Anti-slipping brassiere strap bridging and support member

An anti-slipping support for a brassiere shoulder strap 5 has a pliant, elongate bridge plate 1 with a curvature. An upper surface 6 of the bridge plate has a groove 9 proximate an elongate axis. The groove has a securing surface that can be smooth, textured or have a plurality of protrusions 11, each having a gripping surface 12, extending therefrom. A pliant flap 13 is mounted to the upper surface. The respective brassiere shoulder strap is positioned within the groove and beneath the flap to secure the bridge plate from movement along the strap and to provide a smooth top surface. A lower surface of the bridge plate is provided with a cushion pad, which can be either permanently mounted or detachable from the bridge plate. Ventilation orifices 23 can be provided in the bridge plate. Another embodiment has a pair of spaced apart T-shaped strap bays 37 respectively located proximate first and second ends 2 and 3 of the bridge plate to receive the respective brassiere shoulder strap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to the field of brassiere straps 
and more particularly to a weight-distribution and cushioning support 
which resists slipping on the brassiere straps and protects women's 
shoulders against discomfort and injury from suspension of weight of 
breasts by brassiere shoulder straps. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Support of medium-to-large sized breasts by brassiere straps has caused 
problems of disfigurement of shoulder tissues, unsightly appearance, 
discomfort and occasional injury since the advent of brasseries. Wide 
brassiere straps do not always solve the problem because they do not 
distribute weight evenly over wide areas. Various forms of padding have 
been devised, but have not become popular for a number of reasons. Some 
forms of padding are designed for ease of application to the brassiere 
straps, but do not remain securely in a fixed location on the straps as 
the woman moves her shoulder. Others are designed to remain securely in 
place on the brassiere straps, but either require a modified strap for use 
or are destructive to the brassiere straps by the means of attachment. 
Further, some forms of these padding devices do not provide a smooth 
surface against an outer garment rendering them detectable, unattractive 
and not feminine enough for most use conditions. 
A shoulder guard described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,551,255 by Engel has a 
longitudinal body with a longitudinal recess proportioned to receive a 
strap. The brassiere strap is held between transverse slots at each end of 
the longitudinal recess. This devise utilizes a clamping action against 
the strap to hold it in place which places stress upon the brassiere 
strap. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,505,272 granted to Blalock et al describes a saddle for 
brassiere straps which has a pad fixed to a top portion. Its 
strap-attachment method requires snap fasteners to be installed on the 
brassiere straps and then snapped on the upper surface of the saddle. In 
addition to the modification of the brassiere straps, this devise does not 
have a smooth upper surface. 
A shoulder pad and brassiere strap cushion apparatus described in U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,945,576 by Melton has two portions. The brassiere strap is disposed 
on one portion, and the other portion is folded over and secured to the 
one portion by "Velcro" looped and hooked fasteners. When folded, this 
devise is relatively thick, has a flat surface and has an enhanced wearing 
action by the "Velcro" fasteners on the brassiere straps. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,050,734 granted to Dopyera also describes a shoulder-strap 
pad which has a cushioned bottom fixed to a top portion. Its 
strap-attachment method has strap holders located on the upper surface of 
the pad and a ridge means to hold the shoulder-strap in place across the 
top of the pad. The Dopyera devise is designed for the straps of 
recreational equipment, rather than being amenable to aesthetic uses by 
women with breasts large enough to require firm support. 
A shoulder guard described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,046,991 by Heberling has a 
flat base portion having channel shaped side portions with a series of 
projections extended from the longitudinal center of the base portion. The 
projections coordinate with brassiere straps having openings spaced in a 
similar, mating arrangement to the projection spacing. In addition to the 
required modification of the brassiere straps, this devise does not have a 
flat upper surface. 
A strap-bearing pad described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,399 by Davis has a top 
rigid layer and a bottom soft layer. A brassiere strap is held between 
pairs of tabs at each end on the upper surface. This devise does not 
provide a secure means to prevent the brassiere strap from slipping, nor 
does it provide a smooth upper surface. This devise is relatively thick 
and limited to athletic and nursing uses. 
In our U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,487, a brassiere-shoulder-strap support is 
described having a pliant bridge plate, a detachable cushion and T-shaped 
strap bays. This device is effective for weight distribution, but the 
T-shaped strap bay does not completely prevent sliding of the support on 
the brassiere strap, especially when the woman moves her shoulder. 
Additionally, because the brassiere strap is disposed across a top surface 
of the brassiere-shoulder-strap support, the strap is visible from outside 
of the woman's clothing and renders an unsightly appearance. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, it is contemplated that the 
problems that have existed and that continue to exist in this field, 
objectives of this invention are to provide an anti-slipping 
brassiere-shoulder-strap support which: 
Has a cushion pad that can be cleaned; 
Has a curvature which form-fits a woman's shoulder beneath a brassiere 
strap and will not restrict circulation of blood in the upper torso of the 
wearer; 
Has a rigid bridge that is sized and shaped to extend sufficiently rearward 
from proximate the clavicle bone and over a sufficiently wide area to 
distribute weight of breasts held by the brassiere strap without cutting 
into, indenting or injuring shoulder, skin and bone tissues; 
Prevents pain and discomfort due to excessive brassiere-strap pressure; 
Allows leaving brassiere-shoulder strap supports on a brassiere when it is 
not being worn in order to use them fast and conveniently without 
reattachment when a brassiere is worn again; 
Makes brassiere straps easily and conveniently attachable and removable, 
and is not destructive to the straps as are other devices utilizing harsh 
attachment means, such as hook and loop fastening devices; 
Has cushion pads with a variety of thicknesses and widths for different 
conditions and uses with ease by women with different physical 
characteristics; 
Allows use of more rigid and supportive brassiere straps without 
irritation, indentation, pain or injury; 
Allows use of cushion pads which are selectively hypo-allergenic and will 
not cause allergic skin reactions; 
Prevents slippage of brassiere straps from shoulders; 
Allows transfer of anti-slipping brassiere-shoulder-strap supports from one 
brassiere to another easily and conveniently; 
Has both rigidly-bridging and effectively-cushioning components which can 
be designed especially for athletic and nursing applications without 
redesign of brasseries for different levels of breast-weight support and 
physical activity; 
Has a smooth upper surface for aesthetic uses; and which 
Prevents slippage of the brassiere-shoulder-strap support upon the 
brassiere strap. 
This invention accomplishes the above and other objectives with an 
anti-slipping brassiere-shoulder-strap support having a pliant, elongate 
bridge plate with a curvature sized and shaped to form-fit on a woman's 
shoulder beneath a brassiere strap between an area proximate the clavicle 
bone in the front and a position proximate a downward-curving rear portion 
of the shoulder. The elongate bridge plate can be shaped variously, 
preferably having a generally elliptical form. A lower surface of the 
bridge plate is provided with a cushion pad and held in cushioning 
relationship between the bridge plate and the woman's shoulder. One 
embodiment of the invention has the cushion pad permanently mounted to the 
bottom surface of the bridge plate. Another embodiment of the invention 
has the cushion pad attached to and detached from the bridge plate 
conveniently and easily for cleaning, servicing and replacement. Cushion 
pads with different thicknesses, widths and other characteristics can be 
provided and utilized optionally and interchangeably for different levels 
of breast-weight and physical activity of users. An upper surface of the 
bridge-plate has a groove proximate the elongate axis to receive the 
brassiere strap. The groove has a securing surface and optionally has a 
plurality of protrusions extending therefrom. Also optionally disposed 
within and at each end of the groove are T-shaped strap bays to receive 
the brassiere strap. Each protrusion has a gripping surface which grips 
the brassiere strap to nondestructively resist movement of the support 
along the strap. A pliant flap is mounted to the upper surface of the 
bridge plate that at least extends across the groove. A given shoulder 
strap of a brassiere is positioned within the groove and beneath the flap, 
whereby the flap exerts pressure upon the strap and causes the strap to 
engage the gripping surfaces of the protrusions. The pressure exerted by 
the flap secures the bridge plate from movement along the strap. Also, the 
flap provides an aesthetically pleasing smooth top surface. Orifices for 
ventilation can be provided in the bridge plate. Further, the present 
invention provides a support for the brassiere strap which is feminine, 
sleek, unobtrusive in use and secure from movement upon the brassiere 
strap. 
Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become 
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the 
accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate 
corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made 
first to FIG. 1. An anti-slipping brassiere-shoulder-strap support has a 
pliant bridge plate 1 with a first end 2, a second end 3 and an elongate 
curvature 4. The elongate curvature of the bridge plate 1, as shown in 
FIG. 2, is designed to conform to a portion of a woman's shoulder between 
a position proximate a clavicle bone and a top-rear portion of the woman's 
shoulder. The bridge plate 1 is sized and shaped to form-fit the top of 
the woman's shoulder under a brassiere shoulder strap 5. It is referred to 
as a bridge plate 1 because it distributes weight from a brassiere strap 
evenly over a broad portion of the woman's shoulder in a uniform manner 
like a bridge. The bridge plate 1 is constructed preferably from a light 
plastic material that is sufficiently rigid to distribute such weight 
evenly and yet resilient in response to anticipated movement of the 
woman's shoulder. 
Shape of the bridge plate 1 is preferably elongate with a modified 
elliptical form. Other elongate shapes also can be employed, as shown in 
FIG. 5. Length of the bridge plate 1 is sufficient to extend from desired 
proximity to the clavicle bone to desired proximity to a top-rear portion 
of the woman's shoulder. The size and the length-to-width proportions can 
vary considerably for different women and for different use conditions. 
Large, medium and small sizes of the bridge plate are foreseeable. The 
bridge plate 1 has a width greater than a width of the brassiere shoulder 
strap 5. 
Thickness of the bridge plate 1 also can be different for different women 
and for different use conditions. Different sizes can be constructed with 
different thicknesses. 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, the bridge plate 1 has an upper surface 
6, a lower surface 7 and a bonding side 8. Located on the upper surface 6 
is a groove 9 proximate an elongate axis between the first end 2 and the 
second end 3 of the bridge plate 1. The groove has a securing surface 10, 
and although not required, this embodiment has a plurality of protrusions 
11 extending from the securing surface 10. Each protrusion 11 has a 
gripping surface 12 distally located from the securing surface 10. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, a pliant flap 13 having a bonding surface 14 
and a top surface 15 is mounted at the bonding surface 14 thereof to the 
upper surface 6 of the bridge plate 1 on the bonding side 8. The flap 13 
can be mounted to the bridge plate 1 by use of an adhesive, an epoxy, a 
fusion method or any conventional means. It is also foreseeable that the 
bridge plate 1 and the flap 13 can be formed as a single unit. In order to 
attach the anti-slipping brassiere-shoulder-strap support to the brassier 
shoulder strap 5, the flap 13 is manually raised, the strap 5 is slid 
between the flap 13 and the bridge plate 1 into the groove 9 and the flap 
13 is released, whereby the flap 13 exerts pressure upon the strap 5 and 
engages the strap 5 with the gripping surfaces 12 of the protrusions 11. 
The protrusions 11 have a designed height to firmly engage the gripping 
surfaces 12 with the brassiere shoulder strap 5 without distorting the 
smooth top surface 15 of the flap 13. 
A cushion pad 16 can be attached to the lower surface 7 of the generally 
concave bridge plate 1. This support for the brassiere shoulder strap 5 is 
comprised primarily of the bridge plate 1 and the cushion pad 16. The 
bridge plate 1 distributes weight over a wide area and the cushion pad 16 
softens contact between the woman's shoulder and the bridge plate 1. In 
order to eliminate discomfort from sharp edges gouging the woman's 
shoulder, the bridge plate 1 has a peripheral edge 17 that is rounded. 
Thickness of the cushion pad 16 depends to a great extent on its resilient 
resistance to collapse or softness. Different levels of softness are 
preferred for different women and for different use conditions. 
Material for construction of the cushion pad 16 has several preferred 
characteristics or specifications. It can be washed easily without 
retaining adverse odors or colors. It does not wear out soon from being 
washed and replaced often in the same or different brasseries. It has a 
resiliency which is sufficient to bear weight placed on the bridge plate 1 
without collapsing to where the bridge plate 1 comes in contact with the 
woman's shoulder. The resiliency does not diminish with repeated washing 
and wearing throughout its use life. It has relatively "non-skid" contact 
with skin on the woman's shoulder to prevent it and the brassiere strap on 
it from sliding off the woman's shoulder. 
Referring to FIG. 2, the cushion pad 16 has an attachment side 18 which is 
permanently affixed to the lower surface 7 of the bridge plate 1. This can 
be accomplished by fusing or adhesively attaching the attachment side 18 
of the cushion pad 16 to the lower surface 7 of the bridge plate 1. In the 
preferred embodiment, the cushion pad 16 is first placed in a mold and the 
light plastic material is then injected into the mold fusing the bridge 
plate 1 to the cushion pad 16. 
Another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, has a cushion receptacle 19 in the 
concave lower surface 7 of the bridge plate. The cushion receptacle 19 has 
a receptacle bottom 20, receptacle end walls 21 and receptacle side walls 
22. Ventilation orifices 23 extend into the cushion receptacle 19. The 
cushion pad 16 is removably placeable in the cushion receptacle 19. The 
receptacle end walls 21 are proximate the first end 2 and the second end 3 
of the bridge plate 1. 
In FIG. 6 there is shown at least two walls of the cushion receptacle, 
preferably receptacle end walls 21, having retainer recesses 24. Pad 
dovetail walls 25 are sized and shaped to fit against the retainer 
recesses 24 in dovetail-interlocking relationship. 
Referring to FIGS. 7 through 10, the cushion pad 16 is shown separately in 
FIG. 7 from the bottom, in FIG. 8 from the side and in FIG. 10 from an 
end. In FIG. 9, the pad dovetail wall 25 is shown separated from the 
retainer recess 24. A cushion boss 26 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 as a 
portion of the cushion pad 16 which extends beyond the bridge plate 1 in 
contact with the woman's shoulder. 
In FIGS. 11 and 12, a full-bottom cushion pad 27 has overlap end sections 
28 and overlap side sections 29 extending beyond receptacle end walls 21 
and receptacle side walls 22, respectively. A bottom 30 of a full-bottom 
cushion pad 27 can be made to cover an entire lower surface 7 (see FIGS. 5 
and 6) of the bridge plate 1. The full-bottom cushion pad 27 is shown 
separately from an end in FIG. 12 and separated from the retainer recess 
24 in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, an overlap end section 28 is shown in slidable 
contact with a lower surface 7 of a bridge plate 1 as pad dovetail walls 
25 are brought in contact with a retainer recess 24 for attaching the 
full-bottom cushion pad 27. For removing the full-bottom cushion pad 27 or 
the cushion pad 16, the pad dovetail walls 25 are removed from contact 
with the retainer recess 24 by grasping either cushion pad 16 or 27 and 
pulling it outwardly. 
Either of the cushion pads 16 or 27 can be adhesively attached to the 
cushion receptacle 19 if desired. For adhesive attachment, characteristics 
of the adhesive employed are compatible with characteristics of the 
cushion pads. Preferably, both are washable and odor-resistant. 
In yet another embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 13, the bridge 
plate 1 is shown in the same oval configuration. Looking at the bottom of 
the bridge plate 1, the cushion receptacle 19 holds a modified cushion pad 
31 therein. FIGS. 14 and 15 show the modified cushion pad 31 comprising a 
two-part construction, namely, a hard, preferably plastic, backing 
material 32 and a softer foam cushion pad 33. The modified pad 31 
preferably has therein a plurality of holes 34, matching the spacing of 
the vent orifices 23 of the bridge plate 1, to provide ventilation. 
The bridge plate 1 of FIG. 13 has retainer recesses 24 at the receptacle 
end walls 21 of the first and second ends 2 and 3, respectively. On the 
receptacle side walls 22 of the bridge plate 1 are one or more retainer 
gripping tabs 35 which project inwardly from the rim of the bridge plate 1 
along the receptacle side walls 22. As more readily seen in the vertical 
cross-sections in FIGS. 16 and 17, the retainer gripping tabs 35 form a 
retainer space 36 between the tabs 35 and the cushion receptacle area 19. 
The retainer space 36 operates to engage an edge of the backing material 
32 of the modified cushion pad 31 within the retainer space 36 so that the 
modified cushion pad 31 is not only held on the ends of the plate by means 
of the retainer recesses 24, but is also snapped into firm engagement with 
the plate by means of the retainer gripping tabs 35. 
Therefore, as can be seen in FIG. 18, at the ends of the bridge plate 1, 
the modified cushion pad 31 is snapped into the retainer recesses 24 and 
the receptacle end walls 21 hold the backing material 32 and engage the 
soft foam cushion pad 33 to maintain firm engagement on the ends of the 
bridge plate 1. As can be seen in FIG. 19, the modified cushion pad 31 is 
maintained in the bridge plate 1 by engagement of the retainer gripping 
tabs 35 with the backing material 32, and the retainer gripping tabs 35 
also engage the cushion pad 33. It can be seen that with this particular 
arrangement that there is little chance, if any, that the modified cushion 
pad 31 will be dislodged by activities of the person wearing the bridge 
plate 1. To mount the modified cushion pad 31 into the bridge plate 1, it 
is merely necessary to place the modified cushion pad 31 over the cushion 
receptacle area 19, press upon each end to snap the backing material 32 
under the retainer recesses 24 and then press the side edges of the 
modified cushion pad 31 to snap the backing material 32 under the retainer 
gripping tabs 35. 
It is contemplated that all materials utilized in a bridge plate 1, and the 
various cushion pads disclosed herein, will be of medical grade materials 
and be non-hypo-allergenic. 
Still yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. 
This embodiment has the shape, although not required, of the embodiment 
shown in FIG. 1 and can have the features of the previous embodiments. A 
notable difference in this embodiment is that the groove 9 has a pair of 
spaced apart T-shaped strap bays 37 located proximate the first and second 
ends 2 and 3, respectively, to receive the brassiere shoulder strap 5. 
Each T-shaped strap bay 37 has a strap entrance section 38 that is 
substantially parallel to the elongate axis of the bridge plate 1 and a 
strap-container section 39 that is substantially perpendicular to the 
strap-entrance section 38. The brassiere shoulder strap 5 is slid in 
sideways through the strap-entrance section 38 and then turned parallel to 
be located within the strap-container section 39. Referring to the groove 
9, the securing surface 10 is shown as being smooth without the 
protrusions 11. The securing surface 10 may also be textured with any type 
of raised surface that extends outwardly from the securing surface 10. 
Such raised surface may be knurled, ribbed, circled, patterned and the 
like. 
Various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from 
the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations 
shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set 
forth in the appended claims.