Combination brassiere

Abstract

A brassiere for supporting a pair of breasts. The bra has two half portions having a distal ends and proximal ends located at the cleavage of the breasts. The half portions further comprise front latching mechanisms located on the proximal ends of said first half portion, cup portions connected to the front latching mechanisms, bands connected to the cup portions, and rear latching mechanisms located generally in the back of the wearer.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/523,771, filed 20 Nov. 2003, and entitled “Combination Brassiere.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to brassieres and more specifically to brassieres that may be designed with differing cup sizes.

Surgical procedures, such as mastectomies and lumpectomies, may leave a woman with breasts of different sizes. Also, some women naturally have breasts of differing sizes. Consequently, normally designed brassieres, where both cups are of the same size, may not adequately fit and support such women and may not be comfortable to wear.

While brassieres have been designed to alleviate these problems, such as Fink, IV, U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,284 and Kobayashi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,924, they generally extend around the women's chest and back. Even though the cups in these patents are contemplated for women having different breast sizes, the encircling of the chest area constricts the cups and does not allow for truly independently sized cups. Also, the brassieres do not necessarily accommodate a wide range between cup sizes that an individual wearer may encounter. Likewise, the straps or bands that circle the chest may not be the most comfortable design for the women. Thus, a brassiere is required where each of the cups may be independently sized from one another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a brassiere that will allow cups of differing configurations to be connected and used for the brassiere. The brassiere consists of two half brassieres that are independently fitted for each of the woman's breasts. Each half will correspond to one half of the women's chest. The two halves are connected at a women's back and also in the center of the women's chest. An adjustable shoulder strap is connected to each half. The two halves may be of any shape or size, as the connecting means for any sized brassier half will mate with the respective connecting means for any other sized brassiere half. These and other features of the invention will become apparent with the following discussion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a woman wearing a brassiere in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the brassier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a brassiere according to the present invention having multiple cup sizes.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a brassiere cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4A is an exploded view of another brassiere cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective view of the brassiere of FIG. 1 having a cross-over arrangement.

FIGS. 6-8 show possible attachment means for use with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention. Like part will use like reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a brassiere 10 according to the present invention for supporting a pair of breasts. The brassiere 10 has a first half 12 and a second half 14. A strap 16a and 16b and a side band 18a and 18b are located on the first half 12 and the second half 14, respectively. Front connecting means 20 are located between the first half 12 and the second half 14 within the cleavage area 22 of the breasts. As used herein, the cleavage 22 will refer to the center area normally associated with a pair of breasts, regardless if the individual may have only a single breast, such as may be possible after a mastectomy. The front connecting means 20 may be a hook, clasp, or any other connecting devices known in the art, and will be discussed further with respect to the following figures.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the brassiere 10 shown in FIG. 1. As previously stated, the first half portion 12 and the second half portion 14 are connected by front connecting means 20. The front connecting means 20 comprises a first latching mechanism 24 located on a proximal end 28 of the first half portion 12 and a second latching mechanism 26 located on a proximal end 32 of the second half portion 14. The proximal ends 28 and 30 are located opposite of distal ends 32 and 34 of the first and second half portion 12 and 14, respectively. The latching mechanisms 24 and 26 couple or lock together with one another in the cleavage 22 area between the pair of breasts (see FIG. 1). The latching mechanism 24 is connected to a first cup portion 36 and the second latching mechanism 26 is connected to a second cup portion 38. It is understood that the latching mechanisms 24 and 26 could be located anywhere on the cup portions 36 and 38 and are not restricted to the specific location shown in FIG. 2. Provided the latching mechanisms 24 and 26 form the connecting means 20 to contribute to the support of the brassiere 10, the latching mechanisms 24 and 26 will fall within the scope of the present invention.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the side band 18a had a first end 40a and a second end 42a. The first cup portion 36 is connected to the side band 18a at the first end 40a. Similarly, the side band 18a has a first end 40b and a second end 42b, with the second cup portion 38 connected to the side band 18b at the first end 40b. A first rear latching mechanism 44 is located on the side band at the second end 42a, and a second rear latching mechanism 46 is located on the side band 18b at the second end 42b. The rear latching mechanisms 44 and 46 interact to further provide support for the brassiere 10 and the breasts. The side bands 18a and 18b preferably have elastic qualities so that the brassiere may have some give to adjust to a person's specific shape and torso. Likewise, the second latching mechanism 46 preferably comprises a plurality of loops or locking members 47 so that the overall length of the brassiere 10 may be adjusted accordingly as the wearer sees fit. Furthermore, it should be understood that the latching mechanisms 44 could be connected to the band 18b and the latching mechanism 46 could be placed on the band 18a and the arrangement would still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Referring further to FIG. 2, the strap 16a has securing means 48 and 50 for securing the strap 16a to the first half portion 12. Preferably the securing means 48 will secure the strap 16a to the cup portion 36, and the securing means 50 will secure the strap 16a to the band 18a. Similarly, the strap 16b has securing means 52 and 54, with the securing means 52 connecting the strap 16b to the cup portion 38 and the securing means 54 connecting the strap 16b to the band 18b. The securing means 48, 50, 52, and 54, are shown as hooks 60 that will slide within pockets 62, but it is understood that the securing means 48, 50, 52, and 54 may be of any clasp, hook, hook and loop, snap or other similar design that would allow the straps 16a and 16b to releasably secured to the brassier 10. Additionally, the strap 16a has adjustment means 60a and the strap 16b has adjustment means 60b, which allow the brassiere 10 to be comfortably positioned on the person's torso. The adjustment means 60a and 60b may be of any conventional means known in the art. For even further support, the cup portions 36 and 38 preferably may include an underwire 62, however the underwires 62 are not necessary for the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of the first half portion 12 is shown with a plurality of second half portions 14a, 14b, and 14c. The second half portions have different sized cup portions 38a, 38b, and 38c, respectively. However, the second front latching mechanism 26 and the second rear latching mechanism 46 are of a uniform size for each of second half portions 14a, 14b, and 14c. This is a novel arrangement in that a cup portion of any size may be connected to a mating cup portion of a differing size. It is understood that FIG. 3 is merely exemplary of other reverse arrangement, whereby the first half portion 12 may be of varying sizes, while the latching mechanisms 24 and 44 are of uniform size, regardless of the size of the cup portion 12.

Thus, the brassiere 10 may be designed of any materials used for manufacturing brassieres and all different shapes and styles of brassieres. For instance, one half of the invention may be an A cup, while the other half may be a D cup. The independent design of the two half portions 12 and 14 of the brassiere 10 provide greater flexibility over prior designs, and also provides for a greater range of cup sizes to be accommodated by the present invention. Furthermore, because the brassiere 10 is joined together in the front and the rear of the wearer, as opposed to either the front or rear as in previous brassieres, it allows for more flexibility for the wearer to properly position the brassiere 10.

Prior designs would use sling-style arrangements to support the individual breasts. However, such arrangements were constricting on the wearer, as they required to individual bands to be wrapped around the wearer's torso. Also, prior designs may have simply used a prosthetic to compensate for the varying cup sizes. However, these designs were cosmetic fixes, and were not intended to provide the required support for the individual breasts. The present invention overcomes these shortcomings by providing individual support for each breast without unnecessary and undo constriction and discomfort for the wearer.

FIG. 4 provides an exploded view of the cup portion 36. The cup portion 36 has a pouch 64 for receiving a pad 66. The pouch 64 is preferably arranged on the outside of the cup portion 36 and the underwire 62. Such an arrangement would allow the cup portion 36 and the underwire 62 to properly support an individual breast, while the pad 66 may provide a symmetrical appearance between the individual breasts, without compromising the comfort of the wearer. As previously noted, FIG. 4 is merely exemplary of a cup portion and could describe the cup portion 38. Furthermore, both cup portions 36 and 38 could include pads 66, which would still fall within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows another arrangement of the cup portion 36. The cup portion 36 is shown with a pouch 164 to receive the pad 66. The pouch 164 extends over approximately half the area of the cup portion 36. The design of FIG. 4A allows for possibly easier insertion of the pad 66 into the pouch 164. Further, the pouch 164 exemplifies other possible designs for the cup portion 36 and the brassiere 10.

FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective view of the brassiere 10. The adjustability of the brassiere 10 is shown further. As previously shown the straps 16a and 16b are releasably secured to the brassiere 10. Furthermore, the securing means 50 located on the strap 16a and the securing means 54 located on the strap 16b, preferably like designs, comprise the hooks 56 and the pockets 58. This allows the brassiere 10 to include further arrangements, such as the cross-style arrangement, with the strap 16a joined to the band 18b, and the strap 16b joined to the band 18a.

Referring to FIG. 6-8, inclusive, different embodiments of the front latching mechanisms 24 and 26 and the rear latching mechanisms 44 and 46 that possibly may be utilized in the present invention are presented. Referring specifically to FIG. 6, a hook-style connecting means is shown, similar to the rear latching mechanisms 44 and 46 shown in FIG. 2. The first half 12 of the brassiere 10 has loops 47 that will mate with a respective clasp 68 located on the second half 14 in a mating fashion. Similarly in FIG. 7, a clip 70 on the first half 12 will be inserted into a catch 72 located on the second half 14, which will secure the two halves together. Also, in FIG. 5, the hook 56 is inserted into the pocket 58. The fastening means shown may be designed of any solid material that will sufficiently connect the two halves of the brassiere together. Likewise, any of the devices shown in FIGS. 5-8 may be used for the front latching means 24 and 26 or the rear latching means 44 and 46. Other latching mechanisms, such as hook and loop material, or snaps may be used similarly to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-8. Also, it is understood that the arrangements shown may be reversed and the each of the mating portions would be located on the opposite half portion. Provided a secure support is formed, any known securing means will fall within the scope of the present invention.

The brassiere may be designed in any desired colors or padding preferences. Thus if the wearer desires to have a brassiere of two different colors, she may do so, even if the halve are the same cup size. Not only may this benefit someone for fashionable enhancing qualities, but it also may beneficial for a wearer show may have poor eyesight and could cross coordinate each of the cup sizes to a specific color.

Likewise, even without surgery, an individual wearer may normally have breasts of differing sizes. Prior inventions did not allow for the person to receive proper individual support for each of the breasts. Furthermore, the present invention allows padding to be added to an individual cup, without interfering with the support of the breast. Thus, the wearer may confidently wear the brassiere without having to compromise support and comfort. Such an arrangement is feasible in the present invention. Any arrangement of different sized, shaped, or designed brassiere halves would fall within the present invention, provided that the halves are independently formed and designed but still fasten together to form a single brassiere.

The present invention may also be advantageous for adolescent or young females who are fashionable conscious, but would also have a brassiere that provides proper support. Many young females, during the maturation and developmental processes, have breasts that do not develop at the same rate. This may lead to uncomfortable and awkwardness for young females, especially in a group setting, such as in a physical education class. The present invention will help alleviate some anxiety while providing a supportive structure that will also be fashionable. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the brassiere may be sold or packaged along with a tube or tubes 90 of colored dye. The tubes 90 would allow the user to decorate and fashion the brassiere 10, in their own style. The tubes 90 could be sold in any number or color, and would preferably be a non-toxic type of dye that would sufficiently color the brassiere material. Thus, the wearer will not only receive proper support from the brassiere 10, but will also be able to express herself as she wishes, which will enhance her self-confidence. The possible combinations are endless.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, 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. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.

Claims

1. A brassiere for supporting a pair of breasts, said brassiere comprising:

a first half portion having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end located at the cleavage of said breast, said first half portion comprising:

a first front latching mechanism located on said proximal end of said first half portion;

a first cup portion being connected to said first front latching mechanism;

a first band having a first end connected to said first cup portion, said first band having a second end terminating at said proximal end of said first half portion;

a first rear latching mechanism located generally at said rear end of said first band; and

a second half portion having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end located at the cleavage of said breast, said second half portion comprising:

a second front latching mechanism located on said proximal end of said second half portion, said second front latching mechanism being arranged to interact with said first front latching mechanism;

a second cup portion being connected to said second front latching mechanism;

a second band having a first end connected to said second cup portion, said second band having a second end terminating at said proximal end of said second half portion;

a second rear latching mechanism located generally at said rear end of said second band, said second rear latching mechanism being arranged to interact with said first rear latching mechanism.

2. The brassiere according to claim 1 further comprising:

a first strap having a proximal end and a distal end;

first means for securing said proximal end of said first strap to said first cup portion;

second means for securing said distal end of said first strap to said first band;

a second strap having a proximal end and a distal end;

third means for securing said proximal end of second strap to said second cup portion; and

fourth means for securing said distal end of said second strap to said second band.

3. The brassiere according to claim 2 wherein said straps are adjustable.

4. The brassiere according to claim 2 wherein said first and second straps are removably secured to said first and said second half portions, respectively.

5. The brassiere according to claim 4 wherein said distal end of said first strap is secured to said brassiere by said first securing means and said proximal end of said first strap is secured to said brassiere by said fourth securing means; and

said distal end of said second strap is secured to said brassiere by said third securing means and said proximal end of said second strap is secured to said brassiere by said second securing means.

6. The brassiere according to claim 1 wherein said first and said second cup portions are of differing sizes.

7. The brassiere according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and said second cup portions comprises an underwire.

8. The brassiere according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and said second cup portions comprises a pouch, said pocket being able to receive a pad.

9. The brassiere according to claim 1, further including means for coloring the brassiere.

10. A brassiere portion for interacting with a second brassiere portion for supporting a pair of breasts, said brassiere portion comprising:

a proximal end located near the cleavage of said breasts, and a distal end;

a first front latching mechanism located on said proximal end of said first half portion;

a first cup portion being connected to said first front latching mechanism;

a first band having a first end connected to said first cup portion, said first band having a second end terminating at said proximal end of said first half portion; and

a first rear latching mechanism located generally at said rear end of said first band.

11. The brassiere portion according to claim 10 wherein said front latching mechanism is designed to mate with a front latching mechanism on said second brassiere portion, and said rear latching mechanism is designed to mate with a rear latching mechanism located on said second brassiere portion.