US20160286872A1

US20160286872A1 - Warm garments having convenient bodily access

Info

Publication number: US20160286872A1
Application number: US14/868,264
Authority: US
Inventors: Roger L. Wilson
Original assignee: INDYTRADECENTER IN LLC
Current assignee: INDYTRADECENTER IN LLC
Priority date: 2015-04-03
Filing date: 2015-09-28
Publication date: 2016-10-06

Abstract

Warm garments having convenient body access. In a garment of the present disclosure, the garment comprises a first sleeve comprising a first sleeve zipper comprising a first sleeve first zipper pull and a first sleeve second zipper pull, the first sleeve zipper extending from a first sleeve shoulder area to or near a first sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve, and a second sleeve comprising a second sleeve zipper comprising a second sleeve first zipper pull and a second sleeve second zipper pull, the second sleeve zipper extending from a second sleeve shoulder area to or near a second sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve, the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned relative to anterior portions of arms of the wearer.

Description

PRIORITY

The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/142,971, filed Apr. 3, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the present disclosure.

BACKGROUND

Medical treatment rooms tend to be cold, or due to various medical conditions, a patient may feel cold in a dialysis room. In view of the same, garments designed to keep a patient as warm as possible, while providing a physician or other medical personnel with the necessary access to the patient's body, such as when connecting dialysis tubing to various bodily ports, would be greatly appreciated in the marketplace.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment comprises a first sleeve comprising a first sleeve zipper comprising a first sleeve first zipper pull and a first sleeve second zipper pull, the first sleeve zipper extending from a first sleeve shoulder area to or near a first sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve, and a second sleeve comprising a second sleeve zipper comprising a second sleeve first zipper pull and a second sleeve second zipper pull, the second sleeve zipper extending from a second sleeve shoulder area to or near a second sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve, wherein the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned along the garment so that when a wearer is wearing the garment, the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned relative to anterior portions of arms of the wearer. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the first sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve shoulder area and when the first sleeve second zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve cuff, and the first sleeve zipper is in a relative closed configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is adjacent to the first sleeve second zipper pull. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the second sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration when the second sleeve first zipper pull is located at or near the second sleeve shoulder area and when the second sleeve second zipper pull is located at or near the second sleeve cuff, and the second sleeve zipper is in a relative closed configuration when the second sleeve first zipper pull is adjacent to the second sleeve second zipper pull. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, when the first sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration, the first sleeve cuff can have either an open configuration, whereby one or more first sleeve cuff fasteners are disengaged, or a closed configuration, whereby the one or more first sleeve cuff fasteners are engaged. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, when the first sleeve zipper is in the relative open configuration, direct access to the anterior portion of a first arm of the wearer is provided.
In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment defines a chest area in between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and the garment further comprises an additional element selected from the group consisting of a torso zipper and a plurality of torso fasteners. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises a first chest zipper having a first chest zipper pull, the first chest zipper located at the chest area of the garment. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises one or more chest pockets located at the chest area of the garment. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises a hood extending from a neck area of the garment, whereby the hood can be tightened using a tightening element. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises at least one pocket coupled to the garment on a relative inside of the garment, the at least one pocket configured to receive a warming device therein.
In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises at least one waist pocket coupled to the garment on a relative outside of the garment. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises a torso zipper extending from a relative bottom of the garment to a relative top of the hood. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises a cord positioned at least partially within the garment at a relative bottom of the garment, the cord configured to tighten and loosen the relative bottom of the garment.
In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment comprises a first sleeve comprising a first sleeve zipper comprising a first sleeve first zipper pull and a first sleeve second zipper pull, the first sleeve zipper extending from a first sleeve shoulder area to or near a first sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve, and a second sleeve comprising a second sleeve zipper comprising a second sleeve first zipper pull and a second sleeve second zipper pull, the second sleeve zipper extending from a second sleeve shoulder area to or near a second sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve, wherein the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned along the garment so that when a wearer is wearing the garment, the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned relative to anterior portions of arms of the wearer, wherein the first sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve shoulder area and when the first sleeve second zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve cuff, wherein the first sleeve zipper is in a relative closed configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is adjacent to the first sleeve second zipper pull, wherein the second sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration when the second sleeve first zipper pull is located at or near the second sleeve shoulder area and when the second sleeve second zipper pull is located at or near the second sleeve cuff, and wherein the second sleeve zipper is in a relative closed configuration when the second sleeve first zipper pull is adjacent to the second sleeve second zipper pull. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment defines a chest area in between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and the garment further comprises an additional element selected from the group consisting of a torso zipper and a plurality of torso fasteners. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises a hood extending from a neck area of the garment, whereby the hood can be tightened using a tightening element. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, when the first sleeve zipper is in the relative open configuration, direct access to the anterior portion of a first arm of the wearer is provided.
In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment comprises a first sleeve comprising a first sleeve zipper comprising a first sleeve first zipper pull and a first sleeve second zipper pull, the first sleeve zipper extending from a first sleeve shoulder area to or near a first sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve, a second sleeve comprising a second sleeve zipper comprising a second sleeve first zipper pull and a second sleeve second zipper pull, the second sleeve zipper extending from a second sleeve shoulder area to or near a second sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve, and at least one pocket coupled to the garment on a relative inside of the garment, the at least one pocket configured to receive a warming device therein, wherein the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned along the garment so that when a wearer is wearing the garment, the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned relative to anterior portions of arms of the wearer, and wherein the garment defines a chest area in between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and wherein the garment further comprises an additional element selected from the group consisting of a torso zipper and a plurality of torso fasteners. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the garment further comprises a hood extending from a neck area of the garment, whereby the hood can be tightened using a tightening element. In at least one embodiment of a garment of the present disclosure, the first sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve shoulder area and when the first sleeve second zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve cuff, the first sleeve zipper is in a relative closed configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is adjacent to the first sleeve second zipper pull, and when the first sleeve zipper is in the relative open configuration, direct access to the anterior portion of a first arm of the wearer is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments and other features, advantages, and disclosures contained herein, and the matter of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a back view of a garment, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a view of a sleeve of a garment with a closed zipper, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a view of a sleeve of a garment with an open zipper, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a view of a portion of a garment with a closed cuff, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a view of a portion of a garment with an open cuff, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows an angled view of a portion of a garment having an arm zipper and two chest zippers, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a view of a sleeve of a garment with an open zipper, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 show front views of garments, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

An overview of the features, functions and/or configurations of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described. Some of these non-discussed features, such as various couplers, etc., as well as discussed features are inherent from the figures themselves. Other non-discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.
The present disclosure includes disclosure of various articles of clothing and improvements thereto.
FIG. 1 shows a back view of an exemplary article of clothing (referred to herein as a garment 100) of the present disclosure. Garment 100, as shown in FIG. 1, is front-side down (back-side facing up), with the sleeves folded back and lying flat against the back of garment 100 so to see certain details of said garment 100.
As will be described in further detail herein, various garments 100 have features to allow access to a wearer's arms and/or chest, such as when receiving medical treatment, such as dialysis or another procedure. Medical treatment rooms tend to be cold, or due to various medical conditions, a patient may feel cold in a dialysis room. In view of the same, various garments 100 of the present disclosure are designed to keep a patient as warm as possible, while providing a physician or other medical personnel with the necessary access to the patient's body, such as when connecting dialysis tubing to various bodily ports.
As shown in FIG. 1, garment 100 comprises at least one sleeve, such as a first sleeve 110 and a second sleeve 120. First sleeve 110, in at least one example, extends from a relative first shoulder area 112, such as, for example, from first shoulder seam 114, and second sleeve 120, in at least one example, extends from a relative second shoulder area 122, such as, for example, from second shoulder seam 124.
First sleeve 110, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises at least one zipper, referred to as a first sleeve zipper 150. In embodiments of garments 100 of the present disclosure including zippers on each sleeve, second sleeve 120, such as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a second sleeve zipper 155. First sleeve zipper 150, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises at least one zipper pull, with two zipper pulls (first zipper pull 160 and second zipper pull 170 shown in the figure). First zipper pull 160 allows a first zipper part 162 to be opened and closed, and second zipper pull 170 allows a second zipper part 172 to be opened and closed. For clarity, first zipper part 162 and second zipper part 172, as shown in the figure, comprise the same overall first sleeve zipper 150. However, as first zipper pull 160 and second zipper pull 170 can be moved independently of one another, each pull 160, 170 can open and close a separate relative portion (first zipper part 162 and second zipper part 172) of first sleeve zipper 150, as desired. Similarly, and in garment 100 embodiments having a zipper on each sleeve, second sleeve zipper 150, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises at least one zipper pull, with two zipper pulls (first zipper pull 180 and second zipper pull 190 shown in the figure). First zipper pull 180 allows a first zipper part 182 to be opened and closed, and second zipper pull 190 allows a second zipper part 192 to be opened and closed. For clarity, first zipper part 182 and second zipper part 192, as shown in the figure, comprise the same overall second sleeve zipper 155. However, as first zipper pull 180 and second zipper pull 190 can be moved independently of one another, each pull 180, 190 can open and close a separate relative portion (first zipper part 182 and second zipper part 192) of second sleeve zipper 155, as desired. First sleeve zipper 150 and second sleeve zipper 155, in various embodiments, are positioned along garment 100 so that when a wearer is wearing garment 100, first sleeve zipper 150 and second sleeve zipper 155 are positioned relative to anterior portions of arms of the wearer, namely the inside portion (where the wearer's biceps are located) versus the outside portion (where the wearer's triceps are located).
FIG. 2 shows the garment embodiment from FIG. 1, but with second zipper pulls 170, 190 moved toward the relative ends of first sleeve zipper 150 and second sleeve zipper 155, respectively, so to disengage the relative sides of zippers 150, 155 from one another. As shown in FIG. 2, first sleeve 110 may comprise a first sleeve cuff 200 at its relative end, and second sleeve 120 may comprise a second sleeve cuff 210 at its relative end. Each cuff 200, 210 may comprise one or more fasteners 250, shown as snaps in FIG. 2. Other fasteners 250, such as one or more buttons, hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro®), drawstrings, and the like, may also be used in addition to, or in lieu of, snaps as fasteners 250. Fasteners 250 are closed in FIG. 1, and are opened in FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, when fasteners 250 are open, cuffs 200 and 210 are open, along with portions of zippers 150, 155, so to provide a complete opening from the distal end of each cuff 200, 210, extending to pulls 170, 190, which can be moved toward shoulder areas 112, 122 along with pulls 160, 180, as may be desired. Fasteners 250 can also be positioned horizontally (such as relatively perpendicular to the axis defined by zippers 150, 155) so to allow for cuffs 200, 210 to be adjusted in and out corresponding to size of a wearer's wrists and/or general comfort.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show close-up views of part of an exemplary garment 100, with first sleeve 110 having various features as previously referenced herein. The first sleeve zipper 150 shown in FIG. 3 is closed, and is open in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, first sleeve zipper 150 is opened by moving second zipper pull 170 toward cuff 200 and my moving first zipper pull 160 toward first shoulder area 112.
FIGS. 5 and 6 show close-up views of a distal part of an exemplary garment 100 of the present disclosure, where cuff 200 can be readily seen as being closed (FIG. 5, with fasteners 250 closed) and opened (FIG. 6, with fasteners 250 opened).
In various embodiments, a number 10 two-way zipper can be used as one or both of zippers 150 and/or 155. In at least one embodiment, zippers 150, 155 (as well as zippers 750, 760 referenced in further detail herein) are plastic so to be less cold to the wearer of garment 100 as compared to a metal zipper 150, 155, 750, 760. Metal zippers 150, 155, 750, 760 can also be used in various garment 100 embodiments. Various zippers known in the art can be used as zippers 150, 155, noting that a generally larger zipper may be easier to use than a smaller one.
As shown in FIGS. 1-6, fasteners 250 of cuffs 200, 210 generally align with zippers 150, 155. Such an alignment, when present in a garment 100 embodiment, allows for a physician, other medical personnel, and/or the wearer of garment 100 to provide easy access to the inner portion of the arm, for example, from the shoulder to the wrist, while covering as much of the patient's arm as possible. Access all the way to and through cuffs 200, 210 along with zippers 150, 155 is a novel feature not found in other garments on the market.
The overall convenience of various garment 100 embodiments has to do with warmth and speed of bodily access, as generally referenced herein. A wearer of garment 100 can remain warm while wearing garment 100, and access to the patient's arm and/or chest can be had by opening one or more zippers 150, 155, 750 and/or 760.
In various embodiments, garments 100 of the present disclosure can be made to generally-used sizes, such as youth to adult small (S), medium (M), large (L), extra-large (XL), double extra-large (XXL), triple extra-large (XXXL), and smaller or larger as desired. Furthermore, custom garments 100 can be made by, for example, obtaining one or more wearer measurements, such as the length from shoulder to cuff, chest dimensions, overall length of the garment, and the like.
FIG. 7 shows an additional garment 100 embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown therein, an exemplary garment 100 of the present disclosure can comprise a hood 700 configured to cover at least half of a wearer's head, so to provide additional warmth. Hoods 700, in various embodiments, extend from a neck area 710 of garment 100, and can, in various embodiments, include a tightening element 720, such as a drawstring, a Velcro strap, a button, and the like, to comfortably tighten part of the hood 700 around the user's head and/or neck. One or more tightening elements 720 can also be positioned at or within a relative bottom portion 780 of a garment 100, such as shown in FIG. 7, so to tighten the relative bottom portion 780 around the wearer's torso/waist.
Various embodiments of garments 100 of the present disclosure can also comprise one or more chest zippers, such as a first chest zipper 750 with a first zipper pull 752 and a second chest zipper 760 with a second zipper pull 762. Chest zippers 750, 760, as shown in FIG. 7, can be positioned at the chest area 770 of garment 100, so that when chest zippers 750, 760 are opened (using zipper pulls 752, 762, for example), access to the wearer's body, such as a bodily port, can be achieved while maximizing overall warmth of the wearer. Various chest zippers 750, 760 can have one or more features, components, and/or characteristics of zippers 150, 155 referenced herein.
FIG. 8 shows part of a garment 100 embodiment of the present disclosure, whereby an inner flap 800 is secured on the inside of first sleeve 110, such as at seam 802, so to provide an additional layer of comfort/warmth to the wearer. For example, when first sleeve zipper 150 (and/or second sleeve zipper 155, as referenced herein) is opened (revealing sleeve opening 810), as shown in FIG. 8, inner flap 800 is present to a) cover some or all of first sleeve zipper 150 (and/or second sleeve zipper 155) between garment 100 and the wearer's arm, providing additional comfort (so that some or all of first sleeve zipper 150 and/or second sleeve zipper 155 does not contact the wearer's body or snag hair/skin), and b) provide additional warmth. In various garment 100 embodiments, a pocket 850 may be defined within garment 100 or coupled thereto, whereby pocket 850 is configured to receive one or more heating devices 870. FIG. 8 shows a heating device 870 within a pocket 850 on an inside portion of garment 100 (can be anywhere within or upon garment 100), and one or more pockets 850 may be used with one or more heating devices 870, such as a portable heating device known or used in the marketplace, including, but not limited to, a heating device 870 comprising or used as part of a TOES DER OVEN® warming system, and/or used to hold other items, such as cell phones, smart phones, wallets, and the like. An exemplary garment 100 and one or more heating devices 870 of the present disclosure can comprise components of an exemplary kit 895 of the present disclosure, such as shown in FIG. 8.
Furthermore, and as shown in FIG. 8, first sleeve zipper 150 (or second sleeve zipper 155, as referenced herein) can end proximal to cuff 200 (such as at or about 3″ from the cuff 200), so that zippers 150/155 do not extend all the way down to cuff 200. In such an embodiment, for example, first sleeve 110 and/or second sleeve 120 can have a flap opening 880 in between flaps 882, 884, so that, for example and as shown in FIG. 8, when second zipper pull 170 is pulled all the way down to the end of the sleeve (as far as first sleeve zipper 150 extends, for example), first sleeve zipper can open completely providing continuous open access from sleeve opening 810 to flap opening 880. In addition, and when fasteners 250 are not used to close cuff 200, an open cuff 200 extends the overall opening from sleeve opening 810 through flap opening 880 to the open cuff 200. Cuff 200 can be opened and closed using one or more fasteners, as shown in FIG. 8, with a perimeter of cuff 200 controlled by, for example, use of a plurality of buttonholes 252 positioned at and defined within different locations along cuff 200.
An additional garment embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, garment 100 comprises any number of features/components as previously referenced herein, and may also include one or more of the following features/components. For example, and as shown in FIG. 9, an exemplary garment 100 of the present disclosure may comprise a torso zipper 900 instead of, for example, one or more torso fasteners 1000 (such as buttons, snaps, and the like) as shown in FIG. 10. Torso zipper 900 may be a one-way zipper, such as by way of using a first torso zipper pull 912 to open and close torso zipper 900, or, as shown in FIG. 9, torso zipper 900 may be a two-way zipper, using a first torso zipper pull 912 to open and close a first torso zipper part 910 and a second torso zipper pull 922 to open and close a second torso zipper part 920, noting that first torso zipper part 910 and second torso zipper part 920 comprise regions (that change in size/location) of the same torso zipper 900. In the view shown in FIG. 9, a wearer's thumbs would stick out toward the sides of the figure, so that the wearer's palms are facing up.
As shown in FIG. 9, for example, an exemplary torso zipper 900 can extend from a relative bottom portion 780 of garment 100 to a relative top 980 of hood 700. Such an embodiment can, for example, allow a wearer to completely zip up (close) torso zipper 900 and retain additional heat, such as that generated external to the face and head due to exhalation. In other embodiments, torso zipper 900 can extend from a relative bottom portion 780 of garment 100 to, for example, a neck area 710 of garment 100. In addition, and as shown in FIG. 9, a cord 940 can be positioned within a channel at a relative bottom portion 780 of garment 100 and/or at or neck area 710 of garment 100, so that parts of cord 940 extend from cord apertures 942, allowing a user to tighten (for additional warmth due to retention of more body heat within garment 100) and/or loosen garment 100, as desired. In such an embodiment, torso zipper 900 can either extend down to the relative bottom portion 780 of garment 100, or can stop before the relative bottom portion 780, such as, for example, at our about 4″ from the relative bottom portion 780, as may be desired.
As shown on the right sleeve of garment 100 (appearing on the left side of FIG. 9), cuff 200 can use a fastener 250 configured as a hook and loop fastener 250, such as Velcro®, or any number of other fasteners referenced herein.
Furthermore, and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, exemplary garments of the present disclosure may comprise one or more pockets 850, such as located at the chest area (FIG. 9) or at the waist pocket 950 area (such as inside waist pocket 950 or inside garment at or near waist pocket 950, such as behind waist pocket 950), and/or another area of garment 100, inside or outside of garment 100. In various embodiments, garments 100 of the present disclosure may comprise waist pockets 950, such as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, coupled to or formed as part of garment 100 and positioned so that a wearer can place his/her hands in the waist pockets 950 on the front of garment 100 for additional warmth. As shown in FIG. 10, pockets 850 may be angled so that a user can place objects into pockets 850, such as a cell phone, etc., and easily access the same while garment 100 is worn, noting that such a configuration of pockets 850 would still prevent objects from falling out, such as vertical pocket 850 embodiments shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 9 also shows an exemplary garment 100 of the present disclosure having various trim pieces, such as bottom trim 960 and shoulder trim 962. Bottom trim 960 and shoulder trim 962 may comprise the same or different material 970 than other parts of garment 100, such as elastic material 970 and/or material 970 having a different color and/or texture that the material 970 generally used for some or most of garment 100.
As shown in FIG. 9, first zipper pulls 160, 180 are shown currently in a relative middle of sleeves 110, 120, and should first zipper pulls 160, 180 be pulled upward (toward hood 700), they would cause that part of first zipper parts 162, 182 to open, and when pulled downward (from hood 700), they would cause that part of first zipper parts 162, 182 to close. Also, second zipper pulls 170, 190 are shown currently in a relative middle of sleeves 110, 120, and should second zipper pulls 170, 190 be pulled downward (toward cuff 250), they would cause that part of second zipper parts 172, 192 to open, and when pulled upward (from cuff 250), they would cause that part of second zipper parts 172, 192 to close.
Various garment 100 embodiments of the present disclosure may have various dimensions and/or design elements. For example, an upper arm area of garment 100 may be at or about 9″ wide or wider or narrower, when garment 100 is lying flat. Garment 100 may have a 32″ length or be longer or shorter, in various embodiments, from hood 700 to cuff 200. First sleeve 110 and/or second sleeve 120, at or near cuffs 200, may be at or about 6″ wide or wider or narrower, when garment 100 is lying flat. First zipper parts 172, 182 may extend to hood 700 at neck area, may extend to shoulder trim 962, or may extend along first sleeve 110 and/or second sleeve 120 not all the way to shoulder trim 962. Waist pockets 950, in various embodiments, may be at or about 11½″ tall or taller or shorter, at or about 8″ wide or wider or narrower on each side (from torso zipper 900 laterally outward). Various zippers referenced herein may be #10 zippers or other zippers, and may be black, silver, or another color. First sleeve zipper 150 and/or second sleeve zipper 155 may be at or near 16″ long or longer or shorter. First zipper pulls 160, 180, second zipper pulls 170, 190, first torso zipper pull 912, and/or second torso zipper pull 922, may be initially connected to either side of the various zippers referenced herein, and then ultimately connected to both sides of said zippers when opening and closing said zippers. Cuffs 200 may be 14″ long or longer or shorter, with the length being considered as relatively circumferential/diametrical, and have a width of ½″ or wider or narrower. Hood 700 may be at or about 14″ tall or taller or shorter, and at or about 14″ deep or deeper or shorter, in various garment 100 embodiments having hood 700. Pockets 850 may have dimensions of at or about ½″×2½″ or larger or shorter. Garments 100 may have a general width of at or about 25″ or wider or narrower, such as at the torso area, when garment 100 is lying flat.
FIG. 10 also shows a garment 100 having a significantly longer overall length than the garment shown in FIG. 9. In such an embodiment, a garment extension portion 1010 extends distal to the waist pockets 950 (in an embodiment of a garment 100 having waist pockets 950), or generally substantially below the waist of the wearer, so that garment extension portion 1010 can cover some or all of the wearer's thighs and potentially knees when the wearer is standing or seated. Garment 100 can then be opened from the relative bottom portion 780, as shown in FIG. 10, so to provide comfort while seated. Garment extension portion 1010, in various embodiments, can be 3″ long, 6″ long, 12″ long, or longer or shorter.
In various garment 100 embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more of the following are present:
a) chest zipper 750; and/or
b) chest zipper 760; and/or
c) first sleeve zipper 150; and/or
d) second sleeve zipper 155.
Various garments 100 can be customized to fit the wearer's needs, such as by having one chest zipper 760 and one first sleeve zipper 150, for example.
It is further noted that various garment 100 embodiments of the present disclosure can each have one first sleeve zipper 150 and one second sleeve zipper 155, or they can each have one, two, three, or more first sleeve zippers 150 and/or second sleeve zippers 155.
Various garments 100 of the present disclosure can be configured as shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets, coats, and/or the like, and may comprise one or more materials 970 such as flannel, fleece, cotton, denim, natural and/or synthetic feathers, natural and/or synthetic filling, and/or the like. Furthermore, various garments 100 of the present disclosure may be considered as medical devices depending on the ultimate use/purpose of the same, which may permit potential insurance(s) or other medical fee payment programs to cover some or all of the cost of the same.
At least one additional advantage, aside from warmth, convenience, convenient bodily access, etc., of garments 100 of the present disclosure is the ability to address the occasional instances of bleeding after a dialysis procedure, such as when a patient is leaving a treatment center. Certainly, and upon discovery, the bleeding should have immediate emergency treatment and attention to stop the bleeding for obvious reasons. Access to the site where the bleeding is occurring is quite convenient when a patient is wearing a garment 100, making for quick treatment of the site bleed and its subsequent clotting efforts of the site bleed. Removal of garment 100 is not necessary to treat an instance of post-procedure bleeding.
While various garments and methods of using the same have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered as non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the content thereof.
Further, in describing representative embodiments, the present disclosure may have presented a method and/or a process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth therein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described, as other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A garment, comprising:

a first sleeve comprising a first sleeve zipper comprising a first sleeve first zipper pull and a first sleeve second zipper pull, the first sleeve zipper extending from a first sleeve shoulder area to or near a first sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve; and

a second sleeve comprising a second sleeve zipper comprising a second sleeve first zipper pull and a second sleeve second zipper pull, the second sleeve zipper extending from a second sleeve shoulder area to or near a second sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve;

wherein the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned along the garment so that when a wearer is wearing the garment, the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned relative to anterior portions of arms of the wearer.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve shoulder area and when the first sleeve second zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve cuff, and wherein the first sleeve zipper is in a relative closed configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is adjacent to the first sleeve second zipper pull.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the second sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration when the second sleeve first zipper pull is located at or near the second sleeve shoulder area and when the second sleeve second zipper pull is located at or near the second sleeve cuff, and wherein the second sleeve zipper is in a relative closed configuration when the second sleeve first zipper pull is adjacent to the second sleeve second zipper pull.

4. The garment of claim 2, wherein when the first sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration, the first sleeve cuff can have either an open configuration, whereby one or more first sleeve cuff fasteners are disengaged, or a closed configuration, whereby the one or more first sleeve cuff fasteners are engaged.

5. The garment of claim 2, wherein when the first sleeve zipper is in the relative open configuration, direct access to the anterior portion of a first arm of the wearer is provided.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment defines a chest area in between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and wherein the garment further comprises an additional element selected from the group consisting of a torso zipper and a plurality of torso fasteners.

7. The garment of claim 6, further comprising a first chest zipper having a first chest zipper pull, the first chest zipper located at the chest area of the garment.

8. The garment of claim 6, further comprising one or more chest pockets located at the chest area of the garment.

9. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a hood extending from a neck area of the garment, whereby the hood can be tightened using a tightening element.

10. The garment of claim 1, further comprising at least one pocket coupled to the garment on a relative inside of the garment, the at least one pocket configured to receive a warming device therein.

11. The garment of claim 1, further comprising at least one waist pocket coupled to the garment on a relative outside of the garment.

12. The garment of claim 9, further comprising a torso zipper extending from a relative bottom of the garment to a relative top of the hood.

13. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a cord positioned at least partially within the garment at a relative bottom of the garment, the cord configured to tighten and loosen the relative bottom of the garment.

14. A garment, comprising:

wherein the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned along the garment so that when a wearer is wearing the garment, the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned relative to anterior portions of arms of the wearer;

wherein the first sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve shoulder area and when the first sleeve second zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve cuff;

wherein the first sleeve zipper is in a relative closed configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is adjacent to the first sleeve second zipper pull;

wherein the second sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration when the second sleeve first zipper pull is located at or near the second sleeve shoulder area and when the second sleeve second zipper pull is located at or near the second sleeve cuff; and

wherein the second sleeve zipper is in a relative closed configuration when the second sleeve first zipper pull is adjacent to the second sleeve second zipper pull.

15. The garment of claim 14, wherein the garment defines a chest area in between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and wherein the garment further comprises an additional element selected from the group consisting of a torso zipper and a plurality of torso fasteners.

16. The garment of claim 14, further comprising a hood extending from a neck area of the garment, whereby the hood can be tightened using a tightening element.

17. The garment of claim 14, wherein when the first sleeve zipper is in the relative open configuration, direct access to the anterior portion of a first arm of the wearer is provided.

18. A garment, comprising:

a first sleeve comprising a first sleeve zipper comprising a first sleeve first zipper pull and a first sleeve second zipper pull, the first sleeve zipper extending from a first sleeve shoulder area to or near a first sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve;

a second sleeve comprising a second sleeve zipper comprising a second sleeve first zipper pull and a second sleeve second zipper pull, the second sleeve zipper extending from a second sleeve shoulder area to or near a second sleeve cuff located at an end of the first sleeve; and

at least one pocket coupled to the garment on a relative inside of the garment, the at least one pocket configured to receive a warming device therein;

wherein the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned along the garment so that when a wearer is wearing the garment, the first sleeve zipper and the second sleeve zipper are positioned relative to anterior portions of arms of the wearer; and

wherein the garment defines a chest area in between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and wherein the garment further comprises an additional element selected from the group consisting of a torso zipper and a plurality of torso fasteners.

19. The garment of claim 18, further comprising a hood extending from a neck area of the garment, whereby the hood can be tightened using a tightening element.

20. The garment of claim 18, wherein the first sleeve zipper is in a relative open configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve shoulder area and when the first sleeve second zipper pull is located at or near the first sleeve cuff, wherein the first sleeve zipper is in a relative closed configuration when the first sleeve first zipper pull is adjacent to the first sleeve second zipper pull, and wherein when the first sleeve zipper is in the relative open configuration, direct access to the anterior portion of a first arm of the wearer is provided.