Abstract: A protective device for an end portion of an underwire for a garment including a cushion tip having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion has “an internal cavity extending over a portion of the length of the proximal portion and is dimensioned to receive the end of an underwire of similar cross-section. The distal end of the cushion tip extends from the proximal portion a distance beyond the cavity length and includes at least one portion of relatively reduced bending strength formed by reducing the cross-sectional area by way of a groove or grooves, or the like. The at least one groove provides a flexible region between the proximal and distal portions. The portion of relatively reduced bending strength can be provided by other known means such as molding the protective device with different materials of relatively different strengths.

Abstract: A protective device for an end portion of an underwire for a garment including a cushion tip having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion has “an internal cavity extending over a portion of the length of the proximal portion and is dimensioned to receive the end of an underwire of similar cross-section. The distal end of the cushion tip extends from the proximal portion a distance beyond the cavity length and includes at least one portion of relatively reduced bending strength formed by reducing the cross-sectional area by way of a groove or grooves, or the like. The at least one groove provides a flexible region between the proximal and distal portions. The portion of relatively reduced bending strength can be provided by other known means such as molding the protective device with different materials of relatively different strengths.

Abstract: An underwire including an arcuate member for use with supporting garments, such as brassieres, has one or more zones of increased lateral flexibility along the longitudinal axis of the arcuate member in order to provide greater comfort to the individual wearer, without substantially affecting the arcuate rigidity that provides support. The increased flexibility is provided to the zones of increased flexibility by reducing the cross-sectional area of one or more end portions by tapering one or more sides, by sequentially and progressively stamping increasing numbers of incremental portions of the end portion in a stamping apparatus, to taper one or two opposed surfaces of the arcuate member. Alternatively a single step stamping method can be utilized to provide the flexible end portion.

Abstract: An underwire for use with supporting garments, such as brassieres, has one or more zones of increased lateral flexibility along the longitudinal axis of the arcuate member in order to provide greater comfort to the individual wearer, without substantially affecting the arcuate rigidity that provides support. The increased flexibility can be provided by reducing the cross-sectional area, by heat treatment, and by providing a hinge.

Abstract: A narrow profile soft tip is provided for an underwire arcuate member intended to be fitted into a sleeve. The arcuate member has a first width at a shoulder position thereof and the tip has a tip width at a lower surface thereof substantially equal to the first width of the arcuate member, such that the arcuate member and the tip as mounted on the arcuate member with the lower surface adjacent the shoulder position present a smooth profile at the shoulder position.

Abstract: A supporting underwire for a brassiere or other undergarment is provided at one or both ends with a polymeric tip that is resiliently mounted for movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the underwire to lessen and/or extend the effective length of the underwire when it is in position in the undergarment.

Abstract: A breast support frame for brassieres is disclosed which includes an elongated flexible tip at each of its ends. The elongated flexible tip is configured to provide increased flexibility and softness and thereby enhance the comfort to the wearer. The tip includes an enlongated distal portion which freely extends beyond the insertion of the end of the U-shaped resultant stiffening member within the tip. The distal portion is preferably tapered and narrowed to further enhance its flexibility.

Abstract: A cushion tip for a brassiere frame is molded in-situ about an end of the brassiere frame that has been reduced in transverse cross-section at its end, whereby the cushion tip provides a continuation of the outer surfaces of the brassiere frame in at least the dimension of the thickness of the frame, and also, optionally, in the direction of the width of the frame.

Abstract: A cushion tip for a brassiere frame is molded in-situ about an end of the brassiere frame that has been reduced in transverse cross-section at its end, whereby the cushion tip provides a continuation of the outer surfaces of the brassiere frame in at least the dimension of the thickness of the frame, and also, optionally, in the direction of the width of the frame.

Abstract: A frame for breast cups of a brassiere is formed in such a manner that it is relatively inflexible in the plane of the frame and relatively flexible in the direction of the thickness of the frame, the frame when viewed in edge view, being in the form of a dihedral, thus causing a bridge between the respective frames to move inwardly towards the sternum of the wearer of the brassiere on the application of a force acting to move free ends of the respective frames away from each other.

Abstract: A monocoque breast supporting frame including a reduced mass arcuate shaped resilient wire and a specifically formulated reinforcing sleeve-like, low friction member totally encasing the wire; said sleeve-like number having a plurality of circumferential radii, thickness, and structural integrity specifically disposed along the arcuate shaped, reduced mass, resilient wire to afford maximum strength and resilience to the frame and maximum comfort to the wearer.

Abstract: A protective tip for a garment frame has lateral extensions at the recesses in the tip provided for the reception of barbs of the frame, the lateral extensions providing continuations of the peripheral contour of the tip at the locations of the recesses in order to minimize snagging of the tip as it is inserted into a channel formed in a garment.

Abstract: A brassiere frame including a pair of arcuate wire members which fit in the pocket of a brassiere for framing the lowest circumferential portion of the brassiere cup, the adjacent ends of the arcuate wire members being interconnected by a plastic hinge member.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved ring and swivel combination for attaching a toy such as a Yo-Yo or spinning top to the operator's finger. The ring includes a flexible strap for adjustable attachment to the finger. Preferably the strap comprises a portion of woven hooks and a complementary portion of woven loops such as that sold under the VELCRO trademark. The swivel comprises a cup attached to the strap and having a carefully formed hole in the cup bottom. The string attached to the toy passes through the hole and is knotted inside the cup. The knotted string and cup forms an effective swivel to prevent wind-up of the Yo-Yo or spinning top string.The toy accessory may be used to control model race cars and model airplanes by using a pair of toy accessories attached to two fingers to replace the conventional dual control handle. The swivels allow the operator to guide the model in a circular patch without turning around to prevent wind-up of the pair of guide lines.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a protective device for the end of a narrow flat wire and particularly to such device for the end of an arcuate wire in the pocket of a brassiere for framing the lower circumferential portion of a brassiere cup. The ends of the wire are provided with a plastic cap which is secured on the wire by a projection on an edge of the flat wire received in a hole in the cap when the cap is mounted over the end of the wire.