Back flip Bra
The front enclosure back flip bra of the present invention includes an adjustment feature that allows adjustment of the length of the front, adjustment of the length of the side and adjustment of the length of the back and/or adjustment of the cup size. A bra comprises of a pair (two) of bra cups to hold the breasts and a band reaching around the torso to secure the bra in place typically. The band comprises of a front under bust attached to and underlying the bra cups, with a front enclosure or not, a back band comprising of two bands that meet from each right and left side at the centre of the back central portion between the shoulder blades which is attached to the shoulder straps and consists of hooks or buttons on each respective side right and left of the centre back band. Or this may be a band in the middle of the back with two bands on each side going thru two buckles, one on each side with tunnels and hooks or the like to secure the hooks of the free ends on the back central portion or band. These are a length adjustment feature for independently adjusting the length of the band around the torso conducive to the needs of the wearer throughout time.
Latest Patents:
This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/921,238, filed Jun. 6, 2019 and entitled “Back Flip Bra” Which is incorporated herein by reference in it's entirety. It is also a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 62/766,218, filed Oct. 9, 2018 entitled “Adjustable Bra II” and continuation of Ser. No. 29/651,282, filed Mar. 12, 2018 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. D851,860 S granted Jun. 25, 2019 and entitled “Butterfly Back Bra”; and a continuation of Ser No. 29/651,089, filed Dec. 6, 2017 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. D852,459 S granted Jul. 2, 2019 entitled “Adjustable Bra”. The entireties of the aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to a bra providing a readily adjustable fit to the wearer's torso and ultimately affects the cup sizing as well. More particularity, the present invention is directed to an adjustable bra that allows a wearer to create a comfortable fit by providing a front band, and adjustable back band, allowing it to fit the torso as one may lose or gain weight, to when rather the fabric may stretch out. Many various front or back closure elements are included and various styles from front closure, back closure, front and back closure and even strapless with the adjustable back band. The shoulder straps come over the shoulders with a back band in centre which stretches from should blade to shoulder blade and contains attachment elements on each side to secure each of the left and right bands occurring from the front to the back. The shoulder straps and centre piece may vary in attachment or width and dimensions.
The main feature of this invention is an adjustable “back flip bra” type back band extending from the shoulder straps to the back for a better and more comfortable fit for the wearer of the garment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBras today are typically sold by bra band and bra cup size combined. Most manufacturer's and retailers offer only a limited selection of combinations, for example 34A, 36B, 38DD, 40F, and 34-40 inch torso band and A-H cup size typically. This limited size selection makes it difficult for some women (or men) to find a comfortable and proper fit which may change with time when it comes to bras. Likely a result of the lack of bra size combinations available and/or the limited flexibility within each bra to accommodate body changes and individuality as a function of time. (ie. Wt. loss/gain due to pregnancy etc) or fabric wear and stretch after multiple uses. Bras have not changed in nearly a century with the back band just being about 3 hooks along with the enclosure of 3-4 rows of loops—3 in each to match the respective hooks. One must put the bra on backwards often to adjust and then turn on their body, causing wear and tear and much discomfort. Often bras are bought too tight so they may stretch to which they stretch often too much so this renders them no longer useful or good to wear prompting another purchase.
This adjustable band in this invention will allow flexibility of adjusting the back and doing the bra up in the front with a front enclosure or not, thus reducing this cumbersome task of doing it up and then turning it around to the back on the torso. Front enclosure also allows ease of taking the bra off. This invention allows for sizing to be rather XXS, to XXXL sizing(XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL vs. the cup and size of band combination i.e., 34D, the 34 band in inches , D the cup size)
The band around the torso I have learned affects the cup size. Tightening the band on the torso may decrease cup size or loosing it may allow for a bigger cup size fit.
Typically bras permit shoulder straps adjustment to enhance comfort and fit. However, there is a continuing need for a bra that controls overall fit over time and body changes/fluctuations, bust cup capacity and/or the sides of the busts together or independently of one another (each side may be adjusted differently on the adjusting center piece)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a bra comprising of a pair of bra cups (two) and a band, a front band and a back band with shoulder straps, one for each shoulder or possibly one shoulder only or strapless. The front band comprises of a front under bust band attached to and underlying the front bra cups. The back band is a pair of length adjustment elements that meet in the middle of the back attaching to the back center piece attached to the should straps for independently adjusting the length of the band around the torso, and thusly affecting fit and sizing.
This invention may be a front enclosure with back adjustment band or a back enclosure adjustable band, or a back enclosure adjustable band only put on the old fashioned way of turning it on the body once adjusted, but this is not preferable with this alteration in the garnet set out in this invention, only a possibility and covered within the scope of this invention.
Both or individually front and back enclosures can exist—the straps remain still adjustable to help the fit as well and may very in length and diameter on the bra as well as the back central piece with two individual separate straps, criss crossed or a t shape style, etc. The central back piece attached or not to the shoulder straps may vary in size, shape and diameter and ability to change the bra size with differences in attachments whether they be hooks and loops, buttons, velcro, or tunnels and hooks, any form of attachment is covered within the scope of this invention.
The bra is made out of many types of fabric too, varying from silk to polyester and rayon or modal or tencel adding to comfort and wear.
Consequently, the invention offer an improved fit for women having a size between standard sizes, half cup sizes or having a disproportionate band to bust ratio. It offers an improved fit for a person changing bra needs for dieting and wt/muscle gain or loss, growth and other factors that may influence size or fit or comfort.
The unique, novel and advantageous adjuctlbe back flip bra here has an adjustable back band that permits adjustment of the length of the front, side or back and/or cup size adjustment. Also advantageous is that the straps will fit better on the wearer too and not fall off the shoulders being more secure in place on the garment. (shoulder straps falling off the shoulders is a big problem as well)
In
2R and 2L are the bra straps which lead onto the back centrepiece 7 and this may be altered, either straps attached, unattachable or criss cross or strapless or the like.
Each bra cup 1R and 1L are joined at it's lower portions to the front band 3R and 3L respectively extending the front of the wearer's torso from left to right with straps at the top portion extending over the wearer' shoulders. Preferably, the bra cups and front underbust band elements are made of woven or knit fabric, foam, cotton, silk, polyester, microfiber, memory foam, linen, lycra, nylon, spandex, lace, satin, fiberfill, cashmere or other suitable materials. Bra cups 1R and 1L may range for example from size A to J, where J is bigger than A as it follows the alphabet. This may vary in ½ cup sizes too.
The adjustable bra in
As shown in
As illustrated in
Fit adjustment elements 6R and 6L with 8R and 8L each permit an adjustment of about 1 inch (2.5 cm) to about 8 inches (20 cm) fitting wearer from torso size (28-62 inches) 28-36 (ie. Small) 36-44 (ie. Medium) 44-52 (ie. Large) 52-60 (ie. Extra large) respectively as an example. Generally though, it will allow for example, on average an adjustment of about 4 inches (10 cm)+/−2 inches (5 cm).
Advantageously, when either of bra back band 6R and 6L are moved in the direction of (closer to) the center of 7 to achieve a tighter fit, the straps 2R and 2L will stay together on the back helping secure them better over the shoulders so they may not slip on the wearer. The opposite is true as the back bands free ends are moved further away from the center with less backband material going over 7, this will ensure a larger, more looser fit, and straps remain. Generally speaking, at least 25% of the free back ends hook itself onto 7 to make a perfect and medium fit.
In preferred embodiment,
In
In
While hooks and loops have been illustrated for use in combination with the back band (centerpeice 7) as part of the length adjustment elements, other types of fasteners that permits adjustment of the effective length of the back band 6R and 6L may be used within the scope of the present invention. Thus, for example, buckles & tunnels, snaps, clasps, clamps, buttons, rings, ties, zippers, metal slide or clips or even velcro may be used instead.
It will be understood that the independent adjustment feature described herein may be incorporated into strapless bras, underwire bras, non-underwire bras, sports bras, posture bras, minimizer bras, swim wear, leisure bras, brallettes, front enclosure bras and the like. When the bra is a front enclosure bra as preferred the back may be adjusted and conversely with no front enclosure the wearer may put on the bra using solely a back adjustment feature and adjust accordingly. Either way is protected within this present invention.
Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the upcoming claims. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that all examples in the present disclosure are provided as non-limiting examples.
In
Preferably the back bands 15R and 15L and 17 the centrepiece are made of woven or knit fabric, synthetic, modal, elastane, foam, cotton, silk, polyester, microfiber, elastic, linen, lycra, nylon, modal, elastyne, spandex, memory foam, cashmere, lace, satin, tencel , bamboo or other suitable materials.
In
Preferably the back bands 18R and 18L and 20, the centrepiece , are made of woven or knit fabric, synthetic, modal, elastane, foam, cotton, silk, polyester, microfiber, elastic, linen, lycra, nylon, modal, elastyne, spandex, memory foam, cashmere, lace, satin, tencel , bamboo or other suitable materials, natural or unnatural.
Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the upcoming claims. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that all examples in the present disclosure are provided as non-limiting examples.
The expression of the invention is within both the claims and description and both must be considered in detail in defining it along with the accompanying figure drawings.
Claims
1. A bra comprising of a pair of bra cups and a band, the band comprising a front under bust band with front enclosure, or not, attached to and underlying the bra cups and at least one back band, where one band extends from the left under bust band to the back shoulder blade called “band one” and another extends from the right under bust band to the back shoulder blade called “band two” which the bands comprises a pair of length adjustment elements for independently adjusting the length of the back band on the back central piece connected to the shoulder straps or no shoulder straps. Band One and two have free ends which are secured on the central back portion. The back central pieces comprises of a left and right side respectively which correlates to band one and band two free ends as the left and the right sides of the central band extend outwards from the mid axillary line of the body between the two shoulders blades and “band one” attaches to the left side of the central piece from the mid axillary line to the left shoulder blade with hooks and loops/eyes, buttons, snaps, buckles or even velcro, tunnels and hooks, etc. The “band two” from the right under band then attaches to the right side of the central back piece on it' s right side of the mid axillary line to shoulder blade with hooks and loops/eyes, buttons, buckles, snaps or velcro, tunnels and hooks, etc. The under band segments (free ends) of band one and band two are releasably secured to the respective left and right sides of the central back piece, attached to shoulder straps or not. The hooks or loops, buckles, snaps, buttons, tunnels and hooks or other affixable material like velcro etc are located on the back central piece with the adjoining portion whether it be the hook of a loop/eye or button hole for button or the like is located on the band one and band two free ends adjusting the length appropriately to fit the girth.
2. The bra of claim 1 wherein the length adjustment elements are located on the back central portion band, a central piece connected, or not, to the shoulder straps, where the two free ends or sides of the respective bands meet in the middle and connect each side with hooks or buttons, snaps, buckles, velcro, tunnels and hooks or the like to the accompanying rows of hooks and loops/eyes, buttons snaps, buckles, velcro, tunnels and hooks, or the like, located on the central back piece extending (or not) from the shoulder straps.
3. The bra of claims 1 and 2 wherein each of the length adjustment elements comprises a pair of straps adjacent to the back band and attached just below the shoulder blades on the central back portion piece.
4. The bra of claims 1 and 2 wherein each of the length adjustment elements comprises a pair of straps and central back portion piece with hooks and loops/eyes, buttons, snaps, buckles or tunnels and hooks or velcro or releasable adhesive or the like.
5. The bra of claims 1 and 2 wherein the bra is a front and or/back closure bra and the band comprises a pair of back bands, and a central piece connected to shoulder straps, or not, which has tunnels and the two back bands have hooks to hook onto.
6. The bra of claims 1 and 2 wherein the length adjustment features are located on the back bands.
7. The bra of claims 1 and 2 wherein the length adjustment features are located on the central back portion piece attached to shoulder straps.
8. The bra of claims 1 and 2 wherein the bra is strapless (no straps).
9. The bra of claims 1 and 2 wherein the bra's straps criss cross or are t-shaped.
10. The bra of claims 1 and 2 wherein the back band (s) comprise(s) a series of tunnels on each length of the back central piece where the two back bands extend from this central piece and meet and attach under or proximate of the shoulder blades of the wearer when worn, folding over onto itself and meeting in the middle with each one of the adjustment elements and free ends passing through a buckle and attaching the ends hook through the appropriate tunnels of the central band (or in the first or no. 15 figures case the hooks onto the loops/eyes.)
11. The bra of claim 10 wherein the bra is a back closure bra and the band comprises a pair of back bands within and extending from the central piece.
12. The bra of claim 10 wherein the bra is a front closure bra and the band comprises an adjoining band with the two back bands attaching to the central piece.
13. The BRA of claim 10 wherein the bra is strapless or criss crossed shoulder bands or T-shaped back.
14. The Bra of claims 1 and 2 wherein the length adjustment elements are located on the back band where there is a strap (or band) in the middle extending out from the central piece mid axillary and are left and right, and connecting thru two buckles one on each left and right side, left and right, approximately under each shoulder blade where the back strap goes thru the respective buckles and ties it's free ends onto its central self with hooks & loops/eyes or buckles and tunnels or buttons, snaps or a releasable adhesive or the like. Velcro may also be used as a form of attachment of the free ends.
15. While the claim 14 maybe captured by earlier applications they show only one side being utilized whereas my applications indicates the use of TWO sides fully utilized to add or subtract the girth length.
16. The diameter of the left and right extensions of the under bust bands and central portion of claims 1 thru 15 may vary from 1.5 inches to 4 inches or more or less and is captured within the scope of this invention as a varying but inclusive factor.
17. Claims 1 thru 16 draw attention to and are applicable to that of an everyday bra (or swimsuit) and not necessarily just a sports bra as some inventions may claim.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 8, 2020
Publication Date: Dec 10, 2020
Applicant: (Vancouver)
Inventor: Cheryl A. Stein (Vancouver)
Application Number: 16/873,704