PREVIOUS APPLICATION This application is a non-provisional application from provisional application Ser. No. 62/868,704, filed on Jun. 28, 2019.
TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to brassieres and more particularly concerns brassieres which are structurally arranged to conveniently fit a variety of figures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A significant issue with conventional brassieres is the difficulty in finding the right size if a wearer is not typical or common sized. In particular, buxomly women (D+ sizes) have significant difficulty finding brassieres that fit and are ascetically pleasing while at the same time provide adequate support. Straps on bras often slide off a wearer's shoulders in part due to the fact that the position of the straps on the back band is not adjustable. There are issues with different individual breast sizes and shapes, and brassieres for different wearing occasions, such as a brassiere suitable for use with a strapless dress. In addition, front closure brassieres are easier to put on, especially for people who have trouble reaching to the back, but traditionally are for a fixed torso size and don't have the traditional three position hook and eye back closure. The overall result is a significant lack of suitable existing commercially available brassieres, regardless of the manufacturer, the cost of the brassiere or the number of individual brassieres purchased. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a brassiere which overcomes the disadvantages discussed above and provides desired fit, appearance and support. The present modular brassiere will assist the manufacturer and/or retailer to provide a much greater range of sizes than conventional brassieres, with significantly less investment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the modular brassiere comprises: two separate breast cups, connectable at their respective inward side edges by a front fastener; a separate back band, connectable at its opposing ends, respectively, to the two separate breast cups; and two separate strap assemblies, respectively connectable to the two breast cups and the back band.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of the brassiere of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a back view of the brassiere of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the brassiere of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the breast cups of the present invention with an open front closure element.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the brassiere of FIG. 4 with the front closure closed.
FIG. 6A is a back view of the brassiere with the straps is a first strap position.
FIG. 6B is a back view of the brassiere with the straps is a second strap position.
FIG. 6C is a back view of the brassiere with the straps in a third position.
FIG. 6D is a back view of the brassiere with the straps in a fourth position.
FIG. 6E is a back view of the brassiere with the straps in a fifth position.
FIG. 6F is a back view of the brassiere with the straps in a sixth position.
FIG. 7A is a back view of a triple strap brassiere in a first position.
FIG. 7B is a back view of a triple strap brassiere in a second position.
FIG. 7C is a back view of a triple strap brassiere in a third position.
FIG. 7D is a back view of a triple strap brassiere in a fourth position.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the connection between the brassiere straps and the breast cups of the modular brassiere.
FIG. 9A is an elevational view of the connection between the brassiere straps and the back band of the modular brassiere.
FIG. 9B is an elevational view of the connection between brassiere straps of one size and the back band.
FIG. 9C is an elevational view of the connection between brassiere straps of another size and the back band.
FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the connection between the back band and the breast cup using two hooks on the back band connected to the breast cup in a loose fit of the modular brassiere.
FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the connection between the back band to the breast cup using four hooks in a medium fit of the modular brassiere.
FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the connection between the back band and the breast cup using 4 hooks/eyes.
FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a racerback embodiment.
FIG. 14A is an elevational view of a single strap for the modular brassiere.
FIG. 14B is an elevational view of a double strap for the modular brassiere.
FIG. 14C is an elevational view of a triple strap for the modular brassiere.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate generally the modular brassiere (hereinafter modular bra) 10 of the present invention. The modular bra 10 includes two breast cups 12 and 14. In the embodiment shown, breast cups 12 and 14 are separate from each other and the other elements of the modular bra. The breast cups 12 and 14 may be different sizes to accommodate and properly fit different sized breasts of a single wearer. The modular bra also includes a back band 16 which is separate from the breast cups but is removably attachable thereto. The back band 16 is removably attached to tab 15 attached to the outer edge of the left breast cup 14, around the back of the wearer to tab 17 of the right breast cup 12. The back band, as explained below, is removably attachable to tab 17 piece of fabric, like tab 15, attached to the breast cup that is fitted with the attachment system such as the eyes in FIG. 12 or the loops in FIGS. 10 and 11.
The modular bra 10 further includes at least two straps 24 and 26 which extend from the top of breast cups 12 and 14 and to the back band 16. The straps 24 and 26 are removably attachable to the breast cups and the back band.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a closure element 28 which connects the two breast cups 12 and 14. This results in a front closure bra. FIG. 4 shows the front closure element 28 in an open position with portions 29 and 31, while FIG. 5 shows the element 28 in a closed position. The closure element 28 is a conventional clip element; portion 29 simply clicks into matching portion 31. Portion 29 is connected to a tab-like member 33 extending from the inner edge of cup 12 while portion 31 is connected to a tab-like member 34 which extends from the inner edge of the other cup. The two portions 29 and 31 provide a convenient front closure/release of the modular bra. Other closure elements could be used, such as Velcro or a snap and hook arrangement or a hook and eye arrangement. Further, the two cups could be fixedly attached as well.
FIGS. 6A-6F show six different connection arrangements of the two strap elements 24 and 26 relative to the back band 16. The connection arrangements are discussed in detail below.
The bra strap 38 shown in FIG. 8 includes a connecting element 46, which is in the form of a slide hook, which removably hooks onto a cylindrical portion 42 at the top of the breast cup 44. The strap 38 is removed from the cup by simply sliding the open portion away from the cylindrical portion 42 to remove the bra strap from the top of the breast cup 44 or by opening a Velcro arrangement.
FIG. 9A shows the connection between the bra strap 50 and the back band 52. The bra strap 50 includes a conventional clip 54 or slide which can be used to adjust the length of the bra strap. FIGS. 9B and 9C show straps 53-53 of various widths. The connection is a slide hook 56 which includes a portion 58 which can be inserted into any one of a plurality of fabric or elastic or other kinds of loops 60-60 along the top edge 62 of the back band. The number of loops will vary depending upon the different arrangements of straps desired. The number of loops can be varied depending of the size of the back band. The number of loops can be increased substantially. Twenty-five loops are used on one embodiment, shown as band 63. FIGS. 6A-6F show various strap arrangements. FIG. 6A includes straps 70 and 72 which are arranged in a straight line from the breast cups to the back band 74. FIG. 6B shows straps 76 and 78 arranged at a slight angle relative to back band 80. FIG. 6C show straps 82 and 84 at a greater angle toward each other at back band 86, while FIG. 6D shows straps 88 and 90 at such an angle that they almost meet each other at back band 92. FIG. 6E shows straps 94 and 96 at a further inward angle such that they cross each other slightly before connecting to back band 98 while FIG. 6F shows straps 100 and 102 crossing each other further before connecting to back band 104. It should also be understood that one strap can be used, from breast cup to breast cup, around the neck, or more than two straps, connecting the breast cups to the back band. Further, in addition to a single strap embodiment, shown at 101 in FIG. 14A, a double strap embodiment, shown at 111 in FIG. 14B or a triple strap embodiment, shown at 109 in FIG. 14C can be used.
FIGS. 7A-7D show four different arrangements using triple straps 103-103 and 105-105 with a back band 107 in each arrangement. The triple straps are attached at the cup end with one slide hook.
FIG. 10 shows the connection between one end of a back band 110 to the side of a breast cup 112. The other end has a similar connection to the other breast cup. In particular, FIG. 10 shows two slide clips 114 and 116 from back band 110 to corresponding loops 118-118 positioned on an extension 120 from the side edge of the breast cup. In the embodiment shown, each clip extends through 2 loops, for stability, although not necessary. The loops are positioned laterally so as to provide several different tightness fits between the back band and the breast cups. In FIG. 10, clips are connected for a loose fit. The other loops are available for tighter fits. While FIG. 10 shows two clips and a loose fit, FIG. 11 shows four slide hooks 130 and a medium fit, to illustrate the various numbers of slide clips that can be used with various tightness. It should also be understood that the back band could include a single clip cooperating with a single loop positioned on the breast cup extension. As indicated above, the specific type of separate connection can be varied, including various clip arrangements, Velcro connections, hook and eye connections, buttons and others. FIG. 12 shows for illustration a hook and eye arrangement using 4 hooks/eyes between a back band 136 and a breast cup 138. Other numbers of hooks/eyes could be used. FIG. 13 shows a racerback embodiment in which a racerback back member 152 includes integral straps 153, 154 which extend over the shoulders of the user and attach to the tops of the breast cups. The side edges 156, 158 extend around the sides of the wearer and connect to the extending sides of the breast cup, such as shown in FIG. 12.
The fabric of the modular bra may vary as well, including cotton, silk, polyesters, polyamides, Lycra and others.
The present invention has the further advantage of allowing the wearer to adjust the position of the straps in accordance with the type of clothing being worn so that it is easy to keep the straps hidden.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed toward a modular bra in which two separate breast cups are used with a front closure, a back band, which is removably connected to the breast cups, and two or more straps which connect the back band to the breast cups.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined by the claims which follow.
