Patent Publication Number: US-2007117495-A1

Title: Half brassiere

Description:
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/933,561 
    
    
     BACKGROUND  
      The present invention relates generally to women&#39;s brassieres and more particularly to a single piece half brassiere manufactured in various shapes and sizes to support the user&#39;s associated breast. The prior art teaches a two piece brassiere of various sizes and shapes as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,284, a mastectomy brassiere as in U.S. PAT. NO. 2002/0102913, and a multi-component assembled brassiere as in US PAT. NO. 2003/0236054. Generally, brassieres are fabricated as a single garment to support a pair of symmetrical shape breasts. However, some women are not born with a pair of symmetrical shape breasts. Thus, with the present invention, each asymmetrical shape breast can be independently supported.  
     SUMMARY  
      It is at object of the, present invention to provide a single half piece brassiere manufactured to individually support each individual breast of the wearer of the brassiere. The wearer selects two separate half brassieres which support each individual breast size. The brassieres are then attached to support each breast. The half piece brassiere is manufactured in various sizes and shapes. The brassiere can be strapless or each cup can be manufactured with under wire support. Additionally, straps can be attached to the brassiere and the straps can be adjustable. The upper torso member of the half piece brassiere can also be adjustable. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the present invention on the wearer&#39;s body without straps.  
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of the present invention on the wearer&#39;s body with straps.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a single half bra piece manufactured in one size.  
       FIG. 3  illustrates another single half bra piece manufacture in another size.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates the back view of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates additional support for cup size 36 (B)  
       FIG. 6  illustrates additional support for cup size 36 (C)  
       FIG. 7A  illustrates removable interconnecting means for front of bra  
       FIG. 7B  illustrates removable interconnecting means for back of bra 
    
    
     DETAILED SPECIFICATION  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is shown the present invention comprising a single piece half brassiere ( 100 ) which can be manufactured in various sizes and shapes individually fit each breast.  FIG. 1  illustrates a frontal view of one embodiment of the present invention as worn by a female. Each cup member ( 110 ,  150 ) is dimensioned and configured to fit a wearer&#39;s breast cup size of 36C and 36B respectively. Each cup member ( 110 ,  150 ) of the present invention can be manufactured to individually support dissimilar shape breasts of various sizes and shapes up to and including full figured women. This invention can be utilized in swimwear or other types of women wear in which brassiere are an integral part of the garment.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , there is shown an exploded view of each cup member ( 110 ,  150 ). Each cup member ( 110 ,  150 ) is further defined by a first side ( 121 ) and an opposing second side ( 120 ). The present invention further includes first fastener mechanism ( 105 ,  107 ) connected to the opposing second side ( 120 ) of each cup member ( 110 ,  150 ). First fastener mechanism ( 105 ,  107 ) is utilized to secure the two half brassiere in place as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments each cup member ( 110 ,  150 ) can further include casing ( 155 ) encompassing the entire inner surface area of the cup member ( 110 ,  150 ). Casing ( 155 ) is adapted to enclose conventional padding to provide additional support for the wearer&#39;s breast. As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  additional padding is added to support the wearer&#39;s breast of unequal size. Additional padding support  156  is added to cup 36(B) and additional support padding  157  is added to cup 36(C). Normally, the amount of additional padding support  156  required for supporting a smaller breast size is more than the amount of additional padding support  157  to support a larger breast size. As shown internal additional support padding  156  for Cup size 36 (B) is thicker than internal additional support padding  157  for Cup size C  157 . Therefore, additional interior support is required to provide, an even contour perception on ,the outer side of cup size 36 (B) to cup size (C) as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 .  
      In other embodiments, each cup member ( 110 ,  150 ) can further include a second casing ( 160 ) along the lower peripheral edge of each cup member ( 110 ,  150 ). Second casing ( 160 ) is adapted to receive conventional under wire which provide additional support for the wearer&#39;s breast.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4  illustrates a back view of one embodiment of the present invention as worn by an individual. Each torso portion ( 200 ,  201 ) is formed on the first side ( 121 ) of each cup member ( 110 ,  150 ) and extends therefrom to an opposing third side ( 140 ,  141 ) as depicted in  FIG. 4 . Torso portion ( 200 ,  201 ) is adapted to encircle one-half of the wearer&#39;s front chest region.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , second fastener mechanism ( 145 ,  146 ) is connected to the opposing third side ( 140 ,  141 ) of the torso portion ( 200 ,  201 ). Second fastener mechanisms ( 145 ,  146 ) are utilized to secure torso portion ( 200 ,  201 ) in place. First fastener mechanism ( 105 ,  107 ) and second fastener mechanism ( 145 ,  146 ) can be conventional hooks.  
      As depicted in  FIG. 4 , alternative embodiments of the present invention can further include shoulder straps ( 220 ,  221 ) extending upwardly over the adjacent shoulder interconnecting the top of the torso portion ( 200 ,  201 ) to the top of cup member ( 110 ,  150 ) illustrated in  FIG. 1A . Each shoulder strap ( 220 ,  221 ) can be adjustable in length utilizing conventional extension clamps ( 225 ,  226 ). Additionally, the torso portion ( 200 , 201 ) can be adjustable in length utilizing conventional extension means ( 130 ,  131 ). Extension means ( 130 ,  131 ) can be a short insert of stretchable fabric such as elastic. The upper torso member ( 200 ,  201 ) can be made of stretchable fabric such as nylon. Alternatively, each shoulder strap member ( 220 ,  221 ) can respectively removably interconnect, the top of torso portion ( 200 ,  201 ) to the top of cup member ( 110 ,  150 ). As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  complementary fasteners ( 176 ,  177 ) are attached to the top of torso portion ( 200 , 201 ) and top of cup member ( 110 , 150 ). One end of strap member ( 220 ,  221 ) is releasably connected to fastener  177  connected to the top of torso portion ( 200 ,  210 ) and the opposing end of strap member  220 ,  221  is releasably connected to fastener  176  attached to cup member ( 110 , 150 ). Complementary fasteners ( 176 ,  177 ) can further comprise a catch mechanism ( 178 ,  179 ) at a strategic location on the strap thus allowing the hanging strap to be held in place. As shown the catch mechanism ( 178 ,  179 ) is a hook and eye.