Accessible Garments

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications, Ser. No. 63/655,016, titled “ACCESSIBLE GARMENTS” filed on Jun. 2, 2024. The entire contents of each and every one of these patent applications is incorporated by reference in their entirety as if set forth herein into the present patent application. By entirety, the abstracts, specifications, claims and drawings of each incorporated patent and patent application are intended to be included in their entirety as if set forth herein.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material, which is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of the applicant, the assignee or third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is for providing an enabling disclosure by way of example and shall not be construed to exclusively limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter to material associated with such marks.

The invention relates to improvements in medical garments. There is a specific need in the industry to have highly accessible garments that are also easily dressed upon and removed from the patient. High durability garments, preferably of a minimum number of pieces per garment, is also an industrial objective. Regrading accessibility, numerous access slots are desirable to allow for modern medical equipment, external to the patient, to access probes, tubes, drains, catheters and other patient contacting and monitoring apparatus.

Advances in medicine have permitted more speedy recovery periods for patients enduring invasive medical procedures. Post operative patients become mobile in hospital recovery environments more quickly than ever. Further, numerous devices frequently accompany ambulatory or mobile recovering patients, including but not limited to heart monitors (with chest leads), excavation tubes (coupled to collection devices), drains (e.g. from body cavities of the torso, chest and abdomen, as well as the extremities), and catheters (e.g. urinary connected to collection bag and pain management catheters connected to mobile pumps). Patients with casts and braces are also becoming more mobile more quickly following injury. This advancing medical environment would benefit from changes in the design of post-operative patient clothing, as compared to the traditional hospital gowns currently in use. This is true of both in hospital attire and the attire used for patient recovery at home or in an alternative recovery environment. Thus it is desirable that the design of post-operative clothing lends itself to home and outpatient use as well as in-hospital use.

The nature of the present invention is described in connection with the accompanying pictures of tops and bottoms. The tops and bottoms may be marketed separately. They may be more attractive, however, as a set in view of the multitudinal uses and environments in which patient style, comfort, dress ability and overall medical flexibility are needed in hospitals, outpatient care centers and at home.

None of the prior art to date has the reversibility characteristics of the present invention by virtue of snap strip placement. Thus, a need exists in the art for a improved medical garments that are simply constructed, reversable, simply closed and opened and that provide convenient access to the patient for external medical equipment access.

In one aspect, the present invention is an easy-access pant garment including: a singular piece of fabric having a first side and a second side, the fabric having an outer seam and an inner seam, the outer seam affixed together by pair of snap strips, the pair of snap strips including a pin snap strip and a receptacle snap strip, the pin snap strip disposed on one of the first and second sides, the receptacle snap strip disposed on the other of the first and second sides; and the inner seam affixed together by pair of snap strips, the pair of snap strips including a pin snap strip and a receptacle snap strip, the pin snap strip disposed on one of the first and second sides, the receptacle snap strip disposed on the other of the first and second sides.

In another aspect, the present invention is an easy-access shirt garment including: a singular piece of fabric having a first side and a second side, the fabric having a first side seam, a second side seam and a shoulder seam, the first side seam affixed together by pair of snap strips, the pair of snap strips including a pin snap strip and a receptacle snap strip, the pin snap strip disposed on one of the first and second sides, the receptacle snap strip disposed on the other of the first and second sides; the second side seam affixed together by pair of snap strips, the pair of snap strips including a pin snap strip and a receptacle snap strip, the pin snap strip disposed on one of the first and second sides, the receptacle snap strip disposed on the other of the first and second sides; and the shoulder seam affixed together by pair of snap strips, the pair of snap strips including a pin snap strip and a receptacle snap strip, the pin snap strip disposed on one of the first and second sides, the receptacle snap strip disposed on the other of the first and second sides.

The objects and features of the present invention may be applied jointly or severally in any combination or sub-combination by those skilled in the art.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.

Referring to, the front view of a medical shirt garmentis provided. Shirthas three seamsidentified as shoulder seam, first side seamand second side seam. Seams, when closed, define four medical shirt garment openings: neck opening, first arm opening, second arm openingand torso opening. Seamsextend along the entire length of the medical shirt garment such that they enable the entire opening of the medical shirt garment between any two openings. In this manner, with all seams open, a singular piece of material is used to create the medical shirt garment.

Seamsare secured by snap strips disposed along the seams. Each snap strip comprises two sides: a pin snap strip side and a receptacle snap strip side. The two snap strip sides engage in the typical snapping manner of inserting the pin into the receptacle at each pin-receptacle mating point along the snap strips. In, along shoulder seamis a pin stripand a receptacle snap strip. Along first side seamis a pin stripand a receptacle snap strip. Along second side seamis a pin stripand a receptacle snap strip.

The snap strips are specially designed to have the pin-receptacle placement with an inter-snap spacing of about three inches. This allows for complete garment closure with visually decent presentation while leaving sufficient space between snaps to allow for the insertion of medical instrument leads, tubes, and other patient contacting medical equipment at convenient locations on the patient. Chest tubes, catheter tubes and other hospital equipment is bulky and requires a minimum opening size.

Medical shirt garment also includes a hemmed collar, one or more pocketsand slit. V-shaped, hemmed collaris provided for patient comfort and garment durability. Slitmay be provided anywhere, with one optimal location being the area of the medical shirt garment directly in front of the central sternum area of the patient. One or more pocket(s)are used to hold medical equipment used by the patient in the medical care thereof and in one optimal arrangement are located proximate to slit. Slitis more than three inches long to a accommodate a central garment opening that is larger than those provided by the inter-snap gaps. Center slitis specifically provided for patient access by larger, bulkier medical equipment and it too has a hem for comfort, overall durability, and ease of insertion. Further the hem of a different color makes the slit easy to locate, especially in variable lighted environments.

Referring to, the back view of a medical shirt garmentis provided. Rounded hemmed collaris provided at the back of neck openingfor comfort and durability. The same considerations with respect to the functional aspects of the slit are present in all hems included on the garments of the present invention.

shows an open view of the entirety of a first sideof a medical shirt garment according to one embodiment of the present invention. The second side(face down side) and the first sidecomprise the two sidesof the medical shirt garment. The overall medical shirt garment also consists of a front portionand a back portion. As shown first sideof back portionhas sewn into the seamsonly the receptacle snap sides at the respective seams. That is, shoulder seam receptacle snap strip, first side seam receptacle snap stripand second side seam receptacle snap stripare all sewn onto the respective seams on the first garment sideof back portion. The complementary pin snap strips are all sewn on the respective seams on the second garment sideof front portion. Pocket(s)are provided on both of the garment at the exact same garment location. That is the pockets on the second sideare sewn, possibly using the same stitching, directly across the garment from the pocket(s)on the first side. This results in a right-of slit, left-of-slit distinction as to pocket placement depending on which of the garment sides is in contact with the patient. On the medial shirt garment of, two external pockets are shown, resulting in two internal pockets also being available directly adjacent to the patient for any desirable use. Similarly, the single shoulder seam provides a right-shoulder, left-shoulder distinction depending on the patient-facing garment side. These right-left distinctions are useful for patients that require medical access at the shoulder on one particular side or another.

shows another front view of a medical shirt garment displaying the snap strip pairs disposed on opposite garment sides so that an overlap of garment seam sides is all that is required to match mating seam strip pairs without inverting any seams or garment faces.

Referring to, the front view of a medical pant garmentis provided. Pantshave three seamsidentified as side seam, first leg seamand second leg seam. Seams, when closed, define three medical pant garment openings: torso opening, first leg opening, second leg opening. Seamsextend along the entire length of the medical pants garment such that they enable the entire opening of the medical pants garment between any two openings. In this manner, with all seams open, a singular piece of material is used to create the medical pants garment.

As with the medical shirt garment, seamsare secured by snap strips disposed along the seams. As shown in, each snap strip comprises two sides: a pin snap strip side and a receptacle snap strip side. The two snap strip sides engage in the typical snapping manner of inserting the pin into the receptacle at each pin-receptacle mating point along the snap strips. In, along side seamis a pin stripand a receptacle snap strip. Along first leg seamis a pin snap stripand a receptacle snap strip. Along second leg seamis a pin snap stripand a receptacle snap strip.

It should be noted that the two legs of the medical pant garment of the present invention may consist of two separate leg seams or one continuous seam. In the single seam embodiment, that seam spans the inner leg portions such that the seam “Vs” at the crotch pant portion to accommodate the second leg. This is the arrangement shown in. There a singular pin snap strip/is sewn, linearly, into the pant fabric at one seam side for both legs, and a singular receptacle snap strip/is sewn, linearly, into the other side of the pants at a second linear seam side; each snap strip portion accommodating closure for both leg openings.

As with the medial shirt garment, the snap strips are specially designed to have the pin-receptacle placement with an inter-snap spacing of about three inches. This allows for complete garment closure with visually decent presentation while leaving sufficient space between snaps to allow for the insertion of medical instrument leads, tubes, and other patient contacting medical equipment at convenient locations on the patient.

Medical pant garmentalso includes a draw stringthat is fed through hemmed loopformed by sewing at least a portion of the pant garment edge at torso openingback upon itself. One or more pocketsand slitmay also be included in the medical pants garment. Although not shown in, slitmay be provided anywhere. Pocket(s)are used to hold medical equipment used by the patient in the medical care thereof.

shows an alternative view of the medical pants garment showing side seamfull open in that snap stripsandare fully disengaged. Further, snap stripis shown in the V-configuration and ready for closure.

shows an open view of the entirety of a first garment sideof a medical pant garment according to one embodiment of the present invention. The second side(face down side) and the first sidecomprise the two sidesof the medical pant garment. The overall medical shirt garment also consists of a front portionand a back portion. As shown first sideof back portionhas sewn into the seamsonly the pin snap strips,andat the respective seams. That is, side seam pin snap strip, first leg seam pin snap stripand second leg seam pin snap stripare all sewn onto the respective seams on the first garment sideof front portion. The complementary receptacle snap strips are all sewn on the respective seams on the second garment sideof back portion. Pocket(s)are provided on both of the garment at the exact same garment location. That is the pockets on the second sideare sewn, possibly using the same stitching, directly across the garment from the pocket(s)on the first side. This results in a right side seam, left-side seam distinction depending on which garment side is in contact with the patient. On the medial pant garment of, one external pocket is shown, resulting in one internal pockets also being available directly adjacent to the patient for any desirable use. Again, these right-left distinctions are useful for patients that require medical access at the hip on one particular side or another.

shows another front view of a medical pant garment displaying the snap strip pairs disposed on opposite garment sides so that an overlap of garment seam sides is all that is required to match mating seam strip pairs without inverting any seams or garment faces.

Finally, snaps are easily undone when patients are constantly tossing and turning. The constant rotational motion may cause the “end snaps” to come undone, which over an evening sleep, may result in significant disengagement of the snap strips. To prevent this, snap stops may be included at any of the ends of snap strips. Velcro, j-hooks, buttons, etc. would all serve as snap stops with the appreciation that they may make complicate the dressing and undressing of a patient.

Medical shirt garments may close on one side or on both sides by the use of snaps spaced to allow for tubes, drains and catheters to pass through an opening while remaining attached on one end to the patient and the other to their collection devises, bags, bulbs, or pumps. The tops have pockets placed as described above to permit placement of smaller collection devices, pumps/monitors, or to permit items to be hung or clipped without hanging or clipping directly to the top edge hems. Medical shirt garments also have a center slit in chest area, along the sternum through which leads, tubes, drains or catheters can pass. The pockets are large enough to hold mobile heart monitors and infusion pumps. Minimal to no sleeves are provided to ensure no binding at casts or braces and to permit the extremities to be in full view. It is very important for providers to be able to view as much of the extremities as possible during post-operative medical care. Also, the design permits quick access to the patient's torso in the event of any care issues that require expeditious medical attention. In the extreme, the two-section, fully separable version can be fully disassociated and removed to permit full exposure of one torso side of the patient while the reversible version need only be slid out once fully opened on one side.

Medical pant garments have the same utility and are conceived as reversible. They open fully on one side from the waist to the bottom of the leg using a draw string to cinch at the waist for the proper fit and comfort, which may change as patient swelling changes. Like the tops, the snaps along the sides and the inseam permit the pass through of the tubes, drains and catheters. Like with the tops, a pocket is provided for holding or clipping the devices, monitors or pumps. The bottoms are made as shorts to ensure no binding at casts or braces and to permit the extremities to be easily perceived. Like the tops, the design permits quick opening so that a patient's full area of garment coverage leg can be exposed in event of sudden care issues. Unlike the top, there is no slit in the shorts.

In one preferred aspect, the pockets of the present invention, particularly on the medical shirt garment, are wide (six or more inches), deep (seven or more inches) and include one or more pleats so as to provide additional pocket volume to accommodate bulkier medical equipment.

In one preferred aspect, a customized snap tape is used as the snap strip with interstitial snaps removed to accomplish the desired three inch spacing. Further, different or dynamic color snap tape may be used for ease of identification and undressing progress in emergency situations. Finally, in the final designs, the snaps are most likely going to be metal since plastic snaps do not have the longevity require for hospital laundry.

In other preferred aspects, the pant and shirt material is 100% cotton for ease of prototype manufacture and wearability comfort. However, in the commercial settings, 65%/35% or 55%/45% polyester/cotton blend materials are likely to be specified according to various institutional laundry requirements.

In other embodiments of the present invention, snaps, drawstring closures and reversable garment portions may be included anywhere, in any combination on the above-disclosed garments. Socks, head wraps/hats etc. are also contemplated as being configurable and falling within the ambit of this invention disclosure.

The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more.

The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open transition).

The term “coupled” or “operatively coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and mechanically.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is not to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood in the broadest sense allowable by law.

Although various embodiments, which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings.