Functional Wear

Abstract

Improved pants include front and rear panels configured and dimensioned to provide a high rear waist and lower front waist to optimize fit by a wearer in a wheelchair. Front pockets are substantially lower than the waistline and rear or inseam pockets are disposed at the inseam behind the calf on the jeans below the knee, e.g., positioned on the inner calf on the leg of the pants. An inseam zipper preferably extends from the crotch down one or both legs for easy access to a catheter, and other features are employed for optimal fit and utility.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Pants for use by a wheelchair user, comprising:
 a waist having a rear portion and a front portion, wherein the rear portion has a vertical dimension that is substantially higher than a vertical dimension of the front portion;   a crotch area below the waist positioned on a front side and a seat area below the waist on a back side opposite the front side; and   two legs extending from the crotch area and the seat area away from the waist, at least one of said legs having:
 an access extending from the crotch area to at least a knee area of at least one leg, 
 an upper pocket positioned upper portion of the leg on the front side, said upper pocket separated from the waistline by at least three inches, and 
 a lower leg pocket positioned on an inseam or rear portion of the leg below the knee area. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pants of  claim 1 , wherein the access comprises a zipper along an inseam from the crotch to an end of the leg, said zipper configured to adjustably open and close the inseam of the leg. 
     
     
         3 . The pants of  claim 1 , wherein the seat does not include any pockets. 
     
     
         4 . The pants of  claim 1 , comprising a lower leg pocket on each leg, wherein an opening of each pocket is configured and dimensioned as a slit in the rear portion of the lower leg. 
     
     
         5 . The pants of  claim 1 , wherein the waist comprises at least one elastic member connecting the front portion of the waist to the rear portion, said elastic member including a draw string for adjusting elasticity of the elastic member. 
     
     
         6 . The pants of  claim 1 , further comprising a front panel disposed between the front portion of the waist and the crotch area and a rear panel disposed between the rear portion of the waist and the seat area, wherein a vertical dimension of the rear panel is at least twice as long as a corresponding vertical dimension of the front panel.