US20130084776A1 - Brassiere Support System - Google Patents

Abstract

A brassiere strap system is provided. The bra includes a left breast cup and a right breast cup. Next, a left side strap is provided that includes at least two intertwined strips next to the left breast cup and a right side strap including at least two intertwined strips next to the right breast cup. The left side strap is coupled between a left breast cup connection on a left side of the left breast cup and one of a plurality of adjustable left side connections. The right side strap is coupled between a right breast cup connection on the right breast cup and one of a plurality of adjustable right side connections. The left strap and the right strap include a backing surface and a decorative strap surface on top of each other, where the backing surface is made of a durable and contouring material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a system for holding up a brassiere.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• In the present day, people have worn brassieres, halter tops or tank tops in order to contain and control the movement of their breasts. Brassieres or bras, halter tops or tank tops come in different shapes sizes and colors in order to cater to the wearer of the bra. Also, the bras come in many different designs. These different designs are created by the different bra designers who have a particular way of envisioning how the person would wear the bra.
• However, the designer of the bra, halter top or tank top may have a different vision than the actual wearer of the bra, halter top or tank top. The wearer of the bra, halter top or tank top may have a special sense of style where she wants to be comfortable to choose for herself what kind of strap she wants to use for the bra, halter top or tank top instead of what a particular designer chooses for her. Specifically, the wearer may choose a bra strap for her bra that goes with the outfit that she's wearing such as a silk bra strap. However, the wearer may not want to wear a silk bra, but she only wants the bra strap to be made of silk. Also, the wearer may desire to wear silver made bra strap to go with her silver dress but she doesn't desire to wear a silver bra.
• The problem is the wearer of a bra has a unique style so she desires a bra strap that allows her to reflect her sense of style. Even though the wearer has a sense of style she doesn't want to use just any strap with a bra she desires that the bra strap will be secure to stay connected to the bra. Therefore, there is a need for a system that enables a wearer to easily change the look of her bra strap to reflect her own unique style while providing her with a secure bra strap that enables her to keep her breasts contained within the bra.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-mentioned technical background, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a brassiere strap system.
• In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a brassiere strap system is provided. The bra includes a left breast cup and a right breast cup. Next, a left side strap is provided that includes at least two intertwined strips next to the left breast cup and a right side strap including at least two intertwined strips next to the right breast cup. The left side strap is coupled between a left breast cup connection on a left side of the left breast cup and one of a plurality of adjustable left side connections. The left strap and the right strap include a backing surface and a decorative strap surface on top of each other, where the backing surface is made of durable and contouring material. The right side strap is coupled between a right breast cup connection on a right side of the right breast cup and one of a plurality of adjustable right side connections.
• In another embodiment of the invention, there is a method of assembling a brassiere. The method includes: providing a left breast cup and a right breast cup; providing a left side strap having at least two intertwined strips next to the left breast cup; providing a right side strap including at least two intertwined strips next to the right breast cup; providing the left side strap coupled between a left breast cup connection on the left breast cup and a plurality of adjustable left side connections; providing the right side strap coupled between a right breast cup connection on the right breast cup and a plurality of adjustable right side connections; and providing the left strap and the right strap with a backing surface and a decorative strap surface on top of each other, where the backing surface is made of durable and contouring material.
• In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is another adjustable bra system that includes a left breast cup and a right breast cup. A left side strap is provided that includes at least two intertwined strips next to the left breast cup and a right side strap including at least two intertwined strips next to the right breast cup. The left side strap is coupled between a left breast cup connection on a left side of the left breast cup and one of a plurality of adjustable left side connections. The left strap and the right strap include a backing surface and decorative strap surface, wherein the backing surface is made of durable and contouring material. The right side strap is coupled between a right breast cup connection on a right side of the right breast cup and one of a plurality of adjustable right side connections. The left side includes a seam, a padding, hook eye padding, shoulder padding and a cup padding to provide comfort. The right side includes a seam, a padding, a hook eye padding shoulder padding and a cup padding, where the left side is coupled to the right side to hold the bra system together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• These and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
• FIG. 1 is an illustration of a brassiere strap system in accordance with the invention;
• FIG. 2 is an illustration of another embodiment of a bra strap system in accordance with the invention;
• FIG. 3 is an illustration of yet another embodiment of a bra strap system in accordance with the invention;
• FIG. 3A shows a right side of illustration ofFIG. 3 with an improved padding system;
• FIG. 3B shows a left side of illustration ofFIG. 3 with an improved padding;
• FIG. 3C shows a right side of another illustration ofFIG. 3 with another improved padding system;
• FIG. 3D shows a left side of another illustration ofFIG. 3 with another improved padding system;
• FIG. 4 is a side view perspective the bra strap system ofFIG. 2 in accordance with the invention;
• FIG. 5 is a back prospective view of the bra strap system ofFIG. 2 in accordance with the invention; and
• FIGS. 6A and 6B shows several illustrations of bra straps used in the bra strap system in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The presently preferred embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings, where like components are identified with the same numerals. The descriptions of the preferred embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
• FIG. 1 is an illustration of a brassiere strap system in accordance with the invention. A brassiere orbra strap system100 includes: aleft cup103, aright cup105, aright side107, aleft side109, aleft side strap111, an intertwining loop (strip)113, a left side breast cup hook117, aleft side hook115, left side hook receivers119a,119b,119c,119d,119eand119f, aright side strap121, an intertwiningloop123, a right sidebreast cup hook127, aright side hook125 and rightside hook receivers129a,d129b,129c,129d, and129e. Left side hook receivers119a,119b,119c,119d,119eand119fmay be referred as adjustable left side connections. Rightside hook receivers129a,129b,129c,129d,129eand129fmay be referred to as adjustable right side connections. The brassiere may also be halter top, tank top or any garment utilized to hold the wearer's breasts in place. The term strip refers to a wire-like or string-like object made of metal, fibrous materials, or natural and/or synthetic fabric materials.
• Referring toFIGS. 6A and 6B there are illustrations of different types of straps that may be utilized in this bra strap system that encompasses all thestraps601,603,605,607,609,111,121,209,215,307 and311. Thestraps601,603,605,607,609,111,121,209,215,307 and311 are comprised of two surfaces; a backing surface that will touch the surface of the wearer's or person's skin and a decorative surface that will be visible to the observer. For example, the backing surface is601b,603b,605b,607b,609b,111b,121b,209b,215b,307band311band the decorative surface is601a,603a,605a,607a,609a,111a,121a,209a,215a,307aand311aThe backing surface will be made of durable, comfortable, contouring material such as Thermoplastic Polyurethane or TPU silicone or similar material. The TPU silicone or similar material contours to the shape of the wearer's shoulder to comfortably hold the strap onto the shoulder. The similar material may be poly Ether Block Amide (PEBAX) resin family, polyurethane or copolyester TPE. Typically TPU has the following qualities: tensile stress of 284 to 2070 pounds square inch (psi), tensile strength 4120 to 7850 psi, tensile elongation of 350 to 690%, tear strength of 448 to 871 lbf/in and durometer hardness of 46 to 98. This TPU may have a color material of black, translucent, transparent or other colors as they become available.
• Decorative surface of the straps may include beads, crystals, rhinestones, semi-precious or precious stones, metal, plastic, natural fibers or synthetic fibers. For example,strap601 has a rope type design on the topdecorative portion601 with a TPU on thebackside portion601b, where the decorative portion may be made of any type of fabric, such as cotton or silk.Strap603 includes a plurality of interlocking loops or strips on the topdecorative portion603awith a TPU on thebackside portion603bandstrap605 is a thin plurality of interlocking loops on the topdecorative portion605awith a TPU on thebackside portion605b.FIG. 6B includes twostraps607 and609, wherestrap607 is made of a cloth type material that has an intricate design that can have any texture on the topdecorative portion607awith a TPU on the backside portion607b.Strap609 has a complex design with multiple geometrical shapes on the top decorative portion609awith a TPU on thebackside portion609b. Even thoughspecific straps601,603,605,707 and609 are utilized here to depict different types of straps that may be utilized, there are many other straps that may be utilized that may be made of out of any material, such as aluminum, plastic, cotton or silk. The strap may also be of any length, width or thickness.
• Referring toFIG. 1,left side strap111 is coupled between theleft side109 and theleft breast cup103. Specifically, theleft side trap111 includes the left side breast cup hook117 and theleft side hook115, where the left side breast cup hook117 is coupled to atop portion103aof thebreast cup103.Top portion103ais able to receive the left side breast cup hook117 by using a receiving mechanism. Even though there is one receiving mechanism used intop portion103athere may be a plurality of receiving mechanisms utilized. The receiving mechanism may also be referred to as a left breast cup connection.Left side hook115 is coupled to theleft side109 through its left side hook receivers (connectors)119a,119b,119c,119d,119eand119f. In between theleft side strap111 are at least two intertwined strips orloops113 made of a strong fabric/material utilized to hold theleft side strap111 tightly in place over a shoulder of a person wearing thebra strap system100.
• Also, these intertwinedstrips113 provide a secure connection to secure theleft side hook115 to the hook receivers119a,119b,119c,119dand119e. Further, the intertwinedstrips113 provide a secure connection to secure the left side hook117 to the receiving mechanism of thetop portion103a. Even though only two intertwinedstrips113 are utilized, there may be 2-100 or more strips utilized to secure theleft side strap111 in place over a person's shoulder in between theleft side109 and leftbreast cup103.
• Right side strap121 is coupled between theright side107 and theright breast cup105. Specifically, theright side trap121 includes the right sidebreast cup hook127 and theright side hook125, where the right sidebreast cup hook127 is coupled to atop portion105aof thebreast cup105.Top portion105ais able to receive the right t sidebreast cup hook127 by using a receiving mechanism. Even though there is one receiving mechanism used intop portion105athere may be a plurality of receiving mechanisms. The receiving mechanism may also be referred to a right breast cup connection.Right side hook125 is coupled to theright side107 through its right side hook receivers orconnectors129a,129b,129c,129d,129eand129f. In between theright side strap121 there are at least two intertwined strips or loops123amade of a strong fabric/material utilized to hold thestrap121 tightly in place over a shoulder of a person wearing thebra strap system100. Also, these intertwinedstrips123 provides a secure connection to secure theright side hook125 to thehook receivers129a,129b,129c,129dand129e. Further, the intertwinedstrips123 provide a secure connection to secure theright side hook127 to the receiving mechanism of thetop portion105a. Even though only two intertwinedstrips123 are utilized, there may be 2-100 or more strips utilized to secure theright side strap121 in place over a person's shoulder in between theright side107 andright breast cup105.
• FIG. 2 is another embodiment of the invention.Bra strap system200 includes aleft bra cup201,right bra cup203, aleft side205, aright side207, aleft strap209, left intertwinedstrips211, aright strap215 and intertwined strips217. In between theleft strap209 there are at least two intertwined strips orloops211 made of a strong fabric/material utilized to hold thestrap209 tightly in place over a shoulder of a person wearing thebra strap system200. Also, these intertwinedstrips211 provide a secure connection to secure a left side portion ofstrap209 to a receiving mechanism of theleft side205. Further, the intertwinedstrips211 provide a secure connection to secure a right side port of theleft side strap209 to a receiving mechanism (left side connector) of theleft side205.
• In between theright side strap215, there are at least twointertwined strips217 made of a strong fabric utilized to hold theright side strap215 tightly in place over a shoulder of a person wearing thebra strap system200. Also, these intertwinedstrips217 provide a secure connection to secure as a right side portion of thestrap215 a receiving mechanism (right side connector) at theright side207. Similar to the intertwinedstrips113 and123, the intertwinedstrips211 and217 may be 2-100 or more intertwined strips.
• FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the invention. Abra strap system300 may be referred to as a mastectomy bra utilized by persons who have recently had a single or double mastectomy where one or more breasts were removed. Thebra strap system300 includes aleft bra cup301, a covering302,right bra cup303, a leftbra cup insert301a, a rightbra cup insert303a, aleft side trap307, left intertwinedstrips309, aright side strap311 and intertwined strips313. The leftbra cup insert301amay be a prosthesis and the rightbra cup insert303amay be a prosthesis. Covering302 is utilized to cover a front portion of the wearer's breast by using a cloth or cotton material. This covering302 may also be a typical camisole.
• Referring toFIG. 3A, there is a description of a padding system that may be used on thismastectomy bra300. Thismastectomy bra300 has theright bra cup303 that is connected to aright side315 that hooks onto aleft side317 of thebra300 similar toleft side109 andright side107 of thebra strap system100.Right side315 includes aseam315a, apadding315b, a hook eye padding315c,shoulder padding315d, aninsert315eand acup padding303b.Seam315ais a padded seam of 1-4 mm with a preferred seam of 1-2 mm. Padding315bis a crisscross pattern padding for pressure point with a 8-14 mm padding with a preferred padding of 10-12 mm. Even though a crisscross padding is utilized any type of padding formation may be used such as a zigzag or any type of pattern. Hook eye padding315cis positioned closed to a left side hook eye padding317cto attach theright side315 to theleft side317. This hook eye padding315cincludes a padding area between 6-12 mm with a preferred padding of 8-10 mm.Shoulder padding315dhas an oval padding area, which may also have a circular, rectangular or any other type of shape padding area.Insert315eis next to theright breast cup303. Thisinsert315eis used for extra elasticity and it be made of lycra/lace or any type of material that provides extra elasticity.Cup padding301bhas a padding at a right angle to push pressure outward, where the padding is anywhere from 6-14 mm with a preferred padding of 10-12 mm. Referring toFIG. 3B,left side317 includes aseam317a, a padding317b, a hook eye padding317c, ashoulder padding317dand acup padding301bis equivalent toright side315,seam315a,padding315b, hook eye padding315c,shoulder padding315d, insert315eandcup padding303bso a description will not be provided here.
• Referring toFIG. 3C there is another illustration of theright side315 ofFIG. 3.Right side315 includesdiagonal padding315f,seam315g, apadded seam315h,flexible contour strap315iand anopening315j.Diagonal padding315fhas two portions used for added comfort.Insert315gutilizes an insert, such as lace/lycra for extra stretching capability.Padded seam315hprovides additional comfort to a wearer with padding in between 6-12 mm with a preferred padding of 8-10 mm.Flexible strap315iprovides added comfort to the wearer of thebra strap system300. Opening315jis in between theright side315 for pad removal such as removingdiagonal padding315for paddedseam315h. Referring toFIG. 3D there is another illustration of theleft side317 ofFIG. 3.Left side317 includesdiagonal padding317f,seam317g, apadded seam317h,flexible contour strap317iand anopening317j, which is equivalent toright side315 includesdiagonal padding315f,seam315g, apadded seam315h,flexible contour strap315iand anopening315jso a description will not be provided herein.
• Referring toFIG. 3 between theleft side trap307 there are at least two intertwined strips orloops309 made of a strong fabric/material utilized to hold theleft side strap307 tightly in place over a shoulder of a person wearing thebra strap system300. Also, these intertwinedstrips309 provide a secure connection to secure a left side portion ofleft side strap307 to a receiving mechanism of theleft bra cup301. Further, the intertwinedstrips309 provide a secure connection to secure a right side port of theleft strap307 to a receiving mechanism of the left side. Leftbreast cup insert301aand rightbreast cup insert303aare utilized typically to insert bra padding into a typical bra similar to bra used by breast cancer survivors.
• In between theright strap311, there are at least twointertwined strips313 made of a strong fabric/material utilized to hold thestrap311 tightly in place over a shoulder of a person wearing thebra strap system300. Also, these intertwinedstrips313 provide a secure connection to secure a right side portion of thestrap311 to a receiving mechanism (right breast cup connector) at the right side ofbreast cup303. Similar to intertwinedstrips113 and123, the intertwinedstrips309 and311 may be 2-100 or more intertwined strips.
• FIG. 4 shows a side portion ofFIG. 2. In this side view ofFIG. 2 one can see how thestrap209 is connected to theleft cup201. Also, the intertwinedstrips211 are shown in this drawing.FIG. 5 is a back view ofFIG. 2. All of the components described inFIG. 2 are shown in this back view here so a description will not be provided. One can see how thestraps209 and215 are depicted in relation to their respective intertwinedstrips207 and217 in order to secure thestraps209 and215 to the respective bra cups203 and201 and theleft side203 and theright side205.
• This invention provides a brassiere strap system that allows its wearer to have a comfortable, conforming and stylish strap that allows the wearer to easily switch from one strap to another strap. The straps are comprised of two surfaces; a backing surface that will touch the surface of the wearer's or person's skin and a decorative surface that will be visible to the observer. The backing surface is made of a durable material that is comfortable and flexible to fit on the person's skin while the decorative side of the strap include beads, crystals, rhinestones, semi-precious or precious stones, metal, plastic, natural fibers or synthetic fibers. Further, this brassiere strap system includes a mastectomy bra that provides the wearer extra padding on the left and right side of the bra.

Claims (16)

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable bra system comprising:

a left breast cup and a right breast cup;

a left side strap is provided that includes at least two intertwined strips next to the left breast cup and a right side strap including at least two intertwined strips next to the right breast cup;

the left side strap is coupled between a left breast cup connection on a left side of the left breast cup and one of a plurality of adjustable left side connections;

the left strap and the right strap includes a backing surface and a decorative strap surface on top of each other, wherein the backing surface is made of durable and contouring material; and

the right side strap is coupled between a right breast cup connection on a right side of the right breast cup and one of a plurality of adjustable right side connections.

2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the left strap and the right strap includes a plurality of loops.

3. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the left strap and the right strap are decorative straps.

4. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the left strap and the right strap are made from a plurality of materials.

5. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the left breast cup includes an insert or prosthesis and the right breast cup includes an insert or a prosthesis.

6. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the left bra strap includes multiple geometrical designs.

7. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the right bra strap includes multiple geometrical designs.

8. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the backing surface is made of a thermoplastic polyurethane silicone material.

9. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the backing surface is made of poly Ether Block Amide resin family

10. The method for assembling a brassiere:

providing a left breast cup and a right breast cup;

providing a left side strap having at least two intertwined loops next to the left breast cup and a right side strap having at least two intertwined loops next to the right breast cup;

providing a left side strap coupled between a left breast cup connection on the left breast cup and a plurality of adjustable left side connection;

providing a right side strap coupled between a right breast cup connection on the right breast cup and a plurality of adjustable right side connections; and

providing the left strap and the right strap with a backing surface and a decorative strap surface on top of each other, wherein the backing surface is made of durable and contouring material

11. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the left side strap and the right side strap includes a plurality of loops.

12. The method ofclaim 10 further comprises providing decorative straps for the left side strap and the right side strap.

13. The method ofclaim 10 further comprising providing a metal or metal like material for the left strap and the right strap.

14. An adjustable bra system comprising:

a left breast cup and a right breast cup;

a left side strap is provided that includes at least two intertwined strips next to the left breast cup and a right side strap including at least two intertwined strips next to the right breast cup;

the left side strap is coupled between a left breast cup connection on a left side of the left breast cup and one of a plurality of adjustable left side connections;

the left strap and the right strap includes a backing surface and decorative strap surface, wherein the backing surface is made of durable and contouring material;

the right side strap is coupled between a right breast cup connection on a right side of the right breast cup and one of a plurality of adjustable right side connections;

the left side includes a seam, a padding, hook eye padding, a shoulder padding and a cup padding to provide comfort; and

the right side includes a seam, a padding, a hook eye padding, a shoulder padding and a cup padding, wherein the left side is coupled to the right side to hold the bra system together.

15. The system ofclaim 14 wherein the right side has the seam padding in the range of 1-4 mm.

16. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the right side has the padding with a crisscross pattern with a padding in the range of 8-14 mm.

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