Bra pocket system

Abstract

A strap assembly includes a chest strap and shoulder straps. Similarly configured left and right cups are provided. The strap assembly is attached to the cups whereby the strap assembly adheres the cups to a wearer. Each cup has curved upper, lower, interior and exterior edges. Each cup has inside and outside surfaces. A patch is operatively associated with each cup. Each patch has a linear upper edge and curved lower, interior and exterior edges. Each patch has inside and outside surfaces. Stitching couples the lower, interior and exterior edges of each patch to the lower, interior and exterior edges of an associated cup. A linear opening is formed along the upper edge of each patch. Piping covers the upper edge of each patch. The piping is adapted to allow the patch to move away from and back toward the cup between open and closed orientations.

Claims

1. A pocket bra comprising: a strap assembly including a chest strap and shoulder straps, the strap assembly joining the chest strap and shoulder straps at a central area adapted to be positioned on a back of a wearer when worn; a bra portion comprising left and right cups, each cup being an area to receive a breast of the wearer, the strap assembly attached to the bra portion; and a back pocket formed entirely of stretchable fabric positioned on the central area, the back pocket having an opening that is biased in a closed position at rest.

2. The pocket bra of claim 1 wherein the bra is a sports bra.

3. The pocket bra of claim 1 wherein the back pocket comprises a closure.

4. The pocket bra of claim 1 wherein the back pocket is formed by a patch connected to the back portion of the at least one of the chest strap and shoulder straps by stitching about a part of a perimeter of the patch, a gap in the stitching leaving a portion of the perimeter of the patch unattached, thereby forming the opening providing access to a pocket interior portion formed by the patch.

5. The pocket bra of claim 4 further comprising an internal pocket connected about a perimeter of the opening, the internal pocket defining the pocket interior and formed such that it is positioned between the patch and the one of the back portion of the chest strap and the shoulder straps.

6. The pocket bra of claim 1 wherein the opening is formed adjacent to a side of the patch.

7. The pocket bra of claim 1 wherein the opening is formed adjacent to a top of the patch.

8. The pocket bra of claim 1 further comprising an internal pocket defining a pocket interior, the interior pocket connected about a perimeter of the opening, the internal pocket being separate from the strap assembly.

9. The pocket bra of claim 1 further comprising an item removably positioned in the back pocket.

10. The pocket bra of claim 1 further comprising a second pocket on one of the bra portion or the chest strap.

11. The pocket bra of claim 1 wherein the opening provides access to a pocket interior.

12. A pocket bra comprising: a strap assembly including a chest strap and shoulder straps the strap assembly joining the chest strap and shoulder straps at a central area adapted to be positioned on a back of a wearer when worn; a bra portion comprising left and right cups, each cup being an area to receive a breast of the wearer, the strap assembly attached to the bra portion whereby the strap assembly holds the bra portion to the user; and a back pocket formed of stretchable fabric positioned on the central area, the back pocket having a slit forming an opening providing access to a pocket interior, the opening biased in a closed position at rest, the opening providing access to a pocket interior.

13. The pocket bra of claim 12 further comprising a closure of the opening holding the pocket in a closed position.

14. The pocket bra of claim 12 further comprising a second pocket on the bra portion or the chest strap.

15. The pocket bra of claim 12 wherein the back pocket is formed by a patch attached to the central area.

16. The pocket bra of claim 12 further comprising an item removably positioned in the back pocket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a pocket bra system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a pocket bra system constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

(8) FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

(9) FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a pocket bra system constructed in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the invention.

(11) FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

(12) FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the pocket bra system shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

(13) FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

(14) FIG. 13 provides a view of an embodiment of a bra having a back pocket.

(15) The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(16) With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved pocket bra system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

(17) The present invention, the pocket bra system 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a strap, left and right cups, a rectangular patch and a linear slit. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

(18) First provided is a strap assembly. The strap assembly includes a generally horizontal chest strap 14. The chest strap is positionable around the chest and back of a wearer. The strap assembly includes left and right generally vertical shoulder straps 16. The shoulder straps are positionable over the shoulders of the wearer. The shoulder straps have free ends. The free ends are coupled to the chest strap adjacent to the chest of the wearer and adjacent to the back of the wearer.

(19) A left cup 18 is provided. A similarly configured right cup 20 is provided. Each cup has an inside surface and an outside surface. The left and right cups each have an upper-most point 22. The left and right cups each have a lower-most point 24. A generally vertical axis is provided. The vertical axis divides each cup into an inner hemisphere interiorly and an outer hemisphere exteriorly. The left and right cups each have an inner-most point 26. The left and right cups each have an outer-most point 28. A generally horizontal axis is provided. The horizontal axis divides each cup into an upper hemisphere above and a lower hemisphere below.

(20) A rectangular patch 32 is provided next. The patch is operatively associated with each cup. Each patch has generally horizontal upper and lower edges. Each patch has generally vertical interior and exterior edges. The patch has a periphery. The periphery has stitching. In this manner the periphery of each patch is coupled to the inside surface of an associated cup. The majority of each patch is in the upper hemisphere. The majority of each patch is in the outer hemisphere. A rectangular chamber 34 is provided. The chamber is provided between each patch and its associated cup. The chamber is rectangular. The chamber has a height of 120 and 140 millimeters. The chamber has a width of between 60 and 70 millimeters. The pockets and the patches are fabricated of a resilient closed cell polyurethane foam. The foam has a thickness of from 2 to 4 millimeters. The patches are fabricated of an elastic fabric.

(21) Further provided is a linear slit 38. The slit is provided in each patch. The slit is provided parallel with, and closely spaced from, the upper edge of each patch. Each slit has a length greater than 90 percent of the width of the chamber. An elastic band 40 is provided. The elastic band is provided within each patch. The elastic band surrounds the slit. The elastic band is adapted to return the slit to a closed orientation. The elastic band is further adapted to allow the slit to stretch to an enlarged orientation.

(22) Provided last is a handheld electronic device 46. The handheld electronic device is positionable within the chamber. In one embodiment, the handheld electronic device has a height of 115 millimeters, plus or minus 10 percent. The handheld electronic device has a width of 59 millimeters. The handheld electronic device has a thickness of 9 millimeters plus or minus 10 percent. The slit is adapted to stretch to the open orientation when adding the handheld device to, or removing the handheld device from, the chamber. The slit is adapted to contract to the closed orientation when the handheld device is within or without the chamber. The thickness and the material of the cups and the patches are adapted to abate inward projections by the handheld devices in the chambers tending to poke a user. The thickness and the material of the cups and the patches are adapted to abate outward projections by the handheld devices in the chambers tending to create unsightly projections.

(23) An alternate embodiment 100 of the present invention is provided. An under-wire 104 is provided. The under-wire is provided beneath each cup.

(24) A central patch 108 is provided. The central patch is provided intermediate the cups. In this manner a central chamber is formed. The central patch has horizontal upper and lower edges 110, 112. The central patch has vertical side edges 114, 116. The upper and lower edges are longer than the side edges. The central patch has a central slit 118. The central slit is provided parallel with and in proximity to the upper edge. The central chamber is adapted to receive and support keys.

(25) An upper patch 120 is provided on each shoulder strap. The upper patches have horizontal upper and lower edges 122, 124. The upper patches have vertical side edges 126, 128. The upper and lower edges are shorter than the side edges. The upper patches each have an upper slit 130. The upper slit is provided parallel with and in proximity to the upper edge. The upper chambers are adapted to receive and support pills.

(26) FIGS. 9 through 12 illustrate a system 200 constructed in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the invention. In such alternate embodiment, enlarged bra pockets 204 are constructed on the cups of the bra. In addition, side pockets 268 are constructed along both sides of the bra. Although only a right side pocket is illustrated, it should be understood that a similarly constructed left side pocket is preferably provided additionally.

(27) As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, there is illustrated a pocket bra system 200 for removably receiving a handheld electronic device and other objects while providing support and shape to the breasts of a wearer. The system includes a strap assembly 214. The strap assembly is formed of a chest strap 216 and shoulder straps 218.

(28) Next provided are similarly configured left and right cups 222, 224. Each cup has inside and outside surfaces. The strap assembly is attached to the cups whereby the strap assembly adheres the cups to a wearer. Each cup has curved upper edge 226, a lower edge 228, an interior edge 230 and an exterior edge 232. Each cup has inside and outside surfaces.

(29) A patch 236 is operatively associated with each cup. Each patch has a linear upper edge 238 and a curved lower edge 240, an interior edge 242 and an exterior edge 248. Each patch has inside and outside surfaces.

(30) Stitching 250 couples the lower, interior and exterior edges of each patch to the lower, interior and exterior edges of an associated cup. A linear opening 252 is thus formed along the upper edge of each patch. Piping 256 covers the upper edge of each patch. The upper edge of the patch and the piping are adapted to allow the patch to move away from and back toward the cup between open and closed orientations.

(31) Pockets 260 are formed between the patches and the cups. In one embodiment, the cups are fabricated of a resilient closed cell polyurethane foam with a thickness of from 2 to 4 millimeters. In another embodiment, the patches are fabricated of a resilient closed cell polyurethane foam with a thickness of from 2 to 4 millimeters.

(32) A handheld electronic device 46 is adapted to be placed within a pocket.

(33) An under-wire 264 is coupled beneath each cup in a generally vertical plane.

(34) Lastly provided is a side patch 268 forming a side pocket on each side of the chest strap. The side patches each have a horizontal upper edge 270 and a lower edge 272 and vertical side edges 274. The upper and lower edges of each patch are longer than the side edges. The side patches include side stitching 276 along the lower and side edges. Thus is formed an upper opening 278 at each side patch, the pocket 268 formed between two layers of the chest strap and defined by the stitching 276.

(35) In one embodiment, the side pocket 268 may be configured to have the upper edge 270 and top edge of the chest strap aligned or nearly aligned. In another embodiment, a pocket flap may extend from the chest strap over the upper opening 278 to form an envelope pocket and thus to cover the upper opening 278. In further embodiments, the flap may be positioned on a side, bottom, or middle of the pocket, with the opening being at least partially covered by the flap when in a closed (and/or non-accessing) position. The pocket flap may be secured via hook and loop connector, button, snap, zipper, or the like to the exterior of the pocket 268, or may simply rest over the upper opening 278. In still a further embodiment, side pocket 268 may further extend at least partially into, over, or beneath the cup such that the pocket, and potentially the upper opening 278 span both part of the chest strap and part of the cup.

(36) FIG. 13 provides a view of an embodiment of a bra having a back pocket. The present embodiment is shown as a sports bra version, however it should be understood that the back pocket design may be employed on any bra, and may be positioned on the chest strap, similarly to the side pocket embodiment described above. This may be particularly useful on front-open bra designs. In the embodiment shown, two shoulder straps 306, and two sides of the chest strap 301 extend away from a central area 305. On this central area is a pocket 304. The pocket may be formed in any manner and may be defined at its boundary 302 by stitching, a separate pocket material behind the central area 305 material, or by any other structure. An opening 303 to the pocket 304 is shown at a top, but it should be understood that the opening 303 may be on the sides, middle, bottom, or anywhere on the pocket, depending on embodiment. A closure (not shown) may be used to hold the pocket in a closed position. The closure may be any structure capable of holding the pocket opening 303 in a closed position. In a particular embodiment, the closure may bias the opening of the back pocket in a closed position at rest.

(37) A final embodiment of the invention is designed to protect wearers from radio frequency emissions from electronic devices supported by the system. To achieve this protection, the left and right cups are fabricated of a radio frequency protective material. The radio frequency protective material is fabricated of a blend of fabrics chosen from the class consisting of polyester and cotton and further including copper and silver. In one embodiment, the radio frequency protective material is fabricated of 78 percent of a blend of fabric chosen from the class consisting of polyester and cotton and further including 21 percent copper and 1 silver. In another embodiment, the radio frequency protective material is fabricated of 90 percent of a blend of fabric chosen from the class consisting of polyester and cotton and further including 9.5 percent copper and 0.5 silver.

(38) As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

(39) With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

(40) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. To the extent any amendments, characterizations, or other assertions previously made (in this or in any related patent applications or patents, including any parent, sibling, or child) with respect to any art, prior or otherwise, could be construed as a disclaimer of any subject matter supported by the present disclosure of this application, Applicant hereby rescinds and retracts such disclaimer. Applicant also respectfully submits that any prior art previously considered in any related patent applications or patents, including any parent, sibling, or child, may need to be re-visited.