U.S. patent application number 13/954456 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-05 for garment assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Evangelos Dimotsantos. Invention is credited to Evangelos Dimotsantos.
Application Number | 20150033439 13/954456 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52426271 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150033439 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dimotsantos; Evangelos |
February 5, 2015 |
GARMENT ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A garment assembly includes a plurality of garments that utilize
oversized fasteners, such as large buttons and tie-strings, to join
each garment together for adorning and disrobing, and also to
reveal sections of the body for examination. In this manner, the
entire garment may not have to be disrobed to examine a specific
area of the body. The garment assembly includes a front garment and
a back garment that join by strategically-positioned buttons and
ties. The buttons and tie-strings align across from each other on
the front garment and the rear garment. The buttons and ties detach
in proximity to areas of the body to reveal a specific body part,
including, a breast, a leg, an arm, a shoulder, and a back. The
garment assembly allows for faster and easier physical access to a
medical patient, while improving the patient's privacy.
Inventors: |
Dimotsantos; Evangelos; (Las
Vegas, NV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dimotsantos; Evangelos |
Las Vegas |
NV |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52426271 |
Appl. No.: |
13/954456 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/1236 20130101;
A41D 13/129 20130101; A41D 2400/52 20130101; A41D 13/1245 20130101;
A41D 2300/30 20130101; A41D 2400/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/114 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/12 20060101
A41D013/12 |
Claims
1. An assembly comprising: a front garment, said front garment
being configured to be operable to cover at least part of a body; a
rear garment, said rear garment being configured to cover said at
least part of a body; and a plurality of fasteners, said plurality
of fasteners being disposed to align along said front garment and
said rear garment, said plurality of fasteners being configured to
join said front garment and said rear garment, said plurality of
fasteners being configured to be operable to detach for exposing
said at least part of a body.
2. The assembly of claim 1, in which said assembly comprises a
medical gown.
3. The assembly of claim 1, in which said assembly comprises cotton
flannel.
4. The assembly of claim 1, in which said assembly comprises a male
medical gown.
5. The assembly of claim 4, in which said medical gown comprises
said plurality of fasteners on said front garment.
6. The assembly of claim 1, in which said assembly comprises a
female medical gown.
7. The assembly of claim 6, in which said medical gown comprises
said plurality of fasteners on said rear garment.
8. The assembly of claim 1, in which said front garment covers a
breast and/or front legs and/or front arms.
9. The assembly of claim 1, in which said rear garment covers a
back and/or rear legs and/or rear arms and/or buttocks.
10. The assembly of claim 1, in which said rear garment comprises a
solid piece of material.
11. The assembly of claim 1, in which said plurality of fasteners
comprise buttons.
12. The assembly of claim 11, in which said buttons comprises
oversize buttons.
13. The assembly of claim 12, in which said buttons comprise twelve
sets of snap buttons.
14. The assembly of claim 13, in which said snap buttons comprise a
one inch diameter.
15. The assembly of claim 14, in which said snap buttons are
disposed to position on a torso and sleeve sidewall of said front
garment and said rear garment.
16. The assembly of claim 1, in which said plurality of fasteners
comprise tie-strings.
17. The assembly of claim 1, in which said tie-strings comprise
three inch twill-tie segments.
18. The assembly of claim 17, in which said twill-tie segments are
disposed to position on a torso sidewall.
19. A system comprising: means for positioning a front garment in
alignment with a rear garment; means for joining said front garment
with said rear garment around a body; means for fastening a
plurality of fasteners on said front garment and said rear garment;
means for unfastening at least one fastener; and means for exposing
at least a part of a body for examination.
20. A system consisting of: a front garment, said front garment
being configured to be operable to cover a front area of a body; a
rear garment, said rear garment being configured to cover a rear
area of a body, said rear garment being operable to join with said
front garment; and a plurality of fasteners, said plurality of
fasteners being disposed to align along said front garment and said
rear garment, said plurality of fasteners comprising buttons, said
buttons comprising snap buttons, said snap buttons comprising a one
inch diameter, said plurality of fasteners further comprising
tie-strings, said tie-strings comprising three inch twill-tie
segments, said plurality of fasteners being configured to join said
front garment and said rear garment, said plurality of fasteners
being configured to be operable to detach for exposing said at
least part of a body.
Description
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING
APPENDIX
[0002] Not applicable.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to
garments. More particularly, the invention relates to a
multi-pieced garment that uses large buttons and tie-strings to
join together, and to expose specific body parts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The following background information may present examples of
specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation,
approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be
helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of
the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present
invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or
implied therein or inferred thereupon.
[0006] The following is an example of a specific aspect in the
prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the
reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be
construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments
thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred
thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the
prior art generally useful to be aware of is that the hospital gown
is made of fabric that can withstand repeated laundering in hot
water, usually cotton, and is fastened at the back with twill tape
ties. Disposable hospital gowns may be made of paper or thin
plastic, with paper or plastic ties.
[0007] Often, hospital gowns are much thinner and looser than
regular clothing, so patients are less likely to overheat. The
hospital gowns provide facilitated access to body parts due to
their light weight and disposable nature. A slit on the rear
portion of the hospital gown allows for facilitated bathroom
functions.
[0008] Typically, gowns have snaps along the top of the shoulder
and sleeves, so that the gown can be removed without disrupting
intravenous lines in the patient's arms. Tie-strings positioned
along the peripheral edges of the gown allow for adorning and
disrobing of the gown. Often, the tie-strings are positioned such
that the patient must reorient the body to access the tie-string
for removal or tying.
[0009] In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional
techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal
approaches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0011] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate detailed perspective views of an
exemplary garment assembly, where FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary
frontal view, and FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary rear view, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an
exemplary front garment detached from an exemplary rear garment, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate detailed perspective views of an
exemplary plurality of fasteners, where FIG. 3A illustrates
exemplary buttons, and FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary
tie-strings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, and 4G illustrate an front
garment and an exemplary rear garment detached at various fasteners
to expose a body area, where FIG. 4A illustrates a fully covered
body, FIG. 4B illustrates a right shoulder exposed, FIG. 4C
illustrates a left shoulder exposed, FIG. 4D illustrates a right
torso exposed, FIG. 4E illustrates a left torso exposed, FIG. 4F
illustrates an upper body exposed, FIG. 4G illustrates a lower body
exposed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0015] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate detailed perspective views of
various patterns and colors for exemplary garment assemblies, where
FIG. 5A illustrates a polka dot pattern, and FIG. 5B illustrates a
solid color, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are
not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
detailed figures and description set forth herein.
[0018] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with
reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with
respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it
should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light
of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity
of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of
the particular application, to implement the functionality of any
given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation
choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is,
there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention
that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the
scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as
plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa,
where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily
imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
[0019] It is to be further understood that the present invention is
not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials,
manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein,
as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology
used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the
present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include
the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Thus, for example, a reference to "an element" is a reference to
one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to
those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a
reference to "a step" or "a means" is a reference to one or more
steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All
conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense
possible. Thus, the word "or" should be understood as having the
definition of a logical "or" rather than that of a logical
"exclusive or" unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise.
Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to
functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be
construed to express approximation should be so understood unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0020] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are
described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials
similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the
practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described
herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents
of such structures. The present invention will now be described in
detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
[0021] From reading the present disclosure, other variations and
modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such
variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other
features which are already known in the art, and which may be used
instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
[0022] Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to
particular combinations of features, it should be understood that
the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes
any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed
herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization
thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as
presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any
or all of the same technical problems as does the present
invention.
[0023] Features which are described in the context of separate
embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single
embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity,
described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be
provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The
Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to
such features and/or combinations of such features during the
prosecution of the present Application or of any further
Application derived therefrom.
[0024] References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example
embodiment," "various embodiments," etc., may indicate that the
embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every
embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure,
or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase "in one
embodiment," or "in an exemplary embodiment," do not necessarily
refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
[0025] Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to
be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.
[0026] The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or
all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0027] The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless
expressly specified otherwise.
[0028] Devices or system modules that are in at least general
communication with each other need not be in continuous
communication with each other, unless expressly specified
otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at
least general communication with each other may communicate
directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
[0029] A description of an embodiment with several components in
communication with each other does not imply that all such
components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional
components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible
embodiments of the present invention.
[0030] As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful
considerations and compromises typically must be made when
designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial
implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of
the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance
with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may
configured according to the needs of the particular application,
whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s),
component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to
any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably
omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or
optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills
and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that
addresses the needs of the particular application.
[0031] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of
and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that
any of the foregoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered,
removed and additional steps may be inserted depending upon the
needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed
method steps of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using
any physical and/or hardware system that those skilled in the art
will readily know is suitable in light of the foregoing teachings.
For any method steps described in the present application that can
be carried out on a computing machine, a typical computer system
can, when appropriately configured or designed, serve as a computer
system in which those aspects of the invention may be embodied.
Thus, the present invention is not limited to any particular
tangible means of implementation.
[0032] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
[0033] There are various types of garment assemblies that may be
provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the garment assembly may
include a plurality of garments that utilize oversized fasteners,
such as large buttons and ties, to join each garment together for
adorning and disrobing, and also to reveal specific body parts for
examination. In this manner, the entire garment may not have to be
disrobed to examine a specific area of the body. In one embodiment,
the garment assembly may include a front garment and a back garment
that join by strategically-positioned buttons and ties. The buttons
and ties detach in proximity to areas of the body to reveal a
specific body part, including, without limitation, a breast, a leg,
an arm, a shoulder, and a back. In one embodiment, the garment
assembly may allow faster and easier physical access to a medical
patient, while improving the personal privacy of the medical
patients.
[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the garment
assembly may include a plurality of garments that interchangeably
join to cover and reveal various areas of the body. The garment
assembly may be sized and dimensioned to cover a section of the
body. A front garment may be configured to be operable to cover a
front area of a body, including, breasts, front torso, front legs,
and front shoulders. A rear garment may be configured to be
operable to cover a rear area of the body, including, back,
shoulder blades, rear legs, and buttocks. The front garment may
combine with a rear garment from a different garment assembly. The
rear garment may include no slits or apertures, whereby the
buttocks and other private areas may remain covered. However, in
other embodiments, the plurality of garments may include additional
garment pieces that cover other areas of the body, including,
without limitation, patches of material, buttocks covers, genital
covers, long sleeves, feet covers, and a head cover. Each of these
garment pieces may attach and detach through the same means as the
front garment and the rear garment. In this manner, the desired
areas of the body for examination may be accessed without disrobing
completely.
[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of
fasteners may help secure the plurality of garments together, and
also cover and uncover sections of garment for exposing areas of
the body. The plurality of fasteners may include, without
limitation, large buttons and tie-strings. The buttons may include
12 sets of 1'' buttons positioned along the torso and sleeve
sidewall of both the front garment and the rear garment. However,
in other embodiments, additional or less buttons may be utilized.
The tie-strings may include two strings on each respective end of
each garment for attachment. For example, without limitation, the
side torso area may include two 3'' twill tie-strings along the
longitudinal axis of the garment for each side of the body. In this
manner, either side of the torso may be uncovered to reveal, for
example, a left rib, or a right armpit. Those skilled in the art,
in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the large
buttons may help a user with a weak grip or limited hand functions,
such as the elderly and the seriously ill, to better manipulate and
operate the buttons for disrobing and adorning the garment. The
large buttons may also help medical staff to better manipulate and
operate the buttons when they are wearing gloves, have moist hands
or during procedures when they need to disrobe the patient in a
very fast manner. It is contemplated that some embodiments may be
implemented with various different types of fasteners other than
buttons and tie-strings including, without limitation,
hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-eye fasteners, and buttons that
secure through slits similar to what you find on modern dress
shirts.
[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the front
garment and/or the rear garment may be detached at various
locations throughout the garment assembly for exposing the desired
body area. For example, without limitation, untying the right tie
strings on the lower torso of the garment assembly may expose a
right leg. Unbuttoning a button on the left sleeve may expose a
left shoulder. In one embodiment, the garment assembly may be
easily removed before surgery and reapplied immediately after
without having to move the patient.
[0037] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate detailed perspective views of an
exemplary garment assembly, where FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary
frontal view, and FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary rear view, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the
present embodiment, a garment assembly 100 may include a plurality
of garments that utilize oversized fasteners, such as large buttons
and ties, to join each garment together for adorning and disrobing,
and also to reveal sections of at least part of a body for
examination. In this manner, the entire garment may not have to be
disrobed to examine a specific area of the body. The garment
assembly may include, without limitation, a hospital gown, a
surgery gown, a kitchen gown, and a surgery dress.
[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the garment
assembly may include a front garment 102 and a rear garment 104
that join by strategically-positioned plurality of fasteners 106,
such as buttons and tie-strings. However, in other embodiment, the
plurality of fasteners may include, without limitation, zippers,
hook and loop fasteners, magnets, snap buttons, and pins. The
buttons and ties detach in proximity to areas of the body to reveal
a specific body part, including, without limitation, a breast, a
leg, an arm, a shoulder, and a back. In one embodiment, the garment
assembly may allow faster and easier physical access to a medical
patient, while improving the personal privacy of the medical
patients. Suitable materials for the garment assembly may include,
without limitation, cotton, cotton flannel, polyester, nylon, wool,
paper, and thin polymers. In yet another embodiment, the garment
assembly may be disposable.
[0039] Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings,
will recognize that the garment assembly may minimize work and
stress on a caregiver and a patient. For example, without
limitation, rather than requiring a caregiver to lift an immobile
patient to complete a change or apply a catheter, the garment
assembly may allow those and other procedures to be easily
conducted without any physical stress upon the patient or
caregiver. If the patient needs to receive a medical test, such as
an electrocardiogram, the test may be conducted without having to
completely expose the patient during the procedure. Only the
section of the body requiring examination need be revealed by
detaching a few fasteners in proximity to the body part under
examination. Revealing only the body part under examination may
help to keep the caregiver's attention on the procedure at hand. In
addition, this may also help the patient remain calm and
comfortable. If the patient is not calm and comfortable some tests
and procedures may be negatively affected.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an
exemplary front garment detached from an exemplary rear garment, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the
present embodiment, the garment assembly may include a plurality of
garments that interchangeably join to cover and reveal various
areas of the body. The garment assembly may be sized and
dimensioned to cover either all, or specific areas of the body. A
front garment may be configured to be operable to cover a front
area of at least part of a body, including, breasts, front torso,
front legs, and front shoulders. A rear garment may be configured
to be operable to cover a rear area of the at least part of a body,
including, back, shoulder blades, rear legs, and buttocks. The
front garment may combine with a rear garment from a different
garment assembly. The rear garment may include no slits or
apertures, whereby the buttocks and other private areas may remain
covered. However, in other embodiments, the plurality of garments
may include additional garment pieces that cover other areas of the
at least part of a body, including, without limitation, patches of
material, buttocks covers, genital covers, long sleeves, feet
covers, and a head cover. Each of these garment pieces may attach
and detach through the same means as the front garment and the rear
garment. In this manner, the desired areas of the at least part of
a body for examination may be accessed without disrobing
completely.
[0041] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate detailed perspective views of an
exemplary plurality of fasteners, where FIG. 3A illustrates
exemplary buttons, and FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary
tie-strings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. In the present embodiment, a plurality of fasteners may
help secure the plurality of garments together, and also cover and
uncover sections of garment for exposing areas of the at least part
of a body. The plurality of fasteners may include, without
limitation, large buttons and tie strings. The tie strings may
include two strings on each respective end of each garment for
attachment. For example, without limitation, the side torso area
may include two twill-tie strings along the longitudinal axis of
the garment for each side of the at least part of a body. In this
manner, either side of the torso may be uncovered to reveal, for
example, a left rib, or a right armpit. Those skilled in the art,
in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the large
buttons may help a user with a weak grip or limited hand functions,
such as the elderly and the seriously ill, to better manipulate and
operate the buttons for disrobing and adorning the garment.
[0042] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, and 4G illustrate an front
garment and an exemplary rear garment detached at various fasteners
to expose a body area, where FIG. 4A illustrates a fully covered
body, FIG. 4B illustrates a right shoulder exposed, FIG. 4C
illustrates a left shoulder exposed, FIG. 4D illustrates a right
torso exposed, FIG. 4E illustrates a left torso exposed, FIG. 4F
illustrates an upper body exposed, FIG. 4G illustrates a lower body
exposed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the flexible nature of the garment
assembly allows for numerous combinations of the body to be exposed
simultaneously for examination and manipulation of the body. In
this manner, the whole body does not have to be exposed for
examining a single area of the body. In some embodiments, the front
garment and/or the rear garment may be detached at various
locations throughout the garment assembly for exposing at least
part of a body 400. For example, without limitation, untying the
right tie strings on the lower torso of the garment assembly may
expose a right leg. Unbuttoning a button on the left sleeve may
expose a left shoulder. In one embodiment, the garment assembly may
be easily removed before surgery and reapplied immediately after
without having to move the patient. In some applications multiple
areas of the body may be exposed simultaneously.
[0043] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate detailed perspective views of
various patterns and colors for exemplary garment assemblies, where
FIG. 5A illustrates a polka dot pattern, and FIG. 5B illustrates a
solid color, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. In the present embodiment, the garment assembly may be
colored, textured, and sized to fit on any sized body, aesthetics,
and facilitated identification. In yet another embodiment, a logo
may be positioned on the garment assembly for marketing. In some
embodiments, a male and a female garment assembly have different
colors.
[0044] In one alternative embodiment, the garment assembly may
include more than two garment pieces, whereby each part of the body
has its own garment piece, e.g., buttocks garment, leg garment,
torso garment. In yet another alternative embodiment, each garment
piece is color coded for facilitated identification. In yet another
alternative embodiment, the rear garment comprises a detachable
patch in proximity to the buttocks for facilitated bathroom
functions.
[0045] All the features disclosed in this specification, including
any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0046] It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC .sctn.112 (1),
all claims must be supported by sufficient disclosure in the
present patent specification, and any material known to those
skilled in the art need not be explicitly disclosed. However, 35
USC .sctn.112 (6) requires that structures corresponding to
functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC .sctn.112 (6) must
be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification. Moreover, the
USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating and searching
prior art under the broadest interpretation of a "mean for" claim
limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112 (6)
functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a
legally valid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest
interpretation of "mean for" claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will
have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents including
disclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable
to act as corresponding structures to satisfy all functional
limitations in the below claims that are interpreted under 35 USC
.sctn.112 (6) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly
disclosed in the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any
invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim
limitation(s), in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC
.sctn.112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the
foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/or
non-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching,
Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding
structures and related enabling material herein by reference for
the purpose of providing explicit structures that implement the
functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders
during any claims construction proceedings and/or examination of
patent allowability properly identify and incorporate only the
portions of each of these documents discovered during the broadest
interpretation search of 35 USC .sctn.112 (6) limitation, which
exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patent documents
found during the course of normal USPTO searching and or supplied
to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporate by
reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all
such documents comprising functionally corresponding structures and
related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise
any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the
present patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any
3.sup.rd parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later
amend the present application to explicitly include citations to
such documents and/or explicitly include the functionally
corresponding structures which were incorporate by reference
above.
[0047] Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s)
corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below
claims, that are interpreted under 35 USC .sctn.112 (6), which
is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent
specification, Applicant(s) have explicitly prescribed which
documents and material to include the otherwise missing disclosure,
and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patent and/or
non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference for
the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC
.sctn.112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents
above which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC
.sctn.112 (6) necessarily have a filing and/or publication date
prior to that of the instant application, and thus are valid prior
documents to incorporated by reference in the instant
application.
[0048] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the
present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of
implementing a multi-piece garment that attaches with fasteners and
exposes a part of a body according to the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the
invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the
specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the
invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular
implementation of the multi-piece garment that attaches with
fasteners and exposes a part of a body may vary depending upon the
particular context or application. By way of example, and not
limitation, the multi-piece garment that attaches with fasteners
and exposes a part of a body described in the foregoing were
principally directed to hospital gowns that allowed for exposure of
specific body parts by detaching buttons and tie-strings
implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied
to fashionable garments that provide a fresh fashion statement with
detachable sections of the garment, which implementations of the
present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the
present invention. The invention is thus to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further
understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the
foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of
the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing
specification.
[0049] Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered
and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding.
Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and
should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or
steps in the claims.
[0050] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed.
[0051] The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section
1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to
ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is
submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit
or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following
claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with
each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
* * * * *