DEVICE AND METHOD OF REMOVING A SPORTS BRA

Abstract

A method of removing a sports bra comprising inserting a sports bra removal device between a band of the sports bra and a torso of a wearer. The sports bra removal device is looped around the band. The method includes cinching the sports bra removal device around the band. The method includes doffing the sports bra from the wearer and removing the device from the sports bra.

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A sports bra removal device comprising: a body portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a ring coupled to the body at the first end, wherein said first end of said body portion is looped through said ring and secured to said body portion; a handle formed from the body at the second end opposite the ring; wherein the handle is insertable through the ring.

10. The sports bra removal device according to claim 9, wherein said ring comprises a material that resists bending and deformation formed into a ring shape.

11. The sports bra removal device according to claim 9, wherein said first end of said body is secured to said body portion by at least one of stitching, welding and riveting.

12. The sports bra removal device according to claim 9, wherein said body portion comprises a webbing material.

13. The sports bra removal device according to claim 9, wherein said ring comprises at least one surface feature configured for gripping said ring.

14. The sports bra removal device according to claim 13, wherein said at least one surface feature is selected from the group consisting of knurling, pebble, nub and over molding.

15. The sports bra removal device according to claim 9, wherein said handle is formed from said body portion being folded over onto itself and attaching said second end to said body portion proximate to the second end.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein said second end of said body is secured to said body portion by at least one of stitching, welding and riveting to form said handle.

17. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: a loop formation comprising said handle inserted through said ring, wherein said loop formation is configured to change size responsive to said ring sliding along said body portion.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said loop formation is configured to cinch over a portion of a garment.

19. The method according to claim 9, wherein said body portion comprises a braided structure.

20. The method according to claim 9, wherein said body portion comprises a woven structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary sports bra removal device.

[0017] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary sports bra removal device.

[0018] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a pair of exemplary sports bra removal devices looped over a sports bra on a wearer.

[0019] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a pair of exemplary sports bra removal devices looped over a sports bra on a wearer beginning to remove the sports bra.

[0020] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a pair of exemplary sports bra removal devices looped over a sports bra removed from a wearer.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a process chart of the inventive method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a sports bra removal device, or simply device 10. The removal device 10 comprises a body portion 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16 opposite the first end 14. The body 12 can be formed from any suitable material that provides both flexibility, good tensile strength, and a relatively soft texture. In an exemplary embodiment the body 12 material can be a strip of webbing made from nylon, polyester, polypropylene, LYCRA, silk, cotton, and the like. The body 12 is configured to bend, flex and loop without undue force. In alternative embodiments, rope, cordage, ribbon or flexible strap can be utilized. In a preferred embodiment, the body 12 can be formed from a length of webbing about 24 inches long and inch wide. It is contemplated that other dimensions can be utilized.

[0023] The removal device 10 includes a ring 18 coupled to the body 12 at the first end 14. The ring 18 can be attached by a variety of means. The ring 18 can comprise an O-shape design or a D-shape, a triangle and the like. The body 12 can be looped through and over the ring 18 and secured by stitching or welding or riveting and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the ring comprises a polished metal material formed into a ring shape. Brass, chrome plated steel, other metal alloys, plastic, wood, leather and other similarly durable materials can be employed. The ring 18 also possesses very good material strength to resist bending or deformation, and especially fracture. The ring 18 can have a smooth finish. In alternative embodiments the ring 18 can include surface features that improve gripping the ring, such as knurling, pebble, nubs and the like. An overmolding feature can also be incorporated into the ring to provide good tactile properties.

[0024] The removal device 10 includes a handle 20 formed from the body 12 at the second end 16 opposite the ring 18. The handle 20 can be formed, in an exemplary embodiment, from the body 12 being looped over, i.e., folded over onto itself and attaching the second end 16 portion of the body 12 proximate the end 16 to the body 12. The body 12 material can be stitched to maintain the handle 20. In alternative embodiments, the loop can be held fast by rivets, welding, stitching, and the like and any combination thereof. The attachment means, (stitching, welding, rivet) of the ring 18 and formation of the handle 20 is shown generally by numeral 22.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment, the body 12 can be formed by braiding or weaving multiple lanyards or core fibers such that the ring and handle are formed integrally to the body by weaving a loop at opposite ends of the body, or weaving the ring 18 into the braided body structure 12.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, the removal device is shown in a looped configuration. The second end 16 is passed through the ring 18 to form a loop formation 24. The ring 18 slides along the body portion 12 thereby changing the size of the loop formation 24. The loop formation 24 is employed to cinch over a garment, such as a sports bra 26, tank top, camisole, shape wear or the like.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, a pair of exemplary removal devices 10 are illustrated in use with the sports bra 26. The sports bra 26 is shown being worn by a wearer 28. The sports bra 26 fits over the upper torso of the wearer 28 as is common in the art. The sports bra 26 is generally constructed into a pair of support cups 30, a pair of shoulder straps 32, and a band 34 that forms a pair of arm holes 36 between the band and the shoulder straps 36. The band 34 is typically a wide portion of the sports bra that fits completely around the torso 38 of the wearer 28 below the arms. The band 34 is designed to be very snug in order to provide an anchoring support to the other portions of the sports bra 26.

[0028] The removal device 10 can be attached to the sports bra 26 proximate the band 34 on either side of the torso 36 of the wearer 28. Either the handle 20 or the ring 18 of the device 10 is inserted or slid between the sports bra 26 proximate the band 34 and the torso 36 portion of the wearer 28. The optimal location to insert the device 10 is through the arm holes 36 and around the band 34 proximate the arm holes 36. The handle 20 is then threaded through the ring 18 to form the loop formation 24 of the device 10. The method is repeated with another device 10 on the opposite side of the wearer 28 and sports bra 26 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0029] FIG. 4, illustrates a portion of the process of removing the sports bra 26. Removal of the sports bra 26 by use of a pair of removal devices 10 is done similarly to removing a tee-shirt. The wearer 28 reaches with a right hand 40 to grasp the device 10 attached proximate to the left arm 42. The wearer 28 grasps the handle 20 portion of the device 10. By grasping the handle 20 and extending the right arm 44 upward, overhead, the ring 18 cinches down along the body 12 and tightens over the band 34. For better illustration purposes, only a single hand is shown grasping the device 10. The wearer 28 also reaches over with the left hand 44 to the other device 10 and grasps the handle 20. The wearer 28 also extends the left arm 42 upward and overhead simultaneously with the right arm 46. The sports bra 26 band 34 is lifted up over the torso, breasts and shoulders and past the elbows as a result of the upward lifting motion of the arms 42, 46.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the wearer 28 in the latter stages of removal of the sports bra 26. As shown in FIG. 5, the sports bra 26 has been doffed from the torso 38 and merely remains encircled around the wrists 48 and hands 40, 44. The wearer 28 merely removes the sports bras 26 from the hands 40, 44 and releases the handles 20 of the device 10. The device 10 can be removed from the band 34 of the sports bra 26 by allowing the ring 18 to slide off of the body 12 toward the handle 20 past the second end 16 unlooping the loop formation 24.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, only one device 10 can be utilized to remove one side of the sports bra 26 at a time. With the process repeated for the other side where the sports bra 26 has not yet been doffed.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, a process diagram of the method of removal is shown. The first step 50 includes inserting the device 12 at one end 14 or 16 between the wearer's side and the band 34 proximate the arm hole 36. The next step 52 includes looping the device 12 by inserting the second end 16 (handle 20) through the ring 18. After looping 52, the device 12 the next step 54 is cinching the device around the band 34 of the sports bra 26. The ring 18 is moved along the body 12 away from the handle 20 tightening the loop formation 24 about the band 34. The wearer 28 can now perform the next step 56, doffing the sports bra 26. Doffing 56 includes firmly grasping each device 12 with each hand on an opposite side of the torso 38. That is, the right hand 40 grasps the device 12 below the left arm 42. The left hand 44 grasps the other device 12 below the right arm 46. The wearer 28 raises and extends both arms 42, 46 overhead. The sports bra 26 is pulled off the torso and slides out over the shoulders and elbows to the wrists 48 and hands 40, 44. The final step 58 includes removing the devices 12 from the sports bra 26. The devices 12 are manipulated to allow the loop formation 24 to un-cinch, so that the ring 18 slides along the body 12 toward the second end 16 and past the handle 20.

[0033] The sports bra removal device 10 is reusable. The device 10 is easily manipulated. The device 10 can be easily manufactured. The device 10 enables the wearer 28 the freedom to remove the sports bra 26 with ease and avoids the hassle of trying to remove the tight fitting garment without the aid of the device 10.

[0034] There has been provided a device for the removal of a sports bra and method of removal. While the sports bra removal device has been described in the context of specific embodiments thereof, other unforeseen alternatives, modifications, and variations may become apparent to those skilled in the art having read the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace those alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.