US20220132963A1

US20220132963A1 - Garment

Info

Publication number: US20220132963A1
Application number: US17/519,410
Authority: US
Inventors: Lindsay Hinde
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-11-04
Filing date: 2021-11-04
Publication date: 2022-05-05

Abstract

One or more embodiments of a garment including a first frontal panel, a second frontal panel, a back panel, and shoulder strap connectors are included. The first frontal panel includes a first portion of a first decoupleable shoulder strap. The second frontal panel includes a first portion of a second decoupleable shoulder strap. The back panel includes second portions of the first decoupleable shoulder strap and the second decoupleable shoulder strap. The second portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap includes a first extension and the second portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap includes a second extension. The shoulder strap connectors are configured to connect the first portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap to the second portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap and the first portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap to the second portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional patent appl. Ser. No. 63/109,680, which was filed 4 Nov. 2020, which is incorporated in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to garments; specifically garments that can be used in a medical setting.

BACKGROUND

Garments, such as hospital gowns, exist which can be worn by a wearer in a clinic or hospital. These garments sometimes have arms or shoulders that open to allow the wearer to put on the garment without removing cords and tubes attached to the wearer's arms. However, these garments are awkward and often require assistance to get on the wearer. Further, these garments are often ugly and not specifically designed or fitted for a woman's body. Accordingly, these garments are not flattering on female wearers.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments are provided below for a garment. The garment may include a first frontal panel, a second frontal panel, a back panel and shoulder strap connectors. The first frontal panel may include a first portion of a first decoupleable shoulder strap. The second frontal panel may include a first portion of a second decoupleable shoulder strap. The back panel may include a second portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap and a second portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap. The second portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap may include a first extension and the second portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap may include a second extension. The shoulder strap connectors may be configured to temporarily connect the first portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap to the second portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap and the first portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap to the second portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap. The back panel may be fixed between the first frontal panel and the second frontal panel. The first extension may be narrower than the second portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap. The second extension may be narrower than the second portion 124 of the second decoupleable shoulder strap.
The device may provide significant advantages over the devices known in the art because the device includes: (1) decoupleable shoulder straps that include extensions to assist in coupling the shoulder straps so that a wearer can put on or remove the dress unassisted even when connected to medical equipment; and (2) the extensions are placed such that they may be concealed under the coupled shoulder straps while the garment is being worn by the wearer improving the function and aesthetic appeal of the garment.
Other advantageous features as well as other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows an example schematic view of an interior of a garment.

FIG. 2 shows an example schematic view of an exterior of the garment.

FIG. 3 shows an example front view of the garment with the decoupleable shoulder straps coupled.

FIG. 4 shows an example front view of the garment with the decoupleable shoulder straps decoupled.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the pocket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, among others, are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components.
Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm and upper limit is 100 mm.
Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.
The term “coupled to” as used herein may mean a direct or indirect connection via one or more components.
Referring now to the drawings and the following written description of the present invention, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the detailed description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. This disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows an example schematic view of an interior of a garment 100. The interior of the garment 100 is a side of the garment intended to be facing toward the wearer when being worn by the wearer. The garment 100 may primarily include a first frontal panel 110, a back panel 120, and a second frontal panel 130. The back panel 120 may be connected between the first frontal panel 110 and the second frontal panel 130. The first frontal panel 110, the back panel 120, and the second frontal panel 130 may be connected together as one piece of material, sewn together pieces of material, or otherwise connected components. The first frontal panel 110, the back panel 120, and the second frontal panel 130 may include fabric material or other materials suitable for creating a garment. The first frontal panel 110, the back panel 120, and the second frontal panel 130 may have a length designed to go from the shoulder to about the knee of the wearer. The first frontal panel 110, the back panel 120, and the second frontal panel 130 may have a combined width designed to go about one and a half times around the body of the wearer.
The first frontal panel 110 may include a first strap front 112. The back panel 120 may include a first strap back 122. The first strap front 112 and the first strap back 122 may be considered a first portion and a second portion of a first decoupleable shoulder strap 182, respectively. The second frontal panel 130 may include a second strap front 134. The back panel 120 may include a second strap back 124. The second strap front 134 and the second strap back 124 may be considered a first portion and a second portion of a second decoupleable shoulder strap 184, respectively.
The first strap front 112 and the second strap front 134 may include connectors 152 for connecting the first strap front 112 and the second strap front 134 to the first strap back 122 and the second strap back 124, respectively. The connectors 152 may be buttons, buttonholes, snap buttons, a hook or loop portion of a hook and loop connection, ties, or other devices suitable for temporarily connecting two pieces of a garment.
The first strap back 122 and the second strap back 124 may each include or have attached an extension 128. The extension 128 may include a cord, piece of fabric, or other material suitable for a person to grip and pull on to secure the first strap back 122 or second strap back 124 in place while coupling to the first front strap 112 or second front strap 134, respectively. The extension 128 may be about 6-12 inches in length.
The garment 100 may include a pocket 140 which will be discussed in greater detail below. The garment 100 may also include a first waist tie 162, a waist band 164, and a second waist tie 166. The waistband 164 and the second waist tie 166 are shown in dashed lines to show that they are behind the first frontal panel 110, back panel 120, and second frontal panel 130 from the perspective of FIG. 1. The first waist tie 162, waist band 164, and the second waist tie 166 may be a single cord or piece of fabric or separate pieces of cord or fabric and may be designed to be near the waist level of the wearer when worn. The first waist tie 162 may be attached to the first frontal panel 110. The waistband 164 may be attached to the first frontal panel 110 and back panel 120. In some example embodiments, the second waist tie 166 may be connected to the back panel 120 near the junction with the second frontal panel 130. In some other example embodiments, the second waist tie 166 may be connected to the second frontal panel 130. The waistband 164, the first waist tie 162, and the second waist tie 166 may be connected to secure the garment 100 on the wearer near the waist of the wearer.
In some example embodiments, the waistband 164 may not be included. In other example embodiments, the first waist tie 162, waist band 164, and the second waist tie 166 may not be included and the garment may be secured near the waist of the wearer by another device, such as a button, hook and loop connector, snap button, or other connecting device.
FIG. 2 shows an example schematic view of an exterior of the garment 100. The pocket 140 may be in the first frontal panel 110. The first frontal panel may also include a hole 142 which gives access to the pocket 140. The pocket 140 may be sized to hold a portable medical device or monitor. The hole 142 may be sized so that a cord or tube for the portable medical device can pass through the hole 142.
The first back strap 122 and the second back strap 124 may include connectors 154. The connectors 154 may be configured to connect with the connectors 152 on the first front strap 112 and the second front strap 134. Accordingly, the connectors may be complementary to the connectors 152 (e.g , if the connectors 152 are the hook portion of a hook and loop connection, the connectors 154 may be the loop portion of the hook and loop connectors or if the connectors 152 are buttons, the connectors 154 may be buttonholes). The connectors 152 and 154 may be arranged such that the first strap front 112 and second strap front 134 connect to the first strap back 122 and second strap back 124, respectively, with about a 1-3 inch overlap.
The garment 100 may additionally include additional function elements (not shown) that affect the fit of the garment 100, such as pleating on the first frontal panel 110 below the waistband 164, elastic under the waistband 164, or additional connectors. The garment 100 may have the general shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but may also have various differences for aesthetic and functional purposes. For example, the length of the garment 100 may be changed. For example, the garment 100 may be shirt length or may be floor length. The first frontal panel 110 and the second frontal panel 130 may have various portions removed or added (e.g., adjustments to neckline, adjustments to overlap of the first and second frontal panels 110, 130 when worn, and adjustment for size and fit).
The first frontal panel 110 may additionally include pleating below the waistband 164 and pleating above the waistband 164. The back panel 120 may include pleating below the waistband 164. The second frontal panel 130 may include pleating below the waistband 164. The first frontal panel 110, back panel 120, and second frontal panel 130 may widen toward the bottom of the garment to allow for greater leg movement without the garment opening. The waistband 164 may be integrated into the first frontal panel 110, the back panel 120, and the second frontal panel 130 such that the waistband 164 is fixed to portions of the first frontal panel 110, the back panel 120, and the second frontal panel 130 above the waistband 164 and below the waistband 164. The waist tie 162 may be integrated into the waistband 164 (e.g., an extension of the waistband 164 beyond the first side panel), the second waist tie 166 (not shown in this figure) may be attached to the waistband 164 on the opposite (exterior) side (as shown in FIG. 2) of the garment 100. The garment 100 may also include a first interior tie 168 and a second interior tie 169. The first interior 168 tie may be connected near the juncture between the first frontal panel 110 and the back panel 120. The second interior tie 169 may be connected to the second frontal panel 130. The first interior tie 168 and the second interior tie 169 may be used by a wearer to secure the second frontal panel 130 in position across the body of the wearer.
FIG. 3 shows an example front view of the garment 100 with the decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 coupled. The second frontal panel 130 may be wrapped around the body of the wearer first with the first frontal panel 110 wrapped around the body of the wearer second partially over the second frontal panel 130. The first and second decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 may connect over the shoulders of the wearer. The first waist tie 162 and the second waist tie 166 may connect at the side of the wearer. Further, as discussed above, the first interior tie 168 (not shown in this figure) and the second interior tie 169 (not shown in this figure) may be used by a wearer to secure the second frontal panel 130 in position across the body of the wearer. Accordingly, the garment 100 may be wrapped around the wearer and secured over the shoulders and at the waist. With the first and second decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 coupled, the extensions 128 may be concealed under the first front strap 112 and the second front strap 134, respectively.
The second frontal panel 130 may extend under the first frontal panel 110 to about the opposite hip of the wearer. The first frontal panel 110 may also significantly overlap the second frontal panel 130 from the waist down. When the decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 are coupled, each breast of the wearer may be covered by only one of the first frontal panel 110 and second frontal panel 130 (or with little overlap) for ease and comfort for breastfeeding. For example, each breast may he uncovered independently by decoupling the corresponding one of the decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 without decoupling the other decoupleable shoulder strap 182, 184.
The decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 as shown in FIG. 3 go over the shoulder of the wearer when worn by the wearer. Some of the weight of the garment 100 may be supported by the decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 when the garment 100 is worn by the wearer, however much of the weight of the garment 100 may be supported at the waist. In some embodiments, the decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 may include sleeves or an extending cap over the shoulder of the wearer (not shown).
FIG. 4 shows an example front view of the garment 100 with the decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 decoupled. How the garment fits on the mannequin 200 is an analog for how the garment fits a wearer. The extensions 128 may be comfortably pulled around the arm and over the shoulder of a wearer using the hand of the wearer to pull either of the first strap back 122 and the second strap back 124 into place over the shoulder. Further, the extensions 128 may be used to hold the first strap back 122 and the second strap back 124 in place while the first front strap 112 and the second strap front 134 are coupled to the first strap back 122 and the second strap back 124, respectively.
The first and second decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 may be coupled to secure the garment on the wearer. The first and second decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 may be disconnected to remove the garment. Further, one or both of the first and second decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 may be removed for breast feeding a baby.
The garment 100 provides several advantages over existing garments. The arrangement of the garment 100 allows the wearer to comfortably put on the garment while sitting in a hospital bed with cords and tubes attached to the arm of the wearer. The garment 100 can be slid behind the wearer's back while the wearer sits up with her back away from the back of the hospital bed. The wearer may then wrap the garment around the torso of the wearer and secure the garment 100 at the waist. The extensions 128 may then be used to place and secure the first and second back straps 122, 124 over the shoulders of the wearer while the first and second front straps 112, 134 are coupled to the first and second back straps 122, 124, respectively. The back panel 120 may then be slid under the back side of the wearer and adjusted for comfort. Accordingly, the wearer may easily and comfortably put on the garment 100 without assistance from another person while sitting in a hospital type bed with cords and tubes attached to the arm (or arms) of the wearer. Accordingly, the garment 100 is particularly useful for patients in a hospital or clinic that desire to look presentable (for visitors, photos, etc.) while still having tubes and cords attached.
The garment 100 also allows for convenient and easy breastfeeding of a baby. The independently decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184 allow the wearer to uncover each breast separately to feed the baby without incumbrance from the garment 100 and with limited work to decouple and couple the decoupleable shoulder straps 182, 184. Even if the one of the first and second back straps 122, 124 falls out of place during feeding, the extensions 128 allows for the wearer to easily couple the decoupleable shoulder straps 182 184 after feeding even with a baby in her lap, since the length of the extension 128 may allow the wearer to hold the extension 128 with the hand on the arm holding the baby while using the other hand to connect the first or second front strap 112, 134 to the first or second back strap 122, 124, respectively. Accordingly, the garment 100 is particularly useful for hospital use postpartum and also general use by breastfeeding mothers.
Further, the garment 100 has the advantage of the attachment on the shoulder not being visible or obvious from the front. In FIG. 3, the extensions 128 and also the connectors 152 and 154 are concealed under the first front strap 112 and the second front strap 132, which overlap the first back strap 122 and second back strap 124, respectively. From behind, the connectors 152 and 154 may be slightly visible under ends of the first front strap 112 and the second front strap 132. Accordingly, the garment 100 is also useful for everyday wearing.
FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the pocket 140. The pocket may be made of two pieces of fabric sewn together. The pocket may include a hole 144 for a cord or hose of a portable medical device or monitor. The hole 144 may align with the hole 142 so that the cord or hose can pass through both with general ease and so the pocket blocks any view of the wearer under the hole 142. In some embodiments, the hole 142 may not be included and the hose or cord may pass between the garment and the wearer. In these embodiments, the wearer may have the cord or hose come out under the arm, the chest, or between the first frontal panel 110 and second frontal panel 130.
Additionally, the garment 100 advantageously can easily be modified for different styles and aesthetic looks without compromising the functionality of the garment 100. For example, different lengths and neck lines can be easily accommodated. Further, different cuts, shapes, fits, styles, as well as the inclusion of pleating, elastic, and other elements may be used without compromising the functionality of the garment 100.
In some cases, it is advantageous for the garment 100 to be metal free. For example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines cannot have metal inside them so any garments with metal on them must be removed before the wearer goes into the MRI machine. Metal objects may also affect computed tomography (CT) scan machines as well. Accordingly, the garment 100 may include no metal so the garment does not need to be removed when the wearer is scanned in an MRI or CT scan machine.
In one embodiment, a garment 100 may include a first frontal panel 110, a second frontal panel 130, a back panel 120, and shoulder strap connectors (for example connectors 152, 154). The first frontal panel 110 may include a first portion 112 of a first decoupleable shoulder strap 182. The second frontal panel 130 may include a first portion 132 of a second decoupleable shoulder strap 184. The back panel 120 may include a second portion 122 of the first decoupleable shoulder strap 182 and a second portion 124 of the second decoupleable shoulder strap 184. The second portion 122 of the first decoupleable shoulder strap 182 may include a first extension 128 and the second portion 124 of the second decoupleable shoulder strap 184 may include a second extension 128. The shoulder strap connectors may be configured to temporarily connect the first portion 112 of the first decoupleable shoulder strap 182 to the second portion 122 of the first decoupleable shoulder strap 182 and the first portion 134 of the second decoupleable shoulder strap 184 to the second portion 124 of the second decoupleable shoulder strap 184. The back panel 120 may be fixed between the first frontal panel 110 and the second frontal panel 130. The first extension 128 may be narrower than the second portion 122 of the first decoupleable shoulder strap 182. The second extension 128 may be narrower than the second portion 124 of the second decoupleable shoulder strap 184. The first extension 128 may extend beyond the shoulder strap connectors on the second portion 122 of the first decoupleable shoulder strap 182 (for example extending the second portion 122 further over the shoulder as shown in FIG. 4). The second extension 128 may extend beyond the shoulder strap connectors on the second portion 124 of the second decoupleable shoulder strap 184 (for example extending the second portion 124 further over the shoulder as shown in FIG. 4).
The first frontal panel 110 and the second frontal panel 130 may be arranged to partially overlap when worn by a wearer. The garment 100 may further include a body connector configured to secure the garment 100 around a torso of the wearer with the first frontal panel 110 and the second frontal panel 130 partially overlapping. The body connector may include a first waist tie 162 and a second waist tie 166. The first waist tie 162 may be fixed to the first frontal panel 110 and the second waist tie 166 may be fixed to an exterior of either the second frontal panel 130 or the back panel 120. The garment 100 may further comprise an interior connector (for example, first interior tie 168 and second interior tie 169) configured to secure the second frontal panel 130 under the first frontal panel 110. The interior connector may include a first interior tie 168 and a second interior tie 169. The first interior tie 168 may be fixed to the second frontal panel 130 and the second interior tie 169 may be fixed to the interior of either the first frontal panel 110 or the back panel 120. Each of the first and second extensions 128 may include a loop. Each of the first and second extensions 128 may have a length of at least 6 inches.
Many different embodiments of the inventive concepts have been shown. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the features from different embodiments may be combined or replaced with other features from different embodiments.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention according to one or more embodiments described in the present description may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A garment comprising:

a first frontal panel including a first portion of a first decoupleable shoulder strap;

a second frontal panel including a first portion of a second decoupleable shoulder strap;

a back panel including a second portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap and a second portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap, wherein the second portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap includes a first extension and the second portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap includes a second extension; and

shoulder strap connectors configured to temporarily connect the first portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap to the second portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap and the first portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap to the second portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap, wherein

the back panel is fixed between the first frontal panel and the second frontal panel,

the first extension is narrower than the second portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap, and

the second extension is narrower than the second portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first frontal panel and the second frontal panel are arranged to partially overlap when worn by a wearer.

3. The garment of claim 1, further comprising:

a body connector configured to secure the garment around a torso of a wearer with the first frontal panel and the second frontal panel partially overlapping.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the body connector includes a first waist tie and a second waist tie.

5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the first waist tie is fixed to the first frontal panel and the second waist tie is fixed to an exterior of either the second frontal panel or the back panel.

6. The garment of claim 3, further comprising:

an interior connector configured to secure the second frontal panel under the first frontal panel.

7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the interior connector includes a first interior tie and a second interior tie.

8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the first interior tie is fixed to the second frontal panel and the second interior tie is fixed to an interior of either the first frontal panel or the back panel.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second extensions include a loop.

10. The garment of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second extensions has a length of at least 6 inches.

11. A garment comprising:

the first extension extends beyond the shoulder strap connectors on the second portion of the first decoupleable shoulder strap, and

the second extension extends beyond the shoulder strap connectors on the second portion of the second decoupleable shoulder strap.

12. The garment of claim 11, wherein the first frontal panel and the second frontal panel are arranged to partially overlap when worn by a wearer.

13. The garment of claim 11, further comprising:

14. The garment of claim 13, wherein the body connector includes a first waist tie and a second waist tie.

15. The garment of claim 14, wherein the first waist tie is fixed to the first frontal panel and the second waist tie is fixed to an exterior of either the second frontal panel or the back panel.

16. The garment of claim 13, further comprising:

17. The garment of claim 16, wherein the interior connector includes a first interior tie and a second interior tie.

18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the first interior tie is fixed to the second frontal panel and the second interior tie is fixed to an interior of either the first frontal panel or the back panel.

19. The garment of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second extensions include a loop.

20. The garment of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second extensions has a length of at least 6 inches.