Abstract:
A swimsuit especially adapted for use by elderly and physically challenged women includes a one-piece body having an upper wraparound portion and a lower trunk portion. The upper portion includes first and second panels or flaps that overlap one another and include free ends that are secured to the body by readily securable and releasable fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The invention relates generally to swimsuits for women and more particularly to a wraparound swimsuit for elderly and physically challenged women.  
         [0002]     For many years the benefits of swimming for exercise and health maintenance have been recognized. The low impact, low stress environment provided by the water and the constant, relatively low resistance it provides to movement of the limbs achieves recognized aerobic (heart and circulatory system) and muscle strengthening benefits.  
         [0003]     The benefits provided by swimming are especially significant to the elderly and physically challenged particularly and primarily due to the limited number of exercise choices available thereto. Even those suffering from arthritis, Parkinson&#39;s disease or muscular dystrophy may exercise in the water and achieve health benefits.  
         [0004]     One of the more problematic challenges of such activity, however, is the donning and removal of swimming apparel, that is, a swimsuit. As virtually all swimmers know, the problem of swimsuit removal is particularly vexing when the suit is wet, after completion of a swim or exercise session.  
         [0005]     The present invention successfully addresses this problem and provides a swimsuit which is simple, attractive and readily donned and removed.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     A swimsuit especially adapted for use by elderly and physically challenged women includes a one-piece body having an upper wraparound portion and a lower trunk portion. The upper portion includes first and second panels or flaps that overlap one another and include free ends that are secured to the body by readily securable and releasable fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners.  
         [0007]     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a swimsuit for female swimmers which may be readily donned and removed.  
         [0008]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a swimsuit for female swimmers which may be readily donned and removed even when wet.  
         [0009]     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a wraparound swimsuit for elderly and physically challenged female swimmers.  
         [0010]     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a wraparound swimsuit having first and second panels which are secured by hook and loop fasteners.  
         [0011]     Further object and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following description of the preferred embodiment and appended drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to the same component, element or feature. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front, elevational view of a typical swimmer wearing a wraparound swimsuit according to the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a rear, elevational view of a wraparound swimsuit according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front, elevational view of a wraparound swimsuit according to the present invention with both first and second panels opened; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of a wraparound swimsuit according to the present invention with one panel secured in place and the other panel open. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a wraparound swimsuit according to the present invention is illustrated on a person  8  and is generally designated by the reference number  10 . The wraparound swimsuit  10  may be characterized as a single piece or one piece bathing suit or swimsuit and comprises a first or upper bodice portion  20  and a second or lower trunk portion  20 .  
         [0017]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first or upper bodice portion  20  includes a generally triangular right front panel  22  which is sewn or secured along a generally vertical edge or seam  24  to a unitary back panel  26 . The right front panel or flap  22  narrows in an upward direction along a frontal diagonal edge  28  to a relatively wide right strap  32  which engages a wearer&#39;s right shoulder. The right strap  32  continues down the wearer&#39;s back and is secured by sewing, stitching or other suitable means to the back panel  26 . The right front panel or flap  22  also defines an upper curved marginal edge  34  which defines a forward portion of an arm or shoulder opening for the right arm of the wearer. It will be appreciated that all open or exposed edges are preferably rolled or folded and sewn or stitched with similar, complementary or contrasting white or colored thread  36 .  
         [0018]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , on the inside face of the lower end of the right front panel or flap  22  is a vertically elongate pad or region  38  of a hook or loop fastening material such as Velcro. Velcro is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries, B.V. Preferably, the hook portion of the hook and loop fastener resides on the inside end of the right front panel  22 .  
         [0019]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the first or upper bodice portion  20  of the swimsuit  10  also includes a left front panel or flap  42  having an overall configuration which is a mirror image of the right panel or flap  22 . The left front panel or flap  42  is generally triangular and is sewn or secured along a generally vertical edge or seam  44  to the unitary back panel  26 . The left front panel or flap  42  narrows in an upward direction along a frontal diagonal edge  48  to a relatively wide left strap  52  which engages a wearer&#39;s left shoulder. The left strap  52  continues down the wearer&#39;s back and is secured by sewing, stitching or other suitable means to the back panel  26 . The left front panel  42  also defines an upper curved marginal edge  54  which defines a forward portion of an arm or shoulder opening for the left arm of the wearer. It will be appreciated that, as noted, all open or exposed edges are preferably rolled or folded and sewn or stitched with similar, complementary or contrasting white or colored thread  36 . On the inside face of the lower end of the left front panel or flap  42  is a vertically elongate region or pad  58  of a hook or loop fastening material such as Velcro. Preferably, the hook portion of the hook and loop fastener resides on the inside end of the left front panel  42 .  
         [0020]     It will be appreciated that forward inserts, resilient cups, padding and the like (all not illustrated) may be secured at appropriate locations on the inside of the panels or flaps  22  and  42  to provide breast support for the user or for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons.  
         [0021]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , on the left outside face of the left panel or flap  42  adjacent the left seam  44  is region or pad  62  of a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro. Preferably, the pad  62  is the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener.  
         [0022]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3  and  4 , the swimsuit  10  also includes the lower or truck portion  70  which includes a front panel  72  which is secured along a transverse lower seam  74  and right and left side seams  24  and  44  to the lower portion of the back panel  26 . The lower portion of the back panel  26  includes two symmetrical convexly curved marginal edges  76  which are generally cut or configured to cover the buttocks (not illustrated) of the wearer. The front panel  72  includes concave marginal edges  78  which are cut or configured primarily for comfort. Just as with the front panels  22  and  42  of the upper or bodice portion  20 , the open or exposed edges of the lower or trunk portion  70  are rolled or folded and secured by sewing or stitching  82  with thread having matching, contrasting or complementary color. On the right side of the front panel  72  adjacent the side seam  24  is secured an elongate, vertically orientated region or pad  84  of a hook and loop material such as Velcro. Preferably, the pad  84  is of the loop type material.  
         [0023]     The various panels of the wraparound swimsuit  10  are preferably of four way stretch Lycra fabric. Lycra is a registered trademark of INVISTA. It will be appreciated that other materials and fabrics, both natural and synthetic, may, however, be utilized if desired.  
         [0024]     In use, the swimsuit  10  may be readily donned and removed. The user  8  steps into the lower or trunk portion  70  and places left and right legs in the openings defined by the edges  76  of the back panel  26  and the edges  78  of the front panel  72 . The user then places the left and right straps  32  and  52  over their respective shoulders. Next, the left panel or flap  42  is placed across the front of the body and the hook and loop fastener pads  58  and  84  are aligned, engaged and secured together. Last of all, the right panel or flap  22  is placed across the left panel or flap  42  and the hook and fastener pads  38  and  62  are aligned, engaged and secured together.  
         [0025]     After swimming or exercise, this simple procedure is reversed and the swimsuit  10  may be readily removed.  
         [0026]     It will be appreciated that a significant reduction in the surface area of the swimsuit  10  which must be slid on and off the body, essentially the entire upper or bodice portion  20 , greatly reduces the effort necessary to don, and particularly the effort necessary to remove, the wet swimsuit  10 .  
         [0027]     The foregoing disclosure is the best mode devised by the inventor for practicing this invention. It is apparent however, that devices incorporating modifications and variations will be obvious to one skilled in the art of wraparound swimsuits. Inasmuch as the foregoing disclosure presents the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention and is intended to enable any person skilled in the pertinent art to practice this invention, it should not be construed to be limited thereby but should be construed to include such aforementioned obvious variations and be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.