Abstrict An activewear garment includes a removable bra portion, so that
the amount and size of bra support can be easily adapted to the
wearer. The activewear garment includes a back band which, when
coupled to the bottom band of the bra portion, forms a continuous
band around the chest of the wearer. The back band and the bottom
band are formed of material having substantially the same elasticity.
When the bra portion is fastened in the garment, an integral bra
is formed wherein the back band of the garment also serves as the
back band of the integral bra.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A women's activewear garment comprising: an outer garment having
a back portion with side edges, back fasteners and a back band,
the back fasteners being approximately at locations where the back
band meets the side edges of the back portion, a bra portion having
a bottom band with side edges and with bra fasteners at the side
edges of the bottom band, the bra fasteners for coupling with respective
ones of the back fasteners to create a continuous band around the
chest of a wearer, the continuous band formed of the back band of
the outer garment coupled to the bottom band of the bra portion,
wherein the back band of the outer garment and the bottom band of
the bra portion are formed of elastic material having substantially
the same elasticity.
2. The activewear garment of claim 1 wherein the outer garment
has a chest portion with a left side and a right side, and has top
fasteners on the left and right sides of the chest portion, and
the bra portion has a left cup and a right cup, and has cup fasteners
at the tops of the left and right cups for coupling with the left
and right side top fasteners.
3. The activewear garment of claim 2 wherein the outer garment
has shoulder straps that couple behind the neck of the wearer.
4. The activewear garment of claim 2 wherein the outer garment
has shoulder straps that extend over the wearer's shoulders and
terminate at the back band.
5. The activewear garment of claim 1 wherein the bra portion has
retaining pockets for cookie inserts.
6. The activewear garment of claim 1 wherein the bra portion includes
underwires.
7. The activewear garment of claim 1 wherein the bra portion is
a shelf bra.
8. The activewear garment of claim 1 wherein the back band is
a visible part of the activewear garment when worn.
9. The activewear garment of claim 1 wherein the back band is
an interior part of the activewear garment when worn.
10. The activewear garment of claim 1 wherein the back band is
adjustable.
11. A women's activewear garment comprising: an outer garment having
shoulder straps, and having chest fasteners approximately at locations
where the shoulder straps meet the front of the outer garment, a
bra portion having cups, each cup having an outer edge an inner
edge and a top point, the top point formed at the meeting of the
outer edge and the inner edge, the cups having strap fasteners at
the top points of the cups and cup bands along the outer and inner
edges of the cups, the strap fasteners for coupling with respective
ones of the chest fasteners, wherein the shoulder straps and the
cup bands are formed of elastic material having substantially the
same elasticity.
12. The activewear garment of claim 11 wherein the outer garment
has a back portion with side edges, back fasteners and a back band,
the back fasteners being approximately at locations where the back
band meets the side edges of the back portion, and the bra portion
has a bottom band with side edges and with bra fasteners at said
side edges, the bra fasteners for coupling with respective ones
of the back fasteners to create a continuous band around the chest
of a wearer.
13. The activewear garment of claim 12 wherein the shoulder straps
extend over the shoulders of a wearer and terminate at the back
band.
14. The activewear garment of claim 11 wherein the shoulder straps
couple behind the neck of the wearer.
15. The activewear garment of claim 11 wherein the bra portion
has retaining pockets for cookie inserts.
16. The activewear garment of claim 11 wherein the bra portion
includes underwires.
17. The activewear garment of claim 11 wherein the bra portion
is a shelf bra.
18. The activewear garment of claim 11 wherein the shoulder straps
are adjustable.
19. A bra for use with a garment, the garment having two interior
upper fasteners, two interior lower fasteners and a back strap between
the two interior lower fasteners, comprising: a left cup and a right
cup, the cups formed of stretchy material, each cup having an outer
edge, an inner edge and a bottom edge, the bottom edge having a
bottom band attached thereto, the outer and inner edges meeting
at a top point, top fasteners at the top points of the cups for
coupling with the interior upper fasteners of the garment, a left
strap coupled to the bottom edge of the left cup and having a left
side fastener, a right strap coupled to the bottom edge of the right
cup and having a right side fastener, wherein the left and right
side fasteners are for coupling with the interior lower fasteners
of the garment so that the back strap of the garment, the left and
right straps, and the bottom bands of the cups form a continuous
band around a chest of a wearer of the garment.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a garment with a removable interior
garment, and more particularly, is directed to an activewear garment
with a removable bra.
Designing a women's activewear garment is a difficult problem.
Women's breasts have different sizes, shapes and separations. The
amount of desired breast support varies by wearer and by type of
activity. While support is necessary, it is also highly desirable
to look "natural"; thus, the bra should be unobtrusive.
A further challenge is that the garment must be economic to manufacture.
A sleeveless top such as a camisole or tank style of activewear
garment will now be discussed. It will be appreciated that this
discussion also applies to the upper body portion of a women's leotard
or one-piece swimsuit.
Generally, when the same feature appears on the left and right
sides of a garment, only one instance is numbered, to avoid cluttering
the illustration.
FIGS. 1 2 and 3 show views of a tank top with built-in underwire
bra. The exterior of garment 1 appears smooth, as shown in FIG.
3. FIG. 1 shows a view of the interior portion of the front with
the back opened for illustration; the actual garment has a continuous
back. Liner 2 extends along the front of shoulder strap 11 from
the shoulder seam of shoulder strap 11 to slightly under the wearer's
bust line. The top and sides of liner 2 are permanently sewn into
the shoulder seams of strap 11 the side seams of strap 11 neckline
seam 8 and garment side seams 7. The bottom of liner 2 is sewn
to elastic band 4. Elastic band 4 extends horizontally across the
wearer's chest at slightly below her heartline. The ends of elastic
band 4 are permanently sewn into garment side seams 7. At the center
of liner 2 at the top of the wearer's heart, fastening patch 6
is sewn to liner 2. Fastening patch 6 permanently anchors the inner
ends of underwires 5. The outer ends of underwires 5 are permanently
sewn into the armhole seam formed at the outer side of shoulder
strap 11. Panel 3 has a top edge formed by wrapping its material
around underwires 5 and a bottom edge sewn to elastic band 4; the
sides of panel 3 are permanently sewn into side seams 7. Side seam
7 has selvedge 9.
FIG. 2 shows that, in use, the wearer's breast mass is supported
by panel 3 specifically in the pouch area formed by panel 3 and
liner 2 when underwire 5 is pulled away from liner 2.
FIGS. 4 5 and 6 show views of a swimsuit with a removable bra
portion, reproduced from U.S. Pat. No. 5478278 to Irwin Greenblatt.
FIG. 5 shows a bra portion having vertical extensions 40 bearing
fastening material 60. Attached to side extension 50 is fastening
material 70. FIG. 4 shows swimsuit 20 having shoulder straps 22
bearing fastening material 80 adapted to couple to fastening material
60 on the shoulder extensions 40 of the bra portion. Swimsuit 20
also has side seams 24 bearing panels of fastening material 90 adapted
to couple to fastening material 70 on the side extensions 50 of
the bra portion. The fastening material consists of hook and loop
fasteners stitched to the swimsuit and bra portion, but may be any
suitable fastening material or connectors. FIG. 6 shows another
bra portion lacking vertical extensions and thus being suitable
for a strapless swimsuit such as a "bandeau"; this bra
portion has side extensions 350 bearing fastening material 370.
When the bra portion is inserted, the back portion of the suit functions
as the back of the bra portion. That is, the inserted bra portion
and the back of the suit form a bra.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show views of a halter top with a removable bra portion,
reproduced from U.S. Pat. No. 2493179 to Margaret H. Wittenberg.
As shown in FIG. 8 bra portion 10B has sides with buttonholes 40B,
for detachably securing the sides of the bra portion to garment
side extensions 46 bearing buttons 38B. The bra portion has loops
46 at the top of the side portions for detachably securing the bra
portion to garment hooks 48. The garment hooks 48 are part of buckles
50 carried by garment interior straps 52 stitched inside garment
front portion 18B. Garment halter strap 54 is terminated at the
top ends of garment interior straps 52. When the bra portion is
secured to the garment, the back of the garment also functions as
the back of the bra, to eliminate the need to provide a back portion
to the bra portion, and improving the appearance of the garment
on the wearer.
FIGS. 9 and 10 show views of a camisole with built-in underwire
bra. This camisole has a very low back. Underwire 71 is located
in a channel formed by stitching garment 60. Top lining 68 is fixed
between the neck edge and contour seam 70. Bottom lining 69 is fixed
between contour seam 70 and underwire 71. Top lining 68 is formed
from the same fabric as the main body of garment 60. Bottom lining
69 is a lighter weight stretchy fabric. Piece 72 is formed of a
non-stretchy fabric and is permanently sewn into the neck edge of
the garment at its top, and at its side, to the center parts of
underwires 71. The bottom edge of piece 72 is loose.
FIGS. 11-14 show views of a camisole with built-in cookies. FIG.
13 shows cookie 93 a foam pad for wearing at the base of a breast
to increase apparent breast size due to its own volume and by pushing
the breast up thereby creating more cleavage. Liner 80 is permanently
sewn at its top in the neck edge of the camisole, at its sides in
cookie contour seams 87 and at its base into horizontal contour
seam 94. Elastic band 92 extends around the inner circumference
of the camisole. The top of elastic band 92 is sewn to the bottom
of shelf piece 91. At the back of the camisole, the top of shelf
piece 92 is sewn in the top edge of the camisole. At the front of
the camisole, the top of shelf piece 92 is sewn into horizontal
contour seam 94. Cookie inner piece 89 extends from the junction
of horizontal contour seam 94 and cookie contour seam 87 along about
3/4 of contour seam 87 and is sewn into these seams; the outer side
edge of cookie inner piece 89 is loose. Cookie outer piece 90 is
sewn at its outer side edge to the side of the camisole, at its
top edge to cookie contour seam 87 and at its bottom edge to horizontal
contour seam 94. Cookie outer piece 90 extends along about 1/3 of
the cookie contour seam 87. The inner side edge of cookie outer
piece 90 is loose. Cookie outer piece 90 overlaps cookie inner piece
89 such that the loose edges can be pulled apart to insert cookie
93 and then returned to their flat state to create a retaining pocket
for cookie 93. Horizontal contour seam 94 and cookie contour seams
87 are visible on the front of the camisole.
FIGS. 15 and 16 show views of a camisole with built-in shelf bra.
The camisole has a continuous back. The top of liner 103 is sewn
into neck seam 102 and top back seam 105. The bottom of liner 103
is sewn to elastic band 104 forming a floating shelf bra.
FIGS. 17 and 18 show views of another camisole with built-in shelf
bra. This camisole also has a continuous back. The top of liner
113 is sewn into the camisole's neck seam, while the sides of liner
113 are sewn into sides 116 of the camisole. The bottom of liner
113 is sewn into horizontal chest seam 1114 forming a completely
built-in shelf bra.
FIGS. 19 and 20 show views of yet another camisole with built-in
shelf bra. This camisole has a continuous back. The top of liner
125 is sewn into the bottom seam of v-neck portions 123 and 124.
The sides of liner 125 are sewn into sides 127 of the camisole.
The bottom of liner 125 is sewn to elastic band 126 which is loose
in its main portion although sewn at its side edges into sides 127
of the camisole.
None of these garments provide adequate support for high impact
activity across a range of breast sizes. Accordingly, there is a
need for an improved women's activewear garment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of this invention, there is provided
a women's activewear garment comprising an outer garment and a bra
portion. The outer garment has a back band with back fasteners at
the side edges of the back band. The portion has a bottom band with
bra fasteners as the side edges of the bottom band. The bra fasteners
couple with respective ones of the back fasteners to create a continuous
band around the chest of a wearer. The back band of the outer garment
and the bottom band of the bra portion are formed of material having
substantially the same elasticity.
It is not intended that the invention be summarized here in its
entirety. Rather, further features, aspects and advantages of the
invention are set forth in or are apparent from the following description
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 2 and 3 show Prior art views of a tank top with built-in
underwire bra;
FIGS. 4 5 and 6 show Prior Art views of a swimsuit with a removable
bra portion;
FIGS. 7 and 8 show Prior Art views of a halter top with a removable
bra portion;
FIGS. 9 and 10 show Prior Art views of a camisole with built-in
underwire bra;
FIGS. 11-14 show Prior Art views of yet another camisole with built-in
cookies;
FIGS. 15 and 16 show Prior Art views of a camisole with built-in
shelf bra;
FIGS. 17 and 18 show Prior Art views of another camisole with built-in
shelf bra;
FIGS. 19 and 20 show Prior Art views of yet another camisole with
built-in shelf bra;
FIGS. 21-25 show views of a camisole with removable bra portion;
FIG. 26 shows a view of a halter top configured for a removable
bra portion;
FIGS. 27 and 28 show different removable bra portions;
FIG. 29 shows another camisole configured for a removable bra portion;
FIG. 30 shows a variation of the camisole of FIG. 29;
FIG. 31 shows strap portions for use with a bra portion; and
FIGS. 32-35 show different removable fastener configurations.
In the drawings, like elements are indicated by the same reference
number in different drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An activewear garment according to the present invention includes
a removable bra portion, so that the amount and size of bra support
can be easily adapted to the wearer. In contrast, bras that are
built in to activewear garments cannot be easily modified in either
size of amount of support.
The activewear garment includes a back band which, when coupled
to the bottom band of the bra portion, forms a continuous band around
the chest of the wearer. The back band and the bottom band are formed
of material having substantially the same elasticity. When the bra
portion is fastened in the garment, an integral bra is formed wherein
the back band of the garment also serves as the back band of the
integral bra. In contrast, when the back band of the garment has
a different elasticity than the bottom band of the bra portion,
such as due to being formed of a different material or being of
the same material but a different width, the resulting integral
bra is not uniformly anchored and more readily slips during active
movement, thus providing less support.
In some embodiments such as leotards, the back band of the garment
extends across the back of the wearer while the panty portion has
a separate top edge serving as the top of a low scoop back. This
enables greater visibility of the wearer's back. Dancers typically
want their back to be visible, and also want firm breast support,
possibly with breast size augmentation. Conventional activewear
garments do not meet the challenging constraints created by dancers,
whereas the present inventive garment does satisfy even demanding
dancers.
A sleeveless top such as a camisole style of activewear garment
will now be discussed. It will be appreciated that this discussion
also applies to the upper body portion of a women's leotard or one-piece
swimsuit.
FIGS. 21-25 show views of a camisole with removable bra portion.
FIG. 22 shows a front view of outer garment 200 while FIG. 25 shows
a back view of outer garment 200 as worn. FIG. 21 shows the interior
of the front of outer garment 200 without bra portion 230. FIG.
23 shows the interior of the front of outer garment 200 with bra
portion 230 inserted. Generally, when the same feature appears on
the left and right sides of a garment, only one instance is numbered,
to avoid cluttering the illustration.
FIG. 21 shows outer garment 200 having left chest portion 201
right chest portion 202 horizontal chest seam 203 chest selvedge
204 side seams 205 side selvedges 206 center back seam 207 shoulder
straps 208 sliders 209 and 213 bands 210 212 214 loop 211
hook 215 scoop back band 216 back fasteners 220 222 and chest
fasteners 221 223. Outer garment 200 can be worn as shown in FIG.
21 that is, without a bra support portion.
Back fasteners 220 222 are approximately at the location where
bands 210 212 meet the side edges of the garment. Chest fasteners
221 223 are approximately at the location where shoulder straps
208 meet the front of the garment.
In another embodiment, the garment shown in FIG. 21 is actually
a leotard or swimsuit, and scoop back band 216 forms the top of
the back of the panty portion of the leotard or swimsuit.
In the embodiment of FIG. 21 shoulder straps 208 bands 210 212
214 and scoop back band 216 are formed of elastic trim having a
relatively thin width, such as 0.5 inches. These elements may be
the same color as garment 200 or a contrasting color. These elements
may be formed of fabric having matte reflectivity or shiny reflectivity.
Although these elements are all formed of the same elastic trim
in FIG. 21 in other embodiments, the elements may be formed of
different size and/or color and/or elasticity trim.
Bands 210 214 212 form an adjustable back band of garment 200.
More specifically, slider 213 is coupled to band 214 to enable adjustment
of the extent of the length of band 214 that is used as a single
strip or a doubled strip, thus adjusting the length of band 214.
Slider 213 is widely used in garments such as lingerie and need
not be further described herein.
Shoulder straps 208 extend over the wearer's shoulders and terminate
at the back band formed by bands 210 214 212. The length of shoulder
straps 208 can be adjusted by moving sliders 209 which operate
in the same manner as slider 213.
FIG. 23 shows bra portion 230 including anchors 231 233 bottom
band 232 having hooks 240 and 242 at its outer edges, overlay piece
234 cup outer bands 235 cup inner bands 236 contour seam 237
cup inner piece 238 having outer side edge 247 cup outer piece
239 having inner side edge 249 and hooks 241 and 243 respectively
attached to anchors 231 and 233.
Cup inner piece 238 and cup outer piece 239 form a cup of bra portion
230. Anchors 231 and 233 are respectively located at the top of
the cups of bra portion 230. Hook 241 and anchor 231 form a first
strap fastener. Hook 243 and anchor 233 form a second strap fastener.
In this embodiment, bottom band 232 is formed of the same elastic
trim as shoulder straps 203 bands 210 212 214 and scoop back
band 216. In other embodiments, bottom band 232 and bands 210 212
214 are formed of material having substantially the same elasticity,
but not necessarily exactly the same material, for instance, the
color may differ or the width may be slightly different.
As shown in FIG. 24 cup outer piece 239 overlaps cup inner piece
238 such that the loose edges 249 and 247 can be pulled apart to
insert cookie 245 and then returned to their flat state to create
a retaining pocket 500 for cookie 245. Cookie 245 is formed of a
non-stretchy lightweight high volume material such as foam or a
lightweight outer shell containing batting, and is used to increase
the apparent breast size of the wearer. Each of the left and right
sides of bra portion 230 has a cookie retaining pocket. Bra portion
230 may be used with or without cookies inserted in the cookie retaining
pockets.
In other embodiments, cookie 245 is an air pocket type of insert,
a fluid filled type of insert, or a slab of material such as silicone
or rubber.
When bra portion 230 is inserted into garment 200 hooks 240 241
242 243 of bra portion 230 are respectively coupled to fasteners
220 221 222 223 of garment 200.
After coupling, bottom band 232 and the back band formed of bands
210 212 214 form a continuous band around the chest of the wearer.
After coupling, an integral bra is formed from bra portion 230
bands 210 212 214 and shoulder straps 208. Bands 210 212 214
and shoulder straps 208 also serve as the visible back band and
shoulder straps of the activewear garment when it is worn.
In this embodiment, shoulder straps 208 cup outer bands 235 and
cup inner bands 236 are formed of the same elastic band material.
When assembled into an integral bra, straps 208 and bands 235 236
cooperate to evenly distribute stress from the weight of the wearer's
breast across the integral bra.
FIG. 26 shows a view of a halter top configured for a removable
bra portion. Garment 250 of FIG. 26 is an outer garment that is
generally similar to outer garment 200 of FIG. 21. Shoulder straps
251 of garment 250 are actually loops whose length is adjustable
by moving sliders 252. One of straps 251 has loop 264 at its topmost
end while the other of straps 251 has hook 265 at its topmost end.
Fasteners 260 261 262 263 are adapted to couple with bra portion
230 in like manner as fasteners 220 221 222 223 of FIG. 21.
In a variation, the shoulder strap is one continuous strap positioned
around the back of the wearer's neck and having a slider for adjusting
its length.
FIG. 27 shows bra portion 270 that serves as a shelf bra when coupled
to garment 200 or 250. Bra portion 270 includes anchors 271 273
bottom band 272 having hooks 280 and 282 at its outer edges, cups
275 and hooks 281 and 283 respectively attached to anchors 271
and 273. Cups 275 are shown as triangles of preferably stretchy
material. In other embodiments, cups 275 may be one continuous piece
of stretchy material. Parts of bra portion 270 that correspond to
parts of bra portion 230 function in like manner and are not described
for brevity.
FIG. 28 shows bra portion 290 that serves as an underwire bra when
coupled to garment 200 or 250. Bra portion 290 includes anchors
291 293 bottom band 292 having hooks 300 and 302 at its outer
edges, side panels 294 central panel 299 cup outer bands 295
cup inner bands 296 cups 304 having respective darts 298 underwires
305 and hooks 301 and 303 respectively attached to anchors 291
and 293. Parts of bra portion 290 that correspond to parts of bra
portion 230 function in like manner and are not described for brevity.
In a variation, bra portion 290 has curved seams instead of a dart.
In this embodiment, cups 304 are formed of a stretchy material.
In other embodiments, cups 304 are formed of a substantially stable
material. In yet other embodiments, cups 304 are formed of an outer
layer and an inner layer with a layer of foam sandwiched therebetween,
to increase apparent breast size and/or to prevent the wearer's
nipples from showing when the activewear garment is worn.
FIG. 29 shows garment 320 configured for a removable bra portion.
Garment 320 is a camisole with a continuous back, shown in cutaway
form for convenience. Back band 325 is attached to the top of the
interior of the back of garment 320 such as by stitching. Back
band has fasteners 320 (not shown in FIG. 29) and 322 at its side
edges, and fasteners 321 and 323 where neck 328 meets shoulder straps
327. Fasteners 320 321 322 323 are adapted to couple with bra
portion 230 in like manner as fasteners 220 221 222 223 of FIG.
21. Back band 324 is formed of substantially the same elastic trim
as bottom band 232 of bra portion 230.
FIG. 30 shows a variation of the camisole of FIG. 29 in which shoulder
straps 347 extend into back top strap 348 in similar manner as
shoulder straps 327 and back top strap 326 of FIG. 29. However,
in the variation of FIG. 30 shoulder straps 347 and back top strap
348 are formed of substantially the same elastic trim as bottom
band 232 of bra portion 230. Accordingly, small fasteners 340 (not
shown) and 342 are attached to the interior of back top strap 348
to function in corresponding manner as fasteners 320 and 322 of
FIG. 29.
FIG. 31 shows strap portions for use with a bra portion to create
a conventional bra. Straps 364 and 374 are designed to pass over
the shoulders of the wearer and terminate at bands 367 and 369
that form part of a back band when worn. In another embodiment,
the strap portions can be configured to create a halter style bra.
In another embodiment, the strap portions can be configured to create
a low back bra, that is, the back bands form an X-shape across the
wearer's back.
FIGS. 32-35 show different removable fastener configurations. Generally,
the same fastener type will be used throughout the garment. In some
embodiments, fastener types are mixed in one garment.
FIG. 32 shows the fastener configuration illustrated in the previously
described embodiments. Loop 380 is placed on the inside of the outer
garment. If the bra portion is not attached, loop 380 lays against
the wearer's skin; since it lacks sharp edges, loop 380 does not
cause significant discomfort. Hook 388 is typically made from metal,
but could alternatively be formed from plastic.
FIG. 33 shows eyes 392 for use inside the outer garment, and hooks
393 for use on the bra portion.
FIG. 34 shows a plastic snap-lock fastener having prong portion
400 on the inside of the outer garment, because it is smaller than
receptacle portion 410 used on the bra portion. Protrusion 403 of
prong portion 400 is inserted into aperture 415 of receptacle portion
410 and slid downwards until it encounters bottom rest 412 and
then protrusion 412 is rotated until it encounters side rest 413
and snaps into a locked position. The insertion sequence is reversed
to unlock portions 400 and 410.
FIG. 35 shows buttonhole 421 used on the inside of the outer garment
for coupling with button 423 used on the bra portion.
Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention, and
various modifications thereof, have been described in detail herein
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood
that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and
the described modifications, and that various changes and further
modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art
without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined
in the appended claims.
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