, and
wherein the locator is positioned on the first flexible substrate so as to be capable of engaging the open portion in the pull tab, and
wherein the locator is configured to engage the open portion in the pull tab, when the at least one continuous rib and the at least one continuous groove are aligned.