JP2001020107A - Decorative under wire for brassiere - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an under wire of a brassier to be readily taken out, and to prevent the under wire from penetrating a cloth and from damaging other clothes or a washing machine. SOLUTION: This stay has a metal under wire 29 capable of being stored in a tube-like pocket under a cup of a brassier, and a decoration attached to one end of the under wire 29 and capable of being visually observed when the under wire 29 is stored in the pocket for the under wire 29. A pin and an eye connection are usable for covering the sewing, preferably applying a decoration member obtained by using a cover member and a member sewed as the clothes, or for applying the stay or the under wire, especially a foundation. A pearl structure or the like is formed at the periphery part of a base as the decoration member.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to decorative underwires for brassiere and to improvements in underwire construction for brassiere.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to form decorative clasps on brassiere, generally by sewing decorative elements on the brassiere and thus securing the decoration in an irreplaceable manner.

It is also known to form an arched pocket or tubular article under the cup fabric, usually by sewing the fabric, and insert a so-called "underwire" into the pocket to provide additional support to the brassiere cup. ing. In the past, such underwires consisted of metal, plastic or plastic-coated metal, and had various cross-sectional shapes where most common parts were circular or rectangular sections.

[0004] Further, the underwires may be released from the interconnect or may be connected in the middle of the brassiere between their cups by any of various types of connectors. For example, the bridge between the underwires may be a rigid member, or the underwire may be formed in one piece by the bridge or simply attached. The underwire may each have an end that is attached to the rigid bridge during attachment to the underwire and sewing the bridge to the brassier fabric. Also formed between the underwires is a connector in the form of a sleeve or the like in which the end of the wire can be swiveled about the wire.

With respect to the underwire itself, the art is flexible in a limited twisting range, ie it guarantees that the part of the underwire can be twisted out of its neutral plane, while having a degree of stiffness in this plane, We recognize the importance of such a shape of the underwire as limiting the flexibility of the underwire with respect to its spread between its ends. Such an underwire forms a support for the above and in part shape contributed by the breast and the cup fabric contained in the bra cup cover.

While many techniques for attaching decorative elements to brassieres have been found to be generally satisfactory, replacement or replacement of decorative elements is often desirable, and many approaches used in the past have provided incomplete satisfaction. Was verified. Furthermore, the conventionally used underwire construction has been unsatisfactory because the underwire contributed to the uncomfortable wearer or because the underwire could not provide sufficient support or shape retention.

[0007] With respect to conventional underwire constructions, it should also be noted that in some cases, removal of the underwire is desirable, for example, for washing the bra or replacing the bra with a soft bra that is separate from the underwire bra. . When underwire bras were conventionally washed, the underwire pierced the fabric, after which other clothing or the washing machine itself tended to be damaged. In order to overcome this tendency, it has been conventional to form an extra layer of fabric and thus increase the bulk of the brassiere.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved underwire that can eliminate at least some of the above disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system that can limit or eliminate the risk of underwire protruding for brassieres and the like.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter in accordance with the present invention are to form a pin and eye connection between the clamping members at the end of the underwire and to fit into the holes and the clamping members. This is achieved by a decorative underwire for the bra where the cover member is formed.
The clamping member is molded on the metal underwire as its tip or forms a plastic sheath that covers all or a portion of the metal underwire. The term "pin and eye connection" is used herein to refer to a pin on another member that is snugly received in an eye or hole formed in one member.

According to one aspect of the invention, the fastening member comprises:
The pin, which can have a central hole for receiving a pin on the cover member, can have a mushroom shape that can be snapped and locked into the hole in a removable manner.

[0012] To be implanted or molded on the decorative element,
It may be a decoration, for example a jewel body of imitation diamond, a pearl-shaped element or some decorative element representing a flower decoration. Around the central decoration, edges can be formed that exhibit a miniature pearl cluster or simply a crushed, wavy or undulating peripheral configuration.

The fastening element and the cover element can be hinged to one another, and pin and eye connections can be used to interconnect each end of the pair of metal underwires. The metal underwire can be covered with plastic and received in a tubular pocket of fabric under each cup.

Advantageously, holes are formed at the ends of the underwire, respectively, while pins are formed in either a separate clamping member or a cover member, which pins form an interference fit with these holes. The hinged cover member is
Holding the underwire on the pin can have a recess that is also pinned on the pin.

An important advantage of this embodiment is that the clamping end cover member defines a plane perpendicular to the pins, in which the underwires can freely rotate around the pins, in which each underwire has , While being minimally spreadable, but capable of deflecting elastically enough to allow some kinking from a plane.

According to the invention, the underwire has a convexly rounded section, preferably on the side rotated towards the wearer's body, over the entire length of that side.

The section remote from the rounded side may of course be a generally rectangular or triangular section with rounded corners corresponding to the edges of the underwire. The metal of the underwire can continue to the free end tip covered with plastic. The metal wire may be wrapped in a plastic sheath that can project behind the metal wire and form a hole at the rotatably connected end of the bridging piece.

[0018] The fastening element itself, as long as it is a decorative element or a base, is applied even when a functional surface is desired and when a functional surface is not required, and is used to form spokes and pearls to form aesthetics on the garment. Use a structural pattern.

The base element can form a central connection structure, such as a hole, when not in use or when used. The hole may receive a decorative element, such as a pearl or a knurled jewel, on a tack that can be received in the hole.

Often, decorative buttons for garments will have other central structures that are compatible with the structure of the base disk in the pin and eye connections, and pearls around the decorative surface with the decorative outer members exposed, preferably around the periphery. The above-described externally visible member or disk having a peripheral arrangement of the like structures may be included.

In particular, the push button is provided with a mushroom-shaped pin so that it can be fastened in a hole in the base member and in turn have holes that converge from the opposite end toward the tightened intermediate portion. It may be formed.

The decorative surface of the outer member may be raised, for example by a floral decoration, but may have a recess for receiving a carved face gem, an imitation diamond or a pearl.

According to another feature of the invention, the push button or pin and eye connection serve to attach a member such as a stay or bra underwire to the garment. In that case, the elongated tongue may be molded integrally with a member that is visible from the outside, and may be the end of the stay itself.

Alternatively, the tongue may be a tip molded on the end of a metal underwire, which may be plastic, if desired, covered by means conventional in the coated metal underwire field. .

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the underwire itself, which is usually quite rigid in that plane, ie, which cannot be significantly expanded or contracted in that plane, is flexible to torsion when bent out of that plane for comfort. Should be. This flexibility is the only one that forms the underwire cross-section so that the underwire has a generally polygonal with rounded edges, but has a flank that rotates in the sternum direction of the wearer that is convexly curved in the direction of her body. It has been found that the method can achieve this.

The present invention also includes a brassiere underwire assembly in which two underwires are connected by a bridging piece, but are rotatable in their respective planes. To this end, pin and eye connections are formed between the brassiere underwire and the bridging strip. In particular, the bridging piece may comprise a base plate sewn on a brassier fabric, the base plate being connected by hinges to a cover plate lying on the base plate.

The pins can be formed on the base plate and engage the eyes formed on the underwire. The cover plate can be swung over the pins to lock the underwire at each pin, and in a particularly advantageous configuration the cover plate can have a recess for receiving the tip of the pin projecting through the eye of the underwire.

The pin and eye structure of the present invention can be implemented simply by using a pin and eye, whether the underwire is formed of an eye or a pin and whether the underwire is covered by a decorative plate or button or directly supports the cover decoration. By separating the underwire with an eye connection, the underwire can be removed from the pocket in the bra. For example, by removing the underwire for washing, the underwire can be reinserted and engaged with the base member after completion of the washing process, forming a cover member if the wire does not carry a cover decoration. In the case of removal of the underwire to replace the bra with a so-called soft bra, the decorative base member can be used again as an anchor for the underwire in the future, or if a change in the appearance of the garment is desired by the wearer. Can remain in place to accept decorative buttons having any of the patterns described herein.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the bridging pieces may be used between the cups of a bra to form a decorative element such as a peripheral pearl, flower or diamond pattern or the like. A coupling member that forms a pin and eye connection to the underwire may be formed. In that case,
The base member does not need to use a flat cover member in this case because the underwire supports the decorative structure, but the base member can be sewn to the brassier fabric as in the embodiment with a section-shaped member. A hole may be formed.

In yet another alternative, the decorative button can be pressed onto the base member with the underwire received therewith. In all these cases, removal of the underwire is easily performed for washing purposes or to replace the bra with a soft cup bra.

The above and other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows a pair of brassier cups 13 and 14 reaching around the wearer and supporting each bra cup 13 and 14 as defined by sewing on a piece of fabric 15 which normally forms a back closure (connection). Bra 1 with shoulder straps 11 and 12
Indicates 0.

Under the cups 13 and 14, FIGS.
As shown in more detail 4, two channels (tubular pockets) 16 and 17 for receiving the brassiere assembly, here labeled 100, are sewn and the bridging pieces are shown at 101, with a scallop shape I have.

FIGS. 2-5 show decorative buttons that can be used with a metal underwire or stay by insertion into a base (FIGS. 11 and 12) that can be inserted directly into a hole in the stay or attached to a metal wire.

The base member may be an injection moldable disc-shaped member 20 having an array or row 21 of pearl structures around its periphery, as shown in FIGS. The row of pearl structures is connected to the central boss 22 by a plurality of angled spokes 23 through which sewing can pass to secure the base 20 to the bra and defining a window or opening 24 therebetween. Can be. In FIG. 8, for example, one base 25 on the right side
Is shown attached to the cloth 26 of the brassiere 27.
The cloth 26 is provided with a tack 30 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 to conform to the already (removably) attached underwire 29 by forcing the pin 31 of this tack through an eye 32 in the underwire 29. Channel 2
8 are formed in a line. The underwire is a coated metal underwire.

The pin 31 has a jaw 33 which prevents the tack from being separated from the underwire. The underwire can be inserted into the channel 28 and the mushroom-like structure 34 of the pin is pushed into a hole 35 in the center of the boss 22 of the base 20 and 25. As can be seen from the cross-sectional view of FIG.
0 converges toward the structure 38 that can be caught 2
It has two conical portions 36 and 37. As can be seen on the left side of FIG. 8 for the assembly 40, when the thumb and underwire are in place, the underwire 2
9 is in the channel, the tack covers the central part of the base members 20 and 25 and the sewing through the opening 24 is hidden. The tack member 30 may have a recess adapted to a decorative element, such as a faceted jewel 41, may be raised in a decorative pattern, or may have some other gem-like shape, such as an imitation pearl. A member can be accommodated.

However, as can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the base member 20, if sewn onto the garment for decorative purposes, of course, has a pearl decoration 4 along its perimeter.
3. The carved flat jewel 44 housed in the recess and the mushroom pin 45 hooked into the hole in the base member
, Which can be completely covered by an externally visible fastening button member 42. In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the externally visible member 46 has a perimeter decoration 47 in a row of pearls, but the central decoration is larger pearls received in recesses in the member 46. Member 48. A mushroom shaped pin 49 is also formed here to allow this outer member to be fastened to the base member.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, in the case of a decorative outer member which can be used for a decorative fastening button, the outer member is the decorative button 5 having its pin 52.
1 with the plastic stay or tip of the metal stay or underwire 50 for one, i.e., except for the jewelry insert.
It may be injection molded into a piece. In all these embodiments, the decorative buttons completely cover the base so that only the decorative buttons are visible when applied to the garment.

FIG. 7 shows a decorative button 53 that, instead of having a jeweled central piece, is raised with, for example, a pattern of flowers 54 or some other decoration. One of the advantages of the system of the present invention is that when she finds it suitable, she simply releases the push button, i.e. removes the decorative outer member and replaces it with an external member having a different decorative function. To allow the user to decorate the clothes. For example, the outer member of a carved flat jewel can be replaced with a pearl outer member.

In FIG. 13, the metal underwire, indicated at 60, may be coated with a powder, but additionally has a plastic tip 61 formed according to the present invention. This tip can be molded integrally with the external button 62 as described in connection with FIGS. Also, the underwire can be formed by injection molding the decorative button and sheath for the metal wire, indicated at 63, into one piece, as long as the underwire terminates at the molded decorative button 64. In FIG. 13, the cut facet jewelry insert is formed in a recess, whereas in FIG. 14 a recess 65 that can fit a facet jewelry or a pearl or the like is easily visible.

The underwire preferably has the cross-section shown in FIG. 16, ie is generally rectangular or somewhat trapezoidal, with a rounded edge 66 and a rounded flank 67 that is convex toward the wearer's sternum. Has a polygonal construction.
This construction creates a high degree of stiffness in the plane of the underwire, but traverses this plane when, for example, a torsional force is applied to the underwire adaptation of such torsional force for comfort but not to the underwire contribution It has been found that flexibility is acceptable.

FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of a cross section of an underwire which has been found to be advantageous, the cross section having a generally triangular shape with rounded edges 68, but a convexly curved flange 69. Is already described.

A preferred underwire assembly 100 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 19, the bridge piece 101 was used, and the hinge 1 was used.
03, the base plate 10 connected to the cover plate 104
2 is provided. The cover plate 104 has a decorative pattern 105 on its outer surface, where the decorative pattern is that of a scallop shell, although other decorative patterns may be used (see FIG. 20). The cover plate 104 is shown in FIG.
To show the positions where the eyes 106 and 107 of the underwires 108 and 109 could be inserted over the pins. The pins indicated by 110 and 111 have holes 112 in which the base plate can be sewn to the brassier fabric.
Is formed integrally with the base plate 102 on which the is formed. The cover 104 can be hinged to a base plate that can be sewn to a brassier fabric. The cover 104 can be flipped up to allow the underwire to be pulled away from the pins and removed from the garment. When the underwire is to be locked in place, recesses 113 and 1
14 can be engaged on the pin tip 115 projecting through the eyes 106 and 107 to close the cover.

As is apparent from FIGS.
The tips 106 and 107 are molded from a plastic material over metal underwires 108 and 109, which may be powder coated with a resin material already synthesized.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 20 or FIG.
17-19 are integrally molded with pin 121 and hinge structure 122, but with pin 121 being flush with plastic underwires 123 and 124 having a uniform thickness and cross section over their entire length. Different from that. Since the pin 121 does not protrude behind the underwires 123 and 124, there is no protruding pin tip that engages the cover plate 125. In that case, the cover plate may be formed with a protrusion 126 that engages a ridge 127 on the base plate 120 to latch the cover plate in its closed position. In addition, the projections hold the cover plate in the open position until the plate places the ridge 127. Another ridge 128 on the cover plate engages behind ridge 127 (see FIG. 21), holding the cover plate closed until it is forcibly opened by hand.

FIG. 24 corresponds to FIGS. 17 to 19 or FIGS.
FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the assembly of FIG.
4 can pivot with respect to the bridging piece 130 in the plane of the underwire and is fairly stiff in spreading in the plane, but it is clear that it bends in and out of the plane.

In all embodiments where the underwire is detachably attached to the fabric by pin and eye connections, the separation of the pin and eye connections allows the underwire to be
It can be removed for washing the brassiere or for permanently converting the brassiere to a soft cup bra by removing the underwire.

[0048] The base member can remain in place either as a decorative element itself or by a cover member connected to the base member by a decorative section or pin and eye connection thereof.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
A peripheral pearl decoration 71 is formed on the underwire 7.
A central pin 72 is formed which engages with an eye 73 formed in the fourth. Here, the underwire is formed with a pearl-shaped annular structure as a decoration, and if desired, a diamond-shaped member can be landed in the recess of the pin 72 or the center of the pearl group 75 can be formed. Can be formed. In this case, the external decoration is directly formed on the eye formed by the underwire.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Can have the appearance of that of FIG. 11, except that the base member is formed of pins instead of an eye or hole at the center.

In FIG. 26, another pin and eye arrangement is shown in which the base member 76 has a pearl-shaped circumference 77 and a center pin, but the underwire 79 has an eye 80 that can be forced across the pin 78. Is shown. The part of the pin projecting through the eye 80 is the peripheral arrangement 8 of the pearl structure.
2 can receive the formed cover member 81. Here, the separate members 81 form an external decoration.

As can be seen from FIGS. 27 and 28, a bridging piece 83 similar to that shown at 120 in FIG. 22 can be formed with a hole 84 that allows sewing between bra cups to bra fabric. , Pins 85 and 86 are molded with base member 83 to form a decoration,
Engage the eyes of an underwire 87 having a circular array 88 of pearl structures around these eyes. In this case no section carrying the external decoration is necessary. All the described underwires are soft rubber or soft plastic molded on a stiffer underwire 90 at their ends remote from the pins and eye connections to reduce the risk of the wires protruding from the fabric. Can have a tip 89 of In that case, the pearls may be injection molded at the end of the underwire forming the pin and eye connection (see FIGS. 25 and 27), while the opposite end may have a generally spherical shape. A tip is formed.

[0050]

As described above, the decorative underwire for the brassiere of the present invention can be detachably attached at the time of washing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 shows an underwire assembly according to the present invention formed;
FIG. 4 is an elevation view illustrating a bra that can also be decorated with one or more decorative fastening buttons using the pin and eye principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of such a fastening button.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the button pulled to a small scale.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a button using a pearl decoration.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the button of FIGS. 2 and 3 showing how a stay or underwire can form an integral part thereof.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of another decorative button using the lifting technique.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway elevational view of a portion of a bra showing the use of a cannula connected to a decorative base.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a thumbtack through an underwire portion.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged elevation view of a base.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view passing through a base.

FIG. 13 is an elevation view of another underwire having a tip formed into a metal underwire structure.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 except showing the integrally formed underwire.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view through the metal underwire of FIG. 13 without the coating.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view through which the plastic underwire of FIG. 14 is passed.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged elevation view of the underwire assembly showing a bridging piece with scallop decoration.

18 is a sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG.

FIG. 19 is an elevational view of a bridging piece having a flipped up cover plate.

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 17 of another embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view through this latter embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an elevational view of this latter embodiment with the cover flipped up.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view with the cover proposed in this latter embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a rear view of the brassiere underwire assembly.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the pin and eye underwire mounting system according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view through a further pin and eye arrangement.

FIG. 27 is a cutaway elevational view showing an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 22 but using a bridge piece without a cover section.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view through a soft rubber tip formed or molded by dipping at the end of the underwire remote from the pin and eye connection.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 bra 13 cup 14 cup 20 decorative member 29 underwire

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A metal underwire that can be received in a tubular pocket below a cup of a bra, and a molded decoration affixed to one end of the underwire and that is visible when the underwire is received in the pocket. Stay for equipped bras. 2. The stay of claim 1, wherein the underwire is connected to the decoration by a pin and eye connection. 3. The stay according to claim 1, wherein the decoration has a base connecting the two underwires of the bra. 4. The stay according to claim 1, wherein the decoration is formed by a pin fixed by pressing and a button connected to the underwire by an eye connection. 5. The stay according to claim 4, wherein the button has a central recess for receiving a jewel. 6. The stay according to claim 4, wherein the buttons are formed in a peripheral arrangement of a pearl-like structure. 7. The stay according to claim 4, wherein said button is pressed and fixed to a decorative base. 8. The stay according to claim 7, wherein said base is formed on said underwire. 9. The stay of claim 1 wherein said underwire has a generally polygonal cross-section and a flank adapted to rotate toward the wearer's sternum that is convexly curved toward the wearer. 10. The stay according to claim 1, wherein the underwire is covered with plastic.