Abstract:
A bra comprising a pair of breast cups, a front opening closure connected to the breast cups, a pair of generally triangular side panels, each of the generally triangular side panels containing vertical boning connecting each of the generally triangular side panels to a different breast cup; a pair of crisscrossing straps, each crisscrossing strap coupled to the top of the vertical boning on one generally triangular side panel and the bottom of the boning on an opposite generally triangular side panel.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/365,834 filed Jul. 15, 2010, Lopez et al., entitled STRAPLESS BRA, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a brassiere or bra, and more specifically to a front closure bra with crisscrossing straps. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A bra is an undergarment that covers, supports and elevates breasts. Bras may also be worn to improve the perceived shape and size of the breasts, to restrain breast movement during exercise, for prosthetic purposes, or to facilitate nursing. 
     Typically, bras comprise a cup for each breast, a center panel (or gore), a band running around the torso under the breasts, side and back panels, hook and eye sets, and shoulder straps. The cups may be supported by underwires made of metal and sometimes coated in plastic. Underwire is often used in strapless bras to support the breasts. Wirefree bras support breasts using strengthened, larger cups and wider bands. These bras are sometimes referred to as softcup bras. Bras are usually fastened with a hook fastener on the band, typically at the back. A fastener may also be located in the front of a bra, between the cups. Bras may also be pulled on over a woman&#39;s head and have no fasteners. Bras may contain padding to improve comfort, conceal the nipples, or enhance bust size. Materials used often include a fabric such as cotton, polyester, Spandex or lace. 
     Many women find it difficult to locate a well-fitting and comfortable bra. Reasons why locating a well-fitting bra may be difficult include a wide variation in manufacturers&#39; sizes, and a wide variation in the shape of women&#39;s bodies. An accurate bra fit is determined by correctly calculating the chest size (or band size) and breast volume (the cup size). The band size is typically adjusted using the two or three alternate sets of fastening hooks and eyes in the clasp. A set of two bra straps, typically over the shoulders, can usually also be adjusted slightly. 
     Wearing a bra which does not fit correctly may lead to a number of problems, including back pain, restricted breathing, abrasions, breast pain and poor posture. Back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain may be caused by a bra which causes the shoulders to support the majority of the weight of the chest. Typical designs may also constrict chest movement during breathing. In large-breasted women, wearing an improperly-fitted bra may result in maceration (loss of skin), chafing, intertrigo (rash), and fungal infections. Some women experience mastodynia or mastalgia (breast pain), particularly when performing strenuous physical activity or exercise. A properly fitted bra reduces such pain. Very large breasts can reduce the normal curve of the upper and mid-back region and may eventually lead to severe low back pain and poor posture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A bra comprising a pair of crisscrossing straps, each crisscrossing strap coupled to the top of an adjacent vertical boning and to the bottom of boning connected to an opposite breast cup is presented. The bra provides a pair of breast cups, a front opening closure connected to the breast cups, vertical boning connected to each breast cup, and a pair of crisscrossing straps. The crisscrossing straps are, in accordance with one embodiment, coupled by any suitable attachment means, including stitching and the use of a ring. The crisscrossing straps are, in some variations, adjustable by any suitable means, including a slider, hook and eye set, snap, button, and hook. The crisscrossing straps may also be, in some variations, made of elastic material to provide self adjustment. Shoulder straps may optionally be included. The shoulder straps may, in some variations, be adjustable, and may, in some variations, be removable, such as through the unhooking of suitable hooks. 
     In one embodiment, a pair of generally triangular side panels are provided in accordance with some embodiments. The side panels contain vertical boning connecting each of the side panels to a different breast cup. Each crisscrossing strap is coupled to the top of the vertical boning on one generally triangular side panel and the bottom of the boning on an opposite generally triangular side panel. Each crisscrossing strap is also coupled to the outside tip of a generally triangular side panel and to the boning on an opposite generally triangular side panel. 
     When, in accordance with the one embodiment, triangular-like side panels are provided, each crisscrossing strap is, in accordance with one variation, sewn into the length of the top of each generally triangular side panel. In addition, the bottom left generally triangular side panel is sewn slightly over the bottom left crisscrossing strap. In accordance with one variation, the bottom left generally triangular side panel is sewn completely over the bottom left crisscrossing strap. The bottom right crisscrossing strap is sewn over the bottom right generally triangular side panel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a bra according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front-elevational view of the bra of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the bra of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of a bra according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear elevational view of a bra according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of a bra according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a right side elevational view of the bra of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a right side elevational view of the bra of  FIG. 4  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a right side elevational view of the bra of  FIG. 5  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a right side elevational view of the bra of  FIG. 6  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a left side elevational view of the bra of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a left side elevational view of the bras of  FIGS. 5 and 6  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the bras of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the bras of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     There is a need for front closure bras with crisscross straps, which provide a large range of adjustment and the ability to separately adjust the fit of the straps and cup so as to provide a close fit to a large range of body types. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a bra having the ability to adjust the size of a strap and the fit of the cup separately is provided. 
     In accordance with some variations, a bra having a large range of adjustment is provided. 
     In accordance with some variations, a front closure bra including adjustment in the back of the bra and the ability to provide a close fit to a large range of women is provided. 
     In accordance with some variations, a bra having a crisscross “X” design in the back, allowing for a better fit and less slippage from the body is provided. 
     In accordance with some variations, a strapless bra providing a non-slipping fit without the use of shoulder straps is provided. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown is a front perspective view of a bra  10 , including a pair of breast cups  12 , a front opening closure  14  and a pair of generally triangular side panels  16 . 
     The pair of breast cups  12  are attached to the front opening closure  14  and coupled to the generally triangular side panels  16 . 
     In operation, the breast cups  12  receive the breasts, the front opening closure  14  allows the bra to be fastened together in the front of the body, and the generally triangular side panels  16  provide for support around the back. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , shown is a front-elevational view of the bra  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , shown is a rear elevational view of the bra  10 , showing a pair of generally triangular side panels  16 , a pair of crisscrossing straps  18 , and sliders  20 . 
     The generally triangular side panels  16  are coupled to the breast cups  12 . Each of the crisscrossing straps  18  is coupled to the top of an adjacent vertical boning on each breast cup  12  and to the bottom of boning connected to an opposite breast cup  12 . The top of each of the generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16  is sewn to the top of each crisscrossing strap  18 . A slider  20  is located along each of the crisscrossing straps  18 . 
     In operation, the generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16  provide support along the back in conjunction with the crisscrossing straps  18 . The length of the crisscrossing straps may be adjusted by the slider  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , shown is a rear elevation view of a bra  40  including crisscrossing straps  18  and sliders  20 . 
     The crisscrossing straps  18  are coupled to the top of the adjacent breast cup  12  and to the bottom of an opposite breast cup  12 . A slider  20  is located along each of the crisscrossing straps  18 . 
     In operation, the crisscrossing straps  18  provide support along the back. The length of the crisscrossing straps may be adjusted by the slider  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is a rear elevational view of a bra  50 , showing a pair of generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16 , a pair of crisscrossing straps  18 , sliders  20 , and rings  22 . 
     The generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16  are coupled to the breast cups  12 . A slider  20  is located along each of the crisscrossing straps  18 . The bottom left generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16  is sewn slightly over the bottom left crisscrossing strap  18 . The bottom right crisscrossing strap  18  is sewn over the bottom right generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16 . The use of rings allows for each of the crisscrossing straps  18  to be attached in two separate sections. Each crisscrossing strap  18  is coupled to the outside tip of a generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16  by use of a ring  22 . 
     In operation, the generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16  provide support along the back in conjunction with the crisscrossing straps  18 . The length of the crisscrossing straps may be adjusted by the slider  20 . The sewing together of the crisscrossing straps  18  and the generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16  prevents the bra from becoming tangled and provides for greater support. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , shown is a rear elevational view of a bra  60 , showing a pair of generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16 , a pair of crisscrossing straps  18 , and sliders  20 . 
     The generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16  are coupled to the breast cups  12 . Each of the crisscrossing straps  18  is coupled to the top of a generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16  and the bottom of the opposite generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16 . The top of each of the generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16  is sewn to the top of each crisscrossing strap  18 . A slider  20  is located along each of the crisscrossing straps  18 . The bottom left generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16  is sewn completely over the bottom left crisscrossing strap  18 . The bottom right crisscrossing strap  18  is sewn over the bottom right generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16 . 
     In operation, the generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16  provide support along the back in conjunction with the crisscrossing straps  18 . The length of the crisscrossing straps may be adjusted by the slider  20 . The sewing together of the crisscrossing straps  18  and the generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16  prevents the bra from becoming tangled and provides for greater support. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , shown is a right side elevation view of the bra  10  of  FIG. 1 . Shown is a breast cup  12  including a breast cup panel  24 , a generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16 , a crisscrossing strap  18  and ring  26 . 
     The breast cup panel  24  is included in the breast cup  12  and is coupled to the generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16 . Each of the crisscrossing straps  18  is coupled to the top of an adjacent vertical boning on each breast cup  12  and to the bottom of boning connected to an opposite breast cup  12  by stitching and a ring  26 . The top of each of the generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16  is sewn to the top of each crisscrossing strap  18 . A slider  20  is located along each of the crisscrossing straps  18 . 
     In operation, the breast cup panel  24  of the breast cup  12  provides extra support around the breast. The generally triangular (triangular-like) side panels  16  provide support along the back in conjunction with the crisscrossing straps  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , shown is a right side elevational view of the bra  40  of  FIG. 4 . Shown is a breast cup  12  including a breast cup panel  24 , a crisscrossing strap  18  and ring  26 . 
     The crisscrossing straps  18  are coupled to the top of breast cup panel  24  of the adjacent breast cup  12  by sewing and to the bottom of an opposite breast cup panel  24  of the breast cup  12  by a ring  26 . A slider  20  is located along each of the crisscrossing straps  18 . 
     In operation, the crisscrossing straps  18  provide support along the back. The length of the crisscrossing straps may be adjusted by the slider  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , shown is a right side elevational view of the bra  50  of  FIG. 5 . Shown is a breast cup  12  including a breast cup panel  24 , a general triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16 , crisscrossing straps  18  and slider  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , shown is a right side elevational view of the bra  60  of  FIG. 6 . Shown is a breast cup  12  including a breast cup panel  24 , a general triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16  and crisscrossing straps  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , shown is a left side elevational view of the  10  bra of  FIG. 1 . Shown is a breast cup  12  including a breast cup panel  24 , a generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16 , crisscrossing straps  18  and slider  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , shown is a left side elevational view of bras  50  and  60  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Shown is a breast cup  12  including a breast cup panel  24 , a generally triangular (triangular-like) side panel  16 , crisscrossing straps  18  and slider  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , shown is a top plan view of the bras of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , shown is a bottom plan view of the bras of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 . 
     While the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, it is understood that variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.