CLOTHING ARTICLE FOR UNASSISTED DRESSING

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/677,861, filed Jul. 31, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

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NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE STATEMENT: COMPUTER PROGRAM, SEQUENCE LISTING, OR LARGE TABLES

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STATEMENT OF PRIOR DISCLOSURES

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The present invention is an article of clothing which relates generally to a garment that one person may put on without assistance from another person. This would relate to many people who are unable to dress without assistance, including those in nursing homes or assisted living.

Brief Review of Related Art

The most common clothing article for people in nursing homes and assisted living who are unable to dress without assistance is the well-known “johnny gown.” A johnny gown comprises a solid front with a single opening in the back which is tied closed with a string. However, a problem with these gowns is that the gowns are uncomfortable, people do not feel fully dressed, and most people do not enjoy wearing these gowns. Other similar inventions in the field include the Matthews patent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,886,822 which relates to a hospital gown; the McElroy patent, U.S. Pat. No. 1,462,515 which relates to a hospital gown; the Czajka patent, U.S. Pat. No. 11,116,263 which relates to a gown generally; and the Mira application, application Ser. No. 18/531,798 which relates to a functional medical gown. However, none of these inventions solves all the problems associated with unassisted dressing.

The present invention solves the problems with the prior approaches to unassisted dressing. Particularly, it allows for a person to dress unassisted and feel comfortable, feel fully dressed, and enjoy wearing the clothing. Further, the invention works for those at home with bad hips, bad legs, or who are bed bound, to be able to fully dress without assistance. Additionally, the invention allows people to easily use the restroom without a fear of falling, soiling clothing, or assistance undressing. In fact, this invention allows wheelchair-bound persons to use their hands only to transfer to commodes safely without having to remove any clothing. This invention allows families with loved ones who are bed-bound at home to care for them more easily with 90% leg movements, eliminating pain, and dressing them with the same results.

This unique invention was specifically created to accommodate non-ambulatory individual's needs. The creation and experimentation occurred with the assistance of many physical therapy patients and nursing home residents.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an article of clothing which is designed to allow a person to dress without the assistance of others. The present invention is further designed to be an outfit that makes a person feel comfortable, fully dressed, and able to use the restroom without a fear of falling, soiling clothing, or assistance undressing.

Generally, the present invention comprises: (a) an upper garment, (b) a lower garment, and (c) a rear panel. The upper garment further comprises an upper garment attachment and upper garment attachment cover. The lower garment further comprises a left pant leg and a right pant leg, wherein each pant leg further comprises a seam, a seam closure strap, and a seam closure attachment. The rear panel further comprises a front and back, a rear panel attachment, a secondary attachment, and a stability strip.

The upper garment is attached to the lower garment using a means of attachment, in particular, stitching the lower edge of the upper garment to the upper edge of the lower garment, creating a garment seam. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the garment seam is left unstitched, as a lower access seam, to allow for tubes, attachments, wires, or any medical equipment or general equipment to be comfortable placed on a person under the upper garment.

The lower garment provides for a seam on the backside of each of the left and right pant leg. The seam closure strap extends across the seam and securely attaches to the seam closure attachment. In a preferred embodiment, five pairs of seam closure straps and seam closure attachments are fixed on the length of the seam.

The rear panel provides for a means to cover the rear end of a person. The rear panel attachment is fixed securely to the upper garment via the upper garment attachment. Additionally, as a means of securing the rear panel, said rear panel may fold in half vertically to secure the secondary attachment to the upper garment attachment cover.

One person provided with the present invention may dress unassisted. An upper garment, lower garment, and rear panel are provided. The rear panel is secured to the upper garment via the rear panel attachments and the upper garment attachment. The upper garment is provided whereby a person puts on the upper garment. The lower garment attached to the upper garment via the garment seam is provided whereby the lower garment covers a person's legs. The seam closure strap is secured to the seam closure attachment to close the seam on each of the left and right pant legs. While a person sits, such as, for example, on a toilet or in a wheelchair, the attachment of the rear cover to the upper garment attachment lifts away from a person's rear. However, when a person stands, due to the unique attachment of the rear cover, the rear cover lowers and covers a person's rear. The rear panel is open to allow for using the restroom without fear of falling, soiling the clothing, or undressing, and the rear panel is closed to allow for feeling comfortable and fully dressed.

The present invention is a garment that was first created with wheelchair-bound and bed-bound people in mind. However, it can also be used as a covering for many occupations and hobbies as well. For example, the garment can be used for painting, cooking, gardening, arts and crafts, and for any application whereby a person's clothes need to be protected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features that are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with further objects and advantages, are better understood by reference to the following detailed description read concurrently with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the lower access seam of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention with a back cover attached;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the outside portion of the back cover of the garment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the inside portion of the back cover of the garment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention by a person standing upright; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention by a person sitting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Equivalents

The present invention relates generally to an article of clothing. In particular, the present invention discloses a garment which allows a wheelchair-bound person to dress without the assistance of another, to feel comfortable and fully clothed, and gives a person independence to use the restroom without fear of falling or soiling the clothing. The following description primarily refers to a single embodiment, but it should be understood that any suitable garment, including but not limited to, short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, coats, jackets, or any other form of clothing, can be manufactured in accordance with the present invention. Referring to the Figures, one embodiment of a garment of the present invention is shown, and it should be understood that numerous modifications, variations, and alterations may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the below appended claims.

Further, it should be understood that while the Brief Summary of the invention related to a preferred embodiment, the following description should not limit the invention to this preferred embodiment. Understanding this present invention relates generally to an extraction device or apparatus utilizing low frequency transmissions, the following description relates to a single embodiment of the present invention and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. All definitions, as used and defined herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein should be understood to mean “at least one,” unless clearly indicated to the contrary.

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements. Other elements may be optionally present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with the open-ended language such as “comprising,” can refer in one embodiment to A only (optionally including elements other than B), in another embodiment to B only (optionally including elements other than A), and in another embodiment to both A and B (optionally including other elements).

As used herein, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above, i.e., “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive of at least one but also including more than one of a number or list of elements, and optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” when used in conjunction with “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one” in reference to a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combination of elements in the list of elements. Additionally, other elements may be optionally present other than those elements identified in the list of elements.

It should be noted that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, for any method claims used herein which include more than one step, the order of the steps or the acts of the methods is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities used herein are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about,” “approximately,” or “relatively.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description primarily refers to a preferred embodiment but should be understood to not limit the scope of the invention when read in conjunction with the Figures and Disclosures.

Generally, the present invention comprises: (a) an upper garment, (b) a lower garment, and (c) a rear panel. The upper garment further comprises an upper garment attachment and upper garment attachment cover. The lower garment further comprises a left leg and a right leg, wherein each leg further comprises a seam and seam closure attachments. The rear panel further comprises a front and back, a rear panel attachment, a secondary attachment, and a stability strip.

In some aspects of the present invention, the upper garment may be any well-known upper garment, such as a shirt, sweater, blouse, or any other type of top a person may wear. The garment may be made of well-known materials, such as cotton, polyester, muslin, linen, flannel, hemp, satin, or any other material, or any combination of said materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the garment seam is provided with said lower access seam. The lower access seam may be of any size, preferably large enough to insert cables, wires, hands, or arms.

In some aspects of the present invention, the lower garment may be any well-known lower garment, such as jeans, sweatpants, dress pants, khaki pants, or any other well-known lower garment. The garment may be made of well-known materials, such as cotton, polyester, muslin, linen, flannel, hemp, satin, or any other material, or any combination of said materials.

In a preferred embodiment, five pairs of seam closure attachments are fixed along the length of the seam. In some embodiments, fewer or more pairs of closures may be provided, such as for example, one pair, two pairs, three pairs, four pairs, five pairs, six pairs, seven pairs, eight pairs, nine pairs, or ten pairs. Alternatively, more than ten pairs of seams may be provided.

In some aspects of the present invention, the rear panel may be any well-known material, such as cotton, polyester, muslin, linen, flannel, hemp, satin, or any other material, or any combination of said materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the means of attachment for the upper garment attachment and seam closure attachment is a hook and loop fastener, such as, for example, Velcro. This means of attachment is important as it is more easily used while sitting in a wheelchair or bedbound and is more secure.

Referring to the detailed description of the present invention:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the present invention, including an upper garment 1, lower garment 2, lower access seam 5, and garment seam 7. As shown in FIG. 1, said upper garment 1 is stitched on the lower edge to the upper edge of the lower garment 2. The stitching is referred to as a garment seam 7. This garment seam 7 stitching extends along the edges of the upper garment 1 and lower garment 2. The stitching allows for a lower access seam 5, whereby an opening is created allowing tubes, wires, hands, arms, or other objects to enter.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the lower access seam 5 of the present invention. The upper garment 1 is stitched on the lower edge to the upper edge of the lower garment 2. The stitching is referred to as a garment seam 7. The stitching extends along the garment seam 7 along the edges of the upper garment 1 and lower garment 2. The garment seam 7 ends before connecting at the front, thereby creating an opening or lower access seam 5, whereby tubes, wires, hands, arms, or other objects may enter.

FIG. 3 illustrates an open back perspective view of the present invention, including the upper garment 1, the lower garment 2, and a garment seam 7. The upper garment 1 further comprises an upper garment attachment 8, wherein said upper garment attachment 8 is preferably of a hook and loop type fastener, such as Velcro, and further comprises an upper garment attachment and upper garment attachment cover. The lower garment 2 further comprises a left leg 3 and a right leg 4, wherein said pant legs further comprise a seam 9 and seam closure attachments 10, wherein said seam closure attachments 8 are preferably of a hook and look type fastener, such as Velcro, and further comprise a seam closure attachment and seam closure strap. In a preferred embodiment, each pant leg is provided with five pairs of seam closure straps and seam closure attachments. Alternatively, each pant leg may contain up to ten seam closure attachments 10.

FIG. 4 illustrates a closed back view of the present invention, including the upper garment 1, the lower garment 2, and a rear panel 6. The upper garment 1 further comprises an upper garment attachment 8. The lower garment further comprises a left leg 3 and a right leg 4, wherein said pant legs further comprise a seam 9 and seam closure attachment 10. As illustrated here, the rear panel 6 attaches to the upper garment 1 via the upper garment attachment 8, preferably using hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro. FIG. 3 further illustrates the present invention as if a person were standing.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of the front of the rear panel 6. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rear panel 6 attaches to the upper garment 1 via the upper garment attachment 8, preferably using hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro. This secures the rear panel 6 to the upper garment 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged view of the back of the rear panel 6. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rear panel 6 attaches to the upper garment 1 via the upper garment attachment 8, preferably using hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro. This secures the rear panel 6 to the upper garment 1. Alternatively, the back of the rear panel may contain a stability strip. The stability strip is made of any material, preferably a strip of fabric which is a thicker and less flexible material, wherein said stability strip is sewn onto the bottom of the rear panel 6 to hold said rear panel 6 in place in case of wind or movement.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the present invention whereby a person is wearing said present invention in a standing or upright position. As shown in FIG. 7, the rear panel 6 is in a closed position, whereby said closed position means the rear panel 6 covers the rear of a person.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the present invention whereby a person is wearing said present invention in a sitting position. As shown in FIG. 8, the rear panel 6 is in an open position, whereby said open position means the rear panel 6 does not cover the rear of a person.

In a preferred embodiment, the rear panel 6 is attached to the upper garment 1 via the upper garment attachments 8, preferably using hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro. A wearer dons the garment unassisted and closes the seams 9 of the left leg 3 and right leg 4 by securely fastening the seam closure attachments 10. If a wearer is sitting, the present invention will be in the open position, whereby the rear panel 6 does not cover the rear of a person. In the open position, a person may use the restroom or toilet without fear of soiling any clothing. When the person stands, the rear panel 6 will stay securely attached and cover the rear of a person. This position is called the closed position. Here, a person will feel comfortable and fully clothed as the rear panel 6 covers the rear of a person.