WO2010074766A1

WO2010074766A1 - Folding underwire for brassiere and brassiere incorporating same

Info

Publication number: WO2010074766A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/006715
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Horta; Angela Lau
Original assignee: S & S Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 2008-12-24
Filing date: 2009-12-23
Publication date: 2010-07-01

Abstract

A folding underwire is disclosed for use in supporting garments such as brassieres. The underwire generally includes a generally U-shaped arcuate member, having a first generally arcuate section and a second generally arcuate section positioned adjacent the first generally arcuate section, and having an arcuate curve generally opposite the arcuate curve of the first generally arcuate section. A hinge device having a pivot pin connects the first and second generally arcuate sections in a manner to permit relative pivotal movement between the first and second generally arcuate sections to permit folding of generally arcuate sections relative to each other. An alternative embodiment includes more than one hinge device to facilitate additional folding capability. A brassiere incorporating such folding underwire can be folded for compact storage or the like.

Description

FOLDING UNDERWIRE FOR BRASSIERE AND BRASSIERE INCORPORATING SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to underwires for brassieres, and in particular, underwires which are capable of folding about one or more axes, either about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the underwire when in the open condition, or about an axis within the plane of the open underwire, which axis is generally vertical when the underwire is in an upright condition in use by a wearer.

2. Description of the Related Art

Underwires for brassieres and similar supporting devices for garments typically are provided in the form of a semi-rigid stiffening member of generally arcuate U-shape that is positioned below the breast cup to provide increased support to the garment. The underwire is placed in an appropriately shaped fabric pocket or sleeve that extends from the central portion and along the lower and outside portions of the breast cup to a position at the wearer's side under the arm.

The underwire of the prior art can be made of a resilient material, including a metal such as steel, having a rectangular, oval or other cross-section, or from polymeric materials in a variety of cross-sectional shapes. As manufactured, a U-shaped underwire of the prior art is generally either attached to a similarly shaped stiffening member at the center of the brassiere, or it may be provided as a pair of separate and individual U-shaped members, each member being inserted separately into an individual fabric pocket or sleeve extending along the lower periphery of the brassiere cup.

Commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 3,608,556 to Paterson relates to a brassiere construction comprised of a pair of U-shape underwire members which are hingedly connected to each other so that they may be disposed between a foldable overlying position and an open operative wearing position. When installed in a brassiere, the individual U-shaped members are intended to be folded one atop the other for storage purposes and an unfolded wearing position with means for limiting the relative rotation of the respective U-shaped members in the wearing position. The disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 3,608,556 is incorporated herein and made a part of this disclosure.

U.S. Patent No. 6,019,662 to Fildan relates to brassiere frame members which include individual U-shaped underwire members connected by an inverted U-shaped bridge piece whose shanks receive the ends of the underwire members. The disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 6,019,662 is incorporated herein and made a part of this disclosure. Commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 6,857,933 to Horta, et al. relates to a garment underwire with zones of differing flexibility which can be provided by reducing the cross- sectional area, by heat treatment and by providing a hinge. The disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 6,857,933 is incorporated herein and made a part of this disclosure.

Commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 7,112,117 to Horta, et al is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent No. 6,857,933 and relates to a garment underwire with zones of differing flexibility. An arcuate underwire member comprises at least one terminal end portion which includes a flexible zone of predetermined length which is generally tapered such that the at least one terminal end portion has greater flexibility than an intermediate portion. The disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 6,857,933 is incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this disclosure.

Commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 6,468,130 to Thakur, et al. relates to an underwire for brassiere having a polymeric tip resiliently mounted at both ends for movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the underwire to lessen and/or extend the effective length of the underwire when it is positioned in the garment. The disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 6,468,130 is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this disclosure.

While such underwires have been provided with varying degrees of folding capability about an axis generally extending through the center of the interface between the two individual U-shaped wires, to date folding an individual U-shaped underwire member which has the capability of folding one section of the U-shaped member upon the other has not been disclosed. Moreover, none of the prior art to date discloses such U-shaped underwire members with such capability to fold about various axes, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the underwire, or within the plane of the underwire, or even at different locations positioned along the individual U- shaped underwire member.

The present invention relates to a folding underwire for brassieres, and brassieres incorporating such underwires, which includes one or more hinges which facilitate folding one section of each individual U-shaped underwire member with respect to the other section, thereby providing unique convenience for storage, as well as additional flexibility during use. In particular, the present invention relates to such U-shaped foldable underwire members for providing underwire support in brassieres, wherein the U-shaped member can be folded along one or more axes which are either perpendicular to the plane of the underwire when viewed in elevation in the open condition, or which lies within the plane of the underwire when the underwire is in the open condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A folding underwire for use in supporting garments is disclosed, which includes a U- shaped arcuate member, and which comprises at least a first generally arcuate section, and at least a second generally arcuate section positioned adjacent the first generally arcuate section, and having a generally arcuate curve generally opposite the generally arcuate curve of the first generally arcuate section. A hinge device connects the first and second generally arcuate sections in a manner to permit relative pivotal movement between the first and second generally arcuate sections to permit folding of the at least first and second generally arcuate sections toward and away from each other. Preferably the hinge device is structured and adapted to permit pivotal movement of each of the first and second arcuate sections relative to the other about an axis generally perpendicular to the plane of the underwire when in the opened condition.

In an alternative embodiment, the hinge device is structured and adapted to permit relative pivotal movement between the at least first and second sections about an axis generally within the plane of the arcuate members when in an open condition.

A folding underwire for use in supporting garments is disclosed, which includes a U- shaped arcuate member, which comprises at least a first generally arcuate shaped section, at least a second generally arcuate shaped section positioned adjacent the first generally arcuate shaped section, and having a generally arcuate curved shape generally opposite the generally arcuate curved shape of the first generally arcuate section. A hinge device connects the first and second generally arcuate sections by a hinge pin in a manner to permit relative pivotal movement between the at least first and second generally arcuate sections to permit folding of the at least first and second generally arcuate shaped sections toward and away from each other about an axis generally perpendicular to the plane of the arcuate sections when in an open condition, the first and second generally arcuate shaped sections further comprising means to prevent relative pivotal movement past predetermined relative open and closed positions. Preferably, the free end of each of the first and second sections is provided with a cushion tip for protection of the wearer.

The means to prevent relative pivotal movement of each of the first and second arcuate shaped sections past respective predetermined relative open and closed positions preferably comprises at least one bent tab portion located on each of the sections adjacent the hinge pin. Furthermore, the bent tab portions are preferably cut out of each respective arcuate section and bent away from the plane thereof.

The first and second arcuate sections are preferably made of metal, but can be made of other materials such as plastic.

In one folding underwire according to the invention, each of the first and second arcuate sections are positioned in a face-to-face engagement in the region adjacent the hinge pin, and each of the bent tab portions is oriented approximately 90 degrees to the plane of the metal section from which it is cut.

In another embodiment a folding underwire is disclosed for use in supporting garments, which includes a U-shaped arcuate member which comprises a first section having a generally arcuate shape, a second section having a generally arcuate shape and positioned adjacent the first generally arcuate shaped section, and having a generally arcuate curved shape generally opposite the generally arcuate curved shape of the first generally arcuate shaped section. A hinge device connects the first and second generally arcuate shaped sections in a manner to permit relative pivotal movement between the first and second generally arcuate shaped sections to permit folding of the first and second generally arcuate sections toward and away from each other. Each of the generally arcuate sections is divided into two respective sub-sections respectively connected to each other by a hinge device which permits pivotal movement of at least one of the sub-sections relative to the other about an axis generally perpendicular to the plane of the underwire when in an open condition, whereby the respective hinge devices provide folding capability to the sections about at least three respective axes generally perpendicular to the plane of the sections when in respectively open positions. Preferably, each hinge includes a hinge pin.

This embodiment preferably also includes means associated with each hinge device to prevent pivotal movement of the sections past predetermined open and closed positions.

A brassiere is disclosed which incorporates at least one of the underwires according to this invention, thereby providing folding capability to the brassiere for traveling, storage and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the folding underwire for brassiere constructed according to the present invention, incorporating a hinge which is foldable about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the underwire;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the hinge portion of the folding underwire of FIG. 1, taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the hinge of the folding underwire of FIG. 1, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the hinge portion of the underwire of FIG. 1, taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge portion of the underwire of FIG. 1, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the underwire of FIG. 1, in the folded condition;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the hinge portion of the underwire of FIG. 6, taken along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the hinge portion of the underwire of FIG. 6, taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the hinge portion of the underwire of FIG. 6, taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the underwire of the present invention, incorporating more than one hinge, the underwire being foldable about several axes respectively perpendicular to the plane of the underwire;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the underwire of FIG. 10, folded along three different axes, respectively perpendicular to the plane of the underwire;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the underwire of the present invention, incorporating a hinge which is constructed to fold along a vertical axis generally within the plane of the underwire when in the unfolded condition;

FIG. 13 is a view of the hinge portion of the underwire of FIG. 12, taken along lines 13- 13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge portion of the underwire of FIG. 12, taken along lines 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the underwire of FIG. 12, according to the present invention, in a substantially folded condition; and FIG. 16 is a bottom and right side perspective view of a brassiere incorporating an underwire of the present invention, particularly in the preferred embodiment of the underwire as illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 hereinabove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown an underwire 10 constructed according to the present invention. It should be noted that the underwire shown in FIG. 1 is an individual U- shaped support which is intended to be inserted into a sleeve or pocket of a brassiere to provide increased support to the garment as is well know in the art.

As shown in the FIGS., the underwire 10 is comprised of a generally flat metal piece having a U-shaped configuration and having a generally rectangular cross-section, with the dimension as viewed from the front being generally greater than each side dimension.

The underwire 10 includes at each end, tip 12, 14 which provides protection for the wearer from the ends of the underwire, and which also prevents the underwire from cutting through the fabric of the brassiere. The cushion tips may be made of a relatively hard molded plastic material, or alternatively, they may be formed from a relatively soft plastic material, depending on preference. Comfort tip materials are contemplated.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the underwire 10 shown in the drawing is comprised of two generally U-shaped half-sections 10a, 10b, which are connected by hinge 16 at the lowermost center, or the 6 o'clock position.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a top plan view of the hinge 16 of FIG. 1. As can be seen in the FIG., the hinge 16 includes a hinge pin 18 which has flattened heads 20, 22 at either end to retain it in position in the hinge. The hinge 16 also includes bent tabs 24, 26 respectively folded in opposite directions as shown. For example, rectangular tab 24 is cut out of underwire half-section 10a, leaving rectangular cut-out 24a. Tab 24 is folded-over about 90° (degrees) to extend toward underwire half-section 10b. Similarly, tab 26 is cut out of underwire half-section 10b, leaving rectangular cut-out 26a. In addition, tab 26 is folded-over toward underwire half-section 10a, as shown. The tabs 24, 26 each respectively provide engagement stops for the respective tip of the opposite underwire when the underwire is opened to the operative condition by pivoting underwire half-sections 10a and 10b toward and away from each other, in order to prevent the underwire from opening past the predetermined configuration shown in FIGS. 1-4. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 1, tip portion 28 of underwire half- section 10b is intended to engage the folded tab 24 of underwire half-section 10a to prevent the underwire from opening past the predetermined configuration shown in FIG. 1. Similarly the tip portion 30 of underwire half- section 10a engages folded-over tab 26 of the underwire half- section 10b to provide additional resistance to opening the underwire past the configuration shown in FIG. 1.

It can be seen that the underwire shown in FIGS. 1-5 is uniquely constructed to include the hinge at the lower mid portion of both underwire half-sections 10a, 10b, to provide folding capability for the individual underwire 10 and to thereby provide folding capability for the brassiere in which the underwire is positioned to provide support. Such folding capability makes storage of the brassiere in a suitcase for traveling or in a storage chest more convenient to the user. In addition, the hinge provides a certain amount of lateral (or twist) flexibility to the underwire 10 about a vertical axis, which would not otherwise be provided if the underwire were continuous.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a front elevational view of the underwire of FIG. 1 in the folded condition. It can be readily appreciated that such folding capability can readily be transferred to the brassiere of FIG. 16 in which the underwire has been installed. Referring now to FIGS. 7-9 there is shown for further additional details of the hinge mechanism of the underwire of FIGS. 1-5 when the underwire 10 is folded as shown in FIG. 6. In particular, the movement of the component parts of the underwire is illustrated in FIGS. 6-9 when the underwire is folded as shown in FIG. 6. As can be seen in the drawings, the structure and the mechanism of the hinge 16 again provides an advantage to the underwire 10 when placed in a folded condition as illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 7-9. In particular, when the underwire half-sections 10a and 10b of FIG. 1 are folded toward each other to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the folded-over tab 24 of underwire half- section 10a is engaged by the shoulder 34 of underwire half-section 10b. Similarly, folded-over tab 26 of underwire half- section 10b engages a similar shoulder 37 located behind shoulder 34, but not shown, which is part of underwire half-section 10a and which is identical to shoulder 34, as shown in FIG. 9. In particular, the shoulder 37, which is a part of underwire half-section 10a, engages folded-over tab 26 of underwire half-section 10b in the same manner as the engagement which occurs between folded-over tab 24 of underwire half- section 1 Oa and shoulder 34 of underwire half-sectionl 0b.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a partial cross-sectional view of the hinge 16 of the previous FIGS., taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8, and illustrating the- various individual components of the hinge 16 and the mechanism as described hereinabove.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the underwire of the present invention, incorporating more than one hinge, the underwire being foldable about several axes respectively perpendicular to the plane of the underwire when the underwire is in the open condition. In FIG. 10, U-shaped underwire 36 incorporates hinges 38, 40 and 42, located respectively at the approximate 8 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions when viewing the underwire in the open condition as seen in FIG. 10.

The hinges 38, 40 and 42 are identical in structure and function as the hinge section 16 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1. In particular, the hinge structure which provides limited opening and closing movement of the portions of the underwire surrounding the hinge is identical to the hinge structure described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9.

Referring now to FIG. 11₅ the underwire of FIG. 10 is shown in the folded condition with each section 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d, respectively as shown in the folded position. In can be readily appreciated that the capability to fold the generally U-shaped underwire to the configuration shown in FIG. 11, is facilitated by a multiplicity of sections and hinges as shown. This configurational structure provides a unique capability to the underwire and the overlying brassiere in which it may be installed, to collapse the underwire and the brassiere into several smaller sections which make it relatively easy to store into a suitcase for traveling purposes, or into a chest of drawers for storage purposes. As can be seen, the hinges 38, 40, and 42 are respectively structured in the same manner as the hinge 16 of FIG. 1, to pivot about a respective axis perpendicular to the plane of the underwire when the underwire is in the open condition as shown in FIG. 10. The structural limitations to opening and closing of the underwire 36 in FIG. 10, including the rectangular cut-out sections and the related tabs, as described in connection with FIGS. 6-9 may optionally be included. However, alternative structures can be provided to facilitate different limitations on opening and closing the hinged sections, depending upon the particular structure and needs in each case. Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the U-shaped underwire of the present invention in which a hinge 46 is provided at the 6 o'clock position, i.e., the approximate same location as the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, in the embodiment of FIGS. 12-15, the hinge is structured and adapted to permit folding the two underwire half- sections 44a, 44b of the U-shaped underwire 44 upon themselves about a generally vertical axis "A-A", which axis lies in the plane of the underwire when the underwire is in the open condition as shown.

In FIG. 12, U-shaped underwire 44 is comprised of two half-sections 44a and 44b as shown, respectively connected to each other by a hinge 46 which is structured to permit movement of the underwire halves 44a and 44b about a vertical axis which lies within the plane of the underwire 44 when in the open condition, as shown for example in dash lines in FIG. 15. The pivotal axis "A-A" is best seen in FIGS. 12, 14 and 15.

Referring now to FIG. 15, it can be seen that the tip to tip dimension "B" when the underwire is in the opened condition as shown in dash lines, can be reduced substantially to tip to tip dimension "C" by merely folding each half of the U-shaped underwire toward the other for purposes of storing the brassiere for travel or otherwise.

In FIG. 13 there is shown a top plan view of the hinge 46 of the underwire of FIGS. 12- 15. Hinge 46 includes a hinge pin 48 having heads 50,52 located respectively at each end of the pin 48 and having dimensions which are greater than the dimension of the pin to retain the pin in the apertures 54 and 56 in underwire half-sections 44b and 44a, respectively. As can be seen in FIG. 14, there is provided a relief space 58 positioned between underwire half-section 44a and underwire half-section 44b to facilitate folding the half-sections 44a and 44b of the underwire sufficiently to a nearly totally collapsed condition as shown in FIG. 13, for purposes of storage and/or travel of a brassiere in which such underwire is contained. Appropriate stops can be provided to prevent pivoting the underwire half-sections 44a and 44b away from each other past the opened condition shown in FIG. 12, similar to the stops provided in the previous embodiments. Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown a bottom and right side perspective view of a brassiere 60 incorporating an underwire of the present invention, particularly the underwire as illustrated in FIG. 1 and as illustrated and described in connection with FIGS. 1-9. In particular, the brassiere 60 incorporates two individual and distinct folding underwires 10, each identical to the underwire shown in FIG. 1 and described in connection with FIGS. 1-9. Each underwire 10 includes a hinge 16 as in FIG. 1, each of which permits folding the underwire and the respective material of the brassiere surrounding said underwire to a folded condition for storage in a suitcase for travel or for storage in a chest of drawers or the like.

It will be readily appreciated that although it is not shown in the drawings, underwires as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 can also be installed in the fabric pocket or sleeve of a brassiere in the same manner as the underwires 10 are installed in the fabric pockets of the sleeves of the brassiere of FIG. 16, thereby providing unique folding capability to such brassiere.

It should be readily appreciated that although the prior art includes disclosures of brassieres or underwires having the capability of being folded at respective axes passing through the center of two respective U-shaped underwires, there is no disclosure or suggestion of a folding underwire wherein each individual U-shaped section of an underwire is capable of being folded to enable the brassiere in which such underwire is installed to be folded and collapsed substantially for travel and/or storage purposes.

Claims

CLAIMS: I claim:

1. A folding underwire for use in supporting garments, which includes a U-shaped arcuate member, which comprises a) at least a first generally arcuate section; b) at least a second generally arcuate section positioned adjacent said first generally arcuate section, and having a generally arcuate curve generally opposite the generally arcuate curve of said first generally arcuate section; and c) a hinge device connecting said first and second generally arcuate sections in a manner to permit relative pivotal movement between said first and second generally arcuate sections to permit folding of said at least first and second generally arcuate sections toward and away from each other.

2. The folding underwire according to Claim 1, wherein said hinge device is structured and adapted to permit pivotal movement of each of said first and second arcuate sections relative to the other about an axis generally perpendicular to the plane of the underwire when in an open condition.

3. The folding underwire according to Claim 1, wherein said hinge device is structured and adapted to permit relative pivotal movement between said at least first and second sections about an axis generally within the plane of said arcuate members when in an open condition.

4. A brassiere which incorporates at least one of said underwires according to Claim 1.

5. A folding underwire for use in supporting garments, which includes a U-shaped arcuate member, which comprises: a) at least a first generally arcuate shaped section; b) at least a second generally arcuate shaped section positioned adjacent said first generally arcuate shaped section, and having a generally arcuate curved shape generally opposite the generally arcuate curved shape of said first generally arcuate section; and c) a hinge device connecting said first and second generally arcuate sections by a hinge pin in a manner to permit relative pivotal movement between said at least first and second generally arcuate sections to permit folding of said at least first and second generally arcuate shaped sections toward and away from each other about an axis generally perpendicular to the plane of said arcuate sections when in an open condition, said first and second generally arcuate shaped sections further comprising means to prevent relative pivotal movement past predetermined relative open and closed positions.

6. The folding underwire according to Claim 5, wherein each the free end of each said first and second sections is provided with a cushion tip for protection of the wearer.

7. The folding underwire according to Claim 6, wherein said means to prevent relative pivotal movement of each said first and second arcuate shaped sections past respective predetermined relative open and closed positions comprises at least one bent tab portion located on each said section adjacent said hinge pin.

8. The folding underwire according to Claim 7, wherein each said bent tab portion is cut out of the respective arcuate section and bent away from the plane thereof.

9. The folding underwire according to Claim 8, wherein each said first and second arcuate sections are made of metal or plastic.

10. The folding underwire according to claim 8, wherein each said first and second metal arcuate sections is made of metal and is positioned in a face-to-face engagement in the region adjacent said hinge pin, and each said bent tab portion is oriented approximately 90 degrees to the plane of said metal section from which it is cut.

11. A folding underwire for use in supporting garments, which includes a U-shaped arcuate member, which comprises: a) a first section having a generally arcuate shape; b) a second section having a generally arcuate shape positioned adjacent said first generally arcuate shaped section, and having a generally arcuate curved shape generally opposite the generally arcuate curved shape of said first generally arcuate shaped section; c) a hinge device connecting said first and second generally arcuate shaped sections in a manner to permit relative pivotal movement between said first and second generally arcuate shaped sections to permit folding of said first and second generally arcuate sections toward and away from each other; and d) each said generally arcuate sections being divided into two respective subsections respectively connected to each other by a hinge device which permits pivotal movement of at least one of said sub-sections relative to the other about an axis generally perpendicular to the plane of the underwire when in an open condition; whereby said respective hinge devices provide folding capability to said sections about at least three respective axes generally perpendicular to the plane of said sections when in respectively open positions.

12. The folding underwire according to Claim 11, wherein each said hinge includes a hinge pin.

13. The folding underwire according to Claim 12, further comprising means associated with each said hinge device to prevent pivotal movement of said sections past predetermined open and closed positions.

14. A brassiere which incorporates at least one of said underwires according to Claim 5.

15. A brassiere which incorporates at least one of said underwires according to Claim 11.