Patent Application
20210259873
The main purpose of the invention is to provide a device that supports the abdomen and lower back during different stages of pregnancy and different stages of postpartum and during a medical condition which enlarges the size of the lower abdomen. The multi-layered supporting device comprises of a flat, or sack like, front panel which is connected by elastics to two back panels connected to each other by adjustable laces The front and back panels are comprised of 100% cotton material. The front 100% cotton panel of the device with overlapping elastic bands includes pockets for activity monitoring sensors. Additionally, the front and back cotton panels include pockets for removable plastic boning which offers additional support.
More information regarding the specific components of the invention as well as their functions will be disclosed in the descriptions that follow. These descriptions will also reference the drawings attached in order to provide for a fuller image and better understanding of the invention and its suggested uses and functions.
Let it be noted that the device being described isn't limited to the uses it is prescribed to in the description. Furthermore, the structure of the device can be slightly altered while still utilizing the same basic principles as detailed in the description and other sections. In the description, many terms are used that may put limits on the design of the product, however, this should not be regarded as so and the terms are merely a means of providing a fuller description and are not intended to be interpreted as limitations to the device models.
In the drawings, the device is illustrated in several parts. The device is composed of the front and back panels with various functional parts connecting them to ensure maximum support and adjustability to the user's body.
The front panel of the device comprises of a sack like base 1 is in a sack like shape, made out of cotton. The center of 1 has a pocket 6 which can hold a plastic bone to ensure a more sturdy support. The boning structure 6 of the device comprises of several such pockets where flexible plastic bones can be inserted. The bones are sturdy yet flexible, ensuring the best possible support and fit. The left and right sides of base 1 have pockets 10 which can hold monitoring sensors to monitor user's activities or activities of the user's fetus.
The front panel also has two straps overlapping the base. Each strap comprises of two overlapping pieces of elastic. Elastic bands 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 are all the same size and are made of the same material. The elastic bands 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 are made out of a flexible stretchy elastic material that both provides strong support but also bends and adjusts to fit the shape of the user. Elastic bands 4.2 and 4.4 are located slightly lower than bands 4.1 and 4.3 accordingly. Bands 4.1 and 4.3 also overlap with bands 4.2 and 4.4. In another configuration, which depends on the size of the abdomen expansion, each strap comprises of three overlapping pieces adding 4.5 and 4.6 the same size elastic band to two straps or only one wide piece of elastic band as showed in
The hooks connect to the holes located on the exterior of the strap that connects to the elastic straps 3. The piece of the device with the holes on it 7 goes underneath the front panel to find the hooks that will attach to the hooks thus connecting the front and back panels. In an alterior configuration, instead of the hook-and-eye closure, a Velcro Hook-and-Loop fastener or regular button with accompanying button holes could be used.
The back panel is comprised of two parts 2 which are made out of cotton. Each part 2 has a bone pocket and bone 6 sewn onto the side that is closer to the opposite part. The bones 6 are once again made out of a flexible plastic material that provides additional support to the device. The two parts of the back panel 2 are connected by laces 9 which can be adjusted to best fit the user. The laces 9 can be pulled tighter or loosened depending on what the user feels fits their needs best. The back panel is attached to the front panel by two strips of elastic material 3. The strips 3 are sewn on one on each side of the back panel and are made of a flexible, stretchy material to make sure the device is capable of adjusting to fit the user.
On each elastic strip 3 two buttons (or eyes) 8.1 are sewn on. The buttons (or eyes) 8.1 align to connect and fit into the button holes (or hooks) 8.2 on the ends of the straps 5. The buttons 8.1 are sewn on to the side of the strips 3 that is closer to the back panel. The button holes (or hooks) 8.2 attach to the buttons (or eyes) 8.1 and the stretchy elastic material of 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 stretches accordingly to make sure it fits around the shape of the abdomen and lumbar to provide maximum support to the user. The elastic strips 3 help make sure that elastic straps 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 aren't the only place receiving the weight and so that the weight is balanced throughout the user's abdomen and doesn't focus on one specific part. The components of the device all work together to adjust to the shape of the user as time progresses and provide the most support and comfort possible while also being small and discreet.
