Breast protector and assembly

A breast protector and assembly are provided. The breast protector comprises a retention cup constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material and formed into a demi-teardrop shape which approximates the natural shape of an unsupported female breast. The retention cup can have padding permanently or removably attached to an inner surface of the retention cup. A breast protector assembly comprises two retention cups fitted into a retention cup sleeve composed of a semi-elastic material in the shape of a tube. The retention cup assembly is sized so that the retention cups fit securely within the tube. The retention cup assembly can fit within the cups of an ordinary brassiere, being held thereby against the body of the wearer. Alternately, the retention cup assembly can be sewn into the brassiere.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to chest protectors in general and more specifically 
to breast protectors for cushioning mammary tissue from shocks associated 
with outdoor and athletic events.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a teardrop 2 suspended in free 
space. The teardrop 2 has an axis 4 which extends vertically through the 
teardrop 2 such that the teardrop 2 is symmetrical about the axis 4 at any 
points on the teardrop 2 bisected by a plane 6 perpendicular to the axis 
4. As shown in FIG. 1, the plane 6, which is parallel to the axis 4, 
defines a section 8 which includes a portion of the teardrop 2. The 
section 8 comprises a shape which is known herein as a "demi-teardrop 
shape". The demi-teardrop shape of section 8 approximately defines the 
shape of an unsupported human female breast. 
Shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a demi-teardrop shaped breast protector 
constructed in accordance with the present invention. The breast protector 
includes a retention cup generally designated herein with the reference 
numeral 10. The retention cup 10 has a sidewall 11 defining a generally 
demi-teardrop shaped cavity 18. The sidewall 11 has an outer surface 12, 
an inner surface 16, and a periphery 14. The periphery 14 has a rounded 
lip 15. The retention cup 10 generally defines a demi-teardrop shape, and 
encloses the generally demi-teardrop shape cavity 18. The rounded lip 15 
of the periphery 14 of the sidewall 11 of the retention cup 10 acts to 
reduce abrasion, chaffing or irritation of the skin of a wearer. 
FIG. 4 shows the retention cup 10 with a human female breast 22 disposed 
therein. A surface 23 of the breast 22 is disposed generally adjacent the 
inner surface 16 of the sidewall 11 of the retention cup 10. The rounded 
lip 15 of the periphery 14 of the sidewall 11 of the retention cup 10 is 
disposed a distance 20 away from a torso 24, when a portion of the breast 
22 is disposed within the retention cup 10. The distance 20 is significant 
to the operation of the invention, because when a shock is applied to the 
retention cup 10, as from a blow, the backward movement of the retention 
cup 10 against the breast 22 cushions the blow, thereby allowing the 
breast 22 to act as a "shock absorber". At the same time, the retention 
cup 10 distributes and diffuses the force over a portion of the breast 22. 
Furthermore, the distance 20 between the rounded lip 15 and the torso 24 
assists in retarding wearing or chafing of the retention cup 10 against 
the torso 24. The distance 20 can be any distance sufficient to allow the 
breast 22 to absorb a force when the force is applied to the breast 
protector 10. 
The retention cup 10 can be constructed, for example, and not by way of 
limitation, of seventy five percent polyethylene and twenty five percent 
thermoplastic elastomer. In another embodiment, the retention cup 10 is 
constructed of dense rubber or foam. However, the retention cup 10 can be 
constructed of any suitable, rigid or semi-rigid, washable material. 
The retention cup 10 is ordinarily fitted into the support cup of a 
brassiere (not shown) which is thereafter donned by the wearer. The 
retention cup 10 operates to protect the breast of the wearer partially 
enclosed therein, while presenting a natural, unconfined appearance. 
FIG. 5 shows a retention cup 10a, constructed in accordance with the 
present invention. The retention cup 10a includes a sidewall 11a. The 
sidewall 11a has an outer surface 12a, an inner surface 16a, and a 
periphery 14a. The periphery 14a includes a rounded lip 15a. The rounded 
lip 15a of the periphery 14a of the sidewall 11a operates to reduce 
abrasion, chaffing or irritation of the skin of the wearer of the 
retention cup 10a. 
Padding 25a is disposed adjacent the inner surface 16a of the sidewall 11a. 
The padding 25a can be permanently attached to the inner surface 16a, or 
it may be detachably connected to the inner surface 16a of the sidewall 
11a, so that the padding 25a can be removed from the inner surface 16a as, 
for example, to launder the padding 25a. 
The retention cup 10a is worn in exactly the same manner as the retention 
cup 10 shown in FIGS. 2-4. When the retention cup 10a is worn, the 
periphery 14a of the sidewall 11a is positioned a distance away from the 
torso of the wearer so that when shock is applied to the retention cup 
10a, the force of the shock is distributed and diffused by the retention 
cup 10a, and thereafter the force is transferred to the breast, which 
deforms, thereby dissipating the force. 
FIG. 6 shows a side view of retention cup 10b constructed in accordance 
with the present invention. The retention cup 10b has a sidewall 11b. The 
sidewall 11b has a plurality of holes formed therein, one of the holes 
being shown and designated by the numeral 26b. The holes penetrate the 
outer surface 12b and extend into the interior of the retention cup 10b. 
Other than as stated above, the retention cup 10b is constructed and used 
in exactly the same manner as the retention cup 10. 
FIG. 7 shows a retention cup sleeve 30. The retention cup sleeve 30 has a 
sidewall 32 defining an annular space 33 having a first end opening 34 and 
a second end opening 36. The sidewall 32 is composed of a semi-elastic 
material. The sidewall 32 can be constructed of a cloth material of fifty 
percent cotton, fifty percent polyester mix, or other suitable materials 
can be used. The retention cup sleeve 30 is sized to permit the insertion 
of retention cups 10 into the annular space 33 by way of the first end 
opening 34 and the second end opening 36, such that the retention cups 10 
are held within the retention cup sleeve 30. 
Shown in FIG. 8 is the retention cup sleeve 30 with two retention cups 10 
disposed in the annular space 33 thereof. The semi-elastic material of the 
sidewall 32 of the retention cup sleeve 30 can be stretched to assist the 
placement of the retention cups 10 within the annular space 33. 
Each of the retention cups 10, disposed within a portion of the sleeve 30, 
is subsequently fitted into the support cups of a brassiere. The brassiere 
can then be worn, with the retention cups 10 fitted within the annular 
space 33 of the retention cup sleeve 30 providing protection to the wearer 
against shocks to the breasts, while at the same time, providing a 
generally natural and unconfined appearance. 
Shown in FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the retention cup sleeve, 
designated by the numeral 30a. The sleeve 30a includes a sidewall 32a 
defining an annular space 33a having a first end opening 34a and a second 
end opening 36a. 
The sidewall 32a is constructed of an elastic or semi-elastic material. The 
material forming the first and second end openings 34a, 36a is gathered or 
tapered to provide restricted access by way of the first and second end 
openings 34a, 36a to the annular space 33a. Additionally, a first notch 
38a and a second notch 40a are formed in the sidewall 32a, generally 
equidistant between the first end opening 34a and the second opening end 
36a. 
Shown in FIG. 10 is the retention cup sleeve 30a with two retention cups 10 
disposed therein. The gathered or tapered material of the first and second 
end openings 34a, 36a cooperates with the first and second notches 38a, 
40a to restrict the lateral movement of the retention cups 10 within the 
annular space 33a of the sidewall 32a of the retention cup sleeve 30a. 
Portions of the retention cup sleeve 30a are fitted into the support cups 
of a brassiere (not shown). The brassiere can then be worn, with the 
retention cups 10 fitted within the retention cup sleeve 30a providing 
protection to the wearer against shocks to the breasts. Alternatively, the 
sleeves 30 and 30a shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 can be sewn into or otherwise 
connected to the brassiere such that the ends 34 and 36, or 34a and 36a 
respectively, are free to accept retention cups 10. 
Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various 
components, elements and assemblies described herein and changes may be 
made in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein 
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in 
the following claims.