Patent Publication Number: US-10327492-B1

Title: Adjustable width brassiere strap

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to clothing. More particularly, the invention relates to an brassiere strap that is adjustable in width to transform from a strap having otherwise conventional width to a strap adapted to conform over and about a substantial portion of a user&#39;s shoulder region. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For many women, finding a brassiere that is adequately supportive, comfortable and appropriate for selected attire is a daily exercise in futility. At the heart of this frustration, Applicant has discovered, is the fixed strap as generally ubiquitous in the art. While such straps typically comprise length adjustments, little more has heretofore been provided. 
     With the persistent shortcomings of the prior art clearly in mind, it is therefore an overriding object of the present invention to improve over the prior art by providing a brassier strap that is adjustable in width. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide such an adjustable brassier strap that is stepwise adjustable. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such an adjustable brassier strap that is adjustable such that the width of the strap can be extended toward the user&#39;s arm, toward the user&#39;s neck, or both. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide such an adjustable brassier strap that also readily accommodates repositioning of the strap on and about the user&#39;s shoulder region. 
     Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide such an adjustable brassier strap that is readily usable with virtually any otherwise conventional brassier design, and that is economically manufactured, thereby ensuring that the improved brassiere strap of the present invention may be made widely available. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention—an adjustable width brassiere strap for selectively providing arm support of a brassiere—generally comprises an elongate central panel having a front end and a back end; a bottom pleat affixed along a first edge of the elongate central panel; a top pleat affixed along a second edge, opposite the first edge, of elongate central panel; and wherein the pleats and said central panel are affixed, one to another, at each of the ends of the central panel. In use, the brassier strap is adjustable from an otherwise “conventional” dimension to a “widened” dimension. 
     Finally, many other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, especially in light of the foregoing discussions and the following drawings, exemplary detailed description and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, a detailed description of the preferred embodiment follows together with illustrative figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows, in front perspective view, a preferred implementation according to the present invention of an adjustable width brassiere strap, as utilized by a user; 
         FIG. 2  shows, in a bottom plan view, a preferred fabric cutout pattern for the brassiere strap of  FIG. 1 , showing also various fold lines as utilized in the further assembly of the brassiere strap; 
         FIG. 3  shows, in a bottom plan view generally corresponding to the view of  FIG. 2 , various details of the assembly of the brassiere strap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows, in a bottom plan view generally corresponding to the view of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , various additional details of the assembly of the brassiere strap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  shown, in a top plan view generally opposite the view of  FIG. 4 , still further details of the assembly of the brassiere strap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows, in a bottom plan view corresponding to the view of  FIG. 4 , various details of the final assembly of the brassiere strap of  FIG. 1 , including provision of swivel rings and stitching; 
         FIG. 7  shows, in a top plan view corresponding to the view of  FIG. 5 , various additional details of the final assembly of the brassiere strap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows, in a front perspective view generally corresponding to the view of  FIG. 1 , the adjustable width brassiere strap of  FIG. 1 , as initially donned by a user; 
         FIG. 9  shows, in a front perspective view generally corresponding to the view of  FIG. 1 , the adjustable width brassiere strap of  FIG. 1 , as deployed by a user for the provision of “arm” support; and 
         FIG. 10  shows, in a front perspective view generally corresponding to the view of  FIG. 1 , an alternative implementation of the adjustable width brassiere strap of  FIG. 1 , particularly showing provision for removal and replacement of the strap with respect to otherwise conventional elements of a brassiere. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Although those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize many alternative embodiments, especially in light of the illustrations provided herein, this detailed description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scope of which is limited only by the claims appended hereto. 
     Referring now to the figures, and to  FIGS. 1, 2 and 7  in particular, the adjustable width brassier strap  10  of the present invention is shown to generally comprise a preferably fabric elongate central panel  11  having formed unitary or integral therewith a preferably fabric bottom pleat  12  and a preferably fabric top pleat  13 , the critical arrangement of the pleats  12 ,  13  and the central panel  11  being such that, in use, the brassier strap  10  is adjustable from an otherwise “conventional” dimension, similar to that shown in  FIG. 7 , to a “widened” dimension, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 . Additionally, at least the most preferred implementations of the present invention comprises a rear swivel ring  23  provided at the intersection between the back end  22  of the adjustable width brassier strap  10  and the otherwise provided, preferably adjustable wing strap or other connection to the upper edge of the associated brassier wing, in addition to a front swivel ring  15  provided at the intersection between the front end  14  of the adjustable width brassier strap  10  and the otherwise provided, preferably adjustable cup strap  18  or other connection to the upper end of the associated brassier cup. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in particular, a preferred fabric cutout pattern, suitable for achieving the foregoing critical characteristics, is shown. As will be better understood further herein, the depicted pattern, configured as described in the passages following, will result in a brassiere strap  10  that, in its narrowest configuration, lies generally flat, as shown in  FIG. 7 , but that, in its widened configurations, takes a markedly concave shape, as shown in  FIG. 1 , such that the widened brassiere strap  10  generally conforms over and about the should region  20  of the user, and also a portion of the user&#39;s upper  19  and, if fully widened in the direction of the user&#39;s neck  21 , is adapted to fully retain shoulder support notwithstanding being canted toward the user&#39;s arm  19 . In any case, it is noted at this point that the exemplary embodiment depicted is shown and described for a “right” strap in particular. As should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art in light of this exemplary description, however, the corresponding “left” strap is constructed and utilized as a mirror image of that shown in the present figures. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 through 4 , a construction of the adjustable width brassier strap  10  of the present invention continues with a series of folds. First, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the bottom pleat  12  is folded, along the depicted first pleat fold line A, up and over the center panel  11 . Next, the top pleat  13  is folded, along the depicted front end fold line B, down and under the center panel  11 , resulting in the arrangement of  FIG. 4 , which shows the partially manufactured adjustable width brassier strap  10  in a bottom plan view.  FIG. 5  shows the adjustable width brassier strap  10  in the same state of manufacture as is depicted in  FIG. 4 , but in a top plan view. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , it is noted that at this point the front end fold lines C lie atop one another and the back end fold lines D likewise also lie atop one another. 
     In completion of the manufacture of the adjustable width brassier strap  10  of the present invention, a front strap swivel ring  15  and, most preferably, also a rear strap swivel ring  23 , is affixed to the respective front end  14  and back end  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the front strap swivel ring  15  is positioned at the front end  14  of the brassier strap  10 , and the tip of the front end  14  of the brassier strap  10  is folded, along the depicted front end fold line C, over and about the front strap swivel ring  15 , and affixed with stitching  16  or the like. Similarly, the rear strap swivel ring  23  is positioned at the back end  22  of the brassier strap  10 , and the tip of the back end  22  of the brassier strap  10  is folded, along the depicted back end fold line D, over and about the rear strap swivel ring  22 , and affixed with stitching  17  or the like. 
     With the adjustable width brassier strap  10  of the present invention manufactured as described, brassier strap  10  is integrated with an otherwise conventional brassier, as are well known in the art. In the exemplary embodiment as shown and described, the rear swivel ring  23  is affixed to the wing strap or other connection to the upper edge of the associated brassier wing. Similarly, the front swivel ring  15  is affixed to cup strap  18  or other connection to the upper end of the associated brassier cup. 
     In use, a brassiere integrating the adjustable width brassier strap  10  of the present invention will typically be donned with the brassier strap  10  in the narrow configuration as generally depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In the event that the user should desire “arm” support, however, the user will unfold the top pleat  13 , pulling the free edge in the direction of the user&#39;s arm  19 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . At this point, the “twist” generated in the top pleat  13  adjacent the ends  14 ,  22  of the adjustable width brassier strap  10  will shorten the top pleat  13 , and cause the brassier strap  10  to take a concave shape conforming to the interface between the user&#39;s arm  19  and shoulder  20 . If the user wishes to rotate the brassier strap  10  further toward the user&#39;s arm  19 , the user may also unfold the bottom pleat  12 , pulling the free edge in the direction of the user&#39;s neck  21  as the brassier strap  10  as a whole is rotated in the opposite direction, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this manner, the bottom pleat  12 , which as described with respect to the top pleat  12  will also contribute to the concave shaping of the brassier strap  10 , will serve to ensure that sufficient shoulder support remains notwithstanding the shift toward arm support. As also shown in  FIG. 1 , however, the underside of the bottom pleat  12  may, if desired, be provided with a silicone or substantially equivalent grip  24 , which grip  24  will prevent unintended sliding off the user&#39;s shoulder  20  and down the user&#39;s arm  19  of the adjustable width brassier strap  10 . 
     While the foregoing description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize the many variations, alterations, modifications, substitutions and the like as are readily possible, especially in light of this description, the accompanying drawings and claims drawn thereto. For example, aesthetically pleasing ornamental designs may be incorporated into the adjustable width brassier strap  10 , and especially the top pleat  12 , thereby ensuring that any area of the brassier strap  10  that is exposed to view presents a desired look. 
     Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, in light of this exemplary description, that the adjustable width brassier strap  10  may readily be integrated, or otherwise incorporated or adapted for use, with a cross-back style brassier. 
     Still further, and as shown in  FIG. 10 , the buttons  25 , or substantially equivalent selectively releasable fasteners, may be substituted for the stitching  16 ,  17  securing the front and rear strap rings  15 ,  23 , respectively, thereby enabling the user to “swap out” sizes of the adjustable width brassier strap  10  of the present invention, or to incorporate the adjustable width brassier strap  10  into an otherwise conventional brassiere. In any case, because the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, the foregoing detailed description should not be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims appended hereto.