Abstract:
A fetal educator strap includes an elongated belt defining an interior surface and an exterior surface. A pouch is slidably mounted upon the exterior surface of the belt. A sound generator, including a speaker, is contained within the pouch. The speaker is directed toward the interior surface of the belt. In this manner the pouch containing the sound generator is slidable around the circumference of the belt to the optimum position as determined by the user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention pertains to learning systems for fetuses while in utero. 
   More particularly, this invention pertains to a system for moving sound transmitters to positions most properly aligned with an unborn baby&#39;s ears. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   The importance of neurological growth of unborn babies resulting from audio stimulation while still in the womb has been well established. There have been numerous devices developed for conveying sounds to a fetus through a mother&#39;s abdomen by attaching sound transmitters on support belts worn by the mothers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,998, issued to Thomas, Jr., discloses a belt that carries a portable tape recorder. A pair of audio transducers is mounted in the belt to direct sounds toward the womb. U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,539, issued to Henry et al, discloses a belt that includes a pocket for containing a portable cassette recorder or, alternatively, pockets for containing speakers. 
   However, a mother&#39;s abdomen and clothing absorb the generated sounds, reducing the volume and clarity of the sound reaching the fetus, particularly because a fetus does not stay in one position all the time. In fact, a fetus can move around to substantially different positions within the womb. For educational material, such as classical music, literature and other neurological stimulating transmissions, it is important that the fetus hears with clarity the transmitted sounds. Obviously, while louder volume is an option, but it may also become disruptive to the mother and others around her. It is preferable to provide a system for directing the transmissions toward the ears of the fetus in order to minimize the overall volume of the transmissions while maximizing the relative volume and clarity heard by the fetus. 
   A mother is aware of the position of the fetus she is carrying, particularly by knowing where the feet and/or head are located. Accordingly, the mother can direct the sound transmissions toward the head of the fetus if she is provided with an easily adjustable support system for the sound generator. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one embodiment of the present invention, an elastic belt, having a first end and an opposing second end is provided for extending around the abdomen of a pregnant woman. Adjustable attaching mechanism is provided to permit adjustment of the elastic belt to a tension level that is comfortable for the woman. A pouch, adapted to contain a sound generating device, includes a loop through which the belt is slidably received to permit the pouch to be positioned at any location along the belt. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pregnant woman applying a fetal educator strap in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial elevation view of a fetal educator strap in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of a fetal educator strap in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a pregnant woman wearing an alternative embodiment of a fetal educator strap in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   An apparatus is provided for attaching a sound generator to the abdomen of a pregnant woman to allow 360° positioning of the sound generator, relative to a support belt, around the abdomen. 
   Referring to the drawings, in which like numbered items represent like items, there is disclosed a fetal educator strap  10 . The strap  10  includes an elongated belt  12  having a first end  14  and an opposing second end  16 . The belt  12  comprises an elastic material, preferably about three inches in width. Adjacent to the first end  14  of the belt  12 , a hook section  18  of a hook and loop attachment system is secured. Adjacent to the second end  16  of the belt  12 , a loop section  20  of a hook and loop attachment system is secured. The hook section  18  is secured to the interior surface  21  of the belt  12  and the loop section  20  is secured on the outer surface  23  of the belt  12 . The loop section  20  extends over a greater length of the belt  12  in order to allow adjustment of the effective circumference of the belt  12  when the hook section  18  is attached to the loop section  20 . It will be recognized that the belt  12  may comprise multiple segments to permit greater amounts of adjustment in the circumference of the belt  12  for various sizes of women and degree of pregnancy. 
   A pouch  22  is slidably mounted upon the belt  12  by means of a sleeve  26 . The sleeve  26  is about 3.5 inches in height in the depicted embodiment, wherein the belt is about three inches wide. In this manner, the pouch  22  is slidably adjustable to any position around the circumference of the belt  12 . The pouch  22  and sleeve  26  comprise fabrics that are easily washable, such as cotton and polyester, for example. 
   The pouch  22  is sized to receive a portable sound generator  24  including one or more speakers  25 . The sound generator  24  may comprise either an analog or digital apparatus capable of storing and reproducing desirable sounds, whether musical, oral or other naturally occurring sounds. As desired, the sound generator may include a microphone input (not shown) to allow the transmission of contemporaneous, i.e. non-stored, sounds. It may also include a set of headphones (not shown) to allow the mother to listen to the same sounds generated for the fetus. Pockets  28  may be secured on or in the pouch  22  to provide protected storage locations for media or batteries for the sound generator. A flap  30  is provided on the pouch  22  in order to close the pouch  22  and prevent accidental discharge of the sound generator  24  or other contents. The flap  30  may be attached to the pouch  22  by any suitable means including snaps, buttons or hook and loop attachment systems, for example. 
   In use, the sound generator  24  is inserted into the pouch  22 . The speaker(s)  25  are directed inwardly, toward the sleeve  26 , which is located on the interior surface  21  of the belt  12 . The woman extends the first end  14  of the belt  12  through the sleeve  26  and then secures the hook section  18  to the loop section at a tension level that is most comfortable for her, ensuring that the belt  12  is sufficiently snug to prevent slippage from her abdomen. Thereafter, based upon her best estimate of where the head of the fetus is located, she adjusts the location of the pouch  22  to put the speaker(s)  25  as close to the head of the fetus as possible. In this manner, the volume and clarity of the generated sounds reaching the fetus are maximized for the volume level acceptable to the outer environment the woman is experiencing. 
   Thereafter, if the woman senses that the position of the fetus has changed, so that the speaker(s)  25  are no longer as close to the head of the fetus as possible, she slides the pouch  22  along the belt  12  to the position that is once again optimal. She does not need to adjust the whole belt  12  around her body, which can be difficult with snug-fitting elastic material. Also, if the woman is sitting or reposing and the sound generator  24  and pouch  22  are in an uncomfortable position, she can easily slide the pouch  22  to a more comfortable position. 
   The present invention also permits individualized sound generation for twins or triplets, for example. Using a single belt  12 , two or more pouches  22  containing sound generators  24  may be slidably mounted to permit speakers  25  to be aimed at different locations within the womb. This embodiment permits similar sounds to be directed to two or more fetuses or, in the alternative, different sounds for each fetus. 
   While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.