Vest garment for acoustic stimulation of fetus

A vest garment is provided for audio stimulation of a fetus by a birth mother includes a back and a left and a right bodice. The left and right bodice are stitched to the back along the sides and over the shoulders so that arms may be passed through an armhole opening defined by the back and each bodice. One bodice includes an audio speaker pocket strategically positioned over the stomach. The other bodice includes an audio signal source pocket which need not be strategically positioned, but which is arranged so as to counterbalance the weight of the speakers in the speaker pocket. An optional microphone input to the audio source signal pocket is provided as are supplemental headphones for the mother.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a vest garment 
which may be used by pregnant women wherein the garment is fabricated to 
include an audio system which positions speakers against the fetal cavity 
or womb to thereby provide music or other audio stimulation for the fetus. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,558, the present applicant discusses a particular 
garment for audio stimulation of a fetus. That patent is incorporated here 
by reference in its entirety. That patent discloses a particular apron 
configuration which may be used in conjunction with audio equipment for 
fetal stimulation. Nonetheless, there exists a need for other types of 
garments which can be used for such stimulation purposes. The present 
invention is directed to another particularized garment. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly, the present invention comprises a garment in the form of a vest 
which includes pockets for speakers as well as an audio signal source. The 
garment may be easily used by a pregnant individual to strategically 
position the speakers adjacent the womb, yet further includes an 
arrangement of pockets for the equipment which enables the weight or load 
of the audio equipment to be evenly and effectively distributed. Thus, the 
invention comprises a garment capable of use by a birth mother and which 
includes a means for supporting and positioning, in an appropriate and 
proper manner, audio equipment, including audio speakers and an audio 
signal source. Apparatus such as tape players, radio receivers and the 
like are thus combined and held in position appropriately by means of a 
garment over the fetal cavity. A microphone system as well as an earphone 
system may be incorporated in combination with the garment and the audio 
equipment. 
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved article of 
clothing which may be utilized to facilitate audio stimulation of a fetus 
in the fetal cavity or womb. 
A further object is to provide a garment, and more particularly, a vest, 
which may be utilized to effectively and safely provide audio stimulation, 
including the sounds of a mother's voice to the fetus in the womb. 
Another object of the invention is to provide an audio stimulation device 
wherein the mother may listen through earphones to that which is being 
played or provided as an audio stimulus to the fetus. 
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be 
set forth in a detailed description which follows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to the FIGURE, the vest garment of the invention comprises a 
cloth back 10 which has a bottom or lower edge 12, a top or upper edge 14, 
side scallops 16 and 18, and sides 20 and 22. Attached to or integrally 
formed with the back 10 is a left bodice 24 and a right vest bodice 26. 
The bodice 24 is attached to, sewn to or combined with the back 10 at the 
side edge 20 of the back 10. Similarly, the right hand vest bodice 26 is 
attached, combined with or integrated with the back 10 along the side 22 
of back 10. The left bodice includes an upper shoulder end 28 which 
fastens to the top 14 of the back 10 to define an armhole. In a similar 
fashion, an upper end 30 of bodice 26 connects to the upper side 14 of 
back 10 to define another armhole. The free or open side 32 of bodice 24 
includes button holes 34 which receive buttons 36 associated with side 
edge 38 of bodice 26 so that the vest may be fastened in a fixed manner on 
the user. Of course, the positioning of the button must be preferably 
adjustable so that the user; namely, a pregnant woman can adjust the 
manner in which the vest is attached to accommodate the growth of the 
fetus. Such adjustment may be accomplished by using Velcro hook and eye 
mechanisms, buttons which are adjustable or other mechanisms which permit 
such adjustment. 
The right hand bodice 26 in the embodiment shown includes a pocket 40 into 
which speakers 42 may be positioned. Importantly, the pocket 40 is 
strategically positioned so as to position the speakers in opposed 
relation to the fetus to provide the most efficient audio stimulation 
thereof. The left hand bodice 24 further includes a pocket 44 which 
receives audio reception or playing equipment such as a player 46. The 
player 46 connects with the speakers 42 to lines 48 which extend across 
the back 10 so as not to interfere with the utilization of the vest when 
it is buttoned or closed. Optional headphones 50 may connect to the audio 
player 46. Additionally, a lapel microphone 52 may be attached to the 
vest, and more particularly, to bodice 24 in appropriate juxta position to 
the mouth of the user to provide audio input through the player 46 to the 
speakers 42 by the mother. The headphones 50 as well as the microphone 52 
are appropriately connected by lead wires 54 and 56 to the audio device 
46. 
It is possible to vary the construction the vest of the invention. As 
mentioned above, the fastening mechanism associated with the open sides of 
the vest may be varied in order to accommodate the condition of the birth 
mother. The pockets, such as pockets 40 and 44, may be adjustable but 
importantly are designed to be positioned so as to provide balanced 
counterweight on the vest to promote the comfort of the user. The 
configuration and shape of the vest may be altered or amended so as to 
accommodate the size of the individual using the garment. Thus, when all 
has been set forth the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is 
understood that the invention should be limited only by the following 
claim and equivalents thereof.