Patent Publication Number: US-8523629-B2

Title: Variable compression hybrid design sports bra

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Women engaged in sports or the like activities typically use special brassieres (or bras) to support their breasts and thus avoid excessive movement and/or bounce due to the activities or motions associated with such sports. Modern sports bras typically employ one of two designs to provide extra support: encapsulation or compression. Encapsulation designs (typically molded designs) provide a more natural shape and better definition of the breasts, while compression designs are better at minimizing bounce of the breasts. Many encapsulation designs also use under-wires to offer extra shaping and support to the bust, with a loss of comfort that results from adding an inflexible support to a bra designed for use when the user&#39;s body including the breasts are in motion. 
     Most sports bras are designed with either a racer back designed to offer back support and keep straps in place, or a conventional back that offers the best adjustment of the individual back straps and ease of wearing but which has reduced back support. 
     All sports bras are designed with specific degrees of support or compression, based upon the nature of the intended activities or motion. High impact activities such as running require high compression to minimize bounce, while low impact activities such as yoga require only low compression to minimize bounce. Further, each woman has her own preference as to how much compression and resulting bounce is appropriate, desirable and/or comfortable. Bras designed for compression typically only offer a fixed amount of compression for a given garment. Bras of this type are characterized as high, medium, or low compression garments based on their design. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the disadvantages of most sports bras and the like as noted above, it will be noted that the sports bra of the present invention advantageously provides a hybrid design which offers both compression and encapsulation to support the breasts of a user. This compression and supporting system is preferably achieved via an inner cup supporting system and an outer bust supporting system. This hybrid design further allows the user to easily set and adjust the amount of compression at the time of activity as desired, or thereafter as desires may change, for maximum control and comfort. 
     It is also an advantage of the sports bra of the present invention that this hybrid design also uses a sling support within the inner cup supporting system to offer the shaping and support of a wire, but without using any wires typically found in the prior art. This sling support offers optimal shaping, without the discomfort of a wire normally needed for this support. It will be appreciated that this sling support of the cups distributes support across the body and angularly to the opposing strap and shoulder for greatest comfort. 
     It is a further advantage of the sports bra of the present invention that the outer bust supporting system provides additional support and compression via the shaped compression panel over that normally present in sports bras. It will be appreciated that this additional support provided by the compression panel is directed vertically, which is advantageous in thereby distributing the support vertically and mostly to the corresponding strap and shoulder. 
     It is a still further advantage of the present invention that each breast is supported by both straps and hence both shoulders, vertically and angularly, allowing better and more balanced support. By supporting each breast by both straps, advantageous support is provided during user motions since the load pattern of the bust changes with the motions of the body. 
     It is a still further advantage of the sports bra of the present invention over prior art sports bras that the outer bust supporting system allows a user to continually set and/or change the amount of compression at the time of wearing. This adjustment feature also permits the user to vary the amount of extra compression for each side as desired, to reflect the typical asymmetrical size of the user&#39;s breasts and/or to reflect any subjective preference which might be depending upon the activity of the user. 
     It is a still further advantage of the sports bra of the present invention that the two-way stretch back member successfully distributes the load originating from both the inner cup supporting system and the outer bust supporting system. The two-way stretch back member integrates to the cups to offer support, security, and comfort during motion; while at the same time the back member offers the support of a racer back, with the desirable length adjustment of a conventional back member. 
     It is a still further advantage of the sports bra of the present invention that, due to the variable compression construction of the outer bust supporting system, a single brassiere has low, medium, and high (or more) compression options which the user can easily adjust. The sports bra of the invention thus allows the user to use one bra for many activities, and is of special note for users who might do multiple activities in a single wearing where different compression options are needed for one or more of the multiple activities. Further, the variable compression feature allows each user to adjust the amount of compression to their own specifications based on the intended activity, personal preference, and/or body shape. 
     In accordance with the sports bra of the present invention, there is described hereafter a variable compression hybrid design sports bra is provided broadly having a back member which extends across a back of the user and a front member which extends across the chest of the user. The back member has left and right back ends or end portions. The front member includes left and right front sides which are respectively attached to the left and right back ends of the back member. The front member also includes a rib band extending from the left front side to the right front side, and left and right cups which receive a respective left and right breast of the user therein and which are connected at bottom portions thereof to the rib band so as to extend above the rib band. The front member also includes a shaped compression panel or bust cup which conformingly covers and hence receives the left and right cups therein during use. This shaped compression panel is made of an elastic material, is connected to the rib band at a lower portion thereof, and has left and right upper front portions extending from a main portion thereof. The sports bra also broadly includes a shoulder strap system which connects the left and right cups to the back member, and an attachment system or mechanism which adjustably attaches the left and right upper portions of the compression panel with the strap system to adjustably stretch the shaped compression panel attached to the rib band over the left and right cups and thus to compress the left and right cups during use. 
     It is a feature of one preferred embodiment of the sports bra that the left and right cups are made of a relatively less (or non) elastic material while the compression panel is made of a relatively elastic material which has a higher elastic modulus or restoring force than the less elastic material of the left and right cups. Preferably the cups are made from a mold material which can be rigid, semi-rigid or mildly stretchable, and thus the compression panel is made of a material which has a higher elastic modulus or restoring force than that of the cups. In addition, as desired, the relatively non-elastic material of the cups is preferably made of a material which has moisture management properties (e.g., suitable moisture transparency or wicking proprieties); while the compression panel preferably includes breathing holes in at least a central portion thereof as well as likewise having moisture management properties (e.g., suitable moisture transparency or wicking proprieties). 
     It is a feature of another or a combination of preferred embodiments that the strap system includes left and right chest straps or chest and back portions, and also that the left and right cups include respective left and right slings. These left and right slings effectively cross one another at a central intersection so that they are attached angularly to the respective right and left chest straps. The left and right slings respectively further extend from the central intersection to underneath and around each respective right and left cup, to further support the associated cup with support coming angularly from the (opposite) right and left straps. 
     It is a feature of another or a combination of preferred embodiments that the shoulder strap system is made of a relatively inelastic material and that the back member includes left and right back bands which are made of a relatively elastic material which has a higher elastic modulus or restoring force than the non-elastic material of the strap system. The left and right back bands terminate in respective left and right back ends. In addition, the left and right back bands further include left and right back extensions which extend vertically from a respective left and right back band, which are attached at an upper end thereof to the strap system, and which are made of a relatively elastic material which has a higher elastic modulus or restoring force than the relatively inelastic material of the strap system. With this constructions, there is thus provided a two way planar stretching of the back member in use relative to the strap system. 
     It is a feature of another or a combination of preferred embodiments that the attachment system includes left and right chest straps which individually adjusts the left upper portion of the compression panel with the left chest strap and the right upper portion of the compression panel with the right chest strap. In addition, a length of the shoulder strap system is adjustable and a length of the back member is adjustable. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention are stated in or apparent from detailed descriptions of presently preferred embodiments of the invention found hereinbelow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front and left perspective view of the sports bra of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front and left perspective view of the sports bra depicted in  FIG. 1 , but with the front compression panel held forward of the remainder of the sports bra. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear inside view of the right back band of the sports bra depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear inside view of the left back band of the sports bra depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a back and top perspective view of the sports bra depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the views, a variable compression hybrid design sports bra  10  according to the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1-5 . Sports bra  10  is designed to offer both compression and encapsulation to support the breasts of a user in a comfortable and easily adjusted manner. Generally, sports bra  10  includes a back member  12 , a front member  14 , and a strap system  16 , all of which are suitably attached together or integral with one another as by stitching or the like as well known in the art. Front member  14  includes an inner supporting cup system  18  and an outer bust supporting system  19  to provide both angular and non-angular support as will be more fully described hereafter. 
     Back member  12  preferably includes left and right back bands  20   a  and  20   b  which extend across the back of the user and which are relatively wide in order to provide extra support during sports activities or the like. Bands  20  are adjustably connected together where they meet in the center, for example by a vertical series of three hooks  22  on right band  20   b  which are received in a respective column of three eyelets  24  on left band  20   a  as well known in the art. By the provision of three columns of eyelets  24  spaced longitudinally along left band  20   a , the length of back member  12  is adjustable as well known in the art. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , back member  20  also includes left and right back extensions  26   a  and  26   b  which extend vertically from along a respective left and right back bands  20   a  and  20   b  and which are attached to strap system  16 . Both back bands  20  and back extensions  26  are made of a relatively elastic material, which has a higher elastic modulus (greater restoring force) than strap system  16 . Back member  12  thus provides a two way planar stretching thereof in use relative to strap system  16 , and thus back member  12  acts in the manner of a racer back design to keep or help maintain the desired strap placement of strap system  16  in place and to provide comfortable (elastic) and wide area support along the back of the user. The inclusion of adjustments via strap sections  48  allow adjustment as is well known in the art but is not possible in a standard racer back design. Left and right back bands  20   a  and  20   b  end at respective left and right back ends or end portions  28   a  and  28   b.    
     Inner cup supporting system  18  of front member  14  includes left and right front sides  30   a  and  30   b  which are attached to respective left and right back ends  28   a  and  28   b . A rib band  32  extends across the bottom of front member  14  to connect left and right front sides  30   a  and  30   b . Connected to rib band  32  are left and right cups  34   a  and  34   b  which extend upwardly therefrom, though alternately it could be considered that rib band  32  is simply made of bottom portions of cups  34 . Cups  34  serve as encapsulation cups and are designed to receive a respective breast of the user therein to support the breast via encapsulation. Preferably, cups  34  are of a seamless molded design, with the molded cup being made of a mold material which can be rigid, semi-rigid or stretch material (but with an elastic modulus or restoring force which is lower than that of outer bust supporting system  19  as noted below). The seamless design serves to protect the breast from abrasion during activity. Preferably, cups  34  are also made of a material with moisture management properties (e.g., suitable moisture transparency or wicking proprieties) to increase wearer comfort. 
     In a preferred embodiment, cups  34  make use an angular inner (crossing) sling design to provide a maximum support and shape for an encapsulated cup type of support, but without making use of a wire or the like which can be too restrictive and uncomfortable when worn during activity. The angular design includes respective left and right cup slings  36   a  and  36   b  which are relatively non-elastic. Slings  36  effectively cross and are attached or connected to each other at a central overlapping or intersecting portion  38  near the top of where cups  34  meet each other, and which left and right cup slings  36   a  and  36   b  then extend along the bottom side of respective left and right cups  34   a  and  34   b  to the far side to support the associated cup  34  using an under-bust type design. This underbust (crossing slings) design distributes pressure or forces from the left and right cups  34   a  and  34   b  angularly to the opposite right and left sides of strap system  16  as shown, and hence ultimately as well to left and right shoulders due to left and right back extensions  26   a  and  26   b  attached along left and right back bands  20   a  and  20   b . The underbust design also serves to connect cups  34  together, along with a small central connecting panel  40  provided as shown. Respective left and right connecting panels  42   a  and  42   b  also serve to connect respective left and right slings  36   a  and  36   b , and hence left and right cups  34   a  and  34   b , to back ends  28 . 
     Strap system  16  includes a front strap portion formed of left and right chest straps  44   a  and  44   b , which are attached to intersecting portion  38  of slings  36  as well as along the remainder of the top of the associated left and right cups  34   a  and  34   b  to provide a long area of wide support along the top and inner portions of cups  34  as shown best in  FIG. 2 . Left and right straps  34   a  and  34   b  are respectively connected over the associated shoulders of the user to a back strap portion formed of left and right back extensions  26   a  and  26   b  to complete the support between cups  34  and back member  12 . Strap system  16  is made of a relatively inelastic material and wide material in order to provide positive and wide area support, and straps system  16  is suitably padded if and where desirable. In addition, as well known in the art, the length of each strap  34  is adjustable by the provision of a loop fastener  46  and loop adjustment member  48  for the loop provided at the back end of each strap  44 . Each left and right strap  44   a  and  44   b  also includes respective outside extensions  50   a  and  50   b  which are attached to and extend along the outside of respective cups  34   a  and  34   b . Extensions  50  are made of an elastic material, and are attached to gathered outside portions of associated cups  34 , a non-gathered end of associated slings  36 , and a gathered part of connecting panels  42 . Extensions  50  are relatively stretchable at the connections to cups  34  and connecting panels  42  for comfort, but not at slings  36 . 
     Outer bust supporting system  19  of front member  14  includes a suitably bust shaped compression panel  54 , which is designed to conform around and support the bust (i.e., both breasts) of the user by compression over top of cups  34 . Compression panel  54  can be of molded or seamed construction as desired since it does not contact the breasts, and compression panel  54  is preferably made of a material or materials having moisture management properties (e.g., suitable moisture transparency or wicking proprieties). Compression panel  54  has a bottom portion  56  thereof which is attached along the length of rib band  32  which is below cups  34  and connecting panels  42 , so that otherwise compression panel  54  acts independently of cups  34 . Making up compression panel  54  are a central section  58  and left and right side sections  60   a  and  60   b  as shown, together defining a main section of compression panel  54 . Sections  58  and  60  are all formed of an elastic material, with the elastic modulus or restoring force of central section  58  preferably being greater than the elastic modulus of left and right front sections  60   a  and  60   b . Central section  58  is provided with left and right upper portions  62   a  and  62   b  as shown. For comfort, central section  58  can be provided with air breathing holes as shown schematically by the lines  64  of holes; which line  64  of holes can also be provided on back bands  20  and back extensions  26  as desired. 
     An attachment system or mechanism  66  is provided to adjustably attach respective upper portions  62   a  and  62   b  of central section  58  of compression panel  54  to respective left and right chest straps  44   a  and  44   b  of strap system  16 . In this preferred embodiment, attachment system  66  includes left and right hook members  68   a  and  68   b  attached to respective upper portions  62   a  and  62   b  of central section  58 . Attachment system  66  then also includes a series of hook receiving panels  70   a  and  70   b  provided at designed locations along left and right chest straps  44   a  and  44   b  above left and right outside extensions  50   a  and  50   b . By positioning of hook members  68   a  and  68   b  in a selected hook receiving panel  70   a  and  70   b , the compression exerted by compression panel  54  on left and right cups  34   a  and  34   b  and hence on the breasts of the user can be adjusted from lower to higher, to fit the desire or comfort of the user for each cup  34  individually and together. Other suitable attachment systems are also envisioned, such as associated hook and loop (VELCRO) fasteners or hook and eye fasteners (as used to connect back bands  20  together as described above) or the like as well known in the art. 
     Overall, it is preferred that the elastic modulus or restoring force of outer bust supporting system  19  is greater than that of inner cup supporting system  18 . With this construction, inner cup supporting system  18  (including the under bust angular support provided by crossing slings  36 ) provides an encapsulation type of support for the breasts of the user; while outer bust supporting system  19  provides a shaped compression and vertical (non-angular) support for the breasts independent of the support of the inner cup supporting system  18 . With these inner and outer supporting systems  18  and  19 , the two respective angular and vertical types of support are relatively independent of one another, so that they together provide an advantageous support with two different and adapting support vectors (left-right or angular, and up-down or vertical) as the breasts move, and hence their load changes, during movements of the user. In particular, angular support is provided by inner cup supporting system which has the left breast angularly supported by right chest strap  44   b  due to left sling  36   a , while vertical support is provided by outer bust supporting system which has the left breast supported by left chest strap  44   a  via compression panel  54  stretched there over (and, of course, in a similar manner the right breast is supported). The angular and non-angular or vertical support offers the most balanced and natural support possible and with adjustment as desired. 
     It will also be appreciated that back bands  20  integrate with straps  44  to provide: support of (encapsulation) cups  34 , support of slings  36 , and support of compression panel  54 . By using inner cup supporting system  18  and outer bust supporting system  19 , compression panel  54  offers a good support or positioning for chest straps  44 . In addition, use of rib band  32  offers an optimal anchor point for both cups  34  and compression panel  54 . This design also allows the amount of elasticity to be optimized for each supporting system  18  and  19 . The net effect is better support for cups  34 , more comfort for chest straps  44 , and a better accommodation to a body in motion. 
     Although sports bra  10  has been depicted as being made of with various panels, straps, etc., it will be appreciated that many other designs are possible which will still achieve the desired results of the present invention as described above. It will also be appreciated that the various panels, etc. can be made integral (or connected securely together) by stitching, integral molding or otherwise as desired and known in the art to form the unitary sports bra of the present invention. 
     Thus, while the present invention has been described with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope and spirit of the invention.