CA2507247A1 - Garment to be worn by a convalescent patient - Google Patents

Abstract

A garment to be worn by a convalescent patient comprises a front panel portion and a rear panel portion that are joined together adjacent their top edges so as to form a neck opening. A
right closure mechanism is secured to the front panel portion and the rear panel portion, for selectively closing together and separating the front panel portion and rear panel portion along their respective right side edges. A left closure mechanism is secured to the front panel portion and the rear panel portion, for selectively closing together and separating the front panel portion and rear panel portion along their respective left side edges. The garment is placeable over a patient with the right closure mechanism and the left closure mechanism in their open configurations. The garment is in a wearable configuration when the right closure mechanism and the left closure mechanism are in their closed configurations.

Description

FIE?~D OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to garments for convalescents, and more particularly to garments for convalescents who are in wheelchairs for at least some period of time.
Specifically, garments such as coats, shirts, and the like for a patient's upper body are disclosed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Convalescent patients, especially those who are elderly and confined to a wheelchair, often must be dressed by an attendant, such as a nurse, or the like. This is a difficult task both for the attendant and for the person being dressed, for a number of reasons. The patient is typically on a bed ar in a wheelchair, and therefore must be moved considerably to don or remove clothing, which makes the task difficult from the start.
Further, most patients can offer very little or no assistance in donning or removing garments, or even in moving various bodx parts to the positions that are required for donning or removing garments. Moreover, such convalescent patients do not have normal joint mobility, even when assisted, and may even become readily injured. Therefore, it is much more difficult to dress them in conventional clothing, as it takes extensive arm and upper body movement to place the clothing on the convalescent patient.

[0003] Further, if the convalescent patient is in a wheelchair, which is quite typical, the wheelchair itself makes it extremely difficult to dress or undress the patient. This applies to both upper body clothing and lower body clothing, however, this discussion will be limited to upper body clothing. Garments that are worn throughout the day, such as shirts, sweaters, and the like and also garments that are typically worn for a shorter period of time, such as coat or jacket, are all difficult to place onto a convalescent and take off again.

[0004] Further, many such convalescent patients are elderly, or quite ill or frail, and great care must be taken in moving them around so as not to injure them.

[0005] It is quite common for such convalescent patients in wheelchairs to be dressed in hospital type gowns that open at the back and are closed at the front. Such hospital gowns are often undesirable, as they do not keep a patient warm. Further, these gowns are somewhat undignified in their appearance, and a patient who is mentally alert, merely physically frail, might easily feel uncomfortable or unhappy in wearing such a garment.

[0006] Such a garment is disclosed in United States Patent 5,050,242 and United States Patent 5,050,243 issued September 24, 1991 to Leland and titled Hospital Gown. These hospital gowns have a body made of flexible material and are made of a large sheet of material that covers the front of a person' s torso and wraps around both sides of a person's body to meet at the back of a person's torso, where it is tied together by fabric ties. Two ties also go around a person's neck to support the hospital gown on a person's neck. Two sleeves extend outwardly from the top area of the hospital gown.

[0007] United States Patent 4,683,594 issued August 4, 1987 to Feinberg discloses a garment for convalescents. This garment is provided for convalescents who are confined to wheelcha~,rs and secured therein for safety reasons by a restraining device. The garment features slits at either side, through which strap portions on pelvic or other wheelchair restraints can be drawn from within to outside of the garment for fastening to the back pf the wheelchair. When used in conjunction with such a restraining device, the garment fits the wearer comfortably and falls gracefully over the wearers knees. Detachable sleeves facilitate the dawning of the garment and can be separated for medical procedures such as injections, blood pressure examinations, and so on.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a garment to be worn by a convalescent patient.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, wherein the convalescent patient is in a wheelchair.

[00010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, wherein the convalescent patient is easily dressed.

[00011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, wherein the convalescent patient is easily dressed without injury.

[00012] It is a further object of the present inven~.ion to provide a garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, wherein the garment is similar to conventional clothing.

[00013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, wherein the garment keeps the patient warm.

[00014] It is a further object of the present inven~.ion to provide a garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, wherein the garment provides the patient dignity.

[00015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, wherein the garment is readily wearable outside of the hospital environment.
SUL~ARY OF THE INVENTION

[00016] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel garment to be worn by a convalescent patient. The garment comprises a front panel portion having a top edger a bottom edge, a left side edge and a right side edge, and a rear panel portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge and a right side edge. The front panel portion and the rear panel portion are joined together adjacent their top edges so as to form a neck opening. A right closure means is secured to the front panel portion and the rear panel portion, and has a closed configuration and an open configuration, for selectively Closing together and separating the front panel portion and rear panel portion along their respective right side edges. A left closure means is secured to the front panel portion and the rear panel portion, and has a closed configuration and an open configuration, for selectively closing together and separating the front panel portion and rear panel portion along their respective left side edges. The garment is placeable over a patient with the right closure means and the left closure means in their respective open configurations. The garment is in a wearable configuration when the right closure means and the left closure means are in their respective closed configurations.

[00017] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description end the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRR~TINGS

[00018] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization., use and method of operations together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[00019] Figure 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, according to the present invention;

[00020] Figure 2 is a rear view of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, of Figure 1;

[00021] Figure 3 is a right side elevational view of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, of Figure 1, with the right sleeve in a lowered position;

[00022] Figure 4 is a left side elevational view of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, of Figure l, with the left sleeve in a lowered position;

[00023] Figure 5 is a right side elevational view of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, of Figure 1, with the right sleeve in a raised position;

[00024] Figure 6 is a left side elevational view of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, of Figure 1, with the left sleeve in a raised position;

[00025] Figure 7 is a right side elevational view of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, similar to Figure 1, with the right sleeve in a raised position, but with the right closure means in an open configuration;

[00026] Figure 8 is a left side elevational view of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, similar to Figure l, with the left sleeve in a raised position, but with the left closure means in an open configuration;
_ g _ [00027] Figure 9 is a rear elevational view of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, of Figure 1, fully open, showing the exterior surface of the garment;

[00028] Figure 10 is a front elevational view of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, of Figure l, fully open, showing the interior surface of the garment; and, [00029] Figure 11 i.s a front view of an alternative embodiment of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, according to the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T8E PREFERRED AND ALTERNATIVE EI~O~IMENTS

[00030] Referring to Figures 1 through 11 of the drawings, it will be noted that Figures 1 through 10 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, according to the present invention, and Figure 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, according to the present invention.

[00031] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 10, which show a preferred embodiment of the garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, according to the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20. The garment 20 is typically to be worn by a convalescent patient. In brief, the first preferred embodiment garment 20 comprises a front panel portion 30, a rear panel portion 40, a right closure meant 50, a left closure means 60, a right sleeve 70 and a left sleeve 80.

[00032] The preferred embodiment garment 20 to be worn by a convalescent patient will now be described in full detail. As illustrated, the first preferred embodiment garment 20 is ~ coat, but the inventive concept of the present invention equally applies to other types of garments such as jackets, vests, sweaters, shirts, and so on, to be worn on a patient's upper body.

[00033] The front panel portion 30 has a top edge 32, a bottom edge 34, a left side edge 36 and a right side edge 38. Similarly, the rear panel portion 40 having a top edge 42, a bottom edge 44, a left side edge 46 and a right side edge 48. The front panel portion 30 is longer than the rear panel portion 40 in odder to accommodate a convalescent patient in a wheel chair. The front panel portion 30 and the rear panel portion 40 are permanently joined together adjacent their top edges 32, 42, preferably by means of sewing, so as to form a neck opening 29. Further, in the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the garment 20 is a coat, and the neck opening 29 has a collar 28 sewn thereon, as is weld known in the art.

[00034] A pair of fabric handles 45, or alternatively tabs, are sewn onto the rear panel portion 40. The pair of fabric handles 45 are readily graspable by the person or person's who is placing the garment 20 on a wearer, in order to help facilitate pulling the rear panel portion 40 downwardly, or adjust it as necessary.

[00035] Preferably, for most types of clothing, such as coats, jackets, vests, sweaters, and so on, the front panel portion 30 is selectively openable and closable at its vertical mid-section. In the first preferred embodiment, the front panel portion 30 is selectively openable and closable at its vertical mid-section 31 by means of a plurality of buttons 33. Alternatively, the front panel portion 30 may be selectively openable and closable at its vertical mid-section by other means, such as a hook and loop type fastener system such as that. marketed under the trademark VelcroTM, or clasps, or a zip type fastener typically marketed under the trademark ZipperTM, or any other suitable type closure means (not specifically shown).

[00036] The right closure means 50 is secured to the front panel portion 30 and the rear panel portion 40. The right closure means 50 comprises a zip type fastener, having a first half 50~ and, a second half 50b, for purposes of comfort, reliability, ease of use, and so on. Alternatively, the right closure means 50 could comprise a hook and loop type fastener system such as that marketed under the trademark VelcroTM, or a series of buttons or clasps, or any other suitable type closure means (not specifically shcawn).

[00037] The right closure means 50 has a closed configuration, as is best seen in Figures 1, 2 and 5, and an open configuration, as is best seen in Figures 7, 9 and 10 for selectively closing together and separating the front panel potion 30 and rear panel portion 40 along their respective right side edges.

[00038] The left closure means 60 is secured to the from panel portion 30 and the rear panel portion 40. The left closure means 60 comprises a zip type fastener, having a first half 60a and a second half 60b, for purposes of comfort, reliability, ease of use, and so on. Alternatively, the left closure means 60 could c~mpr~.se a hook and loop type fastener system such as that marketed under the trademark VelcroTM, or a series of buttons or clasps, or any other suitable type closure means (not specifically shown).

[00039] The left closure means 60 has a closed configuration, as is best seen in Figures l, 2 and 6, and an open configuration, as is best seen in Figures 8 through 10 for selectively closing together and separating the front panel portion 30 and rear panel portion 40 along their respective left side edges.

[00040] The garment 20 to be worn by a convalescent patient further comprises a right sleeve 70 and a left sleeve 80. The right sleeve 70 has a front sleeve portion 72 having an inner edge 74 and a rear sleeve portion 76 having an inner edge 78.
Similarly, the left sleeve 80 has a front sleeve portion 8~ having an inner edge 84 and a rear sleeve portion 86 having an inner edge 88.

[00041] The right closure means 50 is sufficiently long enough to also extend along the length of the right sleeve 70, as can be best seen in Figure 5, and is secured to the right sleeve 70 for selectively closing together and separating the front sleeve portion 72 and the rear sleeve portion 76 of the right sleeve 70 along their respective inner edges 74,78. Similarly, the left closure means 60 is sufficiently long enough to also extend along the length of the left sleeve 80, as can be best seen in Figure 6, and is secured to the left sleeve 80 for selectively ~los~.ng together and separating the front sleeve portion 82 and the rear sleeve portion 86 of the left sleeve 80 along their respective inner edges 84,88.

[00042] A typical use of the first preferred embodiment garment 20 will now be described. In order to don the garment 20 on a convalescent patient, right closure means 50 and the left closure means 60 are put into their respective open configurations, or in other words, the ZippersTM are zipped open. The garment 20 is then placeable over a convalescent patient with the right closure means 50 and the left closure means 60 in their respective open configurations. Once the garment 20 is carefully placed over a convalescent patient, the right closure means 50 and tie lgft closure means 60 are moved to their respective closed configurations, or in other words, the ZippersTM are zipped closed.
The garment 20 is in a wearable configuration when the right closure means 50 and the left closure means 60 are i~ their respective closed configurations. The garment 20 can still be opened at the front by opening the zip type fastener 33.

[00043] Reference will now be made to Figure 11, which sows an alternative embodiment garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, according to the present invention, as indicated by the general reference numeral 120. In this alternative embodiment, the garment 120 is in the form of a vest. The front panel portion 130 and the rear panel portion 140 of the garment 120 are releasably joined together adjacent their top edges 132,142 so as to form a neck opening 129, by means of two zip type fasteners 127. In this manner, the front panel portion 130 and the rear panel portion 140 can be donned on a patient separately, and then joined together.

[00044] As can be understood from the above description a,~d from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, wherein the convalescent patient is in a wheelchair, wherein the convalescent patient is easily dressed, wherein the convalescent patient is easily ~lres~ed without injury, wherein the garment is similar to conventional clothing, wherein the garment keeps the patient warm, wherein the garment provides the patient dignity, and wherein the garment is readily wearable outside of the hospital environment, all o~ which features are unknown in the prior art.

[00045] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For instance, the garment could be a shirt, a sweater, a vest, or any other suitable upper body garment.
Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the garment of the present ir~vention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims (12)

1. A garment to be worn by a convalescent patient, said garment comprising:
a front panel portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge and a right side edge;
a rear panel portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side edge and a right side edge:
wherein said front panel portion and said rear panel portion are joined together adjacent their top edges so as to form a neck opening;
right closure means secured to said front panel portion and said rear panel portion, and having a closed configuration and an open configuration, for selectively closing together and separating said front panel portion and rear panel portion along their respective right side edges; and, left closure means secured to said front panel portion and said rear panel portion, and having a closed configuration and an open configuration, for selectively closing together and separating said front panel portion and rear panel portion along their respective left side edges;
wherein said garment is placeable over a patient with said right closure means and said left closure means in their respective open configurations, and wherein said garment is in a wearable configuration when said right closure means and said left closure means are in their respective closed configurations.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein said left closure means comprises a zip type fastener.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein said right closure means comprises a zip type fastener.

4. The garment of claim 1, wherein said front panel is selectively openable and closable at its vertical mid-section.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein said front panel is selectively openable and closable at its vertical mid-section by means of buttons.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein said front panel is selectively openable and closable at its vertical mid-section by means of a zip type fastener.

7. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a left sleeve having a front sleeve portion having an inner edge and a rear sleeve portion having an inner edge, and a right sleeve having a front sleeve portion having an inner edge and a rear sleeve portion having an inner edge, and wherein said left closure means is also secured to said left sleeve for selectively closing together and separating said front sleeve portion and rear sleeve portion of said left sleeve along their respective inner edges, and wherein said right closure means is also secured to said right sleeve for selectively closing together and separating said front sleeve portion and rear sleeve portion of said right sleeve along their respective inner edges.

8. The garment of claim 7, wherein said left closure means comprises a zip type fastener.

9. The garment of claim 7, wherein said right closure means comprises a zip type fastener.

10. The garment of claim 1, wherein said front panel portion and said rear panel portion are permanently joined together adjacent their top edges so as to form a neck opening.

11. The garment of claim 1, wherein said front panel portion and said rear panel portion are releasably joined together adjacent their top edges so as to form a neck opening.

12. The garment of claim 11, wherein said front panel portion and said rear panel portion are releasably joined together adjacent their top edges by means of a zip type fastener.