Garments for people with all abilities

Abstract

Garments that can be readily put on and are of use by the physically disabled utilize, among other things, pulley systems, magnetic snaps, and magnetic straps. Such elements may be used separately or in combination of two more thereof. The pule systems can be used to readily adjust a length or a circumference of a portion of the garments. The magnetic snaps disclosed herein allow a wearer to easily open and close garments by interlocking two magnetic snaps that neatly fit into each other without having to worry about the snaps attached to an unwanted object. The magnetic straps can be used to secure a disposition of a strap that adjusts a position of a portion of garments. The pulley system comprises at least one strap and a channel that surrounds the at least one strap. The strap slides within the channel to push or pull a target portion that is attached to the strap.

1 . A garment configured for easy dressing and undressing by the physically disabled in the form of a wrap-around garment wherein when worn there is considerable overlap between the left front portion and a side front portion of the garment; the front portion and side portions are secured to each other by at least one magnetic fastener. 
     
     
         2 . The garment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the garment includes a portion that wraps around a shoulder wherein a flap attached to the back of the garment when worn by a wearer extends over the wearers shoulder and is secured to the front of the garment by at least one magnetic fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The garment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic fastener includes a pair of components one or more magnet being encased in a plastic matrix in each component of the pair, the opposing surfaces of each component of the pair of snaps being configured to “fit” with the other. 
     
     
         4 . The garment as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first component of a pair of snaps comprises a cylindrical portion housing plurality of magnets, said cylindrical portion having a plurality of holes in its inner wall and the second component of the pair of snaps body comprises a cylindrical portion housing plurality of magnets, said cylindrical portion having a plurality of holes in its outer, the cylindrical portion of the second component being configured to fit into a hollow portion in the cylindrical portion of the first component such that the first component and the second component interlock with each other. 
     
     
         5 . The garment as claimed in  claim 1 , having one or more sleeves, said sleeves having wide sleeve openings and dropped armholes to facilitate putting the garment on or taking it off. 
     
     
         6 . The garment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the garment is provided with one or more slits in the rear to make it easier for the user to get into or out of or sit in a wheel chair. 
     
     
         7 . The garment as claimed in  claim 1 , made of cotton, jersey, a light weight breathable fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The garment as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve opening comprises a closing mechanism whereby the sleeve opening may be adjusted after the garment has been put on by the arm hole being closed by pulling on a ribbon attached to a pulley mechanism within the sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The garment as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said pulley mechanism comprises at least one strap running within a channel sewn or otherwise fitted into the garment wherein said strap has magnets mounted on it and said channel has magnets mounted in it so that the strap may be pulled to result in magnets on the strap and magnets in the channel interacting with each other to result in a sleeve opening of the desired size. 
     
     
         10 . The garment as claimed in  claim 9 , comprising two straps bearing magnets wherein each strap is of a different color, said straps being arranged so that pulling one will reduce the size of the sleeve opening and pulling the other will increase the size of the sleeve opening. 
     
     
         11 . A garment configured for easy dressing and undressing by the physically disabled wherein the dimensions of a part of the garment may be adjusted by pulling on a ribbon attached to a pulley mechanism within the part whose dimensions are to be adjusted wherein said pulley mechanism comprises at least one strap running within a channel sewn or otherwise fitted into the garment wherein said strap has magnets mounted on it and said channel has magnets mounted in it so that the strap may be pulled to result in magnets on the strap and magnets in the channel interacting with each other to result in the desired adjustment of the dimension. 
     
     
         12 . The garment as claimed in  claim 11 , comprising two straps bearing magnets wherein each strap is of a different color, said straps being arranged so that pulling one will reduce the dimension and pulling the other will increase the dimension. 
     
     
         13 . The garment as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the dimension corresponds to a wearer's waist size. 
     
     
         14 . The garment as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said channels are fitted into a pleated part of the garment. 
     
     
         15 . The garment as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the dimension corresponds to a desired skirt length. 
     
     
         16 . A pair of magnetic snaps wherein a first component of a pair of snaps comprises a cylindrical portion housing plurality of magnets, said cylindrical portion having a plurality of holes in its inner wall and a second component of the pair of snaps body comprises a cylindrical portion housing plurality of magnets, said cylindrical portion having a plurality of holes in its outer, the cylindrical portion of the second component being configured to fit into a hollow portion in the cylindrical portion of the first component such that the first component and the second component interlock with each other. 
     
     
         17 . A garment configured for easy use by the physically disabled which comprises a garment for the lower body having a plurality of horizontal pleats said garment being provided with a pulley mechanism comprising a drawstring operably linked to said pleats and a handle attached to the upper end of the drawstring wherein the pulley system used in conjunction with the pleats is operable to adjust the length of the garment. 
     
     
         18 . The garment as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the garment has one or more pockets and the handle attached to the upper end of the drawstring is located in a pocket. 
     
     
         19 . The garment as claimed in  claim 17  that is a pair of trousers configured such that when the drawstring is pulled, the lower end of each trouser leg is raised in a manner similar to the raising of a Venetian blind. 
     
     
         20 . The garment as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said operable linkage between the drawstring and the pleats is effected by the drawstring having a weight at its lower end and running through rings attached to one or more pleats.