# Patent

## Title
Armature for a brassiere

## Abstract

An armature for a brassiere for a woman have a chest area. A breast projecting from the breast area and a transition area transitioning between the chest area and proximal, intermediate, and distal portions of the breast. The transition area defines a continuous contour. The armature includes an underwire having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the distal portion of the breast, a proximal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the proximal portion of the breast, and an intermediate portion configured to be positioned adjacent the intermediate portion of the breast. The underwire has an unsprung state configured to match the contour of the transition area.

## Background
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to women's support undergarments, and more particularly to an armature support arrangement for a women's brassiere.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Brassieres are commonly worn by women under their clothing to support their breasts. A brassiere, more commonly known to consumers as a bra, typically includes cups to support the breasts and wing portions that attach to the cups and encircle the upper torso of the woman to hold the bra on the woman's body. Some bra designs also utilize an armature, or flexible wire under the cups, to provide additional support for the breasts. However, some underwire configurations can lead to pinching, digging, and other discomfort after the bra is fastened to the woman's body due in part to an underwire that is not specifically formed to fit the user's breast. Additionally, some underwire and wing configurations can lead to unattractive bulging of the cup when the bra is worn by the woman. It is thus desirable to provide an underwire bra design that is configured to minimize pinching and discomfort of the wearer, as well as provide a better fit and appearance when worn by a woman.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, the invention provides an armature for a brassiere for a woman having a chest area, a breast projecting from the breast area, and a transition area transitioning between the chest area and proximal, intermediate, and distal portions of the breast. The transition area defines a continuous contour. The armature includes an underwire having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the distal portion of the breast, a proximal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the proximal portion of the breast, and an intermediate portion configured to be positioned adjacent the intermediate portion of the breast. The underwire has an unsprung state configured to match the contour of the transition area.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a brassiere including an armature. The armature includes a flat surface defining a face having a width, wherein the face is oriented toward a transition area.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a brassiere for a woman having a chest area, a breast projecting from the breast area, and a transition area transitioning between the chest area and proximal, intermediate, and distal portions of the breast. The transition area defines a continuous contour. The brassiere includes a cup configured to support the breast, a wing attached to the cup, the wing adapted to extend around to a back of the woman, and an armature at least partially attached to the cup and wing. The armature has a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the distal portion of the breast, a proximal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the proximal portion of the breast, and an intermediate portion configured to be positioned adjacent the intermediate portion of the breast. The armature has an unsprung state configured to match the contour of the transition area.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a brassiere embodying an armature of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of an armature of the present invention as shown on a female user.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an armature of the present invention as shown on a female user.
FIG. 4 is a front view of an armature of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a top view of an armature of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is another top view of the armature of the present invention as shown lying on a flat surface.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the armature of the present invention as shown lying on a flat surface.
FIG. 8 is a top view of a prior art underwire.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the prior art underwire of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the prior art underwire of FIG. 8.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
FIG. 1 illustrates a brassiere 10 embodying an armature 14 of the present invention. The brassiere 10 is adapted for use on a woman having a chest area 18 with at least one breast 22 projecting from the chest area 18. The chest area 18 further has a transition area 26, or an inframammary fold, where the chest area 18 transitions to the breast 22. The breast 22 has a proximal breast portion 34, an intermediate breast portion 30 and a distal breast portion 38. The proximal breast portion 34 is the portion of the breast 22 that lies adjacent to the sternum, or the median line of the female body. The distal breast portion 38 is the portion of the breast 22 distal, or away from, the sternum. The intermediate breast portion 30 is the portion of the breast 22 that lies intermediate to the proximal breast portion 34 and distal breast portion 38. The transition area 26 further defines a continuous contour on the female body which lies outside of a single plane. The transition area 26 is such that the area is not flat, but rather follows the natural contour of the human body, including bone, muscle, fat and skin.
The brassiere 10 further includes a cup 78 and a wing 82. The cup 78 is configured to support the breast 22. The wing 82 is coupled to the cup 78 and adapted to extend around to a back of the woman. Although not shown, the brassiere can be configured to lock or latch in a rear of the woman, in ways including, but not limited to a snap, a hook and eye, a latch, or the like. In some embodiments, the brassiere is configured to lock or latch in a front of the woman in similar ways to a rear lock or latch. The armature 14 is at least partially attached to the cup 78 and the wing 82. In some embodiments, the armature 14 is partially attached to the cup 78 and the wing 82 by way of a fabric pocket 86 formed into the brassiere 10. The fabric pocket 86 is adapted to receive and retain the armature 14. The fabric pocket 86 can be any shape or material that can receive and retain the armature 14.
A typical brassiere 10 is adapted to include a first cup 78 and a second cup 178. The first cup 78 and second cup 178 are substantially identical mirror images of each other and thus only the first cup 78 will be discussed below. Similarly, a typical brassiere 10 will have a first wing 82, a second wing 182, a first armature 14 and a second armature 114. Accordingly, only the first wing 82 and first armature 14 will be discussed below.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the armature 14 is an underwire 46 that includes a distal end portion 50, a proximal end portion 58 and an intermediate portion 54. The distal end portion 50 is configured to be positioned adjacent the distal breast portion 38. The distal end portion 50 can be a spoon shape to prevent the breast 22 from pushing into the wing 82. The distal end portion 50 is illustrated as a spoon shape, but the distal end portion 50 can be any shape adapted to prevent the breast 22 from pushing into the wing 82. The proximal end portion 58 is configured to be positioned adjacent the proximal breast portion 34. The intermediate portion 54 is configured to be positioned adjacent the intermediate breast portion 30, or a lower breast portion.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the armature 14 has an unsprung shape, wherein the armature 14 is configured to match the contour of the transition area 26. As seen in FIG. 6, an intermediate axis 62 lies through an intermediate line of the armature 14 and which does not lie in a single plane. Rather, the intermediate axis 62 follows the unsprung state of the armature 14 and is configured to follow the natural curvature of the female body along the transition area 26. The sprung and unsprung configurations of the armature were extrapolated from a database created by three-dimensionally scanning a model. This shape allows the brassiere to properly position the armatures comfortably against the transition areas of the woman's body and to firmly press the cups against the breasts.
To illustrate the unsprung state and multi-dimensional nature of the armature, FIGS. 8-10 illustrate and contrast a prior art underwire 146 that lies in a single plane such that the prior art underwire 146 does not conform to the natural curvature of the female body in the unsprung state. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the prior art underwire 146 lies flat on the ground 190, or in a single plane. As contrasted to FIGS. 6 and 7, the armature 14 of the present invention does not lie flat on the ground 90, but rather lies outside of a single plane.
As further illustrated in FIG. 6, the armature 14 includes a flat surface 66 having a width 70 and defining a face 74. In some embodiments, the width of the face is at least 0.5 mm. In other embodiments, the width of the face is approximately 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. The flat surface 66 further conforms to the contour of the transition area 26. The flat surface 66 enables a comfortable fit of the armature 14 against the female body.
The brassiere can be manufactured of any fabric or material suitable for use in a garment to be worn against the body, and in most cases the unclothed body, of a human user. The armature can be manufactured from any resin or polymer which has material properties suitable for forming an armature for a brassier, such as including but not limited such material properties as high impact resistance, good flowability, and variable E-modulus.
Additionally, the armature can be formed in a plurality of sizes to fit a plurality of sizes of brassiere wearers.
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

## Claims

1. An armature for a brassiere for a woman have a chest area, a breast projecting from the chest area, and a transition area transitioning between the chest area and a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion of the breast, the transition area defining a continuous contour, the armature comprising:
an underwire having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the distal portion of the breast, a proximal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the proximal portion of the breast, and an intermediate portion configured to be positioned adjacent the intermediate portion of the breast, the underwire having an unsprung state configured to match the contour of the transition area.

2. The armature of claim 1, wherein the underwire defines an intermediate axis.

3. The armature of claim 2, wherein the intermediate axis lies outside of a single plane.

4. The armature of claim 2, wherein the intermediate axis conforms to the transition area.

5. An armature for a brassiere, the armature comprising:
an underwire having a flat surface, the flat surface having a width and defining a face, wherein the flat surface faces a transition area, the transition area transitioning between a chest area and a breast projecting from the chest area; and
wherein the flat surface is defined in cross-section by a plane normal to an intermediate axis of the underwire.

6. The armature of claim 5, wherein the width of the face is at least 0.5 mm.

7. The armature of claim 5, wherein the width of the face is approximately 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

8. The armature of claim 5, wherein the face lies against the transition area.

9. A brassiere for a woman having a chest area, a breast projecting from the chest area, and a transition area transitioning between the chest area and a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion of the breast, the transition area defining a continuous contour, the brassiere comprising:
a cup configured to support the breast;
a wing attached to the cup, the wing adapted to extend around to a back of the woman; and
an armature at least partially attached to the cup and wing, the armature having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the distal portion of the breast, a proximal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the proximal portion of the breast, and an intermediate portion configured to be positioned adjacent the intermediate portion of the breast, the armature having an unsprung state configured to match the contour of the transition area.

10. The brassiere of claim 9, wherein the armature defines an intermediate axis.

11. The brassiere of claim 10, wherein the intermediate axis lies outside of a single plane.

12. The brassiere of claim 10, wherein the intermediate axis conforms to the transition area.

13. The brassiere of claim 9, further comprising a fabric pocket, the fabric pocket conforming to the transition area and adapted to receive and retain the armature.

14. A brassiere for a woman having a chest area, a breast projecting from the chest area, and a transition area transitioning between the chest area and a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion of the breast, the transition area defining a continuous contour, the brassiere comprising:
a cup configured to support the breast;
a wing attached to the cup, the wing adapted to extend around to a back of the woman; and
an armature at least partially attached to the cup and wing, the armature having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the distal portion of the breast, a proximal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the proximal portion of the breast, and an intermediate portion configured to be positioned adjacent the intermediate portion of the breast, the armature comprising an underwire having a flat surface defining a face having a width, wherein the face is oriented toward the transition area;
wherein the flat surface is defined in cross-section by a plane normal to an intermediate axis of the underwire.

15. The brassiere of claim 14, wherein the width of the face is at least 0.5 mm.

16. The brassiere of claim 14, wherein the width of the face is approximately 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

17. The brassiere of claim 14, wherein the face lies against the transition area.