Abstrict An adjustable circular knit bra is provided. The bra has a pair
of breast cups, a central gore disposed between the breast cups,
and a pair of side panels. Each side panel is adjacent to a different
one of the pair of breast cups. The central gore also has a stabilizing
area knitted therein. The breast cups also have a stabilizing area
knitted into the bottom edge of each breast cup. The bra preferably
also has a pair of adjustable shoulder straps. The bra preferably
also has adjustable fasteners at the bra back.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A circular knit bra comprising: a pair of breast cups, each
of said pair of breast cups having a bottom edge, each of said pair
of breast cups having a stabilizing area knitted into each of said
pair of breast cups and adjacent to each of said bottom edges; a
central gore being disposed between said pair of breast cups, wherein
said central gore has a stabilizing area therein; and a pair of
side panels, each of said pair of side panels being adjacent to
a different one of said pair of breast cups.
2. The bra of claim 1 wherein each of said pair of breast cups
further comprises a stabilizing area adjacent each of said bottom
edge.
3. A circular knit bra comprising: a pair of breast cups, each
of said pair of breast cups having a bottom edge, each of said pair
of breast cups having a stabilizing area adjacent to each of said
bottom edges; a central gore being disposed between said pair of
breast cups, wherein said central gore has a stabilizing area therein;
and a pair of side panels, each of said pair of side panels being
adjacent to a different one of said pair of breast cups, wherein
said stabilizing areas of each breast cup is formed using positive
float stitches.
4. The bra of claim 3 wherein said stabilizing areas of each breast
cup are formed using a 3.times.1 alternating positive float stitch
on every course.
5. The bra of claim 3 wherein said stabilizing area of said central
gore is formed using positive float stitches.
6. The bra of claim 3 wherein said stabilizing area of said central
gore is formed using a 1.times.2 positive float stitch on every
other course.
7. The bra of claim 3 further comprising a pair of shoulder straps,
each of said shoulder straps being connected to a different one
of said pair of breast cups and said pair of side panels.
8. The bra of claim 3 further comprising an underwire disposed
approximate said bottom edge of each of said pair of breast cups.
9. The bra of claim 3 wherein said stabilizing area of each breast
cup adjoins an underwire disposed adjacent said bottom edge of said
breast cup.
10. The bra of claim 3 wherein said stabilizing area of said central
gore is stretchable both walewise and coursewise.
11. The bra of claim 3 wherein said stabilizing area of said central
gore forms a triangular area.
12. The bra of claim 3 wherein said stabilizing area of each of
said breast cups is stretchable both walewise and coursewise.
13. The bra of claim 3 wherein said stabilizing areas of each
of said breast cups act to support the breast.
14. The bra of claim 3 wherein said stabilizing area of each of
said pair of breast cups is crescent shaped.
15. The bra of claim 3 further comprising a support for each of
said pair of breast cups, wherein said support is formed from a
heat shrinkage yarn in the bra.
16. A circular knit bra comprising: a pair of breast cups, each
of said pair of breast cups having a bottom edge, each of said pair
of breast cups having a stabilizing area on said bottom edge; a
central gore being disposed between said pair of breast cups, wherein
said central gore has a stabilizing area therein; and a pair of
side panels, each of said pair of side panels being adjacent to
a different one of said pair of breast cups, wherein said stabilizing
areas of said central gore and each of said stabilizing areas of
said pair of breast cups are formed using positive float stitches.
17. The bra of claim 16 wherein said stabilizing areas of said
central gore are formed using a 1.times.2 positive float stitch
on every other course.
18. The bra of claim 16 wherein said stabilizing area of each
of said pair of breast cups is formed using a 3.times.1 alternating
positive float stitch on every course.
19. A method of making a circular knit bra comprising the steps
of: knitting a series of courses defining a tubular bra blank, defining
in said tubular bra blank a frontal torso portion having a pair
of breast cups, each of said breast cups having a bottom edge, a
central gore being disposed between said breast cups, and a pair
of side panels, each of said pair of side panels being adjacent
to a different one of said pair of breast cups; knitting in a stabilizing
area in said central gore; knitting in a stabilizing area in said
bottom edge of each of said pair of breast cups; and cutting a bra
shape from said tubular bra blank.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising finishing cut edges
of said cut bra shape.
21. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of severing
said tubular bra blank at a center back area, forming said side
panels, and attaching fastening means to said side panels.
22. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of attaching
a pair of adjustable shoulder straps with each strap attached to
a different one of said pair of breast cups and said side panels.
23. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of securing
an underwire at said bottom edge of each of said pair of breast
cups.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bras or brassieres. More particularly,
the present invention relates to an adjustable circular knit bra
having a stabilizing area located at the center between the breast
cups, and each breast cup provides support while permitting flexibility.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Modern bras are designed to accommodate both a need for comfort
during wear as well as a need for support. A bra must therefore
provide flexibility, freedom of movement, and breast support.
Circular knit bras have become popular for the maximum comfort
and flexibility that they provide. Circular knit technology has
been used to create bras that accommodate a need for maximum stretchability
and freedom of movement, such as sports bras.
U.S. Pat. No. 4531525 to Richards describes the use of a circular
knitting machine to produce a seamless garment blank. To assemble
a bra, the seamless garment blank is cut, folded, and sewn.
U.S. Pat. No. 5592836 to Osborne describes a bra made from a
circular-knit garment blank. Each circular-knit garment blank has
a welt at one end with a fabric portion integrally knit thereto.
To assemble the bra, neck and armhole areas are cut in the fabric
segment to define front and rear strap portions, which are sewn
to complete the formation of the bra. Full cup support areas are
provided in each breast cup region by adding fed-in yarns in the
knitting process.
U.S. Pat. No. 5850745 to Albright provides a circular knit bra
that is elasticized by the selective insertion of elastic yarn segments
in selected wales and courses, to define the contoured area to be
elasticized.
While bras of circular knit construction have become popular for
the maximum comfort and flexibility desirable in an undergarment,
they provide little support in the breast area. Additionally, traditional
circular knit bras do not provide support in the area between the
breast cups. Therefore, a need still exists for a circular knit
bra having support areas of increased stability, thereby providing
a comfortable bra that provides the additional breast support necessary
during activity. Moreover, because circular knit bras lack adjustment
means, it may not be possible for every woman to find a circular
knit bra of appropriate size. A need therefore exists for an adjustable
circular knit bra that provides superior fit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a seamless
circular knit bra having stabilizing areas in the center gore as
well as in the breast cups.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a
bra that provides increased support and stability in the bra without
gathering or puckering.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide
a method of making a seamless circular knit bra having integrally
knitted stabilizing areas using a minimal number of manufacturing
steps.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
seamless circular knit bra that has adjustable shoulder straps and
side panels, thereby allowing the adjustment necessary to better
fit and comfort.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention
are achieved by a bra or brassiere formed of a circular knit bra
blank that is cut to define a traditionally shaped bra body having
a pair of breast cups, a center gore or portion disposed between
the breast cups, and a pair of side panels to connect each breast
cup to the back of the brassiere. The center gore, located between
the breast cups, is integral to the overall stability of the front
of the brassiere. The central gore of the present invention is strengthened
by a stitching method that yields a stabilizing area that is less
stretchable than the body of the brassiere. The stabilizing area
provides stretch resistance that conforms to the movement of the
body, thereby increasing support and comfort for the wearer. The
brassiere of the present invention further comprises breast cups
with similarly knitted in crescent shaped stabilizing areas, located
on or adjacent the bottom edge of the breast cups, thereby providing
support for the breasts. In a preferred embodiment, the brassiere
may include a pair of adjustable shoulder straps with each strap
connected to a breast cup and a side panel. The brassiere may also
have a pair of arcuate underwire portions, with one arcuate underwire
portions adjacent or connected to each breast cup to provide additional
breast support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and still other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be more apparent from the following detailed explanation
of the preferred embodiments of the invention in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a brassiere according
to the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of a brassiere according to
the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom plan view of a brassiere according
to the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a brassiere of the present invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the wale and course stitching pattern
of the center gore of the brassiere;
FIG. 6 illustrates a view of the wale and course stitching pattern
of the breast cups of the brassiere.
FIG. 7a is an alternative view of the wale and course stitch pattern
of the central gore of the brassiere;
FIG. 7b is a diagram of the knit structure of the central gore
of the brassiere;
FIG. 8a is an alternative view of the wale and course stitch pattern
of the breast cups of the brassiere; and
FIG. 8b is a diagram of the knit structure of the breast cups of
the brassiere.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings and, in particular, FIGS. 1 to 3 there
is illustrated a bra or brassiere according to the present invention
generally represented by reference numeral 10. Brassiere 10 is preferably
formed from a unitary, seamless circular knit bra blank. However,
brassiere 10 can be made of two or more layers. The knit construction
of the body of the brassiere 10 may be formed of one or any combination
of conventional knit stitches.
The outline of brassiere 10 is cut from the bra blank to provide
a pair of breast cups 12 a center gore or panel 14 positioned between
the breast cups, and a pair of side panels or portions 16 each
side panel being adjacent at one end to a different breast cup and
at the other end adapted to be connected the other side panel. Side
panels 16 are removably joined together at the back of the wearer
by conventional fasteners, such as, for example, hook-and-eye, snap
and VELCRO.RTM. closures.
Center gore 14 has a knitted-in stabilizing or stabilizing area
18 positioned in the center gore. As shown in FIG. 1 the stabilizing
area 18 is less stretchable than the body of brassiere 10 while
maintaining some stretchability in direction A, as illustrated in
FIG. 1. Each breast cup 12 has a knitted-in stabilizing area 20
positioned on the lower margins of each breast cup. The stabilizing
areas 20 of the breast cups 12 are less stretchable than the body
of brassiere 10 while maintaining some stretchability in direction
B, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 4 stabilizing areas 20 in the breast cups 12
preferably have an anatomically desired shape that enhances support,
natural shaping and comfort. More preferably, the stabilizing areas
20 are crescent-shaped curves disposed on the bottom edge of the
breast cups, with the most support being in the portion of the crescent
adjacent the underarm area.
Stabilizing areas 18 20 are knitted in during the knitting process
using a positive float needle selection. This selection causes the
selected areas to become tighter and more rigid. The use of a positive
float needle selection, by carrying stitches over, creates less
gathering and puckering than would a drop stitch method. Thus, a
smooth, finished look is provided to brassiere 10. By way of example,
but without limitation, one acceptable stitch pattern for central
gore stabilizing area 18 provides a 1 by 2 (1.times.2) positive
float stitch pattern on every other course, as illustrated in FIG.
5. The 1.times.2 positive float stitch pattern increases the modulus
of the fabric, thereby providing increased stability while allowing
some stretchability in center gore 14. The maximum stretch of the
stabilizing area 18 of center gore 14 is 125% walewise and coursewise
of the initial, unstretched position.
FIG. 7a is a diagram which further illustrates the 1.times.2 positive
float stitch pattern on every other course of the stabilizing area
of the central gore. The circles represent stitches, while the blank
squares represent areas where stitches are carried over. FIG. 7b
is a diagram of the knit structure of the 1.times.2 positive stitch
pattern on every other course of the stabilizing area of the central
gore.
By way of example, but without limitation, one acceptable stitch
pattern for stabilizing areas 20 of each breast cup 12 provides
a targeted needle selection. This selection is a 3.times.1 alternating
positive float stitch pattern on every course, as illustrated in
FIG. 6. The maximum stretch of the stabilizing area 20 of breast
cup 12 is 150% walewise and coursewise of the initial, unstretched
position.
FIG. 8a is a diagram which further illustrates the 3.times.1 positive
float stitch pattern on every other course of the stabilizing area
of the breast cups. The circles represent stitches, while the blank
squares represent areas where stitches are carried over. FIG. 8b
is a diagram of the knit structure of the 3.times.1 positive stitch
pattern on every other course of the stabilizing area of the breast
cups.
The center gore and breast cup stabilizing areas 18 20 respectively,
of present invention are not restricted to these particular stitch
patterns. Various other stitch patterns could be utilized to provide
a stabilizing area that provides enhanced stability by providing
stretchability in the coursewise direction and walewise direction.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a bra blank
is formed on circular knitting machine with a computerized electronic
needle selection system. The outline of brassiere 10 is then formed
in the seamless tubular blank with a sewing machine that simultaneously
cuts away and finishes the periphery of the brassiere. The tubular
bra blank is severed and finished at the center of the bra back,
thereby forming two side panels 16 that are closable in an adjustable
manner at the back of the wearer.
The body of the brassiere 10 is knit of an elastomeric, or stretch
knitted fabric that may be made by varying combinations of cotton
or polyester or nylon and spandex. Such yarns provide softness,
comfort, and desired wicking properties. Brassiere 10 is preferably
formed of a single layer of fabric. Alternately, brassiere 10 may
have multiple peripherally joined layers.
Welt knit stitches may be used to provide special features at various
locations. For example, the brassiere of the present invention may
optionally have anchoring chest band 24 located along the bottom
margin of brassiere 10. Such an anchoring chest band 24 is formed
in the circular knitting process preferably as a turned welt. The
fabric, which forms the turned welt, is knit on circular needles
and dial bits in a well-known manner.
Underwire support may be provided by an arcuate underwire. The
knitted in stabilizing areas 20 of the breast cups 12 provide direction
for the placement of an underwire 26 which is separately attached
to the breast cups 12. The underwire 26 may be disposed in an arcuate
fabric tube, thereby providing increased comfort to the wearer.
The stabilizing areas 20 of the breast cups 12 adjoin the underwire
26 thereby forming the bottom edges of the breast cups. In a multi-layer
embodiment of the present invention, underwire 26 may be sandwiched
between the layers of brassiere 10 and secured to the breast cups
12 by sewing, gluing or other fastening means.
In order to provide aesthetic and recognizable characteristics
to a finished bra, the blank may have knitted-in patterns on the
breast cups 12 and on the side panels 16. Such decorations may include
floral, abstract or other designs.
The present invention has been described with particular reference
to the preferred embodiments. It should be understood that the foregoing
descriptions and examples are only illustrative of the invention.
Various alternatives and modifications thereof can be devised by
those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is
intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations
that fall within the scope of the appended claims.
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