US2607038A - Brassiere - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 19, 1952 L, SPARE 2,607,038

BRAssIERE Filed Nov. 27, 1948 s sheets-sheet 1 Aug. 19, 1952 L. SPARE 2,607,038

BRASSIERE Filed Nov. 27, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 19, 1952 L. SPARE 2,607,038

' BRASSIERE Filed Nov. 27, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patentecl Aug. 19, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE-' BRASSIERE Lola Spare, Pasadena, Calif.

Application November 27, 1948, Serial No. 62,312

8 Claims. 1 ,s

This invention relates to brassires or bust supports and particularly to improvements in brassires of the type disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,067,354, issued January 12, 1937.

Brassires of the type shown anddescribed in my patent, referred to above, are especially suitable for use in supporting the breasts of well` developed or heavy-breasted women. Such brassires comprise a pair of connected breast pockets or cups provided at their outer edges with strips which, when the brassire is applied to use, extend around the back of the wearer and are releasably connected to retain the brassire in place encircling the wearer. Shoulder straps connected between each breast pocket and the outer or rearward endvof itsl strip sustain the brassire to prevent it from slipping down. In addition, connecting straps extend from the lower portion of each breast pocket or cup to the correspondingly opposite shoulder strap, the connecting straps being so arranged thatl the weight, or at least a portion of the weight, of each breast is eifectively supported from andby the opposite shoulder, means being provided for adjusting the effective lengths of the connecting straps so as to provide a comfortable t and guard against release of the breasts from the pockets. It is also sometimes practiced in the art to connect each 'of such connecting straps to the shoulder strap lof the same breast pocket, instead of to that of the other breast pocket as disclosed in my above patent, but this alternative practice is not as desirable and does not provide the measure of comfort or support provided by the construction of my above patent. Y

- In brassires of the character discussed above, each of the breast pockets or cups is usually made from two or more pieces of cloth or other material havingtheir edges suitably joined, as by stitching, so as to form a cup of substantially pY-' ramidal shape. Each of the connecting straps, mentioned above, comprises a substantially triangular piece of the cloth material and its wider or base portion is sewed to the breast pocket along a substantially vertical line extending from the apex of the pocket to the lower edge thereof. This line of stitching may form a continuation or part of a seam extending from the upper edge, through the apex, to the lower edge of the pocket and serving to join the parts of the pocket together. It will be apparent that by this means of assembling the several parts, a more or less bulky and unsightly seam is produced which tends to produce discomfort. Moreover, the provision of the connecting strap as a separate element complicates the fabrication because it is necessary to insert and hold the end of the connecting strap between the adjoining edges of the parts ofthe breast pocket during the sewing operation. Unless the connecting strap is disposed at the proper angle, with respect to the vertical seam of the pocket or cup, the material of the pocket or that of the strap. itself is apt to pucker or become folded, thus producing discomfort and impairing the supporting or uplifting action for which the brassire is designed.

It is a primary object of this invention to obviate the disadvantages of previous brassires or breast supports, referred to above, by providing a brassire in which the breast pockets or cups are each composed of two pieces of cloth, or other material, the adjoining edges of which are adapted to be stitched to produce a vertical seam and a pocket of the usual pyramidal shape to conform to the breasts of the wearer. A related object is to provide a brassire of the character referred to in which each component of the pocket has an integral, relatively narrow supporting strap, the edges of the supporting straps of each component ybeing stitched together during the joining of the components so asto produce a supporting strap of double thickness. By this im# proved construction, a strong andv durable supporting strap is provided and, since the number of parts is reduced, the fabrication of the bras# sire is greatly simplified and expedited.

vAlthough it is usual in the art to provide brassires with the supporting straps encircling the outside cfa lower portion of the breast-supporting pocket, I have discovered that straps with my present novel construction may optionally be disposed within the pocket, emerging therefrom through suitable slits or openings, and this is a further object of the invention. This feature, for some weavers, substantially improves the bustsupporting characteristics of the brassire, and in most cases improves the appearance of the brassire when in use by a wearer.

As pointed out above, such conventional bras# sires are made up of a number of pieces of fabric sewn together by seams, and such seams are unsightly, as Well as uncomfortable to the wearer. It is a further object of this invention to provide an alternative embodiment of the invention in which such seams are largely dispensed with, thus providing increased comfort, better fit, better appearance, and greatly reduced cost of manufacture. I have discovered that the pocket and supporting strap for such a brassire may be cut from a single piece of fabric, which greatly reduces the expense of manufacture, and this is anothel` object of the invention.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the drawings, which are intended for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the front of a preferred form of the present invention, showing it applied to a manikin or gure;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the two components of one of the breast pocket elements or cups employed in the brassire of Fig. l, illustrating the manner in which they are stitched together;

Fig. 3 isa front View of the assembled components of Fig. 2, showing them opened out or expanded to provide a breast pocket of substantially conical shape.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but of an alternative form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a View showing a step in the forming of the pocket from the elements of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view taken from the direction of the arrow of Fig. 5, showing the cup expanded;

Figs. 7 and 8 show an alternative method of manufacture of the pocket shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a view of a single piece of fabric cut so as to form another embodiment of the pocket ofthe invention; and

Fig. l is a View of the pocket of Fig. 9 assembled.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the brassire shown in Fig. 1 is of the same general type as the brassire disclosed in my patent, referred to previously, and therefore will not be described in great detail. The brassire 5 includes a pair of connected pocket elements E and 'i -which are of generally conical shape to adapt them to enclose the breasts of the Woman wearer. Joined to the remote ends of the pocket elements 6 and 'i are tapered strips 8 and 9 which are adapted to extendaround the sides and to-substantially meet at the back of the wearer, the ends of these strips having interengageable fastening means (not herein shown) for retaining the brassire in place surrounding the body. Shoulder straps I and H have their ends respectively connected ltc the upper edges of the pocket elements-6 and 'I and the ends of the strips 8 and 9, and `thus serve to support the brassire from the shouldersvof the wearer. In

the present brassire, as in -rny patented brassire, means are connected between the lower mid-portion of each cup or pocket elements 6 and l andthe shoulder straps I8 and il, such means serving to eifectively support amajor portion of the weight of each breast. This means will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

In the present improved brassire, each of the pocket elements 6 and comprises an inner component i5 and an outer component i6 which, when joined in a manner to be later explained, provide concavo-convex pockets ofA` pyramidal shape. The pocket elements 6 and l are similar construction except that they are of opposite hand, that is, the pocket element 6 provides a support for the left breast while the other element 'I provides a support for the right breast. The left-hand breast supporting pocket element 6 is shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 3, by way of example.

The inner component l5 of the pocket element 6 consists of a sheet of cloth or other flexible material and is substantially pentagonal in shape, having converging upper edges Vi and i8, slightly converging side edges i9 and 20 and a bottom edge 2i. Extending laterally from the edge 28 of the element l5 is a substantially triangular strip 22, the longitudinal edges of which converge in a direction away from the edge 20.

The outer component i6 of the breast pocket element 6 is also of substantially pentagonal shape, but is of somewhat larger area than the component l5. The component I6 has converging upper edges 25 and 2S, slightly converging side edges 2 and 28 and a bottom edge 29. This componentalso has a strip'l projecting laterally from the edge 28 and of a size and shape corresponding to the strip 22.

The components i5 and I6, which may be cut to any desired size, depending upon the size of the bust to which the brassire is to be applied, are preferably joined in the manner next explained. The component i6 is placed upon a dat surface and the other component I5 is superimposed thereon so that the upper edges I8 and 26, the sideredges 20, 23 and the strips 22, 30 align as shown in Fig. 2. The components l5 and I6 are then` joined by a sewing operation, the aligned edges of the sides and strips being first folded and'then stitched along these edges, as indicated at 30'. The seam thus produced at these edges may be of either the plain or French type having a single or a double row of stitches. In addition, one or more rows of stitches 3l extend transversely of the strips 22 and 30 at their base portions, these stitches providing, in effect. a continuation of the side edges 22 and 28. The edges il, I9, 2i, 25, 2 and 29 of the components i5 andy I8 may behemmed in any suitable manner such, for example, as disclosed in my patent, referred -to before.

It will be observed, by reference to Fig. 3, that after the two components I5 and l5 have been joined in the manner explained above, and then opened out, they cooperate to provide the breast pocket element 6. The intersection of the sea-med upper and side edges ofthe components provides the apex 32 of a rounded cone which, when the brassire is applied to use, overlies the apex of the breast. The strips 22 .and 30 together provide a double thickness support strap, indicated by the reference character 33, which may be folded down toward the pocket element 6 as shown in Fig. 3. The forward orfront end of the strip 8 is sewed to the edge 2'! of the component S and the forward end of the shoulder strap Il) is likewise secured to the upper pointed end of the component as shown.

Y The pocket elements 5 and 6 are substantially alike except that one is made right-hand while the other is made left-hand. They right and lefthand pocket elements 5 and E are joined by placing their side edges i9 together and sewing them in-either a plain or French seam, indicated at 34 in Fig. 1.

As indicated previously, the sup-porting strap 33 of each pocket element 5 or 6 is adapted to be attached preferably to the shoulder strap I8 or H which is joined to the opposite pocket element so that the supporting straps cross each other, as shown in Fig. 1. By this arrangement, each breast is supported to a large extent by the shoulder strap disposed remote therefrom, the result being that each breast is drawn inwardly and upwardly with what is termed an uplif action. yThis extent of this uplift effect can be adjusted by means to be next described.

Each supporting strap 33 is provided with a narrow extension 35 in the form of a tape. Which has an end sewed to the rearward side of the strap. 1 Each'ta'p'e 35V looped and its free end is-adjustably'heldin' a 'buckle A36 attached to the forward side'of th strap' 33.` The loop 35 carries fa hookl elementl31-which is adapted to pass through an opening in a c'onnecting'element 38 carriediby'the' shoulder strap'to whichthe particularsupportingv strap is to be attached. By -adfju'sting the'length of the tape loops 35, the

supporting strapsA can be readily tightened or loosened atthe willof the wearer so as to provide a comfortable nt-.and adequate support while y'preve'ntingi'injury tothe breasts. It will be apparent'that otherfwell-known types ofconnecti'ng or fastening devices vmight be substituted for v'the'. elements 35, 31 and 38 and consequently the invention is" not to be limited in this respect. It is also vto be'noted that instead ofthe ends 35 of the straps 33 being connected to the shoulder straps of the opposite pocket elements, they may be connectedtd their own pocket element if desired. Thus, the supporting strap 33 of the pocket element 1 can be connectedto the buckle v36 of the pocket lelement 1, and, similarly, the

supporting strap of the pocket element 6 can be connected -to the buckle of thepocket element 6. In such alternative assembly, it may be desirable to form the supporting strap 33 of each pocket element so as to be slightly curved upwardly,1 as seen in Fig. 2, more closely conform to the contour of the pocket element when it is cupped as shown in Fig. 3.

"'It will'be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides an improved brassire'or bust support'which is particularly adapted for use in supporting the breasts of Well developed' or heavy-breasted women. The present brassirediifers from brassires of conventional type in that it is provided with supporting straps` which, by their construction and arrangenient-, v serve as a means for supporting each breast fromthe opposite shoulder of thel wearer. As a particular feature of improvement, each supporting strap is formed integral with one of v the breast pocket elements so that the usual operation of joining the supporting straps to their breast pocket elements is dispensed with and the making of the brassire is greatly simplified and expedited with the result that its cost is substantially reduced.

Referring to the alternative embodiment shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, I show a pocket element 40 which, as will be seen from Fig. 2, is substantially identical with the pocket element 6. The pocket element 4D Yis provided with a component 4|, similar to the component l5, which has a slit 43 therein, and is provided with a supporting strap 44, similar to the supporting strap 33. In fabrication, the outer end 0f the supporting strap 44 is slipped through the slit 43, and the entire pocket element 40 is then turned inside out to the shape illustrated in Fig. 5, and is then cup-shaped to the form shown in Fig. 6. This turns the stitching 45, which is Similar to the stitching 30', to the inside of the pocket element, leaving a smooth seam on the outside, which substantially improves the appearance. Also, this reversal of the pocket element 40 turns the supporting strap 44 to the inside of the pocket element which further improves the appearance, and, in some cases, provides additional support to the wearer.

An alternative method of fabrication is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, in whicha pocket element 41, substantially the same as the pocket element 40, is provided, and stitched at 48. 'Ihe stitching is not carried across the-base of the supporting strap 49, as in the preceding embodiment, so as -to leave the separate tabs 50k and 5l thereof loose, as 'shown in Fig. '7. The tabs -50 and 5I are then drawn back upon themselves within the halves of. thepocket element 41, the tabs are stitched together and the stitching'is carried across the base thereof as indicated at 52, and the outer end of the supporting strap 49 is'slipped through the slit E53-'as shown in Fig.- 8. In'thisV manner 'ofi-fabrication, obviously, the stitching 48zwill been the outside ofthe pocket element 41, forming a seam thereon; ybut the supporting strap 49 will be within the pocket element and only the end extending therefrom through the-slit 53. This is merely a variation in the preceding form. Figs.. 9 and 10 show a still furthermethod of fabrication of the pocket element ofthe invention. In this embodimena'the pocket element is cutl'irom asinglelat piece 55, of fabric, inthe formfi shown in Fig. 9, the cutting providinga generally semicircular top portion 56- and a generally rectangular bottom-portionr 51, a n0tch- 58 being provided so as-tovform a supporting strap` 53 and a generally radial edge 60 along the-top of the notch. The inner end of the edge 60, shown at 6I., is substantially at the center of the semicircular top portion 56. 'I'he top portion l55 is also cutso as to provide substantially straight edge portions 52 and63. Y l. v

In forming vthe pocket in the alternative shown Yin Figs9 and` 10 theend.- of the radial edge 60 is drawn down tof approximately the position shown by the ydotted line 64 and on suchline stitched to the bottom portion 51 ofthe piece 55, so asto form a conical pocket of the piece' 55, but leaving the supporting strapv 59 loosely extending therefrom. The base of thesl'lDDQI't-i ing' strap obviously. .li es alongltheline ifand extends fromthe apex of thegenerallyconical pocket to its base. The edges of ther supporting strap 59 may, if desired, be suitably hemmed. As shown in Fig.` 10, the edge portion 62 forms a point of connection for the strap encircling the body of the wearer, and the edge portion 63 forms a point of connection to a matching pocket to be connected thereto. This embodiment of the invention, obviously, is extremely simple and economical to fabricate, requiring only a single stitching along the line 54, and, in addition, avoids any stitching whatsoever along the upper portion of the pocket member, which adds comfort to the wearer. y.

Although, I have shown and described a preferred and several alternative embodiments of the invention and the methods of fabrication thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Consequently, I do not wish to be limited to the specic forms or methods of fabrication illustrated and described, but. desire to be aiorded the full scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A bust support comprising: a pair of interconnected breast pocket elements, each consisting of a pair of components connected together to form the breast pocket to pyramidal shape; a strip connected to the outer edge of each of said pocket elements to pass around the body of a wearer and tobe connected together at the back thereof; and shoulder straps attached to said pocket elements and'to said strips, each of said components of a breast pocket element having an integral strip projecting laterally and upwardly fromthe lower portion of the vertical median line of the breast pocket element, the two integral strips Aof each breast pocket element being secured together in juxtaposition so as Vto provide together a supporting strap of double thickness, the supporting strap of each pocket element having a free end adapted for connection near the place of attachment of the shoulderstrap of the other pocket element to said last named element so that said' supporting straps cross :each other and each transmits a portion of the weight of each one of the breasts to the shoulder strap attached to the pocket element for the other breast, the inner end. of each strap being reinforced by at least one transverse line of stitching.

` 2. A bust support as defined in claim 1 in which each of said components is pentagonally shaped.

3. A bust support comprising: a pair of interconnected breast pocket elements, each having two 'portions of fabric joined by a seam extending downward from the central region of the pocket elements; a pair of strips connected to the outer side edges of said pocket elements respectivelyto pass around the body of the wearer for interconnection to draw said pocket elements inward -to the body; shoulder straps attached to said pocket elements and said strips; and a supporting strap for each of said pockets connected thereto in the region of said seam, said supporting strap being integral with at least one of said portions cf fabric, each of said supporting straps having' a free end adapted for connection near the place of attachment of the shoulder strap of the other pocket element to said last named element so that said supporting straps extend lat- `eraIly and upward across each other and each transmits a portion of the weight of the correspending breast to the shoulder strap attached to the pocket element for the other breast.

' V4. A bust support as deined in claim 1 in which each of said breast pocket'elements consists of a pair of substantially pentagonally shaped components having certain of their edges connected to provide a breast pocket of pyramidal shape. i

5. A bust support as deiined in claim 1 in which each of said supporting straps from a breast pocket element has two layers of fabric integral respectively with said two portions of the pocket.

6; A bust support as dened in claim 3 in which eachof said supporting straps extends through a slit in the pocket its supports.

'LA bust support as defined in claim 6 in which the majorv portion of each of said supporting straps lies on the inner face of the pocket element it supports and extends through said slit.

8. A bust support as defined in claim 3 in which said two portions of each pocket element are ntegral with each other above said seam of the pocket.

LOLA SPARE.

'REFERENCES CITED Ther following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France Dec. 11,1943

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