US2934071A - Foundation garment - Google Patents

Description

Aprifl 26, 1960 E. CHJLD 2934mm FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed May 29, 1957 lNVENTR Elfline Child Y United States Patent 1 FOUNDATION GARMENT Elaine Child, Orange, Cnn., assignor to Sarong, Inc., West Haven, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application May 29, 1957, Serial No. 662,470

6 Claims. (Cl. 128-432) This invention relates to clothing, and more particularly to ladies undergarments of the type which are unias satisfactorily as does the corselet, for in performing their respective functions they generally cause a redistribution of fieshly areas, so that there is a tendency for displaced tissue to shift to the midrifi region, so that this section of the body betrays the object of molding the figure. A corselet, on the other hand, alleviates this conditionand where there is a redistribution of tissue, this is done under strict control so that the appearance of the entire figure is improved, and improvement is not limited to local areas.

In form, known corselets generally consist of body encircling portions which cover the torso from below the buttock and hips to just below the bust. Such portions then being surmounted by a bust portion which covers and controls the bust, such bust portion generally having conjoined bust cups after the manner of conventional brassieres. With such an arrangement, however, it will be apparent that certain problems arise where the corselet is mass produced, and it is desired to fit all purchasers from a limited number of standard sizes. These problems are present because with so extensive a garment it is obvious that there will be many variants in different figures from the standard sizes created by the manufacturer.

One specific region in which there will be considerable variations between figures which nominally require the same size garment, is the bust region, and it is particularly this situation at which the present invention is aimed. In different figures there is a greater or a lesser degree of separation between the busts, and there are, of course, variations in the bust size. It is the primary object of this invention to provide a structure of the corselet type which is self-adjusting so that a standard size will fit figures with varying dimensional characteristics in the bust region. This object is implemented in the present inventive garment by providing bust cups which are completely independent of each other, that is, are not attached to each other as is the case in the conventional brassiere, yet it is assured that such bust cups will perform their accustomed roles of supporting and holding the busts by mounting the cups upon a unique corselet body. This unique garment has two superposed, yet independent, front panels, each cup being mounted along the top of one of such panels. Because the cups are not connected, they may adjust to the needs of the wearer, while the independent front panels act to hold the cups in proper disposition relative to the breasts. The independence of the front panels permits shifts in the relative position of the bust cups, yet assures that proper control over the cups will 2,934,5i1 Patented Apr. 26, 1960 lCe always be exercised. The primary object may be further implemented by including within eachfront panel adjacent the top edge and associated with the bust cups, a band or extent of stretchable material so disposed that the direction of stretch will further aid in the controlled, self-adjustability of the bust cups.

Another object herein is to provide a garment as above disclosed in which the respective bust cups, in no way interfere with the proper function of each other. To accomplish this object, the garment is constructed so. that all sections of one cup and its associated front panel are completely below all parts of the other cup. That is,

while on three sides of the superposed front panels such panels are coextensive, at the top of such panels, the respective edges are oppositely inclined, so that no part of either front panel overlaps the bust cup associated with the other of such front panels. Thus, as presented to the sight, the bodice portion of the garment is of unincumbered and functional appearance. Such construction makes possible the use of fabrics more or less decorative as desired in the bodice portion. Furthermore, the conventional practice in construction of bust cups may be adhered to without any necessity for. new machinery or techniques for this purpose.

Still another object herein is to provide means whereby the normally completely separated bust cups in the structure as above disclosed, may be releasably secured together at a point above the edge at which the cup is secured to the associated front panel, shouldthe wearer find such expedient desirable.

How these and many other objects are to be implemented will become clear through a consideration of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the in ventive garment;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the garment shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of the inventive garment.

In the drawings is shown a corselet having side panels 10 and 11, a primarily vertically stretchable lower rear panel 12, and an upper rear panel 13. Garters 14 depend from the lower edges of the garment. In side panel .11 occurs a slide fastener 15, surmounted by conventional hook 16 and eye 17 closure means whereby the garment may be opened out for ease in donning and removal of the garment. Such rear elements seen in Fig. 2 obtain inthe embodiments shown in both Figs. 1 and 3.

The side panels 10 and 11 terminate at the front of the garment at seams 20 and 21, at which seams such side panels are secured to the two superposed front panels 22 and 23, 22 designating the outer of such front panels and 23 the inner. Both superposed front panels 22 and 23 are sewn into seams 20 and 21, these front panels being otherwise completely independent of each other. Such independence extends to both the tops and bottoms of these superposed panels. It will further be noted that front panels 22 and 23 are coextensive along three sides, that is, along seams 20 and 21 and at their bottoms. The configuration of front panels 22 and 23 at their respective tops are similar but reversed.

At the top of the garment occur bust cups 24 and 25. Bust cup 24, along its bottom edge 26, is seamed partially to side panel 10 and partially to front panel 23 along edge 27 of front panel 23. Similarly, bust cup 25 along its bottom edge 28 is seamed partially to side panel 11 and partially to front panel 22 along edge 29 of front panel 22. Edge '27 of inner front panel 23 inclines upwardly from its juncture point 30 with seam 20 along the bottom 26 of bust cup 24 until it meets free top edge 31 of front panel 23, while said free top edge 31 inclines upwardly from juncture point 32 with seam 21 to meet bottom edge 3 26 of bust cup 24. 7 It will be observed that free top edge 31 at no point throughout its length overlaps bust cup 25.

Again, edge 29 of outer front panel 22 inclines upwardly fromv its juncture point 33-with seamv21. along'the bottom 28 of bust cup 25 until itmeets free top edge 34 of front panel 22. Free top edge 34 inclines. upwardly from juncture point 35with seam 20 to meet bottom edge 28 of bust cup 25. And again, at no' point throughout its length does edge 34 of front panel 22' overlap the opposed bust cup 24;

In addition to the components of the inventive structure already enumerated, there are present tabs 36 mounted on the bust cups whichmay be tiedinto a bow for additional support, and'shoulder straps 37.

In Fig. 1 and the front portions of the garment seen in Fig. 2 is shown a modified embodiment of the present invention. Included within the respective front panels 22 and 23 arestretchable bands 40 and 41. In panel 22 the band 40 is placed along top edge 34 and has. a primary direction of stretch parallel to top edge 34. In panel 23 the band 41 is placed along top edge 31 and has aprimary direction of stretch parallel to top edge 34. 'In panel 23 the band 41 is placed along top edge 31 and has a primary'direc'tion of stretch parallel to top edge 31. In both cases, the stretchable band runsalong the respective topledge up to the bust cup associated with the respective front panel. Because of. such disposition of the bands themselves as well as their respective stretch directions, it is apparentithat tin-additional unique and highly effective control mechanism, for the bust has been in troduced into the structure. i I l I While Ihave described specific embodiments of my invention it is apparent that various" changes and modifications may be intro'duced'thereinto, and structures so modified will still fall within the purviewbfmy invention.

I claim: 1

1. A corselet comprising body encircling portions" including two frontal side panels, a pair of independent superposed front panelseach secured to bothsaid side panels but being otherwise separate, two bust cups not connected to each other, each of said cups being partially mounted on one of said side panels and partially mounted on one of said independent front panels, whereby motion of said bust cups relative to each other in response to the needs of the wearer may occur.

2. A corselet comprising body encircling portions including t-wo frontal side panels, a pair of. independent superposed front panels, each secured to both said side panels but being otherwise separate, two bust cups not connected to each other, each of said cups being partially mounted on one of said independent side panels and partially mounted on one of said front panels, each of said front panels having a free upper edge and including a band of stretchable material along said free upper edge.

3. A corselet as claimed in claim 2 wherein said free upper edge of each of said front panels is inclined upwardly from the juncture between one of said side panels and said front panels to the bust cup mounted on that respective independent front panel.

4. A corselet as claimed 3 wherein the primary direction of stretch of each band of stretchable material is parallel to the free upper edge of the front panel within which each said band occurs.

5. A corselet comprising body encircling portions including two frontal side panels, a'pair of independent superposed front panels each secured to both said side panels but being otherwise separate, said superposed front panels being substantially coextensive at the edges thereof other than their respective upper sides, the upper sides of each thereof being bounded in part by the lower edge of one of the bust cups, the remainder of each of said upper sides comprising a free top edge in each of said superposed front panels, each said free top edge terminat ing at one end at the juncture between one of said frontal side panels and said front panels, two bust cups not connected to each other, each of ,said cupsrbeing partially mounted on one of said side panels and partially mounted. on oneof said independent front panels, whereby motion of said bust cups'relative to each other in response to the needs of the wearer may occur. I

6.v A corselet as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of said free top edges inclines upwardly from said juncture bet-ween one of said frontal side panels and said front panels.-

References Cited in the file of this patent

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