Garment with detachable legs

Abstract

A garment, preferably for infants, toddlers, young children and people with disabilities, compromises functionality to detach the garment's legs from the upper portion, wherein a caregiver may easily and efficiently change the wearer's diaper without going through effort to take their legs out from the garment's legs, while also continuing to keep the wearer comfortable by having their legs covered and warm during the diaper change. The garment comprises 2 sections; an upper portion with the bottom having the front panel and rear panel separated from each other, and a pair of legs. The legs can be connected with the bottom of the upper portion via zippers or other garment closures including, but not limited to, buttons, snap fasteners, and hook and eye fasteners.

Description

Garment with detachable legsCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONNot Applicable.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AN D DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable.JOI NT RESEARCH AGREEM ENTNot Applicable.REFERENCE TO A "SEQUENCE LISTI NG", A TABLE, OR A COM PUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPEN DIX SU BM ITTTED ON A COMPACT DISC AN D AN I NCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF TH E MATERIAL ON TH E COMPACT DISCNot Applicable.PRIOR ARTNot Applicable.BACKGROU N D OF TH E I NVENTION

[0001] With the existing design of garments with legs, the process of changing diapers is complicated and time consuming.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to garments for infants, young children or people with disabilities. More specifically, the present invention encompasses garments with detachable legs for easy and quick access to the pelvic area of the wearer thereby simplifying and speeding up diaper changes, while also keeping the wearer warmer due to the garment's legs continuing to stay on over the wearer's legs during the diaper change.SU M MARY OF TH E I NVENTION

[0003] The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key / critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purposeis to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0004] This invention relates to garments, including but not limited to pants, jumpsuits, onesies, rompers, swimsuits, bodysuits and other one-piece garments, especially garments for infants, young children and people with disabilities who need diaper changes.

[0005] The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises garments with legs. The garments comprise 2 sections; an upper portion with the bottom of the upper portion having the front panel and rear panel separated from each other, and a pair of legs.

[0006] The legs can be connected with the bottom of the upper portion via zippers.

[0007] The zippers can be replaced by other closures including, but not limited to, buttons, snap fasteners, magnetic snaps, hooks and clothing fasteners.

[0008] Compared to existing garments with legs, having functionality with legs detachable from the upper portion via zippers or other closures, quickens access to reaching the diaper while avoiding needing to have the wearer's legs taken out for diaper changes, therefore leading to faster diaper changes. In addition, the wearer is more comfortable as their legs will be covered and warm, even during diaper changes.

[0009] Additionally, being able to detach the legs from the upper portion offers parents and other caregivers a more convenient and gentler way to dress and undress their care recipient, whether an infant, toddler or person with disabilities.

[0010] The innovative product features a garment made from soft cotton or other suitable material. Further, the garments of the present invention may be available in various sizes, patterns and colors to accommodate all user needs and preferences. Exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon further development and manufacturing.

[0011] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.BRI EF DESCRI PTION OF DRAWI NGS

[0012] The drawings illustrate the design and utility of the embodiment, in which similar elements are referred to by common reference numerals. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. These drawings depict only one such typical embodiment, a onesie, and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope.

[0013] By way of further explanation of the invention, an exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a front view of a onesie style of garment with open zippers which can connect both legs with the upper portion.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of the onesie covered in FIG. 1 with a closed zipper connecting one leg with the upper portion and an open zipper which can connect the other leg with the upper portion.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a front view of the onesie covered in FIG. 1 with closed zippers connecting both legs with the upper portion.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the onesie covered in FIG. 1 with closed zippers connecting both legs with the upper portion.DETAI LED DESCRIPTION OF TH E I NVENTION

[0018] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. One embodiment is discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiment. They do not intend as an exhaustive description of the invention or do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein may be combined.

[0019] Reference to a singular item or element includes the possibility that there are more than one of the same item or element present. Examples of singular and plural forms that have been used herein include toddler and toddlers; infant and infants; onesie and onesies; fastener and fasteners, etc.

[0020] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art.

[0021] As noted above, it is oftentimes difficult and frustrating to dress and undress infants and toddlers to change a soiled diaper. More specifically, most infants and toddlers will cry, wiggle, resist and generally fidget when being dressed or undressed while having their diapers changed. Accordingly, the faster and more comfortable the entire process of diaper changes, the less frustrating it is for both the child / wearer and the parent or caregiver.

[0022] The ability to have the garment's legs detachable from the upper portion via zippers and other closures disclosed herein, offers a quicker, more convenient way for parents and other caregivers to change diapers without having to go through the entire process of dressing or undressing their child or disabled person.

[0023] It should be noted that this invention is not limited to pants, jumpsuits, onesies, rompers, swimsuits, bodysuits, or other one-piece garments; it can be applied wherever the design is needed. It can be easily seen that the system has usefulness in a variety of garments with legs.

[0024] And it is not limited to garments for infants, toddlers and people with disabilities; anyone who needs the functionality, whether they are wearing a diaper or not, could find utility in this invention.

[0025] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the system of detaching legs from the upper portion of the present invention can be used in any garment as is known without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skills in the art will appreciate the garment system 100 and its various components, as shown in the FIGS, are for illustrative purposes only.

[0026] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term "includes" is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such a term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

[0027] Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate various views of a variation of one potential embodiment of the garment with detachable legs for a onesie 100 for infants, young children and disabled persons who need diaper changes.

[0028] FIG.l illustrates a front view of the onesie 100 of the present invention in an open condition and in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, the onesie comprises an upper portion 101 where the bottom of the upper portion 101 is separated from front panel 102 to rear panel 103.

[0029] A zipper side 105L Upper runs along from the middle of the front panel 102 to the middle of the rear panel 103 on the left side of the upper portion 101 and another zipper side105R Upper runs along the middle of the front panel 102 to the middle of the rear panel 103 on the right side of the upper portion 101.

[0030] With the pair of detachable legs 104, a zipper side 105L Lower runs along the top of the left leg 104 and another zipper side 105R Lower runs along the top of the right leg 104. The legs 104 can be connected with the upper portion 101 by zipping together the zipper side 105L Upper and the zipper side 105L Lower on the left side and also zipping together the zipper side 105R Upper and the zipper side 105R Lower on the right side.

[0031] The zippers used to connect 105L Upper and 105L Lower & 105R Upper and 105R Lower could be replaced with other garment closures including, but not limited to, buttons, snaps, magnetic snaps, buckles, ties, laces, toggle fasteners, clasps, drawstrings, grommets, eyelets, cord locks, brooches or pins, knots, hook and eye fasteners, D-rings, swivel snaps, touch fasteners, self-gripping or self-adhering fasteners, hook and loop-type fasteners, or complemental parts which adhere to each other when pressed together and are adapted for use as a closure fastener.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates another front view of the onesie 100 with the right leg 104 connected to the upper portion 101 where the zipper side 105R Upper and 105R Lower are zipped together forming the closed zipper 105R. Zipper side 105L Upper and 105L Lower are not zipped together leaving the left leg 104 detached from the upper portion 101.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates another front view of the onesie 100 with both legs 104 connected to the upper portion 101 where 105L Upper is zipped together with 105L Lower forming the closed zipper 105L and 105R Upper is zipped together with 105R Lower forming the closed zipper 105R.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the onesie 100 with the same scenario as that in FIG. 3 with both legs 104 connected to the upper portion 101.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a method of reaching the pelvic area during a diaper change is illustrated. In order to change the diaper, a caregiver can detach the legs 104 from the upper portion 101 by unzipping the closed zippers on both the left and right side of the onesie 100,namely 105L and 105R. Unzipping these form zipper sides 105L Upper and 105L Lower & 105R Upper and 1O5R Lower and allows the caregiver to fully expose the diaper while keeping the wearer's legs in the legs 104. Next, the caregiver can replace the old diaper with a new one. After that, the caregiver can close the onesie by zipping back 105L Upper with 105L Lower on the left side of the onesie & 105R Upper with 105R Lower on the right side of the onesie.

Claims

received by the International Bureau on 02 December 20249AMENDED CLAIMS

1. [Amended] A garment comprising: an upper portion, the upper portion having a front panel and a rear panel, wherein the front panel is completely separated from the rear panel to form an undivided cavity at the bottom of the upper portion, and the upper portion also having a zipper side that runs along from the middle of the front panel to the middle of the rear panel on the left side of the bottom of the upper portion and having another zipper side that runs along from the middle of the front panel to the middle of the rear panel on the right side of the bottom of the upper portion; and a pair of detachable legs, wherein each leg having a zipper side that runs along the top and encircles the entire circumference of the leg, wherein each leg is configured to be individually connected to the bottom of the upper portion via these zipper sides, allowing the pair of detachable legs to be separated from each other when detached from the upper portion.

2. [Amended] A garment comprising: an upper portion, the upper portion having a front panel and a rear panel, wherein the front panel is completely separated from the rear panel to form an undivided cavity at the bottom of the upper portion, and the upper portion also having a set of magnetic closure fasteners that run along from the middle of the front panel to the middle of the rear panel on the left side of the bottom of the upper portion and having another set of magnetic closure fasteners that run along from the middle of the front panel to the middle of the rear panel on the right side of the bottom of the upper portion; and a pair of detachable legs, wherein each leg having a set of magnetic closure fasteners that run along the top and encircles the entire circumference of the leg, wherein each leg is configured to be individually connected to the bottom of the upper portion via these magnetic closure fasteners, allowing the pair of detachable legs to be separated from each other when detached from the upper portion.

3. [Amended] A garment comprising: an upper portion, the upper portion having a front panel and a rear panel, wherein the front panel is completely separated from the rear panel to form anundivided cavity at the bottom of the upper portion, and the upper portion also having a set of hook and loop fasteners that run along from the middle of the front panel to the middle of the rear panel on the left side of the bottom of the upper portion and having another set of hook and loop fasteners that run along from the middle of the front panel to the middle of the rear panel on the right side of the bottom of the upper portion; and a pair of detachable legs, wherein each leg having a set of hook and loop fasteners that run along the top and encircles the entire circumference of the leg, wherein each leg is configured to be individually connected to the bottom of the upper portion via these hook and loop fasteners, allowing the pair of detachable legs to be separated from each other when detached from the upper portion.AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)Basis for Amendments• Claim 1 : The amendments to Claim 1 are supported by the detailed description and FIGS. 1-4. As described in paragraphs [0028] to [0030], and illustrated in FIG.1 , the garment features a front panel (102) and a rear panel (103) that, when disconnected from the legs, forms an undivided cavity without obstructions. Our drawings clearly show that the entire bottom of the upper portion (101 ) has connection points for fasteners, such as zippers, magnetic garment closure systems, or hook and loop fasteners, which are not interrupted by additionalcomponents, unlike the urine non-wetting pocket in Foshan's invention.• Claim 2: The amendments to Claim 2 are based on paragraphs [0031] and [0035], with FIGS. 1 -4 illustrating the garment's unique fastening system. For example, in FiG. 2, this figure shows one detachable leg attached and one detachable leg detached, highlighting how the zipper side (105L Upper) runs from the middle of the front panel to the middle of the rear panel on the left side of the bottom of the upper portion. This configuration allows for quick and easy access during diaper changes, as described in paragraph [0008], and provides a practical advantage over the prior art.• Claim 3: Supported by paragraphs [0031] and [0035], and illustrated in FIGS. 1 -4, the amendments to Claim 3 emphasize the use of hook and loop fasteners. The drawings show the garment's ability to form an undivided cavity with instant direct access to reaching the pelvic area (crotch area), when the detachable legs are detached. The specific arrangement of fasteners along the entire bottom of the upper portion (101) ensures a secure and unobstructed connection, enhancing the garment's functionality and distinguishing it from the cited prior art.These amendments, supported by the detailed description and drawings, address the clarity issues raised under PCT Rule 66.2(a)(v) and reinforce the novelty and inventive step of our invention, as claimed.Response to ISA's Observations• Claim 1 : We clarified the complete separation of front and rear panels of the upper portion, addressing the lack of novelty in light of Tippett (US2015 / 0327605). Our design forms an undivided cavity when the detachable legs are removed, essential for specific functions like nappy changes.While Tippett's patent describes a convertible tennis garment, our design has a key innovation that sets it apart. In Tippett's design, the front and rear panels of the shorts remain connected at the crotch area, even when the legs are detached from the shorts. This means the wearer's crotch area is still covered, and there's no undivided cavity formed, once the garment's legs are detached.In contrast, our design allows for the complete separation of the front and rearpanels when the legs are detached. This creates an undivided cavity, which is crucial for functions like a nappy change, offering a practical advantage that Tippett's design doesn't provide. When reattached, the panels connect to form the crotch area, effectively transforming the garment back into pants.Given these differences in structure and function, we believe Claim 1 maintains its novelty under PCT Article 33(2).• Claim 2: The unique configuration of the connection points of the detachable legs and the structure of the crotch area provide a novel advantage over Foshan (CN 210492701 ) and Maryea (US 2015 / 0237935).I would like to highlight some key distinctions between our design and the prior art of Foshan:• Connection Points of the Detachable Legs: In our design, as detailed in revised Claim 1 , 2 and 3, each detachable leg connects individually to the upper portion, running from the middle of the front panel to the middle of the rear panel. Although Foshan's design also connects the detachable legs at the front and rear panels, the critical difference lies in the connection points. In Foshan, the legs connect from the edge of the urine non-wetting pocket (7) to the edge of the pocket fixing strip (8).• Structure of the Crotch Area: Our design features a crotch area that is formed when the pair of detachable legs are connected to the undivided cavity created by the front and rear panels at the bottom of the upper portion. In contrast, Foshan's crotch area is formed by the connection of the urine non-wetting pocket (7) to the pocket fixing strip (8), as illustrated in Figures 1-3.Regarding the potential modification of Foshan with Maryea's magnet connections, the structural differences in the crotch area and leg connections mean that such a combination wouldn't naturally lead to Claim 2. Our approach offers a novel configuration by eliminating the need for a urine non-wet pocket, not only simplifies and accelerates nappy changes, but also broadens the usability beyond nappy users, offering clear advantages in usability.Given these differences, we believe Claim 2 demonstrates an inventive step under PCT Article 33(3).7• Claim 3: Clarification of the complete panel separation addresses the novelty concern with Goldsby (US 5,182,812). Our design offers practical advantages not present in the cited prior art.Goldsby's garment, as depicted in the figures, shows that the front and rear panels of the upper portion remain connected at the crotch area, even when the legs are detached. This means that the garment does not form an undivided cavity at the bottom of the upper portion when legs are detached, and the wearer's crotch area remains covered.Our invention, however, allows for the complete separation of the front and rear panels when the legs are detached. This separation creates an undivided cavity, which is essential for functions such as a nappy change. When the legs are reattached to the upper portion, the crotch area is formed. This feature provides a practical advantage that Goldsby's design doesn't offer.Given these structural and functional differences, we believe Claim 3 maintains its novelty under PCT Article 33(2).• Clarity and Support: We have revised the claims to resolve clarity issues and ensure full support by the description, as per PCT Rule 66.2(a)(v).We believe these amendments and clarifications effectively address the ISA's concerns, maintaining the novelty and inventive step of our invention under PCT Articles 33(2) and 33(3).Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please feel free to contact us if further information is required.Sincerely,Jingjing LuoInventor+6421 128 1675

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