CA2558326A1

CA2558326A1 - Hospital garment

Info

Publication number: CA2558326A1
Application number: CA002558326A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Sophia Kelly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-07-14
Filing date: 2006-08-31
Publication date: 2008-01-14
Also published as: US20100050315A1; WO2008006215A2; CA2658064A1; WO2008006215A3

Abstract

An improved hospital garment for use by a patient is disclosed. The garment has a shirt-like portion which can be donned like a robe. The shirt-like portion defines a neck opening and has sleeves, each defined by a fabric piece and by a hook and loop fastener secured thereto. The improvement comprises, in each sleeve, the fabric piece, when the shirt-like portion is disposed upon an upright patient, overlapping upon and being secured by the fastener to itself upon the shoulder of the patient, such securement being releasable to permit the shirt-like portion to be parted along said sleeve to the neck to provide access to the upper torso;
and being shaped and dimensioned such that the overlapped part of the piece overhangs the shoulder to be capable of suspending the shirt-like portion therefrom when the overlapping and overlapped portions are released from one another by the fastener.

Description

HOSPITAL GARMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of hospital gowns or garments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Because caregivers and medical personnel need to have substantially unencumbered access to areas of the body that have been injured and need to be examined or treated, and because hospital gowns must be easily put on or removed, typical hospital gowns are loose, poorly-fitting garments. Accordingly, hospital gowns are notorious for being unstylish and for providing only a modicum of covering and dignity for patients.
Standard gowns also often do not provide easy access to the front or shoulder parts of the body without necessitating undue exposure, since the only opening in such gowns is in the back, and if the gown is reversed, excessive exposure of the front inevitably ensues. For instance, a patient with a wound on his or her shoulder would necessarily have to remove practically the entire gown during examination. In addition, patients are often subjected to unnecessary exertion due to the lack of adaptability of such gowns to various treatments required in nursing. For example, due to the clumsy design and construction of the standard gown,, a mother suffering from exhaustion following the birth of a child would be forced into undue exposure of other portions of her body in order to expose her breast while nursing. The present garment now in use requires undue manipulation and exacts a wholly unnecessary toll from such patients.
Thus, there exists a need for an alternative to the standard hospital gown that is practical, relatively inexpensive, and overcomes the disadvantages associated with the standard gown.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved hospital garment for use by a patient forms one aspect of the invention.
This improved garment is of the type comprising a shirt-like portion. This shirt-like portion has a placket to permit said shirt-like portion to be donned and doffed in the manner of a robe, defines a neck opening through which the neck of said patient extends when said shirt-like portion is operatively disposed on said patient and includes sleeves through which the arms of said patient extend when said shirt-like portion is operatively disposed on said patient, each sleeve being defined by a piece of fabric and by a hook and loop fastener secured thereto. The improvement comprises, in each sleeve, the fabric piece, when the shirt-like portion is operatively disposed upon said patient and the patient is upright, overlapping upon and being secured by the hook and loop fastener to itself upon the shoulder of the patient, such securement being a releasable securement to permit the shirt-like portion to be parted along said each sleeve to the neck opening to provide ready access to the upper torso of said patient.
The improvement also comprises the fabric piece being shaped and dimensioned such that the overlapped part of the fabric piece substantially overhangs the shoulder so as to be capable of suspending the shirt-like portion from said shoulder when the overlapping and overlapped portions are released from one another by the hook and loop fastener.

Hospital garments for use by a patient form other aspects of the invention.

One garment comprises a shirt and a pair of pants. The shirt has a placket to permit said shirt to be donned and doffed in the manner of a robe, defines a neck opening through which the neck of said patient extends when said shirt is operatively disposed on said patient and includes sleeves through which the arms of said patient extend when said shirt is operatively disposed on said patient. Each sleeve is defined by a piece of fabric and by a hook and loop fastener secured thereto. In each sleeve, the fabric piece, when the shirt is operatively disposed upon said patient and the patient is upright, overlaps upon and is secured by the hook and loop fastener to itself upon the shoulder of the patient. This securement is releasable to permit the shirt to be parted along said each sleev.e to the neck opening to provide ready access to the upper torso of said patient. The fabric piece is shaped and dimensioned such that the overlapped part of the fabric piece substantially overhangs the shoulder so as to be capable of suspending the shirt from said shoulder when the overlapping and overlapped portions are released from one another by the hook and loop fastener. The pair of pants includes a pair of pant portions through which the legs of said patient extend when said pair of pants is operatively disposed on said patient and further includes a trunk body.
The trunk body: defines a crotch from which the pant portions extend; when said pair of pants is operatively disposed on said patient, covers the pelvis of said patient and defines a waistline from which the torso of said patient extends; and has a pairof portions which flank and define an overlap placket which extends from the crotch to the waistline. One of the portions is a flap which overlaps the other of said portions when said trunk body is operatively disposed on said patient. The closure is for releasably securing the flap to the other portion to releasably secure said pair of pants in the operative position.

Another garment comprises a pair of pants including a pair of pant portions through which the legs of said patient extend when said pair of pants is operatively disposed on said patient. This garment also comprises a trunk body and a closure. The trunk body:
defines a crotch from which the pant portions extend; when said pair of pants is operatively disposed on said patient, covers the pelvis of said patient and defines a waistline from which the torso of said patient extends; and has a pair of portions which flank and define an overlap placket which extends from the crotch to the waistline. One of the portions is a flap which overlaps the other of said portions when said trunk body is operatively disposed on said patient. The closure is for releasably securing the flap to the other portion to releasably secure said pair of pants in the operative position.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter being briefly described hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1A is a front layout view of a hospital garment constructed according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 1 B is a rear layout view of the structure of FIGURE 1A;

FIGURE 2 is a view of the garment of FIGURE 1 operatively disposed upon a patient;
FIGURE 3 is a side view of the garment and patient of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a back view of the garment and patient of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, with the shirt-like garment parted along one sleeve to the neck;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, with the pair of pants parted along the overlap placket to the crotch;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, with the shirt-like portion reversed;
FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7, with the shirt-like garment parted along one sleeve;

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, with the shirt reversed parted along the vest placket and the pair of pants reversed and parted along the overlap placket to the crotch;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged front layout view of the shirt-like portion of the garment of FIGURE 1A, parted along one sleeve;

FIGURE 11 is a full layout view of the garment of FIGURE 10, parted along one sleeve and along the vest placket;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged view of the pants portion of the garment of FIGURE
1A, parted along the overlap placket;

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 of a garment constructed according to,a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A garment constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in front and rear layout in FIGURES 1A and 1 B and is designated by the general reference numeral 20. This preferred garment will be seen to comprise a shirt-like portion 22 and a pair of Capri-style pants 24, and should be understood to be constructed out of relatively fire-retardant, hard-wearing and soft-textured fabric, such as a 35%/65% cotton polyester blend.

The shirt-like portion 22 will be described with reference to FIGURES 2-5, wherein it is shown in use, operatively disposed on an upright female patient.

The shirt-like portion 22 takes the form of a shirt and has a vest portion 26, a pair of top tie closures 28, a pair of 3/4 length Raglan sleeves 30 and a telemetry pocket 32, the telemetry pocket 32 being shown in phantom outline in FIGURE 2.

The vest portion 26 substantially covers the upper torso of the patient and is provided with a vest placket 34 disposed anteriorly, so as to permit the shirt 22 to be donned and doffed in the manner of a robe, and with a V-neck opening 35 through which the neck of said patient extends.

The top tie closures 28 are fabric cords secured to the vest portion 26, one each on opposite sides of the vest placket 34, to provide a closure therefor.

As shown on FIGURE 4, the arms of the patient extend through the sleeves 30, and each sleeve 30 is defined by a piece of fabric 36 and by a low-lint hook 38 and loop 40 fastener secured thereto. In each sleeve 30, the fabric piece 36 overlaps upon and is secured by the hook 38 and loop 40 fastener to itself upon the shoulder of the patient.

.....

The hook 38 and loop 40 fastening renders the securement releasable, to permit the shirt 22 to be parted along said each sleeve 30 to the neck opening 35 and thereby provide ready access to the upper torso of said patient, as shown in FIGURE 5.

The overlapped piece 36A is shaped and dimensioned to substantially overhang the shoulder, so as to be capable of suspending the shirt 22 from said shoulder when the overlapping 36B and overlapped 36A portions are released from one another by the hook 38 and loop 40 fastener and the overlapping portion 36B is removed therefrom, as illustrated in FIGURE 5.

This self-supporting functionality makes it relatively easy for a patient to resecure the garment 20 in place after the overlapping 36B and overlapped 36A portions have been released from one another. The overlapped portion 36A of the sleeve 36 need only be slung over the shoulder, whereupon the mass of the overlapped portion 36A
supports the shirt-like portion 22 in place. Thereafter, the overlapping portion 36B
can be slung over the shoulder, whereupon the hook 38 and loop 40 fasteners come into contact with one another, to secure the garment 20. For patients with normal limb mobility, each sleeve 36 can be resecured by either arm.

The overlapping portion 36B is similarly shaped and dimensioned, so as to be capable of suspending the shirt-like portion 22 from said shoulder (not shown) when the overlapping 36B and overlapped 36A portions are released from one another by the hook 38 and loop 40 fastener. The self-supporting functionality of both the overlapped 36A and overlapping 36B portions provides advantages in terms of modesty, since, if access to only the upper or rear portion of the torso is required, the sleeve 36 can be disengaged, and the front or back of the garment, as applicable, can be slung over the shoulder to support same in position, without the need for the patient to hold same in place at all times to avoid exposure.

8 =

A secondary hook 70 and loop 72 fastener is provided to close the end of the sleeve, as shown in FIG. 8. This minimizes drafts, and adds to the stylishness of the garment.

The telemetry pocket 32 is secured to the shirt-like portion 22 so as to lie interiorly thereof, adjacent the chest of the patient. The telemetry pocket 32 is sized to accommodate conventional patient monitors (not shown) and in the preferred embodiment comprises a rectangular fabric panel sewn along three edges to the vest portion 26.

With reference to FIGURE 1A-9, the pair of pants 24 includes a pair of pant portions 42, a trunk body 44 and a closure 46.

In use, the legs of the patient extend one each through the pant portions 42.
Slit openings 48 are provided at,the hems, to, inter alia, facilitate the passage of bulky items, such as casts or footwear, through the pant portions 42.

The trunk body 44 defines a crotch 50 from which the pant portions 42 extend, covers the pelvis of said patient, defines a waistline 52 from which the torso of said patient extends and has a pair of portions 56, 58 which flank and define a overlap placket 54 which extends from the crotch 50 to the waistline 52, one of the portions 56 being a flap which overlaps the other 58, as best seen in FIG. 12.

The closure 60 releasably secures the flap 56 to the other portion 58 to releasably secure said pair of pants 24, and takes the form of a pair of fabric trunk tie-up cords 60 secured to the trunk body 44 on opposite sides of the overlap placket 54. A
rear portion 64 of the waistline is elasticized, to provide a degree of give and comfort in wear. The closure 60 can be released, so as to provide access to the pelvic area of the patient, as illustrated in FIGURE 6.

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A second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURE 13 and designated as 20'. In this embodiment, the garment 20' comprises a shirt-like portion in the form of a 3/ length robe 22'. But for its length, robe 22' is identical to the shirt-like portion 22 of FIGURE 1-9, and is numbered commensurately. In view of similar functionality, further description of this garment is not required and is not provided.

Whereas in FIGURES 2-6, the garment 20 is shown in use with the vest placket 34 and overlap placket 54 disposed anteriorly, it should be understood that both the shirt 22 and the pants 24 are reversible, so as to provide greater flexibility to attending caregivers in terms of body access, as shown by FIGURE 7, wherein the shirt 22 is shown reversed, and FIGURE 9, wherein the shirt 22 and pants 24 are both shown reversed and parted to provide access to the buttocks of the patient. Reversal of the shirt 22 and/or pants 24 does not impact substantially on patient comfort or coverage.
Although not shown, it will also be readily understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that the garment of the present invention can be worn by male patients as well as females.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the present invention provides a relatively stylish garment well-adapted to safeguard the modesty of patients, while allowing great flexibility in terms of convenient caregiver access. The cut of the garment renders same well-suited to institutional deployment, since each garment can accommodate a wide range of patient sizes, which is advantageous in terms of cost. The garment also facilitates self-dressing and self-bathing, and accommodates telemetry equipment.
While but two embodiments of the present invention have been herein shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in size and shape of parts may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

For example, full-length versions of the pants may be employed, but Capri-style pants are presently preferred, since this style tends to accommodate a relatively wider range of patient sizes.

As well, whereas 3/ length Raglan sleeves are provided, other lengths and sleeve styles can be used, although it should be understood that in the case of sleeve styles that are not commonly understood as extending to the neckline, the "sleeve" portion of such garments will, for the purpose of the claims herein, be understood as including that part of the garment that extends over the shoulder to the neckline.

Further, telemetry pockets can be omitted, or placed in other locations on the garment.
As well, neckline styles other than V-necks can also be utilized.

Additionally, whereas fabric cords are used for the tie-ups, other tie-ups, such as belts, snaps, hook and loop fasteners and buttons could be employed.

Moreover, whereas the hook portion of the hook and loop fasteners is shown secured to the overlapping portion of the sleeve, the hook portion could equally be disposed on the overlapped portion, with the loop portion being disposed on the overlapping portion.

As well, whereas both the overlapped and overlapping portions of the sleeves are described to be of sufficient weight and dimension to suspend the garment partially in place when the hook and loop fastener is released, this need not be the case.
The garment could, for example, be constructed so that only the overlapped portion was capable of so suspending the garment.

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Accordingly, it will be understood that the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims appended hereto, purposively construed.

Claims

1. An improved hospital garment for use by a patient, said garment being of the type comprising a shirt-like portion: having a placket to permit said shirt-like portion to be donned and doffed in the manner of a robe, defining a neck opening through which the neck of said patient extends when said shirt-like portion is operatively disposed on said patient; and including sleeves through which the arms of said patient extend when said shirt-like portion is operatively disposed on said patient, each sleeve being defined by a piece of fabric and by a hook and loop fastener secured thereto, wherein the improvement comprises, in each sleeve, the fabric piece, when the shirt-like portion is operatively disposed upon said patient and the patient is upright, overlapping upon and being secured by the hook and loop fastener to itself upon the shoulder of the patient, such securement being a releasable securement to permit the shirt-like portion to be parted along said each sleeve to the neck opening to provide ready access to the upper torso of said patient; and being shaped and dimensioned such that the overlapped part of the fabric piece substantially overhangs the shoulder so as to be capable of suspending the shirt-like portion from said shoulder when the overlapping and overlapped portions are released from one another by the hook and loop fastener.

2. A hospital garment according to claim 1, wherein, in each sleeve, the fabric piece is shaped and dimensioned such that, when the shirt-like portion is operatively disposed upon said patient and the patient is upright, the overlapping part substantially overhangs the shoulder so as to be capable of suspending the shirt-like portion from said shoulder when the overlapping and overlapped portions are released from one another by the hook and loop fastener.

3. A hospital garment according to claim 1, wherein the shirt-like portion has Raglan sleeves.

4. A hospital garment according to claim 1, wherein the shirt-like portion is a three-quarter length robe.

5. A hospital garment according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of tie-ups secured to the shirt-like portion on opposite sides of the placket for closure thereof.

6. A hospital garment according to claim 1, further comprising a telemetry pocket secured to the shirt-like portion so as to lie interiorly thereof, adjacent the chest of the patient, when the shirt-like portion is in its operative disposition with the placket disposed anteriorly.

7. A hospital garment according to claim 1, wherein the shirt-like portion is a shirt.

8. A hospital garment according to claim 1, wherein the shirt-like garment is adapted to be worn by the patient with the placket disposed anteriorly.

9. A hospital garment according to claim 1, wherein the shirt-like garment is adapted to be worn by the patient with the placket disposed posteriorly.

10. A hospital garment according to claim 1, wherein the shirt-like garment is adapted to be worn by the patient with the placket disposed either anteriorly or posteriorly.

11. A hospital garment for use by a patient, said garment comprising a pair of pants including a pair of pant portions through which the legs of said patient extend when said pair of pants is operatively disposed on said patient;

a trunk body: defining a crotch from which the pant portions extend; which, when said pair of pants is operatively disposed on said patient, covers the pelvis of said patient and defines a waistline from which the torso of said patient extends; and having a pair of portions which flank and define a overlap placket which extends from the crotch to the waistline, one of said portions being a flap which overlaps the other of said portions when said trunk body is operatively disposed on said patient; and a closure for releasably securing the flap to the other portion to releasably secure said pair of pants in the operative position.

12. A hospital garment according to claim 11, wherein the pair of pants is adapted to be worn by the patient with the overlap placket disposed anteriorly.

13. A hospital garment according to claim 11, wherein the pair of pants is adapted to be worn by the patient with the overlap placket disposed posteriorly.

14. A hospital garment according to claim 11, wherein the pair of pants is adapted to be worn by the patient with the overlap placket disposed either anteriorly or posterly.

15. A hospital garment according to claim 11, further comprising a pair of tie-ups secured to the trunk body on opposite sides of the overlap placket for closure thereof.

16. A hospital garment for use by a patient, said garment comprising a shirt having a vest placket to permit said shirt to be donned and doffed in the manner of a robe, defining a neck opening through which the neck of said patient extends when said shirt is operatively disposed on said patient;

including sleeves through which the arms of said patient extend when said shirt is operatively disposed on said patient, each sleeve being defined by a piece of fabric and by a hook and loop fastener secured thereto, wherein, in each sleeve, the fabric piece, when the shirt is operatively disposed upon said patient and the patient is upright, overlaps upon and is secured by the hook and loop fastener to itself upon the shoulder of the patient, such securement being releasable to permit the shirt to be parted along said each sleeve to the neck opening to provide ready access to the upper torso of said patient;
and is shaped and dimensioned such that the overlapped part of the fabric piece substantially overhangs the shoulder so as to be capable of suspending the shirt from said shoulder when the overlapping and overlapped portions are released from one another by the hook and loop fastener; and a pair of pants including a pair of pant portions through which the legs of said patient extend when said pair of pants is operatively disposed on said patient;

a trunk body: defining a crotch from which the pant portions extend; which, when said pair of pants is operatively disposed on said patient, covers the pelvis of said patient and defines a waistline from which the torso of said patient extends; and having a pair of portions which flank and define a overlap placket which extends from the crotch to the waistline, one of said portions being a flap which overlaps the other of said portions when said trunk body is operatively disposed on said patient; and a closure for releasably securing the flap to the other portion to releasably secure said pair of pants in the operative position.

17 17. A hospital garment according to claim 16, wherein, in each sleeve, the fabric piece is shaped and dimensioned such that, when the shirt is operatively disposed upon said patient and the patient is upright, the overlapping part substantially overhangs the shoulder so as to be capable of suspending the shirt from said shoulder when the overlapping and overlapped portions are released from one another by the hook and loop fastener.

18. A hospital garment according to claim 16, wherein the shirt is adapted to be worn by the patient with the vest placket disposed either anteriorly or posteriorly and wherein the pair of pants is adapted to be worn by the patient with the overlap placket disposed either anteriorly or posteriorly.

19. A hospital garment according to claim 16, further comprising a pair of trunk tie-ups secured to the trunk body on opposite sides of the overlap placket for closure thereof.

20. A hospital garment according to claim 16, further comprising a pair of top tie-ups secured to the shirt on opposite sides of the vest placket for closure thereof.