DESCRIPTION ACCESSORY

The present invention relates to a combination of jewellery, clothing accessories, brassieres, brassiere strap replacements and fasteners, where a fastener doubles as a fixing and decorative garment accessory, which attaches typically to a breast-covering garment or brassiere and acts as a connector between said brassiere and a second clothing accessory, which attaches to body of wearer, to hold said breast garment in the desired position.

Typically brassieres come with fixed or detachable straps (strapless). These straps generally have a functional appearance only. FIG 1 a 'strapless' bra (1) generally provides loops (2) for the attachment of straps, positioned near the upper edge of the bra. FIG 2 shows a hook generally used to attach straps to bras. Many women find it difficult to get by with wearing a strapless bra, as it does not offer enough support and because most straps are unsightly they find there are fashionable items they cannot wear ie; strappy camisoles or strapless dresses.

Bra straps may have decorations fixed to them or decorative covers placed over them in an effort to make them more attractive, but generally they are unattractive and have purely a functional appearance and when visible lessen the overall aesthetical. ensemble of a wearer. Transparent straps made of a rubberised plastic material snap easily and offer minimal amount of support.

Examples of Prior Art:

WO2004010814 makes an attempt to a solution by replacing conventional straps with decorative chains. These have proved unsuitable and unsafe for women with large breast as they dig into the skin.

GB 2419801 seeks to decorate an existing strap by placing decorative elements in it, but this still leaves the problem that most of the strap is visible and at best the cover creates the appearance of bulk.

The present invention replaces the conventional strap altogether with a more attractive, safe and comfortable ensemble which makes use of a portion of material, shaped as a narrow scarf or sash, which may be cotton, silk or any preferred material, to support the breast-covering garment.

According to the present invention there is provided a connector with two fixing ends, which fastens to a breast-covering garment on one end and to a garment accessory on the opposite end, said garment accessory replaces the bra straps and holds said breast- covering garment in the desired position in the body of the wearer. Said connector may be plain or embellished as an item of costume or real jewellery, using stones, crystals, diamantes, beads or any decorations well known in the costume jewellery / jewellery and accessories sector.

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

Said connector may be attached to the bra or detachable and re-attachable and/or inter-changeable. It fastens to a bra or other breast-covering garment and is used in conjunction with a second garment accessory, which acts as a supporting element, generally in the form of a narrow scarf, decorated or plain, which threads through said connector to hold breast-covering garment securely and comfortably in the desired position and orientation in the body of the wearer.

The fastener / connector relating to this invention is constructed to incorporate the following in its design:

1- A fixing element, which fastens to the breast-covering garment by various methods, which may include but not exclusively, hooks, clasps, springs, snap hooks, sewing, Velcro.

2- A supporting section presenting an aperture to permit the insertion of a portion of material, textile or other, which will support the breast garment and connector in place by tying to body of wearer. In some embodiments this supporting section may be permanently attached to the connector.

3- An optional decorative element

It is envisaged that the item relating to this invention may be constructed as a solid piece or it may be an ensemble comprising of a series of sections joined together by connecting links in which case it is desired that the individual members of this decorative connector can move one relative to another to allow for movement ie: pivoting, swivelling, rotating and/or inter-changing of sections.

FIG 3 illustrates an ornamental embodiment of the invention, constructed in metal alloy as customarily used in the art of fashion jewellery , where: a) is a hook presenting a horizontal bar, which inserts through a loop provided by a strapless bra b) is the ornamental section, decorated with colour enamel and crystal / stones c) is the supporting section, also decorated, which presents the desired aperture (e) which permits the insertion of a supporting element in the shape of a scarf and d) illustrates a connective link or clasp, which allows movement for comfort and orientation.

As an alternative to a hook as illustrated in FIG 3, said decorative connector may make use of a clasp, like the one illustrated in FIG 4.

FIG 5 and FIG 11 illustrates a basic arrangement of the invention, where (a) a strapless bra where a decorative connector of annular shape (b) is sewn into the garment, used in conjunction with (c) a narrow scarf with (d) fringe decorations in it, providing all sections comprised into one single piece. A preferred method of attachment of this embodiment is described below: An individual wearing a strapless bra a) positions the sash/scarf over the neck b) threads each end of the sash individually through the aperture provided by the annular piece sewn into the bra c) secures both ends of the scarf together behind the neck, creating strong and comfortable support.

FIG 6 provides an illustration of a more intricate arrangement, similar to the one illustrated in FIG 3, where the decorative connector comprises of more than one sections linked together.

FIG 7, FIG 8 and FIG 9 illustrates one-piece connectors presenting various apertures for insertion of the supporting scarf.

FIG 10 illustrates a connector presenting a perfume holder with a screw-on top, aperture for insertion of scarf and hook for attaching to breast garment.

There are no limitations for the level of decoration and creativity associated with this novel accessory as its functionality combines with the field of jewellery design and this description is limited, for obvious reasons, to preferred embodiments although it is understood that any other embodiment or combination wherein falls within the scope of this invention. Size is variable and determined by fashion, taste, style, finances or other, but preferred size would be approximate 2 to 5 inches long by 1 to 2 inches wide and constructed in various materials preferably ones which allow safety and comfort like many of the alloy metals used in fashion jewellery, also the use of precious or semi-precious and decorative stones and crystals is desired, as are magnetic materials with health benefits and medicinal uses and perfume carriers.

Modifications and changes to the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents can be considered to fall within the scope of this invention.