Abstrict A fastening system for an article of apparel, advantageously a
bra, including first and second coupling members attached to ends
of a hemband. The coupling members are movable between an engaged
or locked state when the bra is worn and a disengaged state to remove
the bra. The coupling members are integrally molded and each includes
a stitch plate and a plurality of locking members. The locking members
on one coupling member are hooks while the other are loops. The
coupling members have a flex groove formed therein between their
locking members to make the coupling members more flexible. The
flex groove may optimally extend across the stitch plates to further
enhance flexibility. The ends of the hooks are angularly displaced
from their stitch plates. This raises the interlocking locking portions
away from the back of the wearer to increase comfort. Additionally,
the hooks include opposed angled guide surfaces. The opposed angled
guide surfaces each have a parallel guide surface on an adjacent
hook.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. An article of apparel comprising: first and second portions,
said first and second portions adapted for covering a portion of
a body of a wearer; and a fastening system, said fastening system
adapted for removably coupling said first and second portions together,
said fastening system including a first coupling member attached
to said first portion of the article and a second coupling member
attached to said second portion of the article, said first coupling
member including a section proximal to the first portion lying in
a first plane and a section distal from the first portion having
a hook, said second coupling member having a section proximal to
the second portion lying in a second plane and a section distal
from the second portion, said distal section of said second portion
forming a part of a loop and being raised from said second plane,
said part of the loop having a first guiding element substantially
intersecting a second guiding element at an angle less than 180
degrees and forming an apex of the loop therebetween, said distal
section of said second coupling member defines a plane that is angularly
displaced from said second plane, said first and second coupling
members being movable between an engaged state wherein the hook
of said first coupling member lockingly engages said loop of said
second coupling member to couple said first and second portions
of the apparel together, and a disengaged state wherein the first
and second portions of the apparel are freely movable with respect
to each other, said first and second planes being substantially
coplanar when said coupling members are in an engaged state.
2. The article of apparel of claim 1 wherein said first coupling
member is a unitary molded member and said second coupling member
is a unitary molded member.
3. The article of apparel of claim 2 wherein said article of apparel
is a bra.
4. The article of apparel of claim 3 said hook includes a receiving
slot and a locking projection disposed therein.
5. The article of apparel of claim 4 wherein said proximal portion
of said first coupling member is fixedly sewn to said first portion,
and said proximal portion of said second coupling member is fixedly
sewn to said second portion.
6. The article of apparel of claim 5 wherein said first coupling
member includes two spaced apart hooks, and said second coupling
member includes two spaced apart loops, wherein said first coupling
member includes a groove between its spaced apart hooks to enhance
flexibility of the first coupling member between its hooks, and
said second coupling member includes a groove between its spaced
apart loops to enhance flexibility of the second coupling member
between its loops.
7. The article of apparel of claim 6 wherein said loop includes
a locking surface and a pair of opposed shoulders disposed on opposite
sides of said locking surface.
8. An article of apparel comprising: first and second portions,
said first and second portions adapted for covering a portion of
a body of a wearer; a fastening system, said fastening system adapted
for removably coupling said first and second portions together,
said fastening system including: a first coupling member attached
to said first portion of the article, said first coupling member
having a first locking member and a second locking member, said
first locking member of the first coupling member having a hook
including a receiving slot and said second locking member of the
first coupling member having a hook including a receiving slot,
said first coupling member being integrally formed with its first
and second locking members; and a second coupling member attached
to said second portion of the article, said second coupling member
having a first locking member and a second locking member, each
of said first and second locking members of the second coupling
member including a loop defining an opening, said loop being at
least partially formed by a support having first and second guiding
surfaces, an engagement surface disposed between the first and second
guiding surfaces, and a pair of opposed shoulders disposed on opposite
sides of said engagement surface, said support having a smaller
cross-section at a point between the shoulders than at the shoulders,
wherein said first guiding surface of said first locking member
of said second coupling member is substantially parallel to said
first guiding surface of said second locking member of said second
coupling member, and said second guiding surface of said first locking
member of said second coupling member is substantially parallel
to said second guiding surface of said second locking member of
said second coupling member, said second coupling member being integrally
formed with its first and second locking members; said first and
second coupling members being movable between a first locked state
whereby the hooks of said first coupling member lockingly engage
respective engagement surfaces of said second coupling member to
couple said first and second portions of the apparel together, and
a second unlocked state whereby the first and second portions of
the apparel are freely movable with respect to each other.
9. The article of apparel of claim 8 wherein said article of apparel
is a bra.
10. The article of apparel of claim 9 wherein each said hook includes
a receiving slot and a locking projection disposed therein.
11. The article of apparel of claim 9 wherein said first coupling
member includes two spaced apart hooks, and said second coupling
member includes two spaced apart loops, wherein said first coupling
member includes a groove between its spaced apart hooks to enhance
flexibility of the first coupling member between its hooks, and
said second coupling member includes a groove between its loops
to enhance flexibility of the second coupling member between its
loops.
12. The article of apparel of claim 11 wherein said first coupling
member further includes a base plate, said base plate of said first
coupling member being fixedly sewn to said first portion, and wherein
said second coupling member further includes a base plate, said
base plate of said second coupling member being fixedly sewn to
said second portion.
13. The article of apparel of claim 12 wherein said base plate
of said first coupling member includes a flex groove and said base
plate of said second coupling member includes a flex groove.
14. An article of apparel comprising: first and second portions,
said first and second portions adapted for covering a portion of
a body of a wearer; a fastening system, said fastening system adapted
for removably coupling said first and second portions together,
said fastening system including: a first coupling member attached
to said first portion of the article, said first coupling member
having a first locking member and a second locking member, said
first locking member of the first coupling member having a hook
including a receiving slot and said second locking member of the
first coupling member having a hook including a receiving slot,
said first coupling member being integrally formed with its first
and second locking members; and a second coupling member attached
to said second portion of the article, said second coupling member
having a first locking member and a second locking member, each
of said first and second locking members of the second coupling
member including a loop defining an opening, said loop being at
least partially formed by a support rail having first and second
guiding surfaces and an engagement channel formed by a reduced cross-section
recess in the support rail and disposed between said first and second
guiding surfaces, wherein said first guiding surface of said first
locking member of said second coupling member is substantially parallel
to said first guiding surface of said second locking member of said
second coupling member, and said second guiding surface of said
first locking member of said second coupling member is substantially
parallel to said second guiding surface of said second locking member
of said second coupling member, said second coupling member being
integrally formed with its first and second locking members; said
first and second coupling members being movable between a first
locked state whereby the hooks of said first coupling member lockingly
engage respective engagement channels of said second coupling member
to couple said first and second portions of the apparel together,
and a second unlocked state whereby the first and second portions
of the apparel are freely movable with respect to each other.
15. The article of apparel of claim 14 wherein said article of
apparel is a bra.
16. The article of apparel of claim 15 wherein each said hook
includes a receiving slot and a locking projection disposed therein.
17. The article of apparel of claim 15 wherein said first coupling
member includes two spaced apart hooks, and said second coupling
member includes two spaced apart loops, wherein said first coupling
member includes a groove between its spaced apart hooks to enhance
flexibility of the first coupling member between its hooks, and
said second coupling member includes a groove between its loops
to enhance flexibility of the second coupling member between its
loops.
18. The article of apparel of claim 17 wherein said first coupling
member further includes a base plate, said base plate of said first
coupling member being fixedly sewn to said first portion, and wherein
said second coupling member further includes a base plate, said
base plate of said second coupling member being fixedly sewn to
said second portion.
19. The article of apparel of claim 18 wherein said base plate
of said first coupling member includes a flex groove and said base
plate of said second coupling member includes a flex groove.
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a two-part fastening system for
items of apparel and other articles. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a simplified fastening system for a sports
bra that facilitates the attachment and separation of mating fastening
elements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Brassieres, or bras as more commonly referred to, are garments
worn by women to cover and support their breasts. Bras commonly
include a front portion to cover the breasts, a portion that extends
around the back, and shoulder straps connecting the front and rear
portions so that the front portion can better support the breasts.
Either the rear portions or front portions are usually joined in
the center by a fastening system that includes one or more pairs
of small metal hooks and eyes formed of wound wires. This type of
fastening system has been used for many years. However, the bras
using this fastening system are difficult to put on and take off
for many wearers.
With rear fastening bras, some wearers put their bra on by attempting
to mate the hooks with their respective loops in a blind operation
with their arms behind their back. This can be very difficult to
do with most bras as the hooks and loops require individual intricate
manipulation. Other wearers put their bra on by attaching the hooks
and loops in view in the front of their body. Once this step is
completed, they must rotate the bra around their body to properly
orient the bra for support and bend their arms to feed them through
openings. This step can be often be difficult, especially when the
wearer has limited arm movement. Further, this step can be extremely
difficult when the bra has extremely high elastic properties which
exist with many bras, such as sports and jogging bras.
Therefore, an improved fastening system for an article of apparel
was needed. More specifically, a bra with a fastening system was
thus needed which would simplify the process of putting on and taking
off a bra. In particular, an improved fastening system for a sports
bra, which provides more support and is more tight fitting than
the average bra, was thus needed. The present invention was developed
to accomplish these and other objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of the present
invention to provide an improved fastening system which can be used
with bras, other articles of apparel, and other articles.
More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide
an improved fastening system for a bra that simplifies the process
of putting on and taking off a bra, such as a sports bra. Such an
arrangement is beneficial as many times the attachment and detachment
is done in a blind operation.
Additionally, it is another object of the invention to provide
a fastening system of a bra having enlarged hooks and receiving
members and parallel guiding surfaces. Such an arrangement facilitates
attachment and detachment and maintains a tight fit during an attached
state.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention which,
according to one aspect, provides an article of apparel having first
and second portions and a fastening system. The first and second
portions being adapted to cover a portion of a body of a wearer.
The fastening system removably couples the first and second portions
together. The fastening system includes a first coupling member
attached to the first portion and a second coupling member attached
to the second portion. Each of the first and second coupling members
have a base and two spaced apart locking members. The two locking
members of the first coupling member are attached to and extend
from the base of the first coupling member. The two locking members
of the second coupling member are attached to and extend from the
base of the second coupling member. Each locking member of the first
coupling member is shaped and disposed to interlock with a respective
locking member of the second coupling member. The first coupling
member includes a groove between its first and second locking members
to enhance flexibility of the first coupling member between its
locking members. The second coupling member also includes a groove
between its first and second locking members to enhance flexibility
of the second coupling member between its locking members.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides an article of apparel
having first and second portions and a fastening system. The first
and second portions being adapted to cover a portion of a body of
a wearer. The fastening system removably couples the first and second
portions together. The fastening system includes a first coupling
member attached to the first portion and a second coupling member
attached to the second portion. The first coupling member includes
a section proximal to the first portion lying in a first plane and
a section distal from the first portion having a hook. The second
coupling member having a section proximal to the second portion
lying in a second plane and a section distal from the second portion.
The distal section of the second portion forming a part of a loop
and being raised from the second plane. The first and second coupling
members is movable between an engaged state wherein the hook of
the first coupling member lockingly engages the loop of the second
coupling member to couple the first and second portions of the apparel
together, and a disengaged state wherein the first and second portions
of the apparel are freely movable with respect to each other. The
first and second planes are substantially coplanar when the coupling
members are in an engaged state.
In another aspect, the invention provides an article of apparel
having first and second portions and a fastening system. The first
and second portions being adapted to cover a portion of a body of
a wearer. The fastening system removably couples the first and second
portions together. The fastening system includes a first coupling
member attached to the first portion and a second coupling member
attached to the second portion. The first coupling member has a
first locking member and a second locking member. The first and
second locking members of the first coupling member have a hook
including a receiving slot. The first coupling member is integrally
formed with its first and second locking members. The second coupling
member has a first locking member and a second locking member. The
first and second locking members of the second coupling member include
a loop being at least partially formed by a support having first
and second guiding surfaces and a locking surface disposed between
the first and second guiding surfaces. The first guiding surface
of the first locking member of the second coupling member is substantially
parallel to the first guiding surface of the second locking member
of the second coupling member. Further, the second guiding surface
of the first locking member of the second coupling member is substantially
parallel to the second guiding surface of the second locking member
of the second coupling member. The second coupling member is integrally
formed with its first and second locking members. The first and
second coupling members are movable between a first locked state
whereby the hooks of the first coupling member lockingly engage
respective locking surfaces of the second coupling member to couple
the first and second portions of the apparel together, and a second
unlocked state whereby the first and second portions of the apparel
are freely movable with respect to each other.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fastening
system with the features and benefits as described herein. The fastening
system is preferably, but not necessarily, used with articles of
apparel.
These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments thereof, presented in connection with the following
drawings in which like reference numerals identify like elements
throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of the bra and fastening system
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the region of the bra including
the fastening system;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the two fastening pieces in a separated
state;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the projecting piece of the fastening
system;
FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the projecting piece of the
fastening system (view referenced as if in a fastened orientation);
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the projecting piece of the fastening
system (view referenced as if in a fastened orientation);
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the projecting piece of the
fastening system (view referenced as if in a fastened orientation);
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the receiving piece of the fastening
system;
FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the receiving piece of the
fastening system (view referenced as if in a fastened orientation);
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the receiving piece of the fastening
system (view referenced as if in a fastened orientation);
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the receiving piece of the
fastening system (view referenced as if in a fastened orientation);
FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the receiving and projecting
pieces of the fastening system in a locked state;
FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the receiving and projecting pieces
of the fastening system in a locked state; and
FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the bra and fastening system
of the present invention with the fastening pieces having three
engaging elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the present invention, as pictured in FIGS. 1-13 a bra is designated
generally by reference numeral 10. The bra 10 is a garment to be
worn by women to cover and support the breasts. In a preferred arrangement,
the bra 10 is designed to be worn during sports activities of the
sports bra-type and includes a front portion 12 that covers the
breasts, a rear left portion 14 and a rear right portion 16 and
a pair of shoulder straps 18 each for attaching the front portion
12 to a respective rear portion 14 16. The left and right rear
portions 14 and 16 each include respective end portions 15 and 17
adjacent to one another. These end portions can be selectively attached
and separated from one another by the use of a fastening system
20 to put on and take off the bra 10. The end portions 15 and 17
are preferably end portions of a hemband 21 and each preferably
include pull tabs 19 to which one half of the fastening system 20
is attached.
The fastening system 20 is preferably a two-piece fastening system
and includes a pair of coupling members referred to herein as a
first extending or projecting element or piece 30 and a second receiving
element or piece 50. The two pieces 30 and 50 matingly interlock.
When interlocked or in an engaged state, the mating pieces 30 and
50 keep the bra 10 fastened. The tension of the hemband 21 will
maintain the pieces 30 and 50 in an engaged state while it is being
worn. The pieces 30 and 50 are disengaged to take off the bra.
The first interlocking piece 30 of the fastening system 20 as
shown in FIGS. 4-7 preferably includes a base region formed by
a stitch plate or tab 36 and plurality of hooking elements 32. Each
hooking element 32 includes a hook 34 and a brace support 35 coupling
the hook 34 to the plate 36. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 each brace
support 35 preferably includes horizontal extension portions 42
extending from the plate 36 and angled portions 43 extending from
the end of the horizontal extension portions 42 distal from the
plate 36. It should be noted that the terms horizontal and vertical
as used herein references the elements of the closure system 20
in a fastened position relative to the bra 10 being worn by a user.
Thus, for example, the plate or tab 36 will lie in a generally vertical
plane when the bra 10 is worn. The angled portions 43 join at an
apex 47 from which a respective hook 34 extends. As can be seen
in FIGS. 4 and 6 each hook 34 includes a receiving slot 45 for
receiving a portion of the second piece 50 of the fastening system
20. In a preferred arrangement, locking projections or bumps 44
may be disposed in the receiving slot 45 to help prevent inadvertent
separation of the interlocking pieces 30 and 50.
The second interlocking piece 50 of the fastening system 20 as
shown in FIGS. 8-11 preferably includes a base region formed by
a stitch plate or tab 56 and a plurality of receiving or loop elements
52. Each receiving or loop element 52 includes a loops 54 that receives
a respective hook 34 from the first fastening piece 30 for fastening
the bra 10. Each loop 54 preferably is formed by a molded member
that forms the loop 54. Each loop 54 is formed by a pair of horizontal
extensions 62 generally extending away from the plate 56 a pair
of angled extensions 63 extending from the ends of the horizontal
extensions 62 toward each other, and an apex 67 located where the
angled extensions 63 meet. Each apex 67 is designed to extend into
a respective receiving slot 45 when the fastening system 20 is in
a fastened position. The loops 54 are relatively large and generally
triangular in shape to assist in the fastening process.
The angled extensions 63 of the loop 54 act to guide the hook 34
to the apex 67 in the event that there is an initial misalignment.
This guiding ability is facilitated by the tension of bra material
and its hemband 21 which pulls the hook 34 along the angled extension
63. The upper angled extension 63 of the upper loop element 52 is
parallel to the upper angled extension 63 of the lower loop element
52. The same parallel relationship exists with the lower angled
extensions 63. This enables the guide surfaces of adjacent loop
elements 52 to work together to guide the hooks 34 into their respective
apexes 67.
If desired, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12 the edges of each apex
67 may be molded to include shoulders 71 forming a groove 69 therebetween.
The shoulders 71 aid in centering its respective interfacing hook
34 with respect to its apex 67 and minimizes the possibility of
undesired separation between the fastening elements 30 and 50 under
normal wearing conditions. The groove 69 is slightly larger than
the width of the hook 34 so that the shoulders 71 act to center
the sides of the hook 34. The groove 69 also shapes the apex 67
such that its thickness t.sub.1 relative to the receiving slot 45
when the projecting and receiving pieces 30 and 50 are in a fastened
position is greater than its thickness t.sub.2 relative to the receiving
slot 45 when the receiving piece 50 is pivoted an amount between
5.degree. and 50.degree. relative to the projecting piece 30. This
configuration assists in maintaining the locked state between the
pieces 30 and 50 during normal wearing conditions and facilitates
the unfastening process as separation between the elements 30 and
50 is made easier as the receiving piece 50 may be pivoted prior
to unfastening.
As seen in FIGS. 10 11 and 13 the horizontal extensions 62 generally
lie in a vertical plane. This plane is generally coincident with
the plane of the tab 56. As such, the horizontal center lines of
the horizontal extensions 62 and the tab 56 may be coincident. In
another preferred arrangement, the horizontal center line of the
horizontal extensions 62 may be slightly offset from the horizontal
center line of the tab 56 so that the inner surfaces of each, that
contact and face the wearer's back when the bra 10 is worn, lie
in the same plane. As seen in the figures, for both the projecting
piece 30 and the receiving piece 50 the horizontal and angled extensions
42 and 43 and 62 and 63 are thicker than the tab 56.
The angled extensions 63 lie in a plane that is angularly displaced
from the plane of the horizontal extensions 62. Thus, the angular
extensions 63 extend away from the plane defined by the horizontal
extensions 62. As shown in FIG. 13 these planes are separated by
an angle .theta.. This angle of separation .theta. is preferably
within the range of 20.degree.-50.degree., and is more preferably
about 35.degree.. This offset spaces both the mating fastening features,
that is the receiving slot 45 of the hook 34 of the projecting piece
30 and the apex 67 of the receiving piece 50 away from the back
100 of the wearer. As shown in FIG. 13 when the bra 10 is fastened
and being worn, these mating fastening features 45 and 67 are spaced
from the back 100 such that, in the region of the fastening system
20 the back 100 of the wearer is contacted only by the generally
vertical, front facing surfaces 72 and 74 of the respective horizontal
extension portions 42 and 62 and by the material of the bra in
the end portions 15 and 17 of the left and right rear portions 14
and 16 of the bra 10. Further, if desired, soft backing material
90 as shown in FIG. 2 may be attached to the skin facing surface
of pull tabs 19 or any other desirable portion and extend in the
region between the fastening system 20 and the skin of the wearer.
The fastening pieces 30 and 50 are preferably provided with flex
grooves 48 and 68 between adjacent hooking elements 32 and between
adjacent loop elements 52. This provides enhanced flexibility between
the bottom and top of each fastening piece 30 and 50 as it provides
the ability of each adjacent pair of hook elements 32 and each adjacent
pair of loop elements 52 to flex relative to each other along the
line formed by the flex grooves 48 and 68. In a preferred arrangement,
the flex grooves 48 and 68 are formed by providing reduced thickness
portions along desired lines in the molding process. In a preferred
embodiment, the reduced thickness portions may be between 5%-50%
of the thickness of the horizontal extensions 42 and 62. The flex
grooves 48 and 68 act as hinges for each of the fastening pieces
30 and 50. The grooves 48 and 68 of the fastening pieces 30 and
50 provide the enhanced ability to flex along the grooves 48 and
68 and thus enables the fastening system 20 to more closely match
the contour of the back 100 of the wearer from top to bottom. This,
in turn, will provide increased comfort, and minimize undesirable
chafing and high pressure points. Further, when fastened, the flex
grooves 48 and 68 will also be in alignment with each other so that
both pieces 30 and 50 when in an engaged state, can better match
the contour of the back 100 of the wearer. As shown in FIGS. 3-4
and 8-9 the flex groove 48 and 68 extend to provide recessed portions
between horizontal extensions 42 and 62 of adjacent hooking elements
32 and loop elements 52. If desired, as shown, the flex grooves
48 and 68 may be extended across the tabs 36 and 56 to provide enhance
flexibility in the tabs 36 and 56. However, since the tabs 36 and
56 are preferably thin relative to the hooking and loop elements
32 and 52 the tabs 36 and 56 may be inherently flexible and the
flex grooves 48 and 68 need not extend across the tabs 36 and 56
to provide sufficient flexing capability.
The tabs 36 and 56 are thin flexible members and serve as stitch
plates. This facilitates the attachment of the ends portions 15
and 17 of the material to the fastening pieces 30 and 50. In one
preferred arrangement, the end portions 15 and 17 are directly sewn
to the tabs 36 and 56 by stitching 88. However, other attachment
techniques may be used. The large flat surface area of each of these
tabs 36 and 56 distributes the forces over a larger area to provide
a more even tensioning force. As previously indicated, the tabs
36 and 56 may optionally be provided with reduced thickness flex
grooves 48 and 68 to further increase the hinging capability of
the fastening pieces 30 and 50.
Thus, each of the fastening pieces 30 and 50 are unitary and integrally
formed. This provides certain advantages. Besides minimizing part
and assembly costs, the integrally molded pieces 30 and 50 ensure
tight tolerances between the parallel angled extensions 42 and 62
of adjacent hooks and loops 34 and 54 so that all of the hooks 34
and loops 54 of the fastening system 20 will snap together during
the fastening process due to the tensioning of the material and
the guiding surfaces of the angled extensions 42 and 62. In a preferred
embodiment, the fastening pieces 30 and 50 are each made of nylon.
However, it is recognized that other suitable plastics may be used.
Further, in a preferred method of manufacture, the fastening pieces
30 and 50 are injection molded. However, other molding techniques
may be used.
In use, to put on the bra 10 the wearer will place her head between
the shoulder straps and her arms is the shoulder straps and place
the front 12 and rear of the bra 10 such that the front 12 of the
bra 10 is centered over her breasts. Behind her back, in a blind
operation, she positions each of the hooks 34 within its respective
loop 54. As the generally-triangular loops 54 are wide open, locating
the hooks 34 relative to the loops 54 is facilitated. The hooks
34 need merely to be inserted in the loops 54 between the top of
the upper horizontal extension 62 and the bottom of the lower horizontal
extension 62. Once this is done, the elasticity of the bra material,
specifically the hemband 21 pulls each hook 34 to the center of
its respective apex 67 with the horizontal extensions 62 acting
as centering guides if the hooks 34 are positioned above or below
their apex 67. The plastic projections or bumps 44 help the hooks
34 and loops 54 snap in place and prevent inadvertent unfastening.
The shoulders 71 also help prevent inadvertent movement between
the hooks 34 and loops 54. As the fastener is under tension of an
elastic hemband 21 while being worn, the fastening pieces 30 and
50 do not separate during use. To unfasten the bra 10 the user
merely pushes the hooks 34 and loops 54 toward each other while
pivoting the two parts to release the closure. This too can easily
be performed in a blind operation.
The bra 10 may be designed for general use or a specialized usage,
such as a jogging or sports bra. In such a preferred embodiment,
the material of the sports bra 10 provides elastic properties and
such suitable materials may include spandex and a blend of polyester
and spandex. A liner fabric may also be used in the breast covering
regions if desired.
FIG. 14 shows a bra 10' similar to that of FIG. 1 except that
the interlocking pieces 30 and 50 of its fastening system 20' have
three integrally-molded pairs of hook and loop elements 32 and 52
instead of two. Flex grooves 48 and 68 are preferably positioned
between each adjacent pair of hook and loop elements 32 and 52 as
previously described. It is recognized that one pair of hook and
loop elements 32 and 52 or more than three pairs of hook and loop
elements 32 and 52 could also be used in lieu of the two and three
pair arrangements depicted in the figures.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described, it is recognized that various modifications thereof will
occur to those skilled in the art. For example, while the fastening
system 10 is located at the back of the bra 20 it could also be
used as a front closure system for a front closing bra. The integral
flex grooves 48 and 68 remain an added benefit in a front closing
bra as conformance to the skin for comfort and elimination of undesired
pressure points and chafing are more important concerns. Further,
while the fastening system 20 is useful for a bra 10 it is can
also be used as a fastening system for other articles of apparel
such as pants having an elastic waistband, or suspenders, or anything
that puts the closure in tension when worn. Therefore, the scope
of the herein-described invention shall be limited solely by the
claims appended hereto.
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