US20060150296A1

US20060150296A1 - Novelty top

Info

Publication number: US20060150296A1
Application number: US11/032,714
Authority: US
Inventors: Ben Beckerly; John Archer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-11
Filing date: 2005-01-11
Publication date: 2006-07-13

Abstract

A garment covering a user's torso. The garment fits much like a bra, however, it is contoured and designed so that it can display text, graphics, or both on its front. A variety of seams on the back of the garment help to maintain a taught fit, while the shoulder straps of the garment allow it to support the breasts of the user like a bra. An elastic strip along the bottom circumference of the present invention also adds in providing support for the user's breasts.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is a novelty top for a human to wear on its torso, and more particularly, it is a modified pair of men's briefs turned upside down and worn backwards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clothing is most often worn to maintain warmth and/or modesty. However, clothing choice is much more complex than the level of warmth or covering that it offers. Many features dictate why a user would find one article of clothing more desirable than another. For example, an article of clothing with more pockets might be more desirable than an article of clothing without any pockets whatsoever. Clothing is also preferred because it provides a better fit, more support, or assists the wearer in attracting attention or making a statement. In short, a host of features can make one article of clothing more desirable than another.
One genre of clothing that has been received well in the last few decades is novelty clothing for casual wear. Stockings worn on heads in the sporting world is currently rather popular. A decade ago, wearing mismatched socks was popular. Two decades ago, wearing cut-off sweatshirts and other related sweat clothes was the fad. No matter the current trend in clothing, casual wear has firmly rooted itself in the dress psyche of the public, and formalwear is less and less the clothing of choice.
The public's fascination with casual dress has even moved to the undergarment arena. Many people like to flaunt their underwear in current times. A decade or more ago, edible versions of bras and panties were all the rage, whereas now, showing your underwear above your pants line in viewed as trendy and acceptable.
Unfortunately, comfortably displaying underwear on your body is all but impossible. You can't quite walk around comfortably if your pants are hanging below your crotch to completely show off your underwear. Similarly, you can't quite function in the world if your bra hiked up near your neck to show off your bra. There is a definite need for an article of clothing that has the appearance of an undergarments while actually functioning as an outer article of clothing. Thus, a user could show off the look of an undergarment without forfeiting the comfort of an outer article of clothing. Moreover, there is a need for an article of clothing that has the appearance of an undergarment, while functioning as both an outer article of clothing and a supporting undergarment. Thus, a user could show off the look of an undergarment without forfeiting the comfort of an outer article of clothing and without lacking the secure comfort of an undergarment.
Relevant art shows several patents that are modified undergarments, however, none of the relevant are has the features of the present invention. Of note is U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,343 issued to Quealy on Apr. 18, 1989, that shows a novelty wearing apparel fabricated to have the appearance of a man's lower torso tight-fitting underwear in an inverted fashion. Unlike the present invention, Quealy's device fits with a collar around the user's neck, and offers no real “bra-like” support for the wearer. Also of note is U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,751 issued to Gustafson et al. on Aug. 20, 2002, that describes a novelty tank top derived from a man's undergarment. Gustafson et al.'s device is essentially a modified inverted undergarment worn over the upper torso of the user, has an anterior pocket for carrying small items, and has a spandex liner. Unlike the present invention, Gustafson et al.'s device is worn with the front of the simulated undergarment on the chest of the user. In addition, unlike the present invention, Gustafson et al.'s device does not offer chest support from the user's shoulders, but rather, it does so from near the user's neck.
Japanese Patent Publication Number 2001081602A issued to Sasada, Taichiro on Mar. 27, 2001, shows a half-top undergarment, which concentrates on the comfortability of the wearer. Sasada's device is for the most part a comfortably fitting bra complete with holding cups and focuses on the elasticity and structured cylindrically knitted fabric. Unlike the present invention, Sasada's device does not resemble men's underwear being devoid of customary flaps and contours.
None of the above inventions and patents, looked at individually or as a group of prior art, describes the present invention as claimed and described herein.
Thus, there is a need for a novelty device that has a resemblance to men's underwear, but which can fit comfortably and supportively. There is a need for a garment that provides the fit of a bra, while at the same time having the appearance of men's briefs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a pair of men's briefs turned upside down to make a woman's tank top. The rear end of conventional pair of men's briefs is cut out and stitched. This allows women to turn the briefs over and wear it like a tank top. The waistband of the present invention fits just below the woman's breasts for support, and the present invention fits so that it also provides lifting support from the woman's shoulders.
While the crotch could be positioned on the front, greater comfort is achieved by placing it on the back. In addition, the flat surface on the front of the present invention is desirable for as a surface for imprinting, silk screening, receiving iron-ons, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a back view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention has a first strap (10) and a second strap (20), each positioned on the shoulder or slightly inside the shoulder of the user. The first strap (10) and the second strap (20) are positioned to fit much the way conventional bra straps fit on the shoulders. First strap (10) and second strap (20) communicate with main body (30) to permit the chest of the user to be covered. Main body (30) is relatively smooth and free of seems so that it can receive a printed message, graphic, or combination thereof. Further, main body (30) is free of seems to provide comfort for the user, as seams oftentimes cause abrasion and unintended pressure. Neckline (40) of the present invention preferably rides low from the first strap (10) and the second strap (20) so that it dips down toward the user's breasts in a deep curvature. Neckline (40) is important so that the support pull from first strap (10) and second strap (20) pulls up on the user's breasts. If neckline (40) were higher, then the support pull from first strap (10) and second strap (20) would focus on the user's upper chest as opposed to the user's breasts. Side seams (50) and (60) permit the present invention to snugly fit right under the user's arms to provide excellent lifting support for the user's breasts. A tight fitting band (70), preferably elasticized, is at the bottom circumference of the present invention, underneath main body (30).
As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention has first strap (10) and second strap (20). Support line (80) is positioned on the back of the present invention between first strap (10) and second strap (20). Support line (80) is positioned hold first strap (10) and second strap (20) taught so that they do not slide off the shoulders of the user. Side seams (50) and (60) permit the present invention to snugly fit right under the user's arms to provide tight supporting action from the user's breasts to the rear of the present invention. Tight fitting band (70), preferably elasticized, is at the bottom circumference of the present invention. A variety of seams (90, 100, 110, 120) are positioned in the central rear of the present invention so prevent stretching and give to enhance the support provided to the user.

Claims

1. An inverted conventional men's brief garment, comprising:

a main body;

an elastic band at the bottom of said main body;

a first strap at the top left of said main body; a second strap at the top right of said main body;

a backside piece, opposite and in communication with said main body; and

at least one seam, across the back of said backside piece.

2. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a neckline on said main body that rides low from said first strap and said second strap, towards a user's breasts.

3. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a support line on said backside piece between said first strap and said second strap.

4. The garment of claim 1, wherein said main body and said backside piece are held together using side seams.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein said backside piece is the front of a conventional men's brief.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein said main body is seamless.

7. An inverted conventional men's brief garment, comprising:

a main body and elastic band at the bottom of said main body;

a first strap at the top left of said main body;

a second strap at the top right of said main body;

a backside piece, opposite and in communication with said main body;

at least one seam across the back of said backside piece;

a neckline on said main body that rides low from said first strap and said second strap, towards a user's breasts;

a support line on said backside piece between said first strap and said second strap;

wherein said main body and said backside piece are held together using side seams;

wherein said backside piece is the front of a conventional men's brief;

wherein said main body is seamless.