FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a bra and improvements thereof. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for use by persons who have developed or broad backs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Traditional bras are fitted by considering a person’s under-bust measurement and their cup size. Despite these considerations, a bra can be ill- fitting because of anatomical sizing differences. For example, a person may have a broad back and a small cup size while another person can have a comparatively narrow back with a large cup size.

[0003] To accommodate different back widths, many bras have two or three different hook and eyelet settings and a person chooses the preferred setting that provides a comfortable fitting when they put on the bra. If the bra does not have more than one hook and eyelet settings or the provided hook and eyelet settings are not sufficient, there are bra extenders that join each end of the back strap to provide a lateral extension of the bra. However, the use of bra extenders changes the position of the shoulder straps and consequently has a tendency to rub and irritate the skin and or fall off a person’s shoulder.

[0004] An alternative to traditional bras, is the wearing of exercise or sports crops. These are made of elastic fabric and can accommodate persons of different size. These exercise or sport crops however provide limited lateral extension while maintaining a given cup size.

[0005] Whether the wearing of a traditional bra or exercise crop, a person will often need to choose a larger bra to increase the under-bust size to cater for a broad back. The choice of a larger sized bra will often have an increased cup size. The wearing of a bra with an increased cup size often results in a poor and uncomfortable fit. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bra that fits a person who has a developed or broad back and overcomes at least in part one or more of the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention was developed by trial and experimentation to provide a better fitting bra for persons who have a developed or broad back, while not increasing cup size or increasing the tendency for the shoulder straps to fall off a person’s shoulders because they have been repositioned laterally. The present invention was a developed solution that considered and addressed both these issues.

[0008] In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra having a cup portion with a coupled three piece back strap portion integral with or attachable to each side of the cup portion wherein the back strap portion is adjustable to lengthen or shorten the length of the back strap portion.

[0009] In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra having a cup portion and a back strap portion integral with or attachable to each side of the cup portion, wherein the back strap portion has at least one adjustable section that folds back on itself and is secured in position by adjustment means, said adjustment means enables adjustment of the length of the back strap portion.

[0010] The adjustment means preferably enables adjustment of the length of the back strap portion by reducing or increasing the length of back strap portion folded back on itself. Preferably the adjustment means is selected from slides or tri-glides; fasteners such as snap-fit or press studs, buttons, clips, clasps, hook and eyelet fasteners including Velcro; magnetic fasteners. More preferably the adjustment means is a slider. [0011] Preferably there are two separate sections with each section having separate securing means. Each section is preferably associated with a ring or loop to allow the back strap portion to fold back on itself.

[0012] The ring or loop preferably connects the cup portion with the back strap portion or connects different parts or sections of the back strap portion.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment there is an adjustable section on one or each end of the back strap portion. The preferred embodiment has an adjustable section on each end of the back strap portion and the adjustable sections are connected by an attachment means such as a ring to the cup portion.

[0014] In further aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra having a cup portion and a back strap portion integral with or attachable to each side of the cup portion, wherein the back strap portion has two separate adjustable means to lengthen or shorten the length of the back strap portion.

[0015] In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra having a cup portion and a coupled three piece back strap portion, wherein the back strap portion is adjustable to lengthen or shorten the length of the back strap portion.

[0016] Preferably the back strap is longitudinally adjustable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the back strap portion and is laterally adjustable with respect to the bra when considered as a whole.

[0017] In one or more preferred embodiments, the back strap portion is adjustable via adjustment means which includes but not limited to the use of slides or tri-glides; fasteners such as snap-fit or press studs, buttons, clips, clasps, hook and eyelet fasteners including Velcro; magnetic fasteners.

[0018] The bra can have a single or multiple adjustment means associated with the back strap portion. In a preferred form, the back strap portion has two end portions spaced apart by an intermediate portion and each of the end portions has an adjustment means. Preferably the intermediate portion is coupled to the end portions by loops, rings or the like. In another preferred form, there is an intermediate portion that spaces apart end portions and wherein there is an adjustment means associated with the intermediate portion. Different embodiments can have intermediate portions of different lengths. [0019] In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra having a cup portion and a coupled three piece back strap portion, wherein the back strap portion has adjustable means to lengthen or shorten the length of the back strap portion. The adjustable means can be associated with the end portions or the intermediate portion.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment the bra has one or more shoulder straps extending from the cup portion to the back strap portion. In one of the preferred embodiments, the shoulder straps are attached to the intermediate portion when there is an adjustment means associated with one or both of the end portions. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the shoulder straps are attached to the end portions when the adjustment means is associated with the intermediate portions.

[0021] Preferably the shoulder straps are attached to the end portions when there is an adjustment means associated with the intermediate portion.

[0022] Preferably the shoulder straps are attached to the intermediate portion when the adjustment means is associated with one or both of the end portions.

[0023] In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra having a cup portion, shoulder straps and a coupled three piece back strap portion, wherein the back strap portion has adjustable means to lengthen or shorten the length of the back strap portion and the shoulder straps are connected to one or more of the coupled pieces of the back strap portion that are not associated with the adjustment means.

[0024] In another aspect the invention broadly resides in a bra having a cup portion and a back strap portion; said back strap portion includes one or more adjustment means to lengthen or shorten the length of the back strap; said back strap portion includes two end portions spaced apart by an intermediate portion; one or more shoulder straps attached to the cup portion and the back strap portion wherein when the shoulder straps are attached to the end portions the adjustment means is associated with the intermediate portion and when the shoulder straps are attached to the intermediate portion the adjustment means is associated with one or both of the end portions. [0025] Preferably the intermediate portion is attached to the end portions by two or more loops, rings, clips or the like.

[0026] In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra having a cup portion and a back strap portion integral with or attachable to each side of the cup portion, wherein the back strap portion includes two end portions spaced apart by an intermediate portion, said end portions or intermediate portion is adjustable in their respective lengths by means of one or more sliders so that the back strap can be adjusted to a desired length while the cup portion fits about a person’s breasts,

[0027] Said end portions and intermediate portion can be elongate sections or narrow joins but if the end portions are joins then the intermediate portion is an elongate section and if the intermediate portion is a join then the end portions are elongate sections. Where either the end portions or intermediate portion is a join then the other portion(s) is elongate and adjustable by means of one or more sliders.

[0028] Preferably shoulder straps are attached or attachable to the non- adjustable end portions or intermediate portions.

[0029] The bra of the present invention can be used with or without shoulder straps. Shoulder straps can be attached or be attachable to the back strap. Preferably the shoulder strap(s) is attached or attachable to the back strap on the non-adjustable section of the back strap. That is, the shoulder strap(s) are preferably attached to the end portions when the intermediate portion is adjustable or the shoulder strap(s) are attached or attachable the intermediate portion when the end portions are adjustable.

[0030] The shoulder straps can take various forms, including a H form, Y form, X form, racer-back form, and multiple cross form. Bras worn during high and low impact activity preferably have additional lateral support. Lateral support for the bra can preferably be improved by increasing the thickness or width of the back strap, spacing the strap attachment on the back strap, the addition of one or more wings from the back strap or cup portion to the shoulder strap. More preferably the high or low activity bra has wings to provide additional lateral support.

[0031] Preferably the high activity bra has adjustable wings so that the lateral support can be adjusted for the wearer. Preferably the wings are positioned at an angle from the back strap to the shoulder strap. More preferably, the wings are positioned from the back strap under the lateral muscle area without inhibiting movement of the muscles in the back area and anchoring the shoulder strap to a common point.

[0032] The low impact activity bra preferably extends from the back strap or cup portion to the shoulder strap at or near the shoulder itself. The positioning of the supporting wings for the low impact activity, the bra is comparatively more comfortable and less restrictive than the position of the wings for the high impact activity bra.

[0033] The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a first embodiment of the invention being a strapless bra with adjustment means on the end portions;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of the invention being a strapless bra with adjustment means on the intermediate portion;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a third embodiment of the invention being a H-back bra with adjustment means on the end portions;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a fourth embodiment of the invention being an X-back bra with adjustment means on the end portions;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of a fifth embodiment of the invention being a V-back bra with adjustment means on the end portions;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a sixth embodiment of the invention being an action-back bra with adjustment means on the intermediate portion; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of a seventh embodiment of the invention being a V-back bra with a single piece back strap;

Figure 8 is a view of an eighth embedment of the invention being a bra for high impact activity;

Figure 9a and b are views of a ninth embodiment of the invention being a bra for low impact activity; and

Figure 10 is a view of a tenth embodiment of the invention which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 5 except that there is a single bra strap extending from the back strap then bifurcating into two straps extending over the shoulders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0035] Several different embodiments of the present invention will now be described in accordance with the figure. The invention however, is not limited to the described embodiments and the described embodiments are provided by way of illustration of the invention.

[0036] With reference to figure 1 , there is shown a bra 10 having a cup portion 11 comprising two spaced apart cups 12 for supporting a person’s breasts. There is also a back strap portion 14 which comprises two end portions 15 and an intermediate portion 16. The intermediate portion 16 is attached to the end portions 15 by means of two rectangular shaped rings 17 through which the end portions 15 and intermediate portions 16 are looped back on themselves. The end portions 15 have adjustable sliders 18 which can move along the length of the end portions 15 to lengthen or shorten the back strap portion 14. To lengthen or shorten the back strap portion 14, one or both of the adjustable sliders 18 can be adjusted to lengthen or shorten the respective end portions 15.

[0037] With reference to figure 2, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention being a bra 20 having a cup portion 21 and a back strap portion 22. The bra shown in figure 2 is similar to the bra shown in figure 1 except that, the intermediate portion 26 has an adjustable slider 28 that can be adjusted to lengthen or shorten the back strap portion 22. The intermediate portion 26 is attached with rectangular shaped rings 27 to end portions 25 of the back strap portion 22.

[0038] With reference to figure 3, there is shown a H-back bra 30 being a third embodiment of the present invention. The H-back bra 30 has a cup portion 31 , a back strap portion 32 and shoulder straps 33. The shoulder straps 33 are adjustable by means of sliders 34. The shoulder straps 33 are attached (or attachable) by hooks 35 (or small rectangular shaped rings) to the back strap portion 32. The hooks 35 are attached to the intermediate portion 37. Each of the end portions 38 has an adjustable slider 39 to lengthen or shorten the back strap portion 32. The shoulder straps 33 are attached to the portion which does not have the adjustable slider 39. The hooks 35 (or small rectangular shaped rings) to which the shoulder straps 33 are attached are spaced apart from each other in order to provide greater support and stability.

[0039] With reference to figure 4, there is shown an X-back bra 40 which is similar to the bra shown in figure 3 except that the shoulder straps 43 are crossed so that each shoulder strap is attached (or attachable) to hooks 45 (or small rectangular shaped rings) on opposite sides of the intermediate portion 47. The end portions 48 adjustment sliders 49 and cup portion 41 are substantially the same as described with reference to the bra described in figure 3.

[0040] With reference to figure 5, there is shown a fifth embodiment of the present invention being a bra 50 having a cup portion 51 , back strap portion 52 and adjustable shoulder straps 53. The back strap 52 comprises end portions 54 and intermediate portion 55. The end portions 54 have an adjustable slider 56 which can be moved along the end portion 54 to lengthen or shorten the back strap 52. The end portions 54 are attached to the intermediate portion 55 by rectangular shaped rings 57. The adjustable shoulder straps 53 are attached (or attachable) by hooks 58 (or small rectangular shaped rings) that are fixed to the intermediate portion 55.

[0041] With reference to figure 6, there is shown a sixth embodiment of the present invention being a bra 60 having a cup portion 61 , back strap portion 62 and adjustable shoulder straps 63. The back strap portion 62 has end portions 64 spaced apart by intermediate portion 65. The intermediate portion 65 has an adjustable slider 66 which can move along the intermediate portion 66 to lengthen or shorten the back strap portion 62. The end portions 64 each have a hook 67 (or small rectangular shaped ring) near the end adjacent the intermediate portion 65. The hook 67 (or small rectangular shaped ring) can be used to attach the adjustable shoulder strap 63. In the sixth embodiment the adjustable shoulder straps 63 are crossed over to provide better support and to be prevented from falling off a person’s shoulder. In another related embodiment, the adjustable shoulder straps 63 are attached to hooks 67 (or small rectangular shaped rings) on the same side as the site of attachment of the adjustable shoulder straps 63 to the cup portion 61. This is a less preferred embodiment as there is a greater risk of the shoulder straps falling off a person’s shoulder. [0042] With reference to figure 7, there is shown a seventh embodiment of the present invention being a bra 70 having a cup portion 71 , back strap portion 72 and adjustable shoulder straps 73. The back strap portion 72 is a one piece portion and has an adjustable section 75 at each end. The adjustment sections 75 are joined together in the middle of the back strap portion 72 and the joined portion 78 forms a narrow non-adjustable intermediate portion. The adjustable sections 75 comprise part of the back strap portion 72 folded back on itself via a rectangular shaped ring 77 and secured in the slider 76. The slider 76 can be moved along the length of the back strap portion 72 to adjust the length of the back strap portion 72. The back strap portion 72 is attached to the cup portion 71 by the rectangular shaped rings 77. The adjustable shoulder straps 73 are attached to the cup portion 71 and substantially near the middle of the back strap portion 72.

[0043] With reference to figure 8, there is shown an eighth embodiment shown in the present invention being a high impact activity bra 80 with a back strap 81 , a bifurcating shoulder strap 82 and supporting adjustable wings 83, extending between the shoulder strap 82 and the back strap 81. The supporting adjustable wings 83 are adjustable by means of a slider 84 which allows the supporting wings 83 fit the requirements of the person wearing the bra and provide extra lateral support to anchor the shoulder strap 82 and prevent the back strap 81 from riding up. The support provided by the bra with supporting adjustable wings 83 enables the bra to be worn and provide support in high impact activities, such as during sport training and competitions and gym workouts.

[0044] With reference to figures 9a and 9b, there is shown a ninth embodiment in the present invention being a low impact activity bra 90, having a back strap 91 , shoulder straps 92 that extend from each shoulder to a middle point on the back strap 91. There is also supporting wings 93 that extend from the end portions two the top of the shoulder straps 92. These supporting wings 93 provide additional support to allow the person wearing the bra to engage in low activity. The additional lateral support offered by the supporting wings 93 is not as great as the wings described in the high impact activity bra of the eighth preferred embodiment. The supporting wings 93 provide a comparatively more comfortable fit and offer less restriction to form a breathe-easy fit bra. [0045] With reference to figure 10, there is shown a tenth embodiment in the present invention being a comfort-fit bra 100, having a back strap 101 with two sliders 102 and a Y-shaped shoulder strap 103. The bra 100 is a comfort-fit bra for everyday wearing and there is comparatively less force on the back strap 101 to be pulled up by the Y-shaped shoulder strap 103.

ADVANTAGES

[0046] The advantages of the preferred embodiments of the present invention include providing a bra that has a back strap portion that can be extended while having a preferred cup size. The bra of the present invention allows different shoulder strap configurations including V-back, H-back, X-back, action-back, and strapless. The bra of the present invention has an adjustable back strap that can be altered in length while maintain the fit of the bra cups. The bra of the present invention addresses the dual variation issues of breast size and under bust or back measurements. The bra of the present invention uses a combination of different back strap portions, sliders and wings to bespoke fit a bra. The bra of the present invention provides a supportive and stable shoulder strap arrangement that is effective and does not fall off a person’s shoulder irrespective of the length of the back strap.

VARIATIONS

[0047] It will of course be realized 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.

[0048] 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.