Patent Application
20100154472
The present inventions relate to clothing and, more particularly, to a brassiere and display apparatus and related methods for securing and positioning a display on a brassiere.
The invention provides an apparatus comprising a brassiere having a display apparatus secured to the brassiere. Other article of clothing or other object with a display apparatus removably attached to the brassiere, other article of clothing or other object. The display apparatus comprises a body that may contain a fastener, and a display device attached to the body. In one embodiment, a cincture may be slidably attached to the body. In other embodiments, the display device is removably attached to the body, the display device includes an alterable message or image, and/or the display device comprises a locket, a charm, a strap, a button, a pin, a rope, a ribbon, a chain, or an elastic band. In other embodiments, the fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener, a clasp, a snap, a button, a caribiner, a hook and eye, a buckle, a pin, or combinations thereof. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus may include a pad that contacts the fastener.
The invention also provides a method of attaching and using a removable display apparatus by looping the body of the apparatus around a center front portion of a brassiere or around a part of another article of clothing or around a part of an object, and fastening a fastener on the body of the apparatus to attach the display apparatus. In one embodiment, the method further comprises attaching a message or image to the display device of the apparatus. In another embodiment, the method further comprises detaching the display device from the display apparatus. In yet another embodiment, the method includes sliding a cincture along the body of the apparatus to secure the body to the brassiere, article of clothing or other object.
All Figures are illustrated for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present inventions only. The extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship and dimensions of the parts to form the embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, flow and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood.
Where used in various Figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “forward,” “rear,” “first,” “second,” “inside,” “outside,” and similar terms are used, the terms should be understood to reference only the structure shown in the drawings and utilized only to facilitate describing the illustrated embodiments. Similarly, when the terms “proximal,” “distal,” and similar positional terms are used, the terms should be understood to reference the structures shown in the drawings as they will typically be utilized by a user who of with an apparatus in accordance with the present inventions.
The present inventions provide apparatus 10 that may include a removable display apparatus 20 adapted to be secured to a brassiere 12 and associated methods. The apparatus 10 may include a brassiere 12 including a removable display apparatus 20. The methods may include securing a removable display apparatus 20 on a brassiere 12, other undergarment, or other article of clothing to display information, as well as displaying various adornments. As illustrated generally throughout the figures, the brassiere 12, other article of clothing or other object having a removable display apparatus 20 according to the present invention may include a brassiere 12, and a display apparatus 20.
The figures generally illustrate embodiments of the brassieres 12 having removable display apparatus 20 including aspects of the present inventions. The particular exemplary embodiments of brassieres 12 having removable display apparatus 20 illustrated in the figures have been chosen for ease of explanation and understanding of the present inventions. These illustrated embodiments are not meant to limit the scope of coverage but, instead, to assist in understanding the context of the language used in this specification and in the appended claims. Accordingly, apparatus 10 having variations of the brassiere 12 and/or removable display apparatus 20 that differ from the particularly illustrated exemplary embodiments may be encompassed by the appended claims.
The apparatus 10 of the present inventions may include a brassiere 12 configured to be worn about the chest of a person, and a removable display apparatus 20. The brassiere 12 can have a variety of configurations as will be recognized by those skilled in the arts. In certain aspects, the brassiere 12 may include a first cup 14, a second cup 16, one or more straps 18, and a band 90. The first cup 14 and the second cup 16 are attached to one another with the band 90. A first end of the band 90 is typically attached to a first cup 14 and a second end of the band 90 is attached to the second cup 16. In certain aspects, the band 90 may be secured to or integral with a first cup 14 and a second end secured to or integral with the second cup 16.
The display apparatus 20 may comprise a body 30 and a display device 80. The body 30 is generally configured to be secured to the band 90 and to support and/or suspend the display device 80. In one embodiment, the display apparatus 20 is attached to the band 90 at the front of the brassiere 12 between the first cup 14 and the second cup 16. The display device 80 is typically positioned below the band 90.
The body 30 of the removable display apparatus 20 may include or consist of an elongated member having a first end and a second end. The body 30 is typically flexible. The body 30 may be configured as a strap, a rope, a ribbon, a chain, an elastic band, or similar structure along all or a portion of the length of the body 30. The body 30 may be further configured as, without limitation, linear, coiled, zigzag, or other suitable form. A fastener 60 may be provided at one or both of the first end and the second end of the body 30. The fastener 60 may be integral with or secured to the body 30. In one aspect, the body 30 may define or include an aperture at a first end configured to receive and retain a fastener 60 at a second end of the body 30. The body 30 may further define or include an aperture configured to receive and retain at least a portion of a display device 80. The display device 80 may be a detachable member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the display device 80 may include an attachment element 60 and the second including a display device 80. In certain aspects, the second end of the body 30 may be secured to the first end of the display device 80.
The display apparatus 20 may be attached to the brassiere 12 by having the band 90 of the brassiere 12 secured within a loop formed by the body 30. In one aspect, the body 30 may be formed into a loop positioned around the band 90 to attach the display device 80 to the brassiere. The loop may be formed by securing the ends of the body 30 to one another with the fastener 60. In certain aspects, the fastener 60 may be any type of suitable fastener 60, including, without limitation, a hook and eye, hook and loop (Velcro), a snap fastener 60, a button and buttonhole or loop, a clasp, a caribiner, a buckle, a pin, and combinations thereof. The fastener 60 may be at the first end of the body 30 or may include cooperating components at both a first end and a second end of the body 30. In some embodiments, the fastener 60 may be integral with the attachment device, while the fastener 60 may be separate form the attachment device in other embodiments.
In certain embodiments, the first end of the body 30 may include or define an aperture that is part of the fastener 60. The aperture may be an eye, a loop, a ring, a hole in first end of the body 30 configured to be received by and retained upon the undergarment by means of a second part of the fastener 60. The geometry of the aperture in the body 30 portion of the attachment device may be configured to conform to the geometry of the particular fastener 60 that is used in conjunction with the attachment device. For example, if a fastener 60 in the form of a strap is contemplated, then the aperture in the body 30 may be configured as a rectangular opening through which the second part of the fastener 60 configured as a strap may pass and may retain its generally rectangular shape. As additional examples, the aperture may be configured as a hole to receive a second part of the fastener 60 in the form of a rope, the aperture may be configured to receive various hooks. The aperture may be configured to receive, for example, a ring so that a hook on the end of a fastener 60 configured as a cable may then be attached to the ring. Other ways of attaching the attachment device to the brassiere 12, undergarment, or other object, and corresponding configurations for the aperture would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure. It should also be noted that the aperture may be substantially enclosed by the body 30 of the removable display apparatus 20, or the aperture may be only partly enclosed by the body 30. An example of the latter would be a rectangular aperture configured to receive a strap and having one open side so that the side of the strap may be passed into the aperture. Depending upon the particular configuration, the fastener 60 may be made from various synthetic materials, including, without limitation, nylon, polyester, rayon, and synthetic rubber, natural materials, including, without limitation, silk, hemp, linen, wool, cotton, wood, manila, and leather, and various metals, including, without limitation, nickel, silver, gold, brass, steel and combinations thereof as would be readily understood.
In certain embodiments, the body 30 can include a pad or similar device to shield the wearer's body 30 from any abrasion from the fastener 60. The pad is typically configured to comfortably contact the skin of a wearer. The pad can be made from any suitable material, including, without limitation, cotton, silk, hemp, linen, wool, natural sponge, synthetic sponge, polyester, and nylon.
In certain embodiments, the body 30 of the removable display apparatus 20 may be configured to receive a cincture 70, circumferentially retaining the body 30 and slidably connected to the body 30. The cincture 70 may be configured as a ring defining a cincture 70 aperture. The cincture 70 aperture may be configured to receive the body 30. The body 30 may be formed into a loop such that the cincture 70 is positioned over the body 30 between the components of the fastener 60 at the first end and the second end of the body 30 and the display device 80. The cincture 70 may be slidably received over the body 30 such that the cincture 70 may be drawn toward either the components of the fastener 60 or the display device 80. The cincture 70 may be made from various synthetic materials, natural materials, or various metals. The cincture 70 may have different configurations, depending on the configuration of the body 30 of the removable display device 80. For example, cincture 70 may be, without limitation, a circular or elliptical ring, a rectangle, a triangle or other configuration.
The display device 80 may be configured as a charm, a locket, pendant and generally includes a writing surface, a display surface generally configured to display an image or writing. In certain aspects, the display device 80 may be configured to receive an alterable message or image. The message or image may be presented on a display surface of the display device 80. The message or image may be attached to or integral with the display surface. In certain aspects, the display device 80 may include a programmable electronic display. The display device 80 may include a suitable retainer for the message or image. In some embodiments, the display device 80 may include a locket that may contain an alterable message or image. In other embodiments, the retainer may include a transparent or translucent cover to protect the message or image or to keep the message or image in place. In some embodiments, the message or image may be attached to the display device 80 using a permanent or removable glue, a fastener 60 such as, without limitation, a pin, a hook and eye, a loop and a pin or nail, a tack, or other suitable fastener 60. In some embodiments the display device 80 may include a cover that can be opened to reveal the message or image.
The display device 80 may be permanently or removably attached to the body 30. In embodiments in which the display device 80 is permanently attached to the body 30, it may be attached by sewing, welding soldering or other suitable method. In other embodiments the body 30 and display device 80 may be formed from a single piece of material. In additional embodiments, the display device 80 may be removably attached to the body 30. In certain embodiments, the display device 80 and the second end of the body 30 may be attached with a fastener 60. In some embodiments, one part of the fastener 60 is attached or is part of the body 30 and the other part of the fastener 60 is attached to or is part of the display device 80. The part of the fastener 60 attached to the body 30 can be attached to the body 30 at any part of the body 30, including, without limitation, the second end of the body 30. The part of the fastener 60 attached to the display device 80 can be attached to the display device 80 at any part, including, without limitation, the first end of the display device 80 or the center of the display device 80. The fastener 60 may be any suitable fastener 60, including, without limitation, a hook and eye, hook and loop (Velcro), a snap, a button and buttonhole or loop, a clasp, a caribiner, a buckle, a pin, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the fastener 60 includes a pad or similar device to contact the wearer's body 30 to prevent abrasion or general discomfort from contact of the wearer's skin with the fastener 60.
The apparatus 10 may have one or more display devices 80. In some embodiments, the apparatus may have more than one display device 80 attached to the body 30. In other embodiments, one display device 80 at a time is attached to the body 30. In this way, different display device 80s may be attached to the same body 30. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 may have more than one body 30 to be used with a display device 80.
In one embodiment, the display apparatus 20 is attached to a brassiere 12 at the center front of the brassiere. In another embodiment, the display apparatus 20 is attached to the center front of the brassiere 12 using the fastener 60 on the body 30 of the apparatus. In some embodiments, a message or image is attached to the display device 80. In one aspect, a message may be attached to the display device 80, the display device 80 may be removably attached to the body 30 of the apparatus and the apparatus may be removably attached to the center front of the brassiere. The cincture 70 may be moved to keep the body 30 of the apparatus in place. In another embodiment, while the display apparatus 20 may be attached to the brassiere 12, the display device 80 may be detached from the display apparatus 20. The display apparatus 20 may be removed from the brassiere 12 by unfastening the fastener 60 on the body 30. In one embodiment, the cincture 70 may be moved before unfastening the fastener 60 on the body 30.
The specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
The illustrated body 30 includes a fastener 60 configured for exemplary purposes as a snap. The fastener 60 includes a first portion 62 and a second portion 64, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present inventions. Upon review of the specification, one skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying figures and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
The present application claims benefit and priority from a U.S. provisional patent application having application Ser. No. 61/113,419, filed Nov. 11, 2008, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61113419 | Nov 2008 | US |
