U.S. patent application number 14/834648 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-02 for breast protective garment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Carl J. Abraham. Invention is credited to Carl J. Abraham.
Application Number | 20170055602 14/834648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58097198 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170055602 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abraham; Carl J. |
March 2, 2017 |
BREAST PROTECTIVE GARMENT
Abstract
A universal breast protective garment for significantly reducing
impact forces to the breasts is formed of one or more elastomeric
materials and is structured and configured to adjustably fit around
a woman's upper torso. Left and right breast pockets are formed on
a front chest portion between outer and inner layers of soft
elastomeric material (e.g., neoprene) and comfortably surround and
configure to the wearer's breasts. Each pocket has an opening for
inserting and removing a protective breast cup assembly that
includes an inner cup formed of a compressible elastomeric polymer
for absorbing and dissipating impact forces, and an outer shell
formed of a semi-rigid polymeric material for deflecting impact
forces and resisting pinching and squeezing. Shoulder straps, side
panels and other areas of the garment are adjustable to accommodate
a range of body and breast sizes and to enable proper fit on the
wearer.
Inventors: |
Abraham; Carl J.; (Great
Neck, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Abraham; Carl J. |
Great Neck |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58097198 |
Appl. No.: |
14/834648 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/015 20130101;
A41C 3/0057 20130101; A41D 13/0518 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00; A41D 13/015 20060101 A41D013/015; A41D 13/05 20060101
A41D013/05 |
Claims
1. A universal breast protective garment comprising: a front chest
panel having a left portion and a right portion; a back panel;
adjustable shoulder straps extending between and connecting to the
front chest panel and the back panel; left and right front side
flaps extending from the respective left and right portions of the
front chest panel; left and right rear side flaps extending from
the back panel for releasable and adjustable attachment to the
corresponding left and right front side flaps; left and right
pockets formed in the respective left and right portions of the
front chest panel, and said pockets being sized and positioned for
overlying and conforming to configuration of the left and right
breasts of the wearer when the garment is worn on the wearer, and
the left and right pockets each including a pocket opening; and
left and right protective breast cup assemblies on the respective
left and right portions of the front chest panel each comprising:
an outer shell formed of a compressible polymeric material having
full elastic memory and having a first degree of hardness for
deflecting impact forces and resisting pinching and squeezing
forces; an inner cup sized and configured for nested receipt within
the outer shell and the inner cup formed of a compressible
elastomeric polymer having full elastic memory and having a
hardness of a second degree that is less than the hardness of the
outer shell; and the left and right pockets on the front chest
panel being sized, structured and configured for removable receipt
of the respective left and right protective breast cup assemblies
therein so that the left and right protective breast cup assemblies
align with and cover the breasts of the wearer.
2. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 1
further comprising a breast adjustment structure for adjusting,
moving and holding the left and right portions of the front chest
panel relative to one another.
3. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 2
wherein the breast adjustment structure selectively moves and holds
the pockets and the left and right protective breast cup assemblies
closer together or further apart through a range of adjusted
positions.
4. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 3
wherein the breast adjustment structure includes at least one
drawstring between the left and right pockets.
5. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 4
wherein the drawstring has a spring loaded fastener for holding the
drawstring at a selected adjusted position throughout the range of
adjusted positions.
6. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 1
wherein the garment is at least partially constructed of
neoprene.
7. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 6
wherein the left and right portions of the front chest panel
include an inner layer of material and an outer layer of material
with the pockets formed therebetween.
8. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 7
wherein the inner layer of material and the outer layer of material
are formed of an elastomeric breathable material.
9. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 1
wherein the first degree of hardness of the outer shell ranges
between 20-75 as measured by a TECLOCK durometer, model JS S
6050.
10. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 9
wherein the second degree of hardness of the inner cup ranges
between 20-55, as measured by a TECLOCK durometer, model JS S
6050.
11. A universal breast protective garment comprising: a front chest
panel having a left portion and a right portion; a back panel;
shoulder straps extending between and connecting to the front chest
panel and the back panel; left and right pockets formed in the
respective left and right portions of the front chest panel, and
said pockets being sized and positioned for overlying and
conforming to configuration of the left and right breasts of the
wearer when the garment is worn on the wearer, and the left and
right pockets each including a pocket opening; and left and right
protective breast cup assemblies on the respective left and right
portions of the front chest panel each comprising: an outer shell
formed of a compressible polymeric material having full elastic
memory and having a first degree of hardness for deflecting impact
forces and resisting pinching and squeezing forces; an inner cup
sized and configured for nested receipt within the outer shell and
the inner cup formed of a compressible elastomeric polymer having
full elastic memory and having a hardness of a second degree that
is less than the hardness of the outer shell; and the left and
right pockets on the front chest panel being sized, structured and
configured for removable receipt of the respective left and right
protective breast cup assemblies therein so that the left and right
protective breast cup assemblies align with and cover the breasts
of the wearer.
12. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 11
further comprising a breast adjustment structure for adjusting,
moving and holding the left and right portions of the front chest
panel relative to one another.
13. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 12
wherein the breast adjustment structure selectively moves and holds
the pockets and the left and right protective breast cup assemblies
closer together or further apart through a range of adjusted
positions.
14. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 13
wherein the breast adjustment structure includes at least one
drawstring between the left and right pockets.
15. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 4
wherein the drawstring has a spring loaded fastener for holding the
drawstring at a selected adjusted position throughout the range of
adjusted positions.
16. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 11
wherein the garment is at least partially constructed of
neoprene.
17. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 16
wherein the left and right portions of the front chest panel
include an inner layer of material and an outer layer of material
with the pockets formed therebetween.
18. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 17
wherein the inner layer of material and the outer layer of material
are formed of an elastomeric breathable material.
19. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 11
wherein the first degree of hardness of the outer shell ranges
between 20-75 as measured by a TECLOCK durometer, model JS S
6050.
20. The universal breast protective garment as recited in claim 19
wherein the second degree of hardness of the inner cup ranges
between 20-55, as measured by a TECLOCK durometer, model JS S 6050.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to protective sports garments
and, more particularly, to a universal breast protective garment
for women that absorbs and dissipates impact forces to the breasts,
while discouraging pinching and squeezing of the breasts that
occurs in women's contact and collision sports.
[0003] Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] Women participating in contact and collision sports are
prone to all sorts of injuries including breast injuries (e.g.,
bruising) that can result from direct forces of impact to the
breasts, as well as from pinching and squeezing of the breasts by
other participants. Examples of direct forces of impact may be
caused by being struck by another participant, which may be by
incidental collision or intentional punching or elbow jabs. Direct
and potentially injurious forces of impact to the breasts may also
result by being struck by a ball or other object during play, as
well as from impact with the ground, floor or ice playing surface.
Bruising and other injuries to the breasts during women's contact
and collision sports occur quite frequently, can be severe and
present a significant concern.
[0005] In the past, others have proposed various sports bras and
upper body garments that are designed to provide protection to the
breasts while participating in sports activities. All known breast
protective garments in the related art are lacking in femininity
and some are rather bulky and unsightly. Some of these garments in
the related art provide extra padding in the breast area, including
polymers that are adhered to the fabric of the garment. While these
breast protective garments can help to cushion impact forces to the
breasts, they are not structured to deflect impact forces, nor do
they completely absorb and dissipate impact forces to the breasts.
Therefore, a woman wearing the various breast protective garments
in the related art may still suffer significant bruising and other
injury despite the fact that the protective garment may have
reduced the severity of the impact force. Moreover, these various
protective garments in the related art are not designed to resist
forces from pinching and squeezing of the breasts which occurs
quite frequently during the course of women's competitive contact
and collision sports events. A further problem associated with the
various breast protective sports bras in the related art is the
inability to easily remove the protective material in the breast
cup of the bra. In most cases, the protective cushioning material
is permanently adhered to the fabric of the garment and cannot be
removed for separate laundering or replacement with varying density
materials to accommodate particular sports activities.
[0006] Others have proposed breast protective garments in the
related art that have breast cups formed of a compressible cushion
polymer material covered by an outer rigid shell. While this
proposed structure may have some benefit to resist against pinching
and squeezing, the use of the rigid cup in many instances is not
acceptable, as it will cause further injury to the wearer, as well
as possibly to other participants. For example, in boxing and mixed
martial arts, a participant may suffer serious hand injury from
punching a rigid cup fitted over the opponent's breasts. Moreover,
the edge of a rigid cup will hit the wearer's chest and cause
bruising and other injury when the rigid cup is subjected to forces
of impact.
[0007] Accordingly, despite the efforts of others in the related
art, there still remains a definite and urgent need for a universal
breast protective garment, generally in the form of a sports bra,
that retains a feminine appearance and which is specifically
structured to protect a woman's breasts and chest while
participating in women's contact and collision sports by
significantly reducing the effect of impact forces to the breasts
and chest. Moreover, there is an urgent need for a universal breast
protective garment that is specifically designed to at least
partially deflect impact forces to the breasts, while resisting
pinching and squeezing, and to absorb and dissipate impact forces
that are not initially deflected, thereby protecting the breasts
from bruising and other injury.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a universal breast
protective garment for significantly reducing impact forces to a
woman's breasts when participating in contact and collision sports.
The universal breast protective garment is structured and
configured to adjustably fit around a woman's upper torso and
includes a front chest portion that comfortably surrounds and
configures to the wearer's breasts. Left and right breast pockets
are formed in the front chest portion between outer and inner
layers of elastomeric material (e.g., neoprene) and include an
opening for inserting and removing a protective breast cup assembly
in each pocket. Each breast cup assembly includes an inner cup
formed of a compressible elastomeric polymer that absorbs and
dissipates impact forces, and an outer shell formed of a semi-rigid
polymeric material that is harder than the inner cup and structured
for deflecting impact forces and resisting pinching and squeezing.
Shoulder straps, side panels and other areas of the garment are
adjustable for proper fit on the wearer.
[0009] The universal breast protective garment of the present
invention is useful in a wide variety of women's contact and
collision sports as a breast and chest protector including, but not
limited to, the following: [0010] Women's Full Contact American
Football [0011] Women's Lacrosse [0012] Women's Floor Hockey [0013]
Women's Field Hockey [0014] Women's Water Polo [0015] Women's
Basketball [0016] Women's Ice Hockey [0017] Women's Roller Derby
[0018] Women's Boxing [0019] Women's Mixed Martial Arts [0020]
Women's Karate [0021] Women's Handball [0022] Women's Softball
Objects and Advantages of the Invention
[0023] Considering the forgoing, it is a primary object if the
present invention to provide a universal breast protective garment
that adjustably fits and conforms to a wide range of body sizes,
and wherein the breast protective garment has universal application
for a wide variety of women's impact and collision sports, and
further wherein the breast protective garment is specifically
structured to deflect at least a portion of impact forces to the
breasts, while resisting pinching and squeezing of the breasts, and
to further absorb and dissipate impact forces that are not
deflected, thereby protecting the breasts from bruising and other
injury.
[0024] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
universal breast protective garment that adjustably fits around and
conforms to a wide range of women's sizes, and wherein the breast
protective garment is structured to resemble a sports bra, and
further wherein the universal breast protective garment is
structured for significantly reducing impact forces to the
breasts.
[0025] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
universal breast protective garment that retains a desirable
feminine appearance while also protecting the breasts and chest by
significantly reducing the effect of impact forces to the breasts
and chest.
[0026] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
breast protective garment, generally in the form of a sports bra,
and which includes pockets in the breast area for removably
receiving protective breast cup assemblies therein, and further
wherein the breast cup assemblies include and inner cup formed of a
compressible elastomeric polymer that is compressible and has full
elastic memory and an outer shell formed of a semi-rigid polymer
material that is harder than the inner cup but still compressible
with full elastic memory as well.
[0027] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a breast protective garment, as described above, wherein
the protective breast cup assemblies are removable from the pockets
of the garment to allow for separate washing in the laundry of the
garment and breast cups.
[0028] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a universal breast protective garment, as described above,
and wherein the garment is provided in the form of a sports bra
made of neoprene, polyester or cotton.
[0029] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a universal breast protective garment generally in the form
of a sports bra, as described above, wherein the sports bra and
protective breast cup assemblies are all fully breathable to avoid
excessive heat and perspiration.
[0030] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a universal breast protective garment that includes pockets
for removably receiving protective breast cup assemblies, and
wherein the breast cup assemblies include an outer shell formed of
a semi-rigid polymer material designed to deflect forces of impact
and resist pinching and squeezing, and an inner cup formed of a
compressible elastomeric polymer that is structured for absorbing
and dissipating impact forces.
[0031] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the universal
breast protective garment worn on a woman;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a side, rear perspective view illustrating
releasable and adjustable attachment of overlapping front and rear
side panels of the universal breast protective garment;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view showing an inner cup of a
protective breast cup assembly;
[0036] FIG. 4 is an exploded side perspective view showing an outer
cup and inner cup of the protective breast cup assembly, wherein
the inner cup is formed of an impact absorbing elastomeric polymer
and the outer cup is formed of a semi-rigid polymeric material that
is harder than the inner cup;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along an upper
portion of the front chest panel of the breast protective garment
showing left and right pocket openings for receiving left and right
protective breast cup assemblies therein;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of
the line indicated as 6-6 in FIG. 1 showing the inner and outer
cups of the protective breast cup assembly fitted within one of the
pockets on the front chest panel of the garment; and
[0039] FIG. 7 is a side, rear perspective view showing the breast
protective garment properly fitted on a woman with back side panel
flaps overlying front side panels and adjustably and releasably
secured thereto.
[0040] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0041] Referring to the several views of the drawings, and
initially FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the universal breast protective garment
is shown and is generally indicated as 10. As seen in the drawings,
the universal breast protective garment 10 is in the form of a
sports bra and may be constructed of an elastomeric material (e.g.,
neoprene or polyester), cotton, or other breathable and
form-fitting materials. In a preferred embodiment, the garment 10
is constructed entirely, or at least partially, of neoprene and
includes a front chest panel 20 with left and right chest portions
22, 24, a back panel 25, overlapping front and rear side flaps 26,
27, and shoulder straps 28.
[0042] The universal, form-fitting breast protective garment 10 is
adjustable to accommodate a wide range of upper body sizes and
breast sizes. To provide for universal sizing, form fit and proper
support, the garment 10 includes adjustable shoulder straps 28,
adjustable overlapping side flaps 26, 27 below the arms, and a size
adjustment feature between the breasts. In a preferred embodiment,
the left and right shoulder straps 28 each include front segments
30, rear segments 32 and buckles 34 or other members to allow for
sliding passage of front strap segments 30 and adjustment of the
shoulder strap length. Releasable attachment means, such as hook
and loop fasteners, allow for securing overlapping portions of the
front shoulder strap segments 30 at adjusted positions to fit to
the size of the wearer. The overlapping side adjustment flaps on
each side of the garment include a front side flap 26 that extends
from the front chest panel 20 and a rear side flap 27 that extends
from the back panel 25 of the garment 10. The overlapping side
flaps are provided with releasable fasteners 38, such as hook and
loop fasteners, for adjusted attachment of a rear side flap 27 to a
front side flap 26. In a preferred embodiment, the size adjustment
between the breasts is provided by a lace or drawstring 40 that
passes through eyelets 42, as seen in FIG. 1. Tightening and
loosening of the drawstring 40 through the eyelets can be achieved
with the use of a spring-loaded barrel lock fastener mechanism 44
that is well known in the art. Pulling the drawstring 40 tighter
serves to move the left and right chest portions 22, 24 closer
together, while loosening the drawstring 40 allows for more
separation between the left and right chest portions 22, 24. When
released, the spring-loaded barrel fastener 44 holds the drawstring
40 at the adjusted position. In combination, the adjustable
shoulder straps 28, overlapping side flaps 26, 27, and drawstring
adjustment 40 between the breasts allow for universal sizing and
fitting of the breast protective garment 10 to a wide range of
upper body and breast sizes.
[0043] The left and right chest portions 22, 24 on the front chest
panel 20 are constructed to have an inner layer of material 50 and
an outer layer of material 52 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In a preferred
embodiment, the inner layer 50 is thinner than the outer layer 52.
Both the inner layer and outer layer are formed of an elastomeric
breathable material such as neoprene. The inner layer of material
50 is attached (e.g., by stitching) to the outer layer 52 to form
left and right breast pockets 54 with an access opening 56 (see
FIG. 5) along the top or side of each pocket 54. The left and right
breast pockets 54 are positioned to align with and overly the left
and right breasts of the wearer. As shown in FIG. 6, the pockets 54
are each sized and configured to receive a protective breast cup
assembly 60 therein.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, left and right breast cup
assemblies 60 each include an inner cup 62 formed of an elastomeric
material that is fully compressible. The inner cup has full elastic
memory and will not bottom out when subjected to compressive impact
forces. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner cup has a concave inner
facing side 63 and a convex outer facing side 64. The inner cup 62
is sized according to the breast size of the wearer and, when
received within the respective breast pocket 54 of the garment 10,
protectively covers the wearer's breast. The left and right breast
cup assemblies 60 each further include an outer shell 66 formed of
a semi-rigid elastomeric material. The outer shell 66 is harder
than the inner cup 62, but is still compressible. The outer shell
66 has a convex outer side 68 and a concave inner side 67 that is
sized and shaped for congruent nested receipt of the inner cup 62,
as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. In a preferred embodiment, the outer
shell 66 has hardness ranging between 20-75 and the inner cup 62
has a hardness ranging between 20-55, as measured by a TECLOCK
durometer, model JS S 6050. The outer shell 66 is structured to
deflect impact forces to the chest and breast, similar to a sports
helmet. However, the elastomeric nature of the outer shell 66
material allows the outer shell 66 to also absorb and dissipate a
portion of the impact force. The inner cup 62 is structured to
further absorb and dissipate forces of impact to thereby
substantially reduce the amount of impact to the chest and breast
and significantly reduce bruising and injury to the chest and
breast. The combined function of the outer shell 66 and inner cup
62 allows the breast cup assemblies 60 to absorb and dissipate over
50 percent of the impact force to the chest and breasts of the
wearer. This ability to absorb and dissipate a significant amount
of impact force makes the garment 10 of the present invention
suitable for use in a large number of women's contact and collision
sports as a breast and chest protector.
[0045] The breast cup assemblies 60 are inserted within and removed
from each respective pocket 54 through the pocket opening 56. This
allows for removal of the breast cup assemblies for washing the
garment 10 and individually hand washing the inner cup 62 and outer
shell 66 as necessary. The ability to easily insert and remove the
breast cup assemblies 60 also allows for interchanging breast cup
assemblies of varying cup size to accommodate different breast
sizes as well as to change the hardness of the outer shell 66
and/or inner cup 62 as appropriate for different activities.
[0046] Adjusted movement of the left and right chest portions 22,
24, as described above, serves to selectively move and hold the
left and right breast pockets 54, and left and right breast cup
assemblies 60 therein, closer together or further apart through a
range of adjusted positions.
[0047] While the present invention has been shown and described in
accordance with a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is
recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully
contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention
which are not to be limited except as defined in the following
claims.
* * * * *