U.S. patent application number 13/038434 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-08 for sports bra.
Invention is credited to Shannon M. Harlow.
Application Number | 20110217903 13/038434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44531740 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110217903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harlow; Shannon M. |
September 8, 2011 |
Sports Bra
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to sports bras with
breast enhancement features.
Inventors: |
Harlow; Shannon M.;
(Atlanta, GA) |
Family ID: |
44531740 |
Appl. No.: |
13/038434 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61309435 |
Mar 2, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
450/54 ;
450/55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41C 3/10 20130101; A41C
3/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
450/54 ;
450/55 |
International
Class: |
A41C 3/10 20060101
A41C003/10; A41C 3/12 20060101 A41C003/12 |
Claims
1. A sports bra comprising: a. a first layer forming an outer-most
portion of the sports bra; b. a second layer interior from the
first layer; c. a third layer forming an inner-most portion of the
sports bra; d. an enhancer that simulates the look of a female's
breast; wherein the enhancer is situated in an internal area
defined between the second layer and the third layer; wherein the
internal area is positioned on the sports bra in an area
corresponding to the placement of a female's breast when the sports
bra is worn; and wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the
third layer are connected along an outer seam of the sports
bra.
2. The sports bra of claim 1, wherein the first layer, the second
layer, and the third layer are manufactured from the same
material.
3. The sports bra of claim 1, wherein each of the first layer, the
second layer, and the third layer are manufactured from different
materials.
4. The sports bra of claim 1, wherein the first layer, the second
layer, and the third layer are manufactured from polymer, cotton,
or combinations thereof.
5. The sports bra of claim 1, wherein the first layer, the second
layer, and the third layer are manufactured from one of nylon,
cotton, polyester, and spandex.
6. The sports bra of claim 1, wherein the first layer, the second
layer, and the third layer are manufactured from one of nylon and
elastane.
7. The sports bra of claim 1, wherein the enhancer is made of
addition-cured silicon gel within a polymer made outer shell.
8. The sports bra of claim 1, wherein the internal area includes a
pocket that allows the removal and insertion of the enhancer.
9. A sports bra comprising: a. a first layer forming an outer
portion of the sports bra and defining the shape of the sports bra;
b. a second layer interior from the first layer and having the same
shape as the first layer; c. a third layer forming an inner-most
portion of the sport bra; d. a silicone enhancer that simulates the
look of a female's breast; wherein the enhancer is removable
through an opening that allows access to an internal area defined
between the second layer and the third layer; wherein the internal
area is positioned on the sports bra in an area corresponding to
the placement of a female's breast when the sports bra is worn; and
wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are
connected along an outer seam of the sports bra.
10. The sports bra of claim 9, wherein the first layer, the second
layer, and the third layer are manufactured from the same
material.
11. The sports bra of claim 9, wherein the first layer, the second
layer, and the third layer are manufactured from one of polymer,
cotton, or combinations thereof.
12. The sports bra of claim 9, wherein the first layer, the second
layer, and the third layer are manufactured from one of nylon,
cotton, polyester, and spandex.
13. The sports bra of claim 9, wherein the third layer is sized to
only cover a females breast when the sports bra is worn.
14. The sports bra of claim 9, wherein the enhancer is made of
addition-cured silicon gel within a polymer made outer shell.
15. The sports bra of claim 9, wherein the internal area is bound
by an internal seam only between the second layer and the third
layer.
16. A sports bra comprising: a. a first layer forming an outer
portion of the sports bra and defining the shape of the sports bra;
b. a second layer interior from the first layer and having the same
shape as the first layer; c. a third layer forming an inner-most
portion of the sport bra; d. an enhancer that simulates the look of
a female's breast; wherein the enhancer is removable through an
opening that allows access to an internal area defined between the
second layer and the third layer; wherein the internal area is
positioned on the sports bra in an area corresponding to the
placement of a female's breast when the sports bra is worn; wherein
the internal area is bound by an internal seam only between the
second layer and the third layer; and wherein the first layer, the
second layer, and the third layer are connected along an outer seam
of the sports bra.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/309,435, filed on Mar. 2, 2010, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to sports bras. More
particularly, the present invention relates to sports bras with
enhancement features.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Sports bras are used to provide additional support to a
female's breasts during physical exercise. Sturdier than typical
bras, they minimize breast movement, alleviate discomfort, and
reduce potential damage to chest ligaments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing
considerations, and others, of prior art construction and
methods.
[0005] According to an aspect, the present invention is directed to
a sports bra having a first layer forming an outer portion of the
sports bra and defining the shape of the sports bra. The sports bra
also includes a second layer interior from the first layer and
having the same shape as the first layer. The sports bra includes a
third layer which forms an inner-most portion of the sports bra and
an enhancer that simulates the look of a female's breast. The
enhancer is removable through an opening that allows access to an
internal area defined between the second and third layer. The
internal area is positioned on the sports bra in an area
corresponding to the placement of a female's breast when the sports
bra is worn. The internal area is bound by an internal seam only
between the second and third layer, and the first layer, second
layer, and third layer are connected along an outer seam of the
sports bra.
[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more
embodiments of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a sports bra in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a back view of the sports bra of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enhanced back view of the sports bra of FIG. 1
where the third layer is transparent;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of an enhancer in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the enhancer of FIG. 4
taken along line 4A-4A, where a variation in the size of the
protrusion is shown.
[0013] Repeat use of reference characters in the present
specification and drawings is intended to represent same or
analogous features or elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided
by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the
invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that modifications and variations can be made in the present
invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For
instance, features illustrated or described as part of one
embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still
further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention
covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope
of the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0015] A sports bra 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. As shown in the
Figures, sports bra 100 includes a first layer 102, a second layer
104, and a third layer 106. First layer 102 forms the outwardly
facing portion of sports bra 100 when it is positioned on a user.
First layer 102 also forms the shape of sports bra 100 and may be
constructed in any shape known in the art for creating bras or
sports bras. For example, and as shown in FIG. 1, first layer 102
may form a V-shape on the front of sports bra 100 and form an
X-shape on the rear of sports bra 100. In additional embodiments,
first layer 102 may form a U-shape on the front of sports bra 100
and include more traditional straps on the back of sports bra 100.
The user's specifications will dictate the shape of first layer 102
and sports bra 100.
[0016] Second layer 104 is interior of first layer 102 and, in some
embodiments, second layer 104 may match the shape of first layer
102. Third layer 106 is the inner most layer and makes contact with
second layer 104 and the user when sports bra 100 is worn. Third
layer 106 may be constructed of any shape to meet the user's
specifications. For example, and as shown in FIG. 3, third layer
106 may be sized to only fit over the user's breasts. In additional
embodiments, third layer 106 may be constructed to match the shape
of first layer 102 or second layer 104.
[0017] Sports bra layers 102, 104, and 106 may be made of any
material known in the art for the construction of bras or sports
bras. For example, sports bra layers 102, 104, and 106 may be made
of polymers (e.g. nylon or polyester), cotton or combinations
thereof. In some embodiments, sports bra layers may be constructed
of a combination of nylon, cotton, polyester, and spandex. In other
embodiments sports bra layers may be constructed of a combination
of nylon and elastane. Each layer 102, 104, and 106 may be made of
the same material or different materials. The user's specifications
will dictate the materials utilized.
[0018] Sports bra layers 102, 104, and 106 may be connected along
an outside seam 108 of sports bra 100. In such embodiments, sports
bra layers 102, 104, and 106 may be sown together along outside
seam 108 or may be connected through other forms of adhesion. In
some embodiments, a band 110 may also be utilized for the
connection of sports bra layers 102, 104, and 106. As shown in the
Figures, if band 110 is utilized, it may aid in the connection of
sports bra layers 102, 104, and 106 along a bottom portion 112 of
sports bra 100. In embodiments where band 110 is utilized, band 110
may be constructed of an elastic material to aid in maintaining the
proper placement of sports bra 100 on the user.
[0019] Sports bra 100 further includes an internal area 114 located
between second and third layers 104, 106 and placed where a user's
breasts would be located when sports bra 100 is worn. Internal area
114 is formed by the connection of second and third layers 104, 106
around an outline 116 that simulates the outline of a user's
breast. Second and third layers 104 and 106 may be sown together
along outline 116 to form the connection or other forms of adhesion
may be utilized to form the connection along outline 116. In some
embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 3, internal area 114 may include
an opening 118 that provides a user access to internal area.
[0020] Sports bra 100 further includes enhancers 120 which
generally match the shape of a woman's breast. Enhancers 120 are
utilized to provide the effect of fuller looking breasts on the
user when sports bra 100 is worn. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A,
enhancers 120 include protrusions 122 that may vary based on the
user's specifications. For example, if the user desires the look of
fuller breasts, enhancer protrusion 122 may be larger (as indicated
by the dashed line in FIG. 4A) than if the user desired the look of
less full breasts from sports bra 100.
[0021] Enhancer 120 may be made of any material known in the art
used to simulate the look of a woman's breast. For example, in some
embodiments, enhancer 120 may be made of silicon, cotton, foam,
water or other known materials. In embodiments where silicon is
utilized, enhancer 120 may be constructed of an addition-cured
silicon gel within a polymer made outer shell, i.e. a polyurethane
outer shell.
[0022] In operation, when an opening 118 is utilized, a user may
insert the desired enhancer 120 into internal area 114 prior to
wearing. In embodiments where there is no opening, enhancer 120 is
placed in internal area 114 prior to the connection of second layer
104 and third layer 106 along outline 116.
[0023] Sports bra 100 provides a user with fuller looking breasts
while still providing the look and feel of natural breasts. In
addition, in embodiments where a silicon enhancer is utilized, the
enhancer may avoid retaining water and perspiration better than
existing enhancing sports bras. Such advantages further aid in
avoiding unsightly sweat spots around the user's breast that would
typically indicate some form of enhancement is utilized. Further,
the use of additional layers avoids unsightly seams on the outer
most portion of sports bra 100.
[0024] These and other modifications and variations to the present
invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art,
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended
claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the
various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part.
Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is
not intended to limit the invention so further described in such
appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended
claims should not be limited to the description of the versions
contained therein.
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