A brassiere designed for jogging or other sporting activity characterized by very wide shoulder straps which pass over the wearer's shoulders and cross in the back. It is also suitable for use by larger women.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention resides in the area of brassieres and more particularly 
relates to an improved design of a brassiere for utilization during 
jogging or other vigorous activity. 
2. History of the Prior Art 
Many women participate in the sport of jogging and/or other strenuous 
activity which have the effect of causing unwanted lateral and/or vertical 
movement of the breasts. Such movement is undesirable because of the 
discomfort it causes. Present brassiere designs do not accommodate for 
this movement and are unsuitable for use in jogging or other vigorous 
activity. 
SUMMARY 
It is an object of this invention to provide a comfortable and novel 
brassiere design particularly designed for jogging which will minimize 
breast movement. It is also quite suitable for other vigorous activity. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a brassiere which will 
support the wearer's breasts keeping them stationary, separated and 
slightly raised while still allowing for sufficient chest expansion for 
proper respiration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
The brassiere of this design seen in FIG. 1 utilizes in its structure a 
novel arrangement of wide first and second shoulder straps 10 and 12 which 
are substantially wider than normal brassiere straps. In a prototype 
shoulder straps of 21/4 in. in width were found to perform well. These 
wide shoulder straps are each affixed to first and second rear closure 
members 40 and 42, respectively. These straps then cross on the back of 
the wearer and pass over the shoulders to be adjustably and removably 
attached to strap attachment means 14 provided at the top of the cup 
members of the brassiere. Attachment means 14 can be a combination of 
Velcro, a tradename, and hooks 18 and loops 20 to allow for adjustments in 
positioning of the wide shoulder straps 10 and 12 to the cup members to 
the most comfortable position for the wearer. The back crossing design of 
the wide shoulder straps on the wearer and the extreme width of the straps 
secure the brassiere in a fashion that will hold the breasts stationary, 
separated and slightly raised and prevent movement of the brassiere 
independently of the wearer. The cup members of this brassiere are each 
formed of an upper cup member 22 and a lower cup member 24. Compression 
seam 26 runs horizontally therebetween passing over the nipple. Front 
support of the cups is in part provided by a first and second front 
support strap 30 and 32 which extend from the inner base of their 
respective cups and extend diagonally over to strap attachment means 14 
forming an "X". First and second front support straps are each affixed at 
the base of each cup to a wide midriff band 28 which extends around and 
joins the first and second rear closure members 40 and 42 which have 
closure members 44 adapted to close in a normal fashion behind the back of 
the wearer. Front support straps 30 and 32 assure separation of the 
breasts as well as preventing medial motion. First and second side support 
straps 36 and 37 are positioned at the outer side of each cup. A 
triangular front panel is provided between the first and second front 
support straps and the midriff band 28. First and second elastic side 
panels 38 and 39 are affixed to the first and second side support straps 
respectively and to midriff band 28 and rear closure members 40 and 42. 
The side support straps 36 and 37 assist in preventing lateral and 
vertical movement of the breasts. The midriff band 28 can be slightly 
elastic and of a very wide design to prevent vertical displacement or 
lifting of the brassiere and breasts while at the same time allowing for 
sufficient chest expansion for breathing. Compression seam 26 on each cup 
is adapted for assisting in compression of the breasts to the shape formed 
by the upper cup and lower cup members. Affixed to portions of the first 
and second rear closure members 40 and 42 is an abrasion protection flap 
46 extending under the hooks and loops so that they are well-shielded from 
the body and will not cause any frictional irritation to the wearer. There 
are no wires, stays or uncovered inner seams in the design of this 
brassiere. The above-described brassiere can be made of conventional 
undergarment materials. Absorbent materials can be utilized for absorption 
of perspiration for greater comfort to the wearer. Cotton simplex material 
has been found suitable for the production of this brassiere. It should be 
noted the wider straps of this improved brassiere are adapted to pass over 
the shoulders closer to the neck than standard brassieres so that the 
weight of the breasts is supported by a larger muscle mass. In standard 
brassieres the more narrow straps usually pass over the acromio clavicular 
joint but in the brassiere of this invention the wider straps are adapted 
to pass over the trapezius muscle. 
Although the present invention has been described with reference to 
particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art 
that variations and modifications can be substituted therefor without 
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention.