Abstract:
The present invention is an enhanced undergarment that enables easier dressing and undressing by disabled individuals by allowing the user to don the garment from the buttock area. The garment is configured with a unique back panel at the buttock area that it is divided into two separate panels, a right panel and a left panel. The left and right panels of the undergarment are not seamed but remain open; this opening is from the top of the elastic band to the crotch. Seams are placed to attach the sides of the two separates panels to the front panel, joining the right and left sides. The undergarments are configured with standard leg openings. A seam is also at the crotch. Before the seam is placed at the crotch area, the bottoms of the back panels are designed to overlap. The overlap facilitates better closure and provides space for extra fasteners if needed. The left and right panels include male and female fasteners which allow the user to manually open and close the back panels.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     The invention is directed generally to undergarments or outerwear configured to aid persons that are disabled and or physically challenged as a result of injury, illness or age to dress. Specifically, it is an undergarment or outerwear configured to assist a physically challenged individual in donning the undergarment or outerwear, when the individual has restricted or no use of the lower extremities. 
     II. Background Information 
     An individual for various reasons may have difficulties using their lower extremities in order to get undergarments or outer garments up the leg openings and over or under the buttock area into a comfortable proper position. The inability to accomplish this seemingly simple, but very necessary task may be the result of temporary or permanent, limited or total loss of flexibility to the lower extremities. 
     For many elderly individuals, as well as others suffering from certain diseases and injuries, including an increasingly young population of injured military personnel, except for the physical challenges associated with injuries to the back and certain losses of mobility associated with such injuries that are beyond the scope of this invention, there is a major need for assisting disabled individuals with dressing. People without these disabilities can function carefree when dressing or undressing or using the toilet. However, people with lower extremity disabilities may find these tasks challenging and/or time consuming. Devices to respond to this need are recognized as making a significant contribution to an individual&#39;s independence. 
     A wide variety of devices have been developed to assist physically challenged individuals in their daily lives. One class of such devices is variously described as “reachers.” Reachers commonly comprise a shaft of varying length with some type of “jaws” at one end that are operated by a manual trigger device at the other, handle end. Such devices are used effectively to retrieve items from the floor, tables, or shelves, and have been modified to assist an individual in putting on socks and shoes. Dressing aids, including modified reachers noted above, have been developed for a variety of specific uses: long-handled shoe horns to help those that cannot easily bend from the waist; plastic sleeves to assist in putting on socks and stockings, frequently such devices includes a “pull-stick” to move the sock/stocking into position once it is positioned over the foot and ankle. Dressing sticks comprising a stiff shaft and soft “hook” at the opposite end of the grip area are used by some to help pull-up pants legs. 
     Certain dressing aids and predecessor technology are the object of several United States patents. Among early prior art is a “grab-stick,” a shaft with pull action jaws to pick-up litter and a forerunner to “reachers” issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,512 to Harold Baughman on Feb. 10, 1976. Also see U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,889 for a multipurpose dressing rod and reacher issued Nov. 18, 1997 to Douglas T. Liden. 
     Several patents involve technology specifically focused on putting socks or stockings on. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,604 issued Sep. 14, 1971 to Albert D. Ahn and U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,156 issued Jan. 14, 1975 to Ralph Lawrence. In some instances, multiple uses are suggested as in the “shoe horn and cane” apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,316 issued to Curtis L. George and Sandra L. George on Oct. 30, 1990. While these devices are excellent examples of devices that can assist people that are disabled and or physically challenged, there is a need for a garment having a configuration that independently aids individuals in dressing and undressing. 
     When a disabled person with lower extremity problems is dressing or undressing in bed with a standard undergarment or outer garment it can be difficult. They must first lift their legs while pulling the garments up the legs, then turn numerous times from side to side or lift the buttock area in a bridge position to don or remove the garment from the buttock area. This can be very difficult, tiresome, time consuming and in some people even painful. 
     Another problem with a standard undergarment or outer garment, such as slacks or shorts, occurs when a disabled individual is using the toilet, especially in a public restrooms. In this situation, to stand and hold on to something while they remove or replace garments to the buttock area, this can be unsafe. The individual is relying on a structure to be sturdy. In this scenario, one hand is holding the structure while the other hand is adjusting the garment to the buttocks. If standing is not an option, the disabled person must transfer directly to the toilet from their wheelchair. When sitting on the toilet seat to remove and replace the garment to the buttocks the person has to sway their body from side to side while pulling up or lowering the garment. There is a need for a garment that provides a disabled person with better control of the donning, removal and replacement of garments. There is a need for a garment structurally configured to facilitate safe control of an individual&#39;s body movements when donning or removing garments from the buttock area. There is a need for a garment that allows a disabled person to have less contact or touching of other surrounding areas while using the toilet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, an improved garment is disclosed. An improved garment comprised of a front panel and a rear panel connected and configured to have a waist opening along a seam of the front and rear panels and two leg openings so that the garment covers at least the lower torso of the wearer. The rear panel is comprised of a first panel portion and a second panel portion, the first and second panel portions are positioned to overlap each other along an edge of each of the first and second panels. The edges of the first and second panels are located proximate a central axis of the rear panel. A first portion of the overlapping edges of the first and second panel portions are stitched together near the lower portion of the first and second panel portions in proximity to a crotch area of the garment. A second portion of the overlapping edges of the first and second panel portions are removably fastened by at least one connector system positioned along the second portion of the overlapping edges of the first and second panels. The edges of the first and second panels extend from the top of the rear panel down to a crotch area of the garment. The first and second panel portions are connected in a manner whereby the second panel portion overlaps the first panel portion. The second panel portion has a second fastener portion of the connector system positioned along an interior surface edge of the second panel portion. The first panel portion has a first fastener portion of the connector system positioned along an exterior surface edge of the first panel portion. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and should not be considered restrictive of the scope of the invention, as described and claimed. Further, features and/or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments and aspects of the present invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1   a  is a perspective of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1   b  is a perspective of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating an open panel view; 
         FIG. 1   c  is a perspective of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating a closed panel view; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating an open panel and the reinforcement created by doubling the fabric on each panel portion; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a perspective of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating a closed rear panel and the reinforcement created by wrapping a strip of fabric around the edges of the first and second rear panel portions; 
         FIG. 2C  is a perspective of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating an open panel and the reinforcement created by placing facings to the edges of the first and second rear panel portions; and 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating extending the leg covering portions of the front and rear panels to create outerwear. 
     
    
    
     GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
     Consistent with embodiments, the present invention is a garment configured with a rear panel having a fastening system along a seam separating the rear panel into two rear panel portions. When the fastening system is not engaged, and the two rear panel portions are not connected, the rear panel generates two flaps, thereby opening the rear panel which facilitates removal of a garment with minimal lifting of the buttock. By lifting the buttock, the user may slide the garment including the rear panel fastening system over or under the buttock area one side at a time. Garments configured with the rear panel fastening system facilitate a safer method for disabled individuals to don or remove such garments. 
     The present invention may be garments of the type that are undergarments or outer garments including the rear panel fastening system. Such garments are to be configured for covering at least the lower torso of a disabled person. The garment includes all the components of a standard under garment, such as panties, briefs or boxers. The outer garment includes all the components of standard pants or slacks. 
     People who are struck with debilitating conditions of the lower extremities have to learn simple everyday tasks over again. Tasks such as dressing themselves, using the toilet, sitting up, transferring from one place to another, etc. Dealing with all new ways to function throughout the day can be overwhelming. The present invention facilitates an easier way for disabled individuals to don and remove undergarments and outer garments from the lower torso and legs. 
     The garment comprises at least a front lower torso panel and a rear lower torso panel that may be configured as one or more pieces that are connected to form a lower torso garment. The lower torso garment has a top opening for a person&#39;s trunk, a first bottom opening for a person&#39;s left leg and a second bottom opening for a person&#39;s right leg. The rear lower torso panel of the garment has a rear panel fastening system that facilitates the opening and closing of a rear panel opening along the rear lower torso panel seam generated by the permanent and temporary connection of a first panel portion and a second panel portion of the rear lower torso panel. Along the rear lower torso panel seam, the first panel portion and the second panel portion overlap and are permanently connected along the lower portion of the first and second panel portions by stitching the lower section of the first and second panel portions together near the crotch of the garment. The remaining section of the first and second panel portions that are not connected by stitching. They are connected by a connector system that connects the first and second panel portions at least at the top of the edge of the panel portions, but preferably along the overlapping edges beginning in proximity to the point where the stitching connection of the first and second panel portions ends. 
     The connector system which is comprised of first and second connector portions has a first connector portion positioned along an edge of an interior surface of the first panel portion of the rear panel. The second panel portion of the rear panel has a second connector portion of the connector system positioned along an edge of an exterior surface of the second panel portion of the rear panel. In one embodiment, the connection system is a VELCRO® (i.e., hook and loop) connection system. In another embodiment, the connection system is a button, positioned along an edge of an exterior surface of the second panel portion of the rear panel, and button hole, extending through and along an edge of the first panel portion of the rear panel, wherein the button hole is configured to receive a button. In other embodiments, the connection system may be any connector system having male and female portions which facilitate connection of two overlapping fabric panels. 
     In one embodiment, the garment is an undergarment. In another embodiment, the garment is an over garment, wherein the front and rear panels extend and cover the lower torso and the legs of the user. In either embodiment, it is contemplated that the garment may be configured to integrate an elastic band with a waistband along the top of the lower torso opening. Both the over garment and the undergarment are equipped with two back panels that are separated from the top of the waistband to the crotch. Fastening devices are placed at the edges of the first and second panel portions of the rear panel which when engaged, closes up the garment. When the fastening devices are disengaged, flaps of the first and second rear panel portions are opened and enable easier donning or removal of an embodiment of the garment. The opening created by the flaps of the first and second rear panel portions allows a garment user to lie or sit and remove or replace a garment by lifting the buttock a little and using a sliding motion of the flaps under or over the buttock area. 
     It is contemplated that the present invention may be adapted to a variety of undergarments, including panties for women and girls and briefs and or boxers for men and boys. It is contemplated that the present invention has application on a myriad of different types of panties and briefs. For example, panties for women and girls include by are not limited to regular cut panties, low cut panties, bikinis, etc. It is also contemplated that the garments may be comprised of a plurality of fabrics, including disposable materials. It is also contemplated that the present invention has application to a myriad of different types of outerwear, including but not limited to pants of all different fabric types, pajamas, shorts, etc. 
     It is an object of the present invention to allow the user to open the rear panel of the garment by unfastening the connection system positioned along the edges of the first and second panel portions of the rear panel, causing the rear panel to open along a seam along the center of the rear panel thereby creating panel flaps. The user may then place their feet through the leg openings and pull the garment up over their legs to a point just below the buttock area. When the garment is below the buttock the user turns to one side and slides the first panel portion&#39;s flap over the buttock and repeats the action on the other side. The connection system fasteners may be fastened to the closed position thereby securing the garment upon the lower torso of a person. To undress a disabled person performs this procedure in reverse. It is an object of the present invention to facilitate ease of donning a garment whereby the garment is slid onto a person&#39;s legs and over their buttock area for easier application and removal. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to allow the user of the garment to better control its removal and replacement when the user donning the garment is physically challenged, or has restricted or no use of their lower extremities. In the context of a disabled individual who desires to use public restroom facilities without the assistance of others, the present invention allows the user to rest on a toilet first and then unfasten the back panels of the garment. While the individual donning the garment holds one side of the top corner of one of the first and second panel portions, they may tilt their body in the same direction of the panel being held. This action will lift the buttock of the individual a little above the toilet seat. Next the user may slide a flap of the first and second panel portions under the buttock of the individual up to their respective thigh. This action may be repeated using the opposing panel portion of the first and second panel portions for which the above steps have not been completed. When the garment is down under the buttock of the individual up to the thigh area, the individual user has access to use the toilet. To return the garment to the buttocks area, the individual user tilts their body until their buttock is lifted on one side. Next the garment is slid over that side of the buttock that is lifted. Next, the individual user tilts their body until their other buttock is lifted on the opposing side. The garment should then be in position on the lower torso of the individual user. The user may then secure the garment to the lower torso by way of closing the connectors of the connector system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a user of the garment with a safer way to control their respective body movements when donning or removing garments of the type described herein from the lower torso area. The control provided by the present invention will provide a safer method of donning and removal of over garments and under garments. While in a sitting position an individual user may open the back area of the garment described herein and release the flap portion of the first and second panel portions of the rear panel and slide the garment over or under the buttock with minimal or little lifting of each buttock. The invention includes both under garments and outer garments that are designed to aid in complete dressing of the lower torso. Both articles will house the back open extended panels with fasteners. The garments are independent and can be worn separate if desired. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar parts. While several embodiments and features of the invention are described herein, modifications, adaptations and other implementations are possible, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Rather these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be complete and will fully convey the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, substitutions, additions or modifications may be made to the components illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering or adding steps to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the proper scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an undergarment configured as a standard under garment including a lower torso rear panel as illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c ,  2   a - 2   c . As shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c , the rear view of an undergarment  100  illustrates a rear panel  102  of an undergarment improved to include a panel accessibility system. The rear panel  102  includes a portion of a waistband  104 , which in one embodiment is integrated with elastic. In an alternative embodiment, the waistband  104  may be comprised of the same material as the rear panel. Sizing of waistband  104 , which includes waistband first end  112  and a waistband second end  122 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1   a , may be performed through positioning of a waistband fastening system. In  FIG. 1   a , the waistband fastening system are first and second portions of a VELCRO® fastening system. A first portion  106  of the VELCRO® fastening system is illustrated in  FIG. 1   a . A second portion  108  of the VELCRO® fastening system is illustrated in  FIG. 1   b . As is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the circumference of waistband  104  may be increased or decreased based on the positioning of waistband first end  112  in relation to waistband second end  122  through use of a fastening system such as the VELCRO® fastening system. It is also contemplated that the fastening system may be buttons, snaps, hook and eye, zippers, ties or any other available fastener capable of connecting the waistband first end  112  in relation to waistband second end  122 . 
     Rear lower torso panel  102  is comprised of a first rear panel portion  110  and a second rear panel portion  120 . First rear panel portion  110  has a first rear panel edge  114 . Second rear panel portion  120  has a second rear panel edge  124 . During construction of garment  100 , the first rear panel portion  110  and the second rear panel portion  120  are stitched together in a manner whereby one of the first and second rear panel portions  110 ,  120  overlaps the other as illustrated in  FIG. 1   c . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c , the first rear panel portion  110  and the second rear panel portion  120  are stitched together towards the lower portion of the rear lower torso panel  102  in the crotch region  132 , in a manner that the second rear panel portion  120  overlaps the first rear panel portion  110 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1   c , when the first rear panel portion  110  and the second rear panel portion  120  are fastened together, the second rear panel portion  120  overlaps the first rear panel portion  110  all the way up the entire rear lower torso panel  102  as illustrated in  FIG. 1   c  by the covering of a piece of the first rear panel portion  110  and the first back panel edge  114  by the second rear panel portion  120 . In one embodiment, the first rear panel portion  110  and the second rear panel portion  120  have elastic along the waistband  104  which extends around the edge of rear panel  102  to the front of the garment. 
       FIG. 1   a  illustrates the first rear panel portion  110  and the second rear panel portion  120  slightly opened and released from connection.  FIG. 1   b  illustrates the first rear panel portion  110  and the second rear panel portion  120  further opened and released from connection wherein a section of the first and second rear panel portions  110  and  120  are folded back to expose the interior surface of the first and second rear panel portions  110  and  120  and thereby create first and second garment flaps  116  and  118 . When waistband first and second ends  112 ,  122  are connected as illustrated in  FIG. 1   c , the first and second rear panel portions  110  and  120  overlap in order to provide secure closure and a uniform rear lower torso panel  102  that covers the buttock area when the garment is worn by a person. The connectors may be positioned as a single connector at the top of first and second rear panel portions  110  and  120  as illustrated by VELCRO® connectors  106  and  108  positioned at the waistband first and second ends  112  and  122 . Alternatively, the connectors may be positioned at multiple locations along the edge of first and second rear panel portions  110  and  120 . In the embodiment illustrated, the fasteners, which act as a connection system are VELCRO® and only positioned to securely attach the waistband first and second ends  112  and  122 . However, it is contemplated that the VELCRO® system may comprise multiple VELCRO® connectors positioned along the edges of first and second rear panel portions  110  and  120 . In is also contemplated that the connectors may be buttons as illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , or the connector may be snaps, hook and eye, zippers, clasps, ties or any other available option capable of connecting the edges of the first and second rear panel portions  110  and  120 . 
       FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  and  2   a - 2   c , and  3 , illustrate that the rear lower torso panel  102  opens down its center. It is contemplated that the opening of the rear lower torso panel  102  that creates first and second rear panel portions  110 ,  120 , may be more to the right or left side of rear panel  102 . 
       FIG. 2   a  illustrates one embodiment of a manner in which the rear panels of garment  200  may be reinforced by covering sections of the first and second rear panel portions  210  and  220  with additional fabric along the seam created at the area of overlap of the first and second rear panel portions  210  and  220  of rear lower torso panel  202 .  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   c  illustrate the use of additional overlapping strips of fabric  216  and  316  that extend from the garment waistband  204  and  304  to the bottom of garment  200  and  300  where the first rear panel portions  210  and  310  and the second rear panel portions  220  and  320  end. 
       FIG. 2   c  illustrates doubling the fabric on the inside of the first and second rear panel portions  310  and  320 . However, it is contemplated that the fabric may be reinforced over each entire lower torso panel  202  or a defined area of the rear lower torso panel portion. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2   c , the doubling of fabric covers only a portion of the edges of the first and second rear panel portions  310  and  320 . However, it is contemplated that the entire first and second back panel portions covering the lower torso may be reinforced. It is also contemplated that a facing may be used on each panel opening. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the present invention implemented on outer garment. The outer garment  400  may be standard shorts, slacks or pants configured with a back seam along the buttocks opening at the top from waistband  404  down to a crotch area  432 . Rear lower torso panel  402  is comprised of a first rear panel portion  410  and a second rear panel portion  420 . First rear panel portion  410  has a first rear panel edge  414 . Second rear panel portion  420  has a second rear panel edge  424 . During construction of garment  400 , the first rear panel portion  410  and the second rear panel portion  420  are stitched together in a manner whereby one of the first and second rear panel portions  410 ,  420  overlaps the other. In the embodiment illustrated, the first rear panel portion  410  and the second rear panel portion  420  are stitched together towards the lower portion of the rear lower torso panel  402  in the crotch region  432 , in a manner that the second rear panel portion  420  overlaps the first rear panel portion  410 . In one embodiment, the first rear panel portion  410  and the second rear panel portion  420  have elastic along the waistband  404  which extends around the edge of rear panel  402  to the front of the garment. 
     As illustrated, when the first rear panel portion  410  and the second rear panel portion  420  are opened and the fastening system has been released a section of the first and second rear panel portions  410  and  420  are folded back to expose the interior surface of the first and second rear panel portions  410  and  420  and thereby create first and second garment flaps  416  and  418 . 
     When waistband first and second ends  412  and  422  are connected, the first and second rear panel portions  410  and  420  overlap in order to provide secure closure and a uniform rear lower torso panel  402  that covers the buttock area when the garment is worn by a person. The connectors may be positioned as a single connector at the top of first and second rear panel portions  410  and  420  as VELCRO® connectors  406 ,  408  and  416  positioned along the edge of first and second rear panel portions  410  and  420 . Alternatively, the connectors may be positioned at a single location along the edge of first and second back panel portions  410  and  420 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the fasteners, which act as a connection system are VELCRO® and only positioned to securely attach the edges of the first and second rear panel portions  410  and  420 . However, it is contemplated that the connectors may be buttons as illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , or the connector may be snaps, hook and eye, zippers, clasps, ties or any other available option capable of connecting the edges of the first and second rear panel portions  410  and  420 . 
     It is also contemplated that the outerwear garments and under garments may be worn together and fastened together, thereby creating a joint garment system. These fasteners will attach to the two garments together; for example, attaching the under garment  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  and outer garment  400  illustrated in  FIG. 3  to make them a joint garment system functioning as one working unit. The fasteners, not shown, are placed in various positions around the waistbands  104  and  404  to secure the joining of the two garments. The fasteners will be placed on the outside of the undergarment waistband  104  and on the inside of the outerwear garment waistband  404 . The undergarment  100  and outerwear garment  400  may be worn together attached as one unit or together unattached. The undergarment  100  and outerwear garment  400  may also be worn separately. 
     Reference may be made throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “embodiments,” “an aspect,” or “aspects” meaning that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, usage of such phrases may refer to more than just one embodiment or aspect. In addition, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, reference to a single item may mean a single item or a plurality of items, just as reference to a plurality of items may mean a single item. Moreover, use of the term “and” when incorporated into a list is intended to imply that all the elements of the list, a single item of the list, or any combination of items in the list has been contemplated. 
     One skilled in the relevant art may recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, resources, materials, etc. In other instances, well known structures, resources, or operations have not been shown or described in detail merely to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
     While example embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise configuration and resources described above. Various modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.