POST-SURGICAL GARMENT

Abstract

A garment that may be donned by a person without requiring extensive lifting of the arms. The garment comprises a front panel, a rear panel attached to the front panel at left and right shoulder junctions, and a neck hole disposed between the left and right shoulder junctions. When the garment is unfolded and oriented such that the shoulder junctions are oriented horizontally, the front panel has generally vertically oriented left and right side portions extending downwardly from the respective left and right shoulder junctions, and generally straight left and right side portions extending downwardly and inwardly from the respective vertically oriented left and right side portions. The rear panel has generally vertically oriented left and right side portions extending upwardly from the respective left and right shoulder junctions, and generally straight left and right side portions extending upwardly and outwardly from the respective vertically oriented left and right side portions. Mating, left-side zippers are disposed on an edge of the generally straight left side portion of the front panel, and on an edge of the generally straight left portion of the rear panel, and mating, right-side zippers are disposed on an edge of the generally straight right side portion of the front panel, and on an edge of the generally straight right portion of the rear panel.

Claims

1. A garment that may be donned by a person without requiring extensive lifting of the arms, comprising: a. a front panel b. a rear panel attached to said front panel at left and right shoulder junctions; c. a neck hole disposed between said left and right shoulder junctions; d. wherein when said garment is unfolded and oriented such that said shoulder junctions are oriented horizontally: i. said front panel has 1. generally vertically oriented left and right side portions extending downwardly from said respective left and right shoulder junctions, and 2. generally straight left and right side portions extending downwardly and inwardly from said respective vertically oriented left and right side portions; ii. said rear panel has 1. generally vertically oriented left and right side portions extending upwardly from said respective left and right shoulder junctions, and 2. generally straight left and right side portions extending upwardly and outwardly from said respective vertically oriented left and right side portions; e. mating, left-side closures disposed on an edge of said generally straight left side portion of said front panel, and on an edge of said generally straight left portion of said rear panel; and f. mating, right-side closures disposed on an edge of said generally straight right side portion of said front panel, and on an edge of said generally straight right portion of said rear panel; wherein said mating left-side and right-side closures may be closed by said person without requiring extensive lifting of the arms of said person.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the angle between said generally straight left and right side portions on said front panel and the horizontal is approximately 63 degrees.

3. The garment of claim 1 wherein said rear panel is bounded by a slightly convex upper edge.

4. The garment of claim 3 wherein the angle between said generally straight left and right side portions on said rear panel and said slightly convex upper edge is approximately 60 degrees.

5. The garment of claim 1 wherein said mating, left-side closures, and said mating, right-side closures are zippers.

6. The garment of claim 1 further comprising at least one pocket in one of said left and right side portions extending upwardly and outwardly from said respective vertically oriented left and right side portions of said rear panel.

7. The garment of claim 6 wherein said at least one pocket is disposed on the interior of said garment.

8. The garment of claim 1 further comprising a collar design disposed at said neck hole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The garment in accordance with the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawing figures, of which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the garment as it would be worn; and

[0009] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the configuration of the pattern of the garment, as it is unfolded and oriented such that the shoulder junctions are oriented horizontally.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] With reference to both figures, the garment 10 is comprised of a front panel 12 and rear panel 14 typically formed of a single piece of material and connected at shoulder junctions 16 and 18. Neck hole 20 is provided between the shoulder junctions. The front panel 12 has slightly curved but generally vertically oriented sides 22 and 24 extending downwardly from the shoulder junctions 16 and 18, respectively, and rear panel has slightly curved but generally vertically oriented sides 26 and 28 extending upwardly from the respective shoulder junctions 16 and 18. Proceeding downwardly from the lower extent of the sides 22 and 24 are downwardly and inwardly extending sides 30 and 32, respectively, both at an angle relative to the horizontal, as shown. Proceeding upwardly from sides 26 and 28 are upwardly and outwardly extending sides 34 and 36, both at an angle with respect to the top edge 37 of the rear panel. The bottom of the front panel 12 has a generally horizontal edge 38, while the top edge 37 of the rear panel is generally horizontal but is provided with a slightly concave profile at points 40, as shown. Finally, edges 30 and 34 on the front and rear panels, respectively are provided with mating zippers 42a and 42b, and edges 32 and 36 on the front and rear panels, respectively are provided with mating zippers 44a and 44b. It is noted however, that other forms of closures, such as snaps or Velcro may be used instead of zippers if desired.

[0011] To put on the garment, if it is closed, as in FIG. 1, the patient opens it by unzipping the zippers 42a,b and 44a,b, pulls it over her head through neck hole 20, by using one hand and without having to raise her shoulder. The patient then zips zippers 42a and 42b together and zips zippers 44a and 44b together, so that the garment, as worn, is shown in FIG. 1. Because the zippers are straight and do not extend upwardly past the patient's armpits, the patient does not have to raise her shoulders when putting on the garment. Because the edges 30 and 32 of the front panel are inwardly projecting from sides 22 and 24, and because sides 34 and 36 are outwardly projecting from sides 26 and 28, the lower portions of the rear panel wrap around to the front of the garment at regions 45a and 45b, as shown in FIG. 1, to thereby make it easier for the patient to zip the sides together. If desired, pockets on the interiors of the portions 45a and 45b of the rear panel that wrap around to the front may be provided, for holding drainage or chemotherapy apparatus, for example.

[0012] It has been found that the angle between the front panel sides 30 and 32 and the horizontal can be approximately 63, while the angle between the rear panel sides 34 and 36 and the upper edge of the rear panel will preferably differ somewhat from the angle as a result of the concave profile of the upper edge 37 at points 40. It has been found that angle can be approximately 60. It will be appreciated, however, that different choices of the angles and can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, a collar design can be placed at the neck hole to make the garment look similar to a polo shirt, if desired.

[0013] The foregoing preferred embodiment described herein is set forth as exemplary, and it will be appreciated that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention which is defined by the following claims.