US2946333A - Combination foundation garment and brassiere - Google Patents

Description

July 26, 1960 G, M, M mCH 2,946,333

COMBINATION FOUNDATION GARMENT AND BRASSIERE Filed June 1, 1959 45;, (5 455 6109/9 .M. Mama/i,

INVENTOR.

I ATmRWEy.

atent Patented July 26, I960 COMBINATION FOUNDATION GARMENT AND BRASSIERE This invention relates to womens garments and more particularly to a combination foundation garment and brassiere.

Womens combination garments which include in one piece a torso fitting. foundation garment and a brassiere section present fitting. problems for the wearer and inventory problems for the seller due tothe various combina tions ,ofi waist size and breast size of the wearer. Thatis, in garments of the type which enclose a portion of a womans torso, the fit and line of the garmentare of primary consideration, it being apparent that a proper fit about the waist and torso-of the woman is the main objective of the foundation garment. When the garment is of the type which includes a brassiere, especially of the strapless type, the problem of correct fit is compounded since the various combinations of waist size and torso line, together with the shape and size of'the bust cups of the brassiere, can all differ for each woman being. fitted.

Prior to the-present invention a correct fit of. both the foundation section and brassiere section of a single com.- bination garment could be assured only by custom manufacture tailored to the individual wearer. The problems of compound fitting are especially apparent in connection with strapless garments of the typewhich extend upward from the waist of the wearer and terminate in a'strapless brassiere section. In such garments the" torso fitting portion of the garment must confor'm snugly to the waist. and torso of the woman, particularly across the side and back at the upper end of the garment, since the brassiere section must be supported completely by the foundation portionlof the garment without. the benefit of straps extending over the shoulders. In such garments it is difiicult for the wearer to procure a ready-made garment with this required torso fit and which also includes a brassiere section of the correct cup size and shape.

In addition to the above discussed fitting problems for the wearer andiinventory'pr'oblems' for the seller of readymade garments, the combination garments involve particular laundering problems since the type and frequency of laundering for the" torso or foundation. section may diifer from the brassiere sectionof the gament. That is, insuch combination garments laundering of the entire garment isnecessary after almost every wearing: Such frequent laundering i's-often' not necessary for the torso part ofthegarment and m'ay'in' fact be'det'rirnental' to'the torso-section of the'garrnentt if the section includes elastic portions: It is therefore desirable to be' able' to" separate therbrassiere I section from the torso section for individual laundering of each:

Accordingly; itis: arr-object of the present inventionto provide a combination. garment including a torso fitting foundation section and: a. brassiere sectionwherein the brassiere section is separable. from the foundation section.

It. is a primary object of the present invention to-provide a combination foundation and brassiere garment wherein the size ofth'e brassiere section can be varied without varying the fit of the torso section of the garment.

Yet another-object of the present invention is to provide a combination foundation and brassiere garment wherein the brassiere section of the garment is interchangeable and removable such that various cup sizes can be fitted to the torso fitting foundation portion of the garment to allow separate fitting and purchase of the foundation by waist size and the brassiere section by bust size.

It is a stillfurther object of the present invention to provide a combination foundation garment and brassiere wherein the breast cups of the brassiere section of the garment can be varied in size without varying the size of the torso fitting: portion of the garment. V

A further object of the presentinventionis to provide a combination foundation garment and brassiere wherein the means for afliXing-removable breast cups'to the garment also serve as a stiffening and support means for the breast cups of the brassiere.

Yet another object of the present inventionis to provide an improved combination garment which is inexpensive of manufacture and which may be adapted to both the torso size and bust size of the wearer without alteration of the torso section or brassiere section, which are independent.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a combination garment of the type described in which the breast cups are removable from the garment and breast cups of a different type and size are readily attachable to the garment.

The present. invention comprises a combination" foundation garment having a torso section and a' brassiere section which comprises a torso section having eut-out portions at the upper front marginal edge of the torso fitting foundation section. The cut-out portions correspond in configuration to the lower inner edge of a breast cup of the brassiere section. A pluralityof concentrically arranged fastening means extend inwardly from theedge of the cut-out portions. Breast cups are provided with fastening. means along: the lower peripheral edge of the cup; which fastening means are mateable with one of the concentric series of fasteners, dependent upon the size of the" cup which is used. I

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention both as to its organization and method of operation, together withfurther objects and advantages thereof, which will be better understood from the following'descript'ion considered in connection with the accompanyin'g'drawing in which a presently preferred embodiment and an alternative embodiment of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustrationand description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as worn by the wearer thereof;

Figure 2' is a view in elevation showing abreast cup of the present invention aifixed to the torso fitting foundation section of the' present invention;

Figure 3 is a front view in elevation corresponding to FigureZ;

Figure 4' is a front view of the presently preferred fastening means inaccordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 is a'partial view'in detail showing the-mating edges'of thetorso fittingfou'ndation portion-of thepresent invention and the breast cup thereof;

Figure 6 is a viewinsection cor-responding toFigure 5 and taken along-line 6-6 of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a view corresponding'to Figure 6 showing an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 8 is a partial view showing the brassiere cups connected together to furnish lateral support. I I

Referring now particularly to Figure 1 there is shown a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as embodied in the type of foundation garment commonly known as a Merry Widow in which the garment extends upwardlyyfrom below thewaist of the wearer and terminates above the bust line of the wearer, and which provides a strapless brassiere. The garment includes, in general, a torso fitting foundation section A and first and second breast cups B. The torso fitting section of the garment is of the conventional construction, with the exception of the brassiere section. That is, in the type of garment shown, which extends from below the waist of the wearer, the torso fitting section A is formed such that it fits snugly at the waist of the wearer and around the back, extending upwardly along thefront, back and sides of the wearer to a position at the side just below the arms of the wearer. Such a garment is most generally purchased in accordance with the waist size and hip size of the wearer since it is essential that the torso fitting portion of the garment snugly engage the wearers body at the hip line, waistline and upward thereof to impart a smooth flowing line to the upper torso of the wearer.

In the illustrative embodiment shown, the garment is of the front fastening type with a zipper 30 extending the full length of the garment substantially up the front center line of the garment. To provide a constantly snug fit of the torso fitting portion A of the garment, conventional means such as elastic side panels 12 may be employed in order that the garment may vary in size to accommodate breathing and normal movement of the wearer.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the brassiere section in accordance with the present invention is removably attached to the torso fitting foundation section A of the garment. First and second individual breast cups B are provided in combination with the garment and are attachable thereto. The breast cups are substantially similar in shape and are sized in the conventional manner as A, B, C and D cups. For purposes of illustration, a torso fitting foundation portion A which will accommodate cup sizes A, B and C is shown, although it will be apparent from the following that the torso fitting foundation section A can also be formed to accommodate awider range of sizes, for example, A through D cup size. For most purposes a single torso fitting foundation portion which will accommodate cup sizes A through C will be suflicient, and accordingly is chosen as the illustrative embodiment.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, each of the first and A second 'breast cups B is similarly for-med, and the main body portion 14 thereof may be formed in accordance with any of the well-known methods of stitching or forming to provide decorative or supporting construction for the breast cup. In addition, breast cups having reinforcing material such as sponge rubber throughout the lower portion thereof, or wire reinforcement extending vertically along the center line thereof may be used. In the present invention, however, the breast cup is formed with a hem-like pocket extending throughout the lower peripheral edge 15 thereof. That is, as shown particularly in Figures 5 and 6, the breast cup is formed with the material forming the cup folded upon itself along the inner peripheral edge extending from the upper edge 16 at one side of the cup downward and around to the upper edge'16 at the opposite side of the cup. A continuous stitch is then sewn through the folded-over portion of the material inwardly'of the fold line 21 and continuously from the first upper edge 16 to the second upper 'edge 16', whereby the stitching 20 being inward of the fold line 21 of the material forms, a hem-like pocket 26 extending about the lower peripheral inner edge 21 0f the breast cup. Thedistance by which the stitching 20 is spaced inwardly from the fold line 21 is dependent upon the size or diameter of the fastener 25 4 I to be used as described hereinafter. Thus, the stitching formed through the double thickness of the folded material inwardly of the fold line 21 provides a pocket of small inside configuration which extends along the length of the lower peripheral edge 21 of the breast cup B from a point at the upper edge of the cup to the opposed upper edge thereof. As discussed hereinbefore with the exception of the pocket -26 which is formed therein, the remaining construction of the breast cup may take any of a variety of forms, and may be plain, padded or reinforced. r I

With particular reference to Figures 2, 3, and 5, the torso fitting section A of the garment is formed as described hereinbefore. However, cut-out portions 27 are provided extending downward from the upper front marginal edge 17 of the torso fitting portion A of the garment. That is, at both sides of the center line defined in this embodiment by the zipper 30 a cut-out portion is made from the upper edge 17', and extends toward the arm or side panel to the outer upper edge 17. The cutout portion follows a line 28 of the torso section A in such a manner that the edge formed along the line 2 conforms in configuration to the outer edge or fold line 21 of the breast cups B. That is, as shown particularly in Figures 1 and 3, the brassiere section of the garment comprises two similar sections at the upper end of the garment extending outwardly from the center fastening line 30 along the front panel to the side panel 12 at the side line 29 of the garment. The brassiere section is thus defined by first and second cut-out portions extending downwardly from the upper edge of the garment whereby an upwardly extending tongue or apex 31 is formed between the breast supporting portions of the brassiere section with a downwardly extending, approximately semi-circular cut-out portion 27 extend-ing from each side of the apex downward from the upper edge of the torso fitting portion A to the side point 17 adjacent the wearers arm.

The configuration of the upper peripheral edge of the brassiere section 28 conforms with the line of edge 21 of each breast cup B. Along the peripheral edge 28 of the torso fitting section there is provided a concentric series of stitching 34, 35 and 36 through a folded width of material 37 extending inwardly from the peripheral edge 28. Thus, the material of the torso fitting section adjacent the brassiere section cut-out portions is folded inwardly upon itself and stitched through by a concentric or parallel series of stitching lines 34, 35 and 36 spaced substantially equally inward from the fold line 28, as shown particularly in Figure 6, to form a plurality of hem- like pockets 40, 41 and 42. The rows of stitching 34, 35 and 36 extend parallel to the peripheral edge 28 throughout the length of the cut-out portion, that is from the upper edge of the torso fitting section downward parallel to the edge 28 of the cut-out portion and upward to the opposed point of the edge. The parallel lines of stitching 34, 35 and 36 thus form parallel hem- like pockets 40, 41 and 42 at spaced distances from the edge 28. The distance by which the spaced rows of stitching are spaced from the edge 28 is determined by the edge line 21 of breast cups of different sizes. That is, the row of stitching 36 is spaced inward from the edge line 28 by a distance such that the edge line 21 of an A cup would be juxtaposed to the fold line 28 when the A cup was inserted into the cut-out portion of the torso fitting section. The second row of stitching 35 is spaced inwardly from the first row of stitching 36 so that the fold line or edge 21 of a breast cup of B-size would be juxtaposed to the stitched line 36. Similarly, the third row of stitching 34 is spaced inwardly of the second row of stitching 35 such that the. outer edge 21 of a C-size bust cup would mate with the stitch line 35. Thus, the three hem- like pockets 40, 41 and 42 would mate with bust cups of-C-size, B-size and A-size respectively when the cup was positioned in the cut out portion of the garment. V

Referring now particularly to Figures 3, 4, 5. and 6, the presently preferred means for afiixing each bust cup to the torso fitting portion of the garment is. shown in Figure 4. The fastening means comprises a semi=rigid length of material such as wire, which has been folded upon itself and then bent to a curvature. corresponding to the curvature of the edge 28 of the cut-out portion of the garment and the edge 21 of the bust cup, which edges are mateable. The afiixing means 25 is thus separable at the first end 45 and joined at the opposed end 46.

Accordingly, it may be seen that a bust cup of A-size is positioned within the cut-out portion of the garment, the hem-like pocket 26 of the bust cup is adjacent to the first hem-like pocket 42 of the torso fitting portion of the .garment defined between the edge 28 and the first row of stitching 36. If the bust cup is placed into this position it may be joined to the torso fitting portion of the garment by inserting separated ends 45a and 45b of the fastening means 25 into the pockets and threading the fastening means 46 throughout the length of the pockets until the joined end 46 of the fastening means reaches the edge of the garment as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The separated ends 45a and 45b of the fastening means 25 are preferably beaded or folded upon themselves to provide a retaining means which can hook over the edge of the material of the garment after the fastening means has been inserted through the cup B and the torso fitting section A to retain the fastening means 25 in position.

It may be seen that if it is desired to aifix a B-size bust cup, as in the illustrative embodiment, to the combination garment, it is necessary only to insert the fastening means 25 through the pocket 26 of the cup and the second pocket 41 of the torso fitting portion formed between the first row 36 and the second row 35 of the stitching. Similarly, a C-cup can be affixed to the torso fitting portion of the garment by positioning the C-cup in the cut-out portion and inserting the fastening means 25 through the pockets 26 of the bust cup and the third pocket 40 formed between the second row of stitching 35 and the third row of stitching 34. The fastener can, of course, be inserted in either direction although in the figures the closed end 46 of the fastener is shown at the outer edge 1617. As shown in Figure 8, additional lateral support of the brassiere can be obtained if necessary by aflixing a connecting means such as a hook and eye connection 53 between the cups at the apex 31. Similarly, a connecting means can be fastened between the fastener 25 to connect them laterally after they are inserted in position as described above.

In fitting a combination garment to the individual wearer the pockets 42 or 41 corresponding to a cup size smaller than that of the wearer can be folded inward into the bust cup or can be removed by the seller. That is, if it is determined that the torso fitting portion A of the garment is correct for the wearer and that a C-cup brassiere section is necessary, the pair of C-cups are afiixed to the torso fitting portion A by inserting the fastening means 25 through the pocket 26 of the bust cup and the third pocket 40 of the torso fitting portion A. In this case the first and second pockets 42 and 41 are not used and are superfluous. If desired they may therefore be removed from the torso fitting portion of the garment by trimming them outside of the second row of stitching 35 as shown at a trim-line 48. Similarly, if a B-cup is used the first pocket 42 may be removed by cutting the garment along the trim-line 49 outward of the first row of stitching 36.

Accordingly it can be seen from the foregoing that the combination foundation garment and brassiere can be formed in accordance with the present invention by selecting a torso fitting portion A of the proper size and configuration to conform in the required manner to the 6 waist siz'e a' nd torso of the wearer; The brassiere section is then formed by selecting. the proper cup sizefor the wearer and aflixing the cups-v to the torso fitting section as described herein-above-such-that the combinationfgarment then fits the wearer, perfectly in both the torso section and the. brassiere section; In addition, the cups are. removably ailixed andcanbe removedfrom the garment for interchangeability or separate laundering.

Referring now to Figure 7, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. The alternative embodiment is in all respects similar to the embodiment previously described with the exception that the means for fastening the bust cups B to the torso fitting section A difiers. That is, in the alternative embodiment a row of fasteners 54, such as conventional snap fasteners, are formed outwardly of and along the lower peripheral edge 21 of the bust cup. Concentric rows of mating fasteners 55, 56 and 57 are afiixed to the torso fitting section along the edge 28 of the garment and are spaced inwardly from the edge of the garment by an amount determined to conform with bust cups of A-size, B-size and C-size respectively.

Thus, the bust cups in the alternative embodiment are attached to the torso fitting portion A by selecting the proper size of cup and afiixing it to the appropriate mating row of fasteners. Thus, if an A-cup is required, it is affixed to the garment by mating the fasteners 54 of the bust cup to the first row of fasteners 55 on the torso fitting portion. Similarly, a B-cup is afilxed by fastening the cup to the second row of fasteners 56 and a C-cup is affixed to the third row of fasteners 57.

Although the present invention has been described with an illustrative strapless brassiere section it is to be understood that straps can be affixed to the brassiere section. In addition, a foundation section of some length has been shown although the invention is applicable to any foundation section extending beneath the bust line.

Thus, the present invention provides a combination foundation garment having a torso fitting foundation portion'and brassiere section wherein the brassiere section comprises two bust cups removably affixed to the torso fitting portion. Improved means are provided for afiixing the brassiere section to the foundation section. The present invention provides such a garment where bust cups of the proper size are aifixed to a foundation portion which has previously been fitted and is of the proper size, thus allowing the brassiere section to be varied without varying the fit of the torso section of the garment. Thus, the brassiere cups can be purchased and fitted independently of the foundation, which is fitted according to waist size independently of bust size. The bust cups are removable from the torso fitting foundation portion of the garment for interchangeability or separate laundering and in addition may be interchanged when the bust size of the wearer varies without any variation in the torso size or configuration of the wearer.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination foundation garment and brassiere comprising: a torso fitting foundation section adapted to fit the wearer extending downwardly from the bust line, the upper marginal edge of said section defining two downwardly extending laterally spaced apart cut-out portions, two breast cups of predetermined size removably engageable with said section, said cut-out portions each being formed in a configuration mateable with the lower peripheral edge of one of said breast cups, fastening means on each of said breast cups, which is a stitched, turned-over portion at the peripheral edge thereof that defines a peripherally extending pocket, a plurality of concentrically arranged fastening means'on said section including a turned-over portion extending inwardly from said cut-out portions stitched in spaced apart concentric lines to define a plurality of peripherally extending pockets; and engaging means including a resilient member removably insertable into said peripheral pocket on said cup and one of said pockets on said section to interconnect said cups and section.

2. The garment as defined in claim '1 in which'said resilient member in said engaging means is 'folded iipon itself to form two interconnected curved members one of which is insertable into said peripheral pocket of said cup and one of which is insertahle into one of said pockets on said section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Rawetzky Oct. 8, 1935 Goddard July 3, 1951 Luhr Mar. 9, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Nov. 30, 1953

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