SPORTS GARMENT

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a sports garment for women. The garment includes a front panel having a stretchable material and a back panel attached to the front panel comprising the stretchable material. The garment further includes a cup panel near the chest area and a pair of shoulder straps, extending from the back panel and releasably attachable to the cup panel. The garment also includes adjustable chest bands attached to the back panel and releasably attachable to one another.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sports garment and, more particularly, to a sports garment for women.

The typical support tank (athletic garment that covers chest, stomach, and mid/lower back) found in the market today offers minimal breast support to women through compression (pushing of the breasts close to the body). The compression design does not provide the motion control needed for high impact movement, nor does it provide breast encapsulation for comfort and shapely silhouettes. The compression support tank generally results in a single compressed mass across a woman's chest that lacks individual breast support. As a result both breasts move in unison, generating more motion than necessary for some athletic activities.

Additionally, the standard support tank provides minimal adjustment and is only offered in Small, Medium, and Large sizes. It is unrealistic to assume that the limited and generic sizing will fit and support women with bust sizes ranging from 30A-40DD. Lastly, being that the compression support tanks are not practical for most high impact activities, women are forced to wear a sports bra underneath a support tank or shirt. Wearing two layers of compression (support tank over the sports bra) often leads to discomfort and chaffing. The need for a sports bra plus a covering garment (regardless of the additional support) increases the number of garments needed to workout comfortably, and therefore generates more laundry and expenses.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved sports garment for women.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention; and

FIGS. 2 and 3 are back perspective views of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a sports garment for women comprises: a front panel comprising a stretchable material; a back panel attached to the front panel comprising the stretchable material; a cup panel near the chest area; a pair of shoulder straps, extending from the back panel and releasably attachable to the cup panel; and adjustable chest bands attached to the back panel and releasably attachable to one another.

The present invention includes a women's athletic top with adjustable shoulder straps, adjustable chest circumference band, and breast cups. The present invention may eliminate the single compressed mass across a woman's chest that is produced when wearing existing products in the market by providing encapsulated breast support. The present invention may be designed according to band and cup size and offer adjustable shoulder straps and chest circumference band. This will solve the lack of sizing and adjustability in the current market for support tanks.

The present invention may further eliminate the need for both a sports bra and tank top while participating in high impact activity. As a result there will be fewer garments needed to workout comfortably, and therefore less laundry. The present invention may be the only support tank designed for high impact activity that is sized by band and cup size, has adjustable shoulder straps, adjustable chest circumference, and cups that encapsulate and compress. The present invention may be offered in a wide range of sizes based on band and cup size. The present invention may also have adjustable straps and chest circumference to maximize support. Additionally, the present invention may provide breast cups to improve wearer's comfort and create a shapely silhouette.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention may include a sports garment (10). The sports garment may include straps (1) that may be comprised of two identical pieces, one for the right shoulder and one for the left shoulder. A cup panel (3) may include a slit (7) located approximately 2 inches above the left cup and may include a slit (7) located approximately 2 inches above the right cup. The cup panel (3) may be molded or formed by Neoprene fabric that is cut and sewn to form cups. The right strap (1) may be inserted into the right slit (7) of the cup panel (3) and fastened through use of a hook and loop fastener (6) such as Velcro ®. The left strap (1) may be inserted into the left slit (7) of the cup panel (3) and fastened through the use of the hook and loop fastener (6). The straps (1) may be worn over the shoulders and attached to an adjustable chest band (2) via stitching. The straps may also include a cutout in a center portions of the straps (1). Additionally, the straps (1) may have a binding that lines outer edges of the straps (1).The adjustable chest band (2) may be attached to the bottom of the cup panel (3) and may be designed to encompass the wearer's chest and connect via a hook-and-eye (8) closure near the center of the wearer's back. A front fabric panel (4) may be an overlay attached to a top of the cup panel (3) and may cover the chest and stomach of the wearer, ending near the wearer's hips. A back fabric panel (5) is attached vertically along the sides of the wearer to the front fabric panel (4) and along the bottom of the adjustable chest band (2), except for the location of the hook-and-eye closure. The back fabric panel (5) may cover the portion of the wearer's back from below the adjustable chest band (2) to the wearer's mid-hip. The back fabric panel (5) may also include a cutout in a center portion of the back. Additionally, the back fabric panel (5) may have a binding that lines outer edges of the cutout of the back fabric panel (5).

The straps (1) may be adjustable through the use of hook and loop fastener (6). The hook and loop fastener (6) end of the straps (1) may be inserted into the slits (7) in the cup panel (3) and may be adjusted to the wearer's preference. The adjustability allows for proper comfort and support of the individual wearer. The cup panel (3) may be designed to encapsulate the breasts thereby preventing greater movement and enhancing the wearer's silhouette. The adjustable chest band (2) may snuggly secures the cup panel (3) to the wearer's body and allows the wearer to customize the fit through use of eye-and-hook closures (8) that may connect in the center of the wearer's mid-back. The front fabric panel (4) may be sewn to the cup panel (3), across the top and along the underarm area. The front fabric panel (4) may be made of moisture wicking material that removes the sweat from the wearer's body and dries quickly. The material may also be breathable and deodorized, keeping the wearer cool and preventing fabric odor caused by sweat. The back fabric panel (5) may be sewn to the adjustable chest band (2), from the underarm area to the start of the eye-and-hook closure (8). The back fabric panel (5) is made of moisture wicking material that removes the sweat from the wearer's body. It's also breathable and deodorized, keeping the wearer cool and preventing fabric odor caused by sweat.

Women who engage in high impact activities tend to wear a supportive garment around their chest to minimize breast movement. It is important for women to minimize bounce in order to protect the breast tissue from stretching and minimize discomfort. One option is for women to wear a sturdy athletic bra for support. An athletic bra covers a woman's breast but leaves the wearer's stomach and back exposed. The present invention may cover the user's stomach and back.

The present invention may provide women the ability to wear only one piece of clothing for ample coverage and support of the torso while participating in high impact activities. The invention will be sized such that women can purchase the product by any combination of band. For example, the garment may be provided in various band and cup sizes, including but not limited to, sizes 32-38 bands and B-DDD cups.

A method of using the present invention may include the following.

Prior to exercising, the wearer may detach the hook and loop fasteners and unhook the chest band of the present invention. Then she may step into or pull over her head the present invention with the back panel towards the front of her body. Once the chest band reaches her bust, she will then hook the band to the appropriate size. Next she will rotate the present invention around her body until the cup panel line up with her breasts. She may then reach over her shoulder for the right strap, insert the strap through the slit, and fasten the hook and loop fastener to provide a snug fit. This will be repeated for the left strap. Once both straps are secured, the woman is ready to participate in any level of activity, with no need for extra support or coverage.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A sports garment comprising: a front panel comprising a stretchable material;a back panel attached to the front panel comprising the stretchable material;a cup panel near the chest area;a pair of shoulder straps, extending from the back panel and releasably attachable to the cup panel; andan adjustable chest band attached to the back panel.

2. The sports garment of claim 1, wherein the cup panel comprises a first slit located above a first cup of the cup panel and a second slit located above a second cup of the cup panel.

3. The sports garment of claim 2, wherein a first strap of the pair of straps is inserted into the first slit and a second strap of the pair of straps is inserted into the second slit.

4. The sports garment of claim 3, wherein each of the first strap and the second strap is adjustable using a hook and loop fastener at the end of the first strap and the second strap.

5. The sports garment of claim 4, wherein the hook and loop fastener end of the first and second straps are inserted into the slits of the cup panel.

6. The sports garment of claim 1, wherein the adjustable chest band is attached to a bottom of the panel.

7. The sports garment of claim 1, wherein the adjustable chest band comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being releasably attachable to one another via a hook-and-eye closure.

8. The sports garment of claim 1, wherein the front panel is an overlay attached to a top of the cup panel.

9. The sports garment of claim 1, wherein the back panel is attached vertically to the front panel and along a bottom of the adjustable chest band.

10. The sports garment of claim 1, wherein the front panel and the back panel comprise a moisture wicking material that removes sweat from a user.

11. The sports garment of claim 1, wherein the front panel and the back panel comprise a deodorized material.