Patent Publication Number: US-2012028539-A1

Title: Bra paddy back

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/400,644 filed Jul. 30, 2010. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to apparel, and specifically to undergarments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Undergarments such as bras often have sewn regions and fasteners of various types that irritate a wearer&#39;s skin. One region of special concern are the back straps of a bra which when connected at the back, expose a wearer&#39;s skin to typically rough stitching, course textures and ridged areas where the fabric has been folded to create a seam. The wearer&#39;s discomfort is often exacerbated by heat and humidity. It would be desirable to provide a shield to guard against such irritation by a bra that would be (1) unobtrusive, (2) easily applied, (3) readily detachable (3) absorbent, and (4) washable as needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a one-piece soft fabric cover that completely shields a wearer&#39;s back from the irritation caused by the stitching, and hook and eye fasteners which are typically at the fastening point at back of a bra. 
     In one aspect, the invention includes a flexible tubular construction of soft fabric that is slipped over the ends of back straps to form a shield against irritation and chaffing that can occur when bare skin is exposed to the rough texture of bra back straps. 
     In another aspect, the flexible tubular construction has a longitudinal, generally H-shaped slit for access of the fasteners of the back straps with the side having the slit facing outwardly, and a side of soft padded material facing the wearer&#39;s skin. 
     In still another aspect of the present invention, the cover is a padded panel having a fastening means to form it into a tubular structure once in place between a wearer&#39;s back and the back straps of a bra. 
     One object of the present invention is to prevent irritation from bra back straps. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide for increased comfort and wearability of certain bra&#39;s, that while sized correctly, are not often worn because of the rough texture of the back straps. 
     The description as follows is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, combinations and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a bra which does not form any part of the invention in a typical use; 
         FIG. 2   FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing one embodiment according to the present invention is a typical use; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 ′- 2 ′ of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing embodiment of  FIG. 5  in a typical use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference Listing 
       12  tubular body 
       12   a  aperture 
       14  sew line 
       16  padding 
       18  access slit 
       20  back straps 
       22  strap fasteners 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-6 ; a shield to guard against the irritation from a bra back strap includes at least a cover that encircles the stitching and the hook and eye fasteners  22  located at the ends of the back straps  20  of a bra, in which the cover is of generally tubular construction  12  and is made of a washable soft material such as polyester or cotton. A portion of the tubular construction facing the back of a wearer is padded  16 , while a portion facing away from a wearer&#39;s back is unpadded or only lightly padded, to hide the construction while being worn under a blouse or dress. One method of construction given by way of example only, and considered to be non-limiting is to (1) provide a first rectangular panel of cloth, and (2) place a smaller rectangular section of relatively thick batting  16  atop the panel so that the batting occupies one-half of the area of the panel, and to (3) place another section of relatively thin batting to occupy the other half section of the panel, and (4) place a second rectangular panel of cloth over the first panel and the batting sections, and (5) sew  14  the panels and batting together to create a tubular construction in which one side of the construction has greater thickness than the other. The construction can be two panels sewn generally face to face with two longitudinal sew lines producing an channel therethrough, or the construction can be of knit construction having a tubular shape with no sew lines, or alternately, the construction can be a single panel with a relatively thinner portion and a relatively thicker portion which is folded over itself and joined along one edge with at least a single sew line. Still other construction aspects will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and are considered to be encompassed by the present invention. If the cover possesses an access means for fastening and unfastening the fasteners of the back straps of a bra, it is conceivable that a wearer may wish to attach the cover permanently over the fasteners of either a left or right back strap by sewing or other means which will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. 
     The foregoing steps (1-5) at least produce a fabric construction  12  that can be applied to the end of a single back strap prior to donning the bra. As depicted in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6 , after the back straps  20  are fastened together, the cover is moved into position to encircle the irritating portions  22  of the back bra straps  20 , with the relatively thicker; typically padded section  14  of the tube facing the wearer&#39;s back, while the relatively unobtrusive thin section faces outwardly. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , in another embodiment according to the present invention, the tubular construction  14  has an “H” shaped slit  18  along a section of its length permitting access to the back strap fasteners  22  while the tube is in place covering the ends of the bra straps. 
     The cover can be removed from the bra by sliding free of the straps, left on the bra, or slid to one side or the other when removing the bra. 
     While the invention has been described by the embodiments given, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the foregoing specification.