U.S. patent application number 14/285465 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-25 for swimming garment and corresponding method of use thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hapalo inc.. Invention is credited to Marie-Josee LAMBERT.
Application Number | 20150173426 14/285465 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53398672 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150173426 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LAMBERT; Marie-Josee |
June 25, 2015 |
Swimming Garment and Corresponding Method of Use Thereof
Abstract
A garment for enabling a user to selectively have access to a
lower body portion, generally below a waist line of the user, is
disclosed. The garment comprises an upper body portion and a lower
body portion. The upper body portion is configured to be removably
mountable about an upper body portion of the user. The upper body
portion of the garment typically comprise a front side and a rear
side. The lower body portion is configured for to be removably and
selectively covering a lower body portion of the user. The lower
body portion of the garment comprises a front side and a rear side
and is generally depends from one of the front and rear side of the
upper body portion such as to be selectively apposeable one the
other of the front and rear side of the upper body portion.
Inventors: |
LAMBERT; Marie-Josee;
(Sherbrooke, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hapalo inc. |
Sherbrooke |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
53398672 |
Appl. No.: |
14/285465 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/67 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2400/44 20130101;
A41B 9/007 20130101; A41D 7/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 7/00 20060101
A41D007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2013 |
CA |
2838099 |
Claims
1) A garment for enabling a user of said garment to selectively
have access to a lower body portion below a waist line of said
user, the garment comprising: an upper body portion configured for
removably mounting about an upper body portion of the user, the
upper body portion of the garment having a front side and a rear
side; a lower body portion configured for removably and selectively
covering a lower body portion of the user, the lower body portion
of the garment having a front side and a rear side, the lower body
portion of the garment extending downwardly from a given side of
the upper body portion and being removably apposeable to an
opposite side of said upper body portion.
2) A garment according to claim 1 wherein the lower body portion
comprises: a crotch portion configured to go over a crotch portion
of the user of the garment; a groin portion configured to go over a
groin portion of the user of the garment; and a posterior portion
configured to go over a posterior portion of the user of the
garment.
3) A garment according to claim 2, wherein the groin portion of the
lower body portion is provided with an inner liner.
4) A garment according to claim 1, wherein the lower body portion
comprises at least one pair of belt strips, the belt strips being
removably connectable to one another about the given side of the
upper body portion by means of at least one connecting
component.
5) A garment according to claim 4, wherein the at least one
connecting component comprises first and second complementary
portions, the first complementary portion of the connecting
component being mounted about a given belt strip and the second
complementary portion of the connecting component being mounted
about the other belt strip.
6) A garment according to claim 5, wherein the first complementary
portion of the connecting component is mounted about a loop of said
given belt strip and wherein the second complementary portion of
the connecting component is mounted about a loop of the other belt
trip.
7) A garment according to claim 6, wherein said at least one belt
strip is removably securable about at least one other part of the
garment.
8) A garment according to claim 6, wherein the connecting component
is a connecting component selected from the group consisting of
clips, hooks-and-loops, belts, laces, loops, knots, magnets,
zippers and fasteners.
9) A garment according to claim 1, wherein at least one other part
of the garment includes a securing component provided on a given
connection location of the upper body portion of the garment.
10) A garment according to claim 1, wherein the lower body portion
comprises at least one belt strip removably connectable about the
given side of the upper body portion.
11) A garment according to claim 1, wherein the upper body portion
of the garment comprises at least one strap.
12) A garment according to claim 1, wherein the lower body portion
of the garment is removably detachable from the upper body portion
by means of at least one fastening component.
13) A garment according to claim 1, wherein the given side of the
upper body portion is the front side of the upper body portion, and
wherein the lower body portion of the garment extends from the
front side of the upper body portion and is removably apposeable to
the rear side of said upper body portion by means of at least one
fastening component.
14) A garment according to claim 1, wherein the given side of the
upper body portion is the rear side of the upper body portion, and
wherein the lower body portion of the garment extends from the rear
side of the upper body portion and is removably apposeable to the
front side of said upper body portion by means of at least one
fastening component.
15) A garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment includes a
skirt portion disposed between the upper body portion of the
garment and the lower body portion thereof.
16) A garment according to claim 1, wherein the upper body
comprises at least one sleeve configured for receiving a
corresponding arm of the user of the garment.
17) A garment according to claim 1, wherein the lower body portion
comprises at least one leg portion configured for receiving a
corresponding leg of the user of the garment.
18) A garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is made of
any of an elastically stretchable material, a waterproof material
of a meshed material or at least one material selected from the
group consisting of natural material, synthetic materials and/or
combinations thereof.
19) A method of using a garment as claimed in claim 1.
20) A kit with components for assembling a garment as claimed in
claim 1.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present patent application claims the benefits of
priority of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,838,099, entitled
"SWIMMING GARMENT, AND CORRESPONDING METHOD OF USE THEREOF", and
filed at the Canadian Patent Office on Dec. 20, 2013, the content
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a garment. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a swimming
garment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Swimming garments are well known in the art.
[0004] Also well known in the art are the various disadvantages
associated with conventional swimming garments.
[0005] For instance, when considering a women's conventional
one-piece swimming garment, it is disadvantageous (ex.
time-consuming, tedious and cumbersome) in that a user will
typically have to remove the entire one-piece swimming garment if
she wants or needs to go to the bathroom, for example. Another
disadvantage associated with this type of conventional one-piece
swimming garment is that after swimming in it, for example, and if
water is still impregnated in the garment, one cannot simply put on
a pair of pants or shorts thereover, because the water embedded in
the lower portion of the garment will soak the pair of pants or
shorts that have been put on.
[0006] These types of disadvantages are also associated with
conventional one-piece swimming suits used for little girls, in
that, if a parent needs to change a diaper worn by a given child or
needs to access to a lower body portion of the child in order to
assist in any sort of related ways (for example, going to the
bathroom, etc.), then typically the entire one-piece swimming
garment needs to be removed from the child, which one again, is
time-consuming, tedious and cumbersome, for a variety of different
reasons.
[0007] Hence, in light of the aforementioned disadvantages, there
is a need for an improved garment which, by virtue of its design
and components, would be able to overcome at least some of the
above-discussed concerns.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The shortcomings of the prior art are generally mitigated by
the different embodiments of the present invention.
[0009] According to a broad aspect of the invention, there is
provided a garment for enabling a user of said garment to
selectively have access to a lower body portion below a waistline
of said user, the garment comprising: [0010] an upper body portion
configured for removably mounting about an upper body portion of
the user, the upper body portion of the garment having a front side
and a rear side; and [0011] a lower body portion configured for
removably and selectively covering a lower body portion of the
user, the lower body portion of the garment having a front side and
a rear side, the lower body portion of the garment extending
downwardly from a given side of the upper body portion and being
removably apposeable to an opposite side of said upper body
portion.
[0012] The garment may also be provided with a plurality of
different accessory components which enable the lower body portion
either to be removably mountable onto the upper body portion, or to
being interchangeable with other possible lower body portions, as
well as for enabling a given lower body portion cooperating with
the upper body portion of the garment to be operated in a
secured/affixed/raised manner with respect to said upper body
portion, in a variety of a different ways.
[0013] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is
also provided a method of operating or using the above-mentioned
garment and/or components thereof.
[0014] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is
also provided a method of securing/affixing the above-mentioned
garment and/or components thereof.
[0015] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is
also provided a kit with components for assembling the
above-mentioned garment and/or components thereof.
[0016] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is also provided a set of components for interchanging with
components of the above-mentioned kit.
[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is also provided a method of assembling components of the
above-mentioned kit and/or set.
[0018] The advantages and other features of the present invention
will become more apparent upon reading of the following
non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given
for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0019] Other and further aspects and advantages of the present
invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative
embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the
appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will
occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in
practice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the
invention will become more readily apparent from the following
description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0021] FIGS. 1-5 are different views of an embodiment of the
garment as a girl swimsuit.
[0022] FIGS. 6-9 are different views another embodiment of the
garment as a surf wetsuit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] A novel swimming garment will be described hereinafter.
Although the invention is described in terms of specific
illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the
embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that
the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited
thereby.
[0024] In the following description, the same numerical references
refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for sake of simplicity and
clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several
references numbers, only some figures have been provided with
reference numbers, and components and features of the present
invention illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred
therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials
mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are preferred, for
exemplification purposes only.
[0025] Moreover, although the present invention was primarily
designed for use with as a swimming garment or swimsuit for kids,
it may be used with other objects and/or in other types of
applications, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this
reason, expressions such as "swimming", "swimsuit", "kids", etc.,
used herein should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the
present invention and include all other kinds of objects and/or
applications with which the present invention could be used and may
be useful.
[0026] Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the
expressions "garment", "device", "system", "suit", "assembly",
"product", as well as any other equivalent expressions and/or
compound words thereof, may be used interchangeably. The same
applies for any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as
"portion", "part", "section" and "segment" for example, or even
"fastener", "attachment" and "connector", as also apparent to a
person skilled in the art.
[0027] Furthermore, in the context of the present description, it
will be considered that expressions such as "connected" and
"connectable", or "mounted" and "mountable", for example, and/or
other similar ones, may be interchangeable, in that the present
invention also relates to a kit with corresponding components for
assembling a resulting fully assembled and operational garment
1.
[0028] In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the
present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings
comprise various components, and although the preferred embodiments
of the garments 1 and corresponding parts as shown consist of
certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated
herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential to
the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive
sense, i.e. should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the
present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a
person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and
cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical
configurations may be used for the garment 1 and corresponding
parts according to the present invention, as will be briefly
explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person
skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0029] Broadly described, and as better exemplified in the
accompanying drawings, the present invention relates to a garment 1
with improved shape, components and features enabling for better,
easier and more convenient access to a lower body portion of the
user, when compared to conventional women's' one-piece swimming
garments, for example.
[0030] List of numerical references for some of the corresponding
possible components illustrated in the accompanying drawings:
[0031] 1. garment (ex. swimming garment) [0032] 3. front side (of
garment) [0033] 3a. front side (of upper body portion) [0034] 3b.
front side (of lower body portion) [0035] 5. rear side (of garment)
[0036] 5a. rear side (of upper body portion) [0037] 5b. rear side
(of lower body portion) [0038] 7. upper body portion [0039] 9.
lower body portion [0040] 11. waist line [0041] 13. given side
[0042] 15. exposed body area [0043] 17. exposed back area [0044]
19. neck [0045] 21. lateral support portion (of upper body portion)
[0046] 23. sectional portion (of lower body portion) [0047] 23a.
crotch portion (of lower body portion) [0048] 23b. groin portion
(of lower body portion) [0049] 23c. posterior portion (of lower
body portion) [0050] 23d. inner liner [0051] 25. belt strip [0052]
25a. first belt strip (ex. left belt strip) [0053] 25b. second belt
strip (ex. right belt strip) [0054] 27. connecting component [0055]
27a. first complementary portion (of connecting component) [0056]
27b. second complementary portion (of connecting component) [0057]
29. loop [0058] 31. securing component [0059] 31a. first
complementary portion (of securing component) [0060] 31b. second
complementary portion (of securing component) [0061] 33. connection
location [0062] 35. strap [0063] 35a. first strap [0064] 35b.
second strap [0065] 37. fastening component [0066] 37a. first
complementary portion (of fastening component) [0067] 37b. second
complementary portion (of fastening component) [0068] 39. skirt
portion (of garment) [0069] 41. sleeve [0070] 41a. first sleeve
[0071] 41b. second sleeve [0072] 43. leg portion [0073] 43a. first
leg portion [0074] 43b. second leg portion [0075] 45. attachment
component [0076] 45a. first complementary portion (of attachment
component) [0077] 45b. second complementary portion (of attachment
component) [0078] 47. accessory component
[0079] Now referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a garment 1 to allow a user
to access to a lower portion, typically below the waistline of the
person wearing the garment 1 in accordance with the principles of
the present invention embodied as a swimming garment is shown. The
garment 1 comprises a front side 3, a rear side 5, an upper body
portion 7 and a lower body portion 9. The upper body portion 7
comprises a front side 3a and a rear side 5a, substantially covers
the upper body portion of a person wearing the garment 1 and is
removably mounted to the upper body portion of the garment wearer.
The lower body portion 9 comprises a front side 3b and a rear side
5b. The lower body portion 9 is configured for removably and
selectively covering a lower body portion of the wearer and extends
downwardly from a given side 13 of the upper body portion 7. A
given side 13 (front 3b or rear 5b) of the lower body portion 9 is
removably apposeable to an opposite side (rear 5a or front 3a) of
the upper body portion 7.
[0080] Still referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the upper body portion 7 is
typically of cylindrical shape so as to cover a substantial portion
of a torso of the wearer. One skilled in the art shall understand
that the upper body portion 7 may have a great variety of forms and
designs depending on the model without departing from the present
invention as long as the garment at least partially covers the
upper body of the user.
[0081] According to another embodiment, the upper body portion 7
comprises at least one exposed body area 15 or at least one exposed
back area 17. The upper body portion 7 typically also comprises a
neck portion 19. The neck portion 19 may be a neck selected from
the groups consisting of V-necks, closed necks and open necks. The
upper body portion 7 may also comprises lateral support portions
21.
[0082] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
garment 1 may comprise a lower body portion 9 comprising a
plurality of sectional portions 23. Such plurality of sectional
portions 23 may be similar or different depending on the embodiment
of the invention.
[0083] Still referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the lower body portion 9
typically comprises a crotch portion 23a, a groin portion 23b and a
posterior portion 23c. The crotch portion 23a is generally
configured to go over a crotch portion 23a of the user of the
garment 1. In the preferred embodiment, the crotch portion 23a of
the lower body portion 9 of the garment is typically substantially
trapezoidal. The groin portion 23b is generally configured to go
over a groin portion of the user of the garment 1. In the preferred
embodiment, the groin portion 23b of the lower body portion 9 of
the garment 1 is substantially rectangular and provided with an
optional inner liner. The posterior portion 23c is generally
configured to go over a posterior portion of the user of the
garment 1. The posterior portion 23c of the lower body portion 9 of
the garment 1 is generally substantially trapezoidal as that of the
crotch portion 23a.
[0084] According to one embodiment of the present garment 1 the
lower body portion 9 comprises a belt strip 25 removably
connectable about the given side 13 of the upper body portion 7.
The lower body portion 9 may alternatively comprise a pair of belt
strips, the belt strips 25a, 25b being removably connectable to one
another about the given side 13 of the upper body portion 7. The
side of the garment 1 where the belt strips 25 are removably
connectable to one another is typically the front side of the
garment 1. However, one with the skills in the art shall understand
that the belt strips 25 could reasonably removably connect to one
another on any side of the body as along as the strips 25 are
positioned in a way that keeps the lower body portion 9 on the side
opposite to the side where the lower body portion 9 is attached to
the upper body portion 7. Each belt strip is preferably selectively
adjustable in length and preferably made from elastically
stretchable materials.
[0085] Still referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the belt strips 25 are
typically removably connectable to one another about the given side
of the upper body portion 7 by means of at least one connecting
component 27. Each connecting component 27 typically comprise a
first and second complementary portions 27a, 27b, the first
complementary portion 27a of the connecting component 27 being
mounted about a given belt trip 25a and the second complementary
portion 27b of the connecting component 27 being mounted about
another belt trip 25b. Although the first complementary portion 27a
of the connecting component 27 could alternatively be mounted about
a given belt trip 25b and the second complementary portion 27b of
the connecting component 27 being mounted about another belt trip
25a. The first complementary portion 27a of the connecting
component 27 may also be mounted about a loop of said given belt
trip 25 and wherein the second complementary portion 27b of the
connecting component 27 is mounted about a loop of said another
belt trip 25b. The connecting component 27 is generally a
connecting component selected from the group consisting of clips,
hooks-and-loops (ex. Velcro.TM.) belts, laces, loops, knots,
magnets, zippers and fasteners. Also as a matter of design choice,
the connecting component 27 may also be chosen from several custom
shapes such as a heart-shaped connecting component 27. The
connecting components 27 according to the present invention is
preferably made of a plastic material.
[0086] The belt strip 25 may also be removably securable about
another part of the garment 1, preferably on a securing component
31 provided on a given connection location of the upper body
portion 7 of the garment 1. The connection location 33 of the upper
body portion 7 of the garment is typically positioned on the rear
side 5a of the garment 1. In another embodiment, the connection
location 33 of the upper body portion 7 of the garment may be
positioned on the front side 3a of the garment 1. In the preferred
embodiment, the connection location 33 of the upper body portion 7
of the garment 1 is positioned adjacent to a given strap 35 of the
garment 1. The securing component is typically a securing component
selected from the group consisting of clips, hooks-and-loops (ex.
Velcro.TM.), belts, laces, loops, knots, magnets, zippers and
fasteners and is generally mounted about a given loop 29 affixed to
the garment 1. A connecting component 27 may also be cooperable
with a securing component 31 of the garment 1.
[0087] According to one embodiment of the present invention,
comprising first and second connecting components 27, and first and
second securing components 31, one of the connecting components 27
is positioned adjacent to one of the securing components 31. One of
the connecting components 27 and one of the securing components 31
may be located adjacent to one another on a same belt strip 25 of
the garment 1. One the connecting components 27 may also be mounted
about a given loop 29 on a belt strip 25 having one of the securing
components 31 mounted about another loop 29 of the same given belt
strip 25. Also, one belt strip 25 or a pair of belt strips 25 of
the garment 1 may be removably connectable about one chosen strap
35 of the garment.
[0088] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
upper body portion 7 of the garment 1 comprises at least one strap
35 which extends in a substantially straight manner from the front
side 3a of the upper body portion 7 to the rear side 5a thereof.
The strap 35 may alternatively extend in a substantially crossed
manner from the front side 5a of the upper body portion 7 to the
rear side 5a thereof. The upper body portion 7 of the garment 1 may
either comprise a pair of substantially straight or substantially
crossed straps 35.
[0089] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
lower body portion 9 of the garment 1 extends from the front side
3a of the upper body portion 7 and is removably apposeable to an
opposite rear side 5a of said upper body portion 7 by means of at
least one fastening component 37.
[0090] According to one embodiment of the present invention, now
referring to FIGS. 6-9 the lower body portion 9 of the garment 1 is
removably detachable from the upper body portion 7 by means of a
fastening component 37. Each fastening component 37 generally
comprise first and second complementary portions 37a, 37b, the
first complementary portion of the fastening component 37a being
provided about the upper body portion 7 of the garment 1 and the
second complementary portion of the fastening component 37b being
provided about the lower body portion 9. The first complementary
portion of the fastening component 37a is generally mounted about a
loop 29 of the upper body portion 7 of the garment 1 and wherein
the second complementary portion of the fastening component 37b is
mounted about a loop 29 of the lower body portion 9 of the garment
1. The fastening component 37 according to the present invention is
preferably a fastening component 37 selected from the group
consisting of clips, hooks-and-loops (ex. Velcro.TM.), belts,
laces, loops, knots, magnets, zippers and fasteners.
[0091] Still referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, according to one embodiment
of the present invention, the upper body may comprise a closed neck
19. The upper body portion 7 may also comprise one sleeve or a pair
of sleeves configured for receiving the corresponding arm of the
user of the garment 1. Similarly, the lower body portion 9 may
comprise one leg 43 or a pair of leg portions 43 configured for
receiving the corresponding leg of the user of the garment 1.
According to one embodiment, a first portion of each leg portion 43
is optionally removably attachable to a remaining portion of said
leg portion 43 by means of an attachment component 45. The front
side of each leg portion 43 is typically removably attachable to
the rear side of the leg portion 43 by means of an attachment
component 45. The attachment components 45 are preferably disposed
on respective lateral bottom sides of the garment 1. The attachment
component 45 is typically an attachment component 45 selected from
the group consisting of clips, hooks-and-loops (ex. Velcro.TM.),
belts, laces, loops, knots, magnets, zippers and fasteners.
[0092] According to one aspect of the present invention, the
garment may be made of an elastically stretchable material, a
waterproof material, a meshed material or a material selected from
the group consisting of natural material, synthetic materials
and/or combinations thereof. In addition, different portions of the
garment mar have different ornamental patterns.
[0093] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
garment may comprise a plurality of components assembled and
packaged as a kit. The kit typically comprises at least one upper
body portion 7, at least one lower body portion 9 and at least one
accessory component 47. The accessory component 47 is generally
selected from the group consisting of connecting components 27,
securing components 31, fastening components 37 and attachment
components 45.
[0094] According to another embodiment, the garment 1 may include a
skirt portion disposed between the upper body portion of the
garment and the lower body portion thereof.
[0095] A method of using a garment consistent with the present
invention comprises the step of selectively operating the lower
body portion of the garment between open and closed configurations.
More precisely, the method comprises the step of securing a part of
the lower body portion 9 to a part of the upper body portion 7 via
at least one connecting component when the lower body portion is in
the open configuration. The method additionally comprise the step
of securing a part of the lower body portion 9 to a part of the
upper body portion 7 via at least one securing component 31 when
the lower body portion 9 is in the open configuration.
[0096] As may now better be appreciated, the present invention is
particularly advantageous over the prior art, in that the garment
has an improved shape, components and features enabling for better,
easier and more convenient access to a lower body portion of the
user employing such a garment. Even though only a few examples have
been given in the present patent specification and in the
accompanying drawings, it is worth mentioning that various other
modifications could be made to the present garment without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0097] Indeed, it is worth mentioning that a variety of different
accessory components, whether they be connecting components,
securing components, fastening components and/or attachment
components, may be used for removably mounting the lower body
portion onto the upper body portion, for operating the lower body
portion with respect to the upper body portion, or even for
allowing an interchangeability of different lower body portions
with respect to a same upper body portion. Indeed, one can imagine
that for an application used with kids for example, from an
aesthetic or amusement perspective, to have different lower body
portions which could be interchanged with a same upper body portion
would be desirable. This would also be advantageous from a
practical point of view, if for whatever reason, a lower body
portion of the garment is damaged or soiled, then the garment would
enable for a new lower body portion to be interchanged with a
former lower body portion having been damaged or soiled.
Alternatively, it is worth mentioning that a lower body portion
which is full of water of still wet could be interchanged with a
cleaner or dryer lower body portion.
[0098] Even though in the context of the present description, the
garment has been exemplified as being a "swimming" garment
typically used for women or little kids, or even for men and/or
adults (whether men and/or women) in the case of the "surf" model
exemplified in FIGS. 6 to 9, for instance, it is worth mentioning
that the garment could have various other applications, in various
other fields, such as in geriatrics, for example, where older
people with limited or difficult bodily functions which typically
need absorbent and/or disposable underwear could benefit from the
present garment, and corresponding operation of its lower body
portion and associated components. The present garment is
particularly advantageous in that it is easy to operate between
opened and closed configuration, given the efficiency of the design
of the lower body portion and corresponding belt straps 35, and it
is also easy to operate and secure onto the upper body portion via
a variety of different accessory components.
[0099] The present garment is also particularly advantageous in
that for example, if used for kids for example, a parent may easily
change the diaper or access to the lower body portion of his/her
child via a quick and easy operation of the lower body portion,
with the additional advantages that said lower body portion may be
conveniently affixed or secured onto another part of the garment,
such as a securing component located on the upper body portion, or
near or adjacent to a corresponding strap 35, which avoids the
lower body portion from simply hanging for improved accessibility
to the child's lower body portion, while assistance is being given
or while a given diaper is being changed, for example.
[0100] The present garment is also advantageous in that it is
preferably made of an elastic material, which is made to be easily
adapted onto a variety of different figures/bodies, and also the
nature of the belt strips, which may also be elastic or adjustable
in length, enables the garment to be used by a variety of different
users with different waist lines 11, for example. If additional
support is required, such as by users, and/or elder people, which
may have an additional weight around the waistline, then the
garment could be provided with additional support or reinforcement
portions along one or several locations of the garment, as in
exemplified in FIG. 1, for instance.
[0101] As may now better be appreciated, the present invention is a
substantial improvement over the prior art in that, by virtue of
its design and components, as explained herein, and the particular
configuration of the lower boy portion and the way it cooperates
with the rest of the garment, the garment according to the present
invention enables for a quicker, easier, simpler and more effective
access to a lower body portion of the user of the garment,
something that is not possible with other conventional swimming
garments that are available in the prior art.
[0102] Numerous other modifications could be made to the
above-described garment, without departing from the scope of the
present invention. The above-described embodiments are considered
in all respect only as illustrative and not restrictive, and the
present application is intended to cover any adaptations or
variations thereof, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
[0103] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of
the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to
be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise
variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are
intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar
as limited by the prior art.
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