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Sports bra

Inactive Publication Date: 2012-02-16
UNIV OF WOLLONGONG
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]In another broad aspect, there is provided a sports bra with flexible resilient cups constructed to support the breasts in an elevated, compressed condition whereby to raise an effective low point of vertical breast displacement (VBD) during exercise to thereby reduce loading on anatomical restraints.
[0015]Preferably, the material is formed as a unitary structure providing a gradual change in elasticity between the elastic sections and the less elastic sections.
[0018]Preferably, the cups are moulded on the breasts when the arms of the wearer are elevated above the wearer's head to assist with breast elevation and breast shape.

Problems solved by technology

Unsupported breasts have been found to displace vertically up to 12 cm during treadmill running indicating that the breasts' anatomical supports, the overlying skin and fine hairlike ligaments (Cooper's Ligaments) are insufficient to support the breasts during physical activity.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0029]Referring firstly to FIG. 1, an encapsulation and compression sports bra 1 is shown fitted to a wearer 2. The bra 1 includes a frame 3 formed of a shoulder strap 4, posterior band 5 and an underwire 6. Cups 7 extend from the underwire 6 up to the shoulder strap 4 so as to fully encapsulate breasts 8 of the wearer 2.

[0030]Each cup 7 is formed of a flexible section 9, which attaches onto the shoulder strap 4. Each cup 7 also has a lower lateral (referred to in the art as “inferior / lateral”) portion 11, which elevates the lower inferior / lateral aspect 12 of the breast 8.

[0031]The portion 11 may either be formed of a separately inserted pad, or alternatively, may be formed integral with the flexible section 9 by the use of a thicker and / or stiffer material in the lower lateral portion 11 so as to elevate the breast, as appropriate.

[0032]Phantom lines 13 and 14 illustrate the breast and nipple, respectively, in a rest condition, without encapsulation or compression. When the bra 1 ...

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PUM

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Abstract

An encapsulation and compression sports bra (1) with cups (7) formed of elastic material to elevate and compress breasts (8) of a wearer (2) to restrict anatomical breast support structures reaching their end of range during downward breast trajectory to thereby reduce exercise induced breast discomfort.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a sports bra.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Breast discomfort associated with exercise (exercise induced breast discomfort, EIBD) and the embarrassment associated with physical appearance have been identified as barriers to females participating in physical activity, particularly for females with large breasts. Biomechanical studies have related EIBD to excessive breast movement, where as little as 2 cm of vertical breast displacement (VBD) has been found to be sufficient to cause exercise-induced breast discomfort in some females. Unsupported breasts have been found to displace vertically up to 12 cm during treadmill running indicating that the breasts' anatomical supports, the overlying skin and fine hairlike ligaments (Cooper's Ligaments) are insufficient to support the breasts during physical activity. Sports bras act as external supports for the breasts and aim to limit VBD and EIBD accordingly.[0003]Traditional spo...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A41C3/00
CPCA41B2300/22A41C3/144A41C3/14A41C3/0057
Inventor STEELE, JULIE ROBYNMCGHEE, DEIRDRE ELIZABETH
Owner UNIV OF WOLLONGONG