SPORTS BRA WITH IMPACT PADDING

Abstract

An impact resistant unitary brassiere includes a first fabric layer coupled to a second fabric layer and an impact force absorbing pad embedded between the fabric layers. The pad rests in use over a wearer's bony regions. The bony regions may include a clavicle, a thoracic vertebra, or both. The bra may be worn daily by itself or under a shirt to support the clavicle and thoracic spinal and to prevent injuries during any type of physical activity such as may be caused by barbell impact.

Claims

1. An impact resistant unitary brassiere comprising: a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer coupled to the first fabric layer, and an impact force absorbing pad embedded therebetween, wherein the impact force absorbing pad is configured to rest in use over at least one of a wearer's bony regions selected from the group consisting of a clavicle, a thoracic vertebra, and a combination thereof.

2. The impact resistant unitary brassiere of claim 1, wherein the impact force absorbing pad contains a natural rubber or a synthetic rubber and has a thickness of about 3 mm to about 13 millimeters.

3. The impact resistant unitary brassiere of claim 1, wherein the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer are configured to form a high back neckline and the impact force absorbing pad is configured to rest in use over at least one thoracic vertebra of the wearer's spine.

4. The impact resistant unitary brassiere of claim 1, wherein the impact force absorbing pad has components configured to rest in use over the wearer's clavicles and thoracic vertebrae of the wearer's spine.

5. The impact resistant unitary brassiere of claim 1, wherein the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer are configured to form a high neckline and the impact force absorbing pad is configured to rest in use over at least one of the wearer's clavicles.

6. The impact resistant unitary brassiere of claim 5, wherein the impact force absorbing pad has two components, each of which is configured to rest in use over one of the wearer's clavicles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a sports bra according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of a sports bra according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a rear view thereof;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a front view of a sports bra according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a rear view thereof;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a front view of a sports bra according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 9 is a rear view thereof;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0018] As used herein the term “high neckline” refers to a garment having a border configured to rest at the juncture between the neck and the top of the collarbone and the term “high back neckline” refers to a garment having a border configured to rest at the nape of the neck.

[0019] Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is an impact resistant unitary sports brassiere with a layer of impact force absorbent padding secured between an inner layer and an outer layer of the sports bra at the wearer's bony regions, including the clavicle region and/or at the thoracic vertebrae of the spine region to provide impact protection. The sports bra will also provide breast support.

[0020] The inventive sports bra may be made according to the following method. A person may make a high neckline (for clavicle) or a high back neckline (for thoracic spine) sports bra, inserting one or more impact pad components between the inner and outer fabric layers of the bra. To provide coverage and support to the two (right and left) clavicle bones, two impact pads (one on each side), for example about 8 millimeters (mm) in thickness, may be securely sewn in the upper front of the sports bra in between two layers of the sports bra to prevent movement of the impact padding within the bra over multiple uses and washes. To provide support to the thoracic part of the spine, one impact pad, for example about 8 mm thick, may be securely sewn in the upper back of the sports bra in between two layers of the sports bra to prevent movement of the impact padding during multiple uses and washes.

[0021] The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited. The fabric of the sports bra may be any breathable active material, such as nylon, and any suitable breast support padding. The impact padding may be made of a natural rubber and/or a synthetic rubber, such as guayule, neoprene, or a combination thereof. The impact padding may have a range of shapes, such as a substantially crescent shape to protect a clavicle and a substantially rectangular shape to protect the spine.

[0022] The inventive sports bra with impact padding may be used as follows. A user may wear the sports bra by itself or under a shirt to support/prevent clavicle and/or thoracic spinal injuries with barbell activities or during any type of physical activity. The sports bra may also be worn during daily activities.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, sports bras 10, 22, 28, 34 according to several embodiments of the present invention comprising fabric 16 are shown in use on a wearer 18. Each bra 10, 22, 28, 34 has a front padding component 12, 24, 30, 36 and a rear padding 14, 26, 32, 38 component embedded in the fabric 16, positioned to protect the wearer 18 from clavicle or spinal injury upon weight impact.

[0024] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.