Garment for protecting the human body

Abstract

Apparatus for protecting against injury to the human body. The garment may protect against hip, tailbone, and/or spinal cord injury. The garment may have a waist belt with depending hip pads releasably secured to the legs. Also, a torso strap may extend upwardly from the waist belt with additional padding. The torso strap may be Y-shaped.

Claims

1. A protective garment for a human body comprising: a waist belt adapted to releasably secure about the waist, wherein said waist belt includes a front side and a back side; a first hip pad and an opposing second hip pad depending from said waist belt, wherein each said first hip pad and said second hip pad has a first end adjacent said waist belt and an opposing second end spaced away therefrom, and wherein each of said first hip pad and said second hip pad includes one or more padding; said first hip pad includes a first thigh strap adjacent said second end of said first hip pad and adapted to releasably secure above the right knee; said second hip pad includes a second thigh strap adjacent said second end of said second hip pad and adapted to releasably secure above the left knee; a torso strap including a first back strap, a second back strap, and a front strap, wherein said front strap includes a first end and a second end, wherein said first back strap and said second back strap extend upwardly from said back side of said waist belt and converge together at said first end of said front strap to define a slot adapted to receive the neck, and wherein said second end of said front strap releasably secures to said front side of said waist belt, and wherein each of said first back strap and said second back strap includes one or more padding; and a tailbone pad having one or more padding depending downwardly from a back side of said waist belt between said first and said second hip pad.

2. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein said one or more padding is air pockets.

3. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein each of said first back strap and said second back strap is fixedly secured to said back side of said waist belt.

4. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein said slot narrows in a direction from said back side of said waist belt to said first end of said front strap.

5. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein said front strap includes a plurality of linearly oriented padding.

6. A protective garment for a human body comprising: a waist belt adapted to releasably secure about the waist, wherein said waist belt includes a front side and a back side; a first hip pad and an opposing second hip pad depending from said waist belt, wherein each said first hip pad and said second hip pad has a first end adjacent said waist belt and an opposing second end spaced away therefrom, and wherein each of said first hip pad and said second hip pad includes one or more padding; a tailbone pad depending from said waist belt between said first hip pad and said second hip pad, wherein said tailbone pad having one or more padding; said first hip pad includes a first thigh strap adjacent said second end of said first hip pad and adapted to releasably secure above the right knee; said second hip pad includes a second thigh strap adjacent said second end of said second hip pad and adapted to releasably secure above the left knee; and a torso strap including a first back strap, a second back strap, and a front strap, wherein said front strap includes a first end and a second end, wherein said first back strap and said second back strap extend upwardly from said back side of said waist belt and converge together at said first end of said front strap to define a slot adapted to receive the neck, and wherein said second end of said front strap releasably secures to said front side of said waist belt, and wherein each of said first back strap and said second back strap includes one or more padding.

7. The protective garment of claim 6 wherein said one or more padding is air pockets.

8. The protective garment of claim 6 wherein each of said first back strap and said second back strap is fixedly secured to said back side of said waist belt.

9. The protective garment of claim 6 wherein said slot narrows in a direction from said back side of said waist belt to said first end of said front strap.

10. The protective garment of claim 6 wherein said front strap includes one or more padding.

11. A protective garment for the human body comprising: a waist belt adapted to releasably secure about the waist, wherein said waist belt includes a front side and a back side; a first hip pad and an opposing second hip pad depending from said waist belt, wherein each said first hip pad and said second hip pad has a first end adjacent said waist belt and an opposing second end spaced away therefrom, and wherein each of said first hip pad and said second hip pad includes one or more padding; a tailbone pad depending from said waist belt between said first hip pad and said second hip pad, wherein said tailbone pad having one or more padding; said first hip pad includes a first thigh strap adjacent said second end of said first hip pad and adapted to releasably secure above the right knee; said second hip pad includes a second thigh strap adjacent said second end of said second hip pad and adapted to releasably secure above the left knee; a torso strap including a Y-shaped strap extending from said back side of said waist belt to said front side of said waist belt, said Y-shaped strap having two back attachments on said back side of said waist belt and a front attachment on said front side of said waist belt, wherein at least said front attachment releasably secures to said front side of said waist belt; and wherein said Y-shaped strap includes one or more padding.

12. The protective garment of claim 11 wherein said one or more padding is air pockets.

13. The protective garment of claim 11 wherein said two back attachments are fixedly secured to said back side of said waist belt.

14. The protective garment of claim 11 wherein said Y-shaped strap includes two back straps converging with a front strap.

15. The protective garment of claim 14 wherein said front attachment includes said front strap looped around said waist belt and secured upon said front strap.

16. The protective garment of claim 15 wherein said front strap is secured upon said front strap by a hook and loop fastener.

17. The protective garment of claim 14 wherein said two back straps include said one or more padding.

18. The protective garment of claim 11 wherein said waist belt includes an attachment to releasably secure about the waist, and wherein said attachment of said waist belt is adjacent said front attachment.

19. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein each of said first back strap and said second back strap includes a plurality of linearly oriented padding.

20. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second hip pad includes a plurality of linearly oriented padding.

21. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein said waist belt is capable of being adjusted along a horizontal axis.

22. The protective garment of claim 21, wherein said waist belt includes a first end releasably secured to a second end by one or more attachments.

23. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein said front strap is capable of being adjusted along a horizontal axis, and wherein said front strap includes a first attachment portion looped around said waist belt and releasably secured to a second attachment portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and emphasis instead generally placed upon illustrating the principals of the embodiments depicted.

(2) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a protective garment positioned on the human body;

(3) FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of the protective garment of FIG. 1 positioned on the human body; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the protective garment of FIG. 1 removed from the human body, illustrating the straps releasable unsecured and capable of receiving the human body or user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Other embodiments are possible and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms connected and coupled and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections and couplings. In addition, the terms connected and coupled and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

(6) Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of a protective garment 20 is shown as releasably secured to the human body 1 in that the garment may be removed from or secured into position. Garment 20 may be useful to, but is not limited to, elderly individuals or individuals with limited mobility, such that the wearer may position on the garment and secure to one's body with little or no help from another. Although the garment 20 is shown on the outer surface of the user's clothes, it is understood that any or all portions thereof may be hidden under one or more articles of clothing if desired. Garment 20 may protect against, but is not limited to, hip, tailbone, and/or spinal injuries.

(7) As is shown in one embodiment of the figures, the protective garment 20 utilizes multiple straps and one or more pads to reduce injury to the human body 1 while allowing for the user, or more specifically a user with limited mobility, to place the garment 20 on with little or no assistance from others. As is shown, the waist belt 30 is releasably secured to the user's waist area via an attachment 37. The waist belt 30 may be made of elastic material to allow for user adjustment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the circular waist belt 30 may include a front side 32 and an opposing back side 34. Adjacent the front side 32, the waist belt may include a first end 35 releasably secured to a second end 36 by one or more attachments 37. Although the attachment is shown in one embodiment as a hook and loop fastener with the hooks 35a on the first end 35 and the loops 36a on the second end 36, it may be a variety of attachments such as but not limited to snaps, buckles, clips, and/or laces. Moreover, waist belt 30 may be formed in a variety of sizes, shapes, constructions, orientations, and quantities and still be within the scope of the embodiments. For example, the waist belt may include one or more padding (not shown) around its circumference.

(8) Below or depending from the waist belt 30 may be one or more pads to protect the lower body from injury. As is shown in one embodiment, a first hip pad 40 may depend from the waist belt 30 between the front side 32 and the back side 34. The first hip pad 40 is positioned on the outer periphery of the right hip area. The first hip pad 40 may include a first end 41 adjacent the waist belt 30 and a second end 42 spaced away therefrom. The second end 42 may extend to and above the right knee in some embodiments. The first hip pad 40 may include one or more padding 43 to absorb shock or impact to the area of the body. Adjacent the second end 42 of the first hip pad 40 may be first thigh strap 44 releasably securing the second end 42 of the first hip pad 40 to the leg via attachment 47. The first thigh strap 44 may extend interiorly towards the center of the waist belt 30 or knee. As is shown in one embodiment, the first thigh strap 44 may be positioned above the right knee. The first thigh strap 44 may include a first end 45 releasably secured to a second end 46 by one or more attachments 47. Although the attachment 47 is shown in one embodiment as a hook and loop fastener with the hooks 45a on the first end 45 and the loops 46a on the second end 46, it may be a variety of attachments such as but not limited to snaps, buckles, clips, and/or laces. Moreover, first hip pad 40 and/or first thigh strap 44 may be formed in a variety of sizes, shapes, constructions, orientations, and quantities and still be within the scope of the embodiments.

(9) As is shown in one embodiment, an opposing second hip pad 50 may depend from the waist belt 30 opposite the first hip pad 40, between the front side 32 and the back side 34. The second hip pad 50 is positioned on the outer periphery of the left hip area. The second hip pad 50 may include a first end 51 adjacent the waist belt 30 and a second end 52 spaced away therefrom. The second end 52 may extend to and above the left knee in some embodiments. The second hip pad 50 may include one or more padding 53 to absorb shock or impact to the area of the body. Adjacent the second end 52 of the second hip pad 50 may be second thigh strap 54 releasably securing the second end 52 of the second hip pad 50 to the leg via attachment 57. The second thigh strap 54 may extend interiorly towards the center of the waist belt 30 or knee. As is shown in one embodiment, the second thigh strap 54 may be positioned above the left knee. The second thigh strap 54 may include a first end 55 releasably secured to a second end 56 by one or more attachments 57. Although the attachment 57 is shown in one embodiment as a hook and loop fastener with the hooks 55a on the first end 55 and the loops 56a on the second end 56, it may be a variety of attachments such as but not limited to snaps, buckles, clips, and/or laces. Moreover, second hip pad 50 and/or second thigh strap 54 may be formed in a variety of sizes, shapes, constructions, orientations, and quantities and still be within the scope of the embodiments.

(10) Further as shown, a tailbone pad 60 may be included. Tailbone pad 60 may depend from the back side 34 of the waist belt 30 and protect the area adjacent the tailbone of the human body 1. The tailbone pad 60 may include one or more padding 63 to absorb shock or impact to the area of the body. The tailbone pad 60, first hip pad 40, and/or the second hip pad 50 may be interconnected by one or more support members 65. As is shown in the one embodiment, support member 65 may extend from the back side 34 of the waist belt 30 and interconnect each one of the first hip pad 40, tailbone pad 60, and the second hip pad 50. The support members may be an elastic mesh or other material. Tailbone pad 60 and/or support member 65 may be a variety of sizes, shapes, constructions, orientations, and quantities and still be within the scope of the embodiments.

(11) Above or extending upwardly from the waist belt 30 may be one or more pads to protect the upper body, or portions thereof, from injury. As shown in the embodiment, a torso strap 70 may engage the neck area of the human body 1 and be substantially aligned with the front side 32 and back side 34 of the waist belt 30 or sagittal plane. Torso strap 70 is shown in the one embodiment as being substantially Y-shaped with slot or opening 80 receiving the neck of the body. The Y-shape of the torso strap 70 may be defined by a first back strap 72, a second back strap 74, and a front strap 76. Each of the first back strap 72 and second back strap 74 may include a first end 72a, 74a, respectively, and an opposing second end 72b, 74b, respectively. The front strap 76 includes a first end 76a and an opposing second end 76b. First end 72a of the first back strap 72 is connected to the back side 34 of the waist belt 30 at the first back attachment 79a and spaced from the first end 74a of the second back strap 74 connected to the back side 34 of the waist belt 30 at the second back attachment 79b. The first back strap 72 and the second back strap 74 may extend from the back side 34 of the waist belt 30 on lateral sides of the spine at varying distances and extends upwardly towards the neck. The first back strap 72 and second back strap 74 extend upwardly from the back side 34 of the waist belt 30 and the second ends 72b, 74b converge together at the first end 76a of the front strap 76 to define a strap engagement or intersection 71 of straps. The strap engagement 71 of the three straps 72, 74, and 76 is positioned on the front side of the human body 1 adjacent front side of the neck or body when worn and/or attached to the wearer. The slot 80 defined between the converging first and second back straps 72 and 74 towards the front strap 76 receives the neck. The width W of the slot 80 narrows from the back side 34 towards the front strap 76 or strap engagement 71. As is shown, the first and second back straps 72 and 74 flex or contour to the back adjacent the spine and extend over the shoulders of the body and then converge to strap engagement 71 or front strap 76. The back straps 72 and 74 run adjacent the spine to reduce injury and/or increase protection. Slot 80 receives the neck of the body and may be used on a variety of user's body. When the distance from the back side 34 of the waist belt 30 over the shoulders and to the front side 32 of the waist belt 30 varies depending on the user, the neck can be positioned within slot 80 at various distances along a direction D from the strap engagement 71 between the back side 34 and strap engagement 71 to accommodate the varying body sizes when placing the garment on and when securing to the body. The slot 80 width W and distance along direction D may provide additional clearance for inserting the head into and positioning the garment. Further, the torso strap 70 may be tightened or loosened to accommodate the varying distance along the direction D the neck may be located. The torso strap 70 may be adjusted in its length, from first ends 72a, 74a of the back straps to the second end 76b of the front strap 76 because the front strap 76 releasably secures to the front side 32 of the waist belt 30 by one or more front attachments 77. The front attachment 77 is adjacent the attachment 37 on the waist belt 30. In the one embodiment shown, front attachment 77 may be a hook and loop fastener with the hooks 76c and the loops 76d on the second end 76b. In use, the second end 76b is looped around the waist belt 30 and overlapped upon itself to tighten and secure the torso strap 70. Although the front attachment 77 is shown it may be a variety of attachments such as but not limited to snaps, buckles, clips, and/or laces. For example the hooks and loops may be separated between two straps, such that the hooks may be on the second end 76b and the loops on the waist belt 30. Although shown that the first ends 72a and 74a are fixedly secured to the waist belt 30 by a first back attachment 79a and a second back attachment 79b, respectively, it is to be understood that the one or more attachments 79a, 79b may releasably secure the first and second back straps 72 and 74 to the waist belt 30. The torso strap 70 may include one or more paddings. As shown in the figures, the first back strap 72, the second back strap 74, and/or front strap 76 may include one or more paddings 73, 75, 78 to absorb shock or impact to the area of the body, respectively. The back straps with padding 73 and 75 on lateral sides of the spine may reduce spine injury and/or increase protection. If used, the padding 78 on the front strap 76 may protect the chest and/or portions thereof. Moreover, the torso strap 70 may be formed in a variety of sizes, shapes, constructions, orientations, and quantities and still be within the scope of the embodiments.

(12) Further, although one or more paddings 43, 53, 63, 73, 75, and 78 are shown in detail in various positions and patterns in the drawings, they merely represent one embodiment, and it is to be understood that there are a variety of shapes, quantities, positions, compositions, orientations, patterns, and constructions which may be used and still be within the scope of these embodiments. For example, not all the padding has to be the same. Further although the padding may be air pockets as is shown, the padding may be a variety of one or more materials, layered, substantially rigid, foam, etc.

(13) As is shown in FIG. 3, the garment 20 includes one more attachments releasably securing the garment to the body. Attachments 37, 47, 57, and 77 each define an opening that the human body 1 may be received when putting on the garment. Waist belt 30 defines an opening 30a for receiving the waist at attachment 37. First thigh strap 44 defines an opening 44a for receiving the right leg at attachment 47. Second thigh strap 54 defines an opening 54a for receiving the left leg at attachment 57. Torso strap 70 defines an opening 70a for receiving the upper body at front attachment 77. It is illustrated that the openings 44a, 54a, 30a, and 70a are generally at the front of the garment 20 and can receive the portions of the human body 1 with little movement by the user and subsequently secure by the attachments.

(14) Although it is shown that one or more of the attachments 37, 47, 57, and 77 may be adjustable to accommodate varying sizes of the body for which they releasably attach or one or more of the straps 44, 54, 30, and/or 70 may include slide adjusters (not shown) to adjust the length of the strap between its ends. Further, the straps may be a variety of materials but is not limited to an elastic material.

(15) In use, the protective garment 20 may be placed upon the human body 1 and releasably secured. In one embodiment, the user can place his/her neck into the slot 80 of the torso strap 70 with the strap engagement 71 adjacent the chin, front side of throat, and/or chest. The Y-shape of the torso strap 70 may be easily slipped over the head and neck without having to extend arms through additional openings or sleeves, such as a shirt, on the lateral sides of the body. The strap engagement 71 and/or slot 80 may also allow the garment 20 to hang adjacent to or around the neck, and/or help self-position the garment 20 relative to the human body 1 to secure the one or more attachments. With the garment 20 in general position, the user may secure the waist belt 30 about the waist, secure the first thigh strap 44 to the right leg, secure the second thigh strap 54 to the left leg, and/or secure the front strap 76 or torso strap 70 to the remainder of the waist belt 30. Upon securing the garment, the paddings 43, 53, 63, 73, 75, and/or 78 are in position to protect the intended area of the body. It should be understood, that with limited movement of the arms and hands the user may place the head through the slot 80 and secure the remaining attachments that are generally in the front of the body, adjacent to the waist and above the knee.

(16) While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

(17) All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. The indefinite articles a and an, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean at least one. The phrase and/or, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean either or both of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.

(18) Multiple elements listed with and/or should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., one or more of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the and/or clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to A and/or B, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as comprising can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

(19) As used herein in the specification and in the claims, or should be understood to have the same meaning as and/or as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, or or and/or shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as only one of or exactly one of, or, when used in the claims, consisting of, will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term or as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. one or the other but not both) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as either, one of, only one of, or exactly one of. Consisting essentially of, when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

(20) As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase at least one, in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase at least one refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, at least one of A and B (or, equivalently, at least one of A or B, or, equivalently at least one of A and/or B) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

(21) It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

(22) In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as comprising, including, carrying, having, containing, involving, holding, composed of, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases consisting of and consisting essentially of shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

(23) The foregoing description of several methods and embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.