FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
This disclosure relates generally to a closure for a multi-layer garment, and specifically to a three-part clasp for a pumping garment including a shoulder strap, an inner layer, and an outer layer.
BACKGROUND
A nursing woman is able to provide breastmilk to an infant in two ways. First, the nursing woman can breastfeed the infant directly. Second, the nursing woman can use a breast pump to extract milk that can be stored and fed to the infant at a later time. A two-layer pumping garment may be worn by a nursing woman to facilitate these two activities. During nursing, both layers of the pumping garment may be partially disconnected at or near a shoulder strap to fully expose a breast for breastfeeding. During pumping, the outer layer may be partially disconnected to expose the connected inner layer, which may be configured to support a breast pumping apparatus. When neither nursing or pumping is occurring, both layers may be secured in place in order for the pumping garment to provide a normal appearance under clothing.
The current clasps used in two-layer pumping garments are four-part clasps that are complicated and confusing for a wearer. The existing clasps have two males parts and two female parts, resulting in two male/female connections per shoulder strap. A wearer must, while wearing the garment, determine where all four parts are located and must ascertain which female part goes with which male part. In some variations, all four parts are separate. In other variations, one male part and one female part may both be provided on a single clasp component. To disconnect an outer layer, the wearer must determine which of the two male/female connections to disconnect. In some variations, the outer layer cannot be connected directly to the shoulder strap without an intermediate clasp component. In other variations, a female part associated with an inner layer can be joined with the wrong male part such that the correct male part is hidden underneath fabric of the inner layer, resulting in confusion and frustration for the wearer. Despite these drawbacks, a one-to-one relationship between a male part and a female part of a clasp has been considered necessary in order to adequately secure both layers of a two-part garment.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure is directed to a three-part clasp that improves a wearer's experience in selectively removing or replacing layers of a two-layer garment. The three-part clasp has only one male part upon which two female parts are selectively secured, eliminating any confusion about which male part should join with which female part and any possibility of connecting the wrong male and female parts. The male part may be connected to a shoulder strap with each of the two female parts secured to one of the two layers of fabric. By being secured to the shoulder strap, any force acting upon the layers of fabric (such as the downward force of gravity upon a pumping apparatus supported by the inner layer) are transmitted more directly and distributed more quickly on the shoulder strap than if an intermediate clasp component were in use. For at least these reasons, the three-part clasp makes the two-layer garment more intuitive and straightforward for the wearer than known four-part clasps while simultaneously improving the two-layer garment's ability to support the weight of a pumping apparatus.
In accordance with an example, a three-part clasp for a pumping garment for hands-free pumping includes a male part, a first female part, and a second female part. The male part is attached to a shoulder strap of the pumping garment. The first female part is attached to an inner layer of the pumping garment, the inner layer including an aperture for insertion of a breast pump flange. The second female part is attached to an outer layer of the pumping garment. In a doubly fastened configuration, the first female part is connected to the male part, the second female part is connected to the male part, and the first female part and the second female part are arranged side-by-side.
In some forms, the male part may include a vertical base, a horizontal extension protruding outwardly from the vertical base to an end, and a vertical extension projecting upwardly from the end of the horizontal extension. The first female part may include a first opening adapted to selectively hang on the horizontal extension of the male part. The second female part may include a second opening adapted to selectively hang on the horizontal extension of the male part. The first female part may have a first width, the second female part may have a second width, and a distance between the vertical base and the vertical extension along the horizontal extension of the male part may be equal to or greater than the sum of the first width and the second width. The horizontal extension may protrude upwardly from the vertical base at an angle between 95 and 105 degrees. The first female part may include a protrusion to secure the first female part on the male part.
In still further forms, the first female part may include an inner layer aperture, the second female part may include an outer layer aperture, and the inner layer aperture may be offset from the outer layer aperture in the doubly fastened configuration. The inner layer aperture may be located an offset distance below the outer layer aperture in the doubly fastened configuration. The offset distance may be greater than 7 millimeters.
In some forms, the first opening may have a first internal perimeter, the second opening may have a second internal perimeter, and the first internal perimeter may be identical to the second internal perimeter. The first female part may include a first external perimeter including a first upper portion partially surrounding the first opening, and the second female part may include a second external perimeter including a second upper portion partially surrounding the second opening. The first upper portion may be identical to the second upper portion. The first female part may include a first depressed surface partially surrounding the first opening and a first raised surface surrounding the first depressed surface. The second female part may include a second depressed surface partially surrounding the second opening and a second raised surface surrounding the second depressed surface. The first depressed surface and the first raised surface may be complementary in size and shape to the second depressed surface and the second raised surface.
In other forms, the first female part may include a first resilient tab adjacent the first opening, and the second female part may include a second resilient tab adjacent the second opening. The first resilient tab may be complementary in size and shape to the second resilient tab.
In accordance with an example, a three-part clasp for a pumping garment for hands-free pumping includes a male part, a first female part, and a second female part. The male part is attached to a shoulder strap of the pumping garment. The first female part is attached to an inner layer of the pumping garment, the inner layer including an aperture for insertion of a breast pump flange. The second female part is attached to an outer layer of the pumping garment. In a doubly fastened configuration, the first female part is connected to the male part, the second female part is connected to the male part, and the second female part is configured to be stacked upon the first female part.
In some forms, the male part may include a vertical base, a horizontal extension protruding outwardly from the vertical base to an end, and a vertical extension projecting upwardly from the end of the horizontal extension. The first female part may include a first opening adapted to selectively hang on the horizontal extension of the male part, and the second female part may include a second opening adapted to selectively engage the vertical extension of the male part. The first female part and the second female part may have a combined height when stacked in the doubly fastened configuration, and the vertical extension of the male part may have a height equal to or greater than the combined height.
In additional forms, the first female part may include an inner layer aperture, the second female part may include an outer layer aperture, and the inner layer aperture may be offset from the outer layer aperture in the doubly fastened configuration. The inner layer aperture may be located a distance below the outer layer aperture in the doubly fastened configuration. The first female part may include a first resilient tab adjacent the first opening, and the second female part may include a second resilient tab adjacent the second opening. The horizontal extension may protrude upwardly from the vertical base at an angle between 95 and 105 degrees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a male part of a side-by-side three-part clasp of the present disclosure attached to a shoulder strap of a pumping garment.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a first female part of the side-by-side three-part clasp of FIG. 1 attached to an inner layer of the pumping garment and connected to the male part.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a second female part of the side-by-side three-part clasp of FIGS. 1 and 2 attached to an outer layer of the pumping garment, connected to the male part, and arranged side-by-side with the first female part.
FIG. 4A is a side view of the side-by-side three-part clasp of FIGS. 1-3 in a doubly fastened configuration.
FIG. 4B is a front view of the male part of the side-by-side three-part clasp of FIGS. 1-4A.
FIG. 4C is side view of the male part of the side-by-side three-part clasp of FIGS. 1-4B.
FIG. 4D is a front view of the first female part of the side-by-side three-part clasp of FIGS. 1-4C.
FIG. 4E is a side view of the first female part of the side-by-side three-part clasp of FIGS. 1-4D.
FIG. 4F is a front view of the second female part of the side-by-side three-part clasp of FIGS. 1-4E.
FIG. 4G is a side view of the second female part of the side-by-side three-part clasp of FIGS. 1-4F.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a male part of a stacked three-part clasp of the present disclosure attached to a shoulder strap of a pumping garment.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a first female part of the stacked three-part clasp of FIG. 5 attached to an inner layer of the pumping garment and connected to the male part.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a second female part of the stacked three-part clasp of FIGS. 5 and 6 attached to an outer layer of the pumping garment, connected to the male part, and stacked upon the first female part.
FIG. 8A is a side view of the stacked three-part clasp of FIGS. 5-7 in a doubly fastened configuration.
FIG. 8B is a front view of the male part of the stacked three-part clasp of FIGS. 5-8A.
FIG. 8C is side view of the male part of the stacked three-part clasp of FIGS. 5-8B.
FIG. 8D is a front view of the first female part of the stacked three-part clasp of FIGS. 1-8C.
FIG. 8E is a side view of the first female part of the stacked three-part clasp of FIGS. 1-8D.
FIG. 8F is a front view of the second female part of the stacked three-part clasp of FIGS. 1-8E.
FIG. 8G is a side view of the second female part of the stacked three-part clasp of FIGS. 1-8F.
FIG. 9A is a front view of a second female part of another example of a side-by-side three-part clasp of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9B is a front view of a first female part of the side-by-side three-part clasp of FIG. 9A.
FIG. 9C is a front view of a male part of the side-by-side three-part clasp of FIGS. 9A and 9B.
FIG. 9D is a side view of the male part of FIG. 9C.
FIGS. 10-13 are photographs of various views of a three-part clasp.
FIGS. 14-17 are photographs of the male part of the three-part clasp of FIGS. 10-13.
FIGS. 18-21 are photographs of the first female part of the three-part clasp of FIGS. 10-13.
FIGS. 22-25 are photographs of the second female part of the three-part clasp of FIGS. 10-13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present disclosure is directed to a three-part clasp 100 for a pumping garment 102. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7, the pumping garment 102 may include a shoulder strap 104, an elastic sling 106, an inner layer 108, and an outer layer 109. A male part 110 of the three-part clasp 100 is attached to the shoulder strap 102. The male part 110 may optionally also be attached to the elastic sling 106. A first female part 112 of the three-part clasp 100 is attached to the inner layer 108 and may be selectively connected to the male part 110. A second female part 114 of the three-part clasp 100 is attached to the outer layer 109 and may also be selectively connected to the male part 100.
FIGS. 1 and 5 show the three-part clasp 100 in an unfastened configuration. The unfastened configuration allows a wearer of the pumping garment 102 to pull down both the inner layer 108 and the outer layer 109 to expose a breast for breastfeeding an infant directly. In the unfastened configuration, the male part 110 of the three-part clasp 100 is not connected to either the first female part 112 or the second female part 114.
FIGS. 2 and 6 show the three-part clasp 100 in a singly fastened configuration. The singly fastened configuration allows a wearer of the pumping garment 102 to attach the inner layer 108 to the shoulder strap 104 via a connection between the first female part 112 and the male part 110 of the three-part clasp 100. The inner layer 108 may, for example, be designed with an aperture 116 over a nipple area in order to hold a breast shield or other pumping apparatus in place, allowing the wearer of the garment to pump breastmilk hands-free. In the singly fastened configuration, the male part 110 of the three-part clasp 100 is not connected to the second female part 114, which allows the outer layer 109 to be pulled down to expose the inner layer 108 in order to, for example, facilitate breast pumping.
FIGS. 3 and 7 show the three-part clasp 100 in a doubly fastened configuration. The doubly fastened configuration allows a wearer of the pumping garment 102 to attach the outer layer 109 to the shoulder strap 104 via a connection between the second female part 114 and the male part 110 of the three-part clasp 100. The outer layer 109 then covers the inner layer 108, and the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 are both independently connected to the male part 110 of the three-part clasp 100. The outer layer 109 may be designed to cover a wearer's breast in a manner similar to a typical bra or bra-style camisole. After pumping or breastfeeding, a wearer may opt for the doubly fastened configuration in order to wear the pumping garment 102 in a manner that achieves the same coverage and support as a standard bra or camisole.
The three-part clasp 100 is shown as having two arrangements: a side-by-side arrangement (shown in FIGS. 1-4G) and a stacked arrangement (shown in FIGS. 5-8G). In the side-by-side arrangement, best shown in FIG. 4A, the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 are arranged next to one another on the male part 110. Specifically, the male part 110 includes a horizontal extension 118, a vertical extension 120, and a vertical base 122. The first female part 112 has an first opening 124 that allows the first female part 112 to hang from the horizontal extension 118. The second female part 114 has an second opening 126 that allows the second female part 114 to hang from the horizontal extension 118. The horizontal extension 118 is sufficiently long to accommodate the width of both of the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 when they are arranged adjacent or nearly adjacent one another. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first female part 112 has a first width W1, the second female part has a second width W2, and a distance D between the vertical extension 120 and the vertical base 122 along the horizontal extension 118 is equal to or greater than the sum of the first width W1 and the second width W2.
In the stacked arrangement, best shown in FIG. 8A, the first female part 112 is positioned below the second female part 114. The first opening 124 of the first female part 112 allows the first female part 112 to hang from the horizontal extension 118 of the male part 110. The second opening 126 of the second female part 114 allows the second female part 114 to be hooked over the vertical extension 120 of the male part 110. The second female part 114 then stacks on top of the first female part 112. The height of the horizontal extension 118 of the male part 110 is sufficiently high to secure both the second female part 114 and the first female part 112 in the stacked configuration between the horizontal extension 118 and the vertical base 122 of the male part 110. In particular, as shown in FIG. 8A, the first female part 112 has a first vertical height H1 corresponding to the portion of the first female part 112 that occupies vertical space on the male part 110 in the stacked arrangement, and the second female part has a second vertical height H2 corresponding to the portion of the second female part 114 that occupies vertical space on the male part 110 in the stacked arrangement. Together, the first vertical height H1 and the second vertical height H2 form a combined height that is less than or equal to a height H3 of the vertical extension 120 of the male part 110.
The three-part clasp 100 may have a number of features to facilitate use. For example, the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 may be sized and shaped to be complementary to one another or may have divots, protrusions, or other features to engage with one another. Similarly, the horizontal extension 118 or the vertical extension 120 of the male part 110 may have curvatures, divots, protrusions, or other features to help secure the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 in their respective locations.
FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate alternate or additional features of the first female part 112, the second female part 114, and the male part 110. The elements illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9D are designated by the same reference numbers indicated on the arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 1-8G. Accordingly, features common to all figures will not be described in substantial detail. Further, it is appreciated that any combination or sub-combination of features described in regard to the first female part 112, the second female part 114, and the male part 110 in FIGS. 9A-9D may be incorporated into the arrangements shown in FIGS. 1-8G, and vice-versa.
One issue addressed by the arrangements depicted in FIGS. 9A-9D is that of undesirable movement of the first female part 112 in the singly fastened configuration. In the singly fastened configuration, the first female part 112 hangs on the horizontal extension 118 without the second female part 114, and thus the first female part 112 has more space to move along the horizontal extension 118 in the singly fastened configuration than in the doubly fastened configuration. To limit the movement of the first female part 112 in the singly fastened configuration, the first female part 112 may be provided with teeth 132 that engage the male part 110 or the shoulder strap 104. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 9B-9D, the male part 110 includes a shoulder strap aperture 128 above the horizontal extension 118. The first opening 124 of the first female part 112 is formed in part by a first cross-bar 130. Teeth 132 are provided on the first cross-bar 130. The teeth 132 extend at least partially through the shoulder strap aperture 128 when the first female part 112 selectively hangs on the horizontal extension 118 of the male part 110 adjacent to the vertical base 122 of the male part 110. Specifically, the shoulder strap aperture 128 includes a bottom edge 134, and the teeth 132 are configured to engage the bottom edge 134 when the first female part 112 selectively hangs on the horizontal extension 118 of the male part 110 adjacent to the vertical base 122 of the male part 110. The engagement creates friction that optimally limits the movement of the first female part 112 in the singly fasted configuration. In other arrangements not depicted herein, the teeth 132 may be located elsewhere on the first female part 112 and may engage a different part of the male part 110 or may engage the shoulder strap 104. The teeth 132 may take any shape or form, such as a protrusion, that desirably increases friction or engagement of the first female part 112 with the male part 110 or the shoulder strap 104 and thus limits movement of the first female part 112 in the singly fastened configuration.
Another issue addressed by the arrangements depicted in FIGS. 9A-9D is how to secure both the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 on the male part 110 in the doubly fastened configuration. As shown in FIG. 9D, the horizontal extension 118 of the male part 110 may protrude upwardly from the vertical base 122 at an angle A greater than 90 degrees and ideally between 95 and 105 degrees. The result of the angle A is that, when the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 hang on the horizontal extension 118, gravity pulls the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 along the horizontal extension 118 toward the vertical base 122. The first female part 112 and the second female part 114 are thus less likely to fall off the male part 110. The horizontal extension 118 of the male part 110 in a stacked arrangement, such as that shown in FIG. 8, may likewise protrude upwardly from the vertical base 122 at an angle A greater than 90 degrees and ideally between 95 and 105 degrees in order to secure the first female part 112 on the base in the singly fastened configuration.
As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the first female part 112 includes an inner layer aperture 136 to which the inner layer 108 is connected, and the second female part 114 includes an outer layer aperture 138 to which the outer layer 109 is connected. The inner layer 108 can create a bump or bulky area where it connects to the inner layer aperture 136, and likewise the outer layer 109 can create a bump or bulky area where it connects to the outer layer aperture 138. In addition to being unsightly under clothing when combined, overlapping the bump or bulky areas can interfere with the securement of the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 on the male part 110. To avoid these issues, these bump or bulky areas are offset from one another by having the inner layer aperture 136 offset from the outer layer aperture 138 in the doubly fastened configuration. In particular, the inner layer aperture 136 is located an offset distance O below the outer layer aperture 138 in the doubly fastened configuration. In FIG. 9B, the location of a bottom edge 139 of the outer layer aperture 138 relative to the inner layer aperture 136 in the doubly fastened configuration is depicted by a dotted line. The offset distance O is a minimum of 7 millimeters in order to adequately account for the size of the bump or bulky areas created at the inner layer aperture 136 and outer layer aperture 138. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the entire offset distance O is incorporated into a length L of a body 141 of the first female part 112 located between the first opening 124 and the inner layer aperture 136. In the stacked arrangement shown in FIGS. 5-8G, an offset distance O occurs naturally as a result of the vertical arrangement of the first female part 112 and the second female part 114. Nonetheless, the body 141 of the first female part 112 may be elongated to incorporate some or all of the offset distance O.
As shown by comparing FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B, the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 are identical in a number of ways in order to facilitate their placement adjacent one another in the doubly fastened configuration. The first opening 124 has a first internal perimeter 140, and the second opening 126 has a second internal perimeter 142. The first internal perimeter 140 and the second internal perimeter 142 are identical. The first female part 112 includes a first external perimeter 144 that includes a first upper portion 146 partially surrounding the first opening 124. The second female part 114 includes a second external perimeter 148 that includes a second upper portion 150 partially surrounding the second opening 126. The first upper portion 146 is identical to the second upper portion 150.
As also shown by comparing FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B, the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 are complementary in a number of ways also to facilitate their placement adjacent one another in the doubly fastened configuration. The first female part includes a first depressed surface 152 partially surrounding the first opening 124 and a first raised surface 154 surrounding the first depressed surface 152. The second female part 114 includes a second depressed surface 156 partially surrounding the second opening 126 and a second raised surface 158 surrounding the second depressed surface 156. The first depressed surface 152 and the first raised surface 154 are complementary in size and shape to the second depressed surface 156 and the second raised surface 158. In particular, the second depressed surface 156 and the first depressed surface 152 may have substantially identical perimeters or one may be slightly larger than the other to facilitate stacking. Likewise, the second raised surface 158 and the first raised surface 154 may have substantially identical perimeters or one may be slightly larger than the other to facilitate stacking. The curvature between the first depressed surface 152 and the first raised surface 154 may be substantially identical to the curvature between the second depressed surface 156 and the second raised surface 158. The result of these identical and complementary features is that the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 can be nestled together in a partially compressed arrangement on the horizontal extension 118 of the male part 110 in the doubly fastened configuration.
Another feature of the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 are the first resilient tab 160 and the second resilient tab 162 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, as well as in FIGS. 8D and 8F. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the first resilient tab 160 includes a first top edge 164 adjacent the first opening 124, and the second resilient tab 162 includes a second top edge 166 adjacent the second opening 126. When the first female part 112 and/or the second female part 114 are hanging on the horizontal extension 118 of the male part 110, the first resilient tab 160 and the second resilient tab 162 respectively limit the vertical distance that the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 can be displaced. This ensures that the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 cannot be displaced a vertical distance greater than the height of the vertical extension 120, and thus are not likely to accidentally fall off the horizontal extension 118 of the male part 110. Since the first resilient tab 160 is only connected to the first female part 112 at a first bottom edge 168, and the second resilient tab 162 is only connected to the second female part 114 at a second bottom edge 170, the first resilient tab 160 and the second resilient tab 162 are able to flex or bend slightly before returning to their original position. This ability to flex or bend facilitates the placement of the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 over the vertical extension 120 and onto the horizontal extension 118 of the male part 110. During placement of the first female part 112 and the second female part 114, the first hole 124 and the second hole 126 may not be perfectly aligned with the vertical extension 120 and/or the horizontal extension 118. The first resilient tab 160 and the second resilient tab 162 provide some flexibility that enables placement of the first female part 112 and the second female part 114 on the male part 110 despite imperfect alignment. The first resilient tab 160 and the second resilient tab 162 are complementary in size and shape to enable a nestled arrangement in the doubly fastened configuration.
Patent Application
20230225461
