A brassiere configured for operation by wearers of limited dexterity, such as those with limited use of fingers, hands, wrists, arms, and/or shoulders. The brassiere may include a shoulder support element which may provide support to the wearer's torso and breasts without requiring strain to be placed on both hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders when fastening the brassiere.

The invention comprises a bra with variable tension cups and non-slip straps. The inner edges of the cups diverge from the center of the breasts near the torso band towards the shoulders and are connected using an appropriate fastener such as a zipper. Adjusting the position of the diverging zipper increases or decreases the tension on the breasts. Positioning the zipper at its lowest also aids in the ease of putting on or taking off the bra. The invention also comprises adjustable back straps of which each are secured in three places that support the variable tension of the cups and eliminate shoulder straps from slipping off the wearer's shoulders.

New body supporting and enhancing garment techniques are provided. In some embodiments, new types of strapless, backless bras and other garments are provided, along with new sizing systems for fitting them to women's bodies. For example, new types and positions of bra straps and bands are provided, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, new systems of internal and external attachment devices, for reversibly connecting adhesives, straps, clothing, and accessories to bras and other garments, are also provided.

This invention relates to undergarments for use in active environments, where the wearer of such an undergarment is engaged in an activity that results in accelerating movements. In some preferred embodiments, these undergarments may be athletic or sports bras that redirect momentum related to a wearer's accelerating movements, for example, during exercise.

The invention relates to a post-surgical recovery garment. The garment is configured as a bra. The bra is comprised of a right breast sling and a left breast sling. Each breast sling includes a cupped portion. The cupped portions are configured to cup the breast of the user when worn. Each breast sling also includes a shoulder strap that extends from the cupped portion and is configured to go over the user's opposite shoulder. The shoulder straps each include a shoulder strap attachment that extends from an end of the shoulder strap that is farthest from the cupped portion. The shoulder strap attachment portions are configured to attach to fastening portions located on a rear panel of the bra. The rear panel extends from the cupped portion of the right breast sling, across the user's back when worn, to the cupped portion of the left breast sling. The bra also includes a thoracic band. The thoracic band attaches below the back panel and below the right and left breast slings. The thoracic band is configured to go around the user's torso when worn. Additionally, the thoracic band includes a first front closure and a second front closure.

An adjustable strap comprises an elongated length and mating fastening portions on one side of the strap adjacent to one end of the strap. Gaps or spaces between the mating fastening portions or members provide a tactile effect or response when adjusting the strap to the closed position. The strap is permanently or releasably secured at one end to an attachment point or stabilizing component. The opposite end with the mating fastening portions folds to mate the portions and secure the strap in a closed configuration. The length of the strap can wrap around an object to mate the fastening portions. Alternatively, the length can interact with an additional stabilizing component or guiding member before mating the fastening portions to secure the strap.

A sports garment includes a cup portion that receives and conforms to a user’s breasts, a base portion disposed along a bottom edge of the cup portion, a first strap portion disposed along a first side edge of the base portion, and a second strap portion disposed along a second side edge of the base portion. The first and second strap portions each include a shoulder strap that may be removably coupled to the cup portion to adjust the tension of the sports garment and a side strap that may be removably coupled to a front surface of the base portion to adjust the tension of the sports garment. The first and second side straps may flex between an open position and a wrapped position.

An adaptive support garment integrating directional fabrics to assist in providing adaptive support to select portions of the garment is discussed herein. The adaptive support garment can include a first directional fabric, a second direction fabric, and a tension device. The first directional fabric includes first directional fibers, and the first directional fabric can be coupled to a fixed portion of the adaptive support garment. The second directional fabric includes second directional fibers, and the second directional fabric can be coupled to a movable control structure portion of the adaptive support garment. The tension device can be coupled to the movable control structure and configured to apply a tension in a first direction on the movable control structure. In operation, the first directional fibers can engage with the second directional fibers to resist movement in a second direction opposite the first direction.

An article of apparel providing dynamic support for an appendage of a person is discussed herein. The article of apparel can include a support garment control device configured to provide dynamic support. The support garment control device can include a control lace coupled to a support portion of the article of apparel. In an example, the support garment control device configured to apply a first tension on the control lace, lock the support garment control device at the first tension to inhibit movement of the control lace in response to detecting a change in movement of the person, and unlock the support garment control device after a pre-determined event subsequent to the change in movement of the person.

A control system for controlling tension applied to a lace cable coupled to a support structure of an adaptive support garment is discussed herein. The control system can include a lace spool, a damper mechanism, and a locking ring. The lace spool can include a lace groove to receive the lace cable and a rotary bias member to apply rotational tension to resist extension of the lace cable out of a housing holding the control system. The damper mechanism is engagable with the lace spool to generate an additional rotational tension resisting extension of the lace cable out of the housing. The locking ring is frictionally coupled to the lace spool, and the locking ring can include a lock wedge adapted to disengage the damper mechanism upon rotation into a pre-determined rotational position relative to the damper mechanism.