U.S. patent number 3,568,681 [Application Number 04/782,369] was granted by the patent office on 1971-03-09 for prosthetic brassiere and method of making same.
Invention is credited to June M. Comollo.
United States Patent |
3,568,681 |
Comollo |
March 9, 1971 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
PROSTHETIC BRASSIERE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
Abstract
Prosthetic articles, for use after breast surgery, are
constituted by assembly, with a basic brassiere casing, of
selectable pad elements of three types, namely a basic simulative
element, an extension element for upward oblique disposition, and
an arcuate element mountable at the upper rear of the basic
element, whereby completed, well-fitting structures are obtainable
with standardized parts, but suited to individual needs of body
shape and postsurgical condition.
Inventors: |
Comollo; June M. (New York,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
25125835 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/782,369 |
Filed: |
December 9, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
450/54; 450/57;
623/7; 450/92 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
2/52 (20130101); A41C 3/148 (20130101); A41C
3/0092 (20130101); A61F 2/5046 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A41C
3/00 (20060101); A41C 3/14 (20060101); A61F
2/52 (20060101); A61F 2/50 (20060101); A41c
003/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/478,479,480,481,516
;3/36 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Eager; Adele M.
Claims
I claim:
1. In a method of making a prosthetic brassiere, for wearers having
individual prosthetic requirements, the steps of providing a
premanufactured supply of each of three kinds of separate pads,
being first, breast-simulating pads of selectable dimensions,
second, crescent-shaped pads attachable to enlarge the upper,
rearward region of a first pad, and third, substantially triangular
pads of selectable dimensions to have an apex extending upwardly
and obliquely laterally from a first pad to fill out a pectoral
muscle area, and assembling and securing with a preformed cup of a
brassiere casing a selected first, pad and at least a selected one
of said second and third pads, including fastening said first pad
in the cup so as to extend from front to rear of the cup in filling
relation thereto, the assembling and securing of a second pad, when
selected, comprising fastening such second pad in position along
the upper, rearward region of the first pad to tilt the cup and
first pad forward in use, the assembling and securing of a third
pad, when selected, comprising fastening such third pad in position
with a base portion adjacent to the upper region of the first pad
and with the aforesaid apex projecting above the first pad and
obliquely toward the vicinity of the wearer's armpit region, and
said assembling and securing of selected pads as aforesaid being
effected to provide an assembled structure which by the aforesaid
pad selection in accordance with prosthetic requirements of an
individual wearer, constitutes a substantially complete prosthesis
suited to said last-mentioned wearer.
2. A method as defined in claim 1, which includes assembling and
securing with the brassiere casing and the first pad, both a second
pad and a selected third pad, respectively attached and extending
as aforesaid.
3. A method as defined in claim 1, in which the selected pads are a
first pad and at least a selected third pad, and which includes
fastening said third pad with a lower edge, being a base of the
triangle, between, and at the upper parts of the said cup and the
said first pad, to dispose said third pad in upwardly and
rearwardly inclined direction with its apex extending as
aforesaid.
4. In a prosthetic brassiere, in portion of a brassiere casing
comprising a preformed cup, a first, breast-simulating pad secured
in said cup, said first pad being shaped to extend from front to
rear of the cup in filling relation thereto and having a rear face
adapted for rearward substantially flatwise seating toward and
against the body of the wearer, and an arcuate pad mounted at the
upper rearward region of said first pad, in position along and
rearward of the upper rear face portion of said first pad so that
said upper rear face of said first pad abuts said arcuate pad and
said arcuate pad abuts the body of the wearer, to tilt said first
pad forward relative to the rear face of the arcuate pad.
5. A prosthetic brassiere as defined in claim 4, which also
includes an extension pad mounted at an upper laterally outward
part of the assembly constituted by the brassiere cup and the first
pad, to project in upward direction therefrom.
6. A prosthetic brassiere as defined in claim 5, in which said
extension pad is of substantially triangular shape, having an apex
uppermost.
7. A prosthetic brassiere as defined in claim 5, in which said
extension pad is secured at its lower part between and at the upper
parts of said cup and said first pad, to dispose said extension pad
in upwardly and rearwardly inclined direction.
8. In a prosthetic brassiere, in combination, a brassiere casing
having a preformed cup, a first, breast-simulating pad secured in
the cup, and an extension pad secured at its lower part between and
at the upper parts of said cup and said first pad, to dispose said
extension pad in upwardly and rearwardly inclined direction, said
extension pad being of substantially triangular shape having a base
portion thereof secured between the cup and the first pad, disposed
so that the opposite apex thereof extends upwardly and obliquely
toward the vicinity of an armpit region of the wearer.
9. In a prosthetic brassiere, in combination, a brassiere casing,
two shoulder straps respectively extending upward from mutually
spaced, top regions of the casing, a first, breast-simulating pad
secured in the casing beneath one of said regions, and an extension
pad having a base portion thereof mounted at an upper part of the
assembly constituted by the brassiere casing and the first pad, so
that said extension pad projects in upward direction therefrom,
said extension pad being disposed obliquely toward the side of the
wearer from the upper part of the assembly, and said extension pad
having a configuration which extends to an upper end that is
disposed substantially above said first pad and is spaced
substantially laterally, toward the side of the wearer, from the
shoulder strap that extends from the aforesaid casing region
beneath which the first pad is secured.
10. In a prosthetic brassiere, in combination, a brassiere casing,
a first, breast-simulating pad secured in the casing, and an
extension pad mounted at an upper part of the assembly constituted
by the brassiere casing the first pad, to extend in upward
direction therefrom, said extension pad being disposed obliquely
toward the side of the wearer from said upper part of the assembly,
said brassiere casing having two preformed cups and in which the
brassiere casing has two preformed cups and two shoulder straps
respectively extending upward from central top regions of the cups,
said first pad being seated in one of the cups, and said extension
pad being of substantially triangular shape and being disposed with
a base of the triangular lowermost and the opposite apex thereof
spaced substantially laterally, toward the side of the wearer, from
the shoulder strap associated with said one of the cups.
11. A prosthetic brassiere as defined in claim 10, which includes a
crescent-shaped pad mounted at the upper rearward region of said
first pad to tilt said first pad forward relative to the rear face
of said crescent-shaped pad.
12. A prosthetic brassiere as defined in claim 11, in which the
aforesaid base portion of the triangular pad is secured between and
at the upper parts of said one cup and said first pad, to tilt said
triangular pad in an upwardly and rearwardly inclined
direction.
13. A prosthetic brassiere as defined in claim 12, in which each of
said first, triangular and crescent-shaped pads comprises a body of
elastic foam material and a fabric covering around said body, said
first pad having a rear face provided with a concavity over its
central region to promote seating of the pad against the wearer
along edge portions around said concavity, said cups each having a
thin, form-defining lining of elastic foam material, and said
brassiere casing comprising band structure of elastic mesh fabric
to hold the complete prosthetic brassiere firmly around the
wearer.
14. A prosthetic brassiere as defined in claim 10, in which said
brassiere casing comprises band structure of elastic mesh woven
fabric, having its weave disposed at a bias relative to the
horizontal extent of the band, to hold the complete brassiere
firmly around the wearer.
15. A prosthetic brassiere as defined in claim 10, in which said
first pad has a rear face provided with a concavity over its
central region to promote seating of the pad against the wearer
along edge portions around said concavity, said cups each having a
thin, form-defining lining of elastic foam material, and said
brassiere casing comprising elastic band structure to hold the
complete prosthetic brassiere firmly around the wearer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to prosthetic brassiere structures and
methods of making them, to provide prosthetic replacement for women
who have undergone breast surgery. More particularly the invention
is directed to novel prosthetic structures or assemblies, and parts
therefor, designed to constitute a simulation in form of a removed
breast, and as necessary, adjacent portions of the body, the
invention being further related to methods of constructing such
prosthetic simulation in a manner selectably appropriate to a given
wearer, i.e. to suit the special needs of the individual woman who
has had such surgery at one or both sides.
Although many forms of articles for this general purpose have
heretofore been proposed or made available, they have in many cases
been such as not to take proper account of the particular shape,
size, bulk, attitude and extent of removed body portions, that may
vary widely in individual cases; the resulting, supposedly
universal device is a poor compromise and at best affords an
awkward or poorly shaped appearance when covered by clothing.
Alternatively, efforts to meet the particular requirements of an
individual have usually only been satisfied by expensive manual
shaping of pad structures or the like, requiring a special degree
of experience and skill. Devices of liquid-filled type have been
used with some advantage, but these but these are often found
uncomfortably heavy, are difficult to hold snugly against the
chest, an and again fail to suit individual conditions in many
cases.
It should be noted that the requirements of a device of this sort
are not merely for a breast-simulating element of rounded contour
and appropriately resilient consistency, but also for satisfying a
large variation in size, and in attitude or possible tilt of the
element, and particularly to take account of the actual condition
of the chest or pectoral region after Such such condition may
include some degree of concavity, both of a general nature and
quite often of the region originally occupied by the pectoral
muscle, including an area extending upward, somewhat at obliquely,
toward or beside the armpit region. In more simple terms, the need
is to restore, in effect, a natural slant of the chest wall, but to
do so with means adaptable to a variation of requirements depending
on the body structure of the individual and the nature of surgery
performed.
An important object of the present invention is to provide a
prosthetic device which may be generically called a prosthetic
brassiere, that is constituted of selectable parts or units capable
of mutual organization to suit a multitude of different conditions,
indeed essentially most such conditions occurring, with various
individual women, after breast surgery. A particular aim is thus to
provide for making brassiere assemblies, with a minimum of special
expense and without any need of special technical skill beyond
relatively simple fitting, that will achieve a natural and in
effect individualized prosthetic replacement. A special object is
the provision of resulting articles, relatively simple in
structure, which attain such replacement and are suited to the
wearing of clothing of ordinary, fashionable sort whereby a normal
appearance is achieved with complete comfort and security for the
user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To the above and other ends, the articles of the invention comprise
a basic brassiere casing or fabric cup structure together with,
included and attached pads or pad elements selected from a
plurality of types, respectively designed for combination to
achieve the desired breast simulation and filling-out relative to
the surgically removed regions. More particularly, dealing with the
situation of removal of one breast, or singly as to each of two,
there is provided a basic breast-simulating pad of selectable size
secured in the brassiere casing or cup, and selectively one or both
of two other pad elements attachable to the basic assembly, one of
these being of arcuate or crescent-shaped configuration having a
general dimensional agreement with the upper, curved edge of the
basic pad at its rear face, and the other being of an elongated or
preferably more or less triangular shape (and conveniently so
identified), intended to be disposed, in effect resting against the
chest of the wearer, so that it extends upward and obliquely
sidewise from the upper edge of the cup. Each of the three types of
pads is essentially composed of resilient foam material, preferably
having a simple casing of fabric, and thereby attachable to other
fabric parts (including each other) by simple sewing or the like.
The brassiere band or casing itself may comprise fabric cups (of
essentially conventional, supporting nature) and band connection,
made in selectable sizes, and with shoulder straps of conventional
sort, so that when fitted with the prosthetic pad means relatively
to one or both cups, it may be worn exactly as an ordinary
brassiere.
It has been found that with the foregoing elements, prosthetic
devices may be constructed to suit any of a great variety of
personal requirements. In a limited number of cases, where surgery
has left essentially no concavity of the chest wall and it is also
unnecessary to simulate any downward tilt in the prosthesis, it may
be sufficient to utilize only the basic breast-simulating pad, but
a large number of situations require, and may be wholly
accommodated by, the addition of one or the other or both of the
supplemental pad elements, referred to above as the arcuate and
triangular pads. With the arcuate element, disposed around and
above the upper rearward edge of the basic structure, additional
bulk is provided for either or both of two purposes, viz. a desired
downward tilt of the basic pad element and compensation for
surgical change in what might be deemed the normal outer contour of
the pectoral wall. The effect of surgery on the pectoral muscle,
i.e. pectoralis major, is often to produce a concavity of the upper
chest wall or pectoral area, extending upward and laterally from
the normal location of the breast, including removal of fatty or
other tissue from such area; such deficiency can be filled
effectively by the triangular element, having its base secured
adjacent the upper edge of the brassiere cup.
Thus by providing the defined elements, in selectable sizes as
necessary, and by choosing appropriate combination thereof, an
effective mode is afforded of constructing a prosthetic brassiere
suited accurately to individual requirements, and new and
economical prosthetic articles are achieved, fulfilling the defined
aims of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a brassiere exemplifying the
invention, having a complete prosthetic assembly associated with
one cup;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevational view, i.e. from the
inside, of the assembled article of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a simplified perspective view showing the article as
worn, with prosthetic structure for both cups;
FIG. 5 is a front view of a basic, breast-simulating pad
element;
FIG. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a front view of a supplemental, substantially triangular
pad element;
FIG. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a front view of a supplemental, arcuate pad element;
FIG. 10 is a section on line 10-10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a vertical section similar to FIG. 3, showing one
modified assembly; and
FIG. 12 is a vertical section similar to FIG. 3, showing another
modified assembly
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings, the complete assembly of FIGS. 1 to 4
includes a basic brassiere structure or casing, comprising a
body-encircling band 20 and a pair of cup elements 21, 22 of
generally conventional shape and situation. The article may include
shoulder straps 23, 24 for the usual supporting function, extending
respectively from central, uppermost localities of the upwardly
curved top edges 25, 26 of the cup regions, to appropriate points
at the rear of the band, the band itself being made to open at
whatever place is desired, for example as shown at the back,
providing two ends 27, 28 that can be secured together by
conventional hook or other fastening means. Whereas for prosthetic
function (in broader aspects of the invention) the brassiere band
considered as a casing or support may conceivably have only a
fabric strip configuration or even open structure at the cup
localities, with the inserted and secured pad elements then made or
sheathed to constitute the entire, main, form-creating means, it is
of special advantage to provide complete fabric cups, not only for
applicability of one manufactured type of brassiere to single as
well as double prosthesis (with natural brassiere function at one
side) abut also to provide better adaptability to a variety of
simulative needs in effectuating the methods of the invention.
The basic brassiere structure can be made of appropriate fabric,
very preferably comprising an elastic, woven, mesh fabric having
small mesh openings and disposed with its weave at a bias,
throughout the several portions of the band 20 or at least along
the major extend of such band at each side of the cups 21, 23
toward the ends 27, 28, so that the assembly is held in firm,
nonslipping but comfortable position against the body. For
simplicity of illustration, functional or ornamental details
usually appropriate to articles of this class are omitted from the
drawings, such as reinforcing or reinforced hems along the band and
beneath and around the cups, lace or like sheathing over the cups
or elsewhere, plural fabric construction for the cups or other
parts, and like features as may be desired. It will also be
understood that alternative supporting means or arrangements may in
some instances be provided in lieu of shoulder straps, and that the
brassiere can have further body-engaging portions (e.g. below) or
can be constituted with or as part of an undergarment, whether of
foundation or other type, or even as part of a bathing suit or
still other article of clothing, the term brassiere being herein
understood, unless otherwise specified, to include all such
modifications as well as a simple band-type article as shown in the
drawings.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, prosthetic means are shown only in association
with one cup 21, but of course like means, correspondingly
disposed, can be embodied with the other cup 22, for a situation
where both breasts have been subjected to surgery, the resulting
assembly being then as depicted in FIG. 4. It will be preliminarily
noted that as shown in FIG. 3, the basic brassiere cup 21 may
include, as in lining relation to the entirety of its outer fabric
sheath 30, a relatively thin shell or hollow cup 32, say about
1/4-inch thick, of resilient foam material, having its inner
concave face covered with fabric 33, to provide a degree of
self-support or shape to the brassiere cup. While this element 32
may be deemed to contribute in some measure to the total prosthetic
bulk, it serves, by reason of having a full, outer,
breast-simulating contour under the sheath of the brassiere cup, to
improve the natural effect of the prosthesis and also, as by its
inclusion in both cups of FIG. 1, to insure a good match in
appearance where such prosthesis is required for only one side and
there is a normal bodyform in the other cup. Special contour or
shaping means of this sort may nevertheless be omitted if desired;
indeed an important advantage of the invention, in its basic
aspects, is that the desired prosthetic effect is essentially
obtained by selective use of no more than a small number of pad
elements as further explained below.
The primary prosthetic element is a breast-simulating pad 35 of
resilient foam material (FIGS. 5 and 6) having a convex shape which
chiefly comprises a spherical-type curve, anatomically appropriate,
and which may be somewhat elongated in a horizontal direction,
preferably with a greater extension in a direction, as at 36,
toward the side of the wearer's body, the element being bounded by
convexly curved edges at top and bottom. The apex 37 of the forward
curved surface ordinarily need not be very sharply defined or
specially shaped (although it may be so if desired), but is
preferably disposed close to a central locality between top and
bottom edges, i.e. providing approximate symmetry of contour along
a vertical section above and below a medial horizontal plane. If
the shape of a downward tilt is desired, it can be achieved by
supplemental means as described below, whereby a single basic shape
of the element 35 serves a variety of circumstances. The rear face
of the foam structure has a relatively large, curved concavity 38
of substantial depth as shown, bounded by a moderately wide face 39
which may be in a plane or be shaped slightly toward the concavity.
This arrangement promotes flexibility of the article and its firmer
seating, of itself or as assembled with other parts, against the
body of the wearer. The pad is conveniently enclosed in a simple,
preferably removable, fabric cover 40.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main pad 35 is conformably seated
and secured in the cup 21, and in many cases there is also provided
an extension pad 42, designed and attached to extend obliquely
upward from the upper edge of the pad 35 and the cup 21. Although
this element may have other edge configurations such as elliptical,
trapezoidal or even rectangular, special advantage for properly
simulative prosthetic function is attained with the triangular
shape depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8. Specifically this element
42, enclosed in a simple fabric cover 44, is a cushion-shaped
triangular body of resilient foam material, e.g. approximating the
solid defined by a pair of outwardly convex spherical triangles
joined at their edges. As attached at its base 45 to the under
surface of the fabric cup assembly 21, e.g. a short distance below
the upper edge 25, this triangular element serves to fill out such
concavity of the upper chest wall, above the breast region, as may
be occasioned by surgical removal of the pectoral muscle.
Although the element 42 may be otherwise mounted, for instance
closer to the edge 25 or at the rear surface of the main element
35, the illustrated disposition between congruent, outwardly
curving surfaces of the cup structure 21 and the pad 35 is notably
effective in causing this extension pad 42 to rest snugly against
the chest wall of the wearer without support or fastening at upper
parts of the triangle. Moreover, instead of extending vertically
upward along the shoulder strap 23 or in equivalent position, the
pad 42 is obliquely disposed, specifically along a line passing
close to the wearer's armpit and laterally outward of a normal
strap location; with the element arranged so that it requires
attachment essentially only along its lower edge 45, this greatly
preferable position is attained for optimum prosthetic effect.
A third and cooperatively useful member of the set of selectable
parts for structures assembled in accordance with the invention is
an arcuate pad element 48, having a cushion-shaped body of
resilient foam material and preferably enclosed in a simple fabric
cover 49 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10). Most conveniently, this element
has a crescent configuration as shown, bounded by upper and lower
curves 50, 51 which (particularly to the upper one) have general
conformity with the top edges of the brassiere cup 21 and the main
pad 35. In use, the crescent element 48 is secured along the upper,
rearward portion of the brassiere cup assembly, for example the
upper face portion 39 of the main pad 35, and may have an upper
part of its curved extend located above the top edge of the latter
pad. The primary function of this arcuate part 48 is to pitch the
main simulative pad 35 (and the cup 21) forward relative to the
chest wall, to accomplish either or both of two purposes, namely:
(a) to compensate for what in a number of instances of surgery may
have become a considerable concavity of the underlying chest
surface, and (b) to effect a downward tilt of the breast-simulating
structure where naturalness of appearance may so demand, e.g.
because of bulk or maturity. The degree of tilt in a given case is
to some extend preadjustable by the positioning of the crescent
element 48, whether higher on the assembly or lower (for more tilt)
as well as by possible selection of size of the element, thus to
suit the purpose or purposes served.
The foam material of which the several pad elements are made may in
a general sense be any suitable cellular or spongelike substance,
of natural or synthetic rubber or other elastic polymer; notably
effective structures are provided with polyurethane foam, or
preferably a polyethylene-polyurethane foam, which is relatively
very light in weight and has a soft but highly resilient and
therefore amply firm body. The several parts of the assembled
prosthetic structures, e.g. in an article as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3
or FIG. 4, are conveniently sewn together, by simple sewing between
the fabric covers of the pads and the fabric structure of the
brassiere cups to the extend necessary for the described
attachment. If desired, the upper edge of each cup 21 and 25, and
of the crescent pad 48 may carry a ruffled fabric band or the like,
respectively at 53 and 54, for aiding in a better masked,
filled-out and more natural appearance.
By providing the three types of pad units 35, 42 and 48 (FIGS. 5, 7
and 9), together with the basic brassiere structure, the invention
affords an unusually effective method of making prosthetic articles
as described, using essentially only standardized elements but
achieving a finished product that suits the requirements of the
individual wearer. The brassiere element can be provided in a
conventional range of sizes, both as to cups and as to the
body-encircling dimension of the band. Likewise, the main
breast-simulating pad 35 is made with a variety of dimensions, for
example in nine conventionally designated sizes. The extension pad
42, preferably of the triangular cushion shape, is also provided in
several sizes, e.g. differing in width and chiefly in length from
lower edge to upper corner. Since the extend of function of the
crescent pad 48 can be adjusted by its positioning, a single size
has been found useful for many situations, but the provision of a
range of differently dimensioned elements is also contemplated.
As distinguished from specially designing and shaping a single but
complex prosthetic structure to suit an individual condition, the
present mode of making an effective article requires no special
skill or extended training. With inspection of the chest area to be
accommodated, it is readily determinable whether all three of the
different pad elements, or less than all, may be required, and
likewise what size of each element and of the brassiere, at most
with a few trials. If there is essentially no concavity of the
chest wall, the basic pad 35 may along suffice, or if greater
fullness and some downward tilt is needed, the crescent element 48
may be added, usually at a high location at the upper rear edge of
the pad 35. In many cases, surgery will have left some hollow in
the pectoral muscle area toward or beside the armpit, requiring a
triangular pad 42 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, disposed higher or
lower and at a selected obliquity of angle as the given condition
may require. Where there is appreciable concavity over a large area
of the chest, selection will necessarily include a crescent pad 48
(with or without the extension pad 42), the position of this pad at
the rear of the main pad, whether higher or lower being chosen to
suit the condition and the desired attitude of the main pad 35. In
general, only simple fitting and adjustments with the parts pinned
in place, is necessary, and thereafter final mutual attachment by
sewing, but if a subsequent readjustment is needed, the parts can
easily be separated or even replaced.
By way of illustration, in contrast to the complete assembly of
FIGS. 1 to 3, FIG. 11 illustrates a situation where only the basic
element 35 and the extension (triangular) element 42 are needed,
whereas FIG. 12 shows a prosthetic combination involving simply the
arcuate element 48 at the rear of the main element 35. As indicated
above, FIG. 4 illustrates in simplified manner a complete
prosthesis, applicable to surgery of both breasts and involving,
for example, the combination of all elements with the brassiere;
for clarity, reference numbers are omitted from this view, but the
several parts will be readily recognized.
The articles and method of the invention provide prosthetic
articles with effectiveness and unusual economy, avoiding a need
for special skill and individual design. With a supply of the
described elements, in selectable sizes, an appropriate prosthesis
can be assembled for any one of an extreme variety of individual
conditions, resulting in an article that under ordinary clothing of
all sorts affords the desired, completely natural appearance. The
assembly is very light in weight and is held firmly and comfortably
in place, with the aid of the elastic mesh band 20, and the seating
of the rear face of the elements 35 as explained above. The bias
arrangement of the elastic fabric relative to the horizontal extend
or edges of the band is notably effective to prevent riding-up.
Unlike some other types of devices, there is no gap between the top
edge of the brassiere assembly and the chest wall, and the upward
extension element 42, especially when secured as described, is
inherently held back against the body for the intended effect. With
suitable nylon or other fabrics of available type, the article is
easily washable, and requires a minimum of attention in use.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the
specific structures herein set forth but may be embodied in other
ways without departure from its spirit.
* * * * *