WO2002039052A1

WO2002039052A1 - Measuring device for bra sizes

Info

Publication number: WO2002039052A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/004759
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paulette H. Sturman
Original assignee: Morplan Limited
Priority date: 2000-11-07
Filing date: 2001-10-26
Publication date: 2002-05-16
Also published as: HK1042545A1; GB0027173D0; GB2368643A; GB2368643B; AU2002212444A1; HK1042545B

Abstract

A measuring device for calculating a woman's correct bra size, wherein a single tape is provided with first and second indicia means thereon and wherein a measurement of bra size is obtained by first measuring a woman's underbust or band size using the first indicia means, memorizing the first indicia means which has characteristics which are incorporated into the second indicia means, and then performing an overbust measurement and subsequently reading off bra size directly from information provided by the second indicia means at a location corresponding to the second measurement. Preferably, the first indicia means comprises a plurality of coloured bands, whereas the second indicia means comprises a plurality of groups of bra sizes which are colour coded in the colours corresponding to the colour bands.

Description

MEASURING DEVICE FOR BRA SIZES

This invention relates to a measuring device for providing women with a means for determining the correct size of brassiere (hereinafter called bra) to wear.

Conventionally, the correct size of bra that should be worn by a woman is determined using a chart based system, or by a formula which is used with two primary measurements. Various bra manufacturers provide their own charts or formula and most stores which have large clothing departments also provide their own charts or formulae. Although the formulae are generally similar and the information provided in the charts is generally similar, it is usually not identical. Furthermore, the various charts which are available have the information and measurements thereon, which is usually in tabular form, presented in different ways, and this can obviously be confusing to the user. Furthermore, young people choosing a bra for the first time may be embarrassed to ask for help when purchasing their bra, and it could even be a harrowing experience for a more mature woman to have to seek help from a shop assistant.

Invariably, when measuring for the correct bra size, it is necessary for the woman to take at least two measurements of her chest, one immediately beneath the bust, called the underbust or band measurement or size, and one over the fullest part of the bust, called the overbust measurement or size. The charts referred to above allow the person undertaking the measurements, by consulting the chart and marrying up the measurements taken with the appropriate rows or columns in the chart, to ascertain the correct bra size, that is not only the underbust or band size, but also the cup size. In some instances, this exercise can involve some simple mental arithmetic, and the system thus provides scope for errors to occur. If a chart is not available, then the formula referred to above must be used, which definitely involves the use of mental arithmetic or the carrying out of a relatively simple calculation.

The present invention has been designed to overcome the above problems, and significantly to simplify the task of bra size measurement. A further advantage of the present invention is that it allows a person to measure her bra size by performing two simple measuring steps and reading off the bra size following completion of the second measuring step, and reduces the risk of the exact value of the first measurement performed being forgotten before the second measurement has been undertaken.

According to the present invention, we provide a measuring device for calculating a woman's correct bra size, the device consisting of a single tape having marked thereon first indicia means used to measure the underbust or band size of the woman's bust and also having marked thereon second indicia means used to measure the woman's overbust size, there being a relationship between the two indicia means so that the person using the tape can identify her bra size directly from a measurement identified by the second indicia means.

Preferably, the first indicia means comprises a measuring scale divided into a plurality of measurement bands represented by a plurality of different indicating means, such as different visual patterns or different tactile strips. Preferably, the plurality of different measurement bands is provided by successively different bands of colour on the tape. These colour bands may be supplemented by one or more standard measuring scales, such as centrimetre and/or inch scales, thus allowing the user of the tape to use the tape as a conventional tape measure and also to check the actual underbust/overbust measurements when using the tape, using traditional methods.

The tape may have both the first and second indicia means on one side thereof, or the first indicia means may be provided on one side thereof, and the second indicia means may be provided on the other side of the tape. Alternatively, it is envisaged that both sides of the tape may be used, one for one bra manufacturer's, or store outlet's, bra sizes, and one for those of another. In this respect, not all bra manufacturers and outlets selling bras use identical size indications for the bras they manufacture or sell. For example, the bust measurement and cup size on certain women may be such that a bra sold under the size 38C of one manufacturer might fit equally as well as one sold under the size 40B or 36D of another manufacturer. Also according to the present invention, we provide a method of measuring the chest of a female so as to inform the female of her correct bra size using only a single measuring tape marked with a first set of indicia means and a second set of indicia means associated with the first set, there being a relationship between the first set of indicia means and the second set of indicia means, said method including the steps of using the tape to make a first measurement of the underhand or underbust size of the female, memorising the first measurement and subsequently performing a second measurement of the overbust size using the second set of indicia means and then reading off the correct bra size directly from the appropriate one of the second indicia means corresponding to the overbust measurement, using the relationship between the two sets of indicia means.

It is preferred that the relationship between the first indicia means and the second indicia means is one of colour. This means that if the first indicia means comprise a plurality of different measurement bands identified by different colours then it is only necessary to memorise the colour band into which the underbust measurement falls whereupon, when the second or overbust measurement is taken, it is possible to read off directly the bra band and cup sizes, i.e. the bra size, from the second set of indicia means by choosing a measurement which is identified by the same colour as the colour band of the first indicia means.

Several embodiments of bra measuring device according to the present invention are now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a first embodiment of a one-sided tape, the figure being made up of 7 consecutive sections A to G;

FIGURE 2 is a table explaining part of the information available on the tape;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 , showing part of a second embodiment of tape; and

FIGURE 4 is a table similar to that of Figure 2, but referring to the tape of Figure 3. Referring to Figure 1 , the bra measuring tape has an upper portion U and a lower portion L on each of which a set of indicia means is marked. A first set of indicia means is located in a central region H of the tape so that when the tape is placed around the chest of a person who is to be measured for bra size, it is likely that the measurement will fall within that central region H of the tape. Although it is not essential, the tape is also provided with a numerical scale beginning from one end of the tape, the illustrated tape being divided into centimetre-long divisions identified from the scale running from 0 at one end of the tape to 140 centimetres at the opposite end of the tape. This metric scale is provided in the upper region U of the tape but could be provided at any location on the tape or even on the reverse face thereof. The first set of indicia means in the upper region of the tape identified at H comprises six different identical lengths or bands identified by the references T, N, W, X, Y, Z. Each of these bands is identified on the tape in a different manner, shown in the drawing as five different types of crosshatching for the bands T, N, W, X and Y and as black shading for the band Z. Alternative types of identification could be provided, but it is preferred that each of the bands T, N, W, X, Y and Z is of a different colour. For example, the band T could be a dark red or maroon colour, the band N could be green, the band W could be blue, the band X could be yellow, the band Y could be red and the band Z could be a dark blue-grey. Each of the different bands T, N, W, X, Y and Z is of the same length which, in the illustrated tape, happens to be 5 centimetres.

It should be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment of tape, the centimetre divisions could be replaced by inch divisions, in which case each of the bands T, N, , X, Y and Z would be 2 inches long. The same or different colours or other identification means could be used.

A second set of indicia means is provided in a central region of the tape which overlaps with the central region H and is identified at J. Each of the second indicia means comprises a division of the tape in which bra size or, in some cases, several bra sizes, are printed. Each of these bra sizes are shown in the different tape divisions illustrated in the lower portion L of the tape in tape sections E, F and G. Furthermore, each of the printed bra sizes are printed in a style or colour which matches the style or colour of each of the bands T, N, W, X, Y and Z in the upper region U of the tape, and these styles or colours are set forth in the table comprising Figure 2 of the drawings. For example, a bra size of 32D is identified in the same manner as the band T which, in a preferred tape, is a dark red or maroon band. This means that not only is the whole of the band T printed on the tape in a dark red or maroon colour but what is more the figures identifying the bra size 32D are each printed in the identical colour. In a similar manner, the bra size 38A is printed in the same style as the band X which, in the preferred tape, happens to be the colour yellow.

It should be noted that the tape illustrated in Figure 1 is in fact a continuous tape with the right-hand end of section A being connected to the left-hand end of section B, and so on, throughout the length of the tape. This of course means that the centimetre divisions running throughout the length of the tape are continuously arranged on the tape.

As it will be appreciated by those who are familiar with current methods for measuring bra size, the illustrated tape can be modified slightly to suit a particular store outlet or bra manufacturer. For example, some bra manufacturers produce bras in slightly different sizes from those depicted in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Referring now to Figure 3, an alternative embodiment of tape is illustrated. This tape is designed for use in a different store from that for which the tape of Figure 1 is designed. The reason for the differences in the location of the different indicia on the tape could be because the particular stores own brand bras may be sized slightly differently from those of another store or, alternatively, the tape may be for use only with a particular brand or range of brands of bra.

In Figure 3, only 4 sections of the tape corresponding to the section D, E, F and G of the tape of Figure 1 are illustrated. It can be seen that the precise arrangement of the first indicia means T', V, W, X', Y' and Z' and Z" are slightly different from the indicia means T, N, , X, Y and Z in the embodiment of Figure 1 and that there are further differences in the arrangement of the second indicia means in the lower section L of the tape. This clearly illustrates that the bras sold in the outlet for which the tape of Figure 1 is designed for use are of a slightly different size from those in the outlet for which the tape of Figure 3 is designed to be used. In Figure 4, the relationship between the first indicia means and the second indicia means are illustrated in the same manner as in Figure 2.

It should be appreciated that the tapes of the present invention are manufactured using information available from charts appropriate to the particular store in which the tapes are designed to be used or appropriate to the particular manufacturer for which the tape is designed to be used.

If the tapes are designed for home use, then they should be made of a resilient material which will not easily tear or break. This could, for example, be a linen backed paper, a paper or flexible card faced with a non-tearable transparent polymeric material on one or both sides or any other suitable material. On the other hand, if the tape is designed for use in a store by one person and is then to be thrown away by that person, then it may be formed of paper or other less expensive material.

It will be appreciated that instructions for use of the tapes according to the invention can be printed directly on the tapes and/or separately.

It will also be appreciated that a person can easily obtain her bra size by using either a metric tape or an imperial tape, or one marked with both types of measurement, or none at all.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the determination of bra sizes, it could be used for determination of swimsuit sizes or, perhaps with slight modification, for determination of the size of other articles of clothing or, perhaps, even shoe size.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A measuring device for calculating a woman's correct bra size, the device consisting of a single tape having marked thereon first indicia means used to measure the underbust or band size of the woman's bust and also having marked thereon second indicia means used to measure the woman's overbust size, there being a relationship between the two indicia means so that the person using the tape can identify directly her bra size directly from a measurement identified by the second indicia means.

2. A measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first indicia means comprises a measuring scale divided into a plurality of measurement bands represented by a plurality of different indicating means.

3. A measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of different measurement bands is provided by successively different bands of colour on the tape.

4. A measuring device according to any one of claims 1-3 and further including one or more standard measuring scales.

5. A measuring device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the tape has both the first and second indicia means on one side thereof.

6. A measuring device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the first indicia means is provided on one side thereof, and the second indicia means is provided on the other side of the tape.

7. A measuring device for measuring bra sizes, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of measuring the chest of a female so as to inform the female of her correct bra size using only a single measuring tape marked with a first set of indicia means and a second set of indicia means associated with the first set, there being a relationship between the first set of indicia means and the second set of indicia means, said method including the steps of using the tape to make a first measurement of the underhand or underbust size of the female, memorising the first measurement and subsequently performing a second measurement of the overbust size using the second set of indicia means and then reading off the correct bra size directly from the appropriate one of the second indicia means corresponding to the overbust measurement, using the relationship between the two sets of indicia means.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the relationship between the first indicia means and the second indicia means is one of colour, and wherein the method includes memorizing the appropriate colour indicated by the first measurement.

10. A method according to claim 9, including after the second or overbust measurement is taken, reading off directly the bra band and cup sizes, i.e. bra size, from the second set of indicia means by choosing a measurement which is identified by the same colour as the colour band of the first indicia means

11. A method as claimed in claim 8 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 12 March 2002 (12.03.02); original claims 1-11 replaced by new claims 1-12 (2 pages)]

1. A measuring device for calculating a woman's correct bra size, the device consisting of a single tape having marked thereon first indicia means which divide a central region of the tape into a plurality of spaced bands, each of which has a different distinguishing feature, each band corresponding to a different range of underbust or band sizes, the tape also having marked thereon second indicia means used to measure the woman's overbust size, there being a relationship between the distinguishing features of the bands and the second indicia means so that the person using the tape can make a first underbust or band measurement to ascertain the band in which the bust measurement lies and can then identify directly her bra size directly from a measurement identified by the second indicia means.

2. A measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the second indicia means comprises a plurality of divisions into which a region of the tape is divided, each division having one or more bra sizes printed thereon in such a manner as to match the distinguishing feature of one of the respective bands.

3. A measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of spaced bands is provided by successively different bands of colour on the tape, and wherein the second indicia means comprise one or more bra sizes, each one of which is printed in a colour which corresponds to one of the colours of the spaced bands.

8. A method of measuring the chest of a female so as to inform the female of her correct bra size using only a single measuring tape marked with a first set of indicia means which divide a central region of the tape into a plurality of spaced bands, each of which has a different distinguishing feature and a second set of indicia means, there being a relationship between the distinguishing features of the first set of indicia means and the second set of indicia means, said method including the steps of using the tape to make a first measurement of the underhand or underbust size of the female, memorising the distinguishing feature of the band in which the first measurement falls, and subsequently performing a second measurement of the overbust size using the second set of indicia means, and then reading off the correct bra size directly from the appropriate one of the second indicia means corresponding to the overbust measurement, using the relationship between the two sets of indicia means.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the second indicia means comprise a plurality of divisions in a region of the tape and wherein the second measurement involves ascertaining into which division the overbust measurement lies, and reading off the correct bra size by matching the distinguishing feature of the band with the same distinguishing feature which identifies the correct bra size.

10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the relationship between the first indicia means and the second indicia means is one of colour, and wherein the method includes memorizing the appropriate colour indicated by the first measurement.

11. A method according to claim 10, including after the second or overbust measurement is taken, reading off directly the bra band and cup sizes, i.e. bra size, from the second set of indicia means by choosing a measurement which is identified by the same colour as the colour band of the first indicia means

12. A method as claimed in claim 9 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.