Bra with a reversible effect of bringing the breasts closer together

Abstract

A bra with a reversible effect of bringing the breasts closer together includes two cups linked together by a bridge portion and an adjustment device for adjusting the distance between the cups located at the bridge portion. The adjustment device includes a first fastening element and a second fastening element arranged on either side of the bridge portion and movable relative to each other between a coupled position in which the two cups are brought closer together and an uncoupled position in which the two cups are moved apart.

Claims

1. A bra comprising: two cups linked together on inner sides of the two cups by a bridge portion and comprising means for adjusting a distance between the two cups located at the bridge portion and selectively reducing or extending the distance between the two cups, with said adjustment means comprising reversible fastening means for fastening the two cups together, wherein said reversible fastening means include a first fastening element and a second fastening element arranged on either side of the bridge portion, the first fastening element and the second fastening element being movable with respect to each other between a coupling position in which the two cups are brought closer together and an uncoupling position in which the two cups are moved apart, as a result of a pressure (F) on a side portion of the two cups opposite the bridge portion in a direction of the bridge portion; and a guiding device comprising a plate for moving at least one of the first fastening element or the second fastening element when applying said pressure (F), where the guiding device delimits a guiding path between the first fastening element and the second fastening element in which at least one of the first fastening element or the second fastening element is engaged during a movement of the first fastening element and the second fastening element toward the coupling position.

2. The bra according to claim 1, wherein the guiding device includes a positive guiding slope progressing between the first fastening element and the second fastening element that define the guiding path required to ensure a guided coupling of the two fastening elements.

3. The bra according to claim 1, comprising a securing means to secure at least one of the first fastening element or the second fastening element on the guiding path during the movement of the first fastening element and second fastening element toward the coupling position.

4. The bra according to claim 3, wherein said securing means include a magnet located opposite at least one of the first fastening element or the second fastening element with respect to the guiding path.

5. The bra according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening element includes a guided hook and the second fastening element includes a guiding eyelet, the guiding device being assembled with the guiding eyelet, with the guiding path receiving the guided hook.

6. The bra according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening element and the second fastening element are arranged on an internal or external face of the two cups.

7. The bra according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening element and the second fastening element are arranged between the cups at rigid wires inserted in the bra at a bottom periphery of the cups.

8. The bra according to claim 1, wherein the bridge portion includes an extension limiting device arranged between the two cups, the extension limiting device and the means for adjusting the distance between the cups adapted to limit a maximum gap between the two cups in the uncoupling position of the first fastening element and the second fastening element.

9. The bra according to claim 8, wherein the extension limiting device includes at least an elastic textile piece for which the elasticity limit permits defining the maximum gap between of the cups.

10. A bra comprising: two cups linked together on inner sides of the two cups by a bridge portion and comprising an adjustment device configured to adjust a distance between the two cups located at the bridge portion and selectively reduce or extend the distance between the cups, the adjustment device comprising a first fastening element and a second fastening element arranged on either side of the bridge portion and configured to fasten the two cups together, wherein the first fastening element and the second fastening element are movable with respect to each other between a coupling position in which the two cups are brought closer together and an uncoupling position in which the two cups are moved apart, as a result of a pressure (F) on a side portion of the two cups opposite the bridge portion in a direction of the bridge portion; and a guiding device comprising a plate for moving at least one of the first fastening element or the second fastening element when applying said pressure (F), where the guiding device delimits a guiding path between the first fastening element and the second fastening element in which at least one of the first fastening element or the second fastening element is engaged during a movement of the first fastening element and the second fastening element towards the coupling position.

11. The bra according to claim 10, wherein the guiding device includes a positive guiding slope progressing between the first fastening element and the second fastening element that define the guiding path required to ensure a guided coupling of the first fastening element and the second fastening element.

12. The bra according to claim 10, comprising a securing device configured to secure at least one of the first fastening element or the second fastening element on the guiding path during the movement of the first fastening element and the second fastening element toward the coupling position.

13. The bra according to claim 12, wherein said securing device includes a magnet located opposite at least one of the first fastening element or the second fastening element with respect to the guiding path.

14. The bra according to claim 13, wherein the first fastening element includes a guided hook and the second fastening element comprises a guiding eyelet, where the guiding device is assembled with the guiding eyelet, and the guiding path configured to receive the guided hook.

15. The bra according to claim 14, wherein the bridge portion includes an extension limiting device arranged between the cups, the extension limiting device and the adjustment device adapted to limit a maximum gap between the two cups in the uncoupling position of the first fastening element and the second fastening element.

16. The bra according to claim 15, wherein the extension limiting device includes at least an elastic textile piece for which the elasticity limit permits defining the maximum gap between of the cups.

17. The bra according to claim 10, wherein the first fastening element includes a guided hook, and the second fastening element comprises a guiding eyelet.

18. The bra according to claim 10, wherein the first fastening element includes a guided hook and the second fastening element comprises a guiding eyelet, where the guiding device is assembled with the guiding eyelet, and the guiding path configured to receive the guided hook.

19. The bra according to claim 10, wherein the first fastening element and the second fastening element are arranged on an internal or external face of the cups.

20. The bra according to claim 10, wherein the first fastening element and the second fastening element are arranged between the cups at rigid wires inserted in the bra at a bottom periphery of the cups.

21. The bra according to claim 10, wherein the bridge portion includes an extension limiting device arranged between the cups, the extension limiting device and the adjustment device adapted to limit a maximum gap between the two cups in the uncoupling position of the first fastening element and the second fastening element.

22. The bra according to claim 21, wherein the extension limiting device includes at least an elastic textile piece for which the elasticity limit permits defining the maximum gap between of the cups.

23. The bra according to claim 21, wherein the extension limiting device forms a sheath of elastic fabric that extends between the cups and surrounds the adjustment device.

24. The bra according to claim 10, comprising a plate forming support for the guiding device having a guiding surface with a positive slope.

25. The bra according to claim 24, wherein the first fastening element is an eyelet, and the plate and the eyelet are located in substantially parallel planes.

26. The bra according to claim 24, wherein the first fastening element is an eyelet, and the eyelet is inclined toward the plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other features and advantages of the disclosure will surface upon reading the description below of a specific method of embodiment of the disclosure, given for information but not for limiting purposes, with reference to the attached drawings where:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a bra as per the disclosure showing the two cups in a separated position;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a bra as per the disclosure showing the two cups brought closer together;

(4) FIGS. 3 to 5 are detailed schematic sectional views as per plane P of the means for adjusting the distance between the cups according to a preferred method of embodiment of the disclosure, respectively in a position of uncoupling of the fastening elements, in a position of moving the fastening elements towards each other, towards their fastening position and in the coupling position of the fastening elements;

(5) FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view as per plane P showing a variant of embodiment of the means for adjusting the distance between the cups.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) Bra 1 of the disclosure includes two cups, respectively a left cup 2 and a right cup 3, showing a classic concave shape on the side of their internal face turned towards the skin (substantially and partially hemispheric). Cups 2 and 3 are generally linked together on their inner side 21, 31 by a short bridge portion 4 substantially in the extension of the bottom periphery 20, 30 of each cup 2, 3. As per the disclosure, the bridge portion is arranged to receive means 5 for adjusting the distance between the cups for generating an effect that brings the breasts closer together, as will be seen in greater detail below. The bottom periphery 20, 30 of each cup 2, 3 pulls up laterally so that a lateral portion 22, 32 on the outside of cups 2, 3 opposite the bridge portion 4 with respect to the cups is linked to arms not shown forming flat parts on the back of bra 1, which end in fasteners that permit closing the back of the bra. In addition, straps 6 tie the top of cups 2, 4 on the outside, to the flat parts on the back.

(7) The means 5 for adjusting the distance between the cups include reversible fastening means, shown schematically on FIGS. 1 and 2 that include a first fastening element 51 and a second fastening element 52, located on both sides of the bridge portion 4, and consisting for instance of a hook 51 located on one of the cups, for instance the right cup 3 and of an eyelet 52 located on the other left cup 2, opposite the hook 51.

(8) Hook 51 and eyelet 52 are intended to be coupled reversibly, so that in their coupling position they bring the two cups 2 and 3 closer together to generate a cleavage effect. As per the disclosure, hook 51 and eyelet 52 can be moved one with respect to the other from their uncoupling position (see FIG. 1) towards their coupling position (see FIG. 2) and inversely, as a result of a lateral pressure F applied manually at the side portion 22, 32 of cups 2, 3 essentially in the direction of the bridge portion 4 on either side of which are arranged hook 51 and eyelet 52. As a result, the cleavage effect is made adjustable by a simple tightening of the arms by the person wearing the bra, or else, by simply pressing the user's hands on the side of the breasts, in order to produce said lateral pressure F on cups 2, 3 of the bra.

(9) More specifically, as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, hook 51 and eyelet 52 may be located between the cups at the rigid reinforcement wires that may be inserted in an edge at the bottom periphery 20, 30 of cups 2, 3. Such an arrangement will permit generating a satisfactory though light cleavage effect, to the extent that the bringing together of the wires will then be limited by the space occupied by the fastening elements in their coupling position.

(10) As a variant, hook 51 and eyelet 52 can be located on the internal or external face of cups 2, 3, at a certain distance from their periphery. As such, in their coupling position they will permit generation of a more pronounced cleavage effect by the fact that the distance between the cups can then be reduced as much as possible.

(11) Whatever the arrangement of fastening elements 51, 52 of the hook/eyelet type of means 5 for adjusting the distance between the cups, their arrangement will now be described in greater detail, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 that show means 5 for adjusting the distance between the cups as a sectional view according to plane P of FIG. 1, as per a first method of embodiment.

(12) Consequently, means 5 for adjusting the distance between cups preferably includes a guiding device 53 for moving hook 51, capable of guiding the latter towards eyelet 52, following the lateral pressure F leading to the movement of hook 51 and eyelet 52 towards their coupling position. Guiding device 53 represents at the same time a support for eyelet 52 with which it is to be assembled. To do so, it includes a plate forming support 530 having an inclined flank 531 with a positive slope in the direction of movement of hook 51 towards its coupling position with eyelet 52 and for which the free end is extended by eyelet 52, which is secured to it by one of its edges, so that eyelet 52 and the plate forming support 530 are preferably located in substantially parallel planes. Mention will be made subsequently of guided hook 51 and guiding eyelet 52.

(13) By forming a positive slope progressing between guided hook 51 and guiding eyelet 52, inclined flank 531 of guiding device 53 consequently delimits a guiding path between guided hook 51 and guiding eyelet 52, capable of receiving guided hook 51 to operate the translation of the latter according to the direction of the slope towards guiding eyelet 52 for coupling, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(14) In addition, a guiding magnet 54 may beneficially be arranged opposite guided hook 51 with respect to inclined flank 531 that forms the guiding path of guiding device 53, so as to be in a position to attract guided hook 51, beneficially metal in nature, and consequently to secure it towards and along guiding path 531 when the lateral pressure F is applied to bring about the coupling between guided hook 51 and guiding eyelet 52. Magnet 54 is preferably incorporated in guiding device 53 and according to the example shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, magnet 54 is located on a higher surface of the plate forming support 530, substantially at the foot of inclined flank 531 of guiding device 53.

(15) According to another method of embodiment shown in FIG. 6, eyelet 52 is inclined towards plate forming support 530 and guiding magnet 54 is offset on the edge of eyelet 52 opposite the one mounted on the free end of guiding path 531.

(16) Magnet 54 used must preferably produce a magnetic field that does not exceed the sensitivity threshold of the cardiac stimulation devices that may be carried by a user, typically 1 mT, so that the bra as per the disclosure may be used safely under these specific circumstances.

(17) Consequently, guiding device 53, in combination with the guiding magnet 54 action, enables guided hook 51 to couple inevitably with guiding eyelet 52 when guided hook 51 and guided eyelet 52 are induced to move towards their coupling position under the effect of the lateral pressure F. In this case, guiding device 53 will beneficially be made of a plastic material so as not to generate any interference between magnet 54 and guided hook 51, which may reduce the effectiveness of fastening.

(18) A magnetic insulating strip 55 may be beneficially used to cover the bottom surface of the plate forming support 530 of guiding device 53, under magnet 54, so as to prevent any attraction of guided hook 51 by the magnet in a direction other than the one leading to guiding eyelet 52 via guiding path 531.

(19) Beneficially, bridge portion 4 is provided with an extension limiting device designed to work together with means 5 for adjusting the distance between the cups, so as to limit the maximum gap between cups 2,3 in the uncoupling position of guided hook 51 and guiding eyelet 52.

(20) Consequently, the extension limiting device can include a textile part 56 in the form of strip that is preferably plastic, positioned between the cups to which it is secured by its ends and preferably located frontally with respect to means 5 for adjusting the distance between the cups, thus masking the latter. The elastic fabric strip is designed to work with means 5 for adjusting the distance between the cups so as to limit the maximum gap between the cups in the uncoupling position of guided hook 51 and guiding eyelet 52, with maximum stretching of the fabric when these fastening elements are uncoupled, thus defining the gap limit between cups 2, 3. One shall beneficially select an elastic warp and weft fabric with limited stretch, preferably in the range of 50 to 250% and relatively nervous. In addition, elasticity shall be unilateral so that the fabric does not roll back upon onto itself when stretched.

(21) The extension limiting device can also be designed to form a sheath, preferably in elastic fabric that extends between the cups and surrounds means 5 for adjusting the distance between the cups, which are consequently inserted in this sheath. The latter shall not only permit hiding means 5 for adjusting in full the distance between the cups, but also permit forming a protective cover for the user against possible irritation and/or rubbing. In addition, the sheath also plays a role of extension limiter in order to limit or control the maximum gap between the cups in the uncoupling position of fastening elements 51, 52. For that purpose, the sheath is made of an elastic fabric having the same features as those mentioned above, namely, a warp and weft fabric with limited stretching, preferably in the range of 50 to 250% and relatively nervous. Elasticity shall in addition be unilateral so that the fabric does not roll back onto itself when stretched. Consequently, the maximum gap of the cups will be limited by the maximum stretching ability of the fabric forming the sheath when fastening elements 51, 52 are uncoupled.