Abstract:
A brassiere shoulder strap connector is shaped so that the shoulder strap is positioned at a desired angle to better accommodate the anatomy of the wearer&#39;s shoulder. Preferably, the connector has a triangular shape.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to a connector for a brassiere. More particularly, the present invention relates to a shaped connector for connecting a brassiere shoulder strap preferably to a brassiere, preferably to a back panel of the brassiere.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     The common problem with a shoulder strap of a brassiere is that the strap can be misaligned on a wearer&#39;s shoulder and, thus, will dig into the shoulder due to the connection of the shoulder strap to the back panel of the brassiere. Even if the shoulder strap is aligned properly, it may nonetheless become uncomfortable after use due to the shape of the shoulder strap, its alignment with the back panel, and the anatomy of the shoulder and back of the wearer.  
         [0005]     There is a need for a brassiere strap that avoids misalignment, improves the connection between the back panel and shoulder strap to provide angular flexibility to adapt or conform to the actual anatomy of a top of a wearer&#39;s shoulder, thereby enhancing comfort for the wearer. Accordingly, such a connector needs to be angled so that the shoulder strap, at its connection to the back panel, is angularly biased thereby enhancing comfort, since there is no slippage of the shoulder strap off the shoulder.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector for a brassiere shoulder strap that connects a shoulder strap to a brassiere, preferably at a back panel of the brassiere.  
         [0007]     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a connector for a brassiere shoulder strap that connects a shoulder strap to a brassiere at a front panel of the brassiere.  
         [0008]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector for a brassiere shoulder strap that biases the shoulder strap as desired while on the shoulder of the wearer.  
         [0009]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a connector for a brassiere shoulder strap that has a triangular shaped configuration.  
         [0010]     It yet another object of the present invention to provide such a connector that forms a heart shape.  
         [0011]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a connector for a brassiere shoulder strap that has two arms that meet at one edge and angle away from each other at the distal edges.  
         [0012]     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a connector for a brassiere shoulder strap that has two arms that meet at one edge and form the same angle away from each other.  
         [0013]     It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide such a connector for a brassiere shoulder strap that has two arms that meet at one edge and form an angle away from each other, which angle is an acute angle.  
         [0014]     It is a still yet further object of the present invention to provide such a connector for a brassiere shoulder strap that has two arms that meet at one edge and form an angle away from each other, which angle is about forty degrees.  
         [0015]     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the connector of the present invention. The connector is for use, preferably to connect a brassiere shoulder strap to the brassiere. The connector comprises a first arm having a first end and a second end, a second arm having a first end connected to the first end of the first arm and having a second end that angle away from the second end of the first arm. Preferably, the connector has a wave or top portion that connects the second end of the first arm and the second end of the second arm together. In a preferred embodiment, the first arm is positioned for sliding engagement with a shoulder strap of a brassiere, and the second arm is positioned for sliding engagement with an edge of a back panel of the brassiere so that the shoulder strap and the edge form that same angle. The connector provides that the shoulder strap and back panel angle towards the spine of a wearer.  
         [0016]     The wave portion can form an opening for sliding engagement the shoulder strap and back panel to the connector. In preferred embodiments, the wave portion has a flange to separate or space the shoulder strap from the material that is connected to the back panel. Also, the wave portion preferably has tapered sides of the flange to engage the shoulder strap and the material. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an example fastener of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the fastener of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the fastener of  FIG. 1  engaging a shoulder strap and back panel of a brassiere;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a second plan view of the brassiere of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the fastener of the present invention engaging a shoulder strap and a back panel of a brassiere; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a second plan view of the brassiere of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     Referring to the drawings and, in particular,  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a first embodiment of a fastener of the present invention generally represented by reference numeral  100 . In this first embodiment, the fastener  100  has a first side or arm  110  with a first end  112  and a second end  114 , and a second side or arm  120  with a first end  122  and a second end  124 . The first end  112  of the first arm  110  and the first end  122  of the second arm  120  preferably meet or connect at point or plane  130 . Preferably, connector  100  has a third or top or wave portion  140  that connects together the second end  114  of first arm  110  and the second end  124  of second arm  120 .  
         [0025]     The first arm  110  and second arm  120  form an angle  150  with respect to each other. The angle  150  determines the bias of the shoulder strap and the other part, such as a back panel, of a brassiere with respect to each other. The angle  150  is any acute angle, such as between about 25 to 45 degrees, and preferably about 27 to 41 degrees.  
         [0026]     The third or wave portion  140  has a pair of symmetric arcuate portions  142  that meet at a flange  145 . The flange  145  preferably aligns axially with the point  130  of connection of first end  112  of first arm  110  and the first end  122  of second arm  120 . The flange  145  preferably has a pair of tapered sides  146 , separating the shoulder strap and back strap or any extension of the back strap, such as, for example, the back elastic. In a front-opening brassiere, the flange  145  separates the shoulder strap and front strap. Preferably, the tapered sides  146  taper at an angle that makes the sides parallel to first and second arms  110 ,  120 . Thus, a pair of slots  148  are formed therebetween.  
         [0027]     The connector  100  has any angular configuration in which there are two arms or portions that provide a non-parallel relationship with respect to each other. Preferably, connector  100  has a triangular shape configuration. More preferably, connector  100  has a heart shape configuration.  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , connector  100  has a thin profile so as not to appear bulky or feel heavy when on the shoulder of a wearer. In the back closure brassiere shown in FIGS.  3  to  6 , connector  100  separates the shoulder strap and back strap.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , connector  100  is shown in position on a brassiere  200 . First arm  110  engages a shoulder strap  300  by being positioned in a hollow end  304  of the shoulder strap. Likewise, second arm  120  engages a hollow edge or material  314  of a back panel  310 . In this embodiment, shoulder strap  300  and back panel  310  are angled inward towards each other and towards the spine of the wearer, or generally towards the center or spine of a wearer&#39;s back, forming a v-shape.  
         [0030]     The angle of the shoulder strap  300  and material  314  of back panel  310  comes from the angle  150  of fastener  100 . The angle  150  can be varied to achieve various effects. In the embodiment shown, both first arm  110  and second arm  120  are angled away from plane  130 . However, in an alternative, less preferred embodiment, first arm  110  or second arm  120  may be parallel to plane  130 , while the other of the first and second arms is angled away from each other.  
         [0031]     The flange  145 , due to its width between its pair of sides  146 , separates shoulder strap  300  and material  314 . The sides  146  of flange  145  and first arm  110  and second arm  120  preferably form parallel edges to form a pair of slots  148  for receipt of hollow end  304  of shoulder strap  300  and material  314  of back panel  310 .  
         [0032]     As stated before, connector  100  may also be used on any extensions of the back strap. Connector  100  may also be used with a front strap for a front-opening brassiere. Connector  100  is made of any material conventionally used for brassiere connectors, such as metal or plastic. Preferably, connector  100  is made of high carbon steel coated with nylon powder. Thus, a preferred connector  100  has a weight of about 85% steel and 15% nylon.  
         [0033]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show a second embodiment of the fastener  100  of the present invention. In this embodiment, fastener  100  has an oval configuration or shape. Also, fastener  100  has a pair of angles  160 . As a result, shoulder strap  300  and material  314  of back panel  310  again are angled or biased with respect to each other.  
         [0034]     It is to be understood that the drawings and detailed description are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Embodiments other than the examples in the drawings and detailed description may be used. Other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description, such as square, octagon, triangle, and other shapes and various angles for the fastener. Structural, mechanical, and material changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Various designs of brassieres and other intimate apparel are contemplated by the present disclosure, even though some minor elements would need to change, such as design and function. The present invention has applicability to fields other than brassieres, such as athletic apparel. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.