BRA STRAP CLIP AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A bra strap clip comprises a first arm including a support and at least one cantilever arm extending perpendicular from the support and a second arm including a support and at least one cantilever arm extending perpendicular from the support. A cross-member couples the first arm to the second arm. Each of the first arm and the second arm include a first cantilever arm extending from a first end of the support and a second cantilever arm extending from a second end of the support. The first cantilever arm of the first arm and the first cantilever arm of the second arm define a first gap therebetween. The second cantilever arm of the first arm and the second cantilever arm of the second arm define a second gap therebetween. The first gap and the second gap are sized to allow a bra strap therethrough.

Description

BACKGROUND

When wearing dresses, blouses, or other tops, it can be difficult to keep the shoulders of the garment aligned with a bra strap. In almost all cases, a wearer desires to keep a bra strap hidden. Therefore, the wearer must constantly ensure that the shoulder of the garment and bra strap are aligned. Bras, especially strapless bras, suffer from the same issue with respect to the back of a dress or other garment and the band of the bra.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a bra strap clip is disclosed. The bra strap clip comprises a first arm including a support and at least one cantilever arm extending perpendicular from the support and a second arm including a support and at least one cantilever arm extending perpendicular from the support. A cross-member couples the first arm to the second arm. Each of the first arm and the second arm include a first cantilever arm extending from a first end of the support and a second cantilever arm extending from a second end of the support.

In various embodiments, a bra band clip is disclosed. The bra band clip comprises a support member extending longitudinally along a first axis. A first side cantilever extends longitudinally along a second axis. The first side cantilever is coupled to a first end of the support member. The second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. A second side cantilever extends longitudinally along the second axis. The second side cantilever is coupled to a second end of the support member.

In various embodiments a bra concealment system is disclosed. The bra concealment system comprises a garment and at least one bra clip. The at least one bra clip comprises a first support extending longitudinally along a first axis. The first support defines at least one anchor hole therethrough. A first cantilever arm extends from a first end of the first support. The first cantilever arm extends longitudinally along a second axis. A second cantilever arm extends from a second end of the first support. The second cantilever arm extends longitudinally along the second axis. At least one anchor is located within the at least one anchor hole. The at least one anchor couples the bra clip to the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of one embodiment of a bra strap clip.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the bra strap clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of the bra strip clip of FIG. 1 coupled to a bra strap.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of one embodiment of a bra strap concealment system including the bra strap clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bra strap concealment system of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5.

FIG. 6 illustrates the bra strap concealment system of FIG. 4 being worn by a user.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of one embodiment of a bra strap concealment system including the bra strap clip of FIG. 1 coupled to a bra strap.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side perspective view of one embodiment of a bra band clip.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective view of the bra band clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of the bra band clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a bra band concealment system including the bra band clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bra band concealment system of FIG. 11 taken along line 12-12.

FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a bra band concealment system including a first bra band clip and a second bra band clip.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bra band concealment system of FIG. 13 taken along line 14-14.

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of bra band concealment system including an outer garment anchor.

FIG. 16 illustrates the bra band concealment system of FIG. 15 having the outer garment anchor coupled to a bra band clip.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the bra band concealment system of FIG. 16 taken along line 17-17.

FIG. 18 illustrates one embodiment of a method for anchoring a bra strap to a garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description of the preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In this description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively coupled” is such an attachment, coupling, or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if used, are intended to cover structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the written description or drawings for performing the recited function, including not only structure equivalents but also equivalent structures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of one embodiment of a bra strap clip 2. FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the bra strap clip 2. The bra strap clip 2 comprises a first arm 4 and a second arm 6 coupled by a cross-member 8. The first arm 4 includes a longitudinal support member 12 extending along a first axis. A first cantilever 10a extends from a first end of the support member 12. A second cantilever 10b extends from a second end of the support member 12. The support member 12 is generally perpendicular to the first cantilever 10a and the second cantilever 10b. The second arm 6 includes a longitudinal support member 16 extending parallel to the support member 12 of the first arm 4. A first cantilever 14a extends from a first end of the support member 16. A second cantilever 14b extends from a second end of the support member 16. The support member 16 is generally perpendicular to the first and second cantilevers 14a, 14b.

In some embodiments, the first cantilever of 10a of the first arm 4 and the first cantilever 14a of the second arm 6 are aligned on a second axis and the second cantilever 10b of the first arm 4 and the second cantilever 14b of the second arm 6 are aligned on a third longitudinal axis. A first gap 22a is defined between the ends of the first cantilevers 10a, 14a and a second gap 22b is defined between the ends of the second cantilevers 10b, 14b. The gaps 22a, 22b are sized and configured to allow a bra strap to pass therethrough.

In some embodiments, the cross-member 8 couples the first arm 4 to the second arm 6. The cross-member 8 may couple the first and second arms 4, 6 at, for example, a mid-point of the first arm 4 and a mid-point of the second arm 6. In some embodiments, the cross-member 8 comprises an arcuate cross-member having a radius of curvature from a first end to a second end. In some embodiments, the cross-member 8 defines one or more attachment holes 18. The attachment holes 18 are sized and configured to receive one or more anchors therethrough to couple the bra strap clip 2 to a garment. The one or more anchors may include, for example, threads, rivets, snaps, magnets, pins, tags, and/or any other suitable anchor.

In some embodiments, the cross-member 8 is flexible, allowing the first arm 4 and/or the second arm 6 to be flexed out of a plane defined by the first and second arms 4, 6. The bra strap clip 2 may comprise any suitable material. Suitable materials include, for example, a rigid, semi-rigid, and/or semi-flexible materials that generally maintain a predetermined shape while allowing one or more of the side cantilevers 10, 14 to flex out of a plane defined by the supports 12, 16. For example, in some embodiments, the bra strap clip 2 comprises one or more of a plastic, metal, rubber, and/or polymer material. In some embodiments, the cantilevers 10, 14, the supports 12, 16, and/or the cross-member 8 may comprise a single material and/or two or more materials.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the bra strap clip 2 coupled to a bra strap 26. As shown in FIG. 3, the bra strap 26 is inserted through the gaps 22a, 22b between the first cantilevers 10a, 14a and the second cantilevers 10b, 14b. The bra strap 26 rests between at least a portion of each of the cantilevers 10, 14 and cross-member 8. In some embodiments, the cross-member 8 and/or the cantilevers 10a, 10b, 14a, 14b are configured to apply a force against the bra strap 26 to maintain the bra strap 26 in a fixed position with respect to the bra strap clip 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a bra concealment system 50 including the bra strap clip 2. The bra strap clip 2 is coupled to a garment 30 by one or more anchors 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchors 20 comprise a plurality of threads threaded through the holes 18 defined in the cross-member 8. The anchors 20 extend through the garment 30 to couple the bra strap clip 2 to the garment 30. The central location of the holes 18 in the cross-member 8 and the radius of curvature of the cross-member 8 allow the edges of the bra strap clip 2 to be raised away from the garment 30 to allow the bra strap 26 to be inserted between the bra strap clip 2 and the garment 30. Although the bra strap clip 2 is disclosed as coupling a bra strap to a garment, it will be recognized that the bra strap clip 2 may be configured to couple any portion of a bra and/or other under clothing to a garment 30.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bra concealment system 50 illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the anchors 20 extend through a first portion of the garment 30, through the holes 18, and through a second portion of the garment 30. The anchors 20 maintain the bra strap clip 2 in a fixed position with respect to the garment 30. In some embodiments, only a first side of the bra strap clip 2 is coupled to the garment 30. In some embodiments, the anchors 20 releasably couple the bra strap clip 2 to the garment 30.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a user 60 wearing a bra concealment system 50 and a bra 28. The bra concealment system 50 includes the garment 30 and a bra strap clip 2. The garment 30 can comprise a dress, a blouse, a tank-top, a shirt, and/or any other suitable garment. The bra strap clip 2 is coupled to the garment 30 by one or more anchors 20. After the bra 28 and the garment 30 are put on by a wearer, the bra strap 26 is coupled to the bra strap clip 2 through the gaps 22a, 22b between the first and second cantilevers 10, 14. The bra strap clip 2 maintains the bra strap 26 in a fixed position behind the garment 30 such that the bra strap 26 is not visible and is immobilized to prevent the bra strap 26 and the garment 30 from misaligning.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the bra concealment system 50 having the bra strap clip 2 coupled to the garment 30 with the cross-beam 8 facing the garment 30. The cross-beam 8 has a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the cross-beam 8 raises the first arm 4 and the second arm 6 a predetermined distance from the garment 30. The cantilevers 10, 14 and the cross-beam 8 define a slot for the bra strap 26 to rest within the bra strap clip 2. The bra strap 26 is inserted into the bra strap clip 2 through the gaps 22 defined by the first cantilevers 10a, 14a and the second cantilevers 10, 14b. The cantilevers 10a, 10b, 14a, 14b apply a force on the bra strap 26 towards the garment 30 and the cross-beam 8. The bra strap 26 is located between the cross-beam 8 and the arms 4, 6. The bra strap clip 2 is anchored to the garment 30 by a plurality of anchors 20 and maintains the bra strap 26 in a fixed position with respect to the garment 30.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate one embodiment of a bra band clip 102. The bra band clip 102 comprises a support 104 having cantilevers 106a, 106b extending from respective first and second sides of the support 104. A middle cantilever 108 extends from a midpoint of the support 104. The side cantilevers 106a, 106b are coupled to the support 104 by perpendicular supports 132. The perpendicular supports 132 extend orthogonally to both the support 104 and the side cantilevers 106a, 106b. The perpendicular supports 132 place the side cantilevers 106a, 106b in a lower plane than the support 104. The middle cantilever 108 extends directly from the support 104 and is in the same plane as the support 104.

The support 104 and/or the middle cantilever 108 may define one or more anchor holes 118. The anchor holes 118 are sized and configured to receive one or more anchors 120 therethrough to couple the bra band clip 102 to a garment 126, as shown in FIG. 11. The garment 126 may comprise any suitable garment, such as, for example, a shirt, a dress, a tank-top, a shirt and/or any other suitable garment. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 104 and the middle cantilever 108 are coupled to the garment 126 by a plurality of threads. The side cantilevers 106a, 106b are raised a predetermined distance above the garment 126 by the perpendicular supports 132. The side cantilevers 106a, 106b are spaced apart from the garment 126 a predetermined distance, for example, a predetermined distance sized and configured to receive a bra band therein.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the garment 126 and the bra band clip 102 of FIG. 11 taken along line 12-12. As shown in FIG. 12, the bra band clip 102 is anchored to the garment 126 by a plurality of anchors 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchors 120 comprise threads that pass through the garment 126 and the anchor holes 118. Although threads are illustrated, it will be recognized that the bra band clip 102 may be anchored to the garment 126 by any suitable anchor, such as, for example, one or more threads, rivets, snaps, magnets, pins, tags, and/or any other suitable anchor.

FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a bra band concealment system 140 including the garment 126, a plurality of bra band clips 102a, 102b and a bra band 132. The bra band 132 couples the bra to a wearer. The bra band 132 includes a first side 132a and a second side 132b coupled together by a plurality of releasable fasteners 134. The fasteners 134 may comprise, for example, clips. The plurality of bra band clips 102a, 102b are coupled to the garment 126 by a plurality of anchors 120. After a user puts on the bra and the garment 126, the bra band 132 is slideably coupled to the garment 126 by sliding the bra band 132 under the cantilevers 106a, 106b of each of the first bra band clip 102a and the second bra band clip 102b. In some embodiments, the first side 132a of the bra band 132 is coupled to the first bra band clip 102a and the second side 132b of the bra band 132 is coupled to the second bra band clip 102b prior to the first side 132a and the second side 132b being coupled together.

As shown in FIG. 13, the cantilevers 106a, 106b are positioned on top of the bra band 132 when the bra band 132 is coupled to the bra band clips 102a, 102b. The bra band 132 is disposed over top of the middle cantilever 108 of each of the bra band clips 102a, 102b. In some embodiments, the side cantilevers 106a, 106b of the first and second bra band clips 102a, 102b are configured to apply a force to the bra band 132 to maintain the bra band 132 in a fixed position with respect to the garment 126. In some embodiments, a releasable anchor, such as, for example, a decorative magnet, is coupled each of the bra band clips 102a, 102b to maintain the bra band 132 in a fixed position.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the bra band concealment system 140 taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 14, the bra band clip 102a is coupled to the garment 126 by a plurality of anchors 120. The plurality of anchors 120 are sized and configured to pass through holes 118 formed in the bra band clip 102a and through the garment 126. The bra band 132 is located between the side cantilevers 106a, 106b and the middle cantilever 108. The cantilevers 106a, 106b may extend vertically over a portion of the bra band clip 132, the entirety of the bra band clip 132, and/or a distance greater than the bra band clip 132.

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of the bra band concealment system 140 including an outer garment anchor 150. FIG. 15 illustrates an outer surface of the garment 126 and shows the bra band 132 and bra band clip 102 in phantom, as they are hidden by the outer surface of the garment 126. After the bra band 132 is inserted into the bra band clip 102, an outer garment anchor 150 can be coupled to the outer surface of the garment 126 to apply a force to the bra band 132 to maintain the bra band 132 in a fixed position. For example, in one embodiment, the cantilevers 106a, 106b comprise a magnetic material, such as a ferrous metal and the outer garment anchor 150 comprises a magnetic disc 152. After the bra band 132 is slideably engaged with the bra band clip 102, the outer garment anchor 150 is placed over the garment 126 at the location of the bra band clip 102, as shown in FIG. 16. The outer garment anchor 150 exerts a magnetic force on the cantilevers 106a, 106b that cause the cantilevers to flex towards the outer garment anchor 150, applying a force to the bra band 132 to maintain the bra band 132 in a fixed position with respect to the garment 126.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bra band concealment system 140 along line 17-17 of FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 17, the outer garment anchor 150 comprises a magnetic disc 152 and an ornamental covering 154. The ornamental covering 154 is sized and configured to cover the magnetic disc 152. The ornamental covering 154 may be permanently coupled to the magnetic disc 152, such as, for example, by an adhesive, and/or may be removably coupled to the magnetic disc 152. For example, the ornamental covering 154 can comprise a magnetic material. The outer garment anchor 150 is coupled to the outer surface of the garment 126 and exerts a magnetic force on the cantilevers 106a, 106b of the bra band clip 102.

In some embodiments, the bra band clip 102 illustrated in FIGS. 8-17 may be used as a bra strap clip similar to the bra strap clip 2 described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-7. For example, in some embodiments, the bra band clip 102 is coupled to one or more shoulders of a garment 30, such as, for example, a dress, a blouse, a tank-top, a shirt, and/or any other suitable garment. The bra band clip 102 is sewn onto the garment 30 such that the cantilevers 106a, 106b of the bra band clip 102 are perpendicular to the shoulder straps of the garment 30 and the shoulder straps 26 of a bra 28 worn in conjunction with the garment 30. The shoulder strap 26 of the strap 26 is positioned between the cantilevers 106a, 106b and the middle cantilever 108 such that the bra strap 26 is threaded through the cantilevers 106a, 106b and the middle cantilever 108. The cantilevers 106a, 106b, 108 can apply a force to the bra strap 26 to maintain the bra strap 26 in a fixed position with respect to the garment 30. In some embodiments, an outer garment anchor 150 can be coupled to the bra band clip 102 to maintain the bra strap 26 in a fixed position with respect to the garment 30.

FIG. 18 illustrates one embodiment of a method 200 for anchoring a bra strap to a garment. In a first step 202, a wearer puts on a bra and a garment including at least one bra clip. The bra clip may be a bra strap clip and/or a bra band clip. In some embodiments, the bra clip comprises a bra strap clip having a first arm and a second arm coupled by a cross-member. The first arm and the second arm each comprise a first cantilever and a second cantilever coupled by a support. In some embodiments, the bra clip comprises a bra band clip having a side cantilevers and a middle cantilever extending from a support. The bra strap clip is coupled to the garment by one or more anchors inserted through holes formed in the cross-member.

In a second step 204, a bra strap is slideably inserted between a first cantilever of the bra strap clip and the cross-member. In a third step 206, the bra strap is slideably inserted between a second cantilever of the bra strap. The first and second cantilevers apply a force to the bra strap to maintain the bra strap in a fixed position with respect to the garment. In some embodiments, the method 200 includes an optional fourth step 208 of coupling a magnetic anchor to an outer surface of the garment to apply a magnetic force to a portion of the bra clip. The magnetic force applied to a portion of the bra clip is transferred as a mechanical force to the bra strap and maintains the bra strap in a fixed position with respect to the garment.

Although the subject matter has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments, which may be made by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A bra strap clip, comprising

a first arm including a support and at least one cantilever arm extending perpendicular from the support;

a second arm including a support and at least one cantilever arm extending perpendicular from the support; and

a cross-member coupling the first arm to the second arm.

2. The bra strap clip of claim 1, wherein each of the first arm and the second arm comprise a first cantilever arm extending from a first end of the support and a second cantilever arm extending from a second end of the support.

3. The bra strap clip of claim 2, wherein each of the first cantilever arms are aligned on a first longitudinal axis and each of the second cantilever arms are aligned on a second longitudinal axis.

4. The bra strap clip of claim 3, wherein the first cantilever arm of the first arm and the first cantilever arm of the second arm define a first gap therebetween, wherein the second cantilever arm of the first arm and the second cantilever arm of the second arm define a second gap therebetween, and wherein the first gap and the second gap are sized to allow a bra strap therethrough.

5. The bra strap clip of claim 3, wherein the cross-member is coupled to a mid-point of the first arm at a first end and a mid-point of the second arm at a second end.

6. The bra strap of claim 5, wherein the cross-member defines at least one anchor hole sized and configured to receive an anchor therethrough.

7. The bra strap clip of claim 5, wherein the anchor comprises at least one thread.

8. The bra strap clip of claim 1, wherein the cross-member defines a radius of curvature from a first end to a second end.

9. The bra-strap clip of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm comprise a metal material.

10. A bra clip, comprising:

a support member extending longitudinally along a first axis;

a first side cantilever extending longitudinally along a second axis and coupled to a first end of the support member, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis; and

a second side cantilever extending longitudinally along the second axis and coupled to a second end of the support member.

11. The bra clip of claim 10, comprising a middle cantilever extending along the second axis and coupled to a mid-point of the support member.

12. The bra clip of claim 11, wherein the first and second side cantilevers are coupled to the support member by respective first and second orthogonal supports.

13. The bra clip of claim 12, wherein the first and second orthogonal supports are orthogonal to the support member and the first and second side cantilevers.

14. The bra clip of claim 13, wherein the first and second orthogonal supports are coupled to the first and second cantilevers in a first plane and the support in a second plane.

15. The bra clip of claim 11, wherein the support member and the middle cantilever each define at least one anchor hole.

16. The bra clip of claim 11, wherein at least one the first side cantilever and the second side cantilever comprise a magnetic material.

17. The bra clip of claim 16, wherein the at least one of the first side cantilever and the second side cantilever are configured to couple to a magnetic anchor.

18. The bra clip of claim 11, wherein the first side cantilever, the second side cantilever, and the middle cantilever are configured to receive a bra band therebetween such that the bra band extends over the first side cantilever and the second side cantilever and below the middle cantilever.

19. The bra clip of claim 11, wherein the first side cantilever, the second side cantilever, and the middle cantilever are configured to receive a bra strap therebetween such that the bra strap extends over the first side cantilever and the second side cantilever and below the middle cantilever.

20. A bra concealment system, comprising:

a garment;

at least one bra clip comprising: a first support extending longitudinally along a first axis, wherein the first support defines at least one anchor hole therethrough a first cantilever arm extending from a first end of the first support, the first cantilever arm extending longitudinally along a second axis; a second cantilever arm extending from a second end of the first support, the second cantilever arm extending longitudinally along the second axis; and

at least one anchor located within the at least one anchor hole, the at least one anchor couples the bra clip to the garment.

21. The bra concealment system of claim 18, comprising a middle cantilever arm extending longitudinally along the second axis from a mid-point of the first support, the middle cantilever defining at least one anchor hole therethrough, wherein the middle cantilever is coupled to the first support at a first end.

22. The bra concealment system of claim 19, comprising:

a second support coupled to a second end of the middle cantilever, the second support extending longitudinally along the first axis;

a first cantilever arm extending from a first end of the second support, the first cantilever arm extending longitudinally along a second axis; and

a second cantilever arm extending from a second end of the second support, the second cantilever arm extending longitudinally along the second axis.