Abstract:
The present invention is clothing with foldable portions to provide access to the wearer with the wearer not having to stand from a chair or bed. The present invention includes at least one releasable seam that may be placed in a secured or opened position, so that when the releasable seam is placed in the open position, the clothing material may be folded in a manner to allow access to the wearer without the need to remove the clothing.

Description:
[0001]    This invention is directed to clothing having strategically placed access points to provide various foldable portions to provide access to the wearer with the wearer not having to stand from a chair or bed, and to facilitate ease of putting on and removing the clothing even when influenced by wheelchair requirements, mobility limitations, or injury. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Traditionally, clothing is designed for the wearer with average mobility. Unfortunately, when a wearer is of limited mobility, must don and doff clothing, can be challenging. For example, traditional clothing can be difficult or impossible to don if the wearer is paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. Injuries can make it difficult to raise the wearer&#39;s arms which makes putting on a closed shirt difficult and potentially painful. 
         [0003]    Additionally, when a wearer with limited mobility visits a physician or other health care provider, the wearer cannot be easily examined with conventional clothing. If the wear is wheelchair-bound or injured, the removal of the clothing for the examination by the health care provider can be particularly problematic. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, when a paralyzed, wheelchair-bound, or injured wearer is stationary, pressure sores can develop which can be very harmful and deadly. Pressure sores are especially problematic when the wearer has impaired sensitivity such as with paralyzed wearers. Additionally, the construction of conventional clothing includes features such as seams, stitching, buttons, zippers, folds and other features that can create or aggravate pressure sores. 
         [0005]    Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide for clothing that is easy to don and doff even when mobility is very limited. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide for clothing with enhanced accessibility to allow for a health care individual to examine a wearer without unnecessarily repositioning the wearer. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the present invention to provide for clothing that mitigate the risk of pressure sores. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing a pair of pants having increased accessibility for wearers having limited mobility said pair of pants comprising, a front panel of fabric having an upper edge, a lower edge, a right outer edge, a left outer edge, a right inner edge and a left inner edge; a rear panel of fabric having an upper edge, a lower edge, a right outer edge, a left outer edge, a right inner edge and a left inner edge, wherein said rear panel is joined to said front panel such that said rear panel and said front panel are only detachable along an upper portion of said right and left outer edges; a first releasable seam disposed along said upper portion of said right outer seams of said front panel and said rear panel; a second releasable seam disposed along said upper portion of said left outer seams of said front panel and said rear panel; a waist band defining a torso opening when said first and second releasable seams are placed in a secured position; and, whereby said upper edge of said front panel and said second panel may be folded down when said first and said second releasable seams are placed in an open position, thereby allowing access to the wearer of said pants without the need to remove said pants. 
         [0009]    In a further embodiment, said first releasable seam and said second releasable seams are zippers. 
         [0010]    In a further embodiment, said zippers are installed in reverse so that the teeth of said zippers are positioned away from the wearer&#39;s body to improve comfort and reduce the risks of pressure sores. 
         [0011]    In a further embodiment, a slot is disposed in said waist band and an elastic band disposed in said slot so that said waist band has elasticity and will conform to the wear&#39;s waist. 
         [0012]    In a further embodiment, a slot is disposed in said waist band and an expansion strap disposed in said slot which is extendable from the slot. 
         [0013]    In a further embodiment, said expansion strap includes a tab disposed on a distal end that has a button hole for engaging a button disposed on said waist band to secure said expansion strap in a predetermined position for adjusting the fit of the waist band to the wearer. 
         [0014]    In a further embodiment, said expansion strap includes a secondary button disposed along the length of said expansion strap for cooperating with said button on said waist band to create tension causing the waist band to contract for adjusting the fit of the waist band to the wearer. 
         [0015]    The above objectives are further accomplished according to the present invention by providing a shirt having increased accessibility for wearers of limited mobility said shirt comprising, a front panel having a right lateral edge, a left lateral edge an upper edge and a lower edge; a rear panel having a right lateral edge, a left lateral edge, an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein said rear panel is joined to said front panel along said upper edges and said right and left lateral edges of said front and rear panels; a right arm opening and a left arm opening defined by said right and left lateral edges of said front and rear panels, when said front and said rear panels are joined together at said right and left lateral edges; a first releasable seam extending from a generally central portion of said upper edge of said front panel down towards said right lateral edge of said front panel so that said first releasable seam extends to a terminal point below said right arm opening; a second releasable seam extending from a generally central portion of said upper edge of said front panel down towards said left lateral edge of said front panel so that said second releasable seam extends to a terminal point below said left arm opening; a neck opening defined by said upper edge of said front panel and said rear panel when said first and said second releasable seams are placed in a secured position; a torso opening defined by said lower edges of said front panel and said rear panel when said front and said rear panels are joined together; and, whereby, an upper portion of said front panel of said shirt may be folded downward towards said torso opening when said first and said second releasable seams are placed in an open position thereby allowing access to the wearer of said shirt without the need to remove said shirt. 
         [0016]    In a further embodiment, said first and said second releasable seams are zippers. 
         [0017]    In a further embodiment, said zippers are installed in reverse so that the teeth of said zippers are positioned away from the wearers body to improve comfort and reduce the risks of pressure sores. 
         [0018]    In a further embodiment, a sleeve is attached to one of said right and said left arm opening. 
         [0019]    The above objectives are further accomplished according to the present invention by providing an outfit having increased accessibility for wearers of limited mobility said outfit comprising: a shirt having a front panel with a right lateral edge, a left lateral edge an upper edge and a lower edge; a rear panel having a right lateral edge, a left lateral edge, an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein said rear panel is joined to said front panel along said upper edges and said right and left lateral edges of said front and rear panels; a right arm opening and a left arm opening defined by said right and left lateral edges of said front and rear panels, when said front and said rear panels are joined together at said right and left lateral edges; a first shirt releasable seam extending generally horizontally from a generally central portion of said front panel towards one of said right and left lateral edges of said front panel so that said at least one releasable seam extends to a terminal point adjacent to one of said right and left arm openings; a neck opening defined by said upper edge of said front panel and said rear panel when said at least one releasable seam is placed in a secured position; a torso opening defined by said lower edges of said front panel and said rear panel when said front and said rear panels are joined together to encapsulate said wearer within said front and said rear panel of said shirt; a pair of pants for cooperating with said shirt wherein a waist opening of said pair of pants extends to a point that is generally adjacent to said torso opening of said shirt when said pair of pants and said shirt are combined on a wearer, and wherein said pair of pants comprise, a front panel having an upper edge, a lower edge, a right outer edge, a left outer edge, a right inner edge and a left inner edge; a rear panel having an upper edge, a lower edge, a right outer edge, a left outer edge, a right inner edge and a left inner edge, wherein said rear panel is joined to said front panel such that said rear panel and said front panel are only detachable along an upper portion of said right and left outer edges; a first pants releasable seam disposed along said upper portion of said right outer edges of said front panel and said rear panel; a second pants releasable seam disposed along said upper portion of said left outer edges of said front panel and said rear panel; a waist band defining said torso opening when said first and second pants releasable seams are placed in a secured position; and, whereby said upper edge of said front panel and said second panel of said pair of pants may be folded down when said first and said second pants releasable seams are placed in an open position, thereby allowing access to the wearer of said pants without the need to remove the pants, and an upper portion of said front panel of said shirt may be folded upwards away from said torso opening when said first shirt releasable seam is placed in an open position thereby allowing access to the wearer of said shirt without the need to remove said shirt. 
         [0020]    In a further embodiment, a second releasable seam is included extending generally horizontally from a generally central portion of said front panel in an opposite direction of said first releasable seam. 
         [0021]    In a further embodiment, said first and second shirt releasable seam and said first and second pants releasable seams are zippers. 
         [0022]    In a further embodiment, said zippers are installed in reverse so that the teeth of said zippers are positioned away from the wearer&#39;s body to improve comfort and reduce the risks of pressure sores. 
         [0023]    In a further embodiment, a slot is disposed in said waist band of said pants and an elastic band disposed in said slot so that said waist band has elasticity and will conform to the wear&#39;s waist. 
         [0024]    In a further embodiment, a slot is disposed in said waist band and an expansion strap disposed in said slot which is extendable from the slot. 
         [0025]    In a further embodiment, said expansion strap includes a tab disposed on a distal end that has a button hole for engaging a button disposed on said waist band to secure said expansion strap in a predetermined position for adjusting the fit of the waist band to the wearer. 
         [0026]    In a further embodiment, said expansion strap includes a secondary button disposed along the length of said expansion strap for cooperating with said button on said waist band to create tension causing the waist band to contract for adjusting the fit of the waist band to the wearer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the upper portion of the pants of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the pants of  FIG. 1  with one side unzipped. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the pants of  FIG. 1  with both sides unzipped. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the upper left portion of the pants of  FIG. 1  illustrating the waist band and expansion strap. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the upper right portion of the pants of  FIG. 1  illustrating the waist band with the expansion strap engaging a button. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of the upper left portion of the pants of  FIG. 1  illustrating a secondary button hole in the expansion strap engaging a button. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the upper portion of the shirt of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the shirt of  FIG. 7  with one side of the shirt unzipped. 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the shirt of  FIG. 7  with two sides of the shirt unzipped. 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is an alternative embodiment of the upper portion of the shirt of the present invention having a V-neck extending to a horizontal zipper. 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the shirt of  FIG. 10  with one side of the shirt unzipped. 
           [0038]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the shirt of  FIG. 10  with both sides of the shirt unzipped. 
           [0039]      FIG. 13  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the shirt of the present invention having a magnetic closure in the front. 
           [0040]      FIG. 14  is a rear view of the shirt of  FIG. 13  illustrating the directions of stretch of the fabric. 
           [0041]      FIG. 15  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the shirt of the present invention illustrating the overlapping portion. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , pants  10  are shown having a left zipper  12  and a right zipper  14 . The design includes ornamental button  16 , which does not serve as a closure assembly in one embodiment. Belt loops  18  are included along the waist of the pants. In one embodiment, the belt loops are double looped to accommodate two thicknesses of belts. An ornamental front zipper  20  can be included on the pants. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the right zipper is shown in a down position with the right portion  22  of a front panel of the pants folded down. This allows for access to the wearer without the wearer having to stand. The left zipper is also shown in the down position. In one embodiment, the left and right zippers are installed in reverse so that the teeth are positioned away from the wearer&#39;s body to improve comfort and reduce the risks of pressure sores. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the left and right zippers are in the down position. The right portion is folded down as well as the left portion  24  so that access to the wearer is provided without having to remove the pants. This is advantageous when the wearer is wheelchair-bound or otherwise has limited mobility. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the rear of the pants are shown. The pants include a waist band disposed in a slot. The waist band is preferably an elastic band disposed in the slot so that the waist band has elasticity and will conform to the wear&#39;s waist. In the illustrated embodiment, the waist band includes expansion strap  26  contained within the waist in a slot  28 . The expansion strap can include a tab  32  that has a button hole  34 . The expansion strap can include elastic portion  30 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , a button  36  can be received in the tab to secure the expansion strap in a predetermined position. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the expansion strap can be extended from the slot and secured to the button by using a secondary button  35  hole that is located in the elastic portion. This creates tension causing the waist  38  to contract improving the fit of the wearer. In one embodiment, a second button can be included securing the tab to the waist to eliminate the tab from loosely extending out of the slot. In operation, the pants can be worn by the wearer and when the zippers are in the down position, the front portions of the pants can be folded down. This allows access to the wearer to provide access to area of the wearer needed by a health care professional, and the like. Access is provided without having to remove the pants from the wearer or cause the wearer to move from a sitting to a standing position. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the front of a shirt  40  is shown having a right zipper  42  and a left zipper  44 . A front portion  46  is included in the shirt and connected by the left and right zippers. The zippers are disposed to generally travel from the neck area of the shirt to the underarm area of the shirt in an angled path that moves away from the center line of the shirt. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the front portion is shown with the right zipper in the down position and the front portion folded downwards. This configuration provides sufficient access to the wearer so that the shirt can be donned without the need of the arm to be raised. This is advantageous for limited mobility shoulder situation such as injuries or recover (e.g. rotator cuff surgery). Additionally, the positioning of the zipper and the angle of the zipper allows the zippers to be operated without having to raise the arm above shoulder level. Referring to  FIG. 9 , the front portion is shown in a folded down position which both provides for easier donning by a limited mobility individual as well as access to the wearer by a health care provider without having to remove the shirt. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a shirt  50  is shown having a collar  52 , an upper right portion  54 , and an upper left portion  56 . The upper right portion and the upper left portion are separated by a space  58 . A right zipper  60  and a left zipper  62  are included and are connected between the upper right portion, upper left portion, and lower portion  64  respectively. When the right zipper is unzipped, the right upper portion can be folded upwards and to the right to allow the wearer to don the shirt without having to raise the arm. Additionally, the wearer can be examined by a healthcare professional without having to remove the shirt. Referring to  FIGS. 11-12 , the lower portion can pulled down when the zipper is unzipped allowing access to the chest area of the wear. This is advantageous to healthcare providers and wearers for physical exams that range from chest injuries, surgeries, mammography, and the like. In one embodiment, the shirt can include a lower right zipper  66  and lower left zipper  68 , that when unzipped, allow the lower portion to be folded upwards providing access to the lower chest and torso of the wearer. When combined with the pants discussed above, the pants-shirt combination provides access to a majority of the wearer frontal area without requiring the wearer to disrobe or to be moved from a chair, wheel chair, or bed. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , a shirt is shown that can include a pocket on the right side so that the wearer would not be tempted to place an item such as a cell phone that would result in the device being in close proximately to medical items such as a pacemaker. Furthermore, the left portion  72  and the right portion  74  can be secured close through magnetic closures with a ferrous material  76  on one side that can engage with a magnet  78  on the other side to secure the shirt closed while also providing a convenient method to open the shirt front. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , the back of a shirt is shown. The shirt can be made from a resilient fabric that can expand in direction  80 , direction  82 , or a combination. The ability of the shirt to expand and contract in these directions reduces the risk of the shirt developing a fold. By reducing the risk of fold, the risk of pressure sores for bed ridden or wheelchair bound wearers is reduced. Furthermore, the seams conventionally present on the back of a shirt are removed in this embodiment to further reduce the risk of pressure sores. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , a shirt  84  is shown having a right flap  86  and a left flap  88 . The right flap can be connected to a left area  90  so that when it is closed, it overlaps the left flap. A zipper  92  can connect the left flap with the interior surface of the right flap allowing a lower portion  94  of the shirt to be folded up and away to provide access to the chest area of the wearer. Therefore, a shirt that allows access with overlapping portions can be used to provide access to the wearer without the wearer having to stand from a seated position or rise up from a bed. 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, the fabric can be impregnated with anti-bacterial material in the form of a fabric treatment such as a sulfonamides and other materials. 
         [0050]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0051]    Unless specifically stated, terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. 
         [0052]    Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to,” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.