ADAPTIVE CLOTHING

Description

I. RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/724,402, filed on Nov. 24, 2024.

II. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application discloses and describes adaptive clothing, and in particular, adaptive clothing for selectively accessing a targeted area of the wearer's body.

III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adaptive clothing is a broad category of clothing that can be utilized for a wide variety of issues. In particular, adaptive clothing may be described as garments specifically designed to make dressing easier and more comfortable for people with disabilities, limited mobility, or other physical challenges. These clothes often include features like magnetic closures, Velcro fastenings, open-back designs, and elastic waistbands to simplify the process of putting on and removing garments. They are tailored to accommodate specific needs, such as easy access for medically-related apparatuses, tools, or devices, ease of dressing while seated, and minimal physical effort.

Adaptive clothing emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily out of necessity for individuals with disabilities, including those recovering from injuries and illnesses. Initially, clothing adaptations were done by caregivers or family members, using makeshift solutions like cutting clothes to fit over casts or using snap closures for easier dressing.

Particular growth and attention to adaptive clothing emerged in the late 20th century, especially in the 1980s and 1990s, as more attention was given to the needs of aging populations and people with disabilities. The increased focus on accessibility and inclusion brought about a shift toward professionally designed adaptive clothing lines. Today, adaptive fashion has gained significant recognition, with mainstream brands and designers creating stylish, functional pieces that cater to a wide range of physical needs, thereby promoting inclusivity in the fashion industry.

However, and despite the increased options and alternatives in adaptive clothing, the existing options suffer from several deficiencies. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus, system, and/or method that provides a new and improved design and utilization of adaptive clothing.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to garments incorporating one or more selectively openable closure assemblies that allow controlled access to targeted anatomical regions of a wearer while preserving coverage, modesty, and garment functionality. In various embodiments, the garment includes a garment body formed from fabric or other wearable material and configured as a top, bottom, or unitary garment. One or more closure assemblies are disposed on the garment body and extend between defined regions of the garment to create selectively openable access points. Each closure assembly includes mateable closure elements—preferably interlocking zipper teeth—and at least a first slider and a second slider that independently couple and uncouple the mateable elements to open or close portions of the garment.

Movement of the sliders away from their respective proximal termini generates controlled openings that expose distinct anatomical regions such as the chest, underarm, side torso, back, thigh, hip, knee, calf, or lower leg. Independent positioning of the sliders also defines a gap or passageway through which medical tubing, catheters, sensor cables, or similar implements may be routed without crimping or compression. This configuration enables access to implanted ports, vascular access devices, infusion sites, or sensor modules while maintaining substantial overall garment coverage.

In certain embodiments, the garment includes multiple closure assemblies positioned on different regions of the garment body, each operable independently to provide selective access to multiple anatomical sites. The closure assemblies may be oriented along linear, diagonal, or seam-aligned paths and may be camouflaged within existing garment seams for aesthetic integration. One specific embodiment includes a torso-covering top having a two-way zipper assembly extending diagonally from the neckline to an armhole region, enabling a first access opening near the neckline and a second access opening near the armpit. The sliders of this diagonal assembly may be positioned to create a stabilized gap through which connector tubing is routed during medical procedures.

The invention thus provides a versatile, medically functional garment that allows clinicians and wearers to access specific body regions or equipment connection points without removing or substantially displacing the garment, improving comfort, modesty, and mobility during treatment or monitoring procedures.

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adaptive clothing garment comprising a two-way or double-separating zipper assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adaptive clothing garment comprising a two-way or double-separating zipper assembly in which the top (first) slider is slightly displaced downward from the garment neckline;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an adaptive clothing garment comprising a two-way or double-separating zipper assembly in which the top (first) slider is sustantially displaced downward from the garment neckline toward the sleeve hole (armpit) area;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an adaptive clothing garment comprising a two-way or double-separating zipper assembly in which the top (first) slider is returned adjacent the garment neckline and the bottom (second) slider has been temporarily displaced upward from the sleeve hole (armpit) area to expose tubing from an applied medical apparatus, device, or tool; and,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a clothing garment with a two-zipper assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top zipper moved down toward the bottom zipper and opening the garment at the neck; and,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the two-zipper assembly returned to a starting position but with a tube protruding through a small opening left by the bottom zipper adjacent the armpit of the garment.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments, as represented in the attached figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention.

The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “example embodiments”, “some embodiments”, or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “example embodiments”, “in some embodiments”, “in other embodiments”, or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

According to at least one embodiment, and consistent with FIG. 1 through FIG. 7, a clothing garment 10 is depicted and described. The garment 10 may comprise a variety of forms, including a top, shirt, tunic, or other type of clothing suitable for covering the torso of a human. The garment 10 is also envisioned to include forms such as pants, shorts, skirts, and variations thereof. Conceptually, the description that follows is intended to be applicable to clothing tops and/or bottoms, and/or combinations thereof whether separate or unitary garment options.

In one non-exhaustive embodiment, not limiting and only representative for explanatory purposes, the garment 10 is depicted and described as a top/shirt/tunic. The top as representative of a garment, generally denoted as reference character 10, comprises material that is shaped and formed for covering a wearer's torso. The top 10 comprises a neckline with collar hem, left and right shoulders depending from the neckline, and sleeves with arm holes separately depending from each of the shoulders. The top 10 comprises a front and back that may be coupled or joined via side hems, with the front and back joined together to form an opening therethrough that terminates with the neckline at top and a bottom hem and/or piping at the bottom.

In one aspect of the top (garment) 10, a two-way (double-separating) zipper assembly 12 is disposed on the top 10. The assembly 12 provides two-way opening in the top 10 for providing a variety of flexible and selective access points to the wearer's torso. The assembly 12 may be disposed, positioned, oriented, and/or arranged in a variety of locations along the top 10, including along the front, the back, the shoulder(s), the sleeve(s) and/or the side(s). It is envisioned that the top 10 with assembly 12 may be used for exposing surface area(s) of the wearer for visual inspection and/or examination, access to administer topical applications, utilize injectable supplements and/or medications, and/or to perform a variety of other procedures.

More particularly, and consistent with FIG. 1 through FIG. 7, the top 10 comprises the assembly 12 disposed between the neckline and the sleeve hole (armpit) area of the top 10. In this embodiment, the assembly 12 has an alignment that is generally diagonal in orientation. The general diagonal alignment assists in camouflaging the assembly 12 and enhancing the visual aesthetic and fashionable appeal of the garment(s) 10. Preferably, the alignment of assembly 12 is coextensive to installed or perception of installed sleeve seams/hems used to demarcate the shoulder from the sleeve, enhancing the camouflage and minimizing the specialization of the top 10 through the integrated assembly 12.

Generally, a zipper assembly comprises two-strands of mateable or couplable teeth that maybe selectively mated/coupled and unmated/uncoupled through a slider that either joins the teeth for mating/coupling or separates the teeth for unmating/uncoupling. In this embodiment, the zipper assembly 12 comprises two-strands of mateable teeth that includes a top or first slider 12a and a bottom or second slider 12b. At the proximal terminuses of the assembly, with the top slider 12a at the neckline and the bottom slider 12b at the sleeve hole (armpit) area, the teeth are mated and the garment is not separate and the torso is covered and not exposed. As each or either slider 12a/12b is/are displaced distally from the terminuses, the teeth are separated and unmated and the garment material is opened and manipulatable to expose the selected or targeted torso area.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 7 illustrate a progression or sequence in which the assembly 12 may be used. In FIG. 1, the assembly 12 comprising the top slider 12a and bottom slider 12b disposed at the proximal terminuses of the assembly 12 is depicted. In FIG. 2, the assembly 12 is mechanically manipulated by slight displacement of top slider 12a distally from the neckline toward the sleeve hole (armpit) region. The garment material is slightly separated and the area adjacent the neckline is exposed for visual inspection and/or other access. In FIG. 3, the top slider 12a is substantially displaced distally toward the sleeve hole (armpit) area, separating the teeth of assembly 12, and allowing optimal manipulation of the garment material to maximally expose the wearer's torso relative to the size, field coverage, and/or footprint of the assembly 12. In FIG. 4, the top slider 12a has been returned to its starting position at the terminus of the assembly 12 at the neckline, and the bottom slider 12b coordinated to displace distally away from the sleeve hole (armpit) area toward the neckline to allow access adjacent the armpit area. Finally, the bottom slider 12b is returned to its starting position at the terminus of the assembly 12 at the sleeve hole (armpit) area, with sufficient disposition of the slider 12a or 12b to provide a space, void, or gap so that tubing or other equipment may pass therethrough without being compressed, squeezed, stressed, or crimped to prevent delivery or evacuation of fluid(s) therethrough.

In one specific example regarding FIG. 4, an implantable port has been installed in the chest (adjacent the heart) of a patient wearing such a top 10. The top slider 12 a is displaced distally to couple the needle and connector tubing to the port for delivery of medication directly into the port. Once the needle and tubing are coupled or connected, the top slider 12a is returned to its starting position at the terminus at the neckline. Subsequently, the bottom slider 12b is displaced distally form a separate opening through which the connector tubing may be inserted from inside the top 10 to expose the end of the connector tubing for further connection and to couple the extended tubing to the medication source. Once inserted through the second opening, the bottom slider 12b can be returned to approximately its starting position to snuggly seat against the exposed tubing. In this configuration, the wearer is substantially covered and may be provided the modesty and/or mobility that is desired.

It is envisioned that the top 10 may comprise one or more assemblies 12. In such an embodiment, the multiple assemblies 12 are disposed at different locations on the top 10. Providing multiple assemblies 12 provides increased flexibility in the administration of treatment and/or therapy to individuals that may have more complex medical situations.

It is envisioned that the garment 10 may also include pants, shorts, skirts, or combinations thereof that cover a wearer from below the waistline. In such an embodiment, the assembly 12 and its sliders 12a/12b may be strategically placed in general locations common for access to leg regions for such treatment. Such arrangements and alternative embodiments may be advantageous for accommodating ports, injection sites, and/or external devices or implements to the benefit of the patient.

Related to the alternative embodiments of one or more garments 10 including pants, shorts, skirts, or combinations thereof, it is envisioned in alternative embodiments, the garment 10 may comprise bottom garments including pants, trousers, shorts, skirts, leggings, or any lower-body clothing configured to cover a wearer below the waistline. In such embodiments, one or more assemblies 12 may be strategically positioned to provide selective access to anatomical regions of the lower extremities, hips, pelvis, groin, thighs, knees, calves, ankles, or lower abdomen. The assembly 12 may extend along vertical, diagonal, horizontal, arcuate, or curved paths depending on the intended access location. For example, a assembly 12 may extend diagonally from the waistline toward the outer thigh to provide access to a femoral catheter site, implanted vascular port, or subcutaneous injection region. In another arrangement, a vertical assembly 12 may be disposed along the lateral or medial aspect of the thigh or calf to facilitate access to monitoring devices, soft-tissue treatment sites, or infusion lines positioned along the leg.

In further embodiments, the assembly 12 may be disposed along or within existing garment seams, such as inseams, outseams, hip seams, or contour seams, to provide a concealed or aesthetically integrated appearance. Curved or arcuate closure paths may be used to accommodate anatomical contours around the hip joint, knee joint, or gluteal region. For example, a semi-circular or crescent-shaped assembly 12 may be positioned above or around a knee bandage, post-surgical incision, or therapeutic wrap to allow clinicians to examine or treat the area without requiring removal of the garment. In certain forms, the assembly 12 may bisect a pant leg or skirt panel, creating an adjustable flap or peel-back section that can be opened partially or fully depending on the diagnostic or therapeutic need.

In some embodiments, the bottom garment may include multiple assemblies 12 positioned on different regions of the lower body. For instance, a first assembly 12 may be positioned on the upper thigh for vascular access, while a second assembly 12 may be positioned on the calf for sensor access, and a third assembly 12 may be positioned near the hip or lower abdomen to accommodate ports, catheters, or wearable medical pumps. These assemblies 12 may operate independently or in combination, allowing selective exposure of one or more regions while maintaining coverage and modesty elsewhere on the garment. In certain designs, tubular access channels, liner openings, or pass-through apertures may be incorporated adjacent the closure assembly to route medical tubing, drainage lines, cables, or sensor wires from inside the garment to an external device while minimizing discomfort or compression.

In additional embodiments, bottom garments 10 may incorporate elasticized or compliant materials surrounding the assembly 12 to maintain garment integrity and comfort during leg movement, bending, or stretching. Reinforced panels, gussets, or soft lining materials may be placed along the interior surface of the closure opening to reduce irritation and provide support for adjacent medical devices. The assemblies 12 may be configured for use with patients requiring long-term or continuous access to lower-extremity medical sites, such as individuals undergoing dialysis, chemotherapy through femoral ports, post-operative care, chronic wound management, inferior-limb infusion therapy, or wearable sensor monitoring. These embodiments allow the wearer to remain clothed, mobile, and comfortable while still enabling repeated, unobstructed access to lower-body regions.

In alternative embodiments, the assembly 12 need not be limited to a two-way zipper. The garment 10 may incorporate any selectively openable fastener, including but not limited to a single-slider zipper, multi-slider zipper, invisible zipper, coil zipper, molded-plastic zipper, hook-and-loop fastening system, a magnetic closure system comprising aligned magnetic segments, snap fasteners, micro-hook textile fasteners, bonded peel-open seams, or combinations thereof. In some forms, the assembly 12 may be removable or replaceable and attached to the garment 10 using stitching, adhesive bonding, thermal welding, lamination, or releasable mechanical couplers.

In other embodiments, the assembly 12 may extend along any desired path between any two regions of the garment 10. For example, the closure may be oriented vertically along the sternum region, horizontally across the chest, arcuately along the contour of the clavicle, semi-circularly above or around an implanted port, or in a curved or serpentine path conforming to anatomical features. Further embodiments provide intersecting or branched closure paths, such as a “Y,” “T,” “V,” or “L” configuration to create multiple adjustable access regions. The assembly 12 may also run along, adjacent to, or integrated within existing garment seams such as side seams, shoulder seams, raglan seams, or princess seams.

In yet another embodiment, the garment 10 may comprise two, three, or more assemblies 12 positioned in different regions of the garment 10. For example, a first assembly 12 may be located near the neckline for chest access, while a second assembly 12 is disposed along a lateral torso seam to provide underarm or rib-side access. A third assembly 12 may be placed on the back portion of the garment for access to scapular or upper spinal regions. These assemblies 12 may be used independently or concurrently to expose multiple medical access points or devices.

In further embodiments, the garment 10 may include internal or external routing channels, tunnels, loops, or guide features to support or conceal tubing, wires, sensors, or other medical equipment. Elasticized gaskets, soft silicone collars, or compliant fabric interfaces may be integrated around any opening created by the closure assembly to stabilize medical lines and prevent irritation. Additional comfort layers, padding, or breathable mesh regions may be incorporated around the closure to improve patient comfort during prolonged use.

In additional embodiments, the garment 10 may be constructed from stretch knits, woven fabrics, moisture-wicking materials, antimicrobial textiles, flame-retardant fabrics, or elastomeric panels. Reinforcements may be added adjacent the assembly 12 to maintain garment integrity under repeated opening and closing. The assembly 12 may be installed through sewn seams, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, seam taping, or thermal lamination. Portions of the garment 10 may also be water-resistant or liquid-repellant to protect medical equipment.

In other embodiments, the closure system may be used for non-medical or hybrid medical-lifestyle purposes. For example, athletes may use the garment 10 for rapid access to heart-rate harnesses or biometric monitoring pads. Nursing parents may use a closure positioned along the upper chest for breastfeeding access. Travelers may use the garment 10 to access wearable electronic equipment without disrobing. Tactical or emergency-response personnel may use the closures to access concealed equipment or apply field dressings more efficiently.

In yet further embodiments, the garment 10 may integrate sensors or electronic modules. Examples include EKG/ECG sensors, glucose monitors, strain sensors, temperature sensors, or wireless communication modules. The assemblies 12 allow selective exposure of these devices for service, replacement, or data retrieval. Electrical conduits or flexible circuits may be routed through garment channels or layers to protect and conceal wiring.

In another embodiment, the assembly 12 may form a detachable panel rather than simply opening a slit. The panel may be fully removable using magnetic or snap interfaces, allowing a larger opening for procedures while enabling reattachment afterward. Detachable sleeves, shoulder panels, or chest panels may be configured to accommodate ports, monitoring systems, bandages, or orthopedic equipment.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the claims are limited to the specific embodiments. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. It is intended that the application is defined by the claims appended hereto.