U.S. patent application number 09/727029 was filed with the patent office on 2001-04-05 for article of clothing with built-in bra.
This patent application is currently assigned to Heroff Group, LLC. Invention is credited to Heroff, Stephanie L..
Application Number | 20010000164 09/727029 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26783898 |
Filed Date | 2001-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010000164 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heroff, Stephanie L. |
April 5, 2001 |
Article of clothing with built-in bra
Abstract
The present invention is directed to women's clothing apparel
including a built-in bra. In preferred embodiments, the straps of
the bra are fastened to the shoulder supports of a top garment
substantially along the length of the shoulder supports from the
front to the back of the garment. The invention also provides novel
bras which can be advantageously used according to the
invention.
Inventors: |
Heroff, Stephanie L.;
(Minneapolis, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Attention James R. Chiapetta
MERCHANT & GOULD P.C.
P.O. Box 2903
Minneapolis
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
Heroff Group, LLC
|
Family ID: |
26783898 |
Appl. No.: |
09/727029 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09727029 |
Nov 30, 2000 |
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09358274 |
Jul 21, 1999 |
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09358274 |
Jul 21, 1999 |
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09345256 |
Jun 30, 1999 |
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60091374 |
Jul 1, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
450/30 ; 450/1;
450/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41F 1/006 20130101;
A41D 7/00 20130101; A41C 3/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
450/30 ; 450/31;
450/1 |
International
Class: |
A41C 003/00 |
Claims
What I claim is:
1. An article of clothing comprising: a garment including a first
garment support having a first length and a second garment support
having a second length; a bra, the bra comprising: (i) a body
having a front, a back and a side; and (ii) a first bra strap
attached to the front and back of the body of the bra and a second
bra strap attached to the front and back of the body of the bra;
and a fastener which fastens the first bra strap substantially
along the length of the first garment support and the second bra
strap substantially along the length of the second garment
support.
2. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the
fastener provides for selectively removing the bra straps from the
garment supports.
3. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the bra and
garment are not fastened at any one of the front, back and side of
the body of the bra.
4. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the first
and second garment supports are spaghetti straps.
5. The article of clothing according to claim 4 wherein the garment
is a dress.
6. The article of clothing according to claim 4 wherein the garment
is a tank top with spaghetti straps.
7. The article of clothing according to claim 4 wherein the garment
is a blouse.
8. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the
fastener is a stitch pattern.
9. The article of clothing according to claim 8 wherein the
fastener is a continuous stitch pattern.
10. The article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein the first
and second bra straps include a strap attachment arrangement for
selectively detaching the first and second bra straps to the body
of the bra.
11. The article of clothing according to claim 10 wherein the strap
attachment arrangement includes a plurality of hook members and
loop members.
12. The article of clothing according to claim 2 wherein the
fastener is hook and loop.
13. An article of clothing comprising: an outer garment including a
first garment support having a first length and second garment
support having a second length; a bra, the bra comprising: (i) a
body having a front, a back and a side; and (ii) a first bra strap
selectively detachable to the front and back of the body of the bra
and a second bra strap selectively detachable to the front and back
of the body of the bra; and a fastener which fastens the first bra
strap to the first garment support and the second bra strap to the
second garment support.
14. The garment according to claim 13 wherein the bra and garment
are not fastened at any one of the front, back and side of the body
of the bra.
15. The article of clothing according to claim 13 wherein the
fastener fastens the first bra strap to the first garment support
substantially from the front to the back of the body of the bra and
the second bra strap to the second garment support substantially
from the front to the back of the body of the bra.
16. The article of clothing according to claim 13 wherein the
fastener provides for selectively removing the bra from the
garment.
17. The article of clothing according to claim 13 wherein the first
and second garment supports are spaghetti straps.
18. The article of clothing according to claim 13 wherein the
garment is a tank top.
19. The article of clothing according to claim 13 wherein the
garment is a dress.
20. The article of clothing according to claim 13 wherein the
garment is a blouse.
21. The article of clothing according to claim 13 wherein the
garment is a halter top.
22. The article of clothing according to claim 13 wherein the
fastener is a stitch pattern.
23. The article of clothing according to claim 13 wherein the first
and second bra straps include a plurality of hook members for
selectively detaching the first and second straps to the front and
back of the bra.
24. The article of clothing according to claim 17 wherein the bra
includes an underwire breast support.
25. The article of clothing according to claim 22 wherein the
fastener fastens the first bra strap substantially along the length
of the first garment support and the second bra strap substantially
along the length of the second garment support.
26. The article of clothing according to claim 13, wherein the
front of the bra comprises a first and second cup, each cup having
a broad base and a narrow apex.
27. An article of clothing comprising: an outer garment including a
first garment support having a first length and a second garment
support having a second length; and a first bra strap fastened to
the first garment support and having a first and second strap
attachment arrangement at a first and second end, respectively, of
the first bra strap; a second bra strap fastened to the second
garment support and having a first and second strap attachment
arrangement at a first and second end, respectively, of the second
bra strap.
28. A method for providing breast support in an article of clothing
for women comprising: selecting a garment that covers a woman's
breasts, the garment having a first garment support extending from
a front to back of the garment and a second garment support
extending from the front to the back of the garment; selecting a
bra for supporting the woman's breasts wherein the bra includes:
(i) a body having a front and back; (ii) first and second bra
straps; and fastening the first and second bra straps to the first
and second garment supports, respectively, from the front to the
back of the garment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
1. The present application is a continuation-in-part application of
U.S. Ser. No. 09/345,256, filed Jun. 30, 1999, which claims
priority to provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/091,374, the
entire disclosure of each application is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
2. The present invention is directed to women's clothing apparel,
particularly garments which cover a woman's breasts. Specifically,
the invention provides for fixing at least a portion of a bra to
the garment under which the bra is worn.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
3. Presently available women's clothing apparel generally do not
include breast support. Typically, breast support systems, such as
a bra, are a component separate from the shirt or dress and have a
separate strap arrangement for supporting the bra and garment over
a woman's shoulder.
4. One disadvantage of having a separate strap for the bra and for
the garment is that the bra strap can be displaced from being
completely covered by the garment shoulder strap when a woman
performs routine activities while wearing the garment/bra
arrangement. Exposure of the bra strap beneath the garment strap
can give an unkempt look. This can be a particular problem when the
shoulder support straps of the garment are thin, i.e., about the
same width as the bra strap. In addition, the independent movement
of the two straps on a woman's shoulder can be constantly
irritating and require repeated manual adjustment to realign the
bra strap and the garment strap.
5. One alternative is to use a single strap to provide
over-the-shoulder support to both the cup portions of the bra and
the garment. Such arrangements are disclosed in, for example, U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,398,538 and 4,798,557. However, in general,
arrangements having a single strap for both the bra and garment do
not provide the support necessary for full figured women.
6. Another alternative is to provide the garment with a built in
bra. Such arrangements are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,478,278 and 5,678,246. While these arrangements may provide
adequate breast support, the bra and garment are generally fixed
together over portions of the body of the bra (i.e., cups, sides
and back region) and the strap region. This arrangement can be
disadvantageous because the garment cannot move freely relative to
the body of the bra.
7. Clasp systems are available for fixing the garment strap and bra
strap in position as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,545.
However, in addition to being unsightly, clasps generally only
provide a localized point of fixation thus allowing relative
displacement between the garment shoulder strap and the bra strap
at regions that are not directly fixed together by the clasp.
8. Another alternative is to not wear a bra when wearing a
sleeveless or thin strapped garment. This, however, is frequently a
disadvantage for full figured women or women performing sports or
other physical activities.
9. Accordingly, there is a need for women's garments, particularly
garments that are sleeveless or thin strapped, that permits
constant coverage of the strap of an underlying bra by the garment
shoulder strap.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
10. Throughout the specification, guidance is provided through
lists of examples. In each instance, the recited list serves only
as a representative group. It is not meant, however, that the list
is exclusive.
11. The invention is directed to articles of clothing including a
garment and a bra or bra straps. According to the invention, a
garment can include a first and second garment support which extend
from the front of the garment to the back of the garment.
Alternatively, a garment can include a first and second garment
support which extend from the front of the garment to behind the
wearer's neck where the first and second garment supports attach to
one another.
12. A bra according to the invention includes a bra body and first
and second bra straps. The bra body has a front, a back and sides.
In a typical embodiment, the first and second bra straps are
fastened to the first and second garment supports, respectively.
The bra straps can be non-removable or selectively removable from
the garment supports. In some embodiments, the body of the bra can
be selectively detachable from the bra straps.
13. Articles of clothing according to the invention are
particularly advantageous for use with garments having garment
supports which are narrow, such as "spaghetti straps." The garment
of an article of clothing according to the invention can be a
dress, a blouse, a tank top, halter top, tube top, bathing suit,
etc.
14. Fastening the bra straps to the garment supports provides the
herein disclosed articles of clothing with an overall neater
appearance. In addition, the articles provide breast support and
comfort for regular use or for use during physical activity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
15. FIGS. 1a-1c illustrate an embodiment of a prior art garment and
bra arrangement;
16. FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate one embodiment of a garment and bra
arrangement according to the invention;
17. FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate one preferred embodiment of the
invention wherein the garment is freely moveable over the body of
the bra while the garment supports are fastened along a portion of
the bra straps;
18. FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate a front and back view of a garment
with a bra beneath, in phantom lines, wherein the bra straps are
fastened substantially along the garment supports;
19. FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a bra according
to the invention;
20. FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a garment and
bra arrangement according to the invention including the bra of
FIG. 5;
21. FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of an alternative embodiment of
an article of clothing according to the invention;
22. FIG. 8 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 7;
23. FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of an alternative embodiment of
an article of clothing according to the invention;
24. FIG. 10 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of FIG.
9;
25. FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of an alternative embodiment
of an article of clothing according to the invention;
26. FIG. 12 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of FIG.
11;
27. FIGS. 13a and 13b illustrate an alternative embodiment of an
article of clothing according to the invention; and
28. FIGS. 14a and 14b illustrate another alternative embodiment of
an article of clothing according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
29. The present disclosure is directed to women's garments, worn
with a bra underneath, that provides substantial, continuous
coverage of the strap of the bra. In a preferred embodiment, the
garment is mobile relative to the body of the bra.
30. As used herein, the term "garment" refers to women's clothing
apparel that covers the upper body region including the breasts,
for example, dresses, blouses, t-shirts, tank tops, bathing suits,
halter tops, tube tops, etc. The "garment shoulder support" or
"garment support" refers to that region of the garment that extends
from the front of the garment to the back of the garment in the
shoulder region to support the garment on a woman's shoulder (i.e.,
over-the-shoulder-support). The garment support can be narrow or
broad. According to the invention, narrow and broad garment
supports include the supports of all sleeveless garments. Narrow
and broad support garments may include lateral extensions such as
long or short sleeves. The over-the-shoulder supports of a garment
having narrow shoulder supports (e.g., straps), may sometimes be
referred to as "spaghetti straps."
31. As used herein, the term "bra" refers to common breast support
systems which fall under the term "bra" and which have a "bra
strap" that extends from the front of the bra over a woman's
shoulder to the back of the bra. The "body" of the bra includes the
front, back and sides of the bra. The "front" of the bra includes
that portion of the bra which directly surrounds or supports the
breasts (e.g., cups). The "back" of the bra refers to that region
of the bra that passes across a woman's back. The back of the bra
often includes a clasp or other similar arrangement to facilitate
putting on and taking off the bra. The "sides" of the bra are
between the front and the back and in use are generally positioned
under a woman's arm pits. As used herein, the "body" does not
include the bra straps which typically support the bra in place
over a woman's shoulder. Examples of bras suitable for the
invention include, underwire bras, push-up bras, padded bras,
pocket bras with removable padding, wireless bras, lace bras,
etc.
32. In a typical embodiment of the invention, the bra straps can be
attached to the garment support substantially along the length of
the bra strap from the front to the back of the garment. According
to the disclosure, the bra straps can be fastened to the garment
shoulder supports using fasteners such as hook and loop (e.g.,
VELCRO.RTM.), snaps, zippers, buttons, loops, stitched thread,
pattern (e.g., continuous, discontinuous, etc.), etc.
33. Fastening the bra straps to the garment supports, substantially
along the length of the bra strap underlying the garment support,
provides a neat appearance without constant visualization of the
bra straps protruding outside the garment shoulder supports. By
fastening the bra to the garment supports only in the
over-the-shoulder regions, preferred embodiments of the herein
disclosed articles of clothing also provide free movement of the
garment relative to the body of the bra. Although not presently
preferred, in some embodiments, the bra strap and garment support
may be fastened only in the region from the front of the garment to
the top of the shoulder or from the back of the garment to the top
of the shoulder. According to this embodiment, in the former
arrangement (i.e., fastened from front of garment to top of
shoulder), the bra strap and garment support could extend to the
back of the garment (or bra) not fastened to one another. In the
latter arrangement, the bra strap and garment support could extend
to the front of the garment (or bra) not fastened to one
another.
34. In some embodiments, the garment supports may not extend to the
back of the garment. For example, the garment supports may extend
from the front of the garment and attach to one another behind the
wearer's neck. In these embodiments, the garment supports and bra
straps can be fastened together starting at about the front of the
garment and extend together along the length of the garment support
to a region of the garment support which in use would be positioned
at, or behind, the wearer's neck. At this point, the support straps
can be attached to one another by tying (e.g., a halter top) or
using known clasping arrangements.
35. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the disclosure
provides for wearing a bra beneath a garment having narrow shoulder
supports, such as "spaghetti straps." In a preferred embodiment,
the garment is freely moveable relative to the body of the bra but
fastened from the front to back of the garment along substantially
the length of the garment shoulder support.
36. As used herein, the term "substantially" is used to indicate
some variation in, for example, the location of a fastener, but the
variation still providing the function within the scope and
principles of the invention.
37. As will be disclosed below, the bra straps of the invention can
be fastened to the garments to provide for removal of the bra from
the garment. In some embodiments, the body of the bra can be
detached from the straps, regardless of whether the straps are
removable or non-removable from the garment supports. This feature
advantageously provides for using the bra, or body of the bra, with
different garments or the same garment with different bras or bra
bodies. This aspect of the invention provides for articles of
clothing to be available which have bra straps fastened to the
garment supports, but no bra body. A selectively detachable bra
body would be available separately. Alternatively, an article of
clothing can be available with garment supports which include a
fastener capable of fastening a removable bra, but no bra. Separate
removable bras would also be available. These embodiments allow the
consumer to mix and match garments and bras, or bra bodies.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
38. FIGS. 1a-1c illustrate one example of a problem with prior art
arrangements of a bra and garment which is addressed by the present
invention. In the illustrated embodiment, tank top 10 has garment
supports 11a and 11b which are narrow and may be relatively
displaced so as not to cover the bra straps 12a and 12b of the bra
beneath the tank top 10. FIG. 1b is a side view and FIG. 1c is a
back view of the same garment arrangement as FIG. 1a.
39. FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate one embodiment of a clothing article 40
according to the invention comprising a tank top 41 having garment
supports 42a and 42b which are fastened to the bra straps (not
visible) substantially along the length of the bra straps in the
region of the garment supports. Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, in
one preferred embodiment, garment shoulder supports 42a and 42b of
clothing article 40 and bra straps 51a and 51b (not visible in this
view), of bra 50 are fastened together substantially from the front
end 55a of bra strap 51a, to the back of garment 41. FIG. 3b
illustrates that in preferred embodiments, the region of the
garment 41 which covers the body 54 of bra 50 can be freely
removable from the body 53 of the bra.
40. FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate a front and back view of another
embodiment of a clothing article 55, such as a drape neck top 56,
showing the body 60 of bra 61 in phantom lines. The body 60 of bra
61 includes a front 62, a back 63 and sides 64a and 64b. The front
62 of bra 61 includes cups 65a and 65b. The bra straps 66a and 66b
(phantom lines) are fastened to the garment supports 67a and 67b of
top 56 by fastener 68a and 68b which is represented in the
illustration by diagonal lines. The fastener can provide for the
bra to be non-removable from the garment such as by a threaded
stitch, an adhesive, etc. or selectively removable by using, for
example, hook and loop (VELCRO.RTM.), zipper, snaps, buttons,
clasps, etc. If a threaded stitch is used, one or more rows of a
continuous or intermittent stitch pattern can be used.
41. The back 63 of bra 61 includes a centrally located clasp 69 to
facilitate putting on and taking off bra 61. In addition, an
adjustment arrangement 70a and 70b can be provided for adjustment
of the length of bra straps 66a and 66b, respectively. In the
illustrated embodiment, the body 60 of bra 63 is not fastened to
the top 56. However, bra straps 66a and 66b are fastened to garment
supports 67a and 67b substantially along the length of the garment
supports 67a and 67b from the front 71 to the back 72 of garment
56. Thus, the body 60 of bra 61 is freely moveable beneath top 56
for comfort and neat appearance. The unkempt appearance of the bra
straps 66a, 66b displaced from beneath the garment supports 67a,
67b is eliminated.
42. FIGS. 5 and 6, illustrate one embodiment of a bra of the
invention wherein the body of the bra is selectively detachable
from the bra straps. This embodiment permits interchangeability of
bra bodies and garments. Referring to FIG. 5, bra 110 includes a
body 100, comprising front 101, sides 102a, 102b, back 103, and
straps 104a, 104b.
43. Front 101 of bra 110 comprises first cup l50a and second cup
l50b. In this embodiment, cups 150a and 150b include a base region
151a, 151b and an apex region 152a, 152b. The tear-drop shape of
cups 150a and 150b provides for positioning front attachments 106a
and 106b at apex region 152a, 152b to provide even and comfortable
support for the wearer. This bra cup configuration also provides a
smoother appearance under a garment without a visible defining line
at the top edge of the bra. In this embodiment, body 100 is
attached to the bra straps 104a, 104b by strap attachment
arrangement 105 which provides for selectively attaching and
detaching the bra straps 104a, 104b to the front 101 and back 103
of the body 100 of bra 110. According to this embodiment, strap
attachment arrangement 105 can include front attachments 106a, 106b
which are the same or different than back attachments 107a, 107b.
In the illustrated embodiment, front attachments 106a, 106b each
include a hook members 108, mounted at the front ends 109a, 109b of
straps 104a, 104b, to selectively attach and detach from loop
members 111a, 111b at the front 101 of bra 110. Back attachments
107a, 107b each also include hook members 108 mounted at the back
ends 112a, 112b of straps 104a, 104b which can selectively attach
and detach from loop members 113a, 113b at the back 103 of bra 110.
It will be appreciated that the relative locations of the hook
members and loop members can be the inverse of that illustrated.
Also, other strap attachment arrangements 105, which provide for
selective detachability of the body of the bra from the straps,
such as hook and loop (VELCRO.RTM.), buttons, snaps, clasps,
zippers, etc., can be used.
44. As illustrated, an adjustment arrangement 120a and 120b can be
included for adjusting the length of bra straps 104a, 104b.
Suitable adjustment arrangements are known in the art.
45. FIG. 6 illustrates that the feature of selective detachability
of body 100 of bra 110 from straps 104a and 104b (not visible)
still permits for the bra 110 to be freely moveable beneath a
garment 160. In addition, as described previously for other
embodiments, a clothing article including a strap attachment
arrangement 105 for selective detachment of the bra body 100 can
include a fastener 161 which provides for the bra straps to be
removably or non-removably fastened to the garment supports.
46. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of an
article of clothing 200 according to the invention. According to
this embodiment, garment 201 includes garment supports 202a, 202b
which attach to each other using a garment support attachment 203
behind the wearer's neck. As illustrated in phantom lines, bra 204
includes a body 205 having a front 206, sides 207a, 207b and back
208. Article of clothing 200 includes fastener 209a and 209b
(diagonal lines) to fasten bra straps 210a and 210b (hatched line)
to garment supports 202a, 202b from the front 220 of the garment
201 to near the garment support attachment 203 using previously
described removable or non-removable fasteners. Also, as described
for other embodiments, bra 204 can include a body 205 which is
selectively detachable or non-selectively detachable to bra straps
210a and 210b.
47. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in another embodiment, a halter
top 300, including a removable or non-removable, detachable or
non-detachable bra 301, is illustrated. According to this
embodiment, the bra straps 302a, 302b of bra 301 are fastened by a
fastener 303a, 303b (diagonal lines) along a portion of garment
supports 304a, 304b, preferably extending at least a distance along
the support straps 303a, 303b to near the wearer's neck. The bra
straps 302a, 302b can extend to the end of ties 305a, 305b (i.e.,
garment supports) or stop at or near the wearer's neck as
illustrated.
48. In another embodiment of a halter top 400, shown in FIGS. 11
and 12, a bra 401 lacking bra straps may be used. According to this
embodiment, small triangular shaped regions 402a, 402b at the front
403 of bra 401, near each of the apexes 404a, 404b, are attached to
the garment 405. The small regions 402a, 402b of attachment can
also be used in clothing articles wherein bra straps are present
and fastened to the garment support.
49. FIGS. 13a and 13b illustrate a front and back view of another
embodiment of a clothing article 500, such as tank top 501, showing
the body 502 of bra 503 in phantom lines. The body 502 of bra 503
includes a front 504, a back 505 and sides 506a and 506b. The front
504 of bra 503 includes cups 507a and 507b. The bra straps 508a and
508b (phantom lines) are fastened to the garment supports 509a and
509b of tank top 501 by fastener 510a and 510b which is represented
in the illustration by diagonal lines. The fastener can provide for
the bra to be non-removable or removable from the garment as
discussed for other embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 13a and 13b
also illustrate that a bra strap adjustment arrangement 521a, 521b
can be located along bra straps 508a and 508b, respectively, near
the front 504 of the body 502 of bra 503. Also, as illustrated in
this embodiment, rather than having a central clasp at the back 505
of the body 502 of bra 503 for facilitating putting the bra on and
taking bra off, a clasp 520 can be located at the front 504 of the
body 502 of bra 503.
50. FIGS. 14a and 14b illustrate an article of clothing 600 wherein
the body 601 of bra 602 includes a clasp 620 at the front 604 of
the body 601. A strap attachment arrangement 605 for selectively
detaching the body 601 of bra 602 is illustrated. In addition, this
embodiment shows that an article of clothing 600 can have strap
adjustment arrangements 606 located at the front 607a, 607b of bra
straps 608a, 608b and/or at the back 609a, 609b of bra straps 608a,
608b.
51. In addition, a bra of the invention can also include a bra body
having a clasp arrangement at the front and back of the body of the
bra to facilitate putting on and taking off the bra. Such a bra
body can be removable or non-removable from the garment and the bra
body can be non-detachable or selectively detachable from the bra
straps. Also, although not presently preferred, an article of
clothing can also have a hook member mounted at the front ends and
back ends of the garment supports. A previously described bra body
can include loop members at the front and back of the bra body to
selectively detach the bra body from the hook members at the
garment supports. As discussed previously, the relative locations
of the hook members and loop members (or other strap attachment
arrangements) can be inverse to that stated. However, because this
embodiment lacks bra straps, it is less preferred for providing
support than other embodiments of the invention.
52. The disclosed arrangements provide for the bra straps to fully
support the body of the bra without relative displacement of the
bra straps from beneath the garment supports. Thus, an article of
clothing according to the invention eliminates the need for
repeated rearrangement of the garment support and the bra strap to
keep the bra strap hidden beneath the garment support. Also, unlike
safety pins, clasps or other devices that provide a point fixation
between the garment support and the bra strap, the fasteners of the
present invention not only maintain the relative position of the
garment support to the bra strap but also eliminate visualization
of the bra strap in regions away from single point fixation when
bending, turning or performing some other movement that can cause
the bra strap to separate from the garment support if only fixed
together at a single point.
53. Fixation of the bra strap to the garment shoulder support is
advantageous for use with sleeveless garments, and particularly
garments with a narrow (thin) shoulder supports (e.g., spaghetti
straps) for providing a neater appearance. Fastening the bra strap
to the garment support according to the invention is particularly
beneficial to women needing a B-cup bra or larger as well as women
needing an A-cup who may wish to include padding within the bra. It
will be appreciated that an article of clothing according to the
invention can include bras having varied cup sizes, thicknesses,
with or without underwires, pads, push-ups or any other components
which may be used with or as a part of the bra.
54. The articles of clothing according to the invention
advantageously provide breast support with increased comfort for
regular use or for jogging, running, skiing or other physical
activity with a feeling of security and without the pain which can
be associated with un-supported breasts.
55. The entire disclosure of all patents cited in this disclosure
are incorporated herein by reference.
56. From the foregoing detailed description it has been shown how
the objects of the invention have been obtained in a preferred
manner. However, modifications and equivalence of the disclosed
concepts such as those which would occur to one of ordinary skill
in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
present invention.
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