Abstract:
A brassiere and a decorative element having a relatively flat configuration, a set of suspension straps symmetrically arranged about a vertical plane between the brassiere cups serving to locate the decorative element symmetrically about the vertical plane above, and free of contact with a bridge between the cups, the suspension straps on each side of the decorative element including a first suspension strap attached to a mid-section of an associated cup and to an adjacent side edge of the decorative element and a second suspension strap spaced above the first suspension strap and attached to the adjacent side edge of the decorative element, the first and second suspension straps being arranged to maintain a face of the decorative element facing in a direction to which the cups project.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 14/166,026, filed Jan. 28, 2014. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to ladies adornments and, more particularly, to a decorative element associated with a brassiere. 
     PRIOR ART 
     It is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 8,425,274 and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/0154472 to associate a decorative element with a brassiere. Typically such elements are disposed at or form the bridge between the cups of the brassiere. As a result, the decorative element is not ordinarily displayed and, if revealed, it is not presented in a manner that obtains a prominence separate from the brassiere itself. While a necklace or chain provides a more noticeable display of a decorative element such as a pendant, any physical activity of the wearer can cause the pendant to swing and fall out of a blouse and become a distraction and/or become overturned. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention integrates a pendant or other decorative element with a brassiere to add fashion and distinctiveness to both of these combined elements. The inventive arrangement has the decorative element suspended in or above the space between the cups of the brassiere. The decorative element is suspended with horizontal straps that extend sideways to attachment points on the cups and, optionally, the shoulder straps of the brassiere. The suspension straps are vertically separated to allow them to maintain the decorative element in place without the risk of swinging or face reversal. 
     The invention may be applied to relatively inexpensive, broad appeal product lines as well as more exclusive product lines. In the lower price category, the decorative element can be, for example, made of molded plastic, non-precious metal, base metal with silver or gold plate or fabric. In the more expensive lines, the decorative element can be made, for example, of 14K or 18K gold, or sterling silver. The decorative element can be imprinted, stamped, cast or otherwise created with an image and/or can serve as a mounting for semi-precious or precious gems. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a first embodiment of a combined brassiere and decorative element; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the brassiere of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of one arrangement for attaching a decorative element suspension strap to the brassiere; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged front view of a decorative element and the attachment of the suspension straps thereto; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the decorative element and associated suspension straps removed from a brassiere; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a second arrangement for attaching a decorative element suspension strap to the brassiere; 
         FIG. 7  is a second embodiment of a brassiere and decorative element; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one form of decorative element; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the decorative element of  FIG. 8 , the rear view being identical; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the decorative element, the opposite side being identical; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the decorative element of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the decorative element of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a second form of decorative element; 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the decorative element of  FIG. 13 , the rear view being identical; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the decorative element, the opposite side being identical; 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the decorative element of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom view of the decorative element of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a two-piece decorative element or pendant; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective exploded view of the pendant of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is an elevational frontal view of another form of two-piece pendant; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the pendant of  FIG. 20  taken in the plane indicated by the broken line  21 - 21  in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is an elevational frontal view of another form of two-piece pendant; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of the pendant of  FIG. 22  taken in the plane indicated by the broken line  23 - 23  in  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is an exploded perspective view of still another two-piece pendant; 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of another form of pendant; 
         FIG. 26  is a front view of a bikini bottom in which a pendant is employed; and 
         FIG. 27  is a front view of a bikini bottom in which two pendants are employed. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a combined brassiere and decorative element  10 . The brassiere or bra  11  as is typical has a pair of cups  12 , shoulder straps  13  and backstraps  14 , the latter being seen in  FIG. 2 . The cups  12  and straps  13 ,  14  are typically made of suitable fabric elements sewn together. Adjacent rim areas of the cups  12  are joined by a fabric band or bridge  16  sewn to each cup  12 . The cups  12  project in a direction rising above the plane of the drawings of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 7 . 
     The decorative element, designated  17  and sometimes referred to simply as the element, is located so that it is symmetrical about a vertical plane centered between the cups  12  and is spaced above the bridge  16 . The element or pendant  17  is kept in place by a set of fabric suspension straps or strands  18 ,  19  and  20  which in the showing of  FIG. 1  are five in number. The straps include two lower pieces  18  and two upper pieces  19  extending inwardly from respective cups  12  and a single piece  20  extending upwardly from the bridge  16 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a typical end of a suspension strap  18 - 20  distal from the element  17 , fixed by sewing to respective areas of the cups  12  and bridge  16 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , ends of the suspension straps  18 - 20  adjacent the element  17  are passed through eyelets or loops  26  fixed to the element  17  at locations spaced about its periphery. Upper and lower side loops  26  extend sideways from each side edge of the element  17  and a fifth loop extends downwardly from a lower edge of the element. The support straps  18 - 20  are threaded through the element loops  26  and stitched down upon themselves. 
     The construction, as described, where the distal ends of the suspension straps  18 - 20  are sewn directly to the cups  12  is particularly suited for less expensive forms of the product  10 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a variant of the invention where a bra  30 , constructed of fabric, has its upper sideways extending suspension straps  18  fixed to respective shoulder straps  13 . In the illustrated case, the upper suspension straps  18  have their distal ends threaded through rings  31  of the shoulder straps  13  and stitched back down on themselves. Alternatively, where the rings  31  are not employed, the distal ends of the upper suspension straps  18  can be sewn directly to the shoulder straps  13 . Auxiliary suspension straps  32  are shown extending from upper suspension straps  18  downwardly to respective cups  12 ; the ends of the auxiliary suspension straps  32  are stitched to an associated upper suspension strap  18  and a respective cup  12 . It will be noted that the suspension straps  18 - 20 , which normally will be ribbon-like in their cross-section, are somewhat more narrow and delicate than the shoulder straps  13 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the distal ends of the suspension straps  18 - 20  can be fixed to plastic or metal hooks  36 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic showing of a fabric loop  37  that is sewn on a cup  12 , the bridge  16  or a shoulder strap  13  at a desired location. A hook  36  is removably attached to a cup  12  or shoulder strap  13  by positioning it in the loop  37 . Alternatively, a group of thread loops can be used in place of the fabric loop  37 . Where the distal ends of the suspension straps  18 - 20  are provided with hooks  36  and the brassiere  11  with receptor loops  37 , the decorative element  17  can be removed along with the suspension straps. This permits the bra  11  to be cleaned without risk that the decorative element  17  might be damaged, for example, by a cleaning detergent or that a gem or gems mounted on the element might be lost. Still further, the decorative element  17  can be fitted to another brassiere by simply reattaching the hooks  36  to the loops of the new bra  11 . 
       FIGS. 8-12  illustrate physical details of the decorative element  17 . The lower loop or eyelet  26 , shown in dotted line in  FIGS. 9 and 12 , can be omitted along with the strap  20  for some applications. The element  17  may, for example, have a principal length, apart form the loops  26  of 2 inches and a height of 1.2 inches. 
       FIGS. 13-17  illustrate a variant of the decorative element  17 ′. The variant element  17 ′ has four or five attachment loops  26  that have the same orientations as the loops of the element of  FIGS. 8-12 . The element  17 ′ of  FIGS. 13-17  can have a nominal diameter of 1.2 inches not including the loops  26 . 
     The suspension straps  18 - 20  hold the element  17  above the bridge  16  so that it is visually distinguishable from the bra  11 . The vertical spacing of the sideway extending straps  18 - 19  on each side of the element  17  prevents the element from turning inside face out. 
       FIGS. 18-25  illustrate exemplary two-part or two-piece pendants or decorative elements, each comprising a base and a cover. All of the illustrated bases are arranged to be supported by five straps in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 7 . The bases have relatively flat rear faces such that they do not depart from a plane by more than ¼ inch. Most of the illustrated two-part pendants have loops  26  on their respective bases for connecting with the straps as previously described. 
     Typically, a cover can be mounted on and dismounted from a respective base by a purchaser of a brassiere and two-piece pendant combination. While  FIGS. 18-25  illustrate circular pendants, it will be understood that a limitless variety of shapes can be employed and, in particular, the dog tag shape illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 7, 9 . Ordinarily, the cover will display or comprise a logo, symbol, or other visual mark designating, for example, a school, sorority, team, club, business or the like. While the illustrated covers have the same or similar shape as a respective base, it will be understood that a cover shape can differ from that of a base. 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate a pendant  40  having a rare earth permanent disc magnet  41  in each of a base  42  and a cover  43 . The illustrated base  42  and cover  43  are cast of pot metal (non-ferrous metal) and include a central pocket for receiving a respective magnet  41  substantially within the front and rear planes of these base and cover elements. The magnets  41  can be adhesively, frictionally or mechanically retained in the base and cover. Where one of the base or cover is ferrous, only one magnet need be used in or on the other element. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 18 and 19  as well as other below described embodiments, the numeral  26  denotes a loop for receiving a respective one of the previously described suspension straps  18 - 20 . Where, as in  FIGS. 18 and 19  the base is cast, the loops  26  can be integrally cast with the main body of the base. 
     The magnets  41  are preferably magnetized with their circular faces being at opposite poles and are mounted so that the cover  43  and base  42  are attracted to one another when the decorative face of the cover is directed away from the base. The base  42  and cover  43  can be cast of pot metal with technologies used in the manufacture of costume jewelry. A logo or other image can be cast, printed, molded or otherwise provided on the outer surface or decorative face of the cover  43 . 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate a pendant assembly  46  in which a cover  47  and base  48  snap together. In this arrangement, the base  48  serves as a male part and the cover  47  serves as a female part. The cover  47  has a peripheral flange  49 , segmented to accommodate the loops  26 , that has an inside dimension at its distal edge  51  smaller than the major diameter of the base  48 . The distal flange edge  51  is resiliently expanded as it is forced against the base  48  until it snaps over the major diameter of the base and springs back towards its free state thereby releasably retaining the cover  47  on the base  48 . The cover  47  can be removed using a flat tool and the loops  26  as a fulcrum to pry the flange or lip  49  off the base  48 . 
       FIGS. 22 and 23  illustrate a pendant assembly  56  where a cover  57  snaps into a base  58 . The base  58  has a peripheral flange  59  that has an inside dimension adjacent its distal edge which is slightly smaller than the major diameter of the cover  57 . When the cover  57  is pressed against the base  58 , the flange or lip  59  expands until the part of the flange having a minimum diameter passes over the maximum diameter of the cover  57  and the flange snaps back towards its free state at which condition the cover  57  is releasably retained on the base  58 . A central hole  60  can be provided in the base  58  to receive a tool to push the cover  57  off the base. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates a pendant  63  having a base  64  and a cover  65  assembled with hook and loop style fasteners. In the illustrated arrangement, the hook style fastener  66  is provided on the base  64  and the loop style fastener  67  is provided on the cover  65 . The positions of the hook and loops can be reversed on the base and cover. Where the base  64  is a suitable plastic such as is commercially available with conventional hook and loop products, the suspension straps  18 - 20  can be sewn directly on the base  64  as is suggested in  FIG. 24 . 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a pendant  70  where a cover  71  and base  72  are releasably joined by an adhesive  73 . The adhesive can be a pressure sensitive adhesive and be originally applied to either the cover  71  or base  72  and can be provided with a release paper or film which is removed at the time of applying the cover to the base. 
     The two-piece pendants enable a manufacturer to assemble a brassiere with a specific type of base and at the time of purchase, a customer can select a cover compatible with the specific base and with a desired logo or other image. 
       FIGS. 26 and 27  show examples of a bikini bottom in which one or two pendants or decorative elements  74  can be employed. The decorative elements  74  can be of a construction essentially the same as any of the foregoing descriptions with the difference being that only one or two loops  26  on each side of the decorative element need be employed and the fifth loop may be omitted. The face of the decorative element can have the same design, such as a logo, as used with a selected brassiere. 
     While the invention has been shown and described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, this is for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation, and other variations and modifications of the specific embodiments herein shown and described will be apparent to those skilled in the art all within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the patent is not to be limited in scope and effect to the specific embodiments herein shown and described nor in any other way that is inconsistent with the extent to which the progress in the art has been advanced by the invention.