Patent Publication Number: US-7222371-B2

Title: Shawl

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the field of clothing and, in particular, to articles of clothing designed for use by people having physical limitations. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many people suffer from poor blood circulation, which results in their feeling cold and needing to add layers of clothing in order to be comfortable. Although poor circulation may affect people of all ages, this problem is especially acute in the elderly. Unfortunately, the elderly often have physical limitations that make the process of adding layers of clothing, and especially those articles of clothing having conventional sleeves, far more difficult. For example, people who have suffered a stroke, or other disease process that results in muscular contractures, are often unable to manipulate their arms to place them through the sleeves of a sweater or bathrobe. Similarly, manipulating their arms to place them through the sleeves of conventional garments can result in severe pain and/or muscle damage to people with existing shoulder injuries or arthritis. A number of different garments and methods have heretofore been used in order to meet the needs of these people. 
   One common approach has been to use oversized garments, such as sweaters or bathrobes, having large sleeves that are easier to manipulate over the arms and shoulders. An oversized garment is advantageous because is provides the user with needed warmth, will stay in place and not fall off during periods of activity, and may often be put on and secured without the aid of others. Unfortunately, this approach has significant drawbacks. 
   Many people take immense pride in their personal appearance and being forced to wear such ill fitting clothing can have a negative affect on their dignity and sense of self worth. It is now well established that a person&#39;s mental attitude is inexorably tied to their physical health and, in fact, the maintenance of a patient&#39;s personal appearance is but one of a plethora of “dignity issues” addressed by today&#39;s nursing care providers. As this approach requires a person to choose between physical comfort and personal dignity, it is not a viable solution for many people. Further, oversized sleeves are often hazardous to the user as they can interfere with the operation of a walker or wheelchair, or may drape over a burner of a stove and become ignited. Finally, such garments are not easily put on and taken off by the wearer, making it less likely that they will be momentarily removed to avoid a hazardous situation, or for the person to cool herself when her body temperature increases. Therefore, this approach is inadequate. 
   Another approach has been to utilize garments, such as hospital “jonnies”, which are accessed through the rear of the garment. Many people who cannot manipulate their arms through the sleeves of a correctly sized sweater can extend their arms through the sleeves of a “jonnie”. Further, “jonnies” may be made from a variety of fabrics and include stylish designs that allow the user to maintain their personal appearance. Finally, “jonnies” are typically secured onto the user and are not prone to falling off the user during periods of activity. Unfortunately, the need to secure “jonnies” from the rear creates significant disadvantages. 
   A person who cannot manipulate their arms through the sleeves of a sweater will certainly not be able to reach behind them to secure, or disengage, the buttons, zippers, ties, or other fasteners at the rear of a “jonnie”. Therefore, a person would need assistance securing or removing the fasteners, which increases their dependence on others. Further, the person&#39;s inability to remove the “jonnie” may cause the person to overheat if the temperature of the room increases and may pose a serious safety hazard in the event that the “jonnie” was ignited. In addition, having the closure on the rear of the garment forces the person to sit or lie on the closure. Sitting on a zipper, hook and loop fastener, button, or the like, irritates the skin and can cause the person to form decubidous ulcers, commonly referred to as “bed sores”, on their affected regions. Finally, traditional fabric ties expose the person&#39;s skin, causing them to be cold and to lose their sense of dignity. For these reasons, the use of such garments is also not an acceptable solution. 
   Still another approach has been to wrap a shawl over the shoulders of the person. Traditional shawls do not include any sleeves through which arms must be manipulated and can be made in a variety of different fabrics and can include ornamentation to make them look quite fashionable; allowing the person to retain their well kept appearance and dignity without sacrificing physical comfort. Further, shawls may be easily moved aside when cooking or manipulating a cane, walker or wheelchair; effectively reducing these safety hazards. Finally, shawls are relatively easy to put on and take off, and people with physical limitations may often be able to wrap a shawl around their own shoulders; eliminating the need for others to help them with this task and allowing them to maintain a higher degree of independence. 
   As was the case with the oversized garments and “jonnies” discussed above, the use of traditional shawls also has significant disadvantages. Traditional shawls or blankets are merely rectangular pieces of fabric that must be held in place by the person over whom it is draped. Unfortunately, the elderly often need to use their hands to grasp a cane or walker, or to steady themselves when moving from one place to another, resulting in the shawl being prone to slippage off of their shoulders. Such slippage can cause a myriad of problems. For example, retrieving a shawl from the ground, or from between one&#39;s back and the backrest of a wheelchair, can be a daunting task in itself for many people. Therefore, if no assistance is available, the person may not be able to retrieve the shawl to put it back on, causing them to be cold, or risk a fall or physical injury retrieving it. Fallen shawls may also interfere with walkers or wheelchairs, again posing safety hazards. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a garment that provides the user with needed warmth, will stay in place and not fall off during periods of activity, may be put on and taken off without the aid of others, does not irritate the skin with which it comes into contact, may be made to look fashionable to give pride and dignity to the wearer, and that provides people confined to a hospital or nursing home with a wardrobe choice that they wish to make and, consequently, that gives them a spark to have the energy to want to get dressed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is an improved shawl that overcomes the above referenced drawbacks inherent in current garments. In its most basic form, the shawl includes a sheet of fabric having an inner surface and an outer surface defined by a top edge, a bottom edge, a right side edge and a left side edge. The sheet of fabric is dimensioned to allow the right and left hands of the user to each extend beyond the right edge and left edge of the sheet of fabric when the top edge of the sheet of fabric is draped over the user&#39;s shoulders. A right arm closure extends from the inner surface of the sheet of fabric proximate to the right edge, and a left arm closure extending from the inner surface of the sheet of fabric proximate to the left edge. Each of the arm closures has a width that is less than a width of a human forearm and defines an opening dimensioned to allow the user&#39;s hands to pass therethrough. 
   In operation, the user will drape the shawl over their shoulders such that the arm closures are substantially evenly disposed proximate to the user&#39;s hands. The user will then insert their hands through the closures and allow the closures to slide up to their forearms, which hold the shawl in place. This leaves the user&#39;s hands free to perform necessary tasks and insure that the shawl does not hinder the operation of a cane, walker or wheelchair. Further, because of the location of the closures relative to the hands, the hands may be easily withdrawn from the closures if the user is cooking, eating or performing other tasks with which interference by the shawl is to be avoided. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the right and left arm closures are formed as an integral part of the sheet of fabric. However, one or both of these closures may be separate and distinct form the sheet and may be fixedly or removably attached thereto. In some embodiments, the closures take the form of hook and loop fasteners made up of a first end and a second end that are mated together to form the closure. 
   The preferred embodiment of the shawl uses only the users forearms to retain the shawl in place. However, other embodiments include at least one closure disposed upon the sheet of fabric proximate to the top edge for securing the left and right sides of the top edge of the shawl together when the shawl is draped over the user. The preferred closures are hook and loop fasteners that are disposed at locations proximate to the top edge of the sheet of fabric such that the hook portion may be mated with the loop portion when the top edge of the sheet of fabric is draped over the pair of shoulders of the human user. These are preferred due to the ease with which such closures may be both fastened and removed. However, other art recognized closures, such as buttons, snaps of the like may be substituted to achieve similar results. In some embodiments, at least two closures are provided in order to allow at least a torso of the user to be substantially covered by the sheet of fabric, providing additional warmth to the user. 
   The preferred shawl is intended to cover only the torso of the user and is dimensioned such that the width dimension, measured between the right edge and the left edge, is greater than a length dimension, measured between the top edge and the bottom edge. However, in other embodiments, such as those for use with people who are ambulatory, that shawl is dimensioned to allow the bottom edge of sheet of fabric to extends below a knee of the user in a manner similar to that of a conventional bathrobe. 
   The preferred sheet of fabric is made up of two pieces of fabric that are joined together to form a shawl portion and a collar portion. The collar portion is designed to fold over on itself and the joining line is placed such that the collar falls easily over the users neck and shoulders. The joining line of this preferred embodiment terminates in a pair of notches that allow the user&#39;s arms a greater degree of freedom than would be possible were they restrained entirely by the sheet of fabric. 
   Finally, in some embodiments the shawl includes weights that are secured to the inner surface of the sheet of fabric proximate to the arm closures in order to reduce hand shaking that is common to people having a number of disease processes, including Parkinson&#39;s disease. These weights are preferably removably secured by inserting them into pockets formed in the inner surface of the sheet of fabric, but may be secured by attaching them via hook and loop fasteners or by permanently stitching them into the sheet of fabric. 
   Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a garment that warms the user and prevents them from becoming cold. 
   It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a garment that will stay in place and not fall off during periods of activity. 
   It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a garment that may be put on and taken off without the aid of others. 
   It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a garment that does not compromise the user&#39;s dignity. 
   It is a still further aspect of the invention to provide a garment that and does not irritate the skin with which it comes into contact. 
   These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a basic embodiment of the shawl of the present invention 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of a basic embodiment of the shawl of the present invention wrapped around a user. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the shawl of the present invention in which the arm closures are separate sheets of material added to the inner surface of the shawl and in which weights are secured thereto. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the shawl of the present invention in which its length is extended such that the bottom edge extends below the knee of the user and in which a series of closures are provided to secure the shawl about the chest of the user. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the shawl of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the shawl of the present invention wrapped around a user. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one basic embodiment of the shawl  10  of the present invention is shown. The shawl  10  includes a sheet  12  of fabric having an inner surface  14  and an outer surface  15  defined by a top edge  16 , a bottom edge  18 , a right side edge  20  and a left side edge  22 . The sheet  12  is dimensioned to allow the right and left hands  51 ,  52  of the user to each extend beyond the right side edge  20  and left side edge  22  of the sheet  12  when the top edge  16  of the sheet  12  is draped over the user&#39;s shoulders  54 . A right arm closure  24  extends from the inner surface  14  of the sheet  12  proximate to the right side edge  20 , and a left arm closure  26  extends from the inner surface  14  of the sheet  12  proximate to the left side edge  22 . Each of the arm closures  24 ,  26  has a width “LW” that is less than a width of a human forearm  56  and defines an opening  34  dimensioned to allow the user&#39;s hands  51 ,  52  to pass therethrough. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the user  50  will drape the shawl over their shoulders  54  such that the arm closures  24 ,  26  are substantially evenly disposed proximate to the user&#39;s hands  51 ,  52 . The user  50  will then insert their hands  51 ,  52  through the arm closures  24 ,  26  and allow the arm closures  24 ,  26  to slide up to their forearms  55 ,  56 , which holds the shawl  10  in place. 
   The sheet  12  is manufactured of any material commonly used in the textile arts. The preferred sheet  12  is manufactured of a fabric material, such as a polypropylene fleece, terry cloth, cotton, or the like, which has an inner surface  14  that is soft to the touch and provides the user with insulation from the cold. In some embodiments, the outer surface  15  and inner surface  14  are formed from two or more sheets of materials, which are joined together by stitching, gluing, ultrasonic joining, or other art recognized methods of joining fabrics together. The outer surface  15  is generally visible when worn by the user and, therefore, is preferably manufactured of a material having a design, pattern or other ornamentation to allow the shawl  10  to provide the user with a finished and stylish appearance. In other embodiments, the outer surface  15  is formed of a water resistant material to provide the user with protection from rain or snow, although such embodiments are preferably lined with a material that prevents the inner surface  14  from irritating the skin of the user. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the right and left arm closures  24 ,  26  are each formed as an integral part of the sheet  12  of fabric. As shown in  FIG. 1 , this may be accomplished by cutting the sheet upward from the bottom edge  18  along lines  34 ,  36 , folding the fabric upward toward the top edge  16 , and joining the free ends  25 ,  27  of the folded fabric to the inner surface  14  of the sheet  12 . In this embodiment, it is preferred that only a portion of the free ends  25 ,  27  of the folded fabric be joined to the inner surface  14  of the sheet  12  in the area proximate to the right side edge  20  and left side edge  22 , with the preferred joining lines  35 ,  37  are shown in  FIG. 1 . However, in other embodiments, substantially all of the free ends  25 ,  27  are joined. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the free ends  25 ,  27  of the folded fabric are permanently joined by stitching them to the inner surface  14  of the sheet  12 . However, in other embodiments, the free ends are removably attached to the inner surface  14  using hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons or other art recognized methods of removably fastening one fabric to another. 
   Although the embodiment of  FIG. 1  utilizes right and left arm closures  24 ,  26  formed from the sheet  12 , other embodiments may utilize arm closures  24 ,  26  that are attached to the inner surface  14  of the sheet  12 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the arm closures  24 ,  26  may be formed from first ends  42 ,  43  and a second ends  44 ,  45  of a hook and loop fastener that are mated together around the wrists of the user to form the arm closures  24 ,  26  once the shawl  10  is wrapped about the user. In such an embodiment, it is preferred that the surface of the first end  42  and second end  44  that contacts the skin of the user be manufactured of a material that is soft to the skin. However, in still other embodiments, the right and left arm closures  24 ,  26  are merely loops of fabric or an elastic material that are attached to the inner surface  14  of the sheet  10  proximate to the right side edge  20  and left side edge  22  respectively. Regardless of the form taken by the right and left arm closures  24 ,  26 , the closures are each sized and positioned to contact the wrist and/or forearm of the user to retain the shawl  10  over the user&#39;s shoulders without grasping the shawl  10  with their hands. 
   As noted above, the shawl  10  may utilize the sheet  12  itself to form the right and left arm closures  24 ,  26  and, in such embodiments, has a bottom edge  18  with a width less than the overall width W of the sheet  10 . However, as shown in  FIG. 3 , in embodiments in which the right and left arm closures  24 ,  26  are added, the bottom edge  18  of the sheet may have a width equal to, or even greater than, the overall width “W” of the sheet  12  from the right side edge  20  to the left side edge  22  proximate to the arm closures  24 ,  26 . Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the shawl  10  may include tapered portions  28 ,  30  that extend from the top edge  16  of the sheet  12  to the right side edge  20  and left side edge  22  respectively. These tapered portions are intended to allow the shawl to conform to the shape of the shoulders and fall neatly over the user. However, as shown in  FIG. 3 , these tapered portions  28 ,  30  may be eliminated such that the sheet  12  is substantially rectangular in shape. 
   The embodiment of  FIG. 3  also includes a pair of weights  38  that are secured to the inner surface  14  of the sheet  12  of fabric. The use of weights  38  is preferred in embodiments for use by people having disease processes, such as Parkinson&#39;s disease or multiple sclerosis, in which shaking of the hands is a common symptom, as the added weight tends to reduce the effect of this shaking. The weights  38  are preferably flexible “beanbag” type weights that are dimensioned to fit within a pocket  39  sewn on the inner surface  14  and secured using an art recognized closure, such as a button  40 , snap, or hook and loop fastener. This is preferred as it allows the user to determine whether or not to use the weights  38 , allows the mass of the weights  38  to be varied, and allows the weights to be easily removed during cleaning of the shawl  10 . However, it is understood that the weights  38  may be permanently affixed to the shawl  10  by sewing or other art recognized means of securing an item to a piece of fabric. 
   The preferred shawl  10  is intended to cover only the torso of the user and is dimensioned such that the width dimension “W”, measured between the right side edge  20  and the left side edge  22 , is greater than a length dimension “L”, measured between the top edge and the bottom edge and, in the preferred embodiment, the width “W” is approximately sixty inches, while the length “L” is approximately thirty-six inches. This arrangement is preferred as many people who would have a use for such a shawl  10  spend more time sitting than standing and require coverage only down the back to the waistline. However, as shown in  FIG. 4 , other embodiments of the shawl  10  are dimensioned to allow the bottom edge  18  of the sheet  12  to extend below a knee of the user in a manner similar to that of a conventional bathrobe. Such an embodiment is intended for use with people who are ambulatory and need the warmth while walking. In order and is ideally suited for use by people who use walkers or canes. 
   As noted above, the basic embodiment of the shawl uses only the users forearms to retain the shawl  10  in place. However, as shown in  FIG. 4 , other embodiments include at least one chest closure  70  disposed upon the sheet  12  of fabric proximate to the top edge for securing the left and right side edges  20 ,  22  of the top edge  16  of the shawl  10  together when the shawl  10  is draped over the user. The preferred chest closures  70  are hook portions  72  and loop portions  74  of hook and loop fasteners that are disposed at locations proximate to the top edge  16  of the sheet  12  such that the hook portion  72  may be mated with the loop portion  74  when the top edge of the sheet of fabric is draped over the pair of shoulders of the human user. These are preferred due to the ease with which such chest closures  70  may be both fastened and removed. However, other art recognized closures, such as buttons, snaps of the like may be substituted to achieve similar results. Further, as also shown in  FIG. 4 , some embodiments also include at least one torso closure  76 , to allow the a torso of the user to be substantially covered by the sheet  12  of fabric, providing additional warmth to the user. As shown in  FIG. 4 , this closure is also made up of a hook portion  78  and loop portion  80  of a hook and look fastener, although any art recognized type of closure may be used. Finally, it is recognized that both the chest closure  70  and torso closures  76  may be utilized in any embodiment of the invention, and not merely in those extending below the waist of the user. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the preferred embodiment of the shawl  10  is shown. As was the case with the other embodiments of the shawl  10 , the preferred shawl includes a sheet  12  of fabric having an inner surface  14  and an outer surface  15  defined by a top edge  16 , a bottom edge  18 , a right side edge  20  and a left side edge  22 . However, the preferred sheet  12  of fabric is made up of two pieces of fabric that are joined together along a joining line  94  to form a shawl portion  92  and a collar portion  90 . The collar portion  90  is designed to fold over on itself and the joining line  94  is placed such that the collar portion  90  falls easily over the neck and shoulders of the user  50 . The joining line  94  of this preferred embodiment terminates in a pair of notches  98  that allow the user&#39;s arms a greater degree of freedom than would be possible were they restrained entirely by the sheet  12  of fabric. The preferred shawl  10  includes a number of hook and loop fasteners  70 ,  95 ,  97 ,  99 ,  101  &amp;  103 , which perform various functions. 
   The collar fastener  95  at the top of the collar portion  90  is intended to allow the collar to be secured to the outer surface  16  of the shawl portion  92  of the sheet  12  of fabric when desired, while allowing the collar portion to be extended upward to provide more warmth if desired. However, it is understood that this collar fastener  95  may take many of the same forms discussed herein, may be eliminated completely, or may be replaced by threads that permanently fold the collar portion  90  downward. 
   Chest closures  70  are provided at the right side edge  20  and left side edge  22  of the collar portion  90  and perform the same function as those described above with reference to  FIG. 4 . Again, these may be replaced with other types of closures, or eliminated completely in other embodiments. 
   Hook portions  97  and  101  and loop portions  99  and  103  are provided on the inner surface of the shawl portion  92  of the shawl and are dimensioned to be joined together to form the left an right arm closures  26 ,  24 . This arrangement is preferred due to the ease of attachment and detachment of these types of fasteners during use. However, it is recognized that any of the other arm closure  24 ,  26  described herein may be substituted to achieve similar results. 
   Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.