TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a maternity sports bra. BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Sports bras are worn by women during exercise. Sports bras are typically made from resilient and comfortable material, and provide superior breast support during sports impact when compared with regular bras. Although highly supportive and form fitting, sports bras are awkward to pull up over the breast when an exercising mother needs to feed her baby.

[0004] The preferred embodiment provides a sports bra which facilitates improved baby feeding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a maternity sports bra including:

a pair of breast supports for supporting respective breasts; and

at least one release for releasing the supports so that a baby can gain access to the breasts for feeding.

[0006] Advantageously, the release may conveniently and simply release the supports for feeding without the need to pull up the bra over the breasts.

[0007] The release may be of a first type and the sports bra may include another release of another type for extra security. The support may be of a first type and the sports bra may include another support of another type for extra support. The other support may conceal the other release for improved aesthetics. The supports may form a single layer or form part of a dual layer.

[0008] The supports may be lifted so that the baby can gain access to the breast from below.

[0009] The at least one release may include a zip, magnet, clip or clasp or hook.

[00010] Preferably, the at least one release includes a pair of releases for releasing respective supports. The releases may include zips. The zips may be operable in opposing directions. The zips may be horizontal. The zips may be located beneath the breasts. The zips may be oblique or diagonal. The releases may include clips. The zip may be vertical.

[00011] The supports may include resilient fabric. The fabric may be sweat wicking. The resilient fabric may include any one or more of: nylon, polyester, lycra, spandex supplex™ or coolmax™.

[00012] The maternity sports bra may further include a resilient torso band for extending around a torso. The maternity sports bra may further include shoulder straps for extending over the shoulders.

[00013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a maternity sports top including:

at least one breast support for supporting a breast; and

at least one release for releasing the support so that a baby can gain access to the breast for feeding.

[00014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a maternity sports bra including:

a breast support for supporting a breast; and

at least one release for releasing the support so that a baby can gain access to the breast for feeding. [00015] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00016] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00017] Figure 1 a is a front view of a low impact sports bra in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00018] Figure 1 b is a rear view of the sports bra of figure 1 a;

[00019] Figure 2a is a front view of a low impact sports bra in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[00020] Figure 2b is a rear view of the sports bra of figure 2a;

[00021] Figure 3a is a front view of a medium impact sports bra in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00022] Figure 3b is a rear view of the sports bra of figure 3a;

[00023] Figure 4a is a front view of a medium impact sports bra in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[00024] Figure 4b is a rear view of the sports bra of figure 4a;

[00025] Figure 4c is a front view of an additional inner support of the sports bra of figure 4a;

[00026] Figure 5a is a front view of an inner support of a high impact sports bra in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [00027] Figure 5b is a front view of a complete high impact sports bra including the inner support of figure 5a and with an outer support open;

[00028] Figure 5c is a front view of the high impact sports bra of figure 5b with the outer support closed;

[00029] Figure 5d is a rear view of the high impact sports bra of figure 5c;

[00030] Figure 6a is a front view of a impact sports bra in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[00031] Figure 6b is a rear view of the sports bra of figure 6a; and

[00032] Figure 6c is a front view of an additional inner support of the sports bra of figure 6a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a low impact maternity sports bra 100 as shown in figure 1 . The sports bra 100 includes a pair of breast supports 102a, 102b for supporting respective breasts. A pair of horizontal zip releases 104a, 104b are provided for releasing the supports 102a, 102b so that a baby can discreetly gain access to the breasts for feeding.

[00034] The sports bra 100 further includes a central release 106 for releasing the supports 102a, 102b. The central release 106 can be magnetic with a magnet and metal tab, but may alternatively include a clasp or clip. The releases 104, 106 are of different types and provide extra security whereby the supports 102a, 102b cannot be freely released until both types are released.

[00035] The maternity sports bra 1 00 further includes an endless resilient torso band 108 for extending around the wearer's torso. Advantageously, the releases 104, 106 can be conveniently and simply released for feeding without the need to pull up the torso band 108 over the breasts. The zip releases 104a, 104b extend along the top of the torso band 108, beneath the breasts, and are operable in opposing directions. Once a zip release 104 is released, a corresponding support 102 can be lifted so that the baby can conveniently gain access to the breast from below. Improved access can be provided by further releasing the central release 106.

[00036] The supports 102 include a single layer of resilient fabric. The fabric preferably has sweat wicking properties. The fabric can include any one or more of: nylon, polyester, lycra, spandex supplex™or coolmax™.

[00037] The sports bra 100 also includes resilient cleavage margins 1 10 coupled together to form a V-shape by the central release 106. The margins 1 10 separate upper and lower apertures 1 12, 1 14. The sports bra 1 10 further includes shoulder straps 1 16 for extending over the shoulders from a frontal bib 1 18.

[00038] As can best be seen in Figure 1 b, the shoulder straps 1 16 converge on the wearer's back to form a Y-shape back 120 attached to the rear of the supports 102. A central zip release 122 can be provided to open the back 120 when removing the bra 100. The overall bra 100 has a single layer fabric making it suitable for low impact activity.

[00039] Another similar low impact maternity sports bra 200 is shown in figure 2. Like reference numerals refer to like features previously described. The bra 200 includes a pair of thin length adjustable shoulder straps 202a, 202b of similar resilient (e.g. elastic) material to the V-margins 1 10. Similarly, back margins 204 are provided that are fastened together with the torso band 108 by a central rear clasp 206.

[00040] Figure 3 shows a medium impact sports bra 300 for medium impact sporting activities. Like reference numerals refer to like features previously described. A pair of oblique and arced zip releases 104a, 104b is provided for releasing the supports 102a, 102b so that a baby can gain access to the breasts for feeding. A central zip release 302 is also provided to loosen the bra 300. The resilient fabric above the torso band 108 forms a single layer, although is contoured to snugly hug the torso making it suitable for medium impact sporting activity. The rear clasp 206 can be released to loosen the torso band 108 and therefore the bottom of the bra 300.

[00041] The central zip release 302 can be released to provide the breast over a support 102 for feeding. Alternatively, an oblique release 104 can be released to provide the breast downward under the support 102 for feeding. [00042] Figure 4 shows a layered medium impact sports bra 400 for medium impact sporting activities. Like reference numerals refer to like features previously described. The bra 400 includes outer fabric supports 102a, 102b that can be released using upright zip releases 104a, 104b. The bra also includes flexible inner supports 402a, 402b shown in Figure 4c for locating in register with the outer supports 102a, 102b so as to form two support layers. The outer fabric supports 102a, 102b form part of a tube 404 that extends right around the wearer's body.

[00043] The upright zip releases 104a, 104b can be released to provide the breasts over the supports 104, 402 for feeding.

[00044] Figure 5 shows a layered high impact sports bra 500 for high impact sporting activities. Like reference numerals refer to like features previously described. As shown in Figure 5a, an inner support 502 is provided including breast supports 102a, 102b for directly supporting respective breasts. The inner support 502 includes a pair of clip or clasp or hook releases 504a, 504b (i.e. first release type) which can be used to release the supports 102a, 102b. The supports are coupled to a common endless anchor strip 506.

[00045] Turning to Figure 5b, an outer support 508 is provided including outer breast supports 510a, 510b for further supporting respective breasts. The central zip release 302 (i.e. second release type) is provided to loosen the outer breast supports 510a, 510b and the bra 500. The outer supports 510 conceal the clip or clasp or hook releases 504 and inner support 502 for improved aesthetics. The shoulder straps 512 are dual layered, with inner narrow shoulder straps 202 and outer wide straps of the same fabric as the outer supports 510, and may cross over at the back as shown (but need not). The shoulder straps 512 are length adjustable with rear adjusters 514.

[00046] The central zip release 302 followed by the inner clip or clasp releases 504a, 504b can be released to provide the breast over the supports 102, 510 for feeding.

[00047] Figure 6 shows a layered impact sports bra 600 for impact sporting activities. Like reference numerals refer to like features previously described. The bra 600 includes outer fabric supports 602a, 602b that can be released using upright zip release 604 and the clip, clasp or hook releases 504. The releases 504 can engage with any one of many static rungs 606 according to fullness of the breast and the associated support level needed. Accordingly, the releases can be engages in higher rungs 606 when the breasts are less full, and lower rungs 606 when the breasts are more full.

[00048] The bra also includes flexible inner supports 402a, 402b shown in Figure 6c for stitching in register with the outer supports 602a, 602b so as to form two support layers. The rungs 606 are located at the upper end of the supports 402a, 402b.

[00049] The inner supports 402a, 402b receive and support the breasts through lower recesses 610. The outer fabric supports 602a, 602b form part of a tube 608 that extends right around the wearer's body.

[00050] The upright zip 604 can be released along with the releases 504 to provide the breasts between the inner supports 402a, 402b for feeding.

[00051] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00052] In one embodiment, a maternity sports top may incorporate a bra in accordance with any of the embodiments above.

[00053] The adjustable shoulder straps 202a, 202b have a sliding adjustment mechanism as well as a separate attachment mechanism.

[00054] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00055] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment' or 'an

embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an

embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all 2017/050994 referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.