US3270747A

US3270747A - Foundation garment

Info

Publication number: US3270747A
Application number: US374305A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cuozzi Concetta
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-06-11
Filing date: 1964-06-11
Publication date: 1966-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 1983-09-06

Description

Sept. 6, 1966 c. cuozzl FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed June l1, 1964 FIG! INVENTOR Co oeh C ozzi ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,270,747 FOUNDATION GARMENT Concetta Cuozzi, 443 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

Filed June 11, 1964, Ser. No. 374,305 6 Claims. (Cl. 12S-528) The present invention pertains to foundation garments, such as girdles, panty gir-dles, and the like, particularly adapted to be worn by the female species.

More particularly, this invention relates to foundation garments, such as girdles, panty girdles, and the like, comprising a plurality of panels that are so constructed, contoured, disposed and arranged as to be positioned in a substantially stationary overlying relationship with respect to certain port-ions of the female torso, such as the waist, hips, thighs and derriere, in which relationship said panels are particularly adapted to develop figure controlling pressures, particularly with respect to that one of the aforesaid portions known as the derriere, irrespective of the position of the torso, and even during and subsequent to a changing of its attitude, as when a sitting or bending position is assumed enabling the presentation of a foundation garment of the aforesaid type that readily accommodates changing attitudes of the fe-male torso, while yet maintaining proper ligure controlling pressures, `particularly with respect to the aforesaid derriere, while, :at the same time, precluding the introduction of binding and other uncomfortable pressures, merely because the attitude of the torso changes.

There is presently available a relative plethora of foundation garments, such as girdles, panty girdles, and the like. In providing such a garment a basic concern is to present the proper figure controlling pressures, while, at the same time, maintaining as much comfort as is possible.

A unique problem occurs when the attitude of the torso changes, as well as when it returns to its original position. For example, it has been found that when the attitude changes from a standing to a bending position, heretofore suggested garments move with respect to those portions of the torso they are particularly adapted to overlie. However, when the torso is returned to its original attitude, it has been found that these garments do not move with respect thereto in the same amount, or to the same degree, as they jdid when the position of the torso first changed from its original attitude. Accordingly, presently available garments have been found to bunchup, particularly with respect to those portions of the torso known as the waist, hips, thighs and derriere, and especially with respect to the latter. As a result, binding pressures act against the aforesaid portions of the torso, with attending extreme discomfort, and even pain.

Accordingly, having in mind each and every one of the aforesaid disadvantages, and others that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a foundation garment, such as a girdle, panty girdle, and the like, comprising a plurality of panels that are so constructed, contoured, disposed and arranged as to be positioned in a substantially stationary overlying relationship with respect to certain portions of the female torso, such as the waist, hips, thighs and derriere, in which -relationship said panels are particularly adapted to develop gure controlling pressures, particularly with respect to the latter of the aforesaid portions, irrespective of the position of the torso, and even during and subsequent to changing of its attitude, as when a sitting or a bending position is assumed, enabling the presentation of a foundation garment of the aforesaid type that readily accommodates changing attitudes of the female torso, while yet maintaining proper ligure controlling pressures, particularly with respect to 3,270,747 Patented Sept. 6, 1966 ice the derriere, in the manner aforesaid, while, at the same time, precluding the introduction of binding and other uncomfortable pressure, merely because the attitude of the torso changes.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a foundation garment, such as -a girdle, panty girdle, and the like, comprising a plurality of panels, each` of which is distendable in at least one of a plurality of directions, said panels being so constructed, contoured, disposed and arranged as to be relatively movable with respect to one another when the garment is ldisposed in overlying relationship with respect to those portions of the female torso known as the waist, hips, thighs and derriere, and particularly when said panels are disposed in that relationship with respect to the latter of the aforesaid portions, in which relationship the aforesaid panels are particularly adapted to remain substantially stationary particularly with -respect to said derriere, enabling said garment to develop figure controlling pressures, particularly with respect thereto, irrespective of the position of the torso, and even during and subsequent to a changing of its attitude, as when a sitting or a bending position is assumed, and further enabling the presentation of a foundation garment of the aforesaid type that readily accommodates lchanging attitudes of the female torso, while yet maintaining proper figure controlling pressures, particularly with respect to that one of said portions known as the derriere, in the manner aforesaid, while, at the same time, precluding the introduction of binding and other uncomfortable pressures, merely because the attitude of the torso changes.

Yet `another primary object of this invention is to provide a foundation garment, such as a girdle, panty girdle, and the like, comprising -a plurality of panels that are distendable in at least one fof a plurality of directions, and are so constructed, contoured and arranged as to be disposed in an overlapping relatively movable relationship with respect to one another when the garment encompasses the female torso and particularly those portions thereof known as the waist, hips, thighs and derriere, in which relationship said panels are particularly adapted to develop gure controlling pressures, particularly with respect to the latter of the aforesaid portions, irrespective of the position of the torso, and even during and subsequent to changing of its attitude, as when a sitting or a bending position is assumed, enabling the presentation of a foundation garment of the aforesaid type that readily acoommodates changing attitudes of the female torso, while yet maintaining proper ligure controlling pressures, particularly with respect to the derriere, in the manner aforesaid, while, at the same time, precluding the introduction of binding and other uncomfortable pressures, merely because the attitude of the torso changes.

Furthermore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a foundation garment, such as a girdle, panty-girdle, and the like, particularly adapted to encompass those portions of the female torso known as the waist, hips, thighs and dierriere, said garment comprising a plurality of distendable panels disposed in overlapping relatively movable relationship with respect to one another, each of said panels being disposed in .at least partially overlapping relationship with respect to said derriere, and support assemblies structurally operatively associated with one of said panels and disposed -generally interiorly of another of said panels for supporting such articles of wearing apparel as hosiery with respect to said said portions of the torso, and particularly with respect to said derriere, further enabling the presentation of a foundation garment of the aforesaid ty-pe capable of developing of figure controlling pressures, while yet readily accommodating changing attitudes of the torso, as when a sitting lor bending position is assumed, in such a manner as to enable Iunimpeded walking or striding without riding vertically relative to said torso, without wrinkling across that portion thereof known las the waist, and, particularly at the rear thereof, or binding across the girth of the thighs, especially at and adjacent that portion vof the torso known as the derriere.

Other objects and important features of the present invention will be apparent from a study of the specification following, taken with the drawings which together show, illustrate, describe and disclose a preferred ernbodirnent or modification of the invention and what is now considered to be the best mode yof practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall Within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational View of a foundation garment constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation-al view of the garment shown in FIG. 1, partially broken away; and

FIG. 3 is a `cross-sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, the -garment being distended to show certain details of constructions.

With reference now to the drawings, a foundation garment, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and generally designated by the ref-erence character 10, is illustrated therein. It will be understood at the outset that, while the garment illustrated in the drawing takes the form of a p-anty girdle, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to all other foundation garments Iof a similar type, such as girdles, long-line brassieres, and the like.

The garment 10 comprises a plurality of body or

torsoencircling panels

12 and 14, each of which is so constructed, contoured, disposed and arranged as to sub stantially completely encompass that portion of the female torso known as the waist, hips, thighs and derriere. To this end, the panels may be fabricated of any suitable rn-aterial that is distendable in each of a plurality of directions, as indicated by the arrows in the drawing, and extends generally vertically downwardly from a waistencircling band 16 to a plurality `of leg-encircling bands 18. The

bands

16 and 18 male be fabricated of any suitable material, and preferably of a material that is distendable at least generally longitudinally thereof, that is along the bands in a direction about those portions of the torso they encompass, enabling the bands to develop more than adequate figure controlling pressures therefor.

The

panels

12 and 14 are particularly adapted to be structurally operatively associated with one another generally frontally 'of the garment 10 in -any suitable manner, as by stitching 20. The stitching 20, which defines a seam, extends generally vertically downwardly from the waist band 16, to a location generally media-ily of the longitudinal dimensional extent or height thereof. A panel 22 is particularly adapted to be dispos-ed generally frontally and centrally of the garment 10, and structurally operatively associated with the

panels

12 and 14, as by means of stitching 24, and in overlying relationship with respect thereto. This panel may be of any suitable configuration or contour, and may be fabricated of any suitable material that is non-distendable. For example, the panel 22 may be fabricated, -at least in part, of lace, so that, when considered with its contour, the garment 1f) presents a very aesthetic appearance. This is particularly true since a substantial portion :of the longitudinal dimensional extent of the seam 20 at the front of the garment is hidden from view.

It will now be understood that the panel 22, in conjunction with those portions of the

panels

12 and 14 disposed in underlying relationship with respect thereto, comprise a control assembly for that portion of the female torso known a-s the abdomen. This assembly will present the proper figure controlling pressures for the aforesaid portion, enabling the torso to present ideal geometries, especially since the

panels

12 and 14 are distendable in each of a plurality of directions.

With particular reference now to FIG. 2, each of the panels are so contoured as to define a curvilinear edge 26 that is particularly adapted to be disposed generally rearwardly of the garment. More particularly, the contour of this edge is chosen so as to correspond generally with the peripheral contour of that portion of the female torso known as the derriere, at a location substantially adjacent to the por-tion known as the thighs. The curvilinear edges 126 extend from the waist-encircling band 16 to the seam 20, the latter extending from genera-lly frontally of the garment to generally rearwardly thereof, and thus defining a crotch or crotch portion 28. It will now be seen that because the length of the seam 20 is less than the length of the garment, the

panels

12 and 14 define portions particularly adapted to encompass those portions of the torso known as the waist and hips, as well as those portions known as the thighs.

The garment 10 comprises, further, a plurality of

support panels

30 and 32, which panels may be fabricated of any suitable material that is distendable in each of a Iplurality of directions, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2. These supporting panels are particularly adapted to be disposed in a substantially complete overlapping relationship with respect to the derriere. Accordingly, the

panels

30 and 32 are structurally operatively associate-d with one another by stitching 34 that extends substantially vertically of the garment, generally rearwardly thereof, from a location at or adjacent to the end of the stitching or seam 20, that is, where the ends of the curvilinear edges 26 meet, to the waist band 116.

Since the

panels

30 and 32 are particularly adapted to be disposed in the aforesaid relationship with respect to the derriere, the longitudinal dimensional extent or height of each of them is chosen so Ias to extend generally vertically downwardly from the waist band 16, t-o a location at which they will be disposed in underlying relationship with respect to those portions of the

panels

12 and 14 particularly adapted to encompass the thighs. At that location, each of the

panels

30 and 32 is so contoured as to define an apex 36, the purpose of which will be described more fully hereinafter.

More particularly, each of the

panels

30 and 32 is defined by a first curvilinear edge 38, of substantially concave contour. The edges 38 each exten-d from one apex 36 t-o the other, over the crotch portion 28 of the garment. It will now be understood that the degree of curvature of the edges 38 depends upon whether or not the garment 10 is a panty-type of foundation garment, or a slip-on type that does not present portions for encompassing the thighs. In this latter instance, the aforesaid degree of curvature can be less than that illustrated, bu-t is still to be chosen so that apices 36 are presented. In addition, each of the panels is defined by another or second curvilinear edge 40 extending from the apex 36, about the sides of the garment, and to the waist band 16. The c-ontour of this edge is chosen so that at least a portion 42 thereof extends to and is disposed generally frontally of the garment. Finally, these panels are `defined by an edge 44 extending along a portion of the waist band 16, which edge is of corresponding con-figuration with respect thereto.

It will now be understood that the panels G0 and 32 are disposed generally interiorly of the

panels

12 and 14, respectively, at least with respect to that portion of each of the former comprising the portion of the garment that encompasses the thighs. To the `extent that the panels 12, `14, 30 and 32 are disposed in this relationship, it will now be understood that they are lrelatively movable with respect t-o one another, at least in a generally vertica-lly extending direction.

The panels -12 and 30, and the panels .'14 and 32, are `structurally operatively ass-ociated with or connected to one another along that portion of the edges 40 disposed generally frontally of the garment, namely, along the portions 42. In addition, the panels l12 and 30, and the

panels

14 and 32, are particularly adapted to be structurally operatively associated with or connected to one another along a portion 46 of the edges 26. Since the edges 26 are `disposed completely generally rearwardly -of the garment, the ,portions 46 thereof will be similarly disposed. There is accordingly defined a plurality of figure cont-rolling assemblies 48 comprising that portion of each of the

panels

12 and 30, and 14 and 32, disposed or extending between the portions 42 and 46 -of each of the

edges

40 and 26, respectively. 'The :assemblies 48, in turn, comprise .a plurality lof layers -or plies of distendable material, enabling them to more than adequately perform the function -of developing figure controlling pressures at the hips.

As hereinbefore pointed out, each of the

panels

30 and 32 is particularly adapted to be 'disposed in overlapping relationship with respect to that portion of the female t-orso 'known as the derriere. The same is partially true with respect to those portions -of the panels y12 and 14 disposed generally rearwardly of the garment. In addition, the

panels

30 and 32 are particularly adapted to enable the garment y1t) to support lsuch articles of Wearing apparel as hosiery vupon Vand with respect to the legs of the torso. To this end, a support assembly 50, of any suitable construction, is structurally operatively associated with each of the

panels

30 and 32, particularly at the apices 36 thereof. Similar lsupport assemblies are particularly adapted to be structurally operatively associated with the

panels

12 and 14 generally frontally thereof, and, to that end, these panels are provided with support elements 52.

The particular location of the support assemblies S0, especially at the rear of the garment, is of extreme significance. Firstly, since the panels 30` and 32 a-re of such longitudinal dimensional extent or length as to overlie substantially all of the derriere, the support assemblies will be disposed at the thighs. Additionally, the particular contour of the

panels

30 and 32 is such as to present the apices or points 36. Accordingly, any hoisery will transmit tensile forces to the support assemblies 50 as the attitude of the torso changes. Since the assemblies are positioned at an apex or point, the forces, transmitted thereto will tend to dissipate as they extend upwardly toward the body or main portion of the panels. This is particularly true since these panels are distendable in each of a plurality of directions, and will distend in :response to such forces as are transmitted thereto. Any Wrinkling of the

panels

30 and 32 at the body or main portion thereof will therefore be precluded, eliminating the application of binding forces to the torso.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the transmitting of tensile forces to the

panels

30 and 32 at the apices 36 thereof will tend to maintain these panels relatively stationary with respect to the torso, and particularly the derriere, when its attitude changes. For example, when the torso assumes a bending position, the panels will distend due to the tensile forces applied to the apices 36 by means of the assemblies 50. The amount that the panels distend will be proportionate to the increased dimension of the torso at the rear thereof so that, in effect, the panels will remain in an overlying relationship with respect to substantially the same area. When the torso returns to its original position, so too will the

panels

30 and 32, especially in view of the distendability thereof, and the decreased tensile forces transmitted thereto.

It will now be understood that, since the support assemblies 50 are positioned at points, as opposed to being positioned along a linear edge, there will be no bunching7 or curling of the garment 10 when the torso assumes its original position, and, thus, there will be no binding of the torso particularly at the rear thereof just below the derriere. Moreover, since these panels remain relatively stationary with respect tothe torso, the proper figure controlling pressures will be developed regardless of the attitude thereof, so that substantially ideal geometries will be presented at all times.

Still further, it will be understood that, whereas the

panels

30 and 32 tend to develop the proper figure controlling pressures with respect to a portion of the waist, the hips and the derriere, the

panels

12 and 14 will perform the same function with respect to the remaining portions of the torso particularly adapted to be encompassed by the garment. Thisis particularly true with respect to the remaining portion of the waist, the hips, thighs and the peripheral portion of the derriere. And, with respect to the latter portion of the torso, this function will more than adequately be performed, since the contour of the

panels

12 and 14 rearwardly thereof ,corresponds `generally with respect thereto. Additionally, because the

panelsr

12 and 14, which are also distendable in each of a plurality of directions, are disposed in overlapping relationship with respect to the

panels

30 and 32, they too tend to remain relatively stationary with respect to those portions of the torso they encompass, especially since tensile forces transmitted to the support assemblies 50 are, in turn, transmitted generally only to t-he

panels

30 and 32. Thus, again assuming a bending attitude of the torso, it will be realized that the dimension thereof from the Waist to the periphery of the derriere will increase to a greater extent than from the aforesaid periphery to a location along the thighs at the bands 18. The

panels

30 and 32 will readily accommodate the former increased dimension, while the

panels

12 and 14 readily and independently accommodate the latter increased dirnension. This is especially true because the panels are relatively movable with respect to one another. The important concept, therefore, is the provision of relatively movable panels for accommodating different variations in the dimension of the torso as the attitude thereof changes, rather than a single panel for performing the same function. Accordingly, it will be understood that any tendency on the part of one portion of the garment 10 to bunch up with respect to other portions of the garment has been eliminated, as has resulting binding and other uncomfortable forces and pressures. Additionally, it should be noted that the support assemblies are positioned interiorly of the garment, particularly at the rear thereof where they are disposed in underlying relationship with respect to the

panels

12 and 14. Thus, any unsightly bulge is substantially, if not completely, eliminated.

While certain relative terminology such as verticaL downwardly, and the like, has been used in the foregoing description, it is to be understood that its use is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. Accordingly, the use of such terminology in the ensuing claims is to be construed in its normal and accepted sense, and is not in any way to be considered limiting.

While the invention has been shown, illustrated, described and disclosed in terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiment or modification herein shown, illustrated, described or disclosed, such other embodiments or modifications intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope of the claims here appended.

What is claimed is:

1. A foundation garment, suc-h as a girdle, panty-girdle, and the like, comprising in combination a torso-encircling panel for encompassing that portion of the female torso known as the hips, and at least a portion of the Waist and the thighs, said torso-encircling panel extending to the rear of the garment, and being of such dimensions thereat to enable said panel to encompass at least ya portion of that part of the torso known as the derriere; the dimensions of salid torso-encircling pane-l being defined at least in part by an edge disposed at the rear of the garment; said edge being of curvilinear condiguration, .and corresponding generally with the contour of said derriere; a supporting panel disposed rearwardly of the garment to encompass a substantial portion of said derriere; said torso-encircling panel 'and said supporting panel rbeing positioned in overlapping relationship with respect to one ano-ther, and said supporting panel being connected to said torso-encircling panel at least along only a portion of said edge, enabling said panels to be relatively movable with respect to one another; and support assemblies connected to said supporting panel for transmitting tensile forces substantially `only thereto.

2. A foundation garment as defined in claim 1, wherein said torso-encircling panel comprises .a crotch portion disposed generally frontally of said garment; and wherein there is provided a plurality of supporting panels each comprising a first curvilinear edge extending to said crotch portion, and a second curvilinear edge extending about the sides of said torso-encircling panel and generally yfronta-lly thereof; the contour of each of said first and second curvilinear edges be-ing such as to -deiine apices disposed generally rearwardly of said torso-encircling panel and generally interiorly thereof; said supporting assemblies `being yconnected to said supporting panels at said apices.

3. A foundation garment Ias defined in claim 2, wherein said supporting panels, in addition to being connected to said torso-encircling panel substantially .only along a portion of the curvilinear edge thereof, being connected to said torso-encircling panel along at least a portion of said second curvilinear edge; that portion of each supporting panel and said torso-encircling panel disposed between the aforesaid portions of said curvilinear edges along which they are connected to one another defining control assemblies for encompassing that portion of the female torso known as the hips, and at least a portion there-of known as the waist, enabling said control assemblies to develop the proper figure controlling pressures with respect thereto.

4. A foundation garment as dened in claim 3,

wherein:

-said control assemblies each comprise:

a portion of each of said supporting panels and said torso-encircling panels.

5. A foundation garment as defined in claim 4, whereeach of said support panels and said torso-encircling panel are fabricated of a material that is distensible in each of a plurality of directions.

`6. A foundation garment as defined in claim 5,

wherein:

a panel fabricated of nondistensible material is connected to said torso-encircling panel generally frontally thereof;

said non-distensible panel and that portion of said torso-enriching panel connected thereto dening a control assembly particularly `adapted to encompass that portion of the female torso known as the abdomen.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,879,771 3/1959 Bell 12S-546 42,973,765 3/ L96 1 Diebold 12S-5 41 2,980,114 4/ 1961 Montoya 128--523 3,011,496 i12/ 19611 Cousins 12S-5 44 3,095,881 7/1963 Marino 128-552 3,131,698 5/1964 Morano 128-523 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A FOUNDATION GARMENT, SUCH AS A GIRDLE, PANTY-GIRDLE, AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A TORSO-ENCIRCLING PANEL FOR ENCOMPASSING THAT PORTION OF THE FEMALE TORSO KNOWN AS THE HIPS, AND AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE WAIST AND THE THIGHS, SAID TORSO-ENCIRCLING PANEL EXTENDING THE REAR OF THE GARMENT, AND BEING OF SUCH DIMENSIONS THEREAT TO ENABLE SAID PANEL TO ENCOMPASS AT LEAST A PORTION OF THAT PART OF THE TORSO KNOWN AS THE DERRIERE; THE DIMENSIONS OF SAID TORSO-ENCIRCLING PANEL BEING DEFINED AT LEAST IN PART BY AN EDGE DISPOSED AT THE REAR OF THE GARMENT; AND EDGE BEING OF CURVILINEAR CONFIGURATION, AND CORRESPONDING GENERALLY WITH THE CONTOUR OF SAID DERRIERE; A SUPPORTING PANEL DISPOSED WITH THE CONTOUR OF SAID GARMENT TO ENCOMPASS A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF SAID DERRIERE; SAID TORSO-ENCIRCLING PANEL AND SAID SUPPORTING PANEL BEING POSITIONED IN OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER, AND SAID SUPPORTING PANEL BEING CONNECTED TO SAID TORSO-ENCIRCLING PANEL AT LEAST ALONG ONLY A PORTION OF SAID EDGE, ENABLING SAID PANELS TO BE RELATIVELY MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER; AND SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORTING PANEL FOR TRANSMITTING TENSILE FORCES SUBSTANTIALLY ONLY THERETO.