Bra Essentials

Abstract

A decorative cover for concealing an exposed brassiere strap. The cover comprises a fashionable outer region and an inner region with attachment means to connect to and mask an underlying brassiere strap. Certain female garments do not cover the upper chest or shoulder region of the body, including tube tops, halter tops and single shoulder tops. Use of a conventional brassiere exposes one or a plurality of straps, which is considered unfashionable or unsophisticated. A decorative cover that snaps or otherwise connects to the exposed straps allows a user the ability to wear a traditional-style brassiere with open-shoulder clothing without revealing the underlying straps. The covers can be coordinated with the overall outfit, suiting different fashion styles or garnished with decorative accessories.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/329,584 filed on Apr. 30, 2010, entitled “Bra Essentials”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to decorative covers for exposed brassiere straps that provide a fashionable means for wearing a traditional brassiere with open-shoulder garments, as well as an alternative to wearing a strapless brassiere.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Traditional-style brassieres, herein referred to simply as “bras”, utilize a plurality of straps over the wearer's shoulders for lift and support. These bras are very effective and popular, but certain garments leave elements of the bra exposed. In particular, shorter tops and shoulderless blouses that highlight the shoulder or upper chest region of the wearer expose any underlying bra strap. While the function of the bra strap is unhindered by its exposure, its display is considered unfashionable, and in some situations even inappropriate. Use of strapless bras has been suggested, but these bra types are typically unsupportive by comparison, as well as uncomfortable and prone to coming loose. A solution to this problem is required, one that allows a wearer the ability to wear a shoulderless garment without exposing her undergarments or wearing a strapless bra.

Several patents in the art have suggested interchangeable straps and those that replace an existing bra strap with one that closely matches a wearer's outfit. U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,273 to Styles-Garviria and U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,409 to Flaherty describe such devices. The original bra strap is replaced with a more fashionable version, or one that lends itself to concealing its true purpose of supporting an underlying undergarment. While this may reduce the visual signature of an undergarment strap, or make its appearance less obvious to observers, it requires a bra with removable straps or specific connections to implement. Each end of the strap engages a hoop structure and replaces the existing bra strap. No means are disclosed for attaching to an existing strap.

Another solution suggested in the art includes U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,906 to May, wherein a bra strap cover is disclosed that optionally replaces or conceals an exposed strap. While this patent does not require a wearer to replace her original bra strap with a new one, the cover connects to the bra only at each end of the strap in a similar fashion as those patents to Styles-Garviria and Flaherty. Specific hook connectors are required on the bra to join the cover and the body of the bra. This connection provides only two locations to secure the cover over the bra strap, and is prone to allowing the underlying strap to peak out or slide from under the cover. A new type of cover is needed, one in which the strap and cover elements are joined sufficiently to fix their motion together through the course of wearing the cover. This may include several connection points along the length of the underlying strap, or a continuous bonding that prevents strap peaking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of bra strap covers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new bra strap cover wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when concealing an exposed undergarment strap.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a decorative and functional bra strap cover effectively concealing an underlying bra strap.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bra strap cover that does not alter the underlying undergarment structure, and provides secure means for attaching the cover at several locations along the bra strap length.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fashionable alternative to exposing a wearer's bra straps or requiring a strapless bra with low cut or shoulderless tops, and one that can be decorated in any fashionable or coordinated fashion.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a traditional style bra with a bra strap cover being applied to each strap.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosed invention that includes a decorative cover over an exposed bra strap.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the disclosed invention that includes a decorative cover over an exposed bra strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a traditional style bra 11 and two bra strap cover devices 12. The covers 12 attach to the straps 13 of the bra 11 using a plurality of clips 15 along their lower surface. The straps 13 are unaltered by the addition of the cover 14 and are concealed from view. The outer surface of the covers 14 may take the form of any ornamental or decorative style preferable to the user.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the bra cover device 14 in its working position in conjunction with a shoulder-revealing garment 16. A bra strap 13 that is otherwise exposed to third party view is concealed by the cover 14, which is attached to the bra using a plurality of clips 15. This view shows a particular embodiment of the cover 14 in which the outer surface is a decorative ruffle pattern that suits the outfit of a user while still concealing the underlying bra 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the bra cover device 14 in its working position in conjunction with a shoulder-revealing garment 16. Similar to FIG. 2, the bra cover 14 conceals and underlying bra strap 13 that would otherwise be visible to a third party with a shoulder-revealing garment 16. This view shows another possible embodiment of the cover device 14, in which the outer surface comprises a decorative bow that conceals the cover's true nature. The cover 14 appears less like a deliberate attempt to cover an underlying bra strap 13, and more like a fashion accessory that one would choose to wear normally.

In use an individual applies the bra covers to exposed bra straps when choosing to wear a traditional style bra with a shoulder or upper chest revealing garment. The covers act as a visual barrier between the strap and a third party. They provide the user with the ability to wear supportive undergarments with a more revealing top, such as a one-shoulder blouse or halter top. The use of strapless bras is not required, which provides the wearer with the comfort and support for a traditional style bra, with the freedom of choosing to wear several different style tops.

The outer surface of the covers may take the form of any fashionable appearance preferable to the user. The appearance can be permanently designed into the cover itself, or the outer surface of the cover may incorporate hook and loop fasteners to attach different fashionable styles over the cover. This provides the wearer with a modular cover that can conform to a number of different fashions or patterns, while providing utility for the wearer in the form of a bra strap concealment means. This modularity prevents the wearer from purchasing several covers to accommodate several different style shirts. A series of external, fashionable accessories may be attached to update the look and appearance of the cover to suit different outfits. These accessories may include different colors or styles, or they may include ornamental features such as bows, ribbons, rhinestones or other fashionable accessories or accents.

The connection between the cover and the underlying bra strap may take several forms, including snaps, clips, hook and loop fasteners, or any suitable attachment means known to one skilled in the art. The cover is connected in a plurality of locations along the length of each bra strap to prevent the bra from peaking out and revealing itself from beneath the cover. This provides a secure attachment for the user, and provides her confidence during the course of wearing the cover and the garment. The outer surface may be of any material desirable to the wearer for fashion or utilitarian purposes. The cover itself may be made of any desirable material to allow conformity with the body of the wearer. This may include cotton, nylon, spandex or other similar material.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A decorative cover for an undergarment strap for concealing said undergarment strap from a third party, comprising:

an elongated cover with an upper and lower surface and an undergarment strap; said lower surface attachably mates with said undergarment strap at a plurality of locations; said upper surface is visually coordinated with an outfit of a wearer.

2) A decorative cover as in claim 1, wherein said lower surface attachment means comprise hook and loop fasteners.

3) A decorative cover as in claim 1, wherein said lower surface attachment means comprise a plurality of clips that engage said undergarment strap.

4) A decorative cover for an undergarment strap for concealing said undergarment strap from a third party, comprising:

an elongated cover with an upper and lower surface and an undergarment strap; said lower surface attachably mates with said undergarment strap at a plurality of locations; attachment means along said upper surface mate with an external fashion accessory to visually coordinate said cover with an outfit of a wearer.

5) A decorative cover as in claim 4, wherein said lower surface and upper surface attachment means comprise hook and loop fasteners.

6) A decorative cover as in claim 4, wherein said lower surface and upper surface attachment means comprise a plurality of clips that engage said undergarment strap.