Systems and methods for underwear for use with limited mobility

Abstract

Underwear suitable for use with those having limited mobility, dexterity, or balance can include a body having a front portion, a rear portion, and a connecting portion. The underwear can also include a band and a waistband defined by the body and the band, collectively. A waistband closure can be used for tightening and adjusting the waistband around a waist of a user. The waistband closure can include first and second distal ends of the band. A body closure can be used for securing the body of the underwear to the band. The body closure can include a fastener on the body and a complementary fastener on the band. Accordingly, the present disclosure can provide an improved underwear and methods of donning the underwear.

1 . Underwear, comprising:
 a body having a front portion and a rear portion;   a band;   a waistband defined by the body and the band, collectively;   a waistband closure for adjusting the waistband around a waist of a user, the waistband closure including a first distal end of the band and a second distal end of the band; and   a body closure for securing the body of the underwear to the band, the body closure including a first fastener on the body and a second fastener on the band.   
     
     
         2 . The underwear of  claim 1 , wherein the body closure secures the front portion to the band via the first fastener and the second fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The underwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first distal end or the second distal end is pulled or retracted relative to the body to tighten or loosen the waistband. 
     
     
         4 . The underwear of  claim 1 , wherein, independent of the body closure, the waistband closure moves between a fastened configuration of the waistband closure and an unfastened configuration of the waistband closure. 
     
     
         5 . The underwear of  claim 4 , wherein the first distal end engages with the band on a first side of the body to achieve the fastened configuration of the waistband closure, and
 wherein the second distal end engages with the band on a second side of the body to achieve the fastened configuration of the waistband closure, the second side being opposite the first side.   
     
     
         6 . The underwear of  claim 4 , wherein the first distal end and the second distal end engage with the band at an anterior portion of the waist of the user. 
     
     
         7 . The underwear of  claim 1 , wherein, independent of the waistband closure, the body closure moves between a fastened configuration of the body closure and an unfastened configuration of the body closure. 
     
     
         8 . The underwear of  claim 1  further comprising a first slider and a second slider,
 wherein the band slides through the first slider or the second slider as the waistband is tightened or loosened. 
 
     
     
         9 . The underwear of  claim 8 , wherein the first distal end engages with the first slider and the second distal end engages with the second slider. 
     
     
         10 . The underwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first distal end and the second distal end each include a waistband closure fastener that engages with the band. 
     
     
         11 . The underwear of  claim 10 , wherein the waistband closure fastener includes a hook and loop fastener, a hook and eye fastener, a magnetitic fastener, a clasp fastener, a button fastener, a latch fastener, an adhesive, a tie, or a snap fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The underwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener of the body closure and the second fastener of the body closure each include a hook and loop fastener, a hook and eye fastener, a magnetitic fastener, a clasp fastener, a button fastener, a latch fastener, an adhesive fastener, a tie fastener, or a snap fastener. 
     
     
         13 . A closure system for underwear, the underwear having a waistband formed from a body of the underwear and a band of the underwear, the body including a front portion, a rear portion, and a connecting portion, the closure system comprising:
 a waistband closure including a first distal end and a second distal end that can be pulled or retracted to change a circumference of the waistband; and   a body closure for securing the front portion to the band.   
     
     
         14 . The closure system of  claim 13 , wherein the front portion is configured to be secured to the band via a fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The closure system of  claim 13 , wherein the first distal end and the second distal end are configured to be secured to the waistband, the front portion, or the rear portion via a waistband closure fastener. 
     
     
         16 . The closure system of  claim 13 , wherein the waistband closure includes a first slider that is configured to receive the first distal end or the second distal end. 
     
     
         17 . The closure system of  claim 16 , wherein the waistband closure includes a stopping element that limits the first distal end or the second distal end from being removed from the first slider. 
     
     
         18 . A method of adjusting an article of clothing that is worn on a lower body of a user, the article of clothing having a waistband formed from a body of the article of clothing and a band of the article of clothing, the body including a front portion and a rear portion, the method comprising:
 providing the waistband around a waist of the user;   pulling a distal end of the band in a lateral direction to tighten the waistband around the waist; and   securing the distal end to the band.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of securing the front portion to the band. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein securing the distal end to the band or securing the front portion to the band includes engaging one or more of hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, magnetic fasteners, clasp fasteners, button fasteners, latch fasteners, adhesive fasteners, tie fasteners, or snap fasteners.