Suicide prevention clothing

• US 8,375,466 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2008
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Servovita, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Servovita, Inc.
• Inventors: Tasezen, Ayla, Schilling, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TOMPKINS, ALISSA JILL
• Application Number:
  US12/034,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20080230075A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,826 Days
• Field of Search: 2 6/9, 211/4, 2 5/1, 2 8/1
• US Class Current: 2/69
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1236 Patients' garments
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2300/50 Seams
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/245 using layered materials

Abstract

An article of clothing that can be worn by suicidal inmates and medical patients is provided. In one embodiment, the article of clothing is comprised of a high-strength fabric consisting of an outer layer of tear-proof material, an inner layer of soft material, and a third layer of insulating material between the outer and inner layers that provides warmth and bulk to the fabric. The three layers are joined together with a nylon thread. The article of clothing is further comprised of at least one sleeve section that is removably attached to at least in part to a torso section, wherein the at least one sleeve section detaches from the torso section to prevent a user from injuring or killing himself. In another embodiment, the article of clothing is comprised of a non-woven cellular material with very low tensile strength that cannot effectively be fashioned into a rope or noose.

Claims

1. An article of clothing for suicide prevention, comprising:

an outer layer consisting of a polyester material that is greater than 300 denier, said outer layer being tear-resistant,

an inner layer consisting of a cotton material that is greater than 7.2 ounces;

a middle layer between said outer and inner layers, said middle layer consisting of a polyester fiberfill material that is greater than 2 ounces; and

a nylon thread material for holding said outer, inner and middle layers together,

whereby a user is prevented from tearing said outer layer into strips and using said strips to construct a rope for committing suicide; and

said article of clothing is a smock comprising;

a torso section for covering at least a portion of a torso of said user;

at least one sleeve section for covering at least a portion of at least one arm of said user; and

a plurality of interlocking removable fastening devices for connecting, at least in part, said at least one sleeve section to said torso section.

2. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein said nylon thread material is greater than 33 denier.

3. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein said plurality of interlocking removable fastening devices comprise hook-and-loop fasteners.

4. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein said plurality of interlocking removable fastening devices are further for connecting a left portion of said torso section to a right portion of said torso section on a front side of said user.

5. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein said plurality of interlocking removable fastening devices are further for connecting a front portion of said at least one sleeve section to a back portion of said at least one sleeve section.

6. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein said polyester material consists of 600 denier polyester.

7. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein said cotton material consists of 8.5 ounce cotton.

8. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein said polyester fiberfill material consists of 4 ounce polyester fiberfill.

9. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein said nylon thread material consists of 69 denier nylon thread.

10. An article of clothing for suicide prevention, comprising:

a torso section for covering at least a portion of a torso of a user;

at least one sleeve section for covering at least a portion of at least one arm of said user; and

a plurality of interlocking removable fastening devices for connecting, at least in part, said at least one sleeve section to said torso section,

whereby said plurality of interlocking fastening devices are adapted to prevent said user from using said torso section and said at least one sleeve section as a rope and a noose, respectively, for committing suicide;

wherein said torso and said at least one sleeve sections comprise;

an outer layer consisting of a polyester material;

an inner layer that consists of a cotton material that is greater than 7.2 ounces;

a middle layer between said outer and inner layers, said middle layer consisting of a polyester fiberfill material; and

a thread material for holding said outer, inner and middle layers together.

11. The article of clothing of claim 10, wherein said polyester material is greater than 300 denier.

12. The article of clothing of claim 10, wherein said plurality of interlocking removable fastening devices are further for connecting a left portion of said torso section to a right portion of said torso section.

13. The article of clothing of claim 10, wherein said plurality of interlocking removable fastening devices are further for connecting a front portion of said at least one sleeve section to a back portion of said at least one sleeve section.

14. An article of clothing for suicide prevention, comprising:

a torso section for covering at least a portion of a torso of a user;

at least one sleeve section for covering at least a portion of at least one arm of said user; and

a plurality of interlocking removable fastening devices for connecting, at least in part, said at least one sleeve section to said torso section,

whereby said plurality of interlocking fastening devices are adapted to prevent said user from using said torso section and said at least one sleeve section as a rope and a noose, respectively, for committing suicide;

wherein said torso and said at least one sleeve sections comprise;

an outer layer consisting of a polyester material;

an inner layer comprising at least a cotton material;

a middle layer between said outer and inner layers, said middle layer consisting of a polyester fiberfill material; and

a thread material that consists of a nylon thread material that is greater than 33 denier and is for holding said outer, inner and middle layers together.