Abstrict The invention comprises an improved mastectomy bra specifically
adapted for a female having a single mastectomy. The bra comprises
a left and a right bra element, each being an independent and separate
article. Each of the left and right bra elements comprises a bra
cup and a chest band secured to the bra cup for encircling the chest
of the female. A bra clasp is diposed in at least one of the chest
bands enabling one of the bra elements to be completely removed
to expose the breast of the female while simultaneously enabling
the other of the bra elements to remain in place to cover the prosthesis
of the female.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A bra specifically adapted for a female having a single breast,
comprising in combination:
a left bra element comprising:
a left bra cup specifically designed for receiving the left breast
of the female or a prosthesis,
a left chest band secured to said left bra cup for encircling the
chest of the female,
a left shoulder strap secured between said left bra cup and said
left chest band for extending across the left shoulder of the female
for supporting said left bra cup,
a right bra element comprising;
a right bra cup specifically designed for receiving the right breast
of the female or a prosthesis,
a right chest band secured to said right bra cup for encircling
the chest of the female,
a right shoulder strap secured between said right bra cup and said
right chest band for extending across the right shoulder of the
female for supporting said right bra cup,
a bra clasp disposed in at least one of said left and said right
chest bands for removably securing one of said left and said right
chest bands about the chest of the female;
said left bra element being independent of said right bra element
enabling one of said left or right bra cups to be removed to expose
the breast of the female while simultaneously enabling the other
of said left or right bra cups to remain in place to cover the prosthesis
of the female; and
each of said left and right chest bands being a thin elastic material
whereby the plural chest bands extending about the back of the female
appear as a single conventional chest band.
2. A bra as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bra clasp is disposed
in the front portion of said chest band.
3. A bra as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said left and
right chest bands is permanently secured to said left and right
bra cups respectively.
4. A bra as set forth in claim 1 including a left and a right
bra clasp disposed in the front portion of said left and right chest
bands respectively; and
said left and right bra clasps being disposed immediately adjacent
one another when said left and right bra elements are in proper
position.
5. A bra for a female having the absence of a single breast, comprising
in combination:
a left bra element comprising a left bra cup;
a left chest band made of an elastic material and secured to the
underside of said left bra cup;
a left shoulder strap integral with and extending between said
left bra cup and said left chest band for supporting the left breast
of the female or a prosthesis;
a right bra element comprising a right bra cup;
a right chest band made of an elastic material and secured to the
underside of said right bra cup;
a right shoulder strap integral with and extending between said
right bra cup and said right chest band for supporting the right
breast of the female or a prosthesis;
the left bra element being a separate article from the right bra
element enabling either of said left or right bra elements to be
removed while simultaneously enabling the other of said left and
right bra elements to remain in place; and
a bra clasp being disposed in only one of said left and right chest
bands with the other of said left and right chest bands being void
of a bra clasp enabling speedy removal of the clasp to remove only
the bra element containing the breast of the female.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to wearing apparel and more particularly,
to a bra specifically adapted for a female with only one breast.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Statistics of the American Cancer Society reveal that an alarming
number of mastectomy operations are performed in this country every
year. Presently, there are several different types of mastectomy
operations. In general, one of the female's breasts and possibly
substantial adjacent tissue is removed in order to insure the complete
removal of all malignant cells from the female. Accordingly, the
woman is left with a single breast remaining after the mastectomy
operation. Although various types of plastic surgery is now available
to mastectomy patients, the overwhelming majority of mastectomy
patients adopt the use of a prosthesis which is worn in place of
the removed breast.
A substantial amount of psychological and emotional discomfort
is encountered by a woman subsequent to a mastectomy operation.
This emotional discomfort is most severe when the female engages
in sexual activity. In general, the female wears a conventional
brassiere with the prosthesis in place of the removed breast. At
the time of sexual encounter, the female has several alternatives,
each of which is unsatisfactory for both the female and her partner.
The first alternative is to leave the bra on during the sexual activity.
This alternative is unsatisfactory for obvious reasons. The second
alternative is to partially remove the bra to expose only the remaining
breast. This is unsatisfactory since the female and her partner
are encumbered by the presence of the brassiere. The third alternative
is to remove the bra and the prosthesis, thereby exposing an unsightly
scar and a flat chest. In all of the alternatives, the psychological
and emotional discomfort is exaggerated and, in general, destroys
the mood and attitude of both parties.
Therefore it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus
which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art
devices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution
to the advancement of the wearing apparel art.
Another object of this invention is to provide a bra specifically
adapted for a female having a single breast comprising a left and
a right bra element each being an independent and separate article
wherein one of the bra elements can be completely removed to expose
the breast of the female while simultaneously enabling the other
of the bra elements to remain in place over the prosthesis of the
female.
Another object of this invention is to provide a bra specifically
adapted for a female having a single breast comprising left and
right independent bra elements, each of which may be independently
removed and wherein each of the left and right bra elements may
be fashioned in the latest fashion and style of conventional bras.
Another object of this invention is to provide a bra specifically
adapted for a female having a single breast wherein each of the
left and right bra elements is an independent and separate article
for forming a composite bra which looks and appears as a conventional
two-cup bra.
Another object of this invention is to provide a bra specifically
adapted for a female having a single breast which will aid in the
emotional and psychological well-being of both the female and her
partner during sexual activity.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of
the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative
of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended
invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying
the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention
within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and
a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring
to the summary of the invention and the detailed description describing
the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention
defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is defined by the appended claims with a specific
embodiment shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing
the invention, the invention may be incorporated into a bra for
a female having a single breast. The bra comprises a left and a
right bra element with each element being an independent and separate
article. Each of the left and right bra elements comprises a bra
cup and a chest band secured to the bra cup for encircling the chest
of the female. A bra clasp is disposed in at least one of the chest
bands enabling only one of the bra elements to be removed to expose
the breast of the female while simultaneously enabling the other
of the bra elements to remain in place to cover the prosthesis of
the female.
In a more specific embodiment of the invention, the left bra element
comprises a left chest band made of an elastic material and secured
to the underside of the left bra cup. The left shoulder strap is
integral with and extends from the left bra cup to the left chest
band for supporting the left breast of the female or the prosthesis.
In a similar manner, the right chest band is made of an elastic
material and is secured to the underside of the right bra cup. The
right shoulder strap is integral with and extends between the right
bra cup and the right chest band for supporting the right breast
of the female or the prosthesis. It should be appreciated that in
this embodiment, the bra is in the form of a strap-type of a bra,
whereas in the broad concept of the invention, the bra may be either
a strap or a strapless type bra.
The bra clasp is preferably disposed in the front portion of the
chest band. Each of the right and left chest bands is preferably
made of a thin elastic material whereby the plural chest band extend
about the back of the female and appear as a single conventional
chest band. The left and the right shoulder straps are preferably
adjustable in length to accommodate for the size of the female.
In one specific embodiment of the invention, both the left and right
chest bands incorporate a left and a right bra clasp respectively.
Each of the left and right bra clasps are disposed in the front
portion of the left and right chest bands. Accordingly, the left
and right bra clasps are disposed immediately adjacent one another
when the left and right bra elements are in proper position. It
should be appreciated that the invention may appear with a single
bra clasp with the other bra element having an unsevered, completely
elastic chest band for securing the prosthesis therein.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and
important features of the present invention in order that the detailed
description of the invention that follows may be better understood
so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated.
Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter
which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and
the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis
for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the
same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized
by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do
not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth
in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,
reference should be had to the following detailed description taken
in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a female wearing an improved
mastectomy bra;
FIG. 2 is a rear view of a female wearing the improved mastectomy
bra;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing a left and a right bra element
of the mastectomy bra shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the right bra element shown
in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a elevational view of a second embodiment of a left and
a right bra element; and
FIG. 6 is a third embodiment of a left and a right bra element
in accordance with this invention.
Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout
the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DISCUSSION
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first embodiment of an improved bra 8 specifically
designed for a female 10 having a single breast remaining after
a mastectomy operation. The bra 8 comprises a left bra element 11
and a right bra element 12 shown as independent and separate articles
in FIG. 3. The left bra element 11 comprises a left chest band 14
preferably made of a thin, completely elastic material. The left
chest band 14 is permanently secured to the bottom edge of a left
bra cup 16 preferably having a decorative lace trim 18 or the like.
A left shoulder strap 20 is permanently secured to the upper edge
of the left bra cup 16 and is likewise permanently secured to the
chest band 14 as shown. An adjustable tab 22 is provided for adjusting
the length of the left shoulder strap 20 in accordance with the
size of the female. In this embodiment, a left clasp 23 is shown
disposed in the front portion of the left chest band 14.
In a similar manner, a right chest band 24 is permanently secured
to the bottom edge of a right bra cup 26 preferably having decorative
lace trim 28 and the like. A right shoulder strap 30 extends from
the upper edge of the right bra cup 26 to be permanently secured
to the right chest band 24. An adjustment tab 32 is similarly disposed
in the right shoulder strap 30 for adjusting for the size of the
female. FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevational view of the right
bra element 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The left and right bra elements
11 and 12 are identical in all other respects.
FIG. 1 illustrates the bra 8 disposed on the female 10 with both
the left and right bra elements 11 and 12 in place. The left and
right clasps 23 and 33 are disposed in front portion of the respective
left and right chest bands 14 and 24 and immediately adjacent one
another. One of the bra cups 16 and 26 supports the breast of the
female whereas the other of the bra cups 16 and 26 supports the
prosthesis. Removal of one of the clasps 23 and 33 enables one
of the right and left bra elements 11 and 12 to be completely removed
exposing the breast while the other of the right and left bra elements
11 and 12 remains in place to maintain the prosthesis in the proper
position. It should be appreciated that the remaining chest band
is of a narrow elastic nature which will not interfere with the
exposed breast.
It should also be appreciated that the bra as disclosed is of a
delicate nature and is distinguished from a partially removable
cup of a nursing bra or the like. Nursing bras are specifically
designed to expose only a nipple of the female while providing support
for the breast. Such a bra is completely unsuitable for the intent
and purpose of the instant invention. It is a specific intention
of the instant invention to provide a bra which overcomes the psychological
and emotional difficulties encountered by a female after a mastectomy
operation. The instant invention has been found to be extremely
valuable for this intended purpose and use.
FIG. 5 illustrates a modification of the invention shown in FIGS.
1-4 with similar structural elements being labeled with similar
reference numerals followed by an A. In this embodiment, the left
and right bra elements 11A and 12A are specifically designed for
the left bra element 11A to support the prosthesis and for the right
bra element 12A to support the breast of the female. In this embodiment,
the left chest band 14A is made of an endless elastic material void
of any clasps or connecting devices. The shoulder strap 20A contains
an adjustment 22A in a manner similar to FIG. 3. The right chest
band 24A contains a clasp 33A for easy removal. In this embodiment,
the left bra element 11A cannot be easily removed due to an absence
of a clasp. Accordingly, the single clasp 33A insures that the proper
bra element is removed to expose the breast of the female. It should
also be appreciated that the shoulder strap adjustment 22A and 32A
shown in FIGS. 1-5 may be eliminated by the use of an elastic material.
An optional interbra clasp 34 comprises a hook 36 secured to the
right bra cup 12A and a loop 38 secured to the left bra cup 11A.
The interbra clasp 34 aids in the positioning of the left and right
bra cups 11A and 12A relative to one another. It should be understood
that the interbra clasp 34 is optional and may be utilized on any
of the embodiments dislosed herein.
FIG. 6 illustrates still a further embodiment of the invention
with similar structural elements being labeled with similar reference
numerals followed by a B. In this embodiment, the left and right
bra elements 11B and 12B comprise strapless chest bands 14B and
24B. The left chest band 14B comprises a left clasp 23B which is
disposed in the rear portion of the chest band 14B. The right bra
element 12B comprises a right clasp 33B disposed in the front portion
of the right chest band 24B. Accordingly, the spacing of the left
and right clasps 23B and 33B, insures the proper removal of one
of the left and right bra elements. It should also be appreciated
that the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 6 are adapatable for
a female having a left or right mastectomy operation. The embodiment
shown in FIG. 5 is specifically designed for a female having a left
mastectomy operation.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5 the clasps were preferably
shown in the front portion of the chest bands. In many cases, a
mastectomy female encounters difficulty in clasping a bra having
a clasp disposed in the rear portion of the chest band. Other females
encounter little or no difficulty in fastening a rear clasp bra.
Accordingly, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6 find various applications
for the community.
The foregoing has disclosed a bra specifically adapted for a female
having a single breast. It should be appreciated that the bra was
specifically designed to aid in exposing the natural breast of the
female during sexual activity for reducing the psychological or
emotional difficulties encounted by the use of a conventional bra.
It should also be appreciated that the entire intent and purpose,
structure and function of this invention is entirely distinct from
the well known nursing bras having a removable cup element.
The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended
claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this
invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain
degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure
of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that
numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination
and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
Now that the invention has been described:
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