Support garment

Aspects herein provide for a support garment having a vibration damping structure that is positioned between the breast contacting surfaces of the support garment. The vibration damping structure has a shape and/or material characteristics that enable it to substantially fill the space defined by a medial aspect of the wearer's breasts and the wearer's sternum. This positioning and placement facilitate the damping structure's ability to absorb and dissipate impact forces generated at least through the medial-to-lateral movement of the wearer's breasts during, for example, athletic activities.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects herein relate to a support garment configured to support a wearer's breasts.

BACKGROUND

Conventional support garments, including those configured to provide support during athletic activities, such as bras, generally provide support through encapsulation and/or compression of a wearer's breasts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At a high level, aspects herein relate to a support garment, such as a bra, having a vibration damping structure configured to reduce at least medial-to-lateral sway, movement, or vibration of a wearer's breasts during, for instance, athletic activities. The vibration damping structure may also be configured to reduce superior-to-inferior movement, bounce, or vibration during athletic activities. In exemplary aspects, the support garment comprises breast contacting surfaces configured to cover the wearer's breasts, and the vibration damping structure may be positioned between the breast contacting surfaces. The vibration damping structure has a shape configuration and/or material characteristics such that it is configured to occupy, or at least partially occupy, the space defined at least by the medial aspect of the wearer's breasts and the wearer's sternum (commonly known as the wearer's cleavage).

In exemplary aspects, the vibration damping structure is composed of a material that exhibits mechanical characteristics that facilitate its ability to absorb and dissipate forces transmitted to the material by the wearer's breasts. For instance, the material may be selected to be more compressible (i.e., less stiff) than breast tissue so that the material deforms to a greater extent than the wearer's breast tissue when the wearer's breasts contact the material. This is important for allowing the transmission of the impact force from the wearer's breasts to the material and the subsequent absorption and dissipation of the impact force by the material. An exemplary stiffness for the material may be less than or equal about 15 N/mm. The material may also be selected to exhibit a relatively high rate of energy return (i.e., the percentage of input energy that is recovered during rebound). For example, the material may be selected to exhibit an energy return of from about 70% to about 90%. Having a relatively high percentage of energy return enables the material to “mold” to the shape of the wearer's breasts so that the vibration damping structure not only fills the space between the wearer's breasts but also conforms or molds at least partially around the medial aspects of the wearer's breasts. By being in contact with the wearer's breasts, the vibration damping structure is better able to absorb and dissipate forces generated by the breasts during movement.

Accordingly, aspects herein are directed to a support garment comprising at least a front portion. The front portion comprises a pair of breast contacting surfaces configured to cover a wearer's breasts when the support garment is in an as-worn configuration and a vibration damping structure positioned between the pair of breast contacting surfaces so that when the support garment is in the as-worn configuration the vibration damping structure is configured to occupy a space defined at least by the medial aspect of the wearer's breasts and the wearer's sternum.

Another aspect herein provides for a support garment comprising at least a front portion comprising a pair of breast contacting surfaces configured to cover a wearer's breasts when the support garment is in an as-worn configuration, and a first vibration damping structure positioned between the pair of breast contacting surfaces, where the vibration damping structure has a stiffness less than or equal about 15 N/mm and an energy return characteristic from about 70% to about 90%.

Yet another aspect herein provides for a support garment comprising at least a front portion. The front portion comprises a pair of breast contacting surfaces, each breast contacting surface having an inner-facing surface and an outer-facing surface opposite the inner-facing surface, the inner-facing surface and the outer-facing surface of each breast contacting surface defining a first average thickness therebetween, and a vibration damping structure positioned between the pair of breast contacting surfaces, the vibration damping structure having an inner-facing surface and an outer-facing surface opposite the inner-facing surface, the inner-facing surface and the outer-facing surface of the vibration damping structure defining a second average thickness therebetween, wherein the second average thickness is greater than the first average thickness.

Positional terms used herein such as “superior,” “inferior,” “medial,” “lateral,” and the like are to be given their common anatomical meaning with respect to the support garment being worn as intended by a hypothetical wearer standing in anatomical position. The phrase “configured to contact” or other similar phrases as used when describing the location of a structure on the support garment with respect to a wearer is to be construed based on a support garment appropriately sized for the wearer. The term support garment as used herein relates to any style or type of support garment used to support breast tissue. Exemplary support garments may comprise bras as that term is known in the art (sport bras, conventional bras, and the like), camisoles, swimwear, or other garments with built-in support. Further, the term “breast contacting surface” is meant to encompass any type of structure that is in contact with the wearer's breasts. For instance, each breast contacting surface may comprise a breast cup such as a molded cup, or an unmolded cup. The breast contacting surfaces may comprise separate distinct components with each contacting surface configured to cover a separate breast, or the breast contacting surfaces may comprise a unitary or continuous band of material that makes contact with both of the wearer's breasts. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

Turning now toFIG. 1, a front perspective view of an exemplary support garment100with a vibration damping structure105is shown being worn by a wearer in accordance with aspects herein. In exemplary aspects, the support garment100, shown in the form of a bra, may comprise a pair of breast contacting surfaces110and111configured to cover a wearer's right and left breasts respectively, a pair of shoulder straps112configured to extend over the wearer's shoulders, and an underband114configured to be positioned under the wearer's breasts when the support garment100is worn. In exemplary aspects, the shoulder straps112may be optional. For example, the support garment100may be constructed as a bandeau-style garment. Moreover, although shown as a distinct component, the underband114may also be optional. For instance, when the support garment100is in the form of a top, the underband114may not be present or may comprise a bottom margin of the top. Any and all aspects, and any variations thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

Continuing, although not shown, the support garment100further comprises a back portion connected to the front of the support garment100via, for instance, the shoulder straps112and/or the underband114as it extends circumferentially around the torso of a wearer. Further, the back portion of the support garment100may be configured as a racerback-style, a conventional style, and the like. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

In exemplary aspects, the support garment100comprises the vibration damping structure105(shown in dashed lines to indicate it is hidden from view). The vibration damping structure105is configured to be positioned between the breast contacting surfaces110and111. More particularly, the vibration damping structure105is positioned between a medial aspect of the right breast contacting surface110and a medial aspect of the left breast contacting surface111. As will be explained more fully below, the vibration damping structure105has a shape configuration and/or has material characteristics that enable it to fill the void or space between the wearer's breasts. That is, the vibration damping structure105has a shape configuration and/or has material characteristics that enable it to completely fill or at least substantially fill the space or void defined by at least the medial aspects of the wearer's breasts and the wearer's sternum (i.e., the wearer's cleavage) so that when the support garment100is in an as-worn configuration, at least the medial aspects of the wearer's breasts are configured to be in contact with the vibration damping structure105.

In another aspect, the support garment100may also optionally have vibration damping structures116positioned at a lateral aspect of the right and left breast contacting surfaces110and111(only the vibration damping structure116adjacent to the lateral aspect of the left breast contacting surface111is shown inFIG. 1due to the perspective view). The vibration damping structures116may be used to help absorb and dissipate forces imparted by the wearer's breasts when moving in a lateral direction.

Continuing, and as shown inFIG. 8, in yet another aspect, a support garment800may comprise an exemplary vibration damping structure810comprising a unitary and continuous structure extending from between breast contacting surfaces805and806, inferior to the breast contacting surfaces805and806and terminating along the lateral sides of the breast contacting surfaces805and806. In still yet another aspect, and as shown inFIG. 9, a support garment900may comprise an exemplary vibration damping structure905having a unitary and continuous structure extending across the substantially all of the front portion of the support garment900(i.e., between breast contacting surfaces910and911as indicated by reference numeral912, across the breast contacting surfaces910and911, and extending over the lateral aspects of the breast contacting surfaces910and911). With respect to the support garment900, the thickness of the vibration damping structure positioned adjacent to the breast contacting surfaces910and911is contemplated as being thinner than the thickness of the vibration damping structure positioned between the medial aspects of the breast contacting surfaces910and911(indicated by reference numeral912) so as not to substantially increase the overall weight of the bra and/or produce an undesired aesthetic.

Returning toFIG. 1, in exemplary aspects, the vibration damping structure105is configured to absorb and dissipate impact forces imparted to the structure105by the wearer's breasts as commonly occurs during, for example, athletic activities. The absorption and dissipation of the impact forces may occur through mechanical deformation of the vibration damping structure105(i.e., passive damping). More particularly, due to the positioning of the vibration damping structure105between the wearer's breasts, the damping structure105may be optimized to dissipate impact forces generated through the medial-to-lateral movement of the wearer's breasts. Further, as will be more fully explained below, the vibration damping structure105may also have a shape configuration optimized to additionally absorb and dissipate impact forces generated through the superior-to-inferior movement of the wearer's breasts.

Continuing, to be able to both absorb and dissipate the forces, materials for the vibration damping structures105and/or116are selected to exhibit certain mechanical characteristics. For example, in exemplary aspects, the material selected to form the vibration damping structures105and/or116may exhibit a stiffness less than or equal to about 15 N/mm (the term “about” as used herein means within ±10% of a given value). Stiffness may be defined as the extent to which a material resists deformation in response to an applied force. In general, the stiffness of the material used to form the vibration damping structures105and/or116is selected to be less than the average stiffness of breast tissue. As such, the material of the damping structures105and/or116may be selected to deform (e.g., undergo mechanical deformation) to a greater extent than the breast tissue upon contact of the breast tissue with the material, thereby enabling the material to absorb and/or dissipate any impact forces from the breast tissue. It is contemplated herein, that the stiffness of the material used to form the vibration damping structures105and/or116may be customized depending on the likely size and/or firmness of the breasts that will be supported by the support garment100. For example, larger and/or more firmer breasts may generate larger impact forces as compared to smaller breasts. As such, a material with a greater stiffness (e.g., a stiffness between, for instance, from about 7 N/mm to about 15 N/mm) may be selected for support garments configured for large-breasted women and/or woman who may have firmer breast tissue.

Another mechanical characteristic that contributes to the ability of the damping structures105and/or116to dampen breast vibrations is its energy return where energy return may be defined as the amount of energy stored by the vibration damping structures105and/or116that is returned when the load is removed (as opposed to dissipating as heat). In exemplary aspects, the material used to form the vibration damping structures105and/or116is selected to have an energy return from about 70% to about 90%. Having a relatively high rate of energy return may enable the vibration damping structures105and/or116to conform or mold around a wearer's breasts. For instance, the vibration damping structure105, due to having a high energy return, may be configured to mold around at least the medial aspect of the wearer's breasts, and the vibration damping structure116may be configured to mold around at least a portion of the lateral aspect of the wearer's breasts. This, in turn, facilitates the damping structures105and/or116being able to absorb and dissipate forces transmitted to the structures105and/or116by the wearer's breasts.

An additional mechanical property that may be exhibited by the material forming the vibration damping structures105and/or116is its ability to withstand normal loads or forces imparted by the wearer's breast tissue during impact without plastically deforming. For example, the vibration damping structures105and/or116may have a maximum limit load of about 10 Newtons (N), 20 N, 30 N, 40 N, 50 N, 60 N, 70 N, 80 N, 90 N, or 100 N (and/or values in between) before undergoing plastic deformation.

Exemplary materials selected to form the vibration damping structures105and/or116may comprise open cell foams, closed cell foams, spacer mesh materials, spring-like structures (e.g., resilient coil structures), beads (e.g., Styrofoam beads), hollow and flexible pipe structures formed from, for instance, monofilaments and other yarns, non-woven materials such as, for example, Breathair™ manufactured by Toyoba Co., Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, air-filled pillows or bladders, injected molded materials, extruded materials, three-dimensional printed structures, and the like. All of these materials are capable of undergoing some type of mechanical deformation in response to an impact force. Besides exhibiting the mechanical characteristics described above, materials may also be selected to promote breathability (i.e., the transmission of moisture vapor through a material) of the vibration damping structures105and/or116.

The vibration damping structures105and/or116may be incorporated into the support garment100in a number of ways. In one example, the vibration damping structures105and/or116may be integrated directly into the support garment100by affixing the structures105and/or116directly to inner-facing surfaces of the breast contacting surfaces110and111and/or the support garment100. Affixing may occur by stitching, bonding, adhesives, welding, use of buttons, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like. Affixing may comprise permanently or releasably affixing the vibrations damping structures105and/or116to the support garment100.

In a second example, the vibration damping structures105and/or116may be enclosed between layers of fabric, and the layers of fabric may be affixed to inner-facing surfaces of the breast contacting surfaces110and111and/or support garment100. In this example, the damping structures105and/or116may not be directly affixed to the breast contacting surfaces110and111but, instead, be indirectly affixed to the breast contacting surfaces110and111via the fabric layers. In yet another example, when the breast contacting surfaces110and111are formed from two or more layers of fabric, the damping structures105and/or116may be positioned between the fabric layers. It is contemplated herein, that in one aspect, the fabric selected to form the outer-facing portion of the vibration damping structure105may be a non-stretch material so as to limit expansion of the vibration damping structure105in an anterior direction. This not only facilitates wearer comfort but may improve the aesthetics of the support garment100. As well, limiting anterior expansion of the damping structures105and/or116may help to maintain the overall stiffness and energy return of the damping structures105and/or116.

In another aspect, the vibration damping structures105and/or116may comprise integral extensions of the breast contacting surfaces110and111. For instance, a knitting, weaving, and/or molding process used to form the breast contacting surfaces110and111may be modified to form the vibration damping structures105and/or116. In this aspect, the damping structures105and/or116would comprise one or more of the same yarns or materials used to form the breast contacting surfaces110and111.

Continuing, in yet another aspect, the support garment100may comprise pockets into which the vibration damping structures105and/or116may be inserted when needed. Thus, when the wearer is not engaging in athletic activities, the wearer may choose not to insert the structures105and/or116into their respective pockets. However, when the wearer engages in athletic activities, the wearer can insert one or both of the structures105and/or116into their respective pockets. With respect to the vibration damping structure105, in some aspects, the support garment100may comprise straps configured to be positioned over the vibration damping structure105when the wearer engages in athletic activities. For instance, in some aspects, the vibration damping structure105may be configured to not completely fill the space between the wearer's breasts to improve wearer comfort when the wearer is not exercising. When the wearer wishes to exercise, the wearer can position the straps (or other types of tensioning structures) over an outer-facing surface of the vibration damping structure105. The tension imparted by the straps helps to position the vibration damping structure105so that it substantially fills (e.g., fills about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and/or 100%) the space between the wearer's breasts. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

FIGS. 2-4are provided to illustrate how an exemplary vibration damping structure, such as the vibration damping structure105ofFIG. 1, is configured to fill, or substantially fill, the space defined by the medial aspects of the wearer's breasts and the wearer's sternum in accordance with aspects herein.FIGS. 2-4represent partial cross-sections taken at the approximate top (superior part) of the wearer's breasts, the approximate mid-point of the wearer's breasts, and at the approximate lower part (inferior part) of the wearer's breasts respectively. With respect toFIGS. 2-4, the wearer's body is indicated by the reference numeral210.

UsingFIG. 2as a representative example, in exemplary aspects, each breast contacting surface110,111comprises an inner-facing surface212configured to face toward the wearer's body surface210and an outer-facing surface214configured to face away from the wearer's body surface210. The inner-facing surface212and the outer-facing surface214define a first thickness216extending between these two surfaces.

Continuing, the vibration damping structure105also comprises an inner-facing surface218and an outer-facing surface220. The inner-facing surface218and the outer-facing surface220of the vibration damping structure105define a second thickness222extending between the two surfaces218and220. In exemplary aspects, the outer-facing surface220of the vibration damping structure105may be generally co-planar with the outer-facing surface214of the breast contacting surfaces110as measured from, for instance, an apex region of the breast contacting surfaces110and111(the region extending the furthest anteriorly when the support garment100is in an as-worn configuration).

In exemplary aspects, the second thickness222varies from a superior aspect of the vibration damping structure105(best seen inFIG. 2), to an approximate mid-point of the vibration damping structure105(best seen inFIG. 3), to an inferior aspect of the vibration damping structure105(best seen inFIG. 4) to produce an overall average thickness222. More particularly, the second thickness222may gradually increase from the superior aspect of the damping structure105to the approximate mid-point of the vibration damping structure105and then gradually decrease from the approximate mid-point of the damping structure105to the inferior aspect of the vibration damping structure105. This gradation in thickness is meant to mimic the normal anatomy of a wearer's cleavage. By varying the second thickness222of the vibration damping structure105as described, the damping structure105can organically fill the space between the wearer's breasts. In exemplary aspects, the average thickness222of the vibration damping structure105(averaged over the superior, middle, and inferior portions of the structure105) is greater than the first thickness216of the breast contacting surfaces110and111. For instance, the average thickness222of the vibration damping structure105may be at least about two times, three times, four times, five times, or greater than the thickness of the breast contacting surfaces110and110. This is opposed to most traditional bra structures where the thickness of the center portion that connects the two breast contacting surfaces is generally the same as, or even less than, the thickness of the breast contacting surfaces.

It is contemplated herein that the varying thickness222of the vibration damping structure105may not be symmetrical with respect to the approximate horizontal mid-point of the damping structure105. For example, most breasts generally have a greater volume of tissue towards the inferior aspect of the breasts as compared to a superior aspect of the breasts when the wearer is standing. Thus, the thickness of the damping structure105may be generally greater at the inferior portion of the vibration damping structure105and thinner at the superior portion of the vibration damping structure105. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

FIGS. 5-7depict some exemplary shapes for vibration damping structures such as the vibration damping structure105in accordance with aspects herein.FIGS. 5-6depict front views of exemplary vibration damping structures, andFIG. 7depicts a side view of an exemplary vibration damping structure. With respect toFIG. 5, an exemplary vibration damping structure500is defined by a perimeter shape comprising a superior margin510, an inferior margin512, and opposing lateral margins514and516. The superior margin510is configured to be positioned at a superior aspect of a wearer's breasts, the inferior margin512is configured to be positioned at an inferior aspect of the wearer's breasts, and the lateral margins514and516are configured to be positioned adjacent to a medial aspect of the wearer's breasts. As shown inFIG. 5, the lateral margins514and516extend convexly away from a vertical midline of the damping structure500. By extending convexly away from the vertical midline, the lateral margins514and516may be configured to fully contact the medial aspect of the wearer's breasts when the vibration damping structure500is incorporated into a support garment.

FIG. 6depicts an alternative shape configuration for a vibration damping structure600in accordance with aspects herein. The vibration damping structure600has a perimeter shape that mimics an hourglass shape. That is, a superior portion610and an inferior portion612of the damping structure have a greater width than a mid-portion614of the structure600. More particularly, as shown inFIG. 6, width616of the superior portion610and width618of the inferior portion612are generally greater than width620of the mid-portion614. It is contemplated herein that the width616of the superior portion610may be the same as, greater than, or less than the width618of the inferior portion612.

Continuing, the shape configuration of the damping structure600may be optimized to provide damping to impact forces generated not only through medial-to-lateral movement of the wearer's breasts but also to impact forces generated through superior-to-inferior movement of the wearer's breasts. For instance, the shape configuration of the structure600is such that the superior portion610may extend along and be in contact with at least a portion of the superior aspect of the wearer's breasts, and the inferior portion612may extend along and be in contact with at least a portion of the inferior aspect of the wearer's breasts. Thus, the superior and inferior portions610and612may be positioned to help absorb and dissipate impact forces generated by the wearer's breasts during superior-to-inferior movement of the breasts.

FIG. 7illustrates a side view of an exemplary vibration damping structure700in accordance with aspects herein. The vibration damping structure700may comprise, for example, the vibration damping structure105ofFIG. 1or the vibration damping structures500and600ofFIGS. 5 and 6. The vibration damping structure700may comprise a superior aspect710, an inferior aspect712, an anterior aspect714, and a posterior aspect716in relation to the damping structure700being incorporated into a support garment worn by a wearer. As described above with respect toFIGS. 2-4, the vibration damping structure700may a first thickness718at its superior aspect710, a second thickness720at a point generally mid-way between the structure's superior aspect710and inferior aspect712, and a third thickness722at its inferior aspect712to produce an overall average thickness. As shown the thickness towards the mid-point and inferior aspect712of the structure700is generally greater than the thickness718at the superior aspect710to mimic the natural breast shape of the wearer's breasts. It is contemplated herein, that the structure700may have other configurations. For instance, the thickness of the superior and inferior aspects710and712may be generally the same, where both of these thicknesses may be less than the thickness720. Alternatively, the structure700may have a uniform thickness from its superior aspect710to its inferior aspect712. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within the scope herein.

Turning now toFIGS. 10-12, an alternative construction for a vibration damping structure is depicted in accordance with aspects herein. In an additional aspect, and as shown inFIG. 10, a support garment1000may comprise an exemplary vibration damping structure1010comprising a frame1012and a series of series of cross-linking elements1014extending between the borders of the frame1012. The frame1012and the cross-linking elements1014may have similar mechanical properties as described for the vibration damping structures105and116. As shown inFIG. 10, the vibration damping structure1010is positioned between breast contacting surfaces of the support garment1000such that is fills or substantially fills the space defined by the medial aspects of the wearer's breasts and the wearer's sternum when the support garment1000is in an as-worn configuration. It is contemplated herein, that the vibration damping structure1010may be fixedly attached to the support garment1000or removably attached to the support garment1000. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

A view of the vibration damping structure1010in isolation is shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. With respect toFIG. 11, which illustrates a front perspective view of the vibration damping structure1010, it is contemplated herein that the frame1012may extend continuously around the vibration damping structure1010. That is, it may extend continuously from a superior end of the vibration damping structure1010, along lateral sides of the vibration damping structure1010, and along the inferior end of the vibration damping structure. It is also contemplated herein, that the frame1012may comprise the lateral sides without the superior and inferior ends. The frame1012may be formed of, for instance a flexible plastic material (commonly known as “boning”) although other flexible materials are contemplated herein.

Continuing, the series of cross-linking elements1014extend transversely across the frame1012from a first lateral side of the frame1012to a second lateral side of the frame1012. In exemplary aspects, the cross-linking elements1014may also be formed from a flexible plastic material (or other flexible material). Further, it is contemplated herein that the frame1012and the cross-linking elements1014may comprise a unitary and continuous structure formed through, for instance, a molding process. It is also contemplated herein, that the cross-linking elements1014may comprise separate structures that are joined to the frame1012using affixing technologies know in the art. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein. When the vibration damping structure1010is used within a support garment such as the support garment1000, it is contemplated herein that the vibration damping structure may be sandwiched between or positioned between layers of material (e.g., a fabric) before being incorporated into the support garment.

As shown inFIGS. 10 and 12, the cross-linking elements1014extend posteriorly with respect to the frame1012such that they bow or curve inwardly to at least partially occupy the space defined by the medial aspect of the wearer's breasts and the wearer's sternum. Similar to the vibration damping structure700ofFIG. 7, it is contemplated herein that cross-linking elements1014positioned near the superior end of the vibration damping structure1010may not extend as far posteriorly as the cross-linking elements1014positioned generally midway between the superior and inferior ends of the vibration damping structure1010, or the cross-linking elements1014positioned near the inferior end of the vibration damping structure1010. As well, the cross-linking elements1014positioned near the inferior end of the vibration damping structure1010may not extend as far posteriorly as the cross-linking elements1014positioned generally midway between the superior and inferior ends of the vibration damping structure1010. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein. The configuration of the vibration damping structure1010not only helps to prevent medial-to-lateral sway of the wearer's breasts during movement, but also facilitates the movement of air and moisture vapor through the vibration damping structure1010helping to keep the wearer cool.

Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention.