Brassiere with concealable shirt sleeve retaining loop

A sleeve material retaining loop is attached to or looped around a strap of a brassiere to retain gathered sleeve material or other items. One end of the sleeve material retaining loop extends out of the neck hole of the outer garment, and another end of the loop extends out of the arm hole of the sleeve above the shoulder of the wearer. The first and second ends of the sleeve material retaining loop are attached at the shoulder of the wearer to retain the sleeve. This helps prevent the sleeve from interfering with the wearer's movement and improves evaporative cooling of the wearer. A sleeve retaining loop storing mechanism stores the loop. Each sleeve retaining loop may be formed of separate interchangeable pieces that are attached to the brassiere. An additional piece of clothing may also be secured to a fastener on the brassiere.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed brassiere relates to athletic clothing, and in particular, to a brassiere having a concealable shirt retaining band or loop for selectively retaining a gathered shirt sleeve at the wearer's shoulder.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Sleeved garments such as tee-shirts, shirts, and blouses (hereinafter referred to collectively as “shirts”) are common items of apparel. However, in some instances, the sleeves of such garments can interfere with the wearer's athletic activities and cause overheating. Shirt sleeves can interfere with the arm movement of the wearer and increase heat retention during indoor and outdoor athletic activities. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,239 to Donald Lewis discloses a sleeve holder in the form of an epaulet with a hook and loop (VELCRO™) on a loose end thereof. The hook and loop fastener is attachable to either the shoulder or to a matching fastener lower on the sleeve. By pulling up the sleeve and attaching the epaulet to the lower fastener, the sleeve can be retained in a drawn-up position. See, also U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,252 to Peyser. However, these mechanisms are suitable only for shirts on which epaulets are appropriate, and not athletic wear suitable for aerobic activity.

Also, by covering more skin surface, particularly the underarms, shirt sleeves can unduly cause overheating of the athlete. Women tend to suffer more from this problem insofar as brassieres, or bras, particularly sports bras such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,544 to Cherrie Flanagan et al., are commonly worn. The additional material of the brassiere adds to the wearer's heat retention.

These problems are particularly apparent in organized sports such as collegiate soccer, softball, and lacrosse, where the participants are required to wear sleeved outer garments to distinguish team members and due to puritan sensibilities. Female athletes often gather up the short sleeves of their outer athletic wear, which can prove irritating insofar as the sleeves tend to slip down the athlete's arms and have to be re-gathered.

These problems were largely alleviated by providing a brassiere with a shirt sleeve retaining loop, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,239 to Jennifer Magliocchetti. However, when the sleeve retaining loop is not engaged, it can be noticeable through the outer garment and might reduce the aesthetics of certain outfits.

SUMMARY

The presently disclosed brassiere can provide a convenient mechanism for selectively retaining shirt sleeves in the gathered position at the wearer's shoulder without creating an unsightly bulge or line when not used to gather sleeves. Rather, the brassiere can look like a normal brassiere in certain embodiments until the sleeve retaining loops are used to retain a sleeve, thus making the brassiere a more versatile substitute for a regular bra. The presently disclosed brassiere solves the foregoing problems of the prior art by providing a mechanism whereby sleeves gathered up can be retained in place by a loop of material, at least one end of which contains a fastener for connecting each end of a strap of material to form a loop. The looped material is fastened together as a loop encircling the material between the neck hole and end of the sleeve of the shirt. The loop of material is preferably attached to a shoulder strap of a brassiere. Additionally, the sleeve gathering mechanism can be secured to obscure its presence when not employed to retain a sleeve.

Several embodiments of the presently disclosed brassiere are shown which include various fastening means of the ends of the looped material, various mechanisms for attaching the loop of material to the bra, and methods of employing same.

Additionally, modifications to the loops of materials are described which can help provide a convenient mechanism for securing other loose items to the wearer without creating an unsightly bulge or line when not used to secure other loose items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a wearer1of a brassiere2incorporating the presently disclosed brassiere includes a continuous, uninterrupted front panel3including first and second breast retaining portions4and7. Attached to the first and second breast retaining portions4and7are first and second straps5and6which travel over respective shoulders of the wearer to the rear panel (not shown) of the brassiere2. An elastic band10continues around the torso of the wearer1and is attached to the bottom edges of the front panel3and the rear panel (not shown).

The particular construction of the brassiere2is preferred but not essential to the presently disclosed brassiere. The presently disclosed brassiere can be embodied in brassieres having brassiere cups, underbra support wires, or nearly any other type of undergarment having shoulder straps.

A shirt8(shown in phantom) has sleeves9. The left sleeve9is illustrated in an extended position, extending down the wearer's arm. The right sleeve9is illustrated in a gathered state at the top of the wearer's shoulder.

The presently disclosed brassiere2is embodied by first and second elongated loops of material15,16which are attached to or looped around the first and second shoulder straps5,6. The first and second elongated loops of material15,16are formed by loop straps. An axis of the first and second loops of material15,16formed by the loop straps is attached to the brassiere straps5,6, respectively, such that the axis of the loops is non-parallel to the axis of the brassiere straps5,6, and is preferably generally perpendicular thereto within a range of movement permitted by the brassiere2and the shirt8. Subsequent references to the first and second loops15,16should be understood to reference the straps that form the first and second loops15,16, where appropriate.

The first and second loops of material15,16include a first end and a second end. At least one of the first and second ends has a garment fastener which fastens the first end to the second end. The first and second loops of material15,16have a sufficient length to loop around the material existing between the neck hole and the arm hole at the end of the sleeve9of the outer garment or shirt8worn by the wearer1on top of the brassiere2. In this way, the sleeves9are gathered and bunched at the shoulders of the wearer1, comfortably out of the wearer's way, to expose more surface area of the wearer's skin, particularly around the underarms, to permit greater heat exchange and body cooling.

As illustrated, first and second retaining loops15,16are provided, one for each sleeve. Naturally, if there is a particular need, only one loop may be supplied or used. Also, as explained in more detail below, the first and second sleeve retaining loops15,16can be permanently fastened to the brassiere2, or made detachable.

FIG. 2(A)shows a first embodiment of the sleeve retaining loops15and16. As shown inFIG. 2(A), hook and loop fabric strips21a,21bare used at the first and second ends of the loop of material. Hook and loop fabric strips, commonly known by the trademark VELCRO™, is illustrated as the material, which is a relatively inexpensive garment fastener which can be used to adjust the overlap of the first and second ends of the first and second loops15,16, respectively, to gather the shirt material tightly or loosely, and can accommodate various amounts of the shirt material.

While the sleeve retaining loop material is preferably relatively soft, the hook and loop fastener material21a,21bcan be chafing. In such a case, one or both of the first and second loops15,16is preferably fastened to the brassiere2in a convenient manner to prevent the loop ends of the garment fastener from rotating against the wearer's skin. For instance, the first and second retaining loops15,16can be fastened to the brassiere2by an additional fastening means, such as sewing the retaining loops15,16to the respective brassiere straps5,6of the brassiere2by stitching31as shown inFIG. 3(A), or on the underside respective brassiere straps5,6. In other words, the first and second retaining loops15,16can be manufactured as an integral part of the brassiere2. In addition to stitching31, snaps (FIG.3(B)), hook and loop fabric strips, and hooks and eyelets could be used, as could nearly any other suitable clothing fastener. Additionally, the first and second retaining loops15,16can simply be placed underneath respective brassiere straps5,6without a fastener between the brassiere straps5,6and the loops15,16, as shown inFIG. 3(B). The first and second retaining loops15,16can be used without attachment to the brassiere2or even under the brassiere straps5,6. However, these embodiments permit rotation of the first and second retaining loops15,16which can expose the skin to a chafing surface of the first and second retaining loops15,16.

One solution for preventing the exposure of the skin to a chafing surface of the first and second retaining loops15,16includes the use of an additional strap loop33of material on top of or on the underside of the brassiere straps5,6. This will serve to secure the first and second retaining loops15,16and permit rotation of the first and second retaining loops15,16while minimizing chafing because the brassiere straps5,6act as a shield and guide to the first and second retaining loops15,16. The wearer1of this preferred embodiment may then fasten the fastener of the first and second retaining loops15,16on top of the shirt, rotate one or both ends out-of-sight under the gathered sleeve material, and then fasten the additional strap loop33of material on top of or on the underside of the brassiere straps5,6.

The hook portion of the hook and loop fabric connectors21a,21bat the ends of the first and second retaining loops15,16should be on the surface of first and second retaining loops15,16away from the wearer's body, when not in use. This will reduce chafing, even when the first and second retaining loops15,16are not engaged and the sleeves9are permitted to extend down the wearer's arm or torso.

Modifications of the presently disclosed brassiere include using various garment fasteners such as use of a button and a button hole with the button preferably on the upper surface of the brassiere strap5,6on the surface of the first and second retaining loops15,16away from the wearer's body when not in use. Naturally, clasps, buckles and slip sleeves can be employed effectively, as can nearly any suitable form of clothing fastener.

In use, the wearer of a sleeved outer garment8simply gathers up a sleeve9, grabs one end of a sleeve retaining loop (e.g., first retaining loop15) found underneath the sleeve9, and the other end of the loop15through the neck opening of the outer garment8, and fastens the two ends of the retaining loop15together to retain the bunched-up sleeve material. This process is done either before or after the retaining loop15is attached to the brassiere if attachment is desired.

Additionally, the first and second retaining loops15,16can simply be brought underneath respective brassiere straps5,6and no fastener employed as shown inFIG. 3(B). By attaching the first and second retaining loops15,16to the brassiere2, the shirt material is gathered and retained at approximately the position of the brassiere straps5,6, which, in sports bras, is relatively fixed even when the athlete is energetically moving. This reduces chafing by the gathered shirt material. However, the first and second loops15,16can be used without attachment or being looped around respective brassiere straps. Also, it is possible to simply tie two ends of a retaining loop15,16together, rather than employ a fastener.

As shown inFIGS. 4A,4B and4C, the ends of the first and second retaining loops15,16can be secured in parallel to respective brassiere straps5,6so as to be less intrusive when not in service. That is, the brassiere2can look more or less normal when the first and second retaining loops15,16are not being employed to gather the sleeves of a shirt. For instance, as shown inFIG. 4A, the first and second retaining loops15,16can be fastened to respective brassiere straps5,6by a fastener that that permits rotation. Suitable fasteners include a simple button and buttonhole, or a snap button or any suitable clothing fastener capable of disengagingly fastening the brassiere straps5,6and to respective first and second retaining loops15,16, but axially joined so that the materials of the straps5,6and the loops15,16can be rotated relative to each other. The fastener can be on the underside of the brassiere straps5,6or more preferably on top, and may be fabric-coated to prevent discomfort and for aesthetics. Alternatively, the first and second retaining loops15,16can be made of a material that permits the loops15,16to be placed in line with the brassiere straps5,6without creating a noticeable bulge, such as strings or cords, particularly those that can be tucked under respective brassiere straps5,6.

When the first and second retaining loops15,16are rotated to be in the same plane as formed by the axis of a brassiere straps5,6, they can be fastened to respective brassiere straps5,6with one end of the loops15,16being fastened to the front of the brassiere2and the other end fastened to the back of the brassiere2. As shown inFIG. 4(A), the ends of the first and second retaining loops15,16are simply trapped by a loop of additional material34and35. As shown inFIG. 4(B), an alternative would be to provide hook and loop material in the front part and the back part of the brassiere straps5,6so that the hook and loop material used in the first and second retaining loops15,16can be secured thereby to the brassiere faces. As will be apparent, at least one of the ends of the first and second retaining loops15,16might have hook or loop material on both sides. Alternatively, the hook and loop material can appear on one side of the sleeve retaining loop but when used to retain a sleeve, could be twisted so that the mating surfaces of the hook and loop material would engage.

As shown inFIG. 4C, hooks and eyelets can be used to engage the ends of the first and second retaining loops15,16to mate hook and loops on the brassiere strap5,6by respective front and back portions.

Modifications of these embodiments include that the fasteners appear only on the front or back of the brassiere2on the strap so that both ends of the first and second retaining loops15,16are engaged to the brassiere straps5,6at one side, preferably the front side insofar as the wearer could more readily attach the two ends of the first and second retaining loops15,16to the front of the brassiere2. Also, though illustrated as being fastened on the top surface of the brassiere2, the fasteners can be on the underside of the brassiere2.

Another modification of these embodiments include first and second retaining loops15,16that allow for ruching of the retaining loops15,16. This allows for the wearer1to gather excess fabric of the first and second retaining loops15,16so that the sleeve is secured by the retaining loops15,16.

A further modification of these embodiments include attaching first ends of the first and second retaining loops15,16to the brassiere2and then attaching second ends of the first and second retaining loops15,16to the brassiere2using a fastener that is different from the fastener attached to the first ends of the first and second retaining loops15,16. In other words, the first and second ends of each of the first and second retaining loops15,16need not be attached to each other. Instead, the first and second ends of the first and second retaining loops15,16may be attached to different portions of the brassiere straps5,6.

The first and second retaining loops15,16may also include other desirable features. For example, the first and second retaining loops15,16may be decorated with ornamental or other aesthetically distinguishing features such as coloring, patterns, rhinestones, logos, and the like. The first and second retaining loops15,16may also contain materials that provide desirable effects in the wearer1. For example, the retaining loops15,16may be a titanium-filled nylon necklace that may provide physiological benefits to the wearer1. The first and second retaining loops15,16may further include a heart rate monitor, a calorie counter, a pedometer, and other devices. The first and second retaining loops15,16may also include loops or other features that help associate the retaining loops15,16with other items that may interfere with athletic activities if not appropriately secured. One example is shown inFIG. 5, which depicts material100that helps secure an item like a headphone cable to the brassiere2. In another preferred embodiment, shown inFIG. 6, a zipper may be formed on the retaining loops15,16that correspond to a zipper110formed on the brassiere straps5,6. The zipper110of the retaining loops15,16engages with the zipper of the brassiere straps5,6to secure the retaining loops15,16to the brassiere straps5,6.

The first and second retaining loops15,16may also be formed of two separate pieces120that are independently attached to the brassiere straps5,6in an independently rotatable manner. The separate pieces120may be made of different materials with different properties. In a preferred embodiment, the separate pieces120of the retaining loops15,16are independently attached to the brassiere straps5,6so that the separate pieces120of the retaining loops15,16may independently rotate with respect to the brassiere straps5,6. This embodiment is depicted inFIGS. 7A and 7B. The separate pieces120of the retaining loops15,16may then be rotated to extend substantially perpendicular to the axis of the brassiere straps5,6. The ends of each of the retaining loops15,16formed from the separate pieces120may then be secured to each other to retain a sleeve or other loose item. Each separate piece120of the retaining loops15,16may be interchangeable with another separate piece120of the retaining loops15,16so that the wearer1may customize the particular materials used in each of the retaining loops15,16.

One preferred embodiment includes one piece120of the first and second retaining loops15,16including light reflective or glow-in-the-dark material to improve the visibility of the wearer in low-light conditions. Another embodiment includes one piece120of the first and second retaining loops15,16that helps indicate the wearer's current condition. For example, one piece120of the first and second retaining loops15,16may indicate with color the wearer's approximate body temperature.

Although fabric is shown in the embodiments, other materials such as elastic bands could be used. In this case, because the elastic bands are flexible, it would not be necessary to have a fastener that permits rotation between the first and second loops15,16and the brassiere straps5,6. Instead, the fastener can be fixed and the elastic material simply stretched around a sleeve when functioning as a sleeve retaining loop, or can be attached to the brassiere strap5,6by simply rotating the material to be more in plane with the brassiere strap5,6.

Yet another modification would be to have a pocket formed in the brassiere straps5,6, either on the outer surface of the brassiere straps5,6, or against the wearer's skin. One mechanism is to have each edge of the straps5,6be of a slightly smaller length than the center portion of the brassiere straps5,6in a linear direction of the brassiere strap so that the first and second retaining loops15,16would be trapped underneath the brassiere strap5,6for a smooth appearance, when the first and second retaining loops15,16are not being used to gather a sleeve. In this instance, it would be preferred that the first and second retaining loops15,16be fastened to the underside of the brassiere strap5,6.

Additionally, slits130can be formed in the brassiere strap material, particularly when the brassiere strap material has multiple layers. In this way, the first and second retaining loops15,16can be inserted into respective slits130in the brassiere straps5,6, such that they become trapped in the material of the brassiere straps5,6. This particular embodiment is advantageous when the fasteners of the first and second retaining loops15,16are somewhat rigid at least in part at the ends so that insertion can be easily achieved. The slits130may be positioned on the outer surface of the brassiere straps5,6or on the underside of the brassiere straps5,6depending on aesthetic and wearer comfort concerns. One examples of such an embodiment are illustrated inFIG. 8Awhich shows a brassiere with multiple slits130. A retaining loop15is inserted into the slits130so that the retaining loop15is secured to the brassiere.

A further modification modifies the slits130cut into the brassiere straps5,6so that the slit in the brassiere straps5,6secure loose items that are not held by the first or second retaining loop15,16. For example, in a preferred embodiment a slit is formed on the top of the brassiere straps5,6so that a portion of a headphone cable may be secured to the brassiere2. This helps reduce the interference from loose items while the wearer1is performing activities.FIG. 8Billustrates a brassiere with such a single slit130suitable for securing a portion of a headphone cable or another loose item.

In yet another modification, the brassiere straps5,6may include fasteners125that are configured to directly secure an article of clothing to the brassiere2. One way this may be accomplished is with articles of clothing that include a feature that corresponds to a securing feature125of the brassiere2. This article of clothing may then be directly secured to the securing feature125of the brassiere2without requiring the use of the first and second retaining loops15,16. In a preferred embodiment, the securing feature125of the brassiere2can secure either the first and second retaining loops15,16or an article of clothing with a feature that corresponds to the brassiere2securing feature125. For example, the brassiere2may include a snap125that corresponds to a snap on the retaining loops15,16. In this example, the snap125also corresponds to a snap on a separate article of clothing that may be directly secured to the brassiere2.

The presently disclosed brassiere has been described by way of the foregoing embodiments. However, modifications and variations will occur to those skilled in the art without deviating from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed brassiere. For instance, while various garment fasteners have been described, doubtless other garment fasteners can be employed. Additionally, while the fabric of the first and second retaining loops15,16can be nylon, cotton, polyester, spandex or any fabric or blends thereof suitable for garment construction, doubtless other materials could be employed such as plastics or other non-woven materials. While the presently disclosed brassiere has been principally described as being useful for athletic wear such as tee-shirts, it will be appreciated that the presently disclosed brassiere is useful for garments used for other purposes such as gardening, fitness activities including active and leisure workouts, charity walks, and the like. The scope of the invention should be determined the claims appended hereto and equivalents thereof.