FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to bras and undergarments. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for women who travel and to store small valuable items. The definition of bras in the specification is broad and encompasses all forms of corsetry and support clothing used to support a woman's breasts including tops with integrated support bras. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bras or brassieres with concealed pockets and compartments are well known. US20110244758, US2012/0276812 and US8597072 disclose bras with pockets in the cup sections of the bra. These pockets are concealed on the inside of the bra and open at the top. The disclosures in US2013/0303052, US2013/0288569, and US2014/0051331 disclose bras with top-opening pockets on the side or wings of the garment. In the disclosure of US20090209173 there is a bra having multiple concealed pockets including one on the inside of a cup section, one on the bra strap and one between the two cup sections.

The disclosed bras with their concealed pockets and compartments have limited capacity in the type of items they can hold and can only hold small items such as a credit card and keys. Furthermore the placement of items in the concealed pockets and compartments can make the bra very uncomfortable for the wearer. The placed items in the pockets and compartments can be difficult to retrieve and return while wearing clothing over the bra.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative bra that can hold valuable items and overcome at least in part one or more of the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was developed by the inventor who took a different approach to storing items in a bra and considered making the bra comfortable for the wearer when the bra stored items. The invention was also developed with the view of discretely holding items by using the natural contours of the woman's body and avoid unsightly bulges in the bra when items are stored therein.

In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra with one or more retractable storage pockets extendable from the bra, wherein in use the one or more retractable storage pockets extend from a lower portion of the bra.

In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra with one or more retractable storage pockets extendable from one or both cup sections or chest band of the bra, wherein in use the one or more retractable storage pockets extend from a lower portion of the one or both cup sections or chest band of the bra.

In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra with one or more retractable storage pockets extendable from one or both cup sections of the bra, wherein in use the one or more retractable storage pockets extend from a lower portion of the one or both cup sections of the bra.

Preferably there is one pocket on one or both cup sections of the bra.

Preferably the one or more pockets can be furled or folded to or beneath the lower portion of the cup sections or within the cup sections when not used.

The one or more pockets preferably open at the top.

The one or more pockets are preferably shaped and positioned to locate against the body to provide discrete storage without causing the clothing to bulge and indicate the presence of the stored item.

The one or more pockets is preferably of any suitable size. More preferably the one or more pockets are large enough to hold a passport or the like.

Preferably the one or more pockets are made of stretchable fabric and more preferably elastic containing fabric.

In one form the bra is adjustable so that the wearer can adjust the comfort of the bra depending on the wearer's activity and the number and type of items stored in the one or more pockets.

More preferably the bra is adjustable while the wearer is wearing the bra. Preferably the bra is adjustable with an adjustment means at the front of the bra. The bra preferably has an adjustment mechanism to loosen or tighten the chest band or portion of the bra around a wearer's body during use. More preferably the adjustment mechanism is positioned so that a wearer can loosen or tighten the chest strap or portion of the bra without removing the bra. The bra can be any type of bra such as a sports bra, T shirt bra, racerback bra, underwire bra, bra with spaghetti type straps, seamless bra, French knit bra, strapless bra, backless bra, push up bra, full cup bra, demi-cup bra, shelf bra and padded bra.

The bra can optionally include one or more additional pockets. Preferably the one or more additional pockets are selected from one or more side pockets, one or more pockets in the bra straps, one or more pockets in the one or both cup sections, and one or more pockets in a portion between the cup sections. The bra can include any combination of additional pockets selected from those mentioned above.

The side pocket is preferably located on one or more of the wings of the bra.

Preferably the side pocket is opened from the side. More preferably the side pocket is partially closed near the top of the opening. The partial closure is preferably formed by one or more stitches. The side pocket can preferably hold a credit card, hotel room key card or key.

Preferably the one or more pockets in the one or more bra straps is top opening and can hold small items such as rings and the like.

The one or more pockets between the cup sections is preferably a single top- opening pocket. More preferably the single top-opening pocket does not overlap the cup sections. The single top opening pocket is suitable for storing jewelry such as rings and lipstick and the like.

The bra can preferably have one or more top-opening pockets internal of one or both cup sections.

Different combinations of described features even when not expressly stated are herein described and claimed.

The one or more retractable storage pocket as described in the first aspect allows the wearer to readily unfurl or unfold the pocket and use the pocket for storing items such as a passport which need to be stored securely. The pocket is a drop down pocket. The drop down pocket preferably allows the wearer to discreetly and comfortably secure her passport or other valuables in a way that is inaccessible to a thief. It preferably allows the wearer to keep her valuables close to her person and so prevent accidental loss of a valuable item. It preferably hides valuable items and the wearer will not be separated from her valuables. The retractable storage pocket is preferably designed to allow the user to fold or roll up the storage pocket and conceal the storage pocket under the chest strap and/or the cup portion of the bra when the storage pocket is not needed for storage.

In a preferred embodiment, the bra comprises a first portion adapted to extend from a left cup portion and a right cup portion and around the back of the wearer, a second portion adapted to be positioned over the wearer's shoulder; and a retractable storage pocket extendable downwardly relative to the first panel and a side pocket on each side of the bra.

In one preferred embodiment the bra has a small compartment in the shoulder strap for storing rings; a retractable pocket attached to the chest band or cup section for storing a passport; a side pocket forming a sleeve in the side of the band wherein the side pocket is for holding a credit card and hotel room key card, and a removable slip pouch inside the one or both cups for comfortably and discreetly storing money.

The bra is adjustable at the front and/or side so the wearer can loosen off the bra band when seated while travelling without having to remove the bra or reach around to the back.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of one preferred embodiment of the bra of the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of an outside back section of the bra of figure

1 ;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of an inside front section of the bra of figure

1 ;

Figure 4 is a stretched-out diagrammatic view of the outside of a second preferred embodiment of the bra of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a stretched-out diagrammatic view of the inside of the bra of figure 4;

Figure 6 is a stretched-out diagrammatic view of the outside of a third preferred embodiment of the bra of the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a stretched-out diagrammatic view of the outside of a fourth preferred embodiment of the bra of the present invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the figures there are shown a number of different preferred embodiments. With reference to figures 1 to 3, there is shown a bra 10 comprising cup sections 11 , shoulder straps 12 and chest strap 13. The shoulder straps 12 join at the back to form a racer-back strap 15. Between the cup sections 1 1 , there is a V section 16. The bra 10 is made of any suitable material including cotton, stretchable material, mesh material and or combinations thereof. Preferably the racer-back strap 15 is of mesh material and the V section 16 is of stretchable elastic material. The bra 10 has a drop down retractable pocket 20 made of stretchable material. The drop down retractable pocket 20 is attached to the chest strap 13 below a cup section 1 1 . In another embodiment there are two drop down retractable pockets each of which are extended from the chest strap 13 and below respective cup sections 1 1 . The drop down retractable pocket 20 has a top opening 21 through which items can be placed. The drop down retractable pocket 20 is preferably made of stretchable material in order to prevent large items from moving. The drop down retractable pocket 20 can be made of any suitable size. The drop down retractable pocket 20 in a preferred embodiment is able to securely hold a passport. The position of the drop down retractable pocket 20 attached to the chest strap 13 is such that the drop down retractable pocket 20 follows the contours of the body when items such as a passport are securely stored therein. With the drop down

retractable pocket 20 in an extended position where it follows the contours of the body, there is minimal bulging or indication in the outer clothing of the presence of the passport or other stored item. When not in use the drop down retractable pocket 20 can be furled or folded to the chest strap 13 or inside the cup section 1 1 .

The bra 10 has a top-opening pocket 25 in the shoulder strap 12. The top- opening pocket 25 is adjacent the cup section 1 1. In another embodiment there is a top-opening pocket 25 in both shoulder straps 12. The top-opening pocket 25 is suitable for securely storing smaller items such as rings and other jewelry.

The bra 10 also has a side-opening pocket 27 along one of the sides or wings of the bra 10. The side opening pocket 27 is suitable for securely storing elongate items such as credit cards, key cards and keys. The side opening pocket 27 is shown in figure 2. The side opening pocket 27 has an opening 28 with a closure 29 in a top section 30 of the opening 28 so that if the card or item moves upwards during normal activities it will be prevented from accidently falling-out of the opening 28 by the closure 29. In another embodiment there is a side opening pocket 27 on both sides or wings of the bra 10.

With reference to figure 3, there is shown a top-opening V shaped pocket 35 with an opening 36. The top-opening V shaped pocket 35 is positioned between the 2 cup sections 1 1 and the opening 36 is internally accessible. The top-opening V shaped pocket 35 can securely store jewelry and or elongated items such as lipstick. In figure 3 there is also shown internal cup section pocket 39 in both cup sections 1 1 . The internal cup section pockets have an opening 40 near the top of the cup section 11 . The opening 40 is internally accessible. The cup section pockets 39 are suitable for securely storing thin and/or soft items such as bank notes and important papers. In a preferred embodiment there is a pocket formed between the inner and outer surfaces of the one or more cups for storing money. In another preferred

embodiment the internal cup section pockets are one or more removable slip pouches.

With reference to figures 4 and 5 there is shown a sports type bra 50 made of stretchable material. The sports type bra 50 has a drop down retractable pocket 51. The drop down retractable pocket 51 is similar in structure and function to the drop down retractable pocket 20 in figure 1 . The drop down retractable pocket 51 is internally attached to the chest strap 52 as shown in figure 5. There is also shown a top-opening V shaped pocket 54 positioned between the cup sections 55. The top- opening V shaped pocket 54 is similar in structure and function to the top-opening V shaped pocket 35 shown in figure 3. The top-opening V shaped pocket 54 is internally accessible.

With reference to figure 6, there is shown a third embodiment of the bra being a bra 60 with spaghetti type back straps 61 . The bra 60 has a drop down retractable pocket 63 which is attached to the inside of the chest strap 64. The bra 60 also has a side opening side pocket 66. The side opening side pocket 66 has a closure 67 at the top of the opening 68 to prevent accidental loss of the stored cards and like.

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment with bra 70 having two cup sections 71 and two drop down retractable pockets 72 attached to the inside of the chest strap 73 and extending downwards from respective cup section 71 .

The invention of having one or more drop down retractable pockets and optionally additional pockets in the shoulder strap V section or wing or side sections or in the cup sections can be applied to or used with different types of bras and is not limited to one particular type of bra.

The bra of the invention can also include an adjustable mechanism so that it can be loosened when the wearer is sitting down or tightened when the wearer is walking and moving around. The adjustable mechanism can be any suitable form of mechanism known in the industry such as an adjustable hook and loop system or clip system between the cup sections that allow the release and attachment of the cup sections or increase and decrease of the space between the cup sections.

Alternatively, there can be a form of a tightening dial or similar device to increase or decrease the spacing between the cup sections.

ADVANTAGES

The advantages of the preferred embodiment of the bra include providing a safe and secure retractable pocket for the storing of a passport (and other large items) while not visibly revealing the presence of the passport under the clothes. The preferred embodiment also provides the advantage of optional pockets in the bra shoulder strap for hiding rings, a side opening sleeve for a credit card or hotel room key card in the side band and a pocket formed between the inner and outer surfaces of the one or more cups for storing money. The bra of the preferred embodiment also has an adjustment mechanism at the front and/or side so the wearer can loosen off the bra band when seated while travelling without having to remove the bra or reach around to the back.

The advantage of the preferred embodiment of the bra is that the wearer can discreetly and comfortably store valuables such as credit card, hotel room key card, cash, a passport and/or small jewelry in the bra while it is worn while she is travelling on foot, on planes, on trains, in cars and buses. Furthermore the wearer can discreetly adjust the bra band while seated without having to remove the bra or reach to the back of the bra to adjust the tightness. As well the overall appearance of the bra is not affected by the storage pockets and adjustment mechanism.

VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word

"comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.