Abstract:
An article of clothing that can be worn by suicidal inmates and medical patients is provided. In one embodiment, the article of clothing is comprised of a high-strength fabric consisting of an outer layer of tear-proof material, an inner layer of soft material, and a third layer of insulating material between the outer and inner layers that provides warmth and bulk to the fabric. The three layers are joined together with a nylon thread. The article of clothing is further comprised of at least one sleeve section that is removably attached to at least in part to a torso section, wherein the at least one sleeve section detaches from the torso section to prevent a user from injuring or killing himself. In another embodiment, the article of clothing is comprised of a non-woven cellular material with very low tensile strength that cannot effectively be fashioned into a rope or noose.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application claims the benefit, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/918,632, filed Mar. 19, 2007. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to anti-suicide articles of clothing and relates particularly to an anti-suicide article of clothing that is comfortable to wear, yet prevents a user from using the article to commit suicide. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In prisons and jails there is always a percentage of inmates that need to be kept isolated from other inmates (e.g., solitary confinement) for a variety of reasons such as punishment for certain types of crimes, bad behavior, contagious illness, the tendency to fight with other inmates, etc. Similarly, patients of mental health facilities may be dangerous to themselves and other patients or the facility staff and need to be kept in isolation for extended periods of time. In these scenarios, there exists the possibility that inmates and patients, respectively, may have severe anxiety, depression, or even suicidal tendencies. In such cases, these individuals may attempt to make use of their clothing (or parts thereof) to hang themselves. 2004 statistics show that in the U.S., death by hanging, strangulation, or suffocation is the second most common method (after firearms) for a person to commit suicide, with 22.4% of suicide victims having committed suicide by the former method. 
     In an effort to prevent a user (e.g., inmate, patient, etc.) from using his clothing to hang himself, the users are issued special protective clothing (e.g., clothing that is tear resistant). A current fabric used to manufacture protective clothing consists of a high strength nylon shell sewn together with nylon thread. A drawback of items made from this material is that they feel rough against the skin of the wearer and are thus extremely uncomfortable for the inmate or patient. When articles of clothing constructed from this material are worn for relatively long periods of time, the discomfort caused by the use of these items often increases the agitation of the at-risk individual, potentially further compromising the mental state of the inmate or patient. 
     One type of existing clothing available for wear by individuals with suicidal tendencies is an isolation smock or safety smock. These garments are sometimes constructed of material of a one-piece design with no sleeves. This is because sleeves can either be tied together to create a rope or used individually as a noose. To prevent tearing, the smocks often are made of a material that is tear-resistant, such as nylon or polyester. Because the smocks are manufactured for strength, not comfort against the user&#39;s skin, the wearer of such a smock will often complain to medical personnel, prison guards, or facility staff, as appropriate. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an anti-suicide article of clothing that overcomes the aforementioned drawback, that is comfortable to wear, and cannot be used to commit suicide. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a comfortable article of clothing that can be worn by inmates and medical patients, wherein there is a danger of suicide or self-injury by such persons. In one embodiment, the article of clothing is comprised of a high-strength fabric consisting of an outer layer of tear-proof, high strength natural or synthetic material and an inner layer of soft natural or synthetic material. Between the inner and outer layers of material is sandwiched a third layer of insulating material to provide warmth and additional bulk to the fabric. The three materials are joined together with a nylon thread stitched in a pattern. In one embodiment of the present invention, the article of clothing is a smock. The smock provides strength, warmth and comfort for suicidal inmates and patients. The smock further comprises at least one sleeve section that is removably attached to a torso section, wherein at least one sleeve section breaks away or detaches from the torso section at least in part when a user pulls at least one sleeve section away from the torso section. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, at least one sleeve section can be completely removed from the torso section when a user pulls the at least one sleeve section away from the torso section. In another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one sleeve section only partially breaks away (or detaches) from the torso section. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the article of clothing is comprised of a material that has less than a few ounces of tensile strength, thereby preventing the user from injuring or killing himself with the article of clothing. In one embodiment of the present invention, the article of clothing is an undergarment. In this embodiment, the undergarment further comprises at least one layer of synthetic or cellulose material with waist and leg openings and is disposable. The undergarment can utilize a single-strand of elastic thread around the waist and leg openings for a snug fit around the user&#39;s body. In a variation of this embodiment, the undergarment is comprised of at least one layer of the synthetic or cellulose material in an approximately rectangular shape having no openings. The undergarment is folded around the portion of the body of the user, wherein a first side and a second side of the material are fastened together by a plurality of removable fastening devices. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an article of clothing for suicide prevention, comprised of an outer layer, an inner layer, a middle layer between the inner and outer layers, and a nylon thread material for holding the outer, inner and middle layers together. The outer layer consists of a polyester material that has a weight of greater than 300 denier and is tear-resistant, thereby preventing the user from tearing the outer layer into strips and using the strips to construct a rope for committing suicide. In contrast, the inner layer consists of a cotton material that is greater than 7.2 ounces, while the middle layer consists of polyester fiberfill material that is greater than 2 ounces. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an article of clothing for suicide prevention, comprised of a torso section, at least one sleeve section, and a plurality of relatively short-length removable fastening devices connecting at least in part the at least one sleeve section to the torso section. The torso section covers at least a portion of the user, while the at least one sleeve section covers at least a portion of at least one arm of the user. A plurality of relatively short-length removable fastening devices are preferably used instead of a single relatively long removable fastening device. This is because a single relatively long removable fastening device can be used (itself) to form a rope for committing suicide. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an article of clothing for suicide prevention. The article of clothing includes a plurality of openings and consists of a non-woven material, nylon thread for stitching the non-woven material together into a shape and a single elastic thread attached to the non-woven material at each one of the plurality of openings. The non-woven material is relatively weak, thereby allowing a user to tear the non-woven material into strips and to use the strips to construct a rope, but preventing the user from using the rope to commit suicide (due to the strength (or lack thereof) of the non-woven material). The shape of the non-woven material allows the article of clothing to cover a portion of a body of the user. The single elastic thread is adapted to prevent the non-woven material from falling off of the portion of the body of the user. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an article of clothing for suicide prevention. The article of clothing consists of a non-woven cellulose material, nylon thread for stitching the non-woven cellulose material together into a shape, and a plurality of removable attachment devices at a plurality of opposing ends of the article of clothing. The non-woven cellulose material is relatively weak, thereby allowing a user to tear the non-woven cellulose material into strips and to use the strips to construct a rope, but preventing the user from using the rope to commit suicide. The shape of the non-woven material allows the article of clothing to cover a portion of a body of the user. The plurality of removable attachment devices are adapted to affix a plurality of opposing end portions of the article of clothing around the portion of the body of the user. 
     A more complete understanding of the anti-suicide garment will be afforded to those of skill in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objectives thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings which will first be described briefly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an anti-suicide smock with break-away sleeves in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, when viewed from the front. 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of a multi-layered swatch of fabric used to construct the smock illustrated in  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an article of clothing for suicide prevention in the form of an undergarment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is top perspective view of an article of clothing for suicide prevention in the form of an adult diaper in the open position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides a comfortable article of clothing that can be worn by inmates and medical patients, wherein there is a danger of suicide or self-injury by such persons. One advantage of such an article of clothing is that the wearer is kept warm and maintains some dignity by being covered with a fair amount of comfortable clothing, but is unable to destruct the clothing in such a way as to be used to construct a rope or a noose. The invention thereby overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. The following embodiments of the invention describe elements comprised of particular materials, as well as describing particular types of fastenings that are illustrative only. These embodiments are not to be considered limiting in any respect. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to indicate like elements appearing in one or more of the figures. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an anti-suicide smock  100  with break-away sleeves or sleeve sections  112  and  114  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, when viewed from the front. The smock  100  provides warmth and dignity to a user and can easily be manufactured in different sizes to fit users of differing heights and girth. The smock  100  is comprised of a torso section  110  that covers at least a portion of a torso of a user, at least one sleeve section  112  or  114 , and a plurality of interlocking removable fastener devices  120 - 142 . In a preferred embodiment, the smock  100  contains both sleeve sections  112  and  114 ; however, the smock  100  can be constructed with just one of sleeve sections  112  and  114 , for situations such as a one-armed user or where the user currently has one arm in a splint or cast. The smock  100  is further comprised of a left portion  150 , a right portion  152 , a neck opening  105 , a torso flap  144 , sleeve flaps  116  and  118 , as well as sleeve flaps  156  and  158 . 
     The removable fastener devices  120 - 142  each are comprised of at least two of a plurality of interlocking components that are placed on opposing sides of the portion of the smock  100 . In a variation of this embodiment, the removable fastener devices  120 - 142  are each comprised of a single interlocking component that is adapted to be placed on a single side of the smock  100 , wherein the interlocking component directly adheres or mates with the surface of the material that comprises the smock  100 . 
     The removable fastener devices  120 - 142  serve several purposes. First, the removable fastener devices  136 - 142  that are placed along the torso flap  144  connect the left portion  150  to the right portion  152 . Second, the removable fastener devices  120 - 124  connect the sleeve flap  156  to the left portion  150  and similarly, the removable fastener devices  128 - 132  connect the sleeve flap  158  to the right portion  152 . The removable fastener device  126  connects the sleeve flap  116  attached to a front portion of the sleeve section  112  to a back portion of the sleeve section  112 . Similarly, the removable fastener device  134  connects the sleeve flap  118  attached to a front portion of the sleeve section  114  to a back portion of the sleeve section  114 . A key use of the plurality of interlocking removable fastening devices  120 - 142  versus having a single removable fastening device along the entire length of each removably attached portion of the smock  100  is to prevent the user from separating such a relatively long removable fastening device from the smock  100  and fashioning the removable fastening device into a rope or a noose to hang himself. For example, if removable fastening devices  128 ,  130 , and  132  were combined into one long fastening device (not shown) to effectively join the entire first portion of the sleeve flap  158  to the right portion  152 , the user could possibly tear away the one long fastening device from the first portion of the sleeve flap  158  and use the device to construct a rope or a noose. 
     Another key use of devices  120 - 134 , however, is to provide break-away sleeve functionality to prevent the user from forcing his head into the sleeve section  112  or  114  in an attempt to hang himself. Other anti-suicide smocks in existence specifically do not have sleeves (let alone break-away sleeves) to prevent the user from attempting to injure himself in this manner. More specifically, if existing anti-suicide smocks had large diameter rigidly attached sleeves, the user could attempt to hang himself with such a smock by tying a portion of such a smock to a relatively fixed or heavy article of furniture or a sturdy fixture in the user&#39;s cell or room, putting his head in one of the sleeve openings, and using his own body weight to hang himself. The break-away sleeve sections  112  and  114  of the present invention prevent the user from hanging himself in such a manner. That is, the sleeve sections  112  and  114  can partially break-away from the left portion  150  and the right portion  152 , respectively. 
     In particular, the sleeve flaps  156  and  158  will open and unroll away from the torso section  110  when a user attempts to injure himself in by pushing his head into the proximal ends of the sleeve sections  112  or  114  via the interior side of the torso section  110 , causing removable fastener devices  120 - 124  and  128 - 132 , respectively, to release a first portion of the sleeve flaps  156  and  158 . In a variation of this embodiment, the sleeve sections  112  and  114  can have relatively large diameters that allow the user to easily place his head inside the interior of the sleeve sections  112  or  114 . If the user ties off a portion of the smock  100  to a relatively fixed article of furniture or a fixture in his cell or room and then attempts to apply his own body weight against the smock  100  in an effort to hang himself, the removable fastener devices  120 - 124  and  128 - 132 , respectively, will release the first portion of the sleeve flaps  156  and  158 . 
     Similarly, if the user attempts to push his head into either of the open ends of the sleeve sections  112  or  114  that are distal from the torso section  110 , removable fastener devices  126  and  134 , respectively, will release a second portion of the sleeve flaps  156  and  158 . As the user proceeds to push his head deeper into the opening in the sleeve sections  112  or  114 , additional removable fastener devices  120 - 124  and  128 - 132 , respectively, will release the first portions of the sleeve flaps  156  and  158 . The sleeve sections  112  and  114  are illustrated as being relatively short, like a short-sleeve t-shirt, to prevent the user from tying the sleeves  112  and  114  together to form a rope that can be used to injure or kill the user. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the sleeve sections  112  and  114  can also comprise longer length sleeves. In a variation of this embodiment, there are additional removable fastening devices (not shown) attached to the rear portion of the sleeve sections  112  and  114  so that the entire sleeve sections  112  and  114  can be completely removed from the torso section  110  when the user pushes his head into the opening of the sleeve sections  112  or  114 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the removable fastener devices  120 - 142  are comprised of hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro™ fasteners, licensed or manufactured by Velcro Industries B.V. Ltd. Liability Co., Netherlands). Hook-and-loop-type fastener systems are comprised of a pair of complementary surfaces, generally available in strip or pad form. One of the strips or pads is provided with a hooked surface, and the mated strip or pad is provided with a looped surface. Once the complementary strips or pads are placed in mated juxtaposition and a light pressure is applied, they form a mechanical bond and provide a strong, semi-permanent closure which may be opened by removing, in sequence, a small portion of the hook and loop bond, preserving the system for reuse. One of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of removable fastener devices  120 - 142  such as the use of snap fasteners that are comprised of a pair of interlocking discs or the use of buttons and opposing buttonholes or reinforced slits that utilize thin breakable thread are also within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of a multi-layered swatch of fabric  200  used to construct the smock  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The fabric  200  is similar to a quilt. The fabric  200  is comprised of an outer layer  205 , a middle layer  210 , an inner layer  220 , and thread  225  that holds together the outer layer  205 , the middle layer  210 , and the inner layer  220 . The outer layer  205  is comprised of highly tear-resistant woven materials like polyester or nylon. 
     The outer layer  205  can also be comprised of other materials such as those commonly used to construct parachutes and can include a low-stretch Dacron™ or zero-stretch Spectra™, Kevlar™, Vectran™, as well as high-modulus aramids. The tear-resistant property of the outer layer  205  prevents the user from tearing the outer layer  205  into strips and using the strips to construct a rope for committing suicide. In a preferred embodiment, the outer layer  205  is comprised of a polyester material that is greater than 300 denier in weight; preferably 600 denier, though one of skill in the art will recognize that different weights and types of materials can be utilized within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Due to the need for the outer layer  205  to be comprised of a strong tear-resistant material, the outer layer  205  is generally sensed as being hard and uncomfortable against the skin by the user, possibly causing chafing and rashes if the inner layer  220  were composed of the same material. 
     The inner layer  220  is comprised of a soft material that is comfortable against the skin. In a preferred embodiment, the inner layer  220  is comprised of cotton material that in turn can contain 100% cotton material or a cotton blend material. In order to provide adequate strength and softness against the skin of the user, the cotton material  1  is of a weight of greater than 7.2 ounces and in a preferred embodiment weighs 8.5 ounces. One of skill in the art will recognize that the inner layer  220  can also be comprised of other weights and types of natural and synthetic materials and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The middle layer  210  serves as batting or an insulating material that adds bulk to the fabric  200  and allows the smock  100  to provide warmth to the user. To adequately accomplish this function, in a preferred embodiment, the middle layer  210  is comprised of polyester fiberfill of a weight greater than 2 ounces, though other weights and types of natural or synthetic fill materials can also be effectively utilized within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the middle layer is comprised of 4 ounce polyester fiberfill. 
     The inner layer  220 , the middle layer  210 , and the outer layer  205  are fastened together by the thread  225 . The thread  225  is sewn into a pattern that for ease of manufacturing repeats and can form a multitude of particular shapes and patterns. Perhaps one of the easier to manufacture patterns is the diamond-like pattern illustrated in  FIG. 2 , though of course other such patterns as squares or rectangles can be utilized as well. Further, the size of each recurring pattern section (e.g., the dimensions of each diamond) can vary. To provide durability and washability by commercial laundering methods, as well as to prevent the user from being able to tear apart the fabric  200 , a fairly heavy nylon thread of greater than 33 denier is utilized, and in a preferred embodiment, 69 denier nylon thread is utilized, though one of skill in the art will recognize that other weights and thread materials can also be effectively utilized within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an article of clothing for suicide prevention in the form of an undergarment  300  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The undergarment  300  is comprised of a crotch portion  344 , a left portion  340 , a right portion  342 , and a plurality of opening that comprise torso opening  330  and leg opening  320  and  310 . 
     While conventional undergarments are comprised of natural or synthetic material such as cotton and can be laundered and re-used, the undergarment  300  is comprised of a thin, easily tearable, non-woven synthetic or natural material such as cellulose or, in a preferred embodiment, natural vegetable fiber that is comfortable for the user to wear and enables the undergarment  300  to be flushed down a municipal toilet for disposal after use. The body of the undergarment  300  can be made of a single layer of material or may be comprised of a plurality of layers in strategic areas such as the crotch portion  344  to prevent leakage. One of the physical properties of the undergarment  300  that is comprised of a single layer of non-woven cellulose material is that the material is relatively weak, thereby allowing the user to tear the undergarment  300  into strips and to use the strips to construct a rope or noose, but preventing the user from using the rope to commit suicide, since such a rope will tear when tensile stress is applied by the user. 
     Thread (not shown) is utilized for stitching to form the material into the shape of the undergarment  300  that can cover a portion of the body of the user, though the undergarment  300  can have different shapes to accommodate users of differing size and weight. In a preferred embodiment, the thread is comprised of nylon thread. Stitched areas  346  and  348  located on the left portion  340  and the right portion  342 , respectively, connect a second layer of material that is attached to the undergarment  300  to form the crotch portion  344  that helps prevent leakage. Unlike conventional undergarments, there is no fly area that opens to allow the user to urinate without removing the undergarment  300  from the user&#39;s torso. This is to prevent the user from being able to tear away the material that would form a fly area and fashioning a rope. In another embodiment (not shown), there is no second layer of material connected to the left portion  340  and the right portion  342 , and thus no stitching  346  and  348  utilized in the undergarment  300 . 
     The edges of the undergarment  300  surrounding the plurality of openings  330 ,  320 , and  310  are comprised of a single elastic thread attached to the non-woven material at each of openings  330 ,  320 , and  310 . The single elastic thread at openings  330 ,  320 , and  310  is fashioned into elastic edges  332 ,  336 , and  334 , respectively. Elastic edges  332 ,  336 , and  334  prevent the non-woven material from falling off the appropriate portions of the body in contact with the undergarment  300  (i.e., the waist area and the tops of the user&#39;s legs). The elastic edges  336  and  334  also form a loose seal against the user&#39;s upper legs that help to prevent any leakage that might otherwise occur from an accidental urination or bowel movement for a short period of time. Unlike conventional undergarments, the elastic edges  332 ,  336 , and  334  are very thin and small and the undergarment  300  does not have a waistband in the conventional sense. This serves to prevent the user from tearing the elastic edges  336 ,  334 , and  332  away from the undergarment  300  and fashioning them into a rope with sufficient tensile strength for the user to form a noose or asphyxiate himself using the single elastic thread that comprises the elastic edges  336 ,  334 , and  332 . One of skill in the art will recognize that the elastic edges  336 ,  334 , and  332  can be comprised of a variety of types of elastomeric material other than natural or synthetic rubber. In a variation of the embodiment (not shown), the undergarment  300  has pleats or folds of the cellulose material that attaches to the elastic edges  336 ,  334 , and  332  to help form the thin weak single layer of material into the shape of the undergarment  300 . 
       FIG. 4  is top perspective view of an article of clothing for suicide prevention in the form of an adult diaper  400  in the open position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The diaper  400  is comprised of a body  405 , a front section  410 , and a rear section  412 . Conventional diapers are primarily worn for incontinence reasons and/or uncontrollable bowels and are comprised of thick absorbent materials. The purpose of a conventional diaper is to absorb moisture and contain mess so that the user can remain dry and comfortable after wetting or soiling himself through a bowel movement or urination. Conventional diapers include cloth diapers that are comprised of layers of fabric such as terry toweling and can be washed and reused multiple times, as well as disposable diapers that contain absorbent chemicals and can be thrown away after use. Often, to avoid leakage of liquid or solid waste, plastic pants or other forms of diaper covers are worn externally over the conventional diaper by the user. In contrast, the diaper  400  is intended to be worn by a user that is capable of utilizing a toilet or restroom and does not require the bulk, level of absorbency and anti-leakage properties of the conventional diaper or plastic pants. 
     The body  405  is comprised of a thin, easily tearable, non-woven synthetic or natural material such as cellulose, or in a preferred embodiment, natural vegetable fiber that is comfortable for the user to wear and enables the diaper  400  to be flushed down a municipal toilet for disposal after use. The body  405  can be made of a single layer of material or may be comprised of a plurality of layers in strategic areas such as the crotch area to prevent leakage. One of the physical properties of the diaper  400  that is comprised of a single layer of non-woven cellulose material is that the material being relatively weak, allows the user to tear the diaper  400  into strips and to use the strips to construct a rope or noose, but prevents the user from using the rope to commit suicide, since such a rope will tear when tensile stress is applied by the user. 
     Thread (not shown) may be utilized for stitching to form the material into the shape of the body  405  that can cover a portion of the body of the user, though the body  405  can from different shapes to accommodate users of differing size and weight. In a preferred embodiment, the thread is comprised of nylon thread. In order to enable the diaper  400  to be worn around the portion of the body of the user, the diaper  400  contains a plurality of interlocking removable attachment devices affixed to front corners  414  and  416  with opposing interlocking components affixed to rear corners  420  and  418 , respectively. The removable fastener devices  422 - 428  each are comprised of at least two of a plurality of interlocking components that are placed on opposing sides of the front corner  414  and the rear corner  420  and the front corner  416  and the rear corner  418 , respectively. The removable fastening devices can be comprised of hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro™), snaps, tape, stiff foldable tabs, or the like. 
     Having thus described a preferred embodiment of anti-suicide articles of clothing, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the invention have been achieved. For example, the anti-suicide smock with break-away sleeves that prevent the user from forcing his head into one of the plurality of sleeve sections to suffocate himself has been illustrated, but it should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is further defined by the following claims.