Front-opening and adjustable bra

Abstract

A front-opening, adjustable bra having an elastic base band having free ends, an inside end portion adjacent one of said free ends and an outside end portion adjacent to other of said free ends, a back flap disposed between said free ends, and a pair of front flaps disposed between said free ends and said back flap, each flap having a breast covering flap. The inside end portion having an outwardly extending latch-engaging structure and a set of at least two spaced latching structures, and the outside end portion having an inwardly extending latch-engaging structure and at least two inwardly spaced extending latch structures. The latch-engaging structures engage a selected one of the respective latching structures to set the size of the bra. The latch-engaging structures and the latch structures can be reversed on the bra. A slide having three loops for receiving shoulder straps of a bra is also described.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to brassieres or bras, and in particular to adjustable brassieres which open from the front, and more particularly to front-opening bras which are easily adjustable in size, having closure devices which are not irritating to the wearer's skin, and which remain in place on the wearer while the wearer undergoes rigorous physical activity. The inventive bra can be adapted for use as a nursing bra, a sports bra or a conventional bra.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]There have been many changes in the construction of brassieres since they were first introduced in the beginning of the twentieth century to replace corsets. Brassieres are not only for providing proper support from below the breasts of a wearer, but also to give the breasts an uplift. Brassieres generally are torso encircling, and usually employ shoulder straps attached to breast cup assemblies for providing the required b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]An object of the present invention is to provide a front-opening brassiere which is easy for a woman to put on and take off.

[0024]Another object of the present invention is to provide a front-opening brassiere which is adjustable according to the size of a woman's breasts, the adjustment being easy to do and effective in operation.

[0025]A further object of the present invention is to provide a front-opening brassiere having easy to use adjusting structure on the front of the brassiere.

[0026]It is an additional obje

Problems solved by technology

Brassieres are generally closed by back closings which are often inconvenient to use, particularly for women with large breasts and for women who have physical restrictions such as arthritis in their arms, shoulders or hands, or due to rotator cuff disorders.

The brassieres shown in each of the foregoing patents had problems.

It is cumbersome to insert the strap member through the slot.

Further, as with other brassieres discussed herein, the use of the pair of straps in the back of the undergarment offers little support during physical activity such as athletics, and cause the brassiere to shift uncomfortably during such activity.

In addition, the buttons used on the brassiere are relatively large, and would be uncomfortable and irritating to the wearer of the brassiere.

Adjustment is accomplished by means of fastener elements and vertical slits, but the slits are likely to be torn or stretched—resulting in a loose fitting brassiere.

This is a cumbersome task to perform.

1969) is somewhat different than the brassieres discussed above, in that it adjusts the uplift of the breasts and is quite complicated in that the adjustments are a series of eyes positioned around the curved area on the upper inside of each cup.

The brassiere of the '524 patent has at least ten components, requiring a considerable amount of time to manufacture, thus increasing its cost.

Furthermore, the front closing apparatus is rather involved, apparently having stiff strips of material for holding the fasteners, adding to the unwieldy characteristic of this brassiere.

This brassiere is also complicated in construction having a body made up of about at least ten components.

Operating this device would be difficult, particularly with respect to threading a tab through the slit and engaging it with the fastening structure below the cup which is opposite to the cup where the tab is attached.

An examination of the brassiere disclosed in the '750 patent shows that it has unusual construction, about

Images