Patent Publication Number: US-11653706-B2

Title: Bras and garments with support and positioning features

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Application, Ser. No. 62/672,810, filed on May 17, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to brassieres or bras and garments. In particular, bras and garments with support and positioning features are described. 
     Sports brassieres (typically referred to as sports bras) are widely worn to support the breasts during sport activities and/or exercise, and typically rely on compression to provide that support. The breasts are pressed back against the chest of the wearer, often by an elasticized front panel stretched between straps that extend over the top of the shoulders and a band encircling the ribs. An underband of reinforced material and/or elastic is generally disposed at a bottom edge of the band. Some sports bras include a wire or other stiffener below the breasts to improve support. 
     Common complaints associated with conventional sports bras, often arising from the level of compression needed to support the breasts, include discomfort and restriction of the wearer&#39;s breathing. Breast tissue can also sometimes be flattened and pressed back under the armpit with currently known bras, causing further discomfort. Underwires or stiffeners present in conventional bras may press painfully into the wearer, and can damage surrounding material of the sports bra. Often with the design of presently known bras, the breasts shift toward the wearer&#39;s midline and are thereby pressed together, resulting in discomfort and increased perspiration. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to bras and garments including an underband, a left shoulder strap, a right shoulder strap, a left support strap having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the left support strap being coupled to the left shoulder strap and the second end of the left support strap being coupled to the underband, the left support strap extending from the left shoulder strap to the underband along a path passing between the breasts of the wearer, and a right support strap having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the right support strap being coupled to the right shoulder strap and the second end of the right support strap being coupled to the underband, the right support strap extending from the right shoulder strap to the underband along the path passing between the breasts of the wearer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front view of a wearer wearing a bra with obscured anatomy and support and positioning features depicted with dashed lines. 
         FIG.  2    is a top view of a portion of the wearer and bra shown in  FIG.  1    depicting a left support strap urging a right breast of the wearer away from the sagittal midline of the wearer, a left side bolster in dashed lines urging the left breast towards the sagittal midline, a right support strap urging a left breast of the wearer away from the sagittal midline, and a right side bolster urging the right breast towards the sagittal midline. 
         FIG.  3    is a front view of the bra shown in  FIG.  1    depicting the bra folded inside out to display a cinch coupling a left support strap to a right support strap. 
         FIG.  4    is a front view of the bra shown in  FIG.  1    folded inside out and without the cinch shown in  FIG.  3   , the left support strap crossing the right support strap. 
         FIG.  5    is a rear view of the bra shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is a front view of the bra shown in  FIG.  1    incorporated into a shirt to define a garment with support and positioning features. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosed bras and garments will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations: however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description. 
     Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various bras and garments are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example. 
     Definitions 
     The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated. 
     “Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. 
     “Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, elements or method steps not expressly recited. 
     Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation. 
     “Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components. 
     Bras and Garments with Support and Positioning Features 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 6   , bras and garments with support and positioning features will now be described. For simplicity, this discussion will generally refer to bras instead of bras and garments unless the garment features are being specifically described. The reader should understand that the features discussed below in reference to a bra may also apply to garments with breast support and positioning features. 
     The bras described herein function to support a wearer&#39;s breasts. The bras also function to position the wearer&#39;s breasts in a desired position. The bras support and position the breasts during sedentary, routine, and vigorous activities alike. The support and positioning features may be especially useful during vigorous activities like sports, exercise, manual labor, and recreational endeavors. 
     The reader will appreciate from the figures and description below that the presently described bras address shortcomings of conventional bras. For example, the currently disclosed bras are more comfortable to wear than conventional bras because they do not compress the breasts against the wearer&#39;s chest to the same degree as conventional bras. The reduced compression of the present bras also helps to reduce or eliminate breathing restrictions. 
     Further, the bras discussed herein avoid the pain and discomfort of conventional bras by not pressing the breasts under the wearer&#39;s armpits. The pain, discomfort, and material degradation of conventional bras deriving from underwires and stiffeners are addressed by the currently described bras because they effectively support and position the breasts without underwires and siffiners. 
     The positioning features of the present bras further enhance comfort by not excessively shifting the breasts towards the wearer&#39;s midline as occurs with conventional bras. The improved positioning of the currently described bras over conventional bras also helps avoid extra perspiration resulting from the breasts being pressed together. Additionally or alternatively to comfort, the positioning features of the present bras help to maintain a desired position of the breasts for appearance considerations. 
     Wearer Anatomy 
     Referencing the anatomy of a user or wearer will aid the discussion of the bra features by orienting the bra features relative to the user&#39;s anatomy. In  FIGS.  1 ,  2  and  6    a wearer  102  is depicted wearing a bra  100  in  FIGS.  1  and  2    and wearing a garment  201  incorporating a bra  200  in  FIG.  6   . Relevant anatomy of wearer  102  includes a torso  104 , a left shoulder  116 , a right shoulder  118 , a left breast  120 , and a right breast  122 . 
     Torso  104  includes a front torso  106 , a back torso (not pictured), a left torso  110 , and a right torso  112 . An imaginary sagittal midline  114  extends vertically between left torso  110  and right torso  112  and between left breast  120  and right breast  122 . An imaginary path  138  passes between left breast  120  and right breast  122  of wearer  102 . 
     Bra Embodiment One 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , a first example of a bra, bra  100 , will now be described. Bra  100  includes an underband  124 , a left shoulder strap  117 , a right shoulder strap  119 , a left support strap  132 , a right support strap  140 , a cinch  144 , a left side bolster  146 , a right side bolster  147 , a rear lateral strap  129 , and an outer layer of material  152 . 
     In some examples, the bra does not include one or more features included in bra  100 . For example, some bra examples do not include a cinch, left and right side bolsters, a rear lateral strap, and/or an outer layer of material. In some examples, the bra includes a single support strap, such as applications where a wearer has a single breast or desires support and positioning only for a single breast. 
     In other examples, the bra includes additional or alternative features. For example, some bra examples include an adjustment mechanism for one or more of the straps, including the shoulder straps or the support straps. In certain examples, the bra includes an adjustment mechanism for the underband. 
     Except where specifically noted, the reader should understand that features described in detail for a left side of the bra will also be present on the right side of the bra. Details for features on the left side and on the right side will generally be the same or highly similar unless differences are specifically discussed below. 
     Bra  100  functions to support and position left breast  120  and right breast  122  in a comfortable and effective manner that avoids excessive perspiration and facilitates all manner of activities. In particular, bra  100  functions to position each breast in a desired position relative to sagittal midline  114  and relative to the shoulders of wearer  100 . Expressed another way, bra functions to support the breasts in a desired horizontal and vertical position where the breasts are separated and held in place without excessive compression against the wearer&#39;s chest wall. 
     Underband 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , underband  124  configured to encircle torso  104  of wearer  102 . Underband  124  defines a front portion  126  disposed on front torso  106  of wearer  102  and a back portion  127  disposed on the back torso. The size and shape of the underband may be modified from the examples shown in the figures to suit a given wearer&#39;s anatomy, style, or fit preference. 
     In the present example, underband  124  includes an elastic band configured to resiliently conform to torso  104 . In other examples, the underband includes other resilient materials beyond elastic, such as currently known and later developed stretch fabrics. In certain examples, the underband is not resilient and is formed from one or more non-resilient materials. In some versions of the bra, the underband includes an adjustment mechanism enabling the length of the underband to be adjusted to modify the fit of the underband to the user&#39;s torso. 
     Shoulder Straps 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , the reader can see that left shoulder strap  117  is configured to rest on left shoulder  116  of wearer  102  and right shoulder strap  119  is configured to rest on right shoulder  118  of wearer  102 . The size and shape of the shoulder straps may be modified from the examples shown in the figures to suit a given wearer&#39;s anatomy, style, or fit preference. 
     The shoulder straps may be any currently known or later developed form of shoulder strap suitable for bras and garments. In some examples, the shoulder straps include adjustment mechanisms enabling the length of the shoulder straps to be adjusted to modify the fit of the straps to the user&#39;s shoulders and torso. 
     Support Straps 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , left support strap  132  has a first end  134  and a second end  136  opposite first end  134 . First end  134  of left support strap  132  is coupled to left shoulder strap  117  and second end  136  of left support strap  132  is coupled to front portion  126  of underband  124 . As can be seen in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , left support strap  132  extends from left shoulder strap  117  to front portion  126  of underband  124  along path  138  passing between left breast  120  and right breast  122  of wearer  102 . 
     Similar to left support strap  132 , right support strap  140  has a first end  141  and a second end  143  opposite first end  141 . As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , first end  141  of right support strap  140  is coupled to right shoulder strap  119  and second end  143  of right support strap  140  is coupled to front portion  126  of underband  124 . As with left support strap  132 , right support strap  140  extends from right shoulder strap  119  to front portion  126  of underband  124  along path  138  passing between left breast  120  and right breast  122  of wearer  102 . 
     Focusing on left support strap  132  for simplicity while recognizing that analogous details and features apply to right support strap  140 , a target position  142  of attachment to underband  124  will now be discussed. As can be seen in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , second end  136  of left support strap  132  couples to front portion  126  of underband  124  in a target position  142 . The reader can see in  FIGS.  1  and  2    that target position  142  is disposed underneath right breast  122  of wearer  102  and spaced from sagittal midline  114 . 
     Target position  142  is selected to cause left support strap  132  to urge right breast  122  away from sagittal midline  114  of wearer  102  with a selected amount of force. In other examples where it is desired to urge the right breast away from the sagittal midline with more force than shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the target position on the underband is spaced farther from the sagittal midline than target position  142  shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . In situations where urging the right breast away from the sagittal midline with less force is desired, the target position is selected to be closer to the sagittal midline than target position  142 . 
     Target position  142  is further selected to cause left support strap  132  to urge right breast  122  vertically upwards toward right shoulder  118  of wearer  102  with a selected amount of force. In other examples where it is desired to urge the right breast vertically upwards with more force than shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the target position on the underband is spaced farther from the sagittal midline than target position  142  shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . In situations where urging the right breast vertically upwards with less force is desired, the target position is selected to be closer to the sagittal midline than target position  142 . 
     In this manner, left support strap  132  supports right breast  122  in a desired horizontal and vertical position. Right support strap  140  functions to support and position left breast  120  in a desired horizontal and vertical position in analogous fashion. In some examples, the target position of the straps is wearer adjustable to enable the user to select a desired amount of horizontal and vertical force to exert on the breasts. 
     In some examples, the target position of the left support strap is positioned underneath the left breast of the wearer instead of underneath the right breast as shown in the figures. In these examples, the left support strap supports the left breast in a desired horizontal and vertical position instead of supporting the right breast in a desired horizontal and vertical position as described above. Correspondingly, the target position for the right support strap may be positioned underneath the right breast of the wearer to supports the right breast in a desired horizontal and vertical position. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , left support strap  132  crosses right support strap  140  as left support strap  132  extends between left shoulder strap  117  and front portion  126  of underband  124 . With reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the reader can see that left support strap  132  crosses right support strap  140  in a position located between left breast  120  and right breast  122  of wearer  102 . 
     In the example shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , left support strap  132  is coupled to right support strap  140  with cinch  144  where left support strap  132  crosses right support strap  140 . In other examples, the left support strap is coupled to the right support strap by stitching the straps together, a mechanical fastener, or by the straps being wrapped around each other. In some examples, such as shown in  FIG.  4   , the straps are not coupled together. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , cinch  144  wraps around left support strap  132  and right support strap  140  in a manner enabling cinch  144  to slide to different longitudinal positions along left support strap  132  and right support strap  140 . The position of cinch  144  along the straps can thus be adjusted to suit a user&#39;s preference. 
     Side Bolsters 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , the reader can see that bra  100  includes left side bolster  146  and right side bolster  147  to support and position left breast  120  and right breast  122 , respectively. The discussion that follows will focus on left side bolster  146  with the understanding that the structure, details, and function of right side bolster  147  is the same as or a mirror image of left side bolster  146 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , left side bolster  146  extends from left torso  110  of wearer  102  to front torso  106  of wearer  102 . Left side bolster  146  is coupled to left shoulder strap  117  and to underband  124 . In the particular example shown in  FIGS.  1 - 5   , left side bolster  146  is formed from a stretch fabric  150 . In other examples, fabric not configured to stretch to a significant degree is used instead. 
     In the present example, left side bolster  146  has a substantially L-shaped profile. In other examples, the left side bolster has different shapes than shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . The L-shaped profile of the present example results from left side bolster  146  being proximate sagittal midline  114  near left shoulder strap  117 , spaced from sagittal midline  114  between left shoulder strap  117  and underband  124 , and proximate sagittal midline  114  near underband  124 . 
     The reader can see in  FIGS.  1 - 4    that the spacing between left side bolster  146  and sagittal midline  114  initially increases as left side bolster  146  and extends away from left shoulder strap  117 . The spacing between left side bolster  146  sagittal midline  114  increases until an apex position  148  is reached and then the spacing begins to decrease. As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , apex position  148  is located between left shoulder strap  117  and underband  124 . With reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the L-shaped profile of left side bolster  146  causes left side bolster  146  to contact lateral and inferior portions of left breast  120  of wearer  102  without contacting the majority of medial and superior portions of left breast  120  of wearer  102 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , left side bolster  146  urges left breast  120  towards sagittal midline  114 . In the present example, left side bolster  146  cooperates with right support strap  140  to position left breast  120  in a central position by urging left breast  120  towards sagittal midline  114 . By urging left breast  120  towards sagittal midline  114 , left side bolster  146  serves to counterbalance right support strap  140  urging left breast  120  away from sagittal midline  114 . 
     In addition to the lateral support and positioning just described, left side bolster  146  further urges left breast  120  towards left shoulder strap  117 . In this manner, left side bolster  146  assists right support strap  140  to vertically position left breast  120  in a desired position. 
     Rear Lateral Strap 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , bra  100  includes rear lateral strap  129  in a position overlying the rear torso when bra  100  is worn. Rear lateral strap  129  extends between left shoulder strap  117  and right shoulder strap  119 . In the present example, rear lateral strap  129  includes elastic and, in other examples, is formed from stretch fabrics or non-resilient fabrics. The rear lateral strap is an optional feature that functions to restrict the shoulder straps from moving apart and to resiliently urge the shoulder straps to return to the resting position shown in  FIG.  5   . 
     Outer Material 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 5   , bra  100  includes an outer layer of material  152  covering certain other components of bra  100 . A portion of outer layer of material  152  is coupled to left shoulder strap  117  and to underband  124  and covers left side bolster  146 . In the present example, outer layer of material  152  covers or conceals at least portions of left shoulder strap  117 , right shoulder strap  119 , left support strap  132 , right support strap  140 , cinch  144 , left side bolster  146 , right side bolster  147 , and underband  124 . In other examples, the outer layer of material is omitted or covers fewer of the components covered by outer layer of material  152 . 
     Any currently known or later developed fabric or material suitable for bras and garments may be used. For example, cotton fabrics, synthetic fabrics, stretch fabrics, and moisture wicking fabrics are all suitable. 
     Bra Embodiment Two 
     Turning attention to  FIG.  6   , a second example of a bra, bra  200 , will now be described. Bra  200  includes many similar or identical features to bra  100 . Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of bra  200  will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between bra  200  and bra  100  will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two bras. 
     As can be seen in  FIG.  6   , bra  200  includes an underband  224 , a left shoulder strap  217 , a right shoulder strap  219 , a left support strap  232 , a right support strap  240 , a left side bolster  246 , a right side bolster  247 , and an outer layer of material in the form of a shirt  203 . Incorporating bra  200  into shirt  203  defines a garment  201 . Garment  201  supports and positions the breasts in the same manner described above for bra  100 . 
     In the  FIG.  6    example, garment  201  is a shirt providing breast support and the garment takes different forms in other examples. For example, the garment incorporating the bras described herein may take the form of swimwear, athletic apparel, shirts, dresses, pajamas, camisoles, bodysuits, unitards, and the like. 
     The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
     Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.