SMOCK OR GOWN WITH ADJUSTABLE BELT

• US 3,696,443 A
• Filed: 11/16/1970
• Issued: 10/10/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boundary Healthcare Products Corp.
• Original Assignee: Glenn N. Taylor
• Inventors: Taylor, Glenn N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boler, James R.
• Application Number:
  US05/089,965
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 2/114,83,69,113,115,88,89,93,96,105,49-52,73-76,311,321,322,338,DIG.7 24/26R 206/63.2
• US Class Current: 2/114
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1209 Surgeons' gowns or dresses
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2200/10 Belts

Abstract

A gown or smock with an opening extending the length of the garment with an attached adjustable belt partially encircling the waist. The adjustable feature is a series of simple female elements in the belt which individually or severally may engage an outwardly projecting rigid male element to hold marginal portions of the opening in overlapping relationship, closing the opening. A particular embodiment is a rear-opening hospital gown with the male element attached to the gown front. When taken from its sterile packaging the belt is wound in a direction to hold the gown open when the fastening elements are engaged, but when worn the direction of winding is reversed with the belt holding the garment closed when the fastening elements are engaged.

Claims

1. A garment such as a gown or smock having an opening therein extending the length thereof, said opening being closable by overlapping marginal portions of said garment adjacent said opening, a belt attached to the waist portion of said garment, a series of female fastening elements in said belt extending lengthwise thereof, a substantially rigid male element attached to said gown on the side of the gown opposite the opening after placement of the gown on a wearer and in the path of said series of female elements, said belt extending at least from said overlapping marginal portions and engaging said male element whereby the latter projects partially through a female element on said belt thereby restricting relative movement of said marginal portions at the waist of said garment.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein the belt is attached adjacent the edge of said overlapping marginal portions.

3. The garment of claim 1 wherein the belt has weakened points at which portions thereof may be readily separated.

4. The garment of claim 2 further characterized as a surgical gown wherein the opening is a rear opening and the male element is attached to the front of the garment.

5. The garment of claim 1 wherein the belt is folded upon itself and the male element projects through at least two female elements of said belt.

6. The surgical gown of claim 4, as taken from its sterile packaging wherein the belt winds partially around the gown in a direction opposite the direction it winds when the gown is worn, said male fastening element engaging a female element in said belt so near the opening edge to which the belt is fastened that the edge portion is retained in a folded back relationship maintaining the gown in open conditions.

7. The garment of claim 1 wherein the portion of the fastening male element which first projects through the female fastening element is greater in cross-sectional area than a male element portion which subsequently partially projects through a female element.

8. The garment of claim 1 wherein the male fastening element has a shank, a head larger than the shank, and a base, all being unitary and substantially relatively immobile.

9. The garment of claim 1 wherein the male fastening element includes a malleable bendable shaft.

10. The garment of claim 1 wherein the male fastening element has a portion immediately adjacent its base which forms an inclined angle with said base.

11. The garment of claim 1 wherein female fastening elements are at least partially opened by projection therethrough of portions of the male element.

12. The garment of claim 1 wherein female fastening elements in said belt include a slit portion.