Foundation garments – Breast or chest – e.g. – brassieres
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-10
2001-09-25
Hale, Gloria M. (Department: 3765)
Foundation garments
Breast or chest, e.g., brassieres
C450S088000, C450S086000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293844
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to brassieres and more specifically to new features that improve comfort of wear.
2. Background
It is desirable to construct a brassiere that does not include a ribcage-encircling band or other features that constrict and bind the wearer causing discomfort.
The following U.S. patents disclose brassieres:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,432, entitled
Protective and Supportive Brassiere
, to Moy Au et al., issued Sept. 14, 1993 discloses a brassiere having shock absorbing cups and a body band. 1982 discloses a brassiere consisting of a wide, circular, elastic rib band, at least one front panel and at least one side panel of material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,157, entitled
Counterweighted Brassiere for Athletic Use
, to Clark et al., issued Sep. 2, 1980 discloses a brassiere that uses suspended weights to lift breast cups. U.S. Pat. No. 3,465,754, entitled
Brassiere
, to Lockwood et al., issued Sept. 9, 1969 discloses a brassiere that has no direct frontal connection between breast cups. U.S. Pat. No. 3,291,132, entitled
Self-Positioning Brassiere
, to Puliafico, issued Dec. 13, 1966 discloses a brassiere having a pair of cups, back bands, tape-like members and triangular connecting members for each cup that connect three individual bands. U.S. Pat. No. 3,186,412, entitled
Brassiere with Elastic Support Tapes
, to Kurland, issued Jun. 1, 1965 discloses a brassiere having a pair of body encircling bands, each connected along an outer perimeter of a breast cup. U.S. Pat. No. 3,112,750, entitled
Garment Having Adjustable Plastic Buckle
, to Jonas, issued Dec. 3, 1963 discloses a brassiere having an adjustable plastic bucket positioned at the top of each breast cup. U.S. Pat. No. 3,071,140, entitled
Brassiere
, to Adler, issued Jan. 1, 1963 discloses a brassiere having two straps, a strap extending from the outer side of each cup, having converging edges; the straps cross at a non-adjustable, fixed position on the wearer's back. U.S. Pat. No. 3,027,898, entitled
Self-Adjusting Posture Improvement Attachment for Brassieres
, to Williams, issued Apr. 3, 1962 discloses a posture improvement attachment for a brassiere. U.S. Pat. No. 2,753,563, entitled
Brassiere
, to Blitch, issued Jul. 10, 1956 discloses a brassiere having a pair of bands, each band having a semi-circular opening in the upper edge thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 2,455,036, entitled
Brassiere
, to Boylan, issued Nov. 30, 1948 discloses a brassiere having a circular shaped connector for free sliding of two back-crossing straps during wear. U.S. Pat. No. 2,118,378, entitled
Suspension Strap
, to Graham, issued May 24, 1938 discloses a shoulder strap suspension for garments having a fixed back-crossing connection. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 358,247, entitled
Brassiere
, to Nishiba, issued May 16, 1995 discloses a brassiere having straps that do not cross on the wearer's backside.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION)
The present invention comprises a brassiere comprising at least one strap and two breast cups. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises one strap comprising a two-loop figure eight pattern wherein each loop comprises an outer circumference and an inner circumference adjacent to a point where the strap crosses itself and where the wearer's arms are inserted one through each loop of the figure eight pattern and two breast cups wherein each breast cup comprises an outer perimeter and wherein each of the breast cup outer perimeters are attached to the strap at a position along the loop outer circumference and/or the loop inner circumference. In this embodiment, the brassiere optionally comprises fasteners, underwires, connectors and/or adjustors. In this embodiment, the brassiere optionally comprises at least one interruption of the strap and bridging of the at least one interruption by at least one connector. This embodiment optionally further comprises two additional straps attached along the outer perimeter of the breast cups.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises two breast cups where each breast cup comprises an outer perimeter and two straps wherein each strap attaches along an outer perimeter of a breast cup, extends over a shoulder of the wearer, crosses the other strap at a point on the backside of the wearer, passes under the arm of the wearer, and attaches to a point along the outer perimeter of the other breast cup. This embodiment optionally comprises fasteners, underwires, connectors and/or adjustors. This embodiment optionally comprises at least one interruption of at least one of the straps and bridging of the at least one interruption by at least one connector.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises two breast cups where each breast cup comprises an outer perimeter and two straps where each strap attaches along an outer perimeter of a breast cup, extends over a shoulder of the wearer, crosses the other strap at a point on the backside of the wearer, passes under the arm of the wearer, and attaches to the other strap at a point adjacent to the outer perimeter of the other breast cup. This embodiment optionally comprises fasteners, underwires, connectors and/or adjustors. This embodiment optionally comprises at least one interruption of at least one of the straps and bridging of the at least one interruption by at least one connector.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises two breast cups, straps where the straps form an “X” pattern across the wearer's backside where the “X” pattern comprises internal angles, and a connector for wearer selection of and/or adjustment of and fixing of the internal angles of the “X” pattern. According to this embodiment, the connector is adjustable, selectable, and/or fixable by the wearer. According to the present invention, a brassiere comprising at least one connector that provides for a selectable and/or adjustable and fixable “X” pattern also provides for increased wearer comfort. According to the present invention, such connectors comprise, for example, natural, synthetic, and/or natural and synthetic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the connector comprises a mechanism, such as a snap, that allows for user adjustment and/or selection and fixation of “X” pattern and/or “X” intersection internal angles. In an alternative embodiment, the connector comprises a piece of material comprising an “X” pattern and/or “X” intersection comprising fixed internal angles that is connectable to at least one strap.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a brassiere construction that does not rely on discomforting features while still providing adequate support.
A primary advantage of the present invention is comfortable wear.
Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 358247 (1995-05-01), Nishiba
patent: 2118378 (1938-05-01), Graham
patent: 2455036 (1948-11-01), Boylan
patent: 2509353 (1950-05-01), Johnson
patent: 2753563 (1956-07-01), Blitch
patent: 3027898 (1962-04-01), Williams
patent: 3071140 (1963-01-01), Adler
patent: 3112750 (1963-12-01), Jonas
patent: 3186412 (1965-06-01), Kurland
patent: 3291132 (1966-12-01), Puliafico
patent: 3465754 (1969-09-01), Lockwood et al.
patent: 4220157 (1980-09-01), Clark et al.
patent: 4311150 (1982-01-01), Schreiber et al.
patent: 5244432 (1993-09-01), Moy Au et al.
Hale Gloria M.
Myers Jeffrey D.
Pangrle Brian J.
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