AU2013267014B2 - Garment and brassiere accessory - Google Patents

Abstract

A garment and brassiere accessory that is substantially triangular in shape having attachment straps extending outward from upper corners of the undergarment that may be looped around shoulder straps of a brassiere. In addition, a lower corner may be looped around a center portion of the brassiere. An upper band of preferably elastomeric material located along an upper edge of the undergarment keeps the undergarment securely against a woman's chest while being worn. The undergarment is preferably constructed from two layers of material, an outer layer and an inner layer so that the outer layer hides any wrinkles or indentations caused by the stress of the lower corner pulling on the inner layer while the undergarment is being worn. Additional features include extension straps that allow a user to adapt the undergarment to a larger chest and/or brassiere size or to wear the undergarment without a brassiere and detachable jewelry. .9 9 10 11 4NN 9 9 - 1 10 14 10 9 4 9 10 14 81 1) pa i~ l p ) 11 i1 )1 111p11, 1) 8 910u 15 16 -135

Description

2013267014 04 Dec 2013

GARMENT AND BRASSIERE ACCESSORY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. Patent Application No. 12/778,212, filed on May 12,2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated hereby in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to women's garments, undergarments and brassieres, more particularly, - a device that attaches to a brassiere and simulates a camisole or tank top and covers a user's chest area and/or cleavage, thereby allowing the user to wear short-cut tops and dresses in formal or any other situations that require a modest attire.

[0003] There are many environments, such as work, school, church, etc., where it is considered inappropriate for women to wear low short-cut tops or dresses that reveal too much cleavage. Many women own dresses and/or tops that are formal, but low cut. Therefore a woman can be very limited in her options with regard to clothes for work and so forth. Past attempts have been made to develop garments that attach to brassieres or prevent the low cut tops or dresses to cover exposed cleavage.

[0004] However, many of these garments do not attach securely to brassieres to ensure that the garments will not come loose and also do not fit snugly against a woman's chest A further problem with past garments is that they are not adjustable and thus are not adaptable to different chest sizes and/or different sizes of brassieres. An even further problem with past garments is that some use securing means, such as adhesives, strings, bows, etc., to attach the garments to the brassiere or to the outer garment These past securing means have been prone to failure due to the fact that securing means, such as adhesives, do not always adhere and do not allow a user to re-use the garment without applying new adhesive. Further, securing means, such as bows, show through the outer garment, thereby making it obvious that a woman is wearing a cleavage covering device that simulates a tank

iA 2013267014 20 Oct 2016 top or camisole. An even further problem with past devices is that they do not attach to strapless brassieres.

[0005] Therefore, a need exists for an undergarment that securely attaches to a wearers brassiere, is adjustable to a woman’s chest and/or bra size, gives the appearance of being an actual undergarment such as a tank-top, provides a re-usable securing means and can be worn even without a brassiere.

[0005A] The relevant prior art includes the following references:

Patent No Inventor Issue/Publication Date (US unless stated otherwise) 2007/0281585 Calamari et al 12-06-2007 4,955,846 Greenberg 09-11-1990

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one embodiment the present invention provides a brassiere garment accessory that securely attaches to a wearer’s brassiere.

[0007] In one embodiment the present invention provides a brassiere garment accessory that is adjustable to a woman’s chest and/or bra size.

[0007A] In one embodiment the present invention provides a brassiere garment accessory that gives the appearance of being an actual undergarment, such as a tank top.

[0008] In one embodiment the present invention provides a brassiere garment that provides a re-usable securing means.

[0009] In one embodiment the present invention provides a brassiere garment accessory that provides a securing means that is not visible through an outer garment.

[0010] In one embodiment the present invention provides a brassiere garment accessory that fits securely against a woman’s chest.

[0011] In one embodiment the present invention provides a brassiere garment accessory that will attach to a strapless brassiere.

[0012] In one embodiment the present invention provides a brassiere garment accessory that allows attachment of jewellery to the garment.

[0013] In one embodiment the present invention provides a brassiere garment accessory that can be instantly taken on or off.

[0013A] In one embodiment the present invention provides a brassiere garment accessory that can be worn without a brassiere. 2 2013267014 20 Oct 2016 [0014] The present invention provides a brassiere garment accessory that is substantially triangular in shape having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper edge, side edges, upper comers and a lower comer. Attachment straps extend outward from the upper corners. The attachment straps may be looped around the shoulder straps of a brassiere or in the case of a strapless brassiere, around the side straps of the brassiere. The attachment straps have securing means, such as snaps, buttons, hook and loop fastener, etc., located thereon. After looping the attachment straps around the shoulder straps of a brassiere, the securing means located on the attachment straps are secured to a corresponding securing means located along the upper edge of the garment and brassiere accessory. There may be a plurality of securing means located along the upper edge to allow a user to adjust the length of the loops made by the attachment straps and, thus, the width of the garment and brassiere accessory. A securing means is also located on the lower comer of the device. The lower comer may be looped around the centre portion of a brassiere. After looping the lower corner around the center portion of a brassiere, the securing means located in the lower comer is secured to a corresponding securing means located on the rear side of the garment and brassiere accessory.

[0015] There may be a plurality of securing means located on the rear side of the garment and brassiere accessory to allow a user to adjust the length of the loop made by the lower comer and, thus, the height of the garment and brassiere accessory.

[0016] An upper band of elastomeric material is located along the upper edge of the garment and brassiere accessory. The elastomeric material keeps the garment and brassiere accessory securely against a woman’s chest while being worn. The garment and brassiere accessory is preferably constructed from two layers of material, an outer layer and an inner layer. An advantage of having multiple layers of material is that the outer lay hides the securing means as well as any wrinkles or indentations caused by the stress of the lower comer pulling on the inner layer while the garment and brassiere accessory is being worn.

[0017] Additional features of the present invention include extension straps that attach to the attachment straps and allow a user to adapt the garment and brassiere accessory to a larger chest and/or brassiere size. The extension straps may also be used so that a woman can still wear the garment and brassiere accessory, without a brassiere. For example, a long extension strap that goes around the woman’s back may be attached to the attachment straps of the garment and brassiere accessory. The garment and brassiere accessory may also include attachment means for attaching jewellery to 3 2013267014 20 Oct 2016 the garment. The above feature sand advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

[0017A] In summary, the present invention consists in a brassiere garment accessory comprising: a body having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper edge, at least two side edges, and at least two upper corners at distal ends of the upper edge and at least one lower corner configured to be proximate to a centre portion of the brassiere when in use; at least one attachment strap extending from each of the at least two upper comers, the at least one attachment strap having a proximal portion coupled to the body and a distal portion extending away from the body along the upper edge; and at least one fastener located on the distal portion of the at least one attachment strap that facilitates coupling of the at least one fastener located on the distal portion of the at least one attachment strap to at least one of a plurality of fasteners located on at least one of the proximal portion of the at least one attachment strap and the body of the brassiere garment accessory.

[0017B] The present invention further consists in a brassiere garment accessory comprising: a body having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper edge, at least two side edges, and at least two upper comers at distal ends of the upper edge; and at least one lower comer configured to be proximate to a centre portion of the brassiere when in use; at least one attachment strap extending from each of the at least two upper comers, the attachment strap having a proximal portion coupled to the body and a distal portion extending away from the body along the upper edge; and at least one fastener located on the distal portion of the attachment strap that facilitates coupling of the at least one fastener located on the distal portion of the at least one attachment strap to at least one of a plurality of fasteners located on at least one of the proximal portion of the at least one attachment strap and the body of the brassiere garment accessory; 4 2013267014 20 Oct 2016 wherein at least a portion of the body comprises at least one inner layer and at least one outer layer; and the upper edge has elastomeric qualities.

[0017C] The present invention further consists in a brassiere garment accessory comprising: a body having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper edge, at least two side edges, and at least two upper comers at distal ends of the upper edge and at least one lower comer configured to be proximate to a centre portion of the brassiere when in use; and at least one attachment strap extending from each of the at least two side edges, the attachment strap having a proximal portion coupled to the body and a distal portion extending away from the body proximate the upper edge the at least one attachment strap further having at least one fastener located on a distal portion of the at least one attachment strap that facilitates coupling of the at least one fastener located on the distal portion of the at least one attachment strap to at least one of a plurality of fasteners located on at least one of a proximal portion of the at least one attachment strap and the body of the brassiere garment accessory.

4A 2013267014 04 Dec 2013

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a rear view of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a real’ view' of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention attached to a brassiere; FIG. 3 is a front view of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention attached to a brassiere; FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention attached to a brassiere; FIG. S is a front view of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention attached to a bikini top; FIG. 6 is a front view of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention for use with strapless brassieres; FIG. 8 is a front view of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention having jewelry attached thereto; and FIG. 9 is a front view of a brassiere having jewelry attached thereto via extension straps of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in tire drawings is as follows: 1. body 14. shoulder straps 2. front surface 15. side straps 3. rear surface 16. center portion 4. upp er ed ge 17. outer layer· 5 13. brassiere 2013267014 04 Dec 2013 5. side edge 18. inner layer 6. upper corner 7. lower corner 8. attachment strap 9. securing means 10. snap 11. upper band 12. lower band 19. indentation 20. extension strap 21. jewelry 22, attachment means 23. bikini top 24. linking means 25. first end 26. second end [0020] With reference to KTG. 1, a rearview of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention is shown. The garment and brassiere accessory comprises a body 1 that is substantially triangular in shape. The body 1 comprises a front surface 2 (as shown in FIG. 3), a rear surface 3, an upper edge 4, side edges 5, upper comers 6 and a lower comer 7. Attachment straps 8 extend outward from the upper corners 6. A plurality of securing means 9, such as snaps 10, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, etc., are located along the upper edge 4 of the garment and brassiere accessory and attachment straps 8. Also, a securing means 9 is also located on the lower comer 7 of the garment and brassiere accessory. In addition, a plurality of securing means 9 are located on the rear surface 3 of the garment and brassiere accessory directly above the lower comer 7. An upper band 11 preferably having elastomeric qualities is located along the upper edge 4 of the garment and brassiere accessory. The upper band 11 keeps the garment and brassiere accessory securely against a woman's chest while being worn. A lower band 12 preferably having elastomeric qualities is located on the rear surface 3 of the garment . and brassiere accessory and provides reinforcement for .the securing means 9 that are located on the rear surface 3 of the garment and brassiere accessory directly above the lower corner 7, 6 2013267014 04 Dec 2013 [0021] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a rear view and a front view of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention attached to a brassiere 13, respectively, are shown. To secure the garment and brassiere accessory to a brassiere 13, the attachment straps 8 are looped around shoulder straps 14 of the brassiere 13 or in the case of a strapless brassiere, looped around or looped under and over side straps 15 of the brassiere 13. The attachment stops 8 are then secured to the upper edge 4 of the garment and brassiere accessory by attaching the securing means 9 located on the attachment straps 8, which as shown here are snaps 10, to corresponding securing means 9 located along the upper edge 4 of the garment and brassiere accessory. Then the lower comer 7 is looped around a center portion 16 of the brassiere 13. The lower corner 7 is then secured to the rear surface 3 of the garment and brassiere accessory by attaching the securing means 9 located on the lower comer 7 to corresponding securing means 9 located along the rear surface 3 of the garment and brassiere accessory.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 4, a side cross sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention attached to a brassiere 13 is shown. The garment and brassiere accessory is preferably constructed from two layers of material, an outer layer 17 and an inner layer 18, both preferably made of a stretchable cloth-like material. An advantage of having an outer layer 17 and an inner layer 18 is that the outer layer 17 hides the securing means 9 as well as any wrinkles or indentations 19 caused by the stress of the lower comer 7 pulling downward on the inner layer 17 while the garment and brassiere accessory is being worn.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 5, a front view of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention attached to a bikini top 23 is shown. The garment and brassiere accessory is worn with the rear surface 3 facing outward when worn on a bikini top 23. To secure the garment and brassiere accessory to the bikini top 23, the attachment straps 8 arc looped around shoulder straps 7 2013267014 04 Dec 2013 14 of the bikini top 23. The attachment straps 8 are then secured to the upper edge 4 of the garment and brassiere accessory by attaching the securing means 9 located on the attachment straps 8, which as shown here are decorative snaps 23, to corresponding securing means 9 located along the upper edge 4 of the garment and brassiere accessory. Then the lower corner 7 is looped around a center portion 16 of the bikini top 23. The lower corner 7 is then secured to the rear surface 3 of the garment and brassiere accessory by attaching the securing means 9 located . on the lower corner 7 to corresponding securing means 9 located along the rear surface 3 of the garment and brassiere accessory. A decorative piece of jewelry 21 is attached to the securing means 9 located on the lower comer 7.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 6, a front view of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention for use with strapless brassieres. The garment and brassiere accessory comprises a body 1 that is substantially rectangular in shape, The body 1 comprises a front surface 2, a real-surface 3, an upper edge 4, side edges 5, upper comers 6 and lower comers 7. Attachment straps 8 extend outward from the upper comers 6. Securing means 9, such as snaps 10, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, etc,, are located on the attachment straps 8. The attachment straps 8 are used in conjunction with an extension strap 20 that allows a user to secure the upper edge 4 of the garment and brassiere accessory around the user’s back. Also, attachment straps 8 having securing means 9 extend downward from the lower corners 7 of the garment and brassiere accessory, hr addition, securing means 9 are located on the rear surface 3 of the garment directly above the lower comers 7. The attachment straps 8 located on the lower corners 7 may be looped around or looped under and over side straps 15 of the brassiere 13. An upper band 11 preferably having elastomeric qualities is located along the upper edge 4 of the garment and brassiere accessory. The upper band 11 keeps the garment and brassiere accessory securely against a woman's chest while being worn.

S 2013267014 04 Dec 2013 [0025] 111 another embodiment, an extension strap 20 of the present invention is shown. The extension strap 20 can be made in various lengths or sizes. The extension strap 20 has securing means 9 located on opposite ends that attach to the securing means 9 located on the garment and brassiere accessory allow a user to adapt the garment and brassiere accessory to a larger chest and/or brassiere 13 size. Extension straps 20 may also be used so that a woman can still wear the garment and brassiere accessory without a brassiere 13. For example, a long extension strap 20 may be attached to the attachment straps 8 of the garment and brassiere accessory and be worn around the back of a user, [0026] With reference to MG. 8, a front view of a garment and brassiere accessory of the present invention having jewelry 21 attached thereto is shown. The garment and brassiere accessory may have an attachment means 22, such as loops, hooks, clasps, etc., that allow a user to attach a piece of jewelry 21 or a plurality of linking means 24, such as a rope, ribbon, wire, chain, pearls, beads, etc., having a first end 25 and a second end 26, to the garment and brassiere accessory or directly to a brassiere. The attachment means 22 are preferably located near the upper comers 6 ' of the garment and brassiere accessory.

[0027] Finally with reference to MG. 9, a front view of a brassiere 13 having jewelry 21 attached thereto via extension straps 20 of the present invention is shown. Jewelry 21 or a plurality of linking means 24, such as a rope, ribbon, wire, chain, pearls, beads, etc., having a first end 25 and a second end 26, is attached to the brassiere 13 by looping the extension straps 20 around the shoulder straps 14 of the brassiere 13 and through the an attachment means 22, which as shown here are rings, 9 2013267014 20 Oct 2016 [0028] It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

[0029] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

[0030] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. 10

Claims (11)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

   1, A brassier® garment accessory comprising: a body Laving a front surface, a rear surface; an upper edge, at least two side edges, and at least, two upper corners at distal ends of the upper edge and at; least one lower corner configured to be proximate to a centre portion of the brassiere when in use; at: least one attachment strap? extending from each of the at least two upper corners, :the at least one attachme;nt;:strap havi ng a proximal portion coupled to thebody and a distal port!on extending away from the body along the upper edge; and: at least one fastener located on the distal portion of the; ;at Ieast,:ond: attaclrmebt: St rap that facilitates Coupling of the at lea st one fastener located; on the distal portion of the at least one attachment strap to at least one of a plurality of fasteners located on at least one of theptoxtmai portion of the at least one attachment Strap and the body of the brassiere garment accessory,
2. 2, A brassiere garment accessory of claim 1 further comprising: an upper band located along the upper edge of the body,
3. 3, A brassiere garment accessory' of claim 2 wherein: said Upper band has elastomeric qualities.
4. 4- A brassiere garment accessory of claim 1 fimlrer comprising: a lower band located on the rear surface of the body. §. A, brassiere garment accessory of claim 4 wherein: said lower band has elastomeric qualities. h, A brassiere garment accessory of claim I wherein: the body further comprises at least one outer layer and at least one inner layer. A brassiere: garment accessory Of claim 1 further comprising: an extension strap for extending the length of the at ,least one attachment strap. 8;, A brassiere garment accessory of claim 4 further comprising: an attachment portion for attaching a piece of jewellery lb the brassiefe garment accessory*. % A brassiere gantteht aeesasory of claint 1 further comprising: at least one fastener located GW the atlCast one lower comer, tO. A brassiere garment accessory comprising:: a body having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper edge* at least two sidfe edges , and at least two tipper comets at: distal ends of the upper edge; and at least one lower corner configured to heproximaieto a centre portion of the brassiere when in use: at least one attachment simp extending from each of the at least two upper corners, the attachment strap haying a proximal portion coupled to the body and a distal portsonextending away from the body along the upper edge;1 and at least: one fastener located on the di stal portion of the Attachment strap that; facilitates coupling of the:at least oheifastener located:on the distal portion of the at least one attachment strap to at least:ohe of a plurality of fasteners located on at least: one of the proximal portion of the at least one attachment strap and the hody of the brassiere garment accessory; wherein at least a portion of the body comprises at least one inner layer and at least one Outerlayer; and the upper edge has elastomeric qualities,
5. 11. A btussiere garment accessoryof claim ID further comprising: an upper baud located along the: upper edge of the body .
6. 12- A brassiere garment-accessory: of claim 11 wherein;; said upper band has elastomeric qualities·
7. 13, A brassiere garment accessory of claim: 1.0 further comprising: a lower band located on the rear surface· of the body:;
8. 14. Abrassieru prment accessbiy of claim 13 wherein: said, lower band has elastomeric qualities.
9. 15. A brassiere;gamTeht acesssiCire of claim 10 further comprising; an extension strap for extondiRg : the length of the at least one: attachment strap. IS. A. brassiere garment accessory of claim 10 farther comprising: ,ίίπ attachment portion for attaching a. piece of jewellery to the brassiefe garment accessory'.
10. 17. A brassiere garment accessory comprisingt a body haying a front surface, a rear surface, an upper edge, at least two side edges, and at least two upper corners atdistal ends of the upper edge and at least one lower eonaertoptifigureddb be proximate to a centre portion of the brassiere; whenritt use; and: at least one attachment Strap: extending from, eachof the at least: two side: edges, the;attachment strapliaving: a proximal portion coupled to the body Mela distal portion eittentiing away from the body proximate the upper edge, the at leas tone attachment strap further having at least one fastener located on a distal portion of the at least one attachment sttap that frmllitates coupling of the af least one fastener located on the distal portion of the at least one attachment strap to at least one of a plurality of fasteners located on at least one of a proximal portion of the at least one attachment strap and the body of the brassiere garment accessory.
11. 18. Λ brassiere garment accessory of claim 1.7. wherein at least a portion of the body comprises at least one inner layer and af lhast one outer layer.