Patent Publication Number: US-2022232905-A1

Title: Sports Bra

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field to which the disclosure generally relates includes apparel. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Bras, and in particular sports bras, are commonly designed to fit tightly across the chest and torso to reduce movement of breasts during activity. Bras may include an intentionally tight-fitting chest band or strap directly below the cup or cups of the bra which encircles the rib cage of a wearer. The chest band may be made of an elastic material to maintain tightness of the bra but also allow for expansion of the band when the bra is being put on or taken off as well as during strenuous activity. The chest band may be made of a non-elastic material to further maintain tightness of the bra, but which may increase the difficulty by which a bra may be put on, worn, or taken off. Bras including both elastic and non-elastic chest bands suffer from a variety of shortcomings relating to comfort, ease of use, and long-lasting tightness of the chest band. For example, an elastic chest band may allow for stretch in the chest band, but which may also gradually degrade in elasticity over time and with repeated wear and use. Non-elastic chest bands may maintain their relative tightness over time with repeated wear and use at the expense of comfort and ease in putting on and taking off the bra. There is difficulty in passing the chest band over the bust of a user when putting on and taking off a sports bra. Problems associated with elastic and non-elastic chest bands are difficult to overcome and existing adjustable chest bands fail to address these problems entirely and, in most cases, create additional problems. 
     Adjustable bras that open fully or separate entirely in the front or back may include zippered-front or zippered-back bras that may spontaneously and undesirably unzip during activity. Zippered-front or zippered-back bras use bulky fasteners that may also be aesthetically unappealing when worn beneath other clothing because said fasteners may create bulges or a “lumpy” appearance in the clothing worn over the bra. 
     Adjustable bras may also include a strap or plurality of straps arranged for selectively tightening the bra as well as the chest band. However, these straps are often left dangling loosely or must be tied in a knot or bow to secure the straps thereby creating an aesthetically unappealing, bulky look. Alternatively, adjustable bras using a strap, or a plurality of straps may suffer from straps which are too short and cannot be secured properly. Other fasteners such as hook and clasp, hook-and-loop, touch fasteners, buckles, double ring fasteners, and clasps suffer from similar problems in a sports bra as mentioned above. 
     Additionally, adjustable bras relying on zippered-front or zippered-back, straps, hook and clasp, hook-and-loop, touch fasteners, buckles, double ring fasteners, and clasps fail to account for problems stemming from the location of the fastening mechanism on the bra. 
     Chest bands having clasps featuring a means for releasing tightness in the chest band also fail to include an expandable portion in the body of the sports bra such as a pleat or elastic section. Chest bands and sports bras not featuring an expandable pleat are limited to the elasticity of the chest band itself and may reduce comfort, ease of use, and long-lasting tightness of the chest band. 
     Double ring fasteners require constant pressure to stay tight and engaged around the chest of a wearer. If pressure is released, the double-ring fasteners will loosen and once pressure is resumed, may fail to refasten with comfort and ease. 
     Hook and loop fasteners integrated in a chest band may be unpleasant to wear against the skin as it is often difficult to properly align hook and loop fasteners such that the fastener does not cause abrasion against the user&#39;s skin. Hook and loop fasteners may also lose holding power in wet or humid conditions, may lose holding power over time, and can cause damage to other delicate clothes during wash cycles. 
     Bulky fasteners integrated into elastic and non-elastic chest bands may create uncomfortable pressure-points on the body of the wearer over time and during strenuous exercise when rubbing and chafing may occur. The same may occur when a wearer is in a prone position putting pressure on the fasteners from their body weight or a firm flooring. Therefore, there exists a long felt but unresolved need for a sports bra including an adjustable chest band that avoids the long-established problems mentioned herein. 
     SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS 
     A number of variations may include a sports bra that may include a chest band defining a break therein, the chest band being constructed and arranged to provide horizontal support of the sports bra; at least one shoulder strap constructed and arranged provide vertical support of the sports bra; a body portion integrated with the shoulder strap and the chest band; a clasp mechanism including a catch, a loop, and a pleat wherein the clasp mechanism may be positioned within a portion of the break defined by the chest band constructed and arranged to provide adjustable tension in the chest band. 
     A number of variations may include a sports bra that may include a chest band defining a break therein; at least one shoulder strap; a front portion opposite a back portion, the front portion and the back portion connected to one another at an at least one seam and wherein the at least one shoulder strap may be positioned between the front portion and the back portion to provide vertical support of the sports bra; and a clasp mechanism including a catch, a loop, and a pleat wherein the pleat may be positioned within a portion of the break defined by the chest band. 
     A number of variations may include a sports bra that may include a chest band defining a break therein, the chest band being constructed and arranged to provide horizontal support of the sports bra; a body portion integrated with the chest band; a clasp mechanism including a catch, a loop, and a pleat wherein the clasp mechanism may be positioned within a portion of the break defined by the chest band. 
     Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. The detailed description and enumerated variations, while disclosing optional variations, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts one variation of a sports bra; 
         FIG. 2  depicts one variation of a sports bra; 
         FIG. 3  depicts one variation of a clasp mechanism in a sports bra; 
         FIG. 4  depicts one variation of a clasp mechanism in a sports bra 
         FIG. 5  depicts one variation of a portion of a clasp mechanism 
         FIG. 6  depicts one variation of a portion of a clasp mechanism 
         FIG. 7  depicts one variation of a portion of a clasp mechanism; 
         FIG. 8  depicts one variation of a portion of a clasp mechanism; 
         FIG. 9  depicts one variation of a portion of a clasp mechanism; 
         FIG. 10  depicts one variation of a portion of a clasp mechanism; 
         FIG. 11  depicts one variation of a portion of a clasp mechanism including a rigid key; 
         FIG. 12  depicts one variation of a portion of a clasp mechanism including a rigid key; 
         FIG. 13  depicts one variation of a portion of a clasp mechanism including a rigid key; 
         FIG. 14  depicts one variation of a portion of a clasp mechanism; 
         FIG. 15  depicts a cross-section of a portion of one variation of a clasp mechanism; and 
         FIG. 16  depicts a cross-section of a portion of one variation of a clasp mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS 
     The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses. The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, products, and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, products, and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and still are within the scope of the invention. 
     A sports bra may include a body including a textile such as cotton, polyester, nylon, or the like. The body may include a front portion opposite a back portion, the front portion and back portion connected to one another at an at least one seam. The front portion may include a plurality of cups for supporting the breasts of a wearer. The front portion and the back portion may also be connected to one another at an at least one shoulder strap. The at least one shoulder strap may include a plurality of straps constructed and arranged to lie over the shoulder or shoulders of a wearer therein providing vertical support for the sports bra. The at least one shoulder strap may include a variety of configurations including a single shoulder strap, cross-straps, two shoulder straps, or any number of additional straps and supports including ornamental and decorative straps. The sports bra may include a chest band positioned approximately below the front portion and the back portion. The chest band may include a plurality of chest bands arranged on or within the sports bra. The chest band may be constructed and arranged to elastically or non-elastically provide adjustable, circumferential tension in the sports bra. The chest band may include and may define a break in the circumference in the chest band. The chest band may include an integrated clasp mechanism that may include at least one loop and at least one protrusion wherein the clasp mechanism may be positioned near the break in the circumference in the chest band. The clasp mechanism near the break in the circumference in the chest band may be constructed and arranged to allow a user to separate the chest band and increase and reduce tension in the chest band but not in the body of the sports bra itself. The at least one loop may connect to the at least one catch to assist in elastically or non-elastically tightening the sports bra around the torso of a wearer. The clasp mechanism may include a pleat positioned between the at least one loop and the at least one catch and extending into at least a portion of the front portion, the break, and the chest band of the sports bra. The clasp mechanism may include at least one tab or pull cord or loop adjacent the at least one loop constructed and arranged to aid a wearer in pulling the at least one loop toward the at least one protrusion. By connecting the at least one catch and connecting the at least one loop, the pleat may fold beneath a portion of the chest band and the front portion. The clasp mechanism may generally be located beneath a breast of a wearer and more specifically, vertically in line with the apex of either the left or right breast such that the clasp mechanism may be at least partially shielded from coming into contact with the wearer&#39;s arm or arms during activity or with the floor while the wearer is in a prone position. 
     The sports bra may include a continuous textile body that may be, generally, tubular in shape and may be constructed and arranged to clothe a wearer&#39;s chest or a portion of a wearer&#39;s torso and, more specifically, cover and reduce movement of the breasts during activity. The sports bra may or may not include cups to assist in covering and reducing movement of the breasts during activity. The sports bra or cups may be shaped such that they comfortably cover and reduce the movement of the breasts of a wearer. The cups may be partially spherical or tear-drop shaped, including an apex corresponding approximately to the location of the nipple and/or areola, or the apex of a breast of a wearer such that they comfortably protect and reduce the movement of the breasts of a wearer. The clasp mechanism may be located vertically in line with the apex of either the left or right breast or the at least one cup. 
     The at least one shoulder strap may be an adjustable or non-adjustable, elastic or non-elastic, strap generally traversing over the shoulder of a wearer from the front portion of the sports bra to the rear portion and providing vertical support of the sports bra including providing additional support of a wearer&#39;s breasts. 
     The chest band may be a band that may encircle the torso of a wearer and may be elastic or non-elastic. The band may be affixed to the outer cloth portion of the sports bra, including the front portion and back portion. The band may define a break in the circumference of the band to accommodate for the pleat of the at least one clasp mechanism. 
     The clasp mechanism may include at least one catch including at least one protrusion, at least one loop, at least one pleat, and at least one tab. The at least one protrusion may be positioned on the chest band, opposite the at least one loop and separated by the break defined by the band. The pleat may be positioned therebetween. A user or wearer may pull the at least one loop toward the at least one protrusion and connect the at least one loop to the at least one protrusion, and loop the clasp mechanism together thereby folding the pleat and closing the break in the chest band such that the sports bra is secure around the torso of a wearer. The protrusion may assume a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations, so long as it may engage with the loop in a secure fashion. Likewise, the loop may assume a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations, so long as it may engage with the protrusion in a comfortable and secure fashion. As an example, the protrusion may be a generally bulbous such that the loop may be fixed around a narrow portion of the protrusion, while a larger, more pronounced portion may prevent the loop from becoming detached from the protrusion. The at least one loop may include an elastic or non-elastic cord, rope, or band constructed and arranged to engage the protrusion. The at least one loop may also include a rigid key constructed and arranged to clasp into a similarly shaped recess defined by the protrusion. The protrusion may include a rigid inner portion and a soft or gel coated exterior for added comfort to the user. It is also contemplated that the protrusion may define a plurality of slots, holes, or the like to increase flexibility of the protrusion and comfort to the user. 
     The pleat may include a fold or multiple folds positioned in the chest band and in a portion of the front portion of the sports bra. The pleat may include any suitable cloth material and may include an elastic or non-elastic, expandable, or mesh portion. The pleat may be constructed and arranged to substantially open the chest band and increase the effective circumference of the chest band and the front and back portions of the sports bra itself, thereby increasing the speed and ease by which the sports bra may be put on or taken off. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a sports bra  10  may include a cloth body  38  including a cloth such as cotton, polyester, nylon, synthetic or organic fabrics and textiles, combinations of the same, etc. The sports bra  10  may include a front portion  12  opposite a back portion  14 , the front portion  12  and back portion  14  connected to one another at an at least one seam  16 . The front portion  12  may cover a portion of a wearer&#39;s chest or the front of a torso and may include a cup or plurality of cups  18 . The cup or plurality of cups  18  be include an apex  36  corresponding to each individual cup. The back portion  14  may cover a portion of a wearer&#39;s back or the rear of a torso. The front portion  12  and the back portion  14  may also be connected to one another at at least one shoulder strap  20 . The at least one shoulder strap  20  may include a plurality of straps  20  constructed and arranged to lie over the shoulder or shoulders of a wearer therein providing vertical support for the sports bra. The sports bra  10  may include a chest band  22  positioned below the front portion  12  and the back portion  14 . The chest band  22  may include a plurality of chest bands  22  arranged on or within the sports bra  10 . The chest band  22  may be constructed and arranged to elastically or non-elastically tighten the sports bra in a horizontal direction. The chest band  22  may define a break  24  in the circumference of the chest band  22 . The chest band  22  may include at least one integrated clasp mechanism  26  that may include at least one loop  28  and at least one catch  68 . The at least one loop  28  may define at least one through-hole  62 . The clasp mechanism  26  may include an integrated pleat  32  positioned between the at least one loop  28  and the at least one catch  68  and extending into at least a portion of the front portion  12  and the chest band  22  of the sports bra  10 . The pleat  32  may include at least a first edge  50 , and second edge  52 , and a third edge  54  and may be generally triangular, however, alternative shapes of the pleat  32  are contemplated including rectangular, square, circular, etc. The first edge  50  and the second edge  52  may be constructed and arranged to attach to one another by various means including zippers, straps, hook and clasp, hook-and-loop, touch fasteners, buckles, double ring fasteners, and clasps. The clasp mechanism  26  may include at least one tab  34  adjacent the at least one loop  28  constructed and arranged to aid a wearer in drawing or pulling the at least one loop  28  toward the at least one protrusion  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 ; the at least one loop  28  may define at least one through-hole  62 . The clasp mechanism  26  may include an integrated pleat  32  positioned between the at least one loop  28  and the at least one catch  68  and extending into at least a portion of the front portion  12  and the chest band  22  of the sports bra  10 . The pleat  32  may include at least a first edge  50 , and second edge  52 , and a third edge  54  and may be generally triangular, however, alternative shapes of the pleat  32  are contemplated including rectangular, square, circular, etc. The pleat  32  may fold  48  by drawing the first edge  50  towards the second edge  53  or vice versa. The first edge  50  and the second edge  52  may be constructed and arranged to attach to one another by various means including zippers, straps, hook and clasp, hook-and-loop, touch fasteners, buckles, double ring fasteners, and clasps. The clasp mechanism  26  may include at least one tab  34  adjacent the at least one loop  28  constructed and arranged to aid a wearer in drawing or pulling the at least one loop  28  toward the at least one catch  68 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 ; the clasp mechanism  26  may include a catch  68  and at least one loop  28  that may define at least one through-hole  62  constructed and arranged to matingly receive the protrusion  30 . The protrusion  30  may include a stem  56 , a neck  58  extending perpendicular from the stem  56 , and a lip extending perpendicular from the neck  58  such that the protrusion  30  forms a recess  42  being constructed and arranged to engage the at least one loop  28 . The clasp mechanism  26  may further include at least one tab  34  constructed and arranged to further aid a user in pulling the at least one loop  28  towards the catch  68  and protrusion  30  or vice versa such that the chest band  22  is drawn together. The chest band  22  may be drawn closed to nearly or fully close the break  24  defined therein. The pleat  32  may form a fold  48  as the chest band  22  is drawn closed and the clasp mechanism  26  is secured. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 ; the catch  68  may include a stem  56 , a neck  58  extending from the stem  56 , and a lip extending from the neck  58  such that the catch  68  forms a recess  42  being constructed and arranged to engage the at least one loop  28 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 ; the clasp mechanism  26  may include a protrusion including a stem, a neck, and a lip  60  extending from the neck such that the protrusion forms a recess  42  being constructed and arranged to engage the at least one loop  28  or a rigid key  40  or combination of rigid key  40  and the at least one loop  28 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 ; the catch  68  may define a plurality of surface features  46  in the shape of through-holes, slots, slits, grooves, dimples or the like which may be constructed and arranged to provide flexibility to and reduce weight of the protrusion without sacrificing strength. The catch  68  may include a coated exterior  44  constructed and arranged to resist damage, abrasion, discoloration, or any other deformation of the protrusion and reduce skin irritation where the catch  68  comes into contact with directly or indirectly with the skin. The catch  68  may define a fastener  66  constructed and arranged to fasten, connect, or mechanically mate with the chest band. The catch  68  may define at least one internal hollow  64  which may be constructed and arranged to provide flexibility to and reduce weight of the protrusion without sacrificing strength. 
     According to variation 1, a sports bra may include a chest band defining a break therein, the chest band being constructed and arranged to provide horizontal support of the sports bra; at least one shoulder strap constructed and arranged provide vertical support of the sports bra; a body portion integrated with the shoulder strap and the chest band; a clasp mechanism including a catch and a loop wherein the clasp mechanism may be positioned within a portion of the break defined by the chest band. 
     Variation 2 may include a product as set forth in variation 1 wherein the body portion may further define a partial break near the break defined by the chest band and the clasp mechanism may be partially positioned within the partial break defined by the body portion. 
     Variation 3 may include a product as set forth in variation 1 or 2 wherein the clasp mechanism may be constructed and arranged to assist a user in increasing and reducing tension in the chest band and partially increasing and reducing tension in the body portion. 
     Variation 4 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1 through 3 wherein the body portion includes at least one cup constructed and arranged to cover and reduce the movement of the breasts of a wearer and wherein the at least one cup may include an apex corresponding approximately to the location of a nipple and areola of a breast of a wearer. 
     Variation 5 may include a product as set forth variation 4 wherein the clasp mechanism may be located on the chest band vertically in line with the apex of either the left or right breast or the at least one cup. 
     Variation 6 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1 through 5 wherein the clasp mechanism further includes a tab. 
     According to variation 7, a sports bra including a chest band defining a break therein; at least one shoulder strap; a front portion opposite a back portion, the front portion and the back portion connected to one another at an at least one seam and wherein the at least one shoulder strap may be positioned between the front portion and the back portion to provide vertical support of the sports bra; and a clasp mechanism including a catch, a loop, and a pleat wherein the clasp mechanism may be positioned within a portion of the break defined by the chest band. 
     Variation 8 may include a product as set forth in variation 7, wherein the clasp mechanism may be constructed and arranged to assist a user in increasing and reducing tension in the chest band. 
     Variation 9 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 7 through 8 wherein the clasp mechanism may be constructed and arranged to assist a user in increasing and reducing tension in the chest band but not increasing and reducing tension in other components of the sports bra. 
     Variation 10 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 7 through 9 wherein the front portion includes at least one cup constructed and arranged to cover and reduce the movement of the breasts of a wearer and wherein the at least one cup may include an apex corresponding approximately to the location of the nipple and areola of a breast of a wearer. 
     Variation 11 may include a product as set forth in variation 10 wherein the clasp mechanism may be located vertically in line with the apex of either the left or right breast or the at least one cup. 
     Variation 12 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 7 through 11 wherein the clasp mechanism further includes a tab. 
     According to variation 13, a sports bra including a chest band defining a break therein, the chest band being constructed and arranged to provide horizontal support of the sports bra; a body portion integrated with the chest band; a clasp mechanism including a protrusion, a loop, and a pleat wherein the clasp mechanism may be positioned within a portion of the break defined by the chest band. 
     Variation 14 may include a product as set forth in variation 13 wherein the body portion may further define a partial break and the pleat may be partially positioned within the partial break defined by the body portion. 
     Variation 15 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 13 through 14 wherein the clasp mechanism may be constructed and arranged to assist a user in increasing and reducing tension in the chest band and partially increasing and reducing tension in the body portion. 
     Variation 16 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 13 through 15 wherein the body portion includes at least one cup constructed and arranged to cover and reduce the movement of the breasts of a wearer and wherein the at least one cup may include an apex corresponding approximately to the location of a nipple and areola of a breast of a wearer. 
     Variation 17 may include a product as set forth in variation 16 wherein the clasp mechanism may be located vertically in line with the apex of either the left or right breast or the at least one cup. 
     Variation 18 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 13 through 17 wherein the clasp mechanism further includes a tab. 
     Variation 19 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 13 through 18 wherein the protrusion may include a stem, a neck extending perpendicular from the stem, and a lip extending perpendicular from the neck such that the protrusion forms a recess being constructed and arranged to engage the at least one loop. 
     Variation 20 may include a product as set forth in variation 19 wherein the at least one loop includes a key constructed and arranged to lockingly engage the recess of the at least one catch. 
     The above description of variations of the invention is merely demonstrative in nature and, thus, variations thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the inventions disclosed within this document.