Brassieres
Brassieres have torso straps with adjustable tensioning mechanisms.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/847,621, filed Apr. 13, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/833,634, filed Apr. 12, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/210,949, filed on Jun. 15, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUNDBrassieres which provide additional support are disclosed. At least one embodiment of the disclosed brassieres is easier to use by a woman who has limited or no use of one arm. Another feature is intended to assist adjustment by users with limited or no vision.
There is a need for brassieres which provide better support and comfort, particularly during times of high activity such as when the wearer is participating in sports. There is also a need for brassieres which can be used by women amputees and other women with disabilities, such as partial or total blindness.
SUMMARYOne version of the disclosed brassieres comprises two breast cups, two shoulder straps which respectively extend over each shoulder, and at least one strap which extends generally horizontally, at least partially around the torso of the wearer.
One embodiment of the disclosed brassieres comprises shoulder straps which extend to the front lower portion of the breast cups. The front lower portion of each shoulder strap branches into a plurality of straps, e.g. branches into an inverted Y-configuration. In this embodiment, the front portion of each shoulder strap has two lower end portions. The lower ends of each end portion of the shoulder strap are attached to a front, lower portion of a breast cup. Thus, in this embodiment, each shoulder strap is connected to each breast cup at two spaced positions. The fork of the Y, i.e. the point at which a shoulder strap splits into two sections, is preferably above the wearer's nipple. The angle formed by the lower front straps is preferably, but not limited to, about 45°. The provision of two connections between the lower ends of each shoulder strap and the lower portion of each breast cup more evenly distributes the supporting forces of the shoulder strap to the breast cup than a more common single point of attachment between a brassiere's shoulder strap and a top edge of a breast cup.
In at least one version, the disclosed shoulder straps preferably pass through generally flat, tubular channels in the breast cups.
Other versions of shoulder straps branch from a single strap into more than two straps which are connected to a breast cup proximate the lower edge of the breast cup.
The single strap portion of the shoulder strap is preferably provided with a number of visible or tactile indicia such as horizontal lines printed or sewn on the front, i.e. the forward facing surface, of the shoulder strap and are spaced a desired distance, such as 5 mm or 1 inch apart. These indicia are provided to assist a user while adjusting the shoulder strap to her size prior to donning the brassiere. These indicia are located on the front, i.e. forwardly facing surface, of each single shoulder strap above the top edge of the breast cup so that they are readily visible or discernable to the user. The tactile indicia are particularly useful for women with impaired sight. Any desired number of indicia can be provided but the shoulder straps each preferably comprise at least 2 evenly spaced indicia.
Another aspect of the disclosed brassieres comprises two breast cups, two shoulder straps and an adjustable, generally horizontal strap. The breast cups in this embodiment comprise a top edge, an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portions of the breast cups in this embodiment also comprise at least one and preferably a plurality of slots through which the horizontal strap passes. The horizontal strap comprises connectors for attaching a first portion of the strap to a second portion of the strap. This embodiment permits the horizontal strap to be attached to itself on the side of a wearer and is particularly suitable for a wearer with limited or no use of one of her arms, for example an amputee, physical therapy patient, and women with arthritis. For example, if the wearer's right arm has been amputated, the wearer can use her left arm to secure the horizontal strap to itself on the right side of her torso.
An alternative embodiment of the disclosed brassieres comprises two breast cups, two shoulder straps and an adjustable, generally horizontal strap with a front latching system. The breast cups in this embodiment comprise a top edge, an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portions of the breast cups in this embodiment also comprise at least one and preferably a plurality of slots through which the horizontal strap passes. The horizontal strap and each breast cup or a decorative cover over the breast cups comprise, but is not limited to, connectors, e.g. Velcro®, for attaching the horizontal strap to the breast cups or cover. In this embodiment, the end portions of the horizontal strap extend through a first breast cup and are secured to the second breast cup or a cover on the second breast cup.
Another aspect comprises a garment with a front latching system, a ring or similar structure is provided at a position generally central between the breast cups. Each end of the horizontal strap extends through a breast cup, through the ring or similar structure, and then back to the same breast cup or breast cup cover through which that end portion extends.
Another aspect of the disclosed brassieres comprises at least one breast cup, a shoulder strap for each breast cup and a torso strap with an adjustment mechanism which permits a wearer to selectively adjust the tension in the torso strap. The breast cups in this embodiment comprise a top edge, an upper portion and a lower portion. Channels are provided in each breast cup for receiving a shoulder strap and the torso strap.
Also disclosed are brassieres with an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tension in the torso strap. Bras with this feature are provided with at least one cord or wire, e.g. a nylon cord, which extends through a tubular channel in the torso strap. The ends of the cord are fed into a tensioning mechanism, such as a small, windable, ratcheting spool, which allows a wearer to tighten or loosen the torso strap by simply winding a small button on the ratcheting mechanism or selectively unwinding the spool.
The various embodiments are directed to brassieres. As used herein, the term “brassieres” includes sports bras, bikini tops and other swimwear requiring support for breasts.
The illustrated embodiments of the disclosed brassieres comprise two breast cups, two shoulder straps which are respectively designed to extend over each shoulder of the wearer, and at least one strap which extends generally horizontally, at least partially around the torso of the wearer. One or more optional decorative covers are provided to better conceal the inner construction of the illustrated embodiments.
With reference to the figures,
The “shoulder straps” described herein can also be neck straps, such as in a bikini embodiment described below in connection with
The point at which the shoulder or neck strap splits The provision of two spaced connections between the lower ends of each shoulder strap and a lower portion the breast cup more evenly distributes the supporting forces of the shoulder strap to the breast cup than a more common single point of attachment between a brassiere's shoulder strap and the top edge of a breast cup.
The upper front portions of each shoulder strap 10, 20 is optionally provided with a length and tension adjustment component 11, 21, respectively, such as a strap slide.
A second aspect of the brassiere illustrated in
The horizontal strap 50 comprises connectors 53, 54 for attaching a first end portion of the strap 50 to a second portion of the strap 50. This embodiment permits the horizontal strap 50 to be attached to itself on the side of a wearer and is particularly suitable for a wearer with limited or no use of one of her arms. For example, if the wearer's right arm has been amputated, the wearer can use her left arm to secure the horizontal strap 50 to itself on the right side of her torso. Suitable connectors include hook-and-eye fasteners, strap slides, magnets, Velcro®, zipper, clips, snap-ons, laces and the like.
As noted above, a brassiere can benefit from incorporating one aspect of the disclosed brassieres without necessarily incorporating another aspect even though the first illustrated embodiment described herein includes two aspects.
A third aspect of the disclosed brassieres is illustrated in
A fourth aspect of the disclosed brassieres is illustrated in
The embodiment illustrated in
The disclosed horizontal straps can be formed of a material with elastic properties which permit stretching during use or can have a fixed length. The term “strap” as used herein includes a stretchable structure more commonly referred to as a band. A plurality of complementary fasteners are optionally provided at different positions on the horizontal strap to allow the wearer to adjust the length and tension on the horizontal strap.
The breast cups of still further embodiments are formed in multiple layers with the inverted Y-shaped portion of the shoulder straps sandwiched between layers of the breast cup and with the generally horizontal straps passing through the inner layer of each breast cup.
The front decorative cover, front bra cup, torso band, shoulder strap and rear bra cup can be made of a range of materials. Particularly suitable materials are selected from one or more of Nylon 6.6, hemp, bamboo, recycled nylon 6.6, Lycra®, Spandex®, Stretchone® Emana® Amni soul eco® Evo® Q-nova® Nano fibra® Q-cycle®, cotton, polyester. The preferred material for these components is presently believed to be Nylon 6.6.
The Denier range for the front decorative cover, front bra cup, torso band, shoulder strap and rear bra cup is 2 Denier to 80 Denier, preferably 5 Denier to 40 Denier and most preferably 10 Denier to 30 Denier. The elasticity range is 0% to 100%, preferably 4 to 80% and most preferably 5 to 15%.
These components are preferably formed with a needle having a guage of 10-20, most preferably 15-20.
Other than the O-ring which is preferably formed of a natural or synthetic rubber or rubber-like material, the base, spool and winding button of the tensioning mechanism are preferably formed of plastic or metal. The cord is preferably formed of Nylon or Lycra.
Unlike the version shown in
As used herein with respect to the tensioning of a torso strap, the terms “cord” and “wire” are used synonymously and each include single strand and well as multiple strand, flexible lines. The cords and/or wires can be formed of any suitable material such as nylon, flax, cotton, hemp, etc.
One example of a suitable tensioning mechanism as illustrated in
As shown in more detail in
The rotatable spool has a plurality of outwardly facing ratchet slots 836 designed to engage a corresponding number of inwardly facing ratchet teeth 816 on winding button 810. The length of pin 812 and the location of grooves 814 permit pin 812 to be moved inwardly relative to the base 820 between an engaged (pushed in) position wherein the ratchet teeth 816 are engaged with the ratchet slots 836 and a released (pulled out) position where the ratchet teeth 816 are not engaged with the ratchet slots 836. Thus the ratchet teeth 816 on the button 810 engage the ratchet slots 836 on the spool 830 and cause the spool 830 to rotate relative to the base 820 when the button 810 is in the engaged (push in) position and rotated. When the button 810 is in the engaged position, rotation of the button 810 causes rotation of the spool 830 relative to the base 820 and the cord 950 is wound around the recessed outer circumferential surface 832 of the spool 830. This winding action thereby tightens the torso strap on the wearer. The rotation can be reversed by pulling the button 810 to the released position and rotating the button 810 in the reverse direction to loosen the tension on the cord or wire 950 and, consequently, in the torso strap 900.
Base 820 can be generally flat, but is preferably arched. If the base 820 is provided with a flat flange for connection to the fabric, the pin 812 may extend beyond the inner side of the flange 820 and be felt by the wearer when depressed. A preferred version of the tensioning mechanism has a base 820 with opposing ends 822 and 824 disposed further inwardly than the center section 826 where hole 823 is located and through which pin 802 passes. The illustrated arched base 820 reduces the likelihood that the pin 812 will poke or push against a wearer when the winding button 810 is depressed.
Alternatively, brassieres which are fully openable, e.g. with clasps in the back or between the cups, can be provided with the ratcheting mechanism by securing the ends of the internal cords to the fabric of the torso strap near the separable parts of the torso strap and feeding the respective other ends of the cords/wires into the winding, ratcheting mechanism.
In an embodiment, the point at which a shoulder strap or neck strap splits into multiple straps is preferably about one inch to about three inches below the top edge of the breast cup.
As noted above, a brassiere can benefit from incorporating one aspect of the disclosed brassieres without necessarily incorporating another aspect.
The various brassieres disclosed preferably comprise one or more decorative covers over the front and rear surfaces of each of the breast cups. The decorative covers are preferably fixedly secured to the breast cups, e.g. by sewing.
The disclosed torso straps can be formed of a material with elastic properties which permit stretching during use or can have a fixed length. The term “strap” as used herein includes a stretchable structure more commonly referred to as a band. A plurality of complementary fasteners are optionally provided at different positions on the horizontal strap to allow the wearer to adjust the length and tension on the horizontal strap.
While the illustrated embodiments each comprise two breast cups, other embodiments of the branched shoulder strap and torso strap comprise a single breast cup and are useful for persons having a single breast, e.g. a mastectomy patient.
Claims
1. A brassiere comprising a front portion and a rear portion, said brassiere comprising:
- at least one breast cup adapted to support a breast and comprising a top portion, an upper edge, a bottom portion and a generally horizontal channel extending entirely through the interior of said bottom portion;
- a shoulder strap supporting said at least one breast cup;
- a torso strap extending through said channel and forming a continuous loop adapted to pass around a wearer's torso;
- a tensioning cord passing through said torso strap; and
- a tensioning mechanism for selectively tightening or loosening said torso strap.
2. A brassiere according to claim 1 wherein said shoulder strap comprises at least one generally vertical strap extending from said rear portion to at least one of said breast cup; said at least one generally vertical strap extending from the top portion of a breast cup to the bottom portion of said breast cup, said at least one vertical strap comprising a single strap proximate the top portion of said breast cup and branching into a plurality of lower, front straps at a first location which is below the top portion of said breast cup and above the bottom portion of said breast cup such that a plurality of lower, front straps extend to the bottom portion of said breast cup.
3. A brassiere according to claim 1 wherein said at least one vertical strap comprises two shoulder straps.
4. A brassiere according to claim 1 comprising two breast cups.
5. A brassiere according to claim 1 wherein said at least one vertical strap is a neck strap.
6. A brassiere according to claim 1 wherein said first location is above a wearer's nipple.
7. A brassiere according to claim 1 wherein said first location is about one inches to about three inches below the top edge of said at least one breast cup.
8. A brassiere according to claim 1 wherein said tensioning mechanism comprises a ratcheting spool.
9. A brassiere according to claim 1 further comprising at least one decorative cover over at least one of said breast cups.
10. A brassiere according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of torso straps, each of said torso straps comprising a tensioning cord.
11. A brassiere according to claim 10 comprising a tensioning mechanism for each torso strap.
12. A brassiere according to claim 1 comprising a tensioning cord comprising a plurality of generally horizontal, parallel portions.
13. A brassiere according to claim 12 wherein said parallel portions are disposed in separate channels formed in said torso strap.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 15, 2022
Publication Date: Sep 29, 2022
Inventor: Gina Isabel Castillo Piedra (Fort Lee, NJ)
Application Number: 17/841,625