# US 7,611,399 B2 · Hands-free breast pumping support device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,399 B2 - Document ID: US7611399B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/385,248 - Filed: 2006-03-20 - Published: 2006-09-21 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2005-03-21 - Inventors: Merilee Brigham - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611399B2 ## CPC - A61M 1/062: {Pump accessories} - A61M 1/067: {with means for hands-free operation} - A61M 1/804: {using Laval or Venturi jet pumps} - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - A61M 2209/082: Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment - A61M 2209/088: on the body - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A hands-free breast pumping support device (20) generally includes a strap (22) having first and second end portions (24 and 26), and first and second fasteners (28 and 30) coupled to the strap first and second end portions. The first and second fasteners are operable to be releasably connected to a garment (32) to support at least one breast pumping device (100) coupled to a breast (102) or releasably connected to the strap to form a loop of selectable size (34) to support at least one breast pumping device coupled to a breast. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of hands-free breast pumping, comprising: (a) coupling at least one breast pumping device to a breast; (b) positioning a support device strap having a central portion for placement behind a neck of a user and having first and second strap end portions that extend downwardly along the front of the user's torso, the support device strap further comprising first and second fasteners, the first and second fasteners each having a first fastener portion permanently coupled to the first and second strap end portions and a second fastener portion configured to be releasably attachable to the strap itself, wherein the first and second fasteners are selected from the group consisting of clips and clamps; and (c) attaching the second fastener portion of the first fastener to the strap itself at a point on the strap that is located between the central portion and the first end portion to form a first loop of selectable size, the selectable size being based on the placement of the first fastener on the strap between the central portion and the first end portion, wherein the first loop of selectable size is sized and located to encircle a portion of the at least one breast pumping device to support at least a portion of the at least one breast pumping device coupled to the breast. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the strap is a flexible strap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a length of the strap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning a comfort pad behind the neck of the user, wherein the comfort pad is attachable to the strap at a portion of the strap that extends behind the neck of the user. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching a chest strap interconnecting the strap at locations spaced from the first and second end portions of the strap. ### Claim 6 A method of hands-free breast pumping, comprising: (a) coupling at least one breast pumping device to a breast; (b) positioning a support device strap having a central portion for placement behind a neck of a user and having first and second strap end portions that extend downwardly along the front of the user's torso, the support device strap further comprising first and second fasteners, the first and second fasteners each having a first fastener portion permanently coupled to the first and second strap end portions and a second fastener portion configured to be releasably attachable to the strap itself, wherein the first and second fasteners are selected from the group consisting of clips and clamps; (c) attaching the second fastener portion of the first fastener to the strap itself at a point on the strap that is located between the central portion and the first end portion to form a first loop of selectable size, the selectable size being based on the placement of the first fastener on the strap between the central portion and the first end portion, wherein the first loop of selectable size is sized and located to encircle a portion of the at least one breast pumping device to support at least a portion of the at least one breast pumping device coupled to the breast; and (d) attaching a chest strap to the strap, wherein the chest strap is attached along the strap at two or more locations, the locations being spaced from the first and second end portions of the strap and between the central portion and the first and second end portion of the strap, and wherein the chest strap adds tension to the strap and maintains the at least one breast pumping device in a supported position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the other of the second fastener portions of the first and second fasteners to a garment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling a second breast pumping device to a breast and attaching the other of the second fastener portions of the first and second fasteners to the strap to form a second loop of selectable size, wherein the second loop of selectable size encircles a portion of a second breast pumping device to support the second breast pumping device coupled to the breast. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising attaching the other of the second fastener portions of the first and second fasteners to a garment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising coupling a second breast pumping device to a breast and attaching the other of the second fastener portions of the first and second fasteners to the strap to form a second loop of selectable size, wherein the second loop of selectable size encircles a portion of a second breast pumping device to support the second breast pumping device coupled to the breast. ### Claim 11 A method of hands-free breast pumping, comprising: (a) coupling at least one breast pumping device to a breast of a user, wherein the user is wearing a garment adaptable to be pulled away from the front of the user's torso to provide access to the user's breasts; (b) positioning a support device strap having a central portion for placement behind a neck of a user and having first and second strap end portions that extend downwardly along the front of the user's torso, the support device strap further comprising first and second fasteners, the first and second fasteners each having a first fastener portion permanently coupled to the first and second strap end portions and a second fastener portion configured to be releasably attachable to the garment, wherein the first and second fasteners are selected from the group consisting of clips and clamps; (c) positioning the garment such that it can be used to support components of the at least one breast pumping device; and (d) attaching the first and second fasteners to the garment at a point on the garment so as to use the garment and the strap to form a loop of selectable size, the selectable size being based on the placement of the first and second fasteners on the garment, wherein the loop of selectable size is sized and located to encircle and to support components of the at least one breast pumping device coupled to the breast. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second fasteners are selected from the group consisting of clips-and clamps. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the second fastener portion of the second fastener to the strap itself at a point on the strap that is located between the central portion and the second end portion to form a first loop of selectable size, such size being based on the placement of the second fastener on the strap between the central portion and the first end portion, wherein the first loop of selectable size is sized and located to encircle a portion of the at least one breast pumping device to support at least a portion of the at least one breast pumping device coupled to the breast. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising attaching the second fastener portion of the second fastener to the strap itself at a point on the strap that is located between the central portion and the second end portion to form a first loop of selectable size, such size being based on the placement of the second fastener on the strap between the central portion and the first end portion, wherein the first loop of selectable size is sized and located to encircle a portion of the at least one breast pumping device to support at least a portion of the at least one breast pumping device coupled to the breast.