This invention pertains to a kind of accessory for a bra. To be exact, it is about a bra fastener assembly.
A bra is a feminine product to protect and enhance the breasts; it is normally made up of band 1′, shoulder straps 2′, fasteners 3′, and cups 4′. As shown in
Furthermore, bras are commonly found in front opening or back opening types. In that the front opening type means that fastener 3′ is located on frontal part of band 1′, between the two cups 4′; whereas back opening means that fastener 3′ is located on the back part of band 1′ and positioned on the wearer's back.
In the case that the wearer chooses tank tops, sleeveless tops, or wide opening tops which tend to expose more of the shoulder areas, the bra straps 2′ in these circumstances easily slips off and are exposed, affecting the wearer's image. Besides that, for those who have slanted shoulders, bra straps 2′ also tend to slip off to the sides, making it uncomfortable for the wearer.
This invention must resolve the technical challenge, target the current issue of the bra strap slipping off, to present a bra fastener assembly, that is able to hold bra straps in their corresponding positions, preventing them from slipping outwards; this invention must also tackle another technical challenge, resolve the inability of the fastener to be detached from the shoulder straps, to present a bra fastener assembly, so that the fasteners of this bra fastener assembly can be detached from the bra shoulder straps.
This invention must resolve the technical challenge with this technical approach: design a bra fastener assembly, it includes positioning structures that are attached to both shoulder straps at corresponding positions with at least two fasteners, between the two said fasteners have detachable connective elements; the said positioning structures includes shoulder strap opening on the said fastener, the said shoulder strap opening comprises the positioning element located on the bra strap, the said positioning element includes the first pin in the said shoulder strap opening.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the said positioning element also includes the said first pin in the shoulder strap opening as well as the corresponding second pin within the said shoulder strap opening, the movable pin sleeve that slides over the said first pin, the said first and second pins both have one end attached to the inner wall of the said shoulder strap opening.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the said first pin has one end that can swivel and is connected to the inner wall of the said shoulder strap opening.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the inner surface of said movable pin sleeve and the outer surface of the said first pin have matching pin locating elements.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the inner surface of said movable pin sleeve and the outer surface of the said second pin have matching pin locating elements.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the said movable pin sleeve can glide on the surface of the said first pin, allowing the said movable pin sleeve and the said second pin to disengage or engage.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, there is at least one extending element from the said first pin surface that can move towards the inner wall of the said shoulder strap opening, the said extending element and the inside surface of the said movable pin sleeve matches up.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the maximum outer length of the said movable pin sleeve is more than the distance between the opposing ends of the said first pin and the said second pin.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the pin locating element includes a convex locating element on the inside of the movable sleeve and a concave locating element on the surfaces of the said first and second pins.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the said pin locating element includes the convex locating element on the surface of the said movable pin sleeve.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, there are at least two concave locating elements on the surface of the said first pin, one of which is rectangular.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, there is a thorough aperture that passes from the inner wall of the shoulder strap opening to the outer sidewall of the said fastener, the said shoulder strap positioning element is in the said aperture.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the end of said shoulder strap positioning element and said inner wall of the shoulder strap opening have a corresponding alignment hole and a corresponding alignment convex post, the said shoulder strap opening has an extendable fixed pin on the inner wall of said shoulder strap opening pointing towards the shoulder strap positioning element, said alignment hole or alignment convex post are located on said fixed pin and said corresponding end of said shoulder strap positioning element.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the said shoulder strap positioning element includes the said aperture and corresponding strap rod and slide rod, the said shoulder strap opening's inner wall has a glide track that corresponds to said slide rod, within the inner wall of the said shoulder strap opening and from the said opening through to the outer sidewall of the said fastener is the aperture with the corresponding strap rod and slide rod, the said glide track and corresponding aperture has a pass through structure, the inner wall of the said shoulder strap opening has a fixed pin that corresponds to the said strap rod of the said shoulder strap positioning element, the ends of the said fixed pin and strap rod of the shoulder strap positioning element have a corresponding alignment hole and a corresponding alignment convex post.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the said first pin has one end that can swivel and connect to the inner wall of the said shoulder strap opening.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the said first pin is designated as the long pin, at the opposing position of the said long pin is the short pin, the said pin gap is the distance between the said long and short pins. The length ratio of said long pin and short pin is set as 2:1˜3:1, the said pin gap is set as 1˜1.2 mm.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the said detachable connective element includes the corresponding hook and eye set between the two said fasteners.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the said detachable connective element includes the corresponding glide rail and glide track between the two said fasteners.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the said detachable connective element includes the corresponding fixed gap between the two said fasteners, between the two said fasteners and the said fixed gap are the corresponding alignment concave notch and alignment convex platform.
In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the said shoulder strap positioning element attachment point to the operable fastener is located on the inner wall of the said shoulder strap opening and the gap end is detachably connected to the inner wall of the said shoulder strap opening; the said shoulder strap positioning element attachment point is a rotational connection to the inner wall of the said shoulder strap opening, the rotation plane of the said shoulder strap positioning element is perpendicular to the said shoulder strap opening; the said shoulder strap positioning element has a detachable connection to the inner wall of the said shoulder strap opening; the said shoulder strap opening's inner wall has a guide rail, the said shoulder strap positioning element's slide mechanism is located on the said guide rail; between the gap end of said shoulder strap positioning element and the said shoulder strap opening's inner wall is the corresponding tongue and groove; the fitting surface of the said tongue and groove has a draft angle, between the said tongue and groove is an elastic rubber stop; the said detachable connective element includes between the two fasteners the corresponding eye and hook; the said detachable connective element includes the corresponding glide rail and glide track between the two said fasteners; the said glide track has a stop position on one end; the said detachable connective element includes the corresponding fixed gap between the two said fasteners.
In another embodiment, the advantages are below: installing two fasteners individually on the two bra straps, at the same time the two fasteners can be detached or connected, therefore it is possible to hold the two bra straps firmly in position when the two fasteners are connected, such that the distance between the two bra straps is fixed, therefore preventing the bra straps from slipping; the positioning element includes the shoulder strap opening on the fastener, and movable pin within the shoulder strap opening, the shoulder strap positioning element divides the shoulder strap opening into two sections. To put on or off, first open the shoulder strap positioning element, so that the pin gap forms inside shoulder strap opening, this way the ribbon or shoulder strap can be slotted into the shoulder strap opening, and fixed in place in the shoulder strap opening by the shoulder strap positioning element, thereby the fastener assembly is attached to the shoulder strap or ribbon, and if the need arises the fastener assembly can easily be detached, allowing the wearer to take off the fastener if desired, allowing the bra components to come apart for ease of washing, or depending on need using different fastener assemblies.
Combined figures and embodiments to further explain the invention, figures as follows:
a shows the installation diagram of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention;
b shows the diagram of the first embodiment of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention;
a shows the diagram of the second embodiment of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the open position;
a shows the diagram of the second embodiment of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the closed position;
a shows the diagram of the third embodiment of the shoulder strap positioning element of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the closed position;
b shows the diagram of the third embodiment of the shoulder strap positioning element of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the open position;
a shows the diagram of the fourth embodiment of the shoulder strap positioning element of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the closed position;
b shows the diagram of the fourth embodiment of the shoulder strap positioning element of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the open position;
a shows the diagram of the fifth embodiment of the shoulder strap positioning element of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the closed position;
b shows the diagram of the fifth embodiment of the shoulder strap positioning element of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the open position;
a shows the diagram of the sixth embodiment of the shoulder strap positioning element of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the closed position;
b shows the diagram of the sixth embodiment of the shoulder strap positioning element of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the open position;
a shows the diagram of the seventh embodiment of the shoulder strap positioning element of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the closed position;
b shows the diagram of the seventh embodiment of the shoulder strap positioning element of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention in the open position;
a shows the diagram of eighth embodiment of the installation structure of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention;
a shows the eighth embodiment of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention as connected;
a shows the tenth embodiment of the structure of a single fastener of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention;
a shows the twelfth embodiment of the structure of a single fastener of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention;
b shows the twelfth embodiment of the installation structure of a single fastener of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention.
As shown in
In another embodiment of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, of both fasteners 10, both the fasteners have the positioning elements at one side, to allow the fasteners to stay on the shoulder straps 20 in their corresponding positions; the other side of both fasteners have a detachable connective element allowing both the fasteners to be interconnected, or be disconnected when not needed, it is also detachable from the shoulder straps. The removable fastener can come in different forms. In the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, the positioning element of each bra fastener is identical, the shoulder strap positioning element includes the shoulder strap opening on the fastener, the shoulder strap opening contains the shoulder strap positioning element or movable pin that lies perpendicular to the axis of the shoulder strap opening dividing the shoulder strap opening into two sections, allowing the shoulder strap opening to form a gap. When the shoulder strap positioning element is open, the shoulder strap opening forms a pin gap, so that it is easy to attach the shoulder strap opening to the shoulder strap; when the shoulder strap positioning element is closed, the pin gap is closed, so that the shoulder strap is securely fixed in the shoulder strap opening.
In the second embodiment of the said bra fastener assembly of this invention, both fasteners 110 are attached to the shoulder straps through the positioning elements, both fasteners have identical positioning elements. As shown in
In the third embodiment of the bra fastener assembly of this invention, both fasteners 210 are attached to the shoulder straps by the positioning elements, both fasteners have identical positioning elements. As shown in
In the fourth embodiment of the bra fastener assembly of this invention, both fasteners 310 are attached to the shoulder straps by the positioning elements, both fasteners have identical positioning elements. As shown in
In the fifth embodiment of the bra fastener assembly of this invention, both the fasteners 410 are attached to the shoulder straps by the positioning elements, both fasteners have identical positioning elements. As shown in
In the sixth embodiment of the bra fastener assembly of this invention, both fasteners 510 are attached to the shoulder straps by the positioning elements, both fasteners 510 have identical positioning elements. As shown in
The shoulder strap positioning element and the alignment track match accurately, preferably by installing click tab 512 on the wall of the alignment track that matches with the end of the shoulder strap positioning element. When the shoulder strap positioning element click locks into the alignment track, click tab secures the free end of the shoulder strap positioning element inside the alignment track.
In the seventh embodiment of the bra fastener assembly of this invention, both fasteners 610 are attached to the shoulder straps by the positioning elements, both fasteners 610 have identical positioning elements. As shown in
In the embodiments given, for enhancing the look, decorative accent 1 can be added to the outer surface of the bra fastener assembly, such as decorative motifs of small animals. Specifically, the decorative accent 1 can be installed directly onto the fastener's or the first fastener's 10 surface, or install the decorative accent 1 onto the fastener's or the second fastener's 10 surface; also can separate the decorative element 1 into two parts, separately installed on the surface of the fastener or the first fastener 10 and on the surface of the fastener or the second fastener 10, so that when the two fasteners are connected, two parts of the decorative accent 1 become a whole image. Another way is to fashion the actual fastener as the decorative accent, combining the decorative accent and the fastener as one, the shoulder strap opening and the shoulder strap positioning element as part of decorative accent, making the whole structure simpler.
In the eighth embodiment of the bra fastener assembly of this invention, as shown in
In this embodiment, the detachable connective element includes corresponding eye 11 and hook 21 between the fastener or first fastener 10 and the fastener or second fastener 20. Specifically, by installing eye 11 onto the edge of the first fastener 10, and by installing hook 21 onto the corresponding edge of the second fastener 20. When the hook 21 and eye 11 match up, the two fasteners are connected, ensuring the two bra straps remain fixed in position, preventing the bra straps from slipping off.
To enhance the look, decorative accent 1 may be added to the outer surface of the bra fastener assembly, such as decorative motifs of small animals. Specifically, by installing the decorative accent 1 directly onto the first fastener 10 surface, or the decorative accent 1 onto the second fastener 20 surface; the decorative accent can be split into two halves, installing each half onto the surface of fastener 10 and fastener 20, so when the two fasteners are connected, two parts of the decorative accent 1 become a whole image.
As shown in
In order that both fasteners match up within the glide track 22, in this embodiment, preferably by installing an end stop 22a on the glide track 22, so that the glide rail 12 travels a limited distance along the glide track 22 and stops, so that the connection point between the two fasteners is secure and accurate.
In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, decorative accent 1 can be added to the outer surface of the fastener or first fastener 10 and/or fastener or second fastener 20. Both the fasteners may be attached to the bra strap using the same positioning element in embodiment eight.
As shown in
In this embodiment, preferably install matching alignment concave notch 14 and alignment convex platform 24 close to the fixed gap between the two fasteners including the first fastener 10 and the second fastener 20. Specifically, install the alignment concave notch 14 next to the edge of the fixed gap of the first fastener 10, install the alignment convex platform 24 next to the corresponding edge of the fixed gap of the second fastener 20, when the fixed gaps 13, 23 of the first fastener 10 and second fastener 20 clamp together, the alignment convex platform 24 of the second fastener 20 also inserts into the alignment concave notch 14 of the first fastener, making the connection between the two fasteners more secure. Preferably, install alignment hole 14a in the alignment concave notch 14 of the first fastener 10, and install alignment post 24a on the alignment convex platform 24 of the second fastener 20; when the alignment convex platform 24 inserts into the alignment concave notch 14, the alignment post 24a also inserts into the alignment hole, so that there is no relative rotation between the two fasteners, or any jitter between the two fasteners.
In the embodiment shown in
In the bra fastener assembly of this invention, the two fasteners including the first fastener 10 and second fastener 20 can also be installed on the bra straps or at the point where the bra straps meet the bra cups. As shown in
As shown in
In this embodiment, preferably the positioning element includes the shoulder strap opening 11 at one end of the fastener 10 and the shoulder strap positioning element 12 inside the shoulder strap opening 11. Shoulder strap positioning element includes the connecting end 12a and the gap end 12b, the connecting end 12a has a sliding connection to the inner sidewall of the said shoulder strap opening, and the gap end 12b is a detachable connection in the inner sidewall of the shoulder strap opening. When the gap end 12b of the shoulder strap positioning element opens up from the shoulder strap opening, the gap 12n and the inner sidewall of the shoulder strap opening 11 forms the gap. The shoulder strap 1 inserts into the shoulder strap opening through this gap, and secures by the shoulder strap positioning element, therefore the fasteners are secured onto the shoulder strap 1. The shoulder strap opening 11 can be rectangular, circular, or other shapes, as long as it pairs well with the shoulder strap 1, as long as the should strap 1 can be inserted into the shoulder strap opening 11 (or 21).
Specifically, as shown in
Depending on needs it is possible to install two or more shoulder strap positioning elements within the shoulder strap opening 11, this way the shoulder strap 1 threads several times inside the shoulder strap opening 11, increasing the contact surface between the shoulder strap 1 and the fastener, to ensure a secure fit. In this embodiment, the shoulder strap positioning element 12 (or 22) positions horizontally, so that the shoulder strap positioning element 12 is perpendicular to the shoulder strap that it is paired with, the shoulder strap inserts vertically into the fastener.
In this embodiment, the detachable connective element includes the glide rail 32 and glide track 42 that lie between both fasteners, first fastener 10 and second fastener 20. Specifically, glide rail 32 is attached onto the side of the first fastener 10, glide track 42 is attached to the corresponding side on the second fastener 20, allowing both first fastener 10 and second fastener 20 to connect together. In order for both fasteners to match up within the glide track 42, in this embodiment, preferably there is an end stop 42a at the guide track 42, so that the glide rail 32 can travel a limited distance on the glide track 42 and stops, and the connection point between the two fasteners is secure and accurate.
The above embodiments only provide some illustrations of the possible embodiments of this invention. The explanation is very detailed and specific. This should not be viewed as the limitation of the scope of this invention. Also keep in mind that an average skilled technician in this field can come up with many modifications and embodiments based on this invention's idea. These should all be protected under the scope of this invention. Thus, the scope of protection of this invention should be based on the Claims section of this document.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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11106585.5 | Jun 2011 | HK | national |