THERAPEUTIC SLEEPWEAR WITH REMOVABLE PADDING

Abstract

Sleepwear pants may include a padding sleeve that extends down the length of a leg of the pants and a padded implement, such as a pillow, that is removably insertable into the padding sleeve. The padding sleeve and pillow may be sized such that, when worn, the sleepwear pants provide padding between the wearer's thighs, knees, and calves to maintain the wearer's spine and hips in a comfortable position during sleep.

Claims

1. A clothing apparatus comprising: a leg sleeve into which a user may insert the user's leg, the leg sleeve comprising an outer surface; a padding sleeve, affixed to a surface of a medial portion of the leg sleeve, configured to secure within the padding sleeve a padded implement, wherein the padding sleeve extends from the user's thigh to the user's calf when the leg sleeve is worn by the user; and a padded implement, configured to be removably secured within the padding sleeve, that extends from the user's thigh to the user's calf when the leg sleeve is placed on the user's leg.

2. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded implement has a length of between twelve inches and thirty inches.

3. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded implement has a length of between fifteen inches and twenty-seven inches.

4. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded implement has a length of between eighteen inches and twenty-five inches.

5. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded implement has a length of between twenty inches and twenty-three inches.

6. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padding sleeve defines an aperture through which the padded implement may be inserted into and removed from the padding sleeve by a user in a direction parallel to a direction in which a user inserts the user's leg into the leg sleeve.

7. The clothing apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a fastener, manipulable by a wearer of the clothing apparatus, for closing the aperture.

8. The clothing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the aperture is a first aperture, wherein the padding sleeve further defines a second aperture, opposite the first aperture.

9. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second leg sleeve and a seat portion, wherein the first and second leg portions are affixed to and continuous with the seat portion, wherein the first and second leg portions define opposed medial portions, wherein the padding sleeve is affixed to the medial portion of the first leg portion.

10. The clothing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second leg sleeve does not have a padding sleeve.

11. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded implement comprises two parallel padded portions separated by a seam, wherein the seam is substantially parallel to a direction in which a user inserts the user's leg into the leg sleeve when the padded implement is disposed in the padding sleeve.

12. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padding sleeve has a width of between three and five inches.

13. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padding sleeve has a depth of between three and five inches.

14. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded implement comprises padding, the padding comprising silica gel, memory foam, or bamboo stuffing disposed in a fabric shell.

15. The clothing implement of claim 1, wherein the padded implement comprises an inflatable fabric shell.

16. The clothing implement of claim 1, wherein the leg receptacle comprises cotton, polyester, nylon, microfiber, or elastane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and rear views of an example embodiment of sleepwear pants with removable padding removed.

[0005] FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are various views of the example embodiment of sleepwear pants of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the removable padding inserted and worn by a user.

[0006] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of sleepwear pants with removable padding inserted.

[0007] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of an enclosure of a padding sleeve of the sleepwear pants of FIG. 7.

[0008] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an example embodiment of a sleepwear leg sleeve with removable padding removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Known means for straightening an individual's spine and hips during the night may be improved upon by providing a novel sleepwear apparatus that, when worn, may straighten an individual's spine and/or hips while the individual sleeps on the individual's side. Embodiments of such an apparatus may take the form of pants. Other embodiments of such an apparatus may take the form of a leg sleeve (e.g., without a seat, crotch, or second leg portion). In both types of embodiments, the apparatus may include a removable pillow or other padded implement disposed so as to securely remain between the wearer's legs while the wearer sleeps.

[0010] FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and rear views, respectively, of an example embodiment of sleepwear pants 10. The sleepwear pants may include a waist, seat, crotch, and first and second leg portions 12, 14 which may include respective medial portions 12.sub.M, 14.sub.M and lateral portions 12.sub.L, 14L and respective leg receptacles for receiving a user's leg. The first leg portion 12 may include or may be coupled to a pillow receptacle 16 (which may also be referred to as a pillow sleeve or a padding sleeve) positioned on or coupled to the medial portion 12.sub.M. The pillow receptacle 16 may be disposed on and affixed to an outer surface of the first leg portion 12, as in the illustrated embodiment, such that a pillow may be inserted into and removed from the pillow receptacle 16 from the exterior of the first leg portion 12. In another embodiment, the pillow receptacle 16 may be disposed on an inner surface of the first leg portion 12, such that a pillow may be inserted into and removed from the pillow receptacle 16 from the interior of the first leg portion 12. The pillow receptacle 16 may be attached to the first leg portion 12 at the inseam of the first leg portion 12, in an embodiment. The pants 10 may comprise any appropriate construction and material, such as, for example only, cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, silk, or microfiber, or a synthetic fiber such as elastane (e.g., SPANDEX or LYCRA), or rayon, or a combination of two or more such materials. The material and construction of the pants 10 may enable the pants to be breathable, hypoallergenic, and/or moisture-wicking, in some embodiments. The first and/or second leg portions 12, 14 may be constructed so as to remain loose about the wearer's legs, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the first and/or second leg portions 12, 14 may be constructed so as to elastically secure to the wearer's legs. The pants 10 may be made with dimensions appropriate for a given wearer (e.g., an appropriate inseam, waist, etc.).

[0011] The pillow receptacle 16 may comprise one or more pieces of fabric or other material that is sewn onto or otherwise coupled to the first leg portion 12. The pillow receptacle 16 may be sized and shaped to receive and secure a padded implement, such as a pillow, between the wearer's legs while the pants 10 are worn and the wearer is on his or her side. An example of such wear is illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, which are various views of the sleepwear pants 10, worn by a user, with a pillow inserted into the pillow receptacle 16. The pillow receptacle 16 may comprise a continuous receptacle comprising a single continuous interior that extends from a thigh portion of the first leg portion 12 to a calf portion or ankle portion of the first leg portion 12. As a result, a single pillow may be placed in the pillow receptacle 16, and the pillow may extend from the wearer's thigh to the user's ankle or calf and may support the user's knee and part of the user's thigh and part or all of the user's calf when the pants 10 are worn and the wearer lays on the wearer's side. The pillow receptacle may extend straight down the length of the leg portion 12, in an embodiment (e.g., parallel to the inseam). The pillow receptacle 16 may be coupled to the first leg portion 12 substantially at a single seam line along its length, in an embodiment, such that the pillow receptacle may pivot around the seam line for adjustment by the wearer of the pants. In another embodiment, the pillow receptacle may be coupled to the first leg portion 12 at two separated seam lines, such that the width of the pillow receptacle 16 is at least partially defined by the distance between the seam lines.

[0012] In some embodiments, the pillow receptacle 16 may have a length (parallel to a direction in which a wearer inserts a leg into the leg portion 12) of approximately 12-to-30 inches, a width (perpendicular to the length and parallel to the plane of the page of FIGS. 1 and 2) of approximately 3-to-14 inches, and a depth (perpendicular to the length and the width) of approximately 3-to-9 inches. In some embodiments, the pillow receptacle 16 may have a length of approximately 15-to-27 inches, a width of approximately 3-to-14 inches, and a depth of approximately 3-to-9 inches. In some embodiments, the pillow receptacle 16 may have a length of approximately 18-to-25 inches, a width of approximately 3-to-14 inches, and a depth of approximately 3-to-9 inches. In some embodiments, the pillow receptacle 16 may have a length of approximately 20-to-23 inches, a width of approximately 6 inches, and a depth of approximately 3 inches. In some embodiments, the pillow receptacle 16 may have a length of approximately 17 inches, 20 inches, or 23 inches, a width of approximately 6 inches, and a depth of approximately 3 inches.

[0013] In an embodiment, the sleepwear pants 10, and specifically the first leg portion 12, may have an inseam length of between 28 and 40 inches, and the pillow receptacle 16 may have a length that is at least 40% of the inseam length. In an embodiment, the sleepwear pants 10, and specifically the first leg portion 12, may have an inseam length of between 30 and 36 inches, and the pillow receptacle 16 may have a length that is at least 50% of the inseam length. In an embodiment, the sleepwear pants 10, and specifically the first leg portion 12, may have an inseam length of between 30 and 36 inches, and the pillow receptacle 16 may have a length that is at least 60% of the inseam length. In an embodiment, the sleepwear pants 10, and specifically the first leg portion 10, may have an inseam length of between 17 and 23 inches, and the pillow receptacle 16 may have a length that is at least 80% of the inseam length.

[0014] In an embodiment, the pillow receptacle 16 may be or may comprise a flexible structure having an inner circumference (e.g., in a plane perpendicular to the length of the pillow receptacle) when the pillow receptacle 16 is shaped (e.g., by a pillow inside of the receptacle 16). The inner circumference of the pillow receptacle 16 may be approximately 20-30 inches, in an embodiment. The circumference may extend substantially the entire length of the pillow receptacle 16.

[0015] The pillow receptacle 16 may comprise any appropriate construction and material, such as, for example only, cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, silk, or microfiber, or a synthetic fiber such as elastane (e.g., SPANDEX or LYCRA) or rayon, or a combination of two or more such materials. The material and construction of the pillow receptacle may enable the pillow receptacle to be breathable, hypoallergenic, and/or moisture-wicking, in some embodiments. The pillow receptacle may comprise the materials, or combination of materials, as the first and/or second leg portions 12, 14, in an embodiment.

[0016] The pillow receptacle 16 may define an aperture or opening 18 through which a pillow may be inserted into and removed from the pillow receptacle 16. In some embodiments, the pillow receptacle may have openings at both ends of its length, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. In other embodiments, the pillow receptacle may be enclosed at one end of its length. For example, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of sleepwear pants 10 that includes a pillow receptacle 16 that is enclosed at the lower end of its length. Other than as noted otherwise, the sleepwear pants 10 include the features and functionality of the sleepwear pants 10.

[0017] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the sleepwear pants 10 of FIG. 7. The pillow receptacle 16 and/or first leg portion 12 of sleepwear pants 10 may include a button and button hole, snap fastener 20, hook-and-loop fastener, or other appropriate fastener that is manipulable by the wearer for securing the opening 18 in a closed position to secure a pillow within the pillow receptacle 16. The first leg portion 12 may also include a flap 22 or other structure for covering the opening 18.

[0018] In some embodiments, the pillow receptacle 16 may be permanently enclosed at an end opposite the opening 18, as in FIG. 7. In other embodiments, the pillow receptacle 16 may include two opposed apertures or openings, such that a user can insert a pillow into one opening and insert his or her hand through the opposed opening to pull the pillow into the pillow receptacle, as in FIGS. 1-6. In such an embodiment, one or both openings may include fasteners for closing the opening to secure a pillow within the pillow receptacle. In some embodiments, including the illustrated embodiments, one or more openings 18 may be disposed parallel to the width and/or depth of the pillow receptacle, such that a user inserts a pillow into the pillow receptacle in a direction parallel to the direction in which a user would insert the user's leg into the first leg portion. In other embodiments, one or more openings 18 may be disposed parallel to the length of the pillow receptacle, such that a user inserts a pillow into the pillow receptacle in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which a user would insert the user's leg into the first leg portion.

[0019] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a pillow 24 that may find use with the sleepwear pants 10, 10. The pillow 24 may be sized and shaped so as to be secured within the pillow receptacle 16. In some embodiments, the pillow 24 may comprise a padding made from a silica gel, memory foam, bamboo stuffing, cotton, fleece (e.g., non-woven fleece), straw, down, polyester, polyester fiber, other fiber, latex, and/or medical foam. In some embodiments, the pillow 24 may comprise a shell having a fabric exterior within which the padding is enclosed. In some embodiments, the pillow may be or may include an air-inflatable shell.

[0020] In some embodiments, the pillow 24 may have a rounded construction, such that the pillow 24 has a circular or otherwise rounded cross-section taken across its width (like the pillow disposed in the pillow receptacle 16 of the pants 10 (see FIG. 7)). In other embodiments, the pillow 24 may have a rectangular construction, such that the pillow 24 has a rectangular cross-section taken across its width. In some embodiments, the pillow 24 may include two portions, with a seam between the two portions, which seam may extend parallel to the length of the pillow 24, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In other embodiments, the pillow 24 may have a single portion, like the pillow disposed in the pillow receptacle 16 in FIG. 7. The pillow may comprise a machine-washable construction, in embodiments.

[0021] In some embodiments, the pillow 24 may have a length of approximately 12-to-30 inches, a width of approximately 3-to-14 inches, and a depth of approximately 3-to-9 inches. In an embodiment, a single portion pillow may have a width of approximately 3 inches, and a double portion pillow, like the pillow in FIGS. 1 and 2, may have a width of approximately 6 inches, with each portion having a width of approximately 3 inches. In some embodiments, the pillow 24 may have a length of approximately 15-to-27 inches, a width of approximately 3-to-14 inches, and a depth of approximately 3-to-9 inches. In some embodiments, the pillow 24 may have a length of approximately 17-to-23 inches, a width of approximately 3-to-6 inches, and a depth of approximately 3-to-6 inches. In some embodiments, the pillow 24 may have a length of approximately 20-to-23 inches, a width of approximately 3 inches, and a depth of approximately 3 inches. In an embodiment, the pillow 24 may have a length of approximately 17, 20, or 23 inches. The pillow 24 may be tapered across its width at one or both ends, in an embodiment, which may assist with thigh and/or calf comfort, for example.

[0022] It should be noted that the combinations of dimensions provided herein for aspects of the pillow receptacle 16 and the pillow 24 are examples only, and that different combinations of the dimensions disclosed herein, or other dimensions, may find use with legwear according to the present disclosure for various wearers.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a sleepwear leg sleeve 30 that includes a single leg portion 12 and a pillow receptacle 16. The sleepwear leg sleeve 30 (and receptacle 16 thereof) may comprise substantially the same features and characteristics as those described above with respect to the first leg portion 12 and the pillow receptacle 10 of the sleepwear pants of FIG. 1, except as described differently below.

[0024] In some embodiments, the sleepwear leg sleeve 30 may be made of a flexible material, such as elastane, such that the sleeve elastically secures to a wearer's leg. The leg sleeve 30 may have a length that is greater than the length of the pillow receptacle 16, in an embodiment.

[0025] An individual may wear the sleepwear pants 10, 10 or the sleepwear sleeve 30 and, before sleeping, may insert a pillow 24 into the pillow receptacle 16 of the sleepwear pants 10, 10 or sleepwear sleeve 30. The individual may then sleep on his or her side, and the sleepwear pants 10, 10 or sleepwear leg sleeve 30 may position the pillow 24 between the wearer's legs. Because the sleepwear pants 10, 10 or the sleepwear sleeve 30 would be on the wearer, the pillow 24 would move less than a free pillow that a user has placed between his or her legs, and therefore the sleepwear pants 10, 10 or the sleepwear sleeve 30 improves upon a simple pillow placed between the legs. The pillow 24 may be of such a length so as to be disposed between the user's knees and portions of the user's thighs and calves, thereby providing improved support relative to known pillow-supporting sleepwear. Furthermore, because the pillow receptacle 16 is integrated into the sleepwear pants 10, 10 and the sleepwear sleeve 30, the sleepwear pants 10, 10 and the sleepwear sleeve 30 may provide improved comfort relative to pillow-attachment apparatus that are not pant-or-sleeve based. Still further, because only a single pillow may be used, the sleepwear pants 10, 10 and sleepwear sleeve 30 may provide increased ease of use and maintenance relative to many known pillow-attachment apparatus. Still further, because the pillow may be removable from the pants 10, 10 and sleeve 30, a wearer may wear the pants 10, 10 or sleeve 30 comfortably without the pillow inserted before sleeping, thus providing improved use over pillow-attachment apparatus with a permanently-affixed pillow.

[0026] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the present embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to the invention are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0027] While this disclosure has described certain embodiments, it will be understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to these embodiments except as explicitly recited in the claims. On the contrary, the instant disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that apparatus consistent with this disclosure may be practiced without these specific details.