Background of the Invention

This invention relates to a brassiere strap fastener. This invention also relate to a method for using the fastener. It is well known that brassiere straps and overlying garments such as blouses frequently shift to one side or another relative to one another during normal use, thus revealing one or

both brassiere straps. A shifting of the overlying article of clothing is especially pronounced when the garment has a wide or plunging neckline and is made of a low-friction material such

as silk. A brassiere strap can also fall down along the upper arm or towards the neck,

depending on motions and postures of the wearer. In any event, the wearer is frequently

required to reorient the garment or to shift the brassiere strap laterally back under the garment.

This can be inconvenient, or even embarrassing, particularly when the wearer is involved in

conversation with one or more acquaintances. Objects of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a device for maintaining brassiere straps hidden beneath overlying garments.

A related object of the present invention is to provide a device for maintaining brassiere

straps in place on the user's shoulders.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device which is removable

and thus utilizable with different brassieres and different blouses, shirts or dresses.

A related object of the present invention is to provide such a device which is

convenient and easy to use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a device which is

inexpensive.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for preventing brassiere

straps and an overlying garment from slipping relative to one another, thereby maintaining the

brassiere straps hidden from view. Summary

A clothing accessory device comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a

body part, a first fastener on the body part for coupling the body part to a strap of a brassiere,

and a second fastener on the body part for coupling the body part to an article of clothing

overlying the brassiere during use thereof.

Preferably, the second fastener includes a spring loaded mechanism or component for

engaging and fixing the article of clothing relative to the body of the clothing accessory device.

This spring loaded mechanism generally includes a pair of opposed jaws biased towards one

another by a spring. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the jaws are slidably or

translatably coupled and biased towards one another by a compression spring. One of the jaws

is fixed to the body part of the clothing accessory device and the other jaw is provided on an

ancillary member slidably coupled to the body part, the compression spring being disposed

between the ancillary member and the body part.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, the jaws are pivotably attached to the

body part, and the spring is a torsion spring.

Whether the jaws pivot or translate relative to the body part, it is advantageous if the

jaws engage one another in a plane oriented substantially perpendicularly to the brassiere strap

when the brassiere strap is coupled to the body part via the first fastener This enables the jaws

to grasp an inwardly extending fabric edge along a shoulder seam of the garment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the spring loaded mechanism is a fork

with resilient prongs. The fork is pivotably attached to the body part to enable alternate

locking and release of the fork to the body part. In an unlocked or released configuration, the fork is used to pierce the fabric of the overlying article of clothing. The fork, and more specifically the tips of the prongs thereof, is then locked to the body part to substantially fix the

clothing accessory device to the article of clothing. In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the first fastener, for

attaching the brassiere strap to the accessory device, includes a slot provided on the body part.

Alternatively, the first fastener includes a band having at least one end removably attached to

the body part.

A clothing method comprises, in accordance with the present invention, providing a

brassiere, a woman's garment, and a coupling device; attaching the coupling device to a strap of the brassiere; securing the coupling device to the garment along an inner side thereof; and applying the brassiere and the garment to a person, the coupling device connecting the brassiere strap to the garment so that the brassiere strap remains hidden under the garment at

all times.

Where the coupling device includes a spring loaded component, the securing of the

coupling device to the garment includes operating the spring loaded component to releasably

catch the garment.

Where the spring loaded component includes a pair of opposed jaws biased towards

one another by a spring, the operating of the spring loaded component including exerting a force against a bias of the spring to separate the jaws from one another. In that case, the

securing of the coupling device to the garment further includes inserting a part of the garment

between the open jaws and closing the jaws on the inserted garment part.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, during use of the coupling device, the jaws engage the garment in a plane oriented substantially perpendicularly to the

brassiere strap. This is particularly useful where the garment part is an inwardly extending

edge section of the garment fabric disposed along a shoulder seam of the garment.

In the case that the jaws are located on parts of the coupling device which are slidably or translatably connected to one another, the operating of the spring loaded component

includes linearly shifting the jaws relative to one another in opposition to a spring force.

Where the spring loaded component includes a fork with resilient prongs, the securing

of the coupling device to the garment includes a step of piercing the garment with the prongs.

More specifically, where the fork is pivotably attached to the body part, the securing of the

coupling device to the garment includes pivoting the fork from a latched position to an opened

or released position. Then the garment is pierced with the prongs, and subsequently the fork is

pivoted back from the opened position to the latched position.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, the attaching of the coupling

device to the brassiere strap includes inserting the brassiere strap into a slot on the coupling device. In accordance with an alternative feature of the invention, the attaching of the

coupling device to the brassiere strap includes passing a band about the brassiere strap and

fastening the band to the coupling device.

A device in accordance with the present invention serves to maintain brassiere straps

hidden beneath overlying garments. A woman using the device need no longer worry about

whether her brassiere straps are showing. There is no longer any need to continually readjust

the relative location of a brassiere strap and an overlying garment.

A device in accordance with the instant invention is removable and thus utilizable with

different brassieres and different blouses, shirts or dresses. The device is inexpensive,

convenient and easy to use. Brief Description of the Drawing

Fig 1 is a top plan view of a brassiere clip or strap fastener in accordance with the

present invention

Fig 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig 1

Fig 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig 1

Fig 4 is a top plan view of a first body part of the brassiere clip or strap fastener of

Figs 1-3

Fig 5 is a side elevational view of the body part of Fig 4, viewed from the bottom in

Fig 4

Fig 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line NI-NI in Fig 4

Fig 7 is a front elevational view of the body part of Fig 4, viewed from the left in Fig

4

Fig 8 is a rear elevational view of the body part of Fig 4, viewed from the right in Fig 4

Fig 9 is a top plan view of a second body part of the brassiere clip or strap fastener of Figs 1-3

Fig 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in Fig 9.

Fig 1 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Figs 9 and 10

Fig 12 is a cross-section view taken along line XII-XII in Fig 9

Fig 13 is a front elevational view of the body part of Fig 9, taken from the left in that

figure

Fig 14 is a top plan view of another brassiere clip or strap fastener in accordance with

the present invention

Fig 15 is a side elevational view of the brassiere clip or strap fastener of Fig 14, taken

from the right side in Fig 14

Fig 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-X VI in Fig 14

Fig 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in Fig 14

Fig 18 is a rear elevational view of the brassiere clip or strap fastener of Fig 14, taken

from the bottom in Fig 14

Fig 19 is a front elevational view of the brassiere clip or strap fastener of Fig 14, taken

from the top in Fig 14

Fig 20 is a top plan view of a further brassiere clip or strap fastener in accordance with

the present invention

Fig 21 is a side elevational view of the brassiere clip or strap fastener of Fig 20, taken

from the right side in Fig 20

Fig 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX in Fig 20

Fig 23 is a side elevational view of the brassiere clip or strap fastener of Fig 20, taken

from the bottom in Fig 20

Fig 24 is a bottom elevational view of the brassiere clip or strap fastener of Fig 20

Fig 25 is a top plan view of a yet another brassiere clip or strap fastener in accordance

with the present invention

Fig 26 is a side elevational view of the brassiere clip or strap fastener of Fig 25, taken

from the right side in Fig 25

Fig 27 is a front elevational view of the brassiere clip or strap fastener of Fig 25, taken

from the bottom in Fig 25

Fig 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII in Fig 25

Fig 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIX-XXIX in Fig 25

Fig 30 is a schematic perspective view, partially broken away, of a person with

clothing utilizing a brassiere clip or strap fastener in accordance with the present invention

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

As illustrated in Figs. 1-13, a brassiere fastener or coupling device 10 for securing a

strap 12 (Fig. 30) of a brassiere 14 to an overlying garment such as a blouse 16 (Fig. 30) comprises a first body part 18 (Figs. 1-8) and a second body part 20 (Figs. 1-3 and 9-13)

slidably coupled to one another. As best seen in Figs. 4-8, first body part 18 includes a plate

22 with an integral head 24 provided with a row of serrations or teeth 26 collectively defining a

jaw 28. Jaw 28 cooperates with another jaw 30 provided on body part 20 (see Figs. 9-11) to

catch or clasp an inwardly projecting fabric edge along a shoulder seam 32 (Fig. 30). Parts 18 and 20 of brassiere fastener or coupling device 10 are biased towards one another by a helical

compression spring 34 (Figs. 1 and 2). At one end, spring 34 is seated in a recess 36 formed in body part 18. At an opposite end, spring 34 is press fitted about a lug or peg 38 provided on a push block 40 at one end of body part 20. Spring serves in part to hold body parts 18 and 20

to one another.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 7 and 8, body part 18 is provided along a lower face with a base

plate 42 which defines a slot 44 for receiving brassiere strap 12. Generally, strap 12 is inserted into clot 44 sideways through an elongate mouth 45 (Figs. 3, 7, 8) thereof. To have device 10

grasp seam 32 of blouse 16, a user generally holds the brassiere accessory device between a

thumb and a forefinger (not shown) with one digit resting against push block 40 of body part 20 and the other digit effectively engaging a push block 46 provided on the other body part 18. Pressing push blocks 40 and 46 towards one another compresses spring 34 and separates jaws 28 and 30 from one another. The inwardly extending material along shoulder seam 32 is then

inserted between the separated jaws 28 and 30, whereupon the compressive pressure exerted on spring 34 via push blocks 40 and 46 is released and the jaws are closed.

As shown in Fig. 9 and 1 1, jaw 30 includes a row of serrations or teeth 48 disposed on

a cross-piece 50 connected at opposite ends to a pair of parallel rails or bars 52 and 54 of body part 20 Cross-piece 50 is provided with a recess 56 (Fig 1 1 ) which receives push block 46

during a compression of spring 34 Push block 40 is connected to rails 52 and 54 via a pair of flange members 58 and 60

As shown in Fig. 2, jaw 28 is spaced from plate 22 and jaw 30 is spaced from rails 52,

54, thereby defining a space 62 for receiving material of blouse 16, such as seam overlap

material

As illustrated in Figs 14-19, another brassiere strap coupling device 64 comprises first

and second body parts 66 and 68 slidably coupled to one another Each body part 66 and 68 is

provided with a respective serrated or toothed jaw 70 and 72 which cooperates with the other

to clamp or clasp a piece of fabric material along seam 32 (Fig 3) Parts 66 and 68, and

accordingly jaws 70 and 72, are biased towards one another by a helical compression spring 74 having one end disposed in a recess 76 in body part 66 and an opposite end pressed against an

inwardly facing surface 78 of body part 68 Body part 66 is formed with a pair of keys or ribs

80 and 82 (Fig 17) which are slidably seated in respective grooves 84 and 86 on body part 68

Body part 66 has a push block 88 which can pass into a recess or tunnel 90 (Fig 16) on

body part 68 during a compressing of spring 74 Body parts 66 and 68 define a space 92 (Fig

16) for receiving fabric material inserted between jaws 70 and 72 upon an opening or

separation thereof

For purposes of attaching the coupling device 64 to a brassiere strap 12 (Fig 30),

device 64 is provided with a resilient or stretchable band 94 attached at one end to body part

68 via a handle 96 (Figs 14 and 15) and attachable at an opposite end to body part 68 with the

assistance of a stop 98 At that opposite end, band 94 is insertable into a slot 100 formed by

an arm 102 on body part 68 Stop 98, acting together with the resiliency of band 94, prevents

the band 94 from sliding through slot 100. As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, body part 68 may be provided with slots 104 and 106 through which band 94 may be passed to accommodate larger

brassiere straps.

Brassiere strap coupling device 64 operates essentially the same as device 10. Fabric

material along shoulder seam 32 of blouse 16 is clamped between jaws 70 and 72 in a plane oriented substantially perpendicularly to a line defined by brassiere strap 12 upon a capturing thereof by band 94. A thumb and a forefinger are generally used to linearly shift body parts 66 and 68 in opposition to a biasing force exerted by compression spring 74. It is to be noted that band 94 may be used with device 10, while base plate 42 and slot 44 of device 10 may be used

in device 64 instead of band 94.

As depicted in Figs. 20-24, another brassiere strap coupling device 108 comprises a

body part or frame 110 to which a pair of C-shaped jaws 112 and 114 are pivotably attached

for partial rotation about a pivot pin or axle 116. Jaws 112 and 114 are spring biased toward a closure configuration by a helical torsion spring schematically represented at 118 in Fig. 23. Frame 110 is provided along a lower side with a pair of L-shaped flanges 120 and 122 which define a slot 124 for receiving a brassiere strap 126. To attach an overlying garment

128 to strap 126, jaws 112 and 114 are spread apart, in opposition to an angular restoring

force exerted by spring 118, until pairs of notches 130 and 132 (Figs. 22 and 23) in side walls (not designated) of clamping jaws 112 and 114 receive, in a snap-lock fit, respective beads

134a, 134b and 136a, 136b formed on an inwardly facing surface 138 of body part 110. At

that juncture, a fabric overlap 142 along a shoulder seam 144 of garment 128 is inserted

between the separated jaws 112 and 1 14. The jaws 112 and 114 are then closed by pressing

them towards one another to break the snap-lock fit of beads 138 and 140 in notches 130 and

132.

Again, during use of device 108, fabric overlap 142 along a shoulder seam 144 of garment 128 is clamped between jaws 1 12 and 1 14 in a plane oriented substantially

perpendicularly to a line defined by brassiere strap 126.

As shown in Figs. 25-29, an additional brassiere strap coupling device 146 includes a

body part 148 provided along a lower side with a slot 150 for receiving a brassiere strap 12

(Fig. 30). A fabric capture member in the form of a fork 152 is attached to body part 148 via a

pivot pin 154, whereby fork 152 is rotatable about an axis 156 Fork 152 has three resilient

prongs 158 with tips 160 which, in a locked configuration of device 146, are inserted into a slot 162 on body part 148. To attach a piece of fabric from an overlying garment 16 (see Fig.

30), fork 152 is turned about axis 156 to remove prong tips 160 from slot 162. Prongs 158 are

then inserted through overlying fabric material, whereupon fork 152 is twisted in an opposite

direction about axis 156 to reinsert prong tips 160 into slot 162.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and

applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional

embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of

the claimed invention. For example, rotary power transmission may extend along a path from

circular spline, over flexible spline 26 and force-transmitting assembly 30 to bowl 12.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by

way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to

limit the scope thereof.