GB2455120A

GB2455120A - A garment for wearer with upper body impairment

Info

Publication number: GB2455120A
Application number: GB0723373A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leanne Dolan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-11-29
Filing date: 2007-11-29
Publication date: 2009-06-03
Also published as: GB0723373D0

Abstract

A garment such as a jacket, coat or top that fits over the head of the wearer and has an opening with at least one fastening means that begins at the back of one of the wrists, above the cuff 2 of the garment, up the arm avoiding the elbows 3 and shoulder area and ends at the back of the second wrist area of the garment. The garment may be easily donned by a person with upper body impairment or their carer. The fastening means may be in the form of a zip, press studs, hook and loop or buttons. Preferably the fastening means is in the form of two fasteners, with each fastener running from the wrists of the garment and meeting between the centre of the shoulder blades or lower neck area 1, below the collar of the garment. The garment may be permanently fastened around the wrist or may be separable.

Description

Intellectual Property Offk:o Fo, C,et..Iy and Innoval,on 3 Application No. GB0723373.7 RTM Date:3 June 2008 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro UK Inlellectual Property Office is an operating name of The Patent Office * * 1 2455120

FLEXIBLE UPPER BODY CLOTHING

DISCRIPTION

A combination of two zips begin at the back of each wrist above the cuff (2). They follow over the tops of the arms, avoiding the elbow (3), carrying on slightly below the shoulders (4). They then meet between the points of the centre of the shoulder blades or central lower neck area (1), below the collar. Now the upper and lower segments of the material can be completely disconnected when un-zipped (or attached by the cuffs).

This enables the item of clothing to be slipped over the head in the usual manner.

The under arm section (5) pushed under the armpit. The cuffs (6) placed over the wrists and zips fastened without any movement needed. All seams are comfortable, no pulling around the elbow/neck.

FLEXIBLE UPPER BODY CLOTHING

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to flexible clothing for people with upper body impairment.

Brain injury from birth or otherwise, progressive conditions or strokes including disorders of the nervous system can result in spasticity (stifThess or tightening) of the upper limbs.

People who suffer these problems experience difficulty in everyday dressing, both for comfort and style. Jackets and tops are pulled out of shape, fitting is time consuming and it is difficult to get the correct positioning. More importantly, elbows, shoulders necks and wrists can be easily injured and put under strain; each time the garment is put on or taken off.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a garment which fits over the head and has a fastening which begins at the back of one wrist up the ann, avoiding the elbows and the shoulder area, ending at the second wrist.

ADVANTAGES

-The introduction of a fastening here will require no arm movement from the wearer.

-Jackets/coats/tops which involve this design will be comfortable and adapt to most upper body shapes or degree of deformity/tightening.

-The material of which the garment is made will be under considerably less stress or potential damage from pulling or stretching.

-There will be a substantial reduction of the physical damage of skin on the elbows and restriction of the shoulder area.

-The zip combination can be applied to a wide variety of clothing material type or style.

-Preferably the garment will have two strategically placed zips which meet one another.

-Preferably the zips will be smooth and soft in nature.

* Preferably the zips will be discreetly covered by an extra flap of material to disguise their presence.

-Preferably there will be adequate fastenings on both wrist areas of the garment, to secure and support the design. These can consist of e.g. Velcro, press studs, ties or elasticated wrist bands.

FIGURE 1 -Shows front of garment.

FIGURE 2-Shows back of garment.

FIGURE 3-Shows garment un-fastened.

Claims

FLEXIBLE UPPER BODY CLOTHiNG

(I) A garment which fits over the head and has a fastening which begins at the back of one wrist, up the ann, avoiding the elbows and the shoulder area ending at the second wrist.

(2) A garment according to claim (1) which could contains at least one zip.

(3) A garment according to claim (1) which includes any form of fastening materials in this specific format.

(4) A garment according to claim (1) in which the upper and lower segments of material can be completely separated when un-zipped, or be permanently fastened around e.g. the wrist.