US2509263A - Brassiere - Google Patents

Description

L. B. COOLEY BRASSIERE 2 Sheets-Sheet J1 INVENTOR [EA/ORE 5. COOLEY TORNEY W 3U, 1950 L, COOLEY BRASSIERE Filed Oct. 25. 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO R N EY Patented May 30, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to brassieres and, more particularly, to a readily adjustable brassiere, which is simple to manufacture and which provides full support for and separation of the breasts.

Heretofore, it has been necessary to provide a number of bust cup sizes in a line of brassieres to obtain a proper fit in each individual case. Not only a large range of bust cup sizes is necessary, but the garment itself must be manufactured in several sizes. Heretofore, the number of sizes of the garment has in general embraced a large series of sizes, namely, from size 32 to size 54, which, however, did not provide the proper general fit of. the garment in all cases. For each size of the series of sizes, a large number of bust cup sizes is needed. The bust cup sizes are generally three in number. The principal disadvantages of brassieres of the prior cut are, therefore, increased costs and the necessity for providing large dealer stocks.

In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the necessity for pro- Vlding bust cups generally considered as such and, therefore, bust cups of different sizes. Also in accordance with the invention, the garment is simple and readily constructed since it is made up of two principal pieces, plus shoulder straps and closures for holding the garment on the upper body of the wearer. Moreover, in accordance with the invention, a normal and comfortable position of the breasts is provided. The means for maintaining the garment generally in the proper position vertically on the body, for example with respect to the shoulders, provides separation and lift-up of. the breasts to a normal position. More specifically, where the garment of this invention is provided with two shoulder straps, adjustment of the shoulder strap on the left-hand side lifts up and holds the right breast in position, and adjustment of the right shoulder strap lifts up and holds the left breast in position. The adjustable means for the straps, therefore, have a combined function. They not only maintain the entire garment vertically in position on the body but provide for youthful separation and up-lift.

The principal object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a brassiere which will fit and support breasts of all sizes.

Another object is to provide a brassiere constructed primarily of two pieces or breast supporting parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a brassiere having novel breast supporting means adapted to support a breast of any size in normal and comfortable position, thereby to give the figure line of the wearer a pleasing appearance.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel adjusting means for both the size and lift of a brassiere.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will, of course, become apparent and immediately suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which the invention is directed from the reading of the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a view of front elevation of a brassire constructed in accordance with the invention as it appears when worn.

Fig. 2 is a view of the brassiere of Fig. 1 shown separately.

Figs. 3 and 4 are each a plan view of, one of the two patterns for the two principal parts of a brassiere of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a slight modification.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3, or Fig. 4., showing a modified pattern for one of the parts of the brassiere of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, and for the present to Figs. 1 t0 4, thereof, reference character ID will be employed to represent the brassiere in its entirety. The main part of the garment, that is the bust supporting portion, comprises two pieces of cloth I2 and M which are out in accordance with the pattern [6 of Fig. 3, and the pattern I! of Fig. 4, respectively. The solid and dotted lead lines of the reference characters l2 and [4 as they are used in Fig. 2 indicate portions of, one which overlap and hide the other. Inasmuch as the pattern for Fig. 3 is substantially identical with that of Fig. 4, a detailed description will be given of the pattern N5 of Fig. 3. The piece of cloth 12 cut in accordance with this pattern is or may be stitched along the lines 18 and I9 to form a tuck or dart at 2| (Fig. 2;). The piece of cloth l4 also has a tuck or dart 2|. The general location and size of this tuck or dart is not critical, and in some instances it may be omitted. Stitch lines for pleating are indicated at 22 and 23 so as to provide a suitable finish to the garment when tucks or pleats 26, as shown in Fig. 1, are taken on these lines. The tab or projection 21 is preferably provided (and is repeated in the part 12) to which one end of a shoulder strap 28 is secured in any suitable manner, for example, by stitching. The end 29 of the cloth (piece l2) out according to the pattern l6, and also the end 30 of the cloth piece l4 out according to the pattern H, are available for receiving the end of one part of a suitable fastening or closure means. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings this closure means comprises a hook 3i and elastic straps 33 provided with a tape 36. The tape 36, or the like, is provided with suitable means such as spaced holes 38 to cooperate with the hook 3| when the garment 10 is worn. The spacing of the holes 38 provides for adjustment to suit the girth of a wearer. It will be understood that any closure means known comprises an interleaving of the parts.

3 to the art may be used, the hook 3i and the tape 36 being shown by way of example.

The parts or pieces l2 and [4 are stitched together only along lines substantially at the darts 2| and cross substantially midway between these stitched lines, as indicated generally by reference character 43 of Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Considering the piece l2, it is seen to overlie the left breast of a wearer and to lie under the right breast. The shoulder strap 28 is secured to this piece at its tab 21 and to the end 29 of this piece. It is shown as passing over the left shoulder of the wearer. Suitable adjusting means for adjusting the length of the strap 28 is provided in accordance with the invention. By Way of exa nple, an adjusting buckle 28 is shown. It may be of any type known to the prior art which may be slid along the strap 28 in the usual and known manner to adjust its length or a loop of its length.

A strap i, similar to the strap 23, is connected to the tab 2'5 on the piece 14, and this strap is also provided with length adjusting means such as a buckle 52 or its equivalent. Adjustment of the length of the strap 5 l, which is shown as being on the right side of the garment, as it worn, lifts up and holds the left breast of the wearer. These straps 28 and El may be adjusted independently by the wearer after the garment it is in position so that perfect support and separation result irrespective of the size of the parts to be lifted, separated and held in position.

It will be noted that the pieces or parts 12 and M are not twisted in assembly of the garment. These pieces, as shown in Fig. 2, are crossed at 3, as described above. The piece 12 is under the piece it at the region 3 and the piece i4 is over the piece 12 at the region of 58. When the garment is in use, as indicated in Fig. l, the crossover portion 43 lies between the breasts and the points where the pieces i2 and i i are side by side occur substantially at the middle of each breast. The fabric covers the breast entirely, or the nipple or the nipple region may be exposed and the breasts molded into their normal contour.

While stitching has been referred to in the foregoing it will be understood that any other means or joining the parts may be practiced, and darts, tucks and the like may be dispensed with if desired. With adjustability in girth provided the holes 33, or their equivalent, a wide range of girth adjustment is possible. Substantially complete adjustment of support is obtainable as stated previously by adjusting the upward tension of the straps 23 and 51 so that the supporting and confining portions of the garment will fit the wearer. It is to be further noted that the garment departs from the usual practice in that no bust cups as such or parts corresponding to the usual bust cups need be provided, or are provided in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 5 of the drawings shows a slightly modified arrangement. Inasmuch as many of the parts are similar in Figs. 1 and 5, similar reference characters will be used with the suiiix a added. In Fig. 5 there are two mainparts or pieces 12a and Ma. One of these, for example, part lZa is provided with a slit -52 through which the other part i ia is passed during assembly of the garment. The cross-over region 430. then The parts are freely movable with respect to each other at the region 43.

The patterns which are used as guides in' cutdrawings.

ting the cloth of the main pieces are similar to the patterns l6 and I1 shown in Fig. 1 of the However, one of these, for example the pattern 66, corresponding to the pattern It, for example, is marked with a line 68 as shown by Fig. 6 of the drawings as a guide for slitting the cloth piece I2. In view or the foregoing complete description of the modification of Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it is believed that further description of the modified form of Fig. 5 and its'use need not be given at this time.

This brassiere is particularly adaptable to broad breasts because it permits the breast to remain in its normal contour due to the flexibility of the free cross-over of the fabric.

Pendulous or drooping breasts are molded to their normal contour, uplifted and held in place. The methods by which the fabric crosses over in the center front and the straps are adjusted, keep the breasts separated and held in the correct position.

Young women, participating in athletics, will find the garment nonconstricting, allowing maximum flexibility and at the same time controlling and supporting the breast tissue.

In addition, the brassiere fits perf ctly over normal round and pointed breasts molding them into their normal contours and supporting them in correct position with no constriction.

The invention claimed is:

1. A brassiere comprising two pieces of mate" rial, each piece being at least of a length sub stantially to span the two breasts of the breast region of a wearer, said pieces being joined adjacent each end in substantially superimposed overlapping relationship and being crossed at the center of the brassiere and freely movable at the o n ter with respect to each other, the end of the 1" st piece overlying the end of the second piece at one end of the joined pieces whereby said second piece provides supporting means under one breast of the wearer, and at the other end of the joined pieces with the second piece underlying the first piece whereby said first piece provides support under the other breast of the wearer, and said brassiere having body encircling means.

2. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said siere is provided with a pair of shoulder straps. one shoulder strap being connected to the first piece of material at a point remote from the end where it provides support under a breast of a wearer, the other shoulder strap being connected to said second piece of material at a point remote .from the end where it provides support under a breast of the wearer, said shoulder straps being connected to said body encircling means. -3. The brassiere having the structure or claim 1 wherein one of said pieces of material has a slit therein, the other of s'id' pieces passing through said slit at'said crossing.

LENORE B, COOLEY.

REFERENCES'CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,167,992 Guggenheim Jan. 11, 1916 1,771,262 Lowenield July 22, 1930 2,131,213 Becker et al. Sept. 27, 19.38

' FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date" 411,423 Great Britain May 5'1, 193 1

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