BRA SIZE MEASURING DEVICE

Abstract

A measuring device for determining the bra size of a user is disclosed. The device has a first (middle) band (100) for fitting around the user's bust to determine cup size, a second (lower) band (200) for fitting around the user's torso below the bust for determining band size, and a third (upper) band (300) for securing the device in position during measurement. The device also includes a panel (400) which is separable into two panel parts (410, 420) by means of a zipper (430). The first band is provided with cup size indicia (113) and the second band is provided with band size indicia (223). The second band (200) is configured to indicate the user's band size on the band size indicia (223), and the first and second bands (100, 200) are employed to determine the user's cup size on the cup size indicia (113). The panel parts (410, 420) can be separated after measurement so that the device can be removed by a user while still displaying the measurements. The band and cup size indicia may comprise any type of scale or units, depending on the sizing system employed.

Claims

1. A measuring device for determining the bra size of a user, comprising: a first band and a second band, and a panel which is separable into two panel parts, wherein each band comprises first and second separable band parts, each band part having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends are attached to different parts of the panel and wherein attachment means are provided to releasably attach the second ends in overlapping relation to form a complete loop of variable length around the user's torso when the panel parts are connected; wherein the first band is provided with cup size indicia and the second band is provided with band size indicia; wherein the device has a pre-measurement configuration in which the panel parts are connected and the second ends of each respective band are separated such that the band parts extend from each panel part in opposing directions; wherein the device has a measurement configuration in which the second ends of each band are attached to form complete loops around the user's torso, the first band is configured to form a loop fitting around the user's bust and the second band is configured to form a loop above or below the user's bust fitting around the user's torso; and wherein the device has a post-measurement configuration in which the second ends of each band remain attached and the panel is separated into two parts such that the device can be removed from the user, and in which the second band is configured to indicate the user's band size on the band size indicia, and the first and second bands are employed to determine the user's cup size on the cup size indicia.

2. The measuring device of claim 1, further comprising a third band which is configured to form a loop below or above the user's bust to secure the device in position.

3. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein the second ends of the first band parts are configured to overlie the second band parts in the measurement and post-measurement configurations.

4. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein the cup size indicia are located on an exterior surface of the first part of the first band.

5. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein a cup size marker is provided on the second band, which is preferably located on an exterior surface of the first part of the second band.

6. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein one or more cup size markers are provided on the second band, preferably adjacent to the band size indicia

7. The measuring device of claim 6, wherein the cup size indicia and the one or more cup size marker are configured to lie adjacent to each other in the post-measurement configuration.

8. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein the band size indicia are located on an exterior surface of the second part of the second band.

9. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein the band size indicia are located on an exterior surface of an extension panel depending from the second part of the second band.

10. The measuring device of claim 1, further including a band size marker to indicate the user's band size on the band size indicia on the second band.

11. The measuring device of claim 10, wherein the band size marker is located on an exterior surface of the first part of the second band.

12. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein the second parts of the bands and the second ends of the first parts of the bands are laid flat in the post-measurement configuration to determine the user's band cup size.

13. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein additional size indicia are provided on the first, second or third bands.

14. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein the band attachment means comprises a hook-and-loop attachment system.

15. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein the panel is separable into two panel parts by means of a zipper.

16. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the bands are provided with attachment means on their exterior surfaces for the attachment of one or more additional markers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the outside of a measuring device in accordance with a first embodiment, in a pre-measurement configuration;

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the inside of the measuring device of FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of the measuring device of FIG. 1 in a measurement configuration;

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the measuring device of FIG. 1 in a measurement configuration;

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the measuring device of FIG. 1 in a post-measurement configuration;

[0051] FIG. 6 shows an enlargement of FIG. 5 showing the scales in more detail;

[0052] FIG. 7 shows an enlargement of the scales of a measuring device in accordance with a second embodiment in a post-measurement configuration; and

[0053] FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of a measuring device in accordance with a third embodiment in a measurement configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054] A first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bra size measuring device 10 is shown in a pre-measurement configuration.

[0055] Measuring device 10 comprises first (middle) band 100, second (lower) band 200, third (upper) band 300 and panel 400. As described below, each band is formed from two elongate strips of material which are each permanently attached to the panel 400 at one end and are releasably attachable together at the other ends in overlapping relation to form a complete loop of variable length around the user's torso.

[0056] Panel 400 is formed from a first panel part 410 and a second panel part 420 which are separable by a zipper 430. The panel parts are generally rectangular and when attached for a generally rectangular or square panel 400.

[0057] First band 100 comprises first band part 110 and second band part 120 which are attachable to form a first loop. First band part 110 has a first end 111 which is permanently attached to the first panel part 410 and a second end 112. Second end 112 is provided with an alphabetical cup size scale 113 on the outside (FIG. 1) and two strips 114 of hook-and loop material on the inside (FIG. 2). Second band part 120 has a first end 121 which is permanently attached to the second panel part 420 and a second end 122. Two strips 123 of hook-and loop material are provided on the outside, along the length of the second band part 120 (FIG. 1).

[0058] Second band 200 comprises first band part 210 and second band part 220 which are attachable to form a second loop. First band part 210 has a first end 211 which is permanently attached to the first panel part 410 and a second end 212. Second end 212 is provided with a band size marker 213 and a cup size marker 214 on the outside (FIG. 1) and a strip 215 of hook-and loop material on the inside (FIG. 2). Second band part 220 has a first end 221 which is permanently attached to the second panel part 420 and a second end 222. A band size scale 223 (in this embodiment, showing band number) is provided on the outside of second band part 220. Each band number represents a range of actual band sizes. The centre of the range for the indicated band number may be specified for reading off cup size, and therefore as an alternative to cup size marker 214 on the first band part 210, cup size markers 224 indicating the centre of each band number range may be provided (see FIG. 1 enlargement). A strip 225 of hook-and loop material is also provided on the outside of second band part 220, along the length of the second band part 220 (FIG. 1).

[0059] Third band 300 comprises first band part 310 and second band part 320 which are attachable to form a third loop. First band part 310 has a first end 311 which is permanently attached to the first panel part 410 and a second end 312. Second end 312 is provided with a strip 313 of hook-and loop material on the inside (FIG. 2). Second band part 320 has a first end 321 which is permanently attached to the second panel part 420 and a second end 322. A strip 323 of hook-and loop material is also provided on the outside, along the length of the second band part 320 (FIG. 1)

[0060] Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, the bra size measuring device 10 is shown in a measurement configuration in position on a user's torso 11 and about the user's bust 12. The device 10, in the pre-measurement configuration with the panel parts 410 and 420 attached and the second ends of all band parts unattached, is taken and placed in position with the panel 400 at the user's back. The second ends of the third (upper) band 300 are attached by means of the hook-and-loop strips 313 and 323 around the front of the user first to form a loop around the user, above the bust 12, to secure the device in position.

[0061] Next, the second ends of the second (lower) band 200 are attached by means of the hook-and-loop strips 215 and 225 to form a loop around the user, just below the bust 12. This loop will indicate the user's band size. Finally, the second ends of the first (middle) band 100 are attached by means of the hook-and-loop strips 114 and 123 to form a loop around the user, around the fullest part of the bust 12. This loop will be used to indicate the user's cup size in combination with the second band. The order of attachment of the first and second bands may be reversed.

[0062] In this configuration, the device is then removed from the user's torso by undoing zipper 430 to separate the panel 400 into two parts 410 and 420. The panel 400 may be swivelled around to the front for easier separation.

[0063] The device 10 is now in the post-measurement configuration as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 6 shows an enlargement of the scales of FIG. 5 for clarity.

[0064] The measurements can be read from the device by laying the device on a surface and ensuring that the section from the second panel part 420 up to the scales is laid flat (shown by arrow A). Because the loops formed by the bands will be of different lengths, the other end of the device will be “rucked up” as shown.

[0065] The user's band size (band number) is read from the second band 200, where indicated on the band size scale 223 by the band size marker 213. The user's cup size (alphabetical) is read from a combination of the first band 100 and second band 200, where indicated on the cup size scale 113 on the first band 100 by the cup size marker 214 on the second band 200. The resulting measurement in this example is 36B.

[0066] In this example, the user's actual band size is in the centre of the range for band number 36. Therefore, if the centre of the range for the indicated band number is specified for reading off cup size, the user's cup size can be read off directly at this point using the cup size marker 214 (or the location of the end 212 of the first band part 210 if no cup size marker 214 is provided). If the user's actual band size is not in the centre of the range for a band number, instructions may specify that the centre of the indicated band number range should be used to read off the cup size. The cup size marker 214 may be repositioned to the centre of the band number for this. Alternatively, as mentioned above, cup size markers 224 (FIGS. 1 and 7) in the centre of each band number range may be provided to facilitate this determination.

[0067] FIG. 7 shows an enlargement of the scales of a measuring device in accordance with a second embodiment in a post-measurement configuration. The only significant difference compared to the first embodiment is the provision of additional band size scales for increased accuracy of measurement. The device is used in the same manner as described for the first embodiment.

[0068] First band 100 is provided with a band size scale 124 (in centimetres) on the outside of second band part 120, which replaces one of the hook-and-loop strips 123.

[0069] With reference to second band 200, band size scale 223 is shown in centimetres in this embodiment and a second band size scale 226 in band number is provided on the exterior surface of extension panel 227 adjacent to depending from the second part 220 of the second band 200. The band size can therefore be indicated in different units/scales or systems.

[0070] Third band 300 is provided with a band size scale 324 (in centimetres) on the outside of second band part 320.

[0071] FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of a measuring device in accordance with a third embodiment in a measurement configuration. This device is a modification of the second embodiment described above and includes markers for providing additional measurements. In this embodiment, a pair of edge markers 13 in the form of “sticks” are located at the edges of the user's bust 12, for measuring bust width (to give a measurement for the width of the bra frame). A tape measure may be used to determine the distance between the markers 13. A central marker or scale 14 is also shown, which is attached between the second and third bands 200, 300, underneath the first band 100, and indicates a vertical distance between the bands to give a measurement for the diameter of the cups.

[0072] The markers 13 and 14 and the exterior surfaces of the bands may be provided with a hook-and-loop attachment system, which may include utilisation of the existing hook-and-loop strips referred to above, to enable the markers to be fixed in position.