An Expandable Brassiere

Abstract

An adjustable brassiere (100) having two cups (102,104) joined to each other, a back band (106, 108) and shoulder straps (110,112). The back band has two parts: a first back band (108) having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second free end, and a second back band (106) having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second free end. The second free end of the first back band is detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band. The first shoulder strap (110) has a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and has a second end connected to the first back band, and the second shoulder strap (112) has a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and has a second end connected to the second back band. Adjustable side fasteners (114) connect the first and second brassiere cups to the first and second back bands, and these are able to alter an angle between the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second back bands. In two or more adjustable front fasteners (116) incorporated along each of the first and second brassiere cups connect the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second shoulder straps. The adjustable side fasteners allow the size of the brassieres cups to be increased in volume by one size and the adjustable front fasteners allow the cups to rotate to increase in capacity once side fasteners have been adjusted. The wearer can thus adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to allow for size fluctuations during pregnancy and/or breast-feeding.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to brassieres, or bras, and more particularly to brassieres that expand to allow for fluctuations in breast size (mammary gland), for example during pregnancy and/or breast-feeding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adjustable bras, having adjustable back bands and shoulder straps are well known. One example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,232,359 (Richardson). The bra has bra cups and first and second detachable shoulder straps connected to an adjustable back band or bands.

Maternity bras in which the cup part of the brassiere may be opened to allow the mother to feed the infant are also commonplace. Neither of these types of bras allows the user to adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to allow for size fluctuations of the breast, for example during pregnancy and/or breast-feeding and as a consequence, on many occasions, for many breast feeding mothers breast feeding has been uncomfortable.

From the foregoing, it is appreciated that a need has arisen for a brassiere which, in addition to the usual features of having adjustable straps, allows the user to adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to allow for size fluctuations during pregnancy and/or breast-feeding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an adjustable brassiere including: a first brassiere cup and a second brassiere cup connected together; a first back band having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second free end, and a second back band having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second free end, wherein the second free end of the first back band is detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band; and a first shoulder strap having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second end connected to the first back band, and a second shoulder strap having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second end connected to the second back band; having an adjustment means whereby, in use, the wearer is able to adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to accommodate fluctuations in breast size.

Ideally the adjustment means includes one or more side fasteners connecting the first and second brassiere cups to the first and second back bands, the adjustable fasteners adapted to alter an angle between the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second back bands; and two or more adjustable front fasteners incorporated along each of the first and second brassiere cups connecting the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second shoulder straps thereby achieving variation in effective cup size.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an adjustable brassiere including: a first brassiere cup and a second brassiere cup connected together; a first back band having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second free end, and a second back band having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second free end, wherein the second free end of the first back band is detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band; and a first shoulder strap having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second end connected to the first back band, and a second shoulder strap having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second end connected to the second back band; characterised by adjustable side fasteners connecting the first and second brassiere cups to the first and second back bands, the adjustable fasteners adapted to alter an angle between the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second back bands; and two or more adjustable front fasteners incorporated along each of the first and second brassiere cups connecting the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second shoulder straps; whereby, in use, the wearer is able to adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to accommodate fluctuations in breast size.

Ideally the second free end of the first back band can be detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band by means of an adjustable rear fastener.

The adjustable front fasteners, adjustable side fasteners and adjustable rear fasteners can include hook elements, hook and eye elements, clasp elements, and clamp elements.

Alternative connection means includes buttons and/or clips and/or hooks and/or magnetic fasteners or clasps that are dimensioned and arranged so that opposite poles of magnets are located in regions that are to be connected one to another, Ideally the magnetic fasteners or clasps are small, typically flat discs of less than 2 cm in diameter, ideally less than 1 cm in diameter and preferably thinner than 3 mm. Optionally a single magnet may be used in combination with a stainless steel (or other ferromagnetic) material.

In an alternative embodiment the connection means may include a hook-and-eye connection fabric, which is often sold under the Registered Trade Mark Velcro. Optionally strips of hook-and-eye connection fabric, may be provided on replaceable supports so that these hook-and-eye material can be removed prior to laundering.

Magnetic fasteners may be permanently attached to bras, e.g. sewn into pockets or flaps within the bra, or they can be removable—for example prior to laundering.

Two or more shoulder strap fastener receiving elements may be incorporated along a length of each of the first and second back bands to receive and attach the first and second shoulder straps at different locations on the first and second back bands.

The first and second brassiere cups can include a strap part fitting around the wearer's breast and a front part fitting over the wearer's breast. The front part can be detached from the shoulder strap to allow the wearer to give access to the breast by a feeding infant.

For a more complete explanation of the present invention and the technical advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description and the accompanying drawing in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an overview of the adjustable brassiere of the present invention;

FIGS. 3a and 3b show two lines of hooks and eye side fasteners for adjusting the volume of the brassiere cup; and

FIG. 4 shows a strap part of the brassiere cup fitting around the wearer's breast and a front part fitting over the wearer's breast.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, an embodiment of the present invention and its technical advantages are understood by referring to FIG. 1, which shows an adjustable brassiere (100) having two cups (102, 104) joined to one another, a back band (106, 108) and shoulder straps (110, 112).

The back band has two parts: a first back band (108) having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second free end, and a second back band (106) having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second free end. The second free end of the first back band is detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band.

The first shoulder strap (110) has a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and has a second end connected to the first back band, and the second shoulder strap (112) has a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and has a second end connected to the second back band. Adjustable side fasteners (114) connect the first and second brassiere cups to the first and second back bands, and these are able to alter an angle between the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second back bands. Two or more adjustable front fasteners (116) are incorporated along each of the first and second brassiere cups and these connect the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second shoulder straps.

The adjustable side fasteners allow the size of the brassieres cups to be increased in volume by one size and the adjustable front fasteners allow the cups to rotate to increase in capacity once side fasteners have been adjusted. The wearer can thus adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to allow for size fluctuations during pregnancy and/or breast-feeding.

Referring now to FIGS. 3a and 3b, two lines of hooks and eye side fasteners (114) allow the second brassiere cup (104) to connect to the second back band (108); in FIG. 3a the side fastener is positioned so that the brassiere cup volume is less than it is in FIG. 3b.

The second free end of the first back band can be detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band by means of an adjustable rear fastener (120) which allows the effective length of the back band to be adjusted.

The adjustable front fasteners, adjustable side fasteners and adjustable rear fasteners can be hook elements, hook and eye elements, clasp elements, or clamp elements.

Two or more shoulder strap fastener receiving elements (118) can be incorporated along a length of each of the first and second back bands, and these are adapted to receive and attach the first and second shoulder straps at different locations on the first and second back bands. This allows adjustment to accommodate an increase or decrease in the back size during feeding.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the first and second brassiere cups can include a strap part (122) fitting around the wearer's breast and a front part (124) fitting over the wearer's breast. The front part may be detached from the shoulder strap by disengaging fastener (126) to allow the wearer to give access to the breast by a feeding infant.

It is to be appreciated that these Figures are for illustration purposes only and other configurations are possible.

The invention has been described by way of a preferred embodiment, with modifications and alternatives, but having read and understood this description, further embodiments and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Ideally the bra is dimensioned and arranged so that it can be packed away into a relatively small package and so can be readily delivered to end users and by post.

Claims

1. An adjustable brassiere including: a first brassiere cup (102) and a second brassiere cup (104) connected together; a first back band (108) having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second free end, and a second back band (106) having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second free end, wherein the second free end of the first back band is detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band; and a first shoulder strap (110) having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second end connected to the first back band, and a second shoulder strap (112) having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second end connected to the second back band; characterised by: an adjustment means whereby, in use, the wearer is able to adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to accommodate fluctuations in breast size.

2. An adjustable brassiere according to claim 1 in which adjustable side fasteners connect the first and second brassiere cups to the first and second back bands, the adjustable fasteners able to alter an angle between the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second back bands; and two or more adjustable front fasteners incorporated along each of the first and second brassiere cups connecting the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second shoulder straps; whereby the wearer may adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to allow for size fluctuations of the breast.

3. An adjustable brassiere according to claim 1 in which the second free end of the first back band is detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band by means of an adjustable rear fastener.

4. An adjustable brassiere according to claims 1 in which the adjustable front fasteners, adjustable side fasteners and adjustable rear fasteners comprise any one of the group consisting of: hook elements, hook and eye elements, clasp elements, and clamp elements.

5. An adjustable brassiere according to claim 1 including two or more shoulder strap fastener receiving elements (118) incorporated along a length of each of the first and second back bands, the shoulder strap fastener receiving elements adapted to receive and attach the first and second shoulder straps at different locations on the first and second back bands.

6. An adjustable brassiere according to claim 1 in which the first and second brassiere cups include a strap part fitting around the wearer's breast and a front part fitting over the wearer's breast.

7. An adjustable brassiere according to claim 6 in which the front part is adapted to be detached from the shoulder strap to allow the wearer to give access to the breast by a feeding infant.

8. An adjustable brassiere according to claim 1 wherein a magnetic attachment is provided.

9. An adjustable brassiere according to claim 8 wherein the magnetic attachment is/are removable prior to laundering.

10. An adjustable brassiere according to claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures.