Abstract:
A strapless bra includes an upper strap system coupled to an upper portion of each of first and second cup members, wherein the upper strap system includes first and second strap members selectively operable to couple to one another, and a lower strap system coupled to a lower portion of each of the first and second cup members, wherein the lower strap system includes third and fourth strap members selectively operable to couple to one another. The upper strap system is selectively operable to conform to a first girth and the lower strap system is selectively operable to conform to a second girth. The first and second girths can be unequal.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to bras and more particularly to a strapless bra having independently adjustable dual torso straps.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Strapless bras are generally defined as bras that do not include any shoulder strap members. Strapless bras are generally worn so that women may wear clothing such as shirts or dresses with very thin shoulder straps (e.g., spaghetti straps) or no shoulder straps at all (e.g., off the shoulder shirts or dresses) while still having some support to the breasts.  
         [0003]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a conventional strapless bra  10  has two cups. Each cup  12  typically contains an underwire member  14  to support each breast, or one underwire member that extends through both cups. Torso straps  16   a,    16   b,  respectively, are typically sewn from each of the sides of the cups from the top to the bottom. These torso straps  16   a,    16   b,  respectively, in the front are sewn to be the same length of the cups on each side, and become slightly narrower as they wrap around to the back where the user can then fasten each of the ends together. The torso straps  16   a,    16   b,  respectively, are usually about 3 to 4 inches thick where connected to the cups and about 2 to 3 inches thick in the back, although this will vary depending on cup size. There are usually several (e.g. 3) clasps  18  connected to one end of the torso strap  16   a  with a like number of hooks  20  or similar members on or near the end of the other torso strap  16   b  to allow for fastening of the two torso straps  16   a,    16   b,  respectively, together. These clasps/hooks  18 ,  20 , respectively, are used to let the user adjust the bra according to how tight the user would like the bra to be. This bra type does support the breasts somewhat, but it very restricting as it can not easily adjust to various body types, especially in proximity to the torso.  
         [0004]     Although there is an underwire member  14  to help support each breast, because the support is either on the bottom of each cup  12  or in the back where the bra fastens, there is no support on the top of the bra. As a result, the bra does not stay close to the skin and is constantly shifting downward. This leaves the breast vulnerable to undesirable movement, exposure, and discomfort.  
         [0005]     Therefore, there exists a need for new and improved strapless bra, especially one that provides the requisite amount of support and allows for the fit to be adjustable to the user&#39;s particular figure, especially in proximity to the torso.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a bra is provided, comprising: (1) first and second cup members adapted to receive a breast; (2) an upper strap system coupled to an upper portion of each of the first and second cup members; and (3) a lower strap system coupled to a lower portion of each of the first and second cup members.  
         [0007]     In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, a bra is provided, comprising: (1) first and second cup members adapted to receive a breast; (2) an upper strap system coupled to an upper portion of each of the first and second cup members, wherein the upper strap system includes first and second strap members selectively operable to couple to one another; and (3) a lower strap system coupled to a lower portion of each of the first and second cup members, wherein the lower strap system includes third and fourth strap members selectively operable to couple to one another.  
         [0008]     In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, a bra is provided, comprising: (1) first and second cup members adapted to receive a breast; (2) an upper strap system coupled to an upper portion of each of the first and second cup members, wherein the upper strap system includes first and second strap members selectively operable to couple to one another; and (3) a lower strap system coupled to a lower portion of each of the first and second cup members, wherein the lower strap system includes third and fourth strap members selectively operable to couple to one another; wherein the upper strap system is selectively operable to conform to a first girth; wherein the lower strap system is selectively operable to conform to a second girth.  
         [0009]     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a conventional strapless bra, in accordance with the prior art;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a strapless bra, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a partial front elevational view of the strapless bra depicted in  FIG. 2 , in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a partial elevational view of a connection system for a strapless bra, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partial front elevational view of a first alternative strapless bra, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a partial front elevational view of a first alternative strapless bra, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is generally shown a strapless bra  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The bra  100  preferably includes two cup members  102 ,  104  that are operable to receive a breast therein. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each cup member  102 ,  104 , respectively, has an individual underwire member  106 ,  108 , respectively, or, alternatively, one unitary underwire member that extends through both cup members  102 ,  104 , respectively.  
         [0019]     Generally, a typical women&#39;s figure is narrower (i.e., has a lesser torso girth) at the top of her breast area, than it is at the bottom of her breast area (i.e., has a greater torso girth) which causes the problems with conventional strapless bras, as previously described. Conversely, female athletes (e.g., bodybuilders, weightlifters, and the like) that have well-developed back and chest muscles, may find conventional strapless bras extremely confining and uncomfortable, especially around the top of her breast area, i.e., her upper torso area. With the present invention, the user can compensate for this difference in relative torso girths, regardless of whether the upper torso area (i.e., corresponding to the top of the breast area) has a lesser girth than the lower torso area (i.e., corresponding to the bottom of the breast area), or vice versa.  
         [0020]     The present invention overcomes these problems by use of dual torso straps, including an upper torso strap system  110  and a lower torso strap system  112 . The upper torso strap system  110  preferably includes two upper torso strap members  114 ,  116 , respectively, that are sewn or otherwise fastened to the upper portions  118 ,  120 , respectively, of the cup members,  102 ,  104 , respectively. The lower torso strap system  112  preferably includes two lower torso strap members  122 ,  124 , respectively, that are sewn or otherwise fastened to the lower portions  126 ,  128 , respectively, of the cup members,  102 ,  104 , respectively. The respective strap members  114 ,  116 ,  122 ,  124 , respectively, preferably remain the same size (e.g., height) from front (e.g., cup member) to back (e.g., the middle of the user&#39;s back), i.e., they do not significantly taper. By way of a non-limiting example, the approximate size (e.g., height) of each torso strap member is approximately 1 to 2 inches.  
         [0021]     The end portions  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 , respectively, of the upper and lower torso strap members  114 ,  116 ,  122 ,  124 , respectively, are selectively operable to be fastened together by any number of suitable methods, such as but not limited to hooks/loops, laces, VELCRO, and/or the like.  
         [0022]     By way of a non-limiting example, with each of the strap systems  110 ,  112 , respectively, being independent from each other, the upper torso strap system  110  can be tightened to a greater degree than the lower torso strap system  112 , or vice versa. By way of a non-limiting example, this can be achieved by any number of methods, such as but not limited to by placing more (or less but further spaced apart) clasps on the upper torso strap system  110  than on the bottom torso strap system  112  to allow for a tighter (or looser) fit, as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0023]     As with the previously described embodiments, the upper torso strap system  200  includes first and second upper torso strap members  202 ,  204 , respectively. Each of the ends  206 ,  208 , respectively, of the upper torso strap members  202 ,  204 , respectively, includes connection members, such as a hook member  210  or at least one loop member  212 . The loop members  212  may be provided in a relatively great number or may be spaced apart to provide a number of fastening options to the user. Although six loop members  212  are shown, it should be appreciated that either more than or less than this number can be provided. Furthermore, although the loop members  212  are spaced relatively closely together, it should be appreciated that they can be further spaced apart than shown.  
         [0024]     As with the previously described embodiments, the lower torso strap system  202  includes first and second lower torso strap members  214 ,  216 , respectively. Each of the ends  218 ,  220 , respectively, of the lower torso strap members  214 ,  216 , respectively, includes connection members, such as a hook member  222  or at least one loop member  224 . The loop members  224  may be provided in a relatively great number or may be spaced apart to provide a number of fastening options to the user. Although three loop members  224  are shown, it should be appreciated that either more than or less than this number can be provided. Furthermore, although the loop members  224  are spaced relatively far apart, it should be appreciated that they can be more closely spaced together than shown.  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in order to provide even more support to the strapless bra of the present invention, two additional underwire members  300 ,  302 , respectively, can be provided to the bra  304 , e.g., wherein the respective underwire members  300 ,  302 , respectively, are located along the top portions of each of the cup members  306 ,  308 , respectively, and the other underwire members  310 ,  312 , respectively, are located along the bottom portion of the cup members  306 ,  308 , respectively.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in order to provide even more support to the strapless bra of the present invention, a single unitary underwire member  400  can be provided to the bra  402 , e.g., wherein the underwire member  400  is located along the top portions of each of the cup members  404 ,  406 , respectively, and the other underwire members  408 ,  410 , respectively, are located along the bottom portion of the cup members  404 ,  406 , respectively.  
         [0027]     The present invention will allow the strapless bra of the present invention to be better adjusted according to the particular shape of a woman&#39;s figure. For example, the front area of the bra will fit tighter to the skin, giving the breast fuller support. The user should also notice better support of the bra on the top and bottom portions of the bra, wherein conventional strapless bras only provide support through the underwire members. The strapless bra of the present invention will enable a woman to feel more comfortable, move about more freely, and not feel restricted. Furthermore, the support in the strapless bra of the present invention will enable the bra to stay in place and not shift downwardly, as conventional strapless bras are prone to do. This feature will also improve the look of the clothing that is worn on top of the strapless bra of the present invention. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the underlying principles of the strapless bra of the present invention can easily be applied to other clothing items, such as but not limited to bikini tops and/or the like.  
         [0028]     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.