Patent Abstract:
A brassiere garment and associated method for dressing is provided contemplating a strap that is operably trained around a user&#39;s back and sides, a cup attached at each end of the strap, and an adjustable attachment feature connecting the cups together.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/143,749. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Rotator cuff tears are a common source of shoulder pain, especially in athletes or specific occupations. The incidence of rotator cuff damage increases with age. Obesity is also associated with rotator cuff surgery. A host of conditions may be related to eventual surgical intervention including bone spurs, adhesive capsulitis, and tendon degeneration with partial or full tears. Shoulder dislocation and instability caused by trauma may also lead to surgical intervention. Standard of care includes conservative treatment with rehabilitative exercises and injections. In patients who do not respond to conservative care, surgical interventions are frequently undertaken. Although comprehensive epidemiological data is not available on the total number of procedures nationwide or worldwide, just one local Oklahoma City Clinic (HPI data) reported 751 rotator cuff surgical procedures on females between January 2004 and Dec. 31, 2008, or an average of 188 per year. The American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons reports over 25,000 members nationwide. Although the exact number of procedures is not available, it can be estimated to be in the range of 770,000 across 4100 clinics, assuming half of those Board certified specialize in shoulders, and an average practice size of three. At the low end assuming only a third of the Board members participate and assuming practice sizes of five physicians it could be estimated roughly 312,000 procedures are conducted on female patients. Regardless of method (open, mini-open, or arthroscopic) a significant period of partial disability is expected during which the patient is normally undergoing initial range of motion physical therapy. Most patients have a reduced functional range of motion for 4 to 6 months after surgery; however, this duration is patient specific and can be longer depending on factors such as the integrity of the joint prior to surgery, treatment compliance, complications and specifics of the surgical technique. 
     The primary muscles involved in rotator cuff disability are supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor. These control the rotation of the arm around its long axis. Since it is advised that post surgically the shoulder should not be used with the elbow away from the side for at least 3 months after rotator cuff repair, activities of daily living are problematic on the affected side. (A less common shoulder arthroplasty or complete replacement is performed on arthritis patients (6,700 procedures in 2003 reported by Medicare). Routine tasks can become insurmountably difficult for a woman who becomes physically incapacitated. 
     People normally take for granted that they are able to be self-sufficient, especially in very personal matters like dressing and undressing herself. When an incapacitating event occurs, such as shoulder injury or amputation, a woman can become traumatized as the pain associated with the incapacitation is compounded by the vulnerability she faces in not being able to carry out simple tasks as before. 
     This difficult situation is particularly troublesome when it comes to dressing and undressing of brassieres, and is a common inquiry regarding post operative care—one which most physicians are at a loss to answer. These issues do not normally come into play when a woman selects her choice of brassiere (“bra”) undergarments. That is, typically it requires two good hands and arms and a requisite amount of physical dexterity to put a bra on and take it off. In some cases, for example, the closure is located against the woman&#39;s back requiring contorting both arms and hands to the mid-back section, or otherwise spinning the clasped bra around her torso and/or lifting the bra over her head. These types of body motions can be impossible or too painful to perform because of a physical incapacity. Also, the weight-bearing straps that typically are trained over the shoulders can be excruciating to get over an incapacitated arm, and can be invasive to the incisions and pain catheters in situations like shoulder surgery, where days or even weeks post surgery, one arm is limp, weak, lacking sufficient dexterity and strength to work straps and lift anything at all. When still under the effects of nerve block for approximately three days post surgery, assistance must be used to even lift the arm as it is numb, dead weight. 
     What is needed is a bra that enables a woman to carry on with her dignity in personal matters like dressing and undressing herself in the wake of such a physically incapacitating event, especially in light of her attendance at physical therapy sessions and other visits in a public setting. It is to improvements in the art directed to that need that the present embodiments are directed. 
     SUMMARY 
     The claimed embodiments generally contemplate an apparatus and associated method for dressing with a brassiere garment with limited mobility. 
     In some embodiments a brassiere garment is provided having a strap that is operably trained around a user&#39;s back and sides, a cup attached at each end of the strap, and an adjustable attachment feature connecting the cups together. 
     In some embodiments a method is provided for dressing with a brassiere garment, including steps of obtaining a brassiere garment that has a strap that is operably trained around a user&#39;s back and sides, a cup attached at each end of the strap, and an adjustable attachment feature connecting the cups together; placing the brassiere garment on a support surface; attaching a support member to one of the cups; folding the brassiere garment over the user while remaining on the support surface; and attaching the other cup to the support member. 
     In some embodiments a brassiere garment is provided having a strap that is operably trained around a user&#39;s back and sides, a cup attached at each end of the strap, and a tab depending from each cup that is operably selectively positionable in relation to a common support member and attachable to the support member via a hook-and-loop type fastener for connecting the cups together. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational depiction of a bra utilized with the optional neck strap that is constructed in accordance with the present embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the bra of  FIG. 1  with an enlarged detail view of the adjustable rear closure. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the bra of  FIG. 1  detailing the adjustable front closure. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the bra of  FIG. 1  detailing the clasp that operably connects the neck strap to the bra. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric depiction of a neck strap that is constructed in accordance with alternative embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the bra of  FIG. 1  in an operably closed position. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the bra of  FIG. 1  depicting initial steps in a method for putting on the bra of  FIG. 1  wherein the bra is laid flat, the bra ring is attached to one of the cups, and then that cup is folded over in a closed position such that the folded-over cup encloses the user&#39;s left-side breast. 
         FIG. 8  is top view depicting final steps in the method for putting on the bra of  FIG. 1  wherein the other cup is folded over to enclose the user&#39;s other breast and attached to the bra ring and tightened. The pre adjusted neck strap provides a desired length, and the neck “loop” is tossed over the head with the unaffected arm using a simple upward motion and connected to the bra  116 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning to the FIGS. and first in particular to  FIG. 1  which depicts a front elevational view of a bra  100  that is constructed in accordance with the present embodiments. The bra  100  has a left-cup  102  and a right cup  104  that cover and support the user&#39;s left and right breasts, respectively. Extending from a distal end of each cup  102 ,  104  is a closure tab  106 ,  108  that is sized to be insertable through and thereby form a hooking attachment to a bra ring (sometimes referred to as a “front closure member”)  110 . 
     It will be understood from the description that follows that in some embodiments the user will be satisfied with the support provided only by the bra  100 . Optionally, the user can obtain additional lifting support by using a neck strap  112 . The neck strap  112  is sized to be insertable through and thereby form a hooking attachment to a strap ring  114 . A clasp  116  can operably connect the bra ring  110  to the strap ring  114 . 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of the bra  100  of  FIG. 1  depicting each of the cups  102 ,  104  being connected to respective straps (straps combined referred to as a “torso strap”)  118 ,  120  that are separable at distal ends thereof and joined by a rear adjustable fastener  122  to adjust the size of the bra  100  for the user&#39;s girth and comfort. In the embodiments of  FIG. 2  the rear adjustable fastener  122 , depicted in an enlarged detail view  123 , employs a hook-and-loop type of cloth fastener  124 , such as Velcro® strips, attached to each of the straps  118 ,  120 . It will be noted that a sufficient longitudinal length of the cloth fasteners  124  is provided so that the extent to which the straps  118 ,  120  overlap in the closed position can be varied in relation to the desired circumference of the bra  100  around the user&#39;s torso. The rear adjustable fastener  122  of the present embodiments are not so limited to this construction, such that other types of adjustable fasteners such as but not limited to rows of hooks and clasps, and the like, can likewise be used. The pre surgical adjustability, movement and comfort are key features of the bra  100  provided by the rear adjustable fastener  122 . 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged detail view of a front adjustable fastener  126  for attaching the cups  102 ,  104  to the bra ring  100  in a manner that adjusts the size of the bra  100  for the user&#39;s breast size and comfort. In the embodiments of  FIG. 3  the front adjustable fastener  126  employs another cloth fastener  124  attached to the tab  106  and to the cup  102 . Although not depicted, it will be understood that the other tab  108  is adjustably attachable to its respective cup  104  in the same manner. The tab  106  is inserted through the bra ring  110  and then folded over in direction  128  to connect the cloth fastener  124 . It will be noted that a sufficient longitudinal length of the cloth fastener  124  is provided so that the extent to which the tab  106  is inserted into and folded over the bra ring  110  can be varied to selectively determine the size of the cup  102  in relation to the user&#39;s breast size. 
     From the foregoing it is important to note that the rear adjustable fastener  122  and the front adjustable fastener  126  of the present embodiments make it possible for one-size-fits all construction. That is, users of various different girths, breast sizes, and desired lift and comfort levels can all use a commonly manufactured bra  100  because it is readily suited for individual adjustment. These features simplify manufacturing and distribution of the bra  100 , and assist the medical supplier in meeting the patient&#39;s needs without the concern of supplying proper size or style. A special order extra extra small or extra extra large customization can be arranged in certain but rare circumstances to accommodate XXS, XXXS, XXL, and XXXL patients. 
     Again, in some circumstances the user will be satisfied with the lift and support provided entirely by the bra  100 . However, in other circumstances the user will prefer the additional lifting support afforded by the neck strap  112 . Returning to  FIG. 1  momentarily, in keeping with the one-size-fits-all advantages of the present embodiments, the neck strap  112  is a discontinuous loop that is selectively attachable at its ends such as by another cloth fastener  124  to form a desired drop above the bra ring  110 . In the embodiments of  FIG. 1  the neck strap  112  hookingly engages the strap ring  114 . The clasp  116  hookingly links the bra ring  110  to the strap ring  114 . 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged detail view of the clasp  116  that forms a first hook  130  at an upper end thereof for engaging the strap ring  114 . The clasp  116  similarly forms a second hook  132  at a lower end thereof for hookingly engaging the bra ring  110 . Advantageously, by first hooking the first hook  130  to the strap ring  114 , the user can then simply and easily connect the neck strap  112  to the bra  100  by an upward motion of the hook  132  to engage the bra ring  110 . The neck strap, previously set to the correct length prior to surgery, is tossed over the head with the non affected arm, and upward motion to attach the hook  132  is easily accomplished with only one hand, accomplishing the desired solution of the present embodiments. The clasp  116  is held in place by the additional support the neck strap  112  provides, and the attachment adds additional support for larger busted women. The rings  110 ,  114  and the clasp  116  in these illustrative embodiments are constructed of a rigid durable material such as a food grade polyethylene or the like, or a metal, in order to minimize the frictional engagements therebetween. Furthermore, the radiused surface of the rings  110 ,  114  can be fashioned to minimize the frictional engagement with the items they engage. This type of construction provides the most desirable comfort level to the user, in that the linkage between the neck strap  112  and the bra  100  is extremely fluid in response to the user&#39;s body movements. The clasp  116  is hooked to the ring  114  to provide a stable yet flexible attachment. 
     It will be understood that in alternative equivalent embodiments a less complex and thereby less expensive construction can be provided, such as but not limited to the embodiments depicted by  FIG. 5 . The neck strap  112   a  in  FIG. 5  simply loops through and hookingly engages the bra ring  110  directly, thereby eliminating the need for the strap ring  114  and clasp  116 . The neck strap  112  a depicted in  FIG. 5  is constructed of a fixed-size loop, but alternatively it can be an adjustable-size loop as described above. This reduced-cost solution might require a relatively greater patient level of post surgical dexterity to use. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the bra  100  in the operably closed position, that is, with both the rear adjustable fastener  122  and the front adjustable fastener  126  selectively sized and closed. A supporting stay  134  can be sewn into each of the cups  102 ,  104  to afford additional support to the user&#39;s breasts. Additional support is also provided by the gathers  136  provided by the seam  137  around a supporting stay  139  at the attachment of the cups  102 ,  104  to the respective straps  118 ,  120 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top view illustrating initial steps in an illustrative method for a user to put the bra  100  on. The rear adjustable fastener  122  is first sized and connected. Since the bra  100  is being used in rehabilitating from surgery, then the setting for the rear adjustable fastener  122  is preferably done prior to the surgery. The bra ring  110  is connected to one of the closure tabs  106 ,  108  at the desired size; in  FIG. 2  the bra ring  110  is connected to tab  106 . Preferably, the ring is attached to the cup  102 ,  104  associated with the injured side of the user&#39;s body. 
     The bra  100  is then placed on a supportive and substantially flat surface, such as the top of a bed, with the outer surfaces of both cups  102 ,  104  facing the flat surface. The user can then recline her back against the bra  100  and fold the cup  102  over to enclose her (in this illustration) left breast.  FIG. 8  depicts a continuation of this method after the user has similarly folded over the other cup  104  to enclose her right breast and hooked the tab  108  through the bra ring  110 . The partially incapacitated person is able to put on the bra  100  since sufficient strength is available using the unaffected arm to secure and tighten the fits without any impact on the disabled side, which is hanging limp or nearly immobile from pain medications, pain pump, or too fragile to move due to sutures. The bra  100  allows the woman to dress herself and is adjustable with use of only the non affected arm. 
     The bra  100  and optional neck strap  112  are preferably made of a fabric providing a desired comfort to the user, such as but not limited to a synthetic material with superior elasticity characteristics such as but not limited to Lycra® or more generally referred to as spandex knit. The chain stitch and nylon thread is employed to facilitate proper stretching of the material. Other features of construction not detailed will be understood to the skilled artisan, such as the type and placement of seams in joining panels of the fabric such as to place the seams away from the user&#39;s skin and to prevent direct contact with the stays  134 ,  139 . 
     Referring momentarily to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , for example, the seam  137  forming the gathers  136  provides a somewhat expandable end of the cup  102  that is tapered sufficiently to be wide enough to cover the breast comfortably while providing the desired support at the end adjacent the strap  118 . Another seam  141  likewise forms gathers  143  to provide a similarly somewhat expandable end of the cup  102  that is tapered sufficiently to be wide enough to cover the breast comfortably while providing the desired support at the other end adjacent the closure tab  106 . 
     The described construction of the bra  100  and optional neck strap  112  enables the user to put the bra  100  on according to this illustrative method with only one hand, solving the need for the partially incapacitated person to dress and undress herself and attend required therapies and necessary trips outside the home with sufficient modesty and support. The optional neck strap is sized prior to the surgery using the Velcro tab. The loop can then be tossed over the head with the non affected arm. The clasp is designed ergonomically to be connected with a slight upward motion using the non affected arm. The materials and construction of the clasp may be a single lightweight yet sturdy, injection molded plastic in the final design. 
     It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims express. The particular elements may vary in type or arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, without limitation, although Velcro® type cloth fasteners are depicted in the embodiments disclosed above, the contemplated scope of the invention is not so limited such that other types of fasteners and adjustment mechanisms can readily be substituted and otherwise used in equivalent alternative embodiments. 
     In addition, although the embodiments described herein are directed to illustrative embodiments for adjustable sizing and attaching the rear adjustable fastener and front adjustable fastener for a bra, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter is not so limited and various other systems can utilize the present embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0