Bellament or Article of Clothing Used for Creating the Appearance of a One-Piece Garment When Worn in Combination With a Bra

Abstract

An article of clothing, such as a lingerie product, that can be worn with an existing bra. The article can come in various sizes that will accommodate most women. A large breasted woman can wear a bra that fits her and attach the article to the bra, creating a seamless look of a one-piece garment. Conversely, a woman with smaller breasts and large hips can wear her own bra with a larger size garment, creating lingerie that fits her various proportions. Currently, there is no product that allows any bra to become the foundation for properly fitting lingerie. The present invention can provide lingerie that properly fits women's various body types.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

This non-provisional application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/403,942, entitled “Lingerie That Fastens To Itself Around A Bra Support Band” filed Feb. 23, 2012. The disclosure of the aforementioned application is included by reference as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to lingerie and, more particularly, a lingerie garment that is worn with a separate bra, that when worn together create the appearance of a single lingerie garment. In particular, a bra is used as the support base for the lingerie garment which includes two encasing sleeves for receiving and encasing two bra support bands, two strap openings for receiving two removably attached straps and at least one fastener for attaching between the bra cups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today's lingerie market is predominately geared towards proportionately sized women. That is, most lingerie is made in sizes small, medium, and large. For women who are proportionately sized according the lingerie manufacturer's standards, finding well-fitting lingerie may not be a problem. However, there are great number of women who do not fit within the confines of the manufacturer's sizing standards.

While there may be some alternatives for non-standard sized women, the lingerie is not easy to find. For plus-sized women, there are some stores that cater to the larger sizes. The plus size lingerie is made with larger specifications that are still proportionate to a larger overall body size. This however, is not the standard, so plus size lingerie is not always readily accessible. Additionally, there is another segment of women who have difficulty finding lingerie.

For women with disproportionate body sizes, for example, a woman with small breasts and large hips, or a woman with large breasts and small hips, lingerie is not readily available. When lingerie styles, such as baby dolls, incorporate underwires to support the breasts, the sizes small, medium, and large do not accommodate many women's bodies. There are some specialty stores that offer lingerie with specific cup sizes, but those are very limited and more costly. Moreover, there is no guarantee that with even the proper fitting cup size, the remainder of the lingerie garment will fit as it should.

Custom-made lingerie is an alternative for some women, but it is not a viable option for many. A woman could find someone to manufacture lingerie according to her measurements, but having garments made especially for someone's measurements is expensive. Most women could not afford to have custom-made lingerie.

The problem that is apparent with today's lingerie market is that there is an entire segment of women who cannot find ready-made lingerie that fits properly. Women with disproportionate body sizes are left with few, if any, options for lingerie. Additionally, with the ever increasing number of breast augmentation surgeries performed each year, more women with larger breasts are unable to find proper fitting lingerie.

There are some inventions in the art that provide embellishments to bras. U.S. Patent Application 2010/0293700 A1 discloses an accessory for clothing that can alter or modify the length and/or style and/or appearance of a garment by attaching to the garment itself. This accessory can be used to extend the length of a garment or provide a decorative border to the garment using a method of clamping to the garment itself U.S. Patent Application 2009/0247046 A1 discloses a camisole panel that is comprised of a triangular-shaped camisole that attaches to the user's undergarment. This camisole panel is used to provide a modesty panel to cover the undergarment.

Lingerie is mostly made for women with A-C cup breast size. Other lingerie is made for plus size women. For those women who have breasts larger than C cups and who are not plus size, there is a shortage of lingerie that fits the breasts properly. Additionally, the lingerie that is available does not always fit the various body types/shapes of women who may be disproportionate according to lingerie manufacturers' standards.

In light of the shortcomings in the prior art, there is a need for improved lingerie that may fit women of all shapes and sizes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides a lingerie garment that when worn with a separate bra will produce a single-looking piece of lingerie that fits a woman properly regardless of her body type and/or proportions.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a lingerie garment that does not modify or alter a separate bra unless the string-through method is used whereby at least two openings are located on a gore of a bra for attaching to a bellament. If the string-through method is not used then the present invention provides a lingerie garment that attaches to the bra itself by a method of wearing, attaching, receiving, encasing, suspending and creating. The present invention further offers a method of using the support of the bra as the base by which encasing sleeves and strap openings receive and encase bra support bands and bra straps, for creating the appearance of a single-looking piece of lingerie.

An additional aspect of the present invention allows for interchangeability. Various bras can be used as the supporting base of the lingerie, providing a different overall look to the garment. For example, the lingerie garment is a tight, black and pink lace teddy style and can be interchanged with a black lace bra, a pink lace bra, or another color or style of bra. Moreover, one bra can be worn with several different lingerie garments. For example, a red lace bra can be worn with a lingerie garment to produce the look of a baby doll, or a teddy, or a long chemise gown, or another style of lingerie. This invention creates a multitude of options and combinations that can be worn. This invention will provide an array of various looks, which can be a cost effective means to buying several pieces of lingerie, depending on the style and brand of lingerie.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a well-fitting lingerie garment that is worn with a bra and can be interchanged with other bras. This invention improve the market of today's lingerie by permitting women of all shapes and sizes to wear beautiful lingerie. Additionally, interchanging the various pieces will be more cost effective than buying several pieces of specialty lingerie.

In one aspect of the present invention, a garment comprises an upper portion having at least one fastener disposed on a central front region of the upper portion for attaching between a first cup and a second cup of a bra; the upper portion further including a first encasing sleeve and a second encasing sleeve for receiving and encasing a first bra support band and a second bra support band disposed on the bra; a first strap opening and a second strap opening disposed substantially on a top portion of the first encasing sleeve and the second encasing sleeve for receiving a first bra strap and a second bra strap, wherein each bra strap is removably attached to one of the bra support bands or one of the bra cups; a lower portion suspended from the upper portion; and whereby the combination of attached upper and lower portions and supporting elements of a bra create the appearance of a one-piece garment.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing a lingerie product to women having various body proportions comprises wearing a separate bra, without requiring modifications thereto; attaching at least one fastener between a gore, thereby supporting the lingerie product by using the support elements of the bra, Wherein the fastener is disposed on an upper portion of the lingerie product; receiving and encasing a first bra support band and a second bra support band in a first encasing sleeve and a second encasing sleeve disposed on the upper portion of the lingerie product; receiving and attaching a first bra strap and a second bra strap to the first bra support band or first bra cup and the second bra support band or second bra cup in a first strap opening and a second strap opening disposed substantially on the top of each encasing sleeve, thereby further supporting the lingerie product by using the support elements of the bra; suspending a lower portion from the upper portion; and creating the appearance of a single lingerie garment.

Accordingly, for a better understanding of the invention, its functional advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, claims and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2a is a front view illustrating an encasing sleeve according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2b is a front perspective view of an encasing sleeve showing a bra support band and a bra strap going through a sleeve opening and through a strap opening;

FIG. 2e is an inside perspective view of an encasing sleeve located on the inside of the upper portion of the bellament showing a bra support band and a bra strap inserted through a sleeve opening and inserted through a strap opening;

FIG. 3a is a front view according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention depicting the front, center cord loop located on the upper portion of the bellament unattached to an embellishment or decorative element on the gore of a bra;

FIG. 3b is a front view according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention depicting the front, center cord loop located on the upper portion of the bellament attached to an embellishment or decorative element on the gore of a bra;

FIG. 4a is a front perspective view according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention depicting a string-through method, with two ribbons looped around, strung through openings, and tied in a bow on the gore of a bra;

FIG. 4b is an inside view of a cut-away portion of the bellament according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention depicting the string-through method, with both ribbons unsecured and in the up position;

FIG. 4e is an inside view of a cut-away portion of the bellament according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention depicting the string-through method, with one ribbon in the up position and one ribbon looped around and strung through one of the openings in the gore of the bra;

FIG. 4d is an outside view of a cut-away portion of the bellament according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention depicting the string-through method, with ribbons looped around, strung through the openings, and tied in a bow;

FIG. 5 is a front view according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention having encasing sleeves and illustrating the wrap-around method, with elastic fastening tabs in a fastened position, wrapping around the gore of a bra;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an upper portion of lingerie attached around a bra support band according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the upper portion of the lingerie of FIG. 6 in an unattached configuration with a bra;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view from the inside of the garment displaying mostly the upper portion of the lingerie of FIG. 6 in a configuration that is unattached around a bra support band;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the inside of the garment displaying mostly the upper portion of the lingerie of FIG. 6 in a configuration that is attached around a bra support band;

FIG. 10 is a side view displaying mostly the upper portion of the lingerie of FIG. 6 in an unattached configuration without a bra;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a fastener tab in an attached configuration taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a baby doll version of lingerie attached and/or encased to a bra support band according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a teddy version of lingerie attached and/or encased to a bra support band according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a long gown version of lingerie attached and/or encased to a bra support band according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a front view of a bra illustrating the elements of the bra. This figure is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent any part of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an article of clothing, such as a lingerie product, that can be worn with an existing bra. The article can come in various sizes that will accommodate most women. For example, a large breasted woman can wear a bra that fits her and attach the article to the bra support band, creating a seamless look of a one-piece garment. Conversely, a woman with smaller breasts and large hips can wear her own bra with a larger size garment, creating lingerie that fits. Currently, there is no product that allows any bra to become the foundation for properly fitting lingerie. The present invention can provide lingerie that properly fits women's various body types.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, an article of clothing, such as lingerie 10, will include an upper portion 16 and a lower portion 18 of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Moreover, the upper portion 16 and the lower portion 18 comprises a bellament 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3a, 3b, 4a, and 12-14. Further, the bellament 40 is a camisole like garment for creating the appearance of a one piece under or outer garment.

The upper portion 16 of the preferred embodiment of the invention will include a first encasing sleeve 80 and a second encasing sleeve 85 for receiving and encasing a first bra support band F1 and a second bra support band F2 of bra 12. Likewise, the upper portion 16 will further include at least one fastener disposed on a central front region of the upper portion 16 for attaching between a first cup E1 and a second cup E2 of bra 12 or on a gore H on a bra. The fastener can consist of a cord loop fastener 120, or a string-through fastener 130. Similarly, the fastener can consist of a wrap-around fastener 155 which includes a tab 20 and a connector 24 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The upper portion 16 of the preferred embodiment of the invention also includes a first strap opening 100 and a second strap opening 105 disposed substantially on a top portion of the first encasing sleeve 80 and the second encasing sleeve 85 for receiving a first bra strap C1 and a second bra strap C2, and each bra strap is removably attached to one of the bra support bands or to one of the bra cups. The upper portion 16 of the preferred embodiment of the invention further includes an inner opening 110 located on the encasing sleeve and an outer opening 90 located also on the encasing sleeve. Likewise, the upper portion 16 of the preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a front, center band 70 that will attach to or around the bra. There are three different methods of attachment: the cord loop method, the string-through method and the wrap-around method.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3a, 3b, and 12-14, a lower portion 18 is suspended from or attached to the upper portion 16, whereby the combination of attached upper 16 and lower portions 18 and supporting elements of bra 12 create the appearance of a one-piece garment 10.

Referring to FIG. 3a, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrates the front, center cord loop 120 located on the upper portion 16 of the bellament 40 unattached to an embellishment K or decorative element K on a gore of a bra. FIG. 3b illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention depicting the front, center cord loop 120 attached to an embellishment K or decorative element K on a gore of a bra.

Referring to FIG. 4a, an alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrates the string-through method 130, with two ribbons 135 looped around, strung through openings L, and tied in a bow on a gore K of a bra. FIG. 4b illustrates the string-through method 130, with both ribbons 135 unsecured and in the up position. FIG. 4c illustrates the string-through method 130, with one ribbon 135 in the up position and one ribbon 135 looped around and strung through one of the openings L in the gore K of a bra and aligned with the openings L in the center front portion of the bellament 40. FIG. 4d illustrates the string-through method 130, with the ribbons 135 looped around, strung through the openings L, and tied in a bow.

Referring now to an alternative embodiment of the invention as depicted in FIGS. 6 through 11, an article of clothing, such as lingerie 10, may include fastening tabs 20 that extend from the upper portion 16. The fastening tabs 20 may be designed to fit around the bra 12, for example, the bra support band 14, and may include connectors 24 to attach to connectors 22 on an inside of the lower portion 18.

The fastening tabs 20 may be positioned at various locations on the upper portion 16. For example, the fastening tabs 20 may be designed to loop around at least two locations on each side of the bra support band 14, Additionally, a fastening tab 20 may be designed to loop around the bra 12 between the cups of the bra. Typically at least five fastening tabs 20 may be disposed on the upper portion 16 as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The connectors 22, 24 may be various connecting mechanisms. For example, the connectors 22, 24 may be snaps, with one connector 22 being a male snap and the other connector 24 being a female snap. In other embodiments, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, or other similar connectors may be used.

While FIGS. 6-11 show the connectors 22 on the lower portion 18, these connectors 22 may be disposed at various locations, including the lower portion 18, the upper portion 16 or even at the seam between these portions 16, 18.

The lower portion 18 of the lingerie 10 may be designed in various styles. For example, as Shown in FIG. 12, a baby doll version 28 of the lingerie may be designed. As shown in FIG. 13, a teddy version 30 of the lingerie may be designed. As shown in FIG. 14, a long chemise gown version 32 of the lingerie may be designed. Other styles may be included within the scope of the present invention.

The upper portion 16 of the lingerie 10 may be made in various fabrics. For example, the upper portion 16 may be constructed of a stretch fabric, such as tricot, Spandex®, lace of any fabric with Lycra® or elastic material. The back of the upper portion 16 may or may not cover around the back of the wearer 26. The upper portion 16 may be designed to cover some, or very little of the bra 12 with the bra cups exposed.

The upper portion 16 and the lower portion 18 may be two separate articles, sewn together. In some embodiments, the upper portion 16 and the lower portion 18 may be made as a single piece construction.

To wear the lingerie 10, the wearer 26 can attach the garment to her own bra. The garment, combined with the bra, would have the appearance of one complete garment. The lingerie 10 of the present invention can provide a good fit to women of various sizes and shapes, as the bra size would be independent of the lingerie size (e.g., hip size).

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be understood that the present invention is not limited to the designs mentioned in this application and the equivalent designs in this description, but it is also intended to cover other equivalents now known to those skilled in the art, or those equivalents which may become known to those skilled in the art in the future.

Claims

1. A garment, comprising:

an upper portion having at least one fastener disposed on a central front region of the upper portion for attaching to a gore disposed on a bra;

the upper portion further including a first encasing sleeve and a second encasing sleeve for receiving and encasing a first bra support band and a second bra support band disposed on the bra;

a first strap opening and a second strap opening disposed substantially on a top portion of the first encasing sleeve and the second encasing sleeve for receiving a first bra strap and a second bra strap, wherein each bra strap is removably attached to the bra;

a lower portion suspended from the upper portion; and

whereby the combination of attached upper and lower portions and supporting elements of a bra create the appearance of a one piece garment,

2. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a cord loop fastener disposed on the front central portion of the upper portion for removable attachment to an embellishment or decorative element disposed on the gore of the bra.

3. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a string-through tie fastener disposed on the front central portion of the upper portion, wherein the string-through fastener is adapted to pass through at least two openings located on the gore of the bra for attaching to the bellament using a string-through method.

4. The garment of claim I, further comprising a fastener disposed on the front central portion of the upper portion, the fastener adapted to extend around the gore of the bra for attaching the bellament to the bra.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is sewn to the lower portion.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is lingerie.

7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the lingerie is a baby doll, a teddy, a long chemise gown or the like.

8. A bellament for creating the appearance of a one-piece garment when worn in combination with a bra, the bellement comprising:

an upper portion having a plurality of fasteners extending from said upper portion, the fasteners having a first connector disposed on a distal end thereof for removable attachment to a bra;

at least one of the plurality of fasteners disposed on a central front region of the upper portion and positioned near the gore of the bra for removable attachment to the bra;

a lower portion attached to and suspended from the upper portion; and

a second connector, adapted to connect with the first connector, disposed on an inside of the lower portion of the garment, wherein

at least one of the fasteners is adapted to loop around a bra support band of the bra worn by a user.

9. The garment of claim 8, wherein the upper portion is sewn to the lower portion.

10. The garment of claim 8, wherein the garment is lingerie.

11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the lingerie is a baby doll, a teddy, a long chemise gown or the like.

12. A method of providing a lingerie product to women having various body proportions, said method comprising the following steps:

wearing a separate bra,

attaching at least one fastener to a gore, thereby supporting the lingerie product by using the support elements of the bra, wherein the fastener is disposed on an upper portion of the lingerie product;

receiving and encasing a first bra support band and a second bra support band in a first encasing sleeve and a second encasing sleeve disposed on an upper portion of the lingerie product;

receiving and attaching a first bra strap and a second bra strap to the bra in a first strap opening and a second strap opening disposed substantially on the top of each encasing sleeve, thereby further supporting the lingerie product by using the support elements of the bra;

suspending a lower portion from the upper portion; and

creating the appearance of a single lingerie garment.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the garment is lingerie.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lingerie is a baby doll, a teddy, a long chemise gown or the like.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the upper portion is sewn to the lower portion,

16. The method of claim 12, wherein a cord loop fastener is adapted to connect to an embellishment or decorative element located on a gore of a bra.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein a string-through fastener is adapted to pass through at least two openings located on a gore of the bra for attaching a bellament to said bra using a string-through method.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the fastener disposed on the front central portion of the upper portion is adapted to extend around a gore of the bra for attaching the bellament to the bra.

19. The garment of claim 1, wherein the bra cups are exposed for showcasing the bra.