Abstract
A bra or a garment, and an associated method of construction, where the bra or garment includes a first front panel configured to support a user's breast, a first pair of straps integrally formed and extending from the first front panel, the first front panel and first pair of straps formed from a unitary tube of an elastomeric or mechanical stretch material, where the first front panel is capable of stretching to an extended position when the bra or garment is worn by the user.
Claims
1. A bra, comprising: a first front panel configured to support a user's breast; a first pair of straps integrally formed and extending from the first front panel; a second front panel configured to support the user's breast; a second pair of straps integrally formed and extending from the second front panel; and a band configured to encircle the user's abdomen and to which the first front panel, the first pair of straps, the second front panel, and the second pair of straps are affixed, wherein the first front panel and the first pair of straps are formed from a single piece of fabric and wherein the second front panel and the second pair of straps are formed from a single piece of fabric.
2. The bra of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first front panel, the first pair of straps, the second front panel, and the second pair of straps are formed from an elastomeric or mechanical stretch material.
3. The bra of claim 2, wherein the elastomeric or mechanical stretch material is knitted, woven, or non-woven.
4. The bra of claim 2, wherein the elastomeric or mechanical stretch material comprises nylon and an elastomer or a mechanical stretch fabric.
5. The bra of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first front panel, the first pair of straps, the second front panel, and the second pair of straps have a two-layer structure.
6. The bra of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first front panel, the first pair of straps, the second front panel, and the second pair of straps have flat folded seamless edges.
7. The bra of claim 1, further comprising stitching at a central portion of one or more of the first front panel, the first pair of straps, the second front panel, and the second pair of straps.
8. The bra of claim 1, further comprising a support material sewn or integrated into the first pair of straps and/or the second pair of straps.
9. The bra of claim 8, wherein the support material is a stretchable tape, a stabilizer, a fabric through a yarn, or a tensioning element.
10. The bra of claim 1, wherein the first pair of straps and the second pair of straps are attached at different positions on the band.
11. A garment, comprising: a first front panel configured to support a user's breast; a first pair of straps integrally formed and extending from the first front panel; a second front panel configured to support the user's breast; a second pair of straps integrally formed and extending from the second front panel; and a band configured to encircle the user's abdomen and to which the first front panel, the first pair of straps, the second front panel, and the second pair of straps are affixed, wherein the first front panel and the first pair of straps are formed from a single piece of fabric and wherein the second front panel and the second pair of straps are formed from a single piece of fabric.
12. The garment of claim 11, wherein one or more of the first front panel, the first pair of straps, the second front panel, and the second pair of straps are formed from an elastomeric or mechanical stretch material.
13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the elastomeric or mechanical stretch material is knitted, woven, or non-woven.
14. The garment of claim 12, wherein the elastomeric or mechanical stretch material comprises nylon and an elastomer or a mechanical stretch fabric.
15. The garment of claim 11, wherein one or more of the first front panel, the first pair of straps, the second front panel, and the second pair of straps have a two-layer structure.
16. The garment of claim 11, wherein one or more of the first front panel, the first pair of straps, the second front panel, and the second pair of straps have flat folded seamless edges.
17. The garment of claim 11, further comprising stitching at a central portion of one or more of the first front panel, the first pair of straps, the second front panel, and the second pair of straps.
18. The garment of claim 11, further comprising a support material sewn or integrated into the first pair of straps and/or the second pair of straps.
19. The garment of claim 11, wherein the first pair of straps and the second pair of straps are attached at different positions on the band.
20. A method of constructing a bra, comprising: forming a first front panel configured to support a user's breast and a first pair of straps integrally formed and extending from the first front panel; forming a second front panel configured to support the user's breast and a second pair of straps integrally formed and extending from the second front panel; and affixing the first front panel, the first pair of straps, the second front panel, and the second pair of straps to a band configured to encircle the user's abdomen, wherein the first front panel and the first pair of straps are formed from a single piece of fabric and wherein the second front panel and the second pair of straps are formed from a single piece of fabric.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a halter and first embodiment of the bra as described herein as would be seen from the front and as worn on a woman/wearer. The “release” portion of the bra, i.e., where the breasts would be centrally held, as depicted, is nylon tubular knit fabric which is more fully maintained or expanded than the other, supporting portions of the same nylon tubular knit fabric so, for drawing purposes, the central or fully expanded or non-taut areas are shown as “white” and the other stressed and sling or support sections shown as textured fabric, below the breasts. It should be appreciated, however, that the entire front of the bra shown herein is formed of two opposing cup panels each extending, laterally, from the inside or cleavage edge (described below) to the front of the side opening edges and through and to the side panels and side edges. The two pairs of halter straps, extending to behind the wearer's neck is shown as is a waist encircling elastic band;
(2) FIG. 2 is the currently preferred embodiment of the halter style of the bra, showing its front view similar to that of FIG. 1. The teardrop shape in the central front is not an opening of the fabric but, rather, shows the release portion of the tubular knit nylon fabric as fully expanded and the below and side portions of the bra, stressed by the weight and size of the supported breasts being shown as more solid fabric components. It will be appreciated that the entire front cup panels are made of the tubular nylon and elastic material, even that shown as “white” in the black and white drawings. Again, the entire front or the cup panels, extending from inside cleavage edge to the outside of the cup panels, is formed of the tubular, knit, nylon and elastic fabric with no holes nor openings, only seaming of the tubular piece to itself, for each cup panel.
(3) FIGS. 3A and 3B are rear views of the worn bra shown in FIG. 2, as worn by a woman and as would be seen when someone views the bra of FIG. 2 but from the woman's back. The neck engaging portion of the two pairs of straps and the rear of the encircling or waist strap are all that is visible, making the back of the woman substantially free of any indication of the support for the bra;
(4) FIG. 4A shows the inside of the bra while FIG. 4B is the inside or rear view of the cup panels of the bra shown in FIG. 2 and shows the seaming of the tubular pieces to one another to form the cup panels;
(5) FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are isometric views of the other components used for making the present inventive bra, namely a neck elastic piece or member (FIG. 5A), a flat elastic or waist band (FIG. 5B), and the tubular, (not yet flattened) knitted nylon lengths (for the cup panels) (shown in FIG. 5C), respectively;
(6) FIG. 6 shows a front elevation view of a bra according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a first configuration;
(7) FIGS. 7A and 7B show front and back elevation views, respectively, of the bra of the second embodiment of the present invention as worn by a user in the first configuration;
(8) FIGS. 8A and 8B show front and back elevation views, respectively, of the bra of the second embodiment of the present invention as worn by a user in a second configuration;
(9) FIGS. 9A and 9B show front and back elevation views, respectively, of the bra of the second embodiment of the present invention as worn by a user in a third configuration;
(10) FIGS. 10A and 10B show front and back elevation views, respectively, of the bra of the second embodiment of the present invention as worn by a user in a fourth configuration;
(11) FIGS. 11A and 11B show front and back elevation views, respectively, of the bra of the second embodiment of the present invention as worn by a user in a fifth configuration;
(12) FIGS. 12A and 12B show front and back elevation views, respectively, of the bra of the second embodiment of the present invention as worn by a user in a sixth configuration; and
(13) FIGS. 13A and 13B show front and back elevation views, respectively, of the bra of the second embodiment of the present invention as worn by a user in a seventh configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, THE DRAWINGS, AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(14) The invention is a lightweight, thin material, and preferably easily washable (yet may be disposable) fully breast supportive, bra as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The bra 10 shown in FIG. 1 is of a general halter-top style or form and made of two breast supports or frontal convex (with respect to a viewer of the same on a wearer's body; concave from the front of the wearer) cups 12, one for receipt of each breast and several supporting straps (two pairs for extending behind the neck) and a waist strap for encircling the body, below the breasts. The preferred form is a halter style bra but other styles are within the scope of the present invention. The preferred material for the bra 10 is tubular knitted and elastic nylon, preferably formed from a nylon circular knitting machine of the kind used for making women's stockings or nylons. These tubes are made to appropriate dimension, flattened (thus becoming two-ply), cut and sewn as required to make the desired bra shape and components. Thus, the principal components of the bra product are two ply or layered tubular pieces of elastic nylon formed from circular nylon knitting machines. The commercially knit, tubular nylon is flattened, cut and sewn to form cup panels. The neck engaging straps of the halter style bra are narrowed strips of the tubular nylon material while the elastic neck piece, if provided (described hereinafter) and the waist band can be formed of other suitable negligee or bra materials or fabric. The cup panels and the upwardly extending straps (two pairs extending upwardly and the waist strap around the rib cage, extending to the neck and back, respectively, form the preferred style of the bra, a halter bra. This bra supports the breasts in a sling-like, backless fashion with comfort and, yet, separates, supports, locates and holds the breasts. The breasts are held by the bra, the bra holds them firmly forward, and at the desired orientation, position and placement and, yet, the entire bra is quite lightweight and very comfortable. The present bra provides the necessary strength and structure for breast support and does so without the need for any metallic underwire. This is very desirable as current bras on the market involve metal clasps, wires, and hardware and are often uncomfortable and/or heavy. Even further, conventional bras are visible under backless and strapless tops and dresses whereas the current embodiments of the present invention allows a woman to wear a backless or strapless dress or gown without the vertical extending shoulder straps and supporting structure being visible to an observer of the woman from the rear or back. While backless and strapless bras and connecting mechanisms for the straps exist today, such as strapless underwire bras and stick-on bras as well as plastic strap-connecting pieces for holding the back strap low (hopefully below the level of the dress in the back) none provide both comfort and sling or below breast support as the present invention. Even prior art and conventional strapless bras still have uncomfortable metal hardware for breast support and are difficult to keep from falling down and stick-on bras or bra cups are frequently made of too soft material, either silicones or plastic, and offer little to no real support for the breasts, their positioning with respect to the body and one another, nor for preventing sagging of the same; they simply cover the breasts.
(15) The halter style of the inventive bra 10 comprises a pair of opposed or side to side located and arranged cup panels 13a and 13b which are generally made of circular knit nylon and flattened tubes (see FIG. 5C) folded and cut, seamed as required to each provide a generally L-shaped piece, i.e., with a large vertical leg and a laterally extending and shorter leg. The two L-shapes are mirror images of one another with the axis of the mirror extending down the vertical central axis of the bra. Basically, each L-shaped cup panel comprises a vertical leg, extending from a vertical front strap to a lower, bottom straight edge 15, the vertical leg being defined by an inside, central, and vertically extending, but suitably curved for look and comfort, cleavage forming edge 17, and a short side or backward and sideward extending panel 24 defined on its rear or side-most edge by an outside wall edge 19, another vertical but more rearward or side vertical strap and an opening 28, between the two vertical straps. The opening 28 is formed and bordered by the first vertical strap (an upward and narrowed continuation of the cup panel) and the rear or side strap, extending upwardly from the side panel 24. The opening 28 is also defined or formed by an outside opening or loop extending down from the top of the bra where the rear set of straps 33a and 33b meet behind the neck down to the short outside wall edge 19 and then back up to the rear edges of straps 27a and 27b, also held behind the neck. The front cup panels 13a and 13b are generally of an L-shape, indeed, the two panels form opposed but back to back L-shapes, with the vertical leg of the Ls narrowing upwardly to the front halter straps 23a and 23b and the horizontal L-leg of the cup panels being breast holding cups 25a and 25b. These pieces and components are preferably formed of the tubular or circular nylon knit material, pushed down flat, cut and seamed, as indicated. The general shape of the front cup panels 13a and 13b is somewhat like a capital “L” (for cup panel 13a and an opposed or mirror but backwards facing capital L for cup panel or element 13b).
(16) As can be seen in the Figures, the material is double thick and dense in those areas for sling support (below the breasts and to the sides as a support sling) and the Figures also show the increased rigidity of the material at the location when stressed by the breasts held therein. Stated differently, the central breast holding areas 25a and 25b are flimsy, light, and unstressed as they are elastically stretched to accommodate the breast held centrally therein. The below and side areas of each of the cup panels 13a and 13b are shown in darker lines or with more rigidity as a consequence of the stress and weight of the breasts on the below-located nylon, circular knit material. The below areas are under the stress and weight of the breasts and support the same from beneath and from the sides, as a sling. Thus, central breast holding areas 25a and 25b are shown as unstressed while the sling support beneath the breasts are shown in more solid or rigid fabric material, yet, they, of course, provide support to the breasts. The tubular, machine knit nylon tube for forming the cup panels 13a and 13b is schematically shown in FIG. 5C. Generally, each tube is originally about 4 inches in diameter, 13 inches in length and then flattened. More than one tube is needed, of course, to create a full bra formed of two cup panels. The halter style bra 10 is provided with a waist or torso encircling elastic band 20 suitably sized to the anticipated circumference of the wearer, e.g., 32 inches, 34 inches, 36 inches, 40 inches, etc. The band is elastic to comfortable hold the same snuggly in position but not so tight that the same is uncomfortable. Of course, hooks and eyes and/or Velcro like mechanical connections, button and button holes, etc. could be employed to allow some measure of fine adjustability to the circumference of the waist band 20. It, too, can be a knitted nylon band with similar or more supportive material as that provided in the waist or back engaging band of bras and/or of currently available commercial stockings and/or pantyhose. The waist band 20 extends generally around the wearer's rib cage, but below the breasts, about the sides of the wearer and across the lower back. The waist band 20, see FIG. 5B, can be a piece of flat elastic and is preferably about ½ inch in height and about 25 inches in length. The thickness is about that of current bra straps.
(17) Small length segments at the front and top edge of the waist band 20 are sewn to (or fused or otherwise manufactured) to the horizontal straight edges 15 of each of the two cup panels 13a and 13b. The waist band 20 can be made of any known or preferred elastic, nylon, fabric material, as available in the field, including nylon straps, traditional smooth silk-like bra straps, or other material. The band should be elastic and comfortable. It may be provided on its skin contact side with silicon or other similar lining which frictionally yet comfortably holds the waist band in the preferred position around the wearer's front and at the proper vertical orientation or “latitude” around the wearer's sides to the middle or lower back. The location and relative position on and viewability of the waist band 20, from the rear of the bra 10, is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, which, while separate and distinct Figures, are meant to show the relative spacing of the top neck engaging part of the halter bra and the lower waistband 20, just as FIG. 2 shows the halter bra from the front.
(18) The two cups of the bra, one for each breast, are each preferably formed from one continuous tubular yet seamed length of knitted nylon fabric (see FIG. 5c). Each is preferably constructed from one or more continuous knitted tubes of elastic nylon, similar to the output of a machine capable of making knitted circular nylon hosiery. According to the present invention, a length of the flattened nylon tube is folded, cut and seamed into the L-shapes, and a smooth and finished seam is provided at the cleavage edge 17 and at the outside wall edge 19. The bottom edges 15 of the cup panels 13a and 13b are sewn to the segments of the top of the waist band 20. As can be seen in the Figures, the nylon tubular knitted material continues sidewise and rearwardly from the side panels and the outside wall edge 19, preferably with only one or a few seams, narrowing upwardly and extending into a strap towards the neck of the wearer. A pair of rear straps are thus formed, one strap 33a and 33b from each cup panel 13a and 13b. The side panels narrow as they proceed towards the rear and upwardly and form rear straps 33a and 33b and are connected, see FIG. 3A, to an elastic neck piece 31. Alternatively, the rear straps 33a and 33b are endlessly connected to one another as if they are a continuous strip/strap of the knitted tubular nylon fabric, i.e., they connect to one another without any intermediate elastic neck piece.
(19) A pair of opposed, central, opening-defining strips or straps 27a and 27b are formed on the front of the neck panels, formed from an upwardly and narrowing extension of the cup panels. These straps 27a and 27b are the vertical legs of the L-shaped cup panels. These narrow, terminate and are seamed, too, to the elastic neck piece 31, just above the ends of the rear straps at the elastic neck piece. A pair of short neck strap connection segments 29a and 29b are formed for the connection between the straps and the elastic neck piece. The ends of the straps are sewn to an elastic neck piece 31 (see FIG. 5A). Preferably it is about ½ to 1 inch in height and only about 3 inches in length. It is thin and elastic to accommodate fine differences in body types and sizes of women. In some embodiments of the present invention, the narrowing of the cup panels does not terminate behind the neck and is not sewn to an elastic neck piece 31 but, rather the straps are a continuous or endless nylon path formed and extending from the cup, up a strap, behind the neck, to the other strap and to the other cup. With respect to the rear set of straps, the continuous strap extends from the rear edge of the side panel, up the strap, across the neck, and down as another strap secured to the rear edge of the other side panel. However, in the shown embodiment of the Figures, the tubular knitted nylon cup panels 13a and 13b are narrowed into small width straps which are sewn to the elastic neck piece 31 (see FIG. 3A).
(20) The outside or rear edge 19 of the L-shaped cup panels are only visual edges of the drawings in that they appear that way when viewed in the Figures. In actuality, however, the sides of the L-shaped cup panels continue slightly around the side of the breast of the woman to hold the same within the cups so formed. The cup panels extend, upwardly, and narrow into strips or rear strap like pieces 33a and 33b, for L-shaped cup panels 13a and 13b, respectively. These too are knitted tubular nylon and have an outside and finished fold edge. These strips or narrow rear straps 33a and 33b extend from the rear of the short outside wall edges 19 upwardly towards the neck and meet one another behind the wearer's neck (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A). In one embodiment, the straps 33a and 33b actually physically merge or are integrated into a single continuous nylon piece extending behind the wearer's neck while in another embodiment, the two straps 33a and 33b meet preferably behind the wearer's neck and can be secured to one another by hooks and loops, buttons and button holes, Velcro hook and loops, etc., and/or with the elastic neck piece therebetween. In another embodiment, i.e., the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, the straps 33a and 33b terminate and are sewn to the outside walls or edges of an elastic neck piece 31 (see FIG. 3A).
(21) In another embodiment (and the currently preferred embodiment) of the present invention, shown in FIG. 2, the tubular or flattened cylindrical knitted nylon elements start at the top—as two straps down the center of the bra, each with one end first sewn to a single elastic neck piece 31. The pieces then extend down towards the waist band 20 while widening into the cups for the breasts of the wearer, are secured to the waistband 20, and then extend slightly rearwardly and then back upwardly as another pair of straps towards the same elastic neck piece. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the central and bottom of the cup panels, 53a and 53b, are more tear drop shaped. The tear drops 55 are formed from the tubular knit tubes being folded upon themselves and seamed with a teardrop shape. There are two primary straight seams, 70 and 71 and a looped seam 73. One seam 70 runs substantially vertically and connects the frontal or first strap to the rear or second strap, all of the single tubular nylon piece. A looping or teardrop shaped seam 73 is provided to the tubular knit nylon piece, proximal to the center of the woman's breast of the cup panel. A short seam 71 gathers the tubular element of each cup panel and extends from the lower and outward portion of the looping seam 73, extending slightly downwardly, to the outside edge 83a of the rear straps. As can be seen, the front cup panels, formed of tubular and knit nylon material, provide soft, comfortable, elastic holding pockets for the breasts of the wearer. The nipples of the breasts are likely to be located somewhere proximal to the center or below of the looping seam 73. A woman can easily put the bra on, with the straps held behind the neck and then selectively position and locate the breasts, as desired, i.e., close to one another to accentuate cleavage, separate, high or low, etc. The cup panels support the breasts, hold them naturally and with separation, in a very comfortable manner. The tubular nylon, under the weight of the breasts, becomes rigid and supports the breasts in a sling like manner from beneath. So, too, the side panels extending rearwardly; they support the breasts and become rigid while the rest of the bra is soft and supple, entirely comfortable, as those areas are not stressed nor rigid. The bra is very lightweight, and, yet, uses the elasticity and strength of the nylon tubular material to hold and support the breasts with the weight of the same supported in the sling and, in this embodiment, to some degree, support is provided behind the wearer's neck. The waist band also supports and locates the bra and the breasts. Again, it extends below the breasts, across the front of the wearer, backwardly along the sides and across the mid to lower back. Silicone can be provided to facilitate the maintenance and location of the waist band, as desired.
(22) For this halter style of bra, the narrowing of the tubular segments as the cup panels travel upwardly and form two pairs of support straps, as the material extends toward the elastic neck piece 31, allows the device to support the breasts with minimal material, minimal viewing of the supporting straps, maximum comfort, and without metal wiring. Of course, the breasts are primarily supported and placed by the rigidity provided by the nylon or elastic material located below and adjacent the breasts as those areas become rigid under the weight of the breasts. The narrowing strips or straps, secured to the elastic neck piece (if provided), held behind the wearer's neck, is an extremely comfortable and efficient manner of supporting breasts in a natural manner. The waist or torso encircling band holds the cup panels 13a and 13b in relative position and ensures that the overall bra does not ride up the torso. As mentioned, the band can be provided with silicone or another skin sensitive adhesive to provide some level of friction to facilitate the holding of the band 20 in relative position, wrapping around the wearer but below the breasts.
(23) As seen in FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of the halter version of the invention, the upper and narrowed pieces (the vertical and front legs) of the L-shaped cup panels 13a and 13b form front straps 75a and 75b (FIG. 3A shows this, too). Here, too, the straps terminate behind the neck of the wearer in an elastic neck piece or as a single continuous piece of nylon tubular material. The elastic neck piece is shown in FIG. 3a with the ends of the two sets of straps sewn to the edges of the neck piece. The narrowing of the tubular segments as they turn about the side of the wearer (the horizontal leg of the L) for the outside surfaces (towards the sides of the wearer, not the chest bone) of the cup panels become the rear set of straps and also terminate as strips or short strap segments 77a and 77b. These, too, can be sewn to the elastic neck piece, see FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 3a, the rear straps are secured to the elastic neck piece below the securement of the front straps to the elastic neck piece. Alternatively, the rear straps, too, can be a substantially continuous tubular piece of knit nylon. If an elastic neck piece is used, the connection formed by the straps 75a, 75b, 77a and 77b, can be provided with some adjustment by Velcro hooks and loops, buttons and button holes, hooks and loops, etc. In any event, as should be quite apparent, in this embodiment, two pairs of neck-engaging short strap segments are provided and one set, at the rear of the neck, overlies the other. The straps and/or the elastic neck piece lie against the skin of the rear of the neck of the wearer.
(24) When the bra is to be worn, the wearer will pass the waist band 20 over her head until it is just below the breasts and around the rib cage, around the sides and towards and near the lower back. Then, the elastic neck piece (if provided) or the thin segments of the two sets of straps 75a, 75b, 77a and 77b are placed behind the neck of the wearer. The breasts are easily moved, if necessary, such that they are within the cup panels, with the center of the breasts held, as desired, normally near the middle of the panels (proximal the teardrop shapes defined by the looping seam 73) and the breasts supported, vertically, by the sling-like support of the bottom of the L-shaped cup panels made of the nylon tubes. Most of the weight is thus supported by the rigid nylon tubes while some of the weight, in this embodiment, is supported, too, by the elastic neck piece, behind the wearer's neck or the straps themselves behind the neck. The cleavage edge 17 and the outside wall edges 19 of the cup panels provide the inside and outside, respectively, seamed edges to the bra. The torso or waist encircling band helps to hold the bra in vertical location and to further support the breasts in a relative vertical and horizontal position on the body. The breasts are thus primarily supported by the knit nylon, tubular cup panels 13a and 13b, when made rigid under the weight of the breasts with the remaining areas of the bra remaining sheer and soft. The side panels also are made rigid under the weight of the breasts and together with the elastic nylon tubes beneath the breasts provide substantial support to the wearer. Some weight is borne by the straps extending behind the neck. The elastic neck piece is connected to the straps at narrowed pieces 75a and 75b and 29a and 29b. The straps with the elastic neck piece of course provide some support for the halter style of the bra to hold the breasts upwardly and cooperate with the waist band 20.
(25) The side edges 19 extend slightly rearwardly, along the wearer's side, but not fully around to the back. Rather, the side panels upwardly extend into, narrow strips and form the pair of rear straps 25 and 27. The knit, tubular and nylon fabric is preferred because it is lightweight, can be tubularly formed from conventional nylon knitting machines, is elastic yet supportive, as it becomes quite rigid when under the weight of the above-located breasts. It is also inexpensive, easily washable, sheer when not weighted, can be formed of a variety of skin tones and colors, and is soft to the wearer's skin. The bra can be inexpensive enough to possibly even be disposable after a predetermined number of usages.
(26) The bra creates a sling-like support system for the breasts as the bottom of the breasts are supported from underneath and held upwardly by the rigidity of the elastic nylon under the weight of the breasts. In the halter version of the bar, the nylon extends upwardly and into continuous strips or straps of material which also help to carry the weight of the breasts so that some weight and support is provided by the neck. In all embodiments, the elastic nylon tubular material, when subjected to the weight of the breasts, becomes rigid and provides a sling like under-support for the breasts, allowing the same to remain in position and to look entirely natural. The breasts are seemingly supported in a fully natural and comfortable manner.
(27) The cup panels cover the breasts while the outward and slight rearward short panels are positioned at the outer edge of the breast to create structure and maintain the breasts in a forward position. This support is also provided by the tubular nylon material becoming rigid under the weight of the breasts, now from the side. In the preferred embodiment, as the outer panel is stressed or tightened by the holding of a breast, it becomes rigid, as is typical of knitted nylon tubing when pulled, and it is able to firmly yet comfortably reinforce the breasts' natural shape and forward position. The center of the inner cup panel forms a cup which expands when worn to make room for the breasts such that they can be held in their natural shape rather than being compressed. At the same time, segments and areas of the nylon tubing, the side panels, cup panels, are pulled, tightening and becoming rigid, the bra becomes quite supportive of the breasts, from below. The straps at the neck and the rear of the band around the waist help the support, in the halter version of the bra.
(28) The support straps continue from the side panels toward the neck where they are attached to a strap holding segment (called the elastic neck piece) for securing behind the neck of the wearer. A portion of support or halter straps may be, like the waist band, made of any strap material known and used in the industry. Alternatively the straps of one cup panel may join with the strap of the other cup panel directly, i.e., endlessly or without interruption, continuously, to create an integrated pair of (each of double thickness) strap segments located behind the neck, Yet, an integrated strap segment is not necessarily required and each strap segment can be separable into ends which mate and hold the same behind the wearer's neck.
(29) In a second embodiment, the present invention is also directed to a garment that may be constructed in a t-shirt bra style, which may include straps extending from the front panels or support cups over the user's shoulders to a back position of a band that surrounds the user's abdomen or torso or a back position of the garment.
(30) As previously described, the materials used to construct the garment of the second embodiment may include a soft, elastomeric or mechanical stretch material knit or sewn into a tube shape around a cylindrical form such as that of a tubular knit machine. A mechanical stretch material may also be woven or non-woven. The elastomeric or mechanical stretch material may include one or both of an elastomer and nylon. The types and relative proportions of the elastomer and nylon in the elastomeric or mechanical stretch material may be selected based on the desired degree of elasticity or stretch of the material.
(31) The second embodiment of a t-shirt bra-styled garment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6, in which a bra 110 includes a pair of front panels, namely first panel 113a and second panel 113b, and several integrally formed straps, namely first inner strap 123a, second inner strap 123b, first outer strap 125a, and second outer strap 125b. Each front panel and its integrally formed straps may be formed from the tube-shaped, elastomeric or mechanical stretch material disclosed herein. Preferably, each front panel and the pair of straps extending from and integrally formed therewith, e.g., first panel 113a, first inner strap 123a, and first outer strap 125a, may be formed from a single tube of the elastomeric or mechanical stretch material, thus forming a continuous piece that includes both the straps and the front panel. For each front panel and integrally formed straps, the tube of elastomeric or mechanical stretch material from which the panel and straps are formed is sewn so that the top portion of the panel leads continuously into two separate straps, e.g., panel 113a is adjacent and connected to both first inner strap 123a and first outer strap 125a at a top portion of first panel 113a, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
(32) Each front panel and integral straps may be formed from a tube of the elastomeric or mechanical stretch material. The tube-shaped material may be folded and sewn to form the front panel and integral straps. By forming each front panel and integral straps from a single tube of the elastomeric or mechanical stretch material, a double-layered panel and strap piece may be produced. The two front panels of a single garment or bra may be symmetrical, or may have different sizes or shapes.
(33) By forming each front panel and integral straps in this manner, the piece may have flat folded seamless edges, which means that there are no seams or stitching necessary or present on the free edges or peripheries of the front panels and straps. In alternative embodiments, however, these free edges or peripheries may be affixed to additional components, including but not limited to lace(s), trim(s), and other similar decorative features. In certain examples of this embodiment, the only required or desired stitching may be at central portions of the front panel and straps. As shown in FIG. 6, seams or darts 130 may be made in the interior portions of the front panels and straps, e.g., to assist in forming a U-shaped cradle-like structure that retains the user's breast.
(34) As shown in FIG. 6, for example, each of the front panels and integrally formed straps may also be affixed to a stretchable band 120 encircling the user's abdomen. The bottom edges of first panel 113a and second panel 113b may be affixed to a front side of band 120, while top edges of first inner strap 123a, second inner strap 123b, first outer strap 125a, and second outer strap 125b may be affixed to a back side of band 120. First inner strap 123a and first outer strap 125a may be affixed to band 120 at a different position from second inner strap 123b and second outer strap 125b. Alternatively, the stretchable band may be formed in a manner such that the band has a seam or is seamless. The garment or bra may be constructed such that the two panels attached to the band have a gap, meet or touch, or slightly overlap at the center of the garment or bra.
(35) The bottom edges of the panels and the top edges of the straps may be affixed to the band by sewing or bonding adhesive. The band may be any industry-acceptable band with stretch, such as one made of an elastic nylon fabric material, including but not limited to the elastomeric or mechanical stretch material described herein. The band may be made from a soft, elastomeric or mechanical stretch material, including a band knit or sewn into a tube shape around a cylindrical form such as that of a tubular or circular knit machine. While a band may be included in certain embodiments of the present invention, such as particular bras described herein, there are also embodiments of the present invention which do not include a band, such as a garment in which the front panels and straps are affixed to the garment at another location and not to a band. One such garment may be a body suit.
(36) Since the front panels and integral straps are formed from a continuous fabric, the garment or bra of this embodiment is capable of being significantly stretched and manipulated. When the user wears the garment or bra, i.e., when a breast is placed in a front panel, the front panel is stretched to fit and hold the breast in an extended position in which the elastomeric or mechanical stretch material becomes stretched and taut, including at a position under the breast, with the amount of stretching including but not limited to the maximum extent of stretch possible for the material. Accordingly, the garment or bra of the present invention is able to support the breast without requiring any underwires as in prior traditional or conventional bras.
(37) FIGS. 7A and 7B show one configuration of the embodiment of the bra of FIG. 6, in which a user wears bra 110 in a manner in which the pairs of straps are disposed on and over respective shoulders of the user, e.g., first inner strap 123a and first outer strap 125a are over the user's left shoulder and second inner strap 123b, and second outer strap 125b are over the user's right shoulder. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a ring may be disposed on each of the first and second sets of straps, e.g., first inner strap 123a/first outer strap 125a and second inner strap 123b/second outer strap 125b. The ring may be moved up and down the sets of straps to adjust the spacing between inner and outer straps. FIG. 8A shows a configuration in which the ring has been moved to a position close to where the front panel portions transition into the strap portions. Placing the rings in such a position keeps the inner and outer straps together or substantially together, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The closed or closable ring of this configuration may be made out of any industry-acceptable material, including but not limited to silicone.
(38) FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B illustrate various configurations in which straps have been adjusted, which is a result of the composition and arrangement of the bra as described herein. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the inner straps are crossed over the user's head, while the outer straps remain on respective shoulders. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, both the inner and outer straps are crossed over the user's head. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, one set of inner and outer straps are crossed over the user's head while the other set of inner and outer straps remain on the shoulder closest to the front panel with which they are integrally formed. In FIGS. 12A and 12B, the bra is shown worn in a traditional fashion except that one inner strap is crossed over the user's head. In FIGS. 13A and 13B, both sets of straps are crossed over the user's abdomen and do not rest on the user's shoulders.
(39) The foregoing are exemplary configurations highlighting the advantages of the construction and stretchable composition of the garment or bra of the present embodiment, particularly with respect to the straps integrally formed with the front panels. Moreover, while the garment or bra of the second embodiment is shown as configured in a t-shirt bra style, the materials, elements, and aspects described in this embodiment may also be applied equally to the halter-style bra of the first embodiment described herein.
(40) The garment or bra of this embodiment, as well as any other embodiment of the present invention, may be configured and produced in varying women's sizes. For certain sizes, an elasticized support material may be added to portions of the garment or bra, such as the straps. For example, for providing greater tensile strength, the support material may be a stretchable tape or stabilizer added to or sown into or next to the seams of the straps, or a fabric through a yarn, a tensioning element, or a different knitting construction integrated into the straps. The stretchable tape or stabilizer may be any industry-acceptable polymer-based stretchable tape or stabilizer.
(41) It may be advantageous to provide both waist bands and segments of the straps of the same or different materials and configurations to provide alternative bra options for various activities and preferences. The cup dimensions will vary by size and, yet, it will be appreciated that by use of the tubular nylon pieces, a single bra size is adaptable and capable of supporting a variety of breast sizes and geometries as the rigidity of the sling support beneath the breast is a function of the weight of the breasts. A medium size of the halter style of woman's bra, seen in FIG. 2, with the side cup panels, will be formed with the width of the tubes of nylon, roughly three and one-half to four inches tall, and the height (from strap segments to top of the waist band 20) should be about nine inches. The waist band should be about 25 inches in unstretched dimension. The waist band's front and middle section, which is not secured to the bottoms of the cup panels, is about three-quarters of an inch to an inch between the cups. The several pieces of the invention, at least the waist band and the combination breast support cup panels and segments of the halter straps, are sewn together by any means known and used in the industry. Other aspects of the invention including the cups, bands, and neck elastic may also include a silicone strip for securing the bra. The sides of the cups and the front center portions may have support knitting weaved in to the fabric to increase the strength of the bra and/or to provide decoration in those areas if a manufacturer so chooses.
(42) The embodiments and examples above are illustrative, and many variations can be introduced to them without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other and/or substituted with each other within the scope of this disclosure. The objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.
