Coverall Design

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Hello, I am industrial design student at Auburn University.  Our current project is focused on coveralls. We are aiming to redesign the coverall to better suit the user. In order to achieve a better design, research is essential. I come to this forum in search of feedback from those of you who use or have used coveralls while welding. I greatly appreciate any and all feedback. Here are a few questions if you wish to follow this format:1. What do you do?2. How long do you wear coveralls?3. What are your tools?4. How is your mobility?5. How is your body temperature?6. What is you biggest complaint?Thank you for your time. Perhaps this research will lead to the production of coveralls that will enhance your working experience. Attached Images
Reply:built in knee pads would be nice.....
Reply:I'm 6' 3" and 350 lbs.....it would be nice to find coveralls that would FIT me!WDE!!!
Reply:I wear insulated coveralls in the winter... now that summer is near I've switched to light weight coveralls. I really miss how quick I can get out of my insulated coveralls because they have leg zippers. I bought a pair of light weight coveralls with zippers last week but they are still a bit of a challenge to get over my boots. Also, some brands are clearly made for short torsos, you need to be able to move your arms overhead without squishing anything. I also have a smart phone with an otterbox that has a belt clip. A place to clip a phone would be nice.http://www.otterbox.com/DROID-BIONIC...efault,pd.html
Reply:For weldors make sure the coveralls are 100% cotton. No synthetics unless it is kevlar.                                                 MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Ditto, ditto, ditto. Zip up sides in the legs so I can get them on and off with my boots on. Some sort of sacrificial knee cloth, that I could replace after the knees wear out. Optional knee pad inserts. I usually wear the bib overalls for welding. I tend to run hot from june through september, but I live in the desert and weld for a living. Not clanky metal fasteners that annoy me in the washer and dryer
Reply:hplackI think that coveralls in general might be enhanced by more darts/overlapping panels that allowed the fit of the torso to expand. What I mean is the remarks about raising your arms and crushing your genitals is real, but if the upper back were a wide vented fold where the shape were retained but could expand, then the tension of the raised shoulders would be seen by the expansion of the elastic retainers- allowing the size of the garment to expand; instead of the cloth being pulled up at the crotch because there is no expansion between the shoulders and the crotch junctures.Next, is the tool use and carrying. I'd say that trade aprons or removable pockets, belts and other 'trade' selective tool holders makes more sense than the traditional few pockets and a loop to hang a hammer. I realize this implies manufacturing costs but if you look up the Skiller industrial clothing line you will see and exploration into this idea.  (they don't make welding clothing that I'm aware??)For welders, I'd suggest the overall would have potentially removable/replaceable wear pads for different types of work.  What I mean is- the TIG welders can almost go to work in a suit and tie (not that they want to) because that process does not spatter. But the welder working with burning, (oxy torch) or MIG or Stick where there are molten droplets of (very) hot metal will naturally burn up garments.  So if there were surfaces of the garment that could be renewed/ snaps, hook and loop, laces some way to remove and replace a wear pad then that is good design.  I realize that adds to the base cost but almost any welder burns up clothes and accepts the cost of more - as part of the work.I use a welding glove with a replaceable back shield. http://griffinheatshield.com/ same concept -different brand. The idea is to keep the glove for a long time, and replace the 'pad'. Same idea I'm suggesting you consider for the 'better' coverall.So a longer term coverall, might have various tool apron, carrying options. It may have a series of thicker perhaps foil surfaced replaceable pads that would resist burning and last it could be fitted to a wider work movement- ergonomic range of motion- by making the main body junctions into vented or fitted laps where expansion could reduce restriction(s) of motion.Last I'd suggest you consider an even wider jump of the imagination.  What about a 'pump' or air flow pump that worked by arm movement?  The back of the overall is a 'bellows' and it has two check valves. When the wearer moves their arms away from the body the bellows allows air to enter the back sized chamber but that air cannot enter from within the coverall becasue of a flap of material. Now when the wearer moves their arms back near the body the air in the bellows is expelled into the coverall body. The two check valves are lined up and that equals a pump; two check valves in one line means the inflow comes on one stroke or movement the outflow comes on the other. This would pump air flow into the body cavity of the coverall- this would help to ventilate the wearer and cool them as they did regular job movements.I know sounds like a wild idea but you may be the guy we get read about who invents the next 'new coverall' and makes their fortune- I'll buy one.Not sure is these remarks are the least useful (?) but you asked!Cheers,Kevin Morin
Reply:I kinda like these !!!!  Sorry I just had to throw this in. He does look happy in this pair. Attached Images
Reply:Thank you all for your feedback, and the hillbilly overalls will be a nice touch during my presentation.
Reply:I thought that the above overalls were standard issue for Auburn. At Christmas they give out new overalls that are for a dual purpose. They have the pockets cut out so the wearer has new clothes and a toy to play with. ROLL TIDEMaking as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:Some years ago they bought all the Auburn football players new shoes, they all had TGIF stitched on them. someone asked if it was for "Thank God its Friday" the coach said "No, its for Toes Go In First"Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:A guy went into a bar and asked if anyone wanted to hear a good Auburn joke. The bartender said "Do you see the guy in the corner? He was a star QB for Auburn. The guy next to him was a defensive lineman. I graduated from Auburn. Now do you really want to tell your joke"? He replied "No I dont feel like having to explain it three times". OK, I am done. Sorry I couldnt resist. ROLL TIDEMaking as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:I like pants with a diamond shaped gusset in the crotch.  It REALLY makes a difference in comfort and movement.  Some articulation in the elbows, shoulders and knees would be nice, too.  Not a ton, but some so you aren't tugging.  Coveralls I have used (not very many and I don't own any now) all felt like they were made for a cut out paper doll of person, not a real person.  I have fairly broad shoulders and I hate coveralls because every time I move, I am pulling the entire garment and it binds and tightens up on the opposite side.  And if I'm sweating a lot it makes it even worse because the material clings and it's hard to get off.  I feel like Houdini and get claustrophobic when I get stuck.Zippers need to be large toothed and made of metal, not plastic.  Leg openings need to be big enough to fit over boot tops easily.And +1 on the comment about being able to raise your arms over your head without crushing your crotch.And if I really really were to be picky, I would prefer a turtle neck type collar with a little stiffening in it so it stands up at the neck rather than a regular collar that folds over.Cotton.