U.S. patent number 3,740,765 [Application Number 05/189,214] was granted by the patent office on 1973-06-26 for garment construction.
Invention is credited to Michel Delplace.
United States Patent |
3,740,765 |
Delplace |
June 26, 1973 |
GARMENT CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
A garment comprising a top brassiere portion and a bottom panty
portion. The brassiere portion includes a front section having cups
for enclosing the breasts and a flexible side strap connected to
each of the cups at the lateral side thereof. A shoulder strap is
connected to each of the side straps at one end thereof and to one
of the cups at the other end thereof. The panty portion has a pair
of flexible back straps, each of which is connected at one end
thereof to the front of the panty portion at one side thereof and
the other end of the back straps being connected to the juncture of
the shoulder strap and the side strap on the opposite side of the
brassiere portion to which it is connected to the panty
portion.
Inventors: |
Delplace; Michel (Montreal,
Quebec, CA) |
Family
ID: |
22696413 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/189,214 |
Filed: |
October 14, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/67 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D
7/00 (20130101); A41C 3/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A41C
3/00 (20060101); A41D 7/00 (20060101); A41d
007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;2/67,2.1
;128/431,446 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hunter; H. Hampton
Claims
I claim:
1. A garment comprising a top brassiere portion and a bottom panty
portion, said brassiere portion including a front section having
cups for enclosing the breasts, a flexible side strap connected to
each of the cups at the lateral side thereof, a shoulder strap
connected to each of said side straps at one end thereof, and to
one of said cups at the other end thereof, said panty portion
having a pair of flexible back straps, each of said back straps
being connected at one end thereof to the front of said panty
portion at one side thereof, the other end of each of said back
straps being connected to the juncture of said shoulder strap and
said side strap on the opposite side of said brassiere portion to
which it is connected to the panty portion.
2. A garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said flexible
side straps, each of said shoulder straps and each of said back
straps are joined together in a relationship whereby each forms
with the adjacent strap an angle of approximately 120.degree..
3. A garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shoulder straps
each comprise a back strap, a pair of front straps connected at a
common juncture to said back strap, at one end thereof, one of each
of said pair of front straps being connected to the exterior
lateral side of a cup, the other of each of said pair of front
straps being connected to the interior lateral side of said
cup.
4. A garment as claimed in claim 3, wherein each said pair of front
straps is connected to a respective back strap at a point where
said shoulder strap is adapted to lie on the apex of the
shoulder.
5. A garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stretchable elastic
band is connected at each end thereof to a respective one of said
cups to retain said cups in a side-by-side relationship.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
a. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to garment structures.
More particularly, one aspect of this invention relates to a novel
brassiere construction and in another aspect, to garments suitable
for use as, e.g. bathing suits, undergarments, etc., or in a still
further aspect, to a garment structure which can be incorporated as
a component of a dress or similar garment.
B. Description of Prior Art
The common type of brassiere today includes a front portion having
a pair of spaced apart cups, a body encircling band connected
directly to the cups on the lateral side edges thereof, or
indirectly through the use of side bands, and a pair of shoulder
straps, one end of which is permanently attached to the body band,
the other end permanently to the cups. There are a large number of
variations of this basic structure -- e.g. cup construction, the
method of joining the cups, etc.
In the above types of brassiers, each shoulder strap is connected
at one end to the body band at approximately right angles, and at
the other end to each cup normally in the apex of the cup in the
case of a full cup or on the lateral sides of each cup in the case
of what is known in the art as a half cup. In other modifications,
the shoulder strap will be connected to the cup by running the
strap into the cup construction. In any of these cases, the
shoulder strap serves as the means for maintaining the uplift of
the bust, in conjunction with the body encircling strap.
During body movement, the body encircling band has a tendency to
ride up due to the upward pull of the shoulder strap. With this
riding up, the shoulder straps slacken with a resulting decrease on
the uplift of the bust. To counteract this tendency, the tension on
the body encircling band and the shoulder strap may be increased,
but with resulting discomfort, e.g. restriction of breathing,
shoulder straps cutting into the shoulders, compression of the
breasts against the body, bulging of flesh around the cup and
riding up of the cups resulting in pinching the lower parts of the
bust.
In the past, to partially compensate for this, manufacturer's have
increased the width of the body band and in certain instances have
used stiffening members embedded in the brassiere.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
With this invention, applicant has developed a novel brassiere
construction wherein each breast is supported without substantial
compression against the body and bulging of flesh around the cup.
To this end, according to this aspect of the invention, applicant's
brassiere includes a pair of cups, a body band connected to the
lateral side edges of each cup, and a pair of shoulder straps
connected at one end to the body band, the shoulder straps being
split into two separate front straps, one front strap being
connected to the lateral side edge of a cup, the other strap being
connected to the inner side of the cup thereby to provide two
points of connection for the shoulder strap to each cup.
According to this novel brassiere construction, the preferred
location of the split into two separate front straps is slightly at
the back of the apex of the shoulder. This results in a
considerable decrease in the tendency of having the shoulder strap
cut into the shoulder. The benefit is greater than that obtained
with wider single straps.
In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, applicant
has developed a combination which eliminates the slackening of the
shoulder strap during body movement, the restriction of breathing
and the pinching of the lower parts of the breasts. Additionally,
it provides support for the stomach without the need of wearing the
normal belt encircling the body.
In accordance with this present aspect of the invention, applicant
has developed a two-piece garment in which the top brassiere
portion and the bottom panty portion are integrally connected
together whereby a compensating force between the brassiere and
panty is achieved so that when the garment is worn the cups of the
brassiere stay in connection with the wearer's breast and the front
panel of the panty portion stays in contact with the wearer's
stomach to support the brassiere and stomach, while eliminating the
necessity for a body encircling band in the brassiere portion and
for a body encircling belt at the level of the stomach.
In accordance with this further aspect of this invention, there is
provided a two-piece garment suitable for use as a bathing suit,
etc. In the prior art, such two-piece garments, when used as
bathing suits are referred to as "bikinis" which have become well
known and accepted. As their name implies, they include a separate
brassiere portion and a separate panty portion, in which the
brassiere consists of a structure similar to that previously
described. A typical panty is normally of a one-piece construction,
and includes a belt arrangement or alternately, the top portion is
provided with elastic, to retain the panty in position.
According to this aspect of the invention, applicant's garment
comprises a top brassiere and a bottom panty portion, said
brassiere including a front section having cups for enclosing the
breasts, a short flexible side strap connected to each of the cups
at the lateral side thereof, a shoulder strap connected to each of
said side straps at one end thereof and to a cup at the other end
thereof, said panty portion including a front portion, a pair of
flexible straps, each flexible strap being connected to said front
panel at one side thereof and at the other end, to the juncture of
said shoulder strap and said side strap on the opposite side of
said brassiere to which it is connected to the panty portion.
According to a further variation of the above, a body encircling
band may be included by employing a garment comprising a top
brassiere portion and a bottom panty portion, said brassiere
portion including a front section having cups for enclosing the
breasts, a body band for at least partially supporting the front
section to the body, a pair of shoulder straps each meeting said
body band at one point thereof and each meeting a cup at another
point thereof, said panty portion including a front portion and at
least one flexible strap connecting said front portion of said
panty to said back strap at or near said shoulder straps.
According to the novel brassiere construction of the present
invention, which is also a preferred form for use in the two-piece
garment of applicant's developemnt, the cups may be of any suitable
construction as desired. For example, they may include wire
reinforcement for imparting a desired contour to the cups. The cups
may also be of any suitable shape according to conventional
practices in this art -- for example, they may be of a full cup
construction, half cup construction, etc. The cups are normally
joined together by means of an intermediate panel of flexible, and
preferably stretchable material to permit expansion for breathing
or exercising. Alternately, depending on the cup construction, a
narrow band of suitable elastic material may be employed to join
the cups to lower portions thereof.
The cups may be made from any conventional material -- for example,
cotton, the product marketed under the trade mark "Lycra," or other
suitable fabrics.
In the embodiment where a fully body encircling band for supporting
the front section is employed, the body band may be directly
connected to the lateral sides of the cups, or alternately, may be
connected to side panels or straps which in turn are connected to
the lateral sides of the cups. Preferably the body band is composed
of two portions or halves, joinable by suitable connecting means --
e.g. hook and eye arrangements. Alternately, if a one-piece body
band is employed, the brassiere may include joinable connecting
means between the cups. The body band, according to conventional
practices normally includes an elastic area or portion with the
remainder of the band being of any non-elastic material.
With the brassiere of the present invention, the arrangement of the
shoulder straps is important to achieve the advantages of
applicant's development. The shoulder straps as indicated include a
single band or width of material forming the back portion and a
pair of separated straps forming the front portion. The most
preferable arrangement is where the double front straps meet the
single back strap where the apex of the shoulder is located,
although this may vary slightly so that the junction is slightly
forward or slightly on the back portion. Each shoulder strap may
comprise a single band of material which is cut into two front
portions or alternately, a pair of front portions may be sewn or
connected to the single back portion. It will be understood that
the back or front portion may include conventional expedients for
adjusting the length of the shoulder straps.
As previously mentioned, one of each pair of the front portions of
a shoulder strap is connected to the exterior lateral side of a
cup, the other of the same pair being connected to the interior
lateral side of a cup. As used in this application, the term "
exterior lateral side" denotes that the strap is located in a line
spaced from the axial center portion of the cup, and preferably, on
the side edges of the cup. Similarly, the term interior lateral
side is intended to denote that the other of the pair of front
straps is connected to the cup at a point spaced from a central
line of the cup between the two cups, and again, preferably close
to or at the edge of the cup between the breasts. The front pair of
straps making up each shoulder strap may be sewn or attached
directly to the cup according to the preferred embodiment; however,
they may also be indirectly attached through extensions to the cup
-- e.g. lace or similar trimming. Preferably, the shoulder straps
includes or are made from flexible stretchable material according
to conventional practices in this art; however, this is not
essential since if the straps are made only from flexible material,
the advantages of the present invention will still be incorporated
into the product.
In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, where there
is provided a two-piece garment, and in the embodiment, where the
top brassier portion is connected to the bottom panty portion by
means of flexible straps, the brassiere will not include a body
encircling band since the particular arrangements of straps in this
embodiment eliminates the necessity for the body band. The
brassiere construction is preferably that described above with
reference to the novel brassiere but without the body band as such;
however, any suitable brassiere construction may be employed and
the split front shoulder straps are not essential.
If a conventional type brassiere is employed in this art, it
suffices to say that any conventional construction may be employed
for the cups and shoulder straps. If desired, short side straps may
be included, or alternately, the flexible back straps may be
attached directly to the cups. Preferably, these flexible back
straps are made of an expansible material -- e.g. various stretch
fabrics such as "Lycra," etc.
In a preferred form of this embodiment, the flexible back straps
are connected to short side straps which in turn are connected to
the cups. The shoulder straps in turn are preferably connected to
the juncture between the back straps and the side straps although
this may vary slightly so that the shoulder straps may be connected
at or near the juncture -- i.e. on the side strap. Applicant has
found that the most advantageous results are obtained by having a
relationship between the side strap, the shoulder strap and the
back strap wherein they meet at approximately 120.degree., at a
common juncture.
The various expedients used in this art for joining the two or more
such straps may be used, e.g., stitching, connecting means such as
hook and eye arrangements, etc. This invention contemplates that
two or more of the straps could be a single continuous strap, cut
into the desired shape and form, rather than employing three
separate straps.
In this embodiment, the pair of back straps are adapted to cross
each other so as to connect with the opposite side of the garment
in the front portion of the panty. Preferably, the back straps are
connected to the panty by releasable connecting means -- e.g. hook
and eye arrangements, although they could be permanently secured
thereto by stitching. The point of attachment to the front portion
of the panty may vary, although bearing in mind the fact that the
back straps provide the requisite forces for supporting the front
of the panty, they are, therefore, preferably attached at or near
the lateral front edges. Advantages can still be gained by having
the back strap attached to the front panel at the central portions
thereof, if so desired.
Although reference has been made to the front portion of the panty,
it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the
equivalents of such an arragnement are obviously contemplted by
this invention. Thus, the panty portion may assume any desired
shape, configuration and construction according to the design and
appearance desired in the garment.
In a still further embodiment of this invention where the
previously described embodiment is modified to include a body
encircling band, again the brassiere construction can assume any
conventional configuration desired, but preferably such a brassiere
incorporates the split shoulder strap arrangement previously
described. Likewise, the panty portion can assume any conventional
configuration as desired. Both the brassiere and panty can be made
of any desired materials.
In accordance with this further aspect, at least one back strap is
provided which is adapted to interconnect the brassiere and panty
portion, whereby the back strap extends between the body encircling
band and the front portion of the panty, on both sides of the
garment structure -- i.e. to provide a symmetrical connecting
arrangement between the brassiere and panty portion. On one hand,
there may be provided a pair of back straps similar to the
previously described embodiment, or alternately, a single back
strap extending between the brassiere and back strap encircles the
panty portion and thereafter extends upwardly to the brassiere,
again forming a double back strap. The back strap need not be
permanently fixed to the panty portion, but may extend through
loops to provide the required tension. If desired, the back strap
may also form the shoulder strap by passing through loops attached
to the body encircling band, or alternately, may only form a
portion of the shoulder straps being attached or connectable to
other shoulder strap portions which in turn are connected to the
cups.
This invention also contemplates that the novel brassiere of either
embodiment of the two-piece garment may be employed in a dress-type
garment. To this end, by providing suitable connection joints on
the brassiere whereby a dress may be releasably attached to the
brassiere. Additionally, this invention also provides a novel
garment in which the brassiere actually forms part of the dress per
se, and, the two-piece garment may be incorporated into said dress
with the brassiere actually forming an integral part of the dress.
Such arrangements with the brassiere incorporated into the dress
are known in the trade as "bra dresses."
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now
be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brassiere according to this
invention;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a bathing suit according to
this invention;
FIG. 3 is a back view of the garment of FIG. 2 shown as it is
worn;
FIG. 4 is a front view of the garment on a wearer;
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an alternate construction
according to this invention;
FIG. 6 is a rear view of a garment of FIG. 5 as it is worn; and
FIG. 7 is a front view of the garment of FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first of all to the brassiere of FIG. 1, applicant's
invention includes a pair of brassiere cups 10 having lateral side
portions 12, which are connected to a back strap 14. The back strap
includes hooks 16 to permit opening and closing of the strap
according to conventional procedures.
The cups 10 are joined together at the lower front portion thereof
by means of a stretchable elastic band 18 and at the top thereof,
by means of a short strap 20.
A pair of shoulder straps 22 are each connected at the lower end to
the back strap 14, for example, by stitching. In accordance with
this invention, the shoulder straps each comprise two separate
front straps 24 and 26, split on the back strap 22 at approximately
the point where the strap is located on the shoulder of the wearer.
The straps 24 are connected at the other end to the exterior
lateral side surface of the cups 10 as will be seen clearly in FIG.
1, while the straps 26 are connected at or near the central area of
the cups.
The construction of the brassiere shown in FIG. 1 may include any
type of cup construction desired -- for example, the cups may
include wire reinforcing; they may be in the form of half cups,
etc.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the shoulder straps 22 may be of any
suitable dimension, normally they vary between one-fourth inch and
three-eights inch, while the straps 24 and 26 may have a combined
width corresponding to the width of the shoulder strap 22.
The brassiere of FIG. 1 provides a positive support for the cups 10
by having the straps 24 and 26 connected in the positions indicated
to the respective cups. In this manner the cups 10 are supported
laterally and create a wrap around effect on each breast,
maintaining a high degree of uplift with a minimum of tension on
back strap 22, straps 24 and 26 and lateral side portion 12.
It will be appreciated that the specific construction of the
brassiere of FIG. 1 may be modified so that the cups per se may be
joined together according to conventional procedures -- i.e. with a
solid panel of material interconnecting the two, as previously
mentioned.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 4, there is illustrated, according to a
further aspect of this invention, a swim suit or gymnastic suit or
undergarment consisting of a brassiere portion indicated generally
by reference numeral A and a panty portion indicated by reference
numeral B. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the
brassiere portion includes a pair of cups 40 which may be of any
suitable construction, connected together by suitable means e.g. an
expansible strap 42, a short flexible side strap or lateral panel
46 connected to the lateral side edges of each cup 40, and a pair
of shoulder straps 48 connected at the lower end to the terminal
end of the side strap 46 as indicated by reference numeral 50. In
this embodiment, the front portion of the shoulder strap is split
into two as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the two front portions
being indicated by reference numerals 52 and 54. The straps 52 are
connected to the lateral side edges of the cups 40, the straps 54
connected to the central portion of the cups 40; a small strap 56
is used to join the cups 40 at the upper edges thereof. Although
the brassiere construction shown in FIG. 2 is the preferred
construction for this embodiment, it will be appreciated that other
arrangements can be used -- e.g. the shoulder straps 48, 52 and 54
may be made of a single band of material.
The panty portion B of the garment of FIG. 2 includes in this
embodiment a trunk portion having a front panel 60, connected to
rear panel 64 with stretchable straps 66 joining the two panels at
the sides thereof.
In accordance with this invention, a pair of flexible back straps
70 are provided adapted to encircle the body of the wearer as
follows. Each strap 70 is connected at one end to the front panel
60 by suitable means, for example, hooks 72, and at the other end,
to the opposite side of the juncture of the shoulder strap 49 with
the side strap 46 as indicated by reference numeral 50. In this
manner, the back straps 70 are adapted to cross each other when the
garment is being worn, as demonstrated more clearly in FIG. 3.
It will be understood that the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 4 may be
modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In FIGS. 2 to 4, the garment is illustrated as including three
separate straps included in the garment -- i.e. side straps 46,
back straps 70 and shoulder straps 48. However, if desired, any two
of the straps could be combined into a single continuous strap --
e.g. the back straps 70 could be attached directly to the cups 40,
the shoulder straps 48 connected to the straps 70 at an appropriate
point. Alternately, the shoulder strap 48 and back straps 70 could
be a single continuous strap.
Although the garment of FIGS. 2 to 4 has been illustrated with back
straps 70 connected to the lateral edges of the front panel 60 by
hooks 72, it will be appreciated that this will vary according to
the size and type of front panel 60. In some cases, it may be
desirable to anchor the straps 70 lower down on the front panel
60.
As will be seen from FIGS. 2 to 4, the juncture of the back straps
70, the shoulder strap 48 and the side strap 46, indicated by
reference numeral 50, meet at approximately 120.degree. to each
other, which has been found by applicant to provide the best
structural arrangement for achieving the most balanced system of
support. As will be seen from FIGS. 2 to 4, when the wearer
stretches during bodily movement, for example in the forward
direction, the shoulder straps 48 tend to stretch, thus creating an
upward pull on the back straps 70 which in turn, exert a pulling
force on the front panel 60 of the panty, so that the front panel
60 will remain in close juxtaposition with the wearer's body. In a
similar manner, when the wearer stretches during bodily movement,
for example in the forward direction, the shoulder straps 48 and
the side straps 46 tend to stretch, thus creating an upward pull on
straps 52 and 54 and a lateral pull on strap 42 and the bases of
the cups, so that the cups will be retained against the body. Also,
in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 using the preferred form
of brassiere construction, the front portion of the shoulder straps
indicated by reference numerals 52 and 54 will function in the
manner described with respect to FIG. 1 whereby the straps 52 and
54 will support the cups 40 laterally thus maintaining a high
degree of uplift with a minumum of tension on the straps holding
the cups in place.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 7, there is illustrated an alternate
form of the garment according to this invention, which also
includes a top brassiere portion C and a panty portion D of
suitable material, e.g. cotton, etc.
The brassiere C includes a pair of cups 100 connected together by
means of a flexible band 102 of elastic material -- e.g. Lycra. The
cup construction is not illustrated in detail since this may be of
any suitable form according to conventional practice. The brassiere
also includes a body encircling band 104 of suitable material
connected to the lateral sides 100a of the cups 100. The band may
be made according to conventional techniques to include hooks
preferably at the back (see 16, FIG. 1) to join the two portions.
In the preferred form shown, the brassiere includes a shoulder
strap arrangement similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 4, and thus, a
single strap indicated generally by reference numeral 101 is
attached at one end e.g. by stitching to the exterior lateral side
of cup 100 forming a first front strap 103, and is looped to form a
second front strap 105 connected to the inner side of cup 100 by
loop 116 sewn to the cup. In the same manner, the strap 101 passes
through loop 116 of the other cup forming a pair of straps 103 and
105 with the terminal end of the strap 101 being secured to the
exterior lateral side of the cup 100.
The panty portion D includes a front panel 106 which is integrally
connected to a back panel 108, straps 110 emanating from the back
panel 108 and being connected (by stitching) to the front panel 106
forming openings for the legs.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a flexible
connecting strap indicated by reference numeral 112 joining the
brassiere C to the panty D. To this end, the body encircling strap
104 is provided with a pair of loops 118, the front panel 106 of
the panty with loops 120 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5) and a
further optional loop 122. The strap 112, which in the embodiment
shown, is a single continuous strap, is connected at one end to the
shoulder strap 101 by suitable means, for example, hooks or by
merely tying the strap 112 about the strap 101, and after passing
thrugh loop 118 on one side of the body band 104, crosses to the
opposite side where it passes through loop 120 of the panty
portion, through loop 122, through opposite loop 120, and
thereafter across to the opposite side of the brasiere where it
passes through loop 118 of the body band 104. The other end of the
strap 112 may then be attached, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5,
to the front shoudler straps by tying a knot.
* * * * *