U.S. patent application number 10/825095 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-13 for article of clothing.
This patent application is currently assigned to SALOMON S.A.. Invention is credited to Fellouhe, Catherine, Roux, Isabelle.
Application Number | 20050005340 10/825095 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31985457 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050005340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roux, Isabelle ; et
al. |
January 13, 2005 |
Article of clothing
Abstract
An article of clothing for the upper portion of the body, of the
type having an outer envelope at least partially covering the upper
portion of the body, and an arrangement for holding/supporting the
bust connected to the outer envelope by a substantially horizontal
seam in the area of the back, and by at least one substantially
vertical seam in the zone located between the two breasts of the
wearer.
Inventors: |
Roux, Isabelle; (Metz-Tessy,
FR) ; Fellouhe, Catherine; (Seynod, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
SALOMON S.A.
Metz-Tessy
FR
|
Family ID: |
31985457 |
Appl. No.: |
10/825095 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 31/185 20190201;
A41C 3/08 20130101; A41D 13/0017 20130101; A41C 3/0057
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/069 |
International
Class: |
A41B 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 9, 2003 |
FR |
03.08368 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An article of clothing for the upper portion of the body, said
article of clothing comprising: an outer envelope adapted to at
least partially cover an upper portion of a wearer's body; an
arrangement for holding/supporting the bust, said arrangement being
connected to said outer envelope; said holding/supporting
arrangement is attached to said outer envelope by a substantially
horizontal seam in an area of a user's back and by at least one
substantially vertical seam in a zone adapted to be located between
breasts of the wearer.
2. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: said
holding/supporting arrangement comprises two cups attached at a
front of the article of clothing to said outer envelope by a
substantially vertical seam adapted to be located between the
breasts of the wearer.
3. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: said
holding/supporting arrangement comprises two cups attached at a
front of the article of clothing to said outer envelope by two
substantially vertical seams adapted to be located between the
breasts of the wearer.
4. An article of clothing according to claim 2, wherein: said two
cups are connected together at a rear of the article of clothing by
an elastic back, said elastic back shaped as a band.
5. An article according to claim 4, wherein: said elastic back is
provided with an opening mechanism.
6. An article of clothing according to claim 4, wherein: said
elastic back is provided with a mechanism for adjusting a width of
said elastic back.
7. An article of clothing according to claim 2, wherein: said two
cups are connected together at a front of the article of clothing
by at least one band that is inextensible in a transverse
direction.
8. An article of clothing according to claim 7, wherein: said band
comprises material of said outer envelope.
9. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: each
substantially vertical seam is extended by a seam substantially
arched in a direction of an arm hole zone.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon French Patent Application No.
03.08368, filed Jul. 9, 2003, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety and the priority
of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to an article of clothing, in
particular an article of clothing to be worn by a woman, adapted to
cover at least partially the upper portion of the body, and
designed more specifically for a sports activity.
[0004] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
[0005] An article of clothing of the aforementioned type must meet
several requirements and assure, in particular, the support/hold of
the bust, including during sporting activities, and ensure a
thermal comfort during exertion.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,538 describes an article of clothing of
this type which consists of an outer envelope of the bodice-type
made of an elastic material, and of an elastic holding band closed
and attached at its upper end around the periphery of the upper end
of the bodice, namely the neckline or neck opening, and the
underarms, the holding band thus forming a brassiere, in other
words a type of flexible brassiere adapted to hold the bust.
[0007] Because the brassiere is merely fastened at its upper end to
the bodice, it is to some degree suspended and can have a certain
freedom of movement separate from the bodice. This article of
clothing therefore gives a certain comfort in movements when
engaged in sports.
[0008] This type of construction, i.e., that of a suspended
brassiere, is also used in certain singlets, or jersey shirts, such
as undershirts, that cover only the upper portion of the body, in
which case the brassiere is most often provided with straps that
are also fastened to the singlet in the area of the shoulders. This
type of garment does indeed provide a certain freedom of movement,
as well as a certain support of the bust.
[0009] Nonetheless, it has certain drawbacks, particularly a
problem of thermal comfort in the area of the entire brassiere zone
for supporting the bust, because two thick layers of material are
superimposed in this zone, namely that of the brassiere and that of
the singlet/outer envelope.
[0010] However, this superimposition zone, which includes the back,
the bust, and the top of the shoulders, is a zone in which the
release of thermal energy is very high during exertion.
[0011] The result is a feeling of heat, excessive perspiration, and
a substantial thermal discomfort.
[0012] In addition, this type of garment, with the brassiere in the
form of a band, is very difficult to put on due to the elastic
material constituting the brassiere which compresses the breasts
during this step.
[0013] The larger the user's bust, the more difficult it is to put
it on.
[0014] Furthermore, the very band-shape of the brassiere presses on
the breasts and gives a feeling of compression that is very
uncomfortable depending on the bust size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] An object of the present invention is to overcome the
aforementioned drawbacks and to propose an article of women's
clothing with means for holding the bust which is more comfortable
to wear, does not excessively compress the bust, and is easier to
put on while offering a required degree of hold/support.
[0016] This object is achieved in the article of clothing according
to the invention, which is of the type having an outer envelope and
an arrangement to hold/support the bust connected to the outer
envelope, wherein the holding/supporting arrangement is attached to
the outer envelope by a substantially horizontal seam/stitching in
the area of the back, and by at least one substantially vertical
seam in the zone located between the two breasts.
[0017] In contrast with known constructions having suspended
holding/supporting arrangements, the holding/supporting arrangement
in the article of clothing according to the invention is attached
by seams, such as stitching, to the outer envelope in very limited
zones, namely a portion of the back and the front. These seams are
designed so as to make the necessary connection with the envelope
without having a negative effect on the freedom of movement and
ventilation.
[0018] In this way, the suppression of attaching seams in the area
of the arm holes or underarms allows additional freedom as the
holding/supporting portion can be adapted to the morphology of the
body independently of the outer envelope, and further allows the
possibility of supplemental ventilation in a zone of substantial
perspiration.
[0019] Likewise, the attaching of the holding/supporting
arrangement by at least one vertical seam at the front guarantees a
hold over the entire height of the bust, and therefore a better
hold.
[0020] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the
holding/supporting arrangement has at least two cups that are
connected at the front by at least one elastic band and,
preferably, the elastic band is made with the material of the outer
envelope.
[0021] The elastic band allows optimizing stability in the
transverse direction, and the fact that this band is made with the
material of the outer envelope eliminates a thickness of material
and thus improves thermal comfort of the article of clothing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention will be better understood and other
characteristics thereof will become apparent from the following
description given with reference to the attached schematic
drawings, showing, by way of a non-limiting example, a preferred
embodiment, and in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a three-quarter perspective front view of an
article of clothing according to the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a three-quarter perspective rear view of the
article of clothing of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a front view of the holding/supporting portion of
the article of clothing;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the holding/supporting portion of
the article of clothing;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a view, similar to FIG. 4, in the open
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the article of
clothing according to the invention primarily includes an outer
envelope 10 covering at least the upper portion of the body, and a
holding/supporting arrangement 20 arranged inside the outer
envelope 10. In the illustrated example, the outer envelope 10 has
the shape of a tank top, i.e., a short singlet or jersey shirt 11
having neither collar nor sleeves, covering the bust and provided
with mere straps 12.
[0029] The shirt 11 can have a slightly loose form so as not to
conform to shapes or, on the contrary, be snugly fit.
[0030] Because it is an aerated, easy to wear, cool garment that is
sought, the shirt 11 will preferably be made of an aerated fabric
with a non-adjusted shape, or of an elastic aerated fabric and
therefore with a more adjusted shape.
[0031] The outer envelope could have another form, for example, it
could have straps that are narrower or, on the contrary, wider.
Likewise, the shirt could be less revealing and have sleeves and/or
be extended downwardly in the form of a dress or suit.
[0032] The holding/supporting arrangement 20 includes two cups 21
that can be either cut flat/straight, as shown, or to shape.
[0033] Each cup 21 has a cut and volume adapted to receive and
support one breast. In this case, each cup 21 has a substantially
triangular cut, each cup 21 being preferably made of an elastic
material, such as a polyester/elastothane combination. The two cups
21 are connected together at the rear by an elastic back 22 in the
form of a band, provided with a known opening and adjusting
mechanism 23.
[0034] The holding/supporting arrangement 20 also has a common
strap of elastic material 24 extending under the lower edge 21a of
the cups 21 and under the lower edge 22a of the back 22.
[0035] The strap of elastic material 24 is a band made of an
elastic material.
[0036] Because the back 22 is provided with opening mechanism 23,
the band 24 can be made of a material that is much more elastic
than what exists currently in brassiere-type garments without an
opening, and therefore provides for a better hold/support while it
facilitates putting on the clothing.
[0037] Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism 23 allows the
adjustability of the width of the back 22 and, therefore, better
adapts it to the shape of the wearer's morphology, i.e., to the
shape of the body.
[0038] As shown more particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
holding/supporting arrangement 20 is attached only at the front and
at the rear of the outer envelope, specifically:
[0039] at the front, by two substantially vertical seams 13
connecting the medial edge of each cup 21 to the envelope 10;
[0040] at the rear by a substantially horizontal seam 15, such as a
stitched seam, connecting the upper edge 22b of the back 22 to the
outer envelope 10.
[0041] As also shown in the drawing figures, each seam 13 is
extended in the direction of the armhole zone 18 of the shirt 11 by
an oblique seam 14.
[0042] As the case may be, the two seams 13 could be reduced to a
single seam connecting the zone between the two cups 21 to the
outer envelope.
[0043] In any case, the seams 13, 14 can be extended toward the
bottom of the shirt by two double seams 16 defining a yoke 17, thus
conferring a particularly pleasing appearance to the shirt.
[0044] In the example shown, an additional band 26 connects the two
cups 21 in the front zone of the holding/supporting arrangement 20,
so as to ensure good lateral support of the breasts. This band is
made of a material that is inextensible at least in the lateral
direction.
[0045] This band 26 can also be formed by an appropriate portion of
the outer envelope 10, which can be constituted, for example, by
the upper portion of the yoke 17. In this case, the band 26 is made
of a non-extensible fabric or of a polyester/elastothane fabric
that is extensible only in one direction, and arranged so as to
extend elastically only in the vertical direction, such that the
two cups 21 stay connected by a band that is inextensible in the
transverse/lateral direction.
[0046] As indicated previously, the fact that the seams 13, 14, 15
for attaching the holding/supporting arrangement 20 to the outer
envelope 10 are reduced to the minimum and, in particular, are
eliminated in the area of the armholes provides for an article of
clothing that is much more pleasant to wear, as it adapts better to
the morphology and movements of the body, and is also better
ventilated.
[0047] Furthermore, the opening and adjusting mechanism 23
facilitates putting it on and provides the use of materials that
give better support.
[0048] the present invention is not limited to the particular
embodiments described hereinabove by way of non-limiting examples,
but encompasses all similar or equivalent embodiments.
* * * * *