US20170215489A1

US20170215489A1 - Bra with bra band cover

Info

Publication number: US20170215489A1
Application number: US15/010,147
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephanie McFadden
Original assignee: Famous Brand Clothier LLC
Current assignee: Famous Brand Clothier LLC
Priority date: 2016-01-29
Filing date: 2016-01-29
Publication date: 2017-08-03

Abstract

The invention discloses a column or piece of cloth used to wrap around a back bra band in order to wear the bra with an open back garment of the same cloth, a cloth that color coordinates with the wrapped cloth, or a non-color coordinating cloth.

Description

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bra cover. Specifically, the present invention relates to a bra back band cover to be worn with a matching or non-matching “open back” garment.
Description of Related Art
Women's garment styles seem almost limitless. One of the more popular styles of women's garment styles includes an open back dress. Open back designs appear in a number of garments, such as dresses, blouses, shirts, tees, tank tops, jackets, jumpsuits, and the like. Because an open back garment means that conventional bras, having a horizontal back band, can't be utilized or the undergarment bra band is seen across the back (and around the shoulder blade area), a number of solutions besides convention bras are utilized by women. These solutions include going braless, stick on cup bras, bras with neck straps, bras with no, or a low back, band and the like.
For many women, none of these solutions are adequate and, because of breast size or other reasons, they need to have a bra with the standard bra band going straight around the back. Typically, these women avoid open back garments. A solution for these types of situations would be useful and, if the solution were useful with a standard bra, women would not have to buy additional bras just to wear an open back dress.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The discovery has been made that a bra can be worn with an open back garment without the problems identified above. By forming a column of fabric and placing the column over the back bra band, the bra can be worn with the garment.
Accordingly, the invention relates to an open back garment system for use with a woman wearing a bra with a conventional horizontal back bra band comprising:

- a) an open back garment made of a cloth having a first pattern; and
- b) an open column of cloth that is open at both ends, made of cloth having the first pattern, or a cloth having a pattern that is different than the first pattern, designed to fit over the back bra band while the woman is wearing the open back garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a back view of an open back garment (dress).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the open column of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the column of a bra band.

FIG. 4 is a view of an open back garment and column on a bra band.

FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b are perspective views of the band being placed on a bra band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.

Definitions

The terms “about” and “essentially” mean ±10 percent.
The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended.
References throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, and “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.
The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.
The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be considered as limitations thereto. The term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.
As used herein, the phrase “open back garment” refers to a woman's garment that is low cut in the back or any open in the back garment, such that the horizontal back bra band of a conventional bra would be seen when wearing the garment. Examples are low backs, slits, cutouts and the like. One of skill in the art would be able to determine when a garment is open back, examples of such garments are listed above. The garment will be made of a cloth such as cotton, polyester, silk or the like, and have a color and/or pattern to the cloth for decorative purposes.
As used herein, the phrase “conventional back bra band” refers to the back fastening band of a bra, wherein the back band fastener sits horizontally when properly fitted on a woman, as noted in pictures in Wikipedia on bras incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
As used herein, the phrase “open column of cloth” refers to a column open at both ends (as shown in the figures) such that it can be slipped over the horizontal back band of the conventional bra or slit along the length and wrapped around the bra band, then closed with snaps, Velcro and the like. That is accomplished by placing it on one side of the band before the band is fastened, then fastening the band and positioning the column across the back band or just wrapping the column around the back bra band. The column is a length such that, when worn with the open back garment, spans the exposed area of the open back garment. If the column is made of the same cloth and pattern as the open back garment, the column will appear to be a part of the garment and hide the bra band. If it is made of a color coordinated pattern, or other second pattern colored cloth, it will be a distinct fashion contrast. “Color coordinated” refers to colors, elements, and parts of the pattern that is blended or matched to the first pattern of the low-backed garment. In one embodiment, the column is fastened, at least in part, i.e. at one end, or can be separate. Accordingly, one could sell the device with a matching garment, or it could be a standard part of the garment, or could be sold separately from the garment. One of skill viewing the drawings and reading the disclosure can figure out how big or small the column needs to be, the diameter, and how to attach the column, such as elastic bands at each open end, or however else one would like to attach the column depending on the type of open back garment it is being used with.
Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a back view of a woman with an open back garment (a dress) wearing a horizontal band bra. Woman 1 has on dress 2 having pattern 3, indicated by shading on the dress, the conventional bra band 4 shows bra hooks 5 for attaching the ends of the bra band.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the open column of cloth 20 having open ends 21 and 22 with elastic bands 23 and 24 and pattern 25 indicated by shading.
FIG. 3 shows the column of cloth 20 mounted on the back band 4 of a bra 30. The column is mounted by placing it on the band before or after the band is fastened together.
FIG. 4 is a back view of a woman 1 wearing dress 2 having an open back with pattern 3 with column of fabric 20 having pattern 3. As noted, the band now looks like it is part of the dress, but a color coordinated band or any other pattern is also contemplated.
FIG. 5a shows a version of the column of fabric 20 which is scrunched to one side of bra 30. Bra snaps 51 and 52 are then fastened together and the column of fabric 20 stretches back over the snaps 51 and 52 covering the entire band 4.
FIG. 5b shows an alternative version of applying the column of cloth 20. In this embodiment, the cloth 20 is sliced down its length and wrapped around back band 4, and fastened by hook and loops fasteners 53 which mate when the fabric is folded over the back band to form a column.
Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An open back garment system for use with a person wearing a bra with a conventional horizontal back bra band comprising:

a) an open back garment made of a cloth having a first pattern; and

b) an open column of cloth that is open at both ends, made of cloth having the first pattern, or a cloth having a pattern that is different than the first pattern, designed to fit around the horizontal back bra band while the person is wearing the open back garment without further attachment to the bra.

2. The open back system according to claim 1 wherein the open ends of the open column are fitted circumferentially with elastic bands designed to hold the column of cloth in place on the bra band.

3. A device to be worn on the horizontal back band of a conventional bra that is worn by a person wearing an open back garment of a first pattern, comprising an open column of cloth that is open at both ends made of cloth having the first pattern, a cloth having a pattern that is color coordinated with the first pattern, or a second pattern not color coordinated, designed to fit around the horizontal back bra band while the person is wearing the low-back garment wherein the column is formed by one of sewing or by fasteners and is not otherwise designed to attach to the bra.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the device is slit along the length and wraps around the back bra band to fasten.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the low back garment is a dress.

6. An open back garment system for use with a person wearing a bra with a conventional horizontal back bra band comprising:

a) an open back garment made of a cloth having a first pattern; and

b) an open column of cloth that is open at both ends, made of cloth having the first pattern, or a cloth having a pattern that is different than the first pattern, designed to fit only over the back bra band while the person is wearing the open back garment wherein the open ends of the open column are fitted circumferentially with elastic bands designed to hold the column of cloth in place on the bra band.