AU2006246502B2

AU2006246502B2 - Bra Frame For Swimwear

Info

Publication number: AU2006246502B2
Application number: AU2006246502A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jessika Allen
Original assignee: Jets Swimwear Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Jets Swimwear Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-12-01
Filing date: 2006-12-01
Publication date: 2008-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-01
Also published as: AU2006246502A1

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE STANDARD PATENT SPECIFICATION FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: BRA FRAME FOR SWIMWEAR This invention is described in the following statement:- 00 Bra Frame For Swimwear SField of the Invention O The invention pertains to garment construction and more particularly (Ni to a bra frame and specially configured bra cups that are used in the fabrication of a bra assembly, particularly for swimwear.

Background of the Invention The garment designs contained herein are intended to provide the S 10 wearer with comfort and support in conjunction with novel and desirable 0 appearance attributes. It is also desirable to provide garments with an ability to adapt to a range of body shapes within any particular size in a range of sizes.

Objects and Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a bra frame that is adapted to retain and cooperate with particularly configured bra cups.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combination of bra frame and bra cups that may be integrated into women's swimwear.

Accordingly, there is provided a bra frame that comprises an x-shaped portion. The x-shaped portion has two top free ends, each top free end having an adjacent bottom free end.

The bra frame may also comprise a connecting portion between each top free end and its adjacent bottom free end. The connecting portions and the x-shaped portion define two cup openings.

There is also provided a garment with a bra assembly, having a bra front panel with two lateral edges and an X shaped bra frame having two cup openings. There are also a pair of bra cups. A periphery of each bra cup is joined into a periphery of each cup opening, and each lateral edge of the panel is gathered together with a lateral edge of the frame.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures In order that the invention be better understood, reference is now made to the following drawing figures in which: 00 Figure 1 is a plan view of components that are utilised to fabricate Sa halter top for use as swimwear; Figures 2 and (b) O illustrate the construction of a bra assembly and the gathering of its lateral edges; Figure 3 illustrates a swimwear garment constructed utilising the N bra assembly with frame depicted in Figure 2; and SFigure 4 illustrates another garment constructed utilising the bra assembly of Figure 2; S 10 Figures 5 and (b) Sillustrate, in plan view, two different cup styles.

Best Mode and Other Embodiments of the Invention As shown in Figure 1, a halter top may be constructed by the joining of an assembly of textile components. For example, a halter top (see Figure 3) is constructed from a bra front panel lO that has its lateral margins 11, 12 are joined and then joined to a pair of continuous bands 13, 14. The front panel lO conceals a bra frame 15 into which is sewn a pair of cups 16. A tie 17 is later sewn to the assembly to create neckline such as a sweetheart neckline.

As shown in Figure 1, the frame 15 comprises a generally rectangular matrix that is formed from an shaped portion 18. The upper and lower adjacent free ends 19, 20 of the frame are each joined together by rectangular connecting portions 21, 22 so as to define the cup openings 23, 24 in the frame. The cup openings are shaped to receive the moulded cups 16 such that the periphery 25 of a cup may be sewn into the periphery 26 of an opening. O The frame 15, cups 16, and panel 10 comprise an assembly that can be used in various garment styles.

0 In preferred embodiments, the shape of the periphery 25 of the cups 16 is particularly configured. The shape of the periphery 25 is characterised by a pointed medial corner 27 and a gently curving lateral edge 28.

As shown in Figure 2 (seen from behind the bra front panel io) the frame 15 with sewn-in cups 16 is located centrally of the front panel lo. The panel 1O is larger than the frame 16 and thus creates a margin 30 that extends past the long edges 31 as well as the lateral edges 32 of the frame.

S 10 Figure 2 also illustrates that the lateral edges of the front panel lo and the frame 15 may be gathered prior to attaching the assembly to the continuous bands 13, 14.

As shown in Figure 3, the gathered lateral edges 33 of the assembly 34 are stitched to the continuous bands 13, 14. Bar tacks 35 are used at each end of the line of stitching 36 that connects the assembly 34 to the bands 13, 14. In preferred embodiments and 8mm reinforcement rubber is stitched into this seam 36 at the same time. Note that the medial corners 27 of the cups allow the centre portion of the assembly to be gathered and fastened by a tie 37.

As shown in Figure 4, the bra assembly 40 comprising a bra front panel 41, frame, cups 48 and a tab or optional tie 45 may be incorporated into onepiece bathing suit as well as a halter or a two piece or a singlet or a bandeau.

Figure 4 depicts a one piece swimsuit wherein the bra assembly 40 is attached to the garment's front panel 42 by double or twin needle stitching 43, preferably incorporating an 8mm reinforcement rubber along the twin needle stitching as well as bar tacks (not shown) at each end of the underbust area.

In this example, a tie 45 is used to gather the centre part of the assembly and create the sweetheart neckline.

It will also be appreciated that the frame 15 in Figure 1 with sewn-in cups 16 may be incorporated into other styles of swimwear.

As shown in Figures 5 and the projected plan bra cup geometry is defined by the dimensions of its three edges. The top edge is the edge extending between the medial corner or point 51 and the upper lateral corner or point 52. Dimension A is defined as the length of this top edge, and is also referred to as the top edge length. The lateral edge 53 extends from the upper NO lateral corner or point 52 to the lower lateral corner or point 54, and is also O referred to as the armhole edge. Dimension B is defined as the length of the 0 lateral edge, and is also known as the lateral edge length. The underbust edge Sruns between the medial point or corner 51 and the lower lateral point or corner 54. Dimension C is defined as the length of the underbust edge, and is referred to as the underbust edge length.

Variations in dimensions A, B, and C are used to create different styles Sand sizes for the bra cup. As shown in Figure a shallower neckline is achieved when the top edge length is shorter than the underbust edge 10 length As shown in Figure 5 a lower-cut neckline is created when the 0top edge length is longer than the underbust edge length For both of these styles, the lateral edge is less curved than the other two edges. Also in both styles, the lateral edge length is shorter than the top edge length and the underbust edge length. Preferably, the cup thickness is between 1 1.5 mm along the top edge and the armhole edge, and about 1.5mm for the underbust edge. This variation is thickness can be achieved by moulding the cup.

The tables below list the dimensions used for different sizes, in both of the above mentioned styles.

Style shown in Figure 5 (a) size A in cm B in cm C in cm 8 14.5 10.2 15.6 15.2 10.5 16.6 12 16 11.4 17.4 14 16.4 12 18.2 16 17 12.4 18.7 Style Shown in Figure 5 (b) Size A in cm B in cm C in cm 8 18.8 9.1 16.2 19.3 9.5 17.2 12 20.6 10.2 17.9 14 21.5 10.7 18.6 IN While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to Sparticular details of construction, these should be understood as having been 0 provided by way of example and not as limitations to the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims

3. The bra frame of either of claims 1 or 2, further comprising, a bra front panel located to the front of the x-shaped and connecting portions.
4. The bra frame of any one of claims 1-3, wherein: each of the cup onenings receives a cup. The bra frame of of claim 4, wherein: the cups are moulded.
6. The bra frame of either of claims 4 or 5, wherein: each cup has a lateral edge that extends between an upper lateral corner and a lower lateral corner.
7. The bra frame of any one of claims 4 6, wherein, each cup has a medial corner that is pointed. 00 8. The bra frame of claim 6, wherein, a lateral edge length of each cup is shorter than a top edge length of the cup, O and is also shorter than an underbust edge length of the cup.
9. The bra frame of claim 8, wherein, t a top edge length of the cup is longer than the underbust edge length of the cup. lO. The bra frame of claim 8, wherein, the top edge length of the cup is shorter than the underbust edge length of the cup.
11. A garment with a bra assembly, comprising: a bra front panel having two lateral edges; an x-shaped bra frame having two cup openings; a pair of bra cups; wherein a periphery of each bra cup is joined into a periphery of each cup opening, and each lateral edge of the panel is gathered together with a lateral edge of the frame.
12. The garment of claim 11, wherein, the bra frame comprises a generally x-shaped portion and a rectangular connecting portion between each top and bottom free ends of the x-shaped portion, the x-shaped and connecting portions defining the cup openings.
13. The garment of claim 12, wherein, the bra frame is centrally located on the bra front panel, creating a margin around two long edges and the lateral edges of the bra frame. 00 14. The garment of any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising, O a tie for gathering a centre part of the bra assembly. O The garment of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein, ci the bra assembly is sewn between two bands.
16. The garment of claim 15, wherein, Sbar tacks are used at each end of a line of stitching connecting the bra -i assembly to each band.
17. The garment of claim 16, wherein, a reinforcement rubber is stitched into a seam under the line of stitching.
18. The garment of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein, the bands are margins of a one-piece bathing suit.
19. The garment of claim 18, wherein, the one-piece bathing suit is an empire front swimsuit, and the bra assembly is attached to an empire front panel. The garment of claim 19, wherein, there is a reinforcement rubber along the double stitching, and a bar tack at each end of an underbust area.