Abstract:
The present invention relates to a brief for pregnant woman, specifically, relates to a brief for pregnant woman that, as desired, the height and position of the top line of the front of the brief can be lowered not to press the abdomen of the pregnant woman. The brief includes at least one upper coupling member being positioned adjacent to the top line of an upper portion of the front of the brief along the top line; and at least one lower coupling member being positioned in a lower portion of the front of the brief so as to correspond to the upper coupling member, the upper coupling member being configured to couple to the lower coupling member such that the top line of the brief is lowered to the lower portion of the front of the brief.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a brief for pregnant woman, specifically, relates to a brief for pregnant woman that, as desired, the height and position of the top line of the front of the brief can be lowered not to press the abdomen of pregnant woman. 
         [0003]    2. Background of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In general, a brief for pregnant woman is designed such that the top line of the front of the brief is positioned on the abdomen of the pregnant woman, sometimes to cover the abdomen of the pregnant woman entirely. 
         [0005]    Even though a good elastic material is used for the brief, the top line of the brief positioned on the abdomen presses the abdomen causing the pregnant woman to feel heavy and indigestion. Because most of pregnant women gain weight of 10-20 kg during pregnancy and become sensitive when due is about to come, they may feel pain however the pressing is small. Furthermore, the pain of the pregnant woman may influence on psychological state of the fetus. 
         [0006]    Therefore, it has been requested that a brief for pregnant woman which can provide comfortable room to the fetus be developed by keeping the abdomen of the pregnant woman comfortable as much as possible. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Some embodiments of the present invention are intended to resolve the above problems. The followings are some of the objects of the present invention. 
         [0008]    One object of the present invention is to provide a brief for pregnant woman that, as desired, the height and position of the top line of the front of the brief can be lowered not to press the abdomen of the pregnant woman as the abdomen of the pregnant woman distends with pregnancy period. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a brief for pregnant woman that the height and position of the top line of the front of the brief can be lowered not to press the abdomen of a pregnant woman who has a big build and abdomen, by lowering a left and a right portion of the top line which are located from the center point of the top line by a predetermined length. 
         [0010]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a brief for pregnant woman that increases manufacturing efficiency and reduces the manufacturing cost by using a simple configuration in which the top line of the front of the brief pressing the abdomen can be lowered easily by a desired height at a desired position. 
         [0011]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a brief for pregnant woman that does not require a support fixture to adjust the position of the top line of the front of the brief, and thus thereby helping the pregnant woman feel a cool wearing sensation even in summer season. 
         [0012]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a brief for pregnant woman that can be wearable as a regular brief after pregnancy period, by adjusting the position of the top line of the front of the brief. 
         [0013]    A brief for pregnant woman according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: at least one upper coupling member being positioned adjacent to the top line of an upper portion of the front of the brief along the top line; and at least one lower coupling member being positioned in a lower portion of the front of the brief so as to correspond to the upper coupling member, the upper coupling member being configured to couple to the lower coupling member such that the top line of the brief is lowered to the lower portion of the front of the brief. 
         [0014]    It is desirable that the lower coupling member comprise a plurality of couplings being positioned in a vertical direction, each coupling being configured to correspond to the upper coupling member. 
         [0015]    It is desirable that the upper coupling member comprise a loop or a button and the lower coupling member comprise a button or a loop, the upper coupling member being configured to couple to the lower coupling member by coupling the loop and the button together. 
         [0016]    It is desirable that the upper coupling member comprise a loop or a hook and the lower coupling member comprise a hook or a loop, the upper coupling member being configured to couple to the lower coupling member by coupling the loop and the hook together. 
         [0017]    It is desirable that the upper coupling member comprise a button or a button-hole and the lower coupling member comprise a button-hole or a button, the upper coupling member being configured to couple to the lower coupling member by coupling the button and the button-hole together. 
         [0018]    It is desirable that the upper coupling member comprise a male snap fastener or a female snap fastener and the lower coupling member comprise a female snap fastener or a male snap fastener, the upper coupling member being configured to couple to the lower coupling member by coupling the male snap fastener and the female snap fastener together. 
         [0019]    It is desirable that the upper coupling member comprise a male Velcro strap with hooks or a female Velcro strap with loops and the lower coupling member comprise a female Velcro strap with loops or a male Velcro strap with hooks, the upper coupling member being configured to couple to the lower coupling member by coupling the male Velcro strap with hooks and the female Velcro strap with loops together. 
         [0020]    A brief for pregnant woman according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises: at least one upper coupling member being positioned adjacent to the top line of an upper portion of the front of the brief along the top line; at least one lower coupling member being positioned in a lower portion of the front of the brief so as to correspond to the upper coupling member; and a band member being attached to the top line of the front and the rear of the brief, the upper coupling member being configured to couple to the lower coupling member such that the top line of the brief is lowered to the lower portion of the front of the brief. 
         [0021]    It is desirable that the upper coupling member comprise a loop fixed between the band member and the front of the brief and the lower coupling member comprise a button, the upper coupling member being configured to couple to the lower coupling member by coupling the loop and the button together. 
         [0022]    It is desirable that the upper coupling member comprise a loop fixed between the band member and the front of the brief and the lower coupling member comprise a hook, the upper coupling member being configured to couple to the lower coupling member by coupling the loop and the hook together. 
         [0023]    It is desirable that the upper coupling member comprise a couple of button-holes arranged in a vertical direction, each button-hole being formed in the band member and the front of the brief, respectively, and the lower coupling member comprise a button, the upper coupling member being configured to couple to the lower coupling member by coupling the one of the button-holes and the button together. 
         [0024]    It is desirable that the band member be attached to an exterior surface of the front of the brief and the hook be projected into a lower direction. 
         [0025]    It is desirable that the band member be attached to the exterior or inner surface of the front of the brief and the hook be projected into an upper direction. 
         [0026]    It is desirable that the band member be attached to the exterior and inner surface of the front of the brief surrounding the top line of the front of the brief and the hook be projected into a lower direction. 
         [0027]    A brief for pregnant woman according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises: an upper coupling member being formed as a band and positioned at the top line of an upper portion of the front of the brief along the top line; and at least one lower coupling member being positioned below the upper coupling member, an upper portion or a lower portion of the upper coupling member being attached to the front of the brief, at least one hole being formed at the lower portion or the upper portion of the upper coupling member, the lower coupling member being configured to couple to the at least one hole such that the top line of the brief is lowered to a lower portion of the front of the brief. 
         [0028]    It is desirable that the upper coupling member be further positioned at the top line of the rear of the brief along the top line. 
         [0029]    It is desirable that the lower coupling member comprise a button, a hook, or a decoration member with coupling function. 
         [0030]    A brief for pregnant woman according to embodiments of the present invention has the following advantages. 
         [0031]    First, the height of the top line of the front of the brief pressing the abdomen can be lowered as desired according to the body type as the abdomen of pregnant women distends with the period of pregnancy. 
         [0032]    Second, the position of the top line of the front of the brief can be lowered not to press the abdomen of a pregnant woman who has a big build and abdomen, by lowering a left and a right portion of the top line which are located from the center point of the top line by a predetermined length. 
         [0033]    Third, a brief for pregnancy woman according to an embodiment increases manufacturing efficiency and reduces the manufacturing cost by using a simple configuration in which the top line of the front of the brief pressing the abdomen can be lowered easily by a desired height at a desired position. 
         [0034]    Fourth, a brief for pregnancy woman according to an embodiment does not require a support fixture to adjust the height of the top line of the front of the brief, and thus thereby helping the pregnant woman feel a cool wearing sensation even in summer season. 
         [0035]    Fifth, a brief for pregnancy woman according to an embodiment can be wearable as a regular brief after pregnancy period, by adjusting the height of the top line of the front of the brief. 
         [0036]    The advantages of the present invention are not limited to the advantages described above. The advantages of the present invention include the advantages which can be derived obviously by those having ordinary skill in the art from the description below. Even though the title of the present invention is a brief for pregnant woman, it does not necessarily exclude people who is not pregnant. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]      FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ) are front views of a brief for pregnant woman according to a first embodiment. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ) are front views of a brief for pregnant woman according to a second embodiment. 
           [0039]      FIGS. 3(   a ) and  3 ( b ) are front views of a brief for pregnant woman according to a fourth embodiment. 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a brief for pregnant woman according to a seventh embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a brief for pregnant woman according to an eighth embodiment. 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a brief for pregnant woman according to the eighth embodiment. 
           [0043]      FIGS. 7(   a )- 7 ( d ) are cross-sectional views of a brief for pregnant woman according to seventh, ninth, tenth, and eleventh embodiments. 
           [0044]      FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ) are front views of a brief for pregnant woman according to a twelfth embodiment. 
           [0045]      FIGS. 9(   a )- 9 ( e ) are front views of illustrating some variations of the upper coupling members of a brief for pregnant woman according to the twelfth embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0046]    A brief for pregnant woman according to the present invention can be varied diversely and has several embodiments. Particular embodiments are illustrated in figures and will be described in detail. The present invention, however, is not limited to the particular embodiments but includes all modifications, variations, and equivalents that are falling within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0047]      FIG. 1(   a ) is a front view of a brief for pregnant woman according to a first embodiment. A brief for pregnant woman according to the first embodiment comprises a front  10 , a rear  20 , a crotch portion  30 , an upper coupling member  110 , and a lower coupling member  120 . 
         [0048]    The upper coupling member  110  is positioned adjacent to the top line  12  of an upper portion of the front  10  of the brief. In the first embodiment, the upper coupling member  110  is attached to a center portion of the top line  12  of the front  10 . In the first embodiment, the upper coupling member  110  comprises a loop and is denoted as the loop  110  for convenience. The loop  110  can be various forms and made of various materials. For example, the loop  110  can be a form of strap and thread, fabric, piping, band, plastic, metal, or decorative ring can be utilized. Elastic material can also be utilized. 
         [0049]    The lower coupling member  120  is positioned in a lower portion of the front  10  to correspond to the loop  110 . In the first embodiment, the lower coupling member  120  comprises a button and is denoted as the button  120  for convenience. In the first embodiment, the term “correspond to” means that the button  120  is positioned to couple to the loop  110  together as a pair and a vertically lower location below the loop  110  is desirable for the corresponding position. This interpretation of the term applies to other embodiments. 
         [0050]    The button  120  is positioned to correspond to the loop  110  and two buttons may be positioned in a vertical direction. According to the size of the abdomen of pregnant woman, one of the buttons  120  is selected and coupled to the loop  110  so that the height of the top line  12  of the front  10  can be adjusted appropriately. In the first embodiment, two buttons are used, but one button or three buttons may be used. Furthermore, a button and a loop may be used as the upper coupling member and the lower coupling member, respectively. 
         [0051]    When the button  120  is coupled to the loop  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1(   b ), the top line  12  of the front  10  becomes a new top line  12   a , lowering the top line  12  of the front  10 . This helps alleviate the pressing on the abdomen of pregnant woman and make the pregnant woman comfortable. Furthermore, the manufacturing efficiency is increased and the manufacturing cost is reduced by adjusting the position of the top line  12  of the front  10  easily using a simple configuration like the embodiment. 
         [0052]      FIG. 2(   a ) is a front view of a brief for pregnant woman according to a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the brief for pregnant woman includes a front  10 , a rear  20 , and a crotch portion  30  as in the first embodiment. 
         [0053]    In the second embodiment, the upper coupling member  210  comprises loops, and is denoted as the loops  210  for convenience. The loops  210  are positioned adjacent to the top line  12  of the front  10  and two loops are used in the second embodiment. Each of the two loops  210  is positioned in a left portion and in a right portion which are located from the center of the top line  12  of the front  10  by a predetermined length, respectively. The loops  210  can be various forms and made of various materials. For example, the loops  210  can be a form of strap and thread, fabric, piping, band, plastic, metal, or decorative ring can be utilized. Elastic material can also be utilized. 
         [0054]    The lower coupling member  220  is positioned in a lower portion of the front  10  to correspond to the loops  210 . In the second embodiment, the lower coupling member  220  comprises buttons and is denoted as the buttons  220  for convenience. The buttons  220  are positioned to correspond to the loops  210  and two buttons are positioned in a vertical direction for each loop. According to the size of the abdomen of pregnant woman, one of the buttons  220  is selected and coupled to the loops  210  so that the position of the top line  12  of the front  10  can be adjusted appropriately. In the second embodiment, two buttons are used for each loop, but one button or three buttons may be used. Furthermore, a button and a loop may be used as the upper coupling member and the lower coupling member, respectively. 
         [0055]    When the buttons  220  are coupled to the loop  210 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2(   b ), the top line  12  of the front  10  becomes a new top line  12   a , lowering the top line  12  of the front  10 . This helps alleviate the pressing on the abdomen of pregnant woman and make the pregnant woman comfortable. Furthermore, even a pregnant woman who has a big build and abdomen can avoid the pressing on the abdomen effectively, since the left portion and the right portion of the top line  12  of the front  10  are lowered to a lower part of the front. 
         [0056]    In the second embodiment, it is illustrated that one loop  210  is positioned in the left portion of the top line and the other loop  210  is positioned in the right portion of the top line. However, two or more loops  210  may be positioned in each left and right portion along the top line  12  of the front  10 . 
         [0057]    In the first and second embodiment described above, the upper coupling member comprises loops and the lower coupling member comprises buttons. As will be described below, a coupling configuration applied in third to sixth embodiments can be applied to the configuration of the upper coupling member and the lower coupling member of the first and second embodiments. 
         [0058]    In a third embodiment, it may have a configuration that the upper coupling member comprises a loop and the lower coupling member comprises a hook, or vice versa. The loop and the hook can be made of plastic or metal material and a decorative ring can be utilized to enhance an esthetic sense of the brief. 
         [0059]    In a fourth embodiment, it may have a configuration that the upper coupling member comprises a button hole and the lower coupling member comprises a button.  FIGS. 3(   a ) and ( b ) illustrate the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the upper coupling member  310  is denoted as the button hole  310  and the lower coupling member  320  is denoted as the button  320  for convenience. 
         [0060]    In the fourth embodiment, the top line  12  of the front  10  is turned inside out once, as illustrated in  FIG. 3(   b ), in order to couple the button hole  310  to the button  320 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 3(   a ) illustrates that the upper coupling member comprises button holes and the lower coupling member comprises buttons. But the upper coupling member may comprise button and the lower coupling member may comprise button holes. In this case, the top line  12  of the front  10  is also turned inside out once, as illustrated in  FIG. 3(   b ), in order to couple the buttons to the button holes. 
         [0062]    In a fifth embodiment, the upper coupling member comprises a male snap fastener and the lower coupling member comprises a female snap fastener, or vice versa. Snap fastener is also called as popper. The top line  12  of the front  10  is also turned inside out once, as illustrated in  FIG. 3(   b ), in order to couple the male snap fastener to the female snap fastener. 
         [0063]    In a sixth embodiment, the upper coupling member comprises a male Velcro strap with hooks and the lower coupling member comprises a female Velcro strap with loops, or vice versa. The top line  12  of the front  10  is also turned inside out once, as illustrated in  FIG. 3(   b ), in order to couple the male Velcro strap with hooks to the female Velcro strap with loops. 
         [0064]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a brief for pregnant woman according to a seventh embodiment. The brief for pregnant woman according to the seventh embodiment comprises a front  10 , a rear  20 , a crotch portion  30 , an upper coupling member  410 , and a lower coupling member  420 . 
         [0065]    The seventh embodiment illustrates the connection among a band member  430 , the front  10 , and the upper coupling member  410  in detail. The band member  430  is attached to an exterior surface of the front  10  in the seventh embodiment, and the band member  430  is attached along the top line  12  of the front  10  and the top line  22  of the rear  20 . Elastic materials are desirable for the band member  430 , but non-elastic material may be used. It is desirable that the band member  430  be attached to the front  10  and the rear  20  with stitching. 
         [0066]    In the seventh embodiment, the upper coupling member  410  comprise a loop, and is denoted as the loop  410  for convenience. The loop  410  is fixed between the band member  430  and the exterior surface of the front  10  and is projected into a lower direction. It is desirable that the loop  410  be fixed with stitching at the same time when the band member  430  is stitched to the front, and thus thereby fixing the loop  410  to the front  10  firmly. Various materials can be used for the loop  410 . For example, the loop  410  can be a form of strap and thread, fabric, piping, or band can be utilized. Elastic material can also be utilized. 
         [0067]    The lower coupling member  420  is positioned in a lower portion of the front  10  to correspond to the loop  410 . In the seventh embodiment, the lower coupling member  420  comprises buttons and is denoted as the buttons  420  for convenience. The buttons  420  are positioned to correspond to the loop  410  and two buttons are positioned in a vertical direction. According to the size of the abdomen of pregnant woman, one of the buttons  220  is selected and coupled to the loops  210  so that the position of the top line  12  of the front  10  can be adjusted as desired. In the seventh embodiment, two buttons are used for illustration purpose, but one button or three buttons arranged in a vertical direction may be used. Furthermore, as in the second embodiment, loops and the buttons may be positioned in a left portion and a right portion of the front. As in the third embodiment, the lower coupling member may comprise a hook. The hook can be made of plastic or metal material and a decorative ring can be utilized to enhance an esthetic sense of the brief. 
         [0068]    When one of the buttons  420  is coupled to the loop  410 , the top line  12  of the front  10  is lowered to a lower position. This helps alleviate the pressing by the brief on the abdomen of pregnant woman. 
         [0069]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a brief for pregnant woman according to an eighth embodiment. 
         [0070]    The brief for pregnant woman according to the eighth embodiment comprises a front  10 , a rear  20 , a crotch portion  30 , an upper coupling member  510 , and a lower coupling member  520 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 5  illustrates a band member  530  attached to an exterior surface of the front  10  and the rear  20 , but the band member  530  may be attached to an inner surface of the front  10  and the rear  20  or may be formed to surround the top line of the front  10  and the rear  20 . 
         [0072]    The band member  530  is attached to the exterior surface of the front  10 , and is attached along the top line  12  of the front  10  and the top line  22  of the rear  20 . Elastic materials are desirable for the band member  530 , but non-elastic material may be used. It is desirable that the band member  530  be attached to the front  10  and the rear  20  with stitching. 
         [0073]    In the eighth embodiment, the upper coupling member  410  comprises two button holes, and is denoted as the button holes  510  for convenience. The button holes  410  comprise an upper button hole  510   a  and a lower button hole  510   b . It is desirable that the upper button hole  510   a  be formed in the band member  530  and the lower button hole  510   b  be formed in the front  10  at a lower position below the upper button hole  510   a.    
         [0074]    The lower coupling member  520  is positioned in a lower portion of the front  10  to correspond to the button holes  510 . In the eighth embodiment, the lower coupling member  520  comprises buttons and is denoted as the buttons  520  for convenience. The buttons  520  are positioned to correspond to the button holes  510  and an upper button  520   a  and a lower button  520   b  are positioned in a vertical direction. According to the size of the abdomen of pregnant woman, one of the buttons  520  is selected and coupled to the button holes  510  so that the position of the top line  12  of the front  10  can be adjusted as desired. When one of the buttons  520  is coupled to one of the button holes  510 , the top line  12  of the front  10  is lowered to a lower position. This helps alleviate the pressing by the brief on the abdomen of pregnant woman and make the pregnant woman comfortable. 
         [0075]      FIG. 6  illustrates a coupling configuration of a brief for pregnant woman according to an eighth embodiment. In the eighth embodiment, an upper button hole  510   a  or a lower button hole  510   b  may be coupled to an upper button  520   a  or a lower button  520   b , as in the fourth embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3(   b ), by lowering the top line  12  of the front  10 . Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , one of the buttons, the upper button  520   a  in here, may be coupled to the lower button hole  510   b  and the upper button hole  510   a  in turn by folding an upper portion of the front  10  twice, and thus thereby coupling one of the buttons  520  to the button holes  510  firmly. 
         [0076]    In the eighth embodiment, two buttons are used for illustration purpose, but one button or three buttons arranged in a vertical direction may be used. Furthermore, as in the second embodiment, the button holes  510  and the buttons  520  may be positioned in a left portion and a right portion of the front. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 7(   a )- 7 ( d ) illustrate detailed variations of coupling configuration between a loop and a band member of a brief for pregnant woman. 
         [0078]      FIG. 7(   a ) illustrates a cross-sectional view of a brief for pregnant woman according to the seventh embodiment. The band member  430  is attached to an upper portion of the exterior surface of the front  10  along the top line  12  of the front  10  and may be further attached along the top line of the rear. The loop  410  is fixed between the band member  430  and the exterior surface of the front  10  and is projected into a lower direction. 
         [0079]      FIG. 7(   b ) illustrates a cross-sectional view of a brief for pregnant woman according to the ninth embodiment. The band member  630  is attached to an upper portion of the exterior surface of the front  10  along the top line  12  of the front  10  and may be further attached along the top line of the rear. The loop  610  is fixed between the band member  630  and the exterior surface of the front  10  and is projected into an upper direction. The loop  610  is coupled to the button  620  by folding the upper portion of the front  10  in a lower direction. 
         [0080]      FIG. 7(   c ) illustrates a cross-sectional view of a brief for pregnant woman according to the tenth embodiment. The band member  730  is attached to an upper portion of the inner surface of the front  10  along the top line  12  of the front  10  and may be further attached along the top line of the rear. The loop  710  is fixed between the band member  730  and the inner surface of the front  10  and is projected into an upper direction. The loop  710  is coupled to the button  720  by folding the upper portion of the front  10  in a lower direction. 
         [0081]      FIG. 7(   d ) illustrates a cross-sectional view of a brief for pregnant woman according to the eleventh embodiment. The band member  830  surrounds the top line  12  of the front  10  and is attached to an inner surface and exterior surface of the front  10  along the top line  12  of the front  10  and may be further attached along the top line of the rear. The loop  810  is fixed between the band member  830  and the exterior surface of the front  10  and is projected into a lower direction. 
         [0082]      FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ) are front views of a brief for pregnant woman according to a twelfth embodiment. The brief for pregnant woman according to the twelfth embodiment comprises a front  10 , a rear  20 , a crotch portion  30 , an upper coupling member  910 , and a lower coupling member  920 . 
         [0083]    The upper coupling member  910  is a form of band. It is desirable that the upper coupling member  910  be attached to the top line  12  of the front  10  along the top line  12 . The upper coupling member  910  may be further attached to the top line  22  of the rear  20  along the top line  22  of the rear  20 . 
         [0084]    An upper portion  911  of the upper coupling member  910  may be attached to an exterior surface or inner surface of the front  10  with stitching and may also be attached by an adhesive. The upper portion  911  of the upper coupling member  910 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8(   a ), is attached to the front  10  of the brief with stitches  913 , but a lower portion  912  of the upper coupling member  910  is not attached to the front  10  of the brief. A plurality of holes  915  are formed in the lower portion  912  of the upper coupling member  910 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8(   a ), it is desirable that the plurality of holes  915  be arranged in a row along the top line  12 . Elastic materials are desirable for the upper coupling member  910 , but non-elastic material may be used. 
         [0085]    As a variation of the upper coupling member  910 , the lower portion  912  of the upper coupling member  910  may be attached to the exterior surface or inner surface of the front  10  of the brief. In this case, the upper portion  911  of the upper coupling member  910  is not attached to the front  10  of the brief. The upper portion  911  of the upper coupling member  910  is projected into an upper direction beyond the top line  12  of the brief and a plurality of holes  915  are formed in the upper portion  911 . It is desirable that the plurality of holes  915  be arranged in a row along the top line  12 . 
         [0086]    The lower coupling member  920  is attached to the front  10  of the brief and may be further attached to a portion of the rear  20  abutting to the front  10 . The lower coupling member  920  is positioned in a lower portion of the front below the upper coupling member  910 . It is desirable that the lower coupling member  920  comprise buttons, hooks or decoration members with coupling function and is denoted as the buttons  920  for convenience. A plurality of buttons  920 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8(   a ), are positioned in a lower portion below the upper coupling member  910  and may be arranged in a left portion and in a right portion along the top line  12  or arranged in a vertical direction. The position of the top line  12  of the front  10  can be adjusted according to the size of the abdomen of pregnant woman, by selecting appropriate buttons and coupling them to the holes  915  of the upper coupling member  910 . 
         [0087]    When the buttons  920  are coupled to the holes  915 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8(   b ), the top line  12  of the front  10  becomes a new top line  12   a , lowering the top line  12  of the front  10  to a lower portion of the abdomen of pregnant woman and thus thereby alleviating the pressing on the abdomen and making the pregnant woman comfortable. Furthermore, the manufacturing efficiency is increased and the manufacturing cost is reduced by adjusting the position of the top line  12  of the front  10  easily using a simple configuration like the embodiment. The top line  22  of the rear  20  can also be adjusted to a new top line  22   a  according to the position of the buttons  920 . 
         [0088]      FIGS. 9(   a )- 9 ( e ) are front views illustrating some variations of the upper coupling member of a brief for pregnant woman according to the twelfth embodiment.  FIGS. 9(   a )- 9 ( e ) illustrate various forms of the upper coupling member  910   a - 910   e  and holes  915   a - 915   e  and their functions are as described above. The upper coupling member of the brief for pregnant woman according to the twelfth embodiment is not limited to the forms and configurations illustrated and may be changed further to various forms and configurations. Moreover, elastic materials are desirable for the upper coupling member, but non-elastic material may be used. 
       REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           10 : front 
           12 : top line of the front 
           20 : rear 
           22 : top line of the rear 
           30 : crotch portion 
           110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510 ,  610 ,  710 ,  810 ,  910 : upper coupling member 
           120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420 ,  520 ,  620 ,  720 ,  820 ,  920 : lower coupling member 
           430 ,  530 ,  630 ,  730 ,  830 : band member 
           911 : upper portion of upper coupling member 
           912 : lower portion of upper coupling member 
           913 : stitches 
           915 : holes