Abstract:
The invention comprises a fastener mountable on a brassiere strap, either removably or permanently. A brassiere strap mounted on the fasteners can be removably affixed to a location on the posterior strap assembly and a location on the anterior cups of a brassiere. Use of the fasteners permits adjustment of the brassiere straps into a plurality of different arrangements, depending upon the shape, outfit and activity of the wearer. The brassiere straps and fasteners can be made of transparent or translucent materials which may be color tinted so as to appear virtually invisible against the wearer&#39;s skin. The brassiere straps can also be removed from a brassiere altogether.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    A wide variety of brassieres exist which are worn dependent upon the outfit, the shape, and the activity of the wearer. A brassiere is usually comprised of two cups situated on the front portion of the brassiere, for cradling the breasts of the wearer, attached to a backstrap assembly that comprises the back of the brassiere. The backstrap assembly can consist of either interlocking backstraps for posterior release and adjustment, or a single backstrap, either of which holds the brassiere in place. The cups are joined with a web of material, using interlocking materials for the web if the brassiere is detachable on its front side. Most brassieres provide for additional support by having shoulder straps leading from each cup to the backstrap assembly. There are times when the wearer will want the additional support afforded by having shoulder straps, but will not want those shoulder straps to be apparent, or will want to change the locus of support as needed based upon the wearer, the outfit, and the activity.  
           [0002]    For example, when wearing a strapless outfit, the wearer will choose a strapless brassiere for better aesthetic appreciation of the outfit as compared with wearing the same outfit and a brassiere with shoulder straps. If the wearer were to be dressed in an evening gown with only one strap over a shoulder, it would not be aesthetic for the wearer to be wearing a standard brassiere with two shoulder straps. Similarly, if the wearer sports an outfit with a neck strap, the wearer would have difficulty finding an appropriate brassiere to wear for providing the requisite breast support in an aesthetic and discrete configuration of the brassiere. Finally, if the wearer sports an outfit made, at least in part from relatively sheer material, the wearer would not necessarily want the shoulder straps of the brassiere to show through the sheer material.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    This invention is a removable brassiere strap created using a brassiere strap fastener that allows the wearer to move or remove the brassiere straps that normally sit upon each of the shoulders of the wearer. Further, if the wearer prefers to wear transparent brassiere straps, then the fasteners at the ends of the brassiere straps may be made from transparent materials, so as to give the wearer proper support using materials that are difficult to see and pass unnoticed when worn against the wearer&#39;s skin. The brassiere strap fasteners are designed so that the wearer can removably fasten the brassiere strap onto the brassiere strap fastener or mount the brassiere strap onto the fastener directly.  
           [0004]    Brassiere straps that can be placed in virtually any conformation on a brassiere allow the wearer to arrange the brassiere so as to provide proper support while preserving the style of the outfit. For example, while wearing a dress that covers only one shoulder, the wearer can remove the brassiere strap that would normally sit upon the bare shoulder. Further, the brassiere strap can sit upon the covered shoulder, but be used to support the breast of the uncovered shoulder by looping around the neck of the wearer. Such adjustments or brassiere strap substitutions cannot be made on conventional brassieres with shoulder straps.  
           [0005]    In another example, the wearer of a dress that loops around the wearer&#39;s neck, but which does not sit on either shoulder would not want to wear a conventional brassiere. Using this invention, the wearer could remove the brassiere straps from the backstrap of the brassiere and attach a brassiere strap to both cups and place it around the wearer&#39;s neck for support.  
           [0006]    In one of its aspects, the invention provides a releasable fastener comprising an elongate clasping base, one end forming a slot adapted to receive a brassiere strap therethrough and a side aperture to releasably receive a brassiere clip therein. A top clasping member is pivotally connected to the clasping base and an actuating mechanism is operable between a locked position where the clasping base and top clasping member are in a clasped position and biased against each other, and an unlocked position where the top clasping member is pivotable into an open position in relation to the clasping base.  
           [0007]    In another of its aspects, the invention provides a releasable fastener comprising an elongate clasping base with a first end forming a slot adapted to receive a brassiere strap therethrough and a side aperture to releasably receive a brassiere clip therein. A second end remote from the first end includes clasping teeth extending from a surface thereof. An elongate clasping member is pivotally connected to the clasping base at one end and another end has clasping teeth extending from a surface thereof. An actuating mechanism is operable between a locked position where the elongate clasping base and the elongate clasping member are in a biased into a clasped position with said clasping teeth of each in mating configuration, and an unlocked position where the clasping member is pivotable into an open position in relation to said the clasping member. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 shows an elevational view of the cups, posterior straps, and shoulder straps of a brassiere, showing a preferred embodiment of the fasteners mounted on the ends of shoulder straps.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a fastener onto which the shoulder strap can be mounted directly or through a clip.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 a  is a cross-section of the fastener of FIG. 2 in a clasped position.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 b  is a cross-section of a the fastener of FIG. 2 in an open position.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base of the fastener.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 shows an elevational view of the base of the fastener.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 shows a top view of the base of the fastener.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 shows a side view of the top-clasping member.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 shows the view along the bottom of the top-clasping member.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 shows a side view of the actuating mechanism.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 shows a top view of the actuating mechanism.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 shows the rear elevational view of the actuating mechanism.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 a  is a brassiere clip releasable connectable to a fastener of the present invention, including the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 11 or  12 .  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a fastener, a clasping portion and an actuating mechanism.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the fastener embodiment of FIG. 11 including mating interlocking indentations and protrusions to interlock the actuating mechanism, with the clasping portion.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the fastener in FIG. 12 to be used in association with the shoulder straps of the brassiere, with the actuating mechanism removed.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the fastener shown in FIG. 13.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 15 is a top elevational view of the fastener shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the actuating mechanism for the fastener shown in FIGS. 11,12,  13 ,  14  and  15 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 17 is an elevational cross-section of the actuating mechanism for the apparatus shown in FIGS. 12, 13,  14 , and  15 , taken through line A-A on FIG. 16, along axis X-X.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the actuating mechanism for the apparatus shown in  
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 12, 13,  14 , and  15 , taken through line A-A, as shown in FIG. 16 along axis Y-Y.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 19 through 27 are elevational views shown from the front (F) and the back (B) of different configurations in which the present invention can be worn. These are meant to be illustrative only and not exhaustive.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 19 is a front and rear view of a wearer utilizing the arrangement of the invention to provide a brassiere with one brassiere strap worn around the neck.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 20 is a front and rear view of a wearer utilizing the arrangement of the invention to provide a brassiere with two brassiere straps around the neck.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 21 is a front and rear view of a wearer utilizing the arrangement of the invention to provide a brassiere with a brassiere strap over one shoulder only.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 22 is a front and rear view of a wearer utilizing the arrangement of the invention to provide a brassiere with two brassiere straps over one shoulder.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 23 is a front and rear view of a wearer utilizing the arrangement of the invention to provide a brassiere with brassiere straps in an angular configuration.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 24 is a front and rear view of a wearer utilizing the arrangement of the invention to provide a brassiere with brassiere straps in a different angular configuration.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 25 is a front and rear view of a wearer utilizing the arrangement of the invention to provide a brassiere with brassiere straps that cross over in the rear.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 26 is a front and rear view of a wearer utilizing the arrangement of the invention to provide a brassiere with brassiere straps that cross over in the anterior.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 27 is a front and rear view of a wearer utilizing the arrangement of the invention to provide a brassiere with brassiere straps that cross over in both the anterior and the posterior. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]    Reference is made to FIG. 1 of the drawings, which shows a brassiere having cups  10  joined by material  15 . Posterior straps  20  extend from either side of cups  10 . Shoulder straps  30  are mounted to posterior straps  20  and cups  10  through fasteners  40 . The joining of fasteners  40  to brassiere straps  30  can be done removably, using clips  35 , or permanently as by looping an end of strap  30  through a strap receiving slot formed in the fasteners  40  and sewing or melting or joining the end of the strap to form an enclosed end loop of the strap passing through the strap receiving slot  47  of the fastener. FIG. 1 illustrates both methods for joining the brassiere straps  30  to the fasteners  40 .  
         [0041]    An end of the shoulder strap  30  marked  1  of the Figure, is looped through rear slot  36  on clip  35 , and the end is then mounted to tensile sliding adjuster  38 . Clip  35  is shown in enlarged view in FIG. 10 a . Hook  37  on clip  35  is hooked into fasteners  40  through aperture  46 . The fasteners  40  that are removably joined to shoulder straps  30  are shown in FIG. 1 in the unclasped or open position.  
         [0042]    An end of the shoulder strap  30  marked  2  is looped through rear slot  47  and is mounted to tensile sliding adjuster  38 . The fasteners  40  that are removably joined to shoulder straps  30  are shown in FIG. 1 clasped on cup  10  and posterior strap  20 .  
         [0043]    Tensile sliding adjusters  38  allow the wearer to adjust the length and the tension of brassiere straps  30 , permitting the wearer to position shoulder straps  30  in different configurations, based upon the desired aesthetic effect and the wearer&#39;s comfort.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 2, 2 a , and  2   b  show an embodiment of fastener  40  in which a clasping base  110  has mounted a top clasping member  130  for rotation between an open and locked position. An actuating mechanism  150  is also mounted to clasping base  110 , and rotates top clasping member  130  between the open and clasped positions.  
         [0045]    Clasping base  110  has side supports  115  onto which top clasping member  130  and actuating mechanism  150  are mounted. On side support  115 , there is an aperture  46 , through which a shoulder strap  30  can be attached using a clip  35  (see FIG. 10 a ). Side support  115  has two slots,  116  and  126 , by which, tabs  136  of top clasping member  130  and tabs  156  of actuating mechanism  150 , respectively, are pivotably held to the clasping base  110 . Also on clasping base  110 , there is rear support  125 , which forms a rear slot  47 , through which a shoulder strap  30  can be inserted and looped to provide a mount for the shoulder strap that does not require the use of a clip  35 .  
         [0046]    The rotation of the actuating mechanism  150  in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 2 and 2 a  releases the top clasping member  130  and allows it to move away from clasping base  110  in the direction of the actuating mechanism  150 , configuring fastener  40  into an open position as shown in FIG. 2 b . Movement in the opposite direction of arrow A from the open position puts fastener  40  into the locked position of FIG. 2. As actuating mechanism  150  is rotated away from clasping base  110  in the direction of arrow A (shown as counter-clockwise in FIG. 2), tab  156  rotates within slot  126  and the actuator  155  of the actuating mechanism  150  releases top clasping member  130 . Tab  136  on top clasping member  130  is disposed within slot  116 , to provide a pivot between clasping member  130  and clasping base  110 . Fastener  40  is in the open position when top clasping member  130  is not secured by actuating mechanism  150  against clasping base  110 . When actuating mechanism  150  is rotated towards clasping base  110 , actuator  155  of actuating mechanism  150  forces top clasping member  130  into engagement with clasping base  110 . When top clasping member  130  is sandwiched between clasping base  110  and actuating mechanism  150 , the fastener  40  is in the locked position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2 a.    
         [0047]    In a preferred embodiment, top clasping member  130  and clasping base  110  have clasping teeth  131  and  111  respectively. The clasping teeth  131  and  111  provide for better retention of the material of the brassiere disposed between top clasping member  130  and clasping base  110  when the fastener  40  is moved from the open to the locked position.  
         [0048]    A perspective view of clasping base  110  is shown in FIG. 3. Side supports  115  and rear support  125  are moulded for retaining top clasping member  130  and actuating mechanism  150  through slots  116  and  126  respectively. Shoulder strap  30  can be inserted through rear slot  47  for joining fastener  40  to shoulder strap  30 . Alternatively, shoulder strap  30  can be mounted to rear slot  36  of a clip  35  and hook  37  of clip  35  can be inserted through side apertures  46  that open into rear slot  47 . Both of these configurations are shown in FIG. 1. Also shown on clasping base  110  are clasping teeth  111  that are interspersed with a complementary mating set of clasping teeth  131  located on top clasping member  130 , shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Protrusions  118  line the inside walls of side supports  115  and are adapted to create a spring effect to push top clasping member  130  towards either a fully open or fully closed position, depending on the position through which the wearer has rotated top actuating member  150 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 4 shows a continuous aperture  46  passing through the entire length between side supports  115  and rear support  125 , for insertion of hook  37  into fastener  40 . FIG. 4 also shows, with dashed lines, rear slot  47  which transcends the entire thickness of rear support  125 , to permit direct insertion of shoulder strap  30  into fastener  40 .  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 5 shows a top view of clasping base  110 , onto which top clasping member  130  is closed. Rear support  125  and side supports  115  have aperture  46 , shown in dashed lines, extending continuously through the entire width of clasping base  110 . Aperture  46  is of sufficient diameter for the attachment of hook  37  to fastener  40 . Rear slot  47  is shown centred between side supports  115 , with a length and width which corresponds approximately to the thickness and width respectively of the shoulder strap to be inserted. Side supports  115  and rear support  125  are shown as moulded from one common piece of material, however, they can also be discrete pieces of material that are mounted together on clasping base  110 . FIG. 5 also shows groove  127  for receiving latches  137  on top clasping member  130 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 6 shows an elevation view of top clasping member  130 , while FIG. 7 shows a view of the clasping surface. Top clasping member  130  has clasping teeth  131 , and tabs  136  for insertion into slots  116  on clasping base  110 . Slit  132  provides flexibility and greater freedom of movement in top clasping member  130 , making tabs  136  easier to insert into slots  116 . Latches  137  slide into groove  127  and provide an axis of rotation for top clasping member  130 . Slit  132  and the insertion of latches  137  into groove  127  on clasping base  110  endows top clasping member  130  with a spring-like quality tending to push top clasping member  130  away from clasping base  110 .  
         [0052]    [0052]FIGS. 8, 9 and  10  show actuating mechanism  150 , which has tabs  156  for mounting actuating mechanism  150  pivotally about tabs  156  into slots  126 . Actuating mechanism  150  is also comprised of lever  152  and actuator  155 . The wearer moves lever  152  to actuate the clasping or the opening of fastener  40 . Actuator  155  interacts with top clasping member  130  to favour either the open or clasped position, depending on the position of lever  152 .  
         [0053]    Beginning from an open position, lever  152  is pressed towards clasping base  110 , such that actuator  155  comes into contact with top clasping member  130  and forces top clasping member  130  against clasping base  110 . When lever  152  forms an angle of about 20-30 degrees with clasping base  110 , there is an inflection point where actuator  155  applies as much force as it can to top clasping member  130  against clasping base  110 . As lever  152  moves past the inflection point to close the fastener  40  in the clasped position, actuator  155  is still compressing top clasping member  130 , but not as forcefully as it was at the inflection point. Once lever  152  moves past the inflection point as the fastener is being clasped, top clasping member  130  uses the spring-like quality imparted by the insertion of latches  137  into groove  127  to push actuator  155  towards rear support  125 . As a result of this interaction between actuator  155  and top clasping member  130 , lever  152  springs onto top clasping member  130 , holding top clasping member  130  in the clasped position. Conversely, when the fastener is configured to the open position, as the lever  152  is moved away from clasping base  110 , actuator  155  applies force to top clasping member  130  until the inflection point is reached. Once passed the inflection point, the actuator  155  applies less force to top clasping member  130 , and top clasping member  130  springs against actuator  155  such that lever  152  moves to the open position.  
         [0054]    In another preferred embodiment of fastener  40 , the actuating mechanism  150  and top clasping member  130  can be incorporated into a combined clasping actuator, using an inflection point on the clasping base  110  for creating tension to hold the fastener open or clasped, as the wearer requires.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 10 a  shows a brassiere clip having a hook  37  adapted to be releasably inserted into the fastener of FIGS. 2, 11 or  12 . The clip has a rear slot  36  through which an end of a shoulder strap  30  may pass for mounting the clip  35  on the strap  30 . The clip has a hook  37 , which releasably engages fastener  40  through aperture  46  of the clip of FIG. 2 or  246  of the clips of FIGS.  11  or  12 .  
         [0056]    [0056]FIGS. 11 through 18 show another embodiment of the fastener  40  that can be used as shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the fastener is comprised of two elements, fastener  240  and actuating mechanism  250 . Fastener  240  has a clasping base  210 , and a top clasping member  230  that are integrally molded in one piece on support  220 . Support  220  has integrally molded to it two side supports  215  which bend towards one another at approximately right angles from side support  215  to form two rear supports  225 , spaced apart by a thickness that corresponds to the thickness of shoulder strap  30 . The manner in which the rear supports  225  are formed are such that they form a rear slot  247  into which shoulder strap  30  can be inserted. In another embodiment, rear supports  225  can be moulded together and form a continuous rear slot  247 . Side support  215  has a continuous aperture  246  that is co-extensive with rear slot  247 . In an embodiment where shoulder strap  30  has a clip  35  at its terminal ends, the hook  37  of clip  35  can pass through aperture  246  to hook onto the side supports  215 .  
         [0057]    Top clasping member  230  and clasping base  210  are operable between an open and clasped position. When in the clasped position, clasping teeth  231  on the inner surfaces of top clasping member and clasping base  210  rest on indented supports  232  located opposite the clasping teeth on the facing clasping member. The clasping teeth  231  and indented supports  232  are arranged such that each clasping tooth  231  has a corresponding indented support  232  upon which it rests when top clasping member  230  and clasping base  210  are in the closed position.  
         [0058]    Actuating member  250  slides along support  220  and can be moved by sliding along support  220  over top clasping member  230  and clasping base  210 . Actuating mechanism  250  is movable between an open position on support  220  and a clasped position over top clasping member  230  and clasping base  210 . As actuating mechanism  250  is slid into the clasped position, the actuating mechanism forces top clasping member  230  and clasping base  210  together in a single motion. When a piece of material is inserted between the top clasping member  230  and the clasping base  210 , the clasping teeth  231  catch the material and hold it securely against indented supports  232  located opposite the clasping teeth  231 . When actuating mechanism  250  is moved into the open position onto support  220 , the pressure it applied to close the top clasping member  230  and the clasping base  210  is removed such that the two clasping members can separate and release the material wedged between the clasping members.  
         [0059]    In a preferred embodiment, the top clasping  230  has a plurality of indentations  237  that correspond to a protrusion  252  on actuating mechanism  250  as seen in FIGS. 17 and 18. Protrusion  252  secures actuating mechanism  250  from motion by interlocking with an indentation  257  on top clasping member  230 . Because the thickness of the material to be clasped can vary, the actuating mechanism  250  can be secured at multiple positions along top clasping member  230 . Each indentation  257  that is located further from support  220  towards the free ends of top clasping member  230  and clasping base  210  provides for a tighter clasp setting when actuating mechanism  250  interlocks with the indentation  257 . A tighter clasp setting holds finer fabrics while thicker fabrics can be held using a less tight clasp setting.  
         [0060]    In another preferred embodiment, brassiere straps  30  are made from transparent or translucent materials and may be tinted with various colours, either transparently or translucently or opaquely, as required by the look that the wearer wishes to achieve. Similarly, the wearer may desire to have fasteners  40  that are also virtually invisible to observers. The constituent elements of fastener  40  can be made from transparent or translucent materials such as nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate, or acetal and may be tinted with various colours, either transparently or translucently or opaquely, so as to be virtually invisible to observers.