Abstract:
A protective garment for use while cleansing at least a portion of a user&#39;s body including: a lower garment, wherein the lower garment is adapted to releasably shield at least a portion of at least one lower extremity of an associated user while exposing an associated user&#39;s anal region; wherein the lower garment comprises a flexible, substantially waterproof member which includes: an upper region, wherein the upper region comprises a lower garment securement member which enables substantially water-tight releasable securement of the lower garment to an associated user; and a lower region, wherein the lower region and the upper region are spaced apart from one another to define a lower garment length. The protective garment optionally includes an upper garment and/or a base member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO ASSOCIATED APPLICATION(S) 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to a protective garment and, more particularly, to a protective garment and associated accessories which allow an individual user to cleanse select portions of his/her body while still fully and/or partially clothed. 
     2. Background Art 
     Protective garments have been known in the art for years. While such conventional garments have been known in the art for years, issues relative to allowing an individual to remain partially and/or fully clothed during a shower remain largely problematic. Typically, when an individual wishes to cleanse himself/herself in such a manner they must remove all clothing prior to washing. Under most circumstances this is not a cause for concern, but for some individuals with certain medical conditions that necessitate multiple cleansings of certain body parts a day, such as hemorrhoid sufferers, this continual undressing and redressing can be particularly inconvenient. In addition, a full shower and/or bath can be excessively time consuming and therefore be a further hindrance to the individual, especially when the process must be undertaken numerous times a day. While bidets and washlets can provide a solution to such problems, there are inherent issues involved with their use as well. Though effective in their own right, bidets and washlets are expensive, often necessitating investments of over a thousand dollars per unit, making it impractical for individuals to have more than one and therefore reducing the convenience of using multiple stations to suit their needs. Furthermore, even after such an investment, neither a bidet, nor a washlet provides the user with the flexibility/portability that many individuals require in their daily lives. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a protective garment which allows an individual user to shower while remaining fully and/or partially clothed, and provides sufficient portability for personal convenience. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specifications, claims, and drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a protective garment for use while cleansing at least a portion of a user&#39;s body, comprising: (a) a lower garment, wherein the lower garment is adapted to releasably shield at least a portion of at least one lower extremity of an associated user while exposing an associated user&#39;s anal region; and (b) wherein the lower garment comprises a flexible, substantially waterproof member which comprises: (1) an upper region, wherein the upper region comprises a lower garment securement member which enables substantially water-tight releasable securement of the lower garment to an associated user; and (2) a lower region, wherein the lower region and the upper region are spaced apart from one another to define a lower garment length. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower region of the lower garment comprises a weighted hem. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower garment securement member comprises a drawstring. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower garment securement member comprises a loop of elastomeric material, which is secured about the upper region of the lower garment. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the lower garment securement member further comprises: (a) a first strap, wherein the first strap comprises: (1) a first tab; and (2) a second tab; (b) a second strap, wherein the second strap comprises: (1) a first tab; and (2) a second tab; (c) wherein the first tab of the first strap and the first tab of the second strap are attached to at least a portion of the lower garment; (d) and wherein the second tab of the first strap comprises a series of hooks, and the second tab of the second strap comprises a series of loops; and (e) further wherein the second tab of the first strap and the second tab of the second strap cooperate and provide releasable securement of the lower garment to at least a portion of an associated individual. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower garment further comprises a first end and a second end, wherein at least a portion of the first end comprises a series of loops and at least a portion of the second end comprises a series of hooks, and wherein the first end and the second end cooperate and provide releasable securement of the lower garment around at least a portion of an associated individual. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protective garment further comprises a splash guard. In this embodiment, the splash guard may comprise a sheet of flexible, substantially waterproof material, wherein the splash guard comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is fixedly attached to at least a portion of the lower garment and the second end is releasably associable with at least a portion of the lower garment. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the splash guard may also comprise a sheet of substantially waterproof material which is adapted to be positioned above the upper region of the lower garment and between the legs of an associated individual. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protective garment further comprises: (a) an upper garment, wherein the upper garment is adapted to releasably shield at least a portion of a torso of an associated user; (b) wherein the upper garment comprises a flexible, substantially waterproof member material which is adapted to cover at least a portion of a torso of an associated individual; and (c) a upper garment securement member which is associated with at least a portion of the upper garment. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper garment further comprises a hood, wherein the hood is adapted to cover at least a portion of an associated individual&#39;s head. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper garment further comprises a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is adapted to receive at least a portion of an arm of an associated individual therethrough. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the protective garment further comprises a base member, wherein the base member comprises: a bottom wall, a top wall, and at least one side wall which are spaced apart from one another to define a substantially polygonal area and/or cavity. In this embodiment the top wall further comprises a surface region at least partially fabricated from a non-slip material and/or the base member further comprises at least one ground engaging support member. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower region of the lower garment extends below the top wall of the base member when the lower garment is associated with at least a portion of an individual. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It will be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
       The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  of the drawings is a perspective view of a protective garment showing among other things, a lower garment and an optional upper garment fabricated in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  of the drawings is a perspective view of a lower garment in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3-4  of the drawings are perspective views of alternative embodiments of lower garments in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  of the drawings is a top plan view of a splash guard in conjunction with a lower garment in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  of the drawings is a perspective view of a splash guard in conjunction with a lower garment in a secured arrangement in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5C  of the drawings is a top plan view of a separate splash guard in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  of the drawings is a perspective view of an upper garment in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  of the drawings is a perspective view of a base member in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  of the drawings is an exploded perspective view of a protective garment assembly in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  of the drawings is a perspective view of a protective garment assembly in use in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters. 
     Referring now to the drawings and to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , collectively, perspective representations of protective garments are shown which generally comprise lower garment  12 , optional upper garment  14 , and optional base member  16 . 
     Referring singularly to  FIG. 1 , lower garment  12  of protective garment  10  is shown as generally comprising body  18 , upper region  20 , lower region  22  and lower garment securement member  24 . As will be discussed in greater detail infra, similar to upper garment  14 , all components of lower garment  12  are preferably fabricated from a flexible, natural and/or synthetic, substantially waterproof material or fabric—including, but not limited to, eVent by eVent Fabrics, Nikwax by Paramo Directional Clothing, Gore-Tex, Sympatex, 3-ply by Entrant-EVmembrane Mountain Equipment Co-op, AquaNix by Taiga Works, Entrant by Toray Industries, Drilite Extreme by Mountain Equipment, HyVent by Toray, H2No by Toray, Omni-Tech by Columbia Sportswear, Conduit by Mountain Hardwear, Triplepoint Ceramic by Lowe Alpine, Precip by Marmot, Watergate by Outdoor Designs, closely woven cotton, Polymer-encapsulated cotton EPIC made by Nextec, Wax impregnated cotton or cotton/polyester mixes, Neoprene, etcetera. It will be understood that while specific materials have been disclosed, any one of a number of materials that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a preferred embodiment of lower garment  12  is shown. In this embodiment, body  18  of lower garment  12  may preferably comprise a substantially cylindrical skirt of material. To preclude lower garment  12  from undesirable movement, lower garment  12  preferably further comprises lower garment securement member  24 . Lower garment securement member  24  is shown as comprising a drawstring fabricated into upper region  20 . This drawstring may preferably be loosened to allow for the individual to put on the lower garment, and then preferably cinched tight to secure the lower garment around at least a portion of the individual so as to at least substantially preclude movement of lower garment  12  about an individual, as well as preclude water from reaching a user&#39;s pants, shorts, etcetera. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an alternative embodiment of lower garment  12  is shown. In this embodiment, lower garment securement member  24  preferably comprises a pair of straps with securement regions. First strap  31  preferably comprises first tab  31 A and second tab  31 B. Likewise, second strap  33  preferably comprises first tab  33 A and second tab  33 B. First tab  31 A of the first strap  31  and first tab  33 A of second strap  33  are attached to at least a portion of lower garment  14 . Also, second tab  31 B of first strap  31  may comprise a series of hooks, and second tab  33 B of the second strap  33  comprises a series of loops. In operation, second tab  31 B of first strap  31  and second tab  33 B of second strap  33  cooperate to provide releasable securement of lower garment  14  to at least a portion of an individual. Though this embodiment discloses hook and loop fasteners, any suitable releasable attachment means may be used, including but not limited to, a snapping type fastener, a button and loop, or a zipper—just to name a few. It will be understood that, in all embodiments herein, lower garment  12  may optionally comprise base member  99  which facilitates closure of the same. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of lower garment  12  is shown. In this preferred embodiment, body  18  of lower garment  12  may preferably comprise a sheet of material having first end  34  and second end  36 . Apertures  37  are fabricated into first end  34  of lower garment  12 . These apertures receive buttons  35 , which cooperate with the apertures to secure lower garment  14  around at least a portion of an individual. 
     In accordance with the present invention, lower garment  12  may preferably further comprise weighted hem  44 . Weighted hem  44  operates to keep lower garment  12  taut and/or straight, such that lower garment  12  is substantially precluded from undesirable movement. Weighted hem  44  is shown as associated with lower region  22 , and in one embodiment preferably comprises a pocket that traverses the circumference of lower region  22  of lower garment  14  which contains a material such as, for example, sand and/or polymer/resin pellets, although any one of a number of weighted materials that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. While only shown in  FIG. 4 , it will be understood that weighted hem  44  may be used in association with any one of the lower garments disclosed herein. It will be further understood that weighted hem  44  facilitates protection of, for example, a user&#39;s feet and/or footwear from cleansed material of a user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5A , splash guard  38  is shown in association with lower garment  12 . Splash guard  38  operates to substantially preclude water from coming into contact with an individual wearing lower garment  12  by substantially covering opening  39 . Splash guard  38  is shown as comprising a strip of material fabricated into upper region  20  of lower garment  12 . Furthermore, splash guard  38  is shown as fixedly attached to back  40  of upper region  20  and releaseably associable with front  42  of upper region  20  ( FIG. 5B ). This releasable association of splash guard  38  with front  42  may be effected using a variety of releasable fasteners, for example, a series of hook and loop fasteners, although any one of a number of fasteners that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5C , an alternative embodiment of splash guard  38  is shown. In this embodiment, splash guard  38  preferably comprises a sheet of rigid and/or semi rigid material which is preferably adapted to be placed above lower garment  12  (see  FIG. 8 ) and between the legs of an associated individual. This placement of splash guard preferably substantially precludes water from entering opening  39  and coming into contact with an individual wearing lower garment  12 . 
     As is best shown in  FIG. 1 , upper garment  14  preferably comprises body  17 , optional hood  19 , optional sleeve  21  and upper garment securement member  23 . All components of upper garment  14  are preferably fabricated from a flexible, waterproof material, or fabric including those disclosed relative to lower garment  12 . 
     Body  17  of upper garment  14  is preferably configured to substantially surround at least a portion of the torso of an associated individual. Hood  19  is shown as extending from body  17  and operates to keep an individual&#39;s hair dry and/or substantially preclude water from infiltrating the top of upper garment  14 . Also preferably associated with body  17  is sleeve  21 . Sleeve  21  is adapted to allow an individual to operate the faucet of a shower and/or bathtub and keep the individual dry. In accordance with the present invention, upper garment  14  also preferably comprises upper garment securement member  24 . Upper garment securement member  24  preferably secures upper garment  14  to at least a portion of an individual. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of upper garment  14  is shown. In this preferred embodiment, body  17  of upper garment  14  may preferably comprise a simple sheet of flexible, waterproof material resembling an apron, having upper garment securement member  23  extending as a loop of material from body  17  of the sheet. This loop is configured to fit over an individual&#39;s head and around the individual&#39;s neck. This loop of material may comprise, for example, a strip of elastomeric material, or simply cloth, although any one of a number of materials that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , protective garment  10  may also comprise an accessory base member  16 . Base member  16  provides a stable platform for an individual to stand on. In one embodiment, base member  16  preferably comprises a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall configured to create a substantially polygonal cavity. Furthermore, base member  16  preferably comprises top plate  48 . Top plate  48  is shown as secured to the aforementioned walls. It will be understood that first wall, second wall, third wall, fourth wall, and top plate may preferably be fabricated as a unitary member. It will further be understood that top plate  48  may preferably comprise top surface  50 , which itself comprises a layer and/or coating of non-slip material. To stabilize base member  16  during operation, base member  16  may preferably comprise a plurality of ground engaging support members  51 . Ground engaging support members  51  are preferably attached to base member  16  and also preferably comprise a region of non-slip material fabricated onto the outer surfaces of ground engaging members  51 . It will be understood that this non-slip material ensures that base  16  stays in contact with surface  52 . It will be further understood that base member  16  facilitates keeping a user&#39;s feet and/or footwear clean from any cleansed material. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9  collectively, protective garment  10  and associated accessories are shown. In operation, an individual preferably places optional base member  16  onto surface  52 , which is typically the inside of a shower. Next, the individual preferably puts on lower garment  12  and engages lower garment securement member  24 . The individual may preferably ensure that weighted hem  44  of lower garment  14  is positioned below top plate  48  of base  16 . After securing the lower garment, the user next preferably puts on optional upper garment  14  and engages upper garment securement member  23 . Following the securement of lower garment  12  (as well as optional upper garment  14 ), the individual preferably steps onto base  16 . After stepping onto base  16 , the individual then configures optional splash guard  38 . If splash guard  38  has been fabricated into lower garment  12 , the individual may preferably cover opening  39  by extending splash guard  38  over opening  39  and securing splash guard  38  to front  42 . If splash guard  38  comprises a separate apparatus, once lower garment  12  is secured, the individual then positions splash guard  38  above opening  39  and between his/her legs. 
     Lastly, the individual may preferably utilize shower and/or (water, medicament, or disinfectant) source  54  to cleanse themselves while fully and/or partially clothed. The cleansing allows a user to remove unwanted material (e.g. feces, excrements) which may be difficult to remove during normal bathroom usage when, for example, an individual is stricken with hemorrhoids—or other medical abnormality which precludes the individual from normal sanitary cleansing. 
     The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.