Abstrict A bra arrangement having a pair of straps which extend about the
torso of the wearer and a closure element which allows a person
with decreased hand dexterity to more easily take the bra on and
off. The closure element includes a fastening member associated
with a free end of one of the bra straps and a strap part associated
with the free end of the other bra strap. The strap part defines
a pair of opposed pressure sensitive fastening areas thereon which
are releasably attachable to one another.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A bra arrangement comprising:
a cup assembly;
first and second straps connected to and extending generally horizontally
from opposite sides of said cup assembly and around a human torso
and terminating in respective adjacent free ends, said first and
second straps respectively including first and second fastening
members mounted at the respective said free ends thereof; and an
adaptor disposed between and interconnecting said free ends of said
first and second straps, said adaptor having first and second fastening
elements configured for cooperatively engaging the respective said
first and second fastening members and a ring part mounting said
first fastening element thereon, said adaptor further including
a strap part disposed between said first and second fastening elements
and defining a pair of opposed pressure sensitive fastening areas
thereon which are attachable to one another, said strap part being
foldable and flexible to position said fastening areas in juxtaposed
and face-to-face relation with one another to attach said first
and second straps to one another, said fastening areas being readily
detachable from one another to detach said first and second straps
from one another, and said strap part mounting said second fastening
element at one end thereof and including a handle member at an opposite
end thereof for grasping to assist in detaching said fastening areas
from one another.
2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein one of said first fastening
element and said first fastening member includes an eyelet and the
other said first fastening element and first fastening member includes
a hook.
3. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein one of said second fastening
element and said second fastening member includes an eyelet and
the other said second fastening element and second fastening member
includes a hook.
4. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said handle member comprises
a loop having terminal ends fixed to said strap part.
5. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said fastening areas together
define a cooperative hook and loop-type fastening arrangement.
6. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said ring part is defined
by a pair of generally vertically oriented legs and a pair of generally
horizontally oriented legs extending transversely between said vertical
legs, said first fastening element being mounted on one said vertical
leg adjacent said first fastening member, said strap part extending
through said ring part and being foldable about and engaging with
the other said vertical leg to position said fastening areas in
face-to-face relation with one another.
7. An adaptor for a bra having a cup arrangement and a pair of
straps extending outwardly from opposite sides of said cup arrangement
and terminating in adjacent free ends each including a fastening
member thereon, said adaptor comprising:
an elongate and flexible strap part mounting thereon a first fastening
element configured for cooperative engagement with the fastening
member of one of the bra straps; and
a second fastening element configured for cooperative engagement
with the fastening member of the other bra strap, said strap part
being slidably engaged with said second fastening element and having
first and second opposed portions respectively defining thereon
fastening areas which are releasably attached to one another to
interconnect the bra straps to one another, said second fastening
element including a generally ring-shaped member, said first portion
of said strap part mounting thereon said first fastening element
at one end thereof and at an opposite end being connected to one
end of said second portion, said second portion extending through
said ring-shaped member and being foldable onto said first portion
to orient said fastening areas in juxtaposed face-to-face relation
with one another, and a free end of said second portion mounts a
handle member thereon configured for grasping to assist in detaching
said fastening areas from one another.
8. The adaptor of claim 7 wherein said second fastening element
includes a tubular part which surrounds a first leg of said ring-shaped
member adjacent the fastening member of the other bra strap, said
tubular part mounting thereon an eyelet configured for engagement
with a hook of the fastening member of the other bra strap, said
strap part extending around and engaging a second leg of said ring-shaped
member opposite and spaced from said first leg, and said first fastening
element mounts thereon a hook configured for engagement with an
eyelet of the fastening member of the one bra strap.
9. The adaptor of claim 7 wherein said fastening areas together
define a cooperative hook-and-loop type fastening arrangement.
10. A bra comprising:
a cup assembly;
first and second straps connected to and extending outwardly from
opposite sides of said cup assembly and terminating in adjacent
free ends; and
a closure element for interconnecting said free ends of said first
and second straps, said closure element including a first fastening
member connected to said free end of said first strap and a second
fastening member, said second fastening member including a strap
part having a first end portion connected to said free end of said
second strap and a second end portion slidably associated with said
first fastening member, said strap part comprising a continuous
elongate and flexible strip of material having first and second
sides which face away from one another and first and second opposed
portions defined on said first side which respectively define thereon
cooperative pressure-sensitive fastening areas releasably attached
to one another to interconnect said first and second straps to one
another, said second end portion of said strap part being insertable
through an opening in said first fastening member and foldable over
and onto said first end portion to position said fastening areas
in juxtaposed face-to-face relation with one another, and said second
end portion of said strap part mounting thereon a graspable handle
member to assist in detaching said fastening areas from one another.
11. The adaptor of claim 10 wherein a first part of said second
side is disposed to lie against the back of the bra wearer and a
second part of said second side faces outwardly and away from the
back of the wearer upon folding of said strap part.
12. The adaptor of claim 10 wherein said fastening areas together
define a cooperative hook-and-loop type fastening arrangement.
13. The adaptor of claim 10 wherein said strap member is adjustable
in length to permit adjustment of the distance between the free
ends of the first and second bra straps.
14. The bra of claim 10 wherein said first fastening member includes
a ring-shaped part and said second end portion of said strap part
is insertable through said ring-shaped part and is foldable around
and engageable with a portion of said ring-shaped part to position
said fastening areas in face-to-face relation with one another.
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a bra arrangement, and more particularly
pertains to a bra arrangement including a closure element or adaptor
which enables persons with decreased hand dexterity to easily take
a bra on and off in a more independent manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Undergarments such as bras typically include a pair of supportive
cups and a pair of straps which extend around the upper torso to
secure the bra to the wearer. The forward ends of the straps are
fastened to a respective cup and the rearward or free ends thereof
are often fastened together with a hook-and-eye type arrangement
located adjacent the back of the wearer. This hook-and-eye arrangement
includes one or more hooks which are secured to the free end of
one of the straps and one or more corresponding eyelets which are
secured to the free end of the opposite strap. The hooks of one
strap are then engaged with the corresponding eyelets on the other
strap to securely fasten the bra around the wearer. The hook-and-eye
arrangements provided on conventional bras can be difficult to manipulate,
not only due to the location thereof adjacent the back of the wearer,
but also due to the very small size thereof. Thus, persons having
decreased finger dexterity such as arthritis victims, and persons
having limited or no usage of one hand such as stroke victims, often
experience difficulty in manipulating the hook-and-eye arrangement
and thus require assistance when dressing which can reduce a feeling
of independence and have detrimental effects on the emotional well-being
of the person.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a bra arrangement
which overcomes the disadvantages of conventional bra arrangements
as discussed above. Specifically, the bra arrangement according
to the present invention includes a cup assembly and a pair of straps
connected to and extending from opposite sides of the cup assembly
and terminating in respective adjacent free ends. The pair of straps
each include a fastening member mounted at the free end thereof.
An adaptor is disposed between the free ends of the straps and includes
a pair of fastening elements configured for cooperative engagement
with the respective fastening members of the straps. Further, a
strap part is located between the respective fastening elements
and defines a pair of opposed fastening areas thereon which are
attachable to one another to attach the straps together and are
readily detachable from one another to detach the straps from one
another.
The invention also relates to an adaptor for a bra having a cup
arrangement and a pair of straps extending from opposite sides of
the cup arrangement and terminating in adjacent free ends each including
a fastening member thereon. The adaptor includes an elongate and
flexible strap part which mounts thereon a first fastening element
which cooperatively engages the fastening member of one of the bra
straps, and a second fastening element which cooperatively engages
the fastening member of the other bra strap. The strap part is slidably
engaged with the second fastening element and has a pair of opposed
portions respectively defining thereon fastening areas which are
releasably attached to one another to interconnect the bra straps
together.
The invention additionally relates to a bra including a cup assembly
and a
pair of straps connected to and extending outwardly from opposite
sides of the cup assembly and terminating in adjacent free ends.
A closure element is provided for interconnecting the free ends
of the straps and includes a first fastening member connected to
the free end of one of the straps and a second fastening member.
The second fastening member includes a strap part having a first
end portion connected to a free end of the other strap and a second
end portion slidably associated with the first fastening member.
Further, the strap part has first and second opposed portions respectively
defining thereon cooperative pressure-sensitive fastening areas
which are releasably attached to one another to interconnect the
two straps to one another.
Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent to
persons familiar with arrangements of this general type upon reading
the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of a bra arrangement according
to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail view of FIG. 1 illustrating
the adaptor assembled onto the free ends of a pair of bra straps,
with the adaptor in a closed configuration.
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrates the adaptor
in a partially open configuration.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of one side of the strap part of the
adaptor.
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrates the opposite
side of the strap part.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of one side of the ring part of the
adaptor.
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but illustrates the opposite
side of the ring part.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary top view as indicated by the
arrow A in FIG. 3.
FIG. 9 is a perspective rear view of an additional embodiment of
the bra arrangement.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail view of FIG. 9.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for
convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example,
the words "upwardly", "downwardly", "rightwardly"
and "leftwardly" will refer to directions in the drawings
to which reference is made. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly"
will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the
geometric center of the arrangement and designated parts thereof.
Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned,
derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings, and specifically FIGS. 1 and 2 a bra
arrangement 11 is illustrated according to the present invention.
The bra arrangement 11 includes a bra 12 having one or more cups,
and in the illustrated embodiment includes two cups 13 and 14 which
are attached to one another at a generally centrally located hinge
area 15. A first strap 16 and a second strap 17 are longitudinally
aligned relative to one another and are attached at front ends thereof
to the respective cups 13 and 14. The straps 16 and 17 are intended
to extend rearwardly in opposite directions around the torso of
the wearer and terminate in respective opposed and adjacent free
ends 20 and 21.
A pair of generally J-shaped hooks 22 (FIGS. 2 and 3) are attached
to free end 21 of strap 17 in a generally vertically aligned manner
with one another, the hook parts of which hooks 22 project inwardly
toward the back of the wearer. A pair of eyelets 23 are attached
to free end 20 of strap 16 in a generally vertically aligned manner
with one another, and are mounted to end 20 so as to project generally
horizontally. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple pairs of eyelets
23 are attached to strap 16 and are horizontally spaced from one
another along strap 16 to allow the wearer to adjust the fit or
snugness of the bra 12 as desired. In this regard, additional pairs
of eyelets 23 may be provided which are located further from the
terminal end 20 of strap 16 than that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The bra 12 may also be provided with shoulder straps 24 and 25
which are respectively connected to upper portions of cups 13 and
14 extend over the shoulder of the wearer and attach to the respective
straps 16 and 17 to provide additional support to the wearer.
It will be appreciated that the above construction of bra 12 is
conventional and additional details relating thereto will therefore
not be discussed further herein.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 an adaptor or closure element
26 is provided according to the invention which is interposed between
the free ends 20 and 21 of bra 12 and is normally positioned at
the back of the wearer. Adaptor 26 generally includes an elongate,
flat and flexible strap part 30 and a rigid ring part 31.
As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 strap part 30 includes a hook and
loop type fastening arrangement, such as is commonly sold under
the trademark VELCRO.RTM.. More specifically, strap part 30 is embodied
by a pair of first and second tape-like sections 32 and 33. The
tape sections 32 and 33 have similar lengths and widths and are
joined to one another along terminal transverse edges thereof at
a seam 34 formed by stitching, for example, so that the longitudinal
edges 35 of sections 32 and 33 are aligned with one another and
form an elongate and continuous strip. The tape sections 32 and
33 in the illustrated embodiment are embodied by pieces of flexible
woven material or fabric such as nylon, for example, which define
fastening areas 32A and 33A thereon. One of these fabric pieces
on one side thereof includes a plurality of hooks, and the other
piece of fabric includes a plurality of loops with which the hooks
are engagable as discussed below. Thus, one side of strap part 30
includes thereon a fastening area defined by a hook section and
another fastening area defined by a loop section adjacent the hook
section and divided therefrom by seam 34.
In the illustrated embodiment, an optional flexible and soft loop
or handle 37 is attached to a rounded free end 36 of tape section
32 for a purpose as discussed below. Loop 37 may be constructed
of a soft and flexible cord, and in the illustrated embodiment is
fixed to tape section 32 via stitching 40 which secures the opposite
ends of the loop 37 to the respective longitudinal sides 35 of section
32.
With continued reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 the free end 41 of tape
section 33 has a fastener member 42 attached thereto which has a
width similar to the width of tape sections 32 and 33 as defined
between edges 35. Fastener member 42 is embodied by several fabric
pieces or strips 43 such as twill, which pieces 43 wrap around
or fold over the free end 41 of the tape section 33 and are attached
thereto via a seam 44 formed by stitching, for example. A pair of
generally J-shaped hooks 45 similar to hooks 22 of strap 17 are
sandwiched between the fabric pieces 43 and are secured thereat
by a seam 46 (see also FIG. 8). Seam 46 also serves to secure fabric
pieces 43 to one another at ends thereof opposite seam 44. As shown
in FIG. 2 the hooks 45 are attached to end 41 so that same project
away from the hook-and-loop side of strap part 30. It will be appreciated
that tape sections 32 and 33 may be attached to one another via
other methods, and loop 37 and hooks 45 may be attached to the respective
tape sections 32 and 33 via other methods, provided that these methods
do not cause discomfort to the user.
The ring part 31 of adaptor 26 is embodied by a generally D-shaped
ring 50 which in the illustrated embodiment includes a pair generally
vertical and elongate legs 51 and 51A which are horizontally spaced-apart
from one another and are interconnected by a pair of shorter legs
52 which extend transversely between the respective legs 51 and
51A to provide ring part 31 with a generally rectangular shape with
rounded corners. For the comfort of the user, ring part 31 may be
constructed of smooth and lightweight plastic, such as nylon, and
may also have a generally circular or otherwise rounded cross-sectional
configuration free of sharp corners or jagged edges.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 part 31 is provided with a fastener
member 53 which is embodied by an elongate and generally cylindrical
tube 54 of fabric, such as twill, which substantially snugly surrounds
leg 51. In the illustrated embodiment, tube 54 is constructed of
a piece of fabric 55 which is wrapped around or folded over leg
51 and the terminal edges of fabric piece 55 are then attached to
one another by a seam 56 formed by stitching, for example. An additional
piece of fabric 57 is then attached to and superimposed over one
folded side of fabric piece 55 via seam 56 and a seam 58 and a
pair of eyelets 59 are sandwiched between the fabric pieces 55 and
57 and secured thereat via seam 58 which secures eyelets 59 to tube
54.
In use, with reference to FIGS. 1-3 the adaptor 26 is attached
to bra 12 between free ends 20 and 21 of the respective straps 16
and 17. More specifically, the strap part 30 of adaptor 26 is assembled
onto bra strap 16 by inserting hooks 45 of strap part 30 into the
respective eyelets 23 of bra strap 16 so that the fastener areas
32A and 33A strap part 30 face outwardly and away from the body
of the wearer. The ring part 31 is then assembled to bra strap 17
by inserting hooks 22 of bra strap 17 into the respective eyelets
59 of fastener member 53. The free end 36 and loop 37 of strap part
30 are then inserted through the ring 50 (i.e. between legs 51 and
51A) and around leg 51A, and tape section 32 is then folded over
along an imaginary line generally parallel to seam 34. Fastener
area 32A of section 32 is pressed onto fastening area 33A of tape
section 33 to engage the opposed hook and loop sections with one
another. When removal of the bra 12 is desired, the wearer simply
grips loop 37 with a finger or fingers and pulls to disengage tape
section 32 from tape section 33 and allow tape section 32 to pass
through ring 50 to detach bra straps 16 and 17 from one another.
The adaptor 26 once assembled onto a bra 12 can remain assembled
or connected thereto until removal is necessary or desirable. Thus,
once the adaptor 26 is installed on a bra, the wearer can put on
and take off the bra without the need to manipulate the tiny hooks
and eyes.
The length of the adaptor 26 can be adjusted by adjusting the overlap
of tape sections 32 and 33 accordingly, provided that enough surface
area of fastener areas 32A and 33A remain in contact with one another
to ensure a secure fastening. Further, it will be appreciated that
the adaptor 26 if desirable, can be utilized to add several inches
to the overall length of bra 12 as same extends around the torso
by installing the fastener member 42 onto the pair of eyelets 23
located closest to the terminal end of strap 16 (i.e. as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3). Otherwise, the fastener member 42 can be installed
on other pairs of eyelets 23 located further away from the terminal
end of strap 16 (FIG. 2) as appropriate.
For the comfort of the user, it may be desirable to cover at least
the rear side of tape section 33 which would normally contact the
wearer's skin (i.e. opposite fastener area 33A) with a soft material
such as twill or flannel, for example.
It will be appreciated that tube 54 may instead be formed of a
single layer of fabric which is wrapped around leg 51 and the opposite
terminal edges of which can then be sewn together with eyelets 59
sandwiched therebetween. It will also be appreciated that strap
part 30 may alternatively be constructed from a single elongate
piece of soft and flexible woven material, and that a separate hook
patch and a separate loop patch may then be attached to this woven
material in locations corresponding to tape sections 32 and 33.
It will be understood that the loop or handle 37 is optional since
the wearer can instead grasp the free end 36 of strap part 30 and
pull to open the adaptor 26. For example, stroke victims often have
usage of one hand and thus may be capable of such a grasping motion.
However, loop 37 is particularly useful for persons having limited
finger dexterity as is often the case with arthritis victims. As
an alternative to loop 37 tape section 32 may be provided with
a flap or tab at terminal end 36 thereof to provide a gripping handle
for the wearer to utilize when putting on or removing the bra.
The adaptor 26 according to the invention may be utilized with
most bras of a conventional configuration, and is illustrated herein
in use with a bra 12 having a pair of hooks 22 fixed to the right
strap 17 (with reference to FIG. 1) and a pair of eyelets 23 fixed
to the left strap 16. However, the adaptor 26 may also be used with
a bra having a reverse configuration, that is, wherein hooks are
provided on the left strap 16 and the eyelets are provided on the
right strap 17 simply by inverting the adaptor from the position
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (i.e. by rotating the adaptor 180.degree.
in a plane parallel to the drawing plane so that the loop 37 would
be located to the right and the ring 50 on the left). In addition,
the vertical spacing between the respective hooks 45 and eyelets
59 of adaptor 26 should be approximately equal to the spacing between
the corresponding eyelets 23 and hooks 22 of straps 16 and 17. In
this regard, since the vertical spacing of the respective hooks
and eyelets on many conventional bras is uniform, the adaptor 26
can be retrofitted on to most conventional rear-closing bras.
It will be understood that the overall length of strap part 30
and thus adapter 26 may be varied, as well as the width thereof
as defined between longitudinal edges 35. As an example, however,
the length of strap part 30 as measured between end 36 and fastener
member 42 may be approximately 4 to 4 and 1/2 inches, and the width
as measured between longitudinal edges 35 may be approximately 1
and 1/2 inches. The length of each tape section 32 and 33 may be
approximately 2 inches, and loop 37 may be approximately 3 and 1/3
inches in length and approximately 1/8 inch in thickness.
An additional embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.
9 and 10 which embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIGS.
1-8. Therefore, the same or similar components are depicted with
the same reference numerals, plus a prime. Reference numbers 13'
and 14' represent cups similar to cups 13 and 14; reference number
15' represents a hinge area similar to hinge area 15;
and reference numbers 24' and 25' represent straps similar to shoulder
straps 24 and 25. The embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 is essentially
identical to the previous embodiment, except that the closure element
26' does not include the fastener members 42 and 53. Instead, the
closure element 26' forms the sole rear closure of the bra 12'.
More specifically, the free end 20' of bra strap 16' is directly
attached to the end of strap part 30' adjacent fastener area 33A',
for example via a seam 60. Further, the ring part 50' is attached
directly to the free end 21' of strap 17', for example by inserting
end 21' through ring part 50' and then folding end 21' over upon
itself to form a loop which encloses the leg 51' of ring part 50'.
The free end 21' can then be fixed in this loop configuration via
a seam 61. It will be appreciated that other methods of attaching
closure element 26' to straps 16' and 17' may be utilized. Thus,
the closure element 26' of FIGS. 9 and 10 is an integral component
of the bra 12'.
In use, the wearer simply inserts the free end 36' through ring
part 50' and folds tape section 32' over so that the fastener area
thereof (not shown in FIGS. 9 and 16) opposes fastener area 33A'.
The wearer then presses the tape sections 32' and 33' together to
attach the respective fastener areas together. Opening of closure
element 26' is achieved by pulling loop 37' (if provided) or alternatively
the free end 36' of strap part 30' to detach the fastening areas
from one another.
The embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 thus imparts an even greater feeling
of independence to the wearer, since there is no need to manipulate
any hook-and-eye type arrangement.
The closure element 26' can be utilized to adjust the fit or tightness
of straps 16' and 17' around the torso by adjusting the overlap
of the fastener areas, provided that enough surface area of the
fastener areas remain in contact with one another to prevent disengagement.
In addition, the bra 12' depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 can be conventionally
sized, taking into account the amount of adjustment which closure
element 26' is capable
of providing, so that the purchaser can choose the appropriate
size.
Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has
been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized
that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including
the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present
invention.
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