Patent Description:
In the state of the art, various sports bras have been proposed to provide support for a wearer by including an elastic band disposed at or near the ribs of a wearer to supplement any inherent elasticity in the other portions of the sports bra. Such elastic bands may be less elastic than a material of panels forming the body of the sports bra to secure the sports bra to the torso of the wearer. An example is shown by <CIT> disclosing an article according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

As an example, <CIT> and <CIT> each discloses an athletic brassiere which is designed to hold the breasts snugly to the body. A wide elastic rib band and elastic strips which cross in the back hold the brassiere firmly in place.

<CIT> describes a sports bra having an elastic band attached to the bottom of said front and rear panels and extending continuously around said brassiere.

<CIT> describes a sports bra having a continuous bottom edge with an elastic band secured to the bottom edge and coextensive with front and rear panel sections.

<CIT>describes a sports bra having an elastic band disposed about the lower edges of an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer to limit the transverse movement of breast cups of the bra.

In many instances, the sports bras of the prior art including a circumferential elastic band may cause irritation or discomfort to a wearer at a region where the elastic band secures the sports bra to the wearer. As such, improvements in sports bras and other articles of clothing are needed.

The present disclosure relates to articles of clothing such as bras, and in particular sports bras. In accordance with the present invention, an article is provided according to claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the invention are provided according to the dependent claims.

In order to facilitate a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals. These drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention and intended only to be illustrative.

An article of clothing such as a bra (e.g., sports bra, everyday bra) is described.

<FIG> illustrate an article <NUM> such as a bra. As shown, the article <NUM> comprises a front panel comprising a bust panel, a first shoulder strap, and a second shoulder strap. The first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap are spaced from each other and extend from the bust panel to define at least a portion of a neck hole configured to receive a neck of a wearer. In certain aspects, the bust panel does not comprise a supplemental elastic circumferential band, such as those used in conventional bras. A rear panel comprises a first back strap and a second back strap configured in a crossback pattern, wherein the first back strap is coupled to the first shoulder strap at a first shoulder seam and the second back strap is coupled to the second shoulder strap at a second shoulder seam. The first back strap is coupled to the bust panel at a first side seam. The first back strap may have a curve-linear shape exhibiting a tapered width between the first side seam and the first shoulder seam, wherein the first side seam has a length that is greater than a length of the first shoulder seam. The second back strap is coupled to the bust panel at a second side seam. The second back strap may have a curve-linear shape exhibiting a tapered width between the first side seam and the first shoulder seam, wherein the second side seam has a length that is greater than a length of the second shoulder seam.

<FIG> is a front perspective view of an article <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The article comprises a bra, such as a sports bra. The article <NUM> comprises a front panel <NUM>. The front panel <NUM> comprises a bust panel <NUM>. The bust panel <NUM> may not comprise (e.g., exclude) a supplemental elastic circumferential band, such as the conventional circumferential bands known in the art. The front panel <NUM> comprises a first shoulder strap 106a and a second shoulder strap 106b. Each of the shoulder straps <NUM> may comprise a collection of straps or may be a single unitary strap. The first shoulder strap 106a and the second shoulder strap 106b are spaced from each other. The first shoulder strap 106a and the second shoulder strap <NUM> extend from the bust panel <NUM> to define at least a portion of a neck hole <NUM> configured to receive a neck of a wearer. The article <NUM> may comprise a bottom edge <NUM>, such as a peripheral edge disposed opposite the neck hole <NUM>.

is a rear perspective view of the article <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. The article <NUM> comprises a rear panel <NUM>. The rear panel <NUM> comprises a first back strap 110a and a second back strap 110b. Each of the back straps <NUM> may be defined by a collection of straps or may comprise a single unitary strap. The first back strap 110a and the second back strap 110b are configured such that one of the first back strap 110a or the second back strap <NUM> overlays a portion of the other of the first back strap 110a and the second back strap 110b. The first back strap 110a and the second back strap 110b may be configured in a crossback pattern such as shown in <FIG> or other crossback patterns. The first back strap 110a may overlay the second back strap 110b, thereby defining the crossback pattern.

The first back strap 110a is coupled to the first shoulder strap 106a at a first shoulder seam 108a. The second back strap 110b is coupled to the second shoulder strap 106b at a second shoulder seam 108b.

The article <NUM> may comprise one or more arm holes, such as a first arm hole 118a and a second arm hole 118b. A portion of the first back strap 110a, a portion of the second back strap 110b, and a portion of the front panel <NUM> may define an arm hole <NUM> configured to receive an arm of a wearer. For example, the first arm hole 118a may be defined by a top portion of the first back strap 110a and a bottom portion of the second back strap <NUM>10b. The second arm hole 118b may be defined by a top portion of the second back strap 110b and a bottom portion of the first back strap 110a.

The first back strap 110a is coupled to the bust panel <NUM> at a first side seam 112a. The first back strap 110a may have a curve-linear shape. The first back strap 110a may have a curve-linear shape exhibiting a tapered width between the first side seam 112a and the first shoulder seam 108a. The first side seam 112a has a length that is greater than a length of the first shoulder seam 108a. The second back strap 110b is coupled to the bust panel <NUM> at a second side seam 112b. The second back strap 110b may have a curve-linear shape. The second back strap 110b may have a curve-linear shape exhibiting a tapered width between the second side seam 112b and the second shoulder seam 108b. The second side seam 112b has a length that is greater than a length of the second shoulder seam 108b.

is an inside front perspective view of the article <NUM> shown in <FIG>, illustrating an inside surface of the front panel <NUM>. The article <NUM> may comprise a front yoke <NUM>. The front yoke <NUM> may be defined by at least an interior portion (e.g., body facing) of the bust panel <NUM> (<FIG>) and an interior portion of one or more of the shoulder straps <NUM> (<FIG>). The front yoke <NUM> may be formed from mesh material such as a mesh liner and/or may form a multilayer structure with a material forming the bust panel <NUM> and/or the shoulder straps <NUM>. The material forming the front yoke <NUM> may have an inherent elasticity and/or may be supplemented with one or more elastic elements such as elastic bands. As an example, elastic bands may be disposed at or near a peripheral edge of the front yoke <NUM>.

The article <NUM> may comprise a first cup <NUM> and a second cup <NUM> coupled to the front yoke <NUM>. One or more of the cups <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed from a shaped foam material and may define an interior layer adjacent at least a portion of the bust panel <NUM> (<FIG>). The material forming the cups <NUM>, <NUM> may have an inherent elasticity and/or may be supplemented with one or more elastic elements such as elastic bands. As an example, elastic bands may be disposed at or near a peripheral edge of the cups <NUM>, <NUM>, such as along the bottom edge <NUM> or arm holes <NUM> (<FIG>).

The article <NUM> may comprise a gore <NUM> coupled to the front yoke <NUM> and the cups <NUM>, <NUM> and disposed between the first cup <NUM> and the second cup <NUM>. The gore <NUM> may be formed from a wicking, breathable jersey material. As an example, the cups <NUM>, <NUM> may be spaced from each other and the gore <NUM> may define the material disposed between the cups <NUM>, <NUM>. Various materials may be selected for wicking, moisture management, cooling, and absorbency, for example.

The article <NUM> may comprise a first overlay <NUM> and a second overlay <NUM>. The overlays <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed from various materials including a mesh material. The overlays may be formed from the same material as an interior surface of the back straps <NUM>, as discussed herein. For example, the overlays <NUM>, <NUM> of a mesh material are configured to overlay at least a portion of one or more side seams <NUM>, when viewed from an interior perspective (e.g., see <FIG>).

is an inside rear perspective view of the article <NUM> shown in <FIG>, illustrating an inside surface of the article <NUM> (e.g., sports bra). The first back strap 110a may be coupled the second back strap 110b. As shown, the first back strap 110a may be tacked to the second back strap 110b. The first back strap 110a may be coupled to the second back strap 110b using tack <NUM>. The tack <NUM> may comprise a bar tack and may have a length of about <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>"). However, other couplings and lengths may be used.

The first back strap 110a may comprise a first inner elastic band 212a disposed adjacent a first inner edge 214a. The second back strap 110b may comprise a second inner elastic band 212b disposed adjacent a second inner edge 214b. The first back strap 110a may comprise a first outer elastic band 216a disposed adjacent a first outer edge 218a. The first back strap 110a may comprise a second outer elastic band 216b disposed adjacent a first outer edge 218b. The first back strap 110a may comprise a first interior surface 222a. The second back strap 110b may comprise a second interior surface 222b. The first interior surface 222a and the second interior surface 222b. One or more of the elastic bands may be formed as provide structure to the respective seam or edge and to hold the respective seam or edge in or near a position.

<FIG> illustrate a variety of perspective views of the article <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of a sports bra disposed on a model of a wearer in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a front perspective view of the article <NUM> (e.g., sports bra) shown in <FIG> is a side view of the article <NUM> (e.g., sports bra) shown in <FIG> is a rear perspective view of the article <NUM> (e.g., sports bra) shown in <FIG> is a rear view of the article <NUM> (e.g., sports bra) shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the front panel <NUM> and the rear panel <NUM> are configured such that one or more of the side seams (e.g., the first side seam 112a, the second side seam 112b) are biased towards a central axis (e.g., axis A) of a back of the wearer, such that the first side seam 112a and the second side seam 112b are closer to the central axis of the back of the wear than to a center of a front of the wearer. As a further example, one or more side seams <NUM> may be biased toward the axis A of the wearers back by about <NUM> (<NUM>") from a center side of the wearer. However, other biasing may be used.

The first back strap 110a comprises a first outer layer 122a. The second back strap 110b comprises a second outer layer 122b. One or both of the first outer layer 122a and the second outer layer 122b may comprise spandex (e.g., a spandex outer layer). The spandex or other material of the outer layers <NUM> comprises from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% elastane (or from <NUM>% to <NUM>% elastane). The article <NUM> may comprise a front surface <NUM>. The front surface <NUM> may comprise spandex.

One or both of the first back strap 110a and the second back strap 110b comprise a mesh liner. The mesh liner may be disposed adjacent a spandex outer layer (e.g., the first outer layer 122a, the second outer layer 122b). The mesh liner is configured to abut a wearer. The mesh liner may comprise from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% nylon. For example, the first interior surface 222a and/or the second interior surface 222b may comprise the mesh liner. The yoke <NUM>, the first overlay <NUM>, the second overlay <NUM>, or a combination thereof may also comprise a mesh liner. The mesh liner may be configured to abut a wearer. The mesh liner may comprise from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% nylon.

The article <NUM> may be manufactured in a variety of sizes. As an illustration, the length of one or both (e.g., separately) of the first side seam 112a and the second side seam 112b may be between about <NUM> (<NUM><NUM>/<NUM>") and about <NUM> (<NUM><NUM>/<NUM>"). The length of one or both (e.g., separately) of the first shoulder seam 108a and the second shoulder seam 108b may be between about <NUM> (<NUM>") and about <NUM> (<NUM>"). A ratio of the length of the first side seam 112a and a length of the first shoulder seam 108a may be about <NUM>:<NUM>. A ratio of the length of the second side seam 112b and a length of the second shoulder seam 108b may be between about <NUM>:<NUM>. The tack <NUM> (e.g., bar tack) may have a length between about <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>") and about <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>").

<FIG> is a perspective view of an inside surface of a back strap according to aspects of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a closer view of an example overlay, such as the first overlay <NUM>. The first overlay <NUM> may be adjacent to the (e.g., or coupled to) the second cup <NUM>. One or both of the first side seam 112a and the second side seam 112b are overlaid by a mesh material coupled to a corresponding one of the first back strap 110a and the second back strap 110b. The mesh material may comprise from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% nylon.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments or embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways within the scope of the claims. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Claim 1:
An article (<NUM>) comprising:
a front panel (<NUM>) comprising a bust panel (<NUM>), a first shoulder strap (106a), and a second shoulder strap (106b), wherein the first shoulder strap (106a) and the second shoulder strap (106b) are spaced from each other and extend from the bust panel (<NUM>) to define at least a portion of a neck hole (<NUM>) configured to receive a neck of a wearer; and
a rear panel (<NUM>) comprising a first back strap (110a) and a second back strap (110b) configured such that one of the first back strap (110a) or the second back strap (110b) overlays a portion of the other of the first back strap (110a) and the second back strap (110b),
wherein the first back strap (110a) is coupled to the first shoulder strap (106a) at a first shoulder seam (108a) and the second back strap (110b) is coupled to the second shoulder strap (106b) at a second shoulder seam (108b),
wherein the first back strap (110a) is coupled to the bust panel (<NUM>) at a first side seam (112a), the first side seam (112a) having a length that is greater than a length of the first shoulder seam (108a),
wherein the second back strap (110b) is coupled to the bust panel (<NUM>) at a second side seam (112b), the second side seam (112b) having a length that is greater than a length of the second shoulder seam (108b),
characterized in that
the first side seam (112a) and the second side seam (112b) are biased towards a central axis of a back of the wearer such that the first side seam (112a) and the second side seam (112b) are closer to the central axis of the back of the wear than to a center of a front of the wearer,
wherein one or both of the first side seam (112a) and the second side seam (112b) is overlaid by a mesh material coupled to a corresponding one of the first back strap (110a) and the second back strap (110b), and
wherein one or both of the first back strap (110a) and the second back strap (110b) comprises an outer layer (122a, 122b) and a mesh liner disposed adjacent the outer layer (122a, 122b) and configured to abut a wearer, and wherein the outer layer (122a, 122b) comprises from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% elastane.