Bust support

A bust support device utilizing a pillow member having a top, a bottom, and a pair of curving side portions to permit the pillow to be placed in the cleavage area of the bust. The side portions adjoining the bottom of the pillow underlie the breasts. The pillow may be supported to a garment worn by the user, or directly to the torso of the user by a pair of straps.

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to clothing articles and undergarments, and more particularly to an improved bust support apparatus for supporting the bust on the torso of a subject.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Breast enlargement due to pregnancy, nursing, breast enlargement surgery, premenstrual symptoms and the like may cause discomfort when a woman lies in a side position. In addition, wrinkles tend to develop in the cleavage area between a woman's breasts due to aging, extensive exercising, the aftermath of a pregnancy, and the like. Such wrinkles become visible and are deemed to be unsightly. It is believed that the appearance of such wrinkles is also accelerated by sleeping without a bra for reasons of comfort. For example, when a woman lies sideways in a sleeping position, gravity tends to create wrinkles in the cleavage area of the bust. When engaging in athletics, special sports bras force the breasts of a woman closer to the body in order to avoid injury. However, such positioning of the breasts may also exacerbate the formation of wrinkles in the cleavage area.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,135,961 and 3,257,666 describe pads which are used in garments to protect the user during athletic endeavors.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 147,264; 2,505,720; 5,716,255; 5,823,852; and 5,971,834 show bras which include pads and supports to add comfort to the user of the same.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,512 shows a brassiere with rigid or stretched support in the cleavage area between the breasts of the user to aid in postural support or to prevent inter-mammary wrinkles.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,160 to Wehmeyer discloses a cleavage wrinkle protector constructed of satin or similar lingerie type fabric and stuffed with polyester fiberfill. The protector includes stretch lace neck and torso straps. The protector is approximately 6½ inches long and 2½ inches wide. The protector is designed to be worn between the woman's breasts while sleeping to protect the cleavage skin from folding when she lies on her side.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,894 to Stevens describes a pillow-like protector and body support device having a central section stuffed with polyurethane and covered with soft hypoallergenic material and provided with cut-away air gaps and medial seams that form air grooves or channels. The pillows and supports are made for supporting various body parts, e.g., the neck, shoulder, torso, elbows, and tailbone. Many of the pillows/supports are capable of being used together into an integrated system for alleviating bedsores and other medical problems associated with sitting or lying in the same position for long periods of time. One embodiment of the invention relates to a coccyx protector and is adapted to slip over a bedpan. In addition, embodiments are disclosed related to breast supports. One version is a small pillow/protector with an airflow pocket. Another version is sling-like and includes an air circulation seam for the skin just beneath the pillow. Yet another version of the breast support is for protecting both breasts. Several airflow seams are provided transversely across the pillow to provide ambient air access to the breasts. A cutout enables ventilation of the torso near the base of the sternum. Straps are included to secure the same to the patient with minimum discomfort.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,772 to Fernandez teaches an anti-wrinkle brassiere specially designed for night use and as an element for preventing inter-mammary wrinkles. It is also a protection element for the back, the dorsal vertebra and it avoids back pains. It has a front portion which covers its inter-mammary zone and it prolongs on two oblique straps which are joined to the back portion, preventing the breasts to be joined. The straps which only cover the shoulder part form lateral arches which deviate from the line marked by the day brassiere, for good lymphatic drainage. It remains fastened to the skin and its inferior border is located at few centimeters under the conventional brassieres.

The foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, these patents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described and claimed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel and useful support device for the bust on the torso of a subject, which is both comfortable and firmly positioned. The support device of the present invention utilizes a pillow member having a casing forming a chamber for accommodating a filler material within the chamber. The pillow includes a top, a pair of curved side portions oriented to curve in opposite orientation from one another, and a bottom. The top, side portions, and bottom form the perimeter of the pillow such that a part of each of the side portions underlies each of the breasts of the bosom or bust of the subject when in use.

The pillow member may include support means to directly hold the same to the torso of the user. In such a case, a pair of straps may be employed fastened at four points to the pillow to allow the same to criss-cross on the back of the torso of the subject. The pillow may also be formed with four corners terminating at the extremities of the top and bottom of the pillow structure. In such a configuration, the pair of straps would each be attached to opposite corners of the pillow for achieving a criss-cross support on the torso of the subject.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the pillow may include support means directly connected to the outer surface of the casing. Such support means would interact with a garment, such as a sports bra, having a complementary fastening means. For example, such fastening means may take the form of hook and loop fasteners, adhesive material, clasps, snaps, and the like.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a support device for the bust of a torso of a subject which may be comfortably used by a subject during multiple activities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support device for the bust on the torso of a subject which easily fastens to an existing garment such as a sports bra for use with the same during sports activities.

Another object of the present device is to provide a support device for the bust on the torso of a subject which prevents wrinkles in the cleavage area of the bust.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support device for the bust on the torso of the subject which may be employed by a person to sleep without discomfort.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a support device for the bust on the torso of a subject which prevents the breasts from being pushed together, and, thus, prevents wrinkles from occurring in the cleavage area.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a novel bust support which may be employed by a woman during pregnancy, during nursing, following breast augmentation surgery, and during premenstrual conditions.

Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.

There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 4, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved bust support, generally denominated10herein.

FIG. 1illustrates a first preferred embodiment of a support device10A for use in conjunction with the bust12on the torso14of a subject16. Bust12includes breasts18and20. With further reference toFIG. 1, it may be observed that device10A includes a casing22, preferably constructed of polyester lycra, cotton polyester, or other suitable material.FIG. 2shows casing22as having an outer surface24and an inner surface26. Casing22forms a chamber28which accommodates a filler30of soft material. The material of filler30may take the form of cloth, down, polyester stuffing, liquid based materials, and the like. The chamber28may also be inflated with a gas. In the preferred embodiment depicted inFIG. 2, filling30is in the form of a sponge material.

Returning again toFIG. 1, it may be seen that casing22and filler30forms a pillow32. Pillow32possesses a top34, a pair of side portions36and38, and a bottom40. It should be apparent that bottom40may be wider than top34. It should be understood that top34and side portions36and38may extend upwardly inFIG. 1as described (dashed lines). In any case, top34, side36, side38and bottom40form a perimeter42of pillow32. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, perimeter42possesses corners44,46,48, and50.

Bottom40of the pillow32is preferably substantially wider than the narrowest width W between sides36and38, for better fit and to provide additional support beneath the breasts, especially when the woman is sitting, standing, walking, or otherwise upright. Top34of the pillow32is also preferably substantially wider than the narrowest width W between sides36and38, to contour to the natural shape of the breasts.

With further reference toFIG. 1, it may be observed that support means52is depicted. Support means takes the form of straps54and56, which may be continuations of the respective corners of the pillow32, such that there are no seams. Strap54connects to corners44and50of pillow32, while strap56connects to corners42and46of pillow32. Such structure permits straps54and56to criss-cross on the back58of subject16,FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, curved side portions36and38underlie breasts18and20of bust12. Such under lying of breasts18and20provides support thereto. In addition, the entire side portions36and38separate breasts18and20from one another when used while a subject is sleeping, engaged in an athletic activity, and the like.

The four points of connection of the adjustable straps54,56to the corners44,46,48, and50of the pillow32enable X and Y spatial adjustment of the pillow on the torso for optimal fit and comfort. The positioning of the straps54,56at the extreme corners44,46,48, and50of the pillow32cause the back of the pillow to be retained comfortably against the woman's torso, for superior support between and around the inside curvature of the breasts, and prevents the pillow from riding up or away from the breasts, even at the corners.

Turning now toFIG. 2, another embodiment10B of the present invention is shown. Embodiment10B includes pillow32and the identical components of the same as indicated inFIG. 1. However, support means60is shown and includes a pair of Velcro fasteners62. Velcro fasteners62, in hook and loop format, attach one to outer surface24of casing22and the other to a garment64, shown in portion. Garment64may take the form of a sports bra, a brassiere, a shirt, and the like. In any case, Velcro fasteners62are positioned on casing22such that pillow32is placed between breasts18and20in the same manner as that depicted inFIG. 3. Of course other fasteners may be employed such as adhesive, snaps, magnets, and the like.

In operation, the user places support device10A or10B between breasts18and20of bust12as shown inFIG. 3. Support means52in the form of criss-crossing straps54and56are employed to hold support device10A directly to the torso14of the subject16. Such support takes the form of criss-crossing straps54and56on the back58of subject16. Quartet of clasps66permits adjustment of straps54and56in the conventional manner. In the alternative, embodiment10B,FIG. 2, is employed with a garment64such that pillow32is placed between breasts18and20of the user, and attached to an overlying garment64such as a sports bra, brassiere, shirt, and the like, by support means60.

The casing, straps, and other components of the inventive device may be assembled by glue or other adhesive to reduce or eliminate seams in the construction.

The criss-cross arrangement of the straps also prevents circulation blockage and facilitates lymphatic drainage. The inventive device may also be used as a pillow for post-surgery recovery by heart patients and the like. Furthermore, the inventive pillow may be used for support and comfort during massage treatments.

Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.