Patent Publication Number: US-2005130558-A1

Title: Support bra

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      This invention relates to bras and more particularly, a support bra. Under wire support bras are known in the art. However, for heavy breasted women an under wire bra does not provide adequate support, thereby causing heavy busted women to sag which is obvious in appearance beneath the clothing. Therefore, the under wire bra does not provide the reshaping necessary for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Additionally, the underwire bra does not assist in the back support. The problems identified here are not intended to be exhaustive but rather are to illustrate why an improved support bra is needed.  
     SUMMARY  
      In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breast support apparatus. The present support apparatus includes a front portion constructed to form breast cups and a back portion constructed from at least one continuous layer of material. In one embodiment, the back portion can contain an inner layer constructed from foam that molds to the shape of the body during movement. In an alternative embodiment, the back portion can contain a plurality of pressure points made from foam the molds to the shape of the body during movement. Attached to the outer lower surface area of each breast cup is a support member made of a strong flexible rigid material. In alternative embodiments the support member can be attached to the inner surface area of each breast cup. When the each breast cup is securely fastened together, the support member uplifts each breast for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
      FIG. 1  is a front view of the support bra having the support member externally mounted upon each breast cup.  
       FIG. 1A  is front view of the support bra.  
       FIG. 1B  is front view of the support member.  
       FIG. 1C  is exploded front view of the fasteners of the support member.  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the support member.  
       FIG. 3  is a back view of the support bra.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the back portion of the support bra.  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the support bra.  
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the support bra with shoulder straps 
    
    
     DETAILED SPECIFICATION  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a front view of one embodiment of the present invention a strapless support bra ( 10 ) illustrated in the manner in which it is to be worn. Support bra ( 10 ) further includes at least one layered front portion constructed to form two breast cups ( 11 ,  12 ) connected by cooperating fastening means ( 20 ). As depicted in  FIG. 1A , cooperating fastening members ( 20 ) further comprises complementary extending flanges ( 201 ,  202 ) attached to the inner peripheral edge of the mid-section of each breast cup ( 11 ,  12 ). Attached to each complementary flange is a conventional fastener such as hooks or snaps. Each breast cup ( 11 ,  12 ) can be made of at least one layer of foam material or another suitable material. Additionally, each breast cup ( 11 ,  12 ) can be contoured to support heavy busted women.  
      As depicted in  FIG. 1 , support bra ( 10 ) further comprises corresponding support member ( 21 ,  22 ) for each breast cup ( 11 ,  12 ). Support member ( 21 ,  22 ) are preferably cut in a semi-circular shape as shown in  FIG. 2 . Each support member ( 21 ,  22 ) can also be contoured and constructed to support heavy busted women. Support members ( 21 ,  22 ) can be made of a strong flexible wire or plastic mesh as shown in  FIG. 2 . In alternative embodiments, support member ( 21 ,  22 ) can be made of strong flexible plastic.  
      As depicted in  FIG. 1 , each support member ( 21 ,  22 ) is secured in place upon the lower external surface area of each breast up ( 11 ,  12 ). As shown, each support member ( 21 ,  22 ) spans the lower external surface area of each breast cup ( 11 ,  12 ) and is secured in place upon using a second cooperating fastening member ( 23 ). As depicted in  FIG. 1B , cooperating fastening members ( 23 ) further comprises complementary extending flanges ( 301 ,  302 ) attached to the inner peripheral edge of the mid-section of each support member. As depicted in  FIG. 1C , attached to each complementary flange ( 301 ,  302 ) is a conventional fastener such as hooks or snaps. In this embodiment, support member ( 21 ,  22 ) can be secured in place upon the external surface area using adhesive, sewing, VELCRO or another suitable fastening means. In other embodiments, support member can be secured in place utilizing adjustable members or the drawstring mechanism further described below.  
      As depicted in  FIG. 3 , support bra ( 10 ) further comprises back portion ( 40 ) having opposing sides ( 45 ,  46 ). As shown  FIG. 1 , each opposing side edge ( 45 ,  46 ) of back portion ( 40 ) integrates into front portion and attaches to each side edge ( 36 ) of breast cup ( 11 ,  12 ).  
      Back portion ( 40 ) can be made of at least one layer of fabric material such as polyester or another suitable type of fabric. In other embodiments, back portion further includes a continuous inner layer of a foam material that molds to the shape of the wearer&#39;s body during movement. The foam material can be visco-elastic “memory foam” or another suitable type of foam material. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , stitching ( 48 ) across the middle of the back area to secure the foam material in place.  
      In alternative embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4 , back portion ( 40 ) can comprise a plurality of small pressure points ( 50 ) spanning the entire surface area. Each pressure point ( 50 ) can be made of a foam material such as visco-elastic memory foam or another suitable type of foam material.  
      In alternative embodiments, breast cup ( 11 ,  12 ) can further include an inner padding constructed and dimensioned to the size of each breast cup ( 11 ,  12 ). The padding can be made of a foam material that molds to the shape of the wearer&#39;s body during movement. The foam material can be visco-elastic “memory foam” or another suitable type of foam material.  
      In even some more specific embodiments, support member ( 21 ,  22 ) can be constructed to be inserted within breast cup ( 21 ,  22 ) sandwiched between the external layer and the padding of each breast cup ( 11 ,  12 ). In this embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , support member ( 21 ,  22 ) can be held in place utilizing a drawstring mechanism ( 200 ). Drawstring mechanism ( 200 ) further comprises a first strip portion ( 210 ) and a second connecting mate portion ( 215 ). As shown in  FIG. 1B , first strip portion ( 210 ) is attached to the outer peripheral edge ( 220 ) of each support member ( 21 ,  22 ). As shown in  FIG. 6 , second connecting mate portion ( 215 ) is attached to the side edge ( 36 ) of each breast cup ( 11 ,  12 ). As shown in  FIG. 1B , second connecting mate portion ( 215 ) is adapted to securely engage the first strip portion ( 210 ) such that each support member ( 21 ,  22 ) can be secured in place to support the wearer&#39;s breast. This drawstring mechanism ( 200 ) can be made of plastic, metal or another suitable material.  
      As depicted in  FIG. 5 , support bra ( 10 ) further comprises an adjustment attachment ( 90 ) extending laterally from the side edge of each breast cup to the back portion ( 40 ). Adjustment attachment ( 90 ) further includes a small elastic band ( 83 ) having complementary fasteners ( 80 , 85 ) attached to each opposite end. Fasteners ( 80 ,  85 ) can be conventional clamps as shown in  FIG. 5 . Fastener  80  is attached to the side edge ( 36 ) of each breast cup ( 11 , 12 ) and fastener  85  is attached to the side edge  45  of back portion  40 . Elastic band ( 83 ) stretches to extend laterally as it adjusts to the circumference of the wearer&#39;s chest size and provide greater support.  
      In an alternative embodiment, support bra ( 10 ) can have conventional shoulder straps ( 70 ,  75 ) as shown in  FIG. 6 . Conventional strap ( 70 ,  75 ) respectively connects each breast cup ( 11 ,  12 ) to the upper back portion ( 40 ) of support bra ( 10 ). When fastening member ( 20 ) securely couples breast cup  11  and  12  tog ether, additional lift is provided for the heavy busted woman.