Abstract:
Nursing bra conversion garments and methods are disclosed. Nursing bra conversion allows conversion of bras from one configuration into another, increasing the likelihood of extending the useful lifespan of the bra garment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/443,528, entitled “Nursing Bra Conversion”, filed Feb. 16, 2011, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Nursing bras are a popular product in use today. Nursing bras provide nursing convenience as well as fashion and comfort for nursing mothers. Traditionally, when a mother eventually stops nursing her baby, her nursing bras may be stored for use in nursing possible subsequent babies, given away, or discarded. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Nursing bra conversion garments and methods are disclosed. Nursing bra conversion allows conversion of bras from one configuration into another, increasing the likelihood of extending the useful lifespan of the bra garment. 
         [0004]    Some example convertible bra garments may include two breast cups attached side by side, two strap keeps, each strap keep positioned within one of the breast cups, two shoulder straps, two fasteners, and two fastener replacements. Each fastener may be configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep, and each fastener may be configured to allow attaching and detaching of the breast cup from the fastener to provide a first configuration for the convertible bra garment. The fastener replacements may be attached to the bra garment and configured to replace the two fasteners, that is, to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep, to provide a second configuration for the convertible bra garment. A lateral back strap may also attach to each of the breast cups and extend around the back, and a far end of each shoulder strap may attach to the lateral back strap. Each shoulder strap may also pass through a fastener and attach to a slider, allowing adjustment of a shoulder strap length. 
         [0005]    A variety of fastener configurations are possible. The fasteners may for example be configured with semi-permanent attachments to the shoulder straps and strap keeps, and may comprise a clip structure configured to attach and detach the breast cup. Similarly, a variety of fastener replacement configurations are possible. The fastener replacements may for example be configured to make a semi-permanent attachment to the shoulder straps, a breast cups, and strap keeps in the second configuration for the convertible bra garment, e.g., where the fastener replacements are configured as continuous rings. The fastener replacements may also be configured to make an attachable and detachable attachment to one or more of the shoulder straps, a breast cups, and a strap keeps, e.g., where the fastener replacements are configured as spiral attachment structures. 
         [0006]    Some example convertible bra garments may be provided with a convertible bra garment kit, in which the fastener replacements are provided with the kit, instead of attached to the bra garment. 
         [0007]    Some example methods of manufacturing a convertible bra garment may include attaching a fastener to each of two shoulder straps and strap keeps, wherein each fastener is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a strap keep, and a breast cup, and each fastener is configured to allow attaching and detaching of the breast cup from the fastener to provide a first configuration for the convertible bra garment; and attaching two fastener replacements to the bra garment, wherein the fastener replacements are configured to replace the fasteners, wherein each fastener replacement is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep to provide a second configuration for the convertible bra garment. 
         [0008]    Some example methods of converting a convertible bra garment from a first configuration to a second configuration may include removing a fastener from each of two shoulder straps and strap keeps, wherein each fastener is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a strap keep, and a breast cup, and each fastener is configured to allow attaching and detaching of the breast cup from the fastener to provide a first configuration for the convertible bra garment; removing two fastener replacements from the bra garment, wherein the fastener replacements are configured to replace the fasteners, wherein each fastener replacement is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep to provide a second configuration for the convertible bra garment; and attaching each fastener replacement to a shoulder strap, breast cup, and a strap keep to configure the bra according to the second configuration for the convertible bra garment. In embodiments in which the fastener replacements are not attached to the bra garment, e.g. in methods involving a convertible bra garment kit, the step of removing two fastener replacements may be omitted. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example breast cup, strap keep, shoulder strap and fastener according to a first configuration for a convertible bra garment, and illustrates the breast cup, strap keep, shoulder strap and fastener replacement according to a second configuration for a convertible bra garment, and illustrates example instructions according to a method of converting a garment from a first configuration to a second configuration. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example convertible bra garment and two fastener replacements attached to the bra garment, as well as example instructions according to a method of converting a garment from a first configuration to a second configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example spiral attachment structure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates example methods of manufacturing a convertible bra garment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates example methods of converting a convertible bra garment from a first configuration to a second configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example breast cup  120 , strap keep  130 , shoulder strap  110  and fastener  140 , comprising fastener elements  140 A and  140 B, according to a first configuration  100  for a convertible bra garment.  FIG. 1  also illustrates the breast cup  120 , strap keep  130 , shoulder strap  110  and fastener replacement  160  according to a second configuration  150  for a convertible bra garment, as well as example instructions according to a method of converting a bra garment from a first configuration to a second configuration. 
         [0015]    When the bra garment is in the first configuration  100 , the fastener  140  attaches the cup  120 , strap keep  130 , and shoulder strap  110 . In  FIG. 1 , fastener  140  comprises a clip-type structure comprising fastener elements  140 A and  140 B. Fastener element  140 A comprises a hook or other attachable and detachable attachment structure, which is configured to make detachable attachment to the fastener element  140 B. 
         [0016]    An attachable and detachable attachment, also referred to as a detachable attachment, is defined herein as any attachment that does not require tools or materials, such as thread or glue, and so can be attached and detached by hand. In  FIG. 1 , for example, fastener element  140 A may be detachably attachable to fastener element  140 B, by passing the hook structure of fastener element  140 A into the window of fastener element  140 B. 
         [0017]    Meanwhile, fastener element  140 A is configured to make semi-permanent attachment to the shoulder strap  110  and the strap keep  130 . Fastener element  140 B is configured to make semi-permanent attachment to the cup  120 . A semi-permanent attachment is defined herein as any attachment that requires tools or materials, such as thread or glue, and so cannot be attached and detached by hand. In  FIG. 1 , for example, fastener element  140 A is semi-permanently attached to shoulder strap  110  by passing the shoulder strap  110  through a top window of the fastener element  140 A then sewing or gluing the shoulder strap  110  to itself or to the slider. Fastener element  140 A may be semi-permanently attached to strap keep  130  by passing the strap keep  130  through a bottom window of the fastener element  140 A, then sewing or gluing the strap keep  130  to itself. 
         [0018]    The terms “semi-permanent”, “attachable and detachable”, and “detachable” are used herein to describe attachment types. The term “attachment” when not further modified, refers to semi-permanent, detachable, or any other attachment type. 
         [0019]    In the first configuration  100 , fastener  140  is not limited to the clip-type fastener, nor to the particular set of semi-permanent and detachable attachment options illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Those of skill in garment design will appreciate that a wide variety of fastener types are available and new fastener types may be developed in the future. The first configuration  100  may make use of any fastener type, which may provide any arrangement of semi-permanent and/or detachable attachment options for attaching to the cup  120 , strap keep  130 , and shoulder strap  110 . In some embodiments, the first configuration  100  may include nursing fasteners, such as fastener  140 , which generally provide detachable attachments to the cups  120 , while attaching differently, for example, semi-permanently, to the strap keep  130  and shoulder strap  110 . 
         [0020]    When the bra garment is in the second configuration  150 , the fastener  160  attaches the cup  120 , strap keep  130 , and shoulder strap  110 . In  FIG. 1 , fastener replacement  160  comprises a continuous ring structure configured to make semi-permanent attachments to the cup  120 , strap keep  130 , and shoulder strap  110 . Fastener replacement  160  may for example be a ring of sufficiently sturdy material such as metal or plastic. As with fastener  140 , fastener  160  is not limited to the ring structure, nor is fastener  160  limited to the particular set of attachment options illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The second configuration  150  may make use of any fastener type, which may provide any arrangement of semi-permanent and/or detachable attachment options for attaching to the cup  120 , strap keep  130 , and shoulder strap  110 . 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the fastener replacement  160  may be configured to provide a window configured to allow the shoulder strap  110  to slide through, preserving adjustability of the shoulder strap  110 . For example, the ring structure illustrated in  FIG. 1  allows adjustment of the shoulder strap  110 , as would a spiral fastener structure  170  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As a formerly nursing mother&#39;s breast size shrinks, the ability to adjust the shoulder strap may allow continued satisfactory fit of the convertible bra garment to some extent. In some embodiments, the fastener replacements  160  provided in a second configuration  150  may include “ordinary use” fasteners, i.e., fasteners that are not designed for attaching and detaching a cup  120  for nursing. Ordinary use fasteners may comprise a same attachment type for attaching to the cups  120 , strap keeps  130 , and shoulder straps  110 . For example, fastener replacements  160  are configured for semi-permanent attachment to cups  120 , strap keeps  130 , and shoulder straps  110 . 
         [0022]    The second configuration  150  is defined herein as different from the first configuration  100 . The second configuration  150  may be different in fastener replacement  160  having a different fastener type from fastener  140 , and/or in fastener replacement  160  having a different set of semi-permanent and/or detachable attachment options for attaching to the cup  120 , strap keep  130 , and shoulder strap  110 . In some embodiments, the difference between the first configuration  100  and the second configuration  150  may include nursing fasteners configured with detachable attachment to the cup  120  in the first configuration  100 , and ordinary use fasteners configured with semi-permanent attachment to the cup  120  in the second configuration  150 . In some embodiments, the difference between the first configuration  100  and the second configuration  150  may include a difference in fastener type between fastener  140  and fastener replacement  160 . 
         [0023]    In  FIG. 1 , a slider is illustrated on the shoulder strap  100 . The shoulder strap  110  passes through a fastener and attaches to a slider, allowing adjustment of a shoulder strap length. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example convertible bra garment  200  and two fastener replacements  160  attached to the bra garment  200 , which may be used in a method of converting a garment  200  from a first configuration to a second configuration. In  FIG. 2 , the fastener replacements  160  are semi-permanently attached to the bra garment  200  by being sewn to a tag in situated between the cups  120 . However, it will be appreciated that the fastener replacements  160  may be detachably attached in some embodiments, and may be attached to any location on the bra garment. In some embodiments, the fastener replacements  160  may be provided separately, wherein the fastener replacements  160  are not attached to the bra garment  200 , as part of a convertible bra garment kit. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example convertible bra garment  200  in a first configuration, the bra garment  200  comprising breast cups  120 , strap keeps (not visible in  FIG. 2 ), shoulder straps  110 , fasteners  140  and fastener replacements  160 . It will be appreciated that in  FIG. 2 , a lateral back strap attaches to each of the breast cups  120  and extends around the back of the wearer, wherein a far end of each shoulder strap  110  attaches to the lateral back strap. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example spiral attachment structure  170 . The spiral attachment structure  170  is detachably attachable to the shoulder strap  110 , cup  120  and strap keep  130  as shown. Another example of a spiral attachment structure  170  is a key-ring type fastener.  FIG. 3  provides an example fastener type which may be used as a fastener  140  or a fastener replacement  160  in some embodiments. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates example methods of manufacturing a convertible bra garment. An example method of manufacturing a convertible bra garment, may comprise, for example, steps  401  and  402 . Step  401  may include attaching a fastener to each of two shoulder straps and strap keeps, wherein each fastener is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a strap keep, and a breast cup, and each fastener is configured to allow attaching and detaching of the breast cup from the fastener to provide a first configuration for the convertible bra garment. Step  402  may include attaching two fastener replacements to the bra garment, wherein the fastener replacements are configured to replace the fasteners, wherein each fastener replacement is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep to provide a second configuration for the convertible bra garment. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates example methods of converting a convertible bra garment from a first configuration to a second configuration. An example method of converting a convertible bra garment may comprise, for example, steps  501 ,  502 , and  503 . Step  501  may include removing a fastener from each of two shoulder straps and strap keeps, wherein each fastener is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a strap keep, and a breast cup, and each fastener is configured to allow attaching and detaching of the breast cup from the fastener to provide a first configuration for the convertible bra garment. Step  502  may include removing two fastener replacements from the bra garment, wherein the fastener replacements are configured to replace the fasteners, wherein each fastener replacement is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep to provide a second configuration for the convertible bra garment. Step  503  may include attaching each fastener replacement to a shoulder strap, breast cup, and a strap keep to configure the bra according to the second configuration for the convertible bra garment. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, for example, when the fastener replacements are not attached to the bra garment, step  502  may be omitted. Step  501  may include removing a fastener from each of two shoulder straps and strap keeps, wherein each fastener is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a strap keep, and a breast cup, and each fastener is configured to allow attaching and detaching of the breast cup from the fastener to provide a first configuration for the convertible bra garment. The next step (e.g., step  503 ) may include attaching a fastener replacement to each of the shoulder straps, breast cups, and a strap keeps, wherein the fastener replacements are configured to replace the fasteners, wherein each fastener replacement is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep to provide a second configuration for the convertible bra garment. 
         [0030]    While various embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in art.