Support Apparatus For Breast Pump

Abstract

A support apparatus, which is fastened to the center and to the left and right straps of an article of clothing suitable for nursing (e.g. a nursing bra), and can be worn for extended periods of time (e.g. a full work day). The support apparatus is operable in an open and closed position. In its open position, it securely holds a breast pump's shield on a breast, enabling a woman to pump breast milk in a “hands-free” manner, while also allowing for translational motion of the breast shield. In its closed position, it lays flat against a woman's chest without obstructing access to her breasts, enabling the woman to breastfeed an infant while wearing it. By operating the two positions of the support apparatus, a woman has the option of pumping milk in a “hands-free” manner with one breast, and simultaneously breastfeeding an infant with the other breast.

Claims

1. A support apparatus for a breast pump comprising: A body configured to receive a breast pump having a funnel section and a base section, the body including three elongated arms permanently connected at the center of the body: a right arm, a left arm, and a center arm; A fastening system located on the outer edges of each elongated arm, the fastening system operable to fasten the body to an article of clothing; The right arm and the left arm each comprising a front extension and a back extension, whereby the front and back extensions are permanently connected at their outer edges; The front extensions being selectively moveable with respect to the back extensions, permitting the passage of the breast pump's funnel section therethrough; Wherein the front and back extensions operatively position the breast pump's funnel section, to securely hold it on a breast of a user.

2. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastening system is operable to fasten the three arms around a right strap, around a left strap, and around a center panel of the article of clothing.

3. The support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the article of clothing is selected from the group consisting of: nursing bra, sports bra, balconette bra, molded cup bra, and shelf bra.

4. The support apparatus of claim 3, wherein the support apparatus fastens to the article of clothing without the use of an anchor disposed on the article of clothing.

5. The support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the front extensions and the back extensions lay flat against a chest of the user.

6. The support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the front extensions and the back extensions are pulled apart to insert the breast pump's funnel portion therethrough onto the breast of a user.

7. The support apparatus of claim 4, wherein one front extension and one back extension lays flat against the chest of a user, and the other front extension and the other back extension are pulled apart to insert the breast pump's funnel portion therethrough onto the breast of the user.

8. The support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fastening system comprises: a first connector coupled to the elongated arm; a second connector coupled to the elongated arm, wherein the first connector releasably mates with the second connector.

9. The support apparatus of claim 8, wherein there are several first connectors and several second connectors on the left and right arms, spaced apart equally.

10. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastening system can be comprised from the group consisting of: hook-and-loop fasteners, hook and eye closures, buttons, clips, and bra sliders.

11. A method of supporting a breast pump on a user, the method comprising: (a) providing a breast pump having a base portion and a funnel portion; (b) providing a support apparatus comprising a body having three elongated arms permanently connected at the center of the body: a right arm, a left arm, and a center arm, the right arm and the left arm each comprising a front extension and a back extension, whereby the front and back extensions are permanently connected at their outer edges, a fastening system located at the outer edges of each arm; (c) fastening the outer edges of each elongated arm to an article of clothing; (d) pulling apart the front extension and the back extension, and inserting the funnel portion of the breast pump between the front extension and the back extension; and (c) securing the funnel portion on a breast of the user.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the outer edges of each elongated arm are fastened around a right strap, around a left strap, and around a center panel of the article of clothing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the article of clothing is selected from the group consisting of: nursing bra, sports bra, balconette bra, molded cup bra, and shelf bra.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the support apparatus is fastened to the article of clothing without the use of an anchor disposed on the article of clothing.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the front extensions and the back extensions lay flat against a chest of the user.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the front extensions and the back extensions are pulled apart to insert the breast pump's funnel portion therethrough onto the breast of a user.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein one front extension and one back extension lays flat against the chest of a user, and the other front extension and the other back extension are pulled apart to insert the breast pump's funnel portion therethrough onto the breast of the user.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the fastening system comprises: a first connector coupled to the elongated arm; a second connector coupled to the elongated arm, wherein the first connector releasably mates with the second connector.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein there are several first connectors and several second connectors on the left and right arms, spaced apart equally.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the fastening system can be comprised from the group consisting of: hook-and-loop fasteners, hook and eye closures, buttons, clips, and bra sliders.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the support apparatus fastened to a nursing bra. The support apparatus is in an OPEN position on one side, shown as securely holding a breast shield on a woman's right breast.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the support apparatus fastened to a nursing bra. In contrast to FIG. 1, the support apparatus is shown in a CLOSED position, and a woman's right breast is fully exposed.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the support apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the support apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the support apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the support apparatus shown in FIG. 3, depicted in a fastened state.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of support apparatus fastened to a nursing bra. It is shown in an OPEN position on both sides, securely holding two breast shields on a woman's left breast and right breast.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of support apparatus fastened to a nursing bra. It is in an OPEN position on one side, securely holding a breast shield on one breast; and in a CLOSED position on the other side, shown above the other breast, which is fully exposed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the support apparatus fastened to a nursing bra. The support apparatus is in an OPEN position on one side, shown as securely holding a breast shield on a woman's right breast. Nursing bra 30 contains two flaps. Flap 32 is shown unfolded on one side to expose a right breast. A front extension 1 is pulled apart from a back extension 10 in a downward motion, creating an OPEN position of the support apparatus. A breast shield 41 of breast pump 40 is inserted through the two extensions, and placed on the breast. Front extension 1 and back extension 10 securely hold the breast shield 41 in place on this breast. This secure positioning enables a woman to pump breast milk in a “hands-free” manner.

[0019] While the breast pump 40 is securely held in place, the support apparatus does not impede on the translational motion of the breast shield 41, or on a woman's ability to massage and compress her breasts while pumping. A woman can freely reposition her breast, nipple, and breast shield at different angles while wearing the support apparatus. This freedom of motion yields higher quantities of expressed milk as the breast shield and breast pump can access different milk ducts, and the massaging of breasts can lead to the expression of high levels of fat-rich, calorie-dense milk. Most breast shields are roughly the same size in circumference, as is well known by those skilled in the art, however the elasticity of the support apparatus enables it to securely support breast shields of varying sizes.

[0020] While this embodiment shows the right breast being pumped, a woman can opt to instead pump the left breast by unfolding the left flap of nursing bra, and following the above steps to secure the breast shield 41 of breast pump 40 to the left breast. Additionally, the positioning of the front extension 1 and the back extension 10 can be switched, such that the back extension 10 can be pulled apart from the front extension 1 in the downward position. This alternate position also will securely hold the breast shield in place, and will not depart from the spirit of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the support apparatus fastened to a nursing bra. In contrast to FIG. 1, the support apparatus is now shown in a CLOSED position, with a woman's right breast fully exposed. Flap 32 is unfolded to expose breast 50 and nipple 51. Unlike the OPEN position of FIG. 1, the front extension 1 and the back extension 10 are not pulled apart, but rather laying flat against each other, creating the CLOSED position of support apparatus. In this position, the support apparatus lays flat against a woman's chest without obstructing access to her breasts, enabling the woman to breastfeed an infant while wearing it.

[0022] The two extensions can remain in this CLOSED position for extended periods of time (e.g. a full work day). This frees a woman from needing to change into and/or remove the support apparatus through the day, and frees a woman from needing to change into and/or remove her bra during the day. This freedom not only saves a woman ample time, but it grants to her flexibility, because she is afforded the option to wear any bra of her choice, for any duration of time.

[0023] As also previously shown in FIG. 1, the support apparatus is fastened to the nursing bra at three points: around the right strap, around the left strap, and around the center panel. Extensions 1 and 10 are fastened around the right strap 31 of nursing bra 30, above the right breast. (While not shown, the support apparatus is also fastened around the left strap of the nursing bra, above the left breast, in an identical manner). A center extension is shown fastened around the center panel of the nursing bra, displaying a label 4.

[0024] While the current embodiment shows the support apparatus fastened to a nursing bra, any attire containing flaps that can be unfolded to expose a breast, or any intimate attire that has straps and can easily expose breasts, is compatible for wear with the support apparatus.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the support apparatus 100 constructed in accordance with the invention. Shown are: a front extension 1, a front extension 2, and a center extension 3. These three extensions contain a fastening system on each of the extension ends. Shown are snap fasteners, but any fastening system that is well known to those skilled in the art can be used (e.g. hook-and-loop fasteners, hook and eye closures, buttons, clips, bra sliders, etc.). On the front extension 1 and front extension 2 are male halves 5 of snap fasteners, and female halves 6 of snap fasteners. Male halves 5 are spaced in accordance with female halves 6. While the current embodiment shows two male halves 5 and three female halves 6, the number of snap fasteners and the spacing of snap fasteners can vary according to preferences. On the center extension 3, a standard spacing exists between the male half 5 and female half 6.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the support apparatus shown in FIG. 3. Behind front extension 1 is a separate back extension 10. Behind front extension 2 is a separate back extension 20. The center extension 3 does not have a separate back extension, however the back of center extension 3 displays a label 4. Label 4 can be marked with arbitrary identifying indicia (e.g. a brand, a logo, care information, price information, etc.). The label can be made in any preferred color of design, customizable, stitched, or pre-printed. It is shown on center extension 3, but can be placed anywhere on the support apparatus.

[0027] The current embodiment of the support apparatus is constructed of nylon elastic material to enable maximum elasticity; however, it can be constructed of any material having similar or more proficient elasticity and adjustability properties, as would be well known to those skilled in the art. Support apparatus can be made in any preferred color or design, customizable or pre-printed. Extensions 1, 10, 2, 20, and 3 can vary in range of elasticity, as well as, in thickness and in size.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the support apparatus shown in FIG. 3. Shown are three arms permanently connected at the center of the support apparatus 100: a right arm, a left arm, and a center arm. The front extension 1 and the back extension 10 also are permanently connected on their outer edges, creating the right arm of the support apparatus body. The front extension 2 and the back extension 20 also are permanently connected on their outer edges, creating a left arm of the support apparatus body. The third arm is a center arm, or described as the center extension 3.

[0029] Front extensions 1, 2 are operably moveable with respect to their corresponding back extensions 10, 20 as determined by the elasticity of the material used for the support apparatus. The distance between these front and back extensions can vary according to several additional variables such as: thickness, size, material, weight, etc. The permanent connection may be established through means of hand-stitching, machine-stitching, or any similar methods that are well known by those skilled in the art.

[0030] While the current embodiment describes the left and right arms being made of four pieces of material (extensions 1, 10, 2 and 20), in another embodiment, the left and right arms could be made from two pieces of material. Front extension 1 and front extension 2 could be made from one piece of material to constitute one front extension. Back extension 10 and back extension 20 could be made from a second piece of material to constitute one back extension. The front extension and the back extension would have a permanent connection at the center of support apparatus and a permanent connection at the two outer edges to create an identical shape as that shown in FIG. 5.

[0031] In yet another embodiment, the left and right arms could be made from one piece of material: either one long extension or one loop of material having no separations. When using one long extension, a permanent connection would be established at the center of support apparatus and at one outer edge to create an identical shape as that shown in FIG. 5. When a loop of material is used, the permanent connection would be established only at the center of the support apparatus, as a loop would already provide the additional permanent connections required to create an identical shape as that shown in FIG. 5.

[0032] The male halves 5 of snap fasteners and the female halves 6 of snap fasteners are shown on the three arms, and further described below in FIG. 6.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the front of support apparatus 100 in a fastened state. The three arms are designed to fasten around a right strap, around a left strap and around the center panel of an article of clothing suitable for nursing (as shown fastened to a nursing bra in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8). When the right arm and the left arm are in fastened states, the front extensions 1 and 2 remain visible, and the back extensions 10 and 20 become visible. The male halves are releasably mated with the female halves of the snap fasteners, causing the back extensions to bend over and leaving the remaining female halves 6 visible. When the center arm 3 is in a fastened state, label 4 is displayed. Support apparatus must be fastened to an article of clothing suitable for nursing, prior to being used in either its OPEN or CLOSED positions.

[0034] The left arm and the right arm of support apparatus 100 can accommodate various breast sizes when adjusting the male and female snap fasteners. This adjustability is noteworthy because during nursing, breast sizes can increase and decrease, many times resulting in two different breast sizes. The left arm and the right arm can be adjusted independently to accommodate: (1) different sized breasts; (2) the unique pressure required for optimal “let down”, or response to the breast pump; or (3) the varying weights of filled and unfilled breast pump containers. Less adjustability is required for the center arm, when fastened to the center panel of a bra because the size parameter is a standard size. Thus, only one male and female snap fastener is depicted on the center arm. However, additional snap fasteners can be used if size adjustability is required for the center arm.

[0035] FIG. 7 shows a front view of another embodiment of the present invention, shown fastened to a nursing bra 30. Both breasts can be pumped simultaneously in a “hands-free” manner, by positioning both sides of support apparatus in the OPEN position and providing two breast pumps 40 and 40A. Both flaps 32 and 32A of nursing bra 30 can be unfolded to expose the left and right breasts. The front extension 1 is pulled apart from back extension 10 in a downward motion. The breast shield 41 is inserted between the two extensions, and placed on the breast, while the support apparatus securely holds the breast shield 41 and breast pump 40 in place on this breast. On the other side, the front extension 2 is pulled apart from back extension 20 in a downward motion. A second breast shield 41A is inserted between the two extensions, and placed on the other breast, while the support apparatus securely holds the breast shield 41A and breast pump 40A in place on this breast. Thus, both breasts could be pumped simultaneously in a “hands-free” manner, increasing the milk storage supply for future consumption.

[0036] FIG. 8 shows a front view of another embodiment of the present invention, while fastened to a nursing bra 30. A woman can pump one breast in a “hands-free” manner, and simultaneously breastfeed an infant with the other breast. On one side, a woman can unfold flap 32 of nursing bra 30 to expose her breast. The front extension 1 is pulled apart from back extension 10 in a downward motion. A breast shield 41 is inserted between the two extensions, and placed on the breast, while the support apparatus securely holds the breast shield 41 and breast pump 40 in place on this breast. This positioning enables a woman to pump breast milk in a “hands-free” manner on one breast. On the other side, flap 32A of nursing bra 30 is unfolded to expose breast 50 and nipple 51. In this position, the support apparatus lays flat against a woman's chest without obstructing access to her breasts, enabling the woman to breastfeed an infant while wearing it.

[0037] As stated above, the present invention enables a woman while wearing any attire of her choice suitable for nursing, to pump breast milk in a “hands-free” manner, by securely holding a breast pump to a breast while allowing for translational movement of the breast shield. The invention further allows for both breasts to be pumped simultaneously; or for one breast to be pumped, while the other is being used for breastfeeding, simultaneously. The closed position of the support apparatus enables it to be conveniently worn all day underneath of any attire.

[0038] It should be appreciated that the present invention may be modified or configured as appropriate for the application. The embodiments described above are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the literal meaning as well as the range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.