Garment

Abstract

A need for a flexible bra that can be worn with multiple different necklines has been identified. Thus there is provided a garment including: a band arranged in use to extend around the torso and two cups attached to the band via a releasable attachment means.

Claims

1. A breast supporting garment comprising: a pair of breast supporting cups, each cup comprising a connector arrangement arranged to receive a band; and a band; wherein each connector arrangement comprises a plurality of cup coupling points arranged along a lower edge of the cup and wherein the band comprises a plurality of band coupling points arranged to co-operate with the coupling points on the lower edge of each cup so as to allow each cup to be selectively and independently located with respect to the band at a plurality of different locations on the band.

2. A garment according to claim 1 wherein each of the band coupling points comprises a magnet and each of the cup coupling points comprises a magnetic disc.

3. A garment according to claim 1 wherein each of the band coupling points comprises a slit or hole and each of the cup coupling points comprises a hook or button.

4. A garment according to claim 1 wherein each cup comprises a hollow channel at the base of that cup and the band and cups are arranged such that at least a portion of the band extends through the hollow channel.

5. A garment according to claim 1 wherein the band and cups are formed of material containing elastic.

6. A garment according to claim 1 wherein each cup comprises a strap.

7. A garment according to claim 6 wherein the strap is fixed to the cup.

8. A garment according to claim 7 wherein the strap is integrally formed with the cup.

9. A garment according to claim 6 wherein the strap is removable.

10. A garment according to claim 6 wherein the strap is adjustable in length.

11. A breast supporting cup for use in a garment according to claim 1 wherein the cup comprises a releasable attachment means along the lower edge of the cup.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a garment;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a garment.

(4) In the Figures like parts are depicted by like reference numerals.

(5) While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) A breast support garment or bra (10) that can be worn with a variety of different necklines is illustrated in FIG. 1. The garment (10) is formed of a band (1) that in use is worn around the chest just under the breasts. The band is between 2 cm and 3.5 cm wide. In some examples the band is between 2.5 cm and 3 cm wide. The band is formed of a fabric having some elasticity for example lycra or elastane. In some examples the band is formed of a nylon-lycra mix having 71% nylon and 29% lycra. Other suitable fabrics may also be used, for example elastanes, polyamides or polyesters.

(7) In use the two ends of the band fasten at the back via a series of hook and eye fasteners although any other suitable fastener may also be used.

(8) Two substantially triangular shaped cups (2) to support the breasts are releasably attached to the band (1) at the front of the garment (10) using at least one releasable fastening. Each cup is formed of a partially elasticated material which assists in supporting the breast. For example the cups may be formed of the same fabric as the band. Fabrics having some elasticity from which the cups may be formed include for example lycra or elastane. In some examples the band is formed of a nylon-lycra mix having 71% nylon and 29% lycra. Other suitable fabrics may also be used, for example elastanes, polyamides or polyesters.

(9) Each cup (2) is attached to a strap (3) that in use is worn behind the neck thereby providing a halterneck strap (3) such that the garment (10) can be worn with halterneck style dresses or tops. The strap (3) may be removable or alternatively may be fixed to the cups. In some examples the strap is integrally formed with the cups (2), in other examples the strap is sewn to the cup or connected to the cup via a ring or loop. The strap may be adjustable in length thereby providing the wearer with the option of lengthening or shortening the strap according to their preference. The strap is typically made from the same material as the band and cups but may alternatively be made from a different material.

(10) The cups (2) are fastened to the band via a series of releasable fasteners. In the illustrated example the band (1) includes a plurality of magnets (4) located at a plurality of discrete positions along the band. Each cup (2) includes a disc of magnetic material at each lower corner of the cup (2). The magnetic material being such that when the cup (2) is positioned on the band (1) such that the magnet (4) and disc of magnetic material are arranged on top of one another, the magnetic force of attraction between the disc and the magnet retains the cup (2) in position on the band (1). In this disclosure the term magnetic disc is used to refer to any portion of magnetic material having a flat or generally two-dimensional shape.

(11) Each cup (2) can therefore be positioned at a plurality of locations along the band (1) depending on the desired neckline position. Thus when a more plunging neckline is to be worn over the garment (10), the wearer can move the cups further apart to avoid the cups showing. In some examples each entire cup may be moved to a new position on the band. In other examples only one portion of the cup may be moved to a new location. Thus a flexible garment that may be worn with a number of different styles of clothing is provided.

(12) In the present example, the base of each cup (2) includes a double layer of material that is kept open at the edge (8) of the cups thereby providing a casing or hollow channel (9) at the base of the cup (2) through which the band (1) is threaded. The band (1) is thus 5 located within the base of the cup (2) thereby assisting with maintaining the position of the cup (2) with respect to the band (1).

(13) In an alternative example the band (1) and each cup (2) are provided adjacent to or on top of one another such that it is only the magnetic forces of attraction that keep the cups (2) and band (1) together thereby forming the final garment (10).

(14) Although in the example above only two discs formed of magnetic material are described any number of discs may be included on each cup to assist with securing each cup to the band.

(15) In the example described above, the magnets are provided on the band and the magnetic discs on the cups however in some examples the magnets are provided on the cups and the magnetic discs are provided on the band.

(16) In the foregoing example a plurality of magnets located at discrete locations on the band are provided. However in an alternative example, a single larger magnet could be arranged along the length of the band thereby providing a continuous magnet to which the individual magnetic discs attached to the cups may be fastened.

(17) In some examples where a particularly secure fastening is required, particularly magnets such as neodymium magnets may be used.

(18) FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment to that shown in FIG. 1. In the following description only the features of this embodiment that are different to the embodiment of FIG. 1 will be described.

(19) In the embodiment of FIG. 2, again the garment (10) includes a band (1) and a pair of cups (2). However in this example instead of a plurality of magnets being located on the band (1) as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 discussed above, a plurality of slits or holes (5) are formed in the material of the band. Each cup includes at least two hooks or buttons (6) at the base of the cup which are arranged to hook or catch on the slits or holes (5). Although only two hooks or buttons (6) are illustrated on each cup in FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that any suitable number of hooks or buttons (6) may be used in order to securely fasten the cups (2) to the band (1). Thus an alternative means of attaching the cups (2) to the band (1) has been described.

(20) A further difference between the embodiment of FIG. 2 and the embodiment of FIG. 1 is the straps (7). In the example of FIG. 2 each cup (2) includes a single strap (7) extending from the top of the cup (2) to the band (1) such that in use each strap (7) passes over the shoulder of the wearer and is fastened to the band (1) at the back. Thus a more conventional strap arrangement is envisaged. The straps may be adjustable in length thereby providing the wearer with the option of lengthening or shortening the strap according to their preference.

(21) Although two different strap arrangements have been described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 above, it will be appreciated that the garment could include any suitable straps such as, for example multiway straps that provide multiple strap arrangements.

(22) Although in the examples described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, substantially triangular cups are illustrated, it will be appreciated that any suitable cup shape may be used.

(23) In the examples described above, two methods of attaching the cups (2) to the band (1) have been described. However it will be appreciated that other means of attachment that provide discrete or continuous attachment means along the length of the band are also envisaged. For example, press studs, buttons, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro, or any other suitable means that enables the cups to be selectively removable from the band may be used. In particular fastenings that can provide a plurality of positions for secure attachment of the cups to the band whilst having a discreet appearance are envisaged.

(24) Thus a garment (10) has been described where the neckline can be repositioned depending on the clothing to be worn with the garment (10).