AU2014100840B4

AU2014100840B4 - A Bra Assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2014100840B4
Application number: AU2014100840A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Annette Holden
Original assignee: Holden Annette Dr
Current assignee: Holden Annette Dr
Priority date: 2014-07-24
Filing date: 2014-07-24
Publication date: 2015-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-24
Also published as: US20170202272A1; WO2016011490A9; WO2016011490A1; AU2014100840A4

Abstract

A bra comprising hidden optional SECURITY features, including a small compartment in the shoulder strap for hiding USB sticks or small jewellery such as rings; stretch retractable pouch sewn into the band for storing a passport; an open mouth stretch sleeve for a credit card sewn into the side band that is sideways accessed from the front side; removable slip pouches inside the cups for comfortably and discreetly storing wads of cash. The Travel Bra is able to be adjusted 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.

Description

1 A BRA ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND The Inventor is a frequent traveller and uses a money belt when travelling to carry cash, credit card, passport and valuables so that these are not pickpocketed, lost or stolen. 5 A Money Belt is bulky and uncomfortable and is an additional item to wear around the waist in addition to a bra. The Travel Bra is intended to provide the female wearer with all the storage security features of a money belt within a bra so that it is not necessary to also wear a money belt. A Money Belt is very visible and draws attention to the wearer carrying valuables. Additionally, the Inventor always found bras became too tight when seated on long-haul 10 flights. She wanted a way where she could discreetly adjust the tightness of the bra band while seated and then be able to discreetly retighten the band when it was time to stand up again and when more support would be needed than while seated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention provides a bra assembly comprising: a bra, and a storage 15 pocket depending downwardly from the bra, the storage pocket being adapted for storage of items wherein the storage pocket is a retractable pouch. The provision of a storage pocket as described the first aspect, allows the wearer to readily unfurl the pocket and use the pocket for storing items such as a passport which need to be stored securely. The drop down pocket allows the wearer to discreetly and comfortably 20 securely store her passport or other valuable in a way that is inaccessible to a thief. It allows the wearer to keep her valuables close to her person and so prevent accidental loss of a valuable item. It hides valuable items and means that it is less likely that she will be separated from her valuables. For example, if the wearer wants to sleep at the airport she can store her passport in her bra so that it is not pickpocketed from her bag while she is sleeping. The fold down passport 25 or other valuables storage pocket is also 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 an embodiment, the bra comprises: at least a first panel being adapted for extending from a left cup portion and a right cup portion and around the back of the wearer; at least a second 2 panel adapted for being positioned over the wearer's shoulder; wherein the storage pocket depending downwardly is a storage pocket of a first type positioned downwardly relative to the first panel and at least one storage pocket of a second type is provided on at least one of the shoulder panels and at least one storage pocket of a third type is provided in at least one of the 5 cup portions. In an embodiment, the bra assembly further comprises an additional pocket of a fourth type, the additional pocket being adapted for storage of one or more planar items therein, the additional pocket comprising a slit forming an opening into the additional pocket, the slit extending in a substantially vertical direction relative to the wearer. 10 In an embodiment, at least one of the storage pockets of the first, second, third or fourth type comprises an internal storage space defined by fabric material comprising stretchable elastic fabric. In an embodiment, the bra assembly further comprises an adjustment mechanism to loosen or tighten the first panel around a wearer's body during use, the adjustment mechanism being 15 positioned such that a wearer can loosen or tighten the first panel without removing the bra. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention as described in the foregoing sections, visually appears like any other bra, but includes one or more of the following features: e a small compartment in the shoulder strap for hiding rings; 20 e stretch retractable pouch sewn into the band under one arm for storing a passport; e a sleeve for a credit card sewn into the other side band; " removable slip pouches inside the cups for comfortably and discreetly storing wads of cash. The Travel Bra is able to be adjusted at the front and/or side so the wearer can loosen off 25 the bra band when seated while travelling without having to remove the bra or reach around to the back.

3 ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION A bra comprising hidden optional SECURITY features, including a small compartment in the shoulder strap for hiding rings; stretch retractable pouch sewn into the band for storing a passport; an open mouth sleeve for a credit card sewn into the side band; a removable slip 5 pouches inside the cups for comfortably and discreetly storing wads of cash. The Travel Bra is able to be adjusted 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. 1. The wearer can discreetly and comfortably store valuables such as credit card, cash, a passport and/or small jewellery in the bra while it is worn while she is travelling on foot, 10 on planes, on trains, in cars and buses. 2. 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. 3. The overall appearance of the bra is not affected by the additional storage features and additional adjustment option, so that the Travel Bra features can be incorporated into 15 any style of bra - for example, Racerback style, T-Shirt bra, French lace bra etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Figure 1A is a frontal view of a first embodiment of the present invention Figure 1B is a rear view of the first embodiment of the present invention Figure 2A is a frontal view of a second embodiment of the present invention 20 Figure 2B is a rear view of the second embodiment of the present invention Figure 3A is a frontal view of a third embodiment of the present invention Figure 3B is a rear view of the third embodiment of the present invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the first embodiment, a bra 100 is illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B. The bra 25 100 comprises a left cup portion 20 and a right cup portion 40. The cup portions 20 and 40 are connected to each other at a cleavage portion 30 by fastening means in the form of a zipper 35.

4 The bra comprises a first chest strap (or chest band) 50 extending from the left cup region and a second chest strap 60 that extends from the right cup region. The chest straps 50 and 60 are adapted for being positioned over a wearer's chest and back region and for extending from the left cup portion 20 and right cup portion 40 respectively, said chest straps being generally 5 horizontally oriented relative to the wearer's body. The chest straps 50 and 60 in the present embodiment form a continuous chest strap (and therefore appear to constitute a single chest strap) during use though in further embodiments the chest straps may be fastened to each other. The chest straps 50 and 60 are also provided with an adjustment mechanism in the form of an adjustment clasp 70 is provided for loosening or tightening said chest strap 50 and 60 around a 10 wearer's chest and back during use. The adjustment clasp is positioned in the vicinity of the wearer's frontal torso area such that the wearer can easily loosen or tighten the chest straps 50 and 60 without removing the bra 100. The bra 100 is also provided with a left shoulder strap 80 and a right shoulder strap 90, the shoulder straps being provided for being positioned over the wearer's shoulder region. As 15 shown in Figures 1A and 1, the shoulder straps 80 and 90 are coupled to the first and second chest straps 50 and 60 respectively during use. A storage pocket of a first type is provided in the form of a drop down passport pocket 10. The drop down pocket 10 depends downwardly from chest strap 60 (as shown in the broken lines). The drop down pocket 10 is configured to be used in two configurations. In a first useable configuration, the drop down pocket 10 may be ZO unfurled or rolled out downwards relative to the wearer. Rolling out the drop down pocket 10 results gaining access to the storage cavity or compartment defined by fabric forming the drop down pocket 10. The drop down pocket 10 is preferably sized to receive travel documents (such as passport). Advantageously, when the drop down pocket 10 is not in use, the drop down pocket 10 may be rolled or folded to be concealed under the chest strap 60. 25 The bra 100 is also provided with a storage pocket in the form of a shoulder pocket 15 that is provided on the shoulder strap 90. The shoulder pocket 15 is relatively small sized and is suitable for storage of valuable jewellery items such as rings etc. but is large enough to store a small USB stick. Whilst in the present embodiment, only one shoulder pocket 15 has been provided, in further embodiments, at least another shoulder pocket may be provided on the 30 other shoulder strap 80. Advantageously, the bra 100 is also provided with a further storage pocket in the form of a card holding pocket 65. The card holding pocket 65 is advantageously located along or adjacent the chest strap 60 and during use is conveniently located in the vicinity of the wearer's underarm region. The card holding pocket 65 comprises an opening that 5 provides access into the pocket 65 sideways. Furthermore, the fabric defining the cardholding pocket 65 is elastic in nature. As a result, once an item such as a bankcard or credit card is inserted into the cardholding pocket 65, the elastic fabric secures the item within the pocket 65. The bra 100 also comprises additional storage pockets in the form of cash pockets 25 and 5 45 which are formed within the cups 20 and 40 respectively. Each cup 20 and 40 comprises an inner play material and an outer ply material. Each of the cash pockets25 and 45 are formed by sewing seams to secure the inner play material with the outer ply material to form the pocket cavity and by leaving an opening without stiches. The opening is sufficiently big to allow insertion of cash into the pockets 25 and 45. The pockets described herein may be formed by 10 way of oversewing the inner ply and outer ply materials during construction of the bra 100. Referring to Figures 2A and 2B a second embodiment of the present invention in the form of a bra 200 is shown. Like reference numerals indicate like features that have been previously described in the specification. The bra 200 comprises what is popularly known in the art as a "racerback" design in which the shoulder straps 80 and 90 are joined.. As is evident from the 15 illustrations, the racer-back bra 200 also presents the advantages afforded by the previously described embodiment illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B. Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, a third embodiment of the present invention in the form of a bra 300 is shown. Once again, like reference numerals indicate like features that have been previously described in the specification. The racer-back bra shown in Figures 3A and 3B ZO provides alternative location for the shoulder pocket 15 which is located on a left shoulder strap 80 and illustrates the drop down pocket 10 in a unfurled configuration in Fig 3A. The bra 300 also presents the advantages described in the first embodiment of the present invention. The term 'comprise' and variants of the term such as 'comprises' or 'comprising' are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or stated integers but not to exclude any other 25 integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required. Any reference to publications cited in this specification is not an admission that the disclosures constitute common general knowledge in Australia. 30

Claims

1. A bra assembly comprising: a bra, and a storage pocket depending downwardly from the bra, the storage pocket being adapted for storage of items wherein the storage pocket is a retractable pouch.

2. A bra assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bra comprises: at least a first panel being adapted for extending from a left cup portion and a right cup portion and around the back of the wearer; at least a second panel adapted for being positioned over the wearer's shoulder; wherein the storage pocket depending downwardly is a storage pocket of a first type positioned downwardly relative to the first panel and at least one storage pocket of a second type is provided on at least one of the shoulder panels and at least one storage pocket of a third type is provided in at least one of the cup portions.

3. A bra assembly in accordance with any one of claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising an additional pocket of a fourth type, the additional pocket being adapted for storage of one or more planar items therein, the additional pocket comprising a slit forming an opening into the additional pocket, the slit extending in a substantially vertical direction relative to the wearer.

4. A bra assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein at least one of the storage pockets of the first, second, third or fourth type comprises an internal storage space defined by fabric material comprising stretchable elastic fabric.

5. A bra assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising an adjustment mechanism to loosen or tighten the first panel around a wearer's body during use, the adjustment mechanism being positioned such that a wearer can loosen or tighten the first panel without removing the bra.