Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/476,185 filed on Jun. 7, 1995, now abandoned. 
     This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 08/084,046, filed Jun. 28, 1993, entitled Breast Protector and Assembly. This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/476,185 filed on Jun. 7, 1995 now abandoned 
    
    
     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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a plane bisecting a teardrop and defining a demi-teardrop shape. 
     FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of a breast protector retention cup constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 shows a cut away side view of the retention cup shown in FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 4 shows a cut away side view of the retention cup shown in FIG. 2, with a human female breast disposed therein. 
     FIG. 5 shows a cut away side view of a retention cup constructed in accordance with the present invention, having padding disposed adjacent the inner surface. 
     FIG. 6 shows a side view of a retention cup constructed in accordance with the present invention, having a plurality of holes formed in the sidewall. 
     FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a retention cup sleeve constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the retention cup sleeve shown in FIG. 7, with two retention cups disposed therein. 
     FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a retention cup sleeve constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the retention cup sleeve shown in FIG. 9, with two retention cups disposed therein. 
    
    
     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 &#34;demi-teardrop shape&#34;. 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 &#34;shock absorber&#34;. 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.