Lingerie abstract
A lingerie strap cushioning device, for use by a woman having shoulders,
when wearing an article of lingerie having shoulder straps, comprising
an upper section and a lower section that are separated by a fold
line. The upper section and lower section are normally coplanar,
but are selectively foldable about the fold line to trap one of
the lingerie straps therebetween. The cushioning device has a bottom
curve which is symmetrical about the fold line. The cushioning device
also has a top curve which intersects the fold line at a point of
intersection, and is concave outward from the point of intersection
with the fold line. When the cushioning device is folded about the
fold line, the bottom curve overlaps the upper portion and lower
portion, but the upper portion defines an extension section in the
lower portion where the upper portion does not overlap the lower
portion.
Lingerie claims
What is claimed is:
1. A lingerie strap cushioning device, for use by a woman when
wearing lingerie having shoulder straps, comprising:
an upper portion;
a lower portion;
a fold line between the upper portion and lower portion;
the upper portion and lower portion are normally coplanar but are
selectively foldable with respect to each other to trap one of the
straps therebetween;
the upper portion and lower portion having a bottom curve and a
top curve, the bottom curve being symmetrical about the fold line
so that when the upper portion is folded with respect to the lower
portion along the fold line, the upper portion overlaps the lower
portion along the bottom curve; the top curve extends between the
upper portion and lower portion, intersecting the fold line at a
point of intersection, said top curve is concave outward at the
point of intersection.
2. The lingerie strap cushioning device as recited in claim 1
wherein the upper portion is folded to the lower portion, the top
curve forms an extension section on the lower portion which is a
section of the lower section that is not overlapped by the upper
portion.
3. The lingerie strap cushioning device as recited in claim 2
wherein the upper portion and lower portion each comprise fastening
device components which are selectively secured to each other when
the upper portion is folded to the lower portion, to selectively
secure the upper portion to the lower portion, and then to selectively
release the upper portion from the lower portion.
4. The lingerie strap cushioning device as recited in claim 3
wherein the fastening device components are hook and loop fastener
components.
Lingerie description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a lingerie strap cushioning device. More
particularly, the invention relates to a device which attaches around
the shoulder straps of a brassiere or the like, to increase the
weight distribution therefrom at the shoulders of the wearer, and
thus enhance the comfort thereof.
Conventional lingerie, most notably brassieres, have shoulder straps
which support the majority of the weight of a woman's breasts. For
full-figured women, this weight can be considerable. Commonly, many
of these woman suffer from back problems, and other health problems
due to this weight. Additionally, the straps themselves can cause
stress and pain. By their nature, the straps exert the entire weight
upon a very small surface area of the shoulders. Thus, through the
course of the day, the bra straps begin to cut into the shoulders.
In fact, once the bra is removed, a bruise-like impression left
by the bra straps might remain visible for several hours.
Several have proposed shoulder pad type bra strap pads. U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5201078 to Melton; 4945576 to Melton; 4795399 to Davis;
4575874 to Johnson; and 4612935 to Greifer, each disclose different
shoulder pads for supporting bra straps.
While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed,
or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes
of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to produce a lingerie strap cushion
which enhances the comfort of the lingerie strap by increasing the
weight distribution area upon the shoulders.
It is another object of the invention to produce a lingerie strap
cushion which works in conjunction with pre-existing lingerie. The
device secures to the lingerie strap, and provides a cushioning
effect beneath the strap.
It is a further object of the invention to produce a lingerie strap
cushion which conforms to the contours of the shoulder so that it
does not create a bulky protuberance at the shoulder.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a lingerie
strap which is simple in construction, so that it is inexpensive
to manufacture.
The invention is a lingerie strap cushioning device, for use by
a woman having shoulders, when wearing an article of lingerie having
shoulder straps, comprising an upper section and a lower section
that are separated by a fold line. The upper section and lower section
are normally coplanar, but are selectively foldable about the fold
line to trap one of the lingerie straps therebetween. The cushioning
device has a bottom curve which is symmetrical about the fold line.
The cushioning device also has a top curve which intersects the
fold line at a point of intersection, and is concave outward from
the point of intersection with the fold line. When the cushioning
device is folded about the fold line, the bottom curve overlaps
the upper portion and lower portion, but the upper portion defines
an extension section in the lower portion where the upper portion
does not overlap the lower portion.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention
may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are
illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of
the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals.
The drawings are briefly described as follows.
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view, illustrating a preferred
embodiment of the invention, both open and closed.
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view, illustrating another
embodiment of the invention, both open and closed.
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view, illustrating a further
embodiment of the invention, both open and closed.
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view, illustrating a preferred
embodiment of the invention, in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a lingerie cushion
10. The cushion 10 includes a lower portion 12 and an upper portion
14 which are separated by a fold line 16. The upper portion 14
and lower portion 12 are normally coplanar, but are selectively
foldable about the fold line 16. The lower portion 12 and upper
portion 14 each have a bottom curve 18 which is symmetrical about
the fold line 16 so that when the lower portion 12 is folded to
the upper portion 14 the bottom curves 18 correspond with each
other.
The lower portion and upper portion 14 have a top curve 19 which
intersects the fold line 16 at an intersection point 17. The top
curve 19 is concave outward from the point of intersection 17. Thus,
the lower portion 12 is folded to the upper portion 14 an extension
section 25 of the lingerie cushion 10 is formed, which is a portion
of the lower portion 12 which is not overlapped by the upper portion
14.
A fastening device, comprises fastening device components 23 which
are present on both the lower portion 12 and upper portion 14. When
the upper portion 14 is folded with respect to the lower portion
12 the fastening device selectively secures the upper portion 14
to the lower portion. The fastening device also selectively releases
the upper portion 14 from the lower portion 12 when sufficient force
is exerted thereupon to release the fastening device components
23 from each other. Preferably, the fastening device is a hook and
loop fastener, comprising hook and loop fastener components. Of
course, other fastening devices may be used, including snaps, adhesives,
buttons, and the like, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary
skill in the art.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate alternate embodiments of the lingerie
cushion 10 wherein the lower portion 12 and upper portion 14 are
fully symmetrical about the fold line 16. Further, in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 2 the lingerie cushion has rounded corners 31 to
enhance the comfort thereof. In addition, in the embodiment shown
in FIG. 3 the lingerie cushion has side curves 32 which are also
symmetrical about the fold line 16.
FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred embodiment in use. A woman 34
is wearing a brassiere 36. The woman 34 has shoulders 38. The brassiere
36 has a pair of straps 40. A pair of lingerie cushions 10 are in
use. One of the straps 40 extends through each of the lingerie cushions
10 such that the strap 40 extends along the fold line 16 rests
upon the lower cushion 12 and is partially covered by the upper
cushion 14. The extension section 25 continues over the shoulder
38 providing additional support and weight distribution area for
the strap 40. Thus, although the upper portion 14 helps trap the
strap within the cushion, the lower portion 12 cushions the strap
40. Therefore, in meeting these goals, according to the present
invention, the lower portion 12 is maximized, while the upper portion
14 is minimized.
In conclusion, herein is presented a lingerie strap cushioning
device which envelopes a lingerie shoulder strap, and increases
the weight distribution area upon the shoulder, to enhance the comfort
thereof.
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