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.

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.

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.