Waterproof boot to pant connection

Abstract

An article includes a first garment, a second garment, and a waterproof fastener system configured to join the first garment to the second. The waterproof fastener includes: a first annular gasket, coupled to the first garment, the first annular gasket including a flexible substrate and a continuous groove radially oriented on the first garment such that an engagement direction thereof is oriented 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the first garment, and a second annular gasket coupled to the second garment, the second annular gasket including a second flexible substrate and a continuous rib radially oriented on the second garment such that an engagement direction thereof is oriented 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the second garment. The continuous groove is configured to receive the continuous rib to form a waterproof interference fit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article comprising:
 a first garment,   a second garment, and   a waterproof fastener system configured to join the first garment to the second garment,
 wherein the waterproof fastener system comprises:
 a first annular gasket coupled to the first garment, the first annular gasket comprising a flexible substrate and at least one continuous groove, 
 
 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 first garment, and
 a second annular gasket coupled to the second garment, the second annular gasket comprising a second flexible substrate and at least one continuous rib,
 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 second garment, 
 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, the pull tab being configured to decouple the first and second annular gaskets when a pull force is applied. 
 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1  wherein one of the first garment or the second garment comprises an inner liner and an outer portion. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 2 , wherein the second annular gasket is coupled to the inner liner of the second garment. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 2 , wherein the outer portion is configured to cover and extend past the waterproof fastener system when the first and second annular gaskets are engaged. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the first annular gasket comprises a first annular flange coupled thereto by a first flexible section, the first annular flange extending from the first flexible section to a first free end, and the second annular gasket comprises a second annular flange coupled thereto by a second flexible section, the second annular flange extending from the second flexible section to a second free end, wherein the at least one continuous groove is positioned on the first annular flange and the at least one continuous rib is positioned on the second annular flange. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 5 , wherein the first annular gasket comprises a tab extending from a lateral surface thereof, the tab and the lateral surface of the first annular gasket forming a locking space therebetween, wherein in an engaged configuration in which the at least one continuous rib is received within the at least one continuous groove to seal the first and second annular flanges, the locking space is configured to receive an end portion of the sealed first and second annular flanges. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 5 , wherein the first annular flange has a first pull tab coupled to the first free end and the second annular flange has a second pull tab coupled to the second free end, the first and second pull tabs configured to disconnect the first and second annular flanges upon application of outwardly opposing forces. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first and second garments comprises at least one of waterproof materials, waterproof breathable materials, thermally protective waterproof breathable materials or materials that provide protection against chemical and/or biological threats. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second garments comprise waterproof breathable laminates. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener system does not include a slider or any mechanism configured to mate the at least one continuous rib with the at least one continuous groove around a circumference of the at least one continuous rib and/or at least one continuous groove. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the first annular gasket comprises a locator including a proximal surface, the locator positioned on the first annular gasket such that when a distal end of the second annular gasket abuts the proximal surface, the at least one continuous rib and the at least one continuous groove are aligned. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second annular gaskets are configured such that the at least one continuous rib is received in the at least one continuous groove via an applied radial force, wherein the applied radial force is perpendicular to a tensile force applied to the waterproof fastener system by the first garment and the second garment during use. 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 a first garment,   a second garment, and   a waterproof fastener system configured to join the first garment to the second garment, wherein the waterproof fastener system comprises:
 a first annular gasket coupled to the first garment, the first annular gasket comprising a flexible substrate and at least one continuous groove, 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 first garment; and 
 a second annular gasket coupled to the second garment, the second annular gasket comprising a second flexible substrate and at least one continuous rib,
 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 second garment, 
 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, the pull tab being configured to decouple the first and second annular gaskets when a pull force is applied. 
 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first garment is an article of footwear and the second garment is a pair of pants including two pant legs. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first garment is a glove and the second garment is a jacket or shirt. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first garment is a pair of pants and the second garment is a jacket or a shirt. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first garment is a shirt sleeve and the second garment is a vest. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first garment is a boot, wherein the boot comprises a gaiter, and wherein each pant leg includes an inner liner and an outer shell. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the gaiter is coupled to the first annular gasket and the inner liner is coupled to the second annular gasket. 
     
     
         20 . An article comprising:
 a first garment,   a second garment, and   a waterproof fastener system configured to join the first garment to the second garment, wherein the waterproof fastener system comprises:
 a first annular gasket coupled to the first garment, the first annular gasket comprising a flexible substrate and at least one continuous groove,
 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 first garment; and 
 
 a second annular gasket coupled to the second garment, the second annular gasket comprising a second flexible substrate and at least one continuous rib,
 wherein the at least one continuous rib projects radially from the second garment such that an engagement direction of the at least one continuous rib is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the second garment, 
 wherein the at least one continuous groove is configured to receive the at least one continuous rib to form a waterproof interference fit. 
 
   
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second annular gaskets are welded to form a permanent seal. 
     
     
         22 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second annular gaskets are one of thermally or ultrasonically welded. 
     
     
         23 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second annular gaskets are configured such that the at least one continuous rib is received in the at least one continuous groove via an applied radial force, wherein the applied radial force is perpendicular to a tensile force applied to the waterproof fastener system by the first garment and the second garment during use.