Abstrict A bra for use, particularly, during participation in sports is
provided. The bra has no cups formed in the material, and seams
are otherwise avoided. The bra is, essentially, formed as one continuous
knitted piece with a two way stretch and the rear of the bra has
a height almost the same as that of the front of the bra to provide
added support.
Claims We claim:
1. A sports brassiere comprising:
a. a continuous front panel;
b. a continuous rear panel which is a continuation of said front
panel, said rear panel having a height of at least 60% of the height
of the front panel;
c. shoulder straps connecting said front panel and said rear panel,
said shoulder straps being a continuation of the material of said
front and rear panels; and
d. an elastic band attached to the bottom of said front and rear
panels and extending continuously around said brassiere.
2. The sports brassiere of claim 1 wherein the fabric of construction
of said front panel, said rear panel, and said shoulder straps is
a two way stretch fabric having a side to side stretch mode.
3. The sports brassiere of claim 1 wherein the height of the rear
panel is at least 75% of the height of the front panel.
4. The sports brassiere of claim 1 wherein the continuous elastic
band attached to the bottom of the front and rear panels is covered
by the same fabric from which the front and rear panels are constructed.
5. The sports brassiere of claim 1 wherein a continuous elastic
band surrounds each arm opening.
6. The sports brassiere of claim 5 wherein said elastic band is
covered by the same fabric as the material from which the brassiere
is formed.
7. The sports brassiere of claim 1 wherein the neck opening of
said brassiere is completely edged by a continuous elastic band.
8. The sports brassiere of claim 7 wherein said elastic band is
covered by the same fabric as the fabric from which said front and
rear panels are formed.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As women compete more in sporting events, or participate more in
the leisure time activity of jogging, the construction of brassieres
to be used during such times has become increasingly important.
Most of the brassieres of the prior art are provided with shaped
cups to form and shape the breasts. While this may be desirable
from a standpoint of appearance, this does not provide the best
type of support when engaged in sporting activities. Further, because
of the hardware and/or seams required in the brassiere to create
the cups and form, as the breasts move during exercise, chafing
is experienced with such a brassiere, making it extremely uncomfortable
for use during the referenced leisure time activities. More recently,
as the problems of the brassieres of the prior art in sporting activities
have become recognized, some brassieres have been made without cups
which act, generally, to bind the breasts against the body during
sporting activities. Even these, however, as illustrated by U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4174717 and 4311150. Schreiber et al., have certain
disadvantages. In particular, they are formed with side panels which
not only provide for an additional area of stitching, which provides
for an additional area of chafing and irritation, but also preclude
the full effect of the brassiere in binding the breasts against
the body.
The present invention is directed to a brassiere construction,
particularly for use in sporting activities, which provides firm
support for the breasts and avoids the irritation and chafing experienced
with the brassiere constructions of the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a brassiere, particularly
a brassiere for use during sporting activities is constructed having
no seams to irritate the breasts during the sporting activity. A
continuous construction is provided from front to back, in the absence
of seams, and the brassiere is constructed, generally, of a two
way stretch fabric which acts to press the breasts against the body
in order to prevent movement which might provide chafing, irritation,
or other discomfort. Because of the two way stretch of the fabric,
as opposed to a four way stretch which might otherwise be employed,
and which is employed in some sports brassieres, better support
and better binding of the breasts is accomplished.
Because of the problems which might be encountered if the brassiere
were formed with cup shaped members, such members are avoided in
the construction of the present brassiere, and, as indicated, it
is formed as a continuous band. Additional support is provided through
constructing the rear of the brassiere with a height almost that
of the front, generally at least 60% of the height of the front.
Further, a strong elastic band, without seams, is run continuously
around the bottom of the brassiere to provide additional binding
and support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is an environmental view showing a brassiere in accordance
with the present invention in place:
FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1: and
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the brassiere, from the rear.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the accompanying drawings, a wearer 1 of the brassiere
in accordance with the present invention 2 is shown in FIG. 1. As
can be seen, the brassiere has a continuous, uninterrupted front
panel 3 to which is attached, continuously, shoulder straps 4 which,
in combination with the front panel, are edged by covered elastic
bands 5 and 6. Affixed to the lower portion of the front panel 3
is another continuous elastic band 10 which is surrounded by the
same fabric 11 as the material from which the bra is constructed.
As can be seen in FIG. 4 this elastic band 10 continues around
the rear of the brassiere, always surrounded by the fabric 11. The
continuous elastic band 10 aids in holding the brassiere in place
during the movement experienced during sporting activities and also
aids in providing support to the breast members.
As previously indicated, the material from which the main panel
3 of the brassiere is constructed is, generally, a two way stretch
fabric. The stretch is from side to side as illustrated by the arrows
A in FIG. 2. Because of this two way stretch, a force, as illustrated
by arrows B, is directed against the breasts to firmly hold them
against the body. The absence of a four way stretch, in combination
with the elastic band 10 prevents excessive upward and downward
movement of the breasts so as to avoid the fatigue and muscle strain
which might otherwise be experienced.
As may be clearly seen from FIGS. 1 2 and 3 the front panel
3 of the brassiere in accordance with the present invention has
no cup forming members. The front panel 3 provides a pocket for
the breasts, but the construction of the brassiere acts to bind
the breasts against the body, rather than molding or shaping them,
an action which would lead to increased irritation, chafing, and
strain. As particularly illustrated in FIG. 4 the rear panel 20
of the brassiere which is, essentially, a continuation of the front
panel 3 is almost the same height as the height of the front panel
3. Generally, the dimension C is at least 60% of dimension D. Preferably,
dimension C is at least 75% of dimension D. By making the rear panel
of the bra relatively large, particularly in comparison with the
rear panel or strap of the brassieres of the prior art, additional
support for the breasts is provided and the force indicated by arrows
B can be aimed more directly against the body to aid in binding
the breasts, and preventing upward and downward movement of the
breasts during sporting activities. Since the rear panel 20 of the
brassiere is, essentially, a continuation of front panel 3 it is,
obviously, formed of the safe two way stretch material and provides
the same advantages as previously set forth.
The elastic bands 5 which surround the arm opening, and 6 which
surrounds the neck opening, further aid in holding the brassiere
against the body. As indicated, they are essentially continuous
bands and are also covered with the fabric from which the brassiere
is formed to again aid in the prevention of irritation and chafing.
As indicated throughout this application, the construction of the
sporting brassiere of the present invention is one which provides
for binding of the breasts against the body during sporting activities,
and, in addition, provides support for the breasts while preventing,
insofar as possible, upward and downward movement of the breasts.
Additional strength, particularly when compared with brassieres
of the prior art, is provided by an increased height in the rear
panel of the bra which provides for truer direction of forces and
additional support. The brassiere is formed, essentially, as a continuous
knitted piece in order to avoid seams, and elastic members which
are provided for increased support and binding are covered with
the fabric of the brassiere as a further means of preventing irritation
and chafing.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described, the invention should be considered as limited only as
set forth in the appended claims. |