Accessible clothing

Abstract

A combined clothing assembly including an upper body clothing garment having a body, the upper clothing garment including a first zipper portion of a zipper attached adjacent a lower edge opening of the upper body clothing garment and encircling the body of the upper body clothing garment and at least one of a first portion of a first fastener; and a lower body clothing garment including an upper edge opening and a second zipper portion of the zipper attached adjacent to the upper edge opening of the lower body clothing garment and configured to matingly engage with the first zipper portion via a zipper slider to releasably attach the upper body clothing garment and the lower body clothing garment to each other and at least one of a second portion of the first fastener that cooperatively engages with the at least one of the first portion of the first fastener.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] In a variety of different situations, there may be a desire or need to dress a person in an article of clothing that limits, at least to an extent, the person from undressing or otherwise removing their clothing. One example scenario might include a young child in the process of being “potty-trained” wherein the child might, for one reason or another, decide to remove their clothing and / or undergarment(s) at an inappropriate or otherwise undesired time and / or location. As such, a parent or other care provider of the child might want clothing in which they could easily dress the young child, but from which the child might not so easily disrobe. It may be a further desire that any such clothing to address this problem afford the wearer thereof a full range of motion, as opposed to providing a secure garment that restricts movement of the clothing and the wearer thereof.

[0002] Therefore, there exists a need for a clothing assembly that can be securely worn by a user while still providing access for the removal thereof.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Features and advantages of the example embodiments, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, will become more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0004] FIG. 1A is an illustrative depiction of a combined clothing assembly, including a frontal view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0005] FIG. 1B is an illustrative depiction of the combined clothing assembly of FIG. 1A, including a rear view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0006] FIG. 1C is an illustrative depiction of a first portion of a fastener for a combined clothing assembly herein, in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0007] FIG. 1D is an illustrative depiction of a second portion of a fastener for a combined clothing assembly herein, in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0008] FIG. 1E is an illustrative depiction of a portion of a zipper assembly for a combined clothing assembly herein, in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 2A is an illustrative depiction of an upper body clothing garment of a combined clothing assembly herein, including a frontal view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 2B is an illustrative depiction of the upper body clothing garment of FIG. 2A, including a rear view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 3A is an illustrative depiction of a lower body clothing garment of a combined clothing assembly herein, including a frontal view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3B is an illustrative depiction of the lower body clothing garment of FIG. 3A, including a rear view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4 is an illustrative depiction of an upper body clothing garment of a combined clothing assembly herein, including a view indicated by the section lines in FIG. 2B, in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an illustrative depiction of a lower body clothing garment of a combined clothing assembly herein, including a view indicated by the section lines in FIG. 3A, in accordance with an example embodiment; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is an illustrative depiction of a combined clothing assembly herein, including some feature details thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0016] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated or adjusted for clarity, illustration, and / or convenience.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. It should be appreciated that various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0018] One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with technical, system-related, and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0019] Particular aspects of the present disclosure relate to a new and useful clothing assembly that provides coverage of a wearer of the clothing assembly (i.e., user), including at least portions of the wearer's torso and legs in some embodiments. As used herein, a “wearer” of the clothing assembly may also be referred to simply as a “wearer”. In some aspects, the clothing assembly presented herein may provide a clothing assembly that is restrictive to being removed while also providing access for removal of the clothing assembly from a wearer of the clothing assembly.

[0020] In some aspects, one or more embodiments of the disclosed clothing assembly may be referred to as being a “restrictive” clothing assembly or having “restrictive” features. As used herein, “restrictive” with respect to a clothing assembly herein refers to features, components, and the configuration of the features and components of the clothing assembly that impose, to an extent, limitation(s) or barrier(s) to removing the clothing assembly from a wearer. The “restrictive” aspects of the features, components, and the configuration of the features and components of a “restrictive clothing assembly” herein may operate to discourage the easy or readily removal of such clothing assembly by the wearer.

[0021] In some embodiments, a “restrictive clothing assembly” herein may efficiently discourage the easy or readily removal of such clothing assembly from the wearer by the wearer of the clothing assembly. In some embodiments, one or more features, components, and a combination the features and components of a “restrictive clothing assembly” herein may also provide access to those one or more features and components such that the clothing assembly may be removed from a wearer of the clothing assembly. In some embodiments, access to the restrictive features and components of a clothing assembly herein might be accessible or reached by an individual other than the wearer of the “restrictive clothing assembly”. In some embodiments, access to the restrictive features and components of a clothing assembly herein might be more easily accessible or reached by an individual other than the wearer of the “restrictive clothing assembly”, wherein the wearer of the clothing assembly might, if at all, be able to access the restrictive features and components but not as readily or directly as compared to an individual other than the wearer.

[0022] In some aspects, construction of a clothing assembly herein might be accomplished using one or more different types of clothing manufacturing techniques. As such, aspects of the present disclosure may be combined with traditional clothing manufacturing processes and materials, as well as be implemented in newly or yet to be developed clothing manufacturing processes and materials, to the extent that such existing and future-developed clothing manufacturing techniques and materials are compatible with the clothing assembly aspects and embodiments disclosed herein.

[0023] Pursuant to some embodiments, FIG. 1A is an illustrative depiction of a combined clothing assembly 100, including a frontal view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment. In general, clothing assembly 100 includes an upper body garment 105 and a lower body garment 110. In FIG. 1, upper body garment 105 is embodied as a shirt and lower body garment 110 is embodied as a pant. Upper body garment 105 may typically cover at least a portion of a wearer's upper body or torso area and lower body garment 110 may typically cover at least a portion of a wearer's waist, hips, buttocks, and groin area(s). Although different examples of the clothing assembly disclosed herein are described and depicted in the accompanying drawings as including a shirt and pant, an upper body garment and a lower body garment herein may include other types of garment designs and configurations without limitation.

[0024] Upper body clothing garment 105 has a body portion 115 that includes a neck opening 120 and a lower edge opening 125 opposing the neck opening. The upper body clothing garment further includes a first zipper portion 135 that is affixed to the upper body garment adjacent to or in proximity to lower edge opening 125. In some embodiments, first zipper portion 135 might be attached to (e.g., sewn, glued, etc.) or otherwise incorporated into a hem comprising lower edge opening 125. In some embodiments, first zipper portion 135 might be attached to (e.g., sewn, glued, etc.) or otherwise located in close proximity (e.g., immediately adjacent to) a hem comprising lower edge opening 125. In some embodiments, first zipper portion 135 is attached to the upper body clothing garment on an interior surface thereof and encircles lower edge opening 125. For example, first zipper portion 135 might be sewn to a hem of upper body garment 105 then turned up and coverstitched. In some embodiments, first zipper portion 135 encircles between about 50% to about 100% of the lower edge opening, and preferably between about 80% to about 100% of the lower edge opening.

[0025] Lower body clothing garment 110 includes an upper edge opening 130. Lower body clothing garment includes a second zipper portion of a zipper assembly attached adjacent to the upper edge opening of the lower body clothing garment. In some embodiments, second zipper portion 140 might be attached to (e.g., sewn, glued, etc.) or otherwise affixed to the lower body clothing garment adjacent to the upper edge opening 130. In some embodiments, second zipper portion 140 might be attached below a hem comprising upper edge opening 130. In some embodiments, second zipper portion 140 is attached to the lower body clothing garment on an exterior surface thereof and encircles upper edge opening 130 (e.g., a waist area). For example, second zipper portion 140 might comprise a zipper portion sewn to or inserted into a seam below a waistband of lower body clothing garment 110. In some embodiments, second zipper portion 140 encircles between about 50% to about 100% of upper edge opening 130, and preferably between about 80% to about 100% of the lower edge opening. The extent to which second zipper portion 140 encircles lower body clothing garment 110 might correspond to the extent to which first zipper portion 135 encircles upper body clothing garment 105.

[0026] FIG. 1B is an illustrative depiction of a combined clothing assembly 100 introduced in FIG. 1A, including a rear view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment. Accordingly, the same reference numbers in FIGS. 1A and 1B refer to same components and features of each and a discussion of the same is not repeated separately for FIG. 1B. In particular, FIG. 1B is a rear view of the combined clothing assembly 100. That is, when combined clothing assembly 100 is worn as intended by a wearer or user thereof, the combined clothing assembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1B is positioned, oriented, or otherwise aligned with the rear of the wearer or user.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1B, upper body clothing garment 105 includes at least one of a first portion 147 of a first fastener affixed to tabs 145. In the example of FIG. 1B, upper body clothing garment 105 includes two first portions 147 of a first fastener, with one each of the first portions 147 of the first fastener being affixed to one of the two tabs 145 shown in FIG. 1B. In some embodiments, tab(s) 150 may comprise a support material (e.g., a cloth substrate, a twill tape, etc.) onto which the first portion of a fastener is attached. In some aspects, at least a portion of tab(s) 150 extend away from the body of the upper body clothing garment.

[0028] Still referring to FIG. 1B, lower body clothing garment 110 includes at least one of a second portion 150 of the first fastener affixed to the lower body clothing garment. In the example of FIG. 1B, lower body clothing garment 110 includes two second portions 150 of the first fastener. The second zipper portion 140 encircling lower body clothing garment 110 is configured to matingly engage with first zipper portion 135 via a zipper slider to releasably attach the upper body clothing garment and the lower body clothing garment to each other. In the example of FIG. 1B, two zipper sliders are disposed onto or otherwise reside on the second zipper portion 140 that is attached to the lower body clothing garment (i.e., a double zipper). In some embodiments, one zipper slider might be disposed onto or otherwise reside on the second zipper portion 140 (i.e., a single zipper).

[0029] In some embodiments, opposing ends of the first zipper portion attached to upper body clothing garment 105 and the second zipper portion attached to lower body clothing garment 110 originate and terminate, respectively, in alignment with each other when combined clothing assembly is configured as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In some aspects, the extent to which first zipper portion 135 encircles upper body clothing garment 105 corresponds to and is matched by the extent to which second zipper portion 140 encircles lower body clothing garment 110. In this manner, the first zipper portion 135 and the second zipper portion 140 are configured to matingly engage with each other via the zipper slider(s) 155 to releasably attach the upper body clothing garment and the lower body clothing garment to each other.

[0030] FIG. 1C is an illustrative depiction of a first portion (e.g., 147) of a fastener for a combined clothing assembly herein, in accordance with an example embodiment. In the example of FIG. 1C, first portion 147 is a female ring snap portion of a snap button fastener that is attached through or onto tabs 145.

[0031] FIG. 1D is an illustrative depiction of a second portion (e.g., 150) of a fastener for a combined clothing assembly herein, in accordance with an example embodiment. In the example of FIG. 1D, second portion 150 is a male ring snap portion of a snap button fastener that is attached to the lower body clothing garment of a combined clothing assembly herein. In some aspects, the first portion (e.g., 147) and the second portion (e.g., 150) of the fastener for a combined clothing assembly herein are configured to releasably and matingly engage with each other. While the example of FIGS. 1C and 1D disclose a snap button type of fastener, this is an illustrative example of a type of fastener compatible with the present disclosure, not a strict limitation. Other types of fasteners (e.g., button & buttonhole, latch & clasps, etc.) may be used in other example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 1E is an illustrative depiction of a portion of a zipper assembly for a combined clothing assembly herein, in accordance with an example embodiment. The zipper assembly of FIG. 1E includes a first zipper portion 135, a second zipper portion 140, and two zipper sliders 155 to form a double or two-way zipper. In some embodiments, a zipper assembly herein might be constructed of polyester, metal, nylon, and the like. In one embodiment, a zipper assembly herein may be constructed to include one zipper slider or pull. In some examples herein, the first zipper portion 135 may be attached to the upper body clothing garment and the second zipper portion 140 may be attached to the lower body clothing garment, as illustrated in FIG. 1B. However, in some other embodiments, the first zipper portion 135 may be attached to the lower body clothing garment and the second zipper portion 140 may be attached to the upper body clothing garment. That is, in some instances the zipper portion containing the zipper slider(s) thereon might be located on the upper body clothing garment and in other instances the zipper portion containing the zipper slider(s) thereon might be located on the lower body clothing garment.

[0033] FIG. 2A is an illustrative depiction of an upper body clothing garment 205 of a combined clothing assembly herein, including a frontal view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment. A number of features of the upper body clothing garment depicted in FIG. 2A may be the same as or at least similar to some of the features shown in FIG. 1A. One difference between the two upper body clothing garments shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A is that the upper body clothing garment of FIG. 2A is a short sleeve embodiment, whereas the embodiment in FIG. 1A includes long sleeves. This type of difference between the two upper body clothing garments shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A demonstrates, at least in part, that an upper body clothing garment of the present disclosure is not limited to a specific, particular clothing design, configuration, construction, etc., unless stated otherwise herein.

[0034] Upper body clothing garment 205 has a body portion 210 including a neck opening 215 and a lower edge opening 220 at opposite ends of the upper body clothing garment. As illustrated, the upper body clothing garment includes a first zipper portion 225 that is attached to the upper body garment adjacent to the lower edge opening 220. Similar to FIG. 1A, first zipper portion 225 is attached to the upper body clothing garment on an interior surface thereof and substantially encircles lower edge opening 220.

[0035] FIG. 2B is an illustrative depiction of the upper body clothing garment 205 of FIG. 2A, including a rear view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment. Accordingly, the same reference numbers in FIGS. 2A and 2B refer to the same components and features of each and a discussion of same is not repeated separately for FIG. 2B. Referring to FIG. 2B, upper body clothing garment 205 includes at least one of a first portion 235 of a first fastener affixed to tabs 230. In the example of FIG. 2B, upper body clothing garment 205 includes two first portions 235 of a first fastener, wherein each of the first portions 235 of the fastener is affixed, respectively, to one of the two tabs 230. In some aspects, at least a portion of tab(s) 230 extends away from the body of upper body clothing garment 205. When upper body clothing garment 205 is worn as intended by a wearer or user thereof, the upper body clothing garment shown in FIG. 2B is positioned, oriented, or otherwise aligned with the rear of the wearer or user.

[0036] FIG. 3A is an illustrative depiction of a lower body clothing garment 305 of a combined clothing assembly herein, including a frontal view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment. Lower body clothing garment 305 includes an upper edge opening 310 and a second zipper portion 315 of a zipper assembly attached adjacent to the upper edge opening of the lower body clothing garment. In some embodiments, second zipper portion 315 might be attached to or otherwise affixed to the lower body clothing garment adjacent to and below the upper edge opening (e.g., a hem) 310. In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 3A, the second zipper portion is attached to the lower body clothing garment on an exterior surface thereof and substantially encircles the upper edge opening (e.g., a waist area).

[0037] Referring to FIG. 3B, lower body clothing garment 305 includes at least one of a second portion 320 of a first fastener affixed to an exterior facing surface of the lower body clothing garment. In the example of FIG. 3B, lower body clothing garment 305 includes two second portions 320 of the first fastener. The example of FIG. 3B includes two zipper sliders or pulls 325 that are disposed onto or otherwise reside on the second zipper portion 315 (i.e., a double zipper), although some embodiments might include one zipper slider (i.e., a single zipper).

[0038] FIG. 4 is an illustrative depiction of an upper body clothing garment 405 of a combined clothing assembly herein, including some feature details thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment. In particular, some construction and configuration details 410 of upper body clothing garment 405 are illustrated in FIG. 4. The construction and configuration details 410 shown in FIG. 4 are depicted relative to an exterior facing surface 412 of the upper body clothing garment 405 and an interior facing surface 414 of the upper body clothing garment 405. As shown, construction and configuration details 410 include a lower edge opening or hem 415 of the upper body clothing garment; a tab 420 (e.g., a length of twill tape or other material, etc.) that supports, in some embodiments, a first portion of a fastener (e.g., first fastener portion 147 in FIG. 1B); and a first zipper portion 425. In the example of FIG. 4, a part of lower edge opening or hem 415, tab 420, and first zipper portion 425 may be held in position relative to each other via a lockstitch 430 and a 2-needle coverstitch 435. In some embodiments, other clothing manufacturing techniques and processes might be used to configure the components and feature of the upper body clothing garment depicted in FIG. 4.

[0039] FIG. 5 is an illustrative depiction of a lower body clothing garment 505 of a combined clothing assembly herein, including some feature details thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment. In particular, FIG. 5 is a side view of an illustrative depiction of a lower body clothing garment 505 of a combined clothing assembly herein having an upper edge opening 510, including some feature details 515 related thereto. For example, some construction and configuration details 515 of upper body clothing garment 505 are illustrated in FIG. 4, where some aspects are shown relative to an exterior facing surface 519 of the upper body clothing garment 505 and an interior facing surface 517 of the upper body clothing garment 505. Shown are construction and configuration details 515 that include a second zipper portion 525 located on the exterior facing surface 519. In the example of FIG. 5, second zipper portion 525 is located or sandwiched between fabric layers 520 and 530, by one or more methods of sewing, gluing, fabric welding, etc. In some instances, other methods of attaching the second zipper portion to the lower body clothing garment may be used. Details 515 further illustrate the upper edge opening comprising a folded top hem 537 enclosing an elastic band (or other flexible material, if any) therein. In the example of FIG. 5, the upper edge opening 510 or hem 537 may be manufactured or otherwise assembled via a 3-needle coverstitch with top looper 545. In some embodiments, other clothing manufacturing techniques and processes might be used to configure the components and features of the lower body clothing garment depicted in FIG. 5, without departing from the scope and intent of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 6 is an illustrative depiction of a combined clothing assembly 600 herein, including some feature details thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment. Combined clothing assembly 600 includes an upper body clothing garment 605 that includes a lower edge opening 610 and a first zipper portion 615 affixed to the upper body garment adjacent to or in proximity to the lower edge opening on an interior facing surface of the upper body clothing garment 605. Combined clothing assembly 600 also includes a lower body clothing garment 640 that includes an upper edge opening 612 and a second zipper portion 645 affixed adjacent to or in proximity to the upper edge opening 612 on an exterior facing surface of the lower body clothing garment 640.

[0041] Regarding the upper body clothing garment of FIG. 6, shown is a rear view thereof, in accordance with an example embodiment. In particular, illustrated by the example of FIG. 6 is at least one of a first portion 635 of a first fastener affixed to tabs 635. In the example of FIG. 6, upper body clothing garment 605 includes two first portions 635 of a first fastener, with one each of the first portions 635 of the first fastener being affixed to or otherwise attached to one of the two tabs 630 shown in a detailed view (i.e., exploded view) of FIG. 6. In some embodiments, tab(s) 630 may comprise a support material (e.g., a cloth substrate, a twill tape, etc.) onto which the first portion of a fastener is attached. In the example of FIG. 6, a flap 625 is attached to the upper body clothing garment and provides a support structure, at least in part, for tab(s) 630. Flap 625 may be constructed of a fabric or other substrate material, including materials the same as or different than the materials comprising the upper body clothing garment.

[0042] The example of FIG. 6 further includes a first portion 642 of a second fastener located on flap 625 and a corresponding second portion 660 of the second fastener located on an exterior facing surface of the lower body clothing garment. In some instances, at least a portion of flap 625 extends away from the body of the upper body clothing garment. Additionally, at least one of a second portion 655 of the first fastener is affixed to or otherwise attached to the exterior of the lower body clothing garment to align and mate with the at least one first portion 635 of the first fastener located on the interior of the upper body clothing garment.

[0043] In some embodiments, opposing ends of the first zipper portion 615 attached to upper body clothing garment 605 and the second zipper portion 645 attached to lower body clothing garment 640 originate and terminate, respectively, in alignment with each other when combined clothing assembly 600 is configured as depicted in FIG. 6. In some aspects, the extent to which first zipper portion 615 encircles the upper body clothing garment is matched by and corresponds to the extent to which second zipper portion 645 encircles lower body clothing garment 640. In this manner, the first zipper portion 615 and the second zipper portion 645 may be configured to matingly engage with each other via one of more zipper slider(s) to releasably attach the upper body clothing garment and the lower body clothing garment to each other. In this manner, when combined clothing assembly 600 is worn as intended by a wearer or user thereof, the combined clothing assembly 600 as shown in FIG. 6 is positioned, oriented, or otherwise aligned with the rear of the wearer or user.

[0044] In some aspects, a combined clothing assembly herein (e.g., 100 in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 600 in FIG. 6) may be worn by a wearer or user thereof (e.g., a toddler, etc.), wherein the upper body clothing garment and the lower body clothing garment can be securely attached to each other via a zipper assembly comprising a first zipper portion attached to the upper body clothing garment and a corresponding second zipper portion attached to the lower body clothing garment are provided in clothing assembly 600. Moreover, at least one tab including a first portion 642 of a second fastener located on flap 625 and a corresponding second portion 660 of the second fastener located on an exterior facing surface of the lower body clothing garment. In some instances, at least a portion of flap 625 extends away from the body of the upper body clothing garment. Additionally, at least one of a first portion 635 of a first fastener affixed to or otherwise attached to an interior of the upper body clothing garment may align with and mate with the at least one second portion 655 of the first fastener located on the exterior of the lower body clothing garment when the combined clothing assembly is worn by a wearer or user as intended. In this manner, a combination of the engaged zipper assembly and the first and second portions of the first fastener(s) (e.g., button snaps) operate or function to provide a combined clothing assembly that can be securely attached to (i.e., worn by) a wearer thereof that also restricts or at least decreases direct access to the zipper slider of the zipper assembly. In some embodiments (e.g., FIG. 6), a second fastener comprising corresponding, mating portions (e.g., FIG. 6, fastener portions 642 and 660) on each of the upper body clothing garment and the lower body clothing garment may provide an additional measure of securing the upper body clothing garment and the lower body clothing garment to each other and blocking direct access to the zipper assembly. Accordingly, a wearer or user of a combined clothing assembly herein may be securely clothed in a clothing outfit that may provide unencumbered movement of the combined clothing assembly and to the wearer thereof, while also restricting direct access to the wearer to features (e.g., a zipper assembly, one or more fasteners, etc.) that secure portions of the combined clothing assembly to the wearer.

[0045] In some aspects, a combination of the disclosed features including, for example, the zipper assembly, one or more fasteners, etc., and the access location thereof (e.g., a rear facing or other remote or distant location for a wearer to reach) may be obscured or blocked by one or more flaps or other barrier(s) of the combined clothing assembly such that they cooperate to provide the useful and beneficial features disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, a portion of the upper body clothing garment (e.g., the lower edge opening of the upper body clothing garment) may overhang at least the upper edge opening of the lower body clothing garment, thereby creating a further deterrence to removal of the combined clothing assembly by the wearer.

[0046] Although specific embodiments and configurations have been described herein, note that any number of other configurations may be provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention (e.g., in other types of clothing items and designs thereof). While embodiments have been described in conjunction with a clothing assembly including a shirt and pant that are designed to be worn together in a connected or “assembled” configuration, embodiments may include other types or designs of garments. As such, the terms “an upper body clothing garment” and “lower body clothing garment” are not intended to be limiting, and other types of “garments” may be provided and are encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0047] Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with specific examples and embodiments, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations apparent to those skilled in the art can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combined clothing assembly comprising:an upper body clothing garment including a body having a neck opening and a lower edge opening opposite the neck opening, the upper clothing garment including a first zipper portion of a zipper attached adjacent to and terminating above the lower edge opening of the upper body clothing garment and encircling the body of the upper body clothing garment and at least one of a first portion of a first fastener; anda lower body clothing garment including an upper edge opening, the lower body clothing garment including a second zipper portion of the zipper attached adjacent to and terminating below the upper edge opening of the lower body clothing garment, encircling the body of the lower body clothing garment, and configured to matingly engage with the first zipper portion via a zipper slider to releasably attach the upper body clothing garment and the lower body clothing garment to each other and at least one of a second portion of the first fastener that cooperatively engages with the at least one of the first portion of the first fastener, the first zipper portion and the second zipper portion start and terminate at a rearward facing section of the upper body and lower body clothing garments.

2. (canceled)3. The combined clothing assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one first fastener includes at least one of a button, a snap fastener, and a latch.

4. The combined clothing assembly of claim 1, wherein the second zipper portion on the lower body clothing garment is affixed to an exterior surface of the lower body clothing garment.

5. The combined clothing assembly of claim 1, wherein the first zipper portion on the upper body clothing garment is affixed to an interior facing surface of the upper body clothing garment.

6. The combined clothing assembly of claim 5, wherein the first zipper portion on the upper body clothing garment affixed to the interior facing surface of the upper body clothing garment matingly engages with the second zipper portion of the lower body clothing garment via the zipper slider to releasably attach the upper body clothing garment and the lower body clothing garment to each other.

7. The combined clothing assembly of claim 6, wherein the second zipper portion on the lower body clothing garment is affixed to an exterior facing surface of the lower body clothing garment and when the first zipper portion on the upper body clothing garment matingly engages with the second zipper portion of the lower body clothing garment via the zipper slider, the lower edge opening of the upper body clothing garment overhangs the upper edge opening of the lower body clothing garment.

8. The combined clothing assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first portion of the first fastener being attached to the upper body clothing garment via a tab of supporting material that is attached to the upper body clothing garment.

9. The combined clothing assembly of claim 8, wherein the tab of supporting material at least partially extends from the upper body clothing garment.

10. The combined clothing assembly of claim 1, wherein in an instance the at least one of the first portion of the first fastener engages with the at least one of the second portion of the first fastener, respectively, direct access to the zipper slider engaging the first zipper portion and the second zipper portion is restricted.

11. The combined clothing assembly of claim 1, wherein the zipper slider resides on the second zipper portion on the lower body clothing garment.

12. The combined clothing assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second zipper slider.

13. The combined clothing assembly of claim 12, wherein both the zipper slider and the second zipper slider reside on the second zipper portion on the lower body clothing garment.

14. The combined clothing assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second portion of the first fastener attached to the lower body clothing garment, the second portion of the first fastener to releasably engage with the first portion of the first fastener.

15. The combined clothing assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least two of the first portion of the first fastener attached to the upper body clothing garment and at least two of a second portion of the first fastener attached to the lower body clothing garment to releasably engage, respectively, with the at least two of the first portion of the first fastener.

16. The combined clothing assembly of claim 1, further comprising a flap of material attached to the upper body clothing garment, the flap of material having a first portion of a second fastener attached thereto.

17. The combined clothing assembly of claim 16, further comprising a second portion of the second fastener attached to the lower body clothing garment, the second portion of the second fastener to releasably engage with the first portion of the second fastener.

18. The combined clothing assembly of claim 16, wherein the flap of material at least partially extends from the upper body clothing garment.

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