Patent Publication Number: US-8113911-B1

Title: Maternity body support

Description:
This utility patent application is based on and claims the priority filing date of the provisional patent application (Ser. No. 61/198,692) filed on Nov. 7, 2008. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     Notice is hereby given that the following patent document contains original material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile or digital download reproduction of all or part of the patent document, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to garments designed to support the abdomen of a pregnant woman and, more particularly to garments designed to support the woman&#39;s spine and pelvis. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The posterior pelvic joints, also called the sacro-iliac joints, are functional joint complexes that connect the two pelvic bones (innominates) to the wedge-shaped tailbone (sacrum). The movement of the pelvic bones within this functional joint complexes occurs in three planes of motion. The movement within these three planes is referred to as the anterior and posterior rotatory movements of the innominates. Posterior rotatory movements of the pelvic bones increase the stability of the sacro-iliac joints. Conversely, anterior rotatory movements of the pelvic bones reduce the stability of the sacro-iliac joints. 
     Like the movement of the pelvic bones, the shoulder complex (scapular-humeral complex) is another functional joint complex that involves movement in several planes of motion. The structures in the shoulder involve the clavicle, the scapula, the upper spinal vertebrae, and the upper end of the humerous. 
     Humans should move in a reciprocal (contra-lateral) manner when walking which means that the left upper limb and right lower limb function as a unit and the right upper limb and left lower limb function as a unit during upright movement activities. Ideally, when walking, the right arm and left leg should swing forward at the same time as does the opposing left arm and right leg, respectively. By using a side-to-side counter-balance between the upper and lower limbs, increase stability is achieved during upright movement activities. 
     When walking, the moment of highest challenge on these functional units occurs just after the heel of the leading foot strikes the ground and body&#39;s weight begins to project over the foot. At this moment, the pelvic bone experiences its greatest stability challenge as the upward projecting force coming through the lower limb is met by the opposing downward projecting force created by the weight of the forward leaning upper body. At the same time, the opposing shoulder complex is at its moment of highest strain as the arm and shoulder are projecting forward to counterbalance the forward step of the opposite lower limb. What is observed over the shoulder complex is a forward and inward movement of the arm, a forward and outward movement of the shoulder blade, and an increased reverse curve in the upper back. 
     In pregnancy, the additional weight of the fetus in front of the pelvis further challenges these functional units by moving the pelvic joints towards their less stable, anterior rotatory position as well as creating additional compensatory torsional movement through the opposing shoulder complex. 
     During pregnancy, the position and weight of the fetus and increase size of the uterus disrupts the desired, upright balance of the body. In response to growth of the fetus and uterus, the pelvic bones rotate forward in a three dimensional pattern and the amount of curvature to the spine increases. To maintain an upright balance, the body compensates by swaying the shoulder backwards. The consequence of this postural disruption is a progressive increase in the upper and lower curves of the spine. As a result, lower back and pelvic pain is a major source of discomfort in pregnancy. 
     The inventors believe that what is needed is a maternity body support that provides greater functional stabilization. In order to provide functional stability, the body support should apply forces to the pelvic bones and shoulder complexes which (a) directly reverse or oppose their direction of maternity induced stress in all planes of motion, and (b) provide direct vertical support. Also, the garment should apply forces to the shoulder complexes which reverse or oppose the compensatory movements. In other words, the directional force applied to the front side of the pelvic bones needs to be: (a) backward, upward and inward combined and (b) combined with a direct upward force. The directional forces applied to the shoulder complexes needs to be backward-outward on the arm and backward-upward to the shoulder blade, and a straightening of the spinal curve in the upper back. 
     Ideally, the support for each functional unit should be coupled to provide a counterbalance to the forces being exerted on the body. This means that the right pelvic bones and the left shoulder should be coupled together and the left pelvic bone and the right shoulder complex should be coupled together. By coupling the opposite functional units together, a greater amount of stabilization is provided when the body is at its greatest moment of strain, just after the heel of the leading foot strikes the ground and the body&#39;s weight begins to project over the foot. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other objects of the present invention are met by the maternity body support that includes a lightweight body shell with a lower torso section, an upper torso section, and a front abdominal opening. Mounted on the opposite sides of the body shell are two lower anchors and two upper anchors. The two lower anchors are located on opposite sides of the body shell slightly above and forward of the pelvic joints while the two upper anchors are located directly above the two lower anchors slightly forward and below the user&#39;s axillas. Extending between the upper and lower anchors on the same side of the body shell is an adjustable second support strap that couples the lower anchor and upper anchor together. 
     Attached to each lower anchor is a first support strap that extends upward around the user&#39;s back and towards the opposite shoulder. A means for coupling each first support strap to the shoulder complex is provided so that a rearward and downward direct force is created on the shoulder complex that resists forward and upward movement of the shoulder complex Each first support strap is adjustable in length to accommodate different size users and to accommodate anatomical changes to the user during pregnancy. 
     The body shell, the four anchors, the two first straps and two second straps function together to support and create opposing forces on both opposite shoulder complexes and pelvic joints thereby minimizing angular distortion which improves the user&#39;s dynamic posture and reduces excessive curves of the spine and pelvis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a woman wearing the first embodiment of the maternity body support. 
         FIG. 2  is a left side elevation view of the woman wearing the maternity body support shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a right side elevation view of the woman wearing the maternity body support shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the woman wearing the maternity body support shown in  FIGS. 1-3  showing a flap attached to the rear surface of the panty and shown in an unfolded position. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial plan view of the lower anchor showing the proximal and distal ends of two opposite first support straps and the lower end of a second support strap attached thereto. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial plan view of the upper anchor showing the exposed, upper section including snaps and being adjusted in length. 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of a woman wearing the second embodiment of the maternity body support. 
         FIG. 8  is a left side elevation view of the woman wearing the maternity body support shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear elevational view of the woman wearing the maternity body support shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a partial plan view of the exposed upper section of the first support strap sliding into the upper anchor. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial plan view of the portion of the first support strap that extends from the upper anchor with intermediately located snaps that selectively attach to complimentary snap connectors mounted on the side of the body shell. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial plan view of the lower anchor showing the proximal end of one first support strap fixed thereto and the distal end of the second support strap being adjustably attached to the lower anchor. 
         FIG. 13  is a front elevational view of a woman wearing the third embodiment of the maternity body support. 
         FIG. 14  is a rear elevational view of the woman wearing the maternity body support body shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the woman wearing the maternity body support shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Referring to the accompanying Figs. three embodiments of a maternity body support, generally indicated by the reference numbers  10 ,  10 ′, and  10 ″ designed to be worn by a women during pregnancy that provide greater support and functional stability to the pelvic joints  200  and the shoulder complexes  300 . The body supports  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ are designed to apply forces to the user&#39;s pelvic bones directly reverse or oppose their natural direction of movement and to apply forces to the user&#39;s shoulder complexes that reverse or oppose their natural compensatory movements. 
       FIGS. 1-6  show the first embodiment of the body support  10  that includes a body shell  12 , lower torso section  20 , an abdominal strap  22 , an upper torso section  30 , a back section  40 , an abdominal opening  50  and a pair of shoulder straps  14 ,  16 . Securely mounted on the outer surface of the body shell  12  are a pair of lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′ and a pair of upper anchors  70 ,  70 ′. 
     The lower torso section  20  includes a panty component  21  designed to cover the user&#39;s perineum, buttocks, the lower hip areas, and the top of each leg. The crotch area of the panty component  21  may be open or closed. Extending transversely over the front surface of the panty-component  21  is an elastic abdominal strap  22  designed to hold and support the user&#39;s abdomen when the body suit  10  is worn. 
     Attached over the rear portion of the panty-component  21  is an hour glass-shaped flap  24 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the flap  24  includes a rear section  25  designed to cover the buttocks, a narrow middle section  26  designed for fit comfortably between the legs and cover the crotch, and a wide front section  27  designed to cover the lower abdomen when folded upward. Attached to the ends of the wide front section  27  are two hook or loop pad connectors  28 ,  28 ′ that connect to two complimentary hook or loop pad connectors  29 ,  29 ′, respectively, that selectively attach the wide front section  27  to the front surfaces of the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′, respectively. 
     When worn, the two pairs of pad connectors  28 ,  28 ′, and  29 ,  29 ′ hold the flap  24  under the crotch and can be easily disconnected as needed. It should be understood that hook and loop pad connectors  28 ,  28 ′ and  29 ,  29 ′ can be replaced by snaps, buttons or any other suitable temporary connecting structures. The body shell&#39;s upper torso section  30  includes two side panels  32 ,  32 ′ integrally formed with the lower torso section  20  and the upper transverse panel  34  that extends over the upper front surface of the user&#39;s chest near the diaphragm. The upper torso section  30  also includes two shoulder straps  14 ,  16  that extend over the user&#39;s shoulders and connect to the back section  40 . Formed between the upper transverse panel  34 , the two side panels  32 ,  32 ′ and the upper edge of the lower torso section  20  is an abdominal opening  50  designed to accommodate the user&#39;s expanding abdomen. An optional lightweight, expandable panel  55  is sewn to the outer edges of the abdominal opening  50  to cover the user&#39;s abdomen. The area on the upper torso section  30  adjacent to the breasts may be integrally formed with the upper torso section  30  or may include an opening  56  and covered by a lightweight, expandable panel  58 . 
     The body shell&#39;s back section  40  covers the entire back from the user&#39;s waist to the base of the neck. Arm holes  42 ,  42 ′ are formed on the upper portion of the back section  40  to allow the user&#39;s arms to extend through. It should be understood however, that a modified body shell  12  with a partially covering back section and with full or half-full sleeves may be used. 
     Mounted on the opposite sides of the body shell  12  are two lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′ and two upper anchors  70 ,  70 ′. The two lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′ are located on opposite sides of the body suit slightly above and forward of each pelvic joint. The two lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′ are securely mounted to the body shell  12  and act as reinforced connection points for the ends of the transverse elastic strap  22  and the two arms on the flap  24 , at least one end of the first support strap  80 ,  80 ′ and at least one end of the second support strap  120 ,  120 ′. In the Figs., each lower anchor  60 ,  60 ′ is depicted as a narrow triangular-shaped structure with an upper wide area and a narrow, lower tip that extends downward over the outside surface of the user&#39;s leg. It should be understood, however, that lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′ are not limited to this size and shape. 
     Attached to the two lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′ are two first support straps  80 ,  80 ′. Preferably, the first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ are made of elastic material enabling them to strength 3 to 20% of their resting length. It should be understood, however, that for some uses, the first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ may also be made of non-elastic material. 
     Securely attached to the two intersections between the upper torso section  30  and the back section  40  are two upper anchors  70 ,  70 ′. The two upper anchors  70 ,  70 ′ are located directly above the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′ slightly forward and below the user&#39;s axilla. Extending through each anchor  70 ,  70 ′ is a first support strap  80 ,  80 ′, respectively. 
     The first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ extend diagonally upward and across the back section  40  and over or through the arm straps  14 ,  16 . The first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ then extend downward over the upper chest and around the shoulder complex  300  opposite the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′ to which the strap&#39;s proximal ends are attached. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the exposed middle section of the each first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ include connecting means, such as snaps or hook or loop connectors or buttons that enable the middle section of the first support strap  80 ,  80 ′ to be selectively attached to the body shell  12 . During use, the user may finely adjust the tension on the upper and lower sections of each first support strap  80 ,  80 ′ to provide greater or less support and comfort. 
     Formed on the middle area of the back section  40  and extending diagonally downward from the axilla area to the opposite hip are diagonally aligned optional tunnel  90 ,  90 ′. The tunnels  90 ,  90 ′ terminate slightly above the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′, respectively. The distal ends of the first support strap  80 ,  80 ′ extend from the tunnels  90 ,  90 ′, respectively, and then selectively attach to the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′. 
     The second pair of support straps  120 ,  120 ′ connects at their lower ends to the top edge of the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′ and then extends vertically upward along the sides of body and connects the lower edges of the upper anchors  70 ,  70 ′, respectively. The pair of support straps  120 ,  120 ′ are shown affixed at one end to the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′, respectively. However, it should be understood that the second support straps  120 ,  120 ′ may be selectively attached via snaps  143 ,  145 , buttons, hook and loop connector pads, or any other suitable connectors attached to the adjoining surface. 
     The second support straps  120 ,  120 ′ then extend upward from the adjacent lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′, respectively, and extend through a D-ring  140 ,  140 ′, respectively, or some other suitable structure attached to the upper anchors  70 ,  70 ′, respectively. The second support straps  120 ,  120 ′ are designed to be adjustable in length so snaps, buttons, buckles or hook and loop connectors on the surfaces of the structure that allow the lengths of the straps  120 ,  120 ′ be adjusted. 
     As mentioned above, the first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ are made of elastic material to allow the proximal ends of the first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ to be selectively attached or permanently affixed to the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′, respectively. 
     The ends of the elastic strap  22  is adjustably connected to the outside surface of the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′ with snap cap  35  and post connectors  36  disposed between the inside surface of the elastic strap  22  and the outside surface of the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′. 
       FIGS. 7-12  show a second embodiment of the body support  10 ′, that is identical to the first embodiment of the body support  10  except for the panty component  21  the pad connectors  29 ,  29 ′ on the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′, and the location of the snap connectors  75 ,  85  or hook and loop connectors used to connect the intermediate sections of the first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ to the body shell  12 . 
     Like body support  10 , on body support  10 ′ the upper section of the first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ extend through the upper anchors  70 ,  70 ′. In body support  10 , the middle sections of the first straps  80 ,  80 ′ are exposed and may be selectively attached to the outer surface of the upper torso section  30  via a plurality of snapping caps  85  attached to the inside surface of the first support strap  80  and a single snapping post  75  securely attached to the outer surface of the upper torso section  30  (see  FIG. 6 ). As shown in  FIG. 10 , in the second embodiment body support  10 ′, the first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ slide freely through the upper anchors  70 ,  70 ′, respectively, and may be selectively connected via snaps  77  and  78  (or hook and loop connectors or buttons, not shown) attached to the first support strap  80 ,  80 ′ and the body shell  12 , at locations below the armpit or axilla. During use, the user may adjust the tension on the upper and lower sections of the first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ to provide greater or less support and comfort. 
       FIG. 12  shows one end of the first support strap  80  being sewn or adhesively attached to a lower anchor  60  that the opposite end of the first support strap  80  being selectively attached to the anchor  60  via snaps  82 ,  84  attached to the first support strap  80  and the lower anchor  60 . 
     Also, in the second embodiment, the reinforcement band  130  is used in place of abdominal strap  22 . 
       FIGS. 13-14  show a third embodiment of the body support  10 ″, that is identical to the second embodiment of the body support  10 ′ except that the means for linking the first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ to the opposite shoulder complex  300  is accomplished by affixing a ring  110 ,  110 ′ over the back of the shoulder complex  300  and then looping the first strap support  80 ,  80 ′, respectively, therethrough. The distal end of the first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ then extend downward and wrap around the side of the user and connect to snaps located on the lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′, respectively. Attached to the distal end of each first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ are several longitudinally aligned snap connectors  120 . The snap connector  120  connects to snap posts  122  located on the lower anchor  60 , that enables the user to shorten or length the overall length of the first strap to provide greater comfort and support. A reinforcement band  130  is used on body support  10 ″ in place of the abdominal strap  22 . 
     The body support  10 ,  10 ′, and  10 ″ are lightweight, stretchable body-conforming material commonly know as ‘shape wear’. ‘Shape wear’ is defined as a flexible, stretchable undergarment made of cotton, nylon and polyesters or combinations thereof, used to provide support and comfort. The lower and upper anchors  60 ,  60 ′ and  70 ,  70 ′, respectively, are made of reinforced nylon or cotton, and the first and second support straps  80 ,  80 ′ and  120 ,  120 ′ are made of nylon or cotton. 
     During use, the body shell  12  is worn so that the user&#39;s arms and legs fit through the arm opening  42 ,  42 ′ and leg openings  44 ,  44 ′, respectively, and her abdomen fits through the abdomen opening  50 . The tension of the first straps  80 ,  80 ′ and second support straps  120 ,  120 ′ are adjusted so that when used in combination, they simultaneously rotate the opposite sides of pelvis backwards and move the opposite shoulder complex  300  towards the midline, or neutral alignment in the sagittal plane. This combined movement forces the body towards the vertical alignment in the sagittal plane, thereby reducing the curves of the spine and the pelvis. 
     It should be understood that the methods described herein to connect the first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ and second support straps  120 ,  120 ′ to the upper anchor  70 ,  70 ′ and lower anchors  60 ,  60 ′, respectively, and to adjust their overall lengths is but one method and that a variety of different methods and structures may be used. The key aspects are that the opposite pelvic joint  200  and shoulder complex  300  must be adjustably linked together by two first support straps  80 ,  80 ′ that extends over the user&#39;s back and pulls the two shoulder complexes  300  rearward and downward and the second support straps  120 ,  120 ′ that links the two pelvic joints  200  and the shoulder complex  300  on the same side of the body. 
     In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.