US2391417A

US2391417A - Brassiere

Info

Publication number: US2391417A
Application number: US556353A
Authority: US
Inventors: Iver F Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1944-09-29
Filing date: 1944-09-29
Publication date: 1945-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 1962-12-25

Description

Dec. 25, 1945. I. F. HILL 2,391,417

BRASSIERE Filed Sept. 29, 1944 I lNVENTOR 1w; F HILL a g/WW /0' ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 25, 1945 UNITED STATES Y PATENT OFF ICE nasssrann Iver F. Hill, Stratford, Conn. Application September 2'9, 1944, Serial No. 556,353 2 Claims. c1. H2)

The present invention relates to a brassiere, and especially a brassiere formed of moulded plastic material, or of other suitable substance capable of being formed into a semi-rigid moulded shape, as for instance pulp fibre.

An object of the invention is to provide a brassiere which will be natural in appearance, comfortable to wear, will provide adequate support, and will be self-sustaining, this last mentioned characteristic being effectually carried out through the inherent structural form of the brassiere without the necessity for shoulder straps. Hence, the brassire will be suitable for wear with strapless gowns, and for ordinary wear will not have the uncomfortable cutting efiect of shoulder straps. I

With the above and other objects in view, embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawing, and these embodiments will be hereinafter more fully described withreference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing- Fig. 1 is a. perspective view of a brassiere, according to one form of the invention, being shown in its operative position upon the wearer.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of one of the brassire pockets, this being the right hand pocket as seen in Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a similar sectional view of another modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of still another form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a single pocket unit, according to a further modified form of the invention, two such units adapted to be attached to a supporting band to form the complete brassiere.

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of another modified form of the invention, wherein the plastic material is of sheet form and is overlapped at its upper portion to provide a. pocket formation.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a further modified form, similar to the form shown in Fig. 7, but wherein the sheet material is overlapped in the lower portion to provide a pocket formation.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of another modification.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing. and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the bmssiere, ac-

modified are provided upwardly cording to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention shown therein, comprises a front band portion l0 adapted to embrace the diaphragm of the wearer, being provided centrally with an upwardly arched upper edge portion Ii adapted to extend upwardly, between the breasts of the wearer, and at each side of which there extending pocket portions i2 of generally rounded cupped shape. These are preferably of circular or oval outline, and the connections between them and the band portion ID are in the form of contracted neck portions iii. The contracted neck portions II are curved inwardly and downwardly where they join the band portion l0 and are structurally reinforced, as at- M, so as to provide a substantially rigid support between the [band portion and the pocket portions, this reinforcement being provided by moulding the plastic material of substantially increased thickness, as shown in Fig. 2.

The reinforcement between the band and pocket portions may be provided by a separate reinforcing layer l5, as shown in Fig. 3, homogeneously joined to the layer of material forming the band and pocket portions by suitable adhesive, such as, for instance, Acetone," in the case of a cellulose acetate plastic material. Another modified form of reinforcement may consist of a metal insert l6, as shown in Fig. 4, moulded into the material forming the :band and pocket portions. A further modified form of reinforcement may consist of an embossed strut-like rib II, as shown in Fig. 5, extending across the curve between the band and pocket portions.

At. each end of the band portion l0 there is provided a slot l8 for the purpose of attachment thereto of an elastic fastening band l9. This band l9 may be threaded through the slot ii at one end and secured by an adjustment buckle 20 as shown in Fig. 2, its other end being releasably connected by snap fasteners 2| to a. tab 22, engaged through the slot ID at the other end and by suitable stitching 24.

Whili/the pocket portions l2 may be of any suitable. shape, they preferably are moulded into an approximately-natural shap and to this end are provided with nipple points 25, slightly below the upper edge of the pocket portion, the pocket portion above the points curving upwardly and inwardly. In addition to giving a natural appearance, this arrangement eifectually supports and confines the breasts.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the pocket portion I2 is connected to a short band portion Ill having slots 26 at each end through a complete brassiere. Two single units as shown in Fig. 6 may, if desired, be homogeneously connected by suitable adhesive to a supporting band of plastic material, this arrangement permitting i manufacture with a smaller size mould than would be possible with the completely integral form of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a modified form of the invention formed from plastic sheet material which is capable of being pressed into suitable moulded form when heated, the general cup shape of the pocket portion I! being formed by splitting the material above the nipple point 25 and overlapping and adhesively connecting it together, as at 28. In Fig. 8 there is shown another modified form similar in principle to that shown in Fig. .7, wherein the material is split and overlapped below the point 25, as at 29, and adhesively connected.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9 the upper nipple portion of the brassiere is cut away, as at 30, the cut-out being defined by a concavely curved edge.

Obviously, the modified forms of the invention shown in Figs. '7 to 9 may be incorporated in the complete integral brassiere, as shown in Fig. l, as well as in the single unit type, as shown in Fig. 6. It will also be obvious that the reinforcing means l4, l5, l6 and I1 maybe employed in any of the several modified forms. The brassiere structure may if desired be suitably perforated for ventilation purposes, and may also be covered wholly or in part by suitable fabric material.

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactory embodiments of the invention, but it will be understood that changes may be made therein,- within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a brassiere, an integral structure of moulded plastic material, or the like, comprising a supporting band portion and an initially cupped pocket portion extending upwardly from said band portion and connected thereto by a. contracted neck portion, said pocket portion at its lower part being curved outwardly and upwardly with respect to said band portion, and a reinforcing means of relatively increased stifiness disposed in said neck portion along the curve between'said bandand pocket portions.

2. In a brassiere, an integral structure of moulded plastic material, or the like, comprising a supporting band portion and an initially cupped pocket portion extending upwardly from said ing means of relatively increased stiffness disposed in said connection portion along the curve between said band and pocket portions.

' IVER F. HILL.