Sports brassiere for nursing

Abstract

A brassiere includes a pair of shoulder straps and a pair of cup members located generally below the shoulder straps. Each of the cup members includes an inner contact layer substantially completely covering the breast of a wearer, and an outer compression layer slidably disposed in covering relation to the inner contact layer. An adjustment and securing assembly is disposed between each outer compression layer and its corresponding shoulder strap. The adjustment and securing assembly, which may be provided as a hook-and loop fastener system, is adapted and constructed to adjustably secure the outer compression layer to the shoulder strap. Attachment of the outer compression layers to the shoulder straps lifts and compresses the breasts of the wearer to reduce the potential for inertial movement of the breasts both outwardly and downwardly.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 095,250 filed Jun. 10, 1998, titled "Brassiere", now U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,498 issued Jan. 2, 2001.STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT[0002] None[0003] The invention relates generally to brassieres. In particular, the invention relates to brassieres having mechanisms to restrict inertial movement of a wearer's breasts while providing breast access for nursing.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART[0004] Variations in the form and intended functions of brassieres are as old as the garment itself. Some historians assert that as early as 2500 B.C., Minoan women on the Greek isle of Crete employed a bra-like garment that lifted their bare breasts out of their clothing. Years later, ancient Roman and Greek women took the opposite approach, strapping on a garment resembling a breast band to reduce their bust size.[0005] The modem concept of a brassiere can be traced...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The inner contact layers of the brassiere can be configured to include a cover portion adapted and constructed to cover a lower portion of the wearers breast, along with a downward compression portion disposed generally above the cover portion. The downward compression portion is adapted and constructed to exert a downwardly-acting force on the respective breasts of the wearer. Thus, in combination with the inward and upward forces exerted by the outer compression layer, the brassiere restricts inertial movement of the breasts in every possible direction.

[0014] In an embodiment, the cover portions of the inner contact layers can be fabricated from a resilient material such as LYCRA spandex, and the downward compression portions are fabricated from a material, such as POWERKNIT, having less resilience than the material from which the cover portions are fabricated. The adjustment and securing assembly can include hook and loop fasteners. Hook elements of the hook and loop fasteners can be provided on the outer compression layer, and loop elements of the hook and loop fasteners can be provided on the shoulder straps. This will allow infinite adjustment of the outer compression member to permit the wearer to select the amount of lift and compression based on such variables as breast sensitivity and degree of activity. The outer compression layer can include a body portion overlying the inner contact layer, and a tab portion extending upwardly from the body portion to a point overlying the shoulder strap. In this construction, the hook elements of the hook and loop fasteners can be provided on the tab portion of the outer compression layer. A fastening element, such as a zipper, can be provided between the respective cup members to allow the wearer to more easily put on and take off the brassiere.

[0017] A method for reducing inertial movement of a wearer's breasts in a brassiere including a pair of cup members and a pair of shoulder straps is also provided. The method includes the steps of exerting a first force on the wearer's breasts sufficient to reduce upward inertial movement of the wearer's breasts, while simultaneously exerting a second force on the wearer's breasts sufficient to reduce outward and downward inertial movement of the wearer's breasts, while also providing selective nursing access to the breast of a wearer without removing the brassiere

Problems solved by technology

As women athletes such as equestrians, snowmobilers, and mountain bikers will attest, such inertial movement frequently results in discomfort, soreness, and pain, and may even cause more serious tissue damage in severe cases.

Unfortunately, despite these efforts, none of these known brassieres provides effective restraint against inertial movement of the breast in multiple directions.

Unfortunately, little attention has been paid in the field of brassiere design to addressing the problems associated with reducing the amount of inertial movement while also accommodating the needs of nursing mothers.

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