CHILDREN'S GARMENT HAVING LOWER BODY OPENING

Abstract

The various embodiments include a children's garment having a selectively re-sealable lower body opening to enable changing of a child's diaper. The lower body opening may have an apex on the lower area of a garment torso portion and may extend continuously downward along the inner regions of a first and second leg portion. A fastener may provide a boundary for the leg opening and facilitate quick opening and closing of the lower body opening. When in a deployed state the lower body opening provides an enlarged aperture in the crotch region of the garment, thereby enabling access to a child's diaper region. Areas of the child other than the diaper region may remain covered to reduce exposure to the surrounding environment.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/721,610 entitled “Children's Garment” filed Mar. 11, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Small children, particularly infants, may have difficulty regulating their own body temperature. To promote body heat retention, small children may be swaddled in blankets or dressed in fully covering clothing. Children's garments having full length arm or leg portions, such as those resembling “long underwear” may be utilized to cover a child's lower extremities, torso, and upper limbs. In addition, such children's garments may incorporate integrated foot portions to keep the children's feet warm.

Full-length garments work well for trapping heat, but may be difficult to get on and off. Manipulation of full-length garments may be particularly cumbersome when changing an infant's diaper, because the garment may need to be fully removed for the diaper changing and then donned again after the changing is culminated. The full removal of a garment may leave the child exposed to cold or inclement weather conditions during the diaper changing process. In addition, in instances where the child is sleeping, the full removal of the garment may awaken the child.

SUMMARY

The apparatuses of various embodiments provide a children's garment. Embodiments may include a torso portion having a neck opening, a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion extending from opposing sides of an upper area of the torso portion and configured to fit a child's arms, a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending from a lower area of the torso portion and configured to fit a child's legs, wherein the first leg portion and second leg portion meet at a crotch region of the torso portion; and a fastener configured to selectively seal a lower body opening disposed on the first and second leg portions and an apex on the lower area of a front side of the torso portion, wherein the fastener is disposed away from the outer seam of each of the first leg portion and second leg portion.

Some embodiments may include a flap portion formed when the lower body opening is configured in a deployed state, wherein the flap portion is defined by the boundary of the lower body opening and configured to open outward toward the first leg portion and second leg portion. In such embodiments, the ratio of the width of the flap portion to the width of a corresponding section of the torso portion from a first side of the torso portion to an opposing side of the torso portion may be substantially 1:2. Alternatively, in such embodiments, the ratio of the height of the torso portion to the height of the flap portion may be substantially 2:1.

Some embodiments may include a first foot portion at the end of the first leg portion, and a second foot portion at the end of the second leg portion

In some embodiments, the fastener may be disposed substantially closer to the inner area of the first and second leg portions than the outer area.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the overall length of the fastener to the length of a leg portion inseam to may be substantially 3:1.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the height of the torso portion to the overall length of the fastener may be substantially 1:2.5.

In some embodiments, the flap has a trapezoidal shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a children's garment having a lower body opening in a zipped configuration, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of a children's garment having a lower body opening in an unzipped configuration, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of a children's garment having a lower body opening, according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-B show frontal views of a children's garment having a lower body opening according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. References made to particular examples and implementations are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the claims.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

As referred to herein, the terms “child”, “infant”, and “baby” are synonymous and include a human child, baby, infant, or newborn.

The term “garment” may include an article of clothing worn by a child. “Garment” may include but is not limited to a “onesie,” sleeper, romper, pajamas, bodysuit, pants or a combination of articles of clothing, which covers the lower body of the wearer.

As used herein, the term “flap” may include a section of a garment that may be selectively and partially disconnected from surrounding material along a portion of the periphery of the section. A flap is not limited to a particular means of connection between the section periphery and surrounding material, nor is the term limited to any particular shape or size, except as described herein.

In various embodiments a children's garment may have a re-sealable lower body opening configured to enable access to a child's lower torso and groin or crotch region. In some embodiments, the lower body opening may be defined by a fastener that extends from the first leg to the second leg by way of the garment crotch region. Unfastening the fastener transitions the garment into a deployed state and may result in the exposure of the portions of the child disposed within the lower body opening. For example, the inner calves, knees, thighs, and crotch region of the child may be exposed in whole or in part when the lower body opening is in a deployed state.

The lower body opening may be sufficiently sized when deployed, to permit insertion of one or both of a caregiver's hands into the interior region of the garment. Hands may be inserted through the opening to facilitate removal and replacement of a diaper or undergarment. The garment may remain on the child during the diaper changing process. Similarly, the child's upper and lower limbs may remain comfortably within the respective arm and leg portions of the garment during diaper changing, thereby limiting exposure of the limits to environmental conditions and minimizing disturbances to the child.

FIG. 1 illustrates various embodiments of a children's garment 100. With reference to FIG. 1 the children's garment may have a torso portion 115 that may cover a child's neck, upper and lower abdomen. A first sleeve portion 112 and a second sleeve portion 114 may extend from opposing sides of an upper area of the torso portion 115. The sleeve portions 112, 114 may correspond to a child's left and right arm respectively and may be long sleeved, % length sleeved, or short sleeved. Similarly, a first leg portion 116 and second leg portion 118 may extend outward from a lower area of the torso portion 115. The first and second leg portions 116, 118 may correspond to a child's left and right leg respectively. In some embodiments, the leg portions 116, 118 may culminate in foot portions 132, 134.

The children's garment may have a lower body opening 124 bounded by a fastener 126, which may extend from an apex 127 on the front of the lower area of the torso portion 115, down each leg portion 116, 118. The sections of the lower body opening 124 may run along the leg portions 116, 118. In some embodiments, the lower body opening portions 124 running along the leg portions 116, 118 may lie along an area of the leg portions other than the outer leg seams. In some embodiments, the portions of the lower body opening 124 running along the leg portions 116, 118 may lie substantially closer to an inseam of the garment (e.g., the area that corresponds to a child's inner thigh, knee, and/or calf) than to an outside seam.

The lower body opening 124 may be an enlarged aperture in the children's garment 100 that may be selectively opened and closed using a fastener 126 such as a zipper, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or the like. The lower body opening 124 may extend continuously up the first leg portion 116, to an apex 127 in the lower area of the torso portion 115 and back down the opposing leg portion 118. A flap 128 may be defined by the opening, the flap 128 being the section of the torso portion 115 lying below the faster 126. This flap 128 is the section of the children's garment that may be folded away from the rest of the garment 100, toward the leg portions 116, 118, when the lower body opening 124 is in the deployed/open state. The shape of the flap may be defined by the configuration and position of the fastener 126 along the children's garment. In various embodiments, the flap may have a parabolic shape as shown in FIG. 1. Alternative embodiments may include flap regions having trapezoidal shapes, an exemplary illustration of which is shown by dotted line in FIG. 4B. In some embodiments, the flap may have an ovular, rectangular, triangular, or other geometric shape. When the flap is folded down or pulled away from the children's garment, the child's groin region and some interior portions of the child's legs may be exposed to enable insertion of a caregiver's hands and removal of a diaper.

In various embodiments, the children's garment 100 may include a collar 113. The collar may extend from the neck opening of the torso portion 115. In some embodiments, the collar 113 may be merely an edge trim for the neck opening. In some embodiments the collar 113 may be of a “turtleneck” configuration to increase body heat retention. The collar 113 may contain elastic material configured to stretch as a child's head passes through the neck opening, or may have a fastener to enable opening and closing of the collar 113.

In various embodiments, the children's garment 100 may have a front opening 120 that is selectively opened via a fastener 122 such as button, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or zippers. The front opening may extend from the top of the collar 113 or neck opening, to an area along the front of the torso portion 115 above or adjacent to the lower body opening fastener 124 and apex 127. The front opening 120 may be unfastened and opened to facilitate insertion of a child into the garment 100 in a “feet first” configuration. Alternatively, the lower body opening 124 may be placed in a deployed state to facilitate insertion of a child into the garment 100 in a “arms first” configuration Once the child is seated within the garment 100, the front opening 120 may be refastened to cover the child's chest area.

FIG. 2 illustrates various embodiments of a children's garment 100. With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the children's garment 100 may have a lower body opening 124 bounded by a fastener 126. In FIG. 2, the lower body opening 124 is shown in a deployed state, exposing a portion of the garment 100 interior. The lower body opening 124 may have an upper edge 124a and a lower edge 124b that meet at opposing ends of the lower body opening 124, such as on leg portions 116, 118. In various embodiments, the lower body opening 124 transitions into the deployed state upon unfastening of the fastener 124, such as by unzipping a zipper (e.g. moving the zipper from one end of a zipper chain to another end). One or more of a caregiver's hands may be inserted into the deployed lower body opening 124 and may manipulate, remove, and replace the diaper or undergarment of a child wearing the garment 100. The child's arms, legs, and torso may remain within the garment during the diaper changing process. The lower body opening 124 may be transitioned to the closed state upon resealing of the fastener 126 (e.g. moving the zipper from the second end back to a first end of the zipper chain).

FIG. 3 illustrates various embodiments of a children's garment 100. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the children's garment 100 may have a selectively opened lower body opening 124 that may be deployed concurrent to deployment of a front opening 120. In various embodiments, the front opening may be centrally located, dividing the front of the torso portion 115 into two halves. The front opening 120 may be opened, such as by unfastening snaps or buttons, to enable insertion or removal of a child from the garment 100. Further, the front opening 120 may provide access to the upper body of a child wearing the garment 100, and thus may be useful for the application of lotion or topical medication, or for cleaning a child after feeding.

FIGS. 4A-B illustrate various embodiments of a children's garment 100. With reference to FIGS. 1-4B, the children's garment 100 may be provided in a variety of design configurations and sizes depending on the size of the child to be placed in the garment, but the position and proportions of the lower body opening 124 may remain substantially unaltered in order to insure that unnecessary exposure of the child's skin to the external environment is limited. For example, FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of a children's garment 100 that does not have footed portions at the end of leg portions 116, 118. Nor does the illustrated embodiment have a front opening. In various embodiments, the lower body opening 124 may be unfastened, and the garment lowered over a child's head such that the child's head and torso pass through the lower body opening 124, in the same manner as a shirt. Once the child's arms are positioned within sleeve portions 112, 114, the child's legs may be placed within the leg portions 116, 118, and the lower body opening 124 resealed.

To prevent unnecessary exposure of a child's skin during the diaper changing process, the garment 100 provides a lower body opening 124 that runs along the areas of the leg portions that lie interior to the outer seams and along the crotch, thereby leaving the torso and outer legs covered. Caregivers may reach into the lower body opening to remove and replace a diaper or undergarment, while the child's lower torso remains positioned between the front and back of the torso portion 115. In various embodiments, only those areas of the child's skin lying below the flap may be exposed when the lower body opening 124 is a deployed state.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIG. 4A, the ratio between the overall length of the fastener 126 defining the length of the lower body opening 124 (e.g., length of zipper fastener 126) and a leg portion 116 inseam measurement F and may be substantially 3:1. For example, a children's garment according to the various embodiments may have an overall lower body opening length of 26.5 and a leg portion inseam measuring 8.5 inches, producing a ratio of 3.12:1. Embodiments of the children's garment without foot portions may have lower body opening 124 to leg portion 116 inseam measurement F ratios substantially equal to 3:1 but slightly under, such as 2.9:1. Thus, deviance from the 3:1 ratio may be slightly greater for embodiments having foot portions as compared to those without foot portions. Utilizing this measurement ratio, results in a lower body opening that may be sufficiently sized to accommodate at least one hand of a user and permit the changing of a diaper, while limiting the exposure of the child's skin to the outside air.

Similarly, the shape and size of the lower body opening may be configured to permit hand insertion without exposing the child's entire lower abdomen. In various embodiments, with reference to FIG. 4B, the ratio of the width, as measured from one outer seam to the opposing outer seam of the corresponding torso portion C of the garment to the width D of the flap 128 may be substantially 2:1. In an illustrative example, the width across a trapezoidal-shaped flap 128 such as that shown in FIG. 4B, may measure 4.5 inches, and the measurement of the width across the torso portion from one side seam to an opposing side seam may be 9 inches.

The goal of limiting body heat loss and skin exposure may be furthered by limiting the extent of the lower body opening across the garment 100. In various embodiments, with reference to FIG. 4A, the ratio of the overall height of the torso portion A, as measured from the crotch seam to the upper edge of the neck opening or collar 113 to the flap 128 height B as measured from the crotch seam to the apex 127 of the lower body opening 124 in the closed state may be substantially 2:1. For example, the flap height B may be 5.5 inches and the overall torso height A may be 11 inches. This ratio of measurements may reduce the likelihood that the lower body opening 124 may extend over the child's upper torso when deployed, as access to this area is unnecessary during the diaper changing process.

In various embodiments, the lower body opening 124 may be limited in shape and size to reduce the lower body opening 124 encroachment into the torso portion 115. Thus, the ratio of the overall height of the torso portion A to the overall length of the lower body opening 124 (e.g., length of fastener zipper 126) may be substantially 1:2.5. For example, the aforementioned garment having a overall torso height A of 11 inches and an overall length of lower body opening length 124 of 26.5 inches result in a ratio of 1:2.4. Restricting the ratio of the overall torso height A to the overall length of lower body opening 124 may reduce the likelihood that the opening will extend farther into the torso portion than is necessary to ensure access to a child's undergarment region.

Further, the sections of the lower body opening 124 extending down the leg portions 116, 118 may be positioned along the areas of the leg portions other than at the outer seam, and in some embodiments may be substantially closer to the leg portion inseam area than to the leg portion outer seam. Inner leg portion area may include the area surrounding an inseam extending from the crotch to a lower edge of a leg portion 116, 118, or may include an imaginary line denoting the inner most length of the leg portion. In an exemplary embodiment a distance E, between the lower body opening 124 section lying along an upper area of leg portion 116 and an outside seam may be substantially 3 inches. Such a configuration may leave the top and outside areas of a child's leg covered during the diaper changing process, and expose only the inner thigh/knee/calf areas. The fastener 126 of the lower body opening 124 thus is configured to be disposed along the inner leg portion of leg portion 116, the apex 127 disposed in the lower area of the torso portion 115, and back down the inner leg portion 118. By preventing the fastener 126 of the lower body opening 124 to be disposed away from the outer hip portion of the child, the amount of child's body exposed may be minimized.

In various embodiments, the lower body opening 124 may truncate at lower edges of each leg portion 116, 118 as shown in FIG. 4. The lower body opening may also extend to the bottom of each foot portion 134, 136 in embodiments having foot portions. Alternatively, the lower body opening 124 may extend partly down the interior of each leg portion 116, 118. It may be advantageous for the sections of the lower body opening 124 extending down the leg portions 116, 118 to extend far enough to permit the flap to fold down and lie flat on an underlying surface. For example, in an embodiment of the children's garment 100 having foot portions 134, 136, the lowermost point of the lower body opening 124 may lie between 0 and 5 inches up each leg portion 116, 118 as measured from the bottom of each foot portion 134, 136.

In various embodiments, a children's garment 100 having a lower body opening 124 may be provided with a protective fabric covering 130 along the interior of the fastener 126. The fabric cover 130, shown in FIG. 3, may provide a buffer between the wearer's skin and the fastener 126, thereby reducing the risk of skin abrasion and irritation.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A children's garment, comprising:

a torso portion having a neck opening;

a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion extending from opposing sides of an upper area of the torso portion and configured to fit a child's arms;

a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending from a lower area of the torso portion and configured to fit a child's legs, wherein the first leg portion and second leg portion meet at a crotch region of the torso portion; and

a fastener configured to selectively seal a lower body opening disposed on the first and second leg portions and an apex on the lower area of a front side of the torso portion, wherein the fastener is disposed away from the outer seam of each of the first leg portion and second leg portion.

2. The children's garment of claim 1, further comprising:

a flap portion formed when the lower body opening is configured in a deployed state, wherein the flap portion is defined by the boundary of the lower body opening and configured to open outward toward the first leg portion and second leg portion.

3. The children's garment of claim 2, wherein the ratio of the width of the flap portion to the width of a corresponding section of the torso portion from a first side of the torso portion to an opposing side of the torso portion is substantially 1:2.

4. The children's garment of claim 2, wherein the ratio of the height of the torso portion to the height of the flap portion is substantially 2:1.

5. The children's garment of claim 1, further comprising:

a first foot portion at the end of the first leg portion, and a second foot portion at the end of the second leg portion.

6. The children's garment of claim 1, wherein the fastener is disposed substantially closer to the inner area of the first and second leg portions than the outer area.

7. The children's garment of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the overall length of the fastener to the length of a leg portion inseam to is substantially 3:1.

8. The children's garment of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the height of the torso portion to the overall length of the fastener is substantially 1:2.5.

9. The children's garment of claim 1, wherein the flap has a trapezoidal shape.