Jumpsuit for a woman and method of use

A jumpsuit is provided for meeting the needs of a woman. The jumpsuit has a cicumferential fastener which when closed fully connects upper and lower portions of the suit. When the fastener is fully opened, the lower portion is partially separated from the upper portion. When the woman then squats, the lower portion may be pulled down the thighs away from the crotch.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains generally to one piece garments of the jumpsuit variety such as, coveralls, body suits, flight suits, and overalls, and more particularly to a jumpsuit which facilitates the urination process for a women.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jumpsuits having selectively opening flaps are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,263,146 illustrates a coverall garment which has a zippered flap. The flap has a horizontal top and opposite downwardly extending sides.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,717 discloses a zipper drop seat garment in which the slide fastener is wholly concealed under a belt and in the pockets of the garment.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,991 shows a jumpsuit having hidden access flaps in the seat portion which can be easily opened and closed to allow the wearer to use toilet facilities without completely removing the garment. The access flaps are formed from a horizontal separation across the garment back at the waist and an invisible zipper which starts at the crotch rear area and extends vertically to and intersects the waistline area at the separation. A piece of elasticized material is attached to the garment above the separation and extends downward and covers the separation when the zipper is closed. A plurality of snaps or hook fasteners are spaced apart along the edges of the waist separation to secure the flaps to the upper waist portion of the garment. In another embodiment, the elasticized material is integral with the garment giving a more finished appearance.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,480 consists of a one piece garment in which the back is separated into two parts, upper and lower, by a horizontal opening formed in the small of the back and which is connected at both extremities to vertical slits formed along both sides of the garment. The upper half of the back has fastener members on its lower corners with which it can be secured to the front. The lower half has an elastic belt at its upper edge and fasteners along the slits, which together make the garment fit the wearer well at work or during exercise.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,396 describes a coverall type garment comprised of integrally formed upper blouse or shirt portion and a lower pants portion. The pants portion has an integrally formed panel to permit a person wearing the garment to comfortably use restroom facilities. The panel is uniquely formed to be completely concealed and also as a fashion feature when the garment is being worn. The concealment is accomplished by forming the panel as a part of the waistband and belt and side pockets. The rear seam of the opening of the opening entrance to the side pockets forms a seam for the panel so that seams for the panel are completely concealed. The flaps of the material forming the pocket are constructed to unfold when the panel is released providing a wide opening.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,356 shows a jumpsuit with an improved, utilitarian drop seat having a bodice attached to pants at the front waist seam. The pants have hidden, inseam side pockets that facilitate the opening of the drop seat area. The drop seat area has a back, elasticized waistband and side tabs having fasteners that, when fastened, secure the drop seat in closed position with the appearance of a normal jumpsuit.

Although jumpsuits designs have sought ways to ease the processes of relieving bodily needs, none are specifically tailored to accommodate the anatomical differences of women. Drop seat covers for buttocks, whether “C” or “U” shaped, do not allow the garment to be removed from the area directly below the crotch, and as such are not sufficient for a woman to urinate, whether at a toilet or in a portable urinal. Back drop designs are therefore not the answer to a woman's sometimes frequent urination needs. The back drop seats are simply made to ease the process of defecation. There is no known prior art which meets a woman's requirements for urination while wearing a jumpsuit.

When a man needs to urinate while wearing any of the currently available flight configuration suits or body suits used by the majority of government fliers, he merely has to raise the zipper from the crotch upward. It is a two way zipper so there is no need for him to release the zipper all the way down from the top. A women, on the other hand, must remove the jumpsuit over her hips.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a jumpsuit specifically tailored to the anatomical needs of a woman. An elongated circumferential zipper provides a way for a woman to undo the jumpsuit and urinate without having to take off the jumpsuit. The zipper is located below the waistline and above the hips, and extends at least 270° around the jumpsuit. Because of the zipper, the jumpsuit may be completely removed from the area below the crotch without disrobing by squatting and moving the lower portion toward the knees. The jumpsuit is particularly useful for flying where urination can be a problem on long flights.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a jumpsuit for a woman, includes a body having a central axis, a waist, a front side, an upper portion, and a lower portion. A fastener means is provided for selectively connecting the upper portion to the lower portion. The fastener means has a first end and an opposite second end. When the fastener means is fully closed, the upper portion is connected to the lower portion. When the fastener means is fully open, the upper portion is partially connected to the lower portion by a thin connector strip which is disposed between the first end and the second end of the fastener means. The connector strip is substantially centrally disposed on the front side of the jumpsuit. The fastener means circumscribes an arc of at least 270° around the central axis of the jumpsuit.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the arc is about 340°.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the arc disposed is substantially perpendicular to the central axis so the fastener means is substantially horizontal.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first and second ends of the fastener means are disposed below the waist of the jumpsuit.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, when the fastener means is fully open the lower portion splits away from the upper portion so the woman may assume a squatting position wherein the lower portion may be pulled down the thighs thereby vacating the lower portion from an area below the woman's crotch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1–3show front elevation, side elevation, and rear elevation views, respectively, of a jumpsuit in accordance with the present invention, generally designated20. As used herein, the term “jumpsuit” embraces all garments of the one piece variety such as coveralls, body suits, flight suits, and overalls. Jumpsuit20is fitted to the body of the wearer and is typically neither loosely nor tightly fitting. Jumpsuit20includes a body22having a central axis24, a waist26, a front side28, an upper portion30, and a lower portion32. Jumpsuit20also includes fastener means34for selectively connecting upper portion30to lower portion32. Fastener means34has a first end36and an opposite second end38. When fastener means34is fully closed as is shown inFIGS. 1–3, upper portion30is connected to lower portion32. As used herein, the term “connected” means that the bottom perimeter of upper portion30is connected to the top perimeter of lower portion32. In a preferred embodiment, the connection is a continuous connection such as would be effected by the shown zipper fastener means34. Hook and loop bands, and slide fasteners would also provide a continuous connection. In another embodiment, the fastener means34could be cooperating buttons, snaps, or hooks which are spaced around the bottom perimeter of the upper portion30and the top perimeter of the lower portion32.

When fastener means34is fully open (refer toFIGS. 8–10), upper portion30is partially connected to lower portion32by a connector strip40(dashed area inFIG. 1) which is disposed between first end36and second end38of fastener means34. Connector strip40is substantially centrally disposed on front side28. Also referring toFIG. 4, fastener means34circumscribes an arc of at least 270° around central axis24. In a preferred embodiment, the arc is about 340° (refer toFIG. 5). That is, connector strip40is only about 20° wide. In the shown embodiment, the arc is disposed substantially perpendicular to central axis24. In other words, fastener means34resides in substantially horizontal orientation when jumpsuit20is worn by a standing person. It is also noted that first end36and second end38of fastener means34are disposed below the waist26and above the hips42of the wearer.

Jumpsuit20further includes a second fastener means44having an upper end46and a lower end48. Second fastener means44is disposed on front side28oriented parallel to central axis24. It substantially bisects connector strip40. Second fastener means44runs from below fastener means34to above waist26, and opens upward from lower end48.

FIG. 4is a view along the line4—4ofFIG. 1. Fastener means34circumscribes an arc of at least 270° around central axis24. This allows lower portion32to separate from upper portion34so the lower portion may be moved up the wearer's thighs500to the hollow of the knees502which is the inside portion of the knee opposite the knee cap (refer toFIGS. 8–10).

FIG. 5is an alternate view along the line4—4ofFIG. 1. In this view, fastener means34circumscribes an arc which is about 340° thereby almost separating upper portion30from lower portion32. That is, connector strip40is only about 20° wide, thereby making the separation of lower portion32from upper portion30even easier.

FIG. 6is a side elevation view of fastener means34starting to be opened by the wearer from a fully closed position. In the shown embodiment, the wearer uses a zipper tab50to effect the opening.

FIG. 7is a side elevation view of fastener means34in a fully open position.

FIG. 8is a side perspective view of jumpsuit20with the wearer in a squatting position as for urination. When fastener means34is fully open, lower portion32splits away from upper portion30so the woman may assume a squatting position wherein lower portion32may be pulled all the way down the woman's thighs500thereby vacating lower portion32from an area below the woman's crotch (also refer toFIG. 10). In an embodiment of the invention, lower portion32is pulled down the woman's thighs500all the way to the hollow of the woman's knees502.

FIG. 9is rear elevation view of jumpsuit20with the wearer in a squatting position. Because of fastener means34, lower portion32may be split away from upper portion30and pulled down the woman's thighs500to the hollow of the knees502.

FIG. 10is a bottom plan view of the jumpsuit with the wearer in a squatting position. It is noted that lower portion32has been pulled down the woman's thighs500in direction52to the hollow of the knees502, thereby removing all jumpsuit material from below the woman's crotch. In this manner, urination can be effected without wetting jumpsuit20. In terms of use, a method for a woman to urinate when dressed in a jumpsuit includes:(a) providing a jumpsuit20for the woman, the jumpsuit20including;a body22having a central axis24, a waist26, a front side28, an upper portion30, and a lower portion32;fastener means34for selectively connecting upper portion30to lower portion32, fastener means34having a first end36and an opposite second end38, wherein when fastener means30is fully closed upper portion30is connected to lower portion32, and when fastener means34is fully open upper portion30is partially connected to lower portion32by a connector strip40disposed between first end36and second end38of fastener means34;connector strip40substantially centrally disposed on said front side28; and,fastener means34circumscribing an arc of at least 270° around central axis24;(b) fully opening fastener means34;(c) assuming a squatting position;(d) pulling said lower portion32down the woman's thighs500away from the crotch and toward the hollow of the woman's knees502so that lower portion32vacates an area below the woman's crotch; and,(e) urinating.

The method further including:in step (d), pulling said lower portion32down the woman's thighs500all the way to the hollow of the woman's knees502.

The method further including:in step (a), the arc being about 340°.

The method further including:in step (a), the arc disposed substantially perpendicular to central axis24.

The method further including:in step (a), first end36and second end38of fastener means34disposed below waist26.

The method further including:a second fastener means44having an upper end46and a lower end48, second fastener means44disposed on front side28and oriented parallel to central axis24, second fastener means44substantially bisecting connector strip40;second fastener means44running from below fastener means34to above waist26;second fastener means44opening from lower end48; and,before step (d), opening second fastener means44from lower end48to at least waist26.

Opening second fastener means44can enhance the use of jumpsuit20during urination by allowing first end36to separate from second end38of fastener means34at connector strip40, thereby effectively increasing the perimeter of lower portion32.

The preferred embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims.