Abstract
A front-close bra support harness offers adjustable compression for additional support to the user. The front-close bra support harness is layered or added on top of any article of apparel including bras, sports bras, swimwear, lingerie, or any top worn over the breast area. The harness having a variable compression effect around the circumference of the under-breast area, the shoulder area, and support around a portion of the outer-side breast and bottom area of the breast that is specially designed for compressing or tightening around the lower breast, side breast area, and around the rib area of the torso. The contoured material panel around each breast is located at the side and bottom portion of the breast and is coupled to a shoulder strap, a back panel, and an under-breast panel that is secured at the center front area by an adjustable closure mechanism.
Claims
1. A front close bra support harness for adjusting compression, lift, and support, comprising: a fabric back panel having a left side, a right side, a top side, and a bottom side; a contoured sling panel covering the outer-left side and left bottom portion of the breast having a bottom side coupled to an under-breast band, a contoured neckline that contours around the outer-left side and left bottom portion of the breast, a contoured underarm that extends to the left side area of the garment, and a left side coupled to the left side of the back panel; a fabric back panel having a left side, a right side, a top side, and a bottom side; a contoured sling panel covering the outer-right side and right bottom portion of the breast having a bottom side coupled to an under-breast band, a contoured neckline that contours around the outer-right side and right bottom portion of the breast, a contoured underarm that extends to the right side area of the garment, and a right side coupled to the right side of the back panel; a front closure that couples a right side of the left bra harness to the left side of the right bra harness wherein the contoured cup sling left, and contoured cup sling right are configured to encapsulate the bottom and outer-side portion of the wearer's breasts to lift, support, and compress so as to minimize movement thereof.
2. A front-close bra harness according to claim 1, further comprising a left and right back strap extending from the top side of the back panel.
3. A front-close bra harness according to claim 2, further comprising a left shoulder strap coupling to a top portion of the left front bra contoured sling panel and a right shoulder strap coupling to a top portion of the right front bra contoured sling panel, respectively.
4. A front-close bra harness according to claim 3, further comprising left and right shoulder straps are coupled to the left and right bra contoured sling panels, respectively, by a ring with a slider positioned on the front of the shoulder strap that allows for adjustment of a length of the left and right straps during the course of wearing.
5. A front-close harness according to claim 2, wherein the left and right shoulder straps are coupled to the top side of the back panel proximate a center area of the back panel so as to form a racer-back shape.
6. A front-close harness according to claim 1, wherein the front closure is a clasp having a left clasp half and a mating right clasp half, the left clasp being coupled to the right side of the left bra harness, and the right clasp half being coupled to the left side of the right bra harness.
7. A front-close harness according to claim 1, wherein the left side of the left bra contoured sling is attached along the top side of the left under-breast band by a seam, and the right side of the right bra contoured sling is attached along the top side of the right under-breast band by a seam.
8. A front-close harness according to claim 1, wherein the under-breast band extends around the circumference of the torso has a contoured bottom edge shape and covers the upper portion of the diaphragm or upper stomach and mid-back lumbar area.
9. A front close bra support harness for adjusting compression and support, comprising: a fabric back panel having a left side, a right side, a top side, and a bottom side; a contoured sling panel covering the outer-left side and left bottom portion of the breast having a bottom side coupled to an under-breast band, a contoured neckline that contours around the outer-left side and left bottom portion of the breast, a contoured underarm that extends to the left side area of the garment, and a left side coupled to the left side of the back panel; a fabric back panel having a left side, a right side, a top side, and a bottom side; a contoured sling panel covering the outer-right side and right bottom portion of the breast having a bottom side coupled to an under-breast band, a contoured neckline that contours around the outer-right side and right bottom portion of the breast, a contoured underarm that extends to the right side area of the garment, and a right side coupled to the right side of the back panel; a front closure that couples a right side of the left bra harness to the left side of the right bra harness wherein the contoured cup sling left, and contoured cup sling right are configured to encapsulate the bottom and outer-side portion of the wearer's breasts to lift, support, and compress so as to minimize movement thereof; a left and right back strap extending from the top side of the back panel; a left shoulder strap coupling to a top portion of the left front bra contoured sling panel and a right shoulder strap coupling to a top portion of the right front bra contoured sling panel, respectively; wherein the left and right shoulder straps are coupled to the top side of the back panel proximate a center area of the back panel so as to form a racer-back shape; wherein the left side of the left bra contoured sling is attached along the top side of the left under-breast band by a seam, and the right side of the right bra contoured sling is attached along the top side of the right under-breast band by a seam; wherein the under-breast band extends around the circumference of the torso has a contoured bottom edge shape and covers the upper portion of the diaphragm or upper stomach and mid-back lumbar area.
10. A front-close bra harness according to claim 9, an outer contoured sling panel covering a larger portion of the outer-left side and a larger portion of the left bottom breast having a bottom side coupled to an under-breast band, a contoured neckline that contours, compresses, and shapes around the outer-left side and left bottom portion of the breast, a contoured underarm that extends to the left side area of the garment, and a side coupled to the left side of the back panel.
11. A front-close bra harness according to claim 9, an outer contoured sling panel covering a larger portion of the outer-right side and a larger portion of the right bottom breast having a bottom side coupled to an under-breast band, a contoured neckline that contours, compresses, and shapes around the outer-right side and right bottom portion of the breast, a contoured underarm that extends to the right side area of the garment, and a side coupled to the right side of the back panel.
12. A front-close bra harness according to claim 9 a front closure that couples a right side of the left inner and left outer bra harness to the left side of the right bra harness.
13. A front-close harness according to claim 9, left and right shoulder straps coupling the left and right top portion of the left inner front bra contoured sling panel and left outer front bra contoured sling, and a top portion of the right inner front bra contoured sling panel and right outer front bra contoured sling, respectively.
14. A front-close harness according to claim 9, wherein the left outer bra contoured sling is attached to a left inner bra contoured sling along the top side of the left under breast band by a seam, and the right outer bra contoured sling is attached to a right inner bra contoured sling along the top side of the right band by a seam.
15. A front-close harness according to claim 10, the outer contoured sling front-close harness wherein the outer front closure has a clasp having a left clasp half and a mating right clasp half, the left clasp being coupled to the right side of the outer left bra contour sling, and the right clasp half being coupled to the left side of the outer right bra harness sling.
16. A front close bra support harness for adjusting compression and support, comprising: a fabric back panel having a left side, a right side, a top side, and a bottom side; a contoured sling panel covering the outer-left side and left bottom portion of the breast having a bottom side coupled to an under-breast band, a contoured neckline that contours around the outer-left side and left bottom portion of the breast, a contoured underarm that extends to the left side area of the garment, and a left side coupled to the left side of the back panel; a fabric back panel having a left side, a right side, a top side, and a bottom side; a contoured sling panel covering the outer-right side and right bottom portion of the breast having a bottom side coupled to an under-breast band, a contoured neckline that contours around the outer-right side and right bottom portion of the breast, a contoured underarm that extends to the right side area of the garment, and a right side coupled to the right side of the back panel; a front closure that couples a right side of the left bra harness to the left side of the right bra harness wherein the contoured cup sling left, and contoured cup sling right are configured to encapsulate the bottom and outer-side portion of the wearer's breasts to lift, support, and compress so as to minimize movement thereof.
17. A front-close harness according to claim 16, wherein the left inner contoured sling panel is constructed to have a pocket to add a removable pad, prosthetic, support device, or insert, wherein the right inner contoured sling panel is constructed to have a pocket to add a removable bra pad, prosthetic, support device, or insert.
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, generally from the front, showing the bra harness on a silhouette of a person wearing the bra harness in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, generally from the back, showing the bra harness on a silhouette of a person in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention from FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view, generally from the front, showing the bra harness on an illustration of a person in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention from FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view, generally from three-quarter front view, showing an illustration of a person wearing the bra harness in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention from FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view, generally from a front view, showing a a silhouette of a person wearing the preferred embodiment of a variation of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view, generally from a three-quarter front view, showing a silhouette of a person wearing the preferred embodiment of a variation of the invention of FIG. 5;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view, generally from a back view, showing a silhouette of a person wearing the preferred embodiment of a variation of the invention of FIG. 5.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a perspective view, generally from a back view, showing a silhouette of a person wearing the preferred embodiment of another variation of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective view, generally from a three-quarter front view, showing a silhouette of a person wearing the preferred embodiment of third variation of the invention.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a perspective view, generally from a front view, showing a silhouette of a person wearing the preferred embodiment of forth variation of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 11 is a perspective view, generally from a three-quarter front view, showing a silhouette of a person wearing the preferred embodiment of forth variation of the invention of FIG. 10;
[0036] FIG. 12 is a detailed view, generally from a front view, showing a silhouette of a person wearing the preferred embodiment of forth variation of the invention of FIG. 10 with an outer layer opened to view;
[0037] FIG. 13 is a perspective view, generally from a front view, showing an illustration of a person wearing the preferred embodiment of forth variation of the invention of FIG. 10.
[0038] FIG. 14 is a perspective view, generally from a front view, showing an illustration of a person wearing the preferred embodiment of fifth variation of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like number refer to like elements throughout.
[0040] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a front-close bra harness 10 according to the present disclosure. With reference specifically to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 the bra harness is viewed from the front view perspective, so for example the left side of the front-close bra harness appears on the right and the right side of the front-close bra harness appears on the left. In FIG. 1 the bra harness is illustrated on a female silhouette to show how the harness is positioned on the body. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the bra 10 includes a contoured left breast sling 34 having a left under breast seam 36 coupled to the left under-breast band 25, a contoured right breast sling 35 having a right under breast seam 37 is coupled to the right under-breast band 27. The under-breast band 25, 27 have a top edge 36, 37 center front area joins 32, 33 and side area joins 26, 101, and a contoured or shaped bottom edge 102, 103. The under-breast band fits snuggly against a wearer's torso around the rib cage, upper portion of the torso, diaphragm, and upper waist area. The above-mentioned attachments can be made by 3D printing, gluing, sewing, integral knitting, ultrasonic welding, ultrasonic sewing, etc.
[0041] In accordance with the present invention, with reference specifically to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, As shown, the left and right contoured slings 34, 35 have somewhat rounded or contoured edges to sit around the bottom and outer-side breast area 29, 30 respectively. The front clasp 31 is located on the under-breast band at the center-front area or center axis of the body below the breast tissue. The right side 39 of the clasp 31 is coupled to the left under-breast band 25 by a right join 32. The left side 38 of the clasp 31 is coupled to the right under-breast band 27 by a left join 33. In the example shown, the clasp halves 38, 39 can be easily closed together to close the front of the bra harness. In other examples, the front closure 31 comprises a hook and eye closure, hook and loop, Velcro, snaps, magnets, buttons, ties of any sort, toggles, or poppers.
[0042] In accordance with the present invention, with reference specifically to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the bra harness 10 further comprises a left contoured breast sling 34 is attached to the left shoulder strap 91 by a front oval ring 92. A slider 93 on the left front shoulder strap 91 allows adjustment of the strap length by the wearer during use. The right contoured breast sling 35 is attached to the right shoulder strap 96 by a front oval ring 94. A slider 95 on the left front shoulder strap 96 allows adjustment of the strap length by the wearer during use. With reference specifically to FIG. 1 the left shoulder strap 91 and the right shoulder strap 96 attach to the back panel 20 at a back strap join 23 centered at the center back axis or center back area of the garment 10. The attachments mentioned above can be made by stretch materials, rigid materials, knitted materials, 3D printed materials, gluing, sewing, integral knitting, ultrasonic welding, ultrasonic sewing, etc.
[0043] In accordance with the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the bra harness 10 further comprises a fabric back panel 20 having a left side 21, a right side 22, a top side 23, and a bottom side 24 that is joined with a horizontal seam to the back under-breast band 97 with a bottom edge 98. Each of these sides are described as if the bra 10 was viewed from the back. (i.e., from the perspective of FIG. 1), so for example the right side appears on the right in FIG. 2. The attachments mentioned above can be made by stretch materials, rigid materials, knitted materials, 3D printed materials, gluing, sewing, integral knitting, ultrasonic welding, ultrasonic sewing, etc.
[0044] In accordance with the invention, as shown in FIG. 4 is a perspective view generally from a three-quarter view showing a silhouette of a woman with the left side towards the viewer. The bra harness 10 comprises a closure 31 that couples the left under-breast band 25 and the right under-breast band 27. The under-breast band is coupled at the side areas to the back under-breast band 97 with a vertical join 26 at the left side area of the under-breast band, respectively there is a vertical join on the right-side area of the under-breast band. The left under breast band 25 is coupled to the left breast sling 34 by a left under breast seam 36. The left breast sling has a contoured neckline 29 that sits on the outer-left side of the breast encompassing the outer left side of the breast tissue and continues to encompass the bottom of the left breast tissue with the neckline joining the left under-breast seam 36 at the center front area or center-axis. The left breast sling material 34 extends towards the left side of the body fully encompassing the outer-left breast and has a left contoured underarm shape 99 that extends up to join the left front oval ring 92 connecting to the left shoulder strap 91 and extends down to the under-breast band seam 36 at the left side join 26. The right under breast band 27 is coupled to the right breast sling 35 by a right under breast seam 37. The right breast sling has a contoured neckline 30 that sits on the outer-right side of the breast encompassing the outer right side of the breast tissue and continues to encompass the bottom of the right breast tissue with the neckline joining the right under-breast seam 37 at the center front area or center-axis. The right breast sling material 35 extends towards the right side of the body fully encompassing the outer-right breast and has a right contoured underarm shape 100 that extends up to join the right front oval ring 94 connecting to the right shoulder strap 96 and extends down to the under-breast band seam 37 at the right-side join.
[0045] In other examples, such as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in accordance with the invention the bra harness 70 has front contoured panels 34, 35 that have another layer of front contoured panels 40, 41 overlaying the front contoured panels 34, 35 to create more support and a higher shelf around the bottom and outer sides of the breast area. FIG. 5 is illustrated with a perspective view generally a front view. FIG. 6 is illustrated with a perspective view generally a three-quarter view. With the addition of the overlay front contoured panels, 40, 41 placed over the front contoured panels 34, 35, the front contoured panels 34, 35 will be referenced as inner front contoured panels, and 40, 41 as outer front contoured panels, respectively. The outer overlay front contour panels 40, 41 are attached along the top edge 36, 37 of the under-breast band 25, 27 and at the strap platform rings 43, 44. In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the closure 31 is a closure mechanism having a left clasp half 39 and a mating right clasp half 38. The left clasp half 39 is coupled to the right side 32 of the left under breast band 25 and the right clasp half 38 is coupled to the left side 33 of the right under breast band 27. The outer overlaying front contoured panels 40, 41 may be coupled separately along the center front axis with a closure mechanism 42 so as to hold the respective outer overlaying front panels 40, 41 in place over the respective inner front contoured bra material 34, 35 that it covers. As shown, the left and right outer overlaying contoured materials 40, 41 have somewhat rounded or contoured edges to sit around the bottom and side breast area 45, 46 respectively. The edge 45, 46 of the outer overlaying front contoured panels may offer further additional support to the wearer by an adjustment mechanism along the edge 45, 46 for preferred compression along the edge.
[0046] In FIGS. 5 and 6, the contoured edges 45, 46 of the outer front overlay contoured panels 40, 41 may be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism that may be a hook and eye closure, a Velcro closure, a series of magnets, a magnetic zipper, gecko tape, a magnetic hook and eye closure, buttons, tunneled cords, ties of any sort, toggles, sliders, two or more clips/clasps or a series of poppers.
[0047] In each of the above-described examples, the closure mechanisms 31 and 42 may be a zipper, a hook and eye closure, a Velcro closure, a series of magnets, a magnetic zipper, gecko tape, a magnetic hook and eye closure, buttons, ties of any sort, toggles, two or more clips/clasps or a series of poppers.
[0048] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the bra harness 70 further comprises left and right back straps 47, 48 extending from the top side 23 of the back panel 20. The bra 70 further comprises a left and right outer front contoured overlay panels 40, 41 that are coupled the left and right inner front contoured panels 34, 35 at the strap platform rings 43, 44 which are coupled to the back straps 47, 48 at the top portion of the left front contoured panels 40 and 34 and a top portion of the right front contoured panel 41 and 35, respectively. In one example, the outer shoulder straps 47, 48 are padded.
[0049] In addition, as also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the left and right shoulder straps 47, 48 are coupled to the left and right front strap platform rings 43, 44 respectively. Sliders 49, 50 on the left and right shoulder straps 47, 48 in combination with the front strap platform rings 43, 44 allow for adjustment of a length of the left and right shoulder straps 47, 48.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 7 the left and right back straps 47, 48 are coupled to the top side 23 of the back panel 20 proximate a center area 51 of the back panel 20 so as to form a racer-back shape. The racer-back shape can take the form of a Y or a V, or W. In alternative examples, the left and right back straps 47, 48 are coupled to the top side 23 of the back panel 20 closer to the outer edges of the back panel 20 than the coupling shown herein, and therefore form more of a U-shape with the back panel 20. In another example, the back straps 47, 48 cross one another to form an X. In another example, the back straps 47, 48 can extend parallel to one another (i.e., connect to the back panel 20 at outer edges therefore) and may be optionally held together with a clip adjuster. In another example, the back straps 47, 48 may be looped through an opening in the material of the back panel 20 separately or continuous forming a figure eight.
[0051] In other examples, such as shown in FIG. 8, in accordance with the invention the bra harness 70, a perspective view generally from the back, the bra harness 70 may further comprise a left fabric pocket opening 52 on the inner left front contoured sling 34, and a right fabric pocket opening 54 on the inner right front contoured sling 35. The pockets 56 and 57 are created by a layering of materials on the inner front contour slings 34, 35 at the lower portion of each panel. The fabric pocket openings 52, 54 are positioned on the lower portion of the inner front sling contoured panels 34, 35 and are finished with a stitch line 53, 55 to prevent a pad or added material from moving around within the pocket 56, 57. In the example shown, the fabric pocket openings 52, 54 are elongated openings set in from underarm edge of the inner front contoured slings. The approximate location of the fabric pocket openings 52, 54 are shown on the interior of the inner front fabric contoured panels although it should be understood that the fabric pocket openings 52, 54 may actually be positioned on any portion of the pockets 56, 57 on inner front contoured slings 34, 35.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 9, in one example the bra support harness 70 has the left side 58 of the left inner bra contour sling 34 and the left side 60 of the left outer front contour sling 40 coupled to the left side seam 26 of the front under-breast band 25, the back panel 20, and back under-breast band 97. The right side 61 of the right inner contour sling 35 and the right side 59 of the right outer front contour sling 41 are coupled to the right-side seam 28 of the front under-breast band 27, the back panel 20, and back under-breast band 97.
[0053] In other examples, such as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 in accordance with the invention the bra harness 120 has front contoured slings 34, 35 that have another layer of front contoured slings 40, 41 overlaying the front contoured slings 34, 35 to create an additional layer of support and a higher shelf covering the bottom and outer sides of the breast area. FIG. 10 is illustrated with a perspective view generally a front view. FIG. 11 is illustrated with a perspective view generally a three-quarter view and FIG. 12 is illustrated with a perspective view generally front view with 40, 41 overlay de-coupled at the front closure 42. In this example, of the bra harness 120, the front outer contoured slings 40, 41 may extend down and overlay the front under-breast band 25, 27. With the addition of the overlay front contoured slings, 40, 41 placed over the front contoured slings 34, 35, the front contoured slings 34, 35 will be referenced as inner front contoured slings, and 40, 41 as outer front contoured slings, respectively. The outer overlay front contour slings 40, 41 extend down to overlay the under-breast band 25, 27, and are coupled at the center front with a closure 42. The contour sling panels 40, 41 extend around the circumference of the torso at the under-breast band and are coupled to seams 108, 109 located on the under-breast band on either side of the center back area. Seams 108, 109 join to a centralized back panel 107 and join to inner back panels 105 and 106. The inner back panels 105, 106 join to the front under-breast band 25, 27 at the side seams 26, 101. The inner front contoured slings 34, 35, are coupled to the outer front contoured slings 40, 41 at the front strap ring 43, 44. As illustrated in FIG. 13 bra harness 120 is illustrated with a perspective view generally a front view of the harness on a silhouette of a woman. The inner cup slings 34, 35 are illustrated as covering the outer side breast and bottom area of the breasts however are sitting lower and underneath the outer contour sling panels 40, 41. The outer contour sling panels 40, 41 cover a larger surface area of the outer sides and bottom portion of the breast and may in some examples create a shelf for the bottom breast tissue to be supported upon. The outer contour sling panels 40, 41 overlay the under-breast band 25, 27, and couple to the inner front contour slings 34, 35 at the front shoulder strap rings 43, 44.
[0054] With reference to FIG. 14, in one example the bra support harness 10 has the left under breast band 25 is coupled to the left breast sling 34 by a left under breast seam 36. The left breast sling has a contoured neckline 29 that sits on the outer-left side of the breast encompassing the outer left side of the breast tissue and continues to encompass the bottom of the left breast tissue with the neckline joining the left under-breast seam 36 at the center front area or center-axis. The left breast sling material 34 extends towards the left side of the body fully encompassing the outer-left breast and has a left contoured underarm shape 99 that extends up to join the left front oval ring 92 connecting to the left shoulder strap 91 and extends down to the under-breast band seam 36 anchoring around the left side join 26. The right under breast band 27 is coupled to the right breast sling 35 by a right under breast seam 37. The right breast sling has a contoured neckline 30 that sits on the outer-right side of the breast encompassing the outer right side of the breast tissue and continues to encompass the bottom of the right breast tissue with the neckline joining the right under-breast seam 37 at the center front area or center-axis. The right breast sling material 35 extends towards the right side of the body fully encompassing the outer-right breast and has a right contoured underarm shape 100 that extends up to join the right front oval ring 94 connecting to the right shoulder strap 96 and extends down to the under-breast band seam 37 anchoring around the right-side join. A separate material strip may be attached and unattached by the user to add additional support by minimizing the vertical or upward bounce of the breast tissue. The material strip 110, 111 may be contoured in shape with the larger width at the top cup. The material strip 110, 111 will attach at the front cup sling at the front strap join or ring by a closure mechanism 112, 113, the material strips will cross over each other at the center front area and attach along the top under breast seam 36, 37. In some examples the material strip may be adjustable in length.
[0055] In one example, the left and right inner harness cup slings 34, 35 comprises of a lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric. Alternatively, the cup slings can be made of foam padding, multi-layered materials, laminated materials, thermoplastic rubber, gel, 3D printed materials, fiberfill, gel pads, stretch materials, or rigid materials, or the like. In another example, each of the left front contour panel 34 and the right front contour panel 35 can be made to form a convex shape. Together, the convex shape and contoured seam around the bottom and side of the breast area 29, 30 and the contoured seam along the bottom of the breast area 36, 37 encapsulate the bottom and side portion of the breast, lift, and support a wearer's breasts. The bra support harnesses 10, 70, and 120 collectively supports the left and right breast, providing the desired added support when worn over a lingerie bra, sports bra, or swimwear top. This is especially helpful while the wearer is active, such as when exercising.
[0056] During high impact activities a woman's breasts do not move up and down together, but rather separately, in what is called a “butterfly” or figure-eight motion, as well an anterior and posterior. This movement of the breasts is very painful and possibly damaging to the breast supportive breast tissue and ligaments in the breast. The combination of the bra harness, as illustrated on bra support harness, 10, 70, and 120 encapsulating the bottom and side portion of the breast, when worn on top of the wearer's chosen bra, counteracts this butterfly motion by providing additional desired support and may provide maximum support to the wearer's chosen bra or additional support for the wearer's breast size, thereby reducing impact on a wearer's breasts when the wearer is engaged in vigorous activity. The encapsulation around the side and bottom area of the breast tissue is generally accomplished by seaming a contoured cup sling panel to a under breast band panel around the breast area to a desired shape. This creates a contoured and convex cup panel shape around the bottom and side portion of the breast creating lift and support. In one example, the contoured and convex shape of the bottom and side contour panel may be slightly reduced in comparison to the breast volume, which helps control movement of the wearer's breasts during activity. The contour sling panel 34, 35 of the present disclosure on bra support harness 10, and the contour sling panel 34, 35 when combined with the outer contour cup panels 40, 41, of the present disclosure on bra support harness 70 and 120 deliver maximum support while maintaining the wearer's breasts in place with comfort when worn on top of the wearer's chosen lingerie bra, sports bra, or swimwear top. Compression fabric may also be used for the entire bra support harness 10, including the back panel 20 and 97, such that the entire bra support harness 10 has a slightly firmer fit to create this compression effect.
[0057] The outer bra harness contour panels 40, 41 of the present invention, bra support harness 70 and 120 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 13, provide the additional compression and support required for limiting movement of the wearer's breast during exercise. Uniting the left and right outer front contour panels 40, 41 together with the front closure 42, provides the needed compression and lift to prevent breast movement, and the location of side seams 26, 101 ensures that the fabric of the under-breast band is pulled tightly enough to the provide the desired compression around the torso. With the breasts in a supported position in the wearer's chosen bra, this lessens the force required to the pull the left and right under band front panels 25, 27 together in order to couple them with the outer closure 31, or additionally attach the outer bra harness contour panels 40, 41 over the wearer's bottom and side breast tissue with the closure 42 This makes putting the bra support harness 10, 70, and 120 on very easy. Further, another benefit is that the wearer can remove the bra support harness using the front closure mechanism after exercising to release the added compression and lift and remove the harness from on top of their chosen bra to cool and return to daily activity.
[0058] The construction of the bra harness may be made by stitching, sewing, ultra-sonic welding, or lamination constructions. Lamination constructions are seams constructed through the use of glue laminations in place of thread to secure two or more panels of material together. Other constructions may include ultra-sonic welding, or a combination of sewn and laminated constructions.
[0059] The bra harness of the present invention can be manufactured in a variety of sizes to support different volumes of breast tissue and girth of the torso. The design of the back of the bra can come in a variety of strapping or strappy styles, however the central back area, or axis strapping is preferred.
[0060] In all embodiments the front closure on the bottom band of the bra harness may be of any material, textile, elastic, or trim that can secure two panels together. A trim may be made of metal, plastic, thermal rubbers, thermal plastics, fungus, or 3D printed materials.
[0061] The bra harness in accordance with the present invention thus addresses a number of desires in adjustable compression around the upper body and specifically the breast area for support and lift. The bra harness is comfortable and is easier to close onto the body, especially for wearers who have shoulder rotation issues, larger breasts, or mobility issues. The present invention also addresses wearers who purchase bras or sport bras to support their breasts during different levels of activity such as daily activity and high-impact exercise and subsequently have support issues. The bra harness eliminates the need to change the wearer's bra for different activities throughout the day or for exercise by layering the bra harness over the wearer's bra to achieve the desired support, lift, and compression level. Furthermore, because the bra support harness can be closed in the front, pulled, and closed on the desired clasp position, the desired compression around their torso may provide a degree of support to the back area and upper abdominal area.
[0062] The disclosure provided above is intended to illustrate some possible combinations of various aspects associated with the bra harness with adjustable compression effect on the upper torso and breast area and providing desired adjustable support, lift, and control to the breast. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art of which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, although it is not a preferred construction, the bra harness may be put onto the body and secured closed at the back of the body or be a pull-on style without a closure mechanism. Moreover, different features discussed in different embodiments could be combined in still other embodiments and would still fall within the scope of the attached claims. Some features could be used independently in some embodiments, while still other features could be combined in various different ways in still other embodiments. The purpose served by the discloser, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the aspects described herein, not to limit the scope thereof. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limitation.
