Abstract:
A backless bra. The backless bras has an elongate strap formed with a loop at each end. Each loop is configured for positioning about the breast of a user with strap material, therebetween positioned about the back of a user&#39;s neck.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a backless bra and more particularly, to a backless bra having removable support straps for enhancing the appearance of the breasts of the user. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The prior art has a panoply of various modifications of the conventional bra design. Many of these designs are either strapless, backless or combinations of these. 
   In many instances, the existing bra arrangements present difficulties when the user wishes to wear specific garment designs which are either backless or strapless. The existing arrangements present complications in that where the dress or other garment has no back material, the present arrangements make it extremely difficult for the user to wear a bra in this situation. In the prior art, numerous attempts at alleviating these problems have been promulgated. Typical of the prior art arrangements is that which is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2003/0073378, published Apr. 17, 2003, to Davis for a backless, strapless bra with swivel snap system. In the arrangement disclosed, Davis teaches a bra arrangement without straps or a back which includes two cups and a connector. The connector is adapted to facilitate swiveling of the cups relative to the connector to thereby conform to the shape of the user. The cups include inside and outside surfaces, with the inside surface including adhesive tape to assist in retention of the cups on the breasts. This arrangement although useful, does not provide any real support or allow the user to enhance her appearance. 
   In European Patent Application No. 1386548, Chen et al. disclose an improved backless strapless bra where the arrangement provides a connector for bra cups which has the capacity for variation to a variety of configurations. 
   This arrangement, globally, is very similar to that discussed herein previously regarding the United States Publication. There is still the need for a cup system in order to provide the necessary support. 
   U.S. Des. Pat. Nos. D478,406 and D470,994 issued to Valentin, provide further variations on the strapless and backless arrangements. 
   In view of the prior art, it would be desirable to have a backless bra which could provide a user with the necessary support and the ability to enhance her appearance without the use of bra cups and with the least amount of material as possible. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to solving the drawbacks in the prior art arrangements and accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved bra. 
   A further object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a backless bra, comprising an elongate strap formed with a loop at each end, each said loop configured for positioning about the breast of a user with strap material, therebetween positioned about the back of a user&#39;s neck. 
   The loop arrangement allows the user to increase the degree of push up as desired and the provision of the support section greatly contributes to appearance enhancement and support. 
   As a particularly convenient feature, the support straps are removable and may be disposed of, depending upon the material chosen for these straps. 
   A further object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a backless bra, comprising an adjustable elongate strap having free ends for positioning about a user&#39;s neck; a support strap for positioning about the underside of each breast; and connecting straps for connecting each said support strap and said adjustable elongate strap whereby connected straps form a loop at each end of said free ends, each said loop configured for positioning about the breast of a user. 
   The adjustable features may be achieved using existing adjusting clips well known in this art. Additionally, it will be understood that the individual sections of the straps may be integrated by adjustable clips or may be fixed or no adjustment, depending on the intended use of the bra. Fixed or “no clip” arrangement would be, for example, particularly useful for athletic purposes such as running, tennis etc. 
   A further object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a backless bra, comprising an elongate strap having free ends, a support strap for positioning about the underside of each breast, first connection means for connecting a free end of said elongate strap with a respective free end of said support strap, a third strap for joining a second free end of said elongate strap with a second free end of said support strap, and second connection means for connecting said second free end of said of said elongate strap and said second free end of said support strap. 
   In the above-noted embodiment, the loops may be replaced by a bridging or connecting strap which connects between the support straps. In this manner, the user can augment or decrease the degree of cleavage as desired while facilitating the possibility of wearing lower neckline clothing. 
   Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention with the strap in a non-assembled form; 
       FIG. 2  is a view of the arrangement as assembled; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the strap in use about a user; and 
       FIG. 4  is a further embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   Similar numerals denote similar elements. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 through 3 ,  FIG. 1  illustrates the backless bra system as an elongate strap, globally denoted by numeral  10 . The bra comprises a first strap  12  with a conventional adjustment buckle or clip  14  positioned along the length of the strap  12 . The strap  12  includes ends  16  and  18  which ends are either affixed or adjustably connected with hooks, clips or other connection means, illustrated in the figure and denoted by numerals  20  and  22 . Connected thereto are further linking straps  24  and  26 . Each of straps  24  and  26  includes a respective free end,  28  and  30  each of which includes a connecting member  32  and  34 , respectively (the connected member can be selected from those discussed herein previously) which releasably engage a free end  36  and  38 , respectively of support straps  40  and  42 . The support straps  40  and  42  are positioned for contact with the underside of the breast of a user as shown in  FIG. 3  and in this manner act to lift and support the breasts. The individual straps  40  and  42  may be of a slightly greater dimension in width relative to the elongate strap  12  or other straps of the bra. 
   Each strap  40  and  42  includes a free end  44  and  46 , respectively to which is attached at each end a connecting member  48  and  50 , respectively. Extending from the connecting members  48  and  50  are further straps  52  and  54  each of which includes a connecting member  56  and  58 , respectively. These connecting members  56  and  58  are adapted for connection with connecting members  32  and  34 , respectively. In this manner, when assembled as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the strap system forms a pair of loops which are adapted for positioning about the breasts of the user as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
   Returning to straps  40  and  42 , as a particularly convenient feature, these straps are entirely removable from the system and may include adhesive material for imparting additional support when tension is exerted such as that which would be encountered by the strap  12  around the neck of the user as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In this manner, the straps  40  and  42  may comprise any suitable material; however, it is desirable to have the same composed of a dermatalogically acceptable plastic material such that the same can be discarded after use. In this manner, in terms of replacement or reuse, the user could simply purchase these individual segments. 
   As an alternative, the straps may comprise a material which is washable. In this regard, the entire system  10  may be selected from the materials well known in the art for this purpose. To this end, the material may comprise elasticized cotton, polyester, spandex, inter alia. 
   Turning to  FIG. 4 , shown as a further embodiment of the present invention. In this arrangement the third strap  60  having free ends  62  and  64  joins free ends  44  and  46  with connection means  64  and  66 , respectively. The connection means  64 ,  66  may be integral with the straps  40 ,  42  or may be included on the third strap  60  as an alternative. In terms of the third strap, the material may be any suitable form of material which may also include the elasticizing discussed with respect to the previous embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
   As set forth herein above, the connection points between the straps can be achieved using any of the conventional “S” type fasteners or any other suitable hook and eye type connection well known in the undergarment industry. 
   Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.