US1771262A - Bust support - Google Patents

Description

July 22, 1930.

M. F. J. LOWENFELD BUST SUPPORT Filed Jan. 30, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 22, 1930. M. F. J. LOWENFELD BUST SUPPORT 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 50/ 1929 K7 fliQ/W WWW- Patented July 22, 1930 MARGARET FRANCES JANE LOWENFELD, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

BUST SUPPORT Application filed January 30, 1929, Serial No. 336,261, and in Great Britain February 7, 1928 This invention is for improvements in or relating to bust supports and has for one of its objects to provide for the requisite sup-- port to be given to the bust without relying upon a simple compression of the breasts as is usual in existing bust supports. For many reasons, this application of pressure is undesirable, and even injurious, and the bust support according to the present invention is free m from these objections. In order to overcome this objection, it has previously been proposed to provide a bust support in which the weight or a portion of the weight of each breast was supported sling fashion from the s opposite shoulder, and it has also been pro posed to provide a bust support comprising two breast supports and two shoulder straps each of which Was attached to both breast supports.

According to the present invention there is provided a bust support, comprising two breast supports, a pair of shoulder straps, and connections between each shoulder strap and both breast supports, each of which contu nections includes a running loop arranged to distribute the support afiorded by the appropriated shoulder strap to both breast supports, and which connections are so arranged that the weight, or a portion of the to weight, of each breast is supported sling fashion from the opposite shoulder, so that the garment will be self-adjusting so as to afford the requisite support in both the upward and inward directions without compressin the t5 breasts. This diagonal support which is offered to the breast is desirable for the reason, among others, that the human breasts when they swell, due to the accumulation of milk, or for other reasons, do not merely extend further vertically downwards but extend on lines which diverge downwardly. That is to say, the breasts, as they enlarge, reach further downwards and further lat-erally outwards to the sidesof the body. Hence, a diagonal support from the opposite shoulder will substantially correspond with the direction of this movement of the breast and will oifer the support in the most eficient fashion.

Tn one arrangement the breast support (which, for example is roughly-triangular in shape) covers one reast only and reaches diagonally across underneath the other breast to support a part or the whole of the weight thereof. In another arrangement, one breast support is formed with a slit adjacent to its top through Which the top of the other breast support reaches.

The bust support may comprise a body girdle to which both breast supports are secured at their bottom edges or the breast supports may be formed by upward extensions of a corset or like garment.

In order that these and other features of the present invention may be more readily understood, several embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- 1 Figures 1 and 2 are views showing one form of the bust support in position on a wearer as seen from the front and back respectively;

Figure 3 shows a detail of the bust support shown in Figures 1 and 2 to a larger scale;

Figure 4 is a front view of a modification of the bust support shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 is a front view of the bust support applied to a diaphragm control belt;

Figure 6 is a rear view of the bust support applied to a corset;

Figure 7 is a-front view of a second form of the bust support, and

Figure 8 is a rear view of the bust support modified for use as a maternity garment.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout all the figures of the drawing.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, the bust support comprises two, roughly triangular breast supports 10 and 11 which are made of any suitable material. The configurations of these breast supports will be apparent from Figure 4 and they are shaped to conform to the contour of the human breast. The two breast supports 10 and 11 which overlap one another so that their bottom edges 12 are coincident, are stitched together along their bottom edges and the top edge of each is stitched to the other at 13 and 14 respectively. The lines of stitching 13 and 14 however extend only round the back and side of the garment and not across the front thereof so that the front portions of the supports are only secured together at their bottom edges and at the point where their top edges cross at which point they are caught together at 15. Two tab-like pieces 16 and 17 are stitched one onto each end of both breast supports as shown and these pieces together with the lower portions of breast supports constitute a body girdle. The tab-like piece 16 is made of any suitable material and provided with button-holes 18 or the like, the other piece is formed of elastic material and provided with buttons 19 or the like and both pieces slope downwardly with respect to the bottom edge 12 of the garment which is slightly concave as shown in Figure 4. It has been found that the concave cut of the lower edge 12 and slope of the pieces 16 and 17 results in a close fit when in use and eliminates any tendency for the bottom of the garment to become peaked in front. Thus far the garment shown in Figure 4 is identical with that shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, two

shoulder straps 20 and 21 are provided each being stitched at one end to the top edge of the back of the garment at 22 and 23 respectively and having a buckle 24 secured to its other end, the shape of which buckle will be apparent from Figure 3. Suitable pieces of elastic 25 are inserted in each of the straps 20 and 21', as shown in Figure 2. A connecting strap 26 extends throughthe buckle 24 on the strap 20 as shown in Figure 3 and is stitched onto a top edge of the breast support 10 at 28 and the top edge of the breast support 11 at 30, the points 28 and 30 being so chosen that the breast support 10 is supported in an upward direction and the breast support 11 in a diagonal direction. A similar connecting strap 27 passes through the buckle on the strap 21 and is secured to the breast support 11 at 29 and to the breast support 10 at 31. It will be seen that the connect-ion between each shoulder strap and both breast supports includes a running loop' constituted by one of the buckles and the corresponding connecting strap, so that the weight of each breast is distributed between both shoulders.

Referring to Figure 4, the shoulder straps 20 and 21 have 'the elastic pieces 25 inserted at a different position and are connected to the garment at 22 and 23 respectively by a button and button-hole or like readily detachable connection. Instead of the buckles and connecting straps each is directly connected to the top edge of one breast su port by means of a similar readily-detachable fastening, the strap 20 being connected to the breast support 11 at 30 and the strap 21 to the breast support 10 at 31. The strap 20 extends through a loop 32 stitched onto the breast support 10 at 28 and the strap 21 through a similar loop 33 stitched onto the breast support 11 at 29. It will be. seen that with this arrangement the shoulder straps can be changed when they become soiled before the garment itself is soiled, or in order that their colourshould match the colour of the dress to be worn and it will be appreciated that the detachablefastenings may be provided in any of the garments which are and four tabs 16 are provided, the tabs 16 and 17 being in alignment with'the bottom edge 12 of the garment which is straight instead of being curved. The two breast supports are stitched together only along their bottom edges 12 and where they are connected to the tabs, but it will be understood that it may be desirable in some cases to catch and/or stitch them together along a part of their upper edges as shown in Figure 4 or Figure 6. As illustrated, the garment is boned in front at 34 but this boning may be omitted if desired, and suspenders may be provided as illustrated at 35.

Figure 6 illustrates the application of the invention to a corset, the arrangement of the shoulder straps again being as shown in Figures 1 to 3. This garment comprises a piece of material 36 which forms the corset and one of the breast supports (that corresponding to the breast support 10) and is provided with suitable fastenings on its margins 42 and 43 so that it can be fastened at the back of the wearer. It should be noted that the margins 42 and 43 are shaped as shown at 142 and 143, respectively, in order to produce a waist enabling the garment to fit snugly round the wearer without exerting a direct compression on the breasts. This shaping serves the same purpose as the disposition of thepieces 16 and 17 shown in Figure 4. The lower portionof this piece which forms the corset may be suitably boned or formed of elastic material and the upper portion is shaped to conform to the human breast. The breast support corresponding to 11 is formed by a piece of material 37 the bottom edge of which is shown at 38 and which extends the full width of the top of the piece 36. The lower edge 38 of the breast support 37 is shown as having non-detachable fastenings.

stitched onto the corset'pieoe 36 at each side at 39 and 40, and the two pieces are also stitched together along the margins 42 and 43 and are caught together at fivepoints 41, as shown. The customary suspenders may be provided as shown at 35. It Will be appreciated that the whole garment may be made of elastic ,material or elastic panels can be inserted wherever desired and that the garment can be arranged to fasten at the side instead of at the. back.

V Figure 7 illustrates a garment which is particularly suitable for wear during athletic pursuits and each breast support is arranged to cover one breast and to reach diagonally over the other breast. The garment comprises two triangular shaped breast supports 44 and 45, the lower edges of which are stitched into a band 46 so as to leave a triangular gap between them, and a triangular piece of material 4'1 which is stitched at its lower edge onto" the band so as to close this gap. The apex of the breast support 45 is formed with a slit 48 through which the apex of the breast support 44 reaches and the apex of the triangular piece 47 is caught onto the breast formed with button-holes 18 is secured to the breast support 44 and an elastic tab-like piece 17 provided with buttons 19 is secured to the breast support 45, the arrangement of these pieces and the shape of the lower edge of thegarment being similar to that of the. garments shown in Figures 1 to 4. The arrangement of the shoulder straps 20 and 21 is similar to that shown in Fi ures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 except that the points 0 connection 22 and 23 are nearer the back of that the points of connection 30 and 31 are made to the apices of the breast supports and are readily detachable. It will be seen that a button is provided at the apex of each breast support and that each 'of the connecting straps 26 and 27 are provided with two button-holes,

If desired, the shoulder straps 20 and 21 ma be attached at 22 and 23 respectivel by means of buttons or other readily detachable fastenings as shown in Figure 4 so that they are removable.

lln Figure 8 is shown the adaptation of the garment shown in Figure 4 as a maternit garment. As a nursing mother might find it convenient and more comfortable to adjust the length of the shoulder straps after she has nursed her child, since the breast will then probably have become considerably reduced in size, the straps 20 and 21 are each provided with two button-holes at their front ends so that the connection of the straps to the breast supports at 30 and 31 can be adjusted. in order that one breast support ma fastened without disturbing the other, the loops 32 and 33 are permanently secured to support 45 at 49. A tab-like piece 16 the wearer and thus enabling a variation in the f efiective length of the garment to'be made;

3 each loop and be un-;

two pockets 50, the tops 51 of which are open and which pockets have 52 at their centres. In these pockets are received pads 53 of absorbent and/0r impervious material which can be readily removed through the openings at 51 and are intendedto prevent exudation of milk from causing annoyance or damage. It will be noted that the loops 32 and 33 are shown as made of elastic, they may however be made of inelastic material if desired.

It is to be understood that the garments described have been selected merely as 'illustrating various embodiments of the invention and the detail features of one garment can be substituted for the corresponding detail features of another; it is also to be understood that many modifications may be made in the arments described'without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims, thus the main or any part of any one of the garments may be made of elastic material or pieces of such material ma be let in at any suitable place, or in place 0 the buckle 24 any device serving the same purpose may be used.

I claim 1. A bust support, comprising two breast supports each substantially triangular in shape and one overlapping the other on a substantially. horizontal base line common to themboth, a pair of shoulder straps, connec tions between each shoulder strap and both breast supports, and two running loops one a circular opening included in each connection and arranged to distribute the support aiforded by the allotted shoulder strap to both breast supports, sald connections being so arranged that a portlon of the weight of each breast is support sling ashion from the opposite shoulder.

2. A bust support, comprising two breast y supports each substantially triangular in shape and one overlapping the other on a substantially horizontal base line common .to them both, a pair of shoulder straps, a loop secured to the end of each shoulder strap and two connecting straps one running through both so connected to both breast supports as to distribute the support afforded by each shoulder strap to both breast supports.

3. A bust support, comprising two breast supports each substantially triangular in shape and one overlapping the other on a substantially horizontal base line common to them both, each of which covers one breast only and reaches diagonally across underneath the other breast to support a part of the weight thereof, a pair of shoulder straps, a loop secured to the end of each shoulder at the other end by strap, and two connecting straps one running through each loop and both so connected to both breast supports as to distribute the support afiorded-by each shoulder strap to both breast supports, one point of connection of 5 each strap to a, breastsupport being situated near the apex of the latter.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

MARGARET FRANCES JANE LOWENFELD.

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