Abstract:
A garment for a disabled or infirm patient having a series of tie fasteners for easy disrobing and reattaching, the tie fasteners having a ribbon on a first seam attached at its middle, passing through one or more buttonholes on a mating seam, whereupon the free ends of the tie can be tied into a bow. The ribbon is secured using first and second box stitches, one inside the other, along with an X stitch. The fastening system can be used in a multitude of styles, including closures along the front, side(s), back, and top of the garment.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to rehabilitation wear, and more particularly to a type of garment that can be worn by medical patients, disabled persons, or generally the infirmed, at home as an alternative to hospital wear. The garments include a unique fastening system that allow for individuals who are receiving treatment at home, outpatient treatment, or rehabilitating at a hospital to have a comfortable and stylish garment that also has the comfort and ease of a hospital gown. 
         [0002]    Many people who rehabilitating at home or at a public facility out of the hospital are aware of the lack of suitable clothing that can be used aside from drab hospital gowns. This is particularly meaningful when such patients are among friends or family and lack anything remotely fashionable or stylish to wear. However, style and comfort must give way to function when a doctor, therapist, or other care giver must have access to the patient&#39;s body and therefore clothing must be easily removed without a great deal of effort from the patient. The present invention seeks to provide an alternative to hospital gowns so that patients can progress through their treatment with a sense of dignity and self-respect without being embarrassed by having to wear a standard type hospital gown amongst family, friends or in public. 
         [0003]    Since the garments of the present invention are made in current everyday clothing styles with a variety of materials and closures to choose from, an individual can have the sense of being dressed in everyday wear without the restrictions that normal everyday clothing can have for individuals receiving care or treatment. 
         [0004]    At the same time, the unique fastening system of the present invention provides a secure closure of the garment, ensuring the privacy of the individual while still enabling an easy opening and/or removal of all or part of the garment. Though designed for use in a home environment and/or outpatient treatment setting, the present invention can also be used in convalescent, hospital or hospice type settings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is a rehabilitation garment that utilizes a slip tie or double slip tie fastening system in conjunction with traditional “every day wear” clothes. The slip tie can be used with a seam down the side or back of the garment, or even the front or top of the garment if desired. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of mating free ends of a garment of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of the mating free ends of  FIG. 1  with buttonholes added; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a schematic of one of the mating free ends of  FIG. 2  with a ribbon inserted through the buttonholes; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of the ribbon fastened to the seam of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a series of diagrams for tying the first and second seams together; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are front and back tie garments showing regular and two-in-one configurations; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a garment with a top tie fastening system; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a garment with a side tie fastening system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    The garments of the present invention may be selected based on the preference and comfort level of the patient. Garments may be made from a variety of materials such as, but not limited to, cotton, polyester, satin, flannel, fleece, seersucker, and the like. Further, as set forth below, there are a number of different closure styles to select from, including back tie, front tie, side tie, top tie, and two-in-one tie. Regardless of the location of the closure means, the secure closure of the seams of the garment are due to the unique slip tie fasteners that can comprise either a single tie or double tie configuration. 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the present invention can be seen in  FIGS. 1-9 . In each garment there will be a portion that surrounds the torso of the wearer, and includes at least one closure means that allows the garment to be easily separated or even removed without undue effort by the wearer.  FIG. 1  illustrates two mating ends of the garment, such as would occur on a shirt, robe, gown, pant, or other garment that covers a patient&#39;s torso. The free edges  10 ,  20  of the garment  5  are folded back upon themselves by a length L of approximately one and one eighths of an inch for a single slip tie, and one and three quarters of an inch for a double slip tie. Free edges  10 ,  20  are again folded under at one quarter inch. Once the excess material is folded upon itself, and under at the free edges, the overlapping material is sewn with a continuous stitch  30  approximately one eighth of an inch from the edge of the fabric around the doubled fabric to create a reinforced double layer at the location where the garment closes. The open ends  40 ,  50  of garment  5  have this double layer  60  reinforced in order to support the unique slip tie fastenings described below. Depending on the material of the garment, and the type of slip tie fastening (single slip tie or double slip tie), the double layer reinforced extra wide finished seams of  FIG. 1  can be also be made for a double tie garment by creating a one and one half inch finished seam in which a one and one half single fold seam binding is sewn to the garment material one quarter inch from the free edge of the garment. Alternatively, a seam  30  can be formed by creating a seven eighths inch finished seam in which the garment material free edge is sewn to a seven eighths inch single fold seam binding to make the finished seam. 
         [0016]    The first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is a portion of a single slip tie with finished seams made from garment material. Finished seams  60 , made from the same material as the garment, are created by allowing the garment material to be extended to, for example, a one and one eighth inch seam allowance on the closing seams edges. Then, the right side of the garment fabric edge  20  is folded to a quarter inch fold and pressed. The right side of garment fabric is then folded to a seven eighths inch fold and pressed and basted. A stitch is then placed one eighth of an inch around the seven eighths inch fold thus creating the double layer extra wide finished seam. 
         [0017]    Alternatively, when a double slip tie with finished seams is called for, finished seams  60  are formed by allowing the garment material to be extended to a one and three quarter inch seam allowance on the closing seams edges. The sides  10 ,  20  of the garment fabric edge is folded to a one quarter of an inch fold and pressed. The sides  10 ,  20  of garment fabric is then folded to a one and one half of an inch fold and pressed and basted. A stitch  30  is then placed one eighth of an inch around the one and one half inch fold thus creating the double layer extra wide finished seam  60 . 
         [0018]    In the case of a single slip tie finished seam made from a seam binding, extra wide finished seams  60  are formed by sewing mating free sides  10 ,  20  to a seven eighths inch single fold seam binding on single tie garment, or one and one half inch single fold seam binding on double tie garments. A stitch is placed one quarter inch from the edge. Seam binding is folded in to the inside of garment, pressed and basted. Then a stitch  30  is made one eighth of an inch around the seven eighths of an inch seam binding, thus creating the double layer extra wide finished seam. For double tie garments, a stitch  30  is made one eighth of an inch around the one and one half inch seam binding to create the double layer extra wide finished seam. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates the respective mating edges having a five eighths inch buttonholes  70 ,  72 , in which finished ties are recommended to be one half inch in width and no less than twelve inches in length. When making children&#39;s garments, it is recommend that buttonholes  70 ,  72  be no less than one half inch in length with finished ties that are one quarter to three eighths inches in width and no less than nine inches in length.  FIG. 2  illustrates a single slip tie buttonholes  70 ,  72 . On seams  80 ,  90  of the garment  5 , pairs of five eighths inch buttonholes  70 ,  72  are made on the extra wide finished seam in the following dimensions: 
         [0020]    1) Buttonholes  70 ,  72  are five eighths inches in length; 
         [0021]    2) Buttonholes  72  are spaced three eighths inches apart; 
         [0022]    3) There is a quarter inch distance between the outer edge of the buttonholes  72  and edge  95  of finished seam  80 ; 
         [0023]    4) The pair of buttonholes  72  at the top of seam  80  are recommended to be no less than three eighths inches from the finished top edge  100  of the garment; and 
         [0024]    5) Each succeeding pair of buttonholes  72  is spaced consistently down the finished seam  80  with the same dimensions and is recommended not to exceed four inches between each pair of buttonholes  72 . 
         [0025]    On seam  90  of the garment, five eighths inch buttonholes  70  are made on the extra wide finished seam in the following dimensions: 
         [0026]    1) Buttonholes  70  are five eighths inch in length; 
         [0027]    2) There is a three eighths inch distance between the outer edge of buttonholes  70  and edge  96  of finished seam; 
         [0028]    3) The buttonhole  70  at the top of seam  90  is recommended to be no less than three eighths inch from the finished top edge  100  of the garment  5 ; and 
         [0029]    4) Each succeeding buttonhole  70  is spaced consistently down the finished seam  90  with the same dimensions and is recommended not to exceed four inches between each buttonhole  70 . 
         [0030]    Double slip tie buttonholes can replace those shown in  FIG. 2 , where buttonholes  70  are replaced with pairs of buttonholes  72 , and are made on the extra wide finished seam in the following dimensions: 
         [0031]    1) Buttonholes  72  are five eighths inch in length; 
         [0032]    2) Buttonholes  72  are spaced five eighths inch in between each other; 
         [0033]    3) There is a three eighths inch distance between the outer edge of buttonholes  72  and the edges  95 ,  96  of the finished seams  80 , 90 ; 
         [0034]    4) The first pair of buttonholes  72  at the top of seams  80 .  90  are recommended to be no less than three eighths inch from the finished top edge  100  of the garment; and 
         [0035]    5) Each succeeding pair of buttonholes  72  is spaced consistently down the finished seam with the same dimensions, and is recommended not to exceed four inches between each pair of buttonholes  72 . 
         [0036]    Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for creating and securing tie fasteners for both the single slip tie fasteners and double slip tie fasteners, it is recommended that the tie ribbons  110  be one half inch in width and for children&#39;s garments no less than one quarter inch to three eighths inches in width. The final length of the ties  110  are recommended to be no less than nine inches in length for children&#39;s garments and no more than twelve inches in length for adult garments. Secured tie fasteners are created and sewn into the extra wide finished seam by: 
         [0037]    1. Cutting one half inch ribbon ties  110  from either the garment&#39;s material or using a soft ribbon material (based on the individual&#39;s preference); 
         [0038]    2. Lacing the ribbon ties  110  through the buttonholes; 
         [0039]    A. For single slip tie fasteners lace through buttonholes  72 ; 
         [0040]    B. For double slip tie fasteners lace through buttonholes  72 ; 
         [0041]    3. Distributing the ribbon ties  110  evenly through the buttonholes  72  so that the finish end length of each tie will be approximately twelve inches in length; 
         [0042]    4. Adhering the ribbon tie  110  to the extra wide finished seam by first sewing an “outer square”  120  on the outside ends of the buttonholes and over the ribbon as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         [0043]    5. Sewing an “X” formation  130  between the buttonholes; and 
         [0044]    6. Securing the ribbon tie  110  to the extra wide finished seam by sewing an inner square  140  in between the buttonholes. 
         [0045]    The unique design and dimensions of the single slip tie fasteners and double slip tie fasteners allow for the finished seam edges to overlap over each other, thus providing a secure closure of the garment seams, and allows the individual to wear the garment in public without concern of exposure. 
         [0046]    Secure closing of the garment seams with the single slip tie fasteners is illustrated in  FIG. 5 : 
         [0047]    A. The right ties  110   a  on the first seam are drawn through the buttonholes  70  or  72  on the second seam as shown in  FIG. 5   a;    
         [0048]    B. The second seam is pulled to overlap the first seam by one half inch by pulling the left tie  110   b  and right tie  110   a  together. Completely pulling the ties  110   a,b  through the buttonhole  70  or  72  allows for the second seam to overlap  75  the first seam by approximately one half inch as shown in  FIG. 5B , thus bringing a complete closure to the garment; and 
         [0049]    C. The first and second seams are then securely closed by tying the left and right ties  110   a,b  into bows  180  as shown in  FIG. 5C . 
         [0000]    Secure closing of the garment seams with double slip tie fasteners is accomplished in a similar manner, and results in a one inch overlap  75  when the seams are secured together. 
         [0050]    Back tie garments  205 ,  210  such as that shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  with the soft slip tie fasteners allow the individual to have a secure seam closure, as well as the ease and comfort of a hospital type gown. Multiple ties in the front or back allow for leaving bottom portions of the garment open for use of incontinence pads or healing of bedsores, etc. At the same time, this garment still gives the appearance of the individual being fully clothed, thus allowing the individual to rehabilitate with dignity, without the shame or embarrassment of their incontinence or bedsore, etc., condition. 
         [0051]    Garment lengths may vary depending on the preference of the individual. The hem of a mid-length garment falls approximately 4″-6″ above the knee, while the longer garment falls below the knee, closer to mid-calf in length. Back tie garments may also consist of “Two-In-One” garments  205 ,  210  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0052]    A seam closure  220  of back tie Two-In-One garments  205 ,  210  are the same as mentioned above. For ease of use, the single slip tie fasteners might be the preferred fastener type. However, the double slip tie fasteners allow for more privacy when wearing the garment in public since the seam overlap is twice that of the single slip tie fasteners. The garment in  FIG. 7  may have an extended portion added to the bottom of the garment to give the appearance of wearing a top with a pant, skirt, or short bottom. 
         [0053]    Front tie garments with soft slip tie fasteners allow the individual to have a secure seam closure, as well as the ease and comfort of a hospital type gown. Multiple ties in the front allow for portions of the garment to be opened during examinations, treatments, sponge baths, physical therapy, etc. while at the same time leaving the individual clothed in other areas, thus allowing the individual to be treated with dignity, without the shame or embarrassment of being fully exposed. Top tie closure of garments may also be needed, depending on the treatment needs (and preference) of the individual, in which case the shoulder portions of the garments are not sewn together but left open to be closed by single or double slip tie fasteners or buttons. It is recommended that buttonholes on the top tie closure garments be spaced no more than two inches apart along the shoulder. This style of shoulder seam closure allows for easy treatment when using pic lines, heart monitors, etc. or during examination of the upper portion of the body without exposing the lower half of the body. 
         [0054]    Garments  250  that tie along the top, or shoulders, are also within the scope of the present invention (See  FIG. 8 ). Such garments are placed on over the individual&#39;s head and pulled down the torso, then tied at the top shoulders. Due to the limited mobility of this style of garment, the recommended use for this is for outpatient treatment visits in which the upper half of the body may need to be examined or exposed for treatment and for which the lower half of the body does not need to be accessed or exposed. 
         [0055]    Side tie garments  260  as shown in  FIG. 9  with the soft slip tie fasteners allow the individual to have a secure seam closure for privacy during treatment and at the same time provides openings for the treatment to be administered. Multiple ties along the sides of the garment allow for medical devices (such as IV&#39;s, catheters, monitors, feeding tubes, etc.) to be used, while at the same time the garment continues to remain closed. Easy side tie openings allow for all or portions of one side of the garment to be opened during examinations, treatments, sponge baths, physical therapy, tests (EKG&#39;s), etc. while at the same time leaving the individual clothed in other areas, thus allowing the individual to be treated with dignity, without the shame or embarrassment of being fully exposed. 
         [0056]    Open shoulder seams that close with slip tie fasteners are recommended for side tie garments in that they allow the benefits mentioned above as well as easy dressing and undressing of individuals who have little or no mobility. The garments are place on these individuals by: 
         [0057]    A. Laying the back portion of the garment on the bed surface; 
         [0058]    B. Laying the individual over the back portion of the garment; 
         [0059]    C. Placing the top portion of the garment on top of individual; 
         [0060]    D. Lacing and tying the side ties together; and 
         [0061]    E. If top ties are used for the shoulder seams, those are laced and tied together. 
         [0062]    A Two-In-One single or double slip tie garment gives the unique appearance of wearing a top garment with a pant, skirt, or short bottom. A Two-In-One garment (see, e.g.,  FIG. 7 ) is formed by: 
         [0063]    1. Sewing the top portion of a pant, skirt or short bottom together with the bottom portion of the garment with a one quarter inch seam allowance. If the garment has a center seam in front, first sew the center seams at one half inch, then sew the bottom to top portions at one quarter inch; 
         [0064]    2. Turn the garment right side out at the one quarter inch seam and press. Then stich one inch from the edge of sewn seam thus creating a one inch overlap of material on the outside of the garment; 
         [0065]    3. Pull the pant, skirt, or short bottom portion of the garment down, along with the one inch overlap, and press and sew a ¼″ top stitch that is ¾″ from the edge of the overlap of material; and 
         [0066]    4. Finish the garment seams according to the choice of seam closure. 
         [0067]    From the aforementioned disclosure, it can be seen that a wide variety of styles and types of dress can be used with the present invention to create clothing that is functional while providing variety and options to the infirm patient. While the various embodiments described and depicted in the description above is intended to aid in the understanding of the invention, it should not be construed in any way as limiting on the invention, either by the drawings or the choice of words in the description. Rather, the scope of the invention should be construed with the plain and ordinary words of the appended claims, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, having read and appreciated the aforementioned description but not confined in any other way.