Capable clothing pants

Abstract

A functional pair of pants for men and women with spinal injuries that allow improved access to the pelvic region without removal of the pants. A moveable front flap is formed on the pants via side zippers and a top fastening means that extends across the front of the waistband of the pants. Even individuals with limited fine motor skills can manipulate the corded zipper pulls to allow access for changing an ostomy bag, diaper, or catheterization.

Claims

1. A pair of pants comprising a waistband, a front pants flap, and one or more lift loops, wherein the front pants flap comprises a first fastener extending along a width of a top portion of the front pants flap, wherein the waistband comprises a second fastener extending along a width of the waistband adjacent to the front pants flap, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are selectively coupled with each other such that the front pants flap is positioned in a raised configuration when the first fastener is coupled with the second fastener and the front pants flap is positioned in a lowered configuration when the first fastener is removed from the second fastener to provide access to the pelvic area of the patient without removing the pants, wherein the pants further comprise a pair of first lift loops and a pair of second lift loops for lifting a user, wherein each lift loop of the pair of first lift loops is positioned about a side portion of the waistband and each lift loop of the pair of second lift loops is positioned about a back portion of the waistband adjacent to each other such that a finger may be positioned simultaneously through both lift loops of the pair of second lift loops, wherein each lift loop of the pair of first and second lift loops are attached to and secured within a seam of the waistband.

2. The pants of claim 1 wherein the front pants flap comprises a vertical zipper along each side of the pants.

3. The pants of claim 2 further comprising corded zipper pulls attached to the zippers to allow the insertion of a finger or thumb into the corded pull for vertical manipulation of the zipper.

4. The pants of claim 2 wherein the zippers are plastic.

5. The pants of claim 2 further comprising a cell phone or storage pocket below the zipper.

6. The pants of claim 2, wherein the zippers are comprised of a plastic material for wearer comfort.

7. The pants of claim 2, wherein the waistband comprises an integral elastic band extending continuously about a top portion of the pants, wherein a top edge of each of the vertical zippers is positioned below a bottom edge of the integral elastic band of the waistband such that the waistband remains intact when the zippers are lowered.

8. The pants of claim 2, wherein the vertical zipper along each side of the pants extends along only a portion of a length of the pants.

9. The pants of claim 1, wherein the waistband further comprises a lowered front waist band, and a raised rear waistband.

10. The pants of claim 9, wherein the raised rear waistband further comprises a first horizontal elastic band and a second horizontal elastic band positioned above the first horizontal elastic band for improved support of the pants.

11. The pants of claim 1, wherein the first and second fasteners comprise hook and loop fasteners.

12. The pants of claim 1, wherein the waistband comprises an elastic material extending continuously about a top portion of the pants.

13. The pants of claim 1, wherein the pants comprise a stretch denim fabric.

14. The pants of claim 1, wherein the pair of second lift loops has a longer length than the pair of first lift loops.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The present embodiments are illustrated by way of the figures of the accompanying drawings, which may not necessarily be to scale, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the men's pant.

(3) FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the men's pant.

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the men's pant.

(5) FIG. 4 is a right side perspective view of the men's pant.

(6) FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the men's pant with one side unzipped.

(7) FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the unzipped side of the men's pant.

(8) FIG. 7 is a front perspective of the unzipped men's pant.

(9) FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the unzipped men's pant.

(10) FIG. 9 is a cross section view of FIG. 1 at 9-9.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a cross section view of the unzipped pants.

(12) FIG. 11 shows the rear lift loops engaged for lifting the patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(13) While these pants are susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

(14) The present disclosure provides a pair of pants 10 capable of providing improved access to the pelvic region of a spinal injury patient. In general, the pants include a lowered front waist band 20 for increased wearer comfort when in a seated position, a higher rear waist band 15 for additional coverage, and corded zipper pulls 45 for maneuvering the zippers 40 up and down even with limited fine motor skills.

(15) The side lift loops 25 are shown in FIG. 2 along with the larger rear lift loops 30 for lifting and transferring a patient from a chair to their bed. Both the side lift loops 25 and the rear lift loops 30 are attached to and secured within the seam of the pants to allow the rear lift loops 30 to be used in lifting and moving the patient as seen in FIG. 11.

(16) FIG. 3 shows the rear of the men's capable pants 10 along with the dual elastic bands 80 that are stitched together to provide flexibility, comfort and support for the pants while being worn. The corded zipper pull 45 provides a loop hole large enough for insertion of a finger or thumb to move the zipper pull up and down.

(17) FIG. 4 shows the rear lift loops 30, and side lift loops 25 that are securely attached to the inside of the pants at the seam to allow the lift loops to be used in moving the patient.

(18) FIG. 5 shows the left zipper 40 in the unzipped position with the front pants flap 50 hanging down on the left side. The hook fastener 55 of the fastener faces away from the body, while the loop side fastener 60 faces the body. The hook fastener 55 on the outside of the waistband 20 meets the loop side fastener 60 on the inside of the front pants flap 50 below the top of the flap 50, such that the hook and loop fastener strips are concealed when the front pants flap 50 is zipped up, as seen on the right side.

(19) FIG. 6 shows the unzipped left side of the front pants flap 50 from the side view along with the zipper pull 45 in the fully opened position.

(20) FIG. 7 shows a front view of the fully unzipped front pants flap 50, along with the hook fastener 55 for securing the front pants flap 50 to the stationary front waist band 20 when the zippers 40 are zipped up.

(21) FIG. 8 shows a left side view of the fully unzipped front pants flap 50, along with the side lift loops 25 and the rear lift loops 30.

(22) FIG. 9 shows inside of the pants at the cross section 9-9 of FIG. 1 with the loop side fastener 60 of the front pant flap 50 securing the flap to the waist band 20 by the hook fastener 55.

(23) FIG. 10 shows the cross section view with the flap unzipped, such that the front waistband 20 is shown without the front pants flap 50.

(24) FIG. 11 shows the rear lift loops 30 being engaged by a caregiver to lift the patient.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

(25) Accordingly, it is shown that the capable pants provide improved comfort and usability to spinal injury patients who desire to wear pants or jeans rather than sweat pants or jogging pants. Patients can use the corded zipper pulls to lower and raise the front flap of the capable pants for easy access to their pelvic area even with limited fine motor skills. The elastic of the lower front waistband provides support and secures the fit of the pants around the waist whether the front flap is zipped up and closed or unzipped and hanging down. The additional room for the stomach area provided by the lower front waistband is helpful for patients who spend a great deal of time in a seated position. The higher rear waistband with elastic inserts provides improved back coverage as well as a snug and secure fit.

(26) In addition, capable pants provide additional advantages in that they provide caregivers sturdy lift loops on the sides and rear of the pants to assist with lifting the patients, provide caregivers easy access to the pelvic area of the patient for treatment or hygienic care, and provide diaper wearers in treatment centers and long term care facilities with the ability to change their diapers without removing their pants.

(27) A number of illustrative embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments presented herein. For example, the addition of a cell phone pocket along the lower leg portion of the pants was noted by many patients as being helpful and useful. Additionally capable pants can be adjusted in size and zipper length to accommodate smaller individuals including children. Accordingly, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.