BACKGROUND
Many women are unable to wear traditional one-piece bathing suits and generally find it difficult to balance on one leg or even to sit down and bend at the knee or hip to pull on their bathing suit. Others may find it difficult to fit a leg through the hole of a traditional one-piece bathing suit garment, for example, because of a cast or other medical impediment. Still others who require assistance to get dressed, and caregivers who assist incapacitated individuals, find it difficult to use traditional one-piece women's bathing suits that must be maneuvered over the feet, up the legs, over the hips, up the torso, and over the shoulders. Therefore, women who are temporarily or chronically disabled, or who otherwise find it difficult to put on a traditional bathing suit garment unassisted, or find it difficult and embarrassing to be assisted with a traditional bathing suit garment, will appreciate a one-piece bathing suit that is easy to put on without assistance or with minimal assistance, that is sleek and tasteful and does not look like a medical garment, and enables the wearer to maintain individual independence and dignity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other aspects of various embodiments of the present invention will be apparent through examination of the following detailed description thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which similar reference numbers are used to indicate functionally similar elements.
FIG. 1 illustrates a completely open view of an inside of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the front panel is disengaged.
FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the front panel is disengaged.
FIG. 4 illustrates a back view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the front panel is disengaged.
FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the underwear portion of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the front panel is partially engaged.
FIG. 6 illustrates a partial side view of the underwear portion of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the front panel is fully engaged.
FIG. 7 illustrates a completely closed front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a completely open front view of an inside of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the front panel is partially engaged.
FIG. 10 illustrates a completely closed front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 illustrates a completely closed front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A women's one-piece bathing suit garment comprising a vest-like bodice panel and an underwear portion is described. The vest-like bodice panel and the underwear portion are formed to allow a woman to put on the bathing suit without having to balance, bend, stretch, or otherwise maneuver the garment over the feet, up the legs, over the hips, up the torso, and over the shoulders. The garment is designed in one piece with two closures, including a connection mechanism located on the bodice panel to close the bodice and a pull-through panel located on the underwear portion of the garment to close the underwear, therefore forming a one-piece garment to replace traditional women's one-piece bathing suit garments that are difficult to put on.
The women's one-piece bathing suit garment is formed from a vest-like bodice panel that forms a torso portion for the garment, wherein the left and right sides of the bodice panel connect to each other via a connection mechanism placed vertically down the front center of the bodice panel. The underwear portion includes a plurality of waistband panels, a primary panel and a front panel. The front portion of the bodice panel extends below waist-level to form the plurality of waistband panels in the front of the garment. The garment is designed such that the connector placed vertically down the front center of the bodice panel ends at the bottom of the plurality of waistband panels. A skirt panel is attached to the bodice panel at hip-level, above the plurality of waistband panels. The skirt panel is designed to attach to the bodice panel at the left and right sides of the bodice panel connection mechanism and extend around the back portion of the bodice panel, creating a horizontal attachment between the skirt panel and the bodice panel. The skirt panel is further designed such that it does not extend over the connection mechanism of the bodice panel, thereby leaving the front center of the underwear portion of the garment exposed.
The primary panel of the underwear portion is attached to the back of the bodice panel, which forms the rear of the underwear portion of the bathing suit. The primary panel connects to the plurality of waistband panels on the left and right sides via continuous pieces of material to form the leg openings. The primary panel also connects to the front panel of the underwear portion via a continuous piece of material to form a crotch of the garment. The front panel further connects to the plurality of waistband panels via a connection mechanism, including a plurality of connection elements placed on each of the front panel and the plurality of waistband panels. Upon connecting the front panel to the plurality of waistband panels, the front panel forms the front for the underwear portion of the one-piece bathing suit and a portion of the front panel and a portion of the plurality of waistband panels overlap. Upon connecting the front panel to the plurality of waistband panels, the women's one-piece bathing suit garment is designed such that the skirt panel completely covers the connection elements placed on each of the front panel and the plurality of waistband panels, and completely covers the primary panel.
Embodiments of the women's one-piece bathing suit garment are designed to resemble any traditional design of a one-piece bathing suit garment, for example, a women's swimsuit or a women's tank suit. Embodiments of the bathing suit garment are designed to provide additional protection for incontinence, including by providing space for extra padding, for disposable padding, or for absorbing netting. Embodiments of the women's one-piece bathing suit garment are designed to provide a compression bathing suit garment that is easy to put on by using elastic materials. As traditional compression bathing suit garments must be pulled over the feet, up the legs, over the hips, up the torso, and over the shoulders, the elasticity of the fabric makes pulling on the traditional garment extremely difficult. Therefore, a garment that is easy to put on as described herein while maintaining the compression effect will be appreciated. Such an embodiment can be used by individuals who are unable to maneuver on a traditional compression garment. Embodiments of the women's one-piece bathing suit garment are designed to be adjustable by providing multiple connection mechanisms spaced to provide for different sizes.
FIG. 1 illustrates a completely open view of an inside of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The one-piece bathing suit garment 100 has a vest-like bodice panel 101, which forms the torso portion of the garment 100, wherein the left and right sides of the vest-like bodice panel 101 are connected via a connection mechanism 102 that is placed vertically down the front center of the vest-like bodice panel 101. As shown, the connection mechanism 102 can consist of a zipper. Other connection mechanisms such as VELCRO® (a type of hook-and-loop fastener), one or more snaps, one or more clasps, one or more eyehooks, a swan hook, an S-hook, a buckle, or a combination thereof can be used to connect the left and right sides of the bodice 101.
As shown, the one-piece bathing suit garment 100 has a skirt panel 103, which attaches horizontally to the vest-like bodice panel 101 via a connection mechanism 104 located below waist-level. The connection mechanism 104 can be a permanent connection mechanism such as a seam, or a detachable connection mechanism such as a hook-and-loop fastener, one or more snaps, one or more clasps, one or more eyehooks, a swan hook, an S-hook, a buckle, or a combination thereof. The connection mechanism 104 attaches the skirt panel 103 to the outside of the bodice panel 101 next to the connection mechanism 102 and extends around the back portion of the bodice panel 101, creating a horizontal attachment between the skirt panel 103 and the bodice panel 101. By attaching the skirt panel 103 next to the connection mechanism 102, the skirt panel 103 does not extend over the connection mechanism 102, nor does the skirt panel 103 cover the connection mechanism 102. Yet in another embodiment which is not shown in the figures, the skirt panel 103 can be connected detachably (or partially detachably) to the bodice panel 101 and can extend over the connection mechanism 102, thereby covering the connection mechanism 102.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vest-like bodice panel 101 extends below the connection mechanism 104 to the underwear portion of the one-piece bathing suit garment 100. The underwear portion includes two waistband panels 107, a primary panel 105, and a front panel 106. The waistband panels 107 are positioned below the connection mechanism 104. The waistband panels 107 include the lower portion of the connection mechanism 102, such that the connection mechanism 102 ends at the bottom of waistband panels 107. The vest-like bodice panel 101 includes a primary panel 105, which is continuous with the back of the vest-like bodice panel 101 and forms the rear of the underwear portion of the one-piece bathing suit garment 100. The primary panel 105 connects to the waistband panels 107 on the left and right sides via continuous pieces of material to form the leg openings. As shown, the primary panel 105 connects to the front panel 106 via a continuous, central portion of material that goes between the legs of the user forming a crotch for the garment 100. The vest-like bodice panel 101, the waistband panels 107, the primary panel 105, and the front panel 106 are all part of a single garment, even when fully opened and all connection mechanisms are disengaged.
As shown in FIG. 1, the front panel 106 includes a pair of connectors 108. According to an embodiment, the connectors 108 are placed on the inside of the front panel 106 (i.e., inside of the bathing suit). The connectors 108 can consist of a hook-and-loop fastener attached to the inside of front panel 106. Similarly, each waistband panel 107 includes a connector 109. According to an embodiment, each connector 109 is placed on the outside of each waistband panel 107 (i.e., outside of the bathing suit). The connector 109 can consist of a hook-and-loop fastener attached to the outside of each waistband panel 107. Each connector 108 of the front panel 106 can attach to the respective connector 109 of the respective waistband panel 107. When closed, the front panel 106 attaches to the outside of the waistband panels 107 to form the front of the underwear portion of the one-piece bathing suit garment 100.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vest-like bodice panel 101 includes shoulder straps 110, which are adjustable. The shoulder straps 110 each include connection mechanisms 111 and 112. The connection mechanisms 111 and 112 can each be configured as adjustable fasteners and can be used to adjust the length of the shoulder straps 110.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the skirt panel 103 is raised to expose the waistband panels 107 and the underwear portion of the bathing suit garment 100. The front panel 106 is completely disengaged. The vest-like bodice panel 101 includes the connection mechanism 102, which is completely closed. When closed, the connection mechanism 102 connects the left and right sides of the bodice panel 101. By closing the connection mechanism 102, the vest-like bodice panel 101 can be wrapped around the torso of the wearer to connect the left and right sides of the bodice panel 101 in the front of the body.
As shown in FIG. 2, the skirt panel 103 is horizontally attached to the bodice panel 101 via the connection mechanism 104 at both sides of the connection mechanism 102. In this embodiment, the skirt panel 103 does not overlap the connection mechanism 102.
As shown in FIG. 2, the underwear portion of the one-piece bathing suit garment 100 includes the waistband panels 107, a primary panel 105 and a front panel 106. The front panel 106 connects to the primary panel 105 via a central portion that goes between the legs of the wearer forming the crotch for the bathing suit garment 100. The central portion can include additional padding for comfort, can include a removable insert or netting for additional absorbency, or can otherwise function as the underwear portion of a traditional bathing suit garment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the front panel 106 includes a pair of connectors 108 attached to the inside of the front panel 106. An example connector 108 in the form of a piece of a hook-and-loop fastener is illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown, each waistband panel 107 includes a connector 109 attached to the inside of each waistband panel 107. Example connectors 108 in the form of pieces of hook-and-loop fastener are illustrated in FIG. 2. The front panel 106 can be connected to the waistband panels 107 via connectors 108 and 109 that can consist of a hook-and-loop fastener, one or more snaps, one or more clasps, one or more eyehooks, a swan hook, an S-hook, a buckle, hooks, or other mechanisms for connecting the front panel 106 to the waistband panel 107.
According to an embodiment, when closed, the front panel 106 attaches to the waistband panels 107 and completely overlaps the waistband panels 107.
By connecting the bodice panel 101 around the torso via connection mechanism 102, and then by reaching between the legs of the user to pull the front panel 106 to the front of the body and connect the front panel 106 to the waistband panels 107 via connectors 108 and 109, respectively, the one-piece bathing suit garment 100 can be wrapped around the body and closed in the front without requiring the wearer to balance on one leg, bend at the knee or waist, or otherwise maneuver the garment 100 over the feet, up the legs, over the hips, up the torso, and over the shoulders. Such a garment can be preferable for individuals who may be bedridden, wheelchair bound, temporarily or chronically disabled, or who otherwise find it difficult or embarrassing to put on a traditional one-piece bathing suit garment unassisted or with minimal assistance.
FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the front panel 106 is completely disengaged. The skirt panel 103 is down. As previously noted, the skirt panel is connected to the vest-like bodice panel 101 via the connection mechanism 104. In this embodiment, the skirt panel 103 does not overlap the connection mechanism 102, and the connection mechanism 104 does not overlap the connection mechanism 102. The bathing suit garment 100 is therefore designed such that only the front center of the lower portion of the garment 100 is exposed when the skirt panel 103 is down. As previously noted, the front panel 106 includes connectors 108, and the front panel 106 forms the front of the underwear portion of the bathing suit garment 100 when attached to the waistband panels 107 via the connectors 109 located on the outside of the waistband panels 107. When engaged, to the extent that the connectors 108 and 109 are visible from the outside of the front panel 106, the connectors 108 and 109 are completely covered by the skirt panel 103 when the skirt panel 103 is in the down position.
FIG. 4 illustrates a back view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the front panel 106 of the underwear portion of the garment 100 is open. In FIG. 4, the skirt panel 103 is attached to the vest-like bodice panel 101 via the connection mechanism 104. The connection mechanism 104 creates a horizontal attachment between the bodice panel 101 and the skirt panel 103 which extends around the back of the vest-like bodice panel 101 of the garment 100. When down, the skirt panel 103 completely covers the primary panel 105.
In FIG. 4, the outside of the front panel 106 is illustrated. The front panel 106 includes the connectors 108 placed on the inside of the front panel 106, which are not shown in FIG. 4. The garment 100 is designed such that the front panel 106 is pulled through the legs of the user to the front of the body to close the underwear portion of the bathing suit garment 100. As previously noted, the front panel 106 is designed to attach to the waistband panels 107 by attaching the connectors 108 located on the front panel 106 to the connectors 109 located on the waistband panels 107. According to an embodiment, the bathing suit garment 100 is designed such that the connectors 109 are placed on the outside of the waistband panels 107 and attach to the connectors 108 which, as previously noted, are placed on the inside of the front panel 106. By connecting the front panel 106 to the waistband panels 107, the front panel 106 forms the front of the underwear portion of the garment 100.
FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the outside of the underwear portion of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the front panel 106 is partially engaged. As shown in FIG. 5, the front of the vest-like bodice panel 101 extends below the connection mechanism 104 to form the waistband panels 107. The skirt panel 103 is raised to illustrate the connectors of the front panel 106 and the waistband panels 107. As shown, the front of the waistband panels 107 includes the connectors 109 to attach to the front panel 106 via the connectors 108 placed on the inside of the front panel 106. The connectors 108 and 109 can each consist of a hook-and-loop fastener strip or other attaching mechanisms. The front panel 106 can alternatively be connected to the waistband panels 107 via one or more snaps, hooks, or other connecting mechanisms. The connection between the connector 108 on the front panel 106 and the connector 109 on the waistband panels 107 can be hidden by decorative elements or otherwise camouflaged in order to the make the bathing suit garment 100 more closely resemble a traditional one-piece bathing suit garment. For example, the skirt panel 103 is designed to completely cover the connectors 108 and 109 of the front panel 106 and the waistband panels 107, respectively, when the skirt panel 103 is left hanging down and in place during the use of the one-piece bathing suit garment 100 therefore hiding the connecting mechanisms 108 and 109.
As shown in FIG. 5, the connection mechanism 102 placed vertically down the front center of the bodice panel 101 is designed to extend downwards through the waistband panels 107. The connection mechanism 102 ends at the bottom of the waistband panels 107. By connecting the front panel 106 to the waistband panels 107, the front panel 106 overlaps both the waistband panels 107 and the bottom of the connection mechanism 102.
FIG. 6 illustrates a partial side view of the outside of the underwear portion of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the front panel 106 is fully engaged. FIG. 6 illustrates a potential attachment between the front panel 106 and the waistband panels 107, for example, via a hook-and-loop fastener strip 108 on the inside of the front panel 106 and a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener strip 109 on the outside of the waistband panels 107. According to an embodiment, it may be preferable to avoid metal clasps and closing mechanisms for the underwear portion of the garment 100 to provide greater comfort to all wearers, but especially for individuals who are bedridden or wheel-chair bound.
As shown in FIG. 6, the primary panel 105 connects to the waistband panels 107 on the left and right sides via continuous pieces of material to form the leg openings. The front panel 106 forms the front of the underwear portion of the one-piece bathing suit garment 100 when fully engaged with the waistband panels 107, as illustrated by FIG. 6, however, the style and cut of the underwear portion of the bathing suit garment 100 can vary. For example, the front panel 106 can be shaped to have a higher cut, such that the side edges of the front panel 106 are shorter than the illustrated length.
As shown in FIG. 6, the front panel 106 overlaps the waistband panels 107 and the bottom of the connection mechanism 102 such that the waistband panels 107 and the end of the connection mechanism 102 are completely hidden by the front panel 106 when the front panel 106 is fully engaged.
FIG. 7 illustrates a completely closed front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the bathing suit garment 100 can be designed such that the waistband panels 107 and the bottom of the connection mechanism 102 are completely covered by the front panel 106 when the front panel 106 is closed. When hanging down during normal use of the garment 100 by the wearer, the skirt panel 103 hides the connecting elements of the front panel 106 and the waistband panels 107 in order to make the one-piece bathing suit garment 100 more closely resemble a traditional bathing suit garment 100.
FIG. 8 illustrates a completely open view of an inside of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The one-piece bathing suit garment 200 is similar to the one-piece bathing suit garment 100 in many respects. However, unlike the one-piece bathing suit garment 100, as shown in FIG. 8, the front panel 206 includes a pair connectors 208 on the outside of the front panel 206 (i.e., outside of the bathing suit 200). The connectors 208 can consist of a hook-and-loop fastener attached to the outside of the front panel 206. As shown, each waistband panel 207 includes a connector 209, which is placed on the inside of each waistband panel 207 (i.e., inside of the bathing suit 200). The connectors 209 can consist of a hook-and-loop fastener attached to the inside of the waistband panels 207. Each connector 208 of the front panel 206 can attach to the respective connector 209 of the respective waistband panel 207. When closed, the front panel 206 attaches to the waistband panels 207 to form the front of the underwear portion of the one-piece bathing suit garment 200.
FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the front panel 206 is partially engaged. As shown in FIG. 9, the skirt panel 103 is raised to expose the underwear portion of the bathing suit garment 200. As shown in FIG. 9, the front panel 206 includes a pair of connectors 208 attached to the outside of the front panel 206. Similarly, each waistband panel 207 includes a connector 209 attached to the inside of the respective waistband panel 207. In FIG. 9, the front panel 206 is partially engaged, i.e., one of the connectors 208 is connected to the respective connector 209. According to an embodiment, it may be preferable to avoid metal clasps and closing mechanisms for the underwear portion of the bathing suit garment 200 to provide greater comfort to all wearers.
The connection between the connectors 208 on the outside of the panel 206 and the connectors 209 on the inside of waistband panels 207 may not be visible to an observer as connectors 208 and 209 engage each other on the inside of the waistband panels 207. Nonetheless, decorative elements can be added to the garment 200 to more closely resemble a traditional one-piece bathing suit garment. For example, the skirt panel 103 is a non-exhaustive example of such decorative elements.
According to an embodiment, by connecting the front panel 206 to the waistband panels 207, the waistband panels 207 overlap the front panel 206, as illustrated by FIG. 9. As shown, the waistband panels 207 and the end of the connection mechanism 102 are exposed when the front panel 206 is closed.
FIG. 10 illustrates a completely closed front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the front panel 206 forms the front of the underwear portion of the one-piece bathing suit garment 200 when fully engaged with the waistband panels 207, however, the style and cut of the underwear portion of the garment 200 can vary. For example, the front panel 206 can be shaped to have a higher cut, such that the side edges of the front panel 206 are shorter than the illustrated length. As previously noted, the waistband panels 207 overlap the front panel 206 when the front panel 206 is fully engaged.
FIG. 11 illustrates a completely closed front view of an example women's one-piece bathing suit garment 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the skirt panel 103 and the connection mechanism 104 do not overlap the connection mechanism 102 therefore leaving the front center of the waistband panels 207 and the front panel 206 exposed when the garment 200 is completely closed. To the extent that the connectors 208 and 209 are visible, connectors 208 and 209 are completely hidden by the skirt panel 103 therefore making the garment 200 more closely resemble a traditional one-piece bathing suit garment.
The women's one-piece bathing suit garment can be designed with any of a variety of fabrics and types of materials, in different colors and prints. Any of the described embodiments can be manufactured with any known material, including for example elastic, cotton, or polyester.
According to one aspect of an embodiment, the bathing suit garments described herein can be manufactured with a spandex or otherwise stretchy elastic material, creating a compression garment that provides a slimming effect, and is easy to put on in the style of the embodiments described herein. Then if any or all of the vest-like bodice panel, primary panel, waistband panels, and front panel of the one-piece bathing suit garment are made of an elastic material, when the connection mechanisms are fully fastened, the bathing suit garment can have a slimming effect on the wearer. Any of the described embodiments can be manufactured with a spandex material as described to create a compression garment.
According to one aspect of an embodiment, the bathing suit garment can have multiple fasteners or connection mechanisms to connect the bodice panel and/or connect the front panel to the waistband panels. Then the wearer can connect the panels using one of the multiple connectors, each connector creating a different torso, shoulder, waist, or leg size, and the adjustable one-piece bathing suit garment can be resized as appropriate. Any of the described embodiments can have multiple fasteners or connection mechanisms creating an adjustable garment. For example, an elastic, compression version of any of the described designs can have multiple different fasteners to connect the panels, creating an adjustable garment. Other materials can also be used in an adjustable one-piece bathing suit garment, for example, cotton, polyester, or other material. According to an embodiment, an adjustable one-piece bathing suit garment can be designed to be one size to “fit all”.
Although multiple different connection mechanisms are described herein, it will be understood that any known connector or fastener can be used.
FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrate example embodiments of the one-piece bathing suit garment. However, additional designs are contemplated. For example, a one-shoulder strap version can be created wherein a single shoulder strap can begin at the front of either the left or right side of the body and continue over either the left or right shoulder and attach at the back portion of the bodice panel to create a one-shoulder bathing suit. Additionally, a strapless version can be created wherein there are no shoulder straps provided, therefore creating a strapless or bandeau style bathing suit. Any of the provided styles can be adjusted in terms of torso cut, hip cut, position of the waist, length of a shoulder component, etc. Other implementations can also be used.
While the invention has been described in detail above with reference to some embodiments, variations within the scope and spirit of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the invention should be considered as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Grant
10709177
