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 adjustable underwire assembly 12 for brassiere cups is disclosed, including a first generally U-shaped arcuate under wire member 14 dimensioned and configured for insertion into a correspondingly generally U-shaped enclosure which extends along at least a portion of a first brassiere cup, and a second 16 generally U-shaped arcuate underwire member dimensioned and configured for insertion into a correspondingly generally U-shaped enclosure which extends along at least a portion a second brassiere cup adjacent the first brassiere cup. A connecting and adjustment device 22 connects the first generally arcuate member to the second generally arcuate member, the connecting device including a plurality of locking teeth or other locking surfaces or devices to selectively alter and maintain the regular angular orientation between the first and second generally arcuate members to facilitate adjustment of the brassiere cups as required by the wearer.

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 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 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: 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 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.