HK1140114B - Garment supporting apparatus for supporting breast covering garment - Google Patents

Description

Clothes supporting device for supporting chest covering clothes

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a combination of jewelry, clothing accessories, a brassiere, brassiere band replacement and a fastener which has the dual function of being both a permanent and decorative clothing accessory, which is typically attached to a chest covering garment or brassiere and acts as a connector between the brassiere and a second clothing accessory attached to the body of the wearer to hold the chest garment in a desired position.

Background

Brassieres are usually provided with fixed or detachable straps (strapless brassieres). These tapes generally have only a functional appearance. The "strapless" bra (1) shown in fig. 1 generally provides a loop (2) for attaching a strap, the loop (2) being located near the upper edge of the bra. Fig. 2 shows a hook typically used to attach a strap to a bra. Many women find it difficult to adapt to wearing strapless bras because such bras do not provide adequate support and, because most straps are not aesthetically pleasing, they find it impossible to wear some fashion clothing, i.e., strapless vests or strapless dresses, as a result.

In an attempt to make a bra strap more attractive, the bra strap may have a decorative cover affixed thereto or placed thereon, but these bra straps are generally unattractive and have a purely functional appearance and, when visible, detract from the overall aesthetics of the wearer. Transparent tapes made of rubberized plastic materials are prone to snap-off and provide little support.

Examples of the prior art:

WO2004010814 attempts to provide a solution by replacing the traditional belt with a decorative chain. These decorative chains have proven unsuitable and unsafe for women with large breasts, because they tend to stick to the skin.

GB 2419801 seeks to decorate existing belts by placing a decorative element in the belt, but this still presents the problem that a portion of the belt will be visible and at most the overlay increases the apparent size.

US 2003/0003844a1 is a very simple breast covering garment. The garment comprises a piece of fabric having a plurality of fabric loops or slits distributed around its edges and uses a large number of conventional connectors, i.e. hooks and eyes, snaps, etc., commonly used in garment manufacture. This type of design is decorative, without providing any chest support to the wearer.

JP 2006104610a provides various accessories that are attached to the bra itself and to the straps of the bra to decorate the straps. Which appears to make the original band portion visible.

JP 2004183146a provides a connector device by which two separate strips can be joined together to reveal a decorative item on the shoulder.

The inventions US 6086451a, US 6,715,186B1, EP1378184A, US2004/020240a1, and US2003/209034a1 relate to various decorated chains and/or transparent bands for replacing bra straps.

JP 2001003214a, the invention relates to a concealed connector for changing the angle of a brassiere band.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention completely replaces the traditional straps with a more attractive, safe and comfortable combination that supports the chest covering garment with a portion of material shaped as a narrow fascia or shoulder strap, which may be cotton, silk or any preferred material.

According to the present invention there is provided a connector having two fixed ends, the connector being fastened on one end to a chest covering garment and on the opposite end to a second garment accessory which replaces a brassiere band and holds the chest covering garment in a desired position on the body of the wearer. The connector may be unadorned or decorated with gems, crystals, diamonds, beads or any other decoration known in the art of synthetic jewelry/jewelry and accessories into a piece of synthetic or real jewelry.

The present invention provides a novel, attractive and comfortable alternative to conventional bra straps and overcomes the problems associated with the prior art.

The connector may be attached to the bra or may be detachable and re-attachable and/or interchangeable. Which is fastened to a brassiere or other breast-covering garment and is used in conjunction with a second garment accessory, which serves as a support element, typically in the form of a narrow decorative band, decorated or undecorated, that passes through the connector to hold the breast-covering garment securely and comfortably in the desired position and orientation on the wearer's body.

The fastener/connector to which the present invention relates is configured to include the following elements in its design:

1. fastening elements that are fastened to the chest covering garment by various methods that may include, but are not limited to, hooks, springs, snaps, hooks, sewing, Velcro (Velcro).

2. A support portion having an aperture to allow insertion of a portion of material, textile or other material, that will hold the chest garment and connector in place by being tied to the body of the wearer.

3. An optional decorative element.

It is envisaged that the article to which the invention relates may be constructed as a single piece, or it may be a combination comprising a series of parts joined together by a connecting link, in which case it is required that the various components of the ornamental connector are movable relative to one another to effect the following movements: pivoting, swiveling, rotating and/or interchanging of the various parts.

Drawings

FIG. 3 shows a decorative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the basic structure of the present invention;

FIG. 6 provides an illustration of a finer structure;

fig. 7, 8 and 9 show a one-piece connector;

FIG. 10 shows a connector;

FIG. 11 shows the basic structure of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT (S) OF INVENTION

Fig. 3 shows a decorative embodiment of the invention made of a metal alloy commonly used in the fashion jewelry industry, wherein: (10) is a hook with a horizontal bar that is inserted through a loop provided by a strapless bra; (8) is a decorative part, and is decorated by using colored enamel paint and crystal/jewel; (7) is a support part, also decorated, with the required openings (6), the openings (6) allowing the insertion of the support elements in the shape of the ribbon; and (9) display attachment links or hooks that can be moved for comfort and orientation.

As an alternative to the hook shown in fig. 3, the decorative connector may utilize a hook, such as the hook shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 5 shows a structure of the invention in which a decorative connector (14, 16) in the form of a ring is attached to a strapless bra (1), which connector is used in combination with a narrow band (13, 17) having an edge trim (12, 15) therein. One preferred method of attachment is described below:

individuals wearing strapless bras

a) Positioning the shoulder/fascia strap on the neck;

b) passing each end of the shoulder strap through a respective opening provided by the connector;

c) the two ends of the fascia are fastened together behind the neck to provide a strong and comfortable support.

Fig. 6 provides an illustration of a more elaborate structure, similar to the structure shown in fig. 3, wherein the decorative connector comprises more than one portion connected together.

Fig. 7, 8 and 9 show a one-piece connector having various openings for insertion of a support fascia.

Fig. 10 shows a connector with a perfume container with a screw-in top, a hole for inserting a fascia and a hook for attachment to chest clothing.

There is no restriction on the level of decoration and creativity associated with the novel accessory as its function is integrated with the field of jewelry design and for obvious reasons the description is limited to the preferred embodiment. The dimensions may vary and depend on fashion style, taste, style, economics, or other factors, but are preferably 5.08cm to 12.70cm (2 to 5 inches) long and preferably 2.54cm to 5.08cm (1 to 2 inches) wide. Can be made of a variety of materials, preferably materials that achieve safety and comfort, such as many of the alloy metals used in fashion jewelry, while it is desirable to use decorative gems or semi-gems and crystals, as well as magnetic materials and fragrance carriers for health benefits and medical uses.

Claims (8)

1. A garment support device for supporting a breast-covering garment (1), the garment support device comprising a decorative connector and a portion of material (13, 17), wherein the decorative connector is made of a variety of materials commonly known in the field of real jewelry and "apparel and fashion jewelry", without decoration or with decorative elements and parts, the connector comprising opposed fixed ends (5, 10), one of which fixed end (10) is adapted to be releasably attached to a clasp (2, 3) provided in an upper edge of the breast-covering garment, adjacent a cup of the breast-covering garment, and the opposed fixed end (5) provides an aperture (6) for releasably receiving the portion of material (13, 17) to retain the breast-covering garment (1) in a desired position on the body of a wearer, and wherein the decorative connector comprises a series of sections joined together by a connecting link (9), wherein the individual components of the decorative connector move relative to each other to allow the sections to rotate, pivot, swivel and/or interchange, characterized in that the connector dimensions are approximately from 2 inches (5.08cm) up to 5 inches (12.70cm) long and 1 inch (2.54cm) up to 2 inches (5.08cm) wide, and in that the portion of material is shaped as a shoulder towel (scarf) or shoulder strap, decorated or undecorated.

2. A garment support device for supporting a breast-covering garment (1), the garment support device comprising a decorative connector and a portion of material (13, 17), wherein the decorative connector is made of a variety of materials commonly known in the field of real jewelry and "apparel and fashion jewelry", without decoration or with decorative elements and parts, the connector comprising opposed fixed ends (5, 10), wherein one fixed end (10) is adapted to be releasably attached to a clasp (2, 3) provided in an upper edge of the breast-covering garment, adjacent to a cup of the breast-covering garment, and the opposed fixed end (5) defines one or more apertures (6) for releasably receiving the portion of material (13, 17) to retain the breast-covering garment (1) in a desired position on the body of a wearer, characterized in that a) the connector is a unitary piece; b) the connector dimensions are approximately from 2 inches (5.08cm) up to 5 inches (12.70cm) long and 1 inch (2.54cm) up to 2 inches (5.08cm) wide; and c) said portion of material is shaped as a shoulder pad or a shoulder strap, decorated or undecorated.

3. The garment support device as in claim 1 or 2, wherein the ornamental element of the connector comprises a crystal, a sequin, a bead, a precious or semiprecious stone.

4. The clothes support apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ornamental portion is decorated with colored enamel and crystal or stone.

5. A garment assembly comprising a garment support device as claimed in any preceding claim and a chest covering garment.

6. Use of a garment support device as in claim 1 or 2 in a breast-covering garment.

7. Use of a garment support device as claimed in claim 3 in a breast-covering garment.

8. Use of a garment support device as in claim 4 in a breast-covering garment.